Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene detailed her plan Sunday to oust Speaker Mike Johnson for moving forward legislation to help fund Ukraine, declaring his speakership 'over.'

'Mike Johnson's speakership is over but he needs to do the right thing to resign and allow us to move forward in a controlled process,' Greene said in an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. 'If he doesn't do so he will be vacated.'

Greene did not offer a detailed timeline for her plan to oust Johnson but said she looked forward to three upcoming special elections that would strengthen the Republican majority.

'It's coming regardless of what Mike Johnson decides to do, and we have three more Republicans joining us for a special elections coming up very soon,' she said. 'So people need to know, this can happen.'

California has a special election in May to fill McCarthy's seat and Ohio and Colorado have special elections in June.

Marjorie Taylor Green spoke about her efforts to oust Speaker Mike Johnson with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo

Mike Johnsons Speakership is OVER!



He has betrayed Republicans by handing the gavel to Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and the rest of the Democrats.



He betrayed us on border security.



He betrayed us on funding endless foreign wars.



He betrayed us on FISA.



He pic.twitter.com/zUquP3DNFH  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 21, 2024

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gaggles with reporters on the steps of the House of Representatives

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) departs Capitol Hill

The bill offering over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine passed Saturday, earning the support of 101 House Republicans while 112 voted against it.

Democrats unanimously supported the bill.

Greene filed a motion to vacate the chair in March, but has not moved forward on her effort to oust Johnson as Speaker. Fellow Republican Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Thomas Massie of Kentucky signaled their support.

Greene said Johnson had betrayed his Republican base by working with Democrats to help pass FISA and failed to leverage the Ukraine aid fight to secure the Southern border.

'He has completely betrayed Republican voters all over the country, and he is absolutely working for the Democrats, typecasting the Biden administration's agenda,' she said.

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press

Reps Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Thomas Massie have voiced their support of a motion to oust Rep. Mike Johnson as the Speaker of the House

Currently House Republicans only have a one vote margin over Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Johnson told reporters during the funding fight he was not worried about the effort to remove him as Speaker.

'Ive done here what Ive believed to be the right thing,' Johnson said. 'You do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may.'

House Republicans are terrified of another messy Speaker fight after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in October, prompting 22 days of infighting until the party finally united around Johnson as his successor.

Greene's insistence on blocking Ukraine aid earned her the nickname 'Moscow Marjorie' from some of her House colleagues, as Russia would benefit if the United States failed to send more weapons and money for Ukraine.

Greene accused Republicans in Congress for failing to represent their voters.

'The Republican party in charge right now is no different than the Democrat party. It's one big uniparty that serves the world first and America last,' she said.
The man who set himself on fire outside Trump's criminal trial has donated his kidneys to 'save two peoples lives' after he died from his burns on Friday.

Conspiracy theorist and researcher Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in fluid and lit his clothes on fire near the Manhattan criminal court as horrified onlookers watched.

The flames were extinguished by NYPD officers and he was rushed to hospital but died later that day.

Now nonprofit organ donation group LiveOnNY has revealed that Azzarello was a donor and that both of his kidneys were transplanted, allowing him to 'save two peoples lives on the national waitlist.'

President Leonard Achan said: 'The 37-year-old man who tragically passed away after succumbing to injuries from self-inflicted burns while across from the Manhattan courthouse on Friday, was a registered organ donor.'

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, was a registered organ donor and doctors removed both of his kidneys for transplant after he died

Now nonprofit organ donation group LiveOnNY has said that his donation saved two lives

Max Azzarello, 37, seen outside Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday with a sign, moments before he set himself on fire. He died hours later

The Florida native was a graduate from Rutgers University, where he received a masters degree in city and regional planning in 2012.

Friend and neighbor Bob Warren, 62, who lived next door to Azzarello in Saint Augustine, Florida revealed: It was just a few days before he went to New York, we were sitting around in the back there, drinking beers and he was playing his guitar, and we were talking.

He had some extreme views, some extreme ideology and he just said, I think Im going to have to just go be a martyr.

Tragically, Warren admitted, that no-one who was present to hear Azzarellos threat took him seriously, but instead simply laughed it off as the ramblings of a man whom they knew as, generally calm and a great guy, but who had in recent months become increasingly obsessed with conspiracy theories.

Warren said: He just moved into the apartment next door about three weeks ago, but hed been coming over to hang out for about six, seven months before that.

He was a great guy. We used to chat. Im a Trump supporter. He thought everyone was involved in some conspiracy so we would just stay away from some subjects. We got along fine.

According to Warren, Azzarello had looked on the move as a positive change as, though his father, Richard, 71, lives locally, he had been living in a half-way house.

Warren described himself as, completely shocked to learn that his friend had followed through on his threat.

He said: I just keep thinking he probably changed his mind four or five seconds after he lit himself up.

Azzarello pulled a bunch of pamphlets out of his backpack and threw them up in the air before dousing himself with fuel and accelerant at 1.39pm Friday afternoon.

He died of his injuries shortly before 11pm that night.

His white Toyota 4Runner truck sits where he left it outside his apartment building. Trump is with Hillary, And theyre about to fascist coup us up, is written in permanent marker across the back.

The address of the website where he posted of his intention to self-immolate and his belief that cryptocurrency is a vast Ponzi scheme being perpetrated against the American people is written beneath the license.

Warren said he was 'completely shocked' by his neighbor's actions, adding: I just keep thinking he probably changed his mind four or five seconds after he lit himself up'

The neighbor said revealed, It was just a few days before he went to New York, we were sitting around in the back there, drinking beers and he was playing his guitar, and we were talking'

Following his death, Azzarello's white Toyota 4Runner truck sits where he left it outside his apartment building. Trump is with Hillary, And theyre about to fascist coup us up, is written in permanent marker across the back

Azzarello wrote a slew of his conspiracy theories on his vehicle, including his belief that cryptocurrency is a vast Ponzi scheme being perpetrated against the American people beneath the license

According to one neighbor the placard tucked under the back windshield bearing the words: This is a revolution, was a recent addition.

In the hours since the horrific incident friends and former school mates have come forward to paint a picture of a fiercely intelligent but increasingly troubled young man for whom, it seems, the death of his mother, Libby, two years ago may have proved the catalyst for his catastrophic unraveling.

Yesterday DailyMail.com revealed that Azzarello had only just completed 180 days of probation for a string of incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and rambling behavior.

Three criminal complaints obtained by this publication shows that all the incidents that took place in August last year.

In one Azzarello, who is listed on charging documents as unemployed, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of President Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida.

The complaint notes that the incident took place on the evening of August 19, 2023, and that Azzarello had just finished dinner at the hotels restaurant when he launched the glass at the image, breaking the glass on the framed photograph and damaging it with wine.

Just two days later, on August 21, Azzarello was back in the Case Monica Hotel where he was reported for, standing outside, stripping his clothes off and yelling at customers.

When police arrived, they noted that he was wearing nothing but his underwear, standing on the sidewalk holing [sic] a speaker blasting music and yelling.

The hotel manager told officers that several customers were scared for their safety and unable to enter or exit for fear of Azzarello.

Azzarello with Bill Clinton in one of his Facebook photos

The protestor owned a criminal history including a string of incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and rambling behavior

On August 24, he was arrested once more for graffitiing property and rifling through a womans belongings in the flatbed of her truck.

According to the police report he had been seen yelling in someones yards after misinterpreting an exterminators sign warning people to keep their children and pets off a lawn that had just been treated and becoming convinced that the pest control company was there to exterminate children and dogs.

In a further insight into his troubled state of mind, Azzarello posted an update on his Facebook page earlier that same month in which he told followers he had just spent three days in a psych ward.

He claimed that four cgops showed up at his apartment after he tipped a Starbucks barista $200 and wrote Go F*** Yourself on the receipt.

He wrote, I was handcuffed, shoved, and put into a psych ward. I was given no information about why I was there until after my discharge.
Johnny Vegas's glamping site in a picturesque market town has sparked a row with the locals who claim it looks like a 'junkyard', according to reports.

Vegas, whose real name is Michael Pennington, has moved his Field of Dreams from Harrogate in North Yorkshire to Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire.

The vintage vehicle glamping site was featured on the Channel 4 show Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping after first launching in 2021.

It returned to screens last year, showing the 53-year-old and his assistant Bev repurposing derelict vehicles into sleeping quarters for a boutique holiday destination.

Michael Pennington, aka Johnny Vegas, pictured with an American school bus that people can stay in

The 53-year-old comedian has repurposed derelict vehicles into sleeping quarters for a boutique holiday destination

The glamping site has caused fury among some of the locals in Melbourne (pictured) who claim it looks messy

People can spend the night in an American school bus, a classic Citroen camper and even a helicopter which served in Chile and Sierra Leone.

But some of the locals in Melbourne have described the site as 'hideous'.

One anonymous resident told The Sun: 'I wish it wasn't here. It reminds me of a junkyard. I think it impacts the local area, especially at the weekend.

Johnny Vegas pictured with his assistant Bex. Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping has been greenlighted for another series

Guests can book out converted school buses and planes from 350 for a minimum two-night stay

Guests can book out converted school buses and planes from 350 for a minimum two-night stay

The glamping site also features a helicopter which was used in Chile and Sierra Leone

'It's so much busier and you can't park in Melbourne anymore. If I go out on the weekends there's no space when I get back.'

Another said: 'Well I don't think the 'Field of Dreams' is a 'Field of Dreams'.

'I think it looks like a Travellers' camp. It's horrible for Melbourne. I think it looks hideous and awful.

'It's very distracting, particularly at night. From higher up in Melbourne you can see the lights in a landscape that is purely beautiful.'

However, some of the residents supported the scheme with Kris Harrington, 72, saying: 'As far as the Field of Dreams is concerned, I say good luck to him.

'I spoke to Johnny the other day and asked him if he had enough vehicles now. He said he was thinking of two more.'

Johnny Vegas pictured with his assistant Bex. Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping was featured on Channel 4

Some of the locals support the new glamping site but others complain about excessive traffic

The Benidorm star named his first vehicle Patricia in honour of his mother

Leane Tolley, 38, said: 'It's muddy down there. I love it. Because I work in Derby city centre everyone at work knows it's here.

'I'm videoing it all the time and sending it to them. This is the first time we've been in a while and it's all built up again. It looks good.'

Melbourne Hall is a stately home owned by Lord Ralph Kerr, heir presumptive to the Marquessate of Lothian and the chiefship of Clan Kerr.

Guests can book out converted school buses and planes from 350 for a minimum two-night stay.

The Benidorm star named his first vehicle Patricia in honour of his mother.

MailOnline has contacted Johnny Vegas, Melbourne Hall and the Field of Dreams for comment.
Nothing is permanent in politics. What seems settled can become abruptly unsettled, as the inevitable gives way to the unthinkable.

For a long time, Scotland was Labour country. Overwhelmingly. Intergenerationally. Unquestionably.

And then suddenly it wasnt. The SNP bided its time, plotted a path to victory, then launched an audacious raid.

It toppled Labour at Holyrood, claimed a majority from an electoral system designed to prevent them, convinced almost half of Scots to vote for independence and replaced the Liberal Democrats as the third party in the House of Commons.

It was a force like no other in Scottish politics, a cross between an insurgency and a mega church.

It is unlikely that Humza Yousaf or his government will be able to turn things around before the next General Election

Tens of thousands rushed to join up, hundreds of thousands to vote, and Nicola Sturgeon packed concert venues built for pop stars.

Move over Madonna; make way for Mother Scotland.

Looking back on those days from these, the whole thing seems unreal.

A false memory. But it happened and now it is un-happening.

The settled is being torn up, the inevitable rewritten.

The Nationalist leviathan is being humbled before our eyes.

Governments can survive scandal. What they cannot survive is loss of credibility.

The SNPs credibility is in free fall. It is becoming plain to even the most sympathetic voter that the Nationalists cannot govern.

They are a party of press releases that never make it to outcomes.

No political party owns government. They are all just renting.

Sooner or later, the lease runs out.

That lease is under strain right now from Green members who want their party to withdraw from the Bute House Agreement.

But there are another two years before Humza Yousafs ministry has to take its case to the public.

The more immediate danger comes from the General Election, which is likely to be six months away at most.

The poll is properly about reserved matters such as defence, foreign policy and pensions, but if the Scottish voters want to use this election to punish the SNP, that is their prerogative.

The police investigation into SNP finances has not shifted the polling significantly. What is cutting through with voters is Yousafs weakness as a leader and the Scottish Governments failure to deliver on bread-and-butter concerns such as the health service.

It is unlikely that Yousaf or his government will be able to turn things around in the next half-year, and so the SNP is assuming the crash position and bracing for impact.

The flurry of MPs deciding to stand down at the election is matched by others resigned to losing their seats.

The only question is how many seats will be lost.

The SNP won 48 in 2019. Right now, if you offered them 30, theyd have your arm off.

But the big-picture concern is geographical spread.

Since 2011 the SNP has been dominant more or less Scotland-wide.

It has legitimately been able to claim for itself the mantle of the national party of Scotland.

If the General Election sees Labour pick up enough seats in its old Central Belt heartlands, the SNP could revert to being a regional party for the purpose of Westminster elections.

One with more seats and spread than prior to 2015, but no longer a party that could rely on Airdrie as assuredly as it did Angus.

The spell that says the SNP speaks for Scotland would be broken.

Electoral dominance takes many years to build but can crumble quickly.

Going back to being just another party, one of many vying to speak for Scotland, would be psychologically wounding for the hierarchy and the rank and file.

But it would only be the beginning of the partys woes.

Punishment at the polls would be accompanied by reckoning and recriminations behind the scenes, and they wouldnt remain behind the scenes for very long.

With two years until the next Holyrood election, the SNP will only grow more anxious to correct course in time to save its government.

That is when things will really begin to get ugly, for the leadership and the activists will be confronted by just how much time and how many opportunities they have squandered.

Almost 17 years, more than 6,000 days and nearly nothing to show for it.

If SNP politicians doubt that, there is a simple test they can take.

Whip out your iPhone, set 60 seconds on the stopwatch, and list as many SNP policy achievements as you can think of.

Its not easy, is it?

Seldom has a political party accrued so much power only to do so little with it.

That will be part of a post-election post-mortem but the inquiry will begin at the top.

That Yousaf is ill-suited to leadership and not up to the job of running a government has been plain from the beginning.

The obvious thing to do after the election would be to bundle him out of Bute House, ditch the Greens and steer clear of contentious policies.

But it would be a mistake to see the future of the SNP as a contest between personalities or even a dispute around cultural issues such as gender policy and freedom of expression.

Nationalism is about more than Humza Yousaf versus Kate Forbes.

There are three questions facing Nationalists, in ascending order of importance. First, where is the SNP going as a party?

Second, where is independence going as a cause? Third, where is Scotland going as a country?

That those questions still pertain after two decades of incumbency is remarkable. That no one appears capable of answering them is damning.

It suggests we are dealing with a party that has either lost its way in office or is simply not capable of wielding power.

If the SNP is just a protest party, there is only so much good that can come from appointing someone new to hold the placard.

A searching bout of introspection is called for.

None of this gives licence for Unionist complacency.

Despite the travails of the SNP, independence remains roughly a 50-50 proposition among the public and enjoys eye-watering support among the under-45s.

The Union is in a precarious position even as the SNP struggles to keep its head above water. What happens if it finds solid ground again?

The era of SNP dominance isnt quite over but this appears to be the direction of travel.

And what do the Nationalists have to look at in their rear view mirror? A lot of empty road.

No great reforms, no transformative legislation, no legacy worth the name.

If this SNP government departed office tomorrow, there would be little trace left behind to prove they had been there at all.

As I said earlier, no government lasts forever. All must make way for changing times, but successful governments change their times along the way.

The Nationalists have not changed their times in ways meaningful or enduring.

They were handed a country and did almost nothing with it.
She said students formed a 'blockade' to stop her from confronting her attacker

A Jewish Yale student claimed she was jabbed in the eye with a flagpole as she attended a pro-Palestine demonstration on campus.

Sahar Tartak, a sophomore and editor-in-chief of the Yale Free Press, blasted her alleged attacker in a series of posts to X, formerly Twitter, after attending the protest Saturday night.

'Tonight at Yale, I was assaulted by a student today at an anti-Israel protest. He stabbed me in the eye with a Palestinian flag,' wrote Tartak, whose profile describes her as a 'proud Jew.'

'Now I'm in the hospital. This is what happens when visibly Jewish students try to attend and document these rallies.'

Accompanying the accusation was a photo of the alleged assailant, whose face was partially obscured by a keffiyeh.

Sahar Tartak, a sophomore at Yale University, accused another student of poking her in the eye with a Palestinian flag during Saturday night's protests

Tartak provided a photo of her accused attacker, whose face was partially obscured by a keffiyeh

The sophomore claimed in subsequent posts that other students formed a 'human blockade' around her

Tartak claimed she was singled out for wearing Hasidic attire associated with an ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism.

The sophomore told the New York Post that she 'tried to report the assault to campus police, but they told her there was nothing they could do.' She was discharged from the hospital without reporting the incident to police.

A string of social media posts documented Tartak's confrontations with pro-Palestine protesters. She included several videos of fellow students linking their arms and walking in a circle around her, chanting.

Tartak described them as a 'human blockade' and accused them of pinning her against a wall.

'One of many videos of a human blockade that did not let me move around at last night's violent protest,' she captioned one clip.

'This is me standing in between protestors and the wall. organizers told protestors to get closer to the wall. "Come closer," they beckoned, waving the mob in my direction.'

In the video, another student urges the protesters to move in, telling Tartak they are trying to create a path for her to leave.

However, she accuses the organizers of directing the other students to 'knock into (her).'

Tartak further asserted that the protesters blockaded her to keep her from 'running after my assaulter.'

'Instead of helping me find him swiftly, one organizer told me: "I want you to think about what do you really want to get out of this,"' she wrote.

She alleged she was singled out for wearing attire associated with the Hasidic Jewish sect

Tartak further asserted that protestors stepped in front of her to prevent her from confronting her assailant

Students have been protesting in Yale's Beinecke Plaza since Friday. The demonstrations came in response to an attempt to remove an encampment from the grounds of Columbia University

The Yale student body has been protesting for months to pressure the university into divesting its endowment from weapons manufacturers in the Middle East

In another video, the sophomore filmed her confrontation with said organizer.

'I'd like to remove the person from the rally who hit me in the eye with the flag,' she says frantically while recording the other student, who wears a red keffiyeh around her neck.

'All of us want this rally to be peaceful, and we don't want anyone to be injured,' the student responds. 'I just need to ask you a few more questions.'

Tartak then accuses the woman of 'stalling,' claiming she feels 'uncomfortable.'

Yale students have been setting up tents in Beinecke Plaza since Friday. The demonstrations came as a direct response to attempts to remove a similar campsite at Columbia University.

So far, no arrests have been made, unlike at Columbia, where a police spokesperson confirmed that more than 100 protesters had been taken into custody.

Most of those arrested were charged with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

The Yale student body has been protesting for months to pressure the university into divesting its endowment from weapons manufacturers amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

These efforts have only ramped up over the past few weeks amid the war in Gaza that has seen more than 30,000 Palestinian civilians killed.

Speaking to the Jerusalem Post, Tartak said she urged police to disband the encampment, but was told they needed authorization to do so.

'These students are violating every policy in the books; they should have been disbanded immediately,' the sophomore told the publication.

'These students have taken over campus, and its an intimidation tactic.'

On Sunday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement.

'While every American has the right to peaceful protect, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,' he said.

'And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms.'
An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed during a brutal carjacking while on his way home from work.

Officer Luis M. Huesca, 30, was shot and killed in the Gage Park neighborhood early Sunday morning, the Chicago Police Department said.

Officers responded to a 'gunshot detection' alert in the 550 block of South Kedzie Avenue just before 3am.

They located Huesca, who was shot multiple times, before they transported him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Huesca served as a Chicago Police officer for six years and was just two days shy of his 31st birthday.

A suspect has not yet been identified and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Officer Luis M. Huesca, 30, was shot and killed in the Gage Park neighborhood early Sunday morning in a violent carjacking. A suspect has not yet been identified and the motive for the shooting is unknown

They located Huesca, who was shot multiple times, before they transported him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling announced Huesca's death during a press conference later Sunday morning.

'Another sad day for the Chicago Police Department. We lost one of our own today, Snelling said.

'That officer was a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city.'

Snelling added that Huesca was dressed in his uniform when he was shot and that his vehicle was taken from the scene.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also issued a statement following the young officer's death.

'We are deeply mourning the death of Officer Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team following an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city.'

'I met with Officer Huesca's mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss,' Snelling added.

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling announced Huesca's death during a press conference later Sunday morning and said that the fallen officer 'was a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city'

Fellow police officers and firefighters were seen saluting the American flag that was raised in the middle of the street in honor of Huesca

Johnson said that his office, Snelling and the entire police department are committed to 'putting every resource available toward apprehending anyone involved.'

Huesca's death comes a little more than a year after another CPD officer, and his friend, died in the line of duty.

On March 1, 2023, Officer Andres Mauricio Vasquez Lasso was killed as he responded to a domestic violence call on South Spaulding Avenue.

In a tribute video to the Lasso, Huesca was seen memorializing his friend and colleague.

'Andres was the epitome of the American dream, because he came to this country looking for a way to move upward, make a societal difference,' Huesca said.

'Stepped away from mediocrity. Did what others would not do in their lifetime, and actually succeeded in this country. Hes one of those guys that actually deserved this star.'

Fellow police officers and firefighters were seen saluting the American flag that was raised in the middle of the street in honor of Huesca.
Crypto fugitive Kyle Davies has continued to publicly engage in degenerate gambling - as if his crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital never allegedly erased approximately $10 billion in value for investors in 2022.

Davies and his business partner Su Zhu face over $3.5 billion in creditors' claims after their now-bankrupt fund, Singaporean-based Three Arrows Capital (3AC), crashed amid the 2022 crypto downturn.

This hasn't stopped Davies from attempting to pass himself off as a master trader and posting his latest crypto bets on X for all to see - all while authorities are still unable to track down his location and apprehend him.

In a post on April 17, Davies shared a screenshot of his portfolio alongside Zhu's portfolio on OX.FUN, a crypto exchange where users can copy the trades Davies and Zhu make.

'It's not over until the fat lady sings,' Davies wrote, appearing to brag about doing better than Zhu even though both men's portfolios were massively down at the time.

This prompted some to wonder if their poor performance was a hint at why 3AC ultimately failed.

Kyle Davies' post on X bragging about beating Su Zhu at trading, even though they're both in the red

Davies (pictured) cofounded Three Arrows Capital with Su Zhu in 2012

Davies (left) and Zhu (center). At its peak, the fund managed around $18 billion, but suffered heavy losses when the LUNA and Terra cryptocurrencies collapsed

Many view this as a complete slap in the face because of Davies' unwillingness to apologize for the 3AC fraud or hand himself over to Singaporean authorities, who sentenced Zhu and Davies to four months in prison back in September.

Zhu served his sentence and was released in December 2023, while Davies has managed to elude capture since the beginning.

Therefore, it's unsurprising that X users were quick to pounce on Davies for his tone-deaf post.

One user clapped back in the replies writing: 'Its not over till youre in prison.'

Another said: 'Is this why 3AC went t**s up[?]'

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of another fraudulent crypto venture FTX, was also mentioned in the replies.

'You mean dis fat lady?' a user wrote, pairing it with a particularly off-putting GIF of Bankman-Fried.

Another added: 'Can't make money trading, can't leave Bali or you'll be arrested. Talk about a tough spot to be in!'

Laura Shin (pictured left) interviewing Davies about 3AC and why he's not sorry about the collapse

Last month, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for stealing $8 billion of his customers' money

The rest of the people in the replies to Davies' tweet were either laughing at him, telling him to 'quit crypto,' or telling him to 'read the room.'

Last month, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for stealing $8 billion of his customers' money.

And finally, someone stated the obvious to Davies.

'Youre [sic] both down, dont [sic] celebrate.'

The rest of the people in the replies to Davies' tweet were either laughing at him, telling him to 'quit crypto,' or telling him to 'read the room.'

As of Sunday, Zhu's investments have rebounded into the green, while Davies is still deep in the red, according to OX.FUN's website.

The 3AC collapse in June 2022, which was caused when the LUNA and Terra crypto tokens went to zero, is seen as the beginning of what industry natives call a 'crypto winter.'

Davies (left) still hasn't been apprehended, nor has he admitted fault

The two founders are pictured hard at work, before the crypto fund collapsed in 2022

Shortly following 3AC's descent into bankruptcy, crypto lender Voyager went under because 3AC could no longer pay back the $666 million in loans it owed to them, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Months later, the crypto market failed to recover and in November 2022, Bankman-Fried's FTX blew up.

The cycle continued yet again with BlockFi, which collapsed after FTX couldn't make good on the hundreds of millions it borrowed from the crypto lender.

Crypto managed to have a bit of a comeback in early 2024 when Bitcoin reached its all-time high of $75,830 on March 14, 2024, according to Investopedia.

The largest cryptocurrency in the world sits at around $64,700.

Beyond posting their trades on X, Davies and Zhu are so brazen that they even created a new venture called OPNX, a bankruptcy claims exchange, less than a year after 3AC went belly up. The exchange shut down in February.

As of now, Davies hasn't been arrested and his location is still unknown.
A wealthy New York town has launched a legal bid to block a suburban childcare center from taking in unaccompanied migrant children.

Officials in Mount Pleasant, Westchester, are embroiled in a court battle with the Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) over whether asylum-seeking minors can be housed at the Pleasantville Cottage School.

The JCCA sued the town first after officials declared an emergency order to keep migrants out of the town - the childcare group accused the measure of preventing them from carrying out their mission to shelter children in need.

They said in their lawsuit that the children 'have suffered traceable harm as a direct result of the towns orders.'

Then the town countersued the JCCA on April 12 seeking an injunction to keep the migrant children out of their facility citing zoning issues.

Town Supervisor Republican Carl Fulgenzi has long tried to have the school shut down

The JCCA has a deal with the US Office of Refugee Resettlement to take the children into their Mount Pleasant school

The JCCA has a deal with the US Office of Refugee Resettlement to take the children into the Mount Pleasant school, which is usually used as a local residential treatment center for children with behavioral disorders.

But the town is trying to block the deal, claiming in their lawsuit that establishing a shelter at the school would violate the municipality's zoning code.

Town Attorney Darius Chafizadeh told The Examiner: 'Its definitely a zoning issue. They cant have a shelter on that campus. Its not allowed under the zoning code.'

Town officials, including Supervisor Republican Carl Fulgenzi, have long tried to have the school shut down, claiming its residents have caused issues in the town.

In the first six months of 2023, there were more than 450 police calls to the site, including multiple violent offenses, according to The Examiner.

Now they argue that JCCA are unable to handle the young people that live onsite and having more children on campus would increase the chance of problems.

Fulgenzi has been a vocal opponent of migrants, issuing several emergency orders in an effort to prevent them from living in the town.

He said that the orders were necessary to prevent a 'flood' of incomers from nearby New York City.

The town is trying to block the move, claiming in their lawsuit that establishing a shelter at the school would violate the municipality's zoning code

The JCCA said that Fulgenzi created a 'sham emergency' and accused him of having racist motivations for blocking the migrants

In an October order he wrote: 'The Town has no ability to receive and sustain an influx of migrant persons and asylum seekers.'

The orders ban 'person, business, entity or municipality' from making contracts to transport migrants to or house migrants in the town without the 'express written permission of the Town Supervisor'.

The JCCA said that Fulgenzi created a 'sham emergency' and accused him of having racist motivations for blocking the migrants.

The organization pointed to a post shared on Fulgenzi's personal Facebook account where he shared a picture reading 'European Christians built this nation... they didn't come to b**ch, collect welfare, wage jihad, and replace the American Constitution with Sharia law.'

Carl Fulgenzi told DailyMail.com: 'The Town is concerned for the safety of the children at the JCCA. This facility has a well-documented history of assaults and 911 emergencies that make the campus an unsuitable location for unaccompanied minors. The JCCA by their own admission cannot handle the children already in their care and this is known to the State agencies that license the JCCA.

'The JCCAs recent lawsuit is an attempt to vilify me and shift attention from their failures to protect their own residents. Just days ago in the latest of a long list of serious on-campus incidents, a child who was assaulted at the school was left to call 911 on her own because school administrators did not.

'From the legal perspective, it is important to understand that the Town has not enforced the Emergency Order against the JCCA, which is the basis of their lawsuit.

'However, we WILL enforce our zoning code, which applies to every property owner in Mount Pleasant. The Town is happy that the Supreme Court of Westchester County issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing the operation of a shelter on the JCCA property. Further, the JCCA cannot occupy its facility as a shelter or modify its buildings without proper permits, inspections of work performed and certificates of occupancy.

'It is dangerous, irresponsible and illegal for the JCCA to make major alterations to buildings that will house children without plans, permits or inspections. Childrens lives are at stake.'
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker will be the first witness during the trial of former President Donald Trump in New York which resumes on Monday, according to the New York Times.

Pecker is a central figure in the case after he alerted Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen about Stormy Daniels and her plan to reveal her claims of an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.

Pecker alerted Trump in October 2016 of Daniel's affair but she ultimately settled a $130,000 non-disclosure deal with Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen.

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker will be the first witness during the trial of former President Donald Trump in New York which resumes on Monday, according to the New York Times

Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) sits at the defendant's table at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York,

Pecker's testimony will help jurors understand how he helped Trump kill damaging stories about him

Prosecutors will grill Pecker about her personal friendship with Trump and his efforts to help him 'catch and kill' negative stories about him during the presidential campaign.

Pecker is expected to detail how he worked with Trump and his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to broker deals.

Prosecutors claim Pecker directed his company to pay a Trump tower doorman who was shopping a dubious story about a 'love child' that Trump had fathered.

Pecker also directed a payment to former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to suppress her claims of an extended affair with Trump.

The case is expected to bring details of Trumps alleged affairs back into the public consciousness ahead of the 2024 election.

Prosecutors charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents to cover up the hush money payment.

Trump has repeatedly denied the affairs and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley welcomed home her husband Michael on Saturday after a months-long deployment overseas.

'That moment when you finally take a breathIts been a long year but even longer without each other,' she wrote on social media. 'Thankful for Michaels safe return and the end of a year long prayer.'

Major Michael Haley serves in the National Guard and appeared with Haley in March 2023 when she announced her campaign for president.

Nikki Haley embraces her husband Michael after returning from deployment

He was later deployed to Africa in June as she continued running failed presidential campaign against former President Donald Trump.

Haley featured her husband in a campaign ad in December, saying she would continue to exhibit 'American strength' overseas to prevent members of the military like her husband from having to go to war.

In January, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed new details of affairs she allegedly had with her communications consultant and a South Carolina lobbyist.

Will Folks, 49, and Larry Marchant, 61, signed affidavits in 2010 alleging they had a sexual relationship Haley when she was in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Some details of Haley's alleged affairs emerged during her 2010 campaign for governor. At the time, she denied the stories, reassuring voters she was '100% faithful' to her husband.

Nikki Haley waves with her husband Michael Haley after a campaign event

Maj. Michael Haley, husband to Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley hugs her husband Maj. Michael Haley following a deployment for his unit

In January, Haley and her campaign refused comment in response to the Daily Mail story and ultimately banned reporters and photographers from her campaign events after the article was published.

Trump hinted at the reports during the last months of the campaign.

'Where's her husband? Oh, he's away What happened to her husband? Where is he? He's gone,' Trump said to supporters during a rally in February.

'He knew. He knew,' Trump added without specifically referring to the reported affairs.

Haley responded by accusing Trump of mocking her husband's military service.

'Donald, if you have something to say, don't say it behind my back; get on a debate stage and say it to my face,' she said.

Haley ended her campaign in March after Trump beat her in every state on Super Tuesday except for Vermont.
At least five rockets were launched from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, two Iraqi security sources said.

The attack against U.S. forces is the first since early February when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against U.S. troops.

Two security sources and a senior army officer said a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a small truck had been parked in Zummar border town with Syria.

The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time as warplanes were in the sky.

'We can't confirm that the truck was bombed by U.S. warplanes unless we investigate it,' said a military official on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident.

Pictured: A view of the base, known as Tower 22, which is operated by US troops as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, near Jordan's border with Iraq and Syria in the northeastern Rwaished District

This latest attack against U.S. troops comes a day after a military base in Iraq being used by a pro-Iranian militia was damaged in an explosion that killed one and wounded eight.

Tension is extremely high in the Middle East as the war between Hamas and Israel rages on, and tensions reach boiling point between Israel and Iran.

Following an attack from Israel on Iran's Consulate in Damascus, Syria earlier this month that killed two Iranian generals, Iran retaliated with a series of strikes on April 13 in Israel that were mostly deflected by its Iron Dome.

The US, a major ally of Israel, also helped to shoot down Iranian drone strikes.

Days later on April 19, Israel launched a airstrike against a major airbase and nuclear site in central Iran.

Now, both countries seem to be downplaying their attacks on one another, seeking to avoid a wider conflict in the region.

Israel, though it may want to avert war with Iran, is still going full steam ahead with its operations in Gaza following Hamas' October 7 attack that killed more than 1,160 people.

Israeli troops Sunday finished a two-day operation in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. An IDF air raid killed at least 14 people, including a teenager and a child, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The health ministry says 483 Palestinians have been killed by settlers or IDF troops since October 7, whereas the death toll in Gaza is much higher, now rising to over 34,000 people.
A former senior policy adviser to the Obama administration has appeared in court in Britain charged with child sex offences.

Rahamim 'Rami' Shy, 46, who co-ordinated the US government's strategy to combat terrorists from Al Qaeda and the Taliban, is accused of arranging the commission of a child sex offence, court documents reveal.

He is also charged with possession of two category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Shy, a US citizen, who lives in New Jersey, worked for the White House under president Barack Obama and secretary of state Hillary Clinton, was arrested in late February by Bedfordshire Police. He was charged the following day and appeared at Luton Crown Court via video-link from HMP Bedford on Friday wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.

He was not asked to enter a plea to any of the charges and was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing in June.

Rahamim 'Rami' Shy (pictured) is accused of arranging the commission of a child sex offence, court documents reveal

Former US President Barack Obama in 2014. Shy worked for the White House under president Barack Obama. Bedfordshire Police arrested Shy in February and has since been charged with child sex offences

Luton Crown Court where Shy appeared via video-link from HMP Bedford on Friday wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit

Shy, a US citizen who lives in New Jersey, worked for Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State

Obama and his cabinet watching the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Shy co-ordinated the US government's strategy to combat terrorists from Al Qaeda and the Taliban

Most recently employed as an executive at banking group Citi, Shy worked in a senior role at the US Treasury department from 2008 to 2014, advising officials on countering the financing of terrorism and assisting foreign governments to impose sanctions on hostile regimes. As well as working as a senior adviser to the late US diplomat Richard Holbrooke, who served under the last three Democrat presidents, Shy provided strategic policy analysis to chiefs of staff at the US Department of Defence.

He was deployed to Afghanistan to provide expertise to the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was set up to maintain stability following the America-led invasion of the country.

According to his LinkedIn page, Shy provided ISAF with counter- terrorist finance expertise and went on to present the US's strategy on Afghanistan to a congressional hearing in 2010.

Shy was a student at Rutgers University in New Jersey and went on to study international security policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in New York.

A spokesman from Citi said that Shy was no longer an employee at the banking group. Shy is due to go on trial in August.
Tanya Plibersek has branded Elon Musk an 'egotistical billionaire' after the X owner vowed to defy Australian government demands to remove harmful content from his social media platform.

Musk mocked the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, after she ordered the removal of videos showing the alleged livestreamed stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

Ms Grant warned that failure to ban these posts would see X, formerly Twitter, face a 'daily fine of $785,000' but the Tesla CEO slammed the move.

'The Australian censorship commissar is demanding *global* content bans,' Musk wrote on X on Saturday.

Now, Ms Plibersek has hit back, claiming Musk's position 'beggars belief'.

Elon Musk (pictured) mocked the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, after she issued a notice of removal of videos showing the alleged livestreamed stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. Tanya Plibersek has now labelled him an 'egotistical billionaire'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Utter futility of Australia's 'world-first' eSafety commissioner exposed: How taxpayer's money is being wasted on an endless game of online whack-a-mole - as it's revealed banned X posts can simply be re-uploaded 'What is the world coming to?', X owner Elon Musk commented on Daily Mail Australia's original story (pictured) Advertisement

'This egotistical billionaire thinks it's more important for him to show whatever he wants on X or Twitter or whatever you want to call it today (...) than to respect the victims of the crimes that are being shown on social media, and to protect our Australian community from the harmful impact of showing this terrible stuff,' Ms Plibersek told Sunrise.

The Environment Minister said the Albanese Labor government had 'quadrupled the budget for the eSafety Commissioner'.

The internet safety regulator lauds itself as the 'first government agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online'.

'eSafety has powers relating to cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and illegal and harmful online content,' its website states.

Ms Plibersek said there was now bipartisan support for legislation aimed at tackling misinformation online.

'We tried to introduce a misinformation and disinformation bill last year,' she added.

'Sadly the Liberals and the Nationals didn't support it at the time. Peter Dutton and Susan Ley said they will now  thats good.

'We need to keep Australians safe from this terrible stuff on social media.

'Elon Musk doesn't dictate to the Australian Government what we are doing here domestically with our laws.'

It is not the first time Musk and Ms Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, have locked horns.

Last month, Daily Mail Australia revealed that the online safety watchdog tried to force a Canadian man to delete an 'offensive' post about an Australian UN trans expert.

Chris Elston, who goes by the name of 'Billboard Chris' on X and lives in Canada, shared a Daily Mail story about Teddy Cook, a female-to-male trans Australian activist who landed a job on a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert panel drafting care guidelines for trans and non-binary people.

In his post, Mr Elston misgendered Cook and make other 'disparaging' remarks.

He was served with a 'removal order' by the eSafety Commissioner but refused to delete the post.

When X subsequently complied with the 'removal order' by geo-blocking the post in Australia, Mr Elston simply re-shared the offending post.

In a colossal back-fire for the eSafety Commissioner, that post alone has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told reporters last week that while the majority of mainstream social media platforms had engaged with the commissioner over its order to remove videos of the alleged church stabbing, more still needed to be done

In response to this publication's story, Billionaire X owner Musk said: 'What is the world coming to?'

X, which Musk bought in 2022 when it was called Twitter, later revealed it was suing the Australian government over the removal order to 'protect its user's right to free speech'.

Ms Inman Grant used to work for Twitter under the old regime prior to becoming the eSafety commissioner in 2016. She receives an annual salary of almost $445,000.

Ms Inman Grant told reporters last week that while the majority of mainstream social media platforms had engaged with the commissioner over its order to remove videos of the alleged church stabbing, more still needed to be done.

'I am not satisfied enough is being done to protect Australians from this most extreme and gratuitous violent material circulating online,' she said.

'That is why I am exercising my powers under the Online Safety Act to formally compel them to remove it.'
A sailor from one of the UKs top secret nuclear submarines is feared dead after a body was found during a search for him.

Josh Gayton was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Tuesday after a night out, wearing only a T-shirt and trousers.

He was reported missing later that day when he failed to turn up for duty at Faslane naval base.

The 21-year-old, from Worcestershire, is thought to have been unfamiliar with the area of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, where he was last seen.

Last night, Police Scotland issued an update on the search for him, stating that the body of a man had been recovered.

Josh Gayton, 21, was quizzed by police less than an hour before he disappeared

A Police Scotland spokesman said: Around 6.20pm on Sunday, police received a report the body of a man had been found in water off Helensburgh.

Formal identification has still to take place, however, the family of Joshua Gayton, last seen in Helensburgh on Tuesday, April 16, has been notified.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out but police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Yesterday, it emerged Mr Gayton had been questioned by police less than an hour before he mysteriously disappeared.

Police Scotland confirmed officers spoke to Mr Gayton shortly before the last sighting of him.

A spokesman had said: At 12.05am on Tuesday, April 16, in West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, a 21-year-old man was issued with a fixed penalty notice in connection with a public urination offence.

Josh was captured on CCTV in Helensburgh town centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning

Mr Gayton was stationed at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane

Following his disappearance, Mr Gaytons shipmates launched their own search in an attempt to locate him, while loved ones made appeals online, sharing descriptions and images of the young submariner.

A serving military officer, who asked not to be named, had questioned why the force had not contacted military police.

He told the Mail on Sunday: The Royal Navy Police patrol Helensburgh all the time and they should have been contacted by Police Scotland when they were dealing with Josh. They have a duty of care to people.

Instead his comrades are wondering why they let him walk off into the night, inebriated, underdressed and not knowing where he was, knowing he was a serving member of the Royal Navy.

Last night, the Navy said it was liasing with Police Scotland following the discovery of the body.
A 29-year-old man was murdered in an utterly random and savage attack inside a Washington casino.

While the victim was standing at a table inside Muckleshoot Casino, near the city of Auburn, another man snuck up behind him and then slashed him in the neck. The 29-year-old died at the casino.

The victim, whose identity authorities haven't disclosed, had no relationship with the suspected murderer. The suspect is 31 years old and police have not released the person's name.

Auburn authorities received a call about the attack around 1:30am on Sunday.

Authorities have called the murder a 'completely random act.'

A 29-year-old man was murdered in a savage stabbing at Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington. Authorities have called the attack 'completely random'

Police spokesperson Kolby Crossley highlighted how terrifying the incident was by detailing how the victim was unaware of their danger:

'Its a scary and terrible situation that occurred and this person had no idea what was going to happen to them,' Crossley said.

The murderer also made no apparent effort to conceal his horrific act.

Crossley told Fox13 the brutal stabbing 'happened at the casino on the casino floor'

'There were a lot of people around. There were a lot of cameras,' he said. The suspect was arrested at the scene 'without incident.'

Auburn authorities believe the two men had no relationship or contact before the murder, which occurred on the casino floor in front of horrified patrons

Auburn police have now launched an investigation into the matter, but investigators are facing an incredibly daunting and puzzling case.

Because the murderer and the victim had no previous contact with one another, nailing a motive will be difficult.

But Auburn law enforcement remain optimistic. Crossley said: 'Were going to figure out why and how and what drove this person to act so heinously.'

In a press release, authorities said that they responded to 'a report of a stabbing at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort' around 1:30am on April 21.

'When officers arrived on scene, they found a male (29) with a stab wound to the neck. Despite life-saving measures, the victim was later pronounced dead at the scene.'

The killer approached the victim from behind and then stabbed him in the neck. The victim later succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene

The press release continued by saying that 'early investigation shows this stabbing was a completely random act.'

'The victim was standing at one of the tables and the suspect (31) walked up behind him and stabbed him in the neck area.'

The statement added that 'detectives believe the victim and suspect had no contact before incident.'

'The suspect was arrested without incident and was booked into King County Jail.'
It is her first public appearance in five months

Erin Patterson to appear in court on Monday

Accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson will appear in court on Monday after three people died following an alleged poisonous lunch at her home.

Ms Patterson, 49, is scheduled to appear at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre at 10am on Monday.

It is the mother-of-three's first public appearance in five months and comes nine months after Victoria Police arrested her on November 2.

Ms Patterson was arrested at her home in Leongatha, eastern Victoria, and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

Her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, all died within days of eating an allegedly poisonous beef wellington lunch at Patterson's home on July 29.

Erin Patterson, 49, is expected to appear in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video-link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre at 10am on Monday

Ms Patterson's former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, died after the lunch on July 29

Ms Wilkinson's husband, a local pastor, miraculously recovered from the lunch after spending two months in hospital.

She was also charged with five counts of attempted murder, one for Mr Wilkinson and four for her ex-husband Simon Patterson.

Victoria Police will allege Ms Patterson made three attempts on her husband's life in November 2021, May 2022 and September 2022.

The fourth count relates to the July 29 lunch, which her ex-husband pulled out at the last minute.

At Ms Patterson's first court appearance, police requested a 20-week adjournment to analyse electronic devices seized at her home.

Police were told to present their brief of evidence by March 25, and the case was scheduled to return to court by May 3.

Ms Patterson will return to court on Monday, two weeks earlier than expected.

Criminal defence lawyer Celine Ky from Silk Lawyers said witnesses could be cross-examined in the magistrates' court on Monday.

Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, (left) died after the lunch but Ian Wilkinson (right) survived

Criminal defence lawyer Celine Ky from Silk lawyers (right) said witnesses could be cross-examined in the magistrates' court on Monday

'A magistrate will ultimately make a ruling in the committal stage as to if there is enough evidence for the matter to go to trial,' she said.

'If they find that there is enough evidence for the matter to go to trial, then Miss Patterson will be asked how she intends to plead and then the matter will be uplifted in this situation to the Supreme Court.'

It comes after it was revealed Ms Patterson's internet search history and deleted social media accounts will reportedly form a vital part of the prosecutor's case.

Detectives are particularly interested in her Facebook usage, according to a report in the Herald Sun.

The paper was told Ms Patterson allegedly created profiles under different names.

Ms Patterson (pictured before her arrest) was also charged with five counts of attempted murder, one for Mr Wilkinson and four for her ex-husband Simon Patterson

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Ms Patterson once allegedly boasted on Facebook that she was 'very good at details', while deriding the writing ability of some people in her local community.

She branded contributors to Korumburra newsletter The Burra Flyer 'illiterate motherf**kers' during a rant to an old friend.

She and her then husband Simon had put together the 48-page booklet of advertorials and promotions of the regional Victorian community for years after taking it over from Simon's parents.

Police are also looking at her internet history, with specialist teams able to unearth deleted searches.

'It's not easy but it's doable on most occasions,' a police source told the paper.

'She might be involved in conversations or narratives where she has talked about this stuff on online forums... it could be the tiniest thing.'
Angry Jewish leaders last night told Scotland Yard chief Mark Rowley to quit, saying they had lost faith in the police.

The embattled Metropolitan Police Commissioner will this week be hauled before Home Secretary James Cleverly and policing minister Chris Philp, who are said to be deeply concerned after an officer threatened to arrest an 'openly Jewish' man near a pro-Palestinian rally.

Downing Street said Rishi Sunak was 'appalled' by the footage. He wants an explanation for the conduct and assurances that it will not be repeated.

The Prime Minister is not pushing for Sir Mark to be sacked, and neither is London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said the commissioner enjoyed his confidence, despite calling him in for an 'urgent' meeting today.

Downing Street said Rishi Sunak was 'appalled' by the footage (pictured). He wants an explanation for the conduct and assurances that it will not be repeated

Mr Falter, who was walking home from a synagogue when he came across a march, was warned that he risked 'antagonising' the situation

But Jewish groups said they had no confidence in the Met to keep them safe and were asking how many more pro-Palestinian protests they have to endure over the conflict in Gaza. They say the marches have turned areas of London into 'no-go zones' at weekends and sparked a record increase in anti-Semitism and hate crime.

A Whitehall source said there was an 'ongoing dialogue' between ministers and the Met about the policing of marches in the capital, including over whether they should be allowed to continue on such a regular basis. 'The Met has a lot of powers, including the ability to ban marches where there is a threat to public order,' the source said. 'We want to make sure they are using those powers appropriately.

'But there are also questions for Sadiq Khan. He is responsible for holding the Met to account and ensuring London's streets are safe for everyone  what is he doing to deal with this incident?'

Sir Mark is also due to meet Marie van der Zyl, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, over a 'grievous loss of confidence' in the Met, with the latest complaint sparked by last week's interaction with Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

The embattled Metropolitan Police Commissioner (pictured) will this week be hauled before Home Secretary James Cleverly and policing minister Chris Philp

Sir Mark is also due to meet Marie van der Zyl, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, over a 'grievous loss of confidence' in the Met, with the latest complaint sparked by last week's interaction with Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism

Mr Falter, who was walking home from a synagogue when he came across a march, was warned that he risked 'antagonising' the situation.

'You are quite openly Jewish... I am worried about the reaction to your presence,' an officer told him. Ms van der Zyl said: 'The Metropolitan Police has made a series of high-profile errors in their responses to these demonstrations. The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UK's Jewish community in the police.'

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UK Lawyers for Israel, said: 'I think Mark Rowley should go. He has lost the confidence of a large part of the Jewish community.'

The Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from anti-Semitism, wants the law tightened to halt the protests, saying: 'The broader question this incident raises is how much longer these costly and disruptive protests will be allowed to continue at times and places that impact not just Jewish people, but everyone.

'It feels like any balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else has been completely lost, with extremists the only one to benefit.'

Rank-and-file officers last night joined the calls for more robust policing of pro-Palestine demonstrations. Police Federation chairman Rick Prior told The Daily Telegraph: 'A more robust policing of these protests would be beneficial. We need to make a commitment to the Jewish community to root out anti-Semitism on these marches.'

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesman added: 'Sir Mark Rowley is a man scrambling to save his job.

Jewish groups said they had no confidence in the Met to keep them safe and were asking how many more pro-Palestinian protests they have to endure over the conflict in Gaza. Mr Falter on Good Morning Britain

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesman added: 'Sir Mark Rowley is a man scrambling to save his job'

'The time for meetings has passed. We need a new commissioner who understands that the job of the police is to arrest criminals, not their targets.'

Former home secretary Suella Braverman also demanded that Sir Mark resign, telling The Sunday Telegraph that people who are 'flagrantly anti-Semitic' were being 'waved on by the police'. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden suggested that Scotland Yard had been 'disrespecting' Jews.

But last night Sir Mark's job appeared safe as a spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'The Met must have the confidence of the communities they serve and it is right that they have apologised for the way the incident was handled and their original public response.'

The Met Police said: 'We remain focused on doing everything possible to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe in this city.'

The Home Office said: 'We welcome the Met Police's apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish  or of any other race or religion  should never be seen as provocative.'
A former Conservative minister who leapt to the defence of Angela Rayner is secretly working as an adviser to Labour.

Nick Boles was lauded by the Left last week after accusing the Tories of 'hypocrisy' for questioning whether Labour's deputy leader is telling the truth about her property dealings.

But the Mail can reveal that Mr Boles has been quietly advising Labour on how to implement the party's plans for government.

Mr Boles confirmed that he is working as an 'informal adviser' to Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Sue Gray, as she draws up Labour's plans for power. He declined to say how the arrangement came about, or how long he has been working as a Labour adviser.

But he insisted that Labour had not put him up to launching a public defence of Ms Rayner.

Former Conservative minister Nick Boles (pictured), who leapt to the defence of Angela Rayner, is secretly working as an adviser to Labour

He insisted that Labour had not put him up to launching a public defence of Ms Rayner (pictured, right, with Sir Keir Starmer)

Mr Boles confirmed that he is working as an 'informal adviser' to Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Sue Gray (pictured), as she draws up Labour's plans for power

In a letter to The Times, Mr Boles said the Tory pursuit of Ms Rayner over claims she may have dodged tax or even broken the law was 'one of the most grotesque spectacles of hypocrisy I have witnessed'.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The house sale document that could nail Angela Rayner: Neighbour who called Labour deputy leader a f***ing liar talks to police as Mail reveals she signed key papers in two homes row Advertisement

The former minister said Rishi Sunak and former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft, who first raised concerns about Ms Rayner's conduct, had both benefited from their families' use of non-dom tax status in the past and were now living 'lives of luxury'.

By contrast, he said, Ms Rayner had grown up in poverty and 'pulled herself up by her bootstraps'. He said even her detractors believed she owed 'less than 3,000 in tax'.

Mr Boles was hailed by the Left as a hero, with the Labour-supporting Observer newspaper  sister paper of The Guardian  saying Mr Boles' 'magnificently scornful' intervention showed that 'the belief that the pursuit of Ms Rayner reeks of Tory hypocrisy is not just to be heard from lifelong Labour partisans'.

Mr Boles' attack line was echoed almost word for word by Sir Keir at Prime Minister's Questions last week, with the Labour leader claiming the Prime Minister and Lord Ashcroft were two wealthy men 'smearing a working-class woman'.

The PM responded that Sir Keir should 'show some leadership' and publish Ms Rayner's tax and legal advice, which she claims clears her.

One senior Tory said yesterday: 'It is pretty rich for Nick Boles to be accusing anyone else of hypocrisy. Here he is accusing the Conservatives of playing political games without revealing he is working for the Labour Party.

'The fact he is advising Starmer's chief of staff puts a completely different complexion on his comments  no wonder he didn't want to mention it.'

The former minister said Rishi Sunak (pictured) and former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft, who first raised concerns about Ms Rayner's conduct, had both benefited from their families' use of non-dom tax status in the past and were now living 'lives of luxury'

Mr Boles served as Boris Johnson's chief of staff during his time as London mayor, and was once part of the 'Notting Hill set' of senior Tories alongside David Cameron (pictured, right), George Osborne (second from right) and Michael Gove (left)

Mr Boles told the Mail: 'I wrote the letter as a private citizen. The first anyone in the Labour Party knew of it was when it appeared in The Times.'

Mr Boles' new role completes his political journey across the floor. The privately educated former planning minister served as Boris Johnson's chief of staff during his time as London mayor, and was once part of the 'Notting Hill set' of senior Tories alongside David Cameron, George Osborne and Michael Gove. Allies of Mr Johnson accused him of betrayal when he switched sides during the 2016 leadership contest to back Mr Gove.

He quit the Conservative Party in 2019 over Brexit. Until recently he was a senior adviser at a consultancy run by former Tory Cabinet minister Francis Maude.
A Gen-Z property investor who owns three properties has shut down claims landlords are at fault for Australia's current rental crisis.

Harley Giddings, 24, has worked hard since adolescence and in every job 'under the sun' to own a house and is now the proud owner of multiple investment properties.

The young investor posted a TikTok to his thousands of followers saying he often gets comments 'all the time' that blame investors for the housing shortage.

The savvy landlord said he can understand Aussies' frustrations but thinks this is 'misguided', firmly believing the sky-rocketing rents and housing shortage lie with high immigration and low building approvals.

'In 2022 and 2023 the government let in over a million migrants into the country,' he said.

Harley Giddings, 24, has a property portfolio consisting of three investment properties. He understands people are 'hurting' but believes Aussies are 'misguided' when blaming landlords for the rental crisis

'Basic supply and demand' is the reason for the Australian housing crisis, according to the 24-year-old

'According the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this is the most amount of migrants Australia has ever let into the country since they started recording.

'These one million migrants were let in at a time when Australia already had a housing crisis.'

Mr Giddings said that when people arrive in Australia they are looking at renting and not buying, which is why so many people are at inspections for rental opens.

'Basic supply and demand,' he said.

The second reason the young property investor gave for the housing shortage in Australia was the low amount of homes being built.

'We are simply not building enough properties,' he said.

'In Victoria, my home state, we currently have the lowest amount of building approvals that we've had in the last decade.

'This issue is Australia-wide.'

The 24-year-old quoted research from the Institute of Public Affairs that by 2028 Australia's housing supply will be short by 252,800 homes.

Many Australians agreed with the young investor, also blaming the government.

'Absolute master stroke by the government,' one wrote.

'Not to mention all of Victoria's new tax laws on investments, landlords are getting rid of them,' one said.

'If you can't keep up with supply reduce the demand,' another wrote.

Mr Giddings said the the low number of houses being built in Australia is a major reason for rents increasing so high (pictured people at an auction)

However, other Aussies were quick to throw blame back at the investor.

'You are also the problem. You cannot just blame building and immigration. You know why people cant afford to build? Because they cant afford the increased prices driven up by decades of investors,' one wrote.

'Investors and immigration: two problems [that] need to be stopped,' another said.

Mr Giddings told Yahoo he understands it would be very hard at the moment to be a renter and there's a lot of 'hurt' due to prices increasing not just in rent, but everything else as well.

'I just think there's a couple of factors that is like worsening the housing crisis that isn't caused by renters or landlords,' he said.

The investor, who became interested in property after reading multiple books and listening to podcasts about investing, made it clear to Yahoo that he did not blame the people moving to Australia, but government policy.

Mr Giddings dropped out of university half-way through his business degree because he didn't think it would offer him much.

The 24-year-old instead worked two jobs, seven days a week, saving more than $100,000 by age 22.

Mr Giddings, who describes his family as middle class, went halves with his dad for his first property, as told by Yahoo.

The young investor believes high rents and a competitive market has been created by the government allowing one million migrants into the country in the middle of a housing crisis

'My parents aren't really the kind of investment-savvy people. Like, dad's a firefighter, mum's a hairdresser. So he had the borrowing power because he was working full time and I had the savings,' he said.

The hard-worker, who has always been interested in investing, purchased away from his state of Victoria and instead invested in Western Australia.

'There's 15,000 suburbs in Australia, it's highly unlikely that the area you live in is going to be one of the best performing,' he said.

The first property cost the father and son $450,000 and then the 24-year-old used more savings to buy a second property.

Mr Giddings used the equity built up in the second property to purchase his third investment.

This impressive property portfolio was achieved by the time he was just 23.

According to the Australia Tax Office, most landlords are 'mum and dad' investors, with a massive 71 per cent of landlords in Australia owning just one investment property.

Only 19 per cent own two properties.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics work begun in 2023 on just 163,836 new houses, which is the lowest amount since 2012.

Compounding the issue is a 90,000 tradie shortage, who are needed in the next three months so the government's housing plan can stay on deadline.
As the month goes on it will be harder to see as the evenings become lighter

The 12P/Pons-Brooks comet will reach the brightest point in its orbit on April 21

Tonight, the night sky will be lit up by a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle as the 'Mother of Dragons' comet returns to the solar system.

The 21-mile-wide (34km) comet 12P/ Pons-Brooks, or Pons-Brooks for short, is making its first visit to the inner solar system in more than 70 years.

And the great news is that you won't even need a telescope or any special equipment to see this stunning display.

All you will need is a dark night and some patience to spot the Mount Everest-sized comet with the naked eye as it reaches its brightest point on Sunday.

However, Dr Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society warns: 'Don't expect it to be dazzlingly bright - the kind of image you see in photographs. It's not going to be like that.'

Tonight the dazzling green 'devil comet' (pictured) might be visible with the naked eye over the UK

The comet earned its name as an eruption of the comet's ice volcanoes gave it a distinct horn-like appearance

The Pons-Brooks comet is a periodic comet, meaning its orbit takes it through the solar system on a somewhat regular basis.

It takes 71.3 years for it to make a complete lap of the sun, making it a so-called Halley-type comet which appear in the solar system every 20 to 200 years.

This means opportunities to see the devil comet only come once or maybe twice in a lifetime.

As Pons-Brooks returns to the inner solar system, light from the sun will reflect off the comet's cloud of gas and ice - making it appear to glow brighter.

The comet will reach its maximum brightness as it reaches its closest point to the sun, or its apogee, which will take place tonight.

To see the comet this weekend look to the West in the 90 minutes after sunset, the comet should be below and to the left of Jupiter

Comets to look out for in 2024 13P/Olbers This will be visible in June and July. It will potentially be visible with binoculars. This comet returns every 69 years. C/2023 A3 This comet could be bright enough to the title 'Great Comet'. It might be as bright as the brightest stars in the sky. It will be visible through September and October. No special equipment will be needed. Advertisement

At this time the comet might become bright enough to see with the naked eye, although it will still be very faint.

Dr Massey says: 'This is something that might just be visible to the naked eye if you don't have a Moon in the sky, if there's no light pollution and if the weather is really clear, then you might stand a chance.

'But for most of us, we're going to need to pick up a pair of binoculars.'

Since it might be hard to spot, Dr Massey recommends using a star chart or night sky app to help locate it.

Jake Foster, astronomy at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: 'The comet will appear low in the west after sunset, setting below the horizon around 90 minutes after the Sun does.

'This means it will be difficult to observe, but not impossible. It will be just below and to the left of Jupiter, which will appear as a bright white dot to the naked eye.

Although the comet will be at its brightest, it may still be quite hard to see as the lighter evenings reduce its visibility.

Mr Foster says: 'Spotting the comet will require a clear view of the western horizon and a pair of binoculars or a telescope.

'Getting away from the light pollution of bright city lights will also help.'

The comet should be visible as a white spot to the naked eye, while telescopic photographs like this can reveal the swirling clouds of gas and dust that surround the nucleus

If you are lucky enough to get a good view of the comet this weekend, you might be able to see a detail that makes Pons-Brooks particularly special.

As the comet approaches the sun it glows with an eerie green light which is visible through a telescope.

'The comet's fuzzy green glow comes courtesy of diatomic carbon molecules (basically pairs of carbon atoms stuck together) on its surface,' Mr Foster explains.

'As the comet gets closer to the Sun, the Sun's radiation breaks the molecule bonds apart, releasing energy as vibrant green light.'

Pons-Brooks is also one of the few known cryovolcanic comets, meaning it regularly erupts with plumes of dust and ice.

Beneath the icy surface, the comet has a core of cold 'magma' made of liquid hydrocarbons and dissolved gasses.

As it is warmed by the sun, pressure builds up inside which eventually erupts with dramatic results.

12P/Pons-Brooks can appear to have a fuzzy green glow due to the presence of diatomic carbon molecules on its surface. These absorb energy from the sun and release it as green light

What do we know about the 'devil comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks? Size: 21 miles (34k) across Speed: 40,000 mph (64,373 km/h) Orbital period: 71.3 years Associated meteor shower: Draconids in November through December First identified: 1812 Discovered by: Jean-Louis Pons and William R. Brooks The 'devil comet' gets its name from the distinctive horned appearance caused by cryovolcanic eruptions.

The comet also appears green due to the presence of diatomic carbon on its surface. Advertisement

It was one of these eruptions which gave the comet its 'devil horn' appearance as a plume of dust created a second tail.

An eruption in July 2023 also caused the comet to become 100 times brighter from Earth, and more flare-ups are possible as we move through the month.

However, it isn't likely that these flares will be big enough to make the comet significantly brighter to the naked eye.

Like many periodic comets, Pons-Brooks has a long history of observation with the first recorded sighting likely dating back to 14th century China.

However, it wasn't until the 1800s that Pons-Brooks was recognised as a comet.

French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons, who is the most prolific visual comet discoverer of all time, first spotted the object in 1812.

Pons' observations were confirmed in 1883 by British-born American comet observer William R. Brooks.

The comet is named after these two astronomers and gets the title 12P on account of being the 12th periodic comet to be discovered.

The comet is also sometimes called 'The Mother of Dragons' because it is believed to be the origin of the draconic meteor shower which occurs between November and December.

Other comets to see

If you don't quite manage to see the 12P/Pons-Brooks comet this weekend, there is still hope for the rest of the year.

In 2024, we will be treated to two more comets that should be bright enough to spot with binoculars or the naked eye.

Between June and July, the 13P/Olbers comet will return to the solar system for the first time in 69 years.

This Halley-type comet won't be the brightest but it should be visible to careful observers in the Northern hemisphere with binoculars.

Through September and October, however, stargazers will be in for a real treat as C/2023 A3 makes its way to the inner solar system.

At its peak, it is believed that this comet could rival Sirius as the brightest object in the night sky.

It will be easily visible to the naked eye and there will be good views all month, weather permitting.
From dog toilet breaks to doing laundry, one sailor has offered a glimpse of some of the quirkier aspects of life at sea.

Sierra Swezey, who is originally from Florida, lives on a 39ft catamaran with her husband, Billy, and their dog, Jetty, and they have a built loyal social media thanks to their water-based adventures.

But in a series of TikToks, Sierra reveals some of the wackier sides of boat life and in one clip, she tackles their 'most asked question' of how their dog goes to the toilet.

She explains that generally they take their dinghy to a shoreline every morning so Jetty can go for a walk and 'do her business,' and they do the same excursion in the evenings.

However, she adds: 'But in the rare case we are sailing offshore for days at a time, she'll go potty on the [catamaran] trampoline and we just wash it off with soap and water.'

Sierra Swezey lives on a 39ft catamaran with her husband, Billy, and their dog, Jetty, and they have a built loyal social media thanks to their water-based adventures

The Swezeys current boat is the fifth vessel they have owned and lived in and they specialize in boat renovations. In one TikTok, Sierra gives viewers a tour of their modern catamaran

Sierra says that generally they take their dinghy to a shoreline every morning so Jetty can go for a walk and 'do her business,' and they do the same excursion in the evenings

@tulasendlesssummer We get comments asking where jetty goes to the bathroom AT LEAST once a day Just because we live on a boat doesnt mean we never get off  She also comes with us fishing, grocery shopping, out to eat, and pretty much anywhere we go. . . . #boatlife #livingonaboat #boatdog  original sound - Tulas Endless Summer

In another TikTok, Sierra shows how they recently got their first small laundry machine and how it operates.

She tells viewers as she runs through the step-by-step process: 'I normally do rapid to save as much water as possible.

'We normally do laundry on a day where we're using the engines. Because the engines charge batteries and the water maker uses a lot of power and the washing machine uses a lot of water.

'So we use both water maker and washing machine at the same time as we're using the engines.'

Once the laundry is done, Sierra shows how they simply put in the boat's guardrails on the deck to dry.

While at sea, the sailor reveals in one TikTok how they often experience heavy downpours, but they always strive to 'take advantage of the rain.'

In the clip, Sierra shows how they set up a rain catchment, so they can fill up their water tanks for 'doing dishes and showering.'

Over more than 10 years of sailing, the Swezeys have hit many places on the map. Most recently, they spent more than two months exploring the waters off the Bahamas

Sierra shows the salon or main living area (left), while the master bedroom boasts a queen-size bed that the couple can get in from both sides (right)

She also demonstrates how the heavy tropical rain also makes for the perfect opportunity to clean the boat decks down and also take a shower.

The Swezeys current boat is the fifth vessel they have owned and lived in, and they specialize in boat renovations.

In one TikTok, Sierra gives viewers a tour of their modern catamaran.

On the starboard hull she showcases a guest room, a functional kitchen, another guest room currently used to store their surfboards, and a bathroom where the tap doubles as an extendable shower head to save space.

Moving back upstairs, she shows the salon or main living area 'where the table goes down to make a huge bed.'

The adventurer continues: 'We also have a day bed which is where we sleep during the overnight sails.

'[Then there is] a navigation desk where we also do all of our editing and Jetty's food and water [area] of course.'

Continuing on her tour, Sierra ventures down into the port hull, which she says is hers and Billy's space.

She explains: '[Here] we have the main bathroom with a walk-in shower and an electric flush head (toilet).

'Walking forward, we have lots of storage and then we come to our room where we have a queen-size bed that we can get in from both sides.'

Sierra notes that they 'have multiple hatches for breeze and two fans,' which is important while cruising in hot climates.

Over more than 10 years of sailing, the Swezeys have hit many places on the map.

Their claims include Antigua, Bahamas, Barbuda, Canada, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadalupe Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Martin, and the US Virgin Islands.

Most recently, they spent more than two months exploring the waters off the Bahamas.
A seasoned cruise ship worker has revealed the seven essential gadgets you need in your bag for a seamless and relaxing trip.

Lucy Southerton, 28, has racked up nine-years of experience working on board cruise ships around the world.

Lucy, from Birmingham, regularly shares her insider knowledge on how to have the best time at sea to her YouTube channel - Cruising as Crew.

Forgetting your essentials while you are in the middle of the ocean can be an absolute nightmare.

However, Lucy has shared her top seven must-haves passengers should ensure they have before setting sail.

Seasoned cruise ship worker Lucy Southerton (pictured) has revealed the seven essential gadgets you need in your bag for a seamless and relaxing trip

The cruise ship worker has racked up nine-years worth of experience working on board ships sailing across the globe

In a recent video, she has revealed the SEVEN must have gadgets before setting foot on a cruise

1. Portable Charger

A dead phone in a foreign country is most travellers worst nightmare - hence why the cruise ship worker urges the importance of having a portable charger to hand (stock image)

On the top of the list of the experienced cruise ship worker's essentials was a portable charger.

Urging both crew members and passengers to remember the handy device, Lucy explained that forgetting the power bank can be a nightmare both on-and-off the ship.

There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and being without a phone and unable to navigate your way around - hence why the cruise ship worker pressed it's importance.

'I always recommend taking a portable charger because there is nothing worse than getting half-way through your day and your phone is on ten percent battery,' she said.

'Then you are like "We still have four more hours in port and now I have no phone."

She added: 'It is actually even worse if you are using your phone for Google Maps and then it dies.'

According to Lucy, this can cause additional issues if you want to use an internet cafe whilst in dock instead of purchasing a wi-fi package.

However, this proves to be impossible if your phone goes flat before you even arrive.

2. Travel Sized First Aid Kit

Making sure you are stocked up on bandages and plasters is always a good idea - however ensuring you have Imodium, pain killers and sea sickness tablets may even save you some money.

Lucy explained that even though there are shops on ships which sell the medications you may need, the prices are astronomically hiked up.

She revealed: 'You are a captive audience so the price is going to be ramped up because they know you can't get it from anywhere else.

'So while you may be able to get a packet of sea sickness pills for $3 at home, you are going to pay $10 on board for the same pack of sea sickness tablets.'

Similarly to her first essential item, the cruise ship employee also advised her fellow crew members to bring a first aid kit onboard so they can avoid the medication centre.

She added: 'Especially if you are on vacation. You do not want to spend your time waiting around in the medical centre unless you really need to.'

3. Waterproof Phone Case

While it may be enjoyable to watch belly flop competition's from the side of the pool, Lucy advises to keep your phone safe in a waterproof case (stock image)

Protecting your phone from theft or damage is a must regardless of whether you are on holiday or not.

However when you are next to pools of playing children and beaches, the potential damage to your phone is more immediate.

To protect your expensive devise, Lucy recommends bringing along a waterproof phone case so that your phone won't break after a day lying by the pool or a boat excursion.

Retelling her friend's tale, Lucy shared: 'I had a friend who was on vacation and she was lying by the pool because she liked to watch and see everything going on.

'They were doing a belly flop competition and she wasn't really thinking about [her phone].'

But after half an hour of pool fun, the friend eventually realised her phone was directly in the splash zone - but by that point it was too late.

4. Noise Cancelling Headphones

The cruise ship worker revealed noise cancelling headphones are a must for those wanting to tune out (stock image)

Although you may have bought a ticket for a cruise getaway in a bid to relax for a couple of weeks - others onboard may have different plans.

According to the cruise ship worker, even though most cruises are large enough to escape the noise of the pool - others are not.

On smaller voyages you may walk all the way to the quiet zone on the tail end and still be able to hear the hustle and bustle of the pool area.

So if you want to be prepare for 'inescapable' noise, Lucy recommends a 'good' pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

She explained: 'It just means you can plug yourself in and pretend that you are on your own and that you are in a serene environment.'

The cruise ship worker also explained that headphones could be a good solution for parents having to watch their kids by the noisey pool or for bookworms wanting to tune out the thudding of their neighbouring cabin.

5. Lightweight Backpack

While many people will prefer to have a handbag whilst venturing off port, Lucy explained a backpack will not only leave you hands free but more prepared (stock image)

Some may be more used to taking a small handbag with them whilst adventuring new cities.

But Lucy is firm in the belief that a small lightweight back-pack will prepare you for any situation - especially for parents.

Sometimes a handbag may not be big enough to tuck away everything you may need whilst off the ship.

So to be prepared to the best of your ability, the cruise ship worker advises taking a backpack - so you can also have free hands.

'You are going to want to take sunscreen a bottle of water you are going to want to be prepared for every eventuality,' she explained.

'You are going to want your hands free to explore the ports.'

6. Universal Adaptor

Dubbing it one of the 'best purchases' she had ever made, Lucy was especially fond of her universal adaptor.

It can be a nightmare when you arrive to a location and realise you do not have the correct plug to charge all your essential gadgets for the trip.

Equally on a cruise it can be unpredictable what plugs they may have, so a universal adaptor won't only save you suitcase space - it will save you a lot of hassle too, according to Lucy.

'Instead of taking European or American adaptors you can just take one adaptor and it will have you sorted for all eventualities,' she said.

'I have done it before. You pack thinking you know what the plug sockets are going they aren't there and some cruise ship don't have USB ports.

'So a universal adaptor is definitely something I would recommend.'

7. Apps

Downloading apps prior to your cruise is a must according to Lucy, who says the Wi-Fi on board is often not strong enough to install software

Ensuring you have installed the right apps for the duration of your journey was must do on Lucy's list.

Although an app isn't a physical gadget, it is an essential piece of technology that could make your holiday a lot easier according to the cruise ship worker.

According to Lucy, you should make sure you have downloading every app you think you may need prior to getting onboard to avoid any possible hassle.

The cruise ship worker of nine years explained that even if you buy a WiFi-package for your time on the ship, downloading any software of documents will be a hassle.

'So any apps you want to download for your cruise whether that's the cruise line's app, google maps or google translate - any apps you may need to you navigate the cruise or time on port - please make sure you download these before you get on the cruise.'

She added: 'You don't want to be running around the port to try and find WiFi to download app trust me I have been there it is just not fun.'
A flight attendant has revealed all the tips and tricks on how you can get an upgrade to first class - for free.

Cierra Mist from Utah, regularly reveals her flying secrets and hacks, from why your seat has to be upright to how you can become your flight attendant's star passenger.

Sitting in the illustrious front row is merely a daydream for many who don't have the budget to buy pricey plane tickets.

Giving us a peek behind the cabin curtain, Cierra has revealed a myriad of ways you can get the upgrade at no extra cost.

Here are the three methods that will increase your chances of getting upgraded to better seats.

Flight attendant Cierra Mist (pictured) divulged the three ways you can get an upgrade to the exclusive rows of first class for free

From giving up your seat on an overbooked flight to placing yourself in the last row, the cabin crew member shared the easy methods to securing that illustrious first class seat

1. Sit in the last row

Being sat in the final row of the plane can be an advantage for several reasons, typically because it allows you to be one of the first seated and to leave the aircraft.

However, being placed in the final row greatly increases your chances of being ferried to first class according to the flight attendant.

Admitting the tip sounded 'a little weird', Cierra explained cabin crew usually move passengers seated here on flight that aren't full to ensure the weight of the plane is evenly distributed.

Explaining the procedure if the flight is less crowded, she added: 'If that is the case the flight attendants are going to choose the people in that very last row to go up front.

'[This is] so they can sit down [in the seats] after doing their service because its a lot more comfortable to sit in those passenger seats than it is the jump seats.'

2. Surrender your seat

The second method Cierra claimed works '99.9 per cent' of the time was surrendering your seat if you are on an overbooked flight.

Some airlines occasionally overbook their flights in an attempt to recover the cost of seat cancellations.

However, with summer just around the corner most holidaymakers will be keen to jet off to their sunny getaway, meaning cancellations are few and far between.

But if you are not in a rush to your destination you could use the airlines mishap to your advantage according to Cierra.

The flight attendant explained that if you volunteer your seat on an overbooked or full flight you can negotiate an upgrade your alternative journey.

She divulged that airline companies will initially low ball you offering up an airport voucher worth $200 to $500 dollars.

However, she revealed step-by-step how you can secure your premium seat in first class after giving up your previous one on the full flight.

'First go to the gate agent. Second give them the price [of your initial flight] and say that you want it in cash,' she said.

For the final step, Cierra divulged that you have to demand the gate agent to put you in first class 'to compensate' for your lost time.

A fire sure way of making sure you get upgraded to first class is giving up your seat on a busy flight according to Cierra - however you should only do so if you have plenty of time to spare (stock image)

3.Emergency service workers

The flight attendant's final tip for bagging a free upgrade into the exclusive rows of first class is to notify crew if you work for emergency services.

Informing the flight attendants that you are a police officer, nurse or fire fighter allows them to know you can help in emergency circumstances onboard.

As a result they at the very least notify the team, if not offer you an upgrade to business or first class.

'At the bare minimum they will put you in an exist row which does have a lot more leg room and a lot more space to relax,' Cierra explained.

'But just know that in an emergency you will have to help us.'
A couple who live part time on a houseboat in the deep Louisiana swamp has lifted the lid on what it's really like to reside on the bayou - from being surrounded by alligators to having to hunt rodents to eat.

Peter Santenello, 45, a popular US-based filmmaker, recently spent the day with Tara and Keith Gaudet - a couple who call the Louisiana marshland their home - and documented the entire thing for his YouTube channel.

The pair not only showed Peter how they survived while living in the extremely remote area, which can't even be accessed by car, only by boat, but they also spoke out about the highs and lows that come with their lifestyle - which included not being worried about crime but having to hunt and gather their own food.

The video began with Peter traveling to Tara and Keith's abode by taking a water vessel down the bayou.

A couple who live part time on a houseboat in the deep Louisiana swamp has lifted a lid on what it's really like to reside on the bayou

Peter Santenello, 45, a popular US-based filmmaker, recently spent the day with Tara and Keith Gaudet - a couple who call the Louisiana marshland their home

The pair showed Peter how they survive while living in the extremely remote area, which can't even be accessed by car, only by boat

They also spoke out about the highs and lows that come with their lifestyle - which included not being worried about crime but having to hunt and gather their own food

Upon arriving at the small, floating houseboat, Tara quickly gave him a tour. There wasn't much to see as the home was only made up of two rooms - a living area that acted as the kitchen and bedroom in one, and the bathroom.

In the main room there was a small propane stove and some counter space on one side, while the other had a bunkbed and a futon couch.

A flat screen TV was mounted to the wall, but Tara admitted that they didn't have any cable or Wi-Fi, and had to use her phone's hotspot if they wanted to watch anything.

As for electricity, they used solar panels to keep the house running - and also had a generator which they used to power an air-conditioner unit if it got too hot.

In the bathroom there was a toilet, but no shower. Instead, that was outside on the back porch.

Tara told Peter that they used filtered 'bayou water' for everything, including to clean themselves.

The couple, who both 'work in oil' and have one son, split their time between the houseboat and another home in Houma because of their work schedules. But if they could, they would live full-time on the bayou.

'We've never had any problems with anybody out here,' Tara gushed. 'Everybody knows everybody. It's a whole different vibe out here, so chill.

The video began with Peter traveling to Tara and Keith's abode by taking a water vessel down the bayou

Upon arriving at the small, floating houseboat (seen), Tara quickly game him a tour; there wasn't much to see as the home was only made up of two rooms

There was a living area that acted as the kitchen and bedroom in one (seen), and the bathroom

In the main room there was a small propane stove and some counter space on one side (left), while the other had a bunkbed and a futon couch (right)

A flat screen TV was mounted to the wall, but Tara admitted that they didn't have any cable or Wi-Fi, and had to use her phone's hotspot if they wanted to watch anything

'A lot of people, when they think of Louisiana, they automatically think New Orleans, Bourbon Street, stuff like that.

'But we have a whole another world out here that we enjoy. Tell me this is not better than a city. This is God's country.'

Tara explained that they love being so disconnected from the world, and that they hadn't even turned on the news in 'months.'

'It would just upset me so much to see all the stuff going on,' Keith added. 'I'm a lot happier not keeping up with that stuff. This is what we do, and we enjoy our lives.'

When asked what they do for fun around there, the pair explained that everyone who resides in the area has 'get-togethers' usually 'once a month.'

'It's usually like 20 to 30 people,' Keith shared. 'People like to get together, we do a crab boil or a crawfish boil and everybody wants to bring a dish.

'Everybody gets together and just has a great time, and we cook some good food. We like to cook and we like other people to enjoy our food.

'Every time me and Tara go crabbing or shrimping, we're calling people, like, "Hey, meet us at the house, we're boiling something."'

He explained that they pretty much gather all of their own food, either from fishing, crabbing, shrimping, frogging, or hunting.

In the bathroom there was a toilet, but no shower. Instead, that was outside on the back porch (seen)

Keith explained that they pretty much gather all of their own food, either from fishing, crabbing, shrimping, frogging, or hunting

One of their favorite things to eat is a rodent called nutria, which Keith described as a 'really big' rat. Keith is seen carrying a dead nutria

During the video, Keith and Tara took Peter out on the bayou and found a nutria - which Keith shot and brought back home to cook

Tara made it into a stew, which she paired with rice and hot sauce and served it to Peter

'Not bad. Not bad. It's got a lot of flavor,' he said after trying the dish. 'It's got some kick to it. The texture is different'

One of their favorite things to eat is a rodent called nutria, which Keith described as a 'really big' rat.

'They're a very invasive species. They tear up a lot of these marshlands around here and they eat all the roots of the vegetation,' he explained. 'And they dig holes in a lot of levee systems we have around here.'

'How awesome is it that you can go out, catch a fish, shoot a nutria, come back to your camp, and cook it?' Keith asked him. 'It's very fulfilling for us to be able to catch our own food or harvest our own food'

During the video, Keith and Tara took Peter out on the bayou and found a nutria - which Keith shot and brought back home to cook.

Tara made it into a stew, which she paired with rice and hot sauce and served it to Peter.

'Not bad. Not bad. It's got a lot of flavor,' he said after trying the dish. 'It's got some kick to it.'

'The texture is different,' he added of the nutria meat. 'I don't know what it's like - it's like nothing I've had before, to be honest. The texture's, like, gummy.'

'How awesome is it that you can go out, catch a fish, shoot a nutria, come back to your camp, and cook it?' Keith asked him.

'It's very fulfilling for us to be able to catch our own food or harvest our own food.'

During their boat ride, Peter saw multiple alligators, which Tara and Keith explained were normal around there.

'There's alligators everywhere around here,' Tara dished, admitting that it didn't stop them from swimming.

'They won't mess with people,' Keith said. 'They will not come after you. I think they've had maybe two deaths [from alligators] in Louisiana in hundreds of years.'

During their boat ride, Peter saw multiple alligators, which Tara and Keith explained were normal around there

Other wildlife that they see regularly includes snakes - some of which are poisonous - bald eagles, and a slew of other birds. Their houseboat is seen

While reflecting on his day with Tara and Keith afterwards, Peter couldn't stop gushing about their lifestyle. He said, 'It's just so peaceful. The bayou is more special than I thought'

Other wildlife that they see regularly includes snakes - some of which are poisonous - bald eagles, and a slew of other birds.

'Any time we sees a new animal or bird, we say, "I wonder if that's good to eat,"' Tara joked.

In addition to gathering food for their meals, they also make their own wine from muscadine.

Keith and Tara have a YouTube channel of their own, called Dat Louisiana Life, where they showcase their daily endeavors on the bayou.

'It's just us at our houseboat, us doing crabbing, fishing, and just enjoying the awesome scenery and landscape that we have around South Louisiana,' Keith said of their channel, where they've racked up nearly 66,000 subscribers.

While reflecting on his day with Tara and Keith afterwards, Peter couldn't stop gushing about their lifestyle.

'It feels so removed from everything, so I get why they like this, [it feels like a] release,' he shared.

'You seem very free out here. There's no crime, no police. It's a unique perspective, and I'm very fortunate to have gotten it.

'It's just so peaceful. The bayou is more special than I thought it would be.'
'I thought you'd ask more questions,' says driver Tristam.

'Questions? Oh yes, questions. I'm just mesmerised by the view,' I reply.

I'm in the cab of a 100mph Southeastern train bound for Faversham in Kent, video camera in hand, to lift the veil on what rail travel is like from the driver's point of view. And I'm discovering that it can be spellbinding  as my footage shows.

Regular commuters on this line probably find the journey humdrum. But I'm hypnotised by the tracks, stare in wonder at the beautiful, verdant cuttings that we pass through and the gorgeous vine-clad bridges we trundle under. It's almost otherworldly. And I'm amazed at how relatively hilly the line is  at times, it's like a gentle roller coaster. Something passengers probably don't notice.

But in the cab of this Class 375, every incline and dip is distinct.

Inside track: MailOnline's Ted Thornhill (above) climbed inside the cab of a Southeastern train - video camera in hand - to lift the veil on what rail travel is like from the driver's point of view

Ted and his ride - a 100 mph Southeastern Class 375

Knowing what's ahead adds to the allure of the cab ride. As a passenger, whether a red signal is looming in the distance is a guessing game. Up here with Tristam, I can see when the coast is clear, and when we're being slowed down.

There are some diverting landmarks, too, particularly around Rochester, 40 minutes into the one-hour nine-minute outbound journey. There, before we cross the striking railway bridge across the River Medway, my gaze is drawn to the right towards the city's cathedral, the second oldest in England, and its 11th-century Norman castle.

As we cross the bridge I look left to the Cold War-era Soviet submarine Black Widow that's moored on the river.

The dangers of being spellbound by the journey is not lost on Southeastern, with drivers trained to mitigate against it.

One tactic drivers deploy is 'risk-triggered commentary'. For example, Tristam says the colours of the signals out loud to himself to make sure he's registered what they are.

He's been a driver and driver manager with Southeastern for 15 years  but he's not about to get complacent. Safety is hardwired into the brains of those at the controls.

The view from the cab as the train pulls out of London Victoria station

Mesmerising: The train hurtles through Sydenham Hill station and into a long tunnel

When I climb into the cab at London Victoria for the return trip to Faversham, Tristam tells me the cab rules - 'phone off, don't talk to me when there's a red signal and let me concentrate when we're approaching stations'.

And in the stations, I discover another Southeastern safety rule  it's policy that drivers get out of the seat to open the door if the platform is on the opposite side of the cab to where they're sitting, to prevent the doors being opened on the wrong side.

Not only that, but Tristam says out loud to himself 'doors on the other side' in these instances.

What's more, the trains must be travelling at less than 10mph at certain points part-way along the platforms at terminuses and on the approach to red lights elsewhere on the network.

At terminus stations and at higher-risk locations, such as junctions, a 'train protection warning system' will stop a train that passes a red signal or that is going too fast towards one.

In addition, train speeds are monitored, with managers able to download a train's performance not only post-journey, but live, as it's making its way along a route.

One tactic drivers deploy against being spellbound by the view, is 'risk-triggered commentary'. For example, saying the colours of the signals out loud

The routes and their stations and speed limits, meanwhile, are committed to memory, with landmarks used to help drivers position themselves on the network and guide their braking points.

Tristam likens committing the routes to memory to learning the Knowledge, the fearsome test of London's street layout that black-cab drivers must pass.

'I can sit in my office and close my eyes and picture all the lines and their bumps and curves,' he says.

If a driver doesn't work a route for six months, that route is taken away from his or her licence  or they take a refresher course.

For the keys to a train to be handed over to a driver in the first place, a huge amount of training is undertaken, including three months of classroom learning and 255 hours of accompanied driving before a final assessment, including 40 hours in the dark.

The cab affords Ted great views of Rochester's castle and cathedral

At Rochester the train crosses the River Medway, where a Soviet Cold War-era submarine called Black Widow is moored (top left)

Rochester's cathedral (middle of picture) is the second-oldest in England and its castle (right) dates back to the 11th century

Most drivers are then examined by a driver manager once every six months. It total, it takes apprentice drivers around 12 to 18 months to become qualified.

It's reassuring. But it's perhaps no surprise that there's a strict safety and training culture, because the unexpected can occur at any moment.

On our journey from the capital to deepest Kent and back, Tristam reveals that he's had three 'very close-calls' at level crossings and had all manner of animals darting across the track in front of his train  including a horse.

Weather can interfere with a journey, too.

I ask Tristam how he copes when visibility is impaired. I wonder, in particular, how drivers cope with fog.

Tristam assures me that he knows exactly where he is when mist envelopes his train  though speeds will be lowered as fog thickens.

A changing formation is another potential issue drivers must stay on top of. It can change up to three times in one journey as the train is divided into separate services, and then reformed for another leg.

Misremember and there's a danger a driver could come to a stop at the wrong point on a platform and open the doors for carriages that are outside the station.

Pretty Faversham, above, is just one hour and nine minutes from London Victoria

'I can sit in my office and close my eyes and picture all the lines and their bumps and curves,' says driver Tristam

Tristam has the number of carriages displayed in front of him on a mini placard.

In light of all this and the challenging hours, with some shifts requiring a 3am alarm call, you would be right to assume that there's a coffee-drinking culture at Southeastern.

'I hated coffee when I started the job  now I'm like, "Show me the beans!"' says Tristam.

We pull into London Victoria's platform 1 after our jaunt and our passengers stream past, lost in thought.

Do they ever say 'thank you'?

'Occasionally,' says Tristam. 'And it's nice when they do. It makes a difference.'

I can appreciate why, because while the views, as I have discovered, are enthralling, drivers have a lot to cope with  even when there aren't any horses playing chicken.

Fancy becoming a Southeastern train driver? Visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/company/careers-at-southeastern/roles/train-driver. For general information about Southeastern careers visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/company/careers-at-southeastern. For more information about Southeastern's routes and offers, visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk.
Netflix viewers have raved about a new classic noir series, branding it a 'masterpiece' and a 'work of art'.

Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Zaillian, Ripley kicks off when petty criminal - Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott) - is greeted by a wealthy Herbert Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn), who mistakes him for a friend of his son's - Dickie.

Herbert offers the grifter a free ticket out of 1960s New York, hiring him to venture to Italy in a bid to bring his spoiled son home.

Tom believes the job will be an easy pay cheque but little does he know that it is the first step in a slow descent into a complex life of lies, fraud and murder.

Grifter Tom Ripley believes Herbert Greenleaf's offer to persuade his spoiled son Dickie to come home will be an easy ticket out of 1960s New York (Pictured: Andrew Scott as Tom)

However he soon descends into a life of lies, fraud and murder after becoming enamoured with Dickie's glamorous lifestyle (left to right: Johnny Flynn as Dickie and Andrew Scott)

Netflix fans have been left mesmerised by the gripping series, with some describing the series as a 'work of art'.

'Steven Zaillians masterful, methodical, menacing adaptation of Patricia Highsmiths Ripley pushes all my buttons,' said one enthused viewer.

'It doesnt rush anything; it squeezes every ounce of suspense & subtext out of a complex story. Best thing on TV since #Succession by a mile! Netflix more please!'

'Visually Ripley is one of the best series Netflix has ever done. The use of black and white was like a homage to the classic film noir of 40s/50s,' penned a second.

'The whole series filmed in Italy, is like a living work of art, and is a masterclass in cinematography.'

Fans have been left enamoured by the new Netflix show - Ripley - with many dubbing it a 'work of art'

Another chimed in: 'If you loved The White Lotus, do yourself a favour and go watch Ripley on Netflix. I am obsessed! '

'Said this last night but bears repeating, Ripley on Netflix is must watch.'

'Ripley on Netflix is one of the most brilliant and gorgeous things Ive ever seen.'

'Ripley on Netflix is a masterpiece, didn't want it to end, 5 stars,' one raved.

'Ripley on Netflix is easily the best series of the year so far! Amazing performances and a FEAST for the eyes.'
Richard Armitage has shared an ominous career update in the lead-up to his new TV series, Red Eye.

The Fool Me Once star, 52, has hinted that he could be disappearing from our screens in the near future, in favour of moving the other side of the camera.

ITV's Red Eye debuts tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, and will introduce us to Matthew Nolan (Armitage) as he is arrested on suspicion of murder.

He will be joined on the show by Jing Lusi (DC Hana Li), Robert Gilbert (Simon King) and Lesley Sharp (Madeline Delaney).

However, Armitage told Metro in advance of the series' release: 'My desire to be in front of the camera is diminishing.'

Richard Armitage has revealed his hopes to move behind the camera as his debut in ITV's Red Eye approaches

Armitage recently featured in Netflix's successful Fool Me Once series (pictured with on-screen wife Michelle Keegan)

Armitage has been a fixture in both TV and film since the 1990s, emerging as a love interest for Dawn French's character Geraldine Granger in Vicar of Dibley.

Since then, he has appeared in The Hobbit, North & South, Obsession and Netflix's hit adaptation of Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once.

But Armitage said that now that he has 'grown up', his desire is 'to come in at an earlier stage to shape stories'.

We do have at least six, hour-long episodes of him still to come, though.

The 52-year-old's character gets nicked on his return from China following a business trip, with authorities sending him back the other way.

DC Li is the suspect's chaperone, but reluctantly as she is not keen to return to the site of her mother's mysterious death decades beforehand.

As the pair make their way, tensions rise as it appears that there is a murderer on board - but not Nolan, who appears to be their prime target.

With their fellow passengers dying around them, the police officer and her detainee are forced to work together.

Armitage revealed that in the end the story develops to something 'bigger than my imagination' as the situation evolves beyond the plane and into the geopolitical world.

Despite this, the series was shot almost entirely in a tiny set to better replicate the aircraft environment, with the claustrophobia only adding to the tension according to the lead.

Red Eye was also shot in the same order that the script followed.

Another exciting element which convinced Armitage to take part in Red Eye was the complexity of his character.

He revealed that he tries to imagine himself actually being the character - which in this instance led to him learning CPR - and tries to find a redeeming feature to connect with in every role he takes.

The Hobbit and Obsession star plays a suspected murderer, who has to work together with his police chaperone (Jing Lusi, right) as it becomes apparent there is a different murderer on their flight

Much of the six-part series was shot on a small set to replicate the claustrophobia of an aeroplane

Lusi said that being given a leading role in the ITV drama felt 'groundbreaking' as diversity improves in UK television and film

'I've just turned down something because, from page one, I knew what the man was going to do,' he added.

Armitage is not the only star to praise the making of Red Eye. Lusi, 38, praised the creators for their diverse cast, telling Woman's Hour that getting her leading role felt 'groundbreaking'.

The Crazy Rich Asians star added that 'we see much more East Asian visibility in America,' adding that in the UK many actors of that heritage are placed 'sort of in the background' and play 'peripheral' characters.

Red Eye will see new episodes broadcast every Sunday on ITV1, with all six parts hitting ITVX at the show's launch at 9pm tonight.
The stars on the current season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia have been branded as 'nasty, rude, and fame-obsessed'.

A TV insider told Daily Mail Australia, this year's celebrities are far more interested in 'clout chasing' than in forming the bonds that past participants have cherished.

'The conditions are obviously horrific but nearly every other season the celebrities have formed bonds that have lasted many years after the winner has been crowned,' the insider said.

However, the on-set source claimed this is 'not going to be the case for many of the current batch of celebrities.'

They also said the divide between those chasing fame and those genuinely engaging with the experience is palpable.

The stars on the current season of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia have been branded as 'nasty, rude, and fame-obsessed'

'Many of the celebs found themselves caught between who they are on camera and who they are when the spotlight is off them.'

The insider also claimed a leaked conversation has exposed a 'cool group' within the jungle, reportedly ostracising Denise Drysdale, Candice Warner, Peter Daicos, Tristan McMannus, Stephen K Amos, and Callum Hole.

'The source close to the show wouldn't name names but the fact that so many other remaining celebs were obviously left off that list speaks volumes.'

A TV insider told Daily Mail Australia, this year's celebrities are far more interested in 'clout chasing' than in forming the bonds that past participants have cherished

'The conditions are obviously horrific but nearly every other season the celebrities have formed bonds that have lasted many years after the winner has been crowned,' the source said

Some contestants including Kahn Ong, Skye Wheatley, and Brittany Hockley have also reportedly received mixed reactions from their fellow contestants.

The participants have also come under fire for their behaviour, with some labelled as 'rude, condescending, ageist, and not what they seem.'

'They are the most fame-obsessed group to be formed and it is very unattractive,' the source claimed.

They also said the celebrities have been split and 'the two team challenge will never be seen again on the show.'

The insider also claimed a leaked conversation has exposed a 'cool group' within the jungle, reportedly ostracising Denise Drysdale, Candice Warner, Peter Daicos, Tristan McMannus, Stephen K Amos, and Callum Hole

Meanwhile, Callum Hole has emerged as a beacon of genuine character, with many inside and outside the camp believing he deserves to win.

'Callum deserves to win as he has really stepped back from what would have been an obvious alliance. He is just a genuine honest man who has been raised by good people,' the insider claimed.

Echoing this was AFL legend Peter Daicos who has since praised Callum's influence, saying: 'He brings great value... He deserves to win.'
Kourtney Kardashian seems to be getting her fairytale ending.

The reality star  whose fans were shocked when husband Travis Barker, 48, shared a picture of her on a toilet as part of his message wishing her a happy 45th birthday  is being treated 'like a queen' by the rocker, in spite of the picture of the porcelain 'throne.'

An insider spoke to People about the pair who will soon celebrate their second wedding anniversary.

The source told the publication, 'She enjoys a lot of family time and work very much comes second,' for the Poosh founder.

'She seems calmer, much happier and content with life. Travis is amazing. He treats Kourtney like a queen. They talk about growing old together  it's very cute!'

Kourtney Kardashian, 45, seems to be getting her fairytale ending. A source said the reality star is treated 'like a queen' by her husband, Travis Barker, 48 (Pictured in Los Angeles in January)

Since their marriage, the couple have created a large blended family that includes the Blink 182 drummer's children from his first marriage, Alabama, 18, Landon, 20, and step-daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 25, whom he shares with ex Shanna Moakler.

Kourtney shares her sons Mason, 15, and Reign, nine, and daughter Penelope, 11 with former partner Scott Disick.

The couple welcomed their son Rocky, in November.

'Although they're a mixed family, everything works and is very intentional,' the source claimed.

'Kourtney and Travis are doing a great job keeping all the kids happy. They make special time for all of them.'

The insider information comes after the rocker's loving birthday post about his bride April 18.

'Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, soulmate and best friend forever. I love you, I love our life together,' he penned.

'Thank you for being the most amazing wife a person could ask for. Here's to many more years of adventures together '

A source told People The Kardashians star 'seems calmer, much happier and content with life. Travis is amazing. He treats Kourtney like a queen. They talk about growing old together  it's very cute!'

Since their marriage, the couple have created a large blended family that includes the Blink 182 drummer's children from his first marriage, Alabama , 18, Landon, 20, and step-daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 25, and her kids Mason, 15, Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine

The couple welcomed their son Rocky, in November

Perhaps the reality star is letting her husband's behavior rub off on her. She is much kinder to herself, tries not to stress, and is very happy with life,' said the source

The lemme founder, who has legally changed her name to Kourtney Kardashian Barker responded, calling him the 'husband of my dreams.'

Perhaps the reality star is letting her husband's behavior rub off on her.

A source has revealed the eldest Kardashian has learned to be nicer to herself. 'Kourtney is one of these people that just gets better with age,' the insider claimed.

'As she's getting older, things that mattered in the past, no longer [matter] to her. She is much kinder to herself, tries not to stress, and is very happy with life.'
While Nicole Kidman is showing no signs of slowing down at 56, the Australian actress is being honoured for her immense body of work.

The Big Little Lies star will be the first Australian to receive the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.

Nicole told this week's Stellar she is so grateful to be 'honoured in this way'.

'Receiving this award fills me with overwhelming gratitude. To be the first Australian to be honoured in this way leaves me speechless,' she said.

'To be seen in the company of the greats like Lillian Gish, Bette Davis, Meryl Streep or Barbra Streisand is beyond my wildest dreams.'

Nicole Kidman (pictured) will be the first Australian to receive the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award

'I grew up as a Sydney suburban girl who just wanted to act; to have forged a career by doing what I love is a blessing beyond my dreams. I thank the AFI for this amazing honour.'

Previous recipients of the AFI honour include legendary heavyweights in world cinema like Jane Fonda, George Clooney , Robert de Niro, Al Pacino and Meryl Streep.

Awarded by the AFI Board of Trustees, the Institute's prize, next to an Oscar, is amongst filmdom's highest honours.

Nicole will be the 49th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award, which was first handed in 1973.

The Big Little Lies star told this week's Stellar she is so grateful to be 'honoured in this way'

The ageless redhead has worked with some of biggest filmmakers of the era in her four-decade career including Stanley Kubrick, George Miller, Sofia Coppola, Jane Campion, Sydney Pollack and Lars von Trier.

Beginning her career in Australia, after being born in Hawaii in 1967, Nicole first rose to fame as a child actor in pictures like Bush Christmas (1983) and BMX Bandits (1983).

She later won great praise playing a rebellious 60s teen in the landmark Kennedy-Miller mini-series Vietnam (1987).

Her international breakthrough came with another Kennedy-Miller production, the thriller Dead Calm in 1989, co-starring Sam Neill.

Nicole co-starred in the Tom Cruise box-office hit Day of Thunder in 1990 (pictured)

Nicole later made three films with Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise between 1990 and 1999: Days of Thunder, Far and Away and Eyes Wide Shut.

The pair wed in 1990 when Kidman was 23, and divorced in 2001 after 12 years of marriage.

Among Nicole's major films are, To Die For (1995), Lion (2016) and the Baz Luhrmann's Australia (2008) and Moulin Rouge! (2001) - for which she earned a Best Actress Oscar nod.

Nicole, who has continued to win praise from fans, peers and critics for her versatility is one of the most honoured actresses of her generation.

Her accolades include six Golden Globe awards, one BAFTA, two prime time Emmys and an Academy Award for Best Actress for the Hours in 2003.
Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko found herself on the receiving end of a pointed critique from an unlikely source this week.

The 44-year-old shared a heartwarming photo with her children, Pixie and Hunter, to Instagram to celebrate her dual role as a businesswoman and mother.

But the post attracted an unexpected rebuke from Tricia Hitchen, the former mayor of Penrith, a retired police officer and current board member of Penrith Panthers.

Hitchen accused Jacenko of using her kids to 'boost' her career.

'I am successful in my life, I am successful in my career, I would not use my children to boost my career,' she commented.

Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko found herself on the receiving end of a pointed critique from an unlikely source this week

Jacenko shared the comment to her page and wrote: 'Now I am using my children to boost my career, good grief someone call the police.'

Jacenko also told The Daily Telegraph, she was surprised to receive a critique from someone who claims to 'support women'.

'I have never met this person, but given her profile in the community and her experience as a retired serving police officer, surely she should know better than to be a keyboard warrior,' she added.

Daily Mail Australia approached Ms Hitchen for comment.

She shared a photo with her children, Pixie and Hunter, to Instagram to celebrate her dual role as a businesswoman and mother

The post attracted an unexpected rebuke from Tricia Hitchen, who accused Jacenko of using her kids to 'boost' her career

It comes after the PR maven broke her seven-month sobriety streak last weekend as she celebrated the wedding of her friend Martinica Canha.

In a video posted to her Instagram, Jacenko tilted her head back as she was lifted by a group of men on the dance floor.

Another male then poured whiskey into her mouth while guests cheered.

'Thinking back to the most memorable wedding of our darling... getting into the barber chair tradition,' she wrote.
Kanye West has entered the fray of the ongoing feud between rap's biggest names.

The 46-year-old Grammy winner took aim at Drake and J. Cole on his remix of Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar's diss track Like That, which he debuted during his appearance on Justin LaBoy's The Download on Saturday.

Kendrick's shots at Drake and J Cole on the original Like That kickstarted the current beef, prompting Drake to recently retaliate with his diss track Push Ups.

On his new remix, Kanye plainly states that he is on Kendrick's side by rapping, 'Yo Dot, I got you,' referencing Kendrick's former alias K-Dot.

He ends his verse by dragging Drake and J Cole with the lyrics: 'Y'all so out of sight, out of mind / I can't even think of a Drake line/ Play J. Cole, get the p**** dry.'

Kanye West took aim at Drake and J. Cole on his remix of Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar's diss track Like That, which he debuted during his appearance on Justin LaBoy's The Download on Saturday

On his new remix, Kanye plainly states that he is on Kendrick's side by rapping, 'Yo Dot, I got you,' referencing Kendrick's former alias K-Dot

Shortly after the remix drop, Kanye doubled down and took to Twitter to post an NSFW meme depicting a woman pleasuring a man after learning he doesn't listen to J Cole's music.

On the remix, Kanye also appears to reference the current sex trafficking investigation surrounding Diddy, who created the fashion line Sean John.

'Can't stop, won't stop/ I just f***** your b**** in a Sean John tank top,' Kanye raps.

Meanwhile, Drake followed up Push Ups with a new freestyle on Friday night, which referenced Taylor Swift's new The Tortured Poets Department album.

'Taylor Made Freestyle. While we wait on you I guess,' he captioned the post.

'The first one really only took me an hour or two / Next one is really about to bring out the coward in you,' Drake raps.

'But now we gotta wait a f---ing week because Taylor Swift is your new top,' he continues.

Later in the track, Drake adds, 'Shout out to Taylor Swift, biggest gangster in the music game right now. You know, I move my album when she drop, I said that already.'

Kanye ends his verse by dragging Drake and J Cole with the lyrics: 'Y'all so out of sight, out of mind / I can't even think of a Drake line/ Play J. Cole, get the p**** dry'; Drake in 2016

The drama appeared to ignite back in March, when Kendrick dissed Drake and J. Cole on the song Like That from Future and Metro Boomin's album We Don't Trust You; J Cole in 2015

Kendrick Lamar's shots at Drake and J Cole on the original Like That kickstarted the current beef, prompting Drake to recently retaliate with his diss track Push Ups; Lamar seen in 2017

Shortly after the remix drop, Kanye took to Twitter to post an NSFW meme depicting a woman pleasuring a man after learning he doesn't listen to J Cole's music

On the remix, Kanye also appears to reference the current sex trafficking investigation surrounding Diddy; seen in 2023

The rap beef was reignited when the former actor fired back at Kendrick, 36  who slammed Drake in a guest verse on the album We Don't Trust You in March  on the Push Up diss track.

The song takes jabs at the Grammy winner's physical stature and suggests that his pop collaborations have caused him to lose his edge.

'Maroon 5 need a version, better make it witty,' the alleged Drake raps. 'Then we need a verse for the Swifties.'

The Weeknd (real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), 34  who also came for Drake on We Don't Trust You  is next in line, as Drake sings, 'Cash blowin' Abel bread, out here trickin'/S*** we do for bitches he doing for n****s.'

Fans were quick to flood social media with comments regarding the credibility of Drop and Give Me 50.

One follower posted the song with the caption 'AI Drake's diss track against Kendrick Lamar, Future, Metro Boomin, Rick Ross, The Weeknd. If this isn't AI, all of them are cooked.'

Another chimed in 'The fact no one can tell if it's real or AI says a lot about Drake's music but that's maybe for another time

Yet another fan commented, 'Drake is smart, if everyone likes the diss he'll claim it if they don't he gonna say it's ai and get back in the studio.'

Drake's, 37, latest diss track has sparked controversy online over its authenticity; pictured 2019

A new song attributed to the Canadian rapper called Drop and Give Me 50 leaked on Saturday, with such scathing lyrics against artists like Kendrick Lamar, 36, The Weeknd, 34, and more that fans questioned if it was created by artificial intelligence; Kednrick (L) in 2022, Weeknd (R) in 2023

AI Drake's diss track against Kendrick Lamar, Future, Metro Boomin, Rick Ross, The Weeknd. If this isnt AI, all of them are cooked pic.twitter.com/wNrlk5VNFu  Ramen. (@CoconutShawarma) April 13, 2024

Drake has been silent on whether he's behind Drop and Give Me 50, although he did post a photo to his IG about people getting close to a reaction.

The photo, however, was shared before the song dropped.

The Weeknd seemingly responded to the track by sharing an image of himself laughing and eating popcorn, as if to say he is simply a bystander to all the drama unfolding.

The current controversy highlights a recurring concern: the use of artificial intelligence to imitate Drake's voice and style.

This issue gained attention previously when the Recording Academy disqualified an AI-generated Drake song from Grammy consideration, underscoring its prevalence in the industry.

The drama appeared to ignite back in March, when Kendrick dissed Drake and J. Cole on the song Like That from Future and Metro Boomin's album We Don't Trust You.

Drake has been silent on whether he's behind Drop and Give Me 50, although he did post a photo to his IG about people getting close to a reaction

The Weeknd seemingly responded to the track by sharing an image of himself laughing and eating popcorn, as if to say he is simply a bystander to all the drama unfolding

Fans were quick to flood social media with comments regarding the credibility of Drop and Give Me 50

Lamar threw multiple lyrical jabs to both Drake and J Cole, furiously rapping the stand out line: 'Motherf**k the big three, n***a, it's just big me.'

The line was seemingly a direct response to a bar Cole dropped in his collaboration with Drake called First Person Shooter.

'Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K. Dot [Kendrick]? Is it Aubrey [Drake]? Or me? / We the big three, like we started a league,' J Cole said.

Lamar didn't miss the chance to take another a jab at Champagne Papi, cleverly referencing his latest album title, For all the Dogs.

'Fore all your dogs gettin' buried/ That's a K with all these nines, he gon' see Pet Sematary. Woof!'

Following the Compton rapper's tirade towards his two peers, J Cole released a response track titled Seven Minute Drill.

During the song, he slammed Kendrick as attention seeking, stating the Poetic Justice rapper had fallen off 'like The Simpsons'.

Branding Lamar's most recent album Mr Morale and the Big Steppers 'tragic', Cole warned his peer to lay off the insults.

However it was two days later that the Apparently rapper came forward to apologize for his diss, branding it the 'lamest' and 'goofiest' song he has ever made.

Praising the Good Kid Mad City's artist's catalogue, Cole asked for forgiveness when he took the stage at Dreamville Festival in North Carolina.

'I ain't gonna lie to y'all the past two days felt terrible,' he told the crowd.

Although Metro has recently dispelled rumours regarding tensions between the two, fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share their hilarious shock reactions to J Cole being featured on the duo's new song due to his friendship with Drake.

Photoshopping Drake's face onto a disgruntled Thanos' body, one quipped: 'Drake after seeing that J Cole is on the Metro and Future album.'

An image of a confused man in front of a complicated electrical cabinet was captioned:

Fans have been sharing hilarious memes in response to the surprise collaboration between J Cole, Future and Metro Boomin with many confused by his latest move as he was previously friendly with Drake

'Drake tryna figure out how he gonna diss Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole and ASAP Rocky.'

Another imagined Drake's shock at the collaboration, captioning a snap of a woman suddenly falling with: 'Drake after finding out J Cole flipped on him.'

One fan took a swipe at the Canadian musician and his fans' confusion to Cole's most recent release.

Alongside an image of a confused man, they wrote: 'Drake fans waking up and hearing J Cole on We Still Can't Trust You.'
Britain's Got Talent has been plunged into a fix row already as one hopeful from Saturday's series premiere was revealed to be an experienced musical theatre performer.

Sydnie Christmas, 28, stunned judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli with her incredible rendition of Tomorrow from the musical Annie, with Amanda Holden so impressed she pressed the Gold Buzzer.

However despite revealing her dreams of working in the West End and her current role as a receptionist, viewers quickly discovered Sydnie had in fact had quite the career on stage.

Following the performance fans took to X in their droves, with one writing: 'Always good to see an underdog on @BGT like Sydnie Christmas. Jeez. A simple Google search... wtf!'.

While others wrote: 'Come on, Sydnie Christmas is already a professional': 'Sydnie Christmas has starred in Starlight Exoress in Bochum, Germany, and Lazarus at London's King's Cross Theatre. And starred as Rizzo in a Grease theatre show. No Newbie then': 'Sydnie Christmas, Starlight Express. Just a quick Google search'.

Britain's Got Talent has been plunged into a fix row already as Sydnie Christmas, 28, who appeared on Saturday's series premiere was revealed to be an experienced musical theatre performer

However despite revealing her dreams of working in the West End and her current role as a receptionist, viewers quickly discovered Sydnie had in fact had quite the career on stage

She stunned the judges with her incredible rendition of Tomorrow from the musical Annie, and even got the coveted gold buzzer from Amanda Holden

Sydnie has worked on cruise ships including the Royal Caribbean International, where she starred as Rizzo in the musical Grease.

She made her debut in London as one of the lead voices in Lazarus, featuring the music of David Bowie, at the King's Cross Theatre and shared a snap backstage of Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson after he attended the show.

She then went on to appear in a German production of Starlight Express in 2019 as Belle the Bar Car.

At a press event both Simon Cowell and Amanda they thought Sydnie had what it takes to win it all.

When asked who would win the show Cowell told reporters: 'I think it's Sydnie, yeah.'

'It feels like a distant memory now,' Sydnie told the Mail. 'I auditioned in January. I feel like my neck has been in my mouth ever since.

'I have wanted to do this for ever. To be on stage, entertain, perform and sing. I went on Britain's Got Talent in the hope that if I was to get on that I could just give it a go.

'I've been doing auditions for so many years and I thought, I haven't got a lot to lose now. I thought to myself, sod it, let's give it a go, and then everything went so well, which I didn't expect at all.'

Sydnie fell to her knees in shock as gold confetti fell from the ceiling

Sydnie has worked on cruise ships including the Royal Caribbean International, where she starred as Rizzo in the musical Grease

She made her debut in London as one of the lead voices in Lazarus, featuring the music of David Bowie, at the King's Cross Theatre and shared a snap backstage of Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson after he attended the show

She then went on to appear in a German production of Starlight Express in 2019 as Belle the Bar Car

Following the performance fans took to X in their droves, with one writing: 'Always good to see an underdog on @BGT like Sydnie Christmas. Jeez. A simple Google search... wtf!'

Earlier in the episode viewers were left unimpressed with the competition's very first act.

Opening up the show, AI talent group RASK AI stunned celebrity judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli with their rendition of The Greatest Showman.

The tech was used to edit the stars' faces onto characters from the hit movie, including Hugh Jackman and Zendaya.

They transformed showrunner Simon, 64, into a ringmaster, Amanda, 53, into the bearded lady, Bruno, 68, into a strong man and Alesha, 45, into a trapeze circus act.

But while the judges were left amazed by the group's deep fake video of them singing the film's hit song with live cameras, viewers at home seemed less than impressed by the trippy act.

Dubbing the group 'silly' and 'talentless', fans shared their confusion over the judge's shocked reactions, as TV buffs drew similarities between them and a former group who performed on America's Got Talent, Metaphysics.

Simon, who labelled the UK group as 'original', appeared shocked by the group's video skills and seemingly forgot that he had seen something similar on his American show just two years earlier.

In 2022, Metaphysics appeared on AGT and showed the world their creation of Simon singing You're The Inspiration.

Astonished by the US performance, Simon confessed his love to the creator, as they were awarded with four fat yeses.
Bruno Tonioli visited Bruce Forsyth's ashes to pay his respects when he was filming Britain's Got Talent, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Mr Tonioli, 68, grew close to Sir Bruce when he was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing - so when BGT was filming at the London Palladium he took the opportunity to go and see him.

Sir Bruce's ashes were laid beneath the stage at the famous West End venue a year after his death from pneumonia in August 2017.

It was the perfect resting place as he first hosted Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1958 and performed his one man show for the last time there in 2015.

He passed away at the age of 89 after a career spanning more than 70 years. He hosted Strictly Come Dancing for 15 years, with Mr Tonioli a judge from 2004.

Bruno Tonioli visited Bruce Forsyth 's ashes to pay his respects when he was filming Britain's Got Talent, the Mail on Sunday can reveal

Tonioli said Bruce Forsyth had spotted something in him when they first started working together and thanked him for helping his career

Now the Italian is performing the same role on BGT, which returned to ITV last night for its 17th series.

He made his first made an appearance on the panel alongside Simon Cowell, 64, Amanda Holden, 53, and Alesha Dixon, 45, last year following the exit of David Walliams, 52.

The latest London auditions were held at the London Palladium early this year.

Mr Tonioli, speaking at the launch of the latest series, said he had Sir Bruce to thank for his successful career on British television.

He said the all-round entertainer had spotted something in him when they first started working together, so it was natural to go and pay his respects.

'Bruce was just downstairs. We went and saw him. I loved working with him.

'It was him that moved me from the last seat to the first seat in Strictly. On the first show, I was at the far end and on show two I was moved.

'He sensed I had something. I loved him for that.'

Mr Tonioli left Strictly five years ago. Only now, he says, is he able to watch it.

He said: 'I never watched Strictly when I was in it. The show is fantastic. What they have done very well is not trying to do what we did. They're doing it their way.

'I do watch it now. I said to (current judges) Shirley (Ballas) and Anton (du Beke) to just be you. I am still very friendly with all of them. When we see each other, it is like the old days.

'With Britain's Got Talent you are getting a range of talent. You cannot compare anyone, everyone is singular.

'Strictly was different, everyone had to tick the same boxes. You can't compare the shows.

'In this show, I don't feel like I am judging but I am participating.'
Kim Kardashian will produce a new Netflix series called Calabasas with Emma Roberts and I. Marlene King.

The 43-year-old multihyphenate, her American Horror Story: Delicate co-star, 33, and the Pretty Little Liars creator, 61, will be executive producing with Alexandra Milchan (Tar) Deadline announced on Saturday.

Calabasas will be based on the book If You Lived Here You'd Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner.

Marlene will write the script adaptation in addition to serving as showrunner.

Calabasas will tell the story of a 16-year-old girl from the midwest named Via, who transfers to Calabasas High after her family moves to California.

Kim Kardashian will produce a new Netflix series called Calabasas; pictured April 13 in LA

Emma Roberts, who worked with Kardashian on American Horror Story: Delicate, will also produce the show; pictured April 13 in Palm Springs

Kardashian and her family put the city of Calabasas on the map with their hit show Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

The show, named after her hometown, marks her fourth big-selling scripted project as she continues to venture deeper into television and film.

In November it was announced that she will star in the Netflix comedy Fifth Wheel.

She has also signed on to be part of a thriller for Amazon, which does not yet have a title.

And in another collaboration with Ryan Murphy, she will appear in a legal drama series for Hulu.

Kardashian and Roberts shared a kiss in the latest episode of American Horror Story: Delicate on Fox.

In the series, Kim's character, sassy publicist Siobhan Corbyn, helmed an Oscars campaign for actress Anna Victoria Alcott, played by Emma.

The steamy mouth-to-mouth came when Anna was announced as winner during the ceremony in the episode titled Little Gold Man.

Pretty Little Liars creator I. Marlene King is also an executive producer on the forthcoming Netflix show; pictured in 2019

Kardashian and Roberts shared a kiss in the latest episode of American Horror Story: Delicate on Fox

The steamy mouth-to-mouth came when Anna was announced as an Oscar winner in the latest AHS episode, titled Little Gold Man

Earlier this month during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Emma admitted that kissing and also getting slapped by Kim while filming the FX show had become like 'another day at the office.'

'But my sister was like, ''No, it's not. You kissed Kim Kardashian and you didn't tell me,'' Emma said, referencing her younger sister Grace.

'You can't just kiss Kim Kardashian and not tell everybody,' host Jimmy quipped.

'I know, but we do it, you forget about it and then seeing it, it looked so intense. But meanwhile we were laughing because we kissed, and they said cut, and Kim looked at me and started laughing,' Emma said.

'I just had her gloss all over my face. And so we had to do major cleanup in between every take because she has the most perfect glossed lips, obviously, and it was everywhere,' she added.
Kate Beckinsale opened up about her grief following the loss of her stepfather in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday.

The Underworld actress, 50  whose stepfather Roy Battersby passed away in January  updated fans on her coping process, sharing her experience of receiving a birthday e-card for Roy from a dentist months after he died.

'Do all the things, Wallow, cry, celebrate, Send your mum flowers,' she began her message alongside a carousal of photos. 'Isolate or don't. Get dressed or don't. Hug an animal or seven. Read his texts and feel the deepest ache you can feel. Feel it. Numb out.'

She continued. 'Buy gourmet cookies you can't eat because your stomach hurts. Maybe eat them anyway. Or don't.

'Laugh and cry when you receive an email from a dentist you took him to once, wishing your dead father a happy birthday. Do it all. Or do none. There's no map. I'm with you all.'

Kate Beckinsale opened up about her grief following the loss of her stepfather in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday; seen in 2022

The Underworld actress, 50  whose stepfather Roy Battersby passed away in January  updated fans on her coping process, sharing her experience of receiving a birthday card for Roy from a dentist months after he died; Kate seen with mom Judy and stepfather Roy

The heartbreaking post comes mere hour after she paid tribute to Roy by sharing a series of snaps on her Instagram.

The photos featured Roy with a smile on his face as he took a stroll on a sunny day while another showed him receiving and opening gifts and cards.

Kate also posted a snap of a carrot and walnut birthday cake which read the words 'Happy Birthday Roy'.

In another photo uploaded by Kate, posed by a large pink Christmas tree as she sported a large black bow and a casual ensemble.

She also chose to share with her followers a quote which said: 'Due to personal reasons I'll be screaming.'

She captioned the series of snaps with: 'The birthday we didn't know was your last

'There will be no FaceTime today. In the middle of my night, watching you open your presents

'No one received gifts with more joy. I can't take my Christmas trees down - They were the last Christmas trees I'll decorate with you in the world.

'Do all the things, Wallow, cry, celebrate, Send your mum flowers,' she began her message alongside a carousal of photos. 'Isolate or don't. Get dressed or don't. Hug an animal or seven. Read his texts and feel the deepest ache you can feel. Feel it. Numb out'

'Laugh and cry when you receive an email from a dentist you took him to once, wishing your dead father a happy birthday. Do it all. Or do none. There's no map. I'm with you all'

Kate paid tribute to her stepfather Roy on Saturday as she shared a gallery of sweet snaps on his heavenly birthday

The actress, 50, who sadly lost her stepfather Roy Battersby in January, paid tribute to him by sharing a series of snaps to her Instagram

Kate said she still can't take her Christmas trees down as they were the last she decorated with him

'This birthday/not birthday Christmas/not Christmas In April Oh Roy, Oh God, I miss you.'

The tribute post comes after her stepfather Roy was hospitalised in Los Angeles in December after suffering 'a massive stroke' while battling two forms of cancer, which he was diagnosed with in the summer of 2023.

He then sadly passed away a month later aged 87.

The actress shared a black square without a caption on her Instagram account and her friends and fans offered their condolences in the comments.

The British actress had been quietly caring for both her beloved mother and stepfather as they battled a slew of serious health issues, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Kate's actress mother Judy Loe married Roy in 1997  18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died.

Roy enjoyed his successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost.

'I have no words yet,' Kate captioned an Instagram video, before thanking a fan account for editing it. 'Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.'

The clip opened with a moving recording of Roy recalling how he was forced to hide in a shelter during the Blitz early in World War II as Nazi bombs rained down.

The heartfelt snaps featured her stepfather Roy with a smile on his face as he took a stroll on a sunny day while another showed him receiving and opening gifts and cards

Kate also posted a snap of a carrot and walnut birthday cake which read the words 'Happy Birthday Roy'

The tribute post comes after her stepfather Roy was hospitalised in Los Angeles in December after suffering 'a massive stroke' while battling two forms of cancer , which he was diagnosed with in the summer of 2023 (pictured L-R in 1996, Kate, Roy, and her mother Judy Loe)

He then sadly passed away a month later aged 87 (pictured L-R Kate, Roy, Judy)

He called the eventual announcement of Victory in Europe Day a 'wonderful thing,' because it meant no more hiding in shelters, and young men no longer had to leave their families to go off to fight across the continent.

The video also featured several sweet photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mother, including a hilarious photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding playfully insulting tea cups.

Kate rushed from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, January 7 to the hospital, sharing photos of herself on the red carpet and by Roy's bedside with the caption: 'Golden Globes 2024 start to end.'

Kate's actress mother Judy Loe married Roy in 1997  18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died (Pictured L-R Judy, Roy, and Kate)

It comes after Kate admitted she was preparing for her first year 'without a father figure' on the anniversary of her dad Richard's death last month (Pictured L-R in 1978 Richard, Kate, Judy)

Richard, known for his role as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge sadly, passed away in 1979 aged just 31, when Kate was six-years-old (Pictured L-R Judy, Kate, Richard)

She was still clad in her glamorous Atelier Zuhra gown for the hospital visit, as she ate a burger and chatted to her friends and family in Roy's room.

Her friends and followers were quick to check in on the star, with one commenting: 'I don't know how you made it through last night with all that is going on. You are strong and a consummate pro.

'Having to leave the side of your beautiful Roy to honour this commitment at the Globes was above and beyond. Sending love and prayers to you and your family. I'm so happy you were able to make it back to the hospital. '

Kate responded: 'Thank you and thank you for your supportive texts all the way through. That was so kind xx'
Jade Yarbrough was all smiles as she stepped out with longtime pal Dion Giannarelli in Milan, Italy on Tuesday following a brief stint in London.

The stylish duo, both looking effortlessly chic, were snapped sharing a laugh as they stepped out for a delightful dinner with friends in the fashion capital.

Jade put on a stylish display in a sleek, belted black blazer, paired with a sheer skirt for the outing.

Her polished look was completed with black pointed heels, a silver handbag, and minimalist gold jewellery.

Dion meanwhile stepped out in a sequinned bomber jacket contrasted with dark trousers and classic black boots.

Jade Yarbrough accompanied longtime pal Dion Giannarelli on a trip to Milan, Italy, following a brief stint in London

The stylish duo, both looking effortlessly chic, were snapped sharing a laugh as they stepped out for a delightful dinner with friends in the fashion capital

Their trip to Milan comes after they were spotted together in London.

During their time in London, Jasmine shared a series of snaps with the real estate mogul as they visited Aynhoe Park.

'Good friends. Good food. Good wine. Good design. A special day with the team in London,' Jade captioned her post.

Meanwhile, Jasmine celebrated her 32nd birthday last week.

She posed alongside Dion at the dinner party she hosted, while several of her famous friends attended - including her sister Jasmine Stefanovic.

Jade looked chic in a sleek, belted black blazer paired with a sheer skirt

Dion and the Yarbrough's have been pals for more than 16 years, after Dion and Jade's older sister Jasmine, 40, first struck up a friendship in the United States.

'We met in America through a mutual friend and they're in business together through their shoe line,' Dion previously told Woman's Day.

'I was living over there and we just became close friends.'

He went on to call the Stefanovics 'lovely people', before revealing he even goes on holidays with the couple and catches up with them often.

Her polished look is completed with black pointed heels, a silver handbag, and minimalist gold jewellery

Dion meanwhile stepped out in a sequinned bomber jacket contrasted with dark trousers and classic black boots

While Dion failed to find love on MAFS with his bride Carolina Santos in 2022, he was previously linked to Nikki Walton later that year.

The pair appear to have split in 2023, having not been posted to each other's socials since April last year.

As for Jade, she and Michael Clarke had been on and off again since ending their relationship at the start of last year following a wild fight in Noosa which made headlines across Australia.

They once again sparked rumours they were back together in December, when they both attended a Derby Day afterparty at Bar Bambi in Melbourne.

The pair were both present at the bash, but avoided being photographed together.

The pair were seen waiting for an Uber ride with friends

The pair arrived in the capital city earlier this week. The sighting comes after Jasmine celebrated her 32nd birthday

An insider told Daily Mail Australia that Jade was sitting in a booth at the exclusive Italian restaurant and bar with friends, while Michael was partying on the level above.

A source close to the couple tried to shut down rumours they were back together and said the pair went to the Bar Bambi bash separately and are 'amicable'.

Jade spoke to Michael for some time at the beginning of the party and then at the end of the night.
Hilary Swank revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take on her role in Boys Don't Cry if the film was made today.

The Million Dollar Baby actress, 49 - who recently opened up about becoming a mother to twins - reflected on the Oscar-winning indie film during an interview with The Times of London.

In the biographical movie - which also starred Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard - Swank notably took on the role of a transgender man named Brandon Teena. Her performance later won her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

However, while talking to the publication, the star shared that it would be a 'great opportunity' for a trans actor to play the role.

'Now for the most part, in most places, it's accepted to be a trans person. [But] at that time, people weren't even coming out as gay and lesbian, it was a career killer, or whatever,' she explained.

Hilary Swank, 49, revealed that she hopes a trans actor would take on her role in Boys Don't Cry if the film was made today; seen in February in L.A.

In the biographical movie - which also starred Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard - Swank notably took on the role of a transgender man named Brandon Teena (seen above). Her performance later won her an Academy Award for Best Actress

'They weren't ready to tell their family, or maybe they weren't even ready to tell themselves.'

Hilary continued, 'We're in such different times - I feel like it would be a great opportunity for an actor who's trans to play that role.'

'But I also feel like actors are actors. We are supposed to play different people and I would like to hope trans people are getting the opportunity to play non-trans people as well.'

In regards to the film's message and lasting impact, Swank said, 'It was a jumping-off board to start a conversation that was needed, and we need this conversation to continue until everyone's leading a safe life.'

'I like those transformative roles, the collaborative process of getting to that point, whether it's with the hair and make-up people or a trainer, or whether it's just walking in someone else's shoes who is so different from me physically.'

The mother-of-two added, 'It allows me to see the world in different ways. I'd be up for a role like that again, but they're so few and far between.'

Boys Don't Cry was released in 1999, and received critical acclaim, as well as numerous award nominations.

While Hilary won the Oscar for Best Actress, her co-star Chloe Sevigny had also been nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Hilary continued, 'We're in such different times - I feel like it would be a great opportunity for an actor who's trans to play that role; seen in February in NYC

In regards to the film's message and lasting impact, Swank said, 'It was a jumping-off board to start a conversation that was needed, and we need this conversation to continue until everyone's leading a safe life'

The premise of the film follows, 'A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska,' per IMDB, but falls victim to a brutal hate crime.

Back in 2020, Swank previously talked about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety.

'I mean, trans people weren't really walking around in the world saying, "Hey, I'm trans,"' she explained while reflecting on the time when the movie was filmed.

'Twenty one years later, not only are trans people having their lives and living, thankfully, [although] we still have a long way to go in their safety and and their inclusivity...'

'But we now have a bunch of trans actors who would obviously be a lot more right for the role and have the opportunity to actually audition for the role.'

Hilary is known for taking on other roles throughout her career, such as Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby (2004). She also won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Maggie.

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, Swank discussed how Boys Don't Cry changed the way she chooses roles in the industry.

Back in 2020, Swank previously talked about a trans actor taking on the role of Brandon during an interview with Variety

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, Swank discussed how Boys Don't Cry changed the way she chooses roles in the industry; seen in 2022 in NYC

'I play a lot of real people because I am drawn to these stories of people who have really persevered or people who are living their life unapologetically. Those are the type of people who inspire me.'

'Yet there is a lot of them in the end who die. So, there is a certain amount of hardship and heartbreak that comes with that.'

She added, 'Your heart never completely mends the same. You always carry these people and their beautiful spirits within your heart. They are all a piece of me. I think I am a better person because of it.'

Hilary has been keeping busy after welcoming her twins - a boy and a girl - last year in April at the age of 48.

Hilary has been keeping busy after welcoming her twins - a boy and a girl - last year in April at the age of 48

At the time, she also opened up about motherhood while appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. 'It is the best in the whole wide world'

She shares the little ones with husband, Philip Schneider - whom she tied the knot with in 2018.

Earlier this year on Valentine's Day, Swank revealed that she had named her children Aya and Ohm.

At the time, she also opened up about motherhood while appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. 'It is the best in the whole wide world.'

'It's more joy and more fun and more exhausting - it's more everything than I ever thought it would be. It's more glorious. It's the most extraordinary thing.'
UK pop star Rita Ora and her New Zealand director husband Taika Waititi were in good company on Friday night as they dined out in Sydney.

The couple joined friends for a meal at Justin Hemmes' latest Sydney dining hotspot, Good Luck.

Rita, 33, kept things casual in a simple white T-shirt paired with denim jeans.

Oscar winning filmmaker Taika, 48, opted for a similarly casual ensemble with a white top, white shoes, and stylish olive trousers.

The pair dined alongside Booby Tape co-founder Bianca Roccisano and Hemmes' model girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel.

Rita Ora (middle) and husband Taika Waititi (far right) enjoyed a relaxed Friday night in Sydney alongside Madeleine Holtznagel (far left) and Bianca Roccisano (second right)

Madeline, 27, and Justin, 51, quietly began seeing each other in 2019, a year after he made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951million.

The Totti's founder's latest venture is the super trendy Good Luck Restaurant Lounge in Sydney's CBD, which offers a fusion of Italian and Japanese food.

Meanwhile, Rita is in Australia launching her new haircare line in partnership with Anna Lahey of Vida Glow.

The couple joined friends for a meal at Justin Hemmes' latest Sydney dining hotspot, Good Luck

The pair dined alongside Bianca Roccisano (left) and Hemmes' model girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel (right)

The brand is said to be the solution to the challenges Rita has faced throughout her hair journey, specifically in reversing years of damage from excess use of heat and styling during her music career.

She said in statement: 'I wanted to find and build a solution to a beauty concern that I know myself and my community really battle with.'

Rita often visits Australia thanks to her role as a judge on The Voice Australia.

She also recently spent time in New Zealand with Taika and her sister Elena Ora as they enjoyed an mountain getaway.

Rita and Taika - who shares two daughters his ex Chelsea Winstanley - secretly tied the knot in a low-key ceremony back in August 2022.
Gwyneth Paltrow knows a thing or two about the extent of her star power as a force in the marketing of Goop, her wellness and lifestyle brand she founded 16 years ago.

And on Saturday, the Academy Award-winning actress became her own best advert once again when she posed for a new Goop promo.

In the series of four snaps, the Shakespeare In Love star pranced around on the beach just feet from the incoming waves wearing one of her new dresses that's available for purchase starting Sunday.

'A new G. Label collection launches tomorrow, but as ever, we thought our social followers deserved first dibs,' it read in the caption of the official Goop Instagram page. 'Shop the Hostess Dress, a feminine yet unfussy favorite in lightweight natural linen, before the full collection goes wide tomorrow. Visit the link in bio for your early access.'

For the cover photo, Paltrow has a content look on her face, standing near the oncoming ocean water while subtly pulling her dress up in order to avoid it getting wet.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 51, became her own best advert by striking various poses on the beach in a new dress that's set to be available on Goop on Sunday

Some of the design qualities include puffy half-sleeves, a cinched waistline and a built-in belt.

Frolicking in the ocean water, Paltrow, 51, opted to go shoeless for her time working the camera for her Goop campaign promo.

In keeping with the all natural look and feel, the mother of two had her blonde tresses styled long, straight and flowing down to about the middle of her back with a center part.

There's also a picture of her walking towards the camera, as she continues to hike up her dress even higher to just above her knees.

From there, Paltrow shifts direction and begins to head out to the ocean water, where she flashes a classic over-the-shoulder look just before the water reached her feet.

The last of the images showed her in a close-up look, while the glaring sun drips down over her golden locks and tanned face.

Paltrow launched the wellness and lifestyle brand and company in September 2008, initially as a weekly e-mail newsletter that provided things like new age advice and an editor's note from the actress who offered up insight into her daily life.

Goop went on to expand into e-commerce, collaborating with fashion brands, launching pop-up shops, holding a "wellness summit, launching a print magazine, a podcast, that would be showcased in a docuseries for Netflix.

The dress is part of the new G. Label collection that drops on Sunday, April 21

The Goop founder hiked up her dress in all of the photos to avoid it getting wet from the ocean

Paltrow initially launched Goop in September 2008, as a weekly e-mail newsletter that provided things like new age advice and an editor's note from the actress who offered up insight into her daily life

After expanding into e-commerce, Paltrow saw the value of Goop grow to more than $250 million by early 2020

By 2014, Goop began to face mounting criticism for marketing products and treatments that were deemed harmful, which included some being described as 'snake oil' based on pseudoscience.

Officials from the Consumer Protection Office in California have sued Goop for false advertising, alleging the company made unfounded health claims about a variety of products.

The company ended up settling that particular lawsuit out of court, but there have been other class-action lawsuits brought against Goop for unsafe products.

With the help of Paltrow's star power, the company has seen it grow substantially over the years, to the point that it was valued at about $250 million by early 2020.

Goop brands and product lines are sold online, at the Goop Lab in Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles, and at pop-up shops in Los Angeles , Chicago, New York, The Hamptons, Dallas and Aspen.
Former MasterChef stars Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston are reuniting for a special occasion.

The popular trio, who rose to fame as the original judges on Channel 10's hit cooking show, will join forces for the Friends of George event at Hotel Sorrento.

'The three of us still do a lot of stuff overseas, we have a big following in India, but this is the first time we've been back together in Australia,' Calombaris told the Herald Sun.

'A portion of each ticket will be donated to Bowel Cancer Australia which is close to my heart.'

The guest chefs will create dishes for guests at Hotel Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula on November 12.

Former MasterChef stars Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston are reuniting for a special occasion. All pictured

Tickets are $169 per person and $10 from every ticket will be donated to Bowel Cancer Australia.

It comes after the trio hosted a series of live events in India last year.

The Herald Sun reported that the kitchen gurus were presenting a series of dinners in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi from November.

Other, unnamed events are also planned in association with the Conish company, a culinary business, based in India.

Conish promoted the famed three on their website, as part of the company's ongoing series of public dinners.

The popular trio, who rose to fame as the original judges on Channel 10's hit cooking show, will join forces for the Friends of George event at Hotel Sorrento

According to the report, Mehigan, Preston and Calombaris enjoyed a high profile in India during their heyday on MasterChef.

Billboards could be seen in some major cities farewelling the famous foodies, after all three they exited the show back in 2019.

Last year, there was talk that the original MasterChef judges were producing something brand new together.

A leaked Zoom between Mehigan, Preston and Calombaris had fans suggesting that the three would be headed back to TV for a new show.

Calombaris, who shared the post, captioned the story: 'Some serious food talk for a very special project. But majority a lot of shots and giggles.'

'The three of us still do a lot of stuff overseas, we have a big following in India, but this is the first time we've been back together in Australia,' Calombaris told the Herald Sun

The trio hosted the hit cooking show for a decade, from 2009 to 2019.

However, in July 2019 Channel 10 announced that the three judges would not be returning for season 12 of the series.

It has been widely reported that the hosts left the show because they couldn't agree on money.

But Mehigan said at the time that it had nothing to do with financial matters.

In a statement posted to Instagram he wrote: 'It was time to move on [and] have more free time to explore our own creativity. It was never about the money and never will be about the money.'
Sam Frost has shared a message of support for her former Home And Away co-star Sarah Roberts following her divorce announcement this weekend.

Sarah, 39, shocked fans when she confirmed her split from husband James Stewart in an interview with Stellar magazine.

While James is yet to break his silence, Sarah's friend and former colleague Sam, 35, shared her thoughts on Sunday in an Instagram Story post.

Re-sharing a photo of Sarah posing in Stellar magazine, the Bachelorette star wrote: 'I am so proud of your strength and resilience girlfriend.'

'Nothing makes me happier than seeing you be your fabulous sparkly self again. I love you. PS you look smoking hot,' Sam added, tagging Sarah.

Sam Frost, 35, (left) has shared a message of support for her former Home And Away co-star Sarah Roberts, 39, (right) following her divorce announcement this weekend.

Sam played Jasmine Delaney on Home And Away between 2017 and 2022, while Sarah portrayed Willow Harris from 2017 to 2021.

The pair became friends on the set of the show and continue to remain pals despite both leaving the franchise.

It comes after Sarah lifted the lid on her secret divorce from ex Home And Away co-star James Stewart after five years.

Re-sharing a photo of Sarah posing in Stellar magazine, the Bachelorette star wrote: 'I am so proud of your strength and resilience girlfriend'

'I just want to say that I am divorced,' she told the latest edition of Stellar magazine.

'Sometimes people grow apart and that's okay... I got to a point where I realised I couldn't grow in the way I wanted to within this particular relationship.'

Roberts and Stewart, 48, married in 2019 after getting engaged in November 2018.

Sarah announced her divorce from James Stewart, 48, (left) after five years together in an interview with Stellar magazine over the weekend

Stewart proposed at the restaurant where they'd had their first date a year earlier.

The pair tied the knot at Luttrellstown Castle, on the outskirts of Dublin, in July 2019.

Roberts' revelation comes after years of speculation the couple had split.

Rumours surfaced after Stewart was absent at the premiere of her film Wog Boys Forever in Melbourne back in October 2022.

'I just want to say that I am divorced,' she told the magazine

The pair tied the knot at Luttrellstown Castle, on the outskirts of Dublin, in July 2019

As reported by The Daily Telegraph, he was 'nowhere to be seen on the red carpet' and was apparently no longer following his wife's Instagram account.

At the time, Roberts' agent denied they had broken up.

The pair later put rumours to rest when Roberts proudly flashed her wedding ring at the AACTA Awards in December that year.

Stewart proposed at the restaurant where they'd had their first date the previous year

Speaking with Now To Love, she also shot down persistent rumours she and James had split.

'We're happy,' she told the publication.

Sarah told the publication Stewart was romantic as ever, even picking her up from the airport with a bouquet of flowers following her trip to Italy.

Rumours surfaced after Stewart was absent at the premiere of her film Wog Boys Forever in Melbourne back in October 2022

Roberts starred on Home and Away from 2017 to 2021, before walking away to focus on her film career.

Stewart is still currently starring on the Australian soap, where he plays Justin Morgan.

The actor shares daughter Scout, 11, with his ex-fiancee Jessica Marais, whom he met on the set of Packed to the Rafters in 2009.

They had announced their engagement in October 2010, and welcomed Scout in May 2012.

In 2015, the pair called it quits, with Stewart later saying: 'Our relationship didn't work out because I think hearts go in different directions eventually.'
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia came to a thrilling finish on Sunday night as a fan favourite walked away with the title at the grand finale.

It came down to the final two, Irish television presenter Tristan MacManus and Aussie influencer Skye Wheatley.

In the end, Skye walked away with the title of Queen of the Jungle after an 'incredibly close' public vote.

She also wins $100,000 to her chosen charity, Bully Zero.

The social media star was emotional in her victory, breaking down in tears as she looked back on her time on the show.

I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! Australia came to a thrilling finish on Sunday night as a fan favourite walked away with the title. It came down to the final two, Irish television presenter Tristan MacManus and Aussie influencer Skye Wheatley. Both pictured

'I am so blessed to ever have experienced that. Thank you to everyone here for having me' she said.

'I'm really shocked. I will say it again - I feel absolutely blessed to have had this opportunity and to go through the things that I went through and to do it for these three amazing boys and the rest of the world...

'I feel the whole journey, the whole experience has taught me so many things. I cannot wait to apply those in my every day life.'

The former Big Brother Australia star added: 'I just felt like I was being myself the whole time.

Skye walked away with the title of Queen of the Jungle. The social media star broke down in tears as she looked back on her time

She also wins $100,000 to her chosen charity, Bully Zero

The former Big Brother Australia star added: 'I just felt like I was being myself the whole time'

'I mean there are things happening all the time. You are thrown into situations you've got no idea about' she continued.

'So it is your pure reaction when you are in there and you are like, oh, my gosh, what is happening!

'There have been a lot of different energies I have felt, happiness, I have been fearful, I have been energetic, low, high, everything in between.'

Tristan meanwhile said he learned a lot about himself through the process.

'I loved it from start to finish. I was saying to everyone, I had to make a conscious decision to be positive, stay positive and form some good habits while in here. Before I hadn't' he said.

'Everything was getting to me. I was stressed and I was realising to how I was reacting to things at home. I made a conscious effort.

Tristan meanwhile said he learned a lot about himself through the process

'If I didn't have the camp mates we had, I don't think it would have worked. Everyone was hand in hand which was lucky for me and for the fam'.

Coming in third place was Love Island star Callum Hole who was playing for his chosen charity Movember.

'I think men's mental health is something which is not spoken about enough and to be able to represent you know men's mental health, especially Movember and all the work they do across the country, from kids to adults, men, all ages, you know what I mean? They do some fantastic work' he said.

As for his time in the jungle, the loveable larrikin from Wales said he had the time of his life.

'I cannot pick a single highlight. Every single day was like a new thing. It was so fun from start to finish' he said.

'I cannot pick a winner. I feel everyone who has entered this experience is a winner in their own rights and Skye and Tristan likewise.'

Coming in third place was Love Island star Callum Hole (pictured) who was playing for his chosen charity Movember
Julie Goodwin opened up about a distressing chapter of her life during an interview on The Project on Sunday.

The 53-year-old MasterChef Australia star has just released her autobiography, Your Time Starts Now, which describes how she was sexually abused as a child and later attempted suicide as a teenager.

The TV chef, who rose to fame with her winning appearance on MasterChef in 2009, also battled suicidal thoughts just a few years ago.

Speaking with host Hamish Macdonald, 42, of that time, Goodwin tearfully recounted a harrowing moment when she was about to go for a swim, uncertain if she would return.

Goodwin emotionally described how a pair of shoes her young son had bought for her served as a reminder of the immense pain her loved ones would endure.

MasterChef Australia star Julie Goodwin, 53, (pictured) opened up about a distressing chapter of her life during an interview on The Project on Sunday

'I just couldn't get my head around around what to do with this pair of shoes and what would be the least painful thing for me to do with these shoes,' she recalled.

A young couple passing by paused and sat with the beloved chef, helping her recognise the urgency of seeking professional help.

Julie recalled checking into a mental health facility for five weeks in February 2020.

Goodwin has just released her autobiography, Your Time Starts Now, which describes how she was sexually abused as a child and later attempted suicide as a teenager

'It took me quite a while and quite a bit of calming down to realise that actually everyone in there is just the same as me, just ordinary people struggling with different things,' she said.

'I learned a lot about just humanity,' she added.

The beloved TV star claims her husband Mick and family helped on her road to recovery, giving her the love and support she needed, and now says she is grateful for her life.

'I am so much better, I have changed my whole life to be better,' Goodwin revealed.

For confidential support call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Goodwin tearfully recounted a harrowing moment when she was about to go for a swim, uncertain if she would return
Rita Ora ensured that no one would spot her as she headed out of Sydney Airport on Sunday.

The UK pop star hid her famous face behind a mask and a pair of designer sunglasses.

The 33-year-old further concealed her identity in a long, black coat and a matching P.E Nation hoodie.

The songstress also had on a pair of tights with a leopard print down the side and biege sneakers.

Rita carried a drink canister and had a luxury leather handbag, a $28,000 Hermes Birkin, slung over one arm as she made her way to check in.

Rita Ora, 33, (pictured) ensured that no one would spot her as she headed out of Sydney Airport on Sunday

The Voice judge and her New Zealand director husband Taika Waititi were in good company on Friday night as they dined out in Sydney.

The couple joined friends for a meal at Justin Hemmes' latest Sydney dining hotspot, Good Luck.

Rita kept things casual in a simple white T-shirt paired with denim jeans.

The UK pop star hid her famous face behind a mask and a pair of designer sunglasses

She further concealed her identity in a long, black coat and a matching P.E Nation hoodie. The pop star also had on a pair of tights with a leopard print down the side

Oscar winning filmmaker Taika, 48, opted for a similarly casual ensemble with a white top, white shoes, and stylish olive trousers.

The pair dined alongside Booby Tape co-founder Bianca Roccisano and Hemmes' model girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel.

Meanwhile, Rita is in Australia launching her new haircare line in partnership with Anna Lahey of Vida Glow.

Rita carried a drink canister and had a luxury leather handbag, a $28,000 Hermes Birkin, slung over one arm as she made her way to check in

The brand is said to be the solution to the challenges Rita has faced throughout her hair journey, specifically in reversing years of damage from excess use of heat and styling during her music career.

She said in statement: 'I wanted to find and build a solution to a beauty concern that I know myself and my community really battle with.'

Rita often visits Australia thanks to her role as a judge on The Voice Australia.

She also recently spent time in New Zealand with Taika and her sister Elena Ora as they enjoyed an mountain getaway.

Rita and Taika - who shares two daughters his ex Chelsea Winstanley - secretly tied the knot in a low-key ceremony back in August 2022.

Rita and husband Taika Waititi (far right) enjoyed a relaxed Friday night in Sydney alongside Madeleine Holtznagel (far left) and Bianca Roccisano (second right)
Controversy-plagued Pandemonium Rocks music festival has suffered another blow following a massive data breach that has reportedly exposed sensitive information of hundreds of ticketholders.

Fans learned their data - including information like bank details, email addresses, and phone numbers - had been accidentally leaked on Saturday, just hours ahead of the festival's opening event in Melbourne.

Ticketholders had provided this information while applying for partial refunds, after 7 out of the 13 scheduled acts dropped out.

A statement by festival organisers confirmed the data was visible between 5.47pm until 7.20pm on Friday.

'All people within that time frame who filled the (refund) form will be contacted by Pandemonium directly asap to notify them that their data was made public during that window and to advise their banks to update their information,' the statement said.

Controversy-plagued Pandemonium Rocks music festival has suffered another blow, following a massive data breach that has exposed sensitive information of unlucky ticketholders

'We are sincerely sorry for the angst this has caused.'

The extent of the data breach has not been confirmed by organisers.

Earlier this month, it was announced that six acts had been scrapped from the festival, including international headliners Placebo and Deep Purple as well as US band Dead Kennedys.

Fans learned their data - including information like bank details, email addresses, and phone numbers - had been accidentally leaked on Saturday, just hours ahead of the festival's opening event in Melbourne. (Pictured: Fans attending the music festival on Saturday in Melbourne)

A statement by festival organisers confirmed the data was visible between 5.47pm until 7.20pm on Friday

The location of several dates have also been changed, while organisers also confirmed that its original multi-stage layout had been condensed into one stage.

General admission tickets have also been slashed from around $285 to $190, while VIP tickets have been reduced from $830 to $650.

Pandemonium Rocks then clarified on social media that, despite the changes, ticket holders could not claim a full refund.

Earlier this month, it was announced that six acts had been scrapped from the festival, including international headliners Placebo and Deep Purple as well as US band Dead Kennedys. (Pictured: Alice Cooper and Nina Strauss perform at Pandemonium Rocks festival in Melbourne on Saturday)

Instead, they could either receive one complimentary GA ticket per full price ticket purchased, a partial refund of $70 (which is the difference between the initial price and the new ticket price), or an 'exclusive Pandemonium hoodie valued at $100'.

The decision not to provide a full refund option caused outrage among fans, who took to social media at the time to voice their disapproval.

Last month, the festival was hit by fears it would be cancelled after a string of Australian festivals got the axe.

But organisers reassured fans at the time the festival would go ahead with 'some changes', before officially confirming the line-up alterations.

Fans were once again left disappointed last week when American rock band Palaye Royale also dropped out due to a devastating family emergency.

The band - consisting of brothers Remington Leith, Sebastian Danzig, and Emerson Barrett - took to Instagram to explain that their mother has been told she only has a few days left to live amid a battle with stage four brain and lung cancer.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's social media presence has been the subject of some concern by those connected to her case, as well as the actress Patricia Arquette.

The Act star, who was the guest of honor at Series Mania in Lille, France, spoke about on it her return to Los Angeles about the inmate-turned-reality star's online activity.

'I feel like the whole social media thing is a lot and she's already been through a lot,' Arquette told TMZ while waiting for a ride at Los Angeles International Airport over the weekend.

The 55-year-old actress, who won an Emmy award for Gypsy Rose's abusive mother Dee Dee Blanchard, couched her statement, saying, 'It's not really my place, maybe she likes it, I don't know,' adding, 'I wish everybody well, and peace and God bless.'

The 32-year-old who served nearly nine years in prison on a second-degree murder conviction in for killing her mother in 2015, has taken those concerns to heart.

Patricia Arquette, 55, expressed has concern about Gypsy Rose Blanchard's social media presence. 'I feel like the whole social media thing is a lot and she's already been through a lot,' Arquette told TMZ at LAX over the weekend (Pictured in Los Angeles in January 2020)

She abruptly deleted her public social media accounts around April 11, apologizing in a since deleted video on TikTok that 'to all the people that I offended with a lack of accountability.'

The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard subject said she was grateful for a second chance at life and asked her followers to offer 'a little grace.'

'Let my actions match my words. And we'll go from there,' Blanchard requested.

'I definitely have a good support system. And I think I'm just now starting to get around to listening to my inner self instead of all the noise that's been on social media. So with that being said, thank you so much for watching and hearing me out.'

A source told People she was advised by her parole officer to do so 'so she wont get in trouble and go back to jail.'

Those curious about how the newly-free citizen is faring after her life behind bars, can learn more about that in the upcoming reality show Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up when it debuts on Lifetime in June.

She has had dental work to correct some of the damage done to her as a youngster when she was a victim of her mother's factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA)  formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy  a rare psychological disorder in which a person seeks attention and thus reports exaggerated or made up symptoms for a child or other dependent in their care, according to WebMD.

Blanchard told the outlet that her mother convinced doctors to remove two salivary glands behind her neck.

Arquette starred as Blanchard's abusive mother Dee Dee in the Emmy winning Hulu series The Act. Joey King portrayed Gypsy Rose in the show

Blanchard, 32, recently deleted her all her public social media accounts. A source told People she was advised by her parole officer to do so 'so she wont get in trouble and go back to jail'

Blanchard recently had some dental work to repair some of the damage done to her body during her abusive childhood. Those who want to know more about her post prison life can find out more when Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up debuts in June

'To this day, it has left me with the side effects of having to clear my throat all the time,' she explained to People.

'So I'm always, if you hear me, that is a constant thing that I've had ever since. And it annoys people to no end,' she said.

She has also reportedly undergone rhinoplasty to change the shape and appearance of her nose.

'Im going through a personal transformation journey currently and that includes a physical one, too,' Blanchard said in a statement.
Nicola Peltz has paid tribute to Victoria Beckham after being forced to miss out on her 50th birthday dinner in Mayfair on Saturday evening.

The fashion designer celebrated the milestone with an assortment of celebrity friends and family members at upmarket members only club Oswalds.

Hollywood legend Tom Cruise, Jason Statham and all four of Victoria's former Spice Girls bandmates were in attendance, but Nicola, 29, was forced to miss out after her grandmother fell ill.

Paying tribute to her mother-in-law, affectionately referred to as 'mil', she wrote: 'Happy birthday to my beautiful mil @victoriabeckham.

'I'm so sad not to be there to celebrate you and hug you! Sending all my love from me and my naunni! I miss you all so much!'

Nicola Peltz has paid tribute to Victoria Beckham after being forced to miss out on her 50th birthday dinner in Mayfair on Saturday evening

The actress - whose latest film Lola has been savaged by critics - had previously wished Victoria a happy birthday after she turned 50 on April 17

While Nicola missed out, husband Brooklyn joined siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper at the star-studded event on Saturday evening.

The actress - whose latest film Lola has been savaged by critics - had previously wished Victoria a happy birthday after she turned 50 on April 17.

'Happy birthday to my beautiful mil @victoriabeckham i love you so much and love being your dance partner forever', she wrote on INstagram, to which Victoria responded: 'Love you so much!!!!!'

Rumours of fall out between Nicola and her mother-in-law emerged after the actress's multi-million dollar wedding in April 2022.

Whispers of ructions launched when it was claimed that Nicola refused to wear one of Victoria's eponymous designs - instead opting for various designs from Valentino, Christian Dior and Versace.

As the wedding plans were underway, insiders alleged Victoria was displeased with Nicola's reluctance to involve her in the plans for the lavish affair.

It was claimed the Beckhams' took a backseat on the big day - leading to yet more fury from Victoria, with a source telling Daily Mail: ''The top table was all Peltzs and it really felt as though the Beckhams were not at the forefront...

'There was a feeling that the wedding was all about the Peltz family, as you can imagine, as it was their house and their daughter and their son making the speeches.'

Rumours of fall out between Nicola and her mother-in-law emerged after the actress's multi-million dollar wedding in April 2022, but those claims have since been put to bed

While Nicola missed out , husband Brooklyn joined siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper at the star-studded event on Saturday evening (L-R: Romeo, Cruz, Victoria, Harper, David and Brooklyn Beckham)

Nicola later confirmed the rumours had begun after she didn't wear Victoria's design. While she denied there was a 'feud', she explained that Victoria's atelier simply hadn't had time to make the dress, as she insisted: 'No family is perfect.'

Nicola said: 'It's not a feud! I keep seeing everywhere that word, 'feud, feud, feud!?' I mean, maybe they picked up on something? And now they're labelling it feud?'

'I think it all started, and I've said this before, because I didn't end up wearing Victoria's wedding dress, but the real truth is, I really, really wanted to wear it and I thought it was so beautiful that Brooklyn's mom got to make that for me!...

'And I was really excited to wear it! And I didn't end up wearing it. But I, truthfully, was really excited to wear her dress. It makes me sad when I read things that people say I was never planning on wearing it. That's just not true.'
Britain's Got Talent are at risk of a fix row over a contestant who is set to wow the judges on Sunday's show - but she has already been in the franchise twice before.

In a preview clip, Genevieve Cote, 60, who has a talent of creating nature sounds, leaves judge Bruno Tonioli and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in shock.

A stunned Amanda Holden said: 'Is she doing the noise? I wasn't expecting that!'.

The contestant mimicked sounds of of birds, monkeys and other wild animals to background music as Ant declared: 'Oh my God she's bloody great!'

Simon Cowell agreed: 'She's brilliant, right?'

Britain's Got Talent are at risk of a fix row over a contestant who is set to wow the judges on Sunday's show - but she has already been in the franchise twice before

In a preview clip, Genevieve Cote, 60, who has a talent of creating nature sounds, leaves judge Bruno Tonioli and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in shock

Despite her fate on the show not being revealed until the episode airs it is assumed she gets four yes and makes it to the next round after leaving the judges and audiences spellbound.

However this is not Genevieve's first time performing on the show and she has actually been involved in two previous Got Talent contests before.

Eagle-eyed fans will recognise her from two previous international series.

MailOnline have contacted BGT for further comment.

In March 2023, Genevieve appeared on Canada's Got Talent with her capabilities, and left the judges so awestruck that Howie Mandel gave her his golden buzzer.

She made it to the finals, before being beaten by dance group Conversion.

However, her performance definitely left Howie impression as he brought her back for America's Got Talent: Fantasy League to be part of his team this January.

And in between those two appearances, Genevieve also auditioned for France's version of the show, 'La France a un incroyable talent'.

She received judge Karine Le Marchland's golden buzzer and made it through to the semi-finals but was then eliminated.

Britain's Got Talent does allow anyone to take part in the competition regardless of their experience and previous participation.

The contestant performed to waves, birds, monkeys, and peaceful background music to wild animals in the habitats, just like in a nature documentary

Despite her fate on the show not being revealed until the episode airs, this is not Genevieve's first time performing on the show

In March 2023, Genevieve appeared on Canada's Got Talent with her capabilities, and left the judges so awestruck that Howie Mandel gave her his golden buzzer and she made it to the final

However, her performance definitely left Howie impression as he brought her back for America's Got Talent: Fantasy League to be part of his team this January

As well as Canada and America's Got Talent, Genevieve also auditioned for the French version of the show and received judge Karine Le Marchland's golden buzzer and made it through to the semi-finals but was then eliminated

However ITV viewers have become increasingly agitated over the years over participants being given multiple chances of shows of stardom.

It comes after the show returned to screens on Saturday night, and is seemingly already off to a promising start.

According to overnight figures, the launch episode of series 17 saw an average of 5 million viewers tuning in, with a peak of 5.8 million.

The ratings make it ITVs biggest overnight audience of the year so far since The FA Cup quarter final match last month, which garnered 5.5 million viewers.

While the show raked in 642,000 viewers aged between 16 and 34, roughly a 42 per cent share of viewing.

But despite gaining strong viewers for the broadcaster, the ratings were still down from last year's launch episode.

The 2023 opener peaked at 6.2million viewers, which ITV said was its highest rated programme of the year.

It reflects a steady decline in viewings for the show, after the 2022 series premiere saw a TV audience peak of 7.2 million, following a two year break due to Covid.
Bill Hader and Ali Wong were spotted on a rare public date night at celeb hot spot Sushi Park in West Hollywood.

The comedians were laughing hard as they exited the restaurant, with Ali putting her hand over her mouth at one point.

The 45-year-old star of Barry, meanwhile, was spotted with his hand flailing as he cracked up.

Their giggles didn't subside even as they got to the parking lot and approached their car.

Ali was dressed casually chic in an oversize white T-shirt and wide-legged tan pants with flip-flops and a large leather tote bag.

Bill Hader and Ali Wong were spotted on a rare public date night at celeb-hot spot Sushi Park in West Hollywood

The comedians were laughing hard as they exited the restaurant, with Ali putting her hand over her mouth at one point

The Beef star carried a long white trench coat and had on her signature glasses while her raven hair was styled straight and fell past her shoulders.

Meanwhile, the Saturday Night Live alumnus wore khakis with a gray hoodie and navy blue slides with thick-framed black glasses.

Ali and Bill first got together in the fall of 2022 after she separated from her husband Justin Hakuta and he broke up with Anna Kendrick, 38.

Bill and Ali split in December 2022, but they rekindled their romance in April 2023, and they've kept their relationship under the radar ever since.

'We're very selectively private,' Wong explained to Access Hollywood earlier this year.

'I mean, we've been together for a minute so it's, like, I guess people didn't know we were together,' she started.

'We're both, like, in our 40s and parents,' she said of the very public kiss Bill gave her at the Golden Globes when she won Best Actress for her role in Beef.

Hader previously had a two-year romance with his Noelle costar  and onscreen sister  Kendrick from 20202022, after dating his The To Do List co-star Rachel Bilson from 20192020.

Their giggles didn't subside even as they got to the parking lot and approached their car

'We're very selectively private,' Wong explained to Access Hollywood earlier this year. 'I mean, we've been together for a minute so it's, like, I guess people didn't know we were together,' she started; seen at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards

'We're both, like, in our 40s and parents,' she said of the very public kiss Bill gave her at the Golden Globes when she won Best Actress for her role in Beef; pictured at the Globes

Bill and Ali split in December 2022, but they rekindled their romance in April 2023, and they've kept their relationship under the radar ever since; seen in January in Beverly Hills

Bill co-parents three daughters  Hannah, 14; Harper, 11; and Hayley, nine  with TV director Maggie Carey, whom he divorced in 2018 after 11 years of marriage.

Meanwhile, Ali is still technically married to her current tour manager Justin Hakuta, whom she 'amicably' filed for divorce from last December after a 20-month legal separation and seven years of marriage.

The Alway Be My Maybe star co-parents two daughters  Mari, eight; and Nikki, six  with the 41-year-old Stealth Startup co-founder, who signed a prenup.

Ali and Justin remain best friends following their split.
Christina Hendrick was the blushing bride in a romantic ceremony Saturday.

The Mad Men star, 48, who opened up about tying the knot in New Orleans in 2023, followed through with her plans and said 'I do' to fiance George Bianchini in the Big Easy.

Couple exchanged vows at Napoleon House in the French Quarter.

The venue got its name as it was once offered as a place of refuge for Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile from France.

The Good Girls star walked down the aisle in a Katya Katya custom lace bridal gown with a high neck, long sleeves and an A-line skirt.

Christina Hendricks, 48, walked down the aisle Saturday with fiance George Bianchini in New Orleans

She wore an old fashioned veil with a lace cap over her long, red curls and two silver gray bows in keeping with the vintage nature of the venue.

The Emmy nominee told people seeing the dress for the first time made her cry 'because it was so beautiful.'

Bianchini, a camera operator known for his work on the TV series Peripheral and The Right Stuff, looked handsome in a burgundy and cream plaid suit with a pink button down shirt.

Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson officiated the ceremony and the couple exchanged their own vows.

Among the 76 guests who witnessed the ceremony were Mad Men creator Matt Weiner, Good Girls co-stars Retta and Mae Whitman along with designer Christian Siriano.

After the ceremony, The Buccaneers star and her new husband indulged in the New Orleans tradition of a second line, leading their guests on a jazzy parade on the streets carrying parasols and umbrellas.

The reception included a sit-down dinner filled with decadent fare that included steak and shrimp and grits, with muffuletta for a late-night snack.

In lieu of a wedding cake, they chose individual Bananas Foster for their guests, flambeed for each guest right at the table. Bananas Foster is the Solar Opposites actress' favorite dessert.

Couple exchanged vows at Napoleon House in the French Quarter in a ceremony officiated by Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson (Pictured in Los Angeles in January)

The couple met on the set of Good Girls, and started dating in 2020. They proposed to each other in March 2023 (Pictured in Los Angeles in July 2023)

Hendricks' Good Girls co-stars Mae Whitman and Retta were among the guests who celebrated the nuptials

Festivities for the three-day destination wedding weekend included a welcome cocktail party at the Soniat House, followed by a ghost tour of the French Quarter.

The couple met on the set of the crime dramady Good Girls, which Hendricks starred in from 2018-2021. They began dating in 2020 and proposed to each other in March 2023.

The pair chose New Orleans for several reasons, including their selecting the city as a rendezvous point when they were working and living on different sides of the country.

'It just feels like our city together, even though we both loved it individually,' she explained.
Britain's Got Talent viewers questioned judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon's trip to invite a young dancer to audition for the show during Sunday's episode.

The hit ITV1 reality competition made its return to TV for 2024 in the form of a weekend double bill, with 10-year-old schoolboy Trey Braine showing off his dancing skills.

Freestyle dancer Trey was asked to watch his idols, street dance group Diversity, rehearse for their tour and was stunned to see Amanda and Alesha turn up.

An overwhelmed Trey agreed to try out in front of the panel - Alesha, Amanda, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell - but some fans of the show were confused as to why Trey, who already has more than a million social media followers on Instagram and TikTok, was invited to audition.

Alesha told Trey he was 'the most delightful young man', adding: 'You are 10 years old and you've got so much swag just in your little finger.

Britain's Got Talent viewers questioned judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon's trip to invite a young dancer to audition for the show during Sunday's episode

The hit ITV1 reality competition made its return to TV for 2024 in the form of a weekend double bill, with 10-year-old schoolboy Trey Braine showing off his dancing skills (L-R: Amanda and Alesha seen meeting Trey)

Freestyle dancer Trey was asked to watch his idols, street dance group Diversity, rehearse for their tour and was stunned to see Amanda and Alesha turn up

'You've got so much natural talent that's pouring out of you, so well done Trey.'

While some viewers questioned why he had been asked to audition, others were impressed by his talents.

One person wrote on Twitter: 'Why are the judges now going out on tour and suggesting who should audition?'

While someone else shared: 'Lets face it, they werent going to invite him on then say no to him were they.'

Another person posted: 'Whats the chances theyre going to invite someone on then not put him through.'

One fan commented: 'Trey sure has the moves, and i feel will have a good future ahead of him the little dude.'

'Trey is a good dancer and hes only 10 years old,' noted someone else.

Another audience member at home remarked: 'Though I don't think they should hand pick acts like that Trey is an amazing dancer for a 10 year old.'

An overwhelmed Trey agreed to try out in front of the panel but fans were confused as to why Trey, who already has more than a million social media followers, was invited to audition

Alesha told Trey he was 'the most delightful young man', adding: 'You are 10 years old and you've got so much swag just in your little finger'

'You've got so much natural talent that's pouring out of you, so well done Trey,' she added

While some viewers questioned why he had been asked to audition, others were impressed by his talents

And someone else wrote: 'Yes Trey. Bucket load of self-belief, fun & super talented.'

'For a 10 yr old, Trey has got all the moves , he was good,' wrote another viewer.

While someone else shared: 'He's a good dancer - however we all know he only went through because of his age. We see so many of the same young dance acts.'

Someone else posted: 'The lad is a good dancer but we've seen it a million times before.'

Britain's Got Talent bosses were at risk of a fix row over a contestant who wowed the judges on Sunday's show - she has already been in the franchise twice before.

Genevieve Cote, 60, who has a talent of creating nature sounds, left judge Bruno Tonioli and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in shock.

A stunned Amanda said: 'Is she doing the noise? I wasn't expecting that!'

The contestant mimicked sounds of birds, monkeys and other wild animals to background music as Ant declared: 'Oh my God she's bloody great!'

Simon Cowell agreed: 'She's brilliant, right?'

Britain's Got Talent bosses were at risk of a fix row over a contestant who wowed the judges on Sunday's show - she has already been in the franchise twice before

Genevieve Cote, 60, who has a talent of creating nature sounds, left judge Bruno Tonioli (pictured) and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in shock

She got four yes votes and made it to the next round after leaving the judges and audience spellbound.

However this is not Genevieve's first time performing on the show and she has actually been involved in two previous Got Talent contests before.

Eagle-eyed fans will recognise her from two previous international series.

MailOnline have contacted BGT for further comment.

In March 2023, Genevieve appeared on Canada's Got Talent with her capabilities, and left the judges so awestruck that Howie Mandel gave her his golden buzzer.

She made it to the finals, before being beaten by dance group Conversion.

However, her performance definitely left Howie impression as he brought her back for America's Got Talent: Fantasy League to be part of his team this January.

And in between those two appearances, Genevieve also auditioned for France's version of the show, 'La France a un incroyable talent'.

The contestant performed to waves, birds, monkeys, and peaceful background music to wild animals in the habitats, just like in a nature documentary

However this is not Genevieve's first time performing on the show and she has actually been involved in two previous Got Talent contests before

In March 2023, Genevieve appeared on Canada's Got Talent with her capabilities, and left the judges so awestruck that Howie Mandel gave her his golden buzzer and she made it to the final

She received judge Karine Le Marchland's golden buzzer and made it through to the semi-finals but was then eliminated.

Britain's Got Talent does allow anyone to take part in the competition regardless of their experience and previous participation.

However ITV viewers have become increasingly agitated over the years over participants being given multiple chances of shows of stardom.

It comes after the show returned to screens on Saturday night, and is seemingly already off to a promising start.

According to overnight figures, the launch episode of series 17 saw an average of 5 million viewers tuning in, with a peak of 5.8 million.

The ratings make it ITVs biggest overnight audience of the year so far since The FA Cup quarter final match last month, which garnered 5.5 million viewers.

While the show raked in 642,000 viewers aged between 16 and 34, roughly a 42 per cent share of viewing.

Hr performance definitely left Howie impression as he brought her back for America's Got Talent: Fantasy League to be part of his team this January

As well as Canada and America's Got Talent, Genevieve also auditioned for the French version of the show and received judge Karine Le Marchland's golden buzzer and made it through to the semi-finals but was then eliminated

But despite gaining strong viewers for the broadcaster, the ratings were still down from last year's launch episode.

The 2023 opener peaked at 6.2million viewers, which ITV said was its highest rated programme of the year.

It reflects a steady decline in viewings for the show, after the 2022 series premiere saw a TV audience peak of 7.2 million, following a two year break due to Covid.

Britain's Got Talent continues on Saturday April 27 at 7.30pm on ITV1.
Eva Evans, a TikTok influencer and budding writer/director, has died at 29.

The Club Rat creator's sister Lila Joy announced Evans' death Sunday in a tribute on Instagram, sharing a throwback photo of her late sibling smiling and dancing.

'Yesterday my family received news that our sweet, fabulous, creative, caring, hilarious Eva, my beautiful sister, has died,' she wrote.

'After 24 hours, I still find myself in a constant cycle of denial and acceptance, so I know how unbelievable and hard to process this news will be,' added Joy.

A cause of death was not revealed, but Joy announced a celebration of life to be held Tuesday in lower Manhattan.

TikTok influencer and budding writer/director Eva Evans has died, according to her sister Lila Joy

'Yesterday my family received news that our sweet, fabulous, creative, caring, hilarious Eva, my beautiful sister, has died,' wrote Joy in an Instagram tribute on Sunday

'I wish I had Eva here now to refer to because she would have better words and know how to say what I don't,' she continued.

Joy concluded, 'I am keeping this brief, so we can plan for the next few days, but you'll be hearing a lot more from me on how much Eva means to me and just how different the world will be be without her.'

The comments section was filled with an outpouring of love and support from those who knew Evans.

'The loss is unfathomable, to those of us lucky enough to have known her brilliance and goodness, but also to the world, which is not the place it was meant to be without her,' wrote one person.

Another added, 'I'm so so so sorry for your loss. She was one of a kind. Her art and stories brought so many of us NY'rs joy and humor during tough times. This icon will be missed.'

'Heartbreaking. Eva was a beautiful and brilliant soul,' a friend wrote. 'I remember meeting her years ago at 4 in the morning and talking about our favorite works of art. The world has known no one like her and never will.'

Evans accumulated more than 305,000 followers on TikTok, where she frequently posted about life in New York City as a rising filmmaker.

Last year, Evans debuted a five-episode series on Prime Video titled Club Rat, which she wrote, directed and starred.

A cause of death was not revealed, but Joy announced a celebration of life to be held Tuesday in lower Manhattan

Evans accumulated more than 305,000 followers on TikTok, where she frequently posted about life in New York City as a rising filmmaker

Last year, Evans debuted a five-episode series on Prime Video titled Club Rat, which she wrote, directed and starred

She played a 'self-absorbed influencer' who 'attempts to re-enter the chaotic New York City dating scene after a candid video of her humiliating breakup goes viral.'

Evans starred alongside Noa Fisher and Marcela Avelina in the episodes, which ranged from five to 10 minutes in length.

'I'm so grateful to the cast and crew who not only made some on screen magic, but also made the shoot an unforgettable and special experience in and of itself. I LOVE YOU ALL!!' she wrote on Instagram when production wrapped in June 2023.

The first episode of Club Rat is available to watch for free on Evans' YouTube, and the full series is available to purchase on Prime Video.
Louise Thompson wore a black swimsuit as she shared the first time she's submerging herself in water for three months on Sunday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.

After being candid with her followers, Louise headed to the swimming pool this weekend with her son Leo after feeling confident enough to get into water with the stoma bag.

She looked happy and healthy and showed off her toned physique in the black one piece as she went down a slide with Leo and beamed.

Louise penned in the caption: 'This is the first time I've fully submerged myself in water in over 3 months. That's actually crazy. I can't believe I'm saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing.

Louise Thompson wore a black swimsuit as she shared the first time she's submerging herself in water for three months on Sunday

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018

'I think I've adjusted to life with a stoma incredibly quickly (I know someone who wasn't able to change their bag for several months post 'ostomy' surgery and had to get a family member to help) zero judgement btw it's fairly hideous having to look at an organ with absolutely no desire to go into the medical field.

'FYI I always thought that red funnel thing was a plastic tube and seeing it have 'a life of its own' was a bit of a rude awakening. But I think I've adjusted well. However, there are certain things that have taken a bit more time than others

'I was scared to get really soaked or have a bath in case I 'hurt it' or drowned it or water went inside it and flushed it out or in case I got an infection or some other weird horror story.

'They don't really seem to come with a manual. And even though people told me that I'd be ok I still thought that maybe I'd burn it in the bath?!?!? But in this instance I just had to get on with it. Less thinking, more doing. I couldn't come to this magnificent hotel and NOT go in the infamous Sharky and George pool.

'So I took the plunge. And there was only one way to do it On a giant red slide, with my son, in the hope i'd see his eyes light up! Which they did. After the look of terror died dissipated. Then obviously came the 'AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN'.

'Then I had a bath. Then I had another bath. Then I went to another pool yesterday. Can't keep me away. Today I ate some lettuce too.'

Louise shared the news of having a stoma bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it is 'not something she wanted to hide forever'.

Louise has previously spoken about her ongoing struggles with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.

After being candid with her followers, Louise headed to the swimming pool this weekend with her son Leo after feeling confident enough to get into water with the stoma bag

Louise penned in the caption: 'This is the first time I've fully submerged myself in water in over 3 months. That's actually crazy. I can't believe I'm saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing'

She looked happy and healthy and showed off her toned physique in the black one piece as she went down a slide with Leo and beamed

She added: 'So I took the plunge. And there was only one way to do it On a giant red slide, with my son, in the hope i'd see his eyes light up! Which they did'

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon's lining, which can bleed. The condition has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time.

Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two.

The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and was left with post traumatic stress disorder.

Louise shared a video of herself showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?

'It's not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i'm having a boy Hey look i've got a stoma!

'So I guess i'll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.

'Isn't it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon!

Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, and added: 'Please be kind.'

Louise shared the news of having a stoma bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it is 'not something she wanted to hide forever'

Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two (pictured at the time)

In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the pouch and told her fans she was 'introducing the bag that may well have saved her life'.

She added: 'Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.'

Louise's post was flooded with supportive messages from her friends and followers, including her brother's girlfriend Zara McDermott.

Sharing her own message of support, she wrote: 'When you think about it, it's a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it's time for you.'
Veteran soap opera actress Meg Bennett has died after a cancer battle at the age of 75.

Bennett's family announced that she had died April 11, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bennett has a prolific career in the soap opera sphere as both an actress and a writer, having worked on a number of high profile daytime shows.

As an actress, Bennett appeared on 52 episodes of The Young and the Restless from 19802020 playing the role of Julia Martin/Julia Newman, the spouse of Eric Braedens character Victor Newman.

Bennett played the role of Megan Richardson on 55 episodes of the series Santa Barbara in 1989.

Veteran soap opera actress Meg Bennett has died after a cancer battle at the age of 75. Pictured in 1982 during her run on The Young and the Restless

Bennett has a prolific career in the soap opera sphere as both an actress and a writer, having worked on a number of high profile daytime shows

She had also appeared on Broadway, appearing in the initial run of the musical Grease in 1972 playing the role of Marty Maraschino (portrayed by Dinah Manoff in the 1978 film adaptation) for more than two years.

Following her run on Broadway, she played the role of Liza Walton on the CBS series Search for Tomorrow on three episode from 1975-1977.

Bennett also racked up a significant credit as a writer on a number of soaps.

As her character on The Young and the Restless was being phased out of the storyline, Bennett said she had been asked by Bill Bell, the creator of the soap, to continue contributing creatively on the series as a writer.

'I'd been acting on the show for almost two years when this happened, so I knew the characters,' she told the outlet Daily TV in 1985.

She also appeared on two episodes of General Hospital as Allegra Montenegro in 2005.

Bennett's writing credits also included stints on the NBC soap Santa Barbara between 1991-93; and the ABC stalwart General Hospital between 1993-2011.

Bennett and her colleagues on the General Hospital writing staff took home the honors for Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team in 1995.

As an actress, Bennett appeared on 52 episodes of The Young and the Restless from 19802020 playing the role of Julia Martin/Julia Newman. Pictured in 1982

Pictured opposite co-star Pictured opposite costar Eric Braeden, who played her storyline husband Victor Newman on the soap

She had also been nominated for her writing efforts as part of creative staffs on a number of other soaps. They included General Hospital (2012, 2000), The Bold and the Beautiful (2003), and The Young and the Restless (1986).

In the interview in 1985, Bennett opened up about the differences in her approach to acting and writing.

She said: 'I'll admit, acting makes me a little crazy sometimes: You wait to audition. You wait for the part. When you're writing, you're in control. I can initiate things on my own when I'm writing.'

Bennett was born Helen Margaret Bennett October 4, 1948, and grew up in Pasadena, California. She went to Pasadena's John Muir High School and later Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she studied drama.

Her background in show business also on included modeling stints in Life magazine and as a contestant in the Miss America pageant, with acting work in summer stock theater, according to THR.

Following her colleague graduation in 1970, she moved to New York City to further pursue her acting career. Prior to working on Broadway, she had done modeling work for the auto company Cadillac and had done off-Broadway in the production Godspell.

She had also made an appearance on the NBC game show Three on a Match, according to the outlet, coming home with cash, a vehicle, furniture, a boar and a Jamaica vacation in a successful run on the Bill Cullen-hosted program.

Bennett is survived by her spouse of 19 years Robert Guza Jr., as well as two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
Deborah Soto was relieved when she thought she had paid off her daughter's student loans in full just before interest began accruing again in September last year.

She paid off $115,000 in debt in August 2023, which had seen her daughter Elena, 23, through her degree at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.

But when she logged back in to her account in December of last year, she was shocked to find that another loan totaling $16,947 had suddenly appeared in her account.

And, unknown to her, it had been building interest every day for months.

Since December, Deborah has been desperately trying to get in touch with her servicer Mohela to find out where this extra loan appeared from - but she has had no luck.

Deborah thought she had paid off all the student loans for her daughter Elena (right) before the end of the pandemic-era interest pause in September last year

Deborah, 49, is not alone in her suffering at the hands of The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority - otherwise known as Mohela.

DailyMail.com asked its readers to get in touch if they had been left frustrated by the service they had received from the servicer - and received scores of responses from graduates concerned about their loans.

Some were left baffled by the monthly repayment amount they had been given, others had seen their loan forgiveness delayed, while others had outstanding debts they believed they should not have to pay off.

And many of them complained about a practically non-existent customer service which left them waiting hours on the phone with no answers.

Mohela has been under fire for 'widespread failures (Pictured: CEO Scott Giles)

For many Americans whose loans are serviced by Mohela, this is likely to sound all-too familiar.

The servicer is facing mounting pressure over how it has handled student debt repayments resuming after the Covid-19 pandemic pause, and its management of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

The PSLF program, created in 2007, forgives the remaining balance of borrowers who work in public sector or government jobs after 10 years of repayment.

Since 2022, Mohela has been the sole servicer of the program, which has been a key focus of the Biden administration's recent forgiveness initiatives.

Mohela is one of the nation's largest student loan companies, servicing over 8 million borrower accounts.

In March, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren called on chief executive Scott Giles to testify before Congress amid reports of 'widespread servicing failures' impacting 'at least 40 percent of its borrowers.'

He prompted fury when he refused to attend the public hearing last week - and instead requested closed-door briefings.

In March the Massachusetts Senator invited Scott Giles, the chief executive of servicer Mohela, to testify before the Senate banking committee

'Mohela botched millions of people's student-loan payments - forcing people to pay incorrect, higher amounts, delaying student-loan forgiveness, and forcing some people to make payments on debts that should have already been canceled,' Senator Warren told Business Insider.

'The millions of Americans impacted by Mohela's errors deserve answers.'

For Deborah, she simply wants to know why this loan was not listed on her account in August when she paid off the rest of the debts.

'I don't know what made me check the account in December as Mohela had not notified me of anything,' she told DailyMail.com, 'but when I saw that I still had a balance, I panicked.

'I became very angry and upset. I should not be made responsible for the interest when I paid in full all of the loans listed before the September deadline.'

Right away Deborah tried to get in contact with Mohela, but faced 160-minute wait times and endless prompts to try to get through to a person, she said.

Mohela opened an investigation into her case in December, but she has yet to receive any explanation from the company.

She managed to pay off the loan in February this year, but the interest is still growing.

'I contacted the college and they said the loan was disbursed in September 2022 and reported to the loan company days after. So it should have been part of my list of loans,' Deborah added.

'Keeping a healthy credit score has always been our goal, and I'm scared about how owing this money could impact that. We don't just have all this money sitting around.'

Deborah thought she had paid off $115,000 in debt in August 2023, which had seen her daughter through her degree at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina

For Tom Buchanan, 71 and his wife Pamela, 68, their student loans have become an increasing burden as the debts have followed them into retirement.

The couple, who worked as public school principals, received their doctorates from Nova Southeastern University in Florida in the early 2000s.

Tom has around $55,000 in loans, while Pamela has $77,000, he said.

They were paying around $300 a month each to servicer American Education Services, but moved to Mohela in order to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

'They sent us this outrageous bill, $708 a month for my wife and $525 for mine,' Tom, who lives in Bradenton, Florida, told DailyMail.com.

'Why are the payments double? They don't give you any calculations to show you how they have worked it out, and they just ask you to fill out an application online.'

Tom claims he would regularly spend 'three or four hours' on the phone trying to get through to the company to get any clarity on the new repayment figures, which he said appear not to be income-related.

'Those payments are absurd for two retired people living on pensions and social security,' he said. 'We can't afford $1,200 a month out of our monthly pay checks.'

Tom added that when he did finally get through to speak to someone from Mohela, they quoted repayments that were hundreds of dollars less. But these updated figures have never appeared on their statements.

'There's a huge breakdown there,' he said.

'We're seriously thinking about getting a second mortgage or a home equity line of credit and just paying these loans off. Because we're just tired of dealing with the ineptness of Mohela.'

Pamela and Tom saw their monthly repayments double, but have been unable to get an explanation from Mohela

In Senator Warren's request for Mohela's CEO to testify before a Senate committee hearing, she cited a recent report which said that Mohela's 'failure to perform basic servicing functions' meant that thousands of nurses, teachers, firefighters, service members, and other public servants were unable to get the relief they were legally entitled to.

It said that the firm engaged in a 'call deflection scheme' by strategically avoiding borrowers who needed help.

Following the release of the report in March, Mohela sent authors The Student Borrower Protection Center a cease-and-desist letter demanding the advocacy group remove the report from its website.

The company said the 'call deflection' scheme was not a 'nefarious scheme' but is a common technique which Mohela was directed to employ by the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid.

Before Mohela can approve that a public service worker has made enough repayments on their loan to be approved for forgiveness, for example, it must get approval from the Department of Education.

Mohela was the first federal servicer to be penalized for servicing failures after the return of loan repayments for borrowers in October last year.

The Education Department withheld over $7 million in pay from the company in October 2023 after it failed to send timely billing statements to 2.5 million borrowers.

The error meant more than 800,000 borrowers were delinquent on their loans.

Despite its legal independence, Mohela is most infamous for its central role in Biden v. Nebraska, in which the US Supreme Court determined that the State of Missouri had standing to challenge President Bidens debt relief plan because of potential harm to Mohela, The Student Borrower Protection Center wrote in its report.

This case contributed to President Biden's plan for widespread student loan debt forgiveness to be blocked by the Supreme Court last year.

A recent report claimed Mohela's 'failure to perform basic servicing functions' meant that thousands of nurses, teachers, firefighters, service members, and other public servants were unable to get the relief they were legally entitled to

The Education Department withheld over $7 million in pay from the company in October 2023 after it failed to send timely billing statements to 2.5 million borrowers (Pictured: President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona)

Since then, the administration has canceled around $153 billion in debt and announced a new student loan forgiveness proposal which it hopes can start clearing debt for millions of borrowers this fall.

'But Mohela's role in the $1.7 trillion federal student loan market goes beyond depriving borrowers of one-time debt relief,' the report reads.

Raymond Johnson has filed a lawsuit against Mohela in Maryland

'No longer a small Missouri-based company, Mohela's portfolio has more than tripled in the past three years - springboarding it from a small not-for-profit servicer to one of the largest in the federal student loan system.'

'Mohela sits at the center of the broken student loan system, prioritizing the growth of its own business ahead of the rights and needs of its customers,' Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, told DailyMail.com.

'The government pays Mohela hundreds of millions of dollars to be borrowers' first phone call when they have questions or when things go wrong - this is the job Mohela signed up for and it is the job Mohela has failed to do. It is time for the government to fire Mohela.'

Beginning in May, Mohela will no longer be the sole servicer of the PSLF program, and the Education Department will transition borrowers' accounts to several different providers.

Meanwhile some borrowers are taking matters into their own hands.

Raymond Johnson, 41, has filed a lawsuit against Mohela in Maryland.

He is alleging that the company says he owes $29,0000 in loans, but that Mohela opened a 'fraudulent' claim without permission - or a signed promissory - from Towson University to collect on a disputed account.

He said that his loan had been forgiven in full under the Sweet v Cardona class action lawsuit filed by borrowers.

'Long story short, Mohela is a scam,' he told DailyMail.com.
India is slowly becoming a convenient hub for travel between Southeast Asia and the Middle East as airlines prefer to transfer people by connecting through Indian cities, a top industry official said.

There is huge growth in India and many domestic routes are used by airlines for connectivity, V Sumantran, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo Airlines) said here on Saturday.

Delivering his address at the 65th Institute Day of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, he said that IndiGo Airlines started off as a low-cost airline in 2006 and has made the largest single order in the aviation industry by ordering 500 aircrafts in France.

India needed an airline that will provide affordable travel for many of us and the net result we can see. Even now we see India really moving forward with a lot more speed on infrastructure development. We have about 140 operating airports now and that would become 220 by 2030. We are seeing a huge increase in regional travel, Sumantran, an IIT-Madras alumni, said.

IndiGo is a very young airline by global airline standards. But the entire platform of IndiGo has been affordable fares, courteous service, on-time performance, and a very well networked route system which India needed, he said.
During the annual Spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank there was a widespread appreciation of the role played by India during its G-20 presidency in building consensus on a range of key global issues, a top Indian official has said.

India hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi from September 9-10. The summit adopted a 37-page consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war and took several steps to ensure the stability of the global economy.

There is a widespread appreciation of Indian presidency of the G-20 in building consensus on several issues, relevant for global deployment, conducted of various meetings during the presidency as well as the leaders' summit, Ajay Seth, Economic Affairs Secretary told PTI on Friday on the sidelines of the annual sprint meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Due to the ongoing Lok Sabha election, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not attending the annual IMF and World Bank meetings.

Instead, the Indian delegation this time is being represented by senior government officials, including RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, and the Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth.

There is the recognition that India provides practical examples of following successful development paths.

There was also an appreciation that the very effective conduct of monetary policies and responsive and responsible fiscal policies is leading to maintaining its financial stability in emerging economies, including India amid global conditions, Seth said.

There are a few ideas given on sustainable finance about how the financing for climate action should be happening, he said in response to a question.

On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the second meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the Brazilian Presidency was held on April 17-18.

The two sessions discussed the topics of reimagining finance for a just transition and climate goals and international financial architecture for the 21st century.

During the first session, the RBI Governor shared India's experience such as the issuance of sovereign green bonds for about USD4 billion and the introduction of a framework for regulated entities to accept green deposits. On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the Economic Affairs Secretary also had bilateral meetings with counterparts from the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa as well as the Chair of Financial Stability.

Speaking in the session on reforming the international financial architecture, the RBI Governor underscored the need for sound macroeconomic fundamentals for managing volatility in capital flows.

He emphasised the need for central banks to remain focused on ensuring price and financial stability.

Seth appreciated the Brazilian Presidency for developing the 2024 MDB agenda based on the 2-volume report of the G20 Independent Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs that was prepared under the Indian Presidency of the G20.

He also emphasised the need for MDBs to work together as a system as well as explore options to enhance the use of risk mitigation instruments.
Solar cell company Premier Energies Ltd has filed preliminary papers with capital markets regulator Sebi to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

The Hyderabad-based company's IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,500 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 2.82 crore shares by a promoter and investors, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) made public on Saturday.

Under the OFS component, South Asia Growth Fund II Holdings LLC will divest 2.38 crore equity shares, South Asia EBT Trust will divest 1.53 lakh equity shares, and promoter Chiranjeev Singh Saluja will sell 42 lakh equity shares.

The company may consider a pre-IPO placement aggregating up to Rs 300 crore. If such placement is undertaken, the fresh issue size will be reduced.

Proceeds from the fresh issue of Rs 1,168 crore will be used for investing in subsidiary Premier Energies Global Environment Private Ltd, to partially finance the establishment of a 4GW solar PV TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) cell and 4GW solar PV TOPCon module manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, and the remainder will be allocated towards general corporate purposes.

Founded in 1995, Premier Energies is an integrated solar cell and module manufacturer with a 2GW capacity for cells and 3.36GW for modules.

Additionally, the company offers EPC solutions, O&M (operations & maintenance) services, and operates as an independent power producer (IPO).

It has five manufacturing facilities, including in Hyderabad and Telangana.

As of FY23, its revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,428 crore, and Rs 2,017 crore for the nine months ended December 31, 2023.

The company had an order book of over Rs 5,300 crore as of March this year.
Keeping a hawk-eye on the school teachers in Bihar has led to acute resentments against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from five lakh Government schoolteachers and their families, and a majority of them backed by several associations of teachers, have decided to boycott the voting in Lok Sabha polls.

The latest to add fuel is while Bihar Government has announced holidays for children due to prevailing heat conditions, it is mandatory for the teachers to be present for two hours in the morning in the school premises and they have to share their GPS location to the administration.

Our choice is BJP due to Modi (PM Narendra Modi) but the candidate here is from the JDU. We have grievances against Nitish Kumar and have decided to boycott voting. Those keeping with moral of democracy may vote NOTA but we shall never vote for Teer (arrow which is the JDU symbol), said Prakash Thakur, a primary schoolteacher in Bamangaon of Supaul district.

His another companion in the Sakri village Madhubani , Ashish Jha, rued the fact the way Nitish Kumar has completely attacked on the democratic norms of teachers.

Strictness is acceptable but when you attempt to be vigilant then its a problem. There has been protest for months on the unnecessary measures by the State Education Department on more than five lakh strength of primary and secondary school teachers but Nitish kept ignoring and thus even any political party who has tied with JDU will have to bear the brunt, Jha said.

In fact, several teachers associations in Bihar have been up in arms against State education department against the education departments several gag order against teachers.

CPI MLC Sanjay Kumar Singh, who is also general secretary of the Federation of University Teachers of Bihar (FUTAB), is leading one of the protest fronts against the education departments additional chief secretary KK Pathak.

The most problematic area which the teachers claimed they have been affected is the separate holiday calendars for Urdu and Hindu schools for the first time and also removing several Hindu festivals from the holiday list. Pathak led department has also issued showcause notice against over 150 teachers for airing their views and expressing their concerns on social media against the Government orders.

The education department, through district education officers, has asked teachers to stay away from any association and not to post their non academic views or concerns.

And not very long ago until the JDU alliance partners BJP too launched its attack targeting K.K. Pathak for his autocratic behaviour soon after the new NDA regime took over.

The senior IAS officer KK Pathak is known for several controversies. He has become a flashpoint now between the two allies, as well as the opposition RJD, over a video that went viral last month which he purportedly uses foul language against teachers and state service officers.

Nitish defended Pathak by saying that he is an honest officer and there is no question of removing him from his post.
Hailing the enactment of the new criminal justice laws as a watershed moment for society, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said India is set for a significant overhaul of its criminal justice system.

Speaking at a conference here on Indias Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System, he said the new laws would be successful if those, who are in charge of implementing them, adapt to them.

These new laws have transitioned Indias legal framework on criminal justice into a new age, the CJI said.

He also said much-needed improvements have been introduced to protect the interests of victims and carry out investigation and prosecution of offences efficiently.

India is set for a significant overhaul of its criminal justice system with the upcoming implementation of three new criminal laws... These laws signify a watershed moment for our society because no law affects the day-to-day conduct of our society like the criminal law.

India is set for a significant overhaul of its criminal justice system with the upcoming implementation of three new criminal laws...These laws signify a watershed moment for our society because no law affects the day-to-day conduct of our society like the criminal law, he said.

The enactment of these laws by Parliament is a clear indication that India is changing and on the move, and needs new legal instruments to deal with the current challenges, the CJI said.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta were also present at the conference.

The new laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act  to completely overhaul the countrys criminal justice system will come into effect from July 1.

However, the provision related to cases of hit-and-run by vehicle drivers would not be implemented immediately.

The three laws got Parliaments approval on December 21 last year and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25.

Referring to 248th Report of the Standing Committee of the Rajya Sabha on the Bharatiya Sakshya Samhita, the CJI said Indian criminal justice system has struggled to keep pace with the profound technological changes our socio-economic milieu that have radically re-imagined the way in which crimes manifest in the society.

The growing scope of technology and new age crime which use the digital landscape to create networks of collaborative units to commit crimes cannot be pinned to an investigative situs. This has presented challenges in investigation of crimes, admission of evidence and prosecution as well as justice delivery, he said.

CJI Chandrachud said the new laws have transitioned Indias legal framework on criminal justice into the new age and have introduced much needed improvements to protect victim interests and carry out the investigation and prosecution of offences efficiently.

The BNSS encompasses a holistic approach to deal with crimes in the digital age. It prescribes audio visual recording of search and seizures and the presence of a forensic expert at the crime scene for offences punishable with more than seven years imprisonment.

The audio-visual recording of search and seizures is an important tool for the prosecution as well as for protecting the civil liberties of citizens. The judicial scrutiny would safeguard the rights of citizens against procedural impropriety during search and seizures, he said.

CJI Chandrachud said we must continuously introspect and protect the privacy of the accused as well as the victim when dealing with digitisation of proceedings and creating digital evidence.

In the digital age, the data and sensitive information of persons has gained paramount importance. This data can allow us to gain unparalleled efficiency and ease. However, the power which comes with personal data puts a corresponding duty to make systems which are immune to penetration and leakage of the data, he said.

On the challenges of data leak in courts, the CJI said the safety of a person, the stigma attached to an accused, the threat perception of a witness will be compromised if the privacy of the stakeholders is not protected.

We must inspire public confidence in securing the privacy of our citizens to gain an overall efficiency and trust in the criminal justice system. Technology holds the key to a futuristic court system, he said.

While the new criminal laws create provisions which are synchronised to our times, the CJI said we must also ensure that the infrastructure accompanying these procedures are developed adequately for the country to reap the benefits of the new laws.

This naturally means that we must heavily invest in capacity building of our forensic experts, conduct training of investigating officers, and invest in our court system. Key provisions of the new criminal law would only produce a positive impact if these investments are made as soon as possible, he said.

CJI Chandrachud said our attention must be focused on improving investigations by allowing for multi-disciplinary investigating teams with law enforcement officers, and domain experts in the field of cyber-crime, and pattern recognition.

I expect that with the implementation of the new criminal laws, we will discover loopholes and areas which need to be addressed. Such debates would be helpful in enhancing the efficiency of our criminal justice systems. However, the ideological framework at the heart of our analysis must be justice oriented with a civil liberty centric approach which balances the interests of the victim and the accused, he said.
Launching a blistering attack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that Shehzada and his team were waiting for the polling to get over in Wayanad, from where he is contesting, to find another safe seat for him, and predicted that he (Rahul) will run away from Kerala like he did from Amethi.

Addressing an election rally at Nanded in Marathwada region, Modi said: Shehzada is in trouble in Wayanad. Shehzada and his toli (gang) are waiting for the poll to get over on April 26. After that, they will find a safe seat for him. They will put him up there as a candidate.

Alluding to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans criticism of Rahul on Friday, Modi said: INDI alliance leaders are speaking against one another.... The Kerala Chief Minister slammed Shehzada in such a manner yesterday that even I do not speak like that. Shehzada had to run away from Amethi. I am sure he will run away from Wayand similarly. For the first time in the history of the country, members of the Congress will not vote for the party. ... Even in the place where he lives, theres no Congress candidate.

Modi said that the infighting was on within the Opposition INDIA bloc over the 25 per cent seats. Come June 4, the INDI alliance leaders will tear the clothes and hair of one another. Do you want to waste your votes on these leaders? Thats why you should vote for the NDA. Voting for NDA is voting for Vikasit Bharat, he said.

Modi, who also addressed another election rally at Parbhani in Marathwada, said that INDIA alliance leaders had come together to save and protect their corruption. The voters are asking them for their leader but they cannot answer. The people had thoroughly rejected them in the first phase of polling. Even before the completion of the election, the Congress leaders have accepted the defeat.

The Prime Minister charged that the Opposition INDIA bloc believed in vote bank politics. By boycotting the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the Opposition leaders have insulted our astha (faith). They cannot be pardoned for insulting our astha and disrespecting Sanatana dharma. ... Curing every wound inflicted by the Congress is Modi Ki guarantee, Modi said, as he listed the achievements of his government like Article 370, Triple Talaq and growing economy.

Modi said that since they were used to contest and win elections to Rajya Sabha, the Opposition parties were not getting candidates. Hence the Opposition leaders are not campaigning. Even on 25 per cent of the seats the Opposition was contesting, the INDI alliance constituents are fighting against each other and making allegations against each other. They are even threatening to put each other in jail. Can you trust such people? the Prime Minister asked the audience.

Hitting at the previous Congress Governments in Maharashtra for not doing much for the development of Marthawada and Vidarbha, Modi said: For decades, Congress stalled the development of Vidarbha and Marathwada. It is because of the policies of the Congress that both the regions are deficient in terms of water. The farmers here are poor and there are no prospects for industrial growth. We have ensured Nal se Jal to 80 per cent of households in Nanded. Our constant endeavour has been to facilitate the empowerment of our farmers through record rise in MSPs, income support through PM-KISAN, and the promotion of Sree Anna.|

Dwelling up the relationship between the Sikh Gurus and Nanded, Modi said: Nanded reflects the purity of Indias Sikh Gurus... We are guided by the principles of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Over the years we have celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, and the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Modi said that the Congress has always opposed the Sikh community and is taking revenge for 1984. It is due to this that the Congress has been opposing the CAA which aims to bring the Sikh brothers and sisters to India, granting them citizenship. It was government that brought back the Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan and facilitated the Kartarpur corridor

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan were among those leaders present at the rally.
Noted economists Jean Dreze and Reetika Khera today said that despite the tall claims made by politicians of the ruling coalition in the country that the nation is progressing rapidly on the economic front, inequality among the masses has remained stagnant and there are is little being done to address the major issue.

The economists said that the real wages have barely risen in India since 2014-15, despite rapid GDP growth. The countrys social security system has also stagnated in this period. The lives of informal workers remain extremely precarious, especially in states like Jharkhand where casual employment is the main source of livelihood for millions.

The findings were presented by Dreze and Khera at a press conference convened today by Loktantra Bachao 2024 here on Saturday.

They said that the evidence of a virtual stagnation in real wages since 2014-15 is available from five different sources. Similar patterns apply to most occupations, agricultural and non-agricultural occupations.

As the Modi government took charge in 2014, five flagship programmes had started providing solid foundations for social security in the informal sector: the public distribution system (PDS), the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), maternity benefits, social security pensions, and child nutrition schemes under ICDS and the midday-meal programme. All five have been undermined in one way or another by the NDA, they said.

Further they gave example that the Central budget for ICDS and midday meals declined by 40 per cent in real terms in the last 10 years; maternity benefits have been illegally restricted to one child per family; the central contribution to social security pensions under NSAP has stagnated at a measly Rs 200 per month; MGNREGA wages have stagnated in real terms and are rarely paid on time; and more than 100 million persons have been excluded from the PDS due to the continued use of 2011 population figures. In Jharkhand alone, 44 lakh people are excluded because of this.

The economists said that to some extent, the NDA government has compensated for this decline by expanding schemes of its own liking, such as toilets, LPG connections and housing. However, the achievements of these schemes are much smaller than the Modi government claims. For instance, the NDA government declared India open defecation free in 2019, but NFHS-5 data for 2019-21 reveal that about 20% of all households had no toilet facility.

As a percentage of GDP, central-government expenditure on old and new welfare schemes combined has stagnated under Modi, except for a brief spike during the Covid-19 crisis (see second graph on p.2). Before that, the Modi government was mainly substituting its own schemes for earlier schemes, along with renaming earlier schemes after the Prime Minister. This pattern contrasts with the major expansion of social security that occurred under the UPA government, especially UPA-1. The NDA government has managed to build a reputation for generous welfare spending, but this claim does not bear scrutiny.
The Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj criticised the BJP and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena for withholding insulin from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, claiming that a slow demise is being orchestrated against the AAP chief.

This comes amid the report submitted by the Tihar authorities to the LG claiming that Kejriwal himself has said that he has not been taking insulin dosages since a few months on the advice of a Telangana doctor.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said Kejriwal, who has Type-2 diabetes, has been asking for insulin and a video conferencing with his family doctor but his requests are being denied by the jail administration. The remark comes a day after a Delhi court reserved its order on AAP's plea demanding insulin and Kejriwal's doctor's consultation inside the prison.

Stating that the refusal to provide insulin raises serious questions, Bhardwaj questioned whether the authorities are prepared to handle any potential health crisis that may arise to Kejriwal. As Arvind Kejriwal's health hangs in the balance, the refusal to grant basic medical care stands in stark contrast to the Kejriwal administration's efforts in providing healthcare access to the people of Delhi, he said.

"I want to say with full responsibility that a conspiracy is underway for the slow death of Kejriwal," Bharadwaj claimed citing blood sugar readings of the Chief Minister in jail. He also slammed the Tihar administration, BJP, Centre and Delhi LG for allegedly denying insulin to Kejriwal and said the Delhi Chief Minister had been suffering from diabetes for the last 20-22 years.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that the detailed report issued by the doctors and administration of Tihar Jail on the health of Kejriwal, his sugar levels, the number of sugar patients in Tihar, and the availability of sugar medications including insulin in jail has dispelled the false campaign by the AAP that its chief is not getting sugar medicines in jail.

The medical report of the jail doctors has clarified that Kejriwal, upon the advice of a private doctor in Telangana, had not been taking insulin injections for several months. After the medical report, it is now clear that there is no shortage of sugar medications in jail, and no doctor has recommended insulin for him yet, Sachdeva said, adding that it would be better for the party to stop false and misleading politics regarding Kejriwal's health.

Bhardwaj said, As a health minister, I'm saying that in Mohalla Clinics, dispensaries, and hospitals, elders come to get the most sugar medication, they take medicines for the entire month. Once a person is on insulin, the effect of oral medication doesn't work, only insulin can control it.

Claiming that there is conspiracy to kill Kejriwal in jail, Bharadwaj, who holds the portfolio of health in Delhi government, said, "Overall, it was a conspiracy to finish Kejriwal so his multiple organ damage and when he comes out of jail after two to four months he goes for treatment of kidney, heart and other organs," said

He claimed that despite rising sugar levels, the jail administration is saying it's a lie and are referring to doctors who claim everything is fine. He has been repeatedly telling the doctors and the jail authorities that his sugar level is increasing and hence needs insulin. They're saying they won't give him insulin. Now, when it has come to the point that the doctor, and jail authorities are not willing to provide insulin, an elected Chief Minister is having to file a petition in court, stating that his insulin level has been continuously increasing for the past 15 days, Bhardwaj alleged.

Questioning the jail authorities, he said, Why is he not being given insulin? Irrational arguments are being given on this. News is being planted by the jail administration, central government, and LG, regarding the same, he shared.

Senior AAP leaders said, CM Arvind Kejriwal was administered 28 units of Novarapid (before three meals) and 22 units of Lanctus (in the night). A total of 50 units of insulin was being administered to him every day. From February 1 onwards, under careful medical supervision, CM started on Insulin Reversal Programme and the administration of insulin was discontinued and replaced by oral medication. However, the same required careful and close medical supervision,

Further, the AAP party said, CM Arvind Kejriwal was following the said program till the date of his arrest March 21 after which he was incapacitated and was unable to follow the said Insulin Reversal Programme. Hence, CM Arvind Kejriwal, who is a severe Type-II Insulin dependent diabetic, has to be restored to administration of insulin to manage his sugar levels, amid the report by jail authorities that state otherwise.
The 4th Samarth Bharat Conclave  2024 is being organized by AISECT, Indias leading social enterprise. The theme of this conclave is 'Role of skill development, financial inclusion and social entrepreneurship in building a developed India' and conference will be held on April 22nd and 23rd at Kushabhau Thackeray Hall, Bhopal.

State conferences are to be organized by AISECT in 19 states of India from April 30 to May 25. This annual conference is a unique platform to come together, learn and collaborate in our common mission of building a developed India.

AISECT is hosting this national-conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, which will feature practical leadership sessions, speeches from eminent social entrepreneurs, policy makers, panel discussions focused on skill development and technology-driven social innovation. Subject matter experts and speakers from various fields will participate in the conference.

Apart from this, more than 1500 micro-entrepreneurs from across the country will also be a part of the conclave, who will get the opportunity to get information about the new skill development framework emerging in the country, new areas of skill development including new schemes etc. Thus, more than 4000 people from across the country are expected to attend the function.

On the first day of the ceremony on April 22, Deputy Managing Director of SBI Corporation Center Mumbai, Surendra Rana will be present as the chief guest, while the special guests will include Tarsem Singh Zira, General Manager of Central Bank of India Bhopal, H.K. Soni, Motivational speaker Dr. Rajeev Aggarwal will be present.

On the second day, on April 23, Dr. Atul Kothari, National Secretary of Education Culture Upliftment Trust, New Delhi, will be present as the chief guest of the inaugural session. Other guests included Kishore Kumar Thangavelu (Project Manager, Microsoft India), Arpit Sharma - Chief Operating Officer (Skill Council for Green Jobs), Saumya Ranjan - Chief Operating Officer (BFSI-SSC), Shweta Gaur - Engagement Manager at Sattva etc. Will be included. During this, he discussed about the role of CSR in bridging the skill gap, possibilities of industry embedded programs in the BFSI sector, encouraging participation of women in STEM education, possibilities in the renewable energy sector (especially in the context of Madhya Pradesh) etc. But we will discuss important things in detail. Also in the program, MoUs will be signed by AISECT with Microsoft, Skills on Wheels and Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI).

Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Executive Vice President,AISECT said, We believe that social entrepreneurship and skill development are two important pillars to achieve inclusive growth in the country. With this vision, AISECT is working in the areas of skill development, training, higher education, financial inclusion, apprenticeship, online learning and digital services and reaching out to rural areas to spread skill development and digital literacy. As part of such efforts, we organize this national conference every year to discuss social entrepreneurship and skill development.

Working at the grassroots level for the last four decades, AISECT is committed to the vision of a developed India by 2047. In this context, this National Conference is not just an event but a movement towards realizing the potential of our great nation through a collective effort and practical dialogues. This year the conference will also organize an expo showcasing various business opportunities for micro entrepreneurs and students from different sectors. AISECT will also provide job offer letters to students selected from job fairs recently organized across the country.
The BJP will hold a mega influencers' meet next week in the national capital in a bid to woo voters and increase the ambit of their voter outreach through social media ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday.

Realising the power that social media holds, the BJP's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said, Social media is a very potent tool to send across any message and there are a large number of users on platforms such as X, Facebook and WhatsApp, among others, that need to be reached.

"The influencers' meet will help us bring those supporting us together for coordinated, organised publicity and campaigning on different social media platforms," he said.

The meeting is expected to be attended by 1,000 influencers, he said. Social media influencers are people from various fields who actively use the various platforms to express their views and opinions and have a large number of followers.

The party aims to bring together social media influencers who are in alignment with the BJPs ideologies and propagate their policies and programmes. These social media celebrity, who are not associated to the saffron party per se, will help reach the party a wider voter base helping the party in turn to take forward the beneficial schemes and achievements of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government ahead of the general election 2024 to be held in Delhi on May 25.

Several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the meeting, said another leader. Such events are crucial before the elections and a similar meet was held before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he added.

Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats will go to the polls in the sixth phase on May 25. The BJP won all the seven seats in the 2014 and the 2019 elections. Barring two time MP Manoj Tiwari, all the faces are new. The saffron party has fielded Bansuri Swaraj from New Delhi, Manoj Tiwari from East Delhi, Praveen Khandelwal from Chandni Chowk, Kamaljeet Sehrawat from West Delhi, Ramvir Bidhuri from South Delhi, Yogendra Chandolia from North West Delhi and harsh Malhotra from North East Delhi seat.

AAP and the Congress -- both constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc -- are contesting the general elections in an alliance in the national capital this time. The Congress has fielded candidates in the North East Delhi, North West Delhi and the Chandni Chowk seats while AAP is contesting from East Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi and New Delhi.

Congress has announced its candidate from three seats- JP Agarwal from Chandni Chowk, Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi and Udit Raj from North West Delhi.
Today the respect for cows, Ganga and Geeta has increased in the country. These are our identities in the world. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the President of America and England in our country, he gives them his Holy Gita as a gift. This is our greatest heritage. Our government has decided that if we work on cow protection, it will be done first through the government. We also increased the amount of cow sheds and doubled them,said Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said this while addressing public meetings after the nomination rally of BJP candidate Dnyaneshwar Patil from Khandwa Lok Sabha constituency and BJP candidate Sudhir Gupta from Mandsaur Lok Sabha constituency.

CM Yadav said that Rahul Gandhi says that there are many countries in this country too, which shows their divisive mentality. The country will never forgive them for this sin and disgusting mentality. The first phase of elections has shown that there is no trace of Congress anywhere.

Rahul Gandhi's mentality and language is such that he has fled from Uttar Pradesh to Kerala and will now accept it only after drowning the entire party in the sea, because Rahul Gandhi never understood India and never talked about India's interest. Rahul Gandhi, whose maternal grandfather, grandfather and father ran the government for decades and whose mother ran the government remotely, openly tore the orders of the then Prime Minister.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the hopes and eyes of the whole world are towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the honor of 142 crore countrymen. Rahul Gandhi, whose maternal grandfather, grandfather and father ran the government for decades and whose mother ran the government remotely, openly tore the orders of the then Prime Minister. Don't know what kind of intelligence you have, don't know what thoughts you have? Rahul Gandhi never worried about the poor. Now they are shamelessly lying that once we form the government, we will remove poverty in one go. The entire family ruled the power, but did not remove poverty, now with what mouth are you lying?

He said that Congress has done what the British could not do in the country. After independence, the partition of the country happened because of Congress. Kashmir is the crown jewel of India, where Congress committed the sin of imposing Article 370. The sin of killing more than 40 thousand people in Kashmir lies on the Congress. Five years of the second term have not yet been completed, but the illustrious Prime Minister has done the work of washing away the stigma of Article 370. When the country was divided, he had assured that even if you stay in Pakistan, whenever you want to come to India, you will be welcomed. They lied and left him there to die. The Chief Minister said that Congress never gave respect to Tantya Mama. Kept considering tribals only as vote bank. This is our government, we have opened a university in Khargone in the name of Tantya Mama. Congress has always divided the country and tried to intimidate, whereas if we look at the past, Navratri and Eid were also celebrated with great pomp in the country. Congress has always worked to make Hindus and Muslims fight among themselves in the country.

The Chief Minister said that there are some Lok Sabha seats where you file nomination and then come to collect the certificate, for us one such Lok Sabha seat is Mandsaur, which has always blessed Jan Sangh and BJP. Mandsaur has a history of efforts, which brought glory to the city of Pashupatinath ji by defeating the Huns.
A 59-year-old woman was robbed of her diamond necklace, diamond ring and gold jewelery worth lakhs of rupees at knife point in Pride City under Katara Hills police station area late in the night on Friday.

Robbers entered the house of Asha Chowkikar (59), who lives here, at around 3 in the night on Friday and escaped with the jewelery brandishing a knife.

CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced, in which the robbers are seen entering before the incident and escaping later.

According to the information, the robbers entered the colony by cutting the wire fencing. First they searched the houses. Then they entered the woman's house and robbed her. After committing the crime, they fled through the same route from where they had entered. The incident has been captured in the CCTV camera installed near the woman's house. In which four robbers are seen wearing monkey caps.

According to the complaint of the elderly woman, the robbers had sharp weapons and rods in their hands. By using a rod, they broke the lock of the main gate and then entered the house. They came straight into her room and threatened not to make any noise and asked for whatever she was having otherwise she would be killed.

They took away diamonds and gold jewelery from the house. These included gold earrings as a gift at the younger son's wedding. The robbers collected the jewelery and tied it in a pillow cover kept at home and escaped.

Not only this, the miscreants broke the mobile phone by throwing it on the ground. Later they took it along, which was recovered from the bushes near the house.

Police station in-charge said - it is theft, not robbery, 3 teams engaged in search

Katara Hills police station in-charge Jai Kumar said that three teams are busy searching for the accused. No force was used on the woman.

According to the victim, the incident was of theft. For this reason an FIR has been registered under sections of theft. The woman lives alone in the house. One of his sons works in Bengaluru and the other in Delhi.
Order for all hospitals or clinics in the State capital to obtain registration and license from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) was issued on Saturday.

Without this they will neither be able to run the canteen nor the mess. The Food Department will take action in this.

CMHO Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari has issued orders to all government and private hospitals to obtain registration-license.

He said, under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, it is necessary to obtain this license and registration from the Food and Drug Administration Department. All such government hospitals and private nursing homes operating in the district where food items are served to patients or family members, are required to get a license along with registration. Provisions for punishment in case of non-observance of license and registration have also been made in the Act.

A few days ago, the Commissioner of Food Security Administration had issued instructions to all the districts in this regard. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Regulations 2011, it has been made mandatory to obtain food license or registration for the manufacturing, storage, processing, sale, transportation etc. of food items.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, JP Hospital, Bansal Hospital, Chirayu Medical College, Apollo Sage Hospital, People's Hospital, Sagar Multispeciality Hospital have already registered. Other health institutions will also have to register.

Apart from running a canteen or mess in a hospital, even if sealed and boxed food items are provided, it is necessary to obtain registration and license. Registration is done if food items are sold for less than Rs 12 lakh in a year and license is issued for food items sold for more than Rs 12 lakh.

The fee for registration is Rs 100 and for license it is Rs 2000. Registration and licenses are issued online only. For this, registration and license can be obtained by applying on the official website of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in.
Farzi Cafe launches in Bhopal on Friday. Located in the heart of the city at Bansal One, The Biggest Commercial and F&B Hub of Bhopal city, Farzi Cafe, Bhopal is spread across 4500 sq feet with an outdoor seating area, a live screening section and quirky interiors creating an ambience that the city has not experienced before.

Focusing on the gourmet diner as well as the youth of India, Farzi Cafe has brought Indian cuisine back in-Vogue. The menu at Farzi Cafe, Bhopal includes dishes with their own stories to tell with table theatrics, flowing smoke and a gastronomic experience with an elaborate tapas style menu, along with molecular mixology that will be a first for Bhopal.

Zorawar Kalra, founder and Managing Director, Massive Restaurants - the force behind Farzi Cafe, on the launch of Farzi Cafe, Bhopal Farzi Cafe is a world-renowned brand and we are delighted to bring its rendition of global cuisine, where culinary art meets the alchemy of contemporary dining to absorb the guest into the ultimate gastronomic illusion to Bhopal.
n A Congress ex-MLA from Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district and several other local leaders of the party joined the BJP on Saturday, prompting a functionary from the grand old party to call them "betrayers".

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed Harivallabh Shukla, who represented the Shivpuri assembly constituency, and other Congress workers to BJP at an event here, a day after six Lok Sabha seats in the state went to polls in the first phase of parliamentary elections.

"We welcome you with open arms to the party. We are going to work with one accord. You are free to give suggestions and play an important role in the party (BJP)," Mr Yadav told the new saffron party members.

More than 100 Congress leaders joined the BJP at the function, claimed a party release.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had launched a campaign to induct disgruntled Congress leaders into its fold in MP. Several Congress leaders have joined the BJP in the state in the past few months.

Earlier, Mr Yadav had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parivar (family) was expanding at the fastest pace in MP.

KK Mishra, media advisor to MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari, called Shukla a spent force. The departure of the former legislator will have no impact on Congress, he claimed.

"Those who are joining BJP are betraying their political mother. They got everything but when the time came to pay back to the party and fight the divisive forces, they showed their back and fled tempted by money and muscle power," he said.

"History won't forgive these 'betrayers'," Mishra added.

Of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, six went to polls in the first phase on Friday. Polling will be held in the remaining constituencies in three more phases between April 26 and May 13.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD) has taken action against Illegal rooftop trades endangering public safety and sealed three cafes and restaurants.

Giving details on Saturday, officials said the three premises which were sealed include M/s Moon Mist Cafe, M/s Toma Tina Cafe and M/s Tambula by BUHU operating illegally on the rooftop/terrace of buiidings in Naraina Industrial Area, Phase 1 in Karol Bagh Zone.

The restaurants were operating without necessary health trade license and fire clearance, posing a significant risk to the safety and well-being of guests and patrons, they said.

The unauthorized trades were swiftly identified and addressed by authorities, underscoring the importance of adherence to regulatory requirements. The absence of proper licenses and safety clearances not only violates established norms but also compromises the safety of individuals who frequent these establishments.

By sealing these illegal cafes/ restaurants, MCD has prioritized public safety and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding standards of compliance. It serves as a stern reminder to all businesses and establishments that adherence to licensing regulations and safety protocols is non-negotiable.








More than 2000 additional security forces have been deployed for Nyay Ulgulan Rally of INDI Alliance scheduled on April 21 at Prabhat Tara Ground in the Ranchi. Prominent politicians from across the Country will participate in the rally. In such a situation, strict security arrangements are being made at the rally venue, airport, hotel, circuit house.



Traffic routes have been determined there. Along with this, anti-crime checking campaign is being conducted in the entire city and intensive investigation is being done.



Ranchi SSP, Chandan Kumar Sinha reached the rally venue at Prabhat Tara Ground of HEC area in the State Capital and took stock of the security arrangements on Friday. While taking information about the security arrangements the SSP said that the security arrangements at the rally venue have been made in a very complete manner. For the security of VIPs coming from outside the state, soldiers have been deployed from the hotel to the rally venue. Special arrangements have also been made regarding traffic.



Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Aam Aadmi Party's Sunita Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, TMC MP Derek O'Brien, General Secretary MLA Dipankar Bhattacharya, along with many big leaders of JMM and alliance from Jharkhand will be included.



According to the information, most of the politicians will be staying in Radisson Blu Hotel in Ranchi, hence the security around the hotel has been made very tight.

Meanwhile, on Saturday Chief Minister Champai Soren took stock of the rally venue located at Prabhat Tara Maidan. Minister Basant Soren and JMM's Central General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya were also present on the occasion. After inspecting the rally site, Chief Minister Champai Soren, while giving his reaction on social media account said that the misuse of agencies by opposition parties against the state governments and organized loot of thousands of crores under electoral bonds has removed the mask of decency from the face of BJP.

This great gathering of leaders from across the country against the dictatorial attitude of the Central Government will give a new direction to Indian politics.

Along with this, JMM's ongoing Nyaya Yatra against the arrest of former Chief Minister Hemant Babu will also conclude tomorrow, after which we will take our fight to the public court.
A special court here on Saturday reserved its order on the bail pleas of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in corruption and money laundering cases, lodged by the CBI and the ED in the alleged Delhi excise policy case. Sisodia has sought bail in both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases filed against him. Special judge for CBI and ED, Kaveri Baweja, reserved the order for April 30 after hearing arguments from the central probe agencies as well as the counsel appearing for Sisodia.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader had also moved interim bail pleas in both cases to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. However, Sisodia's counsel told the court that the plea has become infructuous as the regular bail plea is being reserved. Public Prosecutor Pankaj Gupta appeared for CBI today and argued that Sisodia does not satisfy the triple test for bail.

Gupta said that Sisodia in an influential politician and it was on his instance that the other co-accused committed the offence.

The CBI as well as the ED have alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Delhi Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, licence fee was waived or reduced and licences were extended without the competent authority's approval.

The beneficiaries allegedly diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies have alleged.

Sisodia was earlier denied bail by the Supreme Court on October 30, 2023. At the time, however, the apex court had said he could file a fresh bail plea if the trial proceeded at a snail's pace.

Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, for his alleged role in the "scam". The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the former deputy chief minister in a money-laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023.
Those who loot and destroy the lands and resources of the tribal society should avoid using the sacred word like Ulgulan and the friends of Indi Coalition should once again read the Ulgulan rebellion by looking into the history.

The Ulgulan rebellion arose in protest against the snatching of the natives' resources, their lands and their rights by the landlords and moneylenders.

Today, the Indi alliance, like the same moneylenders and landlords, is trying to mislead the public by usurping the lands of the tribal community and politicizing it by using words like Ulgulan.

Today, under the leadership of Hemant, the dream of building a banquet hall by illegally occupying the ancestral lands of the same tribal community is being nurtured; Lord Birsa Munda is being insulted by using a revolutionary word like Ulgulan for such a person.

In such a situation, the issue for INDI alliance is not truth, justice, justice but declaring corrupt Hemant crime free. Tribal welfare was never an issue for the members of the Indi alliance, and it is not even today. The main issue for them is why Hemant's corruption was exposed? Why were its methods of exploitation and oppression put on the public display?

They are troubled by the fact that Hemant Soren, who was a Chief Minister, had a political reputation, who considers himself above the tribal society, why his reality is being revealed to the society, his corruption and looting of the tribal society. Why is the truth about the lands being exposed?

I believe that corruption and nepotism in politics are not far from each other, but complement each other. If you look at any dynastic party in the entire country, this statement will be completely true, because as a will, the families are not only given political positions and prestige for free, but along with it, corruption and tips to hide them are also given and given.

Everyone knows that the former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, for whom this rally is being organised, his entire body, leave alone his hands and legs, is completely immersed in the quagmire of corruption. In the last 4 years of his tenure, Hemant has not only tarnished the honour, respect and identity of the tribal society, but has also destroyed the tribal heritage and sold their resources to middlemen, illegally occupying their lands and destroying the tribal heritage.

The friends of the Indi alliance believe that ignoring the pain and suffering of the people, they can remain in power forever through dynastic politics, from this it is clear that this gathering is not to take care of the interests of any tribal society. , but it is for how to protect our dynastic politics.

Look carefully, these corrupt, tyrannical and family based faces, whose feet have never touched the ground below an airplane or a charter plane, today are pretending to understand the plight of those walking barefoot, in fact this gathering is to insult a society. In the end, it is very important to understand that this conference has been organized by the corrupt, for the corrupt and by the corrupt.
RUPALI DEAN absorbs an enticing feast at Burma Burma on the occasion of a festival that cultivates the spirit of togetherness and connection

At the core of the Thingyan Festival celebrations at Burma Burma resides the "Village Set", a harmonious dining experience for two that unites individuals through a delightful assortment of authentic Burmese delicacies presented artfully on a flat, woven tray, cultivating a spirit of togetherness and connection amongst guests.

For aficionados of Burmese cuisine, an enticing dining celebration awaits from April 11 to May 19, with a curated menu celebrating Thingyan  the harvest festival; a cultural jubilation steeped in tradition, epitomizing renewal and transformation through symbolic water splashing.

Extending well beyond Burma's realms, this festivity harmonizes with New Year and harvest revelries across Asia. The native Burmese Padauk flower, blossoming during this auspicious occasion, adorns the landscape, mirroring the festival's infectious spirit. Experience a culinary voyage in Yangon this season, where diners are enveloped in a celebration of flavours through a specially-crafted menu that highlights the diverse and rich tapestry of Burmese cuisine.

Groups of loved ones come together to enjoy an array of small plates bursting with authentic tastes, complemented by sweet indulgences that leave a lingering desire for another visit. Immerse yourself in an array of traditional Burmese home-style dishes and invigorating beverages exclusive to this limited-time offering at Burma Burma, available not only in Delhi NCR but also in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

My dining experience was truly remarkable. Each sip of Twilight, a vibrant blend of mango puree, coconut, Yakult, and fizz, was a delightful prelude to the Plum Sour, a refreshing mix of plum puree, lime, ginger ale, and black grass jelly that tingled my taste buds. El Dragon, with its exotic mix of dragon fruit, coconut water, litchi water, and elderflower syrup, was a light and refreshing choice.

Exploring Yangon's culinary scene, the Sweet Lime &Shallot Salad intrigued with its tangy mix. Each bite evoked market flavours, setting the tone for the Assorted Fries Platter, a nod to local snacking habits with its crunchy mock-mince samosa, sweet potato tempura, and rice crackers. The Peppery & Tofu Onion Stir Fry offered a medley of caramelized onions and tofu in a soy-pepper blend.

Savouring the Shallow-Fried Palata, its flaky layers showcased spoke volumes of Bamar culinary finesse. This culinary journey celebrated Burma's diverse flavours in a clever, flavourful manner. I savoured the Coconut Rice, a special dish known as Ohn Hatmin, made with fragrant short rice, raisins, and onions cooked in fresh coconut milk. It was a delightful choice for a memorable occasion. The Pumpkin & Broad Bean Curry, a Shan state favourite, blended yellow pumpkin and broad beans with shallots, coconut, and chili, showcasing the rich flavours of Burmese produce.

The Roselle & Mushroom Stir Fry, a Chin tribe specialty, featured sour roselle leaves and mushrooms stir-fried with garlic, bird's eye chili, and turmeric, offering a tangy twist typical of Burmese cuisine.

Wrapping up my meal was the Banana Sanwin Makin, a traditional semolina cake with banana, strawberry, coconut cream, and poppy seeds  a sweet conclusion. To top it off, the Lemon Poppy Seed Ice Cream, with zesty lemon and black poppy seeds, and the complimentary Mont Lone Yay Paw, a festive treat of glutinous rice flour dumplings filled with palm jaggery and coconut, added a perfect finishing touch to my culinary journey. And Musk, a fragrant blend of muskmelon, honey, lavender white tea cold brew, and poppy seeds, was a perfect finale to my meal. The culinary journey beautifully intertwined Burmese traditions with the diversity of Asian flavours, making the Thingyan celebration a memorable experience filled with joy, camaraderie, and delectable dishes.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be repealed in the first session of Parliament after the INDIA Bloc forms the government at the Centre.

Chidambaram said the intention of the Congress party is to repeal the CAA even though it is not mentioned in its manifesto. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) has been constantly lashing out at the Congress saying its manifesto fails to mention the CAA.

Talking to the media here, Chidambaram claimed it was not mentioned in the manifesto "because it became too long". The former union minister said the 10-year-rule of the BJP has caused tremendous damage to the country as it misused the "brute majority" in Parliament. "There is a long list of laws among which five laws will be absolutely repealed. Take it from me, I am the chairman of the manifesto committee. I wrote every word of it, I know what the intention was. The CAA will be repealed, not amended. We have made it clear," Chidambaram said.

The CAA will be repealed in the first session of Parliament in which the INDIA Bloc forms the government, he added. Dismissing the claims of Vijayan that the Congress has not opposed the Law, Chidambaram said Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has spoken against the CAA in Parliament.

When asked whether the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration will have any impact on the elections, Chidambaram said he hopes not. "Ayodhya now has a temple. We are happy. People wanted the temple and a temple has come up. That should be the end of the story. Why should a temple in Ayodhya play a role in politics or in elections and on who should rule the country. It should have no role at all," Chidambaram said.

On the issue of national border security, the senior Congress leader alleged that the BJP government was hiding the truth from the people of the country that "thousands of square kilometres of Indian land was occupied by Chinese troops". "That's a fact testified by the MP from Ladakh. The fact testified by the Arunachal Pradesh citizens. Therefore, to say that they have secured our borders is a complete lie," Chidambaram said.

He also lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government and said the saffron party is no longer a political party but has become a cult that worships Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Targeting the Modi government, Chidambaram said there is a "grave erosion" of freedom of speech and expression that happened in the 10 years of Modi rule, and urged the people to "restore democracy".

"The BJP constituted the manifesto in 14 days which is not titled manifesto. They called it Modi's guarantee. The BJP is no longer a political party. It has become a cult and the cult worships Narendra Modi," Chidambaram said.

He claimed that "Modi ki guarantee" reminds everyone of the countries where there is cult worship. "That cult worship in India has started gaining strength and will lead to dictatorship," he said. He alleged that there has been gross censorship of the freedom of expression under the 10-year Modi rule.

"If Modi is voted back to power for a third time, he may amend the constitution... We have to restore democracy," Chidambaram said. The Congress leader also criticised Vijayan, who has been vocal these days against the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, and asked the Left leader to look at this election as a national election, which it is.

He alleged that its ally in the INDIA Bloc, the CPI(M) was fighting this election in Kerala as if it is a state election. "And from a national point of view, who is better placed to fight the BJP and form a government in Delhi. Who is better placed to fight the BJP across India? It is obviously the Congress and not the CPI(M). CPI(M) is literally a single state party now," Chidambaram said. He appealed to the people to vote the INDIA bloc to power in Delhi.

"I am not sure if I can hold a press conference like this if Mr Modi is elected for a third time. I am not sure whether you will be free to ask any questions to BJP leaders then," he added. Polling will be held on April 26 in Kerala for the Lok Sabha election, and the nationwide results will be declared on June 4.
TOKYO, Apr 21 (News On Japan) - Police have arrested a man in his twenties, who had previously surrendered to authorities in Tokyo, following the discovery of two burned bodies in Nasu, Tochigi, admitting to lending his car but denying involvement in the killings.

The male victim was identified as Ryutaro Takarajima, a 55-year-old resident of Taito Ward, Tokyo, and the female is suspected to be his wife.

Police have been examining surveillance footage from around Takarajima's restaurant. According to sources close to the investigation, a man resembling Takarajima was captured on camera around 9 PM on the 15th.

Takarajimas bicycle was later found in the Taito district, suggesting he might have been involved in an incident shortly after parking it.

The bodies were discovered the following morning in the mountains of Tochigi, with indications suggesting they had been strangled and then burned within a span of about 10 hours.

Related story: Mystery Deepens with Charred Bodies Identified in Tochigi

Source: ANN
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The race for hypersonic weapons, which are systems capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while maintaining maneuverability, has intensified recently. Global powers like China and Russia have made significant strides in this arena, fueling the United States drive to field its own suite of hypersonic capabilities. The upcoming Navy test of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) is a pivotal milestone in this endeavor, holding significant implications for the Armys parallel ground-based hypersonic weapon program.

Get alerts:

The Navy Prepares: A Closer Look at the Test

The Navys test of the C-HGB, initially scheduled for spring 2024, will provide critical data for both the Navy and Army hypersonic weapons programs. While the specifics of the test parameters remain classified, experts anticipate that the test will focus on validating the C-HGBs performance when launched from a platform representative of a shipboard environment. The C-HGB, the core non-propelled component of the hypersonic weapon, houses the warhead, guidance system, and other vital subsystems. The outcome of this naval test will directly inform the Armys preparations for its own ground-based launch of the C-HGB, demonstrating the value of inter-service collaboration on this crucial technology.

The Army Angle: Shared Insights, Distinct Applications

The Navys test results will offer valuable information for the Army as it develops its ground-launched hypersonic system. Understanding the C-HGBs behavior in different launch scenarios will assist the Army in tailoring booster systems and launch platforms for optimal performance from land. The potential for shared knowledge and streamlined development highlights the benefits of an integrated approach to hypersonic weaponry within the U.S. defense community.

Hypersonics and the Future Battlefield

While the core C-HGB technology underpins both the Navy and Army programs, the applications of sea and ground-based hypersonic weapons have distinct features. Naval platforms offer the advantage of global reach, while ground-based systems provide increased flexibility for deployment closer to potential areas of conflict.

The successful development of the C-HGB and its integration into both sea and ground-based systems promises to shift the paradigm of modern warfare. Hypersonic weapons offer a unique combination of speed, maneuverability, and range, making them difficult to defend against with traditional interceptor systems. In effect, this could significantly enhance U.S. deterrence capabilities while offering new options for long-range precision strikes.

However, hurdles remain before hypersonics achieve widespread deployment. The cost, complexity, and technical challenges associated with reliably producing hypersonic weapons necessitate substantial investment and sustained research and development efforts.

The Navys imminent hypersonic test marks a significant turning point in the joint Army-Navy hypersonic weapons program. The insights generated from this test will accelerate the development of both ground and sea-based systems, positioning the United States to maintain a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving technological domain. While obstacles persist, inter-service collaboration in hypersonics remains a crucial factor in optimizing this game-changing technology. Its important to consider how ongoing developments in hypersonic weapons will mesh with existing U.S. military capabilities and defense strategies to ensure an integrated approach that maximizes effectiveness in potential future conflicts.
Representatives from the tourism industry have gathered in Cloonavin to learn more about how businesses in Causeway Coast and Glens can avail of upcoming marketing and media opportunities.

The industry event, organised by Councils Destination Team, welcomed colleagues from both Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland to collectively present on domestic and international marketing opportunities. Attendees were given an overview on planned overseas events and an all-island sustainability programme, which will be launched later this year.

Throughout this coming year, Council will work in close partnership with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland on a range of collaborative projects, with the aim of promoting both Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland as a whole.

Campaigns, trade shows and consumer events will help promote the Causeway Coast and Glens as a go-to year-round destination, showcasing the fantastic range of accommodation, activities, events, and bespoke experiences on offer.

Local businesses who attended the event received practical tips on how they can work alongside the tourism bodies to make the most of their platforms and opportunities, no matter what stage their business is at.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Cllr Steven Callaghan, acknowledged the key role those working in the local tourism and hospitality sectors have within the Borough saying: Thank you to everyone who attended this event, it helps highlight the key role that marketing opportunities and available support plays in helping our local tourism businesses to thrive.

Councils Destination Marketing Team continues to work collaboratively with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland to promote Causeway Coast and Glens and surroundings areas. The support they give our businesses operating in the Tourism sector, helps us all offer the world class welcome to visitors that we are renowned for here in the Borough.

Our tourism product is constantly evolving, and Councils Destination Team is here to help all our businesses showcase Causeway Coast and Glens to its best advantage, so that we continue to compete on the global stage as an all year-round destination.

Industry Liaison Executive at Tourism Ireland, Natasha Johnston, welcomed the opportunity to be involved.

Speaking afterwards, she said: Its fantastic to be able to present on all the different ways that our industry partners in Causeway Coast and Glens and across the island of Ireland can work with us overseas through our events, partnership programmes, advertising and marketing opportunities, as well as publicity and media opportunities in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer space.

Nikki Paterson, Business Solutions Manager at Tourism NI spoke to industry on opportunities available to local businesses interested in working with international travel trade "Tourism NI work with Tourism Ireland and a range of strategic partners to deliver a programme of activity throughout the year across key markets.

"This work offers a wide range of opportunities for businesses to engage directly with international tour operators, providing platforms to develop and build relationships to increase growth from international markets.

Esther Dobbin, Region and Investment Manager at Tourism NI, delivered an update on the new all-island sustainability programme which will be launched later this year  it is a collaboration between Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland. She explained how green credentials can support future business success.

If you are a business operating within Causeway Coast and Glens and would like to be involved in future events, contact our Destination Team by emailing engagement@ causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or sign up for the tourism trade e zine here:

https://www. causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/ work/tourism-trade-support/ tourism-e-zine-library

PICTURED ABOVE: Councils Tourism Team welcomed speakers from Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland to a recent event in Cloonavin. Pictured from (l-r) Esther Dobbin Region and Investment Manager at Tourism NI, Kerrie McGonigle Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Destination Manager, Nikki Paterson, Business Solutions Manager at Tourism NI, Mark McCrann Councils Destination Marketing Officer and Natasha Johnston, Industry Liaison Executive at Tourism Ireland.
A judge has ruled in a Confirmation celebration row between estranged parents that their children have their main course with their mother and then have their dessert with their father in post Confirmation celebration meals in different rooms at a hotel.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford said that he was making the orders concerning the Confirmation celebration as the parents could not agree on dinner arrangements at the hotel with their children and their guests.

The parents are separated and have shared custody of their children

Judge Comerford said that making orders in the case is not ideal in any way.

He said: It is not ideal that people are coming to court when they cant agree on matters like this.

Solicitor, Mairead Doyle for the father had proposed that the parents, children and family guests all eat together at the hotel.

Judge Comerford said: I am not going to direct that people stay at the same table if they cant stay at the same table - it is really unfortunate.

Instead, Judge Comerford said that at the hotel, the couples children will have their main course with their mother and her family guests in a room at the hotel.

Judge Comerford has directed that the children then go to another room to have their dessert with their father and his family guests.

On behalf of her client, Ms Doyle asked that the childrens dessert time with their father be one hour and Judge Comerford directed that this be the case.

Judge Comerford said that he could see the sense of the children having their meal with their parents for the Confirmation celebration and it would be a good thing if it happened.

Judge Comerford said that the father will have control of the children for one and a half hours after mass during which time photos would be taken.

Judge Comerford had urged both sides to reach a compromise. He said: Whatever arrangements have to be put in place should be put in place by the parents in the best interests of their children.

Ms Doyle was bringing the matter before court as the two sides in correspondence could not agree on dinner arrangements for the Confirmation Day outside court during March and April. Ms Doyle said that her client has an application for sole custody for the children currently before Limerick Circuit Court.

Ms Doyle said: We are proposing a joint dinner because we are trying to promote a united front with the children.

She said: "Proposing a joint dinner would the best approach to show that the two sides can set aside their differences for the day.

Ms Doyle said that for the Confirmation Day, it is a day the children are going to remember for the rest of their lives.

Ms Doyle told the court that she had sent proposals for the Confirmation Day on April 10th to solicitors for the wife in the case and received a three page reply.

Ms Doyle said that her client contacted the hotel and added six people to the dinner reservation that the wife initially had for the day.

Ms Doyle said that her client went back to the hotel and it transpires that those six people had been taken off that table by some third party.

Ms Doyle said that the childrens mother says she didn't cancel the six people but someone cancelled it.

Solicitor for the mother, Sean OHanrahan said that his client really wants the children to have a great day.

He said that his client was agreeable to the childrens father spending two hours with them for photos after the Confirmation mass.

Mr OHanrahan said that his client has no difficulty with her ex-husband if he wants to invite guests and pay for their meal at the hotel.

He said: But we cannot make the dinner arrangement for him - that is something for the hotel. That is what is being asked of us and asked of you judge to you to fix his dinner arrangements.

Mr OHanrahan said that he took it upon himself to visit the hotel and said that the distance between the two dining areas are less than 70 yards apart.

Mr O'Hanrahan said that his client had made a dinner booking in the room designated for Confirmation family celebrations.

Mr OHanrahan asked for his clients costs in the case and Judge Comerford replied not a chance. Ms Doyle said that she had no application for costs.
YAMAGUCHI, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - After a two-year hiatus, the beloved D51 steam locomotive, known affectionately as 'Degoichi,' has returned to Yamaguchi, primed to resume operations on the SL Yamaguchi-go line.

The train had been out of service since May 3, 2022, due to issues with its tender, which houses coal and water.

Degoichi was sent to the Kyoto Railway Museum for repairs, which were carried out from August to September last year, including a trial run on the Yamaguchi Line. The recent completion of these repairs marks a significant milestone in the restoration of this historic train.

A visitor shared their excitement about the locomotive's return: "It makes me happy. I hope many people come to see and enjoy the SL."

With maintenance work progressing at Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the SL Yamaguchi-go is scheduled to recommence its journeys on May 3, inviting passengers to once again experience the charm of traditional steam-powered travel.

Source: NEWS
Irish tillage farmers have raised concerned about the wider impacts of around 10 months of continuous wet weather on their sector.

Regular rainfall since last July has meant that conditions on fields are difficult, if not impossible, for planting barley, oat and bean crops this spring.

A window is passing for Irish farmers who need to decide whether they risk sowing crops during dry spells.

Bobby Miller, a Co Laois tillage-only farmer who plants winter barley, gluten free oats, spring malt and barley, spring beans and oilseed rape.

At the end of August into early September, his planting season starts with winter oilseed rape crop, which is visible from roads at this time of year in the form of bright yellow fields.

At the end of September into early October is the ideal time to sow them winter barley, winter oats, and winter wheat.

Finally, in the spring, is when spring barley, beans, and spring oats and spring wheat, sometimes hybrid rye is sowed.

But this year and last year have seen intense rainfall during key sowing periods for tillage farmers.

In 2023, we had a very dry February and then in March when its peak spring crops sowing, practically the whole month was wet, we didnt actually get out there so our crops were a month to six weeks later than wed like, he said.

What happens then is the harvest is delayed, yield reduces and quality reduces. We grow some crops that totally depend on reaching the quality standards.

And then the harvest time was real wet as well. It just went completely pear-shaped for us in 2023.

That streak of bad weather is continuing into key times in spring this year.

Id say 2%, definitely less than 5%, of spring crops are sown in Ireland. Thats two years in a row  last year was a late spring as well  and this year again, which is usual.

Patrick Dahaene, a potato and tillage farmer in north Dublin, said that many grain farmers are trying to decide whether they plant crops this spring and hope for the best, or leave the land fallow.

Weve got water lying on top of ploughed ground, its just impossible to get anything done. The ground will not carry machinery at the moment, of any description, heavy or light.

He told RTE that the window for growing crops has already passed for optimum growth, with early April seen as a cut-off point for planting spring wheat and beans.

Im farming nearly 40 years and my father farmed before that and weve had years that were difficult but not as prolonged as they are now  I dont think weve had six consecutive dry days since July of last year.

Mr Miller, who is chairman of Irish Grain Growers Group, said that if Irish tillage farmers dont produce grains, they are in competition with imported grains.

He said that two million tonnes of grain and pulses are grown in Ireland, with 75-80% of grains and pulses used to feed farm animals in Ireland, while five million tonnes are imported from around the world.

He said that a crop of winter gluten free oats he grew last year were carbon neutral, according to Irish state agency Teagascs standards, while what is imported has a higher carbon footprint and a lower husbandry standards.

Mr Miller said a national revisiting of the tillage and agriculture sector as a whole is needed, and that climate change has become more front and centre in the agricultural world, no question about it.

Its part of your decision making on farms, because  as tillage farmers, especially  were totally dependent on weather.

Are we saying climate change is here on our door? You could say yes.

The climate is evolving as far as Im concerned, its evolving.

Met Eireann are saying were going to have wetter periods and drier, drought-like periods.

So how do we how do we adapt to that as farmers?

He said they would need to have a serious look at how crops are grown and how to salvage crops in future.

The government has announced a tillage payment of 100 euro per hectare to deal with the immediate pressures, which a farmers group has warned falls short of required.

We met Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD on the Farrell farm in Kilkenny today, at which we discussed the key farming priorities. @gormanifa said farmers will expect Government to deliver on the issues raised.https://t.co/K4yEiR0c4q  Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) April 19, 2024

Max Potterton, the Irish Farmers Associations senior policy executive on tillage, said that it was calling for a 250 euro payment per hectare to stem an exodus from the industry.

Some farmers have suggested that the area under tillage in Ireland could drop by up to 11% this year, and follows a 7% drop in the cereal crop area in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office.

Every euro matters at a per hectare level really, Mr Potterton said.

We dont want a mass exodus from tillage. Were in the position now, if we see a significant drop in 2024, that could precipitate further declines to 2025 and 2026.

Its a confidence game, and one damaging year can do an awful lot of harm. The importance of 250, or a hectare is it better addresses the challenges with the costs of land rental and the costs of declining grain prices.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said he hoped the scheme would give farmers confidence to put seed in the soil.

Anyone who is looking to plant in fields this spring or planted last autumn, it was very difficult. There is still a window available, thankfully the weather forecast for the next few days seems to be improving, he told RTE.

But farmers confidence is really dented and I want to give them the confidence to go ahead and plant this year because we need our tillage sector to be strong and we need to see those crops.
Creative Spark in Dundalk has announced its collaboration on a new initiative, Taiscealai, which aims to empower primary schools to explore 3D printing and sustainability in the classroom.

Taiscealai, derived from the Irish word for "explorer", is embarking on a mission to revolutionise primary school education in Ireland by integrating 3D printing technology into the curriculum. This innovative initiative aims to inspire young minds to explore the realms of STEM and manufacturing through engaging and interactive learning experiences.

In collaboration with primary school educators, Taiscealai has developed comprehensive resources including a Teacher's Guide and a Student Workbook. These resources, tailored to the primary school curriculum, facilitate seamless integration of 3D printing elements into classroom activities.

Updated versions of these resources are set to be released in Autumn 2024, further enhancing the learning journey for students and teachers alike.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Taiscealai initiative for a second year, offering primary schools across Ireland the opportunity to embark on an exciting journey into the world of 3D printing and sustainability," said Oscar Diaz, FabLab Education and Operations Manager at Creative Spark.

Above: Last years winners, Murhur National School in Kerry

"Through hands-on learning experiences, we aim to ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and empower the next generation of innovators. Last years winners, Murhur National School in Kerry, had a day-long visit from our team in our specially customised Mobile FabLab.

Applications for the Taiscealai 2024 programme are now open to primary schools across Ireland. This unique opportunity offers participating schools a range of benefits, including:

Two teachers from each school will attend a two-day in-person training course in 3D printing scheduled for 1st and 2 nd July 2024, in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. This comprehensive training will cover the basics of 3D design and printing, along with practical applications in the classroom.

Each participating school will receive a 3D printer, valued at over 2,000, along with setup and technical support.

Schools will have the chance to showcase their students' creativity and innovation in a 'Sustainability Challenge' competition, leveraging their newfound 3D printing skills.

An invitation will be extended to all participating schools to attend an end-of-year Celebration Event in December, celebrating the achievements and progress made throughout the programme.

No prior experience is necessary to participate in the Taiscealai program, as ongoing support will be provided by the project team. The programme is ideally suited for teachers of 2nd class up to 6th class, fostering essential skills and knowledge aligned with the primary school curriculum.

Applications for the Taiscealai programme close on Friday, April 26th, 2024. Interested schools are encouraged to complete the online application form available at https://www.i-form.ie/communityengagement/schools/primaryschools/taiscealai/

For further information or enquiries, please contact Michael Golden at michael.golden@i-form.ie.
The Sisters of St. Louis have been honoured with a Civic Award by the Municipal District of Dundalk in recognition of their significant contribution over the last 75 years to the town and people of Dundalk.

A Civic Reception was hosted by Louth County Council in County Hall yesterday (Monday), attended by Sisters from the order and members of the St. Louis Secondary School community, elected representatives of Dundalk Municipal District, officials from Louth County Council, and members of the local community.

The Sisters of St. Louis are a religious community which were founded in post-revolutionary France in 1842 in Juilly outside Paris. They arrived in Ireland in 1859, when three sisters came to Monaghan from the French Motherhouse near Paris.

In 1949, at the invitation of Cardinal DAlton, they set up a convent in Dundalk where they secured a site beside the historic 15th century Castletown Castle also known as Bellews Castle. The whole site is known as Dun Lughaidh.

Four St. Louis sisters, Sr. Jeanne DArc, Sr. Hildegard, Sr. Dympna and Sr. Therese opened a secondary school on the site named St Louis Dundalk on 4th September 1950, which was originally opened with 16 pupils.

It quickly expanded in numbers, after the main school building was built and opened in September 1953. Over recent decades it has grown to become one of the largest schools in Dundalk.

The Civic Award presented by Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr. Sean Kelly, recognised "the opportunities afforded by the education given by the Sisters to the children of Dundalk and surrounding areas can never be underestimated, and their memory will remain foremost in the living history of the county."

The award also noted the donation in October 2023, by the Sisters of St. Louis, of a piece of land on the Bellewstown Road, Dundalk "for future development as a public amenity, leaving a lasting legacy for the community they served so well."

Speaking at the event, Cllr. Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District reflected on the arrival the St. Louis Sisters have had on Dundalk, and the community in Fatima, where they have been based for 75 years.

He highlighted the lasting impact of the education provided at Dun Lughaidh as, The cornerstone of a promising future for so many young women, which transformed the lives of local families.

I am proud to present this award to the Sisters of St. Louis, on behalf of the members of the Municipal District of Dundalk, in recognition of their immense contribution.

Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council paid tribute to the Sisters of St. Louis for championing the education of generations of girls and young women across Dundalk and beyond.

It is very fitting that the Sisters of St. Louis are being recognised with this Civic Award by the Municipal District of Dundalk as they leave the town with an incredible legacy.

The award was accepted, on behalf of the Sisters of St. Louis by Sr. Uainin Clarke.

Musical interludes were provided by students from Dun Lughaidh, and the ceremony was brought to a close by Piper, Niall Clarke, a firefighter with Louth County Fire and Rescue who performed Amhran na bhFiann.
A Dundalk mother whose children were taken from her by their Egyptian father in Cairo over two years ago has said she finally feels as if she is being listened to, following what she said was a progressive meeting with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee last week.

Mandy Kelly had gone on a trip with her husband and sons, Zayn and Kareem, who were three years old and 18 months at the time, to visit her husbands family in February 2022.

However, when they were due to return to Ireland, Mandy says her husband told her he didnt want to go back and worse still didnt want their children to go back either.

He took the boys away in a car and that was the last time I saw my two children. He had locked me in the apartment when I was in Cairo, subjected me to threats, manipulation, and demands for ransom, Mandy told the Dundalk Democrat.

After finally getting out of the apartment, Mandy returned to Ireland and made a statement to gardai in Dundalk, telling them that the childrens father was demanding half a million euros in ransom for the return of her two children.

Since then she has been lobbying politicians and officials to try to get her children back, and finally, last week got a meeting with Helen McEntee.

I met with Helen McEntee, she said.

Ive had to lobby so hard for that, Ive had to lobby every Fine Gael politician in the land. Ive had to go on local radio both here and in Monaghan. Ive had to go through the Tanaistes office, the Justice Department. It was just a nightmare.

I finally got my meeting, and it was progressive. At least I finally felt as if Ive been listened to.

Two European arrest warrants on child abduction charges are to be issued very, very soon, within this month.

And then hopefully I can commence a criminal case in Egypt against my ex partner on child abduction charges and on extortion charges and Ill be hoping that with a diplomatic push as well Ill be getting a return order for my children and theyll be able to return to Ireland.

Mandy's eldest son Zayn was three years old when he and his brother were taken by their father

As she gets ready to negotiate her way through the Egyptian legal system, Mandy raised with the minister the need for parents in her situation to receive some form of legal aid from the government as she has to date covered all her legal and mediation fees, totalling over 35,000.

Mandy also raised the need for a bi-lateral agreement between Egypt and Ireland to deal with cases like hers, as Egypt is not signed up to the 1980 Hague Convention.

The need for such an agreement was raised by Alan Shatter in 2013, but hasnt progressed since then.

They still havent sat down and done anything, Mandy said.

In November 2022, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, that was only a few months after my incident occurred and I had reached out to him they [the government] composed an international agreement on the return of Egyptian art.

There was an Egyptian mummy in UCC and two sides could sit down and agree on that, but they cant sit down and talk about an actual agreement on innocent babies.

Mandy also expressed frustration with the Department of Foreign Affairs handling of the situation, saying that requests to have her childrens passports cancelled to stop them travelling outside Egypt were either denied or ignored.

To date, there has been no welfare checks made on my children by the Irish consulate.

When I came back, diplomats from the Irish consulate in Cairo told me that they could have a liaison officer visit my children in Cairo. To date, there has been not one welfare check done by the Irish consulate.

Mandy's youngest son Kareem was just 18 months old when she last saw him

Mandy says that the demand for half a million euros makes her case quite unique because in child abduction cases involving a parent cash demands are rarely made, technically, and this is what I addressed with Helen McEntee, my children are hostages in a foreign land, she said.

The whole process has been mentally draining on Mandy, made worse, she says by the lack of information on what to do in such cases, something she hopes to rectify by becoming an advocate for parents in her situation.

When I came back, I was just a physical, mental and emotional mess, but I returned to work six weeks after this happened because I just knew that that could be my outlet to express myself and keep my mind ticking.

There was no guidance, no guidance book.

All I was told was to go to your embassy, so Im anticipating when this is finished I will be able to help parents in this situation.

Every little step I take, it makes me feel as if I am a step closer to my children, so that keeps me going.

I did get mentally and physically exhausted at times, but this is only natural and I have the tools to be able to cope with it, and I hope that will continue.

Speaking after meeting Mandy Kelly, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:

I met with Mandy Kelly today and heard about her incredibly difficult situation.

"I expressed my admiration for her resilience. I also assured her of the Governments ongoing support, which of course includes DFA consular assistance, as she works through the Egyptian authorities to get her children home.
Dundalk man Brendan Thornton has spoken about his housing challenges as part of The Irish Wheelchair Associations Home Truths campaign.

Home Truths: Because everyone deserves a place to call home is an IWA awareness campaign aimed at amplifying the voice of people with disabilities to highlight their experience in the housing market, exposing the barriers IWA members encounter to secure wheelchair liveable housing.

IWA members have shared their home truths as part of the campaign which lay bare the challenges they face, including Brendan Thornton from Dundalk in Co Louth who is paralysed because of a road traffic accident over 20 years ago.

While Brendan accepts, especially in the current housing crisis in Ireland, that he is lucky to have a roof over his head, he says that unfortunately the small size of his home, coupled with his disability, is presenting difficulties and no longer meets the needs of him and his family.

He explained: I was given this Cluid Housing Association house in Farndreg about two years after my accident which I was delighted with back then.

I dont think the council had a suitable house available in their housing stock for a wheelchair user at the time. Its mainly OAPs and single persons living in the houses here.

I was 25 and single at the time and I would assume a lot of them would have thought you are a wheelchair user, you are not going to have a family, well stick you in the wee space there and youll be grand.

Brendan now shares his home with his partner Katie and their toddler son.

The couple would love to grow their family but just dont have the space.

They have transferred back onto Louth Co Councils housing list but dont know when a wheelchair liveable home suitable for their needs might become available.

While the family love where they live, the restricted space in the tiny sitting room cum kitchen of their current home, which also has to accommodate their sons baby equipment and toys, means that Brendan faces challenges trying to manoeuvre his wheelchair.

The uphill ramps into the house also pose physical difficulties for Brendan as he gets older.

According to Louth County Council there are currently 218 housing applicants in the physical disability category on the housing waiting list in the county, and their housing need, size of required housing, and areas of choice, vary.

The council also confirmed that at present, there are no vacant units in Co Louth that are wheelchair liveable or accessible.

Brendan said: For people who dont have a physical disability there are more options out there.

Even if we wanted to go on HAP you will struggle to find somewhere that is wheelchair liveable or accessible.

My life changed overnight when I had my car accident. I now have a partner and a son; my needs have changed.

There are definitely more challenges to face when you are in a wheelchair.
Apr 22 (News On Japan) - During each conflict, children are invariably forced into the fray, a grim reality that remains lesser-known from World War II -- Japanese child soldiers involved in developing bacteriological weapons.

Each time war or conflict erupts globally, what we see are the images of children and youths as wounded and vulnerable victims of war. However, it is also true that youths are forced into participation. During World War II, it was not well known that Japanese child soldiers were involved in the development and testing of weapons. Dressed in military uniforms, these boys were brought into Unit 731, a unit created and commanded by Shiro Ishii, a graduate of the Medical Faculty of Kyoto University, known as Unit 731.

Unit 731 engaged in the production and deployment of bio-weapons and conducted human experiments. According to Keiichi Tsuneishi, the first person responsible for Unit 731's research, it is said that between 2,000 to 3,000 people fell victim to human experimentation. Ultimately, under the command of the highest military ranks, a gathering of elite university graduates, doctors, and researchers took place.

Boys as young as 14 were also drafted into this unit. We spoke to one such individual, Hideo Shimizu, now 93, residing in Miyata Village, Nagano. Shimizu vividly recalls the induction into the unit just months before the war ended on March 30, 1945, when even teenagers in Okinawa were being mobilized as 'Human Tanks'.

Shimizu was initially enrolled by a teacher who likely recommended him due to his interest in mechanics, though the exact nature of his duties remained unclear until he arrived at Unit 731's headquarters in Harbin, now in China. Here, his ordeal as a child soldier began, starting with a group photograph in front of a shrine on the day of his enlistment.

Child soldiers were separated and assigned different tasks, including confirming bacteria attached to the anuses of rats.

Shimizu and other child soldiers were also present at the site where Unit 731 was located in China's Harbin, where items used by Unit 731 for weapons experiments and research are exhibited. Various formalin containers were displayed. "What was inside?" Shimizu's eyes were seared with the sight that was arranged in Unit 731's room at the time. "The specimen room was truly horrific," he recounted being told by a superior officer that they were dissected 'Maruta,' a nickname for human guinea pigs.

Despite the passage of decades, the legacy of his harrowing experiences and those of his peers continues to weigh heavily, prompting him to speak out in recent years to educate the younger generation about these atrocities.

Source: TBS
HYOGO, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - Takarazuka Music School, the actor training institution of the Takarazuka Revue Company located in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, celebrated the entrance ceremony on April 19th, for its 112th class.

With an acceptance rate of twelve to one, forty new students have embarked on a two-year journey, training in vocal music and dance, aiming for the prestigious stages of the Takarazuka Revue.

The Takarazuka Revue has been under scrutiny following the sudden death of a female actor last September. The family claimed that the death was a suicide caused by harassment from senior members of the troupe, leading to a settlement in March this year. The parent company, Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, acknowledged the harassment and agreed to compensate the family.

The competitive ratio for this year's class was the lowest since 2000, reflecting perhaps the challenges the institution faces in the wake of the controversy.

Source: Kyodo
SINN Fein TD for Cork South-Central, Donnchadh O Laoghaire, has criticised that two expensive machines in Cork hospitals that can be used to help cancer patients are not in use.

He said that a linear accelerator  a machine that uses electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles, creating high-energy radiation that may be used to treat cancer  is never used. A CT scanner  which detects the presence of tumours, where they are, and how big they are  is also lying idle, and has been for three years.

Speaking in the Dail during a Sinn Fein motion on cancer services, Mr O Laoghaire said: Very few people in this country are not touched by the ravages of cancer.

He said that while significant progress has been made in some respects over the last few years, in the course of the last cancer strategy and under the stewardship of three ministers for health, Deputies Harris, Varadkar, and Donnelly, we have gone backwards.

Open letter

It comes as 21 doctors and researchers including Prof Seamus OReilly, a consultant medical oncologist at Cork University Hospital, signed an open letter to Mr Harris.

They said that the National Cancer Strategy has only received proper funding in two of the seven budgets since Mr Harris introduced it in 2017, when he was minister for health.

Mr O Laoghaire said: In five of the last seven years, the strategy has not received enough funding, and only one of the 23 objectives in the current strategy has been met.

Maddening

There is much concern among people who are working in the area of cancer, he said, adding that there are numerous problems, many of them to do with recruitment in the sector, and that in Cork, there is equipment that is not being used.

He said: In Cork, one linear accelerator is never used. One CT scanner is idle and never used. It has been lying idle for three years. How galling is that to families who have cancer? It is absolutely maddening.

Calling this simply not good enough, he said Sinn Fein has a plan to resolve this, which includes ensuring there is adequate funding and, crucially, addressing the recruitment embargo, which is such a blunt instrument and is doing significant damage across the health system as a whole.
SENTENCING of a second man who pleaded guilty to his part in a criminal operation to steal luxury cars in various parts of the country was adjourned until Wednesday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The case could not be reached because of ongoing cases before the court, so Judge Helen Boyle adjourned it.

The intricately-planned scam saw parties checking out cars advertised on DoneDeal, distracting the owner, switching the spare key, and returning later to drive away in cars, such as a Mercedes, without paying anything.

Detective Garda John Murphy outlined this modus operandi during a related sentencing hearing for one of the accused who turned up at various locations, including Killarney, Co Kerry; Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan; Tipperary town; Dundalk, Co Louth; and Conna, Co Cork; on different dates in March and April last year.

Since then, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Rosmarin Serban, aged 47, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to related charges.

The accused man admitted deception in relation to a Ford Kuga at Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, on March 13/14, 2023; theft of a key of car at Curraglass, Ballynoe, Co Cork, on April 3, 2023; possession of a stolen Audi car key to be used in connection with a theft on April 5, 2023, at Conna, Co Cork; possession of an Apple Air Tag with intention that it be used in connection with a theft at the same date and place; conspiring with others to commit a serious offence  namely theft  at various locations in Co Cork; and finally, possession of a false instrument, namely a Spanish driving licence, in another name.

Sentencing will take place on Wednesday.
Almost 250 complaints were made about Corks bus services during a 15-month period, with the majority highlighting reliability concerns.

Information obtained from the National Transport Authority (NTA) revealed that 196 complaints were made about bus services in Cork in 2023. A further 52 were made in the first three months of this year.

Around 70 of the complaints focused on reliability, highlighting concerns about late buses or no-show services.

A further 40 related to staff or driver behaviour concerns, while 51 highlighted issues or queries about bus shelters.

Ten complaints highlighted issues with the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Live App, which is designed to allow people access live, real-time departure and journey-planning information across the TFI network.

A further eight people complained about scheduling, and two highlighted accessibility issues. One person who complained about scheduling in Cork labelled the services a joke, while another said they were s**te.

One person who complained about staff behaviour said: Just because I have free travel doesnt mean I should be treated this way by a driver.

September saw the highest number of complaints last year, with 37 out of the 196 lodged in that month. So far this year, 14 complaints were lodged in both January and March, with 24 lodged in February  almost one per day.

Horror story

Speaking to The Echo, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, said a week rarely goes by without someone telling him of their horror story experience on a Cork bus.

These are shocking figures that lay bare the huge issues with buses in Cork from September to now, he said.

Complaints peaked in September at almost six times what they were in January.

These have remained relatively high, with complaints in February 2024 almost triple those of the previous year. This is echoed in my office. I was elected in 2020, and while I would get some complaints about buses, they would not be regular.

Now, a week rarely goes past that someone doesnt contact me with a horror story  an elderly person left in the lashing rain waiting for a bus that didnt turn up, a college student almost missing an exam because of a late bus or young people standing in the dark at night time on buses that disappear and reappear on the poorly functioning app.

Getting worse

Mr Gould revealed he met with Bus Eireann officials before Christmas last year, and NTA officials in recent weeks.

Both told me to just wait and the issues would be resolved, he said. But the issues are not resolved, and the reliability of buses is getting worse. Im speaking to people who live in areas where a car shouldnt be necessary but who are now looking into car ownership because of the failings of the bus service.

Ive spoken to bus drivers, who are very frustrated. They are at the frontline for peoples anger and frustration when buses are delayed or late. They are bearing the brunt of this, but the drivers are not to blame.

Poor management of the bus service by the NTA has led to this. They have neglected the existing bus service and focused all of their attention on BusConnects  a plan that hasnt even gone to An Bord Pleanala.

Mr Gould said he has raised his concerns with Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, and outlined what his party would do: Sinn Fein would immediately hire 30 additional bus drivers, review the fines system, reintroduce spare drivers and instruct the NTA not to privatise any bus routes in Cork City.

The NTA and Bus Eireann were contacted for comment.
(Image: Pew Research Center)

The Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College has sent a message recommending Jewish students leave campus and go home, as anti-Israel agitators have continued an "encampment" on campus, but not all Jewish groups agree with him.

Participants were caught on camera espousing full-on support for terrorism and supporting violence toward Jewish students, according to Fox News.

Rabbi Elie Buechler, who leads the Orthodox Union's Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus at Columbia and Barnard, advised over 290 students in a WhatsApp message to return home until it is safe for them to be on campus again, the Forward reported.

"It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved," Buechler wrote.

He noted: "It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school."

The Jewish feast of the Passover is to be celebrated on April 22.

The local chapter of Hillel International, The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, recommended that students stay put.

Brian Cohen, the executive director of Hillel at Columbia and Barnard, said in a Facebook message that the university and the city of New York are responsible for ensuring the safety of all students.

The organization designated the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, where Hillel is housed, for students looking for a quiet place to study or be with friends.

Columbia's turmoil, seen in ongoing demonstrations against the war in Gaza since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has intensified in recent days.

Students and local activist groups gathered on and off the campus over the weekend to protest the administration's authorization of a police crackdown on students who had pitched tents  they call it the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment"  on Columbia's lawn and the suspension of three students for their involvement in the protests.

More than 100 people were arrested on April 18, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of a Democratic House of Representatives Ilhan Omar, a Somali American, who is one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the U.S. Congress.

CNN reported that the Colomiba protests come as the death toll of Israel's war in Gaza has continued to rise.

It said at least 34,097 Palestinians have been killed and 76,980 injured since October, according to the enclave's health ministry. Israel launched ongoing attacks after a Hamas attack on October 7 killed more than 1,200 people.
President Biden this weekend signed into law a bill that reauthorizes a controversial spying program under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 of FISA, which has now been extended for two more years, allows for warrantless intelligence gathering on foreign targets. While its focus is on the communications of targets located outside the US, that includes any exchanges with people stateside, meaning Americans records can get swept up in these collections too.

The Senate vote on reauthorizing Section 702 came down to the wire. It was set to expire on Friday at midnight, but was recently given an extension until April 2025, according to The New York Times, lest it lapse while disagreements over proposed amendments dragged on. Section 702s extension period was also shortened, cutting it down to two years instead of the previous five. Congress did ultimately miss the deadline on Friday, but it passed with a 60-34 vote, CBS News reported. The White House issued a statement not long after saying the president will swiftly sign the bill into law.

Section 702 was first signed into law in 2008 and has been renewed twice already, allowing US intelligence agencies to use data from internet and cell phone providers without a warrant to keep tabs on foreign targets communications. Its faced strong opposition from both sides over its implications for Americans privacy. Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), called the passage of the bill profoundly disappointing in a statement released over the weekend, going on to say that it gives the government more ways to secretly surveil us  with little power to hold spy agencies accountable.

Senators were aware of the threat this surveillance bill posed to our civil liberties and pushed it through anyway, promising they would attempt to address some of the most heinous expansions in the near future, Hamadanchy said. We plan to make sure these promises are kept.

Update, April 21 2024, 1:21PM ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from the ACLU.
GUNMA, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - After a 30-year wait, Disney enthusiasts in Gunma Prefecture finally celebrated the opening of the first Disney Store in the region, attracting a large crowd despite the brisk winds.

The queue, which extended significantly, was filled with fans adorned in Mickey-themed apparel and holding plush toys, highlighting their anticipation.

Residents of Gunma, some of whom had been lining up since 4:30 AM, expressed their long-held excitement for this day. "I've been waiting here since 4:30 AM," one resident shared, "and really, I've been waiting 30 years for this."

Due to the unexpected length of the line, staff had to quickly manage the crowd, with over 500 people gathered by 8 AM seeking admission tickets. The store, part of a larger grand reopening of 99 shops at Aeon Mall Ota on April 19, marks a significant addition to the prefecture and is the last Kanto region to get its own Disney Store.

Upon opening at 10 AM, crowds thronged for commemorative photos in front of the store. Exclusive merchandise, including plush toys of Mickey and Donald themed around Gunmas famous hot springs and unique tote bags, were available for sale.

Additionally, the first 1,000 customers spending over 5,000 yen received a special opening-day commemorative bag. The first customer in line, who had been waiting since the early morning, successfully purchased her desired items, spending a total of 13,194 yen. "It was worth getting up early," she remarked.

Even three hours after opening, the line persisted, with some reporting a five-hour wait to receive a ticket since lining up at 8 AM. "The wait is still long..." noted one later arrival.

At the Disney Store, limited-edition items were restricted to one per person. However, just five hours post-opening, these exclusive Gunma-themed products were spotted on online marketplaces, with a pair of plush toys initially priced at 3,600 yen being resold for nearly 9,900 yen, leading to disappointment among fans.

"It's shocking," said one customer in line. "It's a pity that not everyone who wants them can buy them," adding, "It would be best if the truly interested could line up and buy them themselves."

Source: FNN
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T

he exhibition Voutilainen, Art of Time opens to the public on April 24, 2024 at The Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu. It marks the first museum exhibition dedicated to the lifes work of the world-renowned grandmaster, Kari Voutilainen. The exhibition showcases unique watches crafted by Voutilainen, as well as sketches, photographs, and videos related to his work. Voutilainen is recognized as one of the most significant watchmakers of our time, a pioneer timekeeper.

Kari Voutilainen knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands and be independent. He graduated from the Espoo Watchmaking School in 1986 and subsequently worked as a watchmaker and teacher in Finland.

His desire to learn more grew, leading him to Switzerland, where he completed the WOSTEP certification in 1989. Before establishing his own company, Voutilainen SA, he worked in Switzerland as a watch restoration specialist at Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps. Kari Voutilainen crafted his first watch bearing his own name (number 2) in 1995.

Voutilainen has expanded his business and expertise by acquiring several watchmaking factories and workshops. In addition to crafting unique timepieces, his company group manufactures watch dials, watch cases, watch parts, intricate guilloche engravings, as well as polishing and finishing for watch cases and jewellery.

Moreover, Voutilainen has collaborated on watchmaking technology with major watch brands. Recently, at the Oscars ceremony, actor Cillian Murphy, winner of the Best Actor award, wore a golden brooch crafted by Voutilainen.

Kari Voutilainen has also collaborated with the beloved Finnish brand Leijona. The Leijona X Voutilainen collection was launched in 2019. With this collection, Leijona returned to manufacturing mechanical watches. Among other attributes, the Leijona brand symbolizes courage. Voutilainen embodies concepts such as high quality, rarity, elegance, style, classic elegance, and traditional watchmaking craftsmanship.

Voutilainens expertise is highly esteemed worldwide. He has won ten of the most prestigious category awards in the watchmaking industry at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve (GPHG). The Finnish Watchmakers Association awarded him the title of grandmaster watchmaker in 2014. Traditional watchmaking has been inscribed on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The exhibition is open from April 24 to September 29, 2024. The Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu serves as an educator of the cultural heritage, history, and significance within the watch and jewellery industries.
Saturday, April 20, 2024

Interesting stuff happening or happened today. Not an exhaustive list. Definite liberal truth bias.

The 19 feral cats who live on the grounds of Mexicos Presidential Palace have been declared living fixed assets of the government by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The declaration  usually applied to artworks and cultural/historic pieces  means the cats (who are all fixed and chipped) will be fed and cared for by the Treasury even after Obrador leaves office.

Following the passing of Venezuelan Juan Vicente Perez at age 114, and the passing of Gisaburo Sonobe of Japan at 112, (RIP, gentlemen) John Alfred Tinniswood, Englishman of London, is the oldest living man confirmed by the good people at Guinness. He credits his longevity to luck, moderation  and fish and chips every Friday.

According to a study of nationwide satellite data released Friday and published in the journal Science, almost half of Chinas major cities are sinking at a moderate to severe pace, putting millions of people at risk for flooding. 45% of Chinas urban land is sinking faster than 3 millimetres per year, with 16% at more than 10 mm per year, driven not only by declining water tables but also the sheer weight of the built environment. Researchers at the South China Normal University report that within the next century, nearly a quarter of coastal land could actually be lower than sea levels. Seems we have an international flooding theme this week.

After hours of breathless reporting overnight about Israeli attacks on Iran, reaction Friday from both countries is muted as the damage seems limited. An airforce base outside Isfahan (in central Iran) appears to have been the target. US and International diplomacy continues.

Taylor Swift dropped a new double album in the wee morning hours. Enjoy.

Judge Merchans very cold courtroom was back in session today. 12 jurors and 6 alternates are all sworn in. Sandoval hearing (see Wednesday) took most of the afternoon. Judge says he will rule Monday. Judge also denied another defense attempt at presidential immunity. Opening statements, Monday.

Tesla recalls the cybertruck. Apparently, the accelerator pedal can stick when pressed.

The House passed the rules for debate for foreign aid funding 316-94 on Friday  with majority Dem support. The bill contains $60.8bn for Ukraine, $26.4bn for Israel w/ $9.1bn of that earmarked for Palestinian humanitarian purposes, and 8.1 billion to counter China in the Indo-Pacific  ie. Taiwan. Final vote is expected Saturday and passage is expected. Loud members of the MAGA wing say this will be the end of Mike Johnsons speakership.

Cult leader Paul Mackenzies trial begins next week in Nairobi. Mackenzie and dozens of his church associates are charged with the murder of 161 children and many other crimes. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has declared Mackenzies Good News International Ministries a criminal organization and described it as a Doomsday cult. To date, 429 bodies have been found along rural, coastal Kenya showing signs of starvation and strangulation  all connected to GNIM.

Following Rishi Sunak (PM)s plan to end smoking in the UK, Parliament passed new restrictions on the sale of tobacco products. The new law says the current legal age to buy cigarettes (currently 18) will increase every year, effectively making the purchase of cigarettes by anyone born in or after 2007 illegal.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Friday announced the blocking of construction on the Ambler Road, a proposed 211-mile mining road planned to cut through a portion of Alaskas pristine Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve to give copper mining access. Interior also barred oil and gas development across more than 13 million acres of Alaskas North Slope.

Finally: NYAG, Leticia James, asks the Court to void the $175mn bond from Knight Specialty Insurance Co being held for the icky man so he can appeal the verdict in his civil fraud case. In a 26-pg filing, concerns were expressed about the validity of the bond, the collateral, the process of attainment, and that KAIC is not authorized to write business in New York and thus not regulated by the states insurance department and has a total policyholder surplus of just $138 million. Hearing will be Monday.

Theres tons more, its a big world, but thats a quick clip.
"A mesmerizing novel with a masterful blend of history, science, magic, philosophy and cryptography." Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer

Orlando, FLThe FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS has declared Houdini's Last Handcuffs a winner in the 2024 Speak Up Talk Radio awards in the 'fantasy' category. Siblings Charlie and Cheryl Young bring their childhood fantasies to life in their new historical fiction novel, Houdini's Last Handcuffs. This book brings the famous magician Harry Houdini to life.

"This is a literary gut punch. It is the great Houdini book the world has been waiting for. A perfect escape!"John Kelly, Detroit Free Press

On Halloween, three childrena brother, sister, and their friendreceive a Ouija Board from a family friend. After a seance, the magician Houdini is brought back to life, but not by the seance itself. Houdini needs the children's help to retrieve his notebook of scientific formulas. However, the formula for his return is flawed. Houdini, the family, and many close friends are part of The Inner Circle, a clandestine group using science, math, and physics for mankind's good, as opposed to the Outer Circle, which uses them for evil. The notebook contains the formula that everyone wants.

Watch the book trailer here: https://bit.ly/Houdinis_Last_Handcuffs_Trailer





"Houdini's Last Handcuffs is that rare book where the reader can look back at a beloved performer, enjoy some childhood memories and nostalgia, join the characters on a journey leading to the unexpected." Chris Cordani, Host of Book Spectrum

In real life, Houdini's handcuffs were displayed as part of the Young's home magic library. These are the inspiration for a part of this tale. Morris Young, the father of Charlie and Cheryl, related that story in his April 1992 article for The Linking Ring titled The Last Handcuffs. The Young siblings draw from real-life people, places, and objects to shape the story, and their passion and enthusiasm pour from every page.

"Brother and sister duo Charlie and Cheryl Young have created a mesmerizing novel with a masterful blend of history, science, magic, philosophy, cryptography, and investigative mind stretching." Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer, 5-Stars

Accompanied by detailed descriptions, lovable characters, and factual information about the actual Houdini, Houdini's Last Handcuffs will captivate any reader. Charlie says, "It is for those who have imagination or still have a part of who they were when they were children, for that is where this story begins."

Houdini's Last Handcuffs is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Vine Leaves Press Published March 2024. ISBN: 978-3-98832-051-3 www.HoudinisLastHandcuffs.com Listen to an interview with the authors on the Dr. Pat Show: https://bit.ly/Dr_Pat_Show

About Charlie Young: Charlie trained as a physician receiving his formal medical education at New York University, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Louisiana State University. He is an author, artist, and Vice President of music publishing companies, Denton and Haskins and Life Music. He has previously published poetry, Chuck's Wagon of Verses, and Houdini's Last Handcuffs is his first foray into the world of writing historical fiction. More about his sideline adventures and his life's endeavors can be found on his website: musicmagicandmore.com.

About Cheryl Young: Cheryl Young Deknatel is active in the financial industry where she has worked for over 40 years both in Europe and the USA. She has previously worked with leading Wall Street firms and European banking institutions, and she currently serves as a financial advisor. Houdini's Last Handcuffs, written with her brother, is their debut novel and they are currently working on a sequel. She and her brother also own one of the oldest turn-of-the-century music publishers in the USA, Denton and Haskins. To learn more about all of their activities, visit their website link: musicmagicandmore.com.

Media Contact: For a review copy of Houdini's Last Handcuffs or to arrange an interview with Charlie and Cheryl Young, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 248-705-2214. Reach Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist.
Kate Beckinsale cant bear to take down her Christmas trees as she decorated them with her late stepdad.

Kate Beckinsale cant bear to take down her Christmas trees as she decorated them with her late stepdad

The 50-year-old actress was left devastated when Roy Battersby died aged 87 on 10 January, and on Saturday (20.04.24) marked what would have been his 50th birthday with an emotional post in which she opened up about the impact of her ongoing grief over his passing.

She said on Instagram alongside a set of photos of filmmaker Roy and his last birthday they spent together: The birthday we didnt know was your last.

There will be no FaceTime today. In the middle of my night, watching you open your presents. No one received gifts with more joy.

I cant take my Christmas trees down  they were the last Christmas trees Ill decorate with you in the world.

This birthday/not birthday, Christmas/not Christmas in April. Oh Roy, Oh God I miss you.

Kate recently returned home from hospital amid undisclosed health issues.

Her stepdad  who her actress mum Judy Loe, 77, married following the death of Kates TV actor dad Richard Beckinsale was killed by a heart attack aged 31 in March 1979  passed away after a brief illness.

In the photos shared by Kate on Saturday, Roy could be seen smiling while out walking by greenhouses.

There was also a snap of him looking over a birthday card at a table while surrounded by cards.

Kate also shared an image of herself on Instagram in what appeared to be her lounge at home  in between a set of huge pink and white decorated Christmas trees.

She also posted a repost of the message: Due to personal reasons Ill be screaming.

Kate announced Roys death in a statement on her Instagram Stories in January, saying: It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announces the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness.

He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87.

Funeral will be held in London, details to follow.

Kates Instagram biography includes a link to people devastated by the death of a pet  and the quote from Khushwant Singhs novel In the Company of Women: A fatherless girl thinks all things possible and nothing safe.
Melissa McCarthy thinks some people feel "threatened" by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Melissa McCarthy has hailed Duchess Meghan as an inspiration

The 42-year-old former actress married Prince Harry in 2018 but the pair relinquished official duties in 2020 in favour of a life in LA and have since become controversial figures after becoming somewhat estranged from the royal family but 'Bridesmaids' actress Melissa, 53, has now hailed Meghan as a "smart, interesting woman" whom she looks up to.

She told Page Six: "It bums me out for every woman and every person, that for no reason people just like to attack. A smart interesting woman that has her own life, for some reason, is incredibly threatening to some people.

"I always think, how inspiring! Ive never once been threatened by someone who is amazing. I just think how inspiring. Its really on the people throwing the hate."

Since moving to the US, Meghan and Harry - who have Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet together - have featured in a Netflix documentary about their search for a private life and launched the not-for-profit Archewell Foundation.

Melissa previously starred alongside the Duke and Duchess for a video skit as part of Meghan's 40th birthday celebrations and noted at the time that it was "inspirational" to be around the couple.

She told Acess Hollywood: "They were so sweet and funny. I just found them very inspiring. Theyre carving out their own lives. Theyre carving out their lives for their kids."

Melissa's comments come just days after Meghan launched her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard with jars of jam.

The jars are emblazoned with the company's name and logo as well as Montecito - the Californian town where Meghan and Harry live.

Reports suggest American Riviera Orchard will be officially unveiled in the spring, with a source insisting the Duchess can't wait to share her work with the world.

But just days after the launch, the domain name of her business was snapped up in Britain by an apparent fan of her sister-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales.

While the US American Riviera link takes users to Meghans website, the UK version  americanriveriaorchard.uk  had been bought by someone who has then linked it to a food bank, The Sun revealed.

Web users were asked for donations to a British-based charity, while a message on the site says: Thoughts with Catherine.

The home page of the site adds: Forgiveness. Permission. Please donate to the Trussell Trust, and clicking on it takes browsers to a Just Giving fundraiser for the Trussell Trust charity.

A message also states: Not Meghan. Hope Meghan wouldnt mind. Thoughts with Catherine. X.

The notes appear to reference the fact Catherine, 42, is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after cancer was detected in her body following major abdominal surgery she underwent in January.
Salman Rushdie wanted to be an actor.

Salman Rushdie wanted to be an actor before finding fame as an author

The 76-year-old novelist has made his name as one of the world's most controversial authors but revealed that his only other ambition was to tread the boards professionally after taking part in a number of productions as a student.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: "My only other fantasy was to be an actor. At Cambridge, I took part in a lot of student theatre and only contributed a little to university magazines. I played quite a wide range of parts, in Brechts 'Scenes from the Third Reich', Ionescos 'Rhinoceros', and Ben Jonsons 'The Alchemist'."

The 'Satanic Verses' author - who lost his sight in one eye amid an unprovoked attack whilst on-stage in New York last year and has now charted his recovery in new memoir 'Knife' - then dragged up to play a part in a play in the late 1960s and quickly learned that the acting world wasn't for him.

He said: "After I left university in 1968 I dived into the then-flourishing fringe theatre scene in London, mostly at the Oval House in Kennington, where I took part in the anti-war show originated in New York by the Cafe La Mama, 'Viet Rock', and in another contemporary play, 'Rainy Day Women', by Dusty Hughes, in which I played an agony aunt, wearing a blonde wig, a long black dress, and a Zapata moustache.

"Fortunately these experiences showed me that it would be unwise to pursue a thespian career, and I retreated to my literary attic.

"Oh, and the purpose of life is to put it to good use. We only get one shot at it, so dont waste it."
Bangladesh and Thailand are expected to sign several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially visits Bangkok from April 24 to 29, the formers foreign ministry recently said.

The agreements and MoUs may cover trade, investment and cooperation in energy and tourism, according to Bangladesh media reports.

Bangladesh and Thailand are expected to sign several agreements and MoUs when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially visits Bangkok from April 24 to 29, the former's foreign ministry recently said. The agreements and MoUs may cover trade, investment and cooperation in energy and tourism. She will also attend the 80th session of the UNESCAP Commission.

Hasina will hold bilateral talks with her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, meet the Thai king and queen, and attend the 80th session of the Commission for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

A number of ministers, advisers, secretaries and senior government officials will accompany her in the trip.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
FilmChain, a London, UK-based provider of a platform to manage payments for films & TV stakeholders, raised 2.8m in funding.

The round, which also converted previous notes, was led by the Holt IntersXion fund, with participation from Roca X, DeBa Ventures, TechAngels Romania, and HearstLab.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach in North America.

Co-founded by Maria Tanjala and Irina Albita, FilmChain provides a digital Collection Account Management (CAM) platform serving the global screen industries. The solution collects and allocates revenues transparently and in near real-time. The company also developed a royalties management system for enterprises  digital distributors, broadcasters, studios.

The company serves nearly 2000 clients in Europe and Australia.

FinSMEs

21/04/2024
Adult film star Emily Willis was critical after she suffered a cardiac arrest, as reported by TMZ. As per a statement by her father, shes breathing through a ventilator and not showing any signs of improvement. Her family has asked her fans to prepare for the worst amid these trying times.

Willis is currently unresponsive and in vegetative coma. No drug was found on the actress and all the speculations of overdose were dismissed after the toxicology report came in.

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A report by News.com.au says she has woken up but is unable to move. Her brother was quoted saying to TMZ that doctors arent anticipating further improvement. Her family members are also planning to move the actress to Utah where she can be closer to her loved ones.

Recently, another adult film star Sophia Leone was found dead at her apartment a week ago. She was found unresponsive when her family tried to contact her. She was 26. The cause of death is yet to be reported and the case is still under investigation. This is the fourth dead from the adult film industry in three months and has raised concerns among netizens.

The news was broken by Leones step-father Mike Romero on GoFundMe where memorial funds would be raised. He wrote a message that read- On behalf of her Mother & Family, It is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news of our beloved Sophias Passing. The Sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in shock.
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwaris directorial brilliance has graced the silver screen with captivating tales, including Nil Battey Sannata, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Panga, and many more read more

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is a force to reckon with when it comes to delivering compelling stories to the masses. Her commitment to delivering compelling narratives resonates deeply, reflecting her indomitable spirit and vision that leaves an enduring impact on society. All this indeed speaks volumes of her being a powerful woman who holds the power to drive the generation with her storytelling. Well, saluting her unbeatable spirit, she has been awarded the Forbes Self-made Woman of India award that too for the second time.

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Taking to social media, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, graciously shared her joy, expressing gratitude for the recognition.

Self-made women follow their heart and believe in authenticity. When I got a call from @forbesindia I assumed it will be to answer questions for an article or jury invitation. Little did I know the call was for me. Thank-you @forbesindia for acknowledging my passion as a storyteller and giving me the  Forbes Self-made woman of India award for the second time (2020) Driven by passion and striving for excellence is a path of a dreamer that has many thorns and beautiful roses too."

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwaris directorial brilliance has graced the silver screen with captivating tales, including Nil Battey Sannata, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Panga, and many more, captivating audiences with her unique storytelling style.
The actors first wife Preeti Shukla has filed a FIR against Aparna Thakur (Kishans alleged second wife) at the Hazratganj police station for making false allegations against her husband and allegedly demanding Rs 20 crore read more

Ravi Kishans personal life is currently surrounded by turmoil and chaos. A lady has alleged shes his second wife and they even have a daughter together. The woman in question is Aparna Thakur. And the name of their daughter is Shinova. This daughter in question has now demanded a DNA test of Kishan by filing a lawsuit in a Mumbai court.

This is indeed a very serious allegation against BJP leader Ravi Kishan.

It must be checked whether it is true or false. Whoever is the cheater needs to be punished.#RaviKishan

#_ pic.twitter.com/vSSaYC69U0  Modani (@JahirSpecial) April 18, 2024

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Aparna alleged they met in 1995, got married a year later, and even have a daughter named Shinova. She even held a press conference in Lucknow and revealed Kishan refuses to acknowledge or accept their marriage or their daughter.

What Aparna said at her press conference?

She said, My name is Aparna, and my daughter is the daughter of MP and actor Ravi Kishan, whom he is not accepting, as per a report by Times of India. She added,I am also going to court for this. The reason for calling this press conference is I want my daughter who is also Ravi Kishans daughter get her rights. I will approach the court as well over this. I want him to accept his daughter and give her the legal rights that she deserves.

What her daughter Shenova said?

In a video shared by her on social media, she said, Respected Yogi Ji. My name is Shenova. I am your MP Ravi Kishans daughter, and I would like to request that you give my mother and me some time. I want to tell you my truth with proof. After that, you can decide whats right.

Kishans first wife files a FIR

Preeti Shukla has filed a FIR against Aparna at the Hazratganj police station for making false allegations against her husband and allegedly demanding Rs 20 crore. She said Aparna tried to trap Kishan in a false rape case and that she had underworld connections.

Talking about Ravi Kishans film Laapataa Ladies, it was directed by Kiran Rao and produced by megastar Aamir Khan under his production house Aamir Khan Productions.
West Asia was on edge as tensions between Iran and Israel grew through the week. However, Tehrans muted response to an apparent Israeli attack on its central city of Isfahan is believed to have staved off a war between the two rivals. Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup of stories from around the globe read more

Iranian worshippers chant slogans in an anti-Israeli gathering after their Friday prayer in Tehran, on 19 April 2024. File photo/AP

Irans latest flare-up with Israel dominated Aprils third week. The world has been on its toes amid the threat of a full-scale war between the two nemeses in West Asia.

However, a full-blown direct conflict seems to have been avoided for now. We will come back to this later.

Lawmakers in the United States approved new Israeli military aid on Saturday despite growing criticism of its allys war in Gaza. The House of Representatives also okayed aid to Ukraine, as it struggles to resist the Russian invasion.

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The other big threat that the world faces is climate change. Heavy rains in Dubai brought it to a standstill. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) city saw the worst precipitation since 1949, leading to floods in the desert landscape.

All this and more in our weekly roundup of stories from around the world.

1. Iran has downplayed the Israeli militarys reported precision strikes near military and nuclear targets in the central province of Isfahan. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack yet, the Muslim nation has tried to soft-pedal the Friday attack.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian reportedly said that drones flew for a few hundred metres inside Iran before being shot down by its air defense systems. Theyre  more like toys that our children play with, not drones, he said.

Israel has refrained from officially commenting on the strikes that hit deep in Iran. It is believed that Israels calibrated response has averted the possibility of a full-blown confrontation. Are further escalations between the two arch-rival nations over now? We explain.

2. Israels counterattack came after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones on the Jewish state last weekend. Tehrans attack was a response to Israel striking its consulate in Syria earlier this month, killing seven Revolutionary Guards, including Irans most senior commander in the region.

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A riposte was expected by the Benjamin Netanyahu government after this first-ever direct attack by Iran on Israel. The purported strikes in Iran came on the 85th birthday of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While a war appears to have been staved off for now, how capable are the militaries of the two foes? Read our explainer to find out.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires during a combined forces drill in Shizafon military base, near Eilat in southern Israel on 7 June 2016. Reuters File Photo

3. Dubai is usually dry but apocalyptic scenes emerged from the city this week as it reeled from heavy rainfall and storms. The UAEs financial centre reported widespread deluge as it received the heaviest rainfall in 75 years. Schools had to be closed, flights faced disruptions and many people were left stranded at the Dubai Airport without food and water.

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An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, seen on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 18 April 2024. AP File Photo

While experts said cloud seeding, which is used to create artificial rain, was behind Dubais flooding, some have blamed climate change for the unprecedented rains. What is cloud seeding and is it responsible for the situation in Dubai? We explain in this report.

4. Australia was left shocked by another stabbing incident this week. After the mall attack in Sydney last weekend, a 16-year-old boy wounded a bishop and a priest with a knife during a church service on Monday (15 April) evening in the city. The Australian police deemed the knife attack at an Assyrian church a terrorist act that had a religious motive.

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The knife attack also triggered a riot outside the church in Sydney, where an angry mob clashed with the police. This incident came just three days after a mass stabbing in a busy shopping mall in Sydney led to the death of six people and injured several others, including a baby. Is such violence common in Australia? Heres our story delving into the issue.

5. Several Chinese cities are facing a sinking fate. After New York and Miami in the United States, now Chinese cities could be at risk. One-tenth of the Chinese population in coastal cities is likely to be living below sea level in less than a century.

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From groundwater extraction to climate change, many factors are responsible for this unpleasant future. Read our explainer to find out what is happening.

6. Swiss food giant Nestle is in hot water. A recent report by the Swiss NGO Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) has revealed that the baby foods sold by the company in Asia, Africa and Latin America had added sugars. However, this was not the case in the products found in Europe.

Nestle is facing flak over added sugars in its baby products in lesser-income countries. Reuters File Photo

After the report came to light, Nestle has been slammed by several users on X for hypocrisy. The Indian government has also taken cognisance of the matter, with the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry asking the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to initiate appropriate action against the Swiss company. Sugar is generally not suggested for infants. How bad are added sugars for kids? We explain in our report.

Thats it for this week. If you like our explainers, this is the page to bookmark.
The US House of Representatives approved a significant $95 billion foreign aid package, with Ukraine set to receive the lions share. The bill will have to clear its way through the Senate before going to President Joe Bidens desk. This is a big deal for Kyiv as it faces a setback in the war with Russia, but will help reach on time? read more

In a surprise demonstration of bipartisan unity, the Republican-majority House of Representatives approved a $95 billion foreign aid package that would go to various US allies. Ukraine is set to benefit the most from the aid, if it is disbursed.

Here, we take a look at what the bill proposes, and what is next in the proposed legislations journey to become a law.

The bills regarding the aid, passed during a rare Saturday session of the House, are primarily targeted at supporting Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies amidst global conflicts.

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$61 billion in aid for Ukraine

The lions share of the proposed aid is set aside for Ukraine, to support its ongoing struggle in the war with Russia.

The centerpiece of the aid package is the allocation of $60.84 billion specifically earmarked for the Ukrainian conflict. This substantial sum includes $23 billion to replenish US weapons and stocks, and to enhance military facilities, ensuring that Ukraine can continue to defend itself against the ongoing war effectively.

Three years into the Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv is feeling the pinch in its weapons inventory. Reuters

The vote in the House of Representatives

The passage of the Ukraine aid bill was notably swift and decisive, with a final vote count of 311-112. Democrats unanimously supported the bill, while the Republican camp showed a split. Nevertheless, a substantial number of GOP members backed the bill underscores a strong bipartisan consensus in the face of stiff objection from the hard-right factions within the party.

Next up, the Senate

The House has approved Bidens funding request, which was first made in October when Ukraines military supplies were running low. This was the biggest hurdle that needed to be cleared before the request could be granted.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate for voting. Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer has announced that the Senate will begin procedural votes on the package on Tuesday. Some preliminary votes are reportedly scheduled for that afternoon. Final passage is expected sometime next week.

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Smooth passage expected in Senate

The bill is expected to face a smoother passage in the Democrat-majority Senate. Here, Schumer has already set the stage for a quick response, scheduling procedural votes for the following Tuesday. He has also been advocating strongly for the aid, remarked upon the Houses passage, saying, Our allies across the world have been waiting for this moment.

Senate Minority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, also threw his support behind the aid package, praising the Houses action and acknowledging the urgency with which the Senate must now proceed. The task before us is urgent. It is once again the Senates turn to make history. McConnell emphasised is preparing to counter any residual opposition within his party.

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The bill is highly anticipated to pass in the Senate due to the Democratic majority and the general bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine. Historical precedents also favor the bills passage. In February, the Senate had approved a similar measure. The big difference with the current proposal is the designation of $10 billion of the Ukraine aid as a repayable loan, an amendment aimed at placating some Republicans.

Presidential signature to turn bill to law

Once the Senate passes the bill, it will proceed to President Joe Biden for his signature. The President has 10 days to sign or veto a bill. However, Biden has expressed his intent to sign the bill immediately upon its arrival on his desk, thus wrapping up the legislative process.

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President Joe Biden has promised to sign the bill into law as soon as it gets to his desk. Reuters

The administration is also reportedly gearing up to roll out the next assistance package for Ukraine after the bill becomes law, to quickly address the urgent battlefield needs expressed by the Ukrainian military.

Swift delivery of weapons to Ukraine

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said that US military is capable of moving crucial munitions and defence systems to Ukraine within days of congressional approval.

The rapid deployment of aid to Ukraine is facilitated by the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows for immediate withdrawal of military resources from US stockpiles. These stockpiles, strategically located both in the US and across European bases, are prepared to dispatch items like ammunition and air defense components that Ukraine urgently needs.

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For instance, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma, a key facility, stands ready to ship large quantities of munitions such as 155 mm howitzer roundsvital for Ukraines artillery needs. Additionally, storage facilities in Europe can quickly dispatch munitions and other military supplies to Ukraine, significantly reducing delivery times and supporting the ongoing military efforts against Russian forces.

Anticipation in Kyiv

The approval of the aid package has been met with enthusiasm in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude and optimism in his evening address following the news from the U.S. Today, we received the decision we expected: the US support package we fought so hard for, Zelensky stated. He further elaborated on the impact of the aid, And it is a very significant package that will be felt by our soldiers on the frontline, as well as by our towns and villages suffering from Russian terror.

The urgency for increased air defences has been a recurrent plea from Ukraine, which seeks to protect its civilian populations from escalating attacks on its infrastructure.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed the Congress partys promise of financial survey and said it seeks to seize the hard-earned wealth of the public and distribute it among infiltrators and those who have more children.

Speaking at a rally in Rajasthans Banswara, Modi on Sunday called the Congress partys proposed survey serious and worrisome.

While lashing out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhis proposed financial and institutional survey, Modi invoked a statement of former PM Manmohan Singh and said the Congress intends to snatch away the wealth of the public and distribute it to those whom Singh said have the first right on the countrys resources: Muslims.

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Previously, when they were in government, they said the first right on the countrys resources is of Muslims. What does this mean? Whom will they distribute the wealth after seizing it: to those who have more children, to infiltrators! They will give away your hard-earned money to infiltrators. Is this acceptable to you? This is what the Congress manifesto says. They will check the gold that our mothers and sisters have and then distribute it to those whom Manmohan Singhs government said have the first right on the countrys resources, said Modi in Hindi.

PM asks will Congress redistribute the wealth of Indians among a select section pic.twitter.com/rQ49kngil0  Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_) April 21, 2024

Modi was referring to a statement by Singh as the PM of India that said the first claim on the countrys resources should be of minorities, particularly of Muslims.

We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably the fruits of development. These must have the first claim on resources, said Singh in 2006, as per a PTI report from the time.

In his address, Modi also said, They have said that, if the Congress forms the government, there will be a survey of every persons property. It will be investigated how much gold is with our sisters, how much silver is with our tribal brothers, and where government employees work and how much money they have.

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Invoking the dignity of women, Modi continued his attack on Congress and said the partys proposed wealth distribution programme would snatch their self-respect.

They have said the gold of our sisters will be uniformly redistributed? Is this acceptable? Does the government have the right to seek your property? Does the government have the right to seize your hard-earned money? In the lives of our sisters, gold is not just for show-off. It is attached to their self-respect. Their mangalsutra is not about the value of gold but its about their dreams for life. You are talking about snatching that away in your manifesto: you will take gold and redistribute among everyone, said Modi.

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Modi further said the Congress party has an urban-naxal mentality.

My dear brothers and sisters, this urban-naxal mentality is not going to spare even your mangalsutra, said Modi.

At the time of the launch of the Congress manifesto on April 6, Rahul said that, if his party forms government, it will conduct a financial and institutional survey to check who has how much wealth in the country and, based on the findings, the partys government would then undertake an exercise to redistribute that wealth.

The survey and wealth redistribution exercise is part of Rahuls pitch for the nationwide caste census and jitni aabadi utna haq (your rights as per your share in population) slogan.

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First, we will conduct a caste censusto know the exact population and status of backward castes, SCs, STs, minorities and other castes. After that, the financial and institutional survey will begin. Subsequently, we will take up the historic assignment to distribute the wealth of India, jobs and other welfare schemes to these sections based on their population, said Rahul, as per The Times of India.
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi said that the tallest leaders of Congress have started going to the Rajya Sabha as they have already accepted defeat read more

PM Narendra Modi has said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is looking for a second seat to contest as an alternative to Kerala's Wayanad seat. (Source: X/Narendra Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is waiting for the voting in Keralas Wayanad to get over, so that he may contest on a second seat.

Rahul is an MP from Keralas Wayanad. He had contested on two seats in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with the other being his family bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. In a major upset, Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Smriti Irani had defeated him in Amethi, a seat he had retained since 2004.

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In an interview with Asianet ahead of the second round of 2024 Lok Sabha elections on April 26, Modi mocked Rahul as the Crown Prince of Congress and said that while he first sought Wayanad as a second seat in 2019, now the situation is such that he will seek an alternative to even Wayanad.

The Crown Prince of Congress fled the North to take refuge in the South. He reached Wayanad. This time, the condition is such that he is waiting. As soon as the polling in Wayanad is concluded, a second seat will be announced for him. He is looking for a second seat, said Modi in Hindi.

Wayanad will go to polls along with all the Lok Sabha seats in Kerala in the second round of elections on April 26. Kerala has 20 seats. The first round of the seven-phase elections was held on April 19. The final round of voting will take place on June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4 and results are expected the same day.

Exuding confidence in his reelection bid, Modi said that he is assured of victory. He further said that Congress has already accepted defeat. He said that the partys tallest leaders have started going to the Rajya Sabha as they do not want to contest Lok Sabha elections.

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I had once announced in the Parliament that their [Congress partys] top leaders will no longer contest Lok Sabha elections and they will go to the Rajya Sabha. One month after I said this, their tallest leaders had to leave Lok Sabha to go to Rajya Sabha. They have already accepted defeat, said Modi in an apparent reference to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Earlier this year, Sonia announced that she would not contest Lok Sabha elections and would go to Rajya Sabha instead. She had been MP from Rai Bareli in Uttar Pradesh from 2004. She was first elected as an MP in 1999 from UPs Amethi seat, which she handed over to her son Rahul in 2004. Previously, Sonias mother-in-law Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, had held the Rae Bareli seat, whereas her husband Rajiv Gandhi, also a former PM, had held Amethi.

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In the Rajya Sabha elections this year, Sonia was elected to the Upper House of the Parliament unopposed from Rajasthan. In the Nehru-Gandhi family, she is the second leader after mother-in-law Indira to go to Rajya Sabha.
Bangladesh and India (via West Bengal) both laying claim to Tangail sarees has no international angle as the market for them lies within the two countries. Image: Wikimedia Commons

When a subcontinent that was a cultural unitalbeit a diverse onefor millennia suddenly gets divided into new nations, there are bound to be overlaps and contested provenances. That is the crux of the continuing bouts of indignation in Bangladesh over India giving the Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to the Tangail saree, woven originally in that eponymous place in erstwhile East Bengal but now made in several parts of West Bengal too for well over 50 years.

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Aficionados will vouch, though, that despite the common name, Tangail sarees from Bangladesh and West Bengal are distinctly different now, in terms of motifs and even colour combinations. The move westwards clearly had an impact on the aesthetics of the weavers, including influences of the region in West Bengal that they had moved to: Nadia and Purba Bardhaman. Arguably, India could have begun a new weaving heritage by coining a fresh name for this saree.

The wording of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees social media post announcing that the Tangail of Nadia and Purba Bardhaman, and Korial & Garad of Murshidabad and Birbhum have been given GI tags appears to imply that just like Garad and Korial, Tangail is also a weaving style rather than a geographical location. Of course, Bangladesh has taken umbrage at this characterisation, but then it has done exactly that with the name/place Benarasi saree!

Indeed, both Bengals seem to have their versions of the fabled Benarasi saree, with West Bengal producing Korial Benarasi in Murshidabad and Bangladesh making Mirpuri Benarasi near Dhaka. Neither of those are really similar to the original Benarasi made in Varanasi, but their weavers can argue that Benarasi is a style too and cannot be restricted to one place. Interestingly, the GI tag obtained by Varanasis weavers is for Banaras brocades and sarees.

This is not the first time Bangladesh has bristled over a GI tag given by India. It was annoyed by Indias GI tags for Fazli mangoes (2008), Nakshi Kantha (2008) and Jamdani sarees (2009) too but took over a decade to give those three its own GI certificate. Now Indias GI tag for Tangail saree of Bengal in January 2024 has led to Dhaka hastily putting a GI stamp on Tangail sarees besides Gopalganjs Rasogolla and Narsingdis Amrit Sagor banana in February 2024.

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It would be germane to mention that GI-certified handloom-woven sarees from Dhaniakhali in Hooghly have been a personal sartorial statement of the West Bengal CM. Similarly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made Dhakai Jamdani sarees (also GI tagged there now) her signature look. However, the recent tussle over Tangail has spurred her to don that type of weave to press home the point that Bangladesh has also given a GI certificate to it.

Arguably there are items that have received GI certification in Bangladesh that Indias (West) Bengal) can also lay claim to, quite legitimately, including Sitalpati (made in Cooch Behar in India and even declared an Intangible Heritage by Unesco), Himsagar and Langra mangoes, bagda (tiger) prawns, the Black Bengal goat, not to mention sweets like Kachagolla, Rasmalai, Khaja and Chamcham. But West Bengal has stayed diplomatically silent about these so far.

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India should not have any quibbles about Bangladeshs GI tags for hilsa fish, Rangpurs shataranji, Dhakai muslin, Rajshahi silk, Kalijira rice, Kataribhog rice, Sherpurs Tulsimala rice, Bijoypurs white clay, Chapainawabganjs Ashwina mangoes and even Bogura curd. But in general, there is good reason to suppose that all parts of the formerly undivided Bharat region would have many items that have intertwined histories, complicating exclusive GI certification.

At the western part of the Radcliffe Line, Pakistan has given a GI tag to Kasoori methi, a move that may cause heartburn among Indias butter chicken lovers. Apparently the aromatic herb originated in a place called Kasoor which is now in Pakistan. Though a law for GI registration was passed only in 2020, Pakistan has already given GI tags to around 100 items, including Kasoori methi. Unless it plans to claim butter chicken as well, there should be no problem.

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After all, India has no issues with Pakistans GI for Sindh mangoes, Hunza apricots, Shaman grapes, Sargodha kinnow, Charsadda/Peshawari sandals, Swat wild mushrooms, Multani halwa, Dhir knives, and even Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Only its claims to Basmati and Pashmina have been challenged. The former, of course, has to do with lucrative basmati exports to the EU and other markets.

Sri Lanka has no specific legislation for GI; the purpose is served via trademark protection laws. However, now that the EU has accepted Ceylon Cinnamon as a geographical entity (as it did Ceylon Tea earlier) the case for a speedy amendment to its Intellectual Property Act to enable a local GI registration system has got a fillip. The EU step is also expected to help other important Sri Lankan products such as blue sapphires, Dumbara mats and Ambalangoda Masks.

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Talking of spices, the large (black) cardamom is an important cash crop for Nepal and Bhutan, as well as India. But the Indian state of Sikkim, also a part of the Kanchenjunga Landscape, has already got GI certification for large cardamom in 2015. Nepal and Bhutan do not yet have GI registration systems although they are working towards putting them in place. As this cardamom variety is native to the entire eastern Himalayas, all three countries can lay claim to it!

This harks back to the fact that sarees also face a similar situation: it is hard for any one country in this region to lay exclusive claim to any particular weave or style as near-identical examples exist across their borders. India being the largest entity on the subcontinent has many items in common with its neighbours. Very few of their products do not have variants in India, be they crafts, food items or other products. And that raises a piquant problem for GI tagging.

The solution is also evident if somewhat impracticala common GI council for the subcontinent to deal with overlaps. But the dispute over Basmati illustrates the pitfalls. At one point India and Pakistan had, in fact, agreed to jointly apply to the EU to recognise GI certified Basmati export. Then Pakistani terrorists attacked Mumbai in 2008, cutting off any avenues for such cooperation till date. Geo-politics complicating commercial deals is a very real problem.

Bangladesh and India (via West Bengal) both laying claim to Tangail sarees has no international angle as the market for them lies within the two countries. It will ultimately depend on what the buyers in those places want. The chances are that like the respective PM and CM of both Bengals, each will prefer their own. And even if one side hopes to make inroads into the others market, the sarees name will not be a deciding factor; design and price will be more crucial.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Shortly after the incident, the Japanese defence ministry stated that the two helicopters lost contact in an area of Torishima Island in the Izu Island chain read more

Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) helicopters crashed while conducting a drill in the Pacific region, leaving one dead, with seven others still missing.

Shortly after the incident, the Japanese defence ministry stated that the two helicopters lost contact in an area of Torishima Island in the Izu Island chain. The incident occurred during a nighttime anti-submarine drill in the area, Kyodo News reported.

MSDF noted that the SH-60K aircraft were each carrying four crew members. They lost contact late Saturday at 10:38 pm and 11:04 pm (local time). The authorities spotted what was believed to have been the helicopter debris during a post-accident search.

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The cause of the accident is still unknown

According to Kyodo News, one of the helicopters belonged to Komatsushima Air Base in Tokushima Prefecture, while the other was based at Omura Air Base in Nagasaki Prefecture. The investigative officials are yet to determine what exactly caused the accident.

After the news of the accident broke out, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara held an emergency press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo at around 2:30 am (local time) on Sunday.

Well do our utmost to save their lives," Kihara told reporters at the press confrence. He also mentioned that eight MSDF ships and five aircraft, as well as two Japan Coast Guard vessels, were involved in the operation.

The defence minister also made it clear that no other vessels or aircraft from other countries were detected nearby. Hence, outside involvement was unlikely.

The SH-60K helicopters are mainly operated by MSDF destroyers. This is not the first time these helicopters have met with an accident. In August 2017, one of the helicopters crashed in waters off Tappizaki Cape in Aomori Prefecture. Two out of three crew members aboard were eventually found dead. The remaining member was never found.

It is important to note that the recent crash came just over a year after a Ground Self-Defense Force UH-60JA helicopter crashed off Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture, killing all 10 people on board.

With inputs from agencies.
The explosion took place near a neighbourhood of the Hazara community, who have been frequently targeted by ISIS in the region read more

While bombings have reduced since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the ISIS has continued to mount attacks. (Source: AFP)

One person was killed and three others were injured in a blast in Afghanistans capital Kabul on Saturday evening, said Afghan police.

The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), the affiliate of the ISIS targeting primarily Central Asia, is active in Afghanistan.

The AFP reported that the blast involved an improvised explosive device (IED) which was detonated in the Kot-e-Sangi neighbourhood, near an enclave of the historically persecuted Shia Hazara community, which has been frequently targeted by ISIS in the past.

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The sticky bomb was planted on a minibus. The driver of the vehicle lost his life, and three other civilians were injured, Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran was quoted as saying in the report.

The report said that the IED used was a sticky bomb. A sticky bomb is one that can be attached to vehicles and detonated either through a timer or a remote-controlled detonator. The assailants may stick the bomb to the vehicle while driving by in traffic and no one in the vicinity may realise that a bomb has been stuck to a vehicle around them. This stealth factor leads to the lethality of this type of bomb.

Zadran further said that security personnel were investigating the incident.

In a post on its Telegram channel, the ISIS said that a minibus carrying Hazaras was blown up as it passed through a Taliban checkpoint, according to the report. The group further said that the attack led to its destruction and the killing and wounding of around 10 people.

While the bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan have reduced dramatically since August 2021 when the Taliban overthrew the internationally-recognised and democratically-elected government in Kabul and ended its insurgency, groups like ISIS have remained a threat and have carried out frequent attacks. These attacks have often targeted non-Sunni religious and sectarian minorities in Afghanistan, such as Hazaras.

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Just last month, an ISIS suicide bombing struck a bank. While the Taliban regime said three people were killed, AFP quoted sources as saying that 20 people were killed in the blast.
Sri Lankas Catholic Church has claimed that military intelligence personnel collaborated with the Islamists who carried out the assault, which aided the political ambitions of retired army general Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was running on security. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the leader of Sri Lankas Catholic Church, said that Rajapaksa had consistently safeguarded individuals responsible for the bombings since his win read more

The Vatican ambassador to Colombo, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe (3L) and Sri Lanka's Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (4L) take part in a remembrance service during the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, at the St. Anthony's church, in Colombo. AFP

As Sri Lanka honoured the 279 victims of its worst-ever assault against civilians five years ago, the UN called on the nation to fix its accountability deficit and provide justice.

Marc-Andre Franche, the UNs top ambassador to the nation, urged a commemoration ceremony in Colombo that a thorough and transparent investigation should be conducted to determine who was responsible for the Easter slaughter in 2019.

In the islands bloodiest suicide assault against civilians, Islamist bombers targeted three churches and three hotels, but mourning relatives claim they are still waiting for justice.

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45 foreigners were killed, including tourists who had arrived on the island a decade after the end of a horrific ethnic strife that had claimed over 100,000 lives since 1972.

Sri Lanka suffers from a continuing accountability deficit, be it for alleged war crimes, more recent human rights violations, corruption or abuse of power, which must be addressed if the country is to move forward, Franche said.

He noted that victims were still seeking justice despite the countrys Supreme Court holding former president Maithripala Sirisena and his top officials responsible for failing to prevent the attack.

Delivering justice for victims of these attacks should be part of addressing the systemic challenge, Franche said.

He noted that the UN Human Rights office has also demanded that Colombo launch an impartial inquiry and provide the full results of earlier investigations into the Easter Sunday explosions.

Sri Lankas Catholic Church has claimed that military intelligence personnel collaborated with the Islamists who carried out the assault, which aided the political ambitions of retired army general Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was running on security. Seven months later, he won the presidency.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the leader of Sri Lankas Catholic Church, said that Rajapaksa had consistently safeguarded individuals responsible for the bombings since his win.

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Rajapaksa was forced to step down in July 2022 after months of demonstrations over an unprecedented economic crisis that resulted in food, fuel, and medication shortages.

Sri Lankas Catholics were scheduled to stage a silent protest later Sunday to demand a swift investigation into the attacks.

Evidence tendered during a civil case brought soon after the attacks showed that Indian intelligence officials warned Colombo of the bombings some 17 days earlier, but the authorities failed to act.

Then-president Sirisena and his officials have been ordered to pay 310 million rupees ($1 million) in compensation to victims and relatives.

But the ruling has yet to be fully implemented as Sirisena has appealed and a fresh hearing is scheduled for July.
The four-day gathering, which will feature delegates from 30 nations, comes at a time when tensions in the South China Sea are rising, with US treaty partner Manila at odds with Beijing over the key waterway, which might become a flashpoint in US-China ties read more

A member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy stands guard on the Shijiazhuang, a Type 051C guided-missile destroyer, as the Navy opens warships for public viewing to mark its upcoming 75th founding anniversary, at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China. Reuters

On Sunday, the Chinese Navy began a biennial conference of senior foreign naval officers in the port city of Qingdao, in a display of military diplomacy that will be widely monitored for signs of increased cooperation between China and the United States.

The four-day gathering, which will feature delegates from 30 nations, comes at a time when tensions in the South China Sea are rising, with US treaty partner Manila at odds with Beijing over the key waterway, which might become a flashpoint in US-China ties.

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Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler will represent the United States at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to official media, other countries delegations include Australia, France, India, South Korea, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

On Monday, participants will attend closed-door discussions and workshops on themes such as maritime security problems. They will also talk about the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, a set of principles developed a decade ago to de-escalate tensions between forces at sea. It has not subsequently been modified to include drone warfare.

A preliminary meeting in January explored forming a working group to prevent drone crashes at sea, according to official media.

The event coincides with the annual United States-Philippines large-scale joint military manoeuvres, which begin on Monday and will take place beyond Philippine territorial seas for the first time.

Tensions are particularly high around the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, where Manila has accused Beijing of harassment, including the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels.

The United States, Japan and the Philippines signed a cooperation agreement at a trilateral summit last week, where leaders expressed concerns over Chinas dangerous and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, which Beijing slammed as bloc politics.

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The U.S.-Philippines joint drills this time cover a bigger region, involve more troops and include exercises out of its original defensive scope such as anti-submarine and anti-missile drills, said Cao Weidong, a military expert and former researcher at Chinas PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute.

It is not an issue when the U.S. carries out defensive drills with the Philippines, but when these drills become offensive in nature and pose a threat to neighbouring countries, we must not only be on high alert but also respond.

However, Washington and China resumed top-level military contact on Tuesday, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaking to his Chinese counterpart for the first time in almost two years, as both countries seek to restore military ties. This month, U.S. and Chinese military officials met in Hawaii.

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China is hosting the multilateral meeting for the first time since 2014, coinciding this year with the 75th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy on Tuesday.

Beijing aims to expand its ocean-going fleet, which some analysts predict will become the worlds biggest by 2035. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for a world-class military to be established by 2027, the 100th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Armys founding.

China has yet to launch sea trials for its next aircraft carrier, the Fujian, a key step toward expanding its maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific, as the United States and its allies step up naval operations in the region.

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China is involved in maritime or territorial disputes with other attending countries, including Japan. Beijing and Tokyo have accused each other of maritime incursions after a December coast guard confrontation near disputed islands in the East China Sea.

In November, Australia accused China of injuring navy divers using sonar pulses from a Chinese warship.

During the Qingdao meeting, the navy opened several active Chinese warships docked in Qingdao for public visits, including the Guiyang and Shijiazhuang missile destroyers. On a recent guided tour, Reuters journalists saw weapons systems and rescue equipment. Children excitedly posed for photos with missile launchers.

The symposium was last held in Japan in November 2022. Japan, South Korea and the United States met on the sidelines to discuss security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including those from North Korea.
The Chinese government has said that the mass production of carbon-14 isotope from this nuclear plant should completely fulfil Chinas demand and finish the countrys reliance on imports read more

A Chinese nuclear plant has started the mass-production of carbon-14 (C-14) isotope, according to the countrys state-run Xinhua news agency.

The C-14 was mass-produced at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Haiyan county of Zhejiang province, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) told the agency. The plant is operated by a CNNC subsidiary.

The C-14 is an isotope of the carbon element. It has applications in medicine and archaeology. It is also used to detect bacterial infections and monitor water quality.

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So far, China was dependent on imports of C-14, but the Qinshan plant is expected to end such dependence. An official told the agency that the C-14 output at the Qinshan plant should be able to completely meet the market demand of China.

So far, China has been almost completely reliant on C-14 imports from countries including Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Russia, according to the South China Morning Post.

The report said that the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) teamed up with various ministries In June 2021 to launch a plan to produce medical isotopes in China to stabilise and ensure supplies within the country.

The Qinshan plant was first operationalised in 1992. It is Chinas only facility with commercial heavy water reactors. The CNNC said that the technology enables more stable operation at high power for a longer time than other kinds of reactors. The technology was first provided by Canada.

The Qinshan plant joined hands with several institutions, including the Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute, to realise the mass production plan, according to the report, which added that the project was launched in 2019 and the first commercial production began in April 2022.
Since Thursday, when police announced that they were investigating the two incidents, no organisation has claimed responsibility read more

Unknown gunmen assassinated two customs officers in western Pakistan on Sunday, officials said, after the assassination of five other customs officials in the area in recent days.

Since Thursday, when police announced that they were investigating the two incidents, no organisation has claimed responsibility.

In recent years, security has worsened in Pakistans border districts with Afghanistan. Attacks, some claimed by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an Islamist terrorist group, have increased, mostly targeting police and security officers.

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Customs officials were present for checks when unknown persons opened fire, said the district deputy superintendent of police, Muhammad Adnan, adding that two people were injured and the area on a busy highway had been cordoned off.

Three days ago, five officials, including an officer, of the customs department, were killed in a shooting in the same area and the attackers escaped, he said.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government, which rules Afghanistan, have increased as a result of the increase in assaults.

Pakistan has called on the Taliban to act and launched an airstrike on Afghan territory last month after claiming that terrorists have been using the country as a launchpad for strikes.

The Taliban have stated that Pakistans security concerns are an internal matter for Islamabad and have denied permitting the use of Afghan territory for militancy.
Leading a group from the Agricultural Commission, Vice Premier of the Cabinet Ri Chol Man departed for Russia on Saturday, according to KCNA. In a Facebook post, Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, stated that Ris itinerary will be very heavy read more

State flags of Russia and North Korea fly in a street near a railway station during the visit of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un to Vladivostok, Russia. Reuters File

The North Korean official KCNA news agency reported on Sunday that a group headed by a senior agriculture official is on a visit to Russia. This is the latest communication between Moscow and Pyongyang, which is facing ongoing food shortages.

Leading a group from the Agricultural Commission, Vice Premier of the Cabinet Ri Chol Man departed for Russia on Saturday, according to KCNA. In a Facebook post, Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, stated that Ris itinerary will be very heavy.

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Following North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns summit with President Vladimir Putin in September and his travel to Russias far east, ties between the two nations have significantly improved.

Kim devoted a significant chunk of his speech at the governing Workers Partys key policy-making gathering in December to the need to raise agricultural production, advocating for farm equipment modernization and a better irrigation system.

While he praised the achievement of efforts to enhance farm production, North Korea has long faced food shortages, owing in part to long-term U.N. restrictions on its nuclear development and cyclical natural catastrophes.

Ri, who is classified as a professional technocrat in the agricultural industry by the South Korean government database, was elected head of the Agricultural Commission during the Workers Party gathering.

The two countries have exchanged a number of delegations since their leaders meeting in September and the frequency has increased in recent months, according to North Korean state media.

U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern that the centrepiece of closer cooperation is military, accusing the North of shipping weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.

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Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations even though their leaders have vowed to deepen military cooperation.
The Israel-Hamas conflict had already heightened regional tensions, which were further heightened by the tit-for-tat missile strikes in January in the porous border province of Balochistan, which is divided between the two countries read more

Pakistan is depending on an Iranian-led cooperative gas project to alleviate a protracted electricity shortage that has impeded its economic development Image Courtesy AFP

According to Pakistans foreign ministry, Irans President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Islamabad on Monday to meet with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. The two nations are trying to rebuild their relations after this years deadly cross-border strikes.

A high-level delegation comprising the foreign minister as well as a large business delegation, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday, will accompany Raisi.

The Israel-Hamas conflict had already heightened regional tensions, which were further heightened by the tit-for-tat missile strikes in January in the porous border province of Balochistan, which is divided between the two countries.

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The same week that it bombed Syria and Iraq, Tehran launched strikes against a Pakistani anti-Iranian group.

In response, Pakistan launched an attack on militant targets in the province of Sistan-Balochistan, one of the few predominantly Sunni Muslim areas in Shiite-dominated Iran.

In the past, both nations have accused one another of providing sanctuary to extremists.

Following Tehrans foreign ministers visit to Islamabad, both governments agreed to increase communication and assign liaison staff to each other.

The region of Sistan-Balochistan has long been plagued by instability brought on by Muslim extremists, rebels from the Baloch ethnic minority, and transnational drug trafficking organizations.

According to the announcement, Raisi will also meet with provincial leaders in Karachi and Lahore.

It further stated that trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts will be areas of increased cooperation and strength between the nations.

Pakistan is depending on an Iranian-led cooperative gas project to alleviate a protracted electricity shortage that has impeded its economic development.

In March 2013, a $7.5 billion gas pipeline connecting Iran and Pakistan, meant to supply power plants in Pakistan, was opened with tremendous fanfare.

However, as soon as Iran was sanctioned internationally, the project came to an abrupt halt.

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The 1,800-kilometer (1,100-mile) pipeline that Tehran has constructed is supposed to eventually connect its South Pars gas reserves to the Pakistani city of Nawabshah, which is close to Karachi.

An 80-kilometer stretch of the pipeline was approved for construction in February by Pakistans departing caretaker government, mainly to avoid having to pay Iran billions of dollars in fines for years of delays.

Washington has stated that it does not support the project going forward and has warned Pakistan that it may face US penalties.
The proclamation from the Israeli Prime Minister came after reports emerged that US President Joe Bidens administration is slated to announce sanctions against the IDFs Netzah Yehuda battalion read more

Condemnation poured in from Israel after reports started to emerge that the United States is planning to issue sanctions against some of the units of the Israel Defence Force (IDF) over allegations of gross human rights violations amid the ravaging Israel-Hamas war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that sanctions must not be imposed on the military unit which played a central role in conducting ground operations in Gaza, home to Hamas terrorists who were responsible for the deadly October 7 massacre.

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Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces! he wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves, he added.

Why the anger?

The proclamation from the Israeli Prime Minister came after reports emerged that US President Joe Bidens administration is slated to announce sanctions against the IDFs Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, Axios reported.

The battalion has been at the centre of several controversies in the past and has been accused of propagating right-wing extremism and atrocities against Palestinians.

In 2022, the battalion was responsible for the gruesome death of Omar Asad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American who died after being detained, handcuffed, blindfolded, and later abandoned in near-freezing conditions by the soldiers.

After the incident, Israel moved the unit out of West Bank in December 2022. However, the IDF denied that the action was taken because of Asads death.

The battalion now served mostly in the countrys north.

Sanctions are the red line

Netanyahus anger was supported by his fellow war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz. The Israeli minister insisted that the infantry unit is an integral part of the IDF and was bound by military and international law. He also emphasised that Israel has strong and independent courts capable of dealing with alleged violations, The Times of Israel reported.

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We have great respect for our American friends, but imposing sanctions on the unit is a dangerous precedent and sends the wrong message to our shared enemies at a time of war, Gantz averred.

Meanwhile, Minister of National Security of Israel Ben Gvir maintained that imposing sanctions on our (Israeli) soldiers is a red line. He went on to describe these reports as extremely grave".

The Israeli politician stated that he expects Defense Minister Yoav Gallant not to submit to American dictates and that the members of Netzah Yehuda must be fully supported.

Blinkens determination

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he has made determinations about how to deal with allegations that Israel violated a set of US laws surrounding its military assistance to foreign nations.

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Blinken told the reporters that a panel within the department has reviewed the serious charges against multiple Israeli units that frequently receive US aid. He assured that the results of his decision would be made public in the coming days, The Washington Post reported.

I made determinations. You can expect to see them in the days ahead, the American secretary of state averred. Blinkens remarks came in response to an investigative report which was initially published by ProPublica.

What does the law say?

The Leahy Laws is a landmark legislation which was proposed by then-Senator Patrick J. Leahy. The law prohibits providing military assistance to individuals or security force units that violate human rights with impunity.

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The legislation has resulted in hundreds of foreign police and military units being blocked from receiving US aid in countries like Colombia, Mexico and Cambodia.

When asked about the recent reports, Blinken made it clear that the Leahy legislation is a very important law.

Its one that we apply across the board. And when were doing these investigations, these inquiries, its something that takes time. That has to be done very carefully, both in collecting the facts and analyzing them, he said.

And thats exactly what weve done. And I think its fair to say that youll see results very soon," the veteran diplomat furthered.
As stated in the indictment, Haniyeh texted her brother and numerous other contacts in the days following Hamas murderous rampage in southern Israel on October 7, endorsing the cross-border attack and advocating for more slaughter read more

In the October 7 attack, Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, starting a war in which over 34,000 Palestinians have been slain, according to Gaza's health authority Image Courtesy AFP

The sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was charged by Israels State Attorney on Sunday with inciting terrorism and demonstrating support for a terrorist organization after it was said that she had applauded Hamas October 7 strike, which ignited the six-month-old conflict in Gaza.

Tel Sheva, in the southern Israeli municipality, is home to Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, 57. Along with other Hamas officials, her brother is located in Qatar. Hamas is the Islamist organization that controls the Gaza Strip.

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Since her arrest on April 1, Haniyeh has been detained, according to Israels justice ministry. Her attorney did not respond right away.

As stated in the indictment, Haniyeh texted her brother and numerous other contacts in the days following Hamas murderous rampage in southern Israel on October 7, endorsing the cross-border attack and advocating for more slaughter.

The following is from one of her texts that is included in the indictment: Oh God, count them and kill them and dont leave any of them, Oh God.

In the October 7 attack, Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, starting a war in which over 34,000 Palestinians have been slain, according to Gazas health authority.
The talks for the release of hostages taken by Hamas in lieu of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have stalled as Hamas has rejected the proposed deal read more

Tehran, by its actions, has laid down its red lines, but whether Tel Aviv will adhere to them is questionable. Image: Reuters

In what appears to be a hint at the invasion of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the country will strike painful blows at Hamas to free the hostages.

More than 100 hostages are still in captivity in Gaza. Hamas and its allies had abducted more than 250 people during their terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and taken them to Gaza as hostages. So far, more than 120 hostages have been released through ceasefire-cum-hostage release deals reached between Israel and Hamas through multinational mediation efforts.

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In a video message in Hebrew, Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel will increase military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas as thats the only way to free the hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:



"Why is this night different, citizens of Israel?



On this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not around the Seder table, and they are still held hostage by Hamas in hellish conditions. pic.twitter.com/CEY5GtlKC4  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 21, 2024

The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu hinted at the decision to invade Rafah, which the Israeli government says is the last bastion of Hamas in Gaza. The international community, including principal Israeli partner the United States, has urged Israel to not invade as over a million Palestinians displaced from the six-month-long war have taken refuge there and the invasion is expected to create catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Hamas is hardening its heart, we will strike painful blows

Speaking ahead of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Netanyahu drew a parallel with the festivals story and said that Hamas has hardened its heart and has rejected all the proposal for the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.

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As a result, Israel will strike additional painful blows at Hamas, said Netanyahu.

The Passover festival marks the liberation of Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. As per the story, the Pharoh of Egypt hardened its heart and refused to let the enslaved Jewish people go.

Drawing a parallel, Netanyahu said, It has only hardened its conditions for the release of our hostages. It is hardening its heart and refusing to let our people go. Therefore, we will strike it with additional painful blows  and this will happen soon. In the coming days, we will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory.

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Netanyahu further invoked the history of Jews, which has seen cycles of persecution borne out of antisemitism across Europe and Middle East, and said that while there are attempts to destroy them every generation, the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from them.

On this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not around the Seder table, and they are still held hostage by Hamas in hellish conditions. We have already freed 124 of our hostages and we are committed to returning them all home  the living and the deceased alike. And why is this night not different? That in every generation they rise up to destroy us, and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from them, said Netanyahu.

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In the latest round of talks held at Egyptian capital Cairo, a proposal was floated that called for a six-week ceasefire and release of 40 hostages in lieu of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. The deal, which also had provisions for phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and phased return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, has reportedly been rejected by Hamas.

Netanyahu vows to stand against sanctions on Israeli soldiers

Following reports that the United States is about impose sanctions on an Israeli military unit accused of human rights violations in the West Bank, Netanyahu said he will fight this with all my powers.

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Netanyahu said while Israeli soldiers are united on the battlefield, we are united in defending them in the diplomatic arena.

I will strongly defend the IDF, our army and our fighters. If somebody thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF  I will fight this with all my powers. As our soldiers are united in defending us on the battlefield, we are united in defending them in the diplomatic arena. Together we will fight and with Gods help, together we will win, said Netanyahu.

Axios on Saturday reported that the Joe Biden administration may announce sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion of the Israeli military. The report said the unit, an all-men unit for ultra-Orthodox Jews, over the years became a destination for many Hilltop Youth, who are young radical right-wing Israeli settlers who were not accepted into any other combat unit of the military.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said the Jewish nation will summon ambassadors of France, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Slovenia, and Ecuador on Sunday read more

Representatives of member countries vote on a resolution that would have recognized the Palestinians as a full UN member state, during a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters. Source: AP

Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, reports are emerging that Israel is planning to summon all the ambassadors of the countries that voted in favour of granting full UN membership to Palestine.

During the recent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), twelve countries backed a resolution which recommended that Palestine should be granted full membership to the body. However, the resolution was eventually blocked by a veto from the United States.

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Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said the Jewish nation will summon ambassadors of France, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Slovenia, and Ecuador on Sunday. Marmorstein maintained that a strong protest will be presented to the envoy of these countries.

We will not agree to the establishment of a terror state: Israel

In a post on X, formally known as Twitter, Marmorstein insisted that recognising the state of Palestine just six months after the deadly October 7 massacre is a prize for terrorism.

As instructed by Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz, tomorrow (Sunday) the Foreign Ministry will summon for a protest talk the ambassadors of the countries that voted in the Security Council in favour of upgrading the status of the Palestinians in the UN, the Israeli spokesperson wrote on X.

As instructed by Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz, tomorrow (Sunday) the Foreign Ministry will summon for a protest talk the ambassadors of the countries that voted in the Security Council in favor of upgrading the status of the Palestinians in the UN.



The pic.twitter.com/2UTUVkHQgs  Oren Marmorstein (@OrenMarmorstein) April 20, 2024

The unambiguous message that will be delivered to the ambassadors: A political gesture to the Palestinians and a call to recognize a Palestinian state  six months after the October 7 massacre  is a prize for terrorism. Israel will not agree to the establishment of a terror state that will endanger its citizens, he added.

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The resolution dates back to 2012

Palestine currently has a non-member observer status which was granted by the UN General Assembly back in 2012. An application for full membership to the international body would have to be approved by the Security Council and two-thirds of the general assembly.

The UNSC on Thursday voted on the draft resolution which was actually submitted back in 2012.

It is important to note that while France, Japan, South Korea, and Slovenia all voted in favour of the resolution submitted by Algeria, none of these countries individually recognised a Palestinian state.

After the voting, several US officials speculated that these countries voted the way they did because they knew their vote would be of no consequence due to the presence of a US veto.

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Countries like Sierra Leone, Russia, Mozambique, Malta, Guyana, Ecuador, China, and Algeria also voted in favour of the resolution, the difference is that each has already recognized a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, miffed with Americas veto, the Palestinian Authority said it would reconsider its relationship with Washington.
The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the latest incident occurred at the entrance to the village of Beit Einun near the city of Hebron read more

Two Palestinian teenagers were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. The army acknowledged that it had neutralised two assailants who had opened fire on soldiers on Sunday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The event adds to a two-year spike of violence in the West Bank that has increased since the war in Gaza began on October 7, following many casualties during an Israeli operation further north in Palestinian territory.

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According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, the two Palestinians deaths were caused by occupation (Israeli army) bullets.

The two were identified as Musa Mahmud Musa Jabareen, 18, and Muhammad Majid Musa Jabareen, 19.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the latest incident occurred at the entrance to the village of Beit Einun near the city of Hebron.

Quoting two Palestinian security sources, Wafa reported that the men succumbed to their wounds after they were fired on.

Following the incident troops stormed Beit Einun and raided several homes, the agency reported.

The military said two assailants attempted to stab and shoot troops near the village.

One of the terrorists attempted to stab IDF (Israeli army) soldiers that were in the area, who responded with live fire and neutralised him, the military said in a statement.

At the same time, the other terrorist opened fire at the soldiers, the army said, adding he too was neutralised.

Israel has carried out near daily raids in the West Bank in what it says is a bid to thwart militant groups.

At least 14 people were killed this week in an Israeli raid on Nur Shams camp in the northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

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The Israeli army said troops had killed 10 militants during the operation, which it said started on Thursday.

At least 483 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the territory since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah.

According to the Shin Bet internal security agency, at least 19 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks over the same period.

The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is home to about 490,000 Israeli settlers who live in communities considered illegal under international law.
The Maldives have been courted by both Beijing and New Delhi as the two superpowers compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific area read more

In the Maldives, voters turned out in large numbers on Sunday for a legislative election that will decide whether the island country in the Indian Ocean would continue to move away from its close connections to India and towards China.

The Maldives have been courted by both Beijing and New Delhi as the two superpowers compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific area.

Relations are strained since President Mohamad Muizzu, who was elected last year, has promised to stop the nations India First policy. Many Indian military troops stationed locally have been requested to leave by his government, a move that some fear will push the Maldives closer to China.

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The outcome of Sundays vote has no bearing on Muizzus position as president.

Voters are being encouraged to choose a majority that will quickly carry out the promises made by his ruling Peoples National Congress during the presidential campaign.

Seeking a majority that can hold Muizzus government responsible, opposition parties are attacking his administration on matters ranging from foreign policy to the economy.

It is anticipated that about 284,000 voters will select the 93 members of parliament for the ensuing five years. There were over 600 polling places in the capital, Male, where early voting was popular.

The 368 candidates include Muizzus party as well as minor parties, independents, and the Maldivian Democratic Party, which is the major opposition.

As soon as the polls shut, the election results will be tallied, and late on Sunday, it should be evident who will form the next parliament.
According to online records, Maxwell Azzarello worked for US lawmaker Tom Suozzi who is currently representing Nassau County and parts of Queens read more

The man who died after setting himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where former US President Donald Trumps hush money trial was taking place, once worked for a Democrat congressman.

According to online records, Maxwell Azzarello worked for US lawmaker Tom Suozzi who is currently representing Nassau County and parts of Queens. Interestingly, Suozzi was the Democrat congressman who flipped disgraced politician George Santos seat blue.

Souzzi came to power in February this year. However, he served the same office from 2017 to 2023, before the disgraced Santos briefly took his seat.

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Azzarellos LinkedIn page has all the answers

The now-deceased Azzarellos LinkedIn page stated that he briefly worked as an Operations Director for Friends of Tom Suozzi from August 2013 to November 2013. The 37-year-old worked for Suozzi when the candidate was running for Nassau County Executive in 2013.

His LinkedIn profile said that he led various projects such as preparing the candidate for debates, organizing commercial shoots, planning logistics for campaign rallies, and completing interest group questionnaires.

Azzarellos job responsibilities also involved handling social media content and drafting press releases.

What Suozzi has to say about it?

In a statement to The New York Post, the US Congressman confirmed that he remembered Azzarello and somberly wished his family the best.

Max Azzarello worked on my campaign for Nassau County Executive in 2013 as part of the field staff, Suozzi told the American news outlet.

Even though I havent seen or talked to Max since then I recall him being very kind, smart and hardworking. It is tragic that he has succumbed to his injuries and I am keeping Max and his family in my prayers, he added.

What happened?

At around 1:30 pm (local time) on Friday, Azzarello took multiple pamphlets out of his backpack and threw them in the air. After staging his demonstration, he poured flammable liquid on his body and set himself on fire.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that Azzarello was pronounced dead at around 10:30 pm (local time) on Friday, 9 hours after he self-immolated.

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According to The New York Times, the incident occurred while Judge Juan Merchan was recessing for lunch on the third day of the former presidents hush money trials. Shortly after a full jury of 12 and six alternates were seated.

As per the reports, Merchan was unaware of the events that transpired outside the courtroom. He told the newly selected jurors that opening statements were set for Monday at 9:30 am (local time) and recessed the hearing for lunch.

According to CNN, a person believed to be a Secret Service agent walked up to Trump inside the courtroom and spoke quietly in his ear. It is believed that Trump was briefed about the incident.
Local police in Memphis, Tennessee, said that a shooting during a block party on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of six more read more

Memphis block party shooting leaves two dead, six wounded, says police

Local police in Memphis, Tennessee, said that a shooting during a block party on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of six more.

The Memphis Police Department said on social media site X that one of the six injured remains in critical condition at a local hospital, and two persons were found dead at the scene.

If you have any questions, please call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH. pic.twitter.com/LYq282B02i  Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) April 21, 2024

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The agency had earlier claimed on X that the shooting happened during an unauthorised block party near Orange Mound Park in the southern state of Tennessee, which was attended by 200 to 300 individuals.

In the United States, where there are more guns than people, gun violence is widespread. Political opposition is usually fierce when attempts are made to restrict the rights of gun owners.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organisation, there have been 120 mass shootings in the US this year. Four or more people have been killed or injured in a mass shooting.

By the end of the year, there had been 656 of these shootings.
According to results released by the Elections Commission of the Maldives, Muizzus Peoples National Congress (PNC) secured 66 of the first 86 seats to be declared. This is more than enough to give the party a super-majority in the 93-member majlis, or parliament read more

Muizzu won last September's presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen, freed last week after a court set aside his 11-year jail term for corruption

Results of the election on Sunday showed that the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzus party had gained a resounding majority in parliament, with voters supporting his shift away from India, the traditional benefactor and regional giant, and toward China.

According to results released by the Elections Commission of the Maldives, Muizzus Peoples National Congress (PNC) secured 66 of the first 86 seats to be declared. This is more than enough to give the party a super-majority in the 93-member majlis, or parliament.

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The election was viewed as a critical litmus test for Muizzus strategy to advance deeper economic ties with China, which included erecting thousands of residences on contentiously reclaimed territory.

With just eight seats in the departing parliament held by the PNC and its allies, Muizzu was unable to form a majority following his victory in the September presidential election.

With just twelve seats, the dominant opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which had previously held a supermajority of its own, was certain to suffer a humiliating defeat.

Muizzu, 45, was one of the first people to cast a ballot on Sunday. He did it in a school in Male, the capital, where he served as mayor before, and he encouraged Maldivians to vote in large numbers.

All citizens should come out and exercise their right to vote as soon as possible, Muizzu told reporters.

The Maldives, a low-lying nation of some 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator, is one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rises caused by global warming.

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Muizzu, a former construction minister, has promised he will beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation and building islands higher, a policy which environmentalists argue could even exacerbate flooding risks.

The Maldives is known as a top luxury holiday destination thanks to its pristine white beaches and secluded resorts.

But in recent years it has also become a geopolitical hotspot in the Indian Ocean, where global east-west shipping lanes pass the archipelago.

Muizzu won last Septembers presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen, freed last week after a court set aside his 11-year jail term for corruption.

This month, Muizzu gave Chinese state-owned enterprises high-profile infrastructure contracts while the parliamentary election campaign was in full force.

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Additionally, 89 Indian soldiers who fly reconnaissance planes that New Delhi has given them are being sent home by his administration to guard the Maldives extensive ocean borders.

Muizzus immediate predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs pro-Indian MDP, which controls the outgoing parliament, has attempted to sabotage his attempts to realign Maldivian diplomacy.

Since Muizzu took office, lawmakers have rejected several of his expenditure requests and blocked three of his cabinet candidates.

(With agency inputs)
The 140,000 residents of Gagauzia, the most of whom are ethnic Turks who profess Orthodox Christianity, have had contentious ties with the central government ever since Moldova defeated Soviet rule in 1991 read more

The leaders of the restive pro-Moscow Gagauzia region have expressed disapproval of planned judicial changes and asked for greater status for the Russian language, which has presented a new challenge for Moldovas pro-European government.

The 140,000 residents of Gagauzia, the most of whom are ethnic Turks who profess Orthodox Christianity, have had contentious ties with the central government ever since Moldova defeated Soviet rule in 1991.

On Friday, the Gagauzia local parliament rejected legal amendments that would have shut down the areas sole appellate court and insisted on the unique status of Russian and Romanian, which is Moldovas only official language.

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The bashkan, or leader of Gagauzia, has an automatic place in the Moldovan government, which is located between Romania and Ukraine, according to the countrys constitution.

However, President Maia Sandu declines to sign an enabling decree, citing Yevgenia Gutul, the current bashkan, as having been elected on the platform of a pro-Russian political party that is outlawed and run by tycoon Ilan Shor, who has been found guilty of widespread fraud.

Supporting the judicial changes, Prime Minister Dorin Recean declared that the courts will remove what he described as criminal groups controlling the area.

The judicial system will do what it has to and bring to account all members of these groups, he told a television interviewer on Friday evening. There are absolutely no grounds for confrontation. Our goal is to build Europe.

Sandu has identified Russia as the biggest threat to her country and called a referendum for later in the year on joining the European Union alongside a presidential election.

Gutul is deeply suspicious of the EU plan, accuses Sandu of victimising her region and has made two trips to Russia in the past month and asked Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for help.

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Political analyst Vitalie Andrievschi said the regions demands, including its call for improved status for the Russian language, were part of a campaign endorsed by the Kremlin  and Shor  to disrupt political activity in Moldova.

They need this to stir things up in a year with a presidential election and referendum on the agenda in order to undermine stability and divide the country, he told Reuters.
The Election Commission of Pakistan reports that elections were conducted for two seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, five seats in the National Assembly, twelve seats in the Punjab Assembly, and two seats in the Balochistan Assembly read more

The by-elections were conducted amid incidents of violence and disruptions to network services at all polling places Image Courtesy Reuters

In an apparent attempt to safeguard the electoral process, authorities in the provinces of Punjab and Balochistan temporarily suspended cellphone service in specific districts as the voting for 21 national and provincial seats came to a close.

The Election Commission of Pakistan reports that elections were conducted for two seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, five seats in the National Assembly, twelve seats in the Punjab Assembly, and two seats in the Balochistan Assembly.

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The by-elections were conducted amid incidents of violence and disruptions to network services at all polling places, according to local media reports in Pakistan.

Following a firing incident, the polling process in Sheikhupuras PP-139 was momentarily halted.

The Punjab election commissioners office issued a statement stating that the polling process had been halted because of a firing incident at Government Primary School Nizampura.

The announcement further stated that it had later resumed when the police had taken control of the situation.

Workers of the Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) alliance fought with those of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at voting station number 171 (Lahore College) in Lahore over the matter of setting up polling camps. Then, with the assistance of police involvement, the dispute was resolved.

Arguments were also reported from a number of political figures.

Istehkam-i-According to Shoaib Siddiqui of the Pakistan Party (IPP), there have been rumors of a confrontation in Union Council 184.

Separately, Mian Shahzad Farooq of SIC asserted that the polling agent had been ejected from the returning officers office after he went there to lodge a complaint, and that his party activists were being arrested in NA-119.

According to Dawn, there would be 168 inspectors, 45 senior deputy police officers (SDPOs), 24 superintendents, station house officers (SHOs), and investigation in-charges stationed throughout Lahore for the by-elections.

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During the high alert period, 195 pickets were set up at Lahores entry and departure gates.

The interior ministry permitted the mobile internet services to be suspended on Saturday in order to maintain law and order in 13 districts and tehsils in Punjab.

It should be noted that during the general elections on February 8, internet and mobile services were also suspended. Access to social networking site X has been blocked since February 17, when the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan were allegedly involved in election cheating, according to the former commissioner of Rawalpindi.
The warning was issued in response to a notification from Russias Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) about a shipment of rice that had been imported from Pakistan and had violated both Russian and international phytosanitary regulations read more

To safeguard the safety of agricultural products sold between the two nations, the Russian authorities have written to the Pakistani embassy, urging them to stop such infractions and make sure all Pakistani rice exporters adhere to phytosanitary regulations

After a quarantine organism was found in the rice consignment, Russia has threatened to restrict rice imports from Pakistan once more if its phytosanitary concerns are not met in next consignments.

The warning was issued in response to a notification from Russias Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) about a shipment of rice that had been imported from Pakistan and had violated both Russian and international phytosanitary regulations.

The notification, dated April 2, notes that the rice shipment contains Megaselia scalaris (Loew), a quarantine organism.

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Washington has stated that it does not support the project going forward and has warned Pakistan that it may face US penalties.

The commercial representative of Pakistan at its embassy in Russia was requested to look into the situation right away.

To safeguard the safety of agricultural products sold between the two nations, the Russian authorities have written to the Pakistani embassy, urging them to stop such infractions and make sure all Pakistani rice exporters adhere to phytosanitary regulations.

The Pakistani embassy in Moscow has warned of a potential ban on rice exports in the future if more complaints from Russian authorities are received. The trade wing of the embassy has forwarded the letter from the Russian authority to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security and other pertinent government offices.

In 2019, Russia banned the import of rice from Pakistan due to health and safety concerns.

Similar to this, Russia banned the import of rice from Pakistan in December 2006 due to noncompliance with food safety regulations.

Chela Ram Kewlani, the chairman of the Pakistan Rice Exporters Association, advised Pakistani rice exporters to exercise extreme caution when selecting and packing any rice for export.

He claimed that since India accounts for almost 40% of the worlds rice trade, Pakistan had profited from Indias prohibition on shipments of non-Basmati rice last year.

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India prohibited the export of white, non-Basmati, parboiled rice last year.

The largest monthly shipment of rice for the fiscal year, over 700,000 tons, was reported by a prominent Pakistani rice trader in December 2023.

According to him, Pakistan exported rice last year at a higher price due to increased demand and supply.

The Rice Export Corporation forecasts a 36% increase in non-Basmati rice shipments to 4.25 million tonnes from Pakistan and a 60% increase in Basmati rice exports to over a million tonnes.

In the fiscal year 20232024, it hopes to export more than five million metric tonnes of rice, a significant increase above the 3.7 million metric tonnes exported in the previous fiscal year.
According to Russian and American diplomats, President Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has caused the biggest rift in ties between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis read more

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives passed with broad bipartisan support a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, over bitter objections from some far-right Republicans Image Courtesy AFP

Russia claimed on Sunday that US senators backing for an additional $60.84 billion in aid for Ukraine demonstrated Washingtons further foray into a hybrid war against Moscow, which would result in humiliation comparable to that of the Vietnam or Afghanistan wars.

According to Russian and American diplomats, President Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has caused the biggest rift in ties between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

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On Saturday, the US House of Representatives passed with broad bipartisan support a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, over bitter objections from some far-right Republicans.

According to Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, it is evident that the US wants Ukraine to fight to the last Ukrainian, including by attacking Russian citizens and sovereign land.

Washingtons deeper and deeper immersion in the hybrid war against Russia will turn into a loud and humiliating fiasco for United States such as Vietnam and Afghanistan, Zakharova said.

She declared that in response to the United States decision to escalate its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Russia would provide an unconditional and resolute response.

Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency William Burns issued a warning last week, saying that while Kyivs forces might be able to hold their own this year, Ukraine may lose in combat without further military assistance from the United States.

Ukraine is engaged in a relentless artillery and drone war with Russia along a heavily fortified 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) border. The United States has consistently stated that it would not be sending troops from NATO or its own forces to Ukraine.

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The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975 and resulted in the victory and occupation of the South by Communist North Vietnam, claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians in addition to more than 58,000 American soldiers.

The United States recorded 2,459 fatalities and over 20,000 wounded in the 20012021 war in Afghanistan. The conflict ended with the withdrawal of coalition forces led by the United States and the rise to power of the Islamist Taliban movement.

14,453 Soviet soldiers were killed in the Afghanistan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1989. There were a lot of civilian casualties in both of the Afghan wars.
The village of Bohdanivka, which Russian forces have claimed to have won, is near to the key battleground town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraines Donetsk province read more

Russia has claimed to have won the village of Bohdanivka in eastern Ukraines Donetsk province. The village is near to the key battleground town of Chasiv Yair.

Units of the southern grouping of troops have completely liberated the settlement of Bohdanivka, said the Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday.

The village is three kms from the Chasiv Yair town. Lately, the Ukrainian forces in the region have focused their attention to keep control of the town.

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The village of Bohdanivka is also located just to the west of the city of Bakhmut, which witnessed some of the bloodiest fighting in the war. Last year, Russia took control of the city after a year of grinding of war of attrition that destroyed much of the city.

The Russian claim of victory at Bohdanivka comes a day after the US House of Representatives passed a $61 billion aid package to Ukraine. The passage of the package, which is yet to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Joe Biden, came after months of delay that had reportedly caused battlefield reversals for the Ukrainians who had started to suffer shortages of armaments and ammunition in the war with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While he had hoped that the Russian military will secure sweeping victories across Ukraine and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government in Kyiv will be replaced with a friendly regime within days, that did not turn out to be the case. Within weeks, Russia abandoned the goal to capture Kyiv and refocused war efforts on eastern Ukraine where the fighting is now in its third year.

The town of Chasiv Yar, which Ukraine is now defending in the region against Russia, had a pre-war population of around 13,000. Much of the town has been destroyed from the fighting and most of the residence have been forced to leave.

While Russia has claimed victory at Bohdanivka, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces in its Sunday evening report mentioned Bohdanivka as one of the villages where it said Ukrainian forces repelled 13 enemy attacks, but it not give any specifics, according to Reuters.

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Last week, Ukraines Defence Ministry denied claims that Russia had captured the village but acknowledged that some parts of the village had come under Russian control, said the report.

The report further said that unofficial sources have suggested, based on the footage from the village and the town of Chasiv Yar, that the village was indeed in Russian hands.
An interior ministry official stated that the 1,000-kilogram (2,200-pound) device was successfully removed from a building site in the Nis neighborhood read more

Police, firefighters and medical teams were present to ensure that the bomb was transported safely Image Courtesy AFP

More than a thousand people had to be evacuated after experts defused a device that had been left behind in a city in southern Serbia during NATO bombing of the nation in 1999, according to officials.

An interior ministry official stated that the 1,000-kilogram (2,200-pound) device was successfully removed from a building site in the Nis neighborhood.

It is being transported to a safe location where it will be destroyed, official Luka Causic told reporters.

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Before the removal of the bomb, 1,300 residents of the area where it was found were evacuated for their safety, he added.

According to Causic, the explosive charge of the MK-84 bomb is 430 kilograms.

NATO bombed Serbia for 78 days starting on March 24, 1999, without the UN Security Councils authority.

Its goal was to put a stop to the brutal suppression of ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo by Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

On May 7, 1999, one of the worst episodes of the campaign occurred in Nis. NATO aircraft launched cluster bombs on a packed downtown outdoor market, killing over a dozen people. Later on, the event was called a blunder.

On May 12 of that year, cluster bombs were dropped on the city once more, resulting in the deaths of eleven civilians.

Police, firefighters and medical teams were present to ensure that the bomb was transported safely.

(With agency inputs)
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, igniting a Cold War-era insurgency that saw the United States fund and arm mujahideen fighters who drove Russian forces out a decade later read more

The United States has been the chief military backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Congress has not approved large-scale funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half, mainly because of cross-aisle bickering Image Courtesy Reuters

The decision made on Sunday by the US House of Representatives to designate $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, which has been long overdue, indicates that the nation will not turn into a second Afghanistan, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

More than two years after Moscow invaded its neighbor in Eastern Europe, the House on Saturday approved the most recent large package of military and economic aid for Ukraine.

This aid will strengthen Ukraine and send the Kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second Afghanistan, Zelensky said in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press.

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The United States will stay with Ukraine, will protect Ukrainians, and theyll protect democracy in the world, he added.

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, igniting a Cold War-era insurgency that saw the United States fund and arm mujahideen fighters who drove Russian forces out a decade later.

Afghanistan then fell into civil war, and soon the hardline Taliban took power, ruling most of the country from 1996 until 2001.

That year their decision to allow the Al Qaeda jihadist group safe haven saw the United States invade in the wake of the September 11 attacks  sparking yet another insurgency.

Nearly 20 years later, the United States also finally withdrew from Afghanistan, leaving Afghan forces battered and exhausted as the Taliban marched back into Kabul to seize power once more.

Zelensky said some of his own forces are also exhausted.

We need to replace them. But these new brigades, they have to have the equipment, he told Meet the Press.

The bills passed Saturday are the product of months of acrimonious negotiations, pressure from US allies and repeated pleas for assistance from Zelensky.

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The United States has been the chief military backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Congress has not approved large-scale funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half, mainly because of cross-aisle bickering.

The delay has undermined Kyivs fight against Moscow, as money to replace items drawn from US stocks ran out.

The resulting gaps saw Ukrainian troops  outnumbered and outgunned by Moscows forces  run short of key items such as artillery munitions, leaving them vulnerable.

The bills must still be passed by the Senate and then signed by President Joe Biden, who has promised to do so immediately, with the Pentagon adding that it will move fast to get aid to Ukraine.

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We really need to get this to the final point, Zelensky said.

We want to, well, get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the frontline as soon as possible. Not in another six months.

(WIth agency inputs)
The remarks from the two world leaders came after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of providing a whopping $95.3 billion foreign aid package to both countries along with other American allies read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to the US lawmakers after they voted in favour of providing aid packages to the two conflict-stricken nations.

The remarks from the two world leaders came after the US House of Representatives voted in favour of providing a whopping $95.3 billion foreign aid package to both countries along with other American allies.

According to NBC News, the House voted in favour of two long-awaited bills which will provide $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine and $26 billion in aid to Israel. The two bills will now sit at the US Senate desk for the bodys stamp of approval.

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The passage of bills came weeks after the Senate passed a mammoth bill with aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan along with funding for border security. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson decided not to table that bill, instead, he opted to put the three separate bills with aid for the three nations for voting.

Zelenskyy hails the decision

The Ukrainian leader took to X, formally known as Twitter, to express gratitude over the bill. Today, we received the awaited decision on the US aid package that we long fought for. And a very significant one. Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it, Zelenskyy said in a statement.

Today, we received the awaited decision on the US aid package that we long fought for. And a very significant one. Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it.



The U.S. House of Representatives voted on it pic.twitter.com/G6z3PxsOMg  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024

I thank everyone who supported our package, this is a solution for protecting life. I personally thank Speaker Mike Johnson and all American hearts who believe, as we do in Ukraine, that Russian evil must not be winning. I am hopeful that the bill will be quite quickly passed by the United States Senate and sent to President Biden, he added.

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I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.



Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024

Calling the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war a fight for democracy and freedom, the Ukrainian president described the bill as vital.

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Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it. The vital US aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger, he concluded.

What did Netanyahu say?

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that the voting on the aid package demonstrated Americas bipartisan support for Israel. The US Congress just overwhelmingly passed a much-appreciated aid bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization. Thank you, friends, thank you America! the Israeli premier wrote on X.

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The US Congress just overwhelmingly passed a much appreciated aid bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization. Thank you friends, thank you America!  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) April 20, 2024

Biden lauds the decision

Shortly after the bill was passed, US President Joe Bide said that a bipartisan group of lawmakers voted to send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage.

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At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer historys call, passing urgently needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure, he furthered.

It is important to note that the lower chamber also voted to provide $8.12 billion in aid to Taiwan.
In a rare Saturday session, lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives enacted legislation that helps Ukraine and Israel, strengthens Taiwan, and threatens TikTok with a ban if it does not divest from Beijing read more

The US House of Representatives advanced a $95 billion legislative package on Friday providing aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific in a broad bipartisan vote. Reuters

Moscow lambasted the US House of Representatives on Saturday for its ratification of an assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

The allocation of US military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will exacerbate global crises, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated via Telegram.

She described aid to Kyiv as direct support for terrorist activities and aid to Taiwan as interference in Chinas internal affairs.

Support for Israel is a direct path to an unprecedented worsening of the situation in the region, Zakharova said.

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Earlier Saturday, Russias presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision to provide aid to Ukraine will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime, state news agency TASS reported.

In a rare Saturday session, lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives enacted legislation that helps Ukraine and Israel, strengthens Taiwan, and threatens TikTok with a ban if it does not divest from Beijing.
Citizens will be asked to approve an expansion of military and police powers, significantly boosting gun controls and imposing harsher penalties for terrorism and drug trafficking read more

A polling station coordinator prepares the necessary material for Sunday's referendum on tougher measures against organized crime at a school in Quito. AFP

In light of the startling increase in violence that has resulted in the deaths of two mayors this week alone, Ecuadorians will cast their votes in a referendum on Sunday on proposed harsher laws to combat gang-related criminality.

The hitherto calm South American nation has recently been hit by a terrifying surge of violence that is being attributed to gangs connected to international cartels utilising its ports to transport narcotics to the US and Europe.

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A major drug boss who is still at large was jailbroken, and President Daniel Noboa proclaimed a state of internal armed conflict in January, blaming the break-in of almost twenty criminal gangs for a violent outburst.

In a days-long outburst that resulted in roughly 20 killings, gangsters threatened random executions, opened fire in a TV studio during a live broadcast, and abducted scores of people, including jail and police guards.

In order to regain control of the nations jails, which had turned into a deadly battleground and the brain centre for gang activities, Noboa declared a state of emergency and sent in troops. In only three years, more than 460 prisoners had died there, many of them from being burnt alive or decapitated.

As a result of the violence continuing in spite of these attempts, Noboa interprets it as a sign that narcoterrorism and its allies are looking for spaces to terrorise us.

Two mayors have been killed in the past week, making it five in a year and three in less than a month.

Since January last year, at least a dozen politicians have been killed in Ecuador, including presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down last August after a campaign event.

On Sunday, the president will seek popular backing for his plans to clamp down even harder on those responsible for such acts.

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Citizens will be asked to approve an expansion of military and police powers, significantly boosting gun controls and imposing harsher penalties for terrorism and drug trafficking.

Noboa is also proposing changing the constitution so that Ecuadorans wanted abroad for organized crime-related offenses can be extradited.

Nearly 13.6 million of the countrys 17.7 million inhabitants are eligible to cast a Yes or No vote Sunday.

Dirty campaign?

The majority of the referendum questions are related to crime prevention  a priority even as Ecuador also grapples with widespread corruption, a crippling electricity shortage and a diplomatic spat with Mexico.

Last year, the countrys murder rate rose to a record 43 per 100,000 inhabitants  up from a mere six in 2018, according to official data.

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In a publication Friday, polling firm Gallup said no other region in the world, excluding active war zones, felt less secure in 2023 to residents than Ecuadors Guayas province.

Other polls show a majority of Ecuadorans will likely vote for Noboas reforms.

People are endorsing the decisions taken on the issue of security, political scientist Santiago Basabe of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Flacso) told AFP.

The vote will take place in the same week that Ecuadorans faced power cuts of up to 13 hours as drought left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly empty.

The government ordered workers to stay at home for two days in a bid to save scant energy resources.

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Noboa has put some of the blame on sabotage without naming anyone in particular.

They wanted to ruin us with sabotage with a dirty campaign, and they have even tried with international pressure to sanction us as a country because they are nervous, Noboa said ahead of Sundays referendum, adding he was confident that Yes will win.

Noboa, who took office last November at the age of just 35, is also dealing with the backlash from Ecuadors raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito this month to arrest former vice president Jorge Glas, wanted on corruption charges.

Glas had been granted asylum by Mexico, and Ecuadors move has been widely condemned. Mexico has filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
One died and seven others went missing after two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) helicopters crashed while conducting a drill in the Pacific region read more

Japan's SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter and a part of a crashed U.S. military Osprey aircraft on a US salvage boat off Yakushima. Source: File Photo / AP

One died and seven others went missing after two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) helicopters crashed while conducting a drill in the Pacific region.

The Japanese defence ministry stated that the two helicopters lost contact in an area of Torishima Island in the Izu Island chain. The incident took place late Saturday while the helicopters were involved in conducting a nighttime anti-submarine drill in the area, Kyodo News reported.

MSDF noted that the SH-60K aircraft were each carrying four crew members. They lost contact late Saturday at 10:38 pm and 11:04 pm (local time). The authorities spotted what was believed to have been the helicopter debris during a post-accident search.

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However, it is pertinent to note that this is not the first time the Japanese waters witnessed such a tragic incident. Heres a look at some of the mishaps the coast of Japan has witnessed in recent years.

Osprey aircraft crash - November 29, 2023

A US military Osprey aircraft crashed into the ocean near the small southern Japanese island of Yakushima with eight people on board. After a prolonged search operation conducted by the American and Japanese search teams, six bodies were found in the wreckage of the military aircraft.

The devastating crash prompted the Japanese authorities to ask the United States to ground its Osprey planes in Japan. The grounding was lifted in March 2024.

The Pentagon eventually stated that mechanical failure led to the fatal crash of the US military aircraft.

Miyakojima helicopter crash - April 2023

Japans UH60 troop transport, commonly known as the Black Hawk, disappeared from radar tracking after leaving a Ground Self Defense Force base on Miyakojima, General Yasunori Morishita. The helicopter was carrying 10 people and eventually crashed in the sea near Miyakojima which is part of the countrys southwest Okinawa island chain.

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This was the deadliest accident involving a GSDF aircraft and surpassed the helicopter crash in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, in 1968 which left eight people dead.

Due to a lack of information, the authorities have yet to determine what exactly caused the helicopter crash. However, many believed that it happened due to an engine failure.

SH-60 K crash - 2017

Another SH-60 helicopter crashed in waters off Tappizaki Cape in Aomori Prefecture. Two out of three crew members aboard were eventually found dead. The remaining member was never found.

OH-6DA helicopter crash - 2015

Three crew members died after a Japanese military helicopter named OH-6DA crashed after it went missing in the southern region of Kyushu.

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The authorities found that poor weather played a major role in the tragic incident. The helicopter crashed after the crew changed their flight plan mid-air due to the treacherous conditions.

US military helicopter crash - 2013

A US military helicopter crashed at a Marine base in Okinawa. The aircraft had four crew members out of which three were rescued safely. The fourth crew member also managed to survive injuries.

The crash took place at Camp Hansen which is a US base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

How weather plays a major role in aircraft accidents

The Pacific region generally faces stormy conditions which often lead to such crashes. An aircraft would not be safe to fly over the Pacific Ocean due to the stormy weather and frequent lightning that strikes the region.

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Jet streams, which are a system of air currents that circle the Earth are another reason why commercial aircraft avoid flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Due to Earths rotation, the air currents tend to move from West to East. If an aircraft is flying against a jet stream, it tends to encounter extreme turbulence and might be damaged.
With an intention to expand its military capabilities, China terminated the Strategic Support Force and in turn created a new branch called the Information Support Force read more

As cyber warfare between China and the United States intensifies, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered what is being touted as the biggest reorganization of the nations military since 2015.

With an intention to expand its military capabilities, China terminated the Strategic Support Force and in turn created a new branch called the Information Support Force. This provides China with the ability to bolster its capabilities in several areas including cyber warfare, Xinhua News reported.

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It is important to note that Beijings now-terminated Strategic Support Force was created more than eight years ago with the aim of enhancing capabilities in space, cyber, political and electronic warfare.

Whats new?

Chinas defence ministry maintained that the aerospace and cyber units previously under the Strategic Support Force will now be organizationally parallel to the newly created Information Support Force.

The aerospace unit is expected to improve Chinas capability to use space and step up the management of space crises.

While announcing the new re-organisation, Xi reiterated the Communist Partys leadership over the army. The Chinese President insisted that the new force would provide key support in coordinating the construction and utilization of the cyber information system.

According to Xinhua, Li Wei, the political commissar from the now-defunct Strategic Support Force, will take over the same role with the Information Support Force.

Following the announcement, Li pledged to resolutely listen to Xis instructions. Bi Yi on the other hand was appointed the new commander of the new force.

The change amid a tense climate

The restructuring came as China continues to face off with the US in a fight for global influence with cyberwarfare emerging as a key battleground. Last month, the US, the UK and New Zealand accused China of sponsoring malicious cyber activity and targeting democratic institutions.

Interestingly, the disappearance of the previous commander of the Strategic Support Force Ju Qiansheng, has led to a rise in speculations about the growing turmoil within Chinas military leadership.

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While Ju recently appeared in the public sphere, the authorities are yet to unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance. In October, Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was ousted from his role without explanation.

Shortly after that China named Dong Jun, a navy veteran, as the new defense chief in December.

With inputs from agencies.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the Senate's Vote on the Reauthorization and Reform of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702

Saturday, April 20, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Senate's vote on the reauthorization and reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702:

"Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is indispensable to the Justice Department's work to protect the American people from terrorist, nation-state, cyber, and other threats.

"This reauthorization of Section 702 gives the United States the authority to continue to collect foreign intelligence information about non-U.S. persons located outside the United States, while at the same time codifying important reforms the Justice Department has adopted to ensure the protection of Americans' privacy and civil liberties.

"In today's heightened global threat environment, the Justice Department will continue to use Section 702 to ensure that our efforts to keep our country safe are informed by the most valuable and timely intelligence, as we continue to uphold our commitment to protect the rights of all Americans."

Component: Office of the Attorney General

Press Release Number: 24-485

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US Senate reauthorizes surveillance bill despite intense debate over privacy concerns

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 9:46 AM

The US Senate has approved the extension of a controversial surveillance program, narrowly avoiding the program's midnight expiration.

On Friday, a US Senate late-night vote, 60-34 re-implemented Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), after the House passed the measure late last week.

The reauthorization ensures the preservation of what advocates consider a crucial component of the United States' foreign intelligence collection effort.

Section 702, which was initially established in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks allows US intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless electronic surveillance of foreigners outside the US.

"In the nick of time, we are reauthorizing FISA right before it expires at midnight," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said when voting on final passage began 15 minutes before the deadline.

"All day long, we persisted and we persisted in trying to reach a breakthrough and in the end, we have succeeded."

"Democrats and Republicans came together and did the right thing for our country's safety," Schumer said.

"We all know one thing: letting FISA expire would be dangerous. It's an important part of our national security, to stop acts of terror, drug trafficking and violent extreme extremism."

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the alleged misuse of Section 702, contending that it infringes upon the constitutional right to privacy of Americans.

The primary objective of this system is to oversee the exchange of emails and other forms of communication involving foreign nationals; however, it is possible that unintentionally, messages from American citizens be intercepted if they are in contact with the individuals who are being monitored.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans' information is gathered during this process and subsequently accessed without a warrant.

The number of these searches has decreased from millions in previous years; detractors label these searches as "backdoor" searches.

The collection of information, which encompasses a significant amount of US online activity, is designed to offer US intelligence agencies expedited access to information concerning individuals from foreign nations.

The legislation encountered opposition from House Republicans on three occasions within the last five months, resulting in its blockage, however, it eventually passed last week with a vote of 273-147, after its duration was reduced from five years to two years.

The program has garnered concerns from the White House, intelligence officials, and prominent members of the House Intelligence Committee regarding the dire consequences that may arise if it is not reauthorized.

Despite constitutional protection, foreign nationals' privacy rights are compromised by the program, allowing data collection involving interactions with American citizens that can be accessed by domestic law enforcement agencies like the FBI without a warrant, making it an intentional loophole for the government.

A recent revelation says that the FBI employed this power to gather information on Black Lives Matter protesters, donors to congressional campaigns, and lawmakers in the US has increased doubts about the integrity of the program.

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Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Senate's Vote on the Reauthorization and Reform of FISA Section 702

April 20, 2024

We applaud the Senate's passage of H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. This legislation, which passed the House last week and the Senate tonight with broad bipartisan support, will renew and reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) - one of the United States' most vital intelligence collection tools. The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act will retain essential authority to understand and protect against a wide range of dangerous threats to Americans while enhancing safeguards for privacy and civil liberties through the most robust set of reforms ever included in legislation to reauthorize Section 702.

The President will swiftly sign the bill into law, ensuring that our security professionals can continue to rely on Section 702 to detect grave national security threats and use that understanding to protect the United States.

###

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Army Guard elevates disaster response with UAS training

By National Guard Bureau Office of Public Affairs April 18, 2024

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In preparation for the direst of days on the homeland front, a dozen Citizen-Soldiers recently enhanced their technical acumen on unmanned aviation systems after completing a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers qualification course.

The training helps ensure the Army National Guard members  hailing from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive response teams  can safely and effectively operate UAS in the National Airspace System.

While Soldiers are familiar with deploying the platforms after hurricanes and wildfires, the training represents a new Army Guard aviation paradigm: uncrewed aircraft as an enabler of CBRNE incident response efforts.

"It will provide real-time, live-streaming digital video and employ onboard sensors to relay its surrounding environmental conditions over a dedicated network," said Army Maj. Kyle McGaha, a CBRNE operations lead with the National Guard Bureau who attended the training.

He said UAS are crucial to expedite "the planning to conduct primary and secondary searches for ambulatory and non-ambulatory victims" while helping to ensure Guard members can safely perform tasks in contaminated environments.

"These platforms mitigate the need to put our Soldiers in harm's way, like radiological exposure, for example, while conducting site assessments," McGaha said. "Larger aircraft can be used for missions such as personnel evacuation."

The Army Guard members trained on quadcopters, a prelude to using R80D SkyRaider aerial systems in real situations. The training covered regulations and coordination with local authorities for airspace approval.

"Our training method is derived from Army aviation and Federal Aviation Administration handbooks and [emphasizes] hands-on tasks to produce mission-ready crew members out of the gate,'" said Chris Kernan, an aviation program manager with the Army engineers.

National Guard officials said CBRNE teams, as part of a larger Homeland Response Force, respond to incidents within six hours, conducting "command and control, search and extraction, mass casualty decontamination, and medical stabilization to save lives and mitigate human suffering."

For Sgt. 1st Class Horacio Morfin, a planning noncommissioned officer with the California Army National Guard's 185th Military Police Battalion, 49 Military Police Brigade, the training served as an indoctrination into the increasingly important world of uncrewed aircraft.

"The main takeaway from this course is that this is just the beginning of our training," Morfin said. "To master piloting these UAS, we have to stay current on flight hours and [operational] planning while learning about payloads and software required for these systems."

Ryan Strange, a course instructor, said collaborating and ultimately integrating with the Army Guard is sure to pay off dividends when the time comes.

"Providing this course to our National Guard Soldiers is a testament to our commitment to excellence, unity and shared responsibility for the protection of this nation," Strange said.





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Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa

By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig, Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard April 19, 2024

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- U.S. Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team recently deployed to Africa to support Special Operations Command Africa.

Task Force Iroquois teams include nine Soldiers going to Somalia in the Horn of Africa and five going to Benin in West Africa.

"Over our time together, we've formed a cohesive team that works hard to complete the mission and looks out for one another," said Lt. Col. Mark Kurzawa, Horn of Africa Forward Logistical Element officer-in-charge.

Since January, task force members have participated in 14 drill days, 14 days of annual training, and an eight-day pre-deployment site survey in Germany and Africa. They have also completed maintenance, culinary, finance, unit movement, hazardous materials, and vehicle recovery courses based on their roles.

"The important thing to know about this mission is it's being executed for the first time," said Kurzawa. "We've had no previous unit to give us guidance."

Usually in a deployment, there is a larger unit and a culminating training exercise to validate the unit's training. However, in this case, the Soldiers are validated on individual tasks because they will be going out in small teams in outstation locations and doing skills specific to their military occupational specialty.

"The MOSs going to Benin are particular to that location," said Kurzawa. "For instance, our culinary specialist is going there because they operate off the economy in terms of getting food, they get a per diem. The west is more austere, it's more difficult to travel in terms of air movement, whereas in the east, everything comes in through Djibouti, where we have a large base next door."

After several weeks of additional pre-deployment training in Texas, the Soldiers will be in Africa for nearly one year.

"This will be a period of sacrifice and separation, but it will not be in vain. You will be separated by distance but not at heart. You are serving something bigger than yourselves," said Lt. Col. Alicia Partin of the 328th Brigade Support Battalion, the home unit of most Task Force Iroquois Soldiers.

Kurzawa said that when these Soldiers return, they will bring highly developed leadership skills and experience to the 28th ID and the Pennsylvania National Guard.

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Iraqi resistance forces hit Israeli Ovda air base

Iran Press TV

Friday, 19 April 2024 10:29 PM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has said it carried out a strike on the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel.

The Iraqi umbrella group of anti-terror groups announced in a statement published on its Telegram channel on Friday.

The Iraqi resistance said it launched an operation against Ovda air base south of the occupied Palestinian territories on Monday.

"In continuation of our path in resisting the occupation, in support of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, on Monday, 15/4/2024, targeted the Zionist entity's 'Ovda' Air Base in our occupied territories with drones," said the statement.

It said the attack was in response to the massacres committed by Israel against Palestinian civilians, including women, children and the elderly.

The group said it will continue its operations against Israeli targets.

The coalition has been staging many such attacks on Israeli targets since the occupying regime launched a genocidal war on Gaza in October.

The regime began the war on October 7 after Gaza's resistance groups carried out a retaliatory operation against the usurping entity.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Iraq's Islamic Resistance has been conducting numerous operations against targets lying throughout the occupied territories ever since the onset of the warfare.

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US sanctions entities for funding West Bank extremists targeting Palestinians

By VOA News April 19, 2024

The United States on Friday sanctioned two entities accused of raising tens of thousands of dollars for extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

In a statement, U.S. Treasury Department officials said the two sanctioned entities  the Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich  generated $140,000 for settler Yinon Levi and $31,000 for settler David Chai Chasdai, respectively.

U.S. officials said they sanctioned Levi and Chasdai in February in connection with West Bank violence  Levi for leading a group of hard-line settlers who assaulted Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, burning their fields and destroying their property; Chasdai for initiating and leading a riot that involved torching vehicles and buildings in Huwara, resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian.

"Such acts by these organizations undermine the peace, security and stability of the West Bank," said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo. "We will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable."

Also sanctioned Friday was Lehava founder Ben-Zion Gopstein, whose followers have engaged in violence in the West Bank, including assaulting Palestinian civilians.

"We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the West Bank in recent days," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement Friday.

Miller added that the U.S. was calling on Israel "to take all appropriate measures to prevent attacks by violent extremist settlers and hold those responsible accountable."

The sanctions on the three entities will freeze all U.S. assets, prevent them from using the U.S. financial system, and ban Americans from working with them.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.

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Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces, spying equipment with missile

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has conducted fresh missile attacks on the gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers and spying equipment.

Hezbollah announced in a statement on Saturday that the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of "Israeli" enemy soldiers in the Har Addir region with appropriate missiles, according to the Lebanese media.

In another statement, Hezbollah confirmed that its fighters targeted the Israeli spy equipment at the Al-Raheb military site.

Also, some local media reported that Hezbollah hit the Ruwaysat Al-Alam military site in the occupied Lebanese hills of Kafr Shuba with four missiles.

In support of the Palestinian people and resistance in Gaza and in light of the Israeli aggression on the various South Lebanon villages, the Islamic Resistance continued striking the Zionist occupation sites near the Lebanon border.

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Occupied territories targeted from southern Lebanon: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Media sources say a missile attack has targeted the occupied territories from southern Lebanon.

According to Euronews, two rockets were fired from southern Lebanon toward the Zionist regime's base in the settlement of Sa'sa' in the West Galilee.

Sources reported that sirens sounded in the area.

Meanwhile, the official Lebanese news agency announced that an Israeli drone targeted Ayta ash Shab village in southern Lebanon.

The resistance groups across the region have announced they will continue operations against the Israeli regime till it stops bombarding Gaza and killing people in the enclave.

Earlier on Friday, Lebanon's Hezbollah announced in a statement that to support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their courageous and honorable resistance, Islamic resistance fighters targeted and destroyed the spying equipment of the Zionist regime's radar base in the occupied fields of Shabaa with appropriate weapons.

Lebanon's Hezbollah had previously announced in four separate statements about the missile and artillery attacks on the positions and military and spy equipment of the Zionist regime in the "Bayad Belida", "Roisat Al Alam" and "Al Raheb" bases.

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Hezbollah not to stop fighting Zionist regime: Official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, says the Lebanese resistance group will not stop confronting the Israeli regime.

Hezbollah will respond to any violation by the Zionist regime, Al Ahed News has quoted Qassem as saying.

The resistance group will counter any escalation of tensions by the regime, he added.

We will neither stop confronting the Israelis nor will we stop supporting Gazans, the top official noted.

Hezbollah continues to back the Gazan nation, he said, adding that if the resistance group keeps silence in reaction to what happens in the enclave, it will be next.

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Double-sided policies make efforts in Gaza fruitless: Amirabdollahian

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying the wrong, double-sided and politicized approaches have hampered political efforts aimed at ending the war.

He made the remarks in a meeting held in New York with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

Amirabdollahian is in New York to attend the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East and the issue of Palestine and to hold diplomatic talks.

In his remarks, the Iranian foreign minister said what has happened in Gaza is a human tragedy, and Netanyahu's threat to invade Rafah could worsen the aspects of the catastrophe.

He further warned about the expansion of the conflict, adding that the Islamic Republic has always followed the policy of restraint.

Elsewhere in the meeting, the ICRC president appreciated Iran's endeavor to help cease the war in Gaza while expressing deep concern about the situation in the strip.

ICRC makes its all-out effort to dispatch humanitarian aid to Gaza and prevent a humanitarian tragedy, she noted.

Regarding the worrisome conditions in regional countries including Palestine, she emphasized that the international body would make serious efforts to contact all influential sides capable of managing the situation.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, more than 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza.

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Iran FM says he discussed Gaza with UN chief in New York

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that he discussed the Gaza war and ways to end the crisis unfolding in the region, during talks with UN Chief Antonio Guterres in New York City, the US.

"In the meeting with Mr. Guterres, we exchanged views on the ideas which can be pursued by the UN secretary general in coordination with the main players of the Gaza issue", the top Iranian diplomat told IRNA and IRIB reporters late on Friday at the end of his trip to New York where he attended the UN Security Council's quarterly open debate on the situation in West Asia, including Palestine, a day earlier.

Amirabdollahian said that Gaza was also a main topic of his discussions with the president of the Security Council as well as top officials from other countries and several international bodies.

According to the top diplomat, his talks with the UN officials on Gaza focused on the ways that bring an effective solution to the war and the crisis in the region.

Amirabdollahian said he had reiterated Iran's stance that the expansion of the war is in the interest of no party in the region.

He told the UN officials that what is necessary to address the crisis is that a political solution comes into focus and the Israeli regime's crimes end in Gaza. The UN secretary general should put on agenda a political package which addresses all aspects including exchange of captives, withdrawal of occupying forces from Gaza, and boosting humanitarian aid to the enclave, Amirabdollahian added .

The foreign minister also said that he had talked about Iran's recent punitive attack on the Israeli regime's targets both during the Security Council debate and the meetings he held on the sidelines of it.

According to Amirabdollahian, he elaborated on Iran's stance on the attack -- which was in response to an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier in April -- and warned against any new act of adventurism by the regime.

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Gaza City faces worsening crisis due to complete water well shutdown: media office

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:28, April 20, 2024

GAZA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas-run government media office warned on Friday that Gaza City is facing an environmental disaster due to the complete shutdown of water wells for two weeks.

Salama Marouf, head of the Gaza-based media office, said in a statement that the disaster, which is threatening the residents, is caused by the depletion of "scarce fuel provided to Gaza Municipality during the past period."

Gaza City "is experiencing a state of severe thirst due to the water cut-off, especially with the continued suspension of water pumping from the water line operated by Israel's national water company Mekorot since the beginning of the war and the destruction of the desalination plant (the only one in the city), more than 40 water wells, and 120 km of water networks in the city," Marouf said.

The official mentioned that the crisis has reached its peak, as the temperatures are on the rise and the demand for water is increasing.

He called on all relevant parties to provide urgently needed fuel and restore water supply to the residents, urging the international community to supply the necessary equipment and machinery for their work, especially in light of "the heavy burden currently placed on them in serving the population."

Gaza has been suffering from a complete power outage since last October, following Israel's halt of electricity and fuel supplies to the enclave, which led to the closure of the only power generation station in Gaza.

This forced the basic service infrastructure to rely on backup generators, which are limited due to the scarcity of fuel in the strip.

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Israeli forces kill 14 Palestinians during refugee camp siege in N West Bank

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:27 PM

The Israeli regime's forces have gunned down at least 14 Palestinians, including 10 fighters, during their ongoing days-long siege on Nour Shams, a refugee camp located in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

"So far, our crews have evacuated 14 martyrs from Nour Shams camp to the hospital," the Palestinian Red Crescent said on Saturday.

News agencies, meanwhile, reported sighting Israeli drones loitering overhead and armored vehicles roaming throughout the camp.

Earlier, the Palestinian health ministry said it had confirmed that as many as 11 people had been injured by the troops. Seven of those injured had been "wounded by live gunshots," it said, adding that among the wounded was a paramedic shot while trying to get to the wounded.

Medics had been alerted to "a number of killed and injured" inside the camp, but the army was "denying them access to tend to the wounded," the ministry noted.

Minister Muayad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, said residents were suffering from the "destruction of homes, shops, the electricity grid, the sewerage, the water network, and infrastructure."

The Israeli military began its siege on the camp on Thursday, rolling bulldozers into the area, and deploying military vehicles on all routes leading to the camp.

The military began destroying main streets, alleyways, water, and wastewater networks inside the camp.

Reporting on Friday, the official Palestinian Wafa news agency said, "They (Israeli forces) turned some houses into military outposts, deployed snipers and prevented ambulances from entering the camp to evacuate patients."

Also on Friday, the Israeli military killed Muhammad Samer Jaber, commander of the Tulkarm Brigade, a Palestinian resistance group affiliated with Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of the Gaza Strip-based Islamic Jihad movement, and a number of resistance fighters.

The Israeli regime has notably escalated its aggression against Palestinians across the West Bank since October 7, when it began an all-out genocidal war on Gaza.

Around 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank ever since the onset of the war that has claimed the lives of more than 34,000 people so far.

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US House rubberstamps $95 billion 'aid' for Israel, Ukraine, Chinese Taipei

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 9:38 PM

The US House of Representatives has passed a whopping $95-billion so-called aid package aimed at the Israeli regime, Ukraine, and the Chinese Taipei amid warnings about further contribution by Washington to global crises.

The bills, passed in a rare Saturday session, were approved in quick succession by overwhelming bipartisan votes.

They provide $26 billion for the Israeli regime, which has been engaged in a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip since last October. The war, launched following al-Aqsa Storm, a retaliatory operation by Gaza's resistance movements, has so far killed upwards of 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured at least 76,900 others, while thousands remain unaccounted for.

The draft legislations also send $60.84 billion to Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish US weapons, stocks, and facilities, amid Kiev's ongoing engagement in a deadly years-long war with neighboring Russia.

Lastly, the bills allocate $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific, including Taipei (Taiwan), despite China's ongoing warnings against the US's meddlesome policies towards the territory, over which Beijing enjoys sovereignty.

The Senate could take the bills up as early as Tuesday. Senate approval would then send the measures to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The passage of the bills have been closely followed by US military contractors, which are in line with for huge contracts to supply hardware to Ukraine and the US's other allies.

Biden welcomed the votes, saying they would "deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine... and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

Also on Saturday, however, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, "The allocation of US military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will exacerbate global crises."

Support for Israel represents "a direct path to an unprecedented worsening of the situation in the region," she said.

Zakharova called aid for Kiev "direct support for terrorist activities" and said aid to Taipei represented "interference in China's internal affairs."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said the decision to provide aid to Ukraine "will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kiev regime."

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Granting Palestine full UN membership ' a move to rectify injustice': Chinese foreign minister

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 6:36 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described efforts to admit Palestine into the United Nations as a move "to rectify a prolonged injustice."

Wang made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Papua New Guinea counterpart on Saturday, as Israel's ongoing genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip continues unabated.

"A prompt admission of Palestine into the United Nations is a move to rectify a prolonged historical injustice," the Xinhua news agency quoted Wang as saying.

The Chinese top diplomat's comments came after the United States predictably cast its veto against a bid by the Palestinian Authority (PA) for Palestine to be recognized as a full member of the United Nations.

On Thursday, the US blocked the draft resolution that had been put to vote at the 15-member UN Security Council. Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining 12 Council members voted yes.

The US action has drawn condemnation from many countries, especially in the Muslim world.

The US is a staunch opponent of Palestinian statehood, arguing that the United Nations is not the place for hashing out the status, which it says should be the result of an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestine is currently a non-member observer state. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.

Washington's veto came amid the Israeli regime's October 7-present genocidal war on the Gaza Strip that has increased sympathy towards Palestinians and international calls for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Since the start of the offensive on October 7, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

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Abbas says Palestinian Authority will reconsider ties with US after UN veto

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 5:18 PM

President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinian Authority will reconsider ties with the United States after it vetoed a Palestinian request for full United Nations membership "in violation of all international laws."

Washington on Thursday blocked a draft resolution that recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership" of the UN.

The Palestinian president condemned the veto as "unfair, unethical, and unjustified."

He said in an interview with Palestinian news agency Wafa that the move "constitutes a blatant aggression against the rights, history, land, and sanctities of the Palestinian people."

"While the world agrees on the application of international law and stands by the Palestinian right, America continues to support the occupation, refusing to compel Israel to stop its genocidal war."

The Palestinian leader also accused Washington of having "reneged on its promises and commitments... by remaining silent on [Israel's] theft of Palestinian funds."

He said that Washington has "violated all international laws and abandoned all promises regarding the two-state solution and achieving peace in the region."

Palestine is currently a non-member observer state. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.

On Thursday, Britain and Switzerland abstained from the vote to grant Palestine full membership, but the remaining 12 Council members voted yes.

The Palestinian leader also condemned the administration of US President Joe Biden for providing "Israel with weapons and funds that kill our children and destroy our homes, and it stands against us in international forums, in positions that do not serve security and stability in the region."

Abbas was referring to more than six months of siege, airstrikes and ground invasion that have destroyed much of the Gaza Strip and killed more than 34,000 people, including 13,000 children.

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Hamas chief meets Erdogan as Turkey tries to mediate in Gaza war

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 4:48 PM

Head of the politburo of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Ankara tries to play a more influential role in efforts to bring an end to Israel's ongoing aggression in Gaza.

Ismail Haniyeh met Erdogan in Istanbul on Saturday a day after he met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Doha, Qatar, where the Palestinian leader is based.

The meeting lasted for more than two and a half hours, according to reports in the Turkish media which said that Haniyeh and Erdogan had discussed Israel's attacks on Palestinian lands as well as efforts needed for ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The two also discussed measures to achieve a fair and lasting peace process in Palestine, said the reports which indicated that there were no direct mention of the ongoing mediation efforts to force an end to more than six months of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Turkey's state-run TRT said Erdogan had said in the meeting that Turkey "is tirelessly continuing diplomatic efforts to draw international attention to the oppression of the Palestinians".

He also said in the meeting that recent tensions between Israel and Iran should not divert attentions from the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, adding that such a scenario would only benefit the Israeli regime.

However, Erdogan's remarks come as Ankara is still being criticized by countries in the region for failing to significantly downsize its trade and economic relations with Israel, a measure they say can force Israel to reduce its atrocities in Gaza.

Erdogan's chief diplomat Fidan traveled to Doha on Wednesday to meet Haniyeh just after Qatari authorities said they would reassess the position of the Arab country as a mediator between Hamas and the Israeli regime.

Analysts say Erdogan's harsh rhetoric against Israeli regime officials has also made it complicated for Turkey to play the role of a mediator in the Gaza conflict.

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Hezbollah targets Israeli military outposts, spying devices close to border

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 3:46 PM

Fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have separately struck espionage equipment and gatherings of Israeli troops stationed at military outposts close to the border between the Arab country and the 1948 occupied territories.

Hezbollah said in a brief statement that its fighters carried out an operation against an Israeli military position in the mountainous Har Addir region on Saturday, and struck the site with a salvo of missiles.

The resistance fighters also hit surveillance devices at the al-Raheb military base and destroyed them.

Additionally, Hezbollah members hit a gathering of Israeli soldiers east of Even Menachem moshav on the northern side of the occupied territories, causing casualties among the forces.

The group also fired a barrage of artillery shells at the Ruwaisat al-Alam site in the occupied Kfar Shuba Hills.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly attacked southern Lebanon since October 7, when it launched a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed at least 34,049 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions.

At least 349 people have been killed on the Lebanese border, including 68 civilians.

The fighting has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands from the northern part of the occupied territories, amid rocket fire and shelling carried out by Hezbollah and allied Palestinian groups.

Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. The resistance forced the regime to retreat in both conflicts.

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Israeli occupation of Palestine 'main cause of instability' in region: Turkish FM

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 2:24 PM

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is the main cause of instability in West Asia, warning that tensions will continue to escalate in the region unless the issue is resolved.

Fidan made the remarks at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Salem Shoukry in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Saturday.

"The occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel and the unconditional support of the West for this are one of the main reasons for the instability problem" in the region, Fidan said.

"If this crisis is not resolved properly, if Palestinians are not given the state, independence, and sovereignty they deserve, such crises will continue to escalate in our region," he added.

The Turkish foreign minister went on to say that the Palestine issue may trigger global issues, stressing that "cooperation between Egypt and Turkey is extremely beneficial for our peoples and region."

Fidan further noted that the first priority of the international community should be ending Israel's occupation in Palestine and a two-state solution, emphasizing that "Any development that could distract us from this fact should be ignored."

Shoukry, for his part, said, "We must prevent the displacement of Palestinians and work to establish an independent Palestinian state."

He also stressed the need to open Israeli crossings with the besieged Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid, stressing that the "failure to do so violates international law."

The Egyptian foreign minister further noted that since the beginning of the Israeli war in Gaza, Israeli hurdles persisted, adding that Egypt has "engaged international allies in setting up Gaza center for aid distribution."

The latest development comes as Israeli's genocidal war against Gaza is still raging after seven months.

Israel launched the brutal campaign in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after a surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in retaliation for decades of Israeli atrocities.

Since then the Israeli regime forces have killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children.

The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

In January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an interim ruling that ordered the Tel Aviv regime to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

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Barbados takes bold step to officially recognize Palestine as state

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 9:53 AM

Barbados has announced its decision to officially recognize Palestine as a state, becoming the 11th member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to adopt such a measure.

Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds said in a statement on Friday that the cabinet had "made the determination that the time is ripe for us to have a formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine."

"How can we say we want a [so-called] two-state solution if we do not recognize Palestine as a State," Symmonds stated.

He stressed that the island nation has always maintained at the United Nations that there should be a two-state solution.

Symmonds criticized, however, the fact that Barbados has never recognized Palestine until now.

"I think [it was] an error that we have made through the years," he said. "And now, we have formally reached out to the State of Palestine to signal our intention to formally recognize them as a State," he added.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has welcomed the decision of Barbados to recognize the State of Palestine with East al-Quds as its capital.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that the step reflects Barbados' eagerness to support the Palestinian people and their inalienable and legitimate rights in their land.

The ministry emphasized that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is being systematically destroyed as a result of the Tel Aviv regime's escalatory policies and plans, especially through the continuation of the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and the expansion of colonialism.

It further called on all countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to take such a step as soon as possible to confirm the international community's determination in order to end the suffering of the Palestinian nation.

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April 19: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 9:46 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Friday, April 19, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on April 19:

(Gaza Strip)

Targeted the Israeli military vehicles at the entrance to the Tulkarem camp in the occupied West Bank with explosive devices and a barrage of bullets.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on April 19:

(Gaza Strip and West Bank)

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers along several axes of the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank with machine guns and explosive devices.

Ambushed Israeli military unit in the Al-Damj neighborhood in Nour Shams camp, occupied West Bank, resulting in several casualties.

Bombed the gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their army vehicles with mortar shells southeast of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli occupation forces and their military vehicles that had stormed the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli regime forces near the settlement of "Karmei Tzur", resulting in casualties.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on April 19:

(Gaza Strip and West Bank)

Bombed "Sderot," "Nir Am," and other settlements in the Gaza envelope with a barrage of rockets.

Targeted Salem military camp of the occupation forces in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with appropriate weapons.

Bombed military sites and gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the east and south of Gaza City with 107-type rocket barrage.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on April 19:

(Gaza Strip)

Targeted the Israeli soldiers and settlers in Gaza envelope with a barrage of rockets.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on April 19:

(West Bank)

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli regime soldiers using live bullets and explosive devices after they invaded the Nour Shams camp in the occupied West Bank.

Hezbollah's operations on April 19:

(Lebanon)

Eastern Sector:

At around 16:50 local time, targeted the Israeli military's espionage equipment at the Bayad Blida site with appropriate weapons, hitting them directly.

At around 17:10 local time, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Kfar Shuba Hills with a barrage of rockets, achieving direct hits.

At around 17:50 local time, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Bayad Blida site with artillery shells, hitting them directly.

At around 18:50 local time, targeted the Israeli military's espionage equipment at the "Radar" site in the occupied Shebaa Farms with appropriate weapons, hitting and destroying it.

At around 18:50 local time, targeted a Hummer vehicle of the Israeli military with a guided missile after precise monitoring and anticipation of its arrival at the "Metulla" site.

Western Sector:

At around 01:00 local time, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the "Raheb" site with artillery shells.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on April 19:

(Iraq)

Targeted the "Ovda" airbase of the Israeli military in our occupied lands using drones.

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US to pull out troops from Niger after France: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 8:03 AM

After clinching a deal with Niger's ruling junta, the United States will pull out its military personnel from the West African country in the coming months, according to a report.

Citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter, Reuters reported on Saturday that the pullout would take place after US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell reached an agreement with Niger's junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

The source maintained that there would still be diplomatic and economic relationships between the US and Niger despite the move.

The United States has told Niger that will withdraw 1,000 American personnel from the African country in the coming months, a New York Times reporter also

posted on X.

Back in July last year, a successful military coup unseated the government in Niger and Tchiani, the then commander of the Presidential Guard, assumed power as the leader of the country before establishing the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

CBS News, citing an unnamed US State Department official as saying on Friday, also reported that during a meeting earlier in the day, Campbell and Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine "committed today to initiate conversations in Niamey to begin planning an orderly and responsible withdrawal of US troops from Niger."

As of last year, a little more than 1,000 US troops were present in Niger, where the US military ran two bases, including a major drone base called Air Base 201 built in the vicinity of the central city of Agadez, some 550 miles from the capital Niamey, at a cost of more than $100 million.

Former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in the coup, and his previous governments, had allowed the US military presence to train Nigerien forces and take part in what was described as counter-terrorism activities.

Last month, Niger's junta said that it revoked a military accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Pentagon on its soil.

The withdrawal of American troops from Niger will follow the pullout of troops from France, the former colonial power that for the past decade has led the so-called foreign counter-terrorism efforts against Takfiri groups in West Africa.

Last week, hundreds of people took to the streets of Niamey to demand the departure of American troops, after the junta further gravitated to Russia, welcoming Russian military instructors.

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US sanctions on Venezuelan oil 'violation of human rights': Iran

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 7:56 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has censured as a violation of human rights and international law the US administration's re-imposition of oil-related sanctions against Venezuela.

Nasser Kana'ani said on Saturday that the use of unilateral illegal sanctions as a tool that causes irreparable human and economic damage to countries is rejected as a violation of the principles of international law, human rights and international rules and regulations.

The administration of US President Joe Biden announced its decision on Wednesday not to extend a license that was due to expire on April 18, which provided relief from oil sanctions on Caracas, over what it claimed to be the Venezuelan government's failure to adhere to democratic principles ahead of elections in July.

In October last year, the US decided to temporarily lift certain sanctions following an agreement between President Nicolas Maduro's government and the opposition in Barbados.

The US-backed agreement stipulated that a transparent election would be held in 2024, closely monitored by international observers.

However, Venezuela's Supreme Court upheld a 15-year ban on opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and also confirmed the ineligibility of her possible replacement, two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles.

Venezuela possesses the largest confirmed oil reserves globally. However, production has drastically declined due to years of severe sanctions by the West.

The US imposed harsh sanctions on Venezuela to punish Maduro's government following his 2018 re-election, which the US and other Western governments refused to recognize.

Since 2019, US sanctions have banned state-run oil company PDVSA from exporting to its chosen markets.

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UN warns hundreds of thousands of Sudanese under 'immediate danger'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 6:48 AM

Top United Nations officials have warned the Security Council that about 800,000 individuals residing around a town in Darfur are currently facing an alarming and imminent threat.

Rosemary DiCarlo, the political affairs chief of the UN, on Friday informed the Security Council consisting of 15 members that confrontations between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army (SAF)-aligned individuals within the Joint Protection Forces were approaching El Fasher, the main city of North Darfur.

"Fighting in El Fasher could unleash bloody intercommunal strife throughout Darfur," DiCarlo said, echoing a warning by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday.

A year ago, conflict broke out in Sudan between the SAF and the RSF, which led to the world's biggest displacement crisis.

The UN has reported that approximately 25 million individuals, accounting for half of Sudan's population, are in need of assistance, with around 8 million having been displaced from their homes.

"The violence poses an extreme and immediate danger to the 800,000 civilians who reside in El Fasher," said Edem Wosornu, a director for the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"And it risks triggering further violence in other parts of Darfur - where more than 9 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance," she said.

El-Fasher serves as a central location for humanitarian efforts in Darfur, a region that accommodates approximately 25% of Sudan's total population of 48 million people.

The town had remained largely unscathed by the conflict, providing shelter to a significant influx of displaced individuals. However, starting from mid-April, there have been accounts of bombings and confrontations in the neighboring villages.

"Since then, there have been continuing reports of clashes in the eastern and northern parts of the city, resulting in more than 36,000 people displaced," said Wosornu, noting that Doctors Without Borders has treated more than 100 casualties in recent days.

DiCarlo condemned the "wholly man-made" "crisis of epic proportions" that the country is currently facing. The crisis emerged after a year of civil war between the SAF led by General Abdel Fattah al Burhan and the RSF commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

"The warring parties have ignored repeated calls to cease their hostilities... Instead, they have stepped up preparations for further fighting, with both the SAF and the RSF continuing their campaigns to recruit civilians," DiCarlo said.

Last month, a global authority on food security supported by the United Nations emphasized the urgency of taking immediate measures to prevent a devastating hunger crisis in Sudan, which could result in widespread loss of life and the complete collapse of livelihoods.

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Israeli airstrike kills at least 7 people in Rafah

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 2:52 AM

Israel has launched new airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, killing at least seven Palestinians.

The Palestinian media reported on Friday that most of the victims of the Israeli assault were women and children.

The death toll is likely to rise due to the number of seriously wounded people, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

The attack hit a residential home in Tal as-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah.

It comes as the Israeli military is preparing evacuation plans for the city in anticipation of a ground offensive.

The United Nations and many other countries have expressed grave concern over the offensive.

The city is home to approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.

G7 slams Israel's 'full-scale military operation in Rafah'

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said Friday that a "full-scale military operation in Rafah" by Israel would have "catastrophic consequences on the civilian population".

Ministers from Italy, the UK, the US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada also condemned the "unacceptable number of civilians" killed in Gaza during Israel's genocidal war.

"We reiterate our opposition to a full-scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," the ministers said in a statement.

Israel has faced growing global rebuke to the relentless genocidal war that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble.

"We deplore all losses of civilian lives," G7 ministers said at the meeting on Italy's island of Capri.

They said they "note with great concern the unacceptable number of civilians, including thousands of women, children and persons in vulnerable situations who have been killed in Gaza".

The regime began the war on October 7 after Gaza's resistance groups carried out a retaliatory operation against the usurping entity.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Iraq's Islamic Resistance has been conducting numerous operations against targets lying throughout the occupied territories ever since the onset of the warfare.

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Syria condemns US veto of Palestine UN membership resolution

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 12:45 AM

Syria has condemned the United States after it vetoed a resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry also in a statement on Friday condemned the US veto, saying that it showed Washington's blind bias in favor of the Israeli regime.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that hindering the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State would only prolong insecurity and instability in the Middle East.

It said the insecurity originally arose from Israel's ongoing occupation of Arab lands and its perpetration of the most crimes of aggression against the Palestinian people.

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani Friday described the US move as "irresponsible" and "unconstructive."

Kan'ani said the US action exposed the hypocritical nature of its foreign policy and its isolated position in the world.

The US was the only nation in the 15-member UN Security Council to vote against the resolution on Thursday.

Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining 12 council members voted in favor.

The US action has drawn condemnation from many countries, especially in the Muslim world.

Palestine is currently a non-member observer state. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.

Washington's veto came amid the Israeli regime's war on the Gaza Strip that has increased sympathy towards Palestinians and international calls for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Since the start of the offensive on October 7, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 34,012 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 76,833 others.

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Armenian Border Residents Protest As Yerevan, Baku Agree On Delimitation

By Susan Badalian and Karine Simonian April 20, 2024

Residents of several Armenian communities in northeastern Tavush Province began protests late on April 19 after authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan announced a border-delimitation deal under which Baku will regain control of four formerly Azeri-populated villages in the area, an agreement hailed by the United States and European Union.

Following the announced agreement, residents of the villages of Kirants and Baghanis blocked traffic at sections of the road linking their communities to the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberian, respectively.

Some residents of Voskepar -- another Armenian village affected by the planned border demarcation -- claimed, meanwhile, that what was announced by the authorities on April 19 contradicted what Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian had said when he held a closed-door meeting with residents earlier in the week. They said would gather in the village on April 20 to decide their next steps.

Following the eighth round of talks between Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian and Azerbaijani counterpart Shahin Mustafayev -- held at an undisclosed section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on April 19 -- the parties announced a preliminary agreement on border delimitation.

The initial stage will affect land areas between four villages in the territory of Armenia's Tavush Province and four abandoned villages that used to be part of Azerbaijan's Qazax district during Soviet times.

Armenia agreed to return the four abandoned border villages that it has controlled since the early 1990s to Azerbaijan as the initial step in defining the frontier between the two South Caucasus nations.

The delimitation on those sections is to be completed by the middle of May, the parties agreed.

Residents of border villages in Tavush are particularly concerned that the demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan in accordance with the Soviet-era configuration will deprive them of access to their farmlands and complicate their communications with the rest of the country due to the fact that some parts of area roads will fall under Azerbaijani control.

They also voiced concerns that Armenia's withdrawal from current military positions will make local civilians more vulnerable to Azerbaijani armed attacks.

The Armenian prime minister's office on April 19 sought to address some of the residents' concerns.

"For the first time, there will be a demarcated state border between our countries [Armenia and Azerbaijan] in the section of the four villages," the office said, according to Armenia's state-run Armenpress news agency.

"Yes, as a result of this process, the border guard service of Azerbaijan will get closer to the villages of Kirants and Voskepar, but their villages and ours will be separated by a delimitated state border."

The office added that "border protection will be carried out by the border guards of the Republic of Armenia" and that further security details will be "discussed and detailed in the near future."

It stressed that the agreement was based on the 1991 Almaty Declaration -- "which is set as a fundamental principle of the border-delimitation process."

Pashinian on April 20 touted the arrangement, praising the fact that the two bitter rivals "have, for the first time, resolved an issue at a negotiating table."

The deal was hailed as another success of the government in Azerbaijan.

"Armenia has agreed to return four villages under occupation since the early 1990s," Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada wrote on social media, describing it as a "long-awaited historic event."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington welcomed the announcement as "an important step toward concluding a durable and dignified peace agreement."

The agreement was also hailed by the European Union.

"Encouraging news today regarding the work of the Armenian and Azerbaijani border commissions and the start of a delimitation process based on legal documents and the 1991 Almaty Agreement," Toivo Klaar, the EU's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"The EU fully supports the process of negotiations and the aim of a comprehensive and lasting settlement," he added.

Germany's Foreign Ministry said the agreement "removes a major hurdle on the way to a peace agreement. Germany remains ready to do everything in its power to support the path to lasting peace."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-border-residents-protest- delimitation/32913742.html

Copyright (c) 2024. 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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German Frigate Quits Red Sea Mission Day After Houthis Offer EU Ships Safe Passage

Sputnik News

20240420

Ilya Tsukanov

Two separate NATO country-led coalitions were created to try to blunt the Houthis' missile and drone capabilities and restore a semblance of maritime security in the Red Sea for Israeli and Western commercial shipping.

The Hessen, a German Navy frigate deployed to the Red Sea in late February to take part in Operation Aspides - the European Union-led mission to protect regional shipping against attacks by Yemen's Houthi militias, completed its mission and departed from the region early Saturday morning.

In a statement, the Bundeswehr said the 143-meter-long anti-air and anti-ship missile-equipped warship with a 240-person crew and sophisticated long-range radar onboard was heading back to Germany after spending nearly eight weeks escorting 27 merchant ships (the equivalent of about one commercial vessel every two days).

The Hessen is the latest warship from two separate Western coalitions (the EU's Operation Aspides and the US-UK Operation Prosperity Guardian) to quit the Red Sea in recent months, with its departure coming one day after an announcement by the Yemeni militia that EU commercial ships wouldn't be targeted, so long as they aren't affiliated with Israel.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi urged European countries on Thursday to withdraw their "military assets" from the Red Sea, saying "there is no danger to the navigation of European countries which are not heading towards the Israeli enemy, so they can pass safely."

"We tell the Europeans that it is in your interest to withdraw your [military] units that cost you a lot and involve you in dangers and skirmishes for the benefit of the United States," al-Houthi said, promising European countries coordination with Yemen to secure safe passage for commercial cargoes "without being targeted."

Separately this week, Houthi political bureau member Hizam al-Assad told Sputnik Arabic that the militia would "continue to target American and British ships as a legitimate and guaranteed right to respond to the American-British attacks on Yemen."

During its deployment, the Hessen saw action intercepting a Houthi missile on April 6. Before that, on March 21, the Bundeswehr reported that the ship had destroyed an unmanned sea vehicle launched by the militia. The Bundeswehr said in its statement Saturday that the ship was used to "successfully eliminate" Houthi missiles and drones on four occasions total.

The Houthis typically force American, British, and European warships to expend sophisticated missiles worth millions of dollars more to destroy what are mostly simple aerial and naval drones that cost the Yemeni militia thousands of dollars to manufacture. Since January, the US and the UK have attempted to degrade Houthi capabilities through a series of air and missile strikes inside Yemen. The EU chose not to participate in these strikes, emphasizing the "purely defensive" nature of Operation Aspides.

The Hessen was the only German warship taking part in the EU-led Red Sea operation, which also involves an Italian destroyer and two frigates, two frigates from France, and one apiece from Belgium and Greece.

The German frigate was said to have crisscrossed more than 11,000 km in the Red Sea during its stay in the region, and is the latest NATO warship to leave the region after a relatively short deployment. In February, a British destroyer left the Red Sea for reequip and refit after engaging wave after wave of Houthi missiles. US sailors and commanders have reported a state of near exhaustion after spending months fending off Houthi strikes and launching attacks of their own.

The militia, which initially targeted only ships it believed were Israeli-owned, tied, or destined, ramped up its campaign to target US and British commercial shipping after the two countries began attacks inside Yemen in January. Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in early April that some 37 Yemenis had been killed and 30 wounded as a result of "British-American aggression" in 424 separate strikes.

Al-Houthi also indicated that since November, the militia has fired over 120 ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, and targeted of 90 ships, including 86 vessels affiliated with Israel, the US or the UK.

The Houthis launched their partial blockade of the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza as part of a campaign which has also included missile and drone attacks targeting Israel. The militia has indicated that it would stop its campaign if Israel halts its aggression against the Palestinians.

The Houthi campaign has caused significant economic losses for Israel, and for global shipping companies, which have chosen to avoid the Red Sea - the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, in favor of the long way around Africa - adding weeks of time and tens of billions of dollars to transportation costs.

 Sputnik

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At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank violence

By VOA News April 20, 2024

At least 13 Palestinians were killed in raid by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, Israeli and Palestinian forces said Saturday.

Israel said its troops "eliminated 10 terrorists" and made eight arrests during the raid on Nur Shams refugee camp, which began early Friday. The Islamic Jihad militant group said three of its members died.

Tulkarm Brigades group, which includes forces from numerous Palestinian factions, said its fighters exchanged weapons fire with Israeli forces on Saturday.

At least three drones were seen hovering above Nur Shams while Israeli armored vehicles were rolling into the camp.

AFP journalists heard bursts of gunfire, saw bodies lying in the street and houses destroyed by Israeli drones.

The Israeli military said the fighting lasted more than 40 hours and that eight of its soldiers and a police officer were wounded.

A teenage boy also died from gunshot wounds during the Israeli storming of the camp Friday, Palestinian authorities said.

The Palestinian health ministry told AFP it had confirmed 11 injured during the raid, seven of them "wounded by live gunshots." It said a paramedic was shot while trying to get to the wounded was among them.

The health ministry said medics had been alerted to "a number of killed and injured" inside the camp but said the Israeli army was "denying them access to tend to the wounded," which an AFP journalist confirmed seeing.

Gunshots were heard and soldiers conducted door-to-door raids, the journalist said.

Israeli forces say their frequent raids target Palestinian militants, but civilians are often caught in the crossfire.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, a Palestinian ambulance driver was killed while evacuating the wounded from an attack by Israeli settlers near the village of Al-Sawiya, south of the city of Nablus.

The Palestinian health ministry said the 50-year-old driver was killed by Israeli gunfire. There was no comment from the Israeli military

Israel strikes Rafah

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah late Friday, killed nine people, six of them children, according to hospital authorities Saturday.

Another overnight Israeli air assault struck the city of 2.3 million people on the border with Egypt that is hosting more than a million refugees from other parts of the enclave devastated by the Israeli offensive.

The international community has called for Israel's restraint on Rafah, and so far, Israel has not acted on its threats to launch an offensive on the city. It has not backed off its original position, however, that it intends to carry out a military offensive there. Israel maintains many of the remaining Hamas militants are holed up there.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday during a news conference at the G7 meeting in Italy that the Biden administration "cannot support a major military operation in Rafah."

He said a major military operation on the city would have "terrible consequences" for the civilians remaining there.

"First, there are currently somewhere around 1.4 million people in Rafah  many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza. It's imperative that people are able to get out of the way of any conflict, and doing so is a monumental task for which we have yet to see a plan," the top U.S. diplomat said.

In central Gaza another strike hit a house in the urban refugee camp of Bureji, killing at least one man and injuring two others, according to authorities at the al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the city of Deir al-Balah. An Associated Press journalist witnessed the casualties.

The bodies of 37 people killed by Israeli strikes Saturday were brought to hospitals in Gaza. Another 68 injured people were admitted to hospitals in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday.

The latest figures bring the overall Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war to at least 34,049, and the number of wounded to 76,901. Two thirds of the overall numbers have been children and women, according to the Hamas-run health authorities.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Militants also took about 250 people as hostages. Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.

In November, more than 100 hostages were released as part of a four-day pause in the fighting. Israel says about 130 hostages remain in captivity, but one-quarter of them are dead. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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US ponders trade status upgrade for Vietnam despite some opposition

By Ha Nguyen April 20, 2024

U.S. officials are considering a request from Vietnam to be removed from a list of "nonmarket" economies, a step that would foster improved diplomatic relations with a potential ally in Asia but would anger some U.S. lawmakers and manufacturing firms.

The Southeast Asian country is on the list of 12 nations identified by the U.S. as nonmarket economies, which also includes China and Russia because of strong state intervention in their economies.

Analysts believe Hanoi is hoping for a decision before the November U.S. election, which could mean a return to power of Donald Trump, who during his previous term as president threatened to boost tariffs on Vietnam because of its large trade surplus with the United States.

Under the Trump administration, the Department of Treasury also put Vietnam on a list of currency manipulators, which can lead to being excluded from U.S. government procurement contracts or other remedial actions. The Treasury, under the Biden administration, removed Vietnam from this list.

On the eve of President Joe Biden's September visit to Hanoi, where he and Vietnamese Secretary-General Nguyen Phu Trong elevated the U.S.-Vietnam relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam formally asked U.S. Department of Commerce to remove it from the list of nonmarket economies on the grounds that it had made economic reforms in recent years.

The Biden administration subsequently initiated a review of Vietnam's nonmarket economy (NME) status. The Department of Commerce is to issue a final decision by July 26, 270 days after initiating the review.

"Receiving market economy status is the highest diplomatic priority of the Vietnamese leadership this year, especially after last fall's double upgrade in diplomatic relations," said Zachary Abuza, a professor at National War College where he focuses on Southeast Asian politics and security issues.

He told VOA Vietnamese that the Vietnamese "are really linking the implementation of the joint vision statement to receiving that status."

The U.S. is Vietnam's most important export market with two-way trade totaling more than $125 billion in 2023, according to U.S. Census data. But Washington has initiated more trade defense investigations with Vietnam than with any other country, mainly anti-dumping investigations. Vietnam recorded 58 cases subject to trade remedies of the U.S. as of August 2023, in which 26 were anti-dumping, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the U.S.

Vietnam has engaged a lobbying firm in Washington to help it win congressional support for a status upgrade. A Foreign Agents Registration Act's statement filed to the U.S. Department of Justice shows that Washington-based Steptoe is assisting the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and supporting the Vietnamese government in "obtaining market economy status in antidumping proceedings."

"I understand why Vietnamese are lobbying," said Murray Hiebert, a senior associate of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

"One reason is U.S.-Vietnam relations have come so far, and to hold the non-market [status] is a little bit disingenuous because most of the countries that have this status are countries like China, Russia, North Korea, who are not so friendly with the United States. So I think [the U.S. recognition of Vietnam as a market economy] would be a sign that relations have improved."

US election key

Both Abuza and Hiebert believe that Vietnam is pushing hard to secure the upgrade before the November U.S. election that could bring Trump back into office.

"Trump began an investigation of Vietnam's dumping just before the end of his administration. He may again start that process," said Hiebert, who was senior director for Southeast Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before joining CSIS.

But Vietnam's campaign faces opposition from within the U.S.

More than 30 U.S. lawmakers in January sent joint letters to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging the Biden administration not to grant market economy status to Vietnam. They argued that Vietnam did not meet the procedural requirements for a change of status and that granting Hanoi's wish would be "a serious mistake."

The U.S. designated Vietnam as a nonmarket economy in 2002 during an anti-dumping investigation into Vietnamese catfish exports. Over the past 21 years, the U.S. has imposed anti-dumping duties on many Vietnamese exports, including agricultural and industrial products.

In a request sent to Raimondo to initiate a changed circumstances review, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade said that over the past 20 years, the economy of Vietnam "has been through dramatic developments and reforms." It said 72 countries recognize Vietnam as a market economy, notably the U.K., Canada, Australia and Japan.

'Unfairly traded Chinese goods'

U.S. manufacturing groups have expressed opposition to Vietnam's request, arguing that Vietnam continues to operate as a nonmarket economy. In comments sent to Raimondo, the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AMM) said that Vietnam "cannot reasonably be understood to demonstrate the characteristics of a market economy."

"There's still heavy intervention by the governing Communist Party [of Vietnam]," said Scott Paul, president of AMM. "There's a lot of indication that China may be using Vietnam as a platform to also export to the U.S., which is obviously concerning to firms here," he said.

In a letter dated January 28, eight senators wrote "Granting Vietnam market economy status before it addresses its clear nonmarket behavior and the severe deficiencies in its labor law will worsen ongoing trade distortions, erode the U.S. manufacturing base, threaten American workers and industries, and reinforce Vietnam's role as a conduit for goods produced in China with forced labor."

Many Chinese products have been found to be disguised or labeled as "Made in Vietnam" to avoid U.S. tariffs since Trump launched a trade war with China in 2018. Vietnam has promised to crack down on the practice.

Abuza pointed out what he called a contradiction in U.S. policy.

"Vietnam is too important to the United States economically in terms of trade and foreign direct investment, and we cannot look to Vietnam for supply chain diversification out of China if it doesn't have market economy status."

Hiebert said the U.S. "should do this and get moving" as Vietnam is "one of the U.S.' best friends in Asia and Southeast Asia and help stand up to China."

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US House passes $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

By Liam Scott April 20, 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed with bipartisan support a four-part, $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, putting the legislation on track for enactment following a long, difficult path through Congress.

The legislation includes $61 billion for Kyiv's ongoing war against Moscow's invasion, as well as $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, structured the bills so that they can be combined into one after each bill is approved, to prevent opposition to any one piece from derailing the entire deal.

"Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer history's call, passing urgently needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure," President Joe Biden said in a statement Saturday.

"I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law, and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs," he noted.

The Democratic-majority Senate is to take up the legislation early next week and then send it to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the Senate would "finish work on the supplemental with the first vote on Tuesday afternoon."

"To our friends in Ukraine, to our allies in NATO, to our allies in Israel, and to civilians around the world in need of aid: rest assured America will deliver yet again," he added.

The bill imposing new limits on the social media platform TikTok was the first of the four measures to pass Saturday, with a vote of 360-58. That measure requires Bytedance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to sell its stake within a year or face a ban in the United States. It would also allow the president to level new sanctions against Russia and Iran.

The second bill, which passed with a bipartisan majority of 385-34 votes, provided billions in aid to the Indo-Pacific region. The $8 billion bill is intended to counter China through investing in submarine infrastructure and helping Taiwan through military financing.

The third bill to pass was a significant aid package  $61 billion  for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. The bill passed with a vote of 311-112.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Congress for the passage of the aid bill.

"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X.

The bill has important implications not just for Ukraine but for all of Europe, according to Steven Moore, founder of the Ukraine Freedom Project, which delivers humanitarian and military aid to the front lines.

"[Russian President] Vladimir Putin has made it clear that if he takes Ukraine, then NATO countries are next," he told VOA. "This is not just about Ukraine. This is about standing up to a terrible human being who wants to subjugate the rest of Europe."

"This sends a message to Vladimir Putin, to Iran, to North Korea, and to China, that we are not abdicating our role as a leader in the world," added Moore, who is

based in Kyiv.

The bill's passage in the House comes after a monthslong Republican effort to block additional aid to Ukraine.

"The Republican leadership, I think, delayed this unnecessarily," Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington state, told VOA's Ukrainian Service on Saturday.

Smith said he expected the aid to be delivered to Ukraine "almost immediately" once the legislation is passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Saturday that U.S. legislation providing military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan would "deepen crisis throughout the world."

The final measure to pass Saturday was a $26 billion aid package for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs.

Biden reaffirmed support for the aid package earlier this week.

"Israel is facing unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine is facing continued bombardment from Russia that has intensified dramatically in the last month," he said in a statement.

"The House must pass the package this week and the Senate should quickly follow," Biden added. "I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won't let Iran or Russia succeed."

The weekend votes follow a rare show of bipartisanship Friday, when a coalition of lawmakers in the House helped the foreign aid package clear a procedural hurdle to advance the four-part legislation. That Friday vote passed 316-94.

Johnson went ahead with the vote despite strong opposition from some factions of his party.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia threatened to try to force a vote to oust Johnson from the speakership if he went ahead with the Ukraine aid vote. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has also called for Johnson to resign.

Still, other members of the Republican Party support Johnson and the aid package.

"You're never going to agree with every little aspect of legislation. There's always going to be things you may quibble with, but the reality is that we need to get aid to our allies," Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, told VOA's Ukrainian Service.

"The time for debate and discussion over this has long passed, and the time for action is here," he said.

VOA's Kateryna Lisunova contributed to this report. Some information came from Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Statement from President Joe Biden on House Passage of the National Security Package

April 20, 2024

Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer history's call, passing urgently-needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure.

This package will deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world; and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. It comes at a moment of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia. I want to thank Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House who voted to put our national security first. I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs.

###

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US finally agrees to pull troops out of Niger

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States has finally announced that it would pull out of Niger after over a decade of military presence in the West African country, media reported on Saturday.

The news followed a meeting between Nigerien Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in which, they agreed to develop a plan for the withdrawal of American forces, IRNA reported citing several news agencies.

"The prime minister asked us to withdraw US troops, and we have agreed to do that," a senior State Department official told on the condition of anonymity.

The timetable for the withdrawal has not yet been determined, and negotiations on the next steps are expected in the coming days, reports said.

The announcement came just days after thousands of people hit the streets if Niamey demanding the immediate departure of US soldiers.

Niger hosts a large American airbase where Washington deployed its troops in 2012 under the pretext of fighting terrorism in the region despite the Nigerien public criticism and protests.

The relations between Niger and the West became strained after last year's military coup in this African country, with the military rulers first demanding the withdrawal of French military forces.

Niger's former colonizer, France withdrew its forces in 2023 but some 1,000 American military personnel remain there.

The US tried to revise the current military agreement with Niger, but people in Niger have been demanding the withdrawal of European and American forces since the coup and the formation of a new government under Lamine Zeine.

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US House approves new military aid package for Israel

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States House of Representatives in a broad bipartisan support has approved $26 billion in military aid for Israel amid the Zionist regime's ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The Democratic-majority Senate is expected to vote on the bill (which also includes $61 billion for Ukraine) next week, before sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law.

Zionist Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the American move, claiming that the approval of billions of dollars in new military aid shows strong support for Israel, IRNA's cited media reports quoted him saying.

"The US Congress overwhelmingly passed a very commendable aid bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and the defense of Western civilization," he said in a message posted on X social media network.

Meanwhile, the House's actions during a rare Saturday session put on display some cracks in what is generally solid support for Israel within the US Congress.

Saturday's vote, in which the Israel aid was passed with 366-58 votes, saw 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans voting against.

The Democrats who voted against the bill were very vocal in their criticism of Netanyahu, according to the Al Jazeera reporter.

A day ago Wall Street Journal website wrote that the Biden administration is considering introducing a new arms deal to transfer arms worth billions of dollars to Israel, including tank ammunition, military vehicles, and mortar rounds.

This is the largest military deal that the United States has made with Israel since the start of the regime's war on Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 20 April 2024 - Day 787

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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 19 April 2024, Russia carried out airstrikes using Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE C strategic bombers likely against targets in southern Ukraine. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine announced that they had shot down one of the bombers, with reports circulating online that appeared to show a single BACKFIRE losing control in the air, and subsequently crashing into a field.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that a BACKFIRE had crashed and that a Search and Rescue Mission was ongoing but did not admit to the shoot-down. However, it is almost certain that reports of a S-200 missile (SA-5) being used are accurate and that this was another successful Ukrainian action against the Russian Air Force. This system is likely the same system used to shoot down a Russian A-50 MAINSTAY on 23 February 2024.

This is the first instance of a strategic bomber being shot down by Ukrainian Air Defence systems. It is highly likely that Russia has now sustained at least 100 fixed-wing combat aircraft losses to date.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of April 20, there were 91x tactical engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 14x missile and 48x air strikes, 61x MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. Russia conducts subversion, continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. More than 20x settlements, including Sen'kivka, Leonivka, Yanzhulivka (Chernihiv oblast), Pozhnya, Klyusy, Pokrovka, Popivka (Sumy oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kup'yans'k and Lyman axes: Russian forces conducted no offensives. However, Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Stepova Novoselivka, Ivanivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9x attacks in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces attempted to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strike in the vicinities of Novosadove, Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 25x attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Klishchiivka, Ivanivske, Novyi (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian adversary attempted to improve its tactical position. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Chasiv Yar and New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x attacks in the vicinities of Semenivka, Ocheretyne, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Umans'ke, Yasnobrodivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novobakhmutivka, Oleksandropil', Soloviove and Novooleksandrivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Semenivka, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Netailove (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to block Russian forces near Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian invaders, with air support, made 17x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Shakhtars'ke, Velyka Novosilka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces, with air support, launched 1x attack on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Stepove, Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. In particular during the day of April 20, the invaders, using air attacks, executed 3x unsuccessful attacks on positions of the Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20 settlements, including Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novotyahynka, Ponyativka, Sadove, Ol'hivka, Mykolaivka, Veletens'ke (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson.

During the day of April 20, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 9x concentrations of Russian troops.

The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 1x concentration of troops, 1x ammunition depot, 1x air defense system, 1x concentration of weapons and military equipment of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Zapad Group of Forces' units captured more advantageous lines and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 77th airmobile, 43rd mechanised, and 110th territorial defence brigades near Beryozovka, Senkovo, and Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region).

Three attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 63rd mechanised, 12th and 18th national guard brigades were repelled close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 79th air assault, 46th airmobile, 22nd and 67th mechanised brigades close to Maksimilyanovka, Stupochki, Paraskoviyevka, and Kalinina (Donetsk People's Republic).

Three counterattacks of the AFU 28th Mechanised Brigade's units were repelled west of Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 610 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one ammunition depot, as well as one Nota electronic warfare station.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation and repelled eight counterattacks launched by assault groups of AFU 25th airborne, 23rd, 24th, 100th, and 115th mechanised brigades close to Novobakhmutovka, Leninskoye, Pervomayskoye, and Novokalinovo (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 355 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one Czech-made 152-mm Dana self-propelled gun, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer were hit.

The Vostok Group of Forces' units captured more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd mechanised, 128th territorial defence brigades near Staromayorskoye and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 120 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, four ammunition depots, as well as one Anklav electronic warfare station.

The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 23rd national guard, 121st territorial defence brigades close to Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region), Mikhaylovka and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were more than 30 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one aviation fuel depot, two transport infrastructure facilities used for military purposes, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 112 areas.

Russian air defence units have shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force, 213 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as five French-made Hammer aerial guided bombs.

In total, 591 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 22,095 unmanned aerial vehicles, 506 air defence missile systems, 15,812 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,267 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,991 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 21,183 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Chinese hackers infiltrated critical US infrastructure, prepared for disruptive attacks: FBI chief

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:10 AM

The head of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says that Chinese hackers have purportedly burrowed into critical US infrastructure, waiting for "the right moment" to launch their disruptive attacks.

FBI Director Chris Wray alleged that Chinese government-linked hackers had already infiltrated critical infrastructure of the US and were waiting "for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow."

During a speech delivered at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, the FBI chief claimed that an ongoing Chinese hacking campaign - known as Volt Typhoon - had successfully burrowed into numerous American companies in telecommunications, energy, water and other critical sectors, with 23 pipeline operators targeted.

Wray further said at the 2024 Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats that China was allegedly developing the "ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing."

"Its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic," he further claimed.

Wray's allegations came as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stressed on Monday that Volt Typhoon hacker group is a ransomware cybercriminal organization without state or regional support background.

Lin also noted at the time that it is known to all that the US is the biggest source of cyber attacks and the biggest threat to cyber security.

Separately, the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement that "some in the US have been using origin-tracing of cyber attacks as a tool to hit and frame China, claiming the US to be the victim while it's the other way round, and politicizing cyber security issues."

Wray speculated that the hacking effort is connected to US-Chinese tensions around Taiwan, a self-ruled island that is considered by China as part of its own territory.

Last year, the Director of National Intelligence alleged that Beijing was attempting to build the capability to deter possible US intervention in a crisis between China and Taiwan by 2027.

The FBI chief, however, stressed that it was no longer correct to expect threats from China to be executed in the long term as some of the planning for that possibility is being carried out now.

"A few years ago, we might have said China represents the most significant long-term threat. That's no longer the best way to describe the danger," Wray alleged.

The rivalry between the US and China has intensified in recent years, with Beijing's growing international clout and rapid economic progress emerging as a viable counter-weight to the US.

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Wang warns against provoking camp confrontation in the South Pacific region during PNG visit

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci Published: Apr 20, 2024 10:41 PM Updated: Apr 21, 2024 12:50 AM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized Saturday that China's assistance to Pacific Island Countries (PICs) has always been free of political conditions and impositions while warning that the AUKUS trilateral security partnership formed by the US, the UK, and Australia will bring instability to the region.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference after he met with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang said that China's assistance to PICs has always been free of political conditions and impositions, and China has never issued "blank checks". And he also called on the international community to pay more attention to the special situation and legitimate concerns of the PICs, to focus on issues of the greatest concerns to them, such as climate change and improvement of people's livelihoods, and to come up with more ideas, more solutions, more practical work and more good deeds.

The island countries are the homeland of their people, not the "backyard" of any major power, Wang said at the press conference.

Wang also noted that the AUKUS security partnership is stubborn to initiate the development of nuclear submarines into the region, which violates the principles of the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty and poses serious risks of nuclear proliferation. Recently, the US, the UK and Australia have even attempted to rope in more countries to join under various pretexts. Such acts of creating bloc confrontation, sowing division, and exacerbating opposition run completely counter to the urgent needs of PICs and go against the tide of global development.

The senior Chinese diplomat's visit to the PNG, the largest island country among the South Pacific Island countries and home to the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum, showed again China's high regard not only for the PNG but also for Pacific Island countries, sending the message that despite the volatile global situation, China's support for the PICs is steadfast and unwavering, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Centre of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Saturday.

More importantly, the Chinese Foreign Minister once again reaffirmed China's diplomatic stance, the significance of which extends beyond the scope of this trip itself, contrasting to the US' and West's double standards and the camp confrontation they create in the region.

China is not only enhancing cooperation with PNG in traditional fields such as economic and trade aspects but also continuously signing agreements on issues of utmost concern to the South Pacific island nation, including climate change, Chen said.

Any attempt to provoke camp confrontation in the South Pacific region does not serve the urgent needs of South Pacific island countries, Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has repeatedly emphasized China's commitment to peace and development in the international community during this visit, which is not only an important commitment as a responsible major country but also a clear statement of China's stance on fairness and justice in the international community, in sharp contrast to the US vetoing Palestine's bid for full UN membership, and the AUKUS, essentially a small clique formed by the US targeting China, observers said.

The international community is extremely dissatisfied and disappointed with the US' veto in the Security Council against Palestine's membership as a full-fledged UN member state, Wang said.

As the Asia-Pacific region is a vital engine for global economic development, any disruption to local peace and stability will seriously affect global development and prosperity. The expansion of AUKUS will directly impact global stability and development, thus triggering concern of the international community and all peace-loving people, Chen said.

Although governments and people of various countries in the international community have their own political wisdom and sensitivity, they understand that the strategic intent and goal of Western countries are to maintain their regional and global hegemony. Therefore, from this perspective, such schemes are destined to fail, the expert said.

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China's assistance to Pacific island countries free of political conditions, impositions: Wang Yi

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Apr 20, 2024 08:27 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday that China's assistance to Pacific island countries has always been free of political conditions and impositions, and China has never issued "blank checks".

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference after he met with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

He called on the international community to pay more attention to the special situation and legitimate concerns of the Pacific island countries, to focus on issues of the greatest concerns to them, such as climate change and improvement of people's livelihoods, and to come up with more ideas, more solutions, more practical work and more good deeds.

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Blinken to visit China amid claims about Russia support

The US secretary of state on Friday accused China of 'fueling' Moscow's war in Ukraine.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.04.20 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China on Wednesday, according to a senior State Department official, in a trip that comes as he and others in Washington accuse Beijing of "fueling" Russia's war in Ukraine by helping to resupply its military.

Blinken will travel to Shanghai and Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plans ahead of time. The official said he could not yet confirm that Blinken would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.

The trip will attempt to build on recent diplomatic outreach to Beijing, the official explained, but would also necessitate "clearly and directly communicating [American] concerns on bilateral, regional and global issues" where China and the United States differ on policy.

Among other issues, Blinken will raise "deep concerns" about alleged Chinese business support for Russia's defense industrial base, the crisis in the Middle East and also in Myanmar, the issue of Taiwan and China's recent "provocations" in the South China Sea, he said.

But the official played down the likelihood of results, with many of the differences between Washington and Beijing now deep-seated.

"I want to make clear that we are realistic and clear-eyed about the prospects of breakthroughs on any of these issues," he said.

He also demurred when asked if Blinken would meet Xi on Friday, as is rumored. But he said more scheduling details will be released later.

"It's safe for you to expect that he'll spend considerable time with his counterpart ... Foreign Minister Wang Yi," he said. "We are confident our Chinese hosts will arrange a productive and constructive visit."

'Fueling' the Ukraine war

American officials have since last week accused Chinese businesses of keeping Russia's war effort afloat by exporting technology needed to rebuild the country's defense industrial base that supplies its military.

Speaking to reporters on Friday on the Italian island of Capri ahead of the Group of 7 foreign ministers' meeting, Blinken said U.S. intelligence had "not seen the direct supply of weapons" from China to Russia but instead a "supply of inputs" required by Russia's defense industry.

The support was "allowing Russia to continue the aggression against Ukraine," he said, by allowing Moscow to rebuild its defense capacity, to which "so much damage has been done to by the Ukrainians."

"When it comes to weapons, what we've seen, of course, is North Korea and Iran primarily providing things to Russia," Blinken said.

"When it comes to Russia's defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China," he explained. "We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, [and] other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade."

Beijing was attempting, Blinken said, to secretly aid Russia's war in Ukraine while openly courting improved relations with Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Xi in Beijing on Tuesday, and Xi is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris next month.

"If China purports, on the one hand, to want good relations with Europe," he said, "it can't, on the other hand, be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War."

The G-7 group, which also includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, also released a statement on Friday calling on China "to press Russia to stop its military aggression."

The seven foreign ministers also expressed their concern "about transfers to Russia from business in China of dual-use materials and components for weapons and equipment for military production."

In an email to Radio Free Asia, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, did not deny Blinken's claims.

But he said China "is not a party to or involved in the Ukraine crisis" and that the country's position on the war is "fair and objective."

"We actively promote peace talks and have not provided weapons to either side of the conflict," Liu said. "At the same time, China and Russia have every right to normal economic and trade cooperation, which should not be interfered with or restricted."

Not the only tension

Blinken's trip will come amid a slew of other squabbles between the world's two major powers bubbling since last year's Xi-Biden talks.

In a speech at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, FBI Director Christopher Wray repeated claims he made to Congress earlier this year that Chinese hackers were targeting key U.S. infrastructure and waiting to "wreak havoc" in case of a conflict.

On April 11, Biden notably warned Beijing that the United States would come to the aid of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea if they were attacked by China, calling the commitment "ironclad."

On the economic front, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who herself visited Beijing this month, has slammed Beijing for what she says is over-subsidization of green technology, with cheap Chinese exports crippling development of competing industries worldwide.

Xi also expressed concerns to Biden during a phone call on April 2 about a bill that would allow the U.S. president to ban the popular social media app TikTok, which U.S. officials have called a national security threat, if its Chinese parent company does not divest.

China, meanwhile, on Friday forced Apple to scrub social media apps WhatsApp and Threads, both owned by Facebook parent company Meta, from its App Store, citing "national security concerns."

Blinken will be joined on his trip by Liz Allen, the under secretary for public diplomacy and public Affairs; Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific; Todd Robinson, the undersecretary for narcotics and law enforcement; and Nathaniel Fick, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for cyberspace and digital policy.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Senior State Department Official Previewing Secretary Blinken's Upcoming Travel to the People's Republic of China

US Department of State

Special Briefing

Office of the Spokesperson

April 19, 2024

Via Teleconference

April 20, 2024

MODERATOR: All right and good afternoon, everybody, and thanks so much for joining us on this preview call to preview some forthcoming travel that Secretary Blinken is going to be undertaking. This call is going to be on background, attributable to senior State Department officials. Not for reporting but just so folks are aware, joining us today as our speaker is [Senior State Department Official]. Again, we'll do this call on background from Senior State Department Officials, and it will also be under embargo till 2:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, Saturday, April 20th. We'll have some time for questions at the end, but I want to go ahead and pass it over to [Senior State Department Official] to kick us off.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Thank you, [Moderator], and good afternoon, everyone. Really delighted to be with you. I wanted to let you know that Secretary Blinken will travel to the People's Republic of China April 24 through 26. He will meet with senior PRC officials in both Shanghai and Beijing. The Secretary will be joined by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson, and Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick.

The Secretary's visit will, of course, build on our intensive diplomacy over the past year to responsibly manage the U.S.-China relationship by strengthening lines of communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation and conflict. The Secretary's trip will follow President Biden and President Xi's summit meeting in Woodside, California in November, National Security Advisor Sullivan's meeting with Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok in January, DHS Secretary Mayorkas's meeting with MPS Minister Wang Xiaohong in Vienna in February, Secretary Blinken's meeting with Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich in February, Treasury Secretary Yellen's trip to Guangzhou and Beijing earlier this month, and Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink and NSC Senior Director Beran's recent meetings in Beijing.

We are in a different place than we were a year ago, when the bilateral relationship was at an historic low point. We have set out to stabilize the bilateral relationship without sacrificing our capacity to strengthen our alliances, compete vigorously, and defend our interests. We also believe, and we have also clearly demonstrated, that responsibly managing competition does not mean we will pull back from measures to protect U.S. national interests.

The Secretary has three primary objectives for his trip to China: first, making progress on key issues; second, clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral, regional, and global issues; and third, responsibly managing competition, again, so that it does not result in miscalculation or conflict. We've grounded these objectives in the administration's approach to the PRC, which you have heard many times, of course, and that's namely our invest, align, and compete strategy. We've made significant progress on each pillar of our strategy, and we believe that our doing so has strengthened our competitive position.

We've invested in the foundations of American strength with historic legislation on infrastructure, chips and science, and clean energy. We have reinvigorated our network of alliances and partnerships. I think many of you know these elements of our strategy well, but I do want to draw attention to some of the remarkable things we've achieved with our allies and partners really just over the past several weeks. For example, just two weeks ago Secretary Blinken was in Brussels, where he joined the sixth U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, and then consulted at NATO with foreign ministers on our collective security, including those regarding our shared challenges with the PRC.

Last week here in Washington, the United States hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida at the White House for a state visit, as well as the first-ever trilateral leaders' summit between the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines. And this week in Capri, the Secretary and other G7 foreign ministers discussed supporting Ukraine against Russia's war of aggression, addressing the crisis in the Middle East, stabilizing Haiti, and deepening partnerships around the world on issues of mutual interest.

I would also note that the UN General Assembly has adopted by consensus in the last month a U.S.-led resolution on artificial intelligence, co-sponsored by more than 120 member states, marking the first time that UN member states have spoken with one voice to define a global consensus on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems for advancing sustainable development.

At the same time, we have continued to take actions to protect our interests and values, ranging from steps to protect our data, our critical infrastructure, addressing the unlevel playing field for U.S. workers and companies created by the PRC's nonmarket practices, and ensuring that advanced and sensitive technologies that our companies are developing do not become a source of vulnerability.

We will build on the momentum of the successes we have achieved, and we will keep working to manage our competition with the PRC responsibly. We believe that investing in our strengths at home and strengthening our alliances abroad have helped create the conditions for more effective diplomacy with the PRC.

Now let me say just a little bit more about each of the Secretary's three goals for this trip. First, making progress on key issues. We believe that high-level diplomacy allows for us to press for progress on issues that matter to the American people and the world and where direct engagement with the PRC is particularly important. For example, in Shanghai and Beijing, the Secretary will focus on implementing the leaders' commitments in San Francisco to advance cooperation on issues such as counternarcotics, bolster mil-mil communication, and establish talks on artificial intelligence risks and safety. The Secretary will also explore ways to strengthen people-to-people ties. And of course, Under Secretary Allen, Assistant Secretary Robinson, and Ambassador Fick will help lead our efforts on these key issues.

We have seen initial progress, of course, and good momentum coming out of San Francisco, but we recognize that implementation is key, and that will require assiduous follow-up in the weeks and months ahead.

Second, the Secretary will clearly and directly communicate U.S. concerns on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. As he always does, he will stand up and speak out for our values and our interests. The Secretary will raise clearly and candidly our concerns on issues ranging from human rights, unfair economic and trade practices, to the global economic consequences of PRC industrial over-capacity. The Secretary will also reiterate our deep concerns regarding the PRC's support for Russia's defense industrial base. He will discuss the crisis in the Middle East, and of course, the Secretary will discuss challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including PRC provocations in the South China Sea, as well as the DPRK's threatening rhetoric and reckless actions. He will also discuss the crisis in Burma. The Secretary will also reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

And third and finally, the Secretary will make clear that the United States intends to responsibly manage our competition with the PRC. We believe that intense competition requires intense diplomacy on a range of issues, and in-depth, face-to-face diplomacy is particularly important to managing tensions endemic to strategic competition between two major powers. As we continue to take actions to protect our interests and values, we'll maintain open channels of communication to clearly communicate our positions and policies so as to, again, prevent misperception or miscalculation.

I want to make clear that we are realistic and clear-eyed about the prospects of breakthroughs on any of these issues, but we will continue to use diplomacy to communicate our positions and policies, clear up misperceptions, and underscore that we will continue to take actions to protect our national security and economy. Our primary focus is not solely on deliverables, but rather to have candid, direct, and constructive discussions that defend U.S. national interests and, again, prevent miscalculation.

We expect additional high-level diplomacy and interactions to occur in the coming weeks and months. I want to assure you that the United States is committed to responsibly managing our competition with China, and we know that that's what the world expects of us.

So [Moderator], let me stop there. I'll turn back to you for questions and answers. Thanks very much.

MODERATOR: Thanks so much, everybody. I really, really appreciate it. If you have a question, please use the raise hand function on your Zoom interface, and we'll get through as many questions as we can. Why don't we first start with Shaun Tandon from AFP.

QUESTION: Hey [Senior State Department Official], and thanks for doing this. Hope you're doing well. Could I follow up on a couple of the concerns that you said will be raised? Russia and Ukraine. Are there specific asks the Secretary will have? I know that more generally there have been concerns about building up the Russian industrial base, defense industrial base. Are there specific asks, things that he'll be asking China to do or not to do, regarding that? And how receptive do you think they have been, maybe in the PRC, to that so far about the U.S. concerns on Russia?

And also on Taiwan, I know there are the usual lines on Taiwan, but the inauguration is coming up with the new president. Are there any asks of China in terms of keeping stability during that period? Thanks.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Shaun, nice to hear from you. Thanks for your questions. Look, I think it's safe to say both of the issues that you raised will feature prominently during the discussions that the Secretary will have in Beijing. I think you'll see that the Secretary even today has spoken, together with his G7 foreign ministerial counterparts, about the depth of our concern about the transfers to Russia from businesses in the PRC of a range of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production. And of course, the concern there is that through Chinese support, Russia has largely reconstituted its defense industrial base, which has an impact not just on the battlefield in Ukraine but poses a larger threat, we believe, to broader European security. So that's deeply concerning to us. We'll express those concerns to China and we will express our intent to have China curtail that support which is having - which is starting to pose, of course, such a threat to European security.

Also on cross-strait issues, of course, Shaun, I think you can - you can expect that the Secretary will underscore both in private and public America's abiding interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We think that is vitally important for the region and the world. And our expectation will be - particularly during this important and sensitive time leading up to the May 20 inauguration - that all countries will contribute to peace and stability, avoid taking provocative actions that may raise tensions, and demonstrate restraint. That will be our message going forward.

MODERATOR: Great. Let's next go to the line of Nike Ching with Voice of America.

QUESTION: Thank you, good afternoon. Thank you so much for this pre-call briefing. I would like to ask schedule, some housekeeping thing. Is the meeting between Secretary Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected in Beijing next Friday?

And then a follow-up on China's providing material support for Russia. Senior officials have renewed warnings to China against helping Russia's defense industrial base. What leverage does the U.S. have to follow through its warning that it is prepared to take further steps as necessary?

And finally, if I may, is there any indication that China will use its influence over Iran to prevent escalation in the Middle East or do you think it's under control now and there is no need for China to weigh in? Thank you.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Thank you, Nike. Nice to hear from you. Look, on the schedule, Nike, I think - I think we'll have more to share on the specifics of the Secretary's schedule as we get a little bit closer to the visit itself. As I did indicate, the Secretary will go both to Shanghai and Beijing, and of course I think it's safe for you to expect that he'll spend considerable time with his counterpart Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. But I think beyond that, we'll provide additional information at a later date. But here's what I will say: We are confident that our Chinese hosts will arrange a productive and constructive visit, and we're very grateful to them for their efforts to do so and the hospitality that we know that they will provide.

On your question - I believe your second question was about the - Chinese support for the Russian defense industrial base. Look, Nike, I don't have anything specific to announce to you today, but I'll just underscore that as you've seen us demonstrate over the past many weeks and months, we're committed to taking the steps necessary to defend our national interests, and we're prepared to take steps when we believe necessary against firms that are taking steps in contravention to our interests and in ways that - as we've indicated here - severely undermine security in both Ukraine and Europe. And I think we've demonstrated our willingness to do so regarding firms from a number of countries, not just China. And at any rate, again, I think this will be a key issue of discussion while we're in Beijing.

And then finally you asked about Iran. I'll just underscore here that, of course, we have been in contact with Chinese counterparts. Secretary Blinken has had the opportunity to be in touch with Wang Yi, and others of us have had the opportunity to interact with Chinese interlocutors. And I think we've underscored to them the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, the need for all sides to show restraint, and of course we've asked - we've expressed our interest in China to use whatever channels or influence it has to try to convey the need for restraint to all parties, including Iran. And I think you've seen in China's own public readouts that they in fact have engaged with Iranian counterparts and have called for restraint.

Thank you.

MODERATOR: Great. Let's next go to Michael Birnbaum with The Washington Post.

QUESTION: Hi. Sorry, I was muted. Thanks for doing this. Just a

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Michael, I seem to have lost you.

QUESTION: Can you hear me?

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Now you're back.

QUESTION: Okay. Sorry about that. Question about the Russia-China thing. I mean - I guess I - I'm just trying to understand what kind of assurances or thoughts you can give us that China will actually listen to you in terms of trying to - you're trying to get it to restrict its helping the Russian defense industrial base. I mean, you mentioned the potential of kind of negative consequences for Chinese companies. Is there any - are there any carrots that you're offering them, the government or companies, loosening restrictions on other things if they'll go along with your requests? I mean, it just seems like the overall context is one in which the relations between China and the U.S. are not particularly good, you have a lot of restrictions already in place, and so I guess I'm just wondering how you think you'll manage to make a difference in these talks.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Well, Michael, I do appreciate the candid question. Look, here's what I would say: Certainly, as I tried to outline in my opening comments, we do place a value on our diplomacy with the PRC, including because it's really the only way to effectively convey, I think, in detail and clearly the depth of our concerns on a range of issues, including on China's support for the Russian defense industrial base. And I think we'll be prepared to lay out why we have those concerns, the implications of that support and what it means for European security in particular, and then, of course, it will be up to China to determine its next steps.

I think the only point that I would add here, which I think will play an important role as well, is obviously friends in Europe are also deeply concerned about the implications of China's support for the Russian defense industrial base. I think you see those concerns coming out of the G7 foreign ministerial today, and my expectation is that friends in Europe will have opportunities to express those concerns both in public and private to Chinese friends as well. So I think our objective will be to clearly make the case what the implications are of this support and why that may in fact not be in China's interest going forward.

MODERATOR: Let's next go to Simon Lewis with Reuters.

QUESTION: Hi. Thanks, [Moderator], and hi, [Senior State Department Official]. Firstly, since Todd Robinson is on the trip, I wonder if you could talk a bit about what you're hoping to achieve on fentanyl, and particularly whether you'll be raising some of the concerns that have been raised by the House of Representatives this week regarding China sort of effectively subsidizing fentanyl substances. Is that something that you would - you will raise directly and whether - and that you might hope to get some action on?

And secondly, [Senior State Department Official], I just wondered if - you mentioned that the crisis in Burma will come up. I wonder what kind of help you are asking the Chinese for to try to resolve that crisis. Thanks.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Simon, thanks very much for your question. I missed a little bit at the beginning, but I think I understood the two questions to be first on fentanyl and then on the crisis in Burma.

Look, on fentanyl, I think, obviously, the Secretary will be prepared to raise this issue as one of the most important issues on the U.S.-China agenda today, both because of the incredibly harmful impact that fentanyl and these - and the role that chemical precursors play in the synthetization of fentanyl and what that means. Again, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans 18 to 49. So as the President had done - excuse me - as the President had done in Woodside, we'll underscore how important this issue is to the United States. We'll underscore why we believe it's in China's interests to cooperate in reducing and ending the flow of chemical precursors to the United States, and given the agreements that were reached at Woodside, we'll focus primarily on follow-up. And I think the key there, I would say, Simon, is making sure that we get down to detailed implementation of the agreement, particularly between our respective law enforcement agencies, and that's what we're focused on: implementation and concrete progress to curb the flow of these chemical precursors.

I think regarding the crisis in Burma, I would just say it is in no one's interest to see the potential of a failed state in the heart of Southeast Asia. I think it's clear that the United States and China have a shared interest in trying to preserve peace and stability in Southeast Asia. We have, I think, a shared interest in trying to reduce the level of violence in Southeast Asia, and we'll - the level of violence in Myanmar in particular, and I think we'll make clear as well that U.S. policy is predicated not just on taking steps to compel the regime to reduce and end violence, but also to release prisoners and increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Burma. So I think - I would anticipate the Secretary will be prepared to lay out what our policy is, to lay out the areas where we think we have a shared interest, and to see if at a minimum we can ensure that we're not working at cross purposes or if perhaps there is a way that we could together contribute to those shared goals in Burma. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Let's next go to Michael Gordon with The Wall Street Journal.

QUESTION: Thank you. One and a half questions, a follow-up and then a question.

You mentioned the effort the U.S. has made to reach out to European nations on China's support for Russian defense industry and its rehabilitation that began with Secretary Blinken's trip to Europe in the early part of the month, his meeting with Macron, April 4th foreign ministers meeting, and now again with Capri. So my question is: What specific actions are the Europeans telling you they are prepared to take as a result of your consciousness-raising initiative here?

And my second question is in November the director-general of the Chinese Department of Arms Control met with Mallory Stewart to engage in a dialogue on arms control and nonproliferation measures. What progress has been made since then, if any, in advancing this dialogue either in discussions or specific steps on the Chinese side?

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Michael, thanks for your question. Look, on Chinese support for the Russian defense industrial base, I think all I'll say is that obviously European partners as much as anyone have a vested interest in doing everything possible to reduce Chinese support of Russia that's having such a negative effect on European security. So, and I think you saw - as I indicated earlier, I think you saw coming out of some of the statements from the G7 foreign ministerial today that I think our European partners obviously share these concerns. And our goal will be to work collaboratively going forward to share those concerns with China and work towards a reduction of that - of that support.

On the - on interaction with Chinese counterparts responsible for arms control, I don't have anything on that with me. I think it might be safer for me to get back to you, consult with my colleague Mallory. But look, I mean, I'll just say in general terms we do have a number of specific interactions with Chinese counterparts designed - designed to advance our shared interests and protect U.S. national interests. Certainly, we have a range of concerns about certain elements of the Chinese military buildup, but as for that specific interaction I'd have to get back to you on any further details. I'm happy to do that. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Let's next go to Laura Kelly.

QUESTION: Hi, thanks - oh, hi, thanks so much for taking my question. I'm wondering if you can talk about what needs to happen for the State Department to lower its Level 3 travel warning for China, and if any steps on that are looking to be taken in the near future or at all.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Laura, thanks very much for the question. Look, I think, again, all I'll say here in general terms is the United States takes very seriously its responsibility. This is our top - I would argue perhaps our most important - responsibility, which is to do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of American citizens overseas.

When we are aware of conditions in a country that we both believe pose a risk to American citizen residents or travelers to those countries, we have an obligation to make clear what those risks are. And the current travel advisory warning for the PRC is based on a range of concerns about how Chinese law has been applied in a certain sector, about the detention of certain American citizens, and other cases that have caused us concern.

So we're very clear and transparent and public about that. We've raised those concerns with Chinese counterparts - again, raised concerns about specific cases involving detentions and exit bans, raised concerns about the opaque and arbitrary application of certain national security laws, and we'll continue to raise those concerns. I'm confident that the Secretary will raise these concerns while he's in China. And it is the case, really with any country around the world, if we find that those conditions - those concerns, rather, are addressed, and through addressing those concerns there's a material impact on the conditions that resulted in that warning level, we'll, of course, re-evaluate and, as appropriate, adjust.

But really, this is a pretty rigorous process. The focus is on safety and security of the American citizen traveling public, and that'll be our focus going forward. But I'm confident these issues will be discussed while the Secretary is in China. Thanks very much.

MODERATOR: All right, let's - we've got time for one last question, and let's go to Lalit Jha with the Press Trust of India.

QUESTION: Yeah, thank you for doing this. I wanted to ask you about - recently India's foreign secretary was here, and I guess China was one of the major conversation between the two countries. Would Secretary during his meetings would raise the concern that China's neighbors has with China regarding the incursion to the border - borders and in causing other activities with its neighbors? Thank you.

SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Lalit, thanks very much for your question. Look, I think this is what I would say in response to your question. Look, we continue to underscore that as the United States of America we stand for the respect of international law, for the peaceful resolution of disputes, for ensuring that territorial - territorial disputes are resolved peacefully, and that any and all territorial claims are rooted in international law. And in instances where, whether it's China or any other countries act in ways in contravention of international law or act in aggressive ways that are escalatory or coercive, we are, of course - we are, of course, going to speak out against such actions. But again, the focus from our perspective is the importance of maintaining peace and stability and the peaceful resolution of such disputes.

And I guess the only other thing that I would add is that we certainly stand for investing in the collective capacity of our friends, partners, and allies so that all friends and partners have the ability to defend their own national interests. And I think through that process, we actually believe - we believe that doing so contributes to stability, which is in our collective interest going forward.

I'll also just underscore, as we often say, the United States of America is not in the business of asking friends and partners to choose between the United States and China, but we do want to ensure that partners always have the ability to make their own choices and their own sovereign decisions free from coercion. That's what we stand for, and we continue to make that clear at every opportunity. Thanks for your question.

MODERATOR: All right, everybody. Thanks so much for joining us today. Again, just a reiteration of the ground rules: This call was on background, attributable to senior State Department officials, and it is under embargo till 2 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, Saturday, April 20th. Thanks again, everybody. Really appreciate it.

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Blinken returns to China next week amid ongoing tensions, with no breakthrough expected

By Nike Ching April 20, 2024

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to China April 24 through 26 for talks with senior officials in Shanghai and Beijing.

Blinken's second trip to China comes as the United States warns it against enabling Russia in its war on Ukraine, with Chinese firms directly supplying critical components for Russia's defense industrial base.

Other pressing matters on the agenda include counternarcotics, bolstering military-to-military communication, establishing talks on artificial intelligence risks and safety, and exploring ways to strengthen people-to-people ties, according to the State Department.

A senior State Department official said in a briefing Friday the U.S. is "realistic and clear eyed about the prospects of breakthroughs" on any of the issues on the agenda. Some analysts said they do not anticipate any major advances to emerge from the talks.

China aiding Russia in Ukraine war

In a joint statement this week, foreign ministers from the G7 leading industrialized nations urged China to stop transferring dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production.

U.S. officials said those materials include significant quantities of microelectronics, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missile technology, and nitrocellulose, which Russia uses to make propellants for weapons.

"China can't have it both ways" -- helping Russia and keeping good relations with Europe, Blinken told reporters at a press conference in Capri, Italy, Friday.

A senior State Department official told VOA during a virtual briefing Friday that the United States is "prepared to take steps" when necessary, against Chinese firms that "severely undermine security in both Ukraine and Europe."

The United States may sanction Chinese banks that facilitate the transfer of these materials, according to analysts. Washington has sanctioned Chinese individuals and companies that provide material support to Russia, and is enlisting European allies for similar measures.

"In contrast to the United States, the European Union has not really sanctioned Chinese individuals or companies to the same degree," Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, told VOA.

Grieco said the U.S. is working with other G7 members to garner more support from European nations to take similar actions.

Beijing dismissed what Chinese officials labeled as Washington's attempt to "smear" or "attack the normal relations between China and Russia."

China maintains it regulates the export of dual-use materials to Russia in accordance with laws. The U.S. "should not harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies," Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said during a recent briefing.

Taiwan

Blinken's visit to China is scheduled just weeks before the inauguration of Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te on May 20.

The U.S. is sending an unofficial delegation to attend his inauguration, which includes former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Laura Rosenberger, who chairs the American Institute in Taiwan.

Blinken will underscore America's enduring interest in preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"During this important and sensitive time leading up to the May 20 inauguration, all countries will contribute to peace and stability, avoid taking provocative actions that may raise tensions and demonstrate restraint. That will be our message going forward," the senior State Department official said.

Counternarcotics

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death of Americans between the ages of 18 to 49.

China remains the primary source of fentanyl-related substances trafficked through international mail and express consignment operations, serving as the main source for all fentanyl-related substances entering the United States, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

"It's in China's interest to cooperate in reducing and ending the flow of chemical precursors to the United States," the State Department official said.

He added that the U.S. delegation traveling to China next week will "get down to detailed implementation" of the agreement reached in November 2023 to restart cooperation, particularly focusing on "concrete progress" between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries to curb the flow of these chemical precursors.

Some analysts said the extent and durability of the cooperation is yet to be seen.

"China sees counternarcotics and more broadly international law enforcement cooperation as strategic tools that it can leverage to achieve other objectives," wrote Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution.

"Even though China's current goal is to reduce tensions, China's drug cooperation is vulnerable to new crises in the bilateral relationship," she added.

Blinken's visit to China is the latest in a flurry of high-level diplomacy aimed at stabilizing China-U.S. relations. It follows Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent trip to Guangzhou, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich in February, and U.S. President Joe Biden's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Woodside, California, in November.

China said it welcomes the top U.S. diplomat's visit soon.

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North Korea conducts cruise missile warhead test: State media

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 6:26 AM

North Korea's state news agency says Pyongyang has power-tested a new cruise missile featuring a "super-large warhead".

North Korea conducted a power test for a strategic cruise missile and test-fired a new anti-aircraft missile named Pyoljji [meteor] this week, KCNA reported on Saturday.

The military's Missile Administration carried out the test on Friday using a "super-large warhead" designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile, and test-launched its new anti-aircraft missile, the "Pyoljji-1-2," in the Yellow Sea, the state media added.

The Korean Central News Agency noted that a "certain goal" was successfully achieved in the test launch.

"Both tests were part of the regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defense science institutes for the rapid development of technologies ... and had nothing to do with the surrounding situation," KCNA said in an English-language dispatch.

Also, South Korea confirmed its military forces detected several rounds of cruise missiles and anti-craft missiles fired toward the Yellow Sea at around 3:30 p.m. (06:30) on Friday, and that it is now analyzing their detailed specifications.

"Our military has been closely monitoring signs of North Korea's provocations and military activities, while maintaining the robust combined defense posture," South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated.

North Korea, which declared South Korea as its "principal enemy" this year, regularly conducts missile tests to advance its military program for defense purposes and Friday's missile test marked its sixth cruise missile launch this year.

Early this month, North Korea's military conducted a test of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) from its eastern coast capable of hitting US military bases in the Western Pacific.

In March, it conducted a ground jet test for a new hypersonic IRBM, specifically focusing on the solid-fuel engine.

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Intl community calls for restraint amid Iran-Israel escalation fears

Global Times

Latest round of conflict further affects geopolitical stability

By GT staff reporters Published: Apr 19, 2024 11:35 PM Updated: Apr 19, 2024 11:55 PM

With sounds of explosions reverberating around central Iran on Friday morning, concerns of an all-out war in the Middle East are growing all over the world, as media reported that it was Israel that launched the strike, just a few days after Iran's first direct attack in retaliation to Israel's bombing of its diplomatic mission in Syria on April 1.

Israel was still silent on the incident as of press time, while Tehran seemingly downplayed it. Despite announcing sanctions on Iran, the Biden administration has distanced itself from the attack.

Analysts said although all parties seem to be avoiding escalation tacitly while maintaining their seeming toughness, the spillover effect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to ferment. Furthermore, US favoritism toward Israel makes it increasingly difficult for Washington to achieve its goal of controlling the Middle East through pursuing a strategic balance in the region.

ABC News earlier quoted an anonymous senior US official as saying that Israel had launched a missile attack against Iran. Quoting an Israeli official, the Washington Post said that it was Israel's military that carried out strikes inside Iran "in response to the Iranian retaliatory assault on April 13."

After the incident, Iran suspended flights in several areas including at Tehran and Isfahan airports, and activated its air defense, according to Iranian media. However, flight restrictions were lifted hours later, according to media reports.

Explosions were also found in a radar battalion in southern Syria and in the Al-Imam area of Babel, Iraq.

Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at Friday's press briefing that China has noted the relevant reports and stressed that it opposes any action that further escalates tensions.

More and more countries called for restraint and de-escalation on Friday. G7 foreign ministers urged "all parties" to "work to prevent further escalation" in the region during a meeting in Italy, according to Al Jazeera.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Iran, Israel and their allies to refrain from escalation in the Middle East.

Countries including France, Germany, UK, Russia, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Sweden have also expressed their concerns and called for de-escalation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that "it is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation" in the Middle East.

Tacit agreement

In contrast to what US and Israeli officials claimed was a "drone and missile attack," the Iranian side is seemingly downplaying the incident.

Iran's Fars news agency said on Friday that "three explosions" were heard near the Shekari army airbase near Isfahan. The Iranian state-owned news network Press TV reported that there was "no sign of explosion or damage" at a nuclear site near the city of Isfahan.

Iran's space agency spokesperson Hossein Dalirian said on X that several drones "have been successfully shot down by the country's air defense, there are no reports of a missile attack for now."

Iranian state-run media IRNA news agency said on Friday that "reports indicate there was no major damage or large explosions caused by the impact of any air threat," which was also confirmed to state media by senior commander of Iran's Army Siavosh Mihandoust.

Moreover, a senior Iranian official, told Reuters on condition of anonymity, "We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more toward infiltration than attack." According to the official, the Iran side has "no plan" for immediate retaliation, and the external source of the incident has to be confirmed.

In a one-word post, Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is regarded as far-right, wrote "Feeble!" on X, after Iranian military expert Ali Ahmadi described the attack as "far more limited than many expected" during a Friday interview with Al Jazeera.

According to Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, the latest attack reportedly launched by Israel was more symbolic than substantive.

Compared to Iran's retaliation against Israel's deadly bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month, the latest strike has less intensity and scale, Liu said.

Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, said that Israel's target was not a nuclear site, but the airbase related to Iran's previous missile and drone attack, which makes it more likely that Israel's intention was to warn Iran by flexing its muscles over its military strike capability.

"Israel wants to show toughness without raising the stakes too high. There was no immediate offensive response from Iran either, and it even downplayed the incident," said Liu, "It's clear that both sides are curbing the conflict from escalating into all-out war through some tacit agreement."

While the situation is not yet out of control, experts also warned of the risks under the new pattern.

There are no direct channels of communication between Iran and Israel, said Wang, noting that the way the two countries understand each other's strategic intentions comes more from the practice of "you punch me, I kick you."

In a highly hostile situation, such a pattern could easily lead to the conflict spiraling out control when there's no international push for de-escalation, Wang said.

According to Liu, it was more of a covert war between Israel and Iran in the past that was not always seen in public. However, the latest round of clashes has become a direct military conflict between the two countries, highlighting a trend of escalation.

In addition, this round of conflict between Israel and Iran has extended the scope of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from the eastern Mediterranean region to the eastern Persian Gulf region, which will affect the geopolitical stability there, Liu added.

If Iran decides to launch a counterattack later, there are basically two possibilities, according to Wang. One would be a direct long-range strike on Israeli soil, and the other would be what was most commonly used in the past, harassing Israel in border areas through Hezbollah, Houthis and Shia forces in Iraq and Syria.

A long-range strike on the Israeli mainland is unlikely to be adopted by Tehran as a countermeasure, as neither side wants the situation to spiral out of control and head toward a larger war, Liu said.

US' Mideast dilemma

Before the reported Israeli attack against Iran, the US and UK announced sanctions on Tehran in response to its missile and drone attack on Israel. According to Al Jazeera, the sanctions targeted 16 people and two entities related to drone productions and five companies that provide materials for steel production in Iran.

It also imposed travel restrictions on Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

However, analysts believed the sanctions are more of a symbolic gesture that will have very little substantial effect, and are only meaningful in pacifying Israel.

According to CNN and NBC, citing sources familiar with the matter, the US received advance notification on Thursday of an intended Israeli strike, but Washington did not endorse or play any part in the operation.

The Biden administration is facing mounting pressure from the international community to curb its support for Israel in the Gaza war, especially after Washington's representative once again and unsurprisingly vetoed the Palestinian request for full UN membership at Thursday's UN Security Council meeting.

The US wants to demonstrate its support for Israel by sanctioning Iran, while at the same time distancing itself from Israel and not wanting to get involved in a potential regional war triggered by the Israeli-Iranian conflict, Liu said, "It is a sign of deepening rifts between the US and Israel on specific issues."

According to Liu, Washington had been contemplating a strategic retrenchment in the Middle East, and did not even exclude the possibility of resuming nuclear negotiations with Iran. But with the latest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its spillover, none of this is possible anymore.

US favoritism toward Israel makes it increasingly difficult for Washington to achieve its goal of controlling the Middle East through pursuing a strategic balance in the region, Liu said.

The Biden administration is attempting to draw a red line for Israel to avoid bringing the whole region into war, but at this point, the US has virtually no way of effectively dictating the actions of all parties, Wang said.
'It was not a strike': Iran FM dismisses Israeli weapons as 'children toys'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 1:32 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has praised the combat readiness of the country's air defense systems and described the Israeli military's unmanned aerial vehicles as more like children's toys.

"What happened last night was not a strike," Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with NBC News on Friday as he commented on the sound of explosions in the country's central city of Isfahan and subsequent shots that the air defense systems fired at a suspicious object.

The top Iranian diplomat went on to emphasize that Tehran is not seeking to escalate conflict unless the Israeli regime commits a folly and launches a new attack.

"As long as there is no new adventurism by Israel against our interests, then we are not going to have any new reactions," he said.

Amir-Abdollahian, however, underscored that Iran will respond at an immediate and "maximum level" in case Israel opts to launch an attack.

"If Israel takes a decisive action against my country and this is proven to us," he said, "our response will be immediate and to the maximum and will cause them to regret it."

The Iranian foreign minister also said the Operation True Promise against Israel was intended to be "a warning." "We could have hit Haifa and Tel Aviv," he said. "We could have also targeted all the economic ports of Israel."

"But our red lines was civilians," Amir-Abdollahian pointed out. "We only had a military purpose."

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched extensive missile and drone strikes late Saturday night on the Israeli-occupied territories, marking the first direct attack by the Islamic Republic against the Israeli regime.

The series of retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied lands.

It was in retaliation for the Israeli attack on April 1 against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, located next to the embassy building in Damascus's Mezzeh district.

The airstrike killed two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.

IRGC said Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi were among the seven martyrs of the terrorist attack.

Elsewhere in his remarks on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that Iran had no prior knowledge of the Operation al-Aqsa Storm launched by Gaza-based resistance groups against Israel in October.

He described Hamas as a liberation movement opposed to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

The Iranian foreign minister called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu "unhinged," and blamed the Israeli regime for the stalled indirect negotiations with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on prisoner exchanges.

He lambasted Israel of making excessive demands to compensate for its failure to meet its objectives in the war in Gaza.

"It has not been able to destroy Hamas or to arrest the leaders inside Gaza, has not been able to disarm Hamas, has not been able to destroy the weapons and equipment," Amir-Abdollahian said.

"Therefore, it had to resort to killing women and children," he added, "and now at the negotiating table, they are trying to get what they could not get on the ground."

The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that a deal will be reached soon for the release of the hostages as part of a broad settlement.

"Hamas is ready to go ahead with the release of the captive within the format of a humanitarian political package encompassing everything," Amir-Abdollahian said.

"I think now is a good time," he said. "There is a good chance for this."

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Iran's Civil Defense examines country's preparation for potential threats

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 11:16 AM

The second meeting of a permanent committee of Iran's Civil Defense Organization was held on Saturday to evaluate the preparedness of the country's executive bodies against potential adversarial threats.

The meeting, which is the second since the start of the year, was chaired by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri and convened with the presence of the committee's members.

During the meeting, Brigadier General Gholam-Reza Jalali, the head of Iran's Civil Defense Organization and the permanent committee's secretary, presented a report on the defensive measures adopted by the Iranian executive apparatuses concerning the recent national and regional developments.

Bagheri, for his part, called for the implementation of the instructions issued by the permanent committee for the executive bodies to maintain and improve their preparation.

Monitoring the enemy's cyber activities and ensuing defensive measures as well as the financing of the civil defense plans were among the approved items in the meeting.

Reviewing the goals of the country's civil defense for the executive bodies and the exchange of agreements were among the other issues discussed in the meeting, the approval of which was postponed to the next meeting.

The permanent committee of Iran's Civil Defense Organization, headed by the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, is the highest decision-making authority in the field of civil defense in the country, whose decisions are binding for the entire military, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Iran's infrastructure has come under numerous cyber-attacks recently, particularly since the outbreak of foreign-backed riots across the country in September 2022.

The Islamic Republic has managed to thwart many of those attempting to disrupt public services.

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Iranian Nobel Laureate Fears Israel Confrontation Prelude To Tighter Domestic Crackdown

By Mohammad Zarghami April 20, 2024

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi said she fears Iran could use the confrontation with Israel as a pretext to intensify its domestic crackdown on dissent.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Ebadi, 76, said Iran's clerical establishment has previously used military confrontations and conflicts to justify "its war against the Iranian people."

Ebadi referred to the devastating 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War during which the authorities allegedly executed thousands of political prisoners and regime opponents.

Her comments came amid fears of a full-scale war between Iran and Israel. The archenemies have traded attacks and threats in recent weeks.

Israel reportedly launched an attack on Iran on April 19, almost a week after an unprecedented drone and missile assault by Tehran. Iran's attack was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian Embassy's compound in Damascus on April 1 that killed seven Iranian commanders.

"Whether a war [with Israel] breaks out or not, we have always been at war: an economic war, a war against the Iranian people, a war against women, a war against Israel, a war against the United States," Ebadi said.

Ebadi, who was a human rights lawyer in Iran for many years before she was forced into exile, cited the renewed crackdown on women who refuse to observe Iran's controversial mandatory hijab law.

Iranians have accused the police of using aggressive and sometimes violent tactics in their treatment of alleged violators in recent days.

Ebadi said the "real war" was on the streets of Iranian cities, the scene of antiestablishment protests and brutal state crackdowns in recent years.

Iranians have demanded greater social and political freedoms and taken to the streets to demand an end to clerical rule.

Sweden-based Iranian political activist Mahdieh Golrou said she also feared Iran's showdown with Israel will be used by the authorities to justify a harsher clampdown on civil society.

Scores of human rights activists, journalists, and lawyers have been arrested and sentenced to jail in recent years.

Golrou, speaking to Radio Farda, said one of the biggest casualties of any war between Iran and Israel would be people's rights and "desire for freedom and democracy."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-ebadi- golrou-crackdown-war/32912970.html

Copyright (c) 2024. 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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Iran, Israel Appear To Step Back From Moves To Spark Wider Regional Conflict

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 20, 2024

Iran and Israel appeared to be easing off actions and rhetoric that could lead to a wider Middle East conflict after a series of apparent retaliatory attacks, the latest of which featured a suspected Israeli strike on sites near the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

Tehran on April 20 downplayed the scope and impact of the reported Israeli attack that appeared to be in retaliation for an unprecedented air attack the Islamic republic launched last weekend on its sworn enemy.

Explosions rang out early on April 19 -- the 85th birthday of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- near the central city of Isfahan with reports unclear over the cause, while several major U.S. media organizations quoted U.S. government sources as saying Israel had launched an attack on targets inside Iran.

Iranian state media quoted officials in Tehran as saying the explosions were caused by air-defense systems that shot down three drones.

Israel has not commented on the report.

Reuters, citing three sources familiar with the matter, reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet initially approved plans for a strike inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to Tehran's April 14 missile and drone strike but backed off at the last minute.

The sources said three voting members of the war cabinet ruled out the most dramatic strike: an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and other sites that would likely have provoked a wider conflict.

The Reuters report said Netanyahu faced cabinet divisions and strong warnings from allies, including Washington, not to escalate matters, leading to two postponements of the limited strikes that eventually were launched.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the Chatham House in Britain, was quoted by AFP as saying the reported Israeli strike had been "calibrated to avoid damage and further Iranian aggression."

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told U.S. outlet NBC News that Tehran is investigating the incident but has not seen any indication that the attack was related to Israel.

He warned that if Israel strikes again, Iran will respond immediately and "at maximum level."

"If Israel retaliates, then we will respond. But if not, then we're done," Amir-Abdollahian told NBC News in Persian late on April 19.

He added that there are no signs to prove that this action was the work of Israel.

"They [the drones] took off from inside Iran, they flew like a few hundred meters and then they were downed, they were struck by our air defense. It's not even proven that there is a connection between these and Israel," Amir-Abdollahian said through an Iranian official interpreter.

"Two or three, they're more like toys that our children play with, not drones. It was not worth telling us," he said when asked whether any other country had warned Tehran in advance about an expected attack.

Earlier, Hossein Deliriyan, the spokesman for Iran's National Center for Cyberspace, also dismissed the U.S. media reports saying in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that "there has been no air attack from outside the borders on Isfahan or other parts of the country."

Speaking at a mosque on April 19, President Ebrahim Raisi didn't mention the attack near Isfahan and with the Israeli retaliation limited in size and scope, experts said it appeared it was aimed at deescalating soaring tensions while still sending a clear message to Tehran.

Tehran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in the early morning hours of April 14, almost all of which were shot down by Israeli defense systems, along with intercepts by forces from the United States, France, Britain, and Jordan.

The attack by Tehran had been widely anticipated in Israel following a suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, on April 1 that killed two brigadier generals.

Since then, diplomats and politicians around the world, fearing another major escalation of fighting in the Middle East, had urged restraint as they awaited Israel's response.

U.S. President Joe Biden has not made any statement about the alleged Israeli attack.

However, according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Washington informed the Group of Seven nations (G7) that it had received word from Israel on the strikes at the "last minute," but "there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was a mere information."

"I'm not going to speak to that [the suspected Israeli attack] except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after a G7 ministerial meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

Iran's state news agency IRNA said air-defense systems fired from a large air base in Isfahan that is home to Iran's aging fleet of U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Isfahan also houses facilities that are part of Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had seen no damage to Iran's nuclear sites. Earlier this week, the sites were rumored to be a possible target if Israel launched a strike inside Iran.

One of Iran's top nuclear facilities, the installation at Natanz, is located in central Isfahan. Such sites have seen several sabotage attacks that Tehran has blamed on Israel.

"IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to Iran's nuclear sites," the UN nuclear watchdog said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Director General Rafael Grossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely."

Israel and Iran have been bitter enemies for decades, but this was the first direct attack by one on the other's soil instead of through proxy forces or by targeting each other's assets operating in third countries.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-downplays- impact-israel-reported-air-attack/32913508.html

Copyright (c) 2024. 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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Two Iraqi military bases bombed by unknown aircraft near Baghdad

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:26, April 20, 2024

BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Iraqi military bases near Baghdad were bombed after midnight on Saturday by unknown aircraft, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

There are no immediate reports about casualties.

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Iraqi resistance strikes 'vital' Israeli target in Eilat after strike on PMU base

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 6:37 AM

Fighters from the Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups have launched a drone strike against a strategic target in the southernmost part of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories in response to the attack on a military base housing a coalition of anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel, claimed responsibility for the attack on the "vital" site in the port of Eilat, which lies at the northern tip of the Red Sea, on Saturday morning.

It said the drone strike was carried out in continuation of the second phase of the struggle against the occupying Israeli regime, in support of Palestinians in Gaza, and in retaliation for the massacres that the usurping Zionist entity is perpetrating against ordinary people in the besieged territory.

The group noted that the strike also came in reprisal for grave violation of Iraqi sovereignty and in response to the aggression on Hashd al-Sha'abi camps.

Earlier, at least one person was killed and eight others wounded after a military base housing Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters came under an airstrike in Iraq's central province of Babylon.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news channel reported that the "aerial assault" targeted the Calso military base south of Baghdad overnight, and hit the main entrance to the base and an office belonging to Hashd al-Sha'abi.

The report added that the attack was most likely carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles.

An unnamed Iraqi military source stated that three Iraqi military personnel had been wounded in the strike.

In a statement, Hashd al-Sha'abi said an "explosion" had inflicted "material losses" and casualties, without specifying the number of wounded.

The group confirmed that its premises on the military base had been hit and that investigators had been sent to the site.

Responding to questions from AFP, two security sources would not identify who was responsible, or say whether it had been a drone strike.

"The explosion hit equipment, weapons and vehicles," an Interior Ministry official said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Shortly after the explosion, the US military said its forces were not behind the reported strike in Iraq.

"The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today," US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on social media platform X, adding that reports that American forces had carried out a strike were "not true."

Separately, the US-led military coalition, purportedly formed to fight the Daesh terrorist group, announced in a statement that it did not participate or strike locations in Iraq.

The explosion on the Iraqi military base comes as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq vowed to proceed with its retaliatory operations until Israel stops its genocide in Gaza.

The coalition has been staging many such attacks on Israeli targets since the occupying regime launched a genocidal war on Gaza in early October.

Israel launched its atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship since Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7.

At least 34,012 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 76,833 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Netanyahu is out of control, must be contained: Iran FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 20, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has warned that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is out of control and needs to be contained.

Continuing his consultations and diplomatic meetings in New York, Amirabdollahian met Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Tor Wennesland on Friday (New York time) to discuss the developments in the region.

The Iranian foreign minister pointed to the Islamic Republic's right to defend itself within the framework of legitimate defense and international law, noting that Iran managed to conduct a major retaliatory attack on the Israeli regime but only targeted the military sites that were involved in striking the Iranian consulate in Syria.

The main factor to help restore regional stability and security is the cessation of Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as well as a sustainable ceasefire in that region, he added.

Wennesland, for his part, warned against the spill-over of tensions in the region, saying that the situation is out of control and the Palestinian people are living in regrettable circumstances.

The international community must focus on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, he said.

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UN Security Council's inaction prompted Iran to attack Israel: Amir-Abdollahian

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 2:21 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the United Nations Security Council's inaction on Israel's attacks on Iran's diplomatic premises in Syria prompted Tehran to take a retaliatory action against the regime.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone call with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on Saturday, referring to Iran's retaliatory strikes on the Israeli-occupied territories last week -- dubbed Operation True Promise.

After Israel's airstrikes on Iranian diplomatic sites in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the UN Security Council refrained from giving a proper response to the move while some permanent members of the world body (the US, Britain and France) blocked condemnation of the crime, he said.

Under its inherent right and the legitimate self-defense principle, the Islamic Republic then hit two Israeli military and intelligence bases that were used by the regime to conduct the attacks in Syria, the top Iranian diplomat emphasized.

"After the operation (True Promise), Iran announced to the international community, including the United States, that it does not seek to expand the war, but if the Israeli regime takes any action against the Islamic Republic of Iran again, it will respond strongly," Amir-Abdollahian pointed out.

In a multi-pronged attack, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at the occupied territories on April 13 in response to the regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic facilities in the Syrian capital on April 1.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus had killed two generals of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian hailed South Africa's historical initiative to file a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the regime's genocidal acts in the Palestinian territory.

In its interim ruling on January 26, the top UN court ruled that Pretoria's claims were plausible, ordering provisional measures. The Hague-based court also said that the Israeli regime had to implement steps to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.

Israel launched its brutal US-backed war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 34,012 Palestinians and injured 76,833 others.

For her part, the South African foreign minister stressed the importance of establishing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

She added that a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to South Africa in on the agenda of the African nation's political agenda for 2024.

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US House of Representatives Passes $26.38Bln Israel Aid Bill

Sputnik News

20240420

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US House of Representatives on Saturday passed legislation to provide for $26.38 billion in Israel-related aid, amid the country's conflict with Palestinian organization Hamas and Iran.

House lawmakers passed the bill, dubbed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, in a vote of 366 in favor and 58 opposed, sending it to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation provides $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system, $2.4 billion for US military operations in the region and $3.5 billion to procure advanced weapons systems, defense articles and services through the Foreign Military Financing Program.

The bill also prohibits funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency.

A Sputnik

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Netanyahu's cabinet a disaster for Israelis: Opposition leader

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 21, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Leader of the opposition and the former prime minister of the Zionist regime, Yair Lapid has once again come heavy on the far-right cabinet led by Benjamin Netanyahu, saying an election is needed right now to save Israel.

"There is no alternative to this terrible and extreme cabinet because this is a disaster that has befallen Israel," Palestinian media cited Lapid as saying.

Lapid on many occasions, especially while addressing demonstrators, has called for Netanyahu's resignation and dissolution of the far-right cabinet.

The Israeli political circles remain divided over Netanyahu's policies, including his war on Gaza. Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet had also been vocal against the ruling Zionist regime amid growing public anger.

Late on Saturday, the Zionist media gave coverage to yet another massive anti-Netanyahu demonstration in occupied Palestine and wrote that people will be hitting the streets at 55 places.

Netanyahu and his cabinet are under intense pressure as they have failed so far to achieve any of their goals in the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Israelis have been taking to the streets almost on a daily basis to demand the prime minister and his cabinet quit over their failure to get Israeli captives held in Gaza freed.

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Karen rebel forces attack stranded Myanmar junta troops on Thai border

Junta sends in airstrikes to support 200 junta troops trapped by a river across from Mae Sot.

By Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA 2024.04.20 -- Gunfire, artillery and exploding bombs could we heard early Saturday around Myawaddy, a Myanmar city on the Thai border across from Mae Sot, as an ethnic Karen army closed in on about 200 junta troops stranded near a bridge between the two countries, according to the Thai military and a Radio Free Asia reporter on the scene.

The clash comes after the Karen National Liberation Army, an armed branch of the Karen National Union, on April 10 captured most of the junta's Infantry Battalion 275 stationed outside of Myawaddy.

But 200 junta soldiers were left stranded at the customs compound at the No. 2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River that links the two countries.

The setback is the latest in a series of battlefield losses suffered by the junta as various rebel groups push the military back across the country amid the country's three-year civil war that was sparked by the junta's coup in February 2021.

The clashes started at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Thai soldiers keeping watch along the river and local residents said. The fight centered around the customs house at the bridge as the rebels apparently were intent on wiping out the remaining junta troops, they said.

"The KNU opened the charge first, the junta troops fought back," a Thai soldier who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity told RFA.

Several days ago, the junta announced "Operation Aung Zeya," aimed at retaking Myawaddy, a key city on a major trading route with Thailand.

As the sun rose Saturday morning, the Myanmar Air Force deployed several sorties of Y-12, MiG-29 and MI-35 attack helicopters amid periodic exchanges of gunfire. Some residents at the bridge watched the planes with binoculars as a few strayed rifle bullets whistled by, prompting them to duck.

Smoke billowed into the sky following each artillery shell and bomb explosion.

The casualties on both Karen and junta soldiers as well as civilians were not immediately known.

An ambulance was seen driving in and out of the neighborhood near Thailand's Yepu Hill overlooking the casinos in Myawaddy, while several hundred people living near the river were moved by truck to a livestock ranch for safety.

Thailand's foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation with Thai security agencies on the ground on high alert.

"Thailand has been and will continue to provide further humanitarian assistance if necessary and will do our utmost to ensure the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border area returns to normalcy," Nikorndej Balankura, the ministry spokesman said in a statement.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Political accord evades Myanmar's resistance groups despite battlefield bonds, gains

By Zsombor Peter April 20, 2024

As rebel forces across Myanmar continue making major gains against the country's military regime on the battlefield, resistance groups are working behind the scenes to plan for the government they want to take the junta's place.

It is not clear that the effort will succeed, and if it does not, some analysts fear a political vacuum if the junta-led government should fall.

At a so-called People's Assembly in January 2022, nearly a year after the military seized power, upwards of two dozen resistance groups endorsed a two-part charter laying out their vision for a new order that would loosely bind Myanmar's states together as a democratic and federal a or "union" a government.

Since then, though, they have been struggling to agree on just what a federal union should look like and how to build it, analysts following the talks tell VOA.

"What has propelled them thus far is this least common denominator that everyone buys into: a federal democratic system," Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington told VOA in recent days.

"But once you actually get down to brass tacks and try to define what that is, everyone all of a sudden gets cold feet and doesn't want to attach their names. I think everyone is still kind of waiting this out, seeing what else they can get," he said.

Some of Myanmar's states are home to large ethnic minority populations, which together account for roughly a third of the country's 54 million people. Rebel armies among the minorities, dubbed ethnic armed organizations, or EAOs, have been fighting Myanmar's ethnic Burman-dominated military for control of parts of those states for decades. They have been demanding a federal union that gives their states more autonomy for just as long.

The new charter is a bid to answer their call, but it remains vague on how the federal and state governments would share power in a new Myanmar.

The charter calls the states "the original owners of sovereignty" and says the union "shall consist of member states which have full rights to democracy, equality and self-determination." It adds that the specific powers of the union and of the states "shall be determined," without elaborating.

Where the power lies

Among the EAOs, debate over the charter has mostly focused on how much power each state may want to grant the union or keep for itself, said Ying Lao of the Salween Institute for Public Policy, a Myanmar think tank.

Another key player in the talks is the so-called National Unity Government, an alliance of civilian resistance groups including some of the mostly Burman lawmakers ousted by the 2021 coup. Disputes over the charter between the EAOs and NUG are deeper and "ideological," Ying Lao said, about where political power in Myanmar actually lies.

As the EAOs see it, she said, that power rests with the states, and the union "has only the powers that they are willing to share with the union. That's the kind of federalism they are looking for. But for the Bamar [Burman] political elite, they claim that sovereignty rests with the country, which is the union of Burma, and that the states have the powers that the union is willing to share with them."

That dispute is echoed in the concerns some groups have with the charter's second half, or Part 2, which lays out a rough roadmap for shifting to the full-fledged federal union envisioned in Part 1. It says the lawmakers ousted by the coup would serve as an interim legislature and sets no time limit.

Analysts tell VOA that minority groups say that hews too closely to the centralized, Burman-dominated government they have been struggling for decades to replace. When it came time to endorse that part of the charter at the 2022 People's Congress, they said, some of the groups that endorsed Part 1 abstained.

In the final days of a second People's Congress held earlier this month for resistance groups to keep planning for a future government, the NUG and ousted lawmakers pulled out. They claimed the event had gotten out of hand and that the issues some of the groups were raising were out of bounds.

The NUG includes ethnic minority officers and takes pains to stress its inclusive credentials. Ying Lao said its actions, however, are reinforcing the impression among some that Burman elites still dominate.

Many minority groups feel a faction of the NUG "still has this Burma-centric, or what they call a chauvinistic mindset," Kim Jolliffe, an independent Myanmar analyst and researcher, told VOA.

"They support the [charter], but they don't fully have trust in the process, that it's really going to be implemented," he said.

Less talk, more action

Many of Myanmar's EAOs, including a few of the most powerful, are not even taking part in the charter talks, or are doing so only at arm's length.

Some are not waiting for the details to be worked out either, and they have started building whole new governments on their own in their home states.

Armed and civilian ethnic Karenni groups in Kayah state were the first to declare an interim government replacing the military regime across their state in June. The Arakan Army EAO has been building its own government as well across the parts of Rakhine state it has battled to reclaim from the junta. Resistance groups elsewhere are following suit.

"A lot of the [EAOs], they're saying now, we're not going to get bound up in any more debates about the [charter], we're just going to build our states, and we're going to come together and then we'll decide what needs to be shared as a union of equals," Jolliffe said.

Working out the details "is going to be very messy," Abuza said. He noted he also worries that both the EAOs and NUG, which has its own network of militias fighting the Myanmar military across the country, will want to concede less politically as they gain ground against the junta on the battlefield.

The junta may still be far from defeat. It continues to hold Naypyitaw, the capital, and main cities, and has the edge in funds and firepower. But the military is widely loathed and overstretched and has now lost control of most of Myanmar's borders.

Should the junta lose or collapse before the EAOs and NUG work out their political differences, analysts like Abuza say they worry about a federal power vacuum and the problems that could cause.

Ying Lao is more sanguine. She says Myanmar has "never really existed" as a functioning union with a central government that meets the needs of its states, and it could continue to muddle along without one.

"Not getting that functioning federal union anytime soon, for the people on the ground, the situation will only get worse and worse. But whether this country will remain intact, I'm sure it will," she said. "But no one will have any real power in the country. ... It's going to be chaotic, for sure."

Ingyin Naing in Washington contributed to this report.

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Pakistan protests 'erroneous' US sanctions on Chinese firms over missile program allegations

By Ayaz Gul April 20, 2024

Pakistan criticized the United States on Saturday for penalizing four international companies on charges they are aiding its ballistic missile program.

"Pakistan rejects political use of export controls," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.

The reaction came a day after Washington imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies and one Belarus-based firm for their alleged links to Islamabad's missile development program.

"These entities have supplied missileapplicable items to Pakistan's ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program," the U.S. State Department said on Friday.

It noted that the sanctions are part of U.S. efforts to disrupt and target "proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery" and strengthen the global nonproliferation "regime."

"Such listings of commercial entities have taken place in the past as well on allegations of links to Pakistan's ballistic missile program without sharing any evidence whatsoever," Baloch said.

"We have pointed out many times the need to avoid (the) arbitrary application of export controls and for discussions between concerned parties for an objective mechanism to avoid erroneous sanctions on (the) technology needed purely for socio-economic development pursuits," she added.

Baloch renewed Islamabad's readiness to discuss "end-use and end-user verification mechanisms so that legitimate commercial users are not hurt by discriminatory application of export controls.

She asserted that Pakistan has in the past come across instances where mere suspicions led to the blacklisting of foreign companies.

The U.S. identified the alleged suppliers to Islamabad's ballistic missile program as China-based Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co. Ltd., Granpect Company Limited, and Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

Under the U.S. executive order, all assets, properties, and interests in properties of the sanctioned companies located within the United States or controlled by U.S. citizens must be blocked and reported to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC.

The listing makes it illegal for any individual or entity within the United States, or any U.S. citizen to engage in any transactions involving property or interests in property of designated or blocked companies unless authorized by a specific or general license issued by OFAC or exempted.

Without naming the U.S. or any other country, Baloch stated that "the same jurisdictions" claiming "strict adherence" to the nonproliferation of weapons and military technologies would sometimes make exceptions "for some countries" and have even waived licensing requirements to help them obtain advanced military equipment.

"Such discriminatory approaches and double standards are undermining the credibility of nonproliferation regimes and accentuating military asymmetries, which, in turn, undermine the objectives of regional and global peace and security," she said. "This is leading to arms buildup (in the region)."

Baloch was apparently referring to Washington's close military and nuclear cooperation with Pakistan's archrival India. The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors have fought three wars, and their decades-old territorial dispute over the divided Kashmir region remains the primary source of mutual tensions.

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Pakistan's prolonged ban on X exposes fear of dissent, critics say

By Sarah Zaman April 20, 2024

"I have a sword hanging over my head," says journalist Asad Ali Toor. A vocal critic of Pakistan's state institutions, Toor was arrested February 26 for, among other charges, running a malicious campaign against government officials. He has pleaded not guilty and is out on bail, awaiting trial.

As Pakistan enters a third month of suspension of social media platform X a formerly Twitter a Toor, with nearly 300,000 followers, said disrupting access to the platform is an embarrassment for the state.

"What it has contributed, except controversy and embarrassment to the state of Pakistan, that we are a nuclear armed country, and we are threatened by a social media app? Toor said.

X went down on February 17 in Pakistan, hours after a high-level government official, who later walked back his claim, declared he was involved in large-scale vote manipulation. Pakistan held general elections on February 8, but the results were marred by wide-spread allegations of rigging.

On Wednesday April 17, when Pakistan marked two months of disruption in services, the Interior Ministry told the Islamabad High Court it sought the suspension of X based on information from intelligence agencies.

"The decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation," the ministry's report to the court stated.

In March, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, or PTA, an independent regulator, revealed to the Sindh High Court that it shut down the platform at the request of the interior ministry. Until then, government officials had denied any ban on the use of X, citing the lack of formal notice.

Pakistanis, including government ministers, have been using X through virtual private networks, or VPNs, raising questions about the practical value of the suspension. Access to the platform is often restored temporarily, causing confusion about the status of the ban.

Criticism vs. fake news

In recent years, Pakistani authorities have blamed social media for an alleged rise in the spread of fake news, and anti-state propaganda.

Since May 9, 2023, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan's supporters stormed military installations to protest his arrest, the government and the military have lashed out at social media more frequently.

X is a politically active platform in Pakistan, despite a small user base. There, Khan's diehard supporters and others openly call out the state-backed crackdown on the former prime minister's political party and criticize the military's alleged interference in civilian matters.

Toor criticized Pakistan's top court on social media after it upheld a decision in January to deprive Khan's party of its electoral symbol, and he says the state labels any news reporting against the establishment as fake news.

"What is the fake news? When people talk about the election? Which everybody says is a very controversial election. You start calling it fake news," Toor said. "When anybody reports against the establishment, you call it fake news."

Amber Rahim Shamsi, director of the Karachi-based Center for Excellence in Journalism, said there is some truth to the Pakistani government's claims of a rise in the spread of misinformation.

Shamsi's team runs a fact-checking platform called iVerify and recorded spikes in misinformation claims in the lead-up to the February 8 poll. But suspending X, she said, hurts rather than helps.

"It is also hindering the ability of journalists and independent fact checkers to, you know, monitor, trace and correct disinformation, misinformation," Shamsi said. She is also part of a group of four petitioners challenging the suspension of X in the Sindh High Court.

Most of the false information, she said, is shared via Whatsapp, a popular private messaging app owned by Facebook's parent company Meta.

Platform vs. user

Justifying the suspension of X, Pakistan's interior ministry told the high court the platform was not registered locally as a company and ignored requests by the cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency to remove content maligning the chief justice of Pakistan.

Haroon Baloch, a senior program manager at Bytes for All, a Pakistani think-tank that focuses on information and communication technologies, told VOA that requirement written into the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2016) is an attempt to influence a company and gain access to users' data.

"They [Pakistani authorities] wanted data of Pakistani social media users to be housed or hosted through Pakistan and not be hosted outside Pakistan," Baloch explained.

X's response

After staying silent on the suspension, X's Global Government Affairs account finally posted a brief statement Thursday.

"We continue to work with Pakistani Government to understand concerns," it said.

Baloch said that for media freedom workers, engaging with X to seek support is almost impossible.

"Before [Elon] Musk took over, a team in Singapore was accessible but now there's no team looking into human rights or policy," he said.

Last year in March, Musk famously tweeted that emails to Twitter's press team will automatically get the poop emoji as a response.

Bytes for All research indicates the global content hosting company Akamai may be helping Pakistan implement the ban by rejecting requests from users to connect to X.

VOA asked Akamai if Pakistani authorities had requested help to block users. The company said via email that it was "currently not aware of any such requests."

Pakistan's plan

Responding to VOA while interacting with media, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was the government's prerogative to take actions "in the best interest of Pakistan."

"Surely, the country will take its own decision in the light of different reasons, which were the basis of a you know a putting it off [suspending it]," he said.

Taking an apparent swipe at Washington's efforts to ban TikTok unless it cut ties with its Chinese parent company, Dar said "may I ask those countries that they also have put [a] ban on certain apps ... so, one country is OK, and Twitter banned in Pakistan is not OK?"

The Sindh High Court gave the interior ministry a week from April 16 to rescind its letter to suspend X.

Shamsi is not hopeful access will be fully restored soon but said her petition has already had an important victory.

"We have been able to extract information from relevant ministries that the basis of the ban is a letter from the Ministry of Interior, and this was not information publicly available," she said.

That revelation worries Baloch about the independence of the PTA.

"We can see it's a clear influence on the regulator," he said.

Both Shamsi and Toor say they believe the ban is driven by the Pakistani state's aversion to dissent. They say it is a sign the state is failing to present a strong counter-narrative.

"[The] answer of fake news is not banning any platform," Toor said as he braces for a possibly prolonged legal battle. "Answer [to] fake news is more credible news."

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Insta-Nazis: How Claims Of 'Rehabilitating Nazism' Are Molding A Militaristic Society In Putin's Russia

By RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities and Robert Coalson April 20, 2024

A court in the southern Russian city of Volgograd sentenced a 23-year-old woman to 10 months of compulsory labor on April 5 after convicting her of "rehabilitating Nazism." The charge stemmed from a 2023 social media video that prosecutors said contained "cynical actions that disregarded the norms of morality and ethics."

In the video, Alyona Agafonova, a tourist from the mid-Volga region city of Samara, documented her visit to Volgograd and at one point, using a trick of perspective, playfully "tickled" the breasts of the enormous statue that dominates the city's memorial to the Battle of Stalingrad -- probably the most prominent icon of World War II anywhere in Russia. In court, prosecutors said she had "offended a symbol of the resilience of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War."

The head of the investigations department of the Volgograd branch of the Investigative Committee, Vladimir Surkov, said the case should be a warning to others.

"Anyone who wants to hype themselves in a similar manner should think about this and not do it," Surkov told a local news website.

Under longtime President Vladimir Putin, the state has used its draconian laws on "foreign agents," terrorism and extremism, and treason to stifle political dissent, successfully marginalizing all opposition. But the 2014 law against "rehabilitating Nazism," which includes punishments of up to five years in prison, has been used for a different purpose, analysts say: To mold an increasingly militaristic society by sacralizing a mythologized version of the Soviet and ethnic-Russian contributions to the defeat of Nazi Germany -- and, by extension, to bolster Putin's false claims that Russia is confronting "Nazis" in Ukraine and the West.

The law overshadowed a 2001 law against disseminating Nazi symbols, which Aleksandr Verkhovsky of Sova, a Russian group that monitors extremism, told the BBC in 2023 was a genuine attempt to combat far-right hate groups.

Activist Aleksandr Cherkasov of the banned human rights group Memorial told RFE/RL that under the "rehabilitating Nazism" law, repressions are being carried out in the name of "historical memory, which has itself become a quasi-religion."

'How Many More Alyonas?'

Agafonova was convicted despite publishing a public apology in July 2023.

"I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions, which by no means were intended to ridicule the history of my country or the lives of those who fell for the sake of our future," she wrote, noting that her grandfather had been killed during the war. "I am a patriot and I love my country."

She pleaded guilty in court and apologized again in her closing speech, arguing that the 13 months she spent in pretrial detention were adequate punishment. In addition to the 10 months of labor she was ordered to perform at a job assigned to her by the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) in Samara, Agafonova must give 10 percent of the salary she earns to the state, and she is barred from using social media for two years.

Immediately after her video appeared, Agafonova was inundated with criticism and denunciations from self-professed patriots. The pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Talipov, which is run from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea by blogger Oleksandr Talipov, wrote that the incident illustrated "the problem with the patriotic education of our youths."

"Can it really be that no schoolteacher in Samara or no one at the institute [she attended] was able to inculcate in Alyona a sense of respect for the glory of our grandfathers?" the channel wrote. "And how many more Alyonas are there in Russia?"

Sociologist Maria Turovets, who left Russia in the wake of Moscow's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, told RFE/RL that the "rehabilitating Nazism" cases are a sop to "the active minority that welcomes them."

"I tend to call them 'the party of fascism,'" she added. "The authorities are trying to anticipate and accommodate this minority."

The statue Agafonova was accused of insulting is called Motherland Is Calling, an 85-meter behemoth that dominates the Mumayev Kurgan memorial complex to the Battle of Stalingrad on a site where some 35,000 Soviet victims of the battle, which marked the turning point of the war when German forces there surrendered in February 1943, are buried in mass graves. It was dedicated in 1967.

'At A Time Like This...'

Among the dozens of "rehabilitating Nazism" cases that have been filed in recent years, only a few seem to objectively fit the definition. In February 2022, a St. Petersburg professor was tried under the charge for allegedly denying the Holocaust in his lectures. The same year, a teenager in the Siberian city of Irkutsk faced the charge for allegedly writing numerous social media posts lionizing the World War II German military and the notorious SS.

In some cases, the charge was brought against people who criticized Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's conduct of the war, particularly the 1939 Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact.

Much more commonly, the charge is used to prosecute actions that question Russia's "military glory." In February, authorities in the Altai region settlement of Staroaleiskoye filed criminal charges of "rehabilitating Nazism" against two teenaged boys who allegedly constructed a snow phallus next to a war memorial and posted photographs of it on social media.

Many other cases involve people accused of "insulting" the black-and-orange St. George ribbon or the pro-government Z and V symbols that are used to show support for Putin's war against Ukraine and confrontation with the West.

In fact, Cherkasov of Memorial said, one effect of the application of the law is to convey to such modern-day symbols a status equivalent to the status of the symbols of victory in World War II that has been carefully cultivated by the Putin government since he came to power nearly 25 years ago.

Also in February, investigators opened a criminal probe on the charge against Rasul Akhiyaretdinov, a Bashkir activist who wrote in a social media post that the Motherland Is Calling statue is not dressed modestly enough for Muslim and Orthodox Christian standards because her breasts are visible. He called the presentation a "mistake of the Soviet Union" and urged that they "put a shawl on her shoulders."

Like Agafonova, Akhiyaretdinov was savagely attacked by the so-called patriotic social media channels. Unlike Agafonova's, the investigation against him was closed after he publicly apologized.

"Looking through the reactions, I understood that for many people this statue is not just a statue but the Motherland," he said in a social media video. "As a person who does not want divisions and conflicts in the Russian Federation, I apologize to all veterans of World War II and to those who didn't understand me correctly or were offended by what I said. Our country is going through difficult times. The war in Ukraine and other things. I think that at a time like this I should not have posted such a video."

Roman Zaitsev, a lawyer in Volgograd, said the security forces like such cases because of the publicity and media coverage.

"Earlier there was a political subtext or protest activity behind these cases, but now they are opened just for the sake of statistics," he said. "In the case of [Agafonova], it is completely unclear what she did to dishonor a burial place. You might consider her actions inappropriate, provocative, or stupid, but it is hard to see them as criminal."

Yelizaveta Klochkova, of the OVD-Info group that monitors political repressions, agreed, saying the increased interest in such cases on the part of law enforcement and "denouncers" "is in complete accord with other general trends including the sacralization of World War II, the propaganda use of symbols associated with it, [and] the search for supposed Nazis or their supporters at home and abroad."

"For security agents and denouncers, such cases are just a way of [meeting quotas] and attracting attention to themselves for 'exposing ideological crimes,'" Klochkova told RFE/RL.

"There is a second aspect," said self-exiled Tatar political analyst Ruslan Aisin. "They need to scare people. The security forces are always hungry."

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-rehabilitating- nazism-charges-putin-society/32912689.html

Copyright (c) 2024. 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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G7 reiterates importance of cross-strait peace and stability

ROC Central News Agency

04/20/2024 12:04 PM

Washington, April 19 (CNA) The Group of Seven (G7) nations on Friday issued a statement reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing it is critical to global security and prosperity.

The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union issued the joint statement following a meeting held April 17-19 on the Italian island of Capri.

In the statement, the G7 described peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as "indispensable to security and prosperity for the whole international community," and called for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.

"We support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, including in the World Health Assembly and WHO technical meetings," the statement said, but added that there was no change in the basic position of the G7 members on Taiwan, including stated one-China policies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters after the meeting that the G7 is united on the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Korean Peninsula.

Blinken said that the G7 is "also united in standing up to China's unfair and non-market practices, especially when it comes to overcapacity that is flooding the markets of our own countries with new products and technologies that are heavily subsidized and so underpriced."

On Saturday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued a statement expressing its gratitude to the G7 nations for reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

MOFA said that Taiwan, as an important country in the Indo-Pacific region and a responsible member of the international community, will continue to strengthen cooperation with the G7 and other like-minded countries to jointly safeguard freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region, defend the rules-based international order, and strengthen global democracy.

(By Shih Hsiu-chuan, Henry Wu and Ko Lin)

Enditem/cs

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President-elect Lai's commitment to status quo welcomed: AIT chair

ROC Central News Agency

04/20/2024 05:56 PM

Washington, April 19 (CNA) The United States has welcomed President-elect Lai Ching-te's (ea) commitment to maintaining the status quo, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairperson Laura Rosenberger said Friday in an online interview with a U.S. think tank.

Speaking with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, which held the virtual event to mark the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the AIT chairperson said she felt relations with the incoming administration were in good shape.

"I've had the opportunity twice in two trips since the elections to engage with President-elect Lai and members of his team, to make sure again that we are in a solid place to continue the work going forward," Rosenberger said, referring to visits made in January and April.

In her conversations with Lai, she said, "he's been really clear in terms of his policy priorities, including his commitment to maintaining the status quo, which we, of course, very much welcome."

Lai won the presidency on Jan. 13 with 40 percent of the vote in a three-way race, but his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its absolute majority in the Legislative Yuan, in which the Kuomintang (KMT) now has the most seats in the 113-seat body with 52.

The DPP has 51, the Taiwan People's Party has eight, and there are two independents ideologically aligned with the KMT.

Asked about Taiwan's newly elected "split government," Rosenberger said the U.S. approach throughout Taiwan's election season focused on developing strong relationships with each of the candidates and their teams and "not taking sides."

Rosenberger noted that she had the opportunity during her trips to Taiwan to meet with the newly-elected Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (eYac) and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (YaYe), both of the KMT.

"It was stated publicly by Han and Chiang that they have reached consensus for cross-party support for defense and foreign affairs priorities," she said.

Rosenberger said it was a "really important statement from them."

"Just as support for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership is bipartisan here in the United States, we think it's really important that that remain cross-partisan in Taiwan, and we'll continue to work to cultivate that," she said.

The TRA was signed into law on April 10, 1979 by then U.S. President Jimmy Carter after it was enacted by the U.S. Congress in March in response to the U.S. breaking off diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The law was deemed as having taken effect on Jan. 1, 1979.

"The TRA to my mind has provided a foundation for really everything we are doing to broaden and deepen the relationship," Rosenberger said, praising it as "a very insightful and prescient piece of legislation."

She said the TRA was not only about commitments to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capacity, but also said "that the United States should maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion."

"I think that's an important commitment. And you see the United States continuing to do work, both ourselves and with allies and partners in the region, to reinforce deterrence in the Indo-Pacific to maintain that critical peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Rosenberger said.

(By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Alison Hsiao)

Enditem/ls

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Apr. 20, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/04/20

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Friday to Saturday, Apr. 19-20

2.PLA activitiesis

8 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.



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Russia says air defenses shot down 50 Ukrainian drones overnight

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 20 April 2024 6:34 PM

Russia says its air defenses have shot down at least 50 drones after Ukraine launched a barrage of attacks across the country overnight, killing at least three civilians, including a pregnant woman.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday that 50 drones were shot down over eight Russian regions, including 26 over the country's western Belgorod region close to the Ukrainian border.

The governor of Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov said two people a a woman with a broken leg and the man caring for her a died during the overnight barrage after explosions sparked a blaze that set their home alight.

He later said that Ukrainian shelling also killed a pregnant woman in a village close to the border.

"The village of Novaya Tavolzhanka in the Shebekinsky urban district came under Ukrainian shelling. To great grief, a woman and unborn baby died from their wounds."

The defense ministry said that air defenses have also shot down a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet overnight.

He provided no father detains.

The overnight attack against Russia came as Ukraine is suffering from extensive shortages of ammunition and weaponry, as Republicans in the United States keep stalling further aid for Kiev in Congress.

Some of Kiev's biggest shortages are in air defense and artillery, according to the officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zekensky said this week that Russia has 10 times more artillery shells than his country.

He admitted that "we will have no chance of winning," unless aid from the US resumes.

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U.S. House Approves Much-Delayed $61 Billion Aid Package For Ukraine

By RFE/RL April 20, 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives on April 20 voted to approve a much-delayed aid package for Ukraine, seen as a critical lifeline for the country's survival in the face of Russia's aggression.

Kyiv is set to receive $60.84 billion in desperately needed aid after Democrats and Republicans finally joined together behind the legislation following months of Republican opposition over continued U.S. support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

The bill passed by a vote of 311 to 112, with 101 Republicans voting in favor and 112 against. Three Democrats did not cast votes.

The legislation will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to receive approval, and then to President Joe Biden for his signature.

The funding is part of a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies, including Taiwan in the face of potential threats from China, that was approved in full by the House in separate April 20 votes.

Biden urged the Senate to quickly send the legislation to his desk for his signature.

He said passage of aid packages "will deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations...and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the U.S. vote, saying it will "save thousands and thousands of lives."

"We hope [the] bills will be supported in the Senate and sent to President Biden's desk. Thank you, America!"

"Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it," he wrote on social media.

EU chief Charles Michel hailed the vote, saying it "sends a clear message to the Kremlin: Those who believe in freedom and UN charter will continue to support Ukraine and its people."

However, the Kremlin attacked the move, saying passage of the bill will make the United States "enriched," Ukraine "further ruined," and lead to more deaths there "because of the Kyiv regime."

Politico, citing two unidentified U.S. officials, reported ahead of the vote that the Pentagon is preparing to quickly approve a package of urgently needed weapons for Ukraine -- including artillery shells and air defenses -- to deliver if and when the aid is approved.

The report quoted one official as saying the Defense Department is working on putting together a package of U.S. military equipment "that can move quickly through the bureaucratic process once the legislation passes and is signed by the president."

Kyiv has been under mounting Russian pressure over the past several months.

In the east, Ukraine's dwindling stocks of artillery ammunition and mounting human losses have given a better armed and more numerous Russian military an overwhelming advantage.

In Ukraine's cities, an intense Russian missile and drone strikes campaign has taken a large toll in human lives and has caused huge damage to the country's already battered energy infrastructure after more than two years of war.

Zelenskiy and his government have been pleading for months with Kyiv's Western allies to increase supplies of modern air defense systems, weapons, and artillery ammunition as deliveries of military aid both from the United States -- by far Ukraine's main military donor -- and from European countries began to dry out.

The aid for Ukraine includes $23.2 billion to replenish the stocks of U.S. weapons and military facilities and $11.3 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region, where the Pentagon has been training Ukrainian troops and keeps a presence across the continent, including eastern European allies.

Like the bill passed in the Senate, it includes $13.8 billion for the purchase of advanced weapons systems, but the one in the House also contains a provision about more than $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the form of "forgivable loans."

The White House would have the power to set the terms of the loan to Kyiv and also be given the authority to cancel it.

The package includes measures that will allow Washington to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine.

It also sets aside $26 million to "continue oversight and accountability" of aid provided to Ukraine."

The likely approval would bring the total amount that Washington has spent so far to aid Ukraine to $170 billion.

For Israel's support, the bill provides $26.38 billion, with more than $9 billion the humanitarian assistance for Gaza, where millions of Palestinians face starvation.

The humanitarian aid for Gaza, frowned upon by some Republican conservatives, eventually made into the bill as Republican Speaker Mike Johnson risked losing key Democratic support if the measure was scrapped.Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the "vote on the Israel aid package with an overwhelming bipartisan support proves the strong ties and strategic partnership between Israel and the US, and sends a strong message to our enemies."

The Indo-Pacific aid to counter China's influence in the region amounts to some $8 billion, with $2 billion in foreign military financing for Taiwan and other key allies.

The package also includes legislation that gives ByteDance, the Chinese owner of the video app TikTok up to a year to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban in the United States.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-house-approves-crucial- ukraine-aid/32913484.html

Copyright (c) 2024. 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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Ukrainian, Russian Forces Intensify Drone, Missile War

By RFE/RL April 20, 2024

Ukrainian and Russian forces attacked the opposing side's energy infrastructure and armament-production sites overnight into April 20, officials said, as the warring forces intensified drone and missile strikes ahead of an expected vote in the U.S. Congress on desperately needed military aid to Ukraine.

The Defense Ministry in Kyiv said Ukraine hit eight Russian regions with long-range drones, striking and setting on fire a fuel depot and blasting three power substations, confirming an earlier report by Reuters that cited intelligence sources.

"At least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were hit, where fires ignited," the Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters, citing videos on social media purportedly showing the blazes.

The local governor in Russia's western Smolensk region said a reservoir with fuel and oil lubricants had been hit by indirect fire.

"As a result of the work of [Russia's] air-defense forces, the aircraft were shot down. However, as a result of falling debris, a tank with fuel and oil lubricants caught fire," he said.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down 50 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions, including 26 over Belgorod near the border and 10 more over the Bryansk region.

Two people were killed in a fire ignited by falling debris in a Belgorod village, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said Russian forces launched seven missiles from Belgorod region and the Black Sea at targets in Ukraine on April 20.

Two Kinzhal guided air missiles were destroyed by Ukraine's air-defense systems, Ukraine's air force said, adding it had also shot down three Russian reconnaissance drones.

Battlefield claims on either side could not immediately be verified.

Russia in recent weeks has drastically increased the number of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid dwindling Ukrainian stocks of air-defense systems and ammunition, causing large numbers of civilian casualties and extensive damage.

Ukraine said Russian forces struck a residential buildings in the northeastern city of Vovchansk, killing at least two people.

"A direct hit was recorded on a nine-story residential building," a regional official said.

"A woman and a man were injured. Both victims are 61 years old. At other addresses, two men aged 50 and 84 died as a result of shelling in the city."

Regional Governor Oleh Sinegubov posted a photo on Telegram showing a pile of rubble next to the collapsed section of what he said was a residential block.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian and Russian Services, Current Time, AP, AFP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-missiles-drone- belgorod/32913497.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Mulls Posting More Military Advisers to Kiev Embassy - Pentagon

Sputnik News

20240420

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - The United States is considering sending more military advisers to the US Embassy in Kiev, the US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

"Throughout this conflict, the DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country, as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisers to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy," he told Politico.

The Pentagon spokesperson added that the office performed advisory and non-combat support missions despite being staffed exclusively with Department of Defense personnel.

The number of US advisers to be sent to Ukraine could be up to 60, Politico reported, citing two US officials.

Advisers will support logistics and oversee the weapons Washington is sending to Kiev, as well as assist the Ukrainian military in maintaining the weapons, US officials said.

"The US is getting more and more personally involved in this [Ukrainian] conflict. They are getting involved, it's an obvious thing. And let no one say that they have nothing to do with it. We believe that they do," Russian President Vladimir Putin noted earlier.

Western countries have been providing military aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has consistently warned against continued military aid to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict.

A Sputnik

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Russian Air Defense Systems Down Ukraine's Su-25 Fighter Jet - MoD

Sputnik News

20240420

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems have downed a Su-25 fighter jet of Ukraine's military, 213 drones and five Hammer air bombs over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Air defense systems have downed a Su-25 fighter jet of the Ukrainian air force, 213 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and five French-made Hammer air bombs," the ministry said in a statement.

A total of 591 Ukrainian military aircraft, 270 helicopters, 22,095 unmanned aerial vehicles, 506 anti-aircraft missile systems, 15,812 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,267 multiple rocket launchers, 8,991 field artillery and mortars, and 21,183 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation.

Russia's Battlegroup Yug Repels 3 Ukrainian Attacks Over Past 24 Hours - Military

Russia's Battlegroup Yug has improved its positions along the front line and repulsed three attacks of the Ukrainian army, eliminating up to 610 enemy troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"The units of the Battlegroup Yug improved their position along the front line," the ministry said, adding that "enemy losses totaled up to 610 servicepeople, two armored combat vehicles, five cars, a 152-mm Msta-B and a 152-mm D-20 howitzers, an ammunition depot, and a Nota electronic warfare station."

Front-line positions were also improved by Russia's West and Center groups of forces, who together eliminated about 380 Ukrainian troops and multiple pieces of military equipment over the past 24 hours, including a Czech-made Dana self-propelled gun, D-20 and D-30 howitzers and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, the ministry said.

The Battlegroup Vostok eliminated up to 120 Ukrainian servicepeople, two armored combat vehicles and three vehicles, as well as a US-made M777 howitzer, four ammunition depots, and an Anklav electronic warfare station in the areas of the villages of Staromaiorskoe and Urozhainoe, the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Russian Air Defense Systems Intercept, Destroy 50 Ukrainian Drones During the Night

Sputnik News

20240420

Russian air defense means destroyed and intercepted 50 Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Tula, Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga and Moscow regions last night, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"This night, attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out a number of terrorist attacks using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles on targets on the territory of the Russian Federation were stopped. Air defense systems on duty destroyed and intercepted fifty Ukrainian UAVs, of which: twenty-six - over the territory of the Belgorod Region; ten - over the Bryansk Region; eight - over the Kursk Region; two - over the Tula Region and one over the Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga and Moscow regions each," the ministry said.

Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory, emphasized that Kiev continues terrorist activities, but that the Russian military is on alert and doing everything necessary.

Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

A Sputnik

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Today, We Received a Decision - the U.S. Assistance, Which Will Be Felt by Both the Warriors on the Frontline, and the Cities and Villages Suffering from Russian Terror - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

20 April 2024 - 21:30

Dear Ukrainians!

From early morning today, various regions of our country have been experiencing air alerts and Russian strikes. From the east to the south... Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk regions, Kherson and the region, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Missiles, drone strikes, artillery. There is a lot of destruction a houses, port infrastructure, and energy facilities. There are casualties and, unfortunately, fatalities. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Throughout the day, our air defense system was in action, there were responses to Russian strikes, the rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and all the services performed their duties.

But this day is still a little different. Today, we received the long-awaited decision: the American support package we've been fighting for so hard. And it is a very significant package that will be felt by both our warriors on the frontline and our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror. The U.S. House of Representatives voted today.

I thank everyone who supported our package - this is a life-saving decision. I am grateful personally to Speaker Mike Johnson, to all American hearts who, like us in Ukraine, feel that Russian evil definitely should not prevail. I hope that the package will be considered in the U.S. Senate and submitted to President Biden's desk quickly enough.

We appreciate every manifestation of support for our state and independence, for our people, and for our lives that Russia wants to bury in ruins. America has shown its leadership from the very first days of this war. And this kind of American leadership is crucial for the maintenance of an international order in the world based on rules and predictability of life for all nations. We will certainly use American support to strengthen both our nations and bring a just end to this war closer - a war that Putin must lose.

And I thank the entire Ukrainian team, everyone who works and does everything to bring this outcome closer. I thank all the representatives of our state, all our diplomats who are working to increase the support for Ukraine, all the representatives of the public sector, every volunteer, all the friends of Ukraine. I am grateful to my team. The world unites for Ukraine when Ukrainians unite for independence.

And today I would like to honor those of our people who have shown their best in the aftermath of the Russian strikes over the week - helping people, protecting lives. These are the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, our medical workers, police officers. Everyone who works on the scene after the hits. Everyone who rescues people from under the rubble, stops fires, and saves the injured. Thank you all!

I would like to mention some of them in particular... Dnipro: Denys Mikheyev, Artem Serha, Dmytro Nikolayenko - these guys are from the State Emergency Service. Vitaliy Arkhypov - an emergency doctor in the Dnipro region, Yevhen Holitsyn - an emergency feldsher. I would also like to mention the police officers: Oleksiy Bondarenko and Vitaliy Andriyanov. Thank you! Karyna Kolisnychenko - a dog handler from the Pavlohrad search and rescue unit. Thank you for every life saved.

Odesa, SES: Yuriy Sukhorukov, Vitaliy Telehus and Artem Kopechynskyi. Thank you, guys!

Chernihiv: Artem Lysenko - a firefighter, Vadym Avramenko and Maksym Zhylko - also employees of the SES in the region, as well as police officers Andriy Vovk and Bohdan Tkachuk. Thank you! I am also grateful to Natalia Nosenok, a nurse who really cares about people and helps them.

I am grateful to everyone who cares about Ukrainians, about life in our country, about their city, their community, about our entire country! And I am especially thankful to each of our warriors. To all those who destroy the Russian occupier, who hold the frontline and thus preserve Ukraine on the world map. We are doing everything to ensure that our warriors have as many opportunities as possible so that this war ends as soon as possible on our terms, Ukrainian terms.

Glory to Ukraine!

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By SA Commercial Prop News

An artist impression showing one of the buildings at Castle Gate, a mixed-use precinct in Pretoria developed by Atterbury.



Construction has begun on a new multi-billion rand mixed-use development in Pretoria, the Castle Gate.

Castle Gate will comprise 100,000sqm of office space, 40,000sqm of specialist medical facilities, and a hotel as well as 1,100 residential units, and a 23,000sqm convenience retail centre.

The precinct will also include eight hectares of protected green areas that will incorporate walking and running trails.

Upon completion, the project will cost R6 billion, with as many as 20,000 permanent jobs created as a result of its development.

The project was first announced in 2016, with Atterbury partnering with the Erasmus family to develop the site that makes up the final remaining portion of Waterkloof farm.

Raoul de Villiers, Atterbury Development Manager, says, the project is a once-in-a-lifetime development opportunity with an excellent location in a key growth node and a unique proposition that has the support of its city and is being welcomed by its community.

Approximately 15 minutes drive from Pretoria CBD, the site is between the R21 and the N1 and provides easy access to all key urban points around Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The development will be easily accessible from Solomon Mahlangu Drive, which is already in the process of being widened and upgraded as part of the development.

The second phase of the Castle Gate project road upgrades includes building a new highway bridge across the N1, which will make it possible to introduce double lanes in both directions on Solomon Mahlangu Drive, between Castle Gate and Hoerskool Waterkloof.



A convenience centre will open in September 2020, and include retail, medical consulting rooms, offices and a gym.



The developer said that the lifestyle centre will include to the latest store concepts for Woolworths, Checkers, Dis-Chem and Builders Warehouse, as well as 10 restaurants including Rocomamas, Doppio Zero, Spur, Ocean Basket, Nandos and Burger King.



It will also have a Planet Fitness gym complete with a swimming pool, as well and an outdoor walking and running track through the precincts nature area.

The entire precinct is expected to be developed over the next decade and the second phase of Castle Gate is planned to begin in mid-2020.

The launch was attended by Premier of Gauteng David Makhura, Mayor of the City of Tshwane Stevens Mokgalapa and Tshwane MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Isak Pietersen.

Makhura visited the site to pledge his support of the development and he was particularly impressed by the sheer size and value of the Castle Gate project, and the significant positive economic impact it is set to have on the Gauteng province.
Brazil's Participation in the First Global Peace Summit is Important for Ukraine a Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an Interview with Brazilian Media

President of Ukraine

20 April 2024 - 14:20

Ukraine is interested in the active participation of Brazil and, in particular, President Lula da Silva in the first Global Peace Summit that will be held in Switzerland in June. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in an interview with Brazilian journalists.

"His presence there, like that of any leader of any country in the world who receives an invitation, signifies that these people want peace. And it should be a just peace for Ukraine," noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President emphasized the importance of Brazil's support for Ukraine. However, for a long time, Ukraine was unable to convey to this country the truth about the war unleashed by Russia. This was due to Brazil's long-term relationship with the Soviet Union, the continuation of its policies by modern Russia, and the promotion of Russian propaganda narratives in the information space of Latin America.

"And this is a big advantage for you that Brazilian journalists started visiting Ukraine, understanding what is going on here and then publishing this information," the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the journalists for coming to Ukraine and added that he invites the President of Brazil to visit our country.

The Head of State also reminded that he had met with Lula da Silva in September 2023 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, where he had the opportunity to talk to him personally.

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3 killed as Ukrainian drone barrage hits 8 Russian regions

By VOA News April 20, 2024

Ukraine pummeled eight Russian regions with dozens of long-range strike drones, targeting oil refineries and energy facilities inside Russia, setting on fire a fuel depot, and striking three power substations, a Ukrainian intelligence source in Kyiv told Reuters on Saturday.

"At least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were hit, where fires ignited," the Ukrainian source said, citing social media videos showing fires burning at different locations.

The source said the facilities were targeted for supporting Russian military industrial production.

Russia's defense ministry confirmed the overnight attacks and added that 50 of the drones were shot down, with 26 of them destroyed over Russia's western Belgorod region bordering Ukraine.

During the barrage, a man and a woman were killed there, while later on, during shelling in the area, a pregnant woman lost her life, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media.

Ten drones were shot over the Bryansk region, eight over the Kursk region, and two over Tula region, as well as one in each of the regions of Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga and Moscow, according to Russian authorities.

Ukraine's strikes come as a response to an intensified Russian airstrike campaign that has devastated Ukraine's energy system and many of its cities in recent weeks.

Kyiv's overnight drone attack was a joint operation conducted by Ukraine's SBU security service, the GUR military intelligence agency and the Special Operations Forces, the source said.

Kyiv is waging drone airstrikes to compensate for its battlefield disadvantage in weapons and troops against Russia, while waiting for more U.S. military aid, the Ukrainian source told Reuterrs.

US House passes Ukraine aid bill

Ukrainians are anxiously awaiting aid from the U.S. for Ukraine, and the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed with broad bipartisan support a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. It is expected to pass in the Senate before President Joe Biden signs it into law.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude Saturday, for the passage of the bill by the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track," he wrote on social platform X, formerly Twitter.

Zelenskyy added the $95 billion U.S. aid bill, about to be approved by the U.S. Senate "will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Saturday that passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of a bill on aid to Ukraine would "further ruin" Ukraine and result in more deaths in the conflict.

Peskov also told Tass news agency that a provision in the legislation allowing the U.S. administration to confiscate seized Russian assets and transfer them to Ukraine for reconstruction would tarnish the image of the United States.

Russia, he added, would respond with measures in its own interests.

With the war in its third year since Moscow's invasion of its neighbor in 2022, Russia is slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine.

Just this year, Ukraine had been attacked by almost 1,200 missiles, more than 1,500 drones and 8,500 guided bombs amid delays in Western military assistance, Zelenskyy said Friday.

Zelenskyy appeals to NATO

Zelenskyy appealed to NATO members Friday, to step up arms deliveries to Ukraine struggling with diminished munition while Russia has air advantage and larger ground forces.

"NATO must decide if it is Kyiv's ally," Zelenskyy told a gathering of NATO defense ministers in Brussels via video link. "Our sky must become safe again," he added.

His appeal to Western partners to provide at least seven more air defense systems came hours after Russia barraged the country with deadly drones and missiles.

At least eight people, including two children, were killed in a Russian barrage on Ukraine's eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. But Ukraine said it had downed one of the long-range Russian bombers that launched the missiles for the first time.

Zelenskyy compared Western efforts to defend Israel to those toward Ukraine's defense against Russia and said more could be done to help Kyiv repel Russian airstrikes.

Ukraine could not defend itself without Western support, he told NATO ministers.

"It is obvious that now, while Russia has air advantage and can rely on its drone and rocket terror, our capabilities on the ground, unfortunately, are limited," he said.

Earlier Friday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc had agreed to give Ukraine more weapons including air defenses.

"I expect new announcements on air defense capabilities for Ukraine soon," he added.

Ukraine has faced a surge in devastating Russian attacks on its cities. Earlier this week, a strike on the city of Chernihiv killed 18 people.

Earlier Friday, Zelenskyy said he had visited Ukrainian front-line troops and inspected new defensive lines in the war-battered Donetsk region.

He also said Russia had struck two food export terminals at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi Friday.

This was "part of a deliberate Russian strategy to cause maximum damage to Ukraine and the countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural goods," he said.

VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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RADNOR, Pa., April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against agilon health, inc. (NYSE: AGL) (agilon or the Company). This action, captioned Hope v. agilon health, inc., et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-00305, was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas and expanded the class period which was pled in a first-filed case in that same Court. After the Hope action was filed, another case was filed against agilon in another Court, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which even further expanded the class period as pled in the Hope action as that case is brought on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired agilon common stock between April 15, 2021, and February 27, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period).



Important Deadline Reminder: The first-filed action in the Western District of Texas issued a notice of its filing pursuant to the federal securities laws which triggered the deadline of May 20, 2024, for any investors who purchased agilon common stock to seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. The filing of the Hope Action does not change the May 20, 2024, lead plaintiff deadline.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR AGILON LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/agilon-health-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=agl&mktm=r

CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE . YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://youtu.be/PB_vrMuHE7w

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: MAY 20, 2024

CLASS PERIOD: APRIL 15, 2021, THROUGH FEBRUARY 27, 2024

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Email at info@ktmc.com

DEFENDANTS MISCONDUCT

agilon is a healthcare and technology company that acts as an intermediary between physician groups that provide medical services to senior citizens and Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurers. One of agilons key financial metrics is medical margin, which the Company defines as medical services revenue less medical services expenses.

The Class Period begins on April 15, 2021, which is the day after the Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC and the first day agilon shares were publicly traded in connection with the IPO.

Throughout the Class Period, Defendants repeatedly touted the strength of agilons medical margin. Additionally, Defendants downplayed the significant cost pressures on the Companys medical margin and profitability. For example, on June 7, 2023, just days before other health insurers such as UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Humana Inc. reported significant increases in medical costs, Defendant Bensley, speaking at an analyst-sponsored healthcare conference, reported that Defendants expect this year to generate somewhere around $550 million of medical margin, noting that the Company has seen steady progress on medical margin upwards.

Investors began to learn the truth about the cost pressures impacting agilons medical margin and profitability on November 2, 2023, when the Company announced its third quarter 2023 financial results after the market closed. Critically, agilon reported a net loss of $31 million for the third quarter of 2023 and slashed its fiscal year 2023 medical margin to a range between $455 million and $470 million. Defendant Sell also assured investors that agilons more conservative approach to guidance should reduce the risk of negative claims development next year. On this news, the price of agilon common stock declined $3.78 per share, or more than 22% over two trading-days, from a close of $16.89 per share on November 2, 2023, to close at $13.11 per share on November 6, 2023.

After several additional disclosures in November 2023, investors more fully learned the truth about the cost pressures on agilons medical margin and profitability before the market opened on January 5, 2024, when agilon updated its fiscal year 2023 financial results and provided its initial outlook for 2024. Critically, agilon further slashed its 2023 medical margin guidance more than $100 million, to a range between $340 million and $360 million, due to higher-than-expected medical costs. This represented a decline of more than 34% from the $550 million in medical margin it had predicted. On the related investor guidance call, Defendant Sell acknowledged that agilon failed to recognize these elevated cost trends and had a data and analytics gap that led to [the Company] being late in both recognizing the magnitude and source of the utilization shifts. Defendant Sell further indicated that the increased cost trends were expected to persist through 2024. Also on January 5, 2024, Defendant Bensley announced that he would retire in 2024. On this news, the price of agilon common stock plummeted $3.45 per share, or nearly 29%, from a close of $12.08 per share on January 4, 2024, to close at $8.63 per share on January 5, 2024.

Finally, on February 27, 2024, agilon disclosed that its 2023 medical margin had in fact come in at just $299 million for the year  far lower than the range of $340 million to $360 million provided just a few weeks prior. Furthermore, agilon slashed its 2024 medical margin guidance by 27%. On this news, the price of agilon common stock dropped from $6.48 per share when the market closed on February 27, 2024, to $6.04 per share on March 1, 2024, a 7% decline on abnormally heavy volume of a three-day period. In subsequent days, the price of agilon stock continued to decline, falling to a low of just $5.66 per share on March 6, 2024, more than 85% below the Class Period high.

WHAT CAN I DO?

agilon investors may, no later than May 20, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages agilon investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries.

For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(484) 270-1453

info@ktmc.com
MIAMI, April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibogaine By David Dardashti is a specialized clinic that focuses on treating addiction, particularly in instances where there is a past of sexual abuse. The clinic acknowledges the significant link between addiction and sexual abuse, and comprehends the deep influence these traumas can have on a person's life.



David Dardashti and his team possess direct experience in dealing with individuals who have suffered from both addiction and sexual abuse. They are committed to offering a secure and supportive setting for recovery. The clinic provides an all-inclusive treatment plan that tackles both the physical and emotional facets of addiction, with an emphasis on addressing the root trauma of sexual abuse.

By integrating therapy, counseling, and natural treatments like ibogaine therapy, the clinic strives to assist individuals in breaking the addiction cycle and regaining control of their lives. Ibogaine By David Dardashti is dedicated to aiding individuals in healing from their past traumas and progressing towards a healthier, brighter future. Gavriel Dardashti, the son of the clinic's founder, is employed in the public school system. During his tenure, he has observed students exhibiting traits akin to abuse victims at the clinic. In reaction to this, Gavriel and Ibogaine By David Dardashti have resolved to take action and initiate efforts to fight sexual violence. To create a sustainable solution, Ibogaine By David Dardashti has devised two methods.

The clinic acknowledges the significance of connecting with political figures to efficiently fight against sexual abuse and foster beneficial transformations. By establishing connections with crucial policymakers, the campaign strives to champion for regulations and laws that back survivors and make offenders answerable. This networking initiative includes partnering with diverse organizations and interested parties who are united in the common objective of eradicating sexual violence.

Through these collaborations, the campaign aims to foster dialogues and initiatives that enlighten participants about the strength of joint action. By emphasizing how individuals, organizations, and politicians can work together towards a shared goal, the campaign aspires to instill a sense of solidarity and empowerment within the community. The ultimate objective is to establish a support and advocacy network that magnifies the voices of survivors and propels significant change in the battle against sexual violence. The second approach involves raising awareness and proposing solutions via publications. In these publications, Ibogaine By David Dardashti will address topics from comprehending the repercussions of sexual violence to prevention methods.

This approach will also offer information on victim treatment and advice on how individuals can contribute. Besides the aforementioned strategies, Ibogaine By David Dardashti has also committed to donating to sexual assault awareness programs. This is a crucial move in the fight against sexual violence, and Ibogaine By David Dardashti is proud to contribute to the cause. I am passionate about working in the public school system, but it deeply saddens me when I see a student exhibiting the same kind of distress I have seen in those undergoing treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, stated Gavriel Dardashti, Scientific Researcher. That's why it's so vital to collaborate and make a difference. We at Ibogaine By David Dardashti are doing our part to heighten awareness and create solutions for this pressing issue.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti is committed to tackling the problem of sexual violence through a comprehensive strategy. One of the methods the organization employs to fight sexual violence is by establishing connections with political figures. By fostering relationships with legislators and policy makers, Ibogaine By David Dardashti strives to champion laws and policies that will aid in preventing sexual violence and assist survivors.

Besides collaborating with politicians, Ibogaine By David Dardashti is also dedicated to heightening awareness about sexual violence via publications. By disseminating information and resources through various mediums, such as social media, websites, and print materials, the organization seeks to enlighten the public about the widespread nature of sexual violence and the resources accessible for survivors.

Moreover, Ibogaine By David Dardashti is actively backing sexual assault awareness initiatives through financial contributions. By providing monetary support to organizations and projects that aim to curb sexual violence and assist survivors, Ibogaine By David Dardashti is contributing to a tangible change in the battle against sexual violence.

In summary, Ibogaine By David Dardashti's dedication to fighting sexual violence is apparent through its strategic alliances, efforts to raise awareness, and financial backing for programs committed to addressing this critical issue. Through these endeavors, Ibogaine By David Dardashti is striving to foster a safer and more supportive environment for all those impacted by sexual violence.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86772148-9e35-4199-ad0e-ccf158e423f5
MIAMI, April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibogaine By David Dardashti is proud to announce an expanded treatment program providing greater support and more comprehensive care options to those suffering from addiction.

"Overcoming Addiction" Ibogaine By David Dardashti is dedicated to providing the highest level of care and services to those struggling with addiction. To ensure every patient receives the best possible treatment, the team at Ibogaine By David Dardashti is now offering a more extensive treatment option. This option covers comprehensive testing before and after the initial ibogaine treatment, as well as more exclusive therapy options such as computer brain imaging, PET Scans, and Leg Weakness Testing (LWTs). Furthermore, the team is now providing aftercare coordination services to assist in setting up the most optimal environment for recovery. This includes providing the patient with a free reflection treatment several months after the initial ibogaine treatment to help the person discover the growth that the ibogaine treatment has provided them. Additionally, the team then provides a wide range of activities for the patient to take part in such as swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, and trips to the Mayan Ruins. At Ibogaine By David Dardashti we are committed to providing our patients with the very best care, said David Dardashti, founder of Ibogaine By David Dardashti. We understand that recovery requires more than just the ibogaine treatment. It requires a holistic therapeutic environment that allows the person suffering from addiction to grow and heal. That is why we are excited to offer this expanded treatment option to our patients.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti is now offering an extensive treatment option which features comprehensive testing, exclusive therapy options, and aftercare coordination services to provide a holistic therapeutic environment that aids patients in overcoming addiction.

For those seeking help and support for an addiction, Ibogaine By David Dardashti stands ready to provide hope and healing. Contact us today to learn more about our new expanded treatment program.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9fbe973d-cdfa-4679-86e1-aaadba1171b7
MIAMI, April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibogaine By David Dardashti, an organization that provides ibogaine-assisted addiction treatment, is encouraging those going through treatment to practice compassion towards themselves and others in the months to come.

"Self-Compassion" Self-love is not only about having confidence in oneself, its also demonstrated through self-compassion. Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself in the same manner as you would treat others with respect and care. This involves taking care of our minds and bodies and knowing our limits. Compassion towards others is distinguishable from empathy in a sense that empathy involves understanding what someone might be going through, while compassion is going through and sharing the pain with the person. Sometimes, you may not be able to fully understand what another person might be going through, but the best way to help is simply being supportive and present, knowing that one is there for them. As far as self-compassion is concerned, a person does not necessarily need to talk about what they are going through  rather, allow the presents of others to comfort them. According to Neuroscientist Misty Huckabey, Empathy is about understanding what someone might be dealing with, compassion involves going through the grieving process with that person.

Self-compassion involves treating oneself with respect and care, understanding the limits of oneself and sharing the feelings and emotions of others in order to be supportive.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti encourages those going through treatment to practice self-love and compassion, both towards themselves and others. Making sure that our mental and physical health is taken care of is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so taking care of ourselves and remaining present to those around us are essential steps to a happier and healthier life.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dee38813-ec8f-4416-b6cc-3849d74f8218
MIAMI, April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibogaine By David Dardashti, a leader in the field of ibogaine therapy, is introducing a more effective and efficient way to enhance work performance with the help of quantum electrodynamics.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti is utilizing electromagnetism and quantum electrodynamics to enhance the power of ibogaine treatment for those seeking to increase their work performance. The electromagnetic waves generated from the earth are believed to converge during particular times associated with the signs of the zodiac. As the earth orbits the sun and passes through certain sign alignments, the electromagnetism from the environment increases, providing a stronger therapeutic effect with ibogaine.

The effects of ibogaine treatments become vastly more powerful when the electromagnetic waves associated with signs such as Taurus are present, says David Dardashti, the companys founder. Those seeking improved work performance often seek ibogaine therapy, which is effective in relieving anxiety, depression, and other ailments associated with work-related stress, he adds.

The company has also shifted its focus to quantum electrodynamics as a result of its ability to pinpoint the most effective treatments at various times. This can help patients get the most out of ibogaine therapy, and thus make quicker progress towards a more productive work lifestyle.

The timing of ibogaine treatments can be made even more effective with the help of quantum electrodynamics, claims Dardashti. We believe that quantum electrodynamics can help people get relief from work-related stress more quickly, allowing them to be more productive and successful.

The company also recommends maintaining a proper structure for optimal results. "Having a routine and sticking to it is often the best way to remain productive and avoid feeling overwhelmed," says Dardashti.

Finally, ibogaine treatments during certain astronomical cycles, such as a full moon, are also believed to be more effective. The increased energy and electromagnetic waves from the heavens are thought to be beneficial, offering a more balanced ibogaine treatment experience.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti utilizes electromagnetism, quantum electrodynamics, and astronomical cycles to create an optimized and effective ibogaine treatment experience to increase work productivity.

If youre looking for a more efficient way to improve your work performance, visit Ibogaine By David Dardashti today and see how ibogaine treatments can help you become more productive and successful.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce220c25-b940-421e-89cf-4a7accc55d9e


Bengal's Raiganj to have maximum CAPF deployment in 2nd phase Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal will have the maximum deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel among the three constituencies in the state that will go to polls in the second phase on April 26. The three constituencies going to polls are -- Raiganj, Darjeeling and Balurghat.



Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Ariz Aftab said that currently, 303 companies of CAPF are in West Bengal, out of which 272 companies will be deployed for the three Lok Sabha constituencies.



It is learnt that as many as 111 companies will be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum among the three. Darjeeling will have 88 companies and 73 companies will be deployed at Balurghat.



Of the 111 companies to be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum deployment will be for the Islampur Assembly constituency, one of the seven under this Lok Sabha.



Sources said that there are reasons for keeping Raiganj under special scanner as the Election Commission (ECI) did in the case of Cooch Behar in the first phase on April 19.



It is learnt that of the 1,730 polling booths at Raiganj, 418 or 24 per cent are highly sensitive booths. The figure is comparatively higher compared to that of Darjeeling where 20 per cent of the booths are extra sensitive. In the case of Balurghat, the figure is 19 per cent.



In the first phase, 100 per cent of the polling booths were covered under web-casting and similar will be followed in the second phase as well. Through this web-casting the officials of the CEO's office will be able to monitor the developments at the polling booths directly from the control room of the officials.




Alpine still fending off F1 sale rumours

For about the third time in as many weeks, Bruno Famin has once again rejected persistent rumours that Alpine's Formula 1 team is on the market.

Esteban Ocon, Chinese GP 2024

 Alpine

After a couple of seasons of management and shareholding chaos, Renault's works team emerged with arguably the slowest car of all for the 2024 season.

Esteban Ocon got a new floor on his Alpine in China, and told Canal Plus that he sees signs of hope.

These are small but not insignificant improvements, said the Frenchman. You have to see satisfaction in that - that you work hard and it pays off.

However, Ocon warned that a big gap remains. There are still three tenths to P12, which is a lot, he said. We must not get excited, but we are not far from the points.

For top French F1 journalist Julien Biliotte, writing for the iconic Auto Hebdo magazine, the situation remains embarrassing.

He said France has a glistening and successful history in motor racing, and now we are a joke .

"They (Alpine) want to compete with the best, but are not prepared to invest enough. Alpine is not even hitting the budget limit while the others find loopholes to spend even more.

Alpine wants to taste champagne, but they're not prepared to buy a really good bottle.

Biliotte points the finger at Famin.

He's the team boss in Formula 1, but also responsible for endurance projects and is vice-president of Alpine, he said. Other team bosses are fully focused on Formula 1.

Another respected journalist, Louis Dekker of the Dutch broadcaster NOS, added: "The fact that the team operates from both France and England is difficult, but the investors have also contributed to this.

They have put more into financial adventures than race strategy and motorsport.

For now at least, however, Alpine does not appear to be looking to sell up.

It is very clear that the team is not for sale, Famin told L'Equipe.

"We have a real brand project which is to develop Alpine internationally, and for this we have the support of the group's top management.

The Alpine project and the F1 team remain. We are well aware of the issues and the requirements.

(GMM)
Welcome to your weekly recap. Huawei unveiled the Pura 70 series - the new, revamped P series. There are four phones - the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Pro+, and the Pura 70 Ultra. They all share a triangular camera island and a new Kirin 9010 chipset made by Huawei. They also all have variable aperture lenses on their main cameras, which are a 50MP 1/1.3" on the 70 and 70 Pro/Pro+, and a 50MP 1" type with a retractable lens on the Ultra. All Pura 70 devices will come to China first, most starting from April 22, the Ultra later this month.

Motorola unveiled the Edge 50 Ultra and made the Edge 50 Pro global. The Ultra has a real wood option along with two vegan leather colorways  Forest Grey and Peach Fuzz (Pantones Color of the Year 2024). It also comes specced with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a 50MP 1/1.3 main sensor, and a 3x 72mm periscope, which is equipped with a 64MP sensor (0.7m pixels) and a bright f/2.4 aperture.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will go on sale in select European countries in the coming weeks. The base model will have a price of 1,000. The phone will also be available in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. The Edge 50 Pro is launching in select European markets for 700.



Huawei Pura 70 Ultra debuts with 1-inch retractable main cam The rotating telescopic lens features an intricate motorized structure which Huawei tested for 300,000 cycles of expansion and contraction.





Moto Edge 50 Ultra unveiled with SD 8s Gen 3, 64MP 3x periscope and real wood back There are also two vegan leather options. The display is a curved 6.7" 1220p+ OLED. The 50MP main camera has a large 1/1.3" image sensor.



A report from this week suggests that Google will not name its next foldable Fold 2 but rather go with Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Whichever name Google chooses, this device could make its debut at Google's annual hardware unveiling event this October, and not at Google I/O in May like its predecessor. It's likely that we'll also see the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

In other news, WhatsApp launched chat filters. These will filter your chat list according to different criteria - All, Unread, Groups.



Boring Phone is an HMD-made anti-smartphone by Heineken The device is made in collaboration with Heineken and creative firm Bodega and will be limited to 5,000 units.


One of BARTs last legacy railcars exits Bay Fair Station in San Leandro on Saturday. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle BART riders take a last trip through Oakland on a legacy rail car. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle Dominic Lin glances out the door window of a BART legacy car on one of its last runs. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle Officials unveil BARTs first model car on June 22, 1965. Bill Young/The Chronicle 1965 A BART train pulls into MacArthur Station in Oakland during the start of service on Sept. 11, 1972. Peter Breinig/The Chronicle 1972 BART premieres a new car on a run from Fremont to Daly City on March 28, 1988. Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle 1988 Wearing a train conductor hat, Wesley Hinkle, 15, attends an event marking the retirement of BARTs legacy railcars. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle Guests press buttons of a train operators console during the event at BARTs MacArthur Station Plaza in Oakland. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle BART merchandise was sold at an event to mark the retirement of the transit agencys legacy railcars. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle Jay Bolcik, BARTs former manager of schedules and service planning and a rail historian at the Prelinger Library in San Francisco, speaks during Saturdays ceremony at MacArthur Station in Oakland. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle A crowd gathers at MacArthur Station Plaza in Oakland to bid farewell to BARTs legacy railcars. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle Lau Lopez has her picture taken at MacArthur Station Plaza in Oakland. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

BARTs slant-nosed legacy fleet of trains said their final farewell to the Bay Area on Saturday as thousands of people  from folks who rode the first train in 1972 to BART officials and self-described transit nerds from across the country  gathered in Oakland to celebrate the trains.

Three of the trains made their final journeys, heading to Fremont before returning to the Hayward yard en route to a wrecking yard, where most of the original cars will be ground up and recycled.

Saturday was a happy day for BART, which has seen more than its share of gloomy ones over the years including train breakdowns, strikes, a deadly fire in the Transbay Tube that killed a firefighter in 1979 and a pandemic-induced ridership plunge.

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BART officials, reporters and a few luminaries were among the first to sit in a BART rail car on June 22, 1965, several years before the transit agency opened. Bill Young/The Chronicle 1965

But through it all, BARTs legacy fleet of cars persevered, giving millions of rides.

Before the retiring trains took their final rides, thousands attended a ceremony that was a miniature BART festival of sorts in the plaza at the MacArthur Station in Oakland.

They lined up to buy BART merchandise  stickers, stuffed BART trains, T-shirts and number plates removed from already retired trains. They collected stamps on BART passports, posed for pictures inside the slanted-front of an old lead car and ate from food trucks. Many sported BART sweaters and T-shirts, while some wore BART earrings and buttons.

Everyones so happy, said Alicia Trost, BARTs chief communications officer, enjoying the admittedly unusual experience.

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A crowd watches Saturday as a BART legacy railcar leaves Bay Fair Station in San Leandro on one of its final stops before retirement. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

The good spirits even continued as several people gave speeches. The crowd cheered when BART General Manager Bob Powers praised not only the legacy cars, but the BART Board of Directors, the maintenance crews and BARTs unions and police chief, all occasional subjects of animosity from critical riders and observers over the years.

The only time the crowd booed was when BART Board President Bevan Dufty said the majority of the 669 legacy cars would face a dire future  being stripped then hauled to a scrap yard, where theyll be pulverized and turned into piles of aluminum and steel that will be recycled.

Several will be saved, however, and used for a variety of purposes including a vacation rental in the Gold Country foothills and a community bicycle workshop in deep East Oakland. A train consisting of three of the railcars will be taken to the Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista Junction near Suisun City where theyll be preserved and restored.

After today, youre not going to see another one of our legacy cars on the tracks, said Dufty.

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A crowd holds Clipper cards at MacArthur Station in Oakland during the farewell ceremony for BARTs legacy railcars. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

BART started running its new cars  which it labeled the Fleet of the Future  in 2018. As more and more new cars arrived, they were pressed into service and the oldest cars retired.

Then in September, BART announced that all of its regularly scheduled trains would consist of new cars. The legacy trains made only sporadic appearances to provide extra service.

Powers said the large crowd that showed up to say goodbye to the old trains is a testament to what BART means to the Bay Area. BARTs computer-controlled trains with the space-age look  the slanted nose and sleek silver aluminum exterior  were state of the art in 1972 and attracted worldwide attention. President Richard Nixon even rode BART when the system opened.

A crowd tries to board a train at MacArthur Station in Oakland on Sept. 11, 1972, the first day of service for the transit agency. Peter Breinig/The Chronicle 1972

Since then, the interiors have been replaced a couple of times and the entire fleet overhauled and rebuilt and changed slightly as it expanded. But the trains have persevered, Powers said, no more so than after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake when they ran around the clock when the Bay Bridge was closed.

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BART General Manager Bob Powers spoke with passengers Raven Jenkins, left foreground, Andre Mosteiro, right foreground, and Johann Curry, background, as the transit systems legacy rail cars made their last run Saturday in Oakland. Behind Powers stood BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

It was BART that kept the Bay Area running, Powers said.

After the speeches were done, the crowd lined up  circling the plaza  to ride one of three final legacy fleet trains. The first, carrying elected officials and other dignitaries, went only as far as Bay Fair Station, while the other two traveled the entirety of the original BART route  from MacArthur to Fremont.

Thomas Cruz, 61, a test engineer for Lockheed-Martin, lives across from the Milpitas Station, which didnt exist when BART started. As a child he longed to ride BART and got his first chance in 1979, he said.

I fell in love with the trains since then, he said as the final train passed through Hayward.

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Passengers exit one of the final runs on BARTs legacy rail cars Saturday at Bay Fair Station in San Leandro. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

It spoke of modernity, of the future, at a time when America had largely turned from public transportation.

John Lyon, 31, who was born in San Jose but now lives in the Seattle suburb of Redmond, was one of several people who came from out of state to ride the last of the old trains. He was born in San Jose before moving out of state at 3 but made frequent visits. He first rode BART from Fremont to San Francisco on one of those visits in his childhood.

I was enchanted from the moment I stepped onto the train, he said. Since then Ive turned into a general transit nerd, but BART has maintained a special place in my heart.

Another self-proclaimed transit nerd, Omriqui Thomas, 16, flew into the Bay Area from Cambridge, Mass., to say farewell to the legacy cars. Shes an intern for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, BARTs Boston-area transit equivalent.

District 3 Director Rebecca Saltzman wore a BART earring while riding a legacy railcar during one of its last runs. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle

She said she had ridden BART often while visiting family in the Bay Area and fell in love with these cars.

At the controls of one of the final legacy trains was Keith Dixon, a train operator for 29 years. It was just another day at work, he said, though he acknowledged that while he appreciates the new trains, hell miss the old ones.




Haiti - Rep. Dominican : Between 500 and 800 million dollars spent per year on Haitian parturients





Mario Lama, the Head of the National Health Service, recognized that the maternal mortality rate in the Dominican Republic was high, but he indicated that there is a factor that affects this rate, citing the case of Haitian parturients, who arrive in health centers without prenatal examination and which present 4 times more risk than a Dominican parturient.



"[...] Malnutrition, pre-existing chronic illnesses and above all, they come to our consultations or to the emergency room with very serious situations," declared the doctor adding "all these deaths, although they occur in our hospitals, are difficult to control," adding that major improvement plans have been carried out in hospitals, new maternity wards, strengthening of intensive care, in addition to the addition of nursing and medical staff, training and strengthening of laboratories."



Mario Lama said that 70 to 80 percent of maternal deaths are preventable, but "prenatal checkups are important and risky conditions are managed." There are factors that, despite our considerable efforts, continue to negatively influence our infant mortality rates,  recalling "in 2023 we had nearly 36% of Haitian parturients in our public network, in 2019 it was barely 23%, we are talking about nearly 13% more Haitian parturients in the public network and this is increasing by year after year," he added.



Concerning the expenses related to the medical care of pregnant Haitian women, Lama indicated that the former Minister of Health, Daniel Rivera, "had made an estimate and declared that between 500 and 800 million US dollars are spent annually for women Haitian women."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41675-haiti-health-354-of-births-in-dom-rep-were-of-haitian-mothers-january-2024.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39874-haiti-health-haitian-ambulances-bring-parturient-women-to-give-birth-in-the-dr.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-38213-icihaiti-health-85-of-deliveries-at-the-melenciano-de-jimani-hospital-were-haitian-women.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37188-haiti-health-tens-of-thousands-of-haitians-continue-to-give-birth-each-year-in-the-dominican-republic.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36069-icihaiti-health-despite-the-restrictions-imposed-more-haitians-give-birth-in-dom-rep.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Arts : Two Haitian painters exhibited at the 2024 Venice Biennale





The 60th edition of the Venice Biennale, launched on Saturday April 20, 2024, is taking place this year under the artistic direction of Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa, the first Latin American to direct this event, which has existed for 130 years.



Pedrosa wanted to create an exhibition open to the world. He selected 331 artists, the majority of whom, little or not known, come from Africa, America and the Middle East.



The theme chosen for this biennial is "Foreigners Everywhere".



Two Haitian painters, Philome OBIN and Seneque OBIN from the Art Center, are among the 331 artists participating in the Venice Biennale this year. Their works are exhibited at the Central Pavilion, one of the main sites of the Biennale.



Curator Rodrigo Moura, on the Venice Biennale website, describes Philome Obin as a chronicler of social dynamics in public space. "He has a wide range of themes and a recognizable and influential style of complex narrative compositions."







Pholome Obin born in Limbe in 1892 and died in 1986 in Cap-Haitien at the age of 94



As for Seneca, Moura sees in his work a mirror "from which to understand the arts in the Americas in the mid-20th century. His work exposes the contradictions of the modernization process, challenging labels like 'self-taught', 'naive', and 'primitive' often applied to artists of color, like himself. Through a myriad of themes, motifs, and iconographies, Obin visually articulated various aspects of Haitian culture."







Seneque Obin was born in Limbe in 1893 and died in 1977 in Cap-Haitien at the age of 84



The 2024 Venice Biennale will end on November 24, 2024.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Bahamas : more than 500 Haitians repatriated in April

The Bahamas repatriated 274 Haitian nationals this week aboard the "HMBS Lawrence Major" of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. The previous repatriation dates from April 8, 2024 when 257 migrants (218 men and 39 women) were intercepted in the south of the archipelago.



National Palace : limited access

Since April 19, 2024, only members of the Presidency (General Secretariat, General Administration, Presidential Security, Accounting Post), as well as special guests, are authorized to circulate in the National Palace, informs a note from Inspector General Vladimir Parison Presidential Security Coordinator. Furthermore, the Directorate of the Palace Security Unit summoned to their posts all executives and agents of the Presidential Security Unit (USP) and the better known "Counter-Ambushment Team". under the name CAT Team until further notice.



FIFA : prelude to the club licensing seminar

Friday April 19, as a prelude to the FIFA / CONCACAF seminar on club licensing, for the benefit of D1 club licensing managers, which will take place on April 24, the latter were entitled to an evaluation and training session, organized by the FHF secretariat, by videoconference via zoom. The appropriate behaviors to adopt for successful participation in a meeting organized via Zoom was the main point discussed during the fruitful exchanges between the participants. Punctuality, checking your equipment or active participation are, among other things, among the behaviors to adopt.



Donation : $20 million USD for the urgent needs of Haiti

The Open Society Foundation founded by billionaire George Sorros announced it is granting $20 million to help meet urgent needs in Haiti. These funds will go to the Boston-based WK Kellogg Foundation, which launched a campaign last fall to continue providing grants to grassroots organizations in Haiti.



Training : Management of cases of violence in pre-hospital environment

In order to enable health personnel to better manage cases of violence in a pre-hospital environment, the International Committee of the Red Cross recently organized training for trainers on the de-escalation of violence in a pre-hospital environment in benefit of 14 employees including 10 from the National Ambulance Center (CAN), 2 from the MSF Organization and 2 others from the Haitian Red Cross. This training aims to prepare people who have previously acquired knowledge on the subject and are able to replicate it around them.



148 community restaurants restocked

As part of the activities of the "Kore Pep" program benefiting from funding from Taiwan (Republic of China), the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) restocked 148 community restaurants located in the metropolitan area from 18 to 20 April 2024.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















A group of protesters march in Oakland in August 2020 demanding an end to police violence. A 20-year report analyzing the socioeconomic outcomes for Black Californians found that between 2000 and 2020, Black people in the state have suffered the brunt of racial inequality, including in the criminal justice system. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Tinisch Hollins, vice chair of San Franciscos African American Reparations Advisory Committee, speaks to attendees at a rally in support of reparations in September 2023. Between 2000 and 2020, Black Californians saw marginal improvement in their socioeconomic standing, according to a 20-year report published this month. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The growth of cutting-edge tech giants like Meta, Apple and Google helped fuel the meteoric rise of affluence in California during the first two decades of the new millennium. The state even raised the minimum wage multiple times, to $13 by 2020 from $5.75 in 2000. As personal income grew, politically, California further established itself as a Democratic stronghold and a state more amenable than most to racial justice-focused policies.

But a study of the years between 2000 and 2020 said one thing about California was largely immune to change: racial inequality and the hardships faced by Black Californians.

The Black Policy Project at UCLAs Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies published the study this month. The report tracked changes in Black Californians socioeconomic standing between 2000 and 2020, before the onset of the pandemic, using an Equality Index. The index uses scores to compare the degree to which Black people experience equal conditions with other ethnic groups, with white people serving as the baseline group with a score of 1.0.

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The overall equality index score for Black Californians in the report was 0.69, which means that across all socioeconomic variables, Black residents outcomes were 69% of what White peoples outcomes were.

Whites, Asians, Latinos and Indigenous Californians all had higher overall scores.

The Black Policy Projects report builds on a similar report published in 2007, which Californias Legislative Black Caucus sponsored to get a sense of how Black Californians were living in the year 2000. The report also used the Equality Index.

In 2000, Black folks overall score was 0.66  just three hundreths of a point below what it was in 2020.

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The slow pace of improvement over two decades, according to the report, means it would take nearly 248 years for Black Californians to close the socioeconomic gap between white people and to live the American dream white Californians know well.

Notably, both 2000 and 2020 reports showed Asian Californians as having equal or better socioeconomic outcomes compared with white Californians. Asians had a 1.01 overall index score in 2000 and 1.14 in 2020. But the index uses white people as the baseline group, because white people dont have to deal with the racial barriers in life. If racial barriers didnt exist, the outcomes for white people should be attainable for Black people, the report states.

Sadly, racial inequality appears ingrained in Californias very fabric. So, the reasons Black folks scored so low in the 2020 report are as multifaceted as they are familiar.

The average household income in California is $92,100 for whites, $105,000 for Asians and $64,000 for Latinos  while only $56,800 for Black Californians, according to the report. As of 2020, Black people had the lowest California homeownership rates of any group at 31.9%, including a shockingly low 12% in San Francisco, while white people had the highest overall at 56%. Every other group besides Black people had a rate above 40%.

Black folks had the highest unemployment rate for any group in the report at 6.4% as of 2020, and Black people were the only group to have a jobless rate above 5%. The unemployment rate was 5% for Indigenous people, 4.5% for Latinos, 3.7% for whites and 3.2% for Asians.

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Some of the other alarming data from the report: Black people had the highest infant mortality rate of any group in California; Black folks had the highest felony arrest rates and the longest average jail sentences, and for the first time in decades, the Black Californian population decreased to 2.1 million in 2020 from 2.2 million in 2000.

These racial gaps exist because of the deep entrenchment of exclusion, historically, and the inability of, at least as this report shows, for Black Californians to be able to connect with institutions that improve mobility and enhance economic resources that tie into housing and health and all these other things mentioned in the report, Michael Stoll, the director of the Black Policy Project, told me.

The report isnt without its limitations. The data shows there is racial inequality in California, which is important to know, but the study doesnt explain why the scores are different for different races. Also, it only looks at groups as a whole and doesnt take into account nuanced differences within ethnic groups.

Still, the data speaks to the need for revolutionary interventions targeting the states Black residents, and there are options on the table, Chris Lodgson from the community advocacy group Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, told me.

This report is just more proof for why reparations arent just owed but necessary in California, said Lodgson, who helps lead CJECs efforts in achieving reparations in California.

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Lodgson says there are reasons to be hopeful, even though the states efforts lately to make reparations arent very well organized. Different Black lawmakers are introducing different sets of bills, and many of them are weak attempts to carry out the ambitious reparations plans put forward by the states reparations task force last summer, after the body spent two years researching the topic.

Senate Bill 1403, which proposes to establish a state agency in charge of overseeing and administering reparations in California, is a vital step in making it a reality in California. On April 9, the California Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8-1 to advance it to the Committee on Governmental Organization for another hearing later this month.

Black Californians need help. And we have a lot of proof that what weve been doing as a state simply isnt working, Lodgson said.

The evidence that Black peoples socioeconomic status barely improved between 2000 and 2020, and Californias inaction on reparations, is an incontestable failure in a state that loves touting its liberal thinking and dedication to racial equality.

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County honors Partnership for recruiting $1B in capital investment

Pictured in are Zach Cooper, Jamie Justus, Brittany Brady, Rebecca McCall, Mark Russell, Emily Martin, Sheila Franklin, Chip Gould, Will Buie and Nathan Kennedy. Behind are commissioners Daniel Andreotta, David Hill, Michael Edney and Bill Lapsley.

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners paid tribute on Wednesday to the Partnership for Economic Development, saluting the nonprofit agency for recruiting companies that had invested more than $1 billion in land and new factories and created more than 3,370 new jobs.

A public-private organization, the Partnership since it was formed has recruited $1,094,115,000 in new capital investment  accounting for 24 percent of tax receipts created more than 3,370 new jobs and worked to retain the countys manufacturing workforce, said the resolution proclaiming May 6-10 Economic Development Week.

Commissioners themselves are a crucial partner in the jobs recruiting enterprise, having awarded millions of dollars in property tax givebacks for companies that meet investment and payroll standards.
Four Seasons earns 'We Honor Veterans' recognition

Four Seasons Chaplain Michael Wermuth, a U.S. Navy veteran, is shown in a pinning ceremony honoring U.S. Army veteran Bill Troutman near the end of his life. Troutman died at home on April 10. [CONTRIBUTED]

Four Seasons has earned the "We Honor Veterans Level 4 Status," a demonstration of the hospice organization's ability to increase access and improve the quality of care for veterans in the community.

"This achievement is significant as there are only five levels hospice organizations can achieve through the We Honor Veterans program," Four Seasons said in a news release. "It also reflects the commitment and dedication of our Four Seasons team to ensure we continually understand, adapt and respond to the unique needs of veterans in our care."

We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to honor those nearing the end of life who served in the United States Military. Four Seasons has been a WHV partner since 2014, when we joined with the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America to learn how we could best serve veterans together.

With the help of MOAA member and Four Seasons volunteers like former board member and retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Knapp and many others over the past decade, Four Seasons has conducted Veteran Pinning Ceremonies to acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

The work has truly been a labor of love for our veterans and their families. Every veteran who has been honored has at one point in his or her lifetime sworn an oath to defend our country at all cost," Knapp said. "The pinning ceremonies have afforded Four Seasons the opportunity to honor and thank those who have served our nation."

Four Seasons Chaplain Michael Wermuth added: As a chaplain, I have been fortunate to participate in hundreds of pinning ceremonies. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I appreciate greatly the support of my community and nation. Many Americans do not realize the sacrifices that are made on their behalf every day by the men and women in uniform. When patients enter our care, we are blessed beyond measure to attend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Scores of veterans never received the homecoming they deserved. With that in mind, it is our delight to at least give them the homegoing they have earned through their military service.




A WOMAN from Sonning Common was featured on a TV programme to tell the extraordinary story of her grandfather, who was rescued by a lifeboat during the Second World War.

Christine Bradley was filmed for the BBC documentary series Saving Lives at Sea, which tells the story and history of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Her grandfather, Horace Young, was rescued by Cromer coxswain Henry Bloggs in 1941 after his merchant navy ship was stranded on a sandbank off the Norfolk coast.

Bloggs had to make two attempts to rescue the ship of 44 sailors because of the bad weather and lost one of his crewmen in the process. He managed to bring all the men to shore.

To thank him, Mr Youngs wife Vera raised money and sent each lifeboatman 5 in a wallet, the equivalent of about 300 today.

Mrs Bradley, a retired nurse, was filmed visiting the actual lifeboat, the H F Bailey, which is now on display at the Henry Bloggs Museum in Cromer.

Bloggs was a crab fisherman from Cromer and first went to sea as a lifeboatman in the 1890s. He was 63 when the war broke out.

He is one of the most decorated volunteers in RNLI history, saving more than 800 lives. On October 24, 1941, 290 cargo ships left Southend in Essex in a single file destined for Mombasa in Kenya.

By this stage in the war, the Channel was deemed too dangerous for merchant shipping and the convoy was re-routed north around Scotland to avoid enemy attack.

At the back was the 4,000-tonne SS English Trader with first officer Horace Young, from Barry in South Wales, on board.

Soon after departure, his boat became separated from the convoy and struggled to keep up. It was spotted by a German bomber as night fell and singled out for attack.

After holding off a fighter pilot in the poor weather, the boat headed for Hammonds Knoll, a sandbank, where it became wedged.

At 8.15am, Mr Bloggs set off to rescue the English Traders crew after being alerted by another vessel in the convoy.

The crew had climbed to the highest room on the ship to be safe, unaware they were being rescued. They didnt have food or water, only cigarettes.

After three hours of battling through the waves, the Cromer lifeboat arrived.

We found a steamer on the sands, said Mr Bloggs at the time. I thought it was the most appalling problem I had ever seen and I have been in the Cromer lifeboat for 48 years.

So great was the swell that Mr Bloggs and four of his crew were swept overboard. The five men made it back but after 25 minutes in the 10C water, one fell ill, Walter Allen.

The last man was a signalman, said Mr Bloggs. He was unconscious; we revived him. He sat up and spoke a little. Then he collapsed and died.

Bloggs was forced to call off the rescue attempt at 3pm due to the conditions and returned the lifeboat to Great Yarmouth.

Despite having lost a comrade, he didnt forget the merchant sailors stranded on the sandbank and before first light decided to head back out. Finally, at 11.30am, 27 hours after their initial launch, Bloggs and his crew brought the

44 survivors to safety.

Mrs Bradley spent a day filming with presenter Dermot OLeary and her two younger sisters, Denise Evans and Allison McDonald.

She stood in the same boat that her grandfather had been on after being rescued, something she said was quite dramatic.

She said: It was quite emotional, just standing there, thinking of where theyd all been.

We were asked if we would do the filming and I said yes. We did a few Zoom calls and told our story. We went in November and I spent four hours on the boat with Dermot OLeary, who was lovely. I was petrified.

We did our bit of filming but as it was cut down to about three minutes, there wasnt time to tell all the detail. I had to dress Dermot up in the old lifeboat stuff but they didnt show any of that. Id never done anything like it before.

She said OLeary signed copies of his childrens books for her grandsons.

Mr Young spent the last years of his life in a retirement flat in Caversham.

Mrs Bradley said he never spoke to her about the rescue but that her mother would provide her with snippets about his life.

It wasnt talked about, she said. Sometimes my mum and grandma would go and meet him. Theyd go on a train overnight up to Liverpool or wherever it was, just to say Hello.

My mum would tell the story of going with my grandma to London, where they met grandpa, who was dressed in a borrowed ladys mac and trousers that were too short  those are the sort of little snippets we got.

My grandmother used to go on voyages and she kept her diaries, which Ive got in the loft. Theres an interesting [entry] where theyre in Italy and she writes: We have this newfangled food called pizza.
The nomination papers of Nilesh Kumbhani, Congress' candidate for the Surat Lok Sabha seat, were rejected on Sunday after his three proposers claimed that the signatures on them were forged. Likewise, the nomination form of Suresh Padsala, Congress' alternate candidate from Surat, was also invalidated, effectively eliminating the main opposition party from the city's electoral contest. The Congress candidate from Surat Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination paper was rejected.(X/Nilesh Kumbhani)

Returning officer (RO) Sourabh Pardhi said the three nomination forms submitted by Kumbhani and Padsala were rejected after a prima facie discrepancy was found in the signatures of the proposers and they did not appear genuine. Pardhi's order stated that the proposers, through affidavits, denied signing the forms themselves.

ALSO READ- Modi govt ruining railways to sell to friends, alleges Rahul Gandhi

What is the role of a proposer according to election rules?

As per the election nomination regulations, if a candidate is contesting as a nominee of a recognised political party, one voter from the constituency is required to propose their candidacy. However, if the candidate is contesting as an independent candidate or as a candidate nominated by a registered but unrecognised political party, then ten electors from the constituency must sign the nomination paper as proposers.

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According to the rules, the Returning Officer (RO) must verify the signatures of the proposers. If, after a brief inquiry, the RO determines that the signature is not genuine, as claimed by the proposer, the nomination paper will be rejected due to insufficient proposers. Additionally, the individual who submitted the nomination paper with a forged signature or thumb impression will be subject to prosecution under the law.

However, the candidate in question should be afforded sufficient opportunity to present their case, the rules say.

ALSO READ- 'Sudden illness': Rahul Gandhi to miss INDIA bloc's Jharkhand rally, says Congress

Will go to high court, Supreme Court: Congress

Confirming it, Congress' legal representative Babu Mangukiya said, Nomination forms of Dinesh Kumbhani and Suresh Padsala have been rejected after the four proposers said signatures on the forms were not theirs. Mangukiya added that the next step would be to seek legal recourse through the high court and Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Zameer Shaikh suggested that the proposers were threatened to back out. He said "The supporters said yesterday that they had not signed the papers. Our argument is that the nomination of our candidate Nilesh Kumbhani has been cancelled without verifying why the supporters were lying and under which threat they were... The high command will decide on an option," ANI reported.
It was in 2005 when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees  Kahan hai mera Kislay? (Where is my Kislay) remark at an election meeting at Bhagalpur shook the Bihar government and eventually paved the way for the end of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) regime over the breakdown of law-and-order in Bihar.

Kislay, a student of Delhi Public School, Patna, was just 14 when he was abducted on January 19, 2005, from Patnas Patel Nagar locality while on his way to board his school bus. The incident sparked a massive public outcry against the state and put the RJD government on the defensive.

Such was the jolt from Vajpayees call that the Bihar police were galvanised into action, taking the case as a challenge.

The then superintendent of police (Patna) NH Khan, currently posted as additional director general (Economic Offence Unit), recalled how the Kislay abduction case became a challenge for the police after it came into the national spotlight just ahead of the state assembly election.

The kidnapping occurred in broad daylight. As it happened just before the state assembly elections, it soon became a poll agenda. Even school associations and children came to the roads to protest. We had to send daily reports to the then President APJ Abdul Kalam through the Governors secretariat, which is enough to illustrate the kind of atmosphere in the state. The police worked under tremendous pressure, he said.

Khan said that a war room was developed at the Sachivalaya police station. Till the child was safely recovered, there were countless sleepless nights for the police. The kidnappers had demanded 25 lakh as ransom for the safe release of Kislay. His father was then posted as assistant commissioner, commercial taxes in Patna. "Despite his understandable predicament, Kislays father KK Gupta held trust in the police and he refused to pay even a rupee as ransom, said Khan.

The police were not so tech savvy those days, but with the help of central agencies, scientific investigation was done to track the child. "Police first tracked the call through which the ransom was demanded, which pointed to the involvement of gangster Rakesh Kumar alias Chunnu Thakur, then lodged in Hajipur jail. The police then apprehended Thakur's wife and ten of his associates," said Khan.

Kislay was recovered on February 2, 2005. Later, the police received confirmation that he was kidnapped by the notorious gangster Vickky Thakur and his associates on behalf of Chunnu Thakur. Within 24 hours of the rescue, two of the kidnappers were killed in Delhi in an encounter. On February 9, 2005, Vicky Thakur was killed in an encounter with the Patna Police near the Dumra outpost within the Shastri Nagar police station area.

Thakur was a notorious gangster who faces 42 cases in Muzaffarpur district alone, Khan added. He has been accused of murder and was also actively involved in liquor smuggling. The notorious criminal sought to escape the clutches and escaped to Nepal; however, the police recently nabbed him while he was trying to sneak into Bihar for a family function.

One good thing that happened after the killing of three kidnappers by police was that the kidnapping for ransom stopped in Patna," said Khan.

The way Kislay was brazenly lifted from a posh Patna area at around 6.15 am and taken away in a Tata Sumo was the ammunition for the Opposition to target the state government for its purported lawlessness, which turned into a big poll issue.

That stamp of lawlessness and "jungle raj" is still the biggest weapon against the RJD, which has struggled to regain power on its own since 2005. In 2010, it was reduced to just 22 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly and it gained no seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Almost two decades later, as RJD tries to turn a new leaf under new leadership in the hope that the past is well and truly buried in the midst of fast-paced politics, Kislays house "Manokamna Bhawan" remains a terse reminder of this sordid case  deserted, with a lock hanging on the ground floor and two tenants staying on the first floor for the last three years.

All that we know is that Kislay lives in a foreign country and his parents are also with him for the last few months. His parents occasionally visit Patna, but no one has seen Kislay, said a tenant, on condition of anonymity.

A neighbour, Jyotish Prasad Gupta (74) who still has memories of the disturbing case, said that Kislay remained outside Bihar after his rescue and later settled in the US as an engineer.

"I have plans and dreams like any other child. I want to become an engineer and serve my country," Kislay had told reporters after being rescued. And having got a lifeline, he was able to successfully chase his dream.

Though kidnapping for ransom those days was described as an industry in Bihar, Kislay became a talking point and a poll issue due to its timing and Vajpayees emotional appeal. That was, perhaps, willed that way for Kislays release. While he was lucky, many others were not and it is the horror tales of pre-2005 Bihar that CM Nitish Kumar still reminds the people of at every election meeting when he brings up people preferring to stay indoors after dusk, said social analyst Nawal Kishor Choudhary.

Choudhary said that law and order became the biggest weapon against the RJD and it still is, as the people of the older generations could easily relate with it, even though the younger generation may find the horror tales of abduction for ransom quite unbelievable.

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2024 Lok Sabha polls: Campaign for second phase ends in eight west Uttar Pradesh constituencies

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/2024-lok-sabha-polls-campaign-for-second-phase-ends-in-eight-west-uttar-pradesh-constituencies-101713979783570.html
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked embattled U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson for the passage of $61 billion in aid to his nation, saying it will help everyone from frontline "warriors" to civilians "suffering from Russian terror."

Zelenksyy called the House vote a "very significant one " and expressed gratitude for "everyone who supported our package," adding: "This is a solution for protecting life."

"I personally thank Speaker Mike Johnson and all American hearts who believe, as we do in Ukraine, that Russian evil must not be winning," he said in a message posted on X.

Zelenksy, whose message was accompanied by a 5-minute video clip in Ukrainian, also noted: "Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it."

Zelenskyy praised the U.S. for having "demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war," which began when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

"Exactly this type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations," Zelenskyy wrote.

Today, we received the awaited decision on the US aid package that we long fought for. And a very significant one. Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it.



The U.S. House of Representatives voted on it pic.twitter.com/G6z3PxsOMg  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024

The Ukrainian aid bill passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support, 311-112, although a majority of Republicans were opposed, 112-101, noted Reuters.

Johnson, of Louisiana, will likely face a push now to oust him from the speaker's chair by fellow Republicans led by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who last month introduced a measure to remove him over the passage of a $1.2 billion in spending to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Other bills approved during the rare Saturday session would provide military aid to Israel and Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for Gaza, and would also force the the popular Chinese-owned social media website TikTok to be sold or be banned in the U.S.

The Senate is expected to begin voting on the bills on Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has vowed to immediately sign them into law following their anticipated passage.
Actress Scarlett Johansson reportedly had a restraining order against an obsessed fan denied.

The Superior Court of California had to dismiss Johansson's complaint on a technicality. The fan could not be found to be served with necessary court papers.

Johansson filed the restraining order petition in November 2023 against Michael Joseph Branham. The Marvel actress says she has been harassed for more than by Branham who claims he fathered one of her children, the Blast reported.

He has left several things at her front gate, including several notes and a child's toy. At one point he allegedly followed one of Johansson's neighbors for 30 miles when he thought it was her.

"Respondent's ongoing and escalating pattern of harassment combined with his determination and ability to travel has created heightened safety concerns given several upcoming public events that I will be attending," Johansson noted in her filing against Branham.

Johansson's attorney Michael Goldstein said he was unable to "serve the culprit" with court papers.

Johansson is married to "Saturday Night Live" cast member Colin Jost. They have a child together and she has another child from a prior relationship.

Branham could not be reached for comment.
Former President Donald Trump's political action committee spent about three-quarters of the cash it collected last month on his mounting legal expenses  for a total of nearly $3.7 million, according to a new report.

The Save America PAC also ended March owing $886,000 in attorney fees, mostly to the firm that represented Trump in the New York civil fraud case that resulted in a judgment against him of $355 million, plus interest, CNN said, citing a Saturday night filing with the Federal Election Commmission.

Save America is a so-called leadership PAC, which under federal law can be established by a candidate or elected official to support other people seeking public office.

The PAC reportedly paid a combined $1.14 million in March to the law firms of Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, who represent Trump in the criminal "hush money" trial in Manhattan, where jurors are scheduled to hear opening statements on Monday.

Save America also received a $5 million infusion from MAGA Inc., a super PAC that backs the presumptive presidential nominee and which has received $60 million from his leadership PAC, according to CNN.

The transfer means MAGA Inc. has returned $57.25 million to Save America and is closing in on the maximum $60 million it can refund, according to the network.

Trump reportedly plans to replace that funding source through a recent deal with the Republican National Committee and dozens of state GOP committees, whirch are giving his PAC $5,000 from each of their big-dollar donors.

Save America is first in line for that cash, CNN said, citing a fundraiser invitation it obtained.

Earlier this month, the first event held pursuant to the agreement raised more than $50.5 million, according to Trump's campaign.

Trump's main campaign account had $45.1 million on hand at the end of March, far behind the $85.5 in President Joe Biden's political war chest, CNN said.
The Filipino Community Development Corp., in collaboration with more than a dozen other Tenderloin and South of Market nonprofit organizations, plans to open a community center and shelter at 418-422 Turk St. in San Francisco. Maggie Angst/The Chronicle

Regarding Tenderloin groups are fighting the development of a homeless center  heres their plan to stop it (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 16): Opponents of a proposed Tenderloin homeless center say that the neighborhood needs more retail space to help transform it.

The centers services, such as a safe daytime space, showers, laundry and case management, seem to be what is really needed.

The opponents argue that the city would never consider opening such a center in Noe Valley or the Richmond. While that might be true, the 400 block of Turk Street is a long way from becoming a thriving retail destination.

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Helping the people on the streets get off the streets would seem like a win-win scenario for all involved. Less street chaos would go a long way in helping the neighborhood become more accommodating and viable.

Karen Cliffe, San Francisco

Dissent isnt a crime

Regarding S.F. DA Jenkins has a message for anyone delayed during Golden Gate Bridge protest (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, April 17): I am a longtime Jewish resident of San Francisco, and Im appalled by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins authoritarian attacks against people who participated Monday in civil disobedience on the Golden Gate Bridge.

I have friends in Gaza and Israel, and they are all suffering from the war there. Yet our elected leaders wont listen to the majority of people who want a cease-fire in Gaza.

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The Golden Gate Bridge protesters stand in the long line of American dissent, a proud San Francisco tradition. I apologize for the inconvenience to the drivers, but hundreds of thousands of lives in Gaza hang in the balance.

To impose harsh penalties on protest and freedom of speech does no good. District Attorney Jenkins is not standing for what is right or what San Francisco stands for.

I also call on the Chronicle to provide balanced coverage rather than uncritically amplifying Jenkins attempts to prosecute peaceful demonstrators.

David Spero, San Francisco

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Be more tolerant

Regarding  A private home is not a public forum: UC Berkeley dinner protest sets off free speech debate (Politics, SFChronicle.com, April 12): UC Berkeley School of Law dean and constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky stated The First Amendment (right to free speech) does not apply on private property, regarding actions he and his wife, law professor Catherine Fisk, took to prevent an invited law student from denouncing UCs investments in manufacturers of weapons for Israel during a gathering at their home.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

The couples actions provided a dispiriting example of Not In My Backyard to their students and anyone who cares about free speech and other societal aspirations of principle.

Regardless of whether Chemerinsky is legally correct (and some scholars disagree), given his position as law school dean where the Free Speech Movement was born, he and his wife might have done better to allow the student to speak, setting an example for tolerance, inclusion and offering an inspiring instance of Yes In My Backyard.

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After months of party infighting, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) leaned on centrist members of the GOP and the support of Democrats to pass a major foreign aid bill aiding Ukraine in the face of heated anger from hard-right Republicans who continue to threaten his position.

Johnson's overwhelming victory after an intricate series of negotiations and cajoling was a surprise, leading CNN to dub him an "unlikely Churchill" in the face of dire circumstances for Ukraine had he failed.

The win was all the more surprising becasue as a rank-and-file member of the House, the Louisiana congressman had voted against sending aid to Ukraine. He has also been closely aligned with Donald Trump and the former president's allies in Congress, who fiercely oppose Ukraine aid. Those funds are now part of the House's $95 billion package also providing aid to Israel, Taiwan, other allies, and humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

After months of receiving intelligence from national security experts and speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Johnson reportedly prayed about his decision before pushing forward with the legislation.

"He told me the next day: I want to be on the right side of history," said Representative Michael McCaul, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Johnson's decision to pass the bill  without the increased border security funding that many conservative colleagues demanded  was also partially the result of the impact the war in Ukraine could have on his own family.

"To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys. My son is going to begin in the Naval Academy this fall," Johnson told reporters. "This is a live-fire exercise for me as it is so many American families. This is not a game, this is not a joke."

Johnson reportedly called House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to ensure the bill would have Democratic support, and Jeffries asked him how many Republicans could be relied upon to support the bill. Johnson emphasized the importance of the bill to him, noting that he didn't care if pushing the bill through would jeopordize his career, CNN reported.

"History judges us for what we do," Johnson told reporters last week. "This is a critical time right now. I could make a selfish decision and do something that's different. But I'm doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important."

Many House members, however, have criticized the delay in Johnson's decision to finally bring the legislation to the floor  arguing that funding could have been passed months ago without forcing unnecessary bloodshed on Ukraine in its increasingly difficult war with Russia.

"We have walked through broken glass to get a result, all of which could have been done before Christmas, but we're bringing it out until nearly summer," Republican Patrick McHenry told CNN. "That is an active choice that I disagree with."

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin characterized Johnson's decision as a "profile in delay" rather than a profile in courage.

And for many hard-right Republicans, Johnson's decision is a betrayal, which threatens to put his speakership at greater risk than ever.

"This is the third betrayal by Mike Johnson," a furious Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters, on Saturday. "A foreign war package that does nothing for America? It's unbelievable. I'm thankful that America gets to see who this man is."

She doubled down in an interview on Fox News on Sunday: "Mike Johnson's speakership is over. He needs to do the right thing and resign. If he doesn't do so, he will be vacated."
Condominium owners in a New York City suburb are deciding whether to remove former President Donald Trump's name from their 40-story apartment building  with opinions divided over what they should do.

"That would be perfect. That would be great" to remove Trump's name, Delva Domond, 65, told the Guardian for a report Sunday.

"When we come around, we have to pass his building. So I'm always like: 'Man, why don't they take his sign down?'"

About two dozen residents of the 194-unit Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, New York, want Trump's name to remain, the New York Post reported earlier this month.

A previous effort to remove Trump's name failed in 2022.

"This needs to stop," condo owner Al LePore, 65, told the Post. "The board is hardcore ... They hate the man and they're on a mission to destroy him in New York."

Another owner, Monserrate Fisher, 79, complained: "This is all political."

Greg Root, president of the condo board, told the Post that although a "small and very vocal group of owners" want to keep Trump's name, "there is a silent majority who we believe support the name change."

"After carefully studying the issue, we believe it is financially in the best interest of unit owners' property long-term values," Root added.

The fight over the building's name comes as the presumptive Republican nominee to challenge President Joe Biden faces opening statements Monday in the Stormy Daniels "hush money" case, which marks the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president.

In February, the New York Times reported that the value of condominiums in Trump-branded Manhattan buildings began to decline in 2016, the year he was elected president, relative to other Manhattan condos.

Three New York City buildings removed Trump's name shortly after his election, with the owner saying it would make them more attractive to tenants. The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto paid millions of dollars to end a branding deal with him in 2017, the Guardian reported.
A Taco Bell manager in suburban Philadelphia is being hailed as a hero for saving a baby's life in the drive-through.

It happened at a restaurant in Richboro, Penn., last week.

Natasha Long was with her 11-week-old son, Myles, when he suddenly stopped breathing in the drive-through. A security camera captured her jumping out of the car.

"I ran out of the car and ran around and opened the car door," Long told WPVI-TV. "I pulled him out and he turned completely blue and was lifeless. At that point I just completely blacked out. I didn't know what to do."

Taco Bell manager saves infant's life after the baby stopped breathing in a Taco Bell drive-thru.



Give this woman a raise!



Pennsylvania woman Becky Arbaugh jumped into action, throwing her headset aside after hearing the mother of the baby crying out. pic.twitter.com/hYNldxSOjP  Trending News (@Trend_War_Newss) April 21, 2024

The video showed manager Becky Arbaugh running out of the store and to the mother holding her son.

"I threw my headset. I ran outside," Arbaugh told the TV station. "I took the baby and I started to do chest compressions on the baby and then he finally started to breathe."

Arbaugh says she was able to stay calm because one of her daughters had a similar experience years ago.

Myles was taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children for treatment. The baby is doing well.

"We are incredibly proud of Becky from the Taco Bell brand's Richboro location for her heroic act earlier this week," Taco Bell said in a statement. "We are getting in touch to express appreciation for her quick actions and kindness."
Director Alex Garland's Civil War is a series of horrifying set pieces  torture by gas station attendants, summary execution of journalists, an invasion of Washington, D.C., led by California and Texas. A24

The new film Civil War is a cinematic achievement. Director Alex Garland has made a movie that might be worse than a real American civil war.

Perhaps that was Garlands intention. His film is a series of horrifying set pieces  torture by gas station attendants, summary execution of journalists, an invasion of Washington, D.C., led by California and Texas  that add up to a warning: If we dont steer away from our current path of political conflict, Garland suggests, this could be the end of the United States.

To be fair, theres established logic in this message. As Romanian philosopher E.M. Cioran wrote: When we perceive the end in the beginning, we move faster than time. Illumination, that lightning disappointment, affords certitude which transforms disillusion into deliverance.

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But Civil War never provides the illumination or certitude that inspires action. Its too Hollywood, which is to say its too unoriginal and violent.

Indeed, the film is so over-the-top that it feels uncomfortably, well, Putinist. These days, the Russian and Chinese governments routinely promote the idea that the U.S. is headed for a bloody civil war that will destroy the country. Civil War brings that propaganda to cinematic life.

If the U.S. does have another civil war, it will not resemble the new films vision of warring armies advancing on Washington. Thats an anachronism, owing more to the 1860s Civil War than modern warfare.

Nor will it involve fights between specific states. Our most bitter fault lines are not about geography but ideology, race, gender, age, class and education. A civil war will map those divides within our cities and our neighborhoods.

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Indeed, the real challenge of the next American civil war will be perceiving whether it is a war at all. Such a conflict will be fought with cyberattacks, disinformation and psychological warfare. The battlegrounds will be legal, with warring factions seeking to cancel each others rights and prerogatives, and global, with our enemies funding and fueling the conflict while our allies seek to intervene and negotiate peace.

For these reasons, its time to retire the idea of California secession, even for Californians sympathetic to making the state independent by peaceful means. Lets face facts: The Golden State is never going to break away and fire on Camp Pendleton, like South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter in 1861. We have no military and no offensive warfare beyond Gov. Gavin Newsoms Fox News appearances.

No  if California ever becomes an independent nation, the more likely path will be through a U.S. government meltdown. Unfortunately, that scenario is possible. It is easy to imagine a fascist president, with a compliant Supreme Court and Congress, using his military to punish cities and states he doesnt like. Such a president might invoke executive powers to shut down Congress (as Donald Trump attempted on Jan. 6) or government agencies that wont bend to his command.

In such a circumstance, California, without representation in Congress, would have to take on the duties of a nation, and over time would naturally drift away from the disintegrating U.S. to become a separate republic.

To make a believable movie about such a real American civil war would require a filmmaker with the virtuosity of the late Akira Kurosawa, whose 1950 film Rashomon famously tells one story from multiple, contradictory perspectives. Or perhaps the San Fernando Valley auteur Paul Thomas Anderson (who used a similar technique in Magnolia), or Drew Goddard, who made the Lake Tahoe noir Bad Times at the El Royale, could manage it.

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Garlands film never comes close. We never get to know the civil wars combatants. Instead, the director tells his story through the narrow perspectives of four journalists who come off as callous, selfish or vaguely ridiculous. As the president is about to be executed by California and Texas soldiers, one journalist asks the soldiers to wait a second because I need a quote.

The film feels unimaginative because the idea of another American civil war is so old. Marvel made a much smarter film on the subject in 2016 when feuding superheroes turned on each other in 2016s Captain America: Civil War.

But watching Garlands Civil War made me think of the 1997 satire The Second American Civil War. That cable TV movie, with scenes filmed at the state Capitol in Sacramento, envisioned a future that looks too much like our present, with Idaho sparking a civil war in a country badly divided by race, immigration, politics and media nonsense.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Like Garlands film, it hid from the harder questions by putting journalists at center stage. But for all its goofiness, that 27-year-old film was the wiser, more relevant and more responsible movie.

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Former District Attorney Marks Year In New Position in St. Louis

SAINT LOUIS, Mont.-April 5 marks one year at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for Andrea Harrington - former elected prosecutor for Berkshire County as the office's deputy chief of staff.

"Deputy Chief of Staff Andrea Harrington shares my vision for a justice system that prioritizes public safety by focusing valuable resources on aggressively prosecuting people who pose a risk to our community while providing paths to treatment for those who are best served by a public health approach to mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty," St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said. "As an elected prosecutor in Massachusetts, Andrea's leadership proved that prosecution policies based in fairness and justice support public safety. I am thrilled to have her perspective and expertise in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office."

Harrington was elected as the first female district attorney for Berkshire County in 2018. She served for four years and joined the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office following an unsuccessful re-election campaign.

As an elected prosecutor, Harrington launched a high-risk team to prevent domestic violence homicides, partnered with the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School on a first-of-its-kind study tracking a year of cases disposed by plea, and collaborated with the Innocence Project and the Anti-Defamation League to overturn an arson conviction tainted by anti-Semitism during jury deliberations.

Harrington has practiced in the area of criminal law for over 20 years, including defending death row inmates in post-conviction appeals in South Florida and representing clients in criminal trial and appellate matters in Massachusetts.

Harrington earned her law degree from American University, Washington College of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has relocated to the St. Louis region with her husband and two sons.

"Prosecuting Attorney Bell is national leader in advocating for reproductive freedom, opposing the death penalty, and in finding holistic solutions to the opioid epidemic," Harrington said. "Joining Prosecuting Attorney Bell's office is the culmination of my life's work to reimagine a justice system that puts the people above the powerful. I am honored to be supporting the work of a phenomenal team at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office who make the tough calls every day."
Scenic Flight Group Setting Up at North Adams Airport

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The Airport Commission voted to permit Adirondack Aviation to operate out of Harriman and West Airport.

"They have been very interested," Commissioner Marc Morandi said. "They have already put together some marketing material. They are 100 percent want to do business in North Adams."

Morandi told the rest of the commission Tuesday that Adirondack Aviation is expanding operations and will fly in for various appointments. So technically no vote needs to be taken because it isn't physically setting up in North Adams.

He asked for a vote only to "cover all of their bases."

Adirondack Aviation offers flight school, training, instrument and commercial ratings, and scenic flights. Currently, it operates out of airports in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid in New York, Bennington, Vt., and Stow in Massachusetts.

Airport Manager Bruce Goff said he has already started spreading the word about scenic flights.

"I am happy to have their flyers up, and I have been already handing out their information," he said.

In other business, Morandi said the city has to straighten out how they want to operate office space in the city-owned Shamrock Hangar.

He said the space was formally used by Greylock Flying Club, however, they were unable to come to a new lease agreement. The commission voted to give the club 30 days to remove its property from the space.

"We were trying to hammer out lease terms, but they are no longer interested in the office space under any terms," Morandi said. "They are going to vacate the space so this is a non-item at this point. But we have to take another look at that space."

Morandi said the space has been a problem even back when Alex Kelly occupied it. There were concerns about private entities breaking out into public space within the hangar.

"I know it was an issue when Alex Kelly first took over the space because he was utilizing the public space for his business and Greylock Flying Club was utilizing public space for a private club so we have to look at that and get it settled," he said.

He said this is something the city would want to work with the Federal Aviation Administration on before it considers renting the space out again.

Airport user Michael Milazzo said he would be interested using the space over the summer and would vacate it when the commission needed him to.

In Goff's report, he said he still had concerns about electrical issues at the airport including a faulty emergency fuel shutoff switch he brought up at an earlier meeting.

He also proposed some changes to the airport's operation guidelines specifically to derelict airplanes.

He felt instead of looking through airplane logbooks, that hold information about the plane including maintenance information, he felt it would be more respectful of privacy and simpler to just use the eye test to determine airworthiness.

"How do you prove an airplane is not in flyable condition? That is pretty easy to determine if you see a missing wing, an engine missing or a flat tire it is probably not flyable," he said.

He said unless the airplane is in the process of being repaired he will report the incident to the commissioners and they can give a final say on the plane's removal. The owner will then be given an allotted amount of time to remove the plane.

He said extensions can be given as some repair jobs take much time especially when having to order parts

"It is simple and it is straightforward," he said. "It makes sense to me."

Morandi said a subcommittee of the commission will review the operating guidelines that includes recent additions as well as changes made in the summer. It will then be circulated among airport users for review.

Morandi said he will be meeting with people in the restaurant business to discuss the airport's restaurant space request for proposals.

Administrative Officer Kathy Eade said she is working on the RFP for the almost completed North East Hangar and requested technical information from Stantec Engineers.

Engineer Peter Enzien said he is still waiting for the project to be wrapped up and although nearing completion, the building still does not have electricity. Although he hopes to have service in the coming weeks.
Will Krtek tries to save a man who was overdosing on Mission Street near Seventh Street in San Francisco on Sept. 19, 2023. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and the man survived the overdose. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. After finishing breakfast at my neighborhood cafe in the Mission, I made my way up Valencia Street toward Hayes Valley to do a few odd jobs for my wife's restaurant.

As I was crossing Duboce Avenue, I saw a man lying on the sidewalk, unconscious. A young woman  well call her Em  was already tending to him. I ran over to help, asking if he was breathing.

I think so, she said with reservation in her voice. He opened his eyes a few seconds ago.

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She had just administered a pocket-sized Narcan nasal spray, which she conveniently carried in the lanyard around her neck.

Im a social worker, she said to the man while rubbing his chest. Can you open your eyes for me one more time?

He could not.

I dialed 911. Fumbling to disconnect my headphones, I finally got the phone on speaker just as the operator asked, What is your emergency? I explained there was an unresponsive man passed out on the sidewalk and that I didnt know if he was breathing.

What is the location of the emergency? I said Duboce and Valencia. He had me repeat the location for confirmation. Immediately, I heard sirens in the near distance, which provided a momentary sense of relief.

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The operator asked me to check if the man was breathing. I asked Em, but she still couldnt tell and felt no pulse. The operator then instructed me to put the man flat on his back, place one hand on his forehead and another under his neck to tilt back his head, then place my ear next to his mouth and count every time he took a breath. After about five seconds, I heard a breath, if you could even call it that  more like a faint snort.

One, I said.

Maybe eight more seconds went by without a breath. Fear washed over me when the operator said this was insufficient breathing. He said I needed to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. I looked at the middle-aged hypoxic man with his head in my hands; he had a yellowish pus-like substance on the edge of his lips, the pungent smell of alcohol coming from his mouth and pants soaked in urine. Guilt and shame do no justice to my feelings when I told Em and the operator that I couldnt do it. I felt defeated.

The operator said that since nobody was willing to perform mouth-to-mouth, we needed to start chest compressions. Em got in position, ready to start, when we saw an ambulance coming. We flagged down the driver, and within seconds a team was checking the mans vitals and trying to resuscitate him.

Em and I watched as the emergency medical technicians tried to revive him. The thought that he could be dead weighed on me. Would I always wonder whether I could have prevented it if I had just been willing to put my lips on his? A few moments later, the EMTs said the man lifted his arm, proclaiming that the Narcan had worked.

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I stood there looking at him motionless on the ground, barely holding on to life. I tried to process what was happening. I felt grief remembering all the other times I had been around death. I knew he wasnt dead, but he was close.

The paramedics thanked us. As they put the man on a stretcher, I chatted with Em about what would happen next. She said this wasnt her first time doing this and that, unfortunately, the man would probably end up right back on the street. It was incredibly discouraging. Yes, we may have just saved a mans life, but he is still plagued by a deadly addiction that is not being treated. It felt like we just bought him some more time, like resuscitating someone with a terminal illness.

I held on to the hope that he might get help. About an hour later, I called the nearest emergency room to see if a man matching his description had been admitted. I said I wanted to leave him flowers and hoped it would bring him at least a glimmer of joy. The nurse confirmed he was admitted but, to my dismay, had already self-discharged. I asked why someone who nearly just killed himself was not put on a 5150 hold, and the nurse explained that he was not suicidal. I was disappointed, to say the least, but my lousy phone reception distracted me from discussing the state Welfare and Institutions Code with her.

I brought flowers to Em to say thank you. People like her give me hope. Im not sure how many people would have stopped to help the way she did. Mister Rogers once said that his mom told him to always look for the helpers: the people who spring into action during a catastrophe, just like Em.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

We are now in the midst of an opioid overdose catastrophe; in San Francisco alone, around two people die every single day from fentanyl poisoning.

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Best-selling author David Nicholls has hit out at the lack of accessible art available to the British public, as he condemned the ongoing closures of libraries around the country.

Nicholls, 57, is known to millions as the author of 2009 novel One Day, which was recently adapted into a critically acclaimed Netflix series, as well as his 2003 debut Starter for Ten.

Speaking to The Guardian, Nicholls spoke about his views on education in the UK, stating that he gets very angry about libraries closing and the way the arts are not accessible.

I have personal experience of what an education can give you and I get angry when it comes under attack, he said. It changed my life  being paid to go to university and having access to public libraries and local theatres.

Nicholls said he finds the way thats been taken away from people like me at that age to be enraging. Going to university specifically to study something that isnt vocational was absolutely life-changing.

The interview notes that he has established a bursary to support theatre students at the University of Bristol.

open image in gallery David Nicholls condemned the ongoing closure of public libraries around the UK ( Getty Images for PSIFF )

Nicholls studied a BA in Drama and English at Bristol, and initially tried to make it as an actor under the stage name David Holdaway. In between acting gigs he worked in bars, coffee shops, and at a book shop in Notting Hill, the latter which he credited as inspiring his writing career by osmosis.

I learnt a lot about writing, and read an endless amount of scripts and manuscripts, he told The Independent in a 2020 interview. But I didnt have the confidence to show my work to anyone. It wasnt until I was 28 or 29 that I dared show work to anyone, and that is a regret. I think probably I should have started earlier.

The Netflix adaptation of Nicholls One Day received positive reviews, particularly in comparison to the film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, and proved a hit for streaming service Netflix when it was released in February.

open image in gallery Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall in Netflixs One Day ( Ludovic Robert/Netflix )

The 14-episode series followed characters Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) who meet at Edinburgh University and eventually fall in love, with each episode taking place through the years on 15 July (St Swithins Day).

In The Independents three-star review of One Day, TV critic Nick Hilton wrote that the two main characters had chemistry, but it doesnt really fizz.

And, at the end of the day, even if theres no gut punch, theres still a poignancy to the sun setting on young love, he wrote.

Nicholls latest novel, You Are Here, is out on 23 April.
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Sir Salman Rushdie has made the surprising revelation that it was Margaret Thatcher who inspired his decision to not name the knifeman who brutally attacked him in his new memoir.

The Indian-born British-American author narrowly avoided death but lost sight in his right eye among other severe and life-changing injuries after he was stabbed repeatedly on stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state in August 2022.

The 76-year-old discussed surviving the attempt on his life at an event at the Southbank Centre in London on Sunday as he promoted his book Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder, which was released on Tuesday and explores the harrowing experience.

open image in gallery Sir Salman Rushdie has made the surprising revelation that it was Margaret Thatcher who inspired his decision to not name the knifeman who brutally attacked him in his new memoir ( PA Wire )

Journalist and author Erica Wagner asked him to talk about his reasons for only referring to his charged assailant, who is called Hadi Matar, as The A., short for The Ass (or Asinine man), throughout his new memoir.

Speaking remotely from his home in the US, Sir Salman  who was educated at Rugby School in Warwickshire and Kings College, Cambridge, and lived for some of his life in the UK  revealed that former prime minister Ms Thatcher had inspired his choice.

The Booker Prize-winning writer told the audience: I owe it to Margaret Thatcher.

He explained that Ms Thatcher had to find a way to tackle the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which launched a number of terrorist attacks against the UK throughout her time in No 10. She wanted to deny the terrorists the oxygen of publicity, he said, comparing her method to his own when it came to writing about his attacker.

open image in gallery Hadi Matar, 24, being escorted from the stage as people tend to author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022 ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

That guy had his 27 seconds of fame and now he should go back to being nobody, he said.

The 27 seconds refers to the length of the incident in Chautauqua, which Sir Salman called a long time when someone has a knife, but added that he never saw the weapon during the attack.

He primarily attributed his survival to the bravery of those at the event who intervened to stop the attacker.

Recalling how he felt at the time, he said: Theres a very strange disconnect, which is that people who were there have said afterwards that I was making a lot of noise and screaming with pain, [but] inside my head I was not aware of the pain, and I think something about deep shock takes over. I had a kind of approximate awareness of what was going on but not an exact one.

open image in gallery Sir Salman expressed his own astonishment as he revealed the controversial former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had inspired his choice ( AFP via Getty Images )

Sir Salman described the memoir as a device to give him back the power over his own life.

He said: I have a very good therapist who actually was helpful and who [I] had discussed this book with as I was doing it. So among the many things its the only book Ive ever written with the help of a therapist.

But what it did do, I feel, is it gave me back control of the narrative. So instead of being a man lying on stage in a pool of blood, Im a man writing a book about a man lying on the stage of the pool and that felt like [it] gave me back the power [because it is now] my story that Im telling in my way and that felt good.

The power literature has is the power to describe events in a way that the books then own those events.

open image in gallery Matar, 24, from New Jersey, is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault over the attack ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Matar, 24, from New Jersey, is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault over the attack.

Sir Salmon said he would testify in the event of a trial. I will go in and do that, he pledged.

Since the publication of The Satanic Verses, about the life of the prophet Muhammad, which is considered blasphemous by some Muslims, Sir Salman has faced death threats and attempts on his life.

Copies of the novel were publicly burnt on the streets of Bradford, West Yorkshire and in 1989, Irans former ruler Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Sir Salmans death.

Support for the death sentence was withdrawn in 1998 by the Iranian government.
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Dominic West has opened up about the furore over photos of him appearing to kiss his The Pursuit of Love co-star Lily James in 2020, as he reflected on how the scandal affected him and his family.

West, who has been married to Irish aristocrat Catherine FitzGerald, Viscountess Lambton, since 2010, was pictured with James in Rome while they were filming the BBCs adaptation of Nancy Mitfords 1945 novel of the same name.

After the photos emerged, West and FitzGerald addressed paparazzi gathered outside their home, sharing a kiss and placing a handwritten sign outside their property that said: Our marriage is strong and were very much still together. Thank you. Catherine and Dominic.

Since then, both West, 54, and James, 35, have largely avoided any explicit mention of the media frenzy surrounding the photos.

In a new interview with The Sunday Times, however, West spoke about how he related to his role as the then-Prince Charles in Netflixs hit royal drama The Crown.

Id had a very acute understanding of what its like to feel the horror of your name or your photograph coming up in the newspapers, he said. There is that dreadful freezing moment when something is being revealed about you.

I think anyone can understand how that feels. But Id been through it a couple of years previously and it must have informed how I approached it. That gut feeling of horror isnt something you get inured to.

open image in gallery West (right) with James (pink dress) in a still from the BBCs The Pursuit of Love ( Theodora Films Limited & Moonage Pictures Limited/Robert Viglasky )

West portrays Charles in seasons five and six of The Crown, which covers events including the late Queen Elizabeth IIs annus horribilus in 1992, Princess Dianas Panorama interview, and Charles and Dianas divorce.

He stars opposite Imelda Staunton as the Queen, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles, and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana.

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open image in gallery Dominic West as Charles with Olivia Williams as Camilla in The Crown ( Justin Downing/Netflix )

In the ST interview, West revealed that he and FitzGerald, with whom he shares three four children, are occasionally able to joke about the media furore surrounding the photos of him with James.

I hesitate to speak on my wifes behalf because it was obviously horrible, particularly for her, he said. But we do joke about it sometimes. Because whenever we went out together, the papers would always say we were putting on a show of unity.

Even if wed just been rowing about parking the car or whatever, even if that couldnt be further from the truth. And so when we go out we do sort of say, Shall we go out and have a show of unity up in London?

open image in gallery Catherine FitzGerald and Dominic West at the Met Gala on 4 May 2015 in New York City ( Larry Busacca/Getty Images )

It was an absurd situation, the actor continued. It was deeply stressful for my wife and my kids, but there were lighter moments. That was the best that came out of it, really.

West is starring in A View from the Bridge at the Theatre Royal Haymarket between 22 May to 3 August.
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The term red eye, used to refer to shorthaul flights that depart in the evening and arrive in the morning, comes from the bleary passengers who would disembark and stumble straight into the office. It does not apply  however much the team behind a new ITV six-part thriller would like you to believe  to flights from Heathrow to Beijing, which take 10 hours and have a seven-hour time difference. No matter, though, because this lack of attention to detail is far from the most ridiculous part of Red Eye.

When Dr Matthew Nolan (Richard Armitage) arrives back in the UK, he is promptly arrested. Sporting an inconvenient knife wound to his flank and a sore neck from a car crash, he is informed that the Chinese authorities want him returned to Beijing to answer for the death of a woman found in the wreckage of his car. But as far as Nolan can recall, he was alone at the time of the crash. Chinese-British police officer Hana Li (Jing Lusi) is ordered to escort Nolan back on the red eye flight (which visibly departs during daylight hours). I havent lived there since I was five years old, she tells her superior. I have never been back and have no desire to. But soon enough shes on a Beijing-bound flight with a handsome, handcuffed prisoner  and only then do things really start to go wrong.

They say that potboilers unfolding over real time on a flight between the UK and Asia are like buses: you wait for ever, and then you have to review two at once (or, at least, thats what we say in my household). Following hot on the heels of Idris Elbas Hijack, a fun but preposterous thriller on Apple TV+, Red Eye takes a similar approach. Locked away in this capsule hurtling across Europe, Hana and Nolan watch on as passengers start dropping dead. Part whodunnit, part conspiracy thriller  wholly ludicrous.

But ITV is committed to this sort of fare, increasingly eschewing the gritty realism of the BBC in favour of shows like After the Flood and Passenger, all of which are a bit barmy in their own way. Red Eye is anchored by some rather vapid geopolitics  China is negotiating to build nuclear power plants on British soil, so the craven government consents to Nolans ad hoc extradition  but really exists only to get an unlikely duo to start fighting crime at 30,000 feet.

Lusi is well cast in the lead role, bringing a tough, weary edge to a character who could have been too competent to be emotionally grounded. Armitage, on the other hand, must be desperately bored of playing the same role (good-looking but slightly mysterious bloke) in every show. It is functionally the same character as he played in Fool Me Once and Obsession, both of which were released in the last 12 months. The idea is that, over the course of a flight that involves little time to watch Oppenheimer or put on your compression socks, they go from a frosty relationship to one based on mutual survival instincts. You left a girl to die, and your money and white privilege make you think you can get away with it, she tells Nolan, but soon enough, theyll be fighting baddies together.

The above quote might also give you some idea of the quality of the writing on Red Eye. Creator Peter A Dowling has previously been responsible for some less-than-lauded films (including Samuel L Jackson vehicle Reasonable Doubt, and Black and Blue with Naomie Harris), but his best-known work is the Jodie Foster thriller Flightplan, which also unfolds on an airliner. Its a strange niche to carve, and Red Eye is necessarily more expansive, bringing in a journalist, Jess (Jemma Moore), trying to break the story without breaking her family ties, and Lesley Sharp as the head of MI5, Madeline Delaney. But the B-movie timbre remains, as though all that matters is the delivery of a few cheap thrills rather than the generation of any sustained tension or investment in the characters lives.

open image in gallery Richard Armitage must be desperately bored of playing the same role in every show ( ITV )

You trust me enough to have me help you, but not enough to let me know whats going on? Nolan asks in frustration, as the flight spirals out of control. Something like that, Hana replies. In another, more ambitious version of Red Eye, the prisoner might be just another hindrance to a young detective trying to do her job. But Red Eye is not ambitious. Silly, sure; derivative, yes; but just about watchable  even if only in the way that the in-flight map is watchable after a few too many bloody marys.

Red Eye is on Sundays at 9pm on ITV

If youre travelling abroad and want to watch Red Eye then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get the best VPN deals on the market.
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The Election Commission of India [ECI] has ordered repolling at 11 polling booths in the northeastern state of Manipur, which has been riven by ethnic violence since last year.

The rerun of elections was ordered after incidents of mob violence, booth capturing and the destruction of electronic voting machines were reported at various polling stations in the state.

Polling on the two parliamentary seats in Manipur took place on Friday as India kicked off the first phase of its elections, in which nearly 1 billion people are expected to take part.

The elections began on 19 April.

The fresh voting will take place on Monday at 11 polling booths in two districts of Manipur, according to an order issued by the states chief electoral officer.

The ECI has directed that the poll taken on 19th April 2024, in respect of 11 polling stations of Inner Manipur Constituency to be void, and appointed 22nd April 2024, for taking fresh poll at the said stations, the order read.

The main opposition party, Congress, had demanded a rerun at 47 Manipur polling stations after it alleged that booths had been captured and voting had been rigged.

The state saw scattered incidents of violence on Friday as millions voted in the first phase of elections across the country. Voters in Manipur turned out in large numbers despite the threat of clashes in the region.

There was 72.17 per cent voter turnout in the state.

open image in gallery Women wait to cast their votes at a polling station during the first phase of the general election, in Imphal, Manipur ( Reuters )

The staging of elections in the state presented a major security challenge to the authorities, as it remains under the grip of fierce ethnic clashes and bloodshed since last year.

More than 220 people have died and more than 60,000 people have been displaced as members of the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities have clashed over sharing economic benefits and quotas given to the tribes. The region remains divided between a valley controlled by Meiteis and Kuki-dominated hills, separated by a stretch of no mans land monitored by federal paramilitary forces.

open image in gallery Police officers arrive at the scene of a shooting outside a polling station during the first phase of the general election, in Moirangkampu in Imphal East, Manipur ( Reuters )

A resident, Khoisnam Sayamaima, received a bullet injury after army personnel allegedly opened fire at a polling station in Imphal East, reported The Indian Express. Subsequently, the polling station was vandalised and documents were set ablaze.

Manipurs chief electoral officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha, said a voting machine was damaged in one of the polling booths and one of the polling stations was vandalised.

According to election officials, around eight electronic voting machines were damaged in the districts of Imphal East and Imphal West.
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South Korea expressed deep disappointment following Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishidas ritual offering to Tokyos Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial war shrine viewed by Seoul and Beijing as a symbol of Japanese militarism.

Mr Kishida and some cabinet members sent ritual offerings to the shrine on Sunday, Yonhap news agency reported, citing Japanese media.

Without directly mentioning the Japanese leader, the South Korean foreign ministry said that it regrets the Japanese leaders visit and offering to the shrine which glorifies Japans war of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

South Korea urges Japanese leaders to face history squarely and demonstrate humble reflection and sincere repentance stating that this would be an important foundation for improved ties between the two countries, the ministry said in a statement.

Yasukuni Shrine, founded in 1869 by Emperor Meiji, is to honour the deaths of 2.5 million Japanese soldiers and civilians who died in wars in the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes 14 men who were convicted by allies as class-A war criminals.

The visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders, including members of the government, have consistently drawn condemnation from both South Korea and China, who view it as a symbol of Japans past military aggression.

Since taking office in 2021, Mr Kishida has avoided visiting the shrine but has sent ritual offerings. Former prime minister Shinzo Abe was the last prime minister to visit the shrine while in office in 2013, a move that drew outrage from China, South Korea and even the US.

The shrine is viewed by Beijing and Seoul as a symbol of Japans past military aggression because it honours 2.5 million war dead, including 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal.

The relations between South Korea and Japan have remained strained over disputes stemming from their bitter wartime legacy. However, the two countries have moved closer after president Yoon Suk-yeol made it a foreign policy priority to improve security cooperation with Tokyo and Washington since taking office in 2022.
Just 26% of the median income apartments have been filled in the George at 434 Minna St. in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

For years, San Francisco politicians and housing advocates have fought for the creation of missing middle housing for workers with incomes high enough to be middle class in most markets, but who are often priced out of the famously expensive city.

But developers who have recently built apartments aimed at moderate-income families in San Francisco have discovered a harsh reality: The missing middle seems to have gone missing.

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Of 216 recently completed units targeting households earning between 100% and 150% of area median income, known as AMI  a range of about $130,000 to $195,000 for a three-person household  182 are sitting vacant. Just 15% of those units have found takers, according to data from the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

Developers who are sitting on the vacant below-market-rate units, or BMRs in housing industry jargon, blame a combination of a depressed rental market that gives middle-income renters plenty of options and a city bureaucracy so convoluted that qualifying for an apartment involves a tortured and time-consuming process with as much paperwork as it would take to buy a home.

Cyrus Sanandaji, managing principal of Presidio Bay, said it is cutting rents and offering free months to entice people to lease median income units. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

They have ended up creating such an onerous process to qualify that the process itself disqualifies those most in need, said Cyrus Sanandaji, a developer with Presidio Bay who, a year ago, opened Ventana Residences, a 193-unit apartment complex at 99 Ocean Ave. in the Excelsior.

Ventana, along with the George, a 302-unit complex at Fifth and Mission streets, and the Canyon, a 283-apartment tower near Oracle Park, is one of a trio of recent buildings struggling to fill moderate-income apartments meant to target essential workers  such as teachers, nurses and firefighters  who are often held up as examples of the missing middle.

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Ventanas market-rate units are meeting expectations with about 70% of them leased. So are the deeply affordable units focused on families making 55% of area median income, or AMI, or about $72,000 for a family of three. Those have all been leased. But of the 14 units intended for households at the 110% level, only two have found takers. Those units start at $2,600 for a studio and go up to $3,600 for a three-bedroom.

When the George opened its leasing office in January 2022, the tower included the most middle-income BMR units in San Francisco history. Of the buildings 302 apartments, 91 were were intended for households making between between 100% and 150% of area median income  thats between $100,000 and $150,000 for a single person or between $144,000 and $216,000 for a family of four.

At first, the BMR leasing seemed to be going well: more than 1,000 would-be tenants applied for the 91 apartments. But, two years later, the buildings 211 market-rate apartments are 93% leased while just 26% of the BMRs have tenants, although some of them are temporarily accommodating tenants who were displaced by a 2022 flood at 33 Tehama Street.

Ventana Residences in San Franciscos Excelsior neighborhood has had problems filling apartments reserved for median income residents. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Despite the low demand, more BMR units are on the way. Of the 82,000 new housing units the state is mandating that San Francisco plan for in the next eight years, about 14,000 of those are meant to be affordable to moderate income families earning between 80% and 120% of area median income  currently between $124,000 and $172,000 for a four-person household.

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The Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development is working to reduce the paperwork that applicants are required to submit for BMR apartments, according to spokesperson Anne Stanley. The agency is also adding staff to help developers move more quickly through lottery lists.

The city says there is an obvious solution for developers having trouble leasing BMRs: Charge lower rents. Stanley said builders with moderate income BMRs are well aware that rent reductions and concessions are a key strategy to leasing their units in this market.

Under the citys housing programs, even the higher-income BMR apartments have to be at least 20% less than similar market-rate units. At Ventana, Presidio Bay has cut rents by another 10% and is offering several months of free rent, but there is only so far it can go, Sanandaji said. Unlike nonprofit-built housing, which is subsidized by the government, private market-rate projects are underwritten with assumptions about how much revenue BMR units will generate. And higher-income BMR units help subsidize units that are more deeply affordable.

We are only able to offer 55% AMI units because we have 110% AMI units, Sanandaji said. Without the higher AMI units, we cannot subsidize lower AMI units.

Rents in San Francisco are 26% below the pre-pandemic high, but some neighborhoods have recovered better than others. San Francisco Apartment Association Executive Director Janan New said the location of some of the buildings with high BMR vacancies  Mission Bay, Mid-Market and Excelsior  is likely a factor. Those neighborhoods have not come back yet, she said. If those buildings were in the Marina, they would all be rented out.

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The Canyon Apartments at Mission Rock in San Francisco have only 27% of its median income apartments leased. Meanwhile, the buildings market-rate apartments are 70% leased. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

The misalignment between expectations and reality has been especially pronounced at the Canyon, part of the first phase of development at Mission Rock, which the San Francisco Giants and Tishman Speyer are building across from Oracle Park.

At a ribbon-cutting at the Canyon last June, Mayor London Breed held the project up as a model of what the city should be building. We have to use projects like this as lessons to learn about how we should think about development in the future, she said.

Ten months later, the market-rate portion of the project is 70% leased, with 126 of 181 units rented. Meanwhile, the BMR units are 27% leased, with leases signed in 28 of 102.

In April, the San Francisco Port Commission voted unanimously to tweak the affordable housing plan for the next phase of Mission Rock.

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For that building, which is under construction, the commissioners eliminated all units at the 150% AMI level and reduced the number of 120% units from 55 to 24. It increased the number of units targeting 90% AMI from 13 to 35. Altogether the number of affordable units in the building will drop from 97 to 59 while the market-rate units will increase from 157 to 195. The decline in affordable units will be made up for in subsequent phases of the development, according to Dan Adams, director of the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

Adams told commissioners the changes made sense given market dynamics.

Coming out of the pandemic we are still in a very soft market so the high AMI units are quite close to market rate and difficult to lease up, he said at the port commission hearing. As an affordable housing practitioner and advocate, it gives me no satisfaction to produce affordable units and have them sit empty.

Adams, who only recently took over as director of the mayors office of housing, said he is focused on procedural improvements that will remove bureaucratic hurdles and make it less painful to qualify and ink a lease.

As you get closer to market rate, you need to make it easier for people to get into units because they have choices, Adams said. They could go to a Class B or C product  or they could go to Oakland.

Port Commission member Ed Harrington questioned if this whole discussion of the need for that middle income group is an old-fashioned idea at this point. Gail Gilman, a veteran Bay Area affordable housing developer and member of the port commission, suggested that the higher income the prospective tenant is, the less likely they are to put up with the citys bureaucracy.

For all the rigmarole you have to go through to apply for BMR  if I were a renter there would be very little motivation for me to take advantage of that, Gilman said.

Developers said an exceedingly complex set of regulations is strangling the market. There are multiple preferences factored into every application: a live or work in San Francisco preference, a neighborhood resident preference, a displaced tenant preference, and a preference for people who were victims of a redevelopment era that wiped out thousands of homes in the Fillmore and Japantown.

At Ventana, Presidio Bay had two tenants ready to sign leases at the 110% AMI level, and both of them qualified for the neighborhood preference group. But Presidio Bay only had one remaining slot designated for a neighborhood preference applicant, so only one of the prospective tenants could sign a lease. The other application was kicked back to the waitlist to be considered in a subsequent lottery round.

Sanandaji said that makes no sense.

Why would we waitlist an individual who wants to sign a lease for a unit that has been vacant for 10 months simply because of an arbitrary cap we set on these preference groups? he said.

The bespoke hierarchy of preference groups also slows down the process, and moderate-income families often give up and sign a lease elsewhere before their application can be processed.
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Israeli leaders on Sunday harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military.

The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has ever imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and further strains relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israels war in Gaza.

While U.S. officials declined to identify the sanctioned unit, Israeli leaders and local media identified it as Netzah Yehuda  an infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate ultra-Orthodox men into the military. Many religious men receive exemptions from what is supposed to be compulsory service.

Israeli leaders condemned the decision as unfair, especially at a time when Israel is at war, and vowed to oppose it.

If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF, I will fight it with all my might, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Netzah Yehuda, or Judea Forever, has historically been based in the occupied West Bank and some of its members have been linked to abuses against Palestinians. It makes up just a small part of Israels military presence in the territory.

The unit came under heavy American criticism in 2022 after an elderly Palestinian-American man was found dead shortly after he was detained at a West Bank checkpoint.

A Palestinian autopsy said Omar Assad, 78, had underlying health conditions, but had suffered a heart attack caused by external violence.

It said doctors found bruises on his head, redness on his wrists from being bound and bleeding in his eyelids from being tightly blindfolded. A military investigation said that Israeli soldiers assumed that Assad was asleep when they cut off the cables binding his hands. They didnt offer medical help when they saw that he was unresponsive and left the scene without checking to see if he was alive.

Assad had lived in the U.S. for four decades. After an outcry from the U.S. government, the Israeli military said the incident was a grave and unfortunate event, resulting from moral failure and poor decision-making on the part of the soldiers. It said one officer was reprimanded and two other officers reassigned to non-commanding roles, over the incident.

But the army decided against criminal prosecution, saying military investigators could not directly link their actions to the death of the U.S. citizen.

Human rights groups long have argued that Israel rarely holds soldiers accountable for the deaths of Palestinians.

Investigators said soldiers were forced to restrain Assad because of his aggressive resistance. Assads family has expressed skepticism that the behavior of an ailing 78-year-old could justify such harsh treatment.

Amid the uproar with the U.S., Israel moved Netzah Yehuda out of the West Bank in late 2022 and reassigned it to northern Israel. The battalion was moved to the southern border with Gaza after Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the ongoing war.

In a statement Sunday, the army said its Netzah Yehuda soldiers are currently participating in the war effort in the Gaza Strip.

The battalion is professionally and bravely conducting operations in accordance to the IDF Code of Ethics and with full commitment to international law, it said. It said that if the unit is sanctioned, its consequences will be reviewed.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that he had made a decision on reviews of allegations that several Israeli military units had violated conditions for receiving U.S. assistance outlined in the so-called Leahy Law and that they would soon be made public.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the situation said the U.S. announcement could come as soon as Monday.

The officials said about five Israeli units were investigated and all but one had been found to have taken action to remedy the violations. The Leahy Law, named for former Sen. Patrick Leahy, bars U.S. aid from going to foreign military units that have committed human rights abuses.

A reservist in the Netzah Yehuda unit, Sgt. Maj. Nadav Nissim Miranda, said the Assad death was an unfortunate incident but also an aberration. He told Channel 12 TV that targeting the battalion would hurt efforts to encourage religious men to enlist.

But Yesh Din, an Israeli legal advocacy group, said the case was not isolated. It said one out of every five soldiers convicted of harming Palestinians or their property since 2010 comes from Netzah Yehuda, making it the unit with the highest conviction rate for such cases.

The U.S. review was launched before the Hamas war and not connected to recent Israeli actions inside Gaza or the West Bank  which has experienced a dramatic spike in deadly violence since the Gaza war erupted. The U.S. has also recently imposed sanctions against violent settlers.

Gadi Shamni, a retired general who once served as the militarys commander over the West Bank, said a main problem with the unit is that it was traditionally assigned exclusively to the West Bank. Violence between troops and Palestinians and settlers and Palestinians has surged there in recent years. In contrast, he said other units regularly rotate in and out of the volatile area.

He said the exposure to nonstop friction and violence had caused a level of tiredness among the troops. Nonetheless, he said it was a stereotype to punish the entire unit and it would have been better to target specific individuals or commanders.

But Ori Givati, the director of advocacy at Breaking the Silence, an Israeli group of former combat soldiers critical of Israels occupation, said the problems run much deeper than any particular unit.

He said abuses of power by soldiers toward Palestinians are systematic and the lack of repercussions for wrongdoings are fueling incidents like the death of Assad.

Israeli hard-liners blasted the expected U.S. decision. Israels ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said the U.S. crossed a red line, and Tally Gotliv, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, accused the U.S. of antisemitism.

But even the head of the opposition, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, rejected the move.

He said the sanctions are a mistake and we must act to cancel them. He noted that the source of the problem is not at the military level but at the political level.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
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Renowned British conductor Sir Andrew Davis has died at the age of 80, his agent confirmed.

Sir Andrew, who was one of the longest-serving chief conductors of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, had been suffering from leukaemia, his agent Jonathan Brill said.

He had been managing the disease for between one and a half to two years, but it became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on 2 February.

Sir Andrew led Last Night of the Proms on multiple occasions throughout the 1990s and conducted the proms two weeks after Princess Dianas death in 1997.

Tributes have already started flowing in for the late musician, who was living in Chicago when he died.

Justin Lloyd Webber, the cellist and conductor - and brother of Andrew, the composer and impresario - said he was sad to learn of Sir Davids passing.

A great musician who was wonderful with his soloists, he added. I treasure the memory of a lovely Delius Concerto in 2012 with Philharmonia Orchestra. RIP.

Londons Royal Opera House also paid tribute.

In a post on X, the historic venue wrote: We are saddened to hear of the death of conductor Sir Andrew Davis.

Composer Anthony Payne (right) and his conductor Sir Andrew Davis enjoy the audiences applause after the first public performance of Elgars unfinished Third Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall in London, February 1998 ( PA )

In a career spanning over 5 decades, he was the artistic leader of several of the worlds most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions including BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and Glyndebourne.

He made his Royal Opera debut in 1983 conducting Der Rosenkavalier and last conducted Capriccio (in concert) in 2013. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Fellow conductor Michael Seal said: RIP Sir Andrew Davis - I never had the fortune to meet him in person but did spend a lovely couple of hours interviewing him for my podcast.

A lovelier person you couldnt wish to meet, humble & warm. Hell be sorely missed - a great conductor & musician as well as a lovely human.

Sakari Oramo, the current chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, said: Remembering with greatest respect and admiration everything Sir Andrew Davis did for music, and particularly for dear BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus over many decades.

Sir Andrew was born in Hertfordshire in 1944.

He studied at the Royal College of Music and Kings College, Cambridge, where he was an organ scholar.

The celebrated conductor later took up conducting and performed a wide range of repertoire, ranging from contemporary to Baroque.

Sir Andrew also held conducting positions around the world, including leading the Toronto and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras.

In 1992 he was created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1999 he was knighted in the New Year Honours List.

He moved to the US with his wife to take up the post of music director with the Lyric Opera of Chicago after retiring from the BBC in 2000.

Sir Andrew was in the US when he died.
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The Princess of Waless brother is locked in a toxic feud with a nightmare neighbour who has allegedly papered his local village with malicious posters attacking the family.

James Middleton, 37, responded to The Independents enquiry about the dispute, which follows accusations that his family farm in Berkshire, just a stones throw from Kates childhood home in the rural idyll of Bucklebury, is generating noise and light pollution.

David Alderton, 65, is claimed to have trespassed on the property where Mr Middleton lives with his wife and young child, as part of a months-long row that has disturbed the normally sleepy village of Stanford Dingley.

Mr Middleton also claims Mr Alderton put up malicious posters across the neighbouring villages attacking the Middleton family, and that he told the future Queens brother that things are gonna get brutal.

Mr Middletons land is just a few miles from where Kate grew up in leafy Bucklebury, where her younger sister Pippa now resides on Bucklebury Farm, a thriving 72-acre site Pippa bought with her husband James Matthews four years ago for 1.5m.

Mr Alderton runs a motorcycle dealership and lives in a bungalow directly across from Mr Middletons farm. He fell out with Mr Middleton after the working farmer joined a group objecting to a planning application for a dwelling that was branded an eyesore, according to another neighbour familiar with the row.

James Middleton claims that his neighbour has been harassing his family for years ( James Middleton/Instagram )

After tensions reached boiling point, Mr Middleton is understood to have requested that they communicate only via email or the council. But while it is believed that they engaged in a mediation programme, the alleged campaign of harassment continued.

Responding to The Independent, Mr Middleton said: Police were contacted shortly after our son was born as we became increasingly concerned by the activities surrounding a neighbour.

West Berkshire Council became involved when our neighbour complained about noise from tractors and animals at the farm along with a series of other complaints.

David Alderton, pictured, runs a motorcycle dealership ( Motorcycle Trading/Facebook )

He went on to say that West Berkshire Council had found no reason to investigate any of what he termed the disingenuous complaints.

Mr Middleton also claimed: Mr Alderton has a history of disputes with neighbours within the village. In 2017 he took legal action against the parish council and a parishioner, and intimidated locals for objecting to a series of planning applications, all of which were refused.

Mr Alderton was approached twice by this publication but declined to respond. However, he told the Daily Mail in February 2023: This month we have further been subjected to the unwelcome toxic and noxious ingress of fumes within our home from the clearly unsuitable machinery he uses.

Its a matter of public record that complaints have been made to the local council but nothing has been done.

James Middleton, pictured here as a child with his sister Kate, says he was forced to involve the police in the dispute ( James Middleton/Instagram )

There are three barns full of old farmyard machinery, no good to anyone and its all going on 50ft from our front door.

He added: Its ancient, noisy, dirty, smelly machinery, old Massey Fergusons, an old threshing machine, wood chipping machines, you name it.

Its a farm so I suppose he thinks he feels justified in having farm machinery even if its derelict. But he has a duty of care to his neighbours and the environment  it should not impact on people nearby.

While Mr Alderton has accused his neighbour of using loud machinery and disturbing an area of outstanding natural beauty, Mr Middleton painted a different picture.

He said: It is sad that someone who chooses to live in the countryside in a farming community cannot accept that from time to time there will be noise and smells from tractors and animals, especially if they live next to a farm.

We would be neglecting our duty of responsibility for the animals and countryside if we did what he asked us to do to our livestock.

Mr Middleton also alleges his neighbour used an offensive slur, and that he trespassed so often that Mr Middleton was forced to contact the police to create a record of Mr Aldertons behaviour.

Pippa Matthews purchased Bucklebury Farm in 2020 with her husband James ( Getty )

Mr Middleton claimed there was another angry bust-up after his neighbour allegedly allowed a journalist to film over the property he shares with his wife, Alizee Thevenet, 33, and their son, Inigo, using a drone camera.

Meanwhile, the situation is said to have escalated further in July last year, when Mr Alderton allegedly visited the Middleton house while the family were on holiday.

According to a source familiar with the event, a friend who was housesitting was subjected to abuse when the familys dogs scared their own guinea fowl, which then squawked loudly.

While their friend went into the barn to calm the birds down, according to the source, they were unable to act quickly enough to placate Mr Alderton, who the source said stormed over to the property and loudly shouted: Shut those f***ing birds up you noisy c***, leaving the housesitter deeply distressed.

Neighbours revealed that the furious outburst was apparently not the first time Mr Alderton was left enraged over clucking poultry. According to Mr Middleton, his neighbour was left spitting feathers over his wandering cockerel, which lost its way and found itself on Mr Aldertons land.

Following the guinea fowl furore, Mr Alderton brought up the subject of a recent planning application Mr Middleton had objected to.

Alderton is alleged to have visited the Middleton house while the family were on holiday and shouted at their housesitter ( Motorcycle Trading/Facebook )

We are 100% committed and focused on delivering this scheme, [and] given your impending family addition, are you really wishing to engage further time and energy on this? Mr Alderton allegedly wrote.

The angry neighbour was apparently described as insulting and disparaging in the exchange.

According to a neighbour who was told of the correspondence, Mr Alderton continued: Im up for the fight chap, hope you are, its gonna get brutal.

Unfortunately, the saga did not end there, with Mr Alderton allegedly setting tongues wagging in nearby villages by publicising the dispute with malicious posters.

The posters made malicious claims in reference to reports last year that the taxpayer would have to foot the bill after Carole Middletons childrens party-supplies business, Party Pieces, collapsed.

James Middleton grew up in nearby Bucklebury ( James Middleton/Instagram )

Referring to the collapse of the business, the posters demanded that the couple pay back those left in debt, with dozens of the A4 laminated pages stapled to trees, church noticeboards and lampposts.

[Mr Aldertons actions] bred animosity in the community, rumour, ill feeling, and caused myself and my family anxiety and distress, Mr Middleton said.

Neighbours explained how Mr Middleton was forced to remove the posters by hand, and claimed that he had viewed CCTV that appeared to indicate that Mr Alderton had posted them around the village.

Middleton and his family say they want the harassment to stop ( James Middleton/Instagram )

Ironically, publicly available documents from Companies House show that Mr Aldertons first company went into liquidation in May 2014 with more than 70,000 owed to HMRC.

While it was reported that this money could not be recovered due to a lack of funds, at the same time, Mr Alderton was acting as a director of another company that sold motorbikes  set up two years before the first went into liquidation.

Even this did not spell the end of the feud. Last autumn, the Middleton family claim they faced more problems, including alleged reapplying of the posters, attempts to deliberately set off their security lights at night, and further alleged threats from Mr Alderton.

Mr Middleton told this publication he is saddened but also glad that the police are now looking into what has occurred.
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Supermarkets are no longer just security tagging steaks and single malt whiskies now at Tesco they have begun slapping tags on their shopping baskets.

With the cost-of-living crisis causing a rise in food theft, supermarket shoppers have seen all sorts of items security tagged including milk, butter, meat, and bars of chocolate.

But at least one Tesco store in Theydon Bois, Essex has begun tagging their shopping baskets after a spate of thefts

The measure comes just days after one branch in Bristol was checking customers on CCTV before letting them in the door in a nightclub-style door policy''.

The Bristol branch has also moved their shopping baskets away from the doors to stop thieves piling them up with shopping and running out.

One shopper in the Essex village, James Beach, 45, said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw they had stuck tags on shopping baskets - I mean, what are you going to do with one of them?

"Is there nothing these people won't nick?"

He added: "I spoke to one of the staff and she said they'd had loads of thefts so they were tagging the baskets now to try and deter people."

Tesco has been approached for comment.

It came as a Labour said the Conservatives shoplifters charter has seen charging for the offence plummet even as store thefts increase.

Security tags attached to the bottom of a shopping baskets in Theydon Bois. ( SWNS )

Although many types of theft have declined since the start of 2020, shoplifting has continued to rise with more than 402,000 offences committed in the year to September 2023  equivalent to one every 80 seconds.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party said figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed charges for shoplifting had fallen by around 16% since 2018.

The party has partly blamed the increase on a decision in 2014 to bring in a new category of low-value shoplifting covering the theft of items worth under 200 in total.

The change, brought in by then-home secretary Theresa May, was intended to allow the police to deal with these offences by post, speeding up the process and giving the courts more time to focus on other crimes.

It was not meant to apply to repeat offenders or those working as part of an organised gang.

But Labour and others, including the British Retail Consortium, have argued that in reality it has led to the police deprioritising such offences.
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Britain should install an Israeli-style iron dome missile defence system, Penny Mordaunt has suggested, in an unusual intervention highlighting concerns within the government about the increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape.

Ms Mordaunt, the House of Commons leader and a former Royal Navy reservist, again called for an increase in defence spending, saying the government has a duty to our citizens to keep them protected as the world becomes less safe.

The former defence secretarys comments follow another precarious week in relations between Israel and Iran. On Friday, Israel launched strikes on Iran that hit close to military and nuclear targets deep inside the country, in retaliation for Tehrans missile and drone attacks days earlier.

With war still raging in Ukraine and no end in sight to the conflict in Gaza, defence figures have been increasing their calls for the UK to bolster its defences, with one senior Conservative MP describing Irans strikes as a wake-up call for the West.

The UK currently spends just over 2 per cent of GDP on defence, but there are growing calls for this to be increased to at least 2.5 per cent, with some figures pushing for as much as 3 per cent.

Writing for The Sunday Telegraph, in a piece that could be interpreted as a pitch for the future leadership of her party, Ms Mordaunt said the UK must be more ambitious about the amount of resources it puts into defence.

Penny Mordaunt has again called for more money to be spent on defence ( PA Wire )

To those that say, about our defence ambitions, we cant do, shouldnt do, or cant afford to do, I say Look to Israel  a nation a fraction of our size that has staved off an attack from a nation 10 times its size, she told the paper.

It has made a choice. It has made it work. We may not have its daily reminders of the threats we face, but we have the same duty to our citizens, she added. Israels defence is our defence, and we must be ready to defend our allies the same way that we would defend ourselves, as we did last weekend.

Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel last Saturday, but nearly all of them were taken out, largely by Israels formidable Iron Dome system with support from the countrys allies, including the UK. The combined effort eliminated targets over the skies of Iraq and Syria under Operation Shader.

The Iron Dome system, developed with backing from the US, specialises in shooting down short-range rockets. It has intercepted a vast number of rockets since it was activated early in the last decade  including thousands during the current war against Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel says it has a success rate of over 90 per cent.

A battery of Tamir interceptor missiles, forming part of Israels Iron Dome missile defence system, in Ashkelon, southern Israel ( AP )

The Iron Dome is supported by the Arrow system, which is designed to intercept long-range missiles including the types of ballistic missiles Iran said it had launched against Israel.

The defence system is extremely expensive to maintain and operate. Reem Aminoach, a former brigadier general and chief financial adviser to the head of the Israeli military, told Bloomberg that it would have cost Israel around $1bn (808m) to thwart Irans attack, with some interceptor missiles costing $3.5m (2.8m) alone.

Jeremy Hunt, Britains chancellor, said he wanted the defence budget to increase to 2.5 per cent after coming under pressure from colleagues to spend more money on protecting the UK against hostile states.

Labour has vowed to match this ambition, and Sir Keir Starmer said in a recent visit to a shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, where the next generation of submarines are being built, that his partys commitment to the UKs nuclear weapons system is unshakeable.

All Nato members are signed up to an agreement to spend the equivalent of 2 per cent of GDP on defence annually, although many did not match that level last year, according to estimates by the military alliance.

There have been calls for members to go above and beyond the 2 per cent figure in light of Russias aggression in Ukraine.

Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, was the top Nato spender last year, allocating 3.9 per cent to defence, with the US second at 3.5 per cent.
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Liz Truss has claimed she does not want to be prime minister again, a week after saying she had unfinished business with the Conservative Party.

Britains shortest-serving prime minister, famously outlasted by a lettuce, previously declined to rule out standing to be Tory leader, saying it was never wise to rule anything out in politics.

But in an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Ms Truss appeared to do just that, saying her new book was not trying to reinstate myself as prime minister.

Asked directly whether she would like to return to Downing Street, she said: No.

She also again refused to apologise for the banking crisis, which led to her being ousted from power by her own MPs after less than six weeks, saying that mortgage rates have gone up across the world.

But she did apologise for an antisemitic quote that made its way into her book, saying she was very sorry about that.

Defending her economic record, she reiterated her criticism of Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, even as she admitted she had never met him in person.

She said: The issues that I faced in office were issues of not being able to deliver the agenda Id set out because of a deep resistance within the British economic establishment.

I think its wrong to suggest that Im responsible for British people paying higher mortgages.

That is something that has happened in every country in the free world.

Liz Truss claims she does not want to be prime minister again ( Sky News )

Labour has already accused Ms Truss of engaging in a twisted victory lap, with the publication of her new book about her time in office.

Ms Truss said the Bank of England governor was responsible for the market turmoil.

She said: I faced real resistance and actions by the Bank of England that undermined my policy and created the problems in the markets.

Earlier in the week, the former prime minister called for Mr Baileys head and demanded a proper investigation into the central banks response to her 2022 mini-budget.

Despite her criticism of the Bank chief, Ms Truss confirmed on Sunday she never met Mr Bailey.

I actually had a meeting set up and wanted to meet him, but I was advised that would be a bad idea, she said.

Perhaps I shouldnt have taken that advice, but that advice came from the cabinet cecretary, and what I didnt want to do is further exacerbate the problems  But what I was very, very concerned about is the country was in a serious situation.

I didnt want to exacerbate that situation by making it worse. In retrospect, yes, I probably should have spoken directly to the governor of the Bank of England at the time.

Ms Truss also said she would be very happy to meet Mr Bailey, who she has only ever talked to on Zoom.

She also accused Labour, which is trouncing the Tory party in the polls, of benefitting from a false narrative about her.

She claimed that a story had permeated about the events of autumn 2022 that simply isnt true. And the Labour Party have ridden off the back of that narrative. She also claimed that those who made personal attacks against her are people who dont want to face the truth about the problems in our country.

Turning her fire on fellow Conservatives, she claimed Theresa Mays government had not understood the true cost of net zero legislation when it put it into law.

She said: I think it was a mistake to put in net zero legislation without understanding the true costs of it. In government you have lots of issues that you want to intervene on and deal with. You can't fight every battle. That's the reality. Having spent some time thinking about it, I think the legislation itself is problematic. So I have changed my view.

She again reiterated her call for Donald Trump to win the next US election, but also said she wanted her successor  and bitter rival  Rishi Sunak to win the general election.
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The MP at the centre of the latest sleaze scandal to rock Rishi Sunaks party has announced he will stand down at the next election.

Mark Menzies, 52 , allegedly rang a 78-year-old aide in the middle of the night to tell her he had been locked up by bad people demanding money.

He was also accused of misusing political donations after reportedly spending thousands of pounds given by Tory party donors on medical expenses.

The Conservatives suspended Mr Menzies after the claims broke earlier this week.

But the party was accused of being slow to act after a whistleblower revealed she reported the allegations to the party months ago.

In a statement, the Tories said they had now completed the investigation and cannot conclude there had been a misuse of party funds.

However, this appeared to be because the money was in a fund that sits outside the remit of the party and its local association.

But the probe did find a pattern of behaviour that falls below the standards expected of MPs and individuals looking after donations to local campaign funds which lie outside the direct jurisdiction of the Conservative party, a Tory spokesperson said.

In response the party is to set up a whistleblowing helpline and retrain volunteers across the party on how to manage these accounts.

The party also said it would review whether the allegations breached the Nolan principles of public life and would share any information with the police if they believe it would be helpful.

Lancashire Police have said they are reviewing the available information in the case.

According to The Times, 14,000 given by donors for use on Tory campaign activities was transferred to Mr Menzies personal bank accounts and used for private medical expenses.

The MP is also alleged to have telephoned his elderly former campaign manager at 3.15am one morning in December last year, and claimed he was locked in a flat and needed 5,000 as a matter of life and death.

The sum, which later rose to 6,500, was eventually paid from his office managers personal bank account.

The money was later reimbursed using funds that had been raised by donors for campaigning purposes and were held in an account with the name Fylde Westminster Group, it is alleged. It is this body that the party said sits outside of its remit.

According to a source close to Mr Menzies, before the December phone call he had met a man on an online dating website and went to his flat, before later going with another man to a second address where he continued to drink alcohol. After he was one point sick, several people at that address demanded 5,000, which they said was for cleaning and other expenses.

The source said that Mr Menzies had decided to pay the money because he was scared of what would happen if he did not. He did not have the funds to transfer the cash from his own savings, however.

Separately, in 2020 he allegedly sought 3,000 to cover medical bills, but he did not repay the money and instead asked for and received a further 4,000, according to The Times. The allegations include that Mr Menzies received a further 7,000 from the account in November.

Anneliese Dodds, Labour's party chair, said that serious questions remained for Mr Sunak and the Conservative Party.

The fact that Conservatives have not even approached the whistleblowers in the case, weeks after saying they were going to, despite now saying the investigation has been completed, says everything about how seriously they are dealing with these allegations.

She called on the party to explain what action they have taken to deal with these shocking allegations, And Rishi Sunak needs to explain how he will ever deliver on his promise of professionalism, integrity and accountability and drag his party out of the morass of constant sleaze."

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said:This stinks of a cover-up. The Conservative Party still has questions to answer about why the Chief Whip did not refer this to the parliamentary authorities when he was first made aware.

It is also incredibly concerning that Sunak allowed an MP who he must have known was susceptible to blackmail, to stay in place for so long.

The Conservative Party now needs to hand over everything relating to this matter to the police for them to investigate.

In a statement, Mr Menzies said he had decided to resign from the Conservative Party and would not stand at the election due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother.

He added: This has been a very difficult week for me and I request that my familys privacy is respected.

The Ayrshire-born Tory MP for Fylde, Lancashire will continue to sit as an MP on his full salary until the election.

Mr Menzies won his seat in 2010 after unsuccessfully standing for seats in Glasgow and Yorkshire. He had been one of David Camerons so-called A-List of top tier parliamentary candidates.

But in 2014 he resigned as a ministerial aide to then international development minister Alan Duncan after a report he had paid a Brazilian male escort for sex.

In an earlier statement to The Times, Mr Menzies said: I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing, I will not be commenting further.
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Rishi Sunak is appalled at the Metropolitan Polices handling of a pro-Palestinian march at which officers threatened a man with arrest and told him he was openly Jewish.

Downing Street said the prime minister expects the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, to account for the events, which have led to calls for the Met boss to step down.

Sir Mark has been summoned to a meeting with the policing minister Chris Philp this week and is expected to meet with Home Secretary James Cleverly in the coming days after the incident prompted anger within the government. But No 10 stopped short of echoing former home secretary Suella Bravermans call for the commissioner to resign, with government sources playing down the possibility that he could be sacked.

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also summoned the commissioner to a meeting on Monday to discuss community relations following outcry over the incident. However, he is understood to retain the confidence of the mayor.

The row erupted after it emerged that the head of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), Gideon Falter, was threatened with arrest near a pro-Palestine protest on 13 April, with one police officer describing him as openly Jewish.

Another officer told Mr Falter he would be arrested if he did not leave the area because he was causing a breach of peace with all these other people and his presence was antagonising.

The CAA has since called on Sir Mark to resign or be removed from his post.

A government source said: The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter openly Jewish.

He expects the Met commissioner to account for how it happened, and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe.

Gideon Falter speaks with a police officer during the march ( Campaign Against Antisemitism/PA Wire )

Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho told the BBC that she personally wouldnt go that far  referring to the calls for Sir Mark to resign  because I havent had the conversations with him.

Earlier, she claimed his future was a matter for London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.

While Mr Khan does have the power, in effect, to sack the commissioner, he can only do so with the permission of the home secretary.

Mr Cleverly has written to the force, and to Mr Khan, about the incident.

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said the Mets actions were concerning and that the force must have the confidence of the communities they serve.

In a statement, Mr Falter said: Racists, extremists and terrorist sympathisers have watched the excuses and inertia of the Met under [Sir Marks] command and been emboldened by his inaction at precisely the moment when he should be signalling a renewed determination to crack down on this criminality.

What the Met under Sir Mark has done to the Jewish community over the course of six months is utterly unforgivable and it is time for him to go. Enough is enough.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Ms Braverman claimed that people at the march whose behaviour was flagrantly antisemitic were being waved on by the police.

She said: Either this is gross incompetence, or its a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has also written to Sir Mark asking for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and to start repairing what it described as a grievous loss of confidence in the Met.

The commissioner said he personally reiterated the forces apology.

On Friday, the Met apologised for the incident, suggesting that opponents of pro-Palestine marches must know that their presence is provocative and that they are increasing the likelihood of an altercation by lining the route to object.

The force then had to issue another statement apologising for the further offence caused by its first apology.
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Sir Tony Blair has warned politics risks becoming a branch of celebrity populated by the weird and the wealthy as he called for a reset of Britains relationship with Europe.

The former prime minister also suggested record net migration was a sign that the UK is still an attractive place to live and denounced identity politics as a cul de sac, in a wide-ranging interview.

More than a decade and a half after he left frontline politics, he also joked he might sit around and drink all day if he did not keep working.

Sir Tony and his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, with its more than 800 staff, are widely expected to be influential if, as expected, Labour wins its first general election since he was prime minister later this year.

In a significant change of tack from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir Starmer has openly praised the legacy of the last Labour government.

But in an interview with The Sunday Times, Sir Tony expressed concern about a loss of mission within Western democracy.

Despite a really exciting world, he said when he talked to people in politics theyre a little depressed about the future.

He warned too many people think governments are limited in what they can achieve at the same time as a technological revolution is accelerating.

Politicians often look at me a bit curiously and think, Well, maybe hes been too long out of the front line of politics. But I say to them, no  [technology] is going to change everything!, he said.

However, as a result of the widespread pessimism surrounding how much change can be achieved in government, Blair expressed concern about the quality of candidates wanting to enter public life. If youre not careful theres a real risk that politics will become a branch of celebrity, he said. So the people coming into politics are the weird and the wealthy.

Meanwhile, although he argued that democracy can deliver he warned that the left is struggling as one part of it has gone for identity politics, which is another cul-de-sac.

He also compared it to right-wing nationalism, describing both as victim ideologies. You never build anything from victimhood.

On Europe, he called for a new approach to the UKs relationship.

He said: It would be wise to reset it... There are too many things that affect us that are going on in Europe. That doesnt mean to say [Starmer] will start trying to frame this as rejoining [the EU] or even the single market. In any event, weve got a trade negotiation coming up in 2025. But at the moment were outside the big political union on our own continent and weve got a disrupted trading relationship with our biggest trading partner, so youve got to fix this stuff.

Britains former prime minister Tony Blair speaks at a panel session during the World Government Summit in Dubai in February ( AFP via Getty Images )

He said record net legal migration, which reached 745,000 last year, suggested the UK was still an attractive place to live. Its a great test of a country  are people trying to get into it or out of it? he said.

But he backed the use of ID cards to help deal with migration, rather than Mr Sunaks flagship Rwanda policy, which has so far sent no one to the African country.

Nearly two decades after he first outlined plans for ID cards, he said: The problem is that once [they] are here, its very difficult to track people they can come in as students, they can come travelling to Britain on a tourist visa and they can stay.

At the age of 70 he joked he would lack direction in life if he did not keep working.

The most important thing was to wake up every morning with a sense of purpose he said, adding that if he did not have that he did not know what he would sit around and drink all day or something.
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A childs birthday party turned deadly after a car smashed into a building at a Michigan boat club, leaving two kids dead, authorities say.

At around 3pm on Saturday, April 20, after a vehicle collided with the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, stopping 25 feet inside the building, where the birthday party was taking place, according to Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

Two young siblings, aged five and eight, died at the scene, police said. It was not immediately known whether the party was being held for either of the children.

Emergency services provided aid to 13 other victims, including adults and children, authorities said. Three kids and six adults were then transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

None of the victims have been identified.

An unnamed 66-year-old woman was driving the car, authorities said. She has been taken into police custody on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. The sheriffs office noted that additional criminal charges will likely be brought against the driver as the investigation advances.

First responders described the scene as extremely chaotic, the sheriffs office said.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Swan Boat Club wrote on Facebook that it will be closed for the rest of the weekend due to a terrible accident on Saturday resulting in many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion.

Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers, the venue said.
by Ali Sukhanver

By keeping a vigilant eye on the things happening around, the Opposition in the Parliament, in fact, saves the system from going to the wrong direction. No doubt a strong political check on the ruling party by the opposition always plays a positive role in reformation of a society. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is no doubt fulfilling all its responsibilities as an opposition party in a befitting manner. In the last few months, the BNP has added a lot to its vote-bank by leading the India Out campaign in the country. It is the passionate working of the BNP that this campaign is getting speedy popularity in Bangladesh. Different social media platforms are replete with slogans advocating the boycott of Indian products in Bangladesh with hashtags such as India Out, and Boycott India. The people of Bangladesh have realized that they could survive very well even if there is no India in their country. Under the garb of trade and business projects, the Indian interference in Bangladesh is becoming more and more painful for the people of this country. It has been mentioned so many times in the Bangladesh media that Indian border guards are continuously involved in border killing of Bangladeshi people. There have been reports of aiding illegal immigrants, helping armed dacoits, transferring fake money and trafficking of illegal drugs in Bangladesh by the Indian troops deployed at the border. The government is very well aware of this Indian insurgency but the Prime Minister Hasina Wajid doesnt want to annoy the Modi Sarkar by taking to task the culprits involved in all this rubbish.





Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 10, 2024. Xi held talks with Muizzu, who is paying a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Against the will and desire of her people, Hasina has always played a role very subservient to India throughout her political career. In her wild inclination towards India, she even crosses all moral and ethical limits. In a recent statement she ridiculed rather insulted all supporters of the India-Out Campaign with her derogatory remarks. She said, First burn your wives Indian sarees, then boycott India. Her statement is being harshly criticized by the people from all walks of life. The people of Bangladesh are a very hardworking and determined type of a nation. They have all abilities to perform miracles. According to WTOs World Statistical Review 2023, Bangladesh ranks second in garment exports as a single country. But unfortunately the Prime Minister of such a diligent and hardworking nation is depressing and discouraging her people by saying that they dont have an ability of producing Sarees for their wives.





On the other hand, the India-Out Campaign is becoming popular day by day in Maldives too. Maldives is the smallest country in Asia and its economy mainly depends on tourism. A report issued by Maldives Ministry of Tourism says, The emergence of tourism in 1972 transformed countrys economy, moving rapidly from dependence on fisheries to tourism. In just three and a half decades, the industry became the main source of income. Tourism is also the countrys biggest foreign currency earner and the single largest contributor to the GDP. According to the latest data released by the tourism ministry of Maldives, in 2023 around 18 lakh people visited the country for tourism purpose. The tourists included 2, 09,198 from India, 2, 09,146 from Russia and 1, 35,090 from Germany. According to the United States Institute of Peace, on 4th January, social media posts from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the beauty of Indias beaches in Lakshadweep sparked a diplomatic row with the Indian Ocean island nation, Maldives. As a country that leans heavily on tourism at its own beaches, three Maldivian junior ministers were quick to criticize the Indian prime minister, which led to calls from Indian social media users to boycott Maldives as a tourist destination. The people of Maldives have expressed their grave resentment on the statement of Mr. Modi in which he has indirectly asked his people to avoid going to the beaches of Maldives and chose Lakshadweep for their excursion trips. The ownership of Lakshadweep Island is also a reason of conflict and confrontation between India and Maldives. As this Island is claimed by India as part of its territory while the Maldives considers it as a disputed area.





It is also a point to be noted that Maldives had been in a good relationship with India before September 2023 when Mohamed Muizzu was elected the President of Maldives. Before that during the premiership of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, things were quite different. He had been doing all his best to strengthen the working relationship with India as his political philosophy had always been India First. Internally the people of Maldives were not in favour of giving India the status of the most important. They wanted the betterment, development and prosperity of their own country to be given all preference. So they vehemently expressed their reaction and resentment against India First policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the elections of 2023. After the statement of Mr. Modi, the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had set 10th May 2024 as the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed within Maldivian territory. He had categorically warned that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, would be permitted to stay in his country after 19th May 2024. Feeling the gravity of Muizzus ultimatum, in the month of March, the Modi government called back 25 Indian troops deployed in Maldives southernmost city Addu which consists of inhabited islands.





In short, the India-First policy introduced by Ex-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is rapidly converting into India-Out policy; and all credit of this revolutionary shift no doubt goes to President Muizzu. The basic difference between India Out Campaign in Maldives and in Bangladesh is that in Bangladesh the head of the state Prime Minister Hasina Wajid is doing all her best to crush this campaign but in Maldives the head of the state President Mohammad Muizzu is standing with his people. However, this political unrest in Bangladesh and Maldives is expected to benefit China most because of its already overwhelming economic presence in both the countries. China has been very successful in proving itself the regional economic godfather in true sense of the term, by taking care of its regional neighbors.
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Max Azzarello, 37, who died after setting himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, had recently started posting anti-establishment conspiracy theories online, including a lengthy article on Substack which blasted politicians, and billionaires and even made reference to The Simpsons.

The manifesto-style document warned of an impending apocalyptic fascist world coup.

At 1.30pm ET on Friday 19 April, he entered a park outside the New York courthouse, where Donald Trumps historic criminal trial is taking place, and set himself on fire. The horrific incident lasted several minutes before the flames were extinguished by police officers and court staff.

Police told NBC News that he was declared dead by the hospital after he was admitted with severe burn injuries. No time of death was given by the police.

His friends described Azzarello as a gentle and very personable man. Some struggled to see how his final act was committed by the person they once knew so well, while others noted how his mothers death had seemed to leave an indelible mark, driving him to support conspiracy theories and go a little haywire.

Who is the victim?

In his lengthy post, Azzarello described himself as an investigative researcher.

Police said that his drivers licence showed he was born in 1987 and was a native of St Augustine, Florida. A registered Democrat, he attended the University of North Carolina from 2005 to 2009, according to public records and his LinkedIn page. He then obtained his masters degree in city and regional planning in 2012 from Rutgers.

Those close to Azzarello described his as kind, creative, and well-informed  albeit concerned  about the world.

Steven Waldman, Azzarellos friend from high school, described him to the New York Times as one of the most intelligent people he knew.

While at Rutgers, Katie Brennan, a former classmate, recalled him dotting hallways with encouraging Post-it notes for his classmates and singing karaoke versions of Frank Sinatra and Disney songs, the Times reported.

He was super curious about social justice and the way things could be, Ms Brennan said. He was creative and adventurous.

Maxwell Azzarello pictured protesting outside Donald Trumps trial at Manhattan Criminal Court one day before self-immolating near the same location ( Getty Images )

By 2013, Azzarello worked as operations director for the campaign of Tom Suozzi, his LinkedIn profile reveals. The now-Congressman was at the time running for Nassau County Executive.

Since then, he worked in marketing, sales and technology roles, some of which were based in Philadelphia, his profile shows.

Years later, Azzarello moved to St Augustine, Florida, his social media indicates, working as a self-employed research investigator, consistent with his online post.

But at some point this month, between April 13 and April 19, seemingly unbenownst to his family, he arrived in New York City.

The April dates fall almost exactly two years after his mother died. Thats when everything changed for Azzarello, his friends said.

That was around the time when he became more outspoken, Mr Waldman told the Times. They were close, and they had a good relationship. He was heartbroken.

He posted a tribute to his mother on Instagram, writing, I couldnt be happier to have been able to be close to her these last few months. She suffered from COPD, but I am immensely proud to say that she navigated the awful challenges of this disease with strength, dignity and spirit through the very end.

From thereafter, his social media profile makes a significant shift, from posting about friends and family to posting about the criminal government and cryptocurrency.

Some told The Daily Beast that he had gone a little haywire as of late, also pointing to concerning social media posts.

In June of 2023, he reportedly tagged Ms Brennan and others in what she called a manifesto that he had penned. Alarmed by his writing, she called him immediately and eventually alerted one of his family members.

By August, the Times wrote, he posted on Facebook about visiting a mental health facility: Three days in the psych ward, and all I got were my new favorite socks.

In the following days, he displayed a series of unstable episodes.

He had dinner at St Augustines Casa Monica Hotel, where he apparently found a years-old autograph left on the wall by former president Bill Clinton; Azzarello threw a glass of wine at it, according to police.

Although he admitted to police what had happened, and they apparently dismissed it as a one-off incident, days later, he returned the hotel  clothed in only underwear  and stood outside, yelling into a bullhorn, the outlet wrote.

A few days later, he vandalized the outside of a United Way office and then entered a strangers truck, the Times reported.

Despite his multiple arrests in Florida, Azzarello did not have a criminal history in New York, police said.

His former landlord, Larry Altman, told the Daily Beast that Azzrello was a very personable guy but over the last few years, he had become more and more involved with the thought process that everything is a conspiracy against the common person.

Mr Altman also told the Times that Azzarello had political views that I would not consider mainstream. He called our government and the world government a Ponzi scheme.

The police-involved episodes of recent years and inclination toward conspiracy theories set the scene for Fridays act in New York City.

He had apparently been spotted outside the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Thursday and Friday.

Those who knew him previously didnt see the act outside the courhouse as consistent with the Max Azzarello they once knew.

Carol Waldman, Azarrellos friend Stevens mother, called Azzarello a kind and a gentle soul. She told the Times that he was a real wonderful, terrific young guy who had his whole life ahead of him.

His beliefs

Azzarello had a long history of posting conspiracy theories and railing against the rich and powerful, according to NYPD officials, who had begun to comb through his social media profiles.

Azzarello reportedly threw pamphlets in the park before self-immolating on Friday ( ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images )

His lengthy Substack post called out a string of people, social media companies and institutions. He also labelled the Covid-19 pandemic as an economic doomsday device.

In the document, Azzarello said that the act of self-immolation was an extreme act of protest.

To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. he wrote.

Elsewhere in the lengthy post, Azzarello also referred to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, cryptocurrency, and episodes of The Simpsons.

At one point he compared himself to Lisa Simpson.

Azzarello posted on social media about what he was planning to do ( Social media )

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters at a press conference. The pamphlets [thrown by Mr Azzarello seconds before the incident] seem to be propaganda-based almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.

Some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are a front for the mob. So a little bit of a conspiracy theory going on here.

The incident

Police said that Azzarello had not breached any security protocols before the incident, as the park  Collect Pond Park  was open to the public at the time.

Seconds before setting himself on fire, he tossed a stack of colourful pamphlets into the air.

A fire extinguisher remains on the scene outside the park where Azzarello self-immolated on Friday ( AFP via Getty Images )

A man who witnessed the shocking incident, which occurred just minutes after the final jurors were selected in the former presidents criminal case, and identified himself as Dave, was visibly shaken.

Papers clattered on the ground and that caught our attention well my attention anyway and I kinda wondered well what are those papers, Dave told The Independent.

He added that people around him were horrified and became screaming. The incident happened so quickly that nobody was able to stop it.

Its awful to see that.

Azzarello was taken by the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to a burn unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Cornell Medical Center.

He was in critical condition and was later declared deceased by the hospital staff, NYPD said.

According to the fire department, six first responders, including a minimum of three NYPD officers and one court officer, sustained minor injuries while addressing the incident.
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The House of Representatives finally passed aid for Ukraine on Saturday in a move that could threaten Speaker Mike Johnsons political future.

Members voted 311-112 to pass the $60.8bn package, which the Senate had previously passed. The legislations successful passage elicited cheers and waving of Ukrainian flags on the House floor, as well as chants of Slava Ukraini!  meaning glory to Ukraine. Angry conservatives fumed at their colleagues after the vote, with one speaking into the mic: Put those damn flags away!

The money will be the latest instalment of military aid to help Ukraine defend itself against the brutal Russian invasion launched in February 2022.

Passage of the three foreign aid bills through the Senate is slated to take place on Tuesday, per Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The two other portions of the national security supplemental package, dealing with Israel and Taiwan, both passed with significant bipartisan margins. The House version of the supplemental changed the military assistance to Ukraine into a loan, a mostly failed bid to entice conservatives to get on board.

If the hotline clears this morning, we expect to announce an agreement allowing the next vote on Tuesday, early afternoon, said the Senate majority leader, according to Punchbowl News. Parts of the legislation were already passed by the upper chamber, making the path to the presidents desk fairly straightforward from here.

This is not a blank check, like the Senates version, Mr Johnson told reporters after the vote. The loan system ... is a House innovation.

I know there are critics of the legislation, I understand that, he added. But there is no question whatsoever that the House has made many improvements to the Senate bill, and the package we sent over there is much better.

He also noted that Democrats forced his hand on the passage of aid to Ukraine by opposing a stand-alone bill that would have solely provided military assistance to Israel. Addressing the months of delays between the Senates action on the bill and the House finally passing it, he claimed that the chambers majority acted as quickly as it could have.

The real political drama in the House is expected to play out in the coming days, as conservatives are voicing frustrations over Mike Johnsons governing style and willingness to rely on Democratic votes to pass major pieces of legislation which significant numbers of Republicans oppose. A third GOP member, Paul Gosar, on Friday signed on to the motion to oust Mr Johnson as speaker and that number may well grow after Saturdays votes.

A number of Democrats have already indicated that they will extend a political lifeline to Mr Johnson should that happen, but the speakers detractors argue that Democratic support will only hasten his downfall.

Every Democrat who walks across the aisle to try to save the Republican speaker is going to cause two or three more Republicans to join the effort because, at that point, youre  ceding control of the House of Representatives to a contingent of Democrats, Thomas Massie, one of the three Republicans supporting the motion to vacate, told Politicos Playbook newsletter.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, spoke to reporters on Saturday and said that his caucus would have that conversation about saving Mr Johnson once the legislation is passed.

While support for the motion to vacate is growing, even supporters of such a measure admit that ousting Speaker Mike Johnson would throw the lower chamber back into chaos. Last fall, it took Republicans more than three weeks to coalesce around a candidate after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy by a contingent of eight Republicans.

Speaking to reporters in a gaggle on the House steps on Thursday, the leader of that anti-McCarthy coalition, Matt Gaetz, said that passing a motion to vacate against Mike Johnson could put the [GOP] conference in peril.

There was no sign of that trigger being pulled immediately; Majority Leader Steve Scalise told reporters he did not expect Ms Greenes motion to be put to the floor this weekend after he was seen speaking with the Georgia conservative congresswoman on the House floor.

The bill includes significant funds for what Ukraine says is its top priority: the resupply of air defence missiles and other armaments it says have been depleted responding to Russian attacks, resulting in greater casualties.

President Joe Biden celebrated passage of the legislation in a statement shortly after the votes concluded.

Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer historys call, passing urgently-needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure, said the president.

I want to thank Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House who voted to put our national security first. I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs.

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky, who had lobbied Congress personally on the legislation including in a rare trip to Washington, also thanked US lawmakers after the news broke.

One piece of ride-along immigration legislation containing several of the GOPs priorities outlined in the hardline H.R. 2 bill separately died separately in the House on Saturday. It required two-thirds of the chamber for passage, a side effect of passing it under suspension of the chambers rules. Just a handful of Democrats supported it.

Legislation passed on Saturday dealing with a wider range of issues including sanctions on Iran and Russia may also require tinkering due to the provision forcing the sale of TikTok, though President Joe Biden has come out in support of that specific provision and it may end up receiving sufficient bipartisan support. The second ride-along bill passed with a vote of 360-58. A previous bill forcing the sale of TikTok passed in March, but has since stalled in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had long pressured the House to pass the Senate-passed supplemental bill as lawmakers in the lower chamber debated and ultimately separated the legislation into three parts.

Todays action moves this critical national security supplemental one step closer to helping America and our friends to meet the most dangerous array of threats in a generation, said the Senate GOP leader. From the battlefields of Ukraine to the cities and kibbutzes of Israel, and from the Red Sea to the South China Sea, our adversaries are colluding to violently undermine America, our allies, and our global interests.

Whats in the full foreign aid package passed by the House:

Three pieces of legislation that were part of the national security supplemental passed by the Senate, as well as one piece of sidecar legislation dealing with Russia/Iran sanctions, passed the House on Saturday. Combined, they will provide tens of billions of dollars in security and military assistance to US allies in three regions.

Ukraine

The Ukraine portion of the bill is the largest. $60.8bn is earmarked for Ukraine in the bills passed on Saturday, with much being targeted to resupply vital air defences for the Ukrainian military. A Republican amendment to strip all non-defence spending from the bill failed.

Of the defence spending in the bill, $23bn is set aside to replenish US stockpiles drawn down by the effort to supply Ukraine, while another $11bn would support current US operations in eastern Europe. Nearly $14bn was targeted to help Ukraine purchase advanced weapon and defence systems.

A relatively smaller amount, $26m, was supplied to provide oversight efforts to ensure that US contributions to Ukraine are being disbursed correctly and fairly.

Israel

Much of the $26.38bn Israel bill is centred around restocking Israeli munitions required for its defences as well as the siege of Gaza, where Israel is attempting to wipe out Hamas militants. $4bn is included for resupplying the Iron Dome defensive grid, and $1.2bn is include for the so-called Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system used to take out drones and missiles.

$3.5bn is set aside to help Israel procure weapon systems, while nearly $7bn is marked for restocking US supplies and funding operations in the region.

Indo-Pacific

One last segment of the foreign aid package deals with Taiwan and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Philippines. This smaller ($8.12bn) bill sets aside $3.3bn for the construction of submarine port infrastructure around the Indo-Pacific and includes roughly $4bn in assistance to Taiwan and regional military partners of the US. Just over a half billion is also provided to directly strengthen US military assets in the region.
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A unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is expected to be sanctioned by the Biden administration this week after a ProPublica investigation claimed that the State Department sat for months on evidence of serious human rights abuses.

Reports of the expected move have enraged the Israeli government headed by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and comes as US-Israel relations continue to degrade under the stress of Israels military onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

The investigation published by the non-profit investigative outlet ProPublica on Wednesday revealed that an internal State Department investigation had, months ago, identified several Israeli police and military units facing credible accusations of violating human rights  some even faced allegations of torture. Its an investigation required by law, with the panel having been set up as part of the so-called Leahy law, which prohibits US funding from going to military or security units found to have committed atrocities.

According to ProPublica, the State Department board leading this investigation made recommendations to halt US assistance to these units months ago; secretary of state Antony Blinken has not acted upon or published the findings, until now.

Now, Axios reports that the agency will take action this week and issue a ban on US military assistance to the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a controversial unit of the IDF which was set up to include ultra-Orthodox Israelis and is described by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz as a West Bank militia serving as part of the IDF. The unit draws recruits from the right-wing Israeli settler movement, which often is engaged in violent clashes with Palestinians. The settlement movement has also increasingly come under scrutiny by the Biden administration in recent weeks.

At a press conference on Friday, Mr Blinken was asked about the ProPublica investigation and told reporters that he would issue his response to the internal State Department probe in the days ahead.

Axios also reported on Saturday that the Netzah Yehuda battalion was not the only unit identified in the State investigation but others targeted in the probe had supposedly remedied their behaviour, evading sanctions.

The Independent has reached out to the State Department for comment.

Founded in 1999, the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion was created to allow the service of Israels Haredi Jewish minority. The battalions existence is a point of conflict within that community, which largely opposes Israels mandatory military service requirements.

According to Axios, the battalions human rights record has been on the US governments radar since at least 2022 after its members left an 80-year-old Palestinian-American man gagged and bound in the cold for hours, leading to his death.

Mr Netanyahu responded to news of the impending sanctions of the IDF Netzah Yehuda unit on Twitter, writing: It is forbidden to impose sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces!

At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low, said the prime minister. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves.
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Melania Trump has returned to the campaign trail to support Donald Trumps 2024 bid to win back the White House, in an understated at-home event in stark contrast to her husbands loud, bombastic style.

On Saturday night (20 April), the former first lady hosted a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans at her Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.

The group describes itself as the nations largest Republican organisation dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives and allies in support of limited government, strong national defence, free markets, low taxes, personal responsibility, and individual liberty.

Ms Trump has long-running ties to the collective and was presented with an award at its 2021 gala dinner at Mar-a-Lago while Mr Trump himself addressed its 2022 gathering at the club.

According to Politico, the events host committee includes Republican donors Saul Fox and Amanda Schumacher and Richard Grenell  who served as the 45th presidents ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence  as well as Elizabeth Ailes and Deborah Magowan, the widows of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes and San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan respectively.

Mr Grenell, the first openly gay member of a presidential cabinet, posted pictures of the event to his Instagram account, describing Ms Trump as an American treasure and electric.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were few details available about the Mar-a-Lago event bar Mr Grenells post and a tweet from Ms Trump that said little specific about the group, its goals, or the Trump campaign.

She wrote: As we look toward the future and the challenges that lie ahead, we must come together around the principles of liberty, justice, and patriotism. By uniting in our common goals, we can create a brighter and more promising future for all.

Attendee Bill White posted on X: Last night we attended a sold out event at Mar a Lago raising well in excess of $1 million for @LogCabinGOP. Our great former and future First Lady Melania Trump was our featured guest of honor.

Mrs. @MELANIATRUMP joined our dear friend former acting DNI/Ambassador @RicGrenell to announce the launch of the single most important and unprecedented gay and lesbian voter outreach initiative of any Republican presidential nominee in US political history.

Later, a video emerged of Mr Grenells introduction of Ms Trump and the opening part of her remarks to guests.

As Ms Trump charmed the crowd at Mar-a-Lago, the former president meanwhile was scheduled to attend a rally in North Carolina but had to pull out at the last minute due to poor weather conditions. Instead, he sent an audio message to attendees.

Ahead of her event on Saturday, Ms Trump gave a rare interview to Fox News Digital urging the country to unite as the 2024 campaign heats up and her husband faces his hush money trial in New York.

We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American, Ms Trump said. Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles, and ultimately establishes our American way.

She added that when America succeeds, it blossoms into a magnificent place where everyone can practice their beliefs, share new ideas, and express individualism  this is when we are our best.

In his remarks to Fox News ahead of the Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, Mr Grenell said: If you work hard and have a little bit of luck and Gods grace, you can do anything you want in America regardless of your skin colour, socio-economic situation, or sexual orientation. We want what every American wants, to be treated equally not differently.

He added that the Republicans have become increasingly welcoming of gay conservatives over the last 20 years.

But we made the most progress when Donald Trump and Melania Trump moved into the White House, he claimed. Gays and lesbians are no longer reflexively leftist.

The former first lady shies away from the spotlight and is rarely seen in public. She is not expected to attend court in support of her husband.

Ms Trump had been almost entirely absent from Mr Trumps campaign events until earlier this month.

She was spotted on Easter Sunday after lunch with their son Barron. On 6 April, she attended a fundraiser with Mr Trump at the Palm Beach home of hedge fund manager John Paulson, which the former president claimed raked in $50m. She also appeared beside Mr Trump in March to vote in the Florida primary.

Shes a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. At the appropriate time  shell be out there, Mr Trump told NBCs Meet the Press in September.

Asked what she would be working on if she became first lady again, Ms Trump told Fox News Digital: The safety and well-being of American families remains my top priority.

She added that its essential we provide the highest level of care to our next generation, to ensure they not only thrive but reach their full potential.

In private comments, she has called Mr Trumps hush money trial a disgrace and said its comparable to election interference according to The New York Times.
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A Republican member of the House of Representatives went off against two of his colleagues on Sunday after a tense weekend in Congress led to the passage of military assistance to Ukraine.

Tony Gonzales of Texas was speaking to CNN when he was asked whether Speaker Mike Johnson would survive a motion to vacate his title being led by several lawmakers on the far right win of his party.

He will survive, Mr Gonzales said, before launching into his tirade: Look, I work with some real scumbags.

"Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties," Mr Gonzales said. "Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around in white hoods at night. Now they're walking around with white hoods in the daytime."

His reference to Mr Gaetz relates to unproven allegations about the Florida congressmans behaviour that have run rampant as the House pursues an Ethics Committee investigation into the matter. Mr Gaetz has strenuously and repeatedly denied wrongdoing; the Department of Justice, having looked into the matter, declined to bring charges against him. The agency did charge an associate of Mr Gaetzs with sex trafficking as a result of the probe  that associate is now spending 11 years behind bars after pleading guilty.

Mr Gonzales is far from the only Republican member to spread these allegations about Mr Gaetz. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently did so during a talk at Georgetown University  Mr Gaetz is credited with leading the effort to oust the former speaker last fall.

"I'll give you the truth why I'm not speaker," Kevin McCarthy said. "It's because one person, a member of Congress ... he slept with a 17-year-old."

The accusation flung at Mr Goods feet refers to the House Freedom Caucus chairs endorsement of Brandon Herrera, Mr Gonzaless Republican primary opponent in the 2024 cycle. Mr Herrera, a YouTuber, is a rightwing influencer who has made jokes with overt Nazi imagery, including one where he referred to a German-manufactured rifle as a ghetto blaster.

Mr Herrera responded on Twitter: This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen. He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans wont listen anymore.

Mr Good and Mr Gaetz have not reponded to their colleagues tirade. The Independent has reached out to their offices for comment.

The House held a rare whirwind weekend session on Saturday and oversaw the passage of four bills tied to foreign policy and military assistance. Three main pieces of the legislation included military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The Ukraine portion of the bills was valued around $60. 8bn; some of that will go toward rebuilding US stockpiles, while billions more will help Kyiv purchase new air defence systems, munitions and other supplies.

Mr Gaetz and a number of conservative Republicans have come out against further military assistance to Ukraine, which for various reasons they argue is US invovlement in an unwinnable war. That faction failed to tank the legislation on Saturday, though the Republican speaker was forced to rely on Democratic votes to see the Ukraine bill pass.

Whats in the full foreign aid package passed by the House:

Three pieces of legislation that were part of the national security supplemental passed by the Senate, as well as one piece of sidecar legislation dealing with Russia/Iran sanctions, passed the House on Saturday. Combined, they will provide tens of billions of dollars in security and military assistance to US allies in three regions.

Ukraine

The Ukraine portion of the bill is the largest. $60.8bn is earmarked for Ukraine in the bills passed on Saturday, with much being targeted to resupply vital air defences for the Ukrainian military. A Republican amendment to strip all non-defence spending from the bill failed.

Of the defence spending in the bill, $23bn is set aside to replenish US stockpiles drawn down by the effort to supply Ukraine, while another $11bn would support current US operations in eastern Europe. Nearly $14bn was targeted to help Ukraine purchase advanced weapon and defence systems.

A relatively smaller amount, $26m, was supplied to provide oversight efforts to ensure that US contributions to Ukraine are being disbursed correctly and fairly.

Israel

Much of the $26.38bn Israel bill is centred around restocking Israeli munitions required for its defences as well as the siege of Gaza, where Israel is attempting to wipe out Hamas militants. $4bn is included for resupplying the Iron Dome defensive grid, and $1.2bn is include for the so-called Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system used to take out drones and missiles.

$3.5bn is set aside to help Israel procure weapon systems, while nearly $7bn is marked for restocking US supplies and funding operations in the region.

Indo-Pacific

One last segment of the foreign aid package deals with Taiwan and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Philippines. This smaller ($8.12bn) bill sets aside $3.3bn for the construction of submarine port infrastructure around the Indo-Pacific and includes roughly $4bn in assistance to Taiwan and regional military partners of the US. Just over a half billion is also provided to directly strengthen US military assets in the region.
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A member of Donald Trumps legal team divulged the defences plan to focus on the facts to show that the former president did nothing wrong, one day before the opening arguments are set to begin in the landmark hush money trial.

Mr Trump is now standing criminal trial  the first president or ex-president ever to do so  over 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair. He has denied any wrongdoing.

A full panel of jurors was seated on Friday in Manhattan criminal court, meaning opening arguments could begin as soon as Monday, kicking off the second week of the trial.

We believe the facts are absolutely on our side, that they are absolutely exonerative of the former president, Trump attorney Will Scharf said on Fox and Friends Weekend on Sunday.

As long as the jury focuses on the facts, as long as the jury can see through all the media coverage and all the sensationalism and focus on the actual facts at issue we believe we have a winning case, Mr Scharf added.

He also weighed in on how the defence team will cross-examine Michael Cohen, the former presidents lawyer who is considered a star witness for the prosecution in the case. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal campaign finance violations related to the hush money payments. At the same time, he also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about events unrelated to the current criminal case.

With respect to Michael Cohen, as weve said in court pleadings, this is a man whos been found liable for perjury, Mr Scharf said.

I think this is going to be a key theme here  that the prosecutions witnesses are simply not credible people, whereas the actual facts here fully support President Trump because he did nothing wrong, the Trump attorney added.

Mr Trump and his team have tried to question Cohens credibility, presenting it as a liability for the prosecution. In March, a federal judge suggested that Michael Cohen had committed perjury under oath, adding fuel to Mr Trumps fire.

On the first day of the criminal proceedings, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to paint Cohen and Ms Daniels as two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly! Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order against Mr Trump, blocking him from publicly attacking trial participants and family members of court staff. Judge Merchan will hold a hearing on Tuesday over whether the 2024 candidates post against two of the prosecutions potential witnesses violated the gag order.

The former president has called the gag order illegal, un-American, unConstitutional. Mr Scharf echoed this on Sunday, calling it a wildly unconstitutional unilateral gag order.

The Trump lawyer also commented on other aspects of the blockbuster case.

He described the jury selection process as highly abnormal, since so many people said they couldnt be impartial in this case. He added that its a little unusual to have two lawyers seated on the jury, but said thats one of the least unusual aspects of the case, turning to the timing and nature of the hush money trial.

This case should obviously never have been brought. It certainly shouldnt have been tried in New York, the media capital of the world, during election season.

He also accused prosecutors across America of being hellbent on interfering with the 2024 electionbecause hes running for president. It should offend all Americans of all political stripes.

He called the case outrageous, adding that any fair and impartial jury will see through all the sensationalism and all the media coverage and they will feel honour bound to vote to acquit here.
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The city of New York is crime-ridden and dying, according to Donald Trump. He has called a criminal case against him a mess, the judge hopelessly conflicted, and the prosecutor a thug. The former presidents attorneys claim that the entire borough of Manhattan is overwhelmingly biased against him.

But for four days, a few dozen of his fellow New Yorkers told him how they felt, to his face, and there was nothing he could do about it.

A jury of Mr Trumps peers has been assembled to hear the first criminal trial of a current or former president, who is charged with falsifying business records to conceal payments to an adult film star with whom he allegedly had an affair.

Hiding those payments tried to protect his election prospects in 2016, the beginning of what has now become a years-long effort to deceive voters and manipulate the outcome of a presidential election, according to prosecutors.

He loves his New York business, his New York real estate and the New York media that has his attention, but Mr Trump for years now has become more Florida man than the self-anointed bootstrapped Queens entrepreneur he propped himself up to be as he built his political persona.

This week, the former president returned to New York as a reluctant resident of his hometown, watching the group of his Manhattan neighbours fill the jury box where a verdict against him could be delivered in a few weeks.

The jurors live all over Manhattan, with different professional backgrounds, genders, interests and family lives. All have promised, unlike Mr Trump, to judge their fellow New Yorker fairly and impartially.

When his attorneys dug up prospective jurors old social media posts to try to weed out potential bias, Mr Trump heard himself described as racist, sexist and a narcissist.

Asked for her opinion of him, one juror to his face called him selfish and self-serving. Another man called his policies outrageous. One mans opinion of him is neutral, leaning hostile. Another said his rhetoric is harmful, and one woman said his rhetoric incites homophobia and racism.

All he could do was sit and watch.

He never looked comfortable. He rested his hand on his forehead with his elbow on the table, turning his body to look at the jury box to his right. He twisted his body and craned his neck. He leaned forward in his chair, reading along with a jury questionnaire or titling back in his seat and pulling the survey close to his face.

He barely moved for more than an hour, shoulders tight and leaning forward against the table in front of him, while one of his attorneys argued against prosecutors drudging up past allegations of fraud and sexual abuse.

When his attorneys and prosecutors shared a laugh about a busted microphone, he sat stone-faced. When a juror said the former president was not her cup of tea, he huffed, shook his head, crossed his arms tightly and leaned in his chair.

It took less than two days for the judge overseeing the case to warn Defendant Trump against intimidating the jurors before him when he was caught gesticulating and audibly commenting about one of the jurors.

I wont tolerate it. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom, Judge Merchan told him on Tuesday. I want to make that crystal clear.

Donald Trump leaves a Manhattan criminal courthouse on 19 April. ( via REUTERS )

It served as a warning for the trial to come. Mr Trump is forced to attend every day of his criminal trial, which is shaping up to become the climax of his years-long assault on the justice system, which he has broadly and baselessly accused of conspiring against him to keep him out of the White House. Prosecutors have accused him of repeatedly intimidating witnesses and violating a gag order that prohibits his public attacks against members of the court and their families. He has said it would be a great honor to go to jail for doing so.

He is not only a criminal defendant but a presidential candidate prepared to weaponise his massive social media and campaign apparatus and use his platform to wield the trials narrative. The proceedings are not filmed or recorded, but a small army of reporters will fill two courtrooms to capture as much as they can. To his followers, Mr Trump pits his word against those he has described as the enemy of the people.

Two already-seated jurors were excused after they shared concerns with the judge about their identities being released. Several potential jurors were excused after openly weeping in court, sharing their anxieties and the immense pressure they felt sitting in the jury box.

On Wednesday night, one day after seven jurors were sworn in, Fox News personality Jesse Watters broadcast identifying details about a woman who was initially Juror No 2.

He claimed without evidence that undercover liberal activists were trying to get on the jury.

Mr Trump then quoted his statement on Truth Social, raising baseless speculation that Manhattan residents called to jury duty are lying to the judge, prosecutors and defence attorneys so they can be seated in the case  elevating his bogus conspiracy theory that the cases are rigged against him.

The next morning, Juror No 2 returned to court to tell the judge that aspects of her identity across the media prompted friends, colleagues and family members to ask her about the case.

I dont believe, at this point, that I can be fair and unbiased, and let the outside influences not affect my thinking in the courtroom, she said on Thursday.

Moments later, Manhattan prosecutors alerted the judge to Mr Trumps disturbing Truth Social post quoting Watters, which appeared on the former presidents social media platform just one day after the judge warned him against intimidating jurors.

Its ridiculous, and it has to stop, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy told the judge on Thursday.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters inside a Manhattan criminal courthouse on 19 April. ( via REUTERS )

Mr Trump has violated a protective order in the case at least seven more times since the trial began, according to prosecutors.

On his program on Thursday, Watters claimed that Juror 2 dropped out because she couldnt be impartial, then falsely stated that another juror who was excused ended up being a stealth juror  baselessly asserting that he was politically motivated to join the jury to convict Mr Trump.

On Thursday, prosecutors said they were declining to hand Mr Trumps lawyers the names of the first three witnesses they intend to call to the stand, fearing what the former president could do with that information.

Mr Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses, Mr Steinglass told the judge. Were not telling him who the witnesses are.

I cant fault them for that, Judge Merchan replied.

Defence attorney Todd Blanche suggested that he would stop Mr Trump from doing that.

I dont think you can make that representation, the judge said.

On Friday, moments before Judge Merchan adjourned for the week, Mr Trumps attorney Susan Necheles asked for the name of at least one witness.

Whether you get the name or not, youre not going to delay the trial, Judge Merchan told her. You wont.

Prosecutors intend to name on Sunday the name of at least one witness who could testify as early as next week, but if Mr Trump posts anything about that person, the deal is off.

Trump appears in court for fourth day of hush money trial

Mr Trumps time-tested legal strategy  throw everything at the court to buy time  has failed. The trial is underway. Jurors will be seated. Witnesses are being scheduled. Within a few weeks, a verdict could be reached.

Defence cannot continue to submit premotion letters, or motions, or requests to reargue, or for the court to reconsider, every single decision, Judge Merchan told Mr Trumps attorneys on Friday.

Defence is literally targeting individual decisions one by one by one by one, he added. That has to end ... There comes to a point where you accept my rulings ... Ive entertained your motions. Ive entertained your arguments in good faith.

With the days proceedings at a close, Mr Trump  surrounded by the most reporters who have been in the courtroom since the start of the trial  slowly stood up from his seat at the defence table, scanned the room, and trudged his way to the door.

His campaign then sent out an email, falsely declaring for the second time that week that he stormed out.
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Testimony in former president Donald Trumps hush money trial wrapped up on May 21 and the trial is headed to closing arguments on May 28.

In the end, Mr Trump chose not to take the stand. A verdict could come as soon as May 29.

Ahead of testimony from 22 witnesses, a full jury was sworn in to hear evidence and decide the guilt or innocence of Mr Trump. Twelve jurors and six alternates were seated following a jury selection process that lasted a week.

Mr Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records after he allegedly instructed then-fixer/now-witness for the prosecution Michael Cohen to pay off adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election to remain quiet about her claim that she had sex with Mr Trump in 2006. The former president denies the affair.

During jury selection, a top priority for both sides was to root out potential stealth jurors  those who claim to be impartial but who hide their biases to get on a jury and possibly derail a trial.

Jurors are supposed to be impartial. A number of prospective candidates were dismissed from proceedings simply because they felt they could not be neutral while sitting in judgment of Mr Trump.

No doubt possible stealth jurors exist on both sides

Steve Duffy, from Trial Behavior Consulting, told The Independent that stealth jurors fully have an opinion  but [are] trying to get on the jury.

I have no doubt that there are jurors in the pool on both sides, who really want to be on the jury [but] have a very strong opinion, either for or against him, and are deliberately not saying anything to try to get on, Mr Duffy said, during the jury selection process. The way you figure out who those people are is with background research, which  both sides are undoubtedly doing.

Dismissed juror says Donald Trump 'looked less orange, more yellow'

Manhattan prosecutors posed several questions to jurors in the trials first week. Among them - Can they follow the facts and the evidence and the judges instructions, and can they remain fair and impartial, despite knowing the man sitting at the defense table in front of them is a former president and a current candidate for that office?

We dont expect you to be living under a rock for the last eight years, or the last 30 years, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told a group on 16 April.

But focus on the evidence, he told them.

Mr Trumps attorneys largely had only one question: what do you think of him?

Its important to President Trump that he gets a fair shake, lead defense attorney, Todd Blanche, told potential jurors.

Its easy to read something off a sheet of paper and say, Yes, Im going to be fair and impartial. What I want to do is test that a little bit, he said. We all know that every one of you knows President Trump, and you all know him in different ways, and you all have different views of him.

Nothing was off limits and there were no wrong answers, he said, and nothing would offend him.

Theyre going to have an opinion one way or the other

But rather than face a disgusted panel of New Yorkers, Mr Blanche instead received promise after promise to treat Mr Trump as any other criminal defendant and to separate whatever they might feel about him personally from the case in front of them.

Mr Duffy told The Independent that a possible stealth juror would not be volunteering information, or honestly answering because they want to be on the jury to either convict or prevent a conviction.

The prosecution looked to remove any Trump supporters, and the defense tried to get rid of anyone who may be left-leaning, which was difficult considering that President Joe Biden got 84.5 percent of the vote in Manhattan in 2020.

Trump appears in court for day 3 of New York hush money trial

The parties do background research on jurors. That means looking at peoples social media, and you can also look at any publicly available information, its fair game, Mr Duffy said. Everybody involved in any sort of legal proceeding does it with jurors ... because if you dont, youre putting yourself in a huge competitive disadvantage. So they will know whos Democrat, whos Republican, if people have made really strong statements on social media.

Apart from social media posts, attorneys on both sides also look at criminal convictions and publicly available information on political donations of potential jurors.

The faster the jury selection process works the harder it is to do that comprehensively, Mr Duffy said. Ive had jury selection take 30 minutes in federal court from start to finish  we basically knew nothing about the people  You could never do that in a case like this.

Trump only needs one supportive juror for mistrial

While Mr Duffy said removing possible stealth jurors was a big focus for both sides, it was particularly important for the prosecution as a unanimous verdict is needed to avoid a mistrial. The Trump team needs only a single juror who refuses to convict.

If you get one person who just says I dont care  I will never vote to convict, then youre going to get a mistrial, he said. So rooting out  what I would call a stealth juror, either for or against Trump is certainly a huge priority for both sides.

He added: In Trumps world, if he gets one of those people on the jury who just no matter what, will not vote to convict, then thats great because you wont get convicted. So rooting out anyone like that is imperative for the prosecution.

New York as a trial venue is tougher on Mr Trump when it comes to the jury pool compared to the area of South Florida where his classified documents case is being handled, because, in Manhattan, Trumps supporters stick out like a sore thumb, he said.

The prosecution certainly has [fewer] problems than Trump does, Mr Duffy noted during the jury selection process, but he added that Mr Trump doesnt need to get acquitted. He just needs a mistrial.

Delay is often the defendants best friend, he added. The percentage of jurors who are outwardly pro-Trump is going to be very low. But he only needs one.

Could a stealth juror derail Trumps trial?

Mr Duffy said that its clear that the attorneys in Mr Trumps trial did their due diligence on the jurors.

You see both sides directly ask jurors questions about their social media content. Thats unusual, to directly confront jurors with that, but its just a product of Donald Trump being such a ubiquitous presence in the public eye, he said.

For sure, Mr Duffy said when asked if a stealth juror may be able to derail the trial. One of the jurors who was dismissed ... the prosecution was insinuating [that he] could be that kind of juror.

The prospective juror failed to disclose that he had torn down political signs and that his wife had been party to criminal corruption proceedings, the consultant noted.

Any non-disclosure like that is going to be a red flag to an attorney, he added. The more off the grid you are, the easier it is to fly under the radar.

However, the issue of stealth jurors cuts both ways. There are people who may try to get on the jury and are hell-bent on convicting and there are those wholl refuse to convict regardless of what the trial may unearth, Mr Duffy said.

People seeking celebrity may overlap with those looking to get on a jury to affect the outcome. Especially nowadays, certainly there are people who might want to do that because its exciting to them or almost titillating to them to be involved, he added.

But the opposite issue exists as well.

One of the jurors who was dismissed ... was someone whos terrified of being involved in this because theyre afraid for their own safety, Mr Duffy said.
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The White House denounced alleged antisemitism at Columbia University ahead of Passover as protests against the war in Gaza persist.

Student demonstrators have demanded that the university divest from companies complicit in genocide as the country engages in war for the seventh month since the October 7 attacks. The protests have continued into a fifth day on Sunday, but accounts of antisemitism and violent rhetoric have cropped up.

The White House condemned any hate-filled, targeted speech. While every American has the right to peaceful protect, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement.

And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms, he added.

The statement comes hours after a rabbi at Columbia/Barnard Hillel advised roughly 300 mostly Orthodox Jewish Students to stay home, given the terrible and tragic situation on the Ivy League campus.

Rabbi Elie Buechler wrote in a WhatsApp message, shared with CNNs Jake Tapper, that he strongly recommends they return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.

The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy, Rabbi Buechler wrote.

A Jewish student told CNN: Columbia students organizing in solidarity with Palestine  including Jewish students  have faced harassment, doxxing, and now arrest by the NYPD. These are the main threats to the safety of Jewish Columbia students.

On the other hand, student protesters have led interfaith joint prayers for several days now, and Passover Seder will be held at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment tomorrow, he continued. Saying that student protesters are a threat to Jewish students is a dangerous smear.

The rabbi sent the message ahead of Passover, which begins on Monday.

The universitys president was questioned by Congress this week over antisemitism on college campuses. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar pressed Dr Minouche Shafik about the targeting of pro-Palestinian protesters.

Dr Shafik sparked outrage among some students when she suggested to the House that some of the chants often heard at pro-Palestinian protests were antisemitic.

One day later, arrests and suspensions on campus began. Dr Shafik sent a letter to the Columbia community saying she had to make a decision that I hoped would never be necessary.

Out of an abundance of concern for the safety of Columbias campus, I authorized the New York Police Department to begin clearing the encampment from the South Lawn of Morningside campus that had been set up by students in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the school president added.

The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies, she wrote.

On that same day, Rep Omars daughter was one of a wave of students suspended from school this week for taking part in the protest encampment.

The protests are underway as more than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of Israels counteroffensive to the Hamas 7 October 2023 attacks in which 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 taken hostage.

On Saturday, the House passed a massive aid package to Israel and Gaza. The bill breaks down to giving roughly $4bn toward Israels defence and about $9bn toward humanitarian assistance in Gaza. The measure still has to pass the Senate, which its expected to do next week.
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Ukraines president thanked the United States Congress in an interview on Sunday after House Speaker Mike Johnson a day earlier bucked his partys conservative wing and ushered through the passage of legislation providing military assistance to Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on NBCs Meet the Press and thanked Mr Johnson specifically for what he said was a show of leadership and strength of the United States after the House of Representatives approved a $60.8bn bill to help Ukraine purchase weapon systems and munitions and to restock US supplies that were depleted by previous aid packages.

The legislation is set for a final vote in the Senate on Tuesday where it is expected to pass; the upper chamber had originally voted on the legislation in February. The House took months to pick apart the legislation and make changes, while Ukraines military situation grew increasingly desperate. Mr Johnson finally brought the legislation to the floor this week only to suffer a major rebellion from conservatives; the legislation received more support from Democrats than Republicans on final passage.

I would like to thank Speaker Johnson and President Biden, Mr Zelensky said, adding that it would send the Kremlin a powerful signal about the USs commitment to the war.

But that committment is far from ironclad, a fact that was evident on Sunday to members of both parties. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a Republican, could not say that Washington would remain a committed ally to Kyiv if Donald Trump were at the helm in 2025 as he was interviewed on Face the Nation.

"If Donald Trump wins this next election, can you guarantee the US will stay with Ukraine? asked CBSs Margaret Brennan.

I cant guarantee anything, Mr Sullivan replied.

Hungarys rightwing prime minister, Viktor Orban, claimed earlier this year that the former US president told him privately that the US would end all military assistance to Ukraine if he were to return to the White House. MrTrumps campaign has not directly denied this, but stated that the former president believes that European allies of the US should foot a higher bill for Ukraines defence and added that a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war would be Mr Trumps top priority.

"President Trump has repeatedly stated that a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in March.

"Also, President Trump believes European nations should be paying more of the cost of the conflict, as the US has paid significantly more, which is not fair to our taxpayers.

In reality, an analysis from the Council on Foreign Relations shows that the US is in second-place when it comes to the ranking of entities providing Ukraine with aid  behind only the combined European Union and associated organisations.

Confusingly, one Republican senator with a reputation for flattering the former president still credited Mr Trump with the bills passage.

Ukrainians are fighting like tigers. This aid package has a loan component to it and this would not have passed without Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham told Foxs Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday.

But conservatives opposed to Ukraine aid are vowing to get revenge after their colleagues relied on Democratic votes to see the legislation passed through the House.

Marjorie Taylor Greene declared that Speaker Mike Johnsons tenure as leader of the House GOP was over following the vote in an interview on Sunday.

Mike Johnsons Speakership is over. He needs to do the right thing and allow us to move forward in a controlled process, and if he doesnt do so, he will be vacated, she told Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures.

President Joe Biden celebrated the Houses passage of the Ukraine aid bill on Saturday shortly after the vote, writing in a statement that GOP and Democratic supporters of the legislation came together to answer historys call.

Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage, said the US president.

Members of both parties cheered on the House floor after the legislation passed on Saturday during a rare weekend session; some even waved Ukrainian flags on the House floor, drawing an angry rebuke from conservatives who had opposed the legislation.

Whats in the full foreign aid package passed by the House:

Three pieces of legislation that were part of the national security supplemental passed by the Senate, as well as one piece of sidecar legislation dealing with Russia/Iran sanctions, passed the House on Saturday. Combined, they will provide tens of billions of dollars in security and military assistance to US allies in three regions.

Ukraine

The Ukraine portion of the bill is the largest. $60.8bn is earmarked for Ukraine in the bills passed on Saturday, with much being targeted to resupply vital air defences for the Ukrainian military. A Republican amendment to strip all non-defence spending from the bill failed.

Of the defence spending in the bill, $23bn is set aside to replenish US stockpiles drawn down by the effort to supply Ukraine, while another $11bn would support current US operations in eastern Europe. Nearly $14bn was targeted to help Ukraine purchase advanced weapon and defence systems.

A relatively smaller amount, $26m, was supplied to provide oversight efforts to ensure that US contributions to Ukraine are being disbursed correctly and fairly.

Israel

Much of the $26.38bn Israel bill is centred around restocking Israeli munitions required for its defences as well as the siege of Gaza, where Israel is attempting to wipe out Hamas militants. $4bn is included for resupplying the Iron Dome defensive grid, and $1.2bn is include for the so-called Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system used to take out drones and missiles.

$3.5bn is set aside to help Israel procure weapon systems, while nearly $7bn is marked for restocking US supplies and funding operations in the region.

Indo-Pacific

One last segment of the foreign aid package deals with Taiwan and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Philippines. This smaller ($8.12bn) bill sets aside $3.3bn for the construction of submarine port infrastructure around the Indo-Pacific and includes roughly $4bn in assistance to Taiwan and regional military partners of the US. Just over a half billion is also provided to directly strengthen US military assets in the region.
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An artisan roastery based in the Finnish capital has introduced a coffee blend that has been developed by artificial intelligence in a trial in which it's hoped that technology can ease the workload in a sector that traditionally prides itself on manual work.

It is only apt that the Helsinki-based Kaffa Roasterys AI-conic blend was launched this week in Finland, a Nordic nation of 5.6 million that consumes the most coffee in the world at 12 kilograms per capita annually, according to the International Coffee Organization.

The blend  an AI-picked mixture with four types of beans dominated by Brazils velvety Fazenda Pinhal  is the end result of a joint project by Kaffa, Finlands third-biggest coffee roastery, and local AI consultancy Elev.

Leveraging models akin to ChatGPT and Copilot, the AI was tasked with crafting a blend that would ideally suit coffee enthusiasts tastes, pushing the boundaries of conventional flavor combinations," Elev said.

Kaffa Roasterys founder Svante Hampf told The Associated Press on Saturday that the two partners wanted to trial how AI and its different tools could be of help in coffee roasting, a traditional artisan profession highly valued in Finland.

We basically gave descriptions of all our coffee types and their flavors to AI and instructed it to create a new exciting blend, said Hampf, while showcasing AI-conic at the Helsinki Coffee Festival that annually brings together roasteries and coffee aficionados.

In addition to coming up with its chosen mixture of beans from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Guatemala, AI created the coffee package label and a detailed taste description saying AI-conic is a well balanced blend of sweetness and ripe fruit.

Hampf acknowledged he was surprised that AI somewhat weirdly chose to make the blend out of four different type of coffee beans, rather than the usual two or three which allows distinction in taste between flavors from different origins.

After the first test roasting and blind testing, Kaffas coffee experts agreed, however, that the tech-assisted blend was perfect, and there was no need for human adjustments.

According to Elevs spokesman Antti Merilehto AI-conic is a tangible example of how AI can introduce new perspectives to seasoned professionals while offering coffee lovers new taste experiences.

Kaffa Roastery hopes the trial serves as an opener of dialogue between coffee professionals of things to come in the future in Finland, a nation that has both a strong coffee culture and a passion for technology with a flourishing startup scene.

This (trial) was the first step in seeing how AI could help us in the future, Hampf said, adding the project brought smoothly together the artisan skills of a roastery and AI-provided data. I think AI has plenty to offer us in the long run. We are particularly impressed of the coffee taste descriptions it created.
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A young boy has drowned in a swimming pool in Ireland.

The boy, 7, got into difficulty while swimming at Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre in Co. Clare on Saturday afternoon.

Ambulance and police attended the scene at around 3pm 20 April and the boy was treated at the poolside.

He was then transferred to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced dead.

The local coroner has been notified and arrangements were being made for a post-mortem examination.

It is understood the incident is being considered as a tragic accident.

The Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre is a four-star hotel sitting on the banks of the River Shannon, with views of the twin heritage towns of Ballina in Co. Tipperary and Killaloe in Co. Clare, about 15 miles northeast of Limerick.

It has a gym, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and an 18 metre deck-level pool equipped with a 40 metre, figure-of-eight water slide.

The Irish Times reported that the boy, who was from the nearby parish of Clonlara, had been at the hotel for a birthday party.

The pool at the liesure centre was immediately closed while police conducted their enquiries.

A Garda (Irish police) spokesman said: Gardai and emergency services responded to an incident at a swimming pool on a premises in Killaloe, Co. Clare, shortly before 3pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.

A 7-year-old boy was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced deceased.
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Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Spain's Canary Islands to protest against mass tourism.

Demonstrators were on Saturday calling for Tenerife to temporarily limit tourist arrivals to stem a boom in short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction that is driving up housing costs for locals.

Holding placards reading "People live here" and "We don't want to see our island die", campaigners said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands archipelago.

People march during a mass demonstration against tourism, which affects the local population with inaccessible housing among other things in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on Saturday ( AP )

"It's not a message against the tourist, but against a tourism model that doesn't benefit this land and needs to be changed," one of the protesters said during the march in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Smaller marches were held elsewhere in the island group and other Spanish cities, all of them organised by about two dozen environmental organisations ahead of the peak summer holiday season.

The organisations say local authorities should temporarily limit visitor numbers to alleviate pressure on the islands' environment, infrastructure and housing stock, and put curbs on property purchases by foreigners.

A man with the Canary Island flag painted on his face protests during a march against tourism in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on Saturday ( AP )

"The authorities must immediately stop this corrupt and destructive model that depletes the resources and makes the economy more precarious. The Canary Islands have limits and people's patience too," said Antonio Bullon, one of the protest leaders.

The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign tourists in 2023, up 13 per cent from the previous year, according to official data.

Authorities in the islands are concerned about the impact on locals.

A draft law expected to pass this year toughening the rules on short lets follows complaints from residents priced out of the housing market.

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo said on Friday he felt "proud" that the region was a leading Spanish tourist destination, but acknowledged that more controls were needed as the sector continues to grow.

"We can't keep looking away. Otherwise, hotels will continue to open without any control," he told a press conference.

Additional reporting by Reuters
 Close Iranian state television reports explosions

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The UN has called for the preservation of evidence of mass graves in the Gaza Strip after 390 bodies were found at two different burial sites outside the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals.

The Israeli army said any suggestion of its responsibility was baseless and unfounded and the graves were dug by Gazans a few months ago.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said its important that all forensic evidence be well preserved.

Earlier, the US demanded answers from Israel after mass graves were found outside two hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, at least five people have been killed following Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Palestinian hospital officials have said.

More than half of the territorys population of 2.3 million have sought refuge in Rafah, where Israel has conducted near-daily raids as it prepares for an offensive in the city.

In central Gaza, four people were killed in Israeli tank shelling.
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Could anyone loathe railways any more than the current prime minister? Rishi Sunaks sheer contempt for the future of train travel (as well as the north of England) was most amply demonstrated when he scrapped HS2 north of Birmingham.

The Conservative leader has tolerated 18 months of intermittent strikes by train drivers with no apparent appetite for a settlement.

And even as chancellor, Mr Sunak did what he could to encourage travellers to fly rather than take the train: on the eve of the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, he announced the halving of air passenger duty on domestic routes.

Airline passengers between Edinburgh and London comprise the most numerous beneficiaries of the tax cut from 13 to 6.50. So that makes it a good route on which to compare train versus plane for cost.

The Rail Delivery Group has done the work for me. In a new report, the organisation representing train operators claims: Travelling by rail can be up to 80 per cent cheaper on similar routes than flying, when accounting for the additional cost of baggage and airport transfers.

On Edinburgh-London the saving is a handy 72 per cent. A return train, out on 27 May and returning four days later, is priced at 111, while the cost of a flight is 114  with an extra 80 for baggage and (wait for it) 200 for a minicab to and from the airport at either end.

An important element of research is peer review. The fares were researched on 4 April, and I am checking them 16 days later. But that is still five weeks before departure, so a fresh comparison is valid.

I am delighted to say the cheapest rail ticket has fallen to 90 return: northbound on Lumo from London Kings Cross, southbound on Avanti West Coast to London Euston.

But the cheapest flight has come down even further: the lowest return airfare, thanks in no small part to the prime ministers benevolence towards airlines, is just 39 on Ryanair from London Stansted. But that 200 in minicabs cited by the Rail Delivery Group appears to be for a combination of Gatwick and Edinburgh, so lets look at the Sussex airport. The fare on easyJet is 95 return, so already the train is a fiver ahead. Add in 61 (not the mysterious 80 quoted by the study) for a very chunky 23kg checked-in case. Thats 156.

Now for the surface transport. Nobody in their right mind would ever get a minicab between central London and Gatwick: the A23 is the worst artery the capital has (and yes, I have checked).

With trains every few minutes during the day, and at least hourly at night, any sensible traveller will pay the 26 return fare on Thameslink, serving a series of city-centre stations including Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras. Ditto between Edinburgh airport and the centre of the Scottish capital: the Airlink 100 bus takes about 30 minutes for a return fare of 8, a much better deal than the tram with its punitive airport surcharge. All told, the airline passenger with a heavy case pays 190. So the train triumphs, saving 100 (or 53 per cent, if you prefer percentages).

Yet I am troubled by all these assumptions. Price-sensitive passengers would surely head for Stansted and that Ryanair flight and take only a modest cabin bag. Adding the Stansted Express train and Edinburgh Airlink bus takes the total to 83 return, cheaper than rail.

Conversely, though, one huge advantage of the train is the fact that hardly anyone needs pay full fare on the railway. Children travel half-price; any adult with a child qualifies for a railcard, as do the under-31s and over-60s. Even during that annoying age range in the middle, you can team up with another traveller to buy a Two Together railcard that will save money even on one round trip.

By choosing to take the train, you are helping the planet while also saving yourself from hidden costs for baggage and airport transfers, says the Rail Delivery Group. I agree wholeheartedly. But it helps not to exaggerate the benefits  and to appreciate the benefits of competition.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue  and what it means for you
Israels military released footage on Sunday 21 April of what they say shows strikes on several targets of the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

The video shows strikes on an observation post and military structures, according to claims from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Tensions between Hezbollah and the IDF have risen since Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Iranian-backed Palestinian groups, attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, sparking a devastating Israeli offensive in Gaza that has continued for more than six months.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed proxy in Lebanon, immediately began striking Israeli targets, opening up tit-for-tat fighting along a second front.
Irish exporters who use the landbridge to EU will be affected from April 30

The British government has insisted that the next round of Brexit border checks on plant and animals products will begin on April 30.

It follows a report in the Financial Times which claimed UK port authorities had been told that health and safety checks on EU imports would not be going ahead as planned due to fears of significant disruption with a return to long queues of lorries at ports.

In a statement issued in response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it has full confidence the border infrastructure will be ready. The checks would proceed as planned and the priority from day one will be on the highest risk goods.

Port Health Authorities will be conducting documentary checks on consignments of all risk levels and will contact traders where they have concerns, Defra said. The system will be turned up to full check levels in a sensible and controlled way.

A UK Government spokesperson added: Checks are commencing from 30 April and, as we have always said, the medium- and high-risk goods posing the greatest biosecurity risk are being prioritised as we build up to full check rates and high levels of compliance.

Taking a pragmatic approach to introducing our new border checks minimises disruption, protects our biosecurity and benefits everyone  especially traders.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue met with Steve Barclay, the UK minister for environment and food, this week and they discussed the new UK import control regime for agri-food goods. A spokeswoman for Mr McConalogue said both ministers underlined the importance of continued engagement between their departments to minimise any disruption to trade.

UK Environment Secretary Steve Barclay. Photo: PA

Secretary of State Barclay did not indicate at this meeting that there would be any changes to proposed new UK control requirements, due to commence on April 30, she added.

Minister McConalogue is aware Defra have confirmed that this remains the case in their response to recent media articles suggesting a postponement will be announced.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the next phase of border checks really only affects Irish operators using Britain as a landbridge to move goods to and from the EU and further afield.

This phase impacts EU goods entering Britain at specific border control posts primarily along its east coast, the spokesman said. It therefore will not impact goods exports from Ireland to Britain via west-coast ports.

It added: The Government is engaging with Irish stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the new UK requirements.

The port of Holyhead. Photo: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

The head of the Irish Exporters Association has called on the British government to clarify exactly what new Brexit border checks are being introduced at the end of the month. There is total confusion about this, said Simon McKeever, CEO of the association. From my communication with traders in the UK, they havent heard anything about this [delay]. They are looking for clarity, having read the Financial Times article.

The newspaper claims to have seen a presentation by Defra saying the border controls would not be fully ready, that the rate of checks would initially be set to zero for all commodity groups and there would be a phased implementation approach.

There is a potential for significant disruption on day one if all commodity codes are turned on at once, the presentation reportedly said.

Businesses in the UK, which will have to pay up to 145 (168) per consignment for EU imports from April 30, have been asking for the new border controls to be delayed until the autumn.
Finance

KKR, a leading global investment firm, has revealed it will open a franchise of its real estate credit services business, K-Star, in Dublin.

During KKRs recent Investor Day, Ralph Rosenberg, partner and global head of KKR Real Estate, said that as KKR continued scaling its credit business in real estate in Europe, the investment firm was going to migrate the K-Star franchise to Dublin. The brand provides dedicated investment services for KKRs real estate credit portfolio.

In November 2022, KKR launched its real estate credit business in Europe. Over the following year, it planned to originate up to $2bn (1.9bn) of loans in the region. According to trade publication PERE News, Ireland was among the markets it would focus on.

KKRs real estate investment business has been active in Ireland for some time.

In 2015, KKR teamed up with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to invest 500m in Activate Capital, a lender aiming to increase housing supply.

Last year, KKR sold buildings one and two of Greenogue Logistics Park to Ingka Group, the largest IKEA franchisee.

K-Star Asset Management LLC (K-Star) was launched by KKR and a team of industry veterans in April 2022. It is a real estate credit investment services platform that provides special servicing, stabilised and traditional loan asset management, underwriting and due diligence services.

According to rating agency Fitch, K-Star's support is to become integral to KKR's corporate real estate investments. K-Star is expected to assume direct special servicing responsibility and oversight of primary servicing for KKRs direct lending portfolio.

As of the end of 2023, K-Star was named special servicer for 41 multi-borrowers, 16 single-asset single-borrowers, and two commercial real estate collateralised loan obligation securitisations totalling $45.7bn, according to Fitch.

The company was also providing asset management support and primary servicer oversight for KKR Funds' commercial real estate-direct lending portfolio, which comprised 593 non-securitised loans totalling $34.1bn.
Global investment banks analysts said underperforming shares at Irish lender offered an attractive entry point

There were no material signs of deposit competition to date, providing a benign operating environment for Bank of Ireland, Goldman Sachs said. Photo: Getty

Goldman Sachs has become more bullish on the prospects for Ireland's banks after upgrading Bank of Ireland's stock rating to buy.

The investment bank, one of the worlds largest by revenue, said the underperformance of Bank of Irelands shares offered potential investors an attractive entry point, especially after the reset in net interest income (NII) expectations in the last six months.

Goldman Sachs noted in its report on Bank of Ireland that its shares closed 11pc down on the day the bank released its results for 2023 in late February. It said this was due to a few factors, including guidance for the year that implied a 5pc cut to consensus NII.

There were no material signs of deposit competition to date, providing a benign operating environment for Bank of Ireland, Goldman Sachs said. Photo: Getty

The US-headquartered investment bank noted that Bank of Ireland shares had recovered since. At the time of writing, shares were trading at 9.88.

One of the main factors contributing to Bank of Irelands underperformance versus the sector was the adjustment of rate expectation in December 2023 that resulted in a de-rating among rate-sensitive banks in the euro area, notably the Irish banks, Goldman Sachs wrote.

Goldman Sachs said the more benign competitive environment in Ireland combined with solid capital generation offered the potential for above-sector capital returns between 2024 and 2026. This included the potential for earnings per share growth to outperform market expectations.

On the Irish banking landscape, Goldman Sachs said competitor exits had provided the potential for long-term positives. It said the share of assets among the largest five players in Ireland had markedly increased in recent years. It added there were no material signs of deposit competition to date, providing a benign operating environment for Bank of Ireland.

Goldman Sachs said competitor exits had provided the potential for long-term positives

Moreover, we highlighted in our deposit monitor that the overall customer deposit remuneration slightly decreased in February for the first time in the last 24 months, looking at the broader Irish market, wrote Goldman Sachs.

Also, we have seen no signs of intensified deposit migration into non-overnight accounts in the past months. As a result, we believe this could provide a supportive environment for solid long-term return on equity, enabling sustained capital generation and returns.

Previous concerns Goldman Sachs had over Bank of Irelands higher exposure to the UK eased, with signs of the market steadying there. It cited Bank of England data showing deposit migration and mortgage pricing stabilising.

Around 60pc of Bank of Irelands UK loan book consists of residential mortgages.

Goldman Sachs previously cited concerns about intensified deposit pressures, shrinking mortgage margins, overall cost-of-living worries, and investor unease about commercial real estate (CRE).

The investment bank also marginally upgraded AIBs 12-month price target. Photo: Getty

Goldman Sachs noted that CRE remains a key investor concern. However, it noted that 9pc of Bank of Irelands lending is CRE-related and that only 21pc of the groups 7.2bn exposure to the sector is within the UK.

The UK financial services watchdog probe into motor finance deals was flagged as a potential risk for Bank of Ireland, which is exposed through its Northridge business. However, Goldman Sachs believes this was a short-term risk and that Bank of Irelands exposure was relatively limited.

As a result, Goldman Sachs upgraded its stock rating for Bank of Ireland from neutral to buy, with a 12-month price target of 11.70. The price target is up from 10.70 previously.

The investment bank also marginally upgraded AIBs 12-month price target from 5 to 5.30. It is currently trading at 5.
In cinemas; Cert 16

Will vampire films ever be scary again? The odds arent great, but Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gilletts Abigail pushes harder than most of its contemporaries. A great idea helps. What if, asks this playfully choreographed bloodsucker feature, a team of kidnappers, hired to abduct the ballerina daughter of a powerful millionaire, realised all too late that their victim was, in fact, a terrifying monster?
British conductor Sir Andrew Davis has died at the age of 80, his agent confirmed.

Sir Andrew, who was one of the longest-serving chief conductors of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, had been suffering from leukaemia, his agent Jonathan Brill told the PA news agency.

He had been managing the disease for between one and a half to two years, but it became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on February 2.

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On X the Royal Opera House paid tribute and said: We are saddened to hear of the death of conductor Sir Andrew Davis.

In a career spanning over 5 decades, he was the artistic leader of several of the worlds most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions.

A follow-up post said: He made his Royal Opera debut in 1983 conducting Der Rosenkavalier and last conducted Capriccio (in concert) in 2013.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Conductor Julian Lloyd Webber tweeted: Sad to learn of the death of Sir Andrew Davis.

A great musician who was wonderful with his soloists. I treasure the memory of a lovely Delius Concerto in 2012.

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Sir Andrew made his debut conducting at the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London in 1970 and that same year was named associate conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

He was a familiar face at the BBC Proms concerts in London and conducted the Last Night Of The Proms several times.

Sir Andrew was principal conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1975-88; chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1989-2000; Glyndebourne Festival Opera music director 1988-2000, and held the honorary title of conductor emeritus from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

He was also principal conductor of Lyric Opera Of Chicago from 2000-2021 and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras conductor laureate and chief conductor from 2013-2019.

The composer was born in 1944 in Hertfordshire, the son of Florence Joyce Badminton and Robert James Davis.

Composer Anthony Payne (right) and conductor Sir Andrew Davis (left) (PA)

He played the organ for the parish choir in Watford before winning the position of organ scholar at Kings College, Cambridge and later took up conducting.

In 1992 he was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1999 he was knighted in the New Year Honours.

His last public appearance was in December with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, when he conducted Handels Messiah at the Symphony Centre.

His wife Gianna Rolandi died in 2021 and the couple are survived by their son Edward Frazier Davis.

The composers official website says that services following his death will be private.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee wants to apply accelerated system to countries with the largest number of arrivals

Helen McEntee is to bring a memo on the plan to Cabinet. Photo: PA

Asylum-seekers from countries deemed unsafe by the Government will soon be processed through a fast-tracked international protection system as part of a further clampdown on record levels of immigration.

An accelerated processing system for people seeking international protection from so-called safe countries was introduced almost two years ago. The system, introduced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee, means applicants from these countries have a decision made on their case within three months.

Ms McEntee will bring a memo to the Cabinet on Tuesday outlining a plan to extend the fast-track process to migrants arriving from unsafe countries.

The minister wants to apply the accelerated system to countries where the largest number of people seeking international protection are arriving from.

Those with a genuine case will be given protection within three months

Current data shows there has been a significant number of people from Nigeria seeking international protection in Ireland since the start of the year. A third of all applicants since the start of the year have said they are seeking asylum after fleeing the country. In total, 2,053 Nigerians have sought asylum in Ireland this year.

Due to the high number arriving from the country, the Department of Justice will begin processing Nigerian applicants through the fast-track system.

This will mean those with a genuine case will be given protection within three months, while those seen as not presenting a genuine need for asylum will be given deportation orders. Those who receive deportation orders can appeal their cases but 80pc of asylum decisions are upheld.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 21st April 2024

There are concerns in Government over increasing levels of Nigerian people seeking protection. Government officials believe there are significant numbers of Nigerian migrants arriving in Ireland from Britain due to the post-Brexit clampdown on illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, the proportion of applications from safe countries has declined significantly over the past year since the introduction of accelerated processing of applicants from such countries.

List will be reviewed every three months on a rolling basis

At present, fast-tracked processing is applied to migrants arriving from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and South Africa.

The level of people seeking protection from Albania, Algeria and Georgia decreased dramatically after the accelerated process was introduced.

Ms McEntee will use powers available to her under the International Protection Act to extend the same system to safe countries with the highest level of arrivals and this list will be reviewed every three months on a rolling basis.

A Government source said: In assessing applications, the minister ensures that the rights of applicants are protected, that the requirements of the International Protection Act are adhered to, including that all applications are processed efficiently.
General secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge brands move disgraceful

Irish protesters told they are not allowed to speak Irish by German police at pro-Palestine protest camp near the Reichstag in Berlin

Irish protesters were told they are not allowed to speak or sing in Irish at the pro-Palestine protest camp near the Reichstag in Berlin.

About 40 activists were attending the ciorcal comhra (conversation circle) event as Gaeilge when large numbers of police arrived and told them to stop and move on.

They also sang songs in English and Irish, including traditional favourite Oro Se Do Bheatha Abhaile.

Police broke up the Irish language event attended by about 40 Irish people living in the German capital, under rules that only allow English and German, and in some cases Arabic, to be used during protests.

German authorities have been increasingly restricting pro-Palestine protests against the governments support for Israel amid its war in Gaza. The ban on languages other than English and German, in Berlin without a designated translator present to interpret for police is seen as mainly targeting Arabic speakers, and therefore Palestine supporters.

Irish is an official language of the EU, with equal status to the 23 other official languages of the EU since January 2022.

Irish woman Caoimhe McAllister, who was attending the protest, said the group of approximately 40 people gathered at 6pm at the protest camp in front of the German parliament, the Reichstag, on Friday evening, April 19.

Berlin police at the Irish Bloc Ciorcal Comhra

At that camp, especially in the last days of Ramadan, there was a crackdown on any Arabic-speaking, including arresting someone, she said.

So we decided to highlight what we see as a really worrying human rights concern. We just had to highlight this by speaking in Irish.

Ms McAllister has been living in Berlin for 14 years and is originally from Belfast. She is a member of the Irish Bloc, a group based in Berlin supporting Palestine.

The police expressed concern that people might be discussing terrorist activity, or what they call incitement to violence, Ms McAllister said.

"They were worried that we, in Irish, would say something that glorified terrorism or incited violence and therefore we were required to have an interpreter to clarify that for the police officers there.

"And because we didn't have one, we were banned from speaking in Irish.

Ms McAllister told the Irish Independent there was already a very heavy police presence when the group arrived at the camp.

She said they were immediately stopped from carrying flags and a handmade banner that said Saoirse don Phalaistin  Bheirlin (Freedom for Palestine  Berlin) and police wouldnt let them display it as it was too political in nature.

The meeting was structured by the group as a discussion or a conversation circle plus songs.

We decided that we were going to have a small workshop  we had printed out sheets with Irish vocabulary on them, so that was the way to make the event inclusive for people who weren't also fluent Irish speakers, she said.

"We had pieces of cardboard and markers and we were going to get them to make little signs about peace and human rights translated into Irish.

Soon after, police arrived and divided the group into smaller groups of five or six people, and made them move away from the camp, as they said the group was too large.

They told us that if we didn't vacate the vicinity immediately, they would begin arresting us, Ms McAllister said.

She said the group walked to a nearby museum, and were followed by a large group of police.

Berlin police at the Irish Bloc Ciorcal Comhra

"They followed us up and down the steps for quite some time. It was very threatening. They were silent, they wouldn't speak to us, they were just following us, maybe 10 or 12 of them in full gear, she said.

Ms McAllister said the group kept complying with polices instructions.

It was very clear that they were waiting on instructions from their superiors. They were filming us very closely, she said.

We were very careful about the choice of songs because some rebel songs might have some words in them that might be seen as incitement to violence.

"So we made sure that we didn't do anything that could reflect badly on us. And still, they refused to let us speak. And at this point, it was just pure intimidation, she added.

She said she feels shocked by the experience and frightened on the behalf of the Muslim friends.

This repression is a side effect of the levels of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism in Germany. It's important to continue to highlight that this is not really a repression of Irish culture. It's the repression of Irish solidarity with Palestine.

If we had just gathered in a different park at a different time to speak Irish, there wouldn't have been a single cop there.

They're trying to portray Irish people as terrorist sympathisers in order to repress and silence our solidarity with Palestine and that I find very frightening, she added.

The Irish Bloc said in a statement that this action interferes with our fundamental rights as European citizens to assemble and speak our native language.

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The group said in its statement that the actions of the police amounted to intimidation and that Irish people are all to familiar with having their language repressed, adding: We are painfully aware that if we were not a predominantly white-Irish group, this situation would have mostly likely unfolded very differently.

Berlin police confirmed to the Irish Independent that there is a restriction in that speeches can only be made in German and English and at certain times also in Arabic, and that no exclamations or chants may be made in Hebrew or Gaelic.

"This was also the case on Friday. This requirement is always communicated to the people leading the assembly by the police, a Berlin police spokesperson said.

"The assembly leaders must ensure that these requirements are implemented and that all participants adhere to them. Otherwise, it is a violation of the Berlin Freedom of Assembly Act and an administrative offense.

"The background to the requirement is that a police forecast/assessment for the assembly has shown that there could be speeches or chants glorifying violence with potentially punishable content during the assembly and the police must of course be able to understand them in order to be able to punish them and initiate appropriate investigative proceedings.

"For most languages, this is only possible with interpreters - and if none are available, appropriate conditions can be imposed in advance.

"In principle, the Berlin police must always have a certain lead time to be able to request such police-approved interpreters, as they are not available for all languages at all times, they added.

Irish freelance journalist based in Berlin Ruairi Casey, who spoke with the Berlin police yesterday, said only English and German can be spoken at the protest camp in front of the Bundestag, and Arabic after 6pm.

To make sure that there weren't any violations, that there weren't any offences, or potential hate speech and things like this. Anything that isn't English or German or Arabic after 6pm was prohibited, Mr Casey told the Irish Independent.

General secretary of Irish language promotion body Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spainn, said it was disgraceful behaviour by the German police.

We can see no reason as to why anyone would be compelled to use only German or English while attending a Palestine solidarity protest in Germany, Mr de Spainn said.

"In this case, we have been informed that a number of Irish speakers attending the protest were told that they must not use Irish, an official language of the European Union.

"In our opinion, this is disgraceful behaviour by the German police who, we believe, should uphold EU citizens language rights instead of denying them.

"The Conradh believes that there should be an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine and dont see any reason people should not advocate for this as Gaeilge.
The 52-year-old got into difficulties at Inatel beach in the popular resort of Albufeira, next to the hotel complex that gives it its name

An Irish holidaymaker has drowned at a beach on the Portuguese Algarve.

The 52-year-old got into difficulties at Inatel beach in the popular resort of Albufeira, next to the hotel complex that gives it its name.

The alarm was raised just before 1pm local time on Saturday.

Two Portuguese locals jumped into the sea to try to help but also got into difficulties. They were rescued alive by lifeguards but the Irish tourist couldnt be saved.

Police said his partner, who was on the beach at witnessed the tragedy, was being supported by psychologists after the traumatic experience.

The dead man has not yet been named. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

Eduardo Luis Pousadas Godinho, the head of the local Maritime Police and Captain of the Port of Portimao near Albufeira, confirmed the mans age and nationality.

He said: The man was in the water and got into difficulties with the waves and currents.

Two Portuguese nationals at the beach jumped into the water to help but also got into difficulties.

Two lifeguards from the adjacent beach which is called Fishermans Beach were able to reach the area fast and assist the three swimmers.

The two Portuguese nationals were rescued alive but the third man was showing no sign of life when he was brought out of the water.

The lifeguards performed CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived and took over but they were unable to save him.

Police psychologists established the victims partner was also on the beach and offered her expert support.

He added: The sea has been particularly rough. We've issued a warning to sailors precisely because we've been in the middle of a strong swell since yesterday.

And the recent storms have left the sandy beaches very bare, creating swamps and rocky bottoms that can surprise bathers, which we are warning about.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 21st April 2024
A member of the far right involved in a protest outside Roderic OGormans house is also suspected of key involvement in the Dublin riots, including the burning of a garda squad car, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

The Dublin man was present at the protest outside the Childrens Ministers Blanchardstown home on Thursday evening, which has been condemned as disgraceful and chilling across the political divide.

A gang of up to 12 masked men gathered outside his home and placards and banners were stretched across his driveway gate, along his wall and fastened to outside poles.

Videos of the incident were circulated online and show up to a dozen masked men gathered at the property. A large banner was tied across the gate stating Minister OGorman Hates Children and three other small banners were attached to railings on his front wall.

Gardai attended the scene but later confirmed no arrests were made.

The Sunday Independent understands one of the men at the protest was also present at the Dublin riots and is suspected of involvement in an arson attack on a garda car.

This Dublin man has not been charged with any criminal offence in connection to the disturbances in the capital on November 23 last year, but had key involvement in it, according to a source.

An anti-racism activist, who monitors the activities of the far right, said a number of those who attended the protest at the ministers home are well known for similar behaviour.

A number of agitators associated with South Dublin Says No, at least one of whom was present at Roderic OGormans home, were also involved in both the bringing of a mock gallows to the Dail in September last year and the initial clashes with gardai at Parnell Square and Parnell Street that kicked off the Dublin riot, they said.

One of their number, the same one who was at Roderic OGormans home on Thursday evening, was also involved in burning a garda car on OConnell Bridge during the riot.
US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin with former speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (Brian Lawless/PA)

Democracy is at stake because of autocratic governments, the former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has said.

She was speaking at the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland, in Dublins Phoenix Park, on Sunday, as she became the inaugural recipient of the Fulbright Ireland Public Service Award.

The Fulbright Commission is an educational exchange programme operated through a bilateral partnership of the US state department and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, Ms Pelosi met President Michael D Higgins at nearby Aras an Uachtarain.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins with former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (Maxwells/PA)

On Sunday, she said the US administration is concerned about Chinas influence, as well as climate change and the war in Ukraine.

Big picture, were in a competition between autocracy and democracy  have no doubt that that fight is on, she said.

She said this manifests itself in several ways, for example brutal force by Russia and commercial efforts by China for autocracy to buy itself in.

Ms Pelosi said the US is also seeing risks challenging the principles of democracy, including free and fair elections and the independence of the judiciary.

She added: Democracy is at stake, and I dont say that lightly.

In a wide-ranging fireside chat with US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, the long-serving Democrat reflected on her career and dealings with former presidents.

Running through a series of anecdotes, she said she got along very well with George HW Bush but criticised his relationship with China after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

She recalled another incident, years later, when his son George W Bush was president.

Im talking to the president, who is a sweetheart, George Herbert Walker Bush, and were talking about family and so on and he says madam speaker, will you give my kid a break?.

She said the younger Bush was a lovely man but not when it came to the war in Iraq.

Former speaker of the US house of representatives Nancy Pelosi (Brian Lawless/PA)

On Bill Clinton, she said he was a wonderful president who does not get the credit he deserves.

However, she said the Democrat president was also terrible on China.

Saying she was a firm believer in bipartisanship, Ms Pelosi added that she often quoted one of Ronald Reagans final presidential speeches, in which he said Americas pre-eminent position in the world was because of its openness to talent from other countries.

She said that Barack Obama was spectacular on policy areas like healthcare.

Ms Pelosi, who made several references to Donald Trump without naming her political rival, said: There are some people who should never be allowed anywhere near the White House.

She said current president Joe Biden really knows his stuff, adding: He just has a clear vision for our country. He has more experience than anybody.

Ms Pelosi said she was certain he would be re-elected.
Professor Emeritus Garrett Barden, who has died aged 84, had a long and distinguished career at University College Cork and was the author of well-regarded books.

He was born in Dublin on October 2, 1939, into a family in Rathgar. His father was an engineer in the public transport sector with CIE and his mother a homemaker who looked after Garrett and his sister Evelyn and worked in the Central Remedial Clinic, among other places.

He was educated initially at the Jesuit-run Belvedere College before becoming a student in 1959 at University College Dublin, from where he graduated three years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French. In 1965, he went on to study at Oxford University, where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in social anthropology in 1967. He was awarded a PhD in Philosophy at UCC in 1973. He was a Jesuit seminarian for about nine years, based in the novitiate at Emo Court, Co Laois, for two years and later in another seminary at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. After leaving the Jesuits, he went to north-west Australia as an anthropologist and carried out fieldwork among the indigenous Ngaanyatjarra people in the Simpson Desert.

On his return to Ireland, he taught philosophy and social anthropology at the Milltown Institute, south Dublin, before taking up a position as lecturer in philosophy in September 1972 at UCC, where he later became a professor, staying 27 years and retiring in September 1999 with the title Professor Emeritus.

In his wide and varied career, Barden held visiting professorships in France, Iceland (a place he loved, returning every second year), Slovakia and the US.

Professor Barden was one of a group of academics, priests, nuns and others called Concerned Christians and the Single European Act, who issued a statement on May 20, 1987, six days ahead of Irelands constitutional referendum on the setting up of a single European market, in which they said they would have the gravest misgivings about voting Yes unless the government gave effective guarantees on Irelands right to remain outside defence co-operation with its European partners, especially the production of nuclear weapons.

Bardens concern over the preservation of Irish neutrality was also expressed in a letter of his in The Irish Times on April 1, 2003, shortly after the US invasion of Iraq, in which he accused the government here of abandoning neutrality by taking a pro-American stance on the conflict.

One of his best-known books, Law And Justice In Community, co-authored with Tim Murphy, professor of law at UCC and later at the University of Akureyri, Iceland, runs to 330 pages. The book argues that laws are practised before they are written down by a legislator and that the law emerges gradually through practice and custom. The Irish Jurisprudence Society organised an international symposium to discuss the book in Trinity College Dublin in 2010. The papers from the symposium were then published in the international journal Jurisprudence in 2012.

Another one of his books, After Principles, was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 1990. A reviewer in the University of Chicagos Journal Of Religion described the 160-page volume as slim but profound.

In the last decade of his life, he increasingly focused on issues of religion. He wrote frequently for the Irish Theological Quarterly on topics such as God as Reason and Religion without God.

Paying tribute after his death, Professor Oran Doyle from the law department of Trinity College Dublin said: Garrett Barden was one of Irelands most important and innovative thinkers about law.

As significant as his own work, however, was the generous mentorship that he gave to generations of students and more junior scholars. He will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

One UCC colleague said: Garrett Barden was a singular and clever man, with a wide and deep grounding in disciplines such as philosophy, anthropology and theology as well as a rich cultural, literary and artistic reference. This enabled him to build a wide circle of friends and colleagues in Ireland and abroad. He was always able to tackle topics from a surprising and creative angle.

Prof Barden lived for many years in Tallow, outside Lismore, Co Waterford, a place he dearly loved. He died peacefully last Monday and is survived by his wife Beatrice, son Erik and daughter Anna. He was predeceased by his first wife Angela and his sister Evelyn.
Legal sources rule out fast-tracking of case as courts battle with backlog

Jeffrey Donaldson faces an 18-month wait before he defends himself against a raft of sex assault charges.

The former DUP chief and his co-accused wife Eleanor Donaldson are due at Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday for their first appearance in what is going to be a long and drawn-out process.

Speculation that given the status of the accused the case could be fast-tracked has been dismissed.

Mr Donaldson is facing a single charge of rape and a number of others of sexual abuse. His wife is charged with aiding and abetting in a number of the alleged offences.

It had been suggested in some quarters that the trial could go ahead before Christmas.

But with the courts battling huge case backlogs, legal sources have suggested it could be autumn 2025 before a criminal trial can be scheduled.

Theres no chance of this going to trial before Christmas. Its going to be a long, slow process and theres still much to be done, a legal source said.

I would say it will be Christmas next year and even then, it will be a long shot.

The source, who has knowledge of the case against Mr Donaldson, said the Lagan Valley MP had not wavered from his position of strenuously denying the allegations but he added: He is fully aware of the difficulties he is facing at present.

It is understood that the police investigation was run by a specialist team of detectives from the Public Protection Branch of the PSNI.

It handles all historical sexual assault inquiries. And recent data published by the police reveals only a 6pc success rate in cases.

Lady Eleanor and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

In the meantime, all eyes will be on Newry Courthouse this week where Mr and Mrs Donaldson are due to appear.

As it stands, they are compelled to attend in person which will spark huge public and media attention.

The PSNI will have to mount a significant security operation.

The court hearing will attract huge media attention and the courtroom is also expected to be packed with members of the public keen to follow proceedings. Normally at magistrates courts the only police officers present would be those involved in the criminal cases before the court.

Both the PSNI and Courts Service declined to comment when asked whether any special arrangements were being put in place for Wednesdays hearing. However, given the high profile of the Donaldson case, there is expected to be increased security arrangements at the hearing.

Thats despite there still being no official confirmation that Mr Donaldson and his wife will appear before the court on Wednesday.

Each week, the Northern Ireland Courts Service (NICS) uploads its court schedule for the coming weeks online.

The list of defendants due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24 was published online earlier this month.

As of yesterday, there are 87 cases due before Newry on Wednesday  but neither Mr Donaldson (61) nor his 57-year-old wife are among those listed.

The PSNI was asked on Friday why their cases had not yet been added to the list.

A PSNI spokesperson said court lists can be updated up to three days before a court sitting.

We are unable to provide any further information at this time, the spokesperson added.

There is still the prospect that the Donaldsons will apply to make their appearance via video-link, which would spare the PSNI a major headache.

Should they go down the video-link route, they will have to make their appearances from the offices of their legal representative, which will necessitate Mr Donaldson emerging from his London apartment.

In Mr Donaldsons case that will be with veteran Banbridge-based solicitor John McBurney.

Mrs Donaldson will be represented by a separate legal firm.

The Donaldsons were arrested at their home in Dromore, Co Down, before 7am on March 28, before being taken to Antrim Custody Suite where they were charged.

The DUP issued a statement the following day which said Mr Donaldson had resigned as party leader following his arrest.

It is understood that Mr Donaldson is facing one count of rape, one count of gross indecency and several counts of indecent assault.

His wife has been charged with aiding and abetting offences in relation to the same police investigation.

The couple are not allowed to contact each other as part of their bail conditions and neither have been seen in public since their arrest, with Mr Donaldson in London and Mrs Donaldson holed up at the family home in Dromore.

It is unlikely that the Donaldsons will be required to enter a plea on Wednesday as there is an ongoing investigation and it is unlikely, although possible, that the prosecution will be ready to have charges formally put to the accused.

Wednesdays court date is the first step in that process. It is an opportunity for the PPS to brief the court on the progress of the case. It is likely to be brief, with a fresh date set for further review.

When the couple eventually appear before court for their first appearance, a decision will be taken on whether their cases should stay in the magistrates court or should be sent to the Crown Court.

This decision is usually based on the seriousness of the alleged offence.

Less serious offences such as motoring offences or public order offences can usually only be tried in the magistrates court.

The most serious offences such as rape or murder can only be tried in the Crown Court.

A decision will also be taken at the hearing on whether the Donaldsons remain on bail.

Despite the seriousness of the charges, legal sources have indicated they will be allowed to remain on bail given their clear records.

If, as expected, they are released on continuing bail, conditions will be put in place by the court which could include defendants being told to hand over their passports or report to a police station on a regular basis.

A surety may also be put in place through which a person promises to pay a certain amount of money to the court if the defendant does not turn up for subsequent court hearings.

If, as expected, the Donaldsons appear before Newry court on Wednesday, they will share the courtroom with a wide variety of alleged criminals.

This includes people facing allegations of arson, theft, drink-driving and domestic violence.

A number of dissident republicans accused of taking part in an unnotified parade are also due before the same court on Wednesday.
Garda review will examine culpability following verdict of unlawful killing

The Government will commit to a redress scheme in due course for the families of the victims of the Stardust fire tragedy that killed 48 people, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

Taoiseach Simon Harris apologised unreservedly to the families at a meeting with them in Government Buildings yesterday.

He will also issue a state apology in the Dail on Tuesday, an event families have been invited to attend. The names of the victims will also be read out in the chamber.

Since the fire in February 1981, survivors and victims families have fought in the courts for compensation, accountability and justice.

A statutory compensation tribunal was established by the State in the 1980s, with the last award made in 1991. It is usual practice in such tribunals for the claimants to waive any right to other civil processes.

Stardust owner Eamon Butterly got 581,000 from the State for malicious damage

Victim compensation at the time amounted to 10.4m paid to 823 individuals.

Five people received 100,000 or more and 24 received slightly more than 50,000, but the majority of individuals received between 5,000 and 10,000. Parents who lost a child in the disaster received a maximum of 7,500.

Taoiseach Simon Harris (right) greets families of the survivors and victims of the Stardust at Government Buildings in Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Stardust owners Eamon and Patrick Butterly were awarded damages of 581,000 after having sought compensation of 3m following the 1981 tribunals conclusion that the blaze was probably arson.

After fresh inquests into the deaths concluded last week that the victims were unlawfully killed, their families called for a state apology, referring to four decades of pain and trauma.

Forty-six people died in the fire and two others later, with the last recorded death occurring on March 11, 1981. A total of 214 people were injured.

Some bereaved families were awarded 7,500 for each child they lost

The ages of those killed ranged from 16 to 26, and in 23 cases the deceased were the sole breadwinner for their families. Most of the dead came from Dublin, from the areas of Artane, Kilmore and greater Coolock, and half were 18 or younger. Four were 16 and eight were 17.

While no discussions have taken place yet, a senior government source yesterday told the Sunday Independent: There will be a redress scheme. The statement in the Dail on Tuesday is a first step towards that.

The source added that the scheme for the families will probably take into account the trauma suffered over 43 years.

However, the issue of redress will not be addressed in the Dail on Tuesday, where the focus will be entirely on a state apology.

Stardust families arriving at Government Buildings yesterday. Photo: Steve Humphreys

A retired senior garda officer said the unlawful killings of 48 people in the fire warrant a thorough investigation supported or led by the Serious Crime Review Team because of the scale of the deaths and the massive significance of the jurys verdict.

Christy Mangan, a former detective chief superintendent who set up the garda cold-case unit and ran it for several years, said a review of the unlawful killings should examine if there is anyone still alive who is culpable.

It is a very significant judgment, it is huge, Mr Mangan said.

Forty-eight people are judged to have died unlawfully. As a police organisation, you have to seriously look at this and examine if there is somebody alive who is culpable for the deaths of these people.

Is there somebody who caused this by their actions on that night? That is what youre looking at.

He said the Serious Crime Review Team was the unit most suited to review all of the available evidence, including witness testimony, the original case files and evidence given in the coroners court.

You have to review what people said in the coroners court that led to this verdict of unlawful killing and see how they ended up at this verdict, he said.

For 40 years they were criminalised, and now the truth has been told

Mr Mangan said it was imperative the families be involved in the case review, in part to take on board their concerns, but also in terms of potential evidence.

Gardai are awaiting a report from the coroner before deciding whether to investigate the blaze that has now been judged a crime, 43 years later.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is expecting a report in the coming days on the inquest jurys findings.

Sources said experienced senior officers will determine whether there is evidence to support a full criminal investigation.

The inquests heard statements from gardai who investigated the blaze in 1981 and found no evidence that the fire was started maliciously.

Despite the garda evidence, a tribunal of inquiry held within months of the tragedy concluded that the blaze was probably arson.

This cleared the way for Stardust owner Eamon Butterly to receive compensation of 581,000 in compensation from the State for malicious damage.

In contrast, some of the bereaved families were awarded just 7,500 for each child they lost.

It emerged last week that Mr Butterly took unsuccessful High Court proceedings challenging the coroner on allowing the jury to return a verdict of unlawful killing.

His legal team argued that such a verdict could lead to the blame being attributed to him, which would be highly prejudicial and damaging to his reputation.

Earlier yesterday, Taoiseach Simon Harris apologised unreservedly to the families of the victims.

After a lengthy meeting with Stardust representatives, Mr Harris confirmed he would also be making an apology in the Dail on behalf of the State.

At the meeting, he heard calls from the families for a national day of commemoration for the victims.

Mary Lou McDonald with Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan. Photo: PA

The families are also seeking counselling services to help deal with the years of trauma they suffered while seeking justice for their loved ones.

Mr Harris said he wanted to apologise to them in person before the formal apology in Dail on Tuesday. He also apologised for the State turning a deaf ear to the families and expressed his sorrow that it took two generations for them to receive truth and justice.

In a statement released after the meeting, Mr Harris said his time with the families and loved ones of the 48 young people who died in the fire was humbling and emotional.

He said more than 70 people had gathered at Government Buildings, adding: However, I am acutely aware that the numbers affected by Stardust is many, many multiples of that.

I have listened closely to everything the families told me  and, as Taoiseach, I have today apologised unreservedly to each family. I will do so on behalf of the State on Tuesday.

The families, who yesterday spent about 90 minutes with Mr Harris, are to work with Government officials on the wording of Tuesdays apology.

Antoinette Keegan, who survived the blaze, but whose sisters Mary and Martina died, said the meeting went very well.

Hes invited us all back in to hear the public apology, and its very positive what hes doing  hes addressing every issue, she said.

Ms Keegan said the Stardust families had felt abandoned by the State.

They were bagged and tagged for 43 years, she said. But this inquest has opened a new chapter. Now theyve got their identity back, got their good name back.

The Stardust in Artane the day after the fire. Photo: Tom Burke

She said the families legal teams would be working with Mr Harris on the apology, and added: If its not right, we wont be accepting it.

Maurice McHugh, who lost his only child in the tragedy  17-year-old Caroline  said he welcomed the upcoming apology, but added: It has to be genuine. It cant just be sorry. It needs to be more than that. There are 43 years of history  he has a hell of a lot of work to do in three days.

Mr McHughs wife Phyllis McHugh said politicians had let families down in the past, and added: They should have been there from day one.

Three of Brigid McDermotts children were among the dead: William (22), George (18) and Marcella (16). Speaking yesterday after the meeting with Mr Harris, Mrs McDermott, who is 87, said: Im proud of myself and of everyone else  all the mothers and fathers who went through what we did.

God bless and thank everyone, especially the public  thank you all.

Asked what the apology would mean to her, she said: Its just to hear theyre sorry  but its a bit late for me.

Darragh Mackin, solicitor for the majority of the families, said: Were hopeful that the apology will reflect the hurt, the suffering, the trauma, but most importantly the truth.

Between now and Tuesday, weve offered to engage directly with the Taoiseach on the content of the apology. We hope the Taoiseach listened to the various families  were confident he did.

Families want it reflected that for 40 years they were criminalised, and now the truth has been told. They want the State to apologise for the systemic abuse they suffered, and we hope that is in the apology on Tuesday.

He said it was far too early to discuss a redress scheme.
The tragedy of the Stardust disaster for the survivors and families was multiplied by the manner in which they were systematically and stubbornly denied truth and justice, Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin has said.

At a special Mass for the 48 young people who died in the fire on February 14, 1981, Dr Farrell paid tribute to the courage and persistence of the survivors and families of the victims in their search for truth and justice, describing it as dignified and inspirational.

Speaking in the Church of St Joseph the Artisan in Bonnybrook, Dublin, he said their solidarity with one another sustained a hope for truth that was otherwise denied them for so long.

Last week, a coroners jury reached verdicts of unlawful killing for the 48 young people, 43 years after the disaster.

Due to the endurance and tenacity of the families the truth has finally set them free of a massive burden of the injustice and untruths that they have tenaciously fought to remove, Dr Farrell said. He prayed that the truth would bring a sense of peace for many, even though their mourning will not end.

'The cover up has ended and the rising of the truth has begun' - families of victims react to Stardust verdict

Describing the night club tragedy as one of the greatest disasters and tragedies of our time, Dr Farrell said people had been moved once again by the suffering of the families whose children were unlawfully killed.

Who could fail to be moved by the suffering, the weight of hurts and memories, festering for over 43 years now, of the families who lost 48 loved ones in the Stardust disaster, and of the more than 200 who were injured? he asked.

So many families have endured enormous suffering, and through the coroners inquest re-lived the horror of that night which is seared into the hearts and memories of a generation, the leader of the Catholic Church in Dublin said.

Those who were unlawfully killed in the Stardust fire were a source of joy to their families and friends. The heart was taken out of those families and of their whole community in that unspeakable disaster. He said a whole community was traumatised in the horror of that dreadful night.

The lives of so many had been blighted by the loss of those 48 young people, who were so full of hope and promise. That grievous loss has been compounded by the long quest for a full and truthful account of the tragedy that satisfies their need for truth.

Praying for those who perished in the Stardust fire and those who suffered pain and loss, he remembered family members who had not lived to see the outcome of the inquest at the Dublin District Coroners Court.

He highlighted how for many of the families and survivors their Christian faith was sorely tested by the depth of their loss and grieving. But in the face of persistent injustice, in the midst of darkness, something new had sprung to life.

Dr Farrells comments come ahead of the State apology which the Taoiseach Simon Harris will make in the Dail on Tuesday, when he will call out the names of all 48 victims.
By-laws under which the nightclub was inspected in 1980 were drawn up under an act of 1890

The Stardust was a disaster waiting to happen due to the persistent failure of successive governments to deal with fire safety in buildings to which the public had access  notably discos, hotels, pubs and nightclubs. And much of the blame for this lack of action lay with senior officials at the Department of Local Government.

I documented it all in an expose published by The Irish Times on February 16, 1981, two days after 48 young people lost their lives in the Artane nightclub owned by Patrick Butterly and his family. Its licence had been renewed the previous October and Dublin Fire Brigade had carried out a spot check inspection of the premises just one month before the fire.

When the Stardust nightclubs licence came up for renewal by the district court under the Public Dance Halls Act of 1935, fire safety was one of the aspects considered in determining the suitability of the premises. However, Dublin Corporation (as it then was) refused to release the fire officers report on the grounds that it was a court document.

The Stardust in Artane, where 48 young people lost their lives in 1981

Capt Michael Maguire, then chairman of the Chief Fire Officers Association, told me that the outdated legislation applicable at the time does not place the responsibility on the owners of these places. As a result, fire exit doors can be obstructed and windows barred for security reasons, but our people cant be there all the time to make sure this is not done.

Another source insisted that many inspections of the fire safety features of buildings were carried out daily by people with no qualifications.

Many inspectors dont even know what to look for because they are unfamiliar with the development of various materials and their potentially dangerous use. Indeed, many of them dont even write reports on what they find.

Far too few personnel in the fire service, or in the local authorities, were fully qualified to carry out thorough inspections of buildings to ensure fire safety requirements were carried out. And the safety regulations then in force had not been amended to take account of a new range of plastic products  such as polystyrene  and their hazardous potential.

The legislation under which the fire service was operating dated from 1940 when the Fire Brigades Act became law.

The by-laws were drawn up under an act of 1890

This gave local authorities the power to serve a fire precaution notice only on the owners of potentially dangerous buildings. There was a right of appeal to the district court and the maximum fine was still fixed at 50  because the act had never been amended.

The by-laws under which the Stardust had been inspected in October 1980 were drawn up under an act of 1890, providing for the certification of theatres and other places of public resort for fire protection. But Capt Maguire pointed out that only a few local authorities had any full-time fire prevention staff, so the inspections are usually carried out by ordinary fire officers.

Statutory regulations drawn up in 1980 following a serious fire at a furniture store in Manchester dealt with the combustibility of domestic furniture, but did not apply to places of public resort. And while new building regulations drawn up in 1976 contained stringent provisions on the use of combustible materials such as polystyrene tiles and laminated boards, these were still in draft form.

Most of the recommendations in a major report by a working party on the fire service in 1975 had yet to be implemented. They included a proposal that all buildings to which the public had access should be brought within a comprehensive system of fire inspection and control and subject to fire safety certification that would have to be renewed annually if they were to continue in use.

One of the few recommendations of the 1975 report to be adopted was the establishment of a Fire Prevention Council. However, it took three years for the Department of Local Government to set up this council and its role was confined to educating the public about the dangers of fire through advertisements on television as well as holding seminars and fire prevention weeks.

Inside the Stardust in Artane following the devastating fire. Photo: Tony Harris/PA

Senior officials at the department also attempted to thwart the effect of a 1979 ministerial directive giving more independence to chief fire officers. Until then, they reported to county engineers and had no direct access to county managers. As a result, their reports on the inadequacies of the fire services were often watered down and sometimes even ignored.

Generally speaking, the chief fire officers are not part of the rubber stamp system, but the engineers can strangle the fire services simply by not passing on requests for more staff, better equipment and so on, according to one source.

And if the fire chiefs raise hell, they are constantly blackguarded and eventually hounded out of the service altogether.

Capt John Connolly, the ministers chief fire adviser, had to take a High Court action against his own boss in an effort to ensure that he would be allowed to carry out his duties without interference.

None of his reports on major fires throughout the country had ever been published, and it was abundantly clear that very few real changes were made on foot of his observations.

At the time of the Stardust fire, six chief fire officers posts were vacant, including in Co Donegal, where a roads engineer was the acting fire chief, even though there had been a major tragedy in August 1980 when Bundorans Central Hotel was destroyed by fire, causing the deaths of 10 people, five of them children. But 10 deaths were not enough to change policy, as Capt Maguire put it.

We have always said they would not do anything to improve the fire service until something really serious happened. They got away with Bantry because that involved a ship, he said [the Betelgeuse disaster in January 1979, which claimed 51 lives]. Then we had Bundoran, but nothing happened. Now, with 48 young people dead in the Stardust, it is surely time for action.

Survivors and family members in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin after a verdict of unlawful killing was returned by the jury in the Stardust fire inquests. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Reacting to the announcement of an inquiry, Capt Maguire said it would not be adequate unless it also investigated the operation of the fire service and particularly the role played by civil servants in the Department of Local Government.

It should look into how the reports on major fires are swept under the carpet there [the Custom House], he said.

Orla Hegarty, assistant professor at the UCD School of Architecture, said: This hands-off approach was, and still is, driven by an ideology that property is a private matter to be left to the owners of buildings, even though public safety is clearly a public matter.

As a result, a whole range of regulatory failures such as mica and pyrite have fallen back on the public purse.

Citing the 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno in London, in which 72 people died, she pointed to the liberal regime for high-rise buildings introduced here a year later by then housing minister Eoghan Murphy, saying long corridors and single-staircase escape routes pose serious fire risks for occupants.

We have a very weak system of control when we should have good standards and proper enforcement, she added.
Clare Dunne pictured at the IFTA Awards 2024 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy No Repro fee for one use

Cillian Murphy won the award for best actor in Oppenheimer at Saturday nights Irish Film and Television Awards, while Paul Mescal won the award for best supporting actor in film for All of Us Strangers.

Accepting his IFTA Cillian Murphy said: "I'm still so brutal at this!

"There are so many people here I admire... It made me think of being here and being a young actor and getting so much encouragement from so many people... a lot of love and encouragement.

"People call it showbusiness but it feels like a community when it's done well.

"And to my wife, my amazing wife Yvonne McGuinness, for keeping me sane!"

Meanwhile, Alison Oliver scooped the award for best Supporting Actress in a Film for her role in Saltburn, while KIN star Clare Dunne took her third IFTA when she won the award for Lead Actress in a Drama.

Earlier, Eve Hewson has joked that she is dead inside as she learns to handle the inevitable rejection that is part and parcel of the film industry.

Speaking on the red carpet, the Bad Sisters actress quipped that she has developed a heart of stone and she learns to take knocks.

I have like a heart of stone at this point. I cant feel anything anymore, she quipped. When I was younger I used to cry my eyes out but now I am just dead. Dead inside.

Ms Hewson, who was nominated in the best actress category for her role in Flora and Son shared the advice that has sustained her in the industry.

One good piece of advice I got it kind of went on for years and years where you get close to a job and then you can get really heartbroken. someone once said to me that if you are getting close, its only a matter of time and I think that was really helpful because, you know, sometimes you can feel like you are getting rejected consistently but if you think I am getting a call back or a meeting with the director [it means] I might not be perfectly right for this role  [but] if you are getting close it means you are good and you can take that as a little bit of encouragement to keep going.

Killers of the Flower Moon actress Lily Gladstone was also in attendance and paid tribute to the special relationship that exists between Ireland and Native Americans.

Pollyanna McIntosh and Liam Cunningham pictured at the IFTA Awards 2024 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy

In 1847, The Choctaw people collected money to send to the starving in Ireland during the Famine.

Speaking on the red carpet, the Oscar nominated actress said the fact that the Choktaw tribe sent money to Ireland during the potato famine makes absolute sense.

iftas 3

I think its wonderful. Choktaw, at the time, as a sovereign nation, were also struggling to feed their own. They were experiencing cultural survival through all of it. So there was an immediate recognition with what was going on here.

And- in our fashion- we take care of each other. Its a real spirit of generosity. When you have wealth you demonstrate it by showing it and they didnt have much but what they had, they shared.

Ms Gladstone said she plans to make a return journey to Ireland to visit a sculpture in Co. Cork that honours the shared history but this weekend she will be taking the DART to the seaside.

Just a little bit north of the city I hear you get on the line and go up the coast and get some seafood see the sea, spring in the air. Im going to spend a little bit of time out in the country before I head back to the States.

Cillian Murphy pictured as he arrived at the IFTA Awards 2024 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Gladstone was among some of the biggest names in Hollywood who turned out for the ceremony, which is being hosted for the first time by Emmy-winning broadcaster Baz Ashmawy.

Also in attendance was Oscar winning actor Cillian Murphy. Famously shy at red carpet events, he slipped inside without taking questions from the press.

Kneecap were also having fun on the red carpet and said they would remain outspoken, despite their fame. Mo Chara said: There has been an attempt [to silence us] but it falls on deaf ears every time. If anything is successful they let you do what you want. Because the movie won the audience award at Sundance they cant really say f*** all.

James Patrice pictured at the IFTA Awards 2024 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Meanwhile, Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea is being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony for his outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry. On the way into the venue he joked that he is getting the lifetime bereavement award.

I am very proud, he said, When I started out in my career IFTA didnt even exist, but now it does exist give me the prize!

The annual awards ceremony welcomes Irish and International guests from around the world for a gathering of industry peers, to mark the incredible achievements of the Irish screen industry, at home and abroad.

Winners

That They May Face The Rising Sun, adapted from John McGaherns novel about life in rural Ireland, won the top award for Best Film. Directed by Pat Collins, the film is released in Irish cinemas on Friday.

As well as winning best actor for Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy also collected the Best International Film trophy for Christopher Nolans epic film.

Another Oscar winner, Neil Jordan presented Stephen Rea with the Irish Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, for his outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry, across both film and television.

Actress Siobhan Cullen was announced as the 2024 Fis Eireann / Screen Ireland Rising Star for her roles in Obituary, The Dry and the upcoming Netflix series Bodkin.

Best Actress in a Film was awarded to first-time winner, Agnes OCasey, for her role in gothic thriller Lies We Tell, which also took home Best Director Film for Lisa Mulcahy and Best Script Film for Elisabeth Gooch.

KIN was a big winner in the Drama category, taking home Best Drama, Lead Actress in a Drama for Clare Dunne, Supporting Actress in a Drama for Maria Doyle Kennedy, Best Director Drama for Kate Dolan, and Best Script Drama for Peter McKenna.

First-time winner Eanna Hardwicke picked up Actor in a Leading Role - Drama for his chilling performance in The Sixth Commandment, while Richard Dormer won Actor in a Supporting Role - Drama for Northern Irish police thriller Blue Lights.

Actor in a Supporting Role - Film was awarded to Paul Mescal for his performance in All of Us Strangers, with Actress in a Supporting Role - Film awarded to Alison Oliver for Saltburn.

The George Morrison Feature Documentary Award went to The Days of Trees from director Alan Gilsenan and producer Tomas Hardiman, with Best Cinematography awarded to Oscar-nominated Director of Photography Robbie Ryan for his work on Element Pictures production Poor Things.

Best Live Action Short Film was awarded to Calf, while Wind and the Shadow won Best Animated Short.

Best International Actress went to Emma Stones Oscar-winning turn in Poor Things, while Best International Actor went to Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers.

The Award for Best Editing went to Michael Harte for his work on feature documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.

Best Hair & Make-Up was awarded to Orla Carroll and Lynn Johnston for The Popes Exorcist, with Best Production Design going to John Paul Kelly for his work on Kenneth Branaghs A Haunting in Venice.

Best Sound was awarded to Nina Rice for Barbie. Best Original Music was awarded to Neil Hannon, better known as The Divine Comedy, for his work on Andrew Legges unique sci-fi fable LOLA, for which Lara Campbell also won Best Costume Design.

Kev Cahill and Ben Snow won Best VFX for fantasy blockbuster Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which was produced in Northern Ireland.

IFTA chief executive Aine Moriarty said: This years Irish Academy Award winners represent the best in Irish filmmaking talent both at home and around the world, and we are delighted to honour them here tonight. From blockbuster leading roles to brilliant animated shorts, this years awards categories span the breadth of great Irish film and drama.

Highlights of the IFTA Awards ceremony will be broadcast on RTE2 this Monday, 22 April, at 9.35pm.
With childcare as expensive as housing, Irish women are opting for fewer or no children. With a plummeting birth rate across the developed world, has procreation become a luxury?

Irelands birth rate hit its lowest level in more than 60 years at 1.54 live births per woman in 2022, reflecting a sharp decline over the past decade, according to EU figures released last month. Throughout the EU fertility rates are below the 2.1 live births per woman that is estimated to maintain constant population levels. This will eventually lead to a reduced labour force, with fewer young workers to support the economy and older citizens.
Technology

NPR chief and former Web Summit CEO, Katherine Maher has left-wing views and was the subject of a social media pile-on last week. Photo: Pedro Nunes

Almost half of French firm Valeo's Galway workforce is research and development into camera technology

Tech jobs in Ireland are often still seen as Dublin-based software-service startups, call centres, accountancy hubs or language-support units.

But if you get out and actually talk to people building home-grown companies or expanding international ones here, its a lot more diverse.

At the Transport Research Arena conference last week, an event focused mainly on cars, boats, trains and planes, there was a healthy reminder of just how many Irish companies are doing fairly core engineering work in some relatively cutting-edge tech activities.

Like Barry Lunns Provizio, a category-leading car-tech startup in Limerick that is pushing the boundaries of radar-assisted tech for self-driving vehicles.

Or Tuam-based Valeo, which makes and designs cameras for a huge chunk of the big car firms, such as BMW. Although Valeo is a French company now, the Galway-based firm started out as Connaught Electronics in 1982.

It designed and made alarms for trucks, later expanding into cameras and other electronics and was in competition with Valeo for a big contract, beating out the French firm.

Irish tech firm Stripe is graduating other Irish executives to lead parts in cutting-edge multinationals

So Valeo bought Connaught Electronics and has grown its Tuam base from around 250 people to something approaching 1,000 today. Almost half of its Galway workforce is research and development into camera technology. The IP here, all Valeos, is basically a Galway phenomenon.

That Irish-designed, Irish-manufactured tech from Valeo almost certainly ends up in some of the same mainstream cars as components designed and made by Mergon, a 40-year-old Westmeath-based firm that specialises in moulding for car manufacturers and other industrial companies.

is graduating other Irish executives to lead parts in cutting-edge multinationals

And theres a lot more happening that doesnt really sneak into news narratives around the tech industry.

The sector is still considered to mostly be a Dublin-based affair; but 54pc of the multinational jobs are outside Dublin, according to IDA CEO, Michael Lohan, who also spoke at the TRA conference.

Quite a lot of the newcomers are at the higher end of the spectrum, too. Last week, I shared a speaking panel with Emma Redmond, OpenAIs assistant general counsel for privacy and data protection. Her job, in part, is to lead and build a team that can steer the worlds most talked-about tech company within an EU that now sets the tone for the worlds regulatory standards.

Irish companies are doing fairly core engineering work in some relatively cutting-edge tech activities

Redmond is a good example of a new breed of global Irish power executive; she was previously Stripes chief privacy officer and global head of data protection.

Or, to put it another way, Stripe, a tech giant described as jointly Irish headquartered by its two Irish founders (the Collison brothers), is graduating other Irish executives to lead parts in cutting-edge multinationals such as OpenAI.

Software startups and Google staff in Dublins inner city are still a big, maybe even dominant, part of Irelands tech economy. But theres quite a lot going on outside the Pale and outside the usual news narratives.

***

Does it matter whether the CEO of a news organisation holds political views one way or the other?

In the American broadcaster National Public Radio, former Web Summit CEO Katherine Maher has become the new favourite punchbag of the American political right.

From Fox News to Elon Musk, Maher has been repeatedly under attack for her left-wing political views, aired over the years in tweets and in a Ted Talk.

The row, which kicked off when an editor was suspended for criticising NPRs lack of political diversity, has now transmogrified into something ugly and hysterical, with thousands of online personalised comments directed at Maher.

NPR chief and former Web Summit CEO, Katherine Maher has left-wing views and was the subject of a social media pile-on last week. Photo: Pedro Nunes

The blow-up has even attracted a handful of respected figures, such as former Y-Combinator boss Paul Graham, to become part of the baying mob.

Uncharacteristically, Graham quoted part of Mahers remarks around the meaning of truth to apparently further feed a pile-on onto Maher.

The genesis of the scandal is that Maher holds left-wing political views while being the CEO and president of NPR, which receives a small percentage of its funding from the state (1pc directly and about 10pc from other state-backed sources).

Does that mean that she cannot effectively, fairly lead a news-based organisation? Its pretty naive to argue that the two are mutually exclusive; Ive yet to meet someone in a news organisation who doesnt have fairly strong political views on at least a handful of issues.

And its fair to suppose that some of that bleeds into topic and story selections, as the difference between Fox News and CNN, or the Guardian and the Telegraph, obviously attests.

But is having left-wing views enough to get you banned from working in news? Might it only be right-wing views that are considered fair and balanced? We shall see in the coming days.
Sam McBride: The Kingsmill massacre: A squeeze of the hand on a cold winters night shows hope was always there

But the depths of hatred have not all gone away

The minibus near Kingsmill in January 1976, when 10 Protestant workmen were massacred. Photo: PA

Sam McBride Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 03:30

Imagine you are driving down a dark country road on a winter evening when you are stopped by armed men blocking the road. Youre taken out of your vehicle, asked your religion, and then slaughtered  with 136 bullets fired in less than a minute.
A funeral in 1981 at St Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, of one of the young victims of the Stardust tragedy. Photo: Tom Burke

The finding of the Stardust inquests presents an opportunity to review existing regulations on fire safety considering the significant changes in building infrastructure since the current laws were introduced in response to the tragedy that killed 48 people in 1981.

In the more than 40 years since the Stardust disaster, buildings in this county have become larger and more complex and housing is being built more densely. Also, the materials used are becoming lighter, more combustible, more toxic and less forgiving of poor design, unskilled workmanship and inadequate testing and control systems.

This warning was sounded by Orla Hegarty of the UCD School of Architecture in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London, which claimed the lives of 72 people in 2017. At the time, she warned that a review of fire safety issues by the government here in the wake of Grenfell had been very limited.

The implications of the catastrophic systems failure at Grenfell warranted a much broader review and risk assessment in Ireland, she told an Oireachtas committee hearing in 2018.

As Frank McDonald reports in this newspaper today, Ms Hegarty has pointed to a liberal regime for high-rise buildings introduced here a year after Grenfell. She said long corridors and single- staircase escape routes pose serious fire risks.

In the past decade, evidence has emerged of housing defects caused by the legacies of poor construction design, workmanship and materials used during the Celtic Tiger boom  most notably the pyrite and mica scandals that have impacted significantly on the lives of many people.

In retrospect, a mistake was made in 2012 when Irelands statutory Building Regulations Advisory Board was disbanded, allowing each local authority to act as a separate building control authority; as a consequence, there was no consistent response.

Under Housing for All, the States housing plan to 2030, a Building Regulations Advisory Body consisting of the construction industry, private and public, is slated to be re-established to advise on matters relating to regulations.

Since Housing for All was published in September 2021, the Government has introduced certain regulations aimed at providing for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. However, regulations are only as effective as the level of inspection. An effective building control system cannot function unless it is underpinned by workable enforcement mechanisms.

The experience of the Stardust families informs us again that we should never lose sight of why the regulation of building standards is so important. Building control is not an abstract or technical problem. Its core principle is to ensure safe, accessible and sustainable buildings.

In the aftermath of the Stardust inquests, a case now exists that hospitals, airports, schools, shopping centres, student housing and hotels be examined, as should thousands of apartments (many of timber-frame construction built during the boom) where residents have been calling for a national audit of fire safety risks.

It must not take another tragedy to act.

Warnings have been sounded. We cannot conclude systems are fit for purpose when people may still be living in dangerous buildings.
JK Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter series of books and, latterly, the worlds most high-profile critic of some aspects of the transgender rights movement, has doubled down on her long-standing feud with the young stars of the franchise  Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

The rift opened in 2020. Back then, Rowling, in a long essay published on her website, pledged her support for trans exclusionary radical feminists, (Terfs). Terfs, in case theres anyone at the back still languishing in blessed innocence, oppose policies intended to foster inclusion and recognition of trans people within public institutions and everyday life, believing those same policies can represent a threat to women and children.
There was a time when the price of the pint was the only thing that concerned the working man at budget time. Photo: Artur Widak via Getty
A man in his 50s has died after falling while hill walking in County Donegal. Stock image.

A man in his 50s has died following a fall while hill walking in County Donegal.

Gardai and local rescue services were notified of an incident involving two hill walkers at Poisoned Glen, Dunlewey, County Donegal, around 1pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

One of the individuals, a male aged in his late 50s, sustained fatal injuries after a fall.

Following a recovery operation, he was taken from the mountain and transported to the mortuary at Letterkenny University Hospital.

The second person, also a male in his late 50s, suffered injuries and was airlifted from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

No further information is available at this time.
Artist says mural vandal should explain rationale in own piece of artwork.

The Tralee artist who painted a mural dedicated to Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty in Tralee has criticised those responsible for defacing it with Nazi slurs.

Mary Leen is a well-know Kerry artist who was commissioned to paint the mural in 2015 as part of a memorial area dedicated to the famous Catholic priest.

At the height of WWII, when stationed in Rome, Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty was instrumental in organising an escape of Allied POWs and civilians.

When the Allies eventually entered Rome, Monsignor OFlaherty and his colleagues had saved over 6,500 lives. Known as The Vatican Pimpernel, he was born in Kiskeam in County Cork in 1898, before his parents, James and Margaret, moved to Killarney.

I was very disappointed to see my mural of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty vandalised. I especially feel saddened for the family of Monsignor O'Flaherty, said Ms Leen.

They don't deserve to see this. To see this war hero, and a brave Kerry man, that saved thousands of people from the Nazi's during the war. To now, ironically, be compared to Hitler. It is very wrong, she added.

Ms Leen said art is about self-expression, and everyone has the right to express their own opinion through their art. However, they do not have a right to express their opinion through another persons art. Or to deface the work of another artist.

As an art teacher, I encourage students to look and respond to art. This is healthy, so I am respectfully calling out the individual that did this to respond to this painting in a healthy and dignified way by creating their own artwork and offer it for public display. I will even anonymously post their response on my page, Ms Leen said.

If someone can be brave enough to vandalise the work of another artist, then I encourage them to be brave enough to do their own artwork in response and we can have a public discussion about it, she said.
Musici Ireland's latest production, "A Mother's Voice", is a heartfelt tribute to the women affected by Ireland's mother and baby homes during the 1900s. Developed with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland and Triskel WRITE, RECORD, PERFORM bursary, this multidisciplinary production blends artistry and activism in a powerful exploration of a dark chapter in Ireland's history.

"A Mother's Voice" is more than just a performance. It stands as a testimony to the resilience of survivors, a critical exploration of a hidden aspect of Ireland's history, and an invitation to engage in an important dialogue. The production is a collaborative effort between artists and living survivors, with a shared mission to shed light on this period of Ireland's past.

The two-year development project was spearheaded by Wexford musician Beth McNinch, with creative assistance from Jane Hackett. The immersive exhibit has been designed by Bridget Ni Dhuinn, with lighting by Eoin McNinch. The production showcases original music by Cork composers Linda and Irene Buckley, featuring animation by Eabha Bortolozzo and Jack Kirwan.

As well as being the founder and artistic director of Musici Ireland, Beth McNinch is also the Artistic Director of Music for Wexford since 2022 and held the position of principal viola of the Wexford Opera Festival Orchestra from 2008-2021.

'A Mother's Voice' by Musici Ireland at Triskel Christchurch, Cork, Ireland, 2023 / Photograph: Jed Niezgoda - www.jedniezgoda.com

Central to the performance are the voices of three mothers, "Cait", Deirdre Wadding, and Sheila O'Byrne. Their stories form the core narrative, giving authenticity and emotional depth to the production.

"A Mothers Voice" has been widely praised for its thoughtful and sensitive handling of such a difficult subject matter. Shea Donovan from the Indigo Arts Collective applauds the production's focus on survivors, stating, "A Mothers Voice does a beautiful job of centering survivors and transforms powerful testimony into performance with thoughtfulness and care."

Catherine Kontz, composer and Artistic Director of Rainy Days Festival, Luxembourg, echoes this sentiment, emphasising the international interest the work has garnered due to its relevance and the sensitivity with which the subject matter has been treated.

"A Mother's Voice" is Musici Irelands first original production and has already been performed in Luxembourg, Germany and Ireland. They are performing it multiple times this July as part of the Contemporary American Theater Festival in West Virginia, USA.

Tickets for "A Mother's Voice" can be purchased online at https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873643740.

For those interested in experiencing this powerful work, there will be two performances at the Wexford Arts Centre on May 8, one at 7pm and another at 9pm. The performance lasts approximately 30 minutes and promises to deliver a fully immersive audience experience.
It was another successful year for the budding entrepreneurs of Ramsgrange Community School with three different awards being brought back to the South West Wexford school following the Wexford Student Enterprise Programme Awards.

Two transition year groups, under the tutelage of Ms Jane Shovlin took home awards with the company Bubbles & Co, who sell their own homemade soaps, bath bombs and body scrubs and run by Kevin Collom, Louise Byrne, Valeriia Stepanenko, Johnathan Jenkins and Ellana Kelly winning Best Pitch. This followed by a win in the Wellness category for Kate Swan, Lauren Kehoe, Sarah-Kate Hopkins, Aaron Tormey and Louise Hanlon and their company Scribbles of my Soul. The group created a personally crafted wellbeing and organisational journal.

In the intermediate section, second year student Holly Cassidy was announced as the overall winner with her enterprise Sparkly Clean. Holly hand crafts eco-friendly cleaning solutions from natural ingredients. Holly will now progress to the national finals on Thursday, May 9.

Each of the enterprise groups also competed at the Foroige NFTE Regional Finals Results at the Hatch Lab in Gorey where they pitched their enterprises to a panel of judges.

Sean Dunlea, the Programme Officer in the Network for Teaching and Entrepreneurship in Foroige commended each of the groups stating that the judges were extremely impressed with all of the projects. z

Enterprise group New Dimensions from Ramsgrange Community School qualified for the All-Ireland Semi Final of the competition in April. New Dimensions are an enterprise group run by Ben Cassidy, Evan Brennan, Adam Furness and Aoibhinn Doyle and they produce and sell 3D printed products.

One of the business judges, Therese OConnor, will complete workshop with New Dimensions in preparation for the semi final.
Irish protesters told they are not allowed to speak Irish by German police at pro-Palestine protest camp near the Reichstag in Berlin

Irish protesters told they are not allowed to speak Irish by German police at pro-Palestine protest camp near the Reichstag in Berlin

Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 18:00







Irish protesters were told they are not allowed to speak or sing in Irish at the pro-Palestine protest camp near the Reichstag in Berlin.
In images PM Modi (BJP X) & Siddaramaiah (FB)

Bengaluru/IBNS: Weeks after Bengaluru made national headlines for a crippling water crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress in Karnataka, saying the party turned "tech city into a tanker city".

Hitting back, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked where the Prime Minister was when Karnataka suffered owing to floods and droughts.

The 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka are voting in two phases in the general election, with the polling due on April 26 and May 7.

All Bengaluru seats will go to polls on April 26.

Addressing a rally in the IT city days before polling, the Prime Minister accused the Congress of being "anti-investment, anti-entrepreneurship, anti-private sector, anti-taxpayer, anti-wealth creator".

"Modi says he will make the country a green energy hub, pharma hub, electronics hub, electrical vehicle hub, semiconductor hub, and a global innovation hub so that India becomes a hub of Global economy. But the people of Congress and the INDI alliance say they will remove Modi," he said.

"It is Modi's guarantee that after 5G, we will now launch 6G, they say they will remove Modi. It is Modi's guarantee that we will bring AI, but they say they will remove Modi. It is Modi's guarantee that after Chandrayaan, we will now make India proud of Gaganyaan, they say, they will remove Modi. Congress is anti-youth because it is anti-investment, it is anti-entrepreneurship, it is anti-private sector, it is anti-taxpayer, it is anti-wealth creator," he said.

The Prime Minister said the BJP and Janata Dal-Secular have come together to fulfil the dreams of Karnataka's people.

To fulfil your dreams, JDS and BJP have come together. I guarantee that your dreams are my resolve.



Glimpses from PM Modi's mega public rally in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. pic.twitter.com/Nqah1LvU7L  BJP (@BJP4India) April 20, 2024

"I guarantee that your dreams are my resolve. My life is dedicated to you and the country. I promise 24X7 for 2047," he said, referring to the goal of making India a developed country by 2047.

"Congress has turned tech city into a tanker city. The budget is being cut from agriculture to urban infrastructure. Congress is only focused on corruption, and not on the problems of Bengaluru. Only the projects of the central government are moving ahead fast," he said.

"The kind of thoughts and ideology being promoted by the Congress government in Karnataka is very dangerous. Our daughters are being attacked, bombs are exploding in markets, and people are being attacked for listening to religious songs, these incidents are not common. I urge my brothers and sisters to stay very alert of the Congress," he said.

The statements come in the wake of the murder of a Congress leader's 21-year-old daughter in Hubbali, a blast in Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe and the thrashing of three youngsters, allegedly for raising "Jai Shri Ram" slogans.

In a sharp response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posted on X, "Claims of working 24x7 for the people, yet where was he during Karnataka's floods and droughts? So, what's the real story behind this '24x7'? Sounds like it's all PR, all the time!"

Claims of working 24x7 for the people, yet where was he during Karnatakas floods and droughts?



So, whats the real story behind this '24x7'?



Sounds like it's all PR, all the time!#Modis24x7  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 20, 2024

The Chief Minister also hit back at the Prime Minister's remarks in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur, where he said Karnataka is the biggest example of how the Congress "deceives" the farmers.
Representative image/ courtesy: Pixabay

Amritsar/IBNS: In a horrifying incident in Punjab, a pregnant woman was set on fire allegedly by her husband following an argument on Friday.

23-year-old Pinky, who was six months pregnant and was expecting twins, died on the spot, according to the police.

Police said the couple had a heated argument on Friday after which the man tied Pinky to a bed and set her on fire in a fit of rage.

The incident was reported on Friday from Bullenangal village near Amritsar.

"Sukhdev and Pinky had a strained relationship and would quarrel over various issues. On Friday too, they had a heated argument after which Sukhdev killed Pinky and fled," officials said.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a detailed report from the Punjab Police.

"Appalled by the horrifying incident in Amritsar where a man allegedly set his pregnant wife on fire. The brutality of this act is unimaginable. Hon'ble Chairperson NCW @sharmarekha has written a letter to DGP Punjab to arrest the perpetrator and submit an action report in three days. #StopDomesticViolence," the women's panel said on X - earlier known as Twitter.

Appalled by the horrifying incident in Amritsar where a man allegedly set his pregnant wife on fire. The brutality of this act is unimaginable. Honble Chairperson NCW @sharmarekha has written a letter to DGP Punjab to arrest the perpetrator and submit an action report in three  NCW (@NCWIndia) April 20, 2024

Sukhdev was on the run after the incident. He was arrested by the Punjab Police on Saturday evening.
Photo courtesy: Pixabay

Patna: A 28-year-old woman in Bihar's Samastipur died after undergoing a sterilization procedure performed by a junior staff member at a private healthcare center in the absence of a doctor, media reports said.

The incident occurred in Musrigharari, a small town within Samastipur district, situated nearly 80 km away from the state capital, Patna, reported NDTV.

Babita Devi's relatives stated that they took her to the Anisha Healthcare Center for the sterilization procedure, which is located on the first floor of a two-story building.

According to the woman's family, the center informed them of the unavailability of a doctor and proceeded with the surgery conducted by a compounder.

They said the patient had died during the procedure at the hospital but the staff did not inform them. Instead, they rushed her to a hospital in Mohanpur (about 10 km away), the report said.

After Babita Devi's death was confirmed, her relatives returned her body to the Anisha healthcare center and staged a protest.

The family accused healthcare centers in Musrigharari town of operating without doctors, and compounders conducting all medical procedures and jeopardizing patients' lives.

Meanwhile, the staff of the Anisha Healthcare Center are on the run.

The woman's relatives are demanding legal action against each of them.

Faizul Ansari, the in-charge of the local police station, stated that they have launched an investigation into the matter and will take appropriate action against those found responsible.
PM Modi during a roadshow in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore. (Image Courtesy: twitter.com/narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded the election bugle, with the slogan  Ab ki bar 400 paar , declaring that his BJP-led NDA would cross 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Modis assertion reflects his confidence and faith that the country would vote in favour of development and strong leadership provided by a cadre-run party like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in contrast to other parties which have been founded and run by a family or can have a family holding the reins.

According to the ABP-CVoter survey, the NDA is likely to miss its 400+ seats target but is projected to clinch a thumping victory, winning 373 out of the total 543 seats.

Image Courtesy: narendramodi.in

The BJP could win 323 seats on its own, a rise of 20 seats since the last Lok Sabha polls of 2019, and comfortably beyond the majority mark of 272, according to the survey. The INC is projected to make a marginal gain over its 52-seat tally in 2019's polls.

The 400-seat mark in a house of 543 parliamentary seats, with the BJP alone winning 370, is a feat the Opposition Congress attained in 1984 after Prime Minister Indra Gandhis assassination.

With this assertion, Modi also wants to push for a BJP, which has acceptance across India, especially the South India.

PM Modi in Attingal, Kerala where he urged electors to vote against corruption (Image Courtesy: narendramodi.in)

So far, South India has remained largely impervious to BJPs influence. Analysts feel that South India views the BJP as a party rooted in North Indian politics, culture, and traditions and an outsider with no Dravidian connection. However, the BJP feels that the people of Tamil Nadu should look beyond politics that rely solely on Dravidian pride to appeal to the electors and vote for development.

Image Courtesy: narendramodi.in

The five southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana, and the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep, constitute Indias most economically prosperous region with 30% of Indias GDP and 20% of the vote share in the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite Modi's efforts to convey that his administration has contributed to the growth of the Indian economy, the BJP secured only 30 out of the 131 seats in the region in 2019, with the majority coming from one state, Karnataka.

It failed to win any seats in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, and also lost in the constituencies of Puducherry and Lakshadweep. Certain analysts foresee a similar outcome occurring again.

PM Modi campaigning in Srirangam, a city island in Tamil Nadu. (Image courtesy: videograb| twitter.com/narendramodi)

The BJP and Modi have been making concerted efforts to make inroads into the state of Tamil Nadu, which, with 39 seats, sends the largest contingent of parliamentarians from the south to the national legislature.

The entire state of Tamil Nadu voted on April 19, and Modi has made at least six visits to the state in the run-up to the election.

He even used an artificial intelligence-driven app that translates his Hindi speeches into Tamil in real-time for audiences. He has often turned emotional, even shedding tears, in response to the massive turnouts in his rallies.

The BJP claims overwhelming support from the people of Tamil Nadu.

In the southern state, notions of nationalism have historically been viewed with skepticism, perceived as a means to uphold the longstanding dominance of Brahmins, who occupy the apex of India's intricate caste system.

However, neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi, nor other top leaders of BJPAmit Shah, JP Nadda, Piyush Goyalbelong to the Brahmin community by caste.

PM Modi in Kerala's Kochi, clad in local attire, during one of his visits to the Left-ruled southern state. (Image courtesy: twitter.com/narendramodi)

PM Modi in Kerala's Kochi, clad in local attire, during one of his visits to the Left-ruled southern state. (Image courtesy: twitter.com/narendramodi)

The focus of the BJP also remains in Kerala where the BJP eyes at least four Lok Sabha seats where their vote shares rose in the past though not translating into wins, according to media reports.

To a question by the Malayam daily Mathrubhumi on South being a difficult terrain for BJP, PM Modi in an interview to the publication countered: "Your question is not factually correct. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP was the single largest party in Southern India. Until recently, we had a government in Karnataka. We are a part of the government in Puducherry. We have always been an important force in Telangana. Therefore, I do not agree with the binary view that the BJP lacks a presence in the South. This narrative suits the perspective of a few political analysts, but the facts tell a different story."

He said: "You may also know that three of our party presidents have come from South India. In 1984, when we were reduced to only two seats, one of them was from Southern India. Thus, the BJP has a very close link with the South."

"Looking at the present, I have been traveling across Southern India, and the response wherever I have gone has been phenomenal. I am confident that South India will bless the BJP in record numbers this time," PM Modi said.

Whether or not the BJP makes inroads in the southern territories now remains to be seen when the results are declared on June 4.
Photo Courtesy: Soni Razdan Instagram page

Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman recently triggered a debate in the film industry over her viewpoint on 'live-in' relationships with actors now sharing their opinions on her advice to youths of the nation.

Recently, actor Mukesh Khanna, who became a household name after playing the role of a superhero 'Shaktiman' in the 90s, responded to Zeenat's opinion and was quoted as saying by India Today: "This (live-in relationship) is not acceptable in Indian culture."

"Just imagine if a boy and a girl live with each other like husband and wife before marriage, and they do not get along well, then imagine what will happen to both of them. Those who are saying such things should think before speaking," he said.

Actor Soni Razdan mocked Khanna and posted on X: "Gosh. Cant imagine what would happen if a couple live together in a live -in relationship and dont get along. The mind boggles (sic).

What did Zeenat Aman tell youths?

Yesteryear actress Zeenat Aman, who is quite regular on Instagram, recently posted on the social media platform her opinion on 'live-in relationship' and wrote: "On a different note, one of you asked me about relationship advice in the comments section of my last post. Heres a personal opinion I havent previously shared - if youre in a relationship, I strongly recommend that you LIVE TOGETHER before getting married!"

"This is the same advice Ive always given my sons, both of whom have had, or are in, a live-in relationship. It just seems logical to me that before two people get their families and the government involved in their equation, they first put their relationship to the ultimate test," she said.
In image Israeli army/ courtesy: X/IDF

Iran and Israel have decided to step back from engaging in broader conflict as lawmakers in the United States approved new Israeli military aid on Saturday despite growing criticism of its ally over the continuing war in Gaza, media reports said.

Iran downplayed Israel's reported retaliation for its unprecedented drone and missile attack, tamping down fears that escalating attacks between the arch-enemies could result in a broader war in the Middle East.

However, a deadly blast at an Iraqi military base underlined the persisting tensions in the region.

To strengthen Israel's defence forces including its Iron Dome air defence system, the US House of Representatives approved $13 billion in new military aid for the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the aid bill, writing on X, formerly Twitter, that it "demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization".

However, the move was criticised by the Palestinian presidency who condemned it as "an aggression against the Palestinian people" and a "dangerous escalation".

The money would "translate into thousands of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip" and the West Bank, said Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

On Friday, Israel launched a missile strike on Iran after which Tehran claimed to have activated its air defence system and that it shot down several drones.

Israel launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its attack last weekend.

Iran had activated its air defence system over several cities, state media reported, soon after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near Isfahan, Iran's third-biggest city.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ShareAlike 4.0 International

A WZ-7 Soaring Dragon drone of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army was recently spotted flying close to Philippines at a time when the country is preparing to receive BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India.

The WZ-7 drone, which has a distinctive and instantly identifiable joined-wing shape, was spotted flying over the West Philippine Sea, a section of the South China Sea to the northwest of the Philippine archipelago, reported Raffy Tima, a correspondent for the Philippine news organization GMA News, as quoted by The EurAsian Times.

The incident occurred amid rising tension between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The acquisition of the BrahMos missile from India has also been touted as a move at building capability against an aggressive China, reported The EurAsian Times.

India is going to deliver the first set of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, media reports said.

The move is a part of the USD 375 million deal between the two contries signed in 2022.

The Indian Air Force is sending its American-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft with the missiles to Philippines to deliver the weapon system to the Philippines Marine Corps, defence sources told ANI.

The transportation of systems has also taken place through the sea route where cargo vessels were hired, the sources said.

The export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system along with the missiles started last month itself, they said.

The 4th India-Philippines Joint Consular Consultative Meeting (JCCM) was held in Manila on 12 April 2024.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has approved a series of steps to urgently mitigate the impact of the recent severe weather in Dubai.

The mesaures were formulated at a meeting he held with heads of government entities, said a Wam news agency report.

The meeting, attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, evaluated the progress of efforts to ease the repercussions of the extreme weather in the emirate.

* The Crown Prince of Dubai directed the establishment of a committee to urgently review all requests from Emirati citizens affected by the heavy rains. The committee will determine the most appropriate measures to address these requests, prioritising the repair and rehabilitation of the homes of affected citizens.

* Sheikh Hamdan also directed the Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) to coordinate with property developers to expedite the restoration of normalcy in all communities managed by the developers.

* All residential management companies and real estate developers will offer the following services at no additional charges:

- Alternative housing for residents affected by the weather;

- Distribution of food within affected communities;

- Comprehensive pest control services;

- Enhanced security to ensure safety of residents;

- Assistance with returning to residential properties, including interior cleaning services;

- Monitoring and documenting damages caused by the rains during the insurance coverage period; and

- Assistance in assessing potential risks to properties.

* Sheikh Hamdan also directed the formation of a committee to support affected people, chaired by Omar Bushahab, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment. Members of the committee also include Dubais Community Development Authority, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and the Department of Economy and Tourism. The committee is tasked with receiving and promptly addressing requests from citizens affected by the recent rains, ensuring that their concerns and needs are handled efficiently and effectively.

* Sheikh Hamdan commended the Department of Economy and Tourism for collaborating with the private sector and hotels in Dubai to provide temporary accommodation for citizens affected by the extreme weather until their homes are repaired. He stressed the importance of offering immediate accommodation for all affected citizens during the repair period. The well-being of citizens remains the top priority of the Dubai government, he said.

* He also directed Dubais Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department with monitoring and providing humanitarian support to people in need.

Sheikh Hamdan said that Dubai is determined to support all those affected by the adverse weather conditions, adding that he will personally monitor the progress of response measures. He emphasised that on-ground teams will provide effective support to all citizens and residents.

He also asked the Community Development Authority to activate the Jood platform to receive contributions from the private sector to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the extreme weather in the emirate.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The US has directed Cambodia n authorities to remain transparent over a proposed $1.7 billion canal financed by China .

The project is leaving Thailand worried about its potential impact on water resource management.

"The Cambodian people  along with people in neighboring countries and the broader region  would benefit from transparency on any major undertaking with potential implications for regional water management, agricultural sustainability, and security," Wesley Holzer, a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Phnom Penh, told VOA Khmer in an email on Tuesday.

The canal project has even left Vietnam, another neighbouring nation, worried over how it would affect its use of water downstream.

Cambodia approved the 180-kilometer-long (111.8 miles) Funan Techo Canal in May, reported VOA.

The project is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

It is the latest Beijing-funded project in the country.

It would connect the coastal province of Kep with Kandal and Takeo provinces inland.

Phan Rim, spokesperson of Cambodias Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told VOA Khmer on Tuesday that the project is expected to be built by the end of this year as planned.

The U.S. is urging Cambodian authorities "to coordinate closely with the Mekong River Commission [MRC] to provide additional project details and to participate fully in any appropriate environmental impact studies to help the MRC and member countries fully understand, assess, and prepare for any possible impacts of the project," according to the embassy spokesperson as quoted by the news portal.

Brian Eyler, senior fellow and director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, said the canal connects with tributaries of the Mekong River, "but indeed the specifications submitted by the Cambodian National Mekong Committee to the Mekong River Commission show the first and shorter section of the canal connecting to the Mekong River in Kandal Province near the Kandal container port."

"If the canal is indeed used for irrigation, then Vietnam's concerns will intensify because the only way to provide irrigation from the canal is to take much more water out of the Mekong than what is specified in the notification document to the MRC," he wrote in an email to VOA.

"So much remains unclear about this project and it seems to be moving forward at breakneck speed with zero room for appropriate levels of information dissemination and regional discourse," Eyler said.
Photo Courtesy; China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Beijing has challenged Japan's latest analysis of the threat posed to the Indo-Pacific region as a hyped-up threat and false accusation, media reports said.

In the Japanese Foreign Ministrys annual Diplomatic Bluebook which was published Tuesday, China's military moves are described as posing "the greatest strategic challenge," according to Japanese media. An official English version has not been published, reported Voice of America.

The Bluebook reportedly condemns China's actions in the South China Sea and its attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Sea, the news portal reported.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian negated Japan's criticisms and said during a press briefing: "During their meeting in San Francisco last November, the leaders of China and Japan reaffirmed commitment to comprehensively promoting a strategic relationship of mutual benefit and provided crucial political guidance to the improvement of bilateral relations. Japan has resorted to the same old false accusations against China and hype of China threat in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook."

"We firmly oppose this and Japans meddling in Chinas domestic affairs. We urge Japan to change its wrong course of actions, stop stoking bloc confrontation, truly commit itself to advancing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and work to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era," he said.

Yuki Tatsumi, director of the Japan Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center, told VOA, "Japan's concerns about Chinese behavior, both military and paramilitary, have been intensified for the last few years due to the acceleration of Beijing's aggressive behaviour in East and South China Sea."

She continued, "In addition, Tokyo has been put on alert about Beijing's increasingly hostile and aggressive rhetoric and behaviour toward Taiwan."
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Experts believe that the introduction of the Gandhara Corridor Bill 2024 in the Pakistani National Assembly might be an attempt by the government to capture the resources of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Ninety per cent of the Gandhara sites in the country are located in KP.

The Pakistani region is known for its natural and historic resources, hydroelectric power, mines and minerals, and tourism.

All these elements play a crucial role in generating income for the province.

"Though KP has repeatedly been urging the centre to release its royalty on net hydel profit and natural gas royalty, amounting to billions in unpaid dues, the latest assault on its resources comes from the aforementioned bill set to be tabled in the National Assembly," wrote Peshawar-based tourism expert Ali Jan in his article published in Dawn News titled 'Gandhara Corridor Bill bid to seize KPs resources'.

The bill has been crafted to appropriate remnants of KPs Gandhara Civilisation and divert the profits from KPs Buddhist religious tourism to the centre.

The proponent of the bill is Sindh MNA Ramesh Kumar Vankwani.

He had previously made a similar attempt that was rejected by the Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture.

The Standing Committee, last year, had rejected the Gandhara Cultural Authority Act, 2023, which was introduced by him.

Questioning his role, Jan said: "Now, he has reintroduced a similar bill, this time with the deceptive name of Gandhara Corridor Bill, 2024. Evidently, he is positioning himself for its chairmans slot. Is he merely a front man acting at the behest of behind-the-scenes planners? This is the question on everyones mind in KP."

Jan said: "Constitutionally, this controversial bill violates the 18th Constitutional Amendment as the subject pertaining to the affairs of Ancient and Historic Monuments, Archaeological Sites, and Remains was transferred to respective provinces after the abolition of the concurrent list."

Jan said the legislation directly encroaches upon the institutes in the province and existing laws that govern Gandharan sites in KP.

"The proposed bill outlines the acquisition of property, both movable and immovable, containing Gandharan remains in the possession of KP. Financial earnings from KPs sites, as well as grants and donor funding, are mandated to be deposited into the Gandhara Corridor Account, according to the proposed legislation," Jan wrote.

Jan claimed the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) was even bypassed and not consulted over the proposed law.

"By establishing a parallel organisation within the federal government, this bill, after enactment, shall render the PTDCs role useless, stifling its existence," he said.

Jan said efforts should be made to open a religious tourism facilitation centre inside the PTDC for international tourists coming to Pakistan.

He said: "Assisting them with NOCs will help market Pakistan as a destination for religious tourism internationally more effectively."

Meanwhile, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has urged Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur to join hands for transforming Gandhara as an international role model for faith tourism with the active collaboration of Federal and all provincial stakeholders.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister in response to criticism of the newly introduced bill in the National Assembly for establishing the Gandhara Corridor to connect Pakistan with the Buddhist world, Dr Vankwani clarified that the bill is not at all a part of any conspiracy to snatch or take over the Gandhara Civilization remains in KP, emphasizing that It is, in fact, to ensure that the provinces receive due facilitation and support from the federal government to promote and market Gandhara for increasing revenue through systematic arrival of international pilgrims via the federal capital Islamabad", reported Pakistan Observer.

He urged that the bill was an attempt at exploring opportunities for strengthening Pakistans economy as well as projecting a positive image of the country, as establishing a high-level facilitation center at the federal level to promote Gandhara faith pilgrimage with the collaboration of provinces would not violate the 18th Amendment which ensures provincial autonomy.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Farmers in Pakistan region have warned to protest against poor wheat procurement target and lower grain support price in Punjab on April 25.

Sardar Zafar Hussain, president of the Kisan Board Pakistan, announced at a press conference here on Friday as quoted by Dawn News that demonstrations would be held at all district headquarters and other major towns in the province to make the government procure at least five million tonnes of wheat in the current season and that grain support price be raised from current Rs3,900 to Rs5,000 per 40kg.

Flanked by Akhtar Farooq Meo and Mian Rashid Minhala, he alleged that the government was deliberately delaying the wheat procurement campaign because of which the prices of grain in the open market were on the decline.

He demanded that the government should not only increase the official support price to Rs5,000 per 40 but also enhance its procurement target from 2m tonnes to 5m tonnes to stabilize the local market.
Photo Courtesy: Antony Blinken X page

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to China April 24-26 where he will meet officials in Shanghai and Beijing to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.

According to an official statement issued by the US State Department, the issues of discussion will include the crisis in the Middle East, Russias war against Ukraine, cross-Strait issues, and the South China Sea.

"The Secretary will also discuss ongoing work to fulfil the commitments made by Presidents Biden and Xi at the Woodside Summit in November on resuming counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence, and strengthening people-to-people ties, and will reiterate the importance of the United States and the PRC responsibly managing competition, even in areas where our two countries disagree," read a statement issued by the department.

Stating the objectives, a US official told the State Department website: "The Secretary has three primary objectives for his trip to China: first, making progress on key issues; second, clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral, regional, and global issues; and third, responsibly managing competition, again, so that it does not result in miscalculation or conflict. Weve grounded these objectives in the administrations approach to the PRC, which you have heard many times, of course, and thats namely our invest, align, and compete strategy. Weve made significant progress on each pillar of our strategy, and we believe that our doing so has strengthened our competitive position."

The official said: "We are in a different place than we were a year ago, when the bilateral relationship was at an historic low point."
In the Punjabi village of Mehsampur in 1988, masked men shot and killed musician Amar Singh Chamkila and his wife, Amarjot. At the akhaada where they were scheduled to perform, they were shot and the incident left many in shock. Manku, Chamkila's former secretary, has finally divulged information on that tragic day.

Details About Amar Singh Chamkila And Amarjots Murder

Manku revealed in an interview with Cine Punjabi that Chamkila received Rs 8000 for his last performance. Manku left Chamkila and Amarjot to eat since they wanted to eat before the performance, then proceeded to the next stage to make sure everything was in working order. Manku then called over Chamkila and Amarjot on the stage.

X

He said, The shooters were among the crowd. They could have shot him on the way. They could have shot him after hed stepped onto the stage. Who knows, even I might have been shot if theyd fired at the stage. But they waited. Chamkila arrived in his car in grand fashion, it was a scene straight out of a movie. I said, Put your hands together, Chamkila is here. No sooner than Id said this, I heard loud bangs.



Also read: Amar Singh Chamkila Actress Parineeti Chopra On Favouritism, Dream Roles: 'I Only Have My Talent'

Manku turned to see someone had fallen close to the car. When he realized what had happened, he leaped from the platform but became trapped among the overturned chairs.



Also read: Why Does Diljit Dosanjh Keep His Private Life Hidden? Chamkila Actor Anjum Batra Spills The Beans

He added, One person next to me described what she saw, I was too scared to look out. She said, There are three men, theyre doing the bhangra. Theyve kept a letter on Chamkilas chest. I saw that letter later, I read it. It was drenched in blood. They left on scooters. I picked up the bodies myself.

Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra play the key roles in Imtiaz Ali's Amar Singh Chamkila. Amar Singh Chamkila is currently streaming on Netflix.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Ravi Kishan Controversy: A 25-year-old woman filed a civil lawsuit against Ravi Kishan, in a Mumbai court on Saturday, stating that he is her biological father and requesting a DNA test. In the lawsuit, Shinova asked the judge to rule that she is Kishans daughter, from his other wife Aparna Soni.

The said woman has requested a permanent injunction prohibiting Kishan from rejecting her as his biological daughter in any way. In addition, she filed a writ suit in the Bombay High Court to have the FIR against Soni and others in Uttar Pradesh quashed after she revealed that Kishan was her biological father.

Following Priti Shukla, Kishan's wife, filing a complaint three days ago, the case was registered in the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, under the IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 195 (providing or creating false evidence), 386 (extortion), and 504 (intentional insult).



This is indeed a very serious allegation against BJP leader Ravi Kishan.

It must be checked whether it is true or false. Whoever is the cheater needs to be punished.#RaviKishan

#_ pic.twitter.com/vSSaYC69U0  Modani (@JahirSpecial) April 18, 2024

Ravi Kishan Controversy: Actor's Alleged Daughter Shinova Seeks DNA Test

Shinova's writ suit, filed through attorneys Ashok Sarogi and Jay Yadav, claimed that although the petitioner, Shukla, and Kishan are Mumbai residents, the FIR has been lodged in Lucknow even though nothing has happened there. Although Kishan was already married when she was born on October 19, 1998, it was discovered at that point, according to the plea.



According to the plea, it appears that Kishan and Soni agreed among themselves that their child would refer to the actor as "uncle" in light of these facts.



Also read: Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas To Move Back To Rs 1600 Crore LA Mansion, Photos Go Viral

She added in her plea that both of them took care of her at all pertinent times.



Also read: Who is Aparna Thakur? Everything To Know About Ravi Kishans Alleged Second Wife

However, the appeal said that the BJP politician misbehaved and refused to meet Shinova and Soni when they recently paid him a visit to wish them well in the next Lok Sabha election. The petition stated that they then arranged a news conference to inform the public about Shinova's rights as Kishan's biological daughter.



(Inputs From PTI)

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Raise your glasses, because India's whiskey just hit the bullseye! Indias very own Godawan Century, a tropical-flavoured Indian single malt whiskey, clinched the top spot in the single malt whiskey category at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.

Winning gold medals at the 2024 London Spirits Competition, Godawan Single Malt Rich And Rounded Artisan Whisky and Godawan Single Malt Fruit And Spice Artisan Whisky - both priced at Rs 4,100 - have become the preferred brands.

Godawan Whiskey/ Diageo India

India's tropical-flavoured whiskey

Godawan 100 scored an impressive 96 points, making it the top-scoring product from India at the London Spirits Competition.

According to the competition's tasting notes, it's a single malt whiskey with strong tropical flavors, a light palate, and a quick finish.

"It offers a very sweet palate with hints of caramel, charcoal, cinnamon, and anise, leading to a long dry finish," it stated.

Inspiration from Rajasthani culture

Godawan, an artisanal Single Malt Whiskey, is meticulously crafted by Diageo India, drawing inspiration from its roots to embrace Rajasthan's ethos of finding beauty in scarcity while prioritising sustainability.

This single malt is aged in carefully selected casks infused with Indian botanicals, adding a distinctive character to every sip.

"The arid climatic conditions contribute to a heightened 'Angel's share' phenomenon, imparting an extraordinary flavour profile that enthralls the sense," says the team behind this unique whiskey.

The angel's share is a phenomenon in whiskey production when some of the whiskey evaporates every year during aging.

India's top beverage company Diageo Indias Godawan brought in Godawan 100, a bespoke collectors edition single malt batch of 100 bottles, as a homage to the Great Indian Bustard  famously known as Godawan  on its first anniversary.

Diageo India's Godawan marked its first anniversary by introducing Godawan 100, a limited-edition single malt batch of 100 bottles, paying homage to the Great Indian Bustard, affectionately known as Godawan.

Great Indian Bustard

Once a common sight across the nation, the Godawan is now critically endangered, with just over a hundred left in existence.



What is the London Spirits Competition?

The aim of the London Spirits Competition is to acknowledge, reward, and boost the visibility of spirits brands that have been carefully crafted to resonate with and cater to a particular type of drinker.



Judging takes place across three essential categories: the quality of the spirits, their value for money, and their overall presentation.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
As the Lok Sabha election 2024 intensifies, candidates nationwide are making every effort to win over voters. In a heartwarming gesture, women who participated in the voting process in Arunachal Pradesh were pleasantly surprised to receive a thoughtful gift: a sanitary napkin.

Polling booth by women, for women

In the capital city of Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, female voters were pleasantly surprised by a thoughtful gesture from election authorities last Friday.

As they cast their votes, they were handed sanitary napkins as a token of appreciation.

The Sentinel

The initiative aimed not only to encourage greater female participation in the electoral process but also to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene.



Two polling stations, namely the DFO social forestry building and KV Building at NERIST, were designated as part of the Election Commission's initiative called 'sakhi booths'.

These booths were staffed entirely by women, both voters and polling officials alike.

Arunachal Times

Despite the challenging circumstances, with only about 600 out of the 1400 registered voters turning up to cast their ballots, the gesture was well-received by those who did participate.



Each packet containing the sanitary napkins was beautifully packed and included a printed note expressing gratitude: "Thank you for your vote; your vote is the gateway to women empowerment."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024

AFP

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 kickstarted on April 19, 2024, with the first phase covering 102 constituencies.



A grand total of 1,625 candidates, comprising 1,491 males and 134 females, are contesting in this initial phase of the seven-phase electoral process, slated to conclude on June 1.

Vote counting will take place on June 4.

The Election Commission of India (EC) has organised a vast network of 1.87 lakh polling stations for this mammoth exercise.

Additionally, to facilitate the movement of polling and security personnel, 41 helicopters, 84 special trains, and nearly 1 lakh vehicles have been deployed across the country.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
With the Assam state Boards declaring the Class 10 results yesterday, homes across the region resonated with joy. Amidst this jubilation, one family experienced an extra layer of happiness: not only did their child excel, but the mother also aced the exams, doubling their delight.

Mother and daughter pass Class X Boards in same year

In the quaint village of Silamari in Biswanath district, Mazia Khatun, a resilient 34-year-old, and her determined 16-year-old daughter, Afsana both cleared the Class X Boards in the same year.

Mazia and her daughter Afsana/ BCCL

Mazia secured a commendable 49%, while her daughter, Afsana, achieved a notable 52%, both proudly clinching the second division. She and her daughter Afsana both went to FA Ahmed High School.



Mazia wanted to finish her Class X exams earlier, but she got married and became an Anganwadi worker.

She still wanted to prove herself academically, especially since she came from a big family and got married young.

She hopes that in the future, people will let their kids finish school before getting married.

"I just wanted to prove that I have the talent to pass Class X at least. I was one of the seven brothers and sisters. My family found a suitable groom for me and I got married in 2006. But I hope in future, parents will wait at least till their children complete their education," Mazia said, speaking to TOI.

Unsplash

Mazia is happy with her exam results and doesn't plan to study more herself, but she wants her kids to go to college.



People in their village admire Mazia and Afsana for their dedication to education.

Afsana feels proud that their village, which used to have few graduates, now has many.

Assam HSLC Class X result 2024

News 18

On April 20, 2024, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam announced the Assam HSLC 10th Result 2024.



This year, over 4 lakh students took part in the SEBA 10th examination, held from February 16 to March 4, 2024, at multiple examination centers throughout the state.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
On Saturday, April 20, the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) revealed the final exam results for the UP Board Class 12.

Who is the student who came second in UP board class 12?

Vishu Chaudhary, a student from Baghpat, took second place in the exam | Image: ANI

Vishu Chaudhary, a student from Baghpat, took second place in the exam.

A video of his is going viral on X, and it shows him talking about those who helped him get this far. ANI took to X to publish a video of Chaudhary speaking with one of its correspondents.

Vishu Chaudhary, the second topper of the intermediate test in Baghpat, expressed his pride in achieving his goal of two years ago. "I want to advise pupils to keep working hard because what the teacher is teaching you is great for you," the news agency wrote with the video.

What did the topper share?

In the video, the student is seen wearing several marigold garlands. He then goes on to discuss how his school, professors, and personal determination helped him secure the second spot. He also gives advice with his juniors based on his own expertise.

How did people on the internet react?

Since being shared a little over an hour ago, the video has received over 13.8K Views and counting. The share has since received nearly 67 likes.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath used Twitter to congratulate the students on their achievements, referring to them as the "golden future of the new Uttar Pradesh".

Candidates can check their scores by going to the official website, upresults.nic.in. This website provides results for both Class 10 and Class 12. X is inundated with congratulations messages following the results announcement. Check the viral video here.

#WATCH | UP Board Result 2024 | Baghpat: Second topper of the intermediate examination, Vishu Chaudhary says, "...I feel so proud that I got what I targetted two years back...I want to tell students - keep working hard, what the teacher is guiding you is the best for you..." pic.twitter.com/kchvdfdVoH  ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2024

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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Now, people aged 65 and above can buy new health insurance policies as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has removed the age limit on purchasing health insurance policies, effective from April 1, 2024, ANI reported.

Previously, individuals aged 65 and above were not permitted to buy policies. But the changes that have come into effect from April 1, 2024, now allow any individual, regardless of age, to be eligible to purchase a health insurance policy.

Changes in Health Insurance Rules

In a notification, the IRDAI has instructed insurers to offer health insurance products for all age groups.

Insurers may design health insurance policy products specifically for senior citizens, students, children, maternity, and any other group specified by the Competent Authority.

This new decision by the IRDAI aims to create a more inclusive healthcare system in India and encourage insurance companies to diversify their offerings.

ALSO READ: Here Is Everything You Need To Know About Mental Health Insurance In India & Why You Should Avail It

What Are The New Rules Of Buying Health Insurance? Everything You Need to Know | Unsplash

Impact of the Changes

According to the report, the top insurance regulatory body has instructed providers to introduce tailored policies for specific demographics including senior citizens and also establish dedicated channels for handling claims and complaints.

"It's a welcome change since it now opens the door for people above 65 to seek health cover. Insurers, based on their Board-approved Underwriting guidelines, can cover people above 65. The coverage is subject to offer and acceptance between the Insured and Insurer based on affordability for the senior citizens and viability for Insurers," an industry expert told ANI.

Following the recent notification, health insurance providers are prohibited from denying policies to individuals with severe medical conditions including cancer, heart or renal failure, and AIDS, the report added.

In addition to this, the insurance regulator has reduced the insurance waiting period from 48 months to 36 months.

Now, all pre-existing conditions should be covered after 36 months, regardless of whether the policyholder disclosed them initially or not. Health insurers are prohibited from rejecting claims based on pre-existing conditions after these 36 months.

Insurance companies are not allowed to introduce indemnity-based health policies, which compensate for hospital expenses. Instead, they are only permitted to provide benefit-based policies, offering fixed costs upon the occurrence of a covered disease.

ALSO READ: 5 Super Benefits Of Buying Health Insurance Early In Your 20s

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People from different places like to plan trips to exciting and fun places to take a break from their usual routine. When we plan these holidays, we think about a lot of things. Sometimes, forgetting something small doesn't really affect the trip too much. But if we forget something important, it can cause big problems.

In a similar story, a man from Florida, USA, recently had a surprising experience with his mobile phone company when he returned from a holiday. Reports say that the man, named Rene Remund, and his wife Lynda, who live in Florida, went to their hometown in Switzerland.

US man charged 1.2 crore for using 9.5 GB data during Europe trip

A couple in the United States received the shock of their lives when they returned home from a trip to Switzerland and found a phone bill totaling $143,000 (approximately Rs 1.2 crore), as reported by ABC Action News.

Rene Remund and his wife, who live in Florida, visited Switzerland in September 2023 and made sure to inform their cell phone provider every time before they left the country.

Roaming fee

According to reports, the couple took many photos during their vacation, which they shared with friends and family overseas. This resulted in them being charged thousands of dollars, a bill that Rene received from T-Mobile after returning to Florida. Initially, Remund thought it was just $143 (about Rs 12,000).

The mobile phone bill revealed that Remund used up 9.5 GB of data while he was in Europe. Although 5-10 GB of data is not a large amount, not being covered by the roaming fees has cost Rene thousands of dollars every day.

After receiving confirmation from the service provider, Remund decided to hire a lawyer to support his case. His lawyer has sent a letter to the president of T-Mobile, but the service providers have yet to respond.

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
The leadership of the Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria, on Saturday, appealed to Nigerians to put an end to all forms of discrimination against people living with disabilities.

Abdulwasiu Salaudeen, leader of the group, speaking in Osogbo, Osun State at the 9th national conference and Quran competition of the group, urged Nigerians to allow their daughters marry responsible disabled persons, rather than allowing them to marry able-bodied that are irresponsible.

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He said, Persons with disabilities are also part of the society. We want the society to see us as part of them. Compared to when we started this organisation, things are beginning to turn out well.

READ ALSO: Naira Abuse: Avoid Selective Prosecution  CSOs Tell EFCC

Then, the majority of us are jobless. But now, we are much better than when we started. What we want from society is for them to see us as part of them. They should give us jobs and empower us. There is nothing an able man can do that Persons With Disabilities cant do.

Rather than giving out their daughters to men that would turn them into punching bags, why not allow them to marry men with a disability who would be more appreciative and take care of them?
Olugbenga Olawore, a pastor with Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and other passengers of a 14-seater bus have been kidnapped in Oyo State.

The cleric and other passengers of the bus were abducted on Friday while en route Lagos State.

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Olawore is currently a pastor at RCCG Heavens Gate Parish, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road in Ogun State.

The incident was detailed to have occurred at Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road.

The cleric was returning from Ipapo town where he went to put the final touches on the burial arrangements for his mother.

A family source told the Sunday Tribune that after holding the pastor and others hostage, the kidnappers called his wife at about 8 pm.

The source said one of the kidnappers who called the wife broke out in his language, making it known that he and his gang members were of Fulani extraction.

READ ALSO: You Must Be Living In Another Planet  Presidency Reacts As PDP Faults Economic Policies, Insecurity

He was said to have called again the following day at about 9 a.m., and the pastor started appealing to his wife to look for money, even if it was N1 million, and not allow the abductors to kill him as they had done to some of those held hostage.

When the wife asked where to drop the money if it was eventually gathered from friends and relatives, the abductors beside her husband started speaking in a language she did not understand.

She kept on trying the line, but it remained switched off. At about noon, she contacted a family member to go to the police station to report. That was on Friday, the source said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the kidnapping case but said that some of them had been rescued.

He said, Some of the rescued victims are assisting with useful leads that can help the investigation. All routes around the area, including the adjoining forest areas, are being combed.

Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly.
One Ikemesit Edet, proprietor of an Uyo Cybercrime Training Centre, popularly known as Hustle Kingdom (HK), in Akwa Ibom State, has been sentenced to imprisonment for ten years.

His sentence followed his arraignment by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The anti-graft agency secured the conviction of Edet after he pleaded guilty to two-count charge bordering on impersonation, love scam, hacking/editing of social media accounts and private criminal tutoring.

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The development is contained in statement released on Saturday by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

According to the statement, Edet was jailed on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 after pleading to the two-count charge.

That you IKEMESIT EDET IK sometime in January, 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, being the occupier and a person concerned with the management of the premises situates and lying at No. 57 D-Line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, did knowingly permit the use of the entire aforesaid premises as a CYBERCRIME ACADEMY, also known as Hustle Kingdom (HK) where you recruited ten (10) young Nigerians between ages 16-25 and taught them cybercrime techniques for perpetrating cyber crimes to wit: hacking, impersonation, and obtaining money by false pretence (Advance Fee Fraud) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act, count one read.

READ ALSO: Nigerians Hatred For Police Force Behind Insecurity  PCRC

That you IKEMESIT EDET IK between May 2020 and December 2023 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession total sum of Fifteen Million Naira Only (-N=15,000,000.00) which you knew forms proceed of an unlawful act to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)\d) of the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act, count two read.

Edet pleaded guilty to both counts, prompting the prosecuting counsel, Joshua Abolarin, to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Abolarin also prayed the court to order the forfeiture of all exhibits recovered from him at the point of arrest.

Meanwhile, defence counsel Francis Ezike prayed the court to be lenient in sentencing the defendant.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Ojukwu convicted Edet and sentenced him to five years jail term on each count, with an option of fine of N2 million on each count.

The court also ordered that all recovered exhibits from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The exhibits include: 13 laptops, a gold- coloured Toyota Corolla, a Lexus Jeep RX 300 and about 3,080.25 square metres of land located at Ibiaku Obio Ndobo village, Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The No Name Pops performing a concert honoring the Philly Pops former leader, Peter Nero, who died last summer at age 89, in Verizon Hall Saturday. Read more

No Name Pops may be getting a decidedly less generic name.

The self-organized group of musicians playing under the No Name Pops banner is negotiating with the family of late pianist and conductor Peter Nero to acquire the Philly Pops name. The group, which sprang up after concerts were suspended more than a year ago by the Philly Pops corporate parent, Encore Series Inc., made the announcement Saturday at a Kimmel Center concert honoring Nero.

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No Name Pops executive director Matt Koveal told The Inquirer that the group revealed the prospective name change before it was a done deal because the Nero family is here today, a tribute to Peter Nero, and Peter Nero is a large reason why pops music has been so successful in Philadelphia.

The name Peter Nero and the Philly Pops was a household name in Philadelphia, said Jedd Nero, Peter Neros son, and the name means a lot for Philadelphia as it did to him, and we would love to see that carry on, for this to be his memory.

Neros son declined to discuss details of the deal, but said talks were ongoing and hopefully that will come to fruition in the not-too-distant future.

The Nero family owns ultimate rights to the name and, prior to 2024, had assigned rights to Encore Series, according to a No Name Pops statement released Saturday. Peter Nero died in July 2023. He led the group from its founding in 1979 until 2013.

The current status of Encore Series was unclear. The group, which has been enmeshed in a lawsuit after being evicted by its landlord, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc., indicated a change in legal representation in recent court filings. It appears to have no functioning website. Karen Corbin, who has been president and CEO, on Saturday declined to comment.

Koveal said for his group, taking on the Philly Pops name wasnt the easiest decision. When the Philly Pops was evicted from the Kimmel in early 2023 and stopped performing, it left listeners in the lurch. Many patrons had already bought tickets to future performances, and the Pops delivered neither the scheduled concerts nor refunds.

But opinions about taking on the Philly Pops name were sought from various No Name Pops constituents, and a consensus emerged, said Koveal.

The board wanted the name, but what pushed it over the top were the musicians and their desire for the name. Anecdotally, speaking to patrons, we had a lot of people saying we wish you could have this name back. We decided to listen to the community at large and work on an agreement with the Nero family.

Assuming the Philly Pops name runs the risk of confusing the listening public, Koveal acknowledged. But, he said:

I guess were already at a point where there is confusion, and we are looking at a longer view. And we think this is the name we want to keep for a long time coming.
Map of a reservoir and power plant proposed for a site near the Susquehanna River by York Power Storage. Read more

Two Berks County engineers have launched the latest proposal to boost Pennsylvanias electricity production by using one of its oldest energy sources: river water.

Taking a first key step, York Energy Storage LLC applied Feb. 6 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval to conduct a four-year feasibility study of a $2.1 billion dam and power turbine project. It would use water pumped from the Susquehanna River to keep the regions electric power flowing, especially when the states solar and wind plants arent making power.

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The proposal says the plant would produce up to 8,560 megawatt-hours in a 10-hour cycle, enough to power a city of half a million people, or to replace one of the nuclear power units from the former complex at nearby Three Mile Island.

 READ MORE: From 2019: Three Mile Islands 60-year shutdown: More akin to a marathon than a sprint'

Rising demand for electric vehicles, computing, and home appliances, combined with public disdain for carbon-based fossil fuels and the slow pace of approvals for new nuclear power plant designs, has pushed utilities to rely more on solar and wind power projects, backed by government subsidies.

Since those systems dont run constantly, electric grids that rely on them need backup sources of power. The York Energy Storage plan offers pumped storage, where surplus power from peak production periods is used to pump water into reservoirs that can run turbines when needed.

The proposal calls for a reservoir to be built on properties totaling 1,000 acres in Chanceford, York County. The water would power turbines to generate electricity as it falls hundreds of feet to the river downstream. That new reservoir would require a 1.9-mile long, 225-foot high dam on land west of the river, plus two smaller dikes. The project would take several years to build.

Impact on jobs, wildlife

The York Electric Storage proposal is led by William McMahon, founder of Entech Engineering, a Reading-based power systems engineering company, and Jan Sockel, a past senior executive at Princeton-based natural gas and electric supplier NRG.

We are beginning to plan meetings with the local authorities, McMahon said in an interview. Power grids in the United States have gotten very thin. Texas and California have had brownouts because they didnt have enough power backup or storage in their systems to account for variables, such as extreme weather.

He said the Susquehanna is well-located to provide power to PJM Interconnection, the Audubon, Montgomery County-based regional transmission organization that coordinates electricity delivery to 65 million customers across 13 states.

The proposal says it would create 300 construction jobs. Once built, it would be run by a staff of 25, using Pennsyvlania-built turbines and local services.

Anticipating concerns from neighbors, environmental advocates, and regulators, the proposal promises at least 18 studies of fish, water flow, animals, archaeology, geology, tax, and electricity price impacts, which it says will cost at least $8 million.

Betting on Pa. water

The Susquehanna is already home to a string of hydropower dams and pumped storage plants of varying sizes. The largest include the 573-megawatt power plant operated by Exelon spin-off Constellation Energy at Conowingo Dam where U.S. Route 1 crosses the river in northern Maryland, and Constellations 1,070-megawatt Muddy Run Pumped Storage plant and reservoir in southern Lancaster County.

The York Energy Storage proposed site is close to a 418-megawatt hydropower station at the 91-year-old Safe Harbor Dam, which backs up the Susquehanna behind it into a miles-long sheet of flat water known as Lake Clarke, which would be a source for the new reservoir.

That power station and dam have been owned since 2014 by Brookfield Renewable Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield also owns a second power-producing dam on the Susquehanna, at Holtwood, Lancaster County, and two smaller facilities elsewhere in the state. In all, our Pennsylvania facilities provide enough power to supply over 200,000 homes annually with renewable power, said Simon Maine, a spokesman for Brookfield.

Brookfield plans more such investments around the U.S. It has raised $1.2 billion from Pennsylvanias largest taxpayer-supported pension fund, the Public School Employees Retirement System, since 2015 for real estate and infrastructure projects. In December, trustees approved $300 million for Brookfield to invest in clean energy projects to decarbonize electric grids from dependence on natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Brookfield has lately been buying up U.S.-based renewable [power] developers, spokesman Maine added, and hydropower fits well within the funds strategy.

Another dam, at York Haven, north of Safe Harbor, along with its small power plant, was part of a group of U.S. hydro plants purchased from U.S. private-equity owners in 2019 by the government of the Province of Ontario, Canada, where Brookfield is based. Power from rivers and reservoirs is so common in Canada that electricity is often called hydro there.

A major undertaking

Pumped storage projects are among the sustainable energy plans that have attracted energy contractors eager to qualify for multibillion-dollar energy finance programs passed by Congress since 2001, said Adam Rousselle, chief executive of Renewable Energy Aggregators. That Pittston, Luzerne County-based company champions both solar power and pumped storage at former anthracite coal mines and limestone quarries as part of its proposed $2 billion Susquehanna Microgrid of charging stations for electric trucks that would serve Pennsylvanias many warehouses.

The York proposal isnt quite the Three Gorges Dam, the worlds largest hydropower complex, which delivers 22,000 megawatts to central China, but it is a decent amount of power, [and] a major undertaking, said Matthew Taylor, a partner at Cerity Partners in Conshohocken who has worked on a series of energy development projects.

Pumped storage has many positive environmental attributes, but also tends to raise neighbors concern over changes to land and waterways, and can take years to win regulators approval, Taylor added.
Two Philadelphia police officers are on administrative duty following the shooting of a 23-year-old man early Saturday morning in East Mount Airy. Read more

Two Philadelphia police officers responding to a call about a person with a gun in East Mount Airy shot a 23-year-old man who witnesses said had been threatening them with a hammer, police said.

No gun was found, according to police.

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A 23-year-old woman was in her home on the unit block of East Cliveden Street shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday when an argument broke out between her and the man, police said. He was asked to leave the apartment and, after he did so, later returned, getting back in through a window, police said.

He then grabbed the woman by the arm and took her to the bedroom, police said, where they continued to argue.

A second man, a 26-year-old, arrived at the apartment building and knocked on the front door, at which point the 23-year-old man grabbed a hammer to confront him, the woman told police. The 26-year-old man was the subject of the earlier argument, police said, but it is unclear how.

Two police officers assigned to the 14th District arrived at the apartment building and saw the 26-year-old man on the top step, knocking on the front door and calling for the 23-year-old man to come out.

Police said they heard the 26-year-old say, Oh  you have a hammer, before the man backed away from the entrance.

The 23-year-old man then came outside holding an object in his hand, which the officers believed was a firearm, police said. Both officers fired their guns and he went back inside the building, police said.

After a barricade situation and SWAT being called to help, the man eventually came out of the building and was taken into custody without incident, police said. He was treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound to one arm and a graze wound to the other arm before being released, police said.

Authorities have not yet said what he will be charged with. The shooting was captured on the officers body-worn cameras and a hammer was recovered at the scene.

It is unclear if the 23-year-old man was struck by bullets fired from both officers guns.

The police  a 42-year-old lieutenant and a 36-year-old patrol officer  will be placed on administrative duty until the investigation is completed, as is customary when police officers discharge their firearms.

The incident remains under investigation by the departments Officer Involved Shooting Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Bureau, and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office.
In response to recent allegations of racial harassment, intimidation and bullying at Collingswood High School, borough and school district officials say they intend to hold public workshops and a panel discussion, and create a website of anti-racism resources as part of an effort to create a more inclusive and understanding community.

The announcement came Friday, two days after leadership from the Borough of Collingswood, the Collingswood Police Department, and the Collingswood Public School District met to address community concerns of racism at the school and in the community.

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Several Collingswood High School students are being investigated by the school district, police and the Camden County Prosecutors Office after allegedly forming a White Student Union a few weeks ago.

A report from NJ Pen found that the group initially was formed as an ironic response to the South Jersey high schools Black Student Union, but then evolved into something that is more characteristic of a hate group, according to Fred McDowell, Collingswood superintendent of schools.

While we cannot comment on a specific and active law enforcement investigation, we all share a deep concern for our community, specifically residents and students of color, said a joint statement issued Friday on behalf of McDowell, Mayor Jim Maley, Police Chief Kevin Carey, and other officials.

 READ MORE: Collingswood High School students under investigation for harassment, intimidation, bullying incident

As a group, we acknowledge the hurt, pain, and fear associated with these allegations and recognize the impact on many Collingswood residents  adults and children alike. We share a clear and strong commitment to focus on healing our community while simultaneously continuing to build on the work weve done to create a more inclusive and understanding community, the statement said.

The Camden County chapter of the NAACP issued a statement Saturday night saying it stands ready to participate in any of the planned workshops and other events to address racism, but criticized Collingswood officials for failing to include the president of the high schools Black Student Union, or apparently any students, in Wednesdays meeting.

We must convey that youth leadership and participation is vital to addressing the issues of racism at the school, said the statement, signed by Lloyd Henderson, president of NAACP Camden County East Adult Branch; Ifemide Adebiyi, president of NAACP Camden County East Youth Council; and Ryan Bates, president of NAACP New Jersey State Conference Youth and College Division.

The Youth Council will be setting aside time during its regularly scheduled meeting Sunday to discuss the Collingswood High School situation and assist in empowering youth so they can learn how to deal with these types of issues, the statement said.

Kevin Jones, president of the Black Student Union at Collingswood High School, said in a statement issued earlier in the week that I look forward to working with school administration to help defuse the tension, and make Collingswood High School a place where all students can enjoy learning and feel safe.

Through a spokesperson, McDowell previously confirmed to The Inquirer that seven to nine students were under investigation. These students allegedly made inflammatory racial slurs and threats of physical violence toward other students, and defaced a vehicle belonging to a white student with the same racial slurs, McDowell told NJ Pen.

The workshops Collingswood intends to offer will be led by the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights. The first group sessions will be May 21 at the Collingswood Senior Community Center and on June 4 at the Perkins Center for the Arts.

In their statement, officials encouraged Collingswood students to report, on the Collingswood Public Schools website, any harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB) that they have experienced or witnessed.

On May 16, the Collingswood School District and Collingswood DEI Committee will also host a panel discussion, meant to give Collingswood residents of color an opportunity to speak about their experiences. The discussion, titled Amplifying Black Voices, will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Collingswood Senior Community Center.

The group also said that it is working to create a website that will include updates on the towns anti-racism work, as well as other resources and information on upcoming events. The website is expected to be completed by the beginning of May.

Mayor Maley declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations, citing the criminal investigation. But he told The Inquirer on Saturday that the meetings and resources were meant for all community members to learn and express their experiences so that the town could begin to heal.

Its to understand the extent of whats going on and do what we can to reverse that tide, he said.

 READ MORE: Collingswood High students walk out for a second day of protest over allegations of racism

This is the second allegation of racism at Collingswood High School in as many years. In 2023, about 100 students walked out of class in a Black Lives Matter protest, claiming that Black students had been racially profiled and disproportionately disciplined.

It will be a long road and we do not have all the answers. Let us remain steadfast in the belief that through collective effort and shared responsibility, we can dismantle systemic barriers, foster understanding, and cultivate a culture of equity and belonging for all, the leadership groups statement said.
Fritz Schroeder, president and CEO of Lancaster Conservancy, takes in the view of the Susquehanna River from a rocky outcrop on the Mason-Dixon trail pictured Tuesday in Chanceford Township, Pa. This area falls within the boundaries of a proposed Cuffs Run pumped storage facility project area, and could be permanently altered if the project is approved. Read more

CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP, Pa.  They hiked along a rocky, narrow trail, high above the Susquehanna River, trying to imagine a vanished landscape.

On this Tuesday in April, wide patches of Virginia bluebells were abuzz with bumblebees on an old logging road that leads to the trail. A tiger beetle, green as any jewel, scuttled through the dead leaves. On the rocky outcrop above Cuffs Run, ancient oaks grew thick between boulders.

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Most of this could be gone, or underwater, Fritz Schroeder, president of the nonprofit Lancaster Conservancy, said as he walked through the flowers.

Cuffs Run, a small tributary of the Susquehanna, cuts a steep ravine into the bluffs above the river in York County and, for decades, energy producers and engineers have eyed its unique topography for a hydroelectric pumped storage facility. The $2.5 billion project would encompass about 1,000 acres and require the acquisition of private homes and farmland, conserved land, and possibly even long-established hiking trails. More than half of the acreage would be flooded for a reservoir.

Everywhere weve been walking so far would be impacted by this project, Schroeder said about a quarter mile from where he parked his truck.

Water power

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pumped storage hydropower was first used in Italy and Switzerland in the 1890s and came to the U.S. in the 1930s. Most of Americas pump storage plants are out west but theyre also in New York and Vermont, which draws almost half of its energy from hydroelectric power. The countrys largest facility is in Bath County, Virginia.

The process involves an upper reservoir of water that can flow quickly into a lower reservoir, moving turbines and generating power as it flows downhill. Water can also be pumped back up to the higher reservoir to be stored for times when extra power is needed.

Several groups have tried and failed to make the Cuffs Run project a reality over the years. In 2023, York Energy Storage LLC (YES) became the latest to make a go at it, applying for a preliminary permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to move ahead with a feasibility study. William McMahon, of York Energy, said engineers have long known Cuffs Run makes sense.

This is considered the best location for this in the Eastern United States, he said.

McMahon said the rise of renewable energy sources like solar and wind turbines has created a need for energy storage and a renewed interest in pumped storage. The proposed facility would serve the PJM Electric Grid, which powers 60 million customers in 13 states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.

The Lancaster Conservancy said 60% of the power generated by PJM still comes from natural gas and coal.

High atop the trail above Cuffs Run, wind turbines were visible across the Susquehanna on Tuesday. They were not turning.

For and against

FERC accepted the application on April 1 but opposition to the plan has been nearly universal, bipartisan, and very vocal.

We will do everything we can to stop this project, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, a Republican, said by the river in February.

A slew of nonprofits, including the Lancaster Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the Keystone Trails Association, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, and others say theyre prepared to fight the project if it moves forward.

This is the most rugged spot we left along the river, said Ted Evgeniadis, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper.

The project would displace up to 40 residents and take preserved farms and forested lands, a reason why bright orange Stop Eminent Domain signs were staked in the lawns all around the York County side of the river.

One protest sign was emblazoned across the side of a 53-foot trailer parked beside a barn.

It makes me really angry youre not giving a crap about someones home and lifework. We just dont matter  Were nobodies. Were not a consideration, property owner Jen Horton told Grid Magazine in February.

McMahon, whos been involved in prior attempts to build the pumped storage facility, said YES would prefer to purchase the properties for the project, not acquire them for eminent domain. Still, if it came to eminent domain, he believes it would be for the good of the greater public.

Believe me, the people are not going to be hurt, he said.

A recent Center for Rural Pennsylvania study predicted major population losses for most of the state in coming decades, but York and Lancaster Counties are supposed to grow by a combined 12.4%. McMahon said his project fills a need for power in that growing area and the larger grid and he expressed frustration at the flood of opposition its faced. Cuffs Run, he said, would help local manufacturers and create hundreds of union jobs for years during the construction phase.

People are treating it like were killing somebody. Im an Eagle Scout. Im for the outdoors, for the environment, but Im also a power engineer, he said. We are doing the right thing, for the most people, for the long term.

Citizens Against Cuffs Run Project

In 1991, when the same hydroelectric project was proposed by another group at Cuffs Run, locals said homes and fertile farmlands would be taken and they banded together, forming the Citizens Against Cuffs Run Project.

Were not going to take this sitting down, a local Girl Scouts leader told a Lancaster newspaper at the time.

David Imhoff was a founder of the Citizen Against Cuffs Run Project then and he was vocal, again, in 1997 when McMahon rekindled the project. Hes fighting again with the latest iteration of his group, the Cuffs Run Alliance.

He and I go way back, Imhoff said of McMahon.

Imhoff, 67, lives on 6.5 acres near Cuffs Run and said his home would be at the bottom of a lake if the project went forward. In all the years hes been fighting the pumped storage station, Imhoff said hes never seen so much opposition to the project.

Its just a bad idea and it has been a bad idea for 30 years, he said. Im not going to get happy about it until its over.

McMahon said FERC makes the final decision, not the locals.

Back on the Mason-Dixon trail climbed high above Cuffs Run, Schroeder and Keith Williams, vice president of engagement and education at the conservancy, said theres been a sea change in Lancaster and York Counties since the previous projects were floated.

The land, they said, is cherished more than ever, a destination of its own, not something to develop.

So much has been invested to protect this corridor. Theres more outdoor recreation than ever, more rail trails, and people come here and move here for that, Schroeder said. This place right here, enhances livability for local residents, just the way it is.
Gigi Varlotta speaks to group protesting for a free Palestine before a meeting of the University of Pennsylvania's board of trustees in November. The Israel-Hamas war has roiled Penn and other campuses. Read more

The University of Pennsylvania effectively has banned from campus Penn Against the Occupation, a pro-Palestinian group, by revoking its status as a registered student organization.

Fridays action was the latest clash in a turbulent wave of activism inspired by the war between Israel and Hamas that has swept American universities and exposed cracks in the Democratic coalition that some political strategists fear imperils the reelection of President Joe Biden.

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The universitys action was first reported by the student newspaper, the Daily Pennsylvanian. Penn Against the Occupation asserted in a statement posted on Instagram that the university also had tried to limit its social media activity.

This group has failed to comply with policies that govern student organizations at Penn, despite repeated efforts to engage with the group and to provide opportunities to resolve noncompliance, a Penn spokesperson said in a statement to the DP. The statement did not elaborate on those policies.

A spokesperson for Penn Against the Occupation was quoted as contending that the group was booted because it would not disclose the names of its student organizers, which could put them in danger.

Hundreds of Columbia University students pitched tents on the campus South Lawn early April 17 to demand the school divest from companies tied to Israel. New York police arrested 108 protesters Friday at the request of university president Nemat Minouche Shafik.

Shafik testified to a U.S. House committee last week that Columbia was cracking down on antisemitism on campus, suspending student protesters and disciplining some professors.
This file photo shows Chester County mail ballots from the 2022 election. The Chester County GOP filed a lawsuit that could block some of this year's mail ballots from counting. Read more

Chester County Republicans have filed a lawsuit against the countys election board ahead of Tuesdays primary that could block some mail ballots from being counted.

The suit also seeks to strike down a rule blocking party committee members running for reelection from serving as poll watchers on Election Day.

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In a complaint filed Thursday in the Chester County Court of Commons Pleas, the Republican Committee of Chester County asked a judge to block the county from counting ballots if they were returned by a single agent for multiple residents in a long-term care facility  potentially invalidating those ballots days before the states primary election. It is unclear how many facilities, if any, would be impacted.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday morning, the day before the April 23 primary.

The GOP committee argued that in 2023 the county had incorrectly interpreted the states mail ballot law  which limits ballot returns on behalf of disabled voters to one per person unless all the voters are in the same household. The law, they argued, clearly explains that long-term care facilities should not be considered a single household meaning residents cannot use the same staff member or volunteer to return their ballots.

While the lawsuit did not name the long-term care facility implicated it said the RCCC learned that the county had counted mail in ballots that had been submitted by residents of a long-term care facility. Each of the residents had designated one person to represent them.

When the committee challenged the countys decision to count the ballots, the lawsuit said, county officials responded that designations for spaces such as nursing homes had been left to courts and local election officials.

In its response to the lawsuit, Chester County said that no decisions about which mail and absentee ballots should be counted have been made before Election Day. But it also said that Pennsylvania case law rests that power with the county election board.

A county elections board can reasonably determine that a long-term care facility is a household. Residents at a long-term care facility share a common address. Residents may have no other possible household, the countys response said.

Its unclear if a similar situation occurred this year. But if such a designation is made, said Dolores Troiani, the partys attorney, the election board needs to make a public resolution declaring long term care centers households.

All were saying is one follow the law. If youre going to make policy decisions you must do those policy decisions in front of the voters, Troiani said in an interview.

Troiani declined to identify the specific long-term care facility where the party believes mail ballots were improperly collected, arguing the larger concern right now is overall conduct at the county.

The lawsuit comes after years of partisan furor over mail ballots as former President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed mail ballots for his 2020 loss and stoked conspiracy theories.

There has been no evidence of widespread fraud involving mail ballots in Pennsylvania or elsewhere. But across the country the political right has sought to restrict their use.

In Chester County 43,459 voters applied to cast either absentee or mail ballots, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. As of Friday morning, 23,780 of those ballots had been returned to the county election board  most of them coming from Democratic voters.

In addition to challenging the mail ballots, the committee argued the county had repeatedly taken action on elections without sufficient notice to the party and was now blocking GOP committee members up for reelection from acting as poll watchers as they have in previous elections.

It just seems like one thing after another after another, Troiani said.

The committee is seeking an immediate injunction against the county to ensure their committee members can act as poll watchers on Tuesday.

Staff writer Aliya Schneider contributed reporting.

This story has been updated to include Chester Countys response.
Accompanied by school children, President Joe Biden leaves after a visit to his childhood home in Scranton on Tuesday. Read more

SCRANTON  As Megan Bell Giroux introduced President Joe Biden, a childhood best friend of her fathers, she recalled the first time shed learned the word smitten. Biden, on a return visit to Scranton, used it to describe the feeling of meeting his first wife, Neilia, who died in a car crash just six years into their marriage.

At Girouxs mention of Neilia, Biden turned away from the crowd of supporters and dabbed at his eyes. When it was his turn to talk, he gave a somewhat circuitous, 10-minute retelling of that meeting  the way the sunlight hit her face when they met on spring break, and how she subtly slipped him cash, realizing he was short, on their first date.

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No man deserves one great love, let alone two, said Biden, who married Jill Biden in 1977. Anyway, I dont know why the hell I told ya all that.

The moment, in a smaller room filled with a few dozen Scranton supporters and union workers, was personal in a way that Bidens campaign hopes can set him apart from former President Donald Trump.

The campaign has for several months woven more intimate events with everyday people into Bidens campaign schedule. That was on display in his three-day swing through Pennsylvania this past week, where stops at his childhood home, a Scranton cafe, a union hall, a Philadelphia recreation center, and yes, Wawa and Sheetz, were interspersed with larger speeches. The stops aimed to highlight Bidens personality, his easy emotion, and his endurance.

They want to show, literally, his strength and vitality because issues about age are out there, political strategist Mustafa Rashed said. Putting him out there as much as possible is a way to counter that.

Smaller, more personal campaign events also provide a vehicle to retell Bidens narrative  including the tragedy hes overcome  to boost his relatability, his campaign hopes, in an election in which most voters say they are unenthused about either candidate.

And its all a contrast with Trump, whose bombastic style has appealed to his core base but can be off-putting to voters who like his politics but not his pugilism. Trumps pace of campaigning has also been much less intense, partly by necessity, due to the criminal trial occupying his time.

Biden and Trump: A tale of two campaign strategies

Over his three days in Pennsylvania, Biden covered a lot of ground as Trump sat in a Manhattan courtroom, slipping out for a campaign event in New York one day, but otherwise largely campaigning remotely. Biden has largely avoided mentioning Trumps criminal trials but often notes the difference in their campaign outreach  particularly in Pennsylvania. Biden has opened 14 offices statewide and hired dozens of staffers. He has also raised more money than Trump.

We have more people employed here.  He doesnt have one single headquarters in the state, Biden told a few dozen supporters at a recreation center in Philadelphia. You know how much money weve raised so far? Weve raised a whole hell of a lot of money.

Trump may not need the kind of organizing that Biden does, though because Democrats rely more than Republicans on local get-out-the-vote efforts to drive turnout. So far, he still polls closely with Biden in the state despite having virtually no on-the-ground presence.

Trump has prioritized Pennsylvania in terms of the campaign events he does make. He was in Bucks and Lehigh Counties earlier this month and announced a May rally in Wildwood, a popular Jersey Shore destination for people from the Philadelphia region.

Bidens strategy isnt without pitfalls. At 81, hes known to have verbal stumbles and to go on a tangent, which can reinforce the image of an elderly man. Some of the stories he tells stretch the truth or ignore it altogether  such as a tale suggesting that his uncle was eaten by cannibals. And with more exposure, theres more opportunity for a gaffe to get attention, a frustration for Democrats who note Trump also goes off on tangents and has built a political brand around hyperbole, lies, and sometimes violent rhetoric.

I dont understand why hes telling stories about his long-dead uncle and getting so many parts of it wrong, GOP political consultant Chris Nicholas said. If you dont have all the details of an anecdote nailed down, just leave it out.

Nicholas, who worked for former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, said campaigns typically go over anecdotes, which ones to use, and which ones might not land. Biden seems more free to be Biden  sometimes to his benefit, sometimes to his detriment.

Biden visits his Scranton home and sells empathy

Biden similarly has accentuated his personality and empathy in his 2020 campaign, which  partly due to the pandemic  also featured smaller campaign events.

His surrogates have said for months his best strategy is to get out from behind a podium.

The president, in five minutes hanging out in someones kitchen in North Carolina  got five million views on a platform Ive never heard of, Sen. Chris Coons said earlier this year. Put on the quarter zip and put on some jeans and walk on into peoples houses and be Joe Biden..

In Scranton, Biden stopped by the house he lived in until age 10. Hes built a whole brand around the three-story Colonial, which is now an official trolley stop on a tour of Scranton. That Biden spent more than 24 hours in the city of about 70,000 people shows not only the campaigns commitment to the narrative but Bidens soft spot for the city.

The motorcade seemed to take the long route to the house, bypassing throngs of Scrantonians waving flags and signs as it wound through. Once Biden climbed up the stairs and into the house, he didnt emerge for nearly two hours.

Marty Kearns, who grew up in the home, took Biden through it, along with family and neighbors.

He got a little choked up thinking about his grandfather, who first bought the house, Kearns said. Here he is coming back into the house as president of the United States.

When a staffer noted the time, Kearns told the president there were Hanks hoagies, should he want to take some food to go. Instead, Kearns said, the president flashed a grin, told his staff, Im gonna have a hoagie, and jetted out the back door to eat with a group of kids playing outside.

Hes very personal, Kearns said. I think more people should see that hes just a warm, smart guy.

Kearns mother, Anne, lived in the home until her death in December. Biden had visited her about a dozen times over the years and when he saw her on election day in 2020, he promised to return as president.

Bidens personal story of tragedy  losing his daughter and wife as a young husband and then later, the death of his son Beau from brain cancer, is a story that the campaign thinks voters can relate to.

You know what it means to ache, Joe Kennedy III, a former congressman and the eldest grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, said at a smaller event in Philadelphia on Thursday. And you know that a lot of other families know that, too.

Biden again turned away and dabbed at his eyes. It was one of his final stops on the Pennsylvania tour, and he emphasized the point of the last three days.

Youre my ticket to the White House, Biden told the room. You, Pennsylvania.
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Digital Ireland Conference, held last week in Dublin Castle, underlines Irelands position as a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments. Newly appointed Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Peter Burke TD promulgated this message to tech leaders, regulators and policymakers gathered at the conference as he laid out his departments and Irelands credentials in the digital world.

The conference could not have come at a better time following the release of the World Trade Organizations (WTO) report on Global Trade which shows Irelands exports of digitally delivered services stood at 309bn in 2023, registering a 10% increase from the previous year. The countrys performance has ratcheted up rapidly into the top three globally, just behind leaders USA and UK and substantially exceeding the digital output from Germany, India, and China.

Unlike the trade in goods, which fell in 2023, both in Ireland as well as in all regions globally, exports of digitally delivered services continued to thrive. According to WTO estimates, global exports of digitally delivered services reached 4 trillion in 2023, up 9% year-on-year.

The ever-expanding online world is driving the expansion of the demand for digital services. This ranges from government services to entertainment services and on to social networking and a vast range of business services.

A typical governmental digital example is the Irish governments Connecting Government 2030 strategy which aims to deliver 90% of government services online by 2030, with a target to get 80% of eligible citizens using MyGovID, where your digital twin will authenticate you and provide you pensions, digital passports, digital travel cards, to mention but a few.

Digital banking is well underway across Ireland provided by Revolut, N26, Money Jar, and Bunq. And the European Commission is in the final two-year phase of developing and launching a digital euro.

The digital trend can also be seen in the Port of Cork, which in March announced that it had engaged consultants to accelerate digitalisation at the port with a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered system. This latest step in the Port of Corks digital journey is expected to boost the efficiency of ship logistics, improve ship tracking, provide the best ship routing to minimise overall distance travelled, eliminate unnecessary journeys, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The WTO report indicates that in 2023, business, computer and communications services accounted for 61% of world exports of digitally delivered services, followed by financial, insurance, and pension services a further 21% and intellectual property-related services at 11%  all areas Irish based companies have excelled at.

Driving the very high ranking of Ireland in the global digital world is undoubtedly the major multinational technology companies located here and servicing Europe, middle-east, and Africa from their Irish base.

In particular, the triumvirate of Google, Facebook, and Amazon have been leading the blockbuster growth of the communications computer services exports from Ireland.

With such a substantial market control, upwards of 80% in 2023, Google and Facebook have a strong influence over pricing, competition, and innovation within the digital advertising market, potentially leading to limited choices for advertisers and consumers. This level of dominance underscores the importance of government intervention and policing to ensure a balanced control of these tech giants who are shaping the digital landscape.
Canadian company Zenith Energy has completed the sale of the Whiddy Oil Terminal in West Cork to Dallas company Sunoco in a deal worth 170m that includes the acquisition of an oil terminal in Amsterdam.

Sunoco said it has acquired 100% of the equity interest in Zenith Energy Netherlands Amsterdam BV and its subsidiary Zenith Energy Bantry Bay Terminal Ltd.

The company said the acquisition would create supply chain efficiencies for their US East Coast operations and align with an ongoing commitment to add stable midstream income.

With 17 oil storage tanks, Whiddy has a capacity of almost 9m barrels. It stores a significant portion of the States oil reserves with the National Oil Reserve Agency amongst its largest customers. The terminal is also situated in a strategic location on the western edge of Europe.

The Amsterdam terminal occupies a strategic position within the Port of Amsterdam, with Sunoco describing it as a pivotal hub for global energy trading.

"The Bantry Bay terminal is Ireland's premier independent bulk liquids storage facility supporting the nation's strategic oil reserves," Sunoco said in a statement.

Most recent accounts filed by Zenith Energy Bantry Bay Terminal Ltd show the firm earned revenues of 20.8m in 2022, delivering a 1.3m profit. More than 30 people work at the site, viewed as a key element of the country's energy infrastructure.

The Whiddy terminal has a long history. First developed by Gulf Oil in the late 1960s, it was transferred to State ownership following the explosion of the French tanker Betelgeuse in 1979 which killed 50 people.

The terminal along with the Whitegate oil refinery in Cork Harbour were operated by the States Irish National Petroleum Corporation up until 2001 when they were sold to US oil giant Tosco, which was later acquired by Phillips 66.

It was sold to Zenith in 2015 while Canadian firm Irving Oil purchased the Whitegate refinery in 2016. When Zenith acquired the Whiddy terminal in 2015, they said it would serve as a critical commercial link in northwest Europe for crude and refined products.
Tel Aviv, April 21 (UNI) Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, warned the United States on Saturday that potential sanctions against the ultra-orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion would be a "red line."

"Sanctions against our soldiers is a red line! Minister [of Defense Yoav] Galant must immediately support Netzah Yehuda," he wrote on social media.

US news website Axios reported on Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces controversial unit in the coming days. The unit is reportedly considered the destination for young radical right-wing settlers from the West Bank who were not accepted into other IDF units.

The sanctions will ban the battalion and its members from receiving US military aid and training. They are based on human rights violations that were recorded in the West Bank before Hamas October 7 attack on Israel.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
Cork County Council Arts Services play a vital role in the community, supporting the countys vibrant arts sector and promoting greater public engagement and participation in the arts.

In the context of the Councils 125-year history, the Arts Service is a relatively new service, initiated in 1996 with the support of the Arts Council. Over this time its role has developed and expanded to include a raft of services that support local arts provision in the county.

Arts services now include dedicated funding to locally based arts organisations in every part of the county, bursary support for creative artists to support the making of new original work, residencies and work opportunities for artists and arts workers, commissioning art for public spaces, providing advice and training for artists and arts organisations, and creating new opportunities for public enjoyment of the arts.

Promoting First Cut! Youth Film Festival in the Regal Cinema in Youghal, which takes place every March: Max Le Cain, programme manager, Una Feely, festival producer, Ian McDonagh, County Arts Officer, screening over 200 films created by emerging filmmakers in Ireland.

Ian McDonagh is the County Council Arts Officer, heading a team of six staff.

Ian says: From a functional perspective we work alongside our colleagues in the library service; its an important relationship. There are 25 libraries across the county. In the early days of the Arts service a lot of the work would have focused on developing new cultural programming across all of our branches. This would have included developing the Bealtaine Festival with a focus on creativity for older people, the Summer Arts programme for young people and expanding our Childrens book festival activities.

We see libraries as important local cultural centres and these spaces are used by various community cultural groups. There are library-based writing groups, readers groups, and knitting groups. There are Irish language-speaking groups and art groups that show regularly in the libraries.

The library service has changed dramatically from being very much a lending and information service to fulfilling its remit which is about (improving) the quality of life within local communities. Libraries are seen by the public as being very open and welcoming places. Our experience is that people find this environment comfortable to come into.

I really have to hand it to our colleagues in the libraries. They work hard to promote those spaces within the local community.

A Green Rope for Sherkin: Based on a vernacular heritage practice, artist William Bock delivered a rope-making workshop made from wild plants growing on Sherkin Island. Image courtesy of the artist, Creative Places West Cork Islands and Sherkin Island Development Society

Another area of our work is in Arts Development. A good example of this is the number of new arts festivals which the Arts Office has initiated or supported to develop over the years. Back in 1996, there were no literary festivals in County Cork. The Arts Service saw an opportunity to create a literary fringe festival at Bantry Library around the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

Over the years, we began to build on that with a series of lunchtime readings. Our first writer-in-residence was the late Denise Hall, who did an enormous amount of work to promote the literary fringe. Following her residency, local publisher Clem Cairns, who had set up Fish Publishing in Bantry, took over artistic direction and began to develop from being a fringe event to a fully-fledged festival.

Under his leadership, the festival grew to a point where West Cork Music offered to take over its management entirely. From having a small attendance at readings in Bantry Library in 1997, a full-scale major festival has evolved. Its gone from strength to strength under Denyse Woods stewardship and now with Eimear OHerlihy as the artistic director.

The beautifully refurbished Kinsale Library, just one of Co Corks 25 libraries maintained by Cork County Council.

Another Festival initiative which has proved to be incredibly successful is the West Cork fit-up Theatre Festival. This grew out of conversations with theatre director Geoff Gould about growing audience for live theatre in rural locations in the county. Geoffs lightbulb moment was to look back to the great days of touring professional theatre in rural Ireland.

The fit-ups were repertory companies made up of professional actors which had their origins in the 19th century. In Ireland in the 1930s, there would have been up to 60 fit-up groups. The best known of these was Anew McMasters which toured throughout ireland often to rural towns and villages. The West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival was started in 2009. In the past 15 years, it has grown a substantial and loyal audience touring to venues all over West Cork every summer.

More recently, we have also started a winter fit-up festival in North and East Cork, said Ian. The Fit-Up festival promotes new Irish writing and we have staged shows by the Cork playwright Katie Holly, Pat Kinnevane, Seamus ORourke and many others.

Other Arts Development work includes work to promote creative activity for harder to reach sections of our community. An example is the West Cork Arts for Health programme. This is a managed arts programme in all community hospitals and day care centres in the West Cork Municipal area. It is a partnership between Cork County Council, Cork ETB and the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare.

The overall programme is managed by Uilinn, West Cork Arts Centre and is facilitated by group of skilled artists. We have found that access to and engagement with the arts in improves the quality of life for individuals in residential and day-care. By being integrated into the culture of the care setting, the Arts for Health programme allows the ideas and individual creative interests of the participants to be nurtured, developed and implemented over time.

Arts for Health is now in operation for over twenty years and has established a national reputation for the quality of its work. More recently our annual development programme has also included work with refugee and immigrant groups. We have delivered projects in Direct Provision settings in Millstreet, Glounthaune and Clonakilty. A public focus of some of this work will be Africa Day when we celebrate the cultural traditions and creativity of some of the groups we work.

Graham Norton, speaking in the Maritime Hotel, Bantry at the hugely popular West Cork Literary Festival.

This year, Africa day will take place on Saturday, May 25th. The Arts Office has led the development of a number of youth Arts initiatives and has been involved in establishing youth theatre resources in various parts of the county.

One of its longest-running programmes is Cork Young Filmmakers which is operated in conjunction with Cork Film Centre. The project provides schools-based introduction to filmmaking programmes through the countys secondary schools.

Each summer, young people have the opportunity to take place in summer film-making camps in Midelton, Mallow, Bandon and other locations. An output from this programme is the First Cut Youth Film Festival in Youghal which is now well established as a national festival featuring excellent films made by young people from primary to third level.

Briery Gap to reopen

The Council is supporting capital investment in the arts. An important project this year is the re-opening of the Briery Gap Cultural Centre in Macroom, which has been closed since a disastrous fire in 2016.

This project has involved a complete rebuild of the facility. When it reopens in the Autumn it will house the towns new library and will have a state-of-the-art theatre and cinema facility with seating capacity for over 200.

The Arts Office is responsible for managing the County Cork Culture night programme. Culture night is a national celebration of the Arts and Creativity taking place on the third Friday in September.

With a county as large as Cork this is a massive project, said Ian McDonagh. We focus activity in 17 main towns as well as in some other areas and on the islands. This family-friendly event is a platform for the huge number of voluntary arts organisations active in the county as well as the professional arts sector.

RCC TY drama group at the recent preliminary round of the Briery Gap TY All-Ireland Drama Competition.

In 2023, the County Cork Culture Night programme features 252 events in 191 venues.

We estimate an audience on the night of over 10,000, McDonagh says. While public support and interest in the arts has increased, its really important to remember that so much of artistic activity in the county is driven by the many the local voluntary arts organisations. Without that, wed have a really difficult task.

Looking at reports provided by the organisations we funded in 2023. We can see that a significant part of this activity was generated by some 240 mostly voluntary individuals. Over 1,500 people actually volunteered in some capacity to help make events happen. We can also see that this activity meant that some 200,000 members of the public and visitors came to or participated in an arts event or activity which the council funded in 2023.

Our arts festivals also have an economic impact. Of the 29 small festivals we surveyed in 2023, they estimated their economic impact to be over  5.5 m, which is an important bonus to business in towns and villages where these events take place.

Overall, we estimate the Arts Festival sector to have an economic dividend of over 10m annually not to mention the positive impact these events have in the community and in the perception of the County as a Culturally vibrant area.

Creative Ireland

Another national measure supporting creative engagement is Creative Ireland. Cork County Council delivers an extensive programme supporting creative engagement.

The Creative Ireland programme is based on the individual and societal benefit that arise from engagement in creative activity. It looks at wellbeing in its broadest sense. Last year, the county Creative Ireland programme supported eighty projects with 21,000 participants. Two hundred and thirty-three professional artists and creatives were hired to support it.

Victoria Kennefick, writer, poet.

Cork County Council operates a number of artist-in-residence programmes Victoria Kennefick is the current Cork County Council writer-in-residence, having taken over recently from poet Matthew Geden.

Part of this role is to support writing groups.

Most of our larger libraries have a writing group that meet regularly in the library. The writer-in-residence supports five of these writing groups directly. Over the course of a year, the writer will have a monthly meeting with these groups where theyll work on developing their craft and look at opportunities for getting their writing out there.

We also have a long-standing short story publication, From the Well. that is going into its twentieth year. Our current editor is Sasha de Buyl. She will be selecting 19 stories that will be published and launched at the West Cork Literary Festival (WCLF) in Bantry in July.

Our previous writer-in-residence, Matthew Geden, had the difficult task of supporting literary activity during the pandemic. He developed several online writing groups which are still meeting, allowing people with an interest in writing to connect and share their work with others in a virtual space. Members of one of these groups have also started a new literary journal Swerve."

A big project that the Arts Office is involved in at the moment is Creative Places West Cork Islands which is supporting arts development on West Corks seven inhabited islands.

We made a successful pitch to the Arts Council for funding for Creative Places. That enabled us to employ a coordinator on the ground to work with our local partners and support activity on the seven islands, said Ian.

Developments from this programme include a new arts festival on Bere Island, an Irish language arts festival on Oilean Chleire and a range of community-based arts participation projects.
For music and arts lovers, Cork truly is a haven.

Barely a week goes by without some sort of concert, festival, or event taking place.

In Cork County, these can be as broad and varied as celebrations of guitar music or jazz, film or literature, music composed pre-1750 to experimental noise.

There really is something for everyone.

Let's be fair: when someone says 'Cork music festival', most of us think jazz.

And that's understandable: the Cork Jazz Festival, running on the October bank holiday weekend, is a behemoth, bringing thousands to the city each year.

But, that is not the sum total of Cork's jazz offering.

Much earlier in the year, the sound of jazz can be heard in the west Cork town of Ballydehob.

This year's edition takes place from May 3 to 6, with the boutique festival featuring a jazz parade, dance workshops, mural exhibitions, food and craft markets, and a whole host of musical events.

Since its inception in 2007, the Ballydehob Jazz Festival has grown in size and stature. Shortlisted for best West Cork Festival in 2019, each May Bank Holiday weekend the village hosts over 40 live music and dance performances that range from big-name concerts to small workshops; from lively pub gigs to intimate side shows and a healthy dose of fringe attractions to compliment.

It is perhaps no wonder that such an amazing event emerged out of this improbable corner of the world. Ballydehob, in West Cork has long been a mecca for artists from all over the world. This ambitious music event is run entirely by volunteers  an eclectic gang of music lovers and festival buffs who share a vision to promote the arts and entertain the masses.

Chamber music

For fans of chamber music, Cork really is among the best places to be.

Earlier this year, the Ortus Chamber Music Festival took place over a week throughout Cork city and county.

Helen Dawson at Bantry House, the main venue for the annual West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

Supported by both Cork County Council and Cork City Council, this year's schedule included events in Bantry, Mitchelstown, and Midleton, and performances from artists as well regarded as Alex Petcu and Mairead Hickey.

In fact, the festival has been running each year since 2016, and also includes educational and outreach projects in schools and public spaces throughout the county.

In the dark winter months, it is a joy for music fans.

It does not stop there, though, when it comes to chamber music.

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival returns this year from June 28 to July 7.

Running annually since 1995, West Cork Music brings the highest calibre of musical and literary experiences to the southwest coast of Ireland. It creates powerful, immersive experiences for its audiences, writers, musicians, and performers. It also contributes hugely to the cultural and economic vibrancy of Bantry town and the West Cork region.

It doesn't stop there for West Cork Music, either.

The organising committee turns its attentions to Masters of Tradition, a celebration of all things traditional in Irish music.

Running since 2003, this year's event is taking place from August 21 to 25, and includes household names like Martin Hayes, Steve Cooney, and Luka Bloom.

And, as if that wasn't enough, they also find time to organise a literary festival in between.

This year, it takes place from July 12 to 19, with its programme of artists and writers to be announced very shortly.

Since it was first held in 1997 this festival has grown from small beginnings to become one of Irelands foremost literary events.

The programme is both broad and deep, with international writers as well as Irish ones, emerging writers, and well-established ones all finding a welcome at Bantry.

Readings are a continuing and popular feature, held each day in Bantry Bookshop and Bantry Library, with free admission. They start in the morning and continue through the day and into the evening. There are master classes in various genres, question and answer sessions, interviews with authors, book launches, and a myriad of other events.

The writer in residence is available throughout the week to give one-to-one support on every aspect of being a writer.

Music events are included too, both as part of the programme and in a less formal way in local pubs.

For something a little different, head east.

Solmund Nystabakk tuning a theorbo, a 17th century bass guitar, member of Bru | New Early Music, promoting East Cork Early Music Festival, with events in Cork city, Midleton and Cloyne in October. Picture: Clare Keogh

The East Cork Early Music Festival has been a staple of the calendar since it was established in 2003 by internationally-renowned viol player Sarah Cunningham and Irish early musician Douglas Gunn in collaboration with Cork County Council Arts Office and later the Arts Council. Since its inception, the festival has made high-quality music accessible to all audiences, through the unique accessibility of early music that shares qualities with the best of classical, folk and improvised music.

'Early music' refers to anything composed before 1750.

Last year's event took place in October, so expect similar this time around.

If pre-1750 compositions aren't your thing, though, perhaps a trip to Macroom might be on the cards.

One of the newest festivals in Cork pays homage to one of the oldest. The Macroom Music Fest started in 2023, and will return this June with The Stunning and Hermitage Green.

History of great shows in Co Cork

Macroom town has a history of music festivals as it was the 1st town in Ireland to organise an open-air music festival in 1976 namely, The Mountain Due Festival, with major acts to include: Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison, The Chieftains and many more acts with upto 20,000 people attending from all over Europe. This continued until 1982 and, now, 40 years later, Macroom town is once again hosting a music festival.

For something a little different, the Open Ear experimental music festival is worth a look.

Taking place on the stunning Sherkin Island in June, the festival is set to mark its sixth edition this summer.

When it launched in 2016, it prided itself as being a celebration of experimental, ambient, electronica, neo-classical, hip hop / beats, techno, noise and more. A very limited capacity adds to its unique feeling: there really is nothing quite like it anywhere else in Ireland.

For movie buffs, the renowned Fastnet Film Festival is an unmissable event each year.

Taking place in the stunning scenery of Schull, the 2024 edition is set to take place over four days from May 22.

Some 519 short films were submitted to the festival for consideration, with around 150 of those set to make the final cut for May's event.

The sheer volume of submissions showcases the range of stories, perspectives, and voices found at the festival each year, with this year's event set to include a masterclass in screen acting.

One of the biggest events announced to date is a screening of the new film by Ross White and Tom Berkeley, the Oscar-winning duo behind 'An Irish Goodbye'.

Their new production 'The Golden West' will be a must-see for those venturing to Schull for this May's event.

James Martin in a scene from An Irish Goodbye, the Oscar-winning Irish film whose creators, Ross White and Tom Berkeley, are due to unveil a new movie at the Fastnet Film Festival in Schull this May.

Disappointingly absent from the 2024 calendar is an event which is usually Cork's biggest music festival: Indiependence.

The Mitchelstown event has been running annually since 2006, when it started in the town square and has survived a global economic downturn, a pandemic, rain, sunshine, and everything in between.

But, last November, organisers confirmed that the festival would be taking a break in 2024.

"Weve had some wonderful times and some really difficult ones and now we need a little break to recoup and relook and hopefully come back stronger," they said.

"Indiependence will be taking a break in 2024 with a view to seeing you again in 2025.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported us over the years, we are more grateful than words can explain."

For music fans in Cork (and beyond), it is a bit of a disappointment as the festival has brought household names like the Manic Street Preachers, Public Enemy, Lewis Capaldi, the Coronas, Kodaline, and Hozier to Cork over the years. Regular attendees will be hoping the pause really is just a one-off.

www.corkcoco.ie
Cillian Murphy has thanked the people of Cork for their huge support during awards season which came to a close at tonight's Irish Film and Television Academy awards (IFTAs).

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after picking up the award for Lead Actor in a Film for his role in Oppenheimer, Murphy said it meant a lot to him.

"The support was amazing and I really genuinely want to thank everyone. It was really stunning support," he said.

"It meant a lot to me."

Murphy didn't reveal whether he has posted a letter in his golden letterbox near his parents' home in Cork but did joke that he "went past it with a hoodie on".

Reflecting on his resounding success over the past few years, Murphy said he could never have imagined just how well things have gone.

The now-Oscar winner was returning to the IFTAs, 21 years after he was first nominated for one, and said how special it is to be honoured at home.

"Being in this room is very, very special, being home and there are so many people here that I love and admire," he said as he accepted his award.

The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards took place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Photo shows: Winner of Leading Actor Film award for Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Murphy praised Ireland and those in the industry for the encouragement and support he has received since starting out in his career - mentioning Lisa Cook, Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan and Stephen Rae.

"We call it showbusiness but it really does feel like a community when it's done well."

Offering advice to the younger generation, Murphy encouraged them to "keep rising, keep going".

Last but not least, he thanked his wife for her love and support.

A gold wrap has been placed on the traditional green postbox in Ballintemple, near the childhood home of Cillian Murphy. Picture: Larry Cummins

Murphy was not long back in his seat before he had to take to the stage again to collect the award for Best International Film for Oppenheimer.

The award, he said, belonged to director Christopher Nolan, but he was happy to accept on his behalf.

Filled with admiration for his director, collaborator and friend, Murphy said that films like Oppenheimer had brought people back to the cinemas.

Murphy hailed the trojan work done by crews in Ireland and beyond, calling them the heroes of the industry.
The sun was out and so were the stars on Saturday as Ireland's finest turned out for this year's Irish Film and Television Academy awards (IFTAs).

After yet another year of incredible Irish cinema, there was tough competition in every category.

Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy was among those who donned their glad rags to celebrate.

The Cork man scooped the award for Lead Actor in a Film and spoke about how special it was to be honoured at home.

He said the support, especially from Cork, has meant the world to him.

Murphy also accepted the award for Best International Film for Oppenheimer which he said had helped get people back into the cinemas.

That They May Face The Rising Home was named Best Film. The film, adapted from John McGahern's novel, will hit screens next Friday.

One of the few shocks of the night was when Best International Actress went to Emma Stone for her performance in Poor Things over Lily Gladstone who was in attendance at the awards in Dublin.

Poor Things continued its impressive award season run with Robbie Ryan of Element Pictures taking home the award for Best Cinematography.

Renowned Irish actor Stephen Rea was presented with the Irish Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Irish and international cinema.

Renowned Irish actor Stephen Rea was presented with the Irish Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Cillian Murphy and Jessie Buckley were among those to pay tribute to Rea before filmmaker Neil Jordan presented him with the accolade.

Rae took to the stage amid rousing applause and a standing ovation.

"If it happened a little later it could have been a posthumous award," he joked.

He later questioned why people had waited so long to say such nice things about him.

"It's about time," he yelled to a chorus of laughter.

Reflecting on his decades-long career, Rea gave special mention to The Crying Game which "changed everything" for him despite the fact that he was "upstaged by a shlong".

As well as fellow actors and directors, he took the time to thank the crews he has worked with.

He took time to speak about his sons who he said he loves dearly.

Siobhan Cullen of RTE's Obituary and The Dry was named the Screen Ireland Rising Star. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Siobhan Cullen of RTE's Obituary and The Dry was named the Screen Ireland Rising Star while Agnes O'Casey won her first IFTA for her role in the thriller Lies We Tell.

Normal People star Paul Mescal won for his supporting role in All Of Us Strangers but was not present to accept.

Kin was the big winner when it came to television picking up no less than five awards including Best Drama.

Eanna Hardwicke was presented with the first award of the night for his chilling performance in The Sixth Commandment. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Cork's Eanna Hardwicke was presented with the first award of the night for his chilling performance in The Sixth Commandment.

He used his platform to express his support and solidarity with the people of Palestine.

IFTA CEO Aine Moriarty said that this year's winners represent the best in Irish filmmaking both at home and abroad.

"From blockbuster leading roles to brilliant animated shorts, this year's award categories span the breadth of great Irish film and drama," said Ms Moriarty.

The IFTAs, presented this year by Baz Ashmawy, is supported by Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland, RTE and Coimisiun na Mean.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has dismissed rumours that he and wife Geri plan to star in a family documentary.

Reports on Friday suggested the couple had been approached to make a really personal fly-on-the-wall TV series following recent speculation about their relationship.

The Formula One team principal has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks following allegations made against him by a female colleague. Horner has always denied the claims.

Geri Horner appeared alongside embattled husband Christian Horner to show her support (Yui Mok/PA)

Dismissing reports of a documentary, he told the PA news agency: There is a lot being written about different things, but there are absolutely no plans to do a family documentary.

Netflix do enough, and you see enough of the behind-the-scenes on that. So where that report has come from, I have absolutely no idea.

During the Bahrain Grand Prix last month, Geri, who found fame in 1990s girl group the Spice Girls, appeared alongside her embattled husband to show her support, with the couple sharing a kiss.

Red Bull Racings parent company, Red Bull GmbH, announced on February 5 that Horner was being investigated following an accusation of inappropriate behaviour.

Horner emphatically denied the claim and the 50-year-old stayed on as team principal after Red Bull confirmed the grievance had been dismissed on February 28.

Twenty-four hours later, messages and a number of images apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were leaked.

The complainant has since appealed against the decision to clear Horner of controlling behaviour, it is understood.

Geri, 51, attended Victoria Beckhams 50th birthday party on Saturday evening as the Spice Girls reunited for the event.

Former England footballer David Beckham posted a video to Instagram of the fivesome performing their song Stop.

In 2023, Victoria and David, otherwise known as Posh and Becks, appeared in a four-part Netflix documentary exploring their life and Davids footballing career.
The case of a Cork sheep farmer whose guns were seized after his licence was revoked for unknown reasons was described as Kafka-esque in court.

Guns owned by Michael Fitzgerald of 7 Wheatley Heights, Broomfield, Midleton, were seized on March 11 after his licence was revoked.

Although an appeal was lodged, the case could not be progressed to the district court because gardai would not release the rationale for the licence revocation for operational reasons and to effectively appeal the decision in court, the reason for that decision was needed.

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan told Midleton District Court that when he questioned the decision to revoke Mr Fitzgeralds gun licence, he received a letter back from gardai saying he was unfit to operate the gun licence for reasons unable to comment on.

He compared the situation to iconic novel The Trial by Franz Kafka, which is a story about a man who was arrested and prosecuted by an inaccessible authority which never told him the nature of his crime.

You cant have the Kafka-esque situation where someone is accused of something but they do not know what it is, Mr Cuddigan said.

But Judge Roberts said that the safety concerns of Mr Fitzgerald having firearms at this time may not relate to him at all but to other people.

Judge Roberts said that in a similar situation, when the solicitor had spoken quietly to the garda superintendent, the situation calmed down and a number of other people were later before the courts.

But Mr Cuddigan said that the superintendent he was dealing with in this case did not seem interested in dialogue.

There is a major difference between a soliloquy and dialogue, Mr Cuddigan said.

The superintendent is offering me a soliloquy.

Mr Cuddigan said that his client is a sheep farmer whose land border is close to Midleton town.

This can bring the unwanted attention of dogs from town, he said.

And sheep that have been chased by dogs, even when theyre not injured can be so traumatised that they become unmanageable, he said.

Farmers are entitled to shoot a dog that is disturbing livestock, Mr Cuddigan said.

Mr Cuddigan said that Mr Fitzgerald also looks after his brothers flock and his brother does not have a gun licence.

Judge Roberts asked: Has he no farmer friends?

Mr Cuddigan said that ready gun access was required to prevent an incident from escalating.

With a gun, a farmer can at least protect his livestock, Mr Cuddigan said.

The case was adjourned for hearing on July 11.
He may have won the hearts and minds of the nation with his recent Tommy Tiernan Show appearance, but Capuchin Franciscan friar Brother Richard Hendrick is taking his new-found fame with measured humility.

As far as Im aware, people seemed happy that the conversation had taken place, he says.

We dont engage a lot in checking on things like that. We simply go, and do, and hopefully leave a bit of a blessing of peace behind us, and return to our work and our way of life.

Br Hendrick says he thinks the conversation with Tiernan, which covered everything from the existence of the soul to his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, struck a chord in part because of a certain hunger for simplicity and meaning the conditions of modern life are inducing.

As one philosopher said, theres a God-shaped hole at the heart of humanity, he says.

We either come to faith, or we place something else there. So it doesnt surprise me to hear there was that kind of reaction, because we have excluded faith from modern public discourse in many ways.

I think what people are seeing is not about me as a person, it's about the richness of the tradition I represent. It can speak to people and in all times and places and of all creeds and none, because its essentially about the idea that the mystery of all existence is a mystery of love.

Despite his medieval appearance  his order still dresses in the simple brown habit of their founder, the 12th-century Italian mystic St Francis of Assisi  Br Richard is very familiar with the thoroughly modern form of public discourse that is social media: he has had a Facebook account where he posts inspirational Christian teachings for over 10 years, and a Blogspot site where he publishes his poetry and spiritual musings.

A poem he wrote in the early days of the first covid lockdown of 2020 went viral and he ended up reading it on BBC Radio London and clocking up more than 39,000 views on YouTube.

Digital world a useful tool

Having served as provincial director of youth ministry for the Capuchins in Ireland, Br Richard sees the digital world as a useful tool to bring a little glimpse of hope and light, in a non-judgmental way into the lives of people who may otherwise not be reached.

But he is also aware of the pitfalls of the realm of likes and shares.

We can start being ruled by the audience, and once that happens, then the ego gets involved, he says.

Im fortunate to live a kind of life that is about the opposite: not exactly egoless, but about a kind of transformation of the ego in the service of love. So in that digital world, its very good to be able to do whats necessary there, and then to remove oneself from it again.

Br Richard is one of around 60 friars currently in the Irish Capuchin Franciscan Province. They move between three communities in Dublin, Ards Friary in Co Donegal, where they tend to 160 acres of forest and shoreline as an ecology project and retreat centre, a friary in Kilkenny, and one in Cork. Overseas, the Irish friars work in missions in Zambia, South Africa, and South Korea.

St Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of ecology and the environment, and the Franciscans minister to those in poverty and need, as well as caring for animals and nature.

Homeless centre

On Dublins Church Street, where Br Richard works, a daycare centre for the homeless feeds almost 1,000 people a day between breakfast and dinner sittings, provides counselling services, and partners with the HSE to provide specialist clinics in dentistry, chiropody, and ophthalmology.

Having grown up in Dundrum in a family he describes as religious, but in an ordinary way, Br Richard first felt himself called to the monastic life when he read a book about St Francis in his teens. He completed 10 years of training with the Capuchin Franciscans at the age of just 28.

My parents attitude to the whole thing was, if this is what you want and what is making you happy, we will support you, but the moment it does not make you happy and you want to do something else we will support you in that too', he says.

It was a very healthy atmosphere to grow up in.

Vow of poverty

Now 50, Br Richard has lived with no possessions at all for about half of his life: the Franciscan vow of poverty means that he owns nothing, not even the clothes he wears.

Br Richard Hendrick: 'We have a saying in the order, which is that youre not fully a monk until you have mourned the children you will never have.'

Everything I use, that I wear, the mobile phone I am speaking to you on, all belong to the community and are given to me for the work that I do, he says.

We do our very best to live as simply as possible: the maxim is the least necessary, not the maximum allowed.

People tell us all the time that they long for a simpler life. A simple Franciscan question that anyone can ask themselves is: am I living from need, or am I living from want? They are two very different ways of living.

"When we live from need, we tend to be able to have more to share, even if its only time to give to people, which is the most precious resource.

If we live from want, we never really fill that hole, unfortunately. Were always on to the next thing, the next event, the next relationship. When we live from need, we discover we actually need very little.

Vow of chastity

His vow of chastity is what most people will ask about first, he says. And while that public fascination may be about abstaining from sex, the forgoing of family and fatherhood are equally important.

We have a saying in the order, which is that youre not fully a monk until you have mourned the children you will never have, he says.

We see it as something beautiful, wonderful, and powerful: we are not giving up something negative, we are taking something valuable and giving it as a gift. In handing that over, naturally as a human being there are stages in your life when you say, what would it have been like? But I am absolutely happy that I am where I am.

Br Richard, in keeping with the teachings of his order, is non-judgmental about the spirituality of others and believes messages of joy and unconditional love exist for everyone, in all walks of life.

The best advice is twofold: have some point or place of silence in your life, to become comfortable being silent with yourself, he says.

The second is to be in touch with the natural world as much as you possibly can, to really enjoy the beauty in the world around us, at the moment especially.

If you can do those things, I think we find ultimate meaning, transcendent meaning, the thing that we in our tradition call God, moves through those spaces in a very powerful way.
Irans supreme leader has dismissed any discussion of whether Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there, a tacit acknowledgment that, despite launching a massive assault, few projectiles actually made it to their targets.

Ayatollah Ali Khameneis comments to senior military leaders on Sunday did not not touch on the apparent Israeli retaliatory strike on the central city of Isfahan on Friday, even though air defences opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of the country.

Analysts believe both Iran and Israel, regional arch-rivals locked in a shadow war for years, are trying to ease tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on and inflames the wider region.

Iranian worshippers chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering after Friday prayers in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

The 85-year-old Ayatollah made the comments in a meeting attended by the top ranks of Irans regular military, police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within its Shiite theocracy.

Debates by the other party about how many missiles were fired, how many of them hit the target and how many didnt, these are of secondary importance, he said in remarks aired by state television.

The main issue is the emergence of the Iranian nation and Iranian militarys will in an important international arena. This is what matters.

Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which sought to overwhelm Israels air defences in the April 13 attack  the first on Israel by a foreign power since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.

However, Israeli air defences and fighter jets, backed by the US, the UK and neighbouring Jordan, shot down the vast majority of the incoming fire.

Workers try to repair a taxiway at Israels Nevatim air base after the Iranian attack on April 13 (Israeli military/AP)

Satellite images analysed on Saturday by the Associated Press showed the Iranian attack caused only minor damage at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, including taking a chunk out of a taxiway that Israel quickly repaired.

Irans attack came in response to a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 targeting a consular building next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, which killed two Guard generals and others.

Today, thanks to the work done by our armed forces, the Revolutionary Guard, the army, the police, each in its own way, praise be to Allah the image of the country around the world has become commendable, added Ayatollah Khamenei, despite Iran facing public anger over its economy and crackdowns on dissent.
Michigan, April 21 (UNI) A young sister and brother were killed and several other people injured when a car crashed into a boat club in the US state of Michigan on Saturday where a birthday party was being held, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough has said.

"Unfortunately, in tragedy, two of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. This includes an 8-year-old female and a 5-year-old male who are siblings of each other," Goodnough told a briefing.

Several other people were injured in the crash, with nine people, including three children, having been transported to hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries, he said.

The car driver, a 66-year-old woman who crashed 25 feet into the building, was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol that caused death, the sheriff added.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
By Julian Wettengel | 

Clean Energy Wire )  The damaging effects of climate change are set to hit economic growth severely across most countries, said researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

With the climate change that is already locked-in through past and plausible future emissions, income will be 19 percent lower on average globally over the next 26 years than in a scenario without climate change, they said in an article in Nature.

This corresponds to global annual damages in 2049 of 38 trillion dollars (in 2005 dollars), said the researchers. They also compared these damages to the mitigation costs required to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement goals and said that climate damages are larger than the mitigation costs in 2050 by a factor of approximately six.

Maximilian Kotz et al. wrote,

Using an empirical approach that provides a robust lower bound on the persistence of impacts on economic growth, we find that the world economy is committed to an income reduction of 19% within the next 26 years independent of future emission choices (relative to a baseline without climate impacts, likely range of 1129% accounting for physical climate and empirical uncertainty). These damages already outweigh the mitigation costs required to limit global warming to 2 C by sixfold over this near-term time frame and thereafter diverge strongly dependent on emission choices. Committed damages arise predominantly through changes in average temperature, but accounting for further climatic components raises estimates by approximately 50% and leads to stronger regional heterogeneity.



The red shows decreases in income, the blue increases, caused by climate change. H/t Nature

Climate advocates and policymakers often emphasise that the cost of inaction on climate change is set to be much larger than the cost of efforts to mitigate the worst effects by introducing ambitious climate policy.

German government representatives have also said that climate mitigation is of the highest priority, because the less intense the impacts of climate change are, the less money needs to be spent adapting to them.

Published under a  Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). The text has been augmented by quotes from the original Nature article.
By Nasim Ahmed | 

In recent years, a new line of attack has emerged from many pro-Israel groups, conservative commentators, politicians and activists  the idea that wokeness and oversensitivity to giving offence are threatening free speech. According to this argument, left-leaning activists and their allies are trying to shut down any speech they disagree with by claiming it is offensive or hurtful. In the name of protecting marginalised groups, the reasoning goes, the woke mob wants to cancel anyone who challenges their orthodoxy. This is the basis of the moral panic gripping the right, a panic so preposterous as to suggest that all our institutions have descended into the abyss and the entire Western civilisation is on the brink of collapse because of the woke mob.

However, while the right-wing claims to be the victim of cancel culture and de-platforming, the reality is that the most significant silencing and censorship is being directed at pro-Palestine activists and critics of Israel. From academic institutions to political circles, those who speak out against the Israeli governments policies and human rights abuses are facing unprecedented levels of suppression and harassment.

The latest example is the case of Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim, who was set to deliver her valedictorian speech at the University of Southern Californias (USC) graduation ceremony on 10 May. However, due to a campaign of racist hatred and security threats from pro-Israel critics, USC decided to cancel Tabassums speech. In an official statement, the University cited safety concerns, stating, While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety.

Tabassum, who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights for all, expressed her shock and disappointment at the Universitys decision, saying, I am surprised that my own Universitymy home for four yearshas abandoned me. This incident is the latest of many, demonstrating that the so called woke playbook, which the right claims it is the main victim of, has in fact been weaponised against critics of Israel.

Eyewitness 7 NY Video: Pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University growing in size

Like Tabassum, former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, faced censorship and suppression last week when he was banned from entering Germany to attend a three-day Palestinian Congress in Berlin. The conference, which aimed to discuss the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and Israels genocide in Gaza, was shut down by German police just moments after it began. Additionally, several speakers, including Palestinian cartographer, Salman Abu Sitta, were prevented from addressing the conference, even remotely.

Another prominent Palestinian, Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah  nephew of Salman Abu Sitta  who had also flown into Germany to speak at the Palestine Congress, was denied entry into the country. Upon arrival, the recently appointed rector of Glasgow University, was stopped at the German passport office. Abu-Sittah was then escorted down to the basement of the airport, where he was questioned for around three-and-a-half hours and then told he would not be permitted to enter German soil. Abu-Sittah was also warned that if he attempted to link up by Zoom or FaceTime with the conference, or send a video message, even if he was outside Germany, that would constitute a breach of German law. Abu-Sittah was threatened with fines or even up to a year of prison.

In an interview with Democracy Now, Varoufakis shed light on the disturbing reality behind the suppression of the Palestinian conference in Berlin. He pointed out that the organisers, including progressive Jewish activists, were unjustly dismissed as Islamists. They do not want a congress like ours, especially one that includes progressive Jews. That is the main thing that they detested, that they were Jewish demonstrators, Jewish activists, Jewish intellectuals, Jewish speakers with us, with one voice, saying one thing, one thing alone: equal political rights, civil liberties, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, Varoufakis said, highlighting the unified call for justice and equality that advocates of Israel are seeking to silence.

Varoufakis, who identifies as neither Jewish nor Palestinian, emphasised the universal obligation to demand equal political rights for all people in the region. I think every single human person on this planet has an obligation  not a right, an obligation  to demand, from the river to the sea, equal political rights. And the German political establishment does not want to listen to this, he asserted.

Furthermore, Varoufakis argued that the crackdown on pro-Palestine voices is part of a larger sacrifice of democratic principles in order to enable Israels actions. The bourgeois, liberal, democratic rights and principles have all been sacrificed on the altar of enabling Israel to complete the genocide which is carrying out  that its carrying out not just in Gaza but, as we heard before in the news bulletin, in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank, he said. Drawing parallels to the moral imperative to support Jews during the Nazi era, Varoufakis stressed that we have a similar duty today to end the genocide in Palestine.

The silencing of pro-Palestine voices is not limited to academic institutions and conferences. In the US, the House of Representatives, this week, passed a resolution condemning the chant From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free as anti-Semitic. The resolution, introduced by Rep Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.), passed with a 377 to 44 vote, with most Democrats supporting the measure and progressives opposing it.

The examples cited above, from Tabassums cancelled graduation speech to the shutdown of the Palestinian conference in Berlin and the House resolution condemning pro-Palestinian chants, all occurred within a single week, underscoring the relentless nature of the attacks on pro-Palestine voices, and silencing of speech critical of Israel. They lay bare the hypocrisy of right-wing commentators who have long railed against wokeness and over-sensitivity to giving offence against the left.

The hypocrisy of the right wings claims about cancel culture and free speech becomes even more apparent when contrasted with their own efforts, which are more vicious and more successful, in suppressing pro-Palestine voices. While they decry the supposed over-sensitivity of the left and the dangers of wokeness, they actively participate in the de-platforming and cancellation of those who speak out against Israels human rights abuses.

Moreover, the silencing of pro-Palestine activists is not merely a matter of hurt feelings or political disagreement. It is a systematic attempt to erase the voices and experiences of Palestinians, who have endured decades of occupation, dispossession and violence at the hands of Israel.

It is crucial that we recognise and resist the weaponisation of discourse that has evolved to defend the rights of the marginalised to support an occupying power and perpetrators of genocide. Accusations of offence, hurt feelings, safe spaces and anti-Semitism must not be exploited to silence pro-Palestine speech. We must demand that academic institutions, political bodies and society at large uphold the principles of free speech and open debate, even when it comes to controversial and sensitive issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The silencing of pro-Palestine voices is not a matter of over-sensitivity or hurt feelings, but rather a concerted effort by the establishment and the right wing to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo on Israel-Palestine. By exploiting accusations of anti-Semitism and the language used by marginalised groups to defend themselves against social injustices, they seek to censor and de-platform those who challenge Israel and advocate for Palestinian rights. It is our responsibility to resist this silencing, stand up for free speech and amplify the voices of those who are being suppressed.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The US House of Representatives voted $26 billion for Israel on Saturday to reward it for its ongoing war crimes against Palestinians. Some 58 members voted against the measure, including 37 Democrats. It was the House of Representatives most decisive vote of confidence in genocide since the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

The US national debt is $34.5 trillion, up $2 trillion since last summer, against a gross domestic product of $27 trillion. For the debt to run so far ahead of GDP could cause the US economy to crash. That is, the US Congress does not have $26 billion to give to Israel in the first place.

The enormous windfall will allow the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue to kill or wound a Palestinian child in Gaza every 10 minutes (see below).

Israels bombing raids, including against designated safe areas in Gaza, continued daily this week. On Saturday, the Israeli Air Force bombed a house in the center of Rafah, where 1.5 million refugees have been pushed from the north, killing six persons and wounding others. Rafah had been designated a safe zone by the Israelis when they were trying to force people down there.

Emma Graham-Harrison writes at The Guardian, Ahmed Barhoum lost his wife, Rawan Radwan, and their five-year-old daughter Alaa. They bombed a house full of displaced people, women and children, he told Associated Press on Saturday, crying as he cradled Alaas body, wrapped in a white shroud, and gently rocked her. This is a world devoid of all human values and morals.'

Saturdays strikes brought the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli military in Gaza since October 8 to over 34,000, Graham-Harrison reports. These numbers exclude more thousands buried under rubble when Israeli fighter-jets destroyed civilian apartment buildings. Some 77,000 Palestinians have been wounded, 12,000 of them children (see below).

On Wednesday through Friday of this week, Israeli bombing raids killed 113 Palestinians and injured 169 Palestinians.

UNICEF said this week that 12,000 children, at the very least, have been wounded by Israeli bombardment or other fire since last October.

That comes to 70 children injured every day, or nearly 3 every hour, one every 20 minutes or so. Since some 13,000 children have been killed, that means that a child has been either killed or wounded every 10 minutes.

Spokesperson Tess Ingram Ingram said,

I left Gaza yesterday after spending two weeks there. It was my second mission into Gaza this year. By far, what struck me most about this mission was the number of wounded children. Not just in the hospitals, but on the streets. In their makeshift shelters . . . their lives forever changed by the horrors of war.

Half of the inhabitants of Gaza are children.

Most of the hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed by the Israeli military. Of 36, only 11 are still partially functioning, mainly as warehouses for the sick and wounded since they lack needles, stitches, anaesthetic. Children lie on mattresses or floors languishing in pain.

Despite the desperate need for medavac transportation of these children, many amputees, from Gaza, only 3,500 such requests have been granted in over six months.

Guardian News Video: I cant find food: despair in Gaza as children face malnutrition

WHO says that in northern Gaza, between 12% and 16.5% of children (6-59 months) have been stricken with with acute malnutrition, and 3% of children have severe acute malnutrition. In southern Gaza, 2-6% of children have acute malnutrition.

Severe acute malnutrition presents with substantial muscle wasting in the arms, unnatural thinness, and build-up of fluid and swelling in the feet. Acute malnutrition has the same symptoms but they are less exaggerated. Even a short bout of malnutrition leaves children with permanent cognitive deficits and learning disabilities.

In April, 15% of the aid missions to northern Gaza and to parts of southern Gaza that require coordination with Israel have been denied by Israeli authorities, often on arbitrary grounds.

Because Israel cut off potable water or destroyed its delivery systems with bombing, and because 270,000 tons of solid waste has accumulated in the absence of hygiene services, WHO recorded 345,768 cases of diarrhea, with 105,635 cases in children under 5. In toddlers and infants such gastrointestinal diseases can eaily lead to fatal dehydration. Without an immediate ceasefire, a team at Johns Hopkins has predicted that 11% of the deaths in Gaza over the next four months will be from epidemic diseases.

Israel is using facial recognition programs and drones to locate and kill the 37,000 members of the Hamas paramilitary, but at least 10% of their identifications are wrong, and they often strike at these individuals when they are surrounded by their wives, children, other relatives, and neighbors. Israeli rules of engagement, the loosest in the world aside from the gangs of the blood diamond cartels, allow up to 20 civilians to be killed with each strike at a member of the Qassam Brigades paramilitary. Most of these members had no knowledge of the October 7 attack, which was planned and carried out by a small clique. The Israeli destruction of civilian infrastructure and the imposition of starvation on the population are forms of illegal collective punishment.




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Renowned Nairobi lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, has indirectly attacked former Chief of Defence Forces, Julius Karangi, terming him as a fat soldier who used his position to enrich himself.

In a post on X, Ahmednasir said that unlike the late Chief of Defence Forces, Francis Ogolla, who was a disciplined and astute soldier, Karangi was the opposite of this, since he was using his position to to steal and accumulate vast wealth.

Though he didnt mention Karangi, Ahmednasir said his tenure was defined by tenders that were designed to steal (i.e. aircraft that can't fly, armoured personnel carriers that leak in rain water during rainy seasons, aggressive charcoal export in Kismayo, Somalia, etc).

He heaped praises on the late General Francis Ogolla, saying he was a disciplined soldier who used his salary to educate his children and never looted.

Kenyan GENERALS like our politicians come in various shapes and sizes. You have the fat and round GENERAL with a sizable protruding tummy that is the most outstanding feature of his physique.

This is the thieving GENERAL. He uses his position to steal and accumulate vast wealth. His tenure is defined by tenders that are designed to steal (i.e aircrafts that can't fly, armoured personnel carriers that leak in rain water during rainy seasons, aggressive charcoal export in Kismaiyo, Somalia etc).

Then we have the elegant, slim and professional GENERAL who is physically fit.

He is the quintessential soldier. He lives on his salary, raises a family on his salary and refuses to abuse his position.

We have many Generals in both camps. Obviously, General Ogolla was in the latter category.

As he departs us, both his family and ordinary Kenyans must celebrate that priceless attribute of a General who refuses to steal from his people and country, Ahmednasir wrote on X.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Sunday, April 21, 2024 - President William Rutos Economic Advisor David Ndii has defended high fuel prices in Kenya, saying the President is justified in overcharging Kenyans for the precious good.

This was after a national daily stated that despite the recent slashing of prices, fuel in Kenya remained the costliest among East African countries.

While defending Rutos administration, Ndii stated that the high fuel prices were key in funding the development agenda.

Kenya has one of the largest, densest and well-maintained road networks in Africa, paid for with fuel levy funds, he stated.

The economist told government critics that they should not expect development without paying the price.

There are no free lunches. Public goods are paid for, he stated.

Kenya has the third-highest road network in Africa boasting 177,800 kilometres of road connection.

This is only bettered by South Africa at 750,000 kilometres and Nigeria at 195,000 kilometres.

Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the only other EAC countries to feature in the top 10 list at 159,366 kilometres and 153,373 kilometres respectively.

In May 2023, President William Ruto explained that his administration had doubled fuel tax from 8 per cent to 16 per cent to be able to raise cash for infrastructural development.

He stated that his administration had an uphill task to raise over Ksh600 billion which was committed by his predecessor to finance various road projects.

If I have to complete these projects, I need money. Everywhere I go, Kenyans tell me they need roads, he stated then.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - The late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla had three wishes he wanted fulfilled when he died.

According to his sister Peris Onyango, General Ogolla always reminded her of his three wishes whenever he visited him.

Addressing mourners at the burial of Ogolla in Ngiya village, Alego Usonga sub-county in Siaya County on Sunday, Onyango said his brother reminded him that a soldier could die anytime.

He told me a soldier can die anytime. So he said, If I die, I want to be buried within 48 hours but I said what do you mean? He said, I know you will give them problems, so I am adding you more hours. Let it be 72 hours, she said.

Onyango further revealed that Ogolla took her to the site at his home where we wanted to be buried.

He told me this is where I want to be buried, she said.

She further revealed that Ogollas third wish was for his wife Aileen to go on holiday when he dies.

He said jeshi (army) should give mama Achieng money to go on holiday. Jeshi, you have work to do now, she added.

Onyango further said Ogolla was the favourite child in the family.

He was a special child in our family. Mother loved him more than us. We were beaten for small mistakes but he was never touched, she added.

Onyango described his brother as a kind, loyal, and dedicated man who did everything to perfection.

He was a servant leader who walked the talk and did the best in his Christian life, she added.

Ogolla died in a chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday. Nine other KDF soldiers also died in the accident.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Michelle Buckley and Paula Chakravartty in the Boston Review:

In December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a personal request from his friend and political ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: expedite the supply of Indian construction labor and other migrant workers to Israel. Prior to October 7, Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza made up the majority of workers in Israels construction and agriculture sectors, doing crucial, if invisible, work in the countrys apartheid society. But in the wake of the Hamas attacks, Israel terminated the work permitsmore than two hundred thousand in allgranted by Israel to Palestinian workers from the Occupied Palestinian Territories including Gaza. To fill the gap, thousands of Indian workers will soon arrive in Israel; the first planeload of workers has already landed. In the coming month, tens of thousands more men, hailing from some of Indias poorest states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are expected to join them.

More here.




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Flamboyant Nairobi-based lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, has praised the late Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, for living a normal life despite being the head of Kenyas military.

Ogolla died on Thursday after the chopper carrying him crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Nine other senior KDF officials perished in the accident.

According to NTV, the plane that was supposed to ferry Ogolla and his entourage to North Rift was swapped at the last minute and was given to a Kenya Kwanza politician.

Commenting about the life of the late General, Kipkorir said General Ogolla was a true soldier and distinguished public servant who never used his position to enrich himself like many governors and politicians.

Gen. Francis Ogolla was a true Soldier, General & Public Servant. He never used his decades-long distinguished military career for personal enrichment.

Poor people become Governors & Ministers & in two years are buying properties of Kshs. 900m!

Gen. Ogolla is a true patriot we never truly celebrated. Fare Thee Well. The General is dead. Long live the General, Kipkorir wrote on X

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Tensions escalated in the ongoing controversy surrounding the sale of fake fertilizer after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) threw the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary under the bus.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on the distribution of fake fertilizer, KEBS refuted claims of involvement in testing the products distributed under President William Rutos subsidy programme.

KEBS CEO Esther Ngari asserted the bureaus non-involvement, contradicting earlier statements from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.

In the entire process of tendering and procurement of the fertilizer under the subsidy programme, KEBS was not involved at all, Ngari stated emphatically.

The hearing comes in the wake of accusations by CS Linturi a few days ago, alleging KEBS's responsibility for circulating substandard fertilizer in the market.

However, according to Ngari, KEBS involvement was limited to a request made on March 22 to verify the quality of fertilizer sold under the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). This suggests no prior engagement in the testing processes before this date.

The debate over fertilizer quality intensified as KEBS reported that 5,840 bags of fake fertilizer had been impounded nationwide.

This statement stands in stark contrast to the ongoing narrative provided by the Agriculture Ministry, with Linturi acknowledging issues with 3,000 bags, of which 516 have been reclaimed and are currently undergoing testing by the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, April 20, 2024  A pregnant mum with low Blood Pressure died after refusing to stay in the hospital to be monitored.

An X user who shared the story online said the pregnant woman refused to be admitted because she feared for her other kids who were all by themselves at home.

When asked about the whereabouts of her husband, she said he was busy.

She was left to go home after granting approval.

Sadly, she died the next morning.

Read the sad story below




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Flamboyant Nairobi-based lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, has accused Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja and his team of demanding a kickback from him of Sh 650 million.

City Hall owes Kipkorir Sh 1.3 billion in legal fees.

In a post on X page on Friday, Kipkorir claimed that Nairobi County's budget committee called him from Naivasha promising to settle his pending legal bills as long as he gives them a 50 percent cut.

He also told them that his fees were in accordance with the Advocates Remuneration Order and that he was not going to pay a single cent in the form of a bribe.

"Last month, the Nairobi County Assembly Budget Committee together with Governor Sakaja Johnson were in Naivasha preparing the County's Supplementary Budget.

"They called me that they want to approve all my payments if I give them 50% of the sums I am owed," he wrote on X.

"I told them, my fees are in accordance with The Advocates (Remuneration) Order & decreed by Court & that I won't pay a bribe. Nairobi City under the Governor pays Bills, Invoices & Court Decrees to those that pay a bribe of 50%."

Kipkorir further claimed that Nairobi County under Sakaja will go down as the most corrupt leadership in Kenya, even asking the President to dissolve the county assembly and discipline Sakaja.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Siaya County Senator, Dr. Oburu Odinga, has explained the reason why former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, missed the burial of the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla.

The burial of the general was held on Sunday at his home in Siaya County.

Speaking during the burial ceremony, Dr. Oburu explained that Uhuru missed the burial as he had engaging matters outside the country.

I bring condolences of Uhuru Kenyatta and his family, he could not attend as he is out of the country, Oburu stated.

The Siaya Senator further revealed that Azimio Leader Raila Odinga could not attend the funeral since he was indisposed.

While Uhuru missed the burial of General Ogolla, he had remembered him on Thursday, as an accomplished military leader and a devoted patriot who dedicated his life to serving and protecting Kenya.

"During this period of mourning, please accept my sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the other officers of the ill-fated flight," he had stated in his eulogy.

Ogolla died in a chopper crash accident in West Pokot together with other 9 military officers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
The Police in Kampala have arrested seven people in connection with the theft of ivory from the Uganda Wildlife Authority stores.

Last year, the ivory scam led to the temporary suspension of UWA executive director Dr. Andrew Sseguya, following disappearance of ivory worth 3 billion shillings.

According to preliminary police reports, the group and others still at large, connived and broke into UWA stores at Kamwokya using duplicated keys.

The suspects were store keepers allegedly collaborating with one Mohamed Opolot the supposed buyer.

Speaking to media, the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Patrick Onyango says the incident happened between April and July.

Story by Samuel Ssebuliba
Hearts across the country are with the family of the seven-year-old boy who tragically drowned in a hotel swimming pool on the Limerick/Tipperary border.

Gardai and emergency services responded to an incident at the Leisure Centre at the Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre in north Tipperary, which overlooks the towns of Ballina and Killaloe, shortly before 3pm this Saturday.

The child, who is understood to have been from east Clare, was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced deceased.

A tribute posted by a spokesperson for the hotel to social media said: "Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and those who knew the young boy who passed away following a tragic accident in our swimming pool yesterday.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our lifeguards, team members and the emergency services who did all they could in responding to this incident. As a mark of respect, our leisure centre will remain closed for the coming days."

Taoiseach Simon Harris called the incident "absolutely heartbreaking".

Absolutely heartbreaking. I know people right across Ireland are keeping this family and the community of Clonlara in Co Clare in their thoughts and prayers at such a sad and difficult time https://t.co/lJQUovyGXn  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 21, 2024

Councillor Tony O'Brien, cathaoirleach of Killaloe Municipal District also spoke, saying it was "a very tragic incident." He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the little boy. It has cast a real dark shadow over our community, but I'm sure the community will offer any supports to the family in the coming weeks."

The Very Rev Edmund V. ORahelly, of the Ballina and Boher parish also paid tribute, stating: "I of course extend my sympathies to the family."

This Saturday evening, TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe, wrote on social media: "Awful tragic news emerging tonight - a 7 year old boy lost his life in a drowning accident earlier today.

"The boy hasnt been named just yet but if you pray, please offer up some prayers for his poor family - there simply are no words."

Across social media, members of the public are also extending their hands of sympathy to those who knew the boy.

One person wrote: "It is heartbreaking for his family & friends and they are foremost in our thoughts and prayers. Thinking also of the staff at the Lakeside (lifeguards) impacted by this tragedy."

Another saddened member of the public said: "Deepest sympathies to his family. May his gentle soul rest in peace."
A new pedestrian bridge over the River Nore could be on the cards for Bennettsbridge if ambitious plans come to fruition.



The future development would also include an amenity area and parking to allow greater use of the river for leisure pursuits.



The bad news is that the project is a long way from even beginning, as a lot of work still needs to be done before any physical work can take place - including land acquisition, a full design and sourcing funding.



One of the first steps in the exciting project was taken at last weeks Callan Thomastown municipal district meeting. In a presentation from Acting Senior Engineer Frank Stafford, results of a feasibility study and design options report were presented to councillors.

The study was undertaken in partnership with Kilkenny Leader Partnership.



He said the construction of a new bridge would not only address the amenity issues but also the connectivity between both sides of the village.



Options

The study first looked at options for using the existing bridge, including the structural modification of the bridge to allow safe pedestrian and cycle crossing. A protected structure, this option was deemed too complex.



A second option examined was the installation of traffic lights and reducing traffic on the bridge to one lane, to allow for safer pedestrian and bike crossing. This option was ruled out for reasons including that it would cause congestion for traffic.

It was deemed the construction of a new bridge would be the only feasible option.



The study then looked at where this bridge might be situated. Options both upstream and downstream of the existing bridge were considered.



When issues including land that was prone to flooding and the protected view of the existing bridge from downstream were taken into consideration a site upstream was deemed most suitable.



Mr Stafford said the site highlighted in the report would be accessed from the main Kilkenny road from an entrance beside the Moth to a Flame business and could have space for parking and a set-down area for boats/ canoes as well as facilities including showers and a picnic area.

On the other side of the river a pedestrian crossing could be installed.



Councillors were told that while this process is at a very early stage, preliminary discussions with local landowners were positive.

The general area is a special area of conservation and a flood plain, this combined with the need for part of the works to be carried out in the river and the existing bridge being a protected structure, mean it will also be a challenging project and will need a full natura impact statement (NIS).

Stressing that this is at an early stage, Mr Stafford said it is a roadmap for the project.

Next Steps

The next steps for the project are many - the council must identify funding streams for land acquisition, design and advance planning. The design brief will be complicated by the are being a special protection area (SPA) and a special area of conservation (SAC) as well as the need for a hydrology assessment of the flood plain.



A preliminary ecological assessment report has indicated that an NIS is needed so planning permission, when the time comes, will have to be sought directly from An Bord Pleanala.



Mr Stafford said Kilkenny County Council were delighted that Kilkenny Leader Partnership came on board for the project, and said that following a competitive tendering process Kilgallen consultants were appointed to undertake the study.

The report was warmly welcomed by councillors from the area, especially District Chair Cllr Deirdre Cullen and Cllr Patrick ONeill.



Huge Challenge

Cllr Cullen said both she and Cllr ONeill had asked for this a long time ago and were delighted to see the idea progress.

Yes, its a huge challenge but it is something that is needed in Bennettsbridge. Not only for health and safety reasons but to address the complete underutilisation of our river, Cllr Cullen said.



Currently, clubs that come to Bennettsbridge to canoe on the river are using a tiny slip, she said. Its a pity not to be using the resources they have, she added.



A pedestrian bridge has been achieved in Castlecomer, Cllr Cullen pointed out, accepting that the success of the project in Bennettsbridge would come down to funding and planning permission.

Its very exciting, she said, but added she would keep her hope and expectations in check for now.



Mr Stafford said construction has taken place on a flood plain in other parts of the county, most notably the boardwalk at Silare Wood in Graignamanagh.

Castlecomers pedestrian bridge, he pointed out, was funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as its on a national route, but this is not an option for Bennettsbridge.



This has been talked about for a long, long time, Cllr Patrick ONeill said, recalling that the matter was raised in his fathers time in politics but was ruled out because the bridge was a protected site, then money was scarce after the financial crash and the project never got the priority needed.

Five years ago, canvassing for the local elections, it was an issue at doors, he added.



Cllr ONeill said that in the time of his grandfathers generation there was huge activity around the river, but that has been lost, for many reasons.

He said it would be great to see something there into the future as there is no doubt Bennettsbridge is underutilised.

Cllr ONeill said health and safety had to be at the forefront with the bridge and they were lucky there had been no serious accidents with pedestrians there, but, he cautions, it could happen in the morning.

Something we can achieve

This is starting to look like something we can achieve. Fingers crossed all will align and in a few years it will be something the whole county can be proud of, Cllr ONeill said.



Mr Stafford was not able to indicate a possible time frame for the project, as that depends on many factors, but he said an indicative cost for the project would be 3.5 to 4 million.

Money well spent, Cllr Cullen predicted.



Cllr Matt Doran said they could only be ready to go when the time was right, as they all knew funding criteria can change from year to year. He wished the project well.

Cllr Michael Doyle said it was a pity that department criteria would trump health and safety and a development that is needed.
Texas boy, 10, confesses to fatally shooting a sleeping man when he was 7, authorities say
Korea to host summit bringing together African leaders in June

For many Koreans, Africa is a distant land.

But the historical ties between Korea and African nations tell a different story.

Korea's relations with African nations trace back to the 195053 Korean War. During that tumultuous time, African countries offered support to the Asian nation  Ethiopia sent its Royal Guards, South Africa dispatched an air force squadron and Liberia provided logistical aid.

Since then, Korea has broadened its relations with African countries, collaborating across various sectors like trade, investment, infrastructure, minerals and energy, defense and digital technologies.

In the 1980s, spurred by the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Korea's diplomatic relations with Africa gained momentum, fostering increased cultural and political exchanges.

In the next decade, Korea significantly strengthened its engagement in the African region, highlighted by the establishment of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in 1991.

The early 2000s saw the launch of the African Union (AU) in 2002, with Korea obtaining observer status in 2005, paving the way for bigger collaboration.

In 2006, Korea announced its commitment to share its developmental experiences with Africa through "Korea's Initiative for Africa's Development." The establishment of the Korea-Africa Foundation in 2018 further solidified pragmatic cooperation between the two sides across various sectors.

In today's era, where the influence of the global south is increasingly significant, strengthening partnerships with African countries is no longer just an option but a necessity.

To boost their cooperation in earnest, the Korean government will host an inaugural summit with the African nations in Seoul on June 4 and 5, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the main slogan, "The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity," the event will gather delegations from African countries, international organizations, key figures from Korean and international business communities, academia and civil society groups.

The leaders will address pending global challenges such as climate change response, food security, supply chain stability and health security.

The summit is expected to serve as a significant catalyst for Korea to participate in Africa's efforts to embed peace and strengthen cooperation on the international stage, contributing to realization of the AU's vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent.

As a country that rose from the ashes of the Korean War to become a country that assists developing nations, Korea's historical experience stands to offer insights to African countries on their own paths to prosperity. For Korea, the African region is a key partner in realizing its foreign policy goal of becoming a "global pivotal state."

With the summit just a few weeks away, the foreign ministry is intensifying its preparations.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun traveled to Kenya and Mauritius from April 16 to 17 as a special presidential envoy for the upcoming summit. He paid a courtesy visit to Kenyan President William Ruto, voicing expectations for the president's participation in the upcoming Seoul summit. Additionally, he extended an invitation to Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

Kim Hyo-eun, ambassador and deputy foreign minister on climate change, visited Algeria from April 15 to 17, where she met with Lounes Magramane, the secretary general of Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. During their discussions, Kim extended an invitation to Algeria for the summit, and Magramane expressed willingness to cooperate with Korea for the event's success.

In Seoul, the foreign ministry held consultations with the diplomatic missions of African countries in late February, gathering officials from 47 African embassies in Korea to share updates on summit preparations. Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won, who presided over the consultation, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Korea and African nations. (Advertorial)
To measure the popularity of K-pop boy groups this April, the Korean Business Research Institute released its newest brand reputation rankings.

The institute gathered data from March 13 to April 13, and it was analyzed by determining several factors such as the groups' interaction with their fans, coverage from the media, and their overall exposure.

Here are the 50 most popular K-pop boy groups this April 2024!

1. SEVENTEEN

SEVENTEEN received a brand reputation index of 4,139,221, which earned them the No. 1 spot for April 2024. The group has also been active in their schedules, along with their content online, and social media presence.

2. NCT

NCT followed with a brand reputation index of 4,034,320, placing them at No. 2.

3. THE BOYZ

No. 3 was claimed by THE BOYZ, who received a brand reputation index of 2,689,841.

4. TWS

In fourth place, TWS secured the spot with a brand reputation index of 2,369,830. The group has also been gaining traction ever since they debuted in January with their first mini album "Sparkling Blue" and the title track "plot twist."

5. BTS

The top five was completed by BTS, who received a brand reputation index of 2,065,997. The group's inclusion is a noteworthy presence, as all seven members are still gaining buzz despite being in the military.

6. Stray Kids

With a brand reputation index of 1,846,593, Stray Kids placed on No. 6 for the month of April. The group has also been active in their schedules and social media updates.

7. Super Junior

Super Junior received a brand reputation index of 1,766,702, earning the No. 7 spot.

8. EXO

The eighth place was claimed by none other than EXO, who garnered a brand reputation index of 1,580,768.

9. SHINee

SHINee placed in No. 9 after securing a total of 1,486,429 for their April brand reputation index.

10. ASTRO

Last, but not least, ASTRO received a brand reputation index of 1,410,049, which led them to round up the list's top 10.

See the remaining ones below:

11. ENHYPEN

12. ZEROBASEONE

13. RIIZE

14. TXT

15. TREASURE

16. BTOB

17. MONSTA X

18. OMEGA X

19. ATEEZ

20. TVXQ

21. 2PM

22. INFINITE

23. HIGHLIGHT

24. Wanna One

25. PENTAGON

26. VIXX

27. ONF

28. BOYNEXTDOOR

29. TEMPEST

30. B1A4

31. Golden Child

32. Block B

33. FTISLAND

34. GOT7

35. SF9

36. WINNER

37. TEENTOP

38. withus

39. KNK

40. 2AM

41. Sechs Kies

42. CRAVITY

43. LUMINOUS

44. ONEUS

45. BAE173

46. CIX

47. DRIPPIN'

48. P1Harmony

49. UP10TION

50. Xdinary Heroes

Which K-pop boy groups on the list are your favorite artists? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Top 25 Best K-pop Songs Released in February 2024 According to Fans - Which One's Your Favorite?

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
April is halfway on its course, and many K-pop acts have made buzz with their music releases, schedules, and social media presence. To measure their popularity, the Korean Business Research Institute released its brand reputation rankings for K-pop girl groups.

Here are 50 K-pop girl groups who made the most buzz this April 2024!

1. ILLIT

ILLIT received a brand reputation index of 3,347,912, which earned them the No. 1 spot. The inclusion is praiseworthy, as ILLIT already made a name on the rankings despite only debuting in March.

This only highlights how much momentum they've gained across the K-pop scene ever since their debut with "Magnetic," and a testament to their reputation as one of the most popular monster rookie groups in fifth-gen K-pop.

2. (G)I-DLE

In No. 2, (G)I-DLE claimed the position with a brand reputation index of 3,072,509.

3. IVE

IVE closed in with a brand reputation index of 2,644,317, completing the top three for April 2024.

4. BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK trailed on the No. 4 spot after claiming a brand reputation index of 2,601,322.

5. BABYMONSTER

BABYMONSTER followed with a brand reputation index of 2,574,551, which rounded up the top five. The septet is also currently active in their promotions for "BABYMONS7ER" and "SHEESH," which were released on April 1.

Aside from their music activities, the group is also active in their social media updates, which is a major component of vigorous fan engagement.

6. TWICE

TWICE continued the list on No. 6, where they ranked with a brand reputation index of 2,225,657.

7. NewJeans

With a brand reputation index of 2,018,124, NewJeans earned seventh place for the month of April. The quintet has also been receiving buzz online for their upcoming Korean comeback and debut in the Japanese music market.

8. Red Velvet

Red Velvet ranked eighth place with a brand reputation index of 1,973,508.

9. OH MY GIRL

OH MY GIRL secured No. 9 with an index of 1,634,562.

10. Girls' Generation

The top 10 was concluded by Girls' Generation, who received an index of 1,602,175.

See the remaining ones below:

11. KISS OF LIFE

12. LE SSERAFIM

13. aespa

14. Apink

15. NMIXX

16. WJSN

17. ITZY

18. woo!ah!

19. STAYC

20. Girl's Day

21. fromis_9

22. Dreamcatcher

23. H1-KEY

24. tripleS

25. APRIL

26. ALICE

27. NATURE

28. MAMAMOO

29. LOONA

30. cignature

31. f(x)

32. DIA

33. CLC

34. EXID

35. Kep1er

36. Rocket Punch

37. Weki Meki

38. CAMILA

39. ICU

40. Blah Blah

41. Weeekly

42. PURPLE KISS

43. CLASS:y

44. Billlie

45. ARTBEAT v

46. EVERGLOW

47. Brown Eyed Girls

48. Ladies' Code

49. TWEETY

50. ICHILLIN'

Which K-pop girl groups on the list are your top picks? Do you have an ult group among them? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 12 'Easy Listening' K-pop Songs Perfect For Unwinding: 'Magnetic,' 'Super Shy,' 'Better Things,' More!

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
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Thiruvanthapuram (Kerala) [India], April 21 (ANI): A day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said her party, the BJP, intends to bring back electoral bonds, former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram termed her the most 'innocent minister' in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, adding, tonue-in-cheek, that at times she was the last person to know what was happening in her ministry.

"Honourable finance minister is the most innocent minister in council of ministers, and she is sometimes last person to know what is happening in ministry of Finance," the Congress leader told reporters on Sunday.

Also Read | 'Looks As if Osama Bin Laden and Gabbar Singh Are Preaching Non-Violence': AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Attacks BJP (Watch Video).

In an interview with a reputed English daily on Saturday, Sitharaman said her party intended to bring back electoral bonds in some form or the other after holding consultations with all stakeholders, if elected in the ongoing general elections.

Electoral bonds, a political funding scheme, was scrapped by the Supreme Court in February, which termed it unconstitutional.

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"We still have to do a lot of consultation with stakeholders and see what is it that we have to do to make or bring in a framework which will be acceptable to all, primarily retain the level of transparency and completely remove the possibility of black money entering into this," the Finance Minister told the daily, adding that it was yet to be decided if the Union government will seek a review of the top court's order.

Supreme Court, in a ruling in February, struck down the Centre's Electoral Bond Scheme while asking the State Bank of India, the country's biggest lender, to stop issuing such bonds immediately.

In compliance with the Supreme Court directive, the Election Commission uploaded data on electoral bonds on its official website.

The data was provided by the SBI on the directions of the apex court. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Apr 21 (PTI) The farmers on Sunday protested against BJP candidate Dinesh Babbu in Batala and party leader Arvind Khanna in Barnala in Punjab as the party leaders continued to face their wrath over their unmet demands.

The BJP candidates and leaders have been facing protests from the farmers who have shown them black flags when they were campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls.

Also Read | 'Looks As if Osama Bin Laden and Gabbar Singh Are Preaching Non-Violence': AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Attacks BJP (Watch Video).

Party candidates Hans Raj Hans from Faridkot seat, Taranjit Singh Sandhu from Amritsar and Preneet Kaur from Patiala have already witnessed the anger of the farmers.

In Fatehgarh Churian in Batala, a group of farmers on Sunday raised slogans against Babbu, who is the BJP nominee from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat.

Also Read | Delhi Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Ghazipur Landfill Site (Watch Video).

Police even tried to stop the protesters from heading towards the venue where Babbu and the BJP supporters were holding an election related programme.

One of the protesters at Fatehgarh Churian said they will continue to oppose the BJP leaders.

Reacting to the protest, BJP candidate Babbu said it was only his party which can resolve their issues while the other political outfits will "use" them for their vested interests.

"We are with the farmers and I am also a farmer. Their issues can be resolved through dialogue," said Babbu.

In another incident, BJP leader Arvind Khanna faced the farmers' protest in Barnala where he had gone to campaign.

A heavy police force was deployed and barricades were raised.

One of the woman protesters slammed the BJP government for not allowing the farmers to go towards Delhi and using "force" against them.

Another protester said they came to hold the protest against Khanna in a peaceful manner but the police personnel did not allow them to move towards the venue.

Khanna, however, alleged that it was not farmer outfits but the workers of the AAP who were "orchestrating" such protests.

"The farmers are either in their fields (for wheat harvesting) or mandis (for selling wheat). These outfits are the people of (chief minister) Bhagwant Mann and these are not farmers," alleged Khanna, adding that the Modi government stands by the farmers.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who has also been facing farmers' ire, said he belongs to a farming family.

He said he emphasised on increasing the income of the farmers. "I am campaigning and I will continue to do so," he said.

The farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have already said they will oppose the BJP and will ask the people to "punish" the saffron party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The farmers owing allegiance to various farm outfits are upset with the BJP-led Centre for not accepting their demands, including a law on minimum support price.

They were also angry over not being allowed to head towards Delhi, forcing them to camp at Shambhu and Khanauri border points of Punjab and Haryana.

The SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march by the farmers to press the government to accept their demands which includes that the Centre should give a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the crops.

The farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 when their march was stopped by the security forces.

The polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the last phase on June 1.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): Congress general secretary-in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his rallies in Rajasthan on Sunday lied and made derogatory statements to divert attention from the real issues. He claimed that the BJP would be wiped out in the South, and halved in the North.

Taking to X, Jairam Ramesh shared, "Instead of answering even a single question on issues concerning youth, women, farmers, workers and backward, Dalit, and tribal communities, the Prime Minister in his rallies in Rajasthan today brazenly lied and made derogatory statements to divert attention from the real issues."

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Four-Year-Old Girl Abducted, Killed in Ghaziabad; Accused Arrested.

He further took a jibe at PM Modi and said that the PM has lost his mental balance in the despair of losing power.

He further posted, "We know that the first phase has been very bad for him. But perhaps the situation is worse than what we estimate. It seems that the Prime Minister has lost his mental balance in the frustration and despair of losing power. Remember: BJP wiped out in South, halved in North!"

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Road Accident: Five Killed, Three Injured As Car Carrying Wedding Guests Collides With Divider on Yamuna Expressway in Agra.

Earlier, PM Modi on Sunday said that the Congress which had once won 400 seats is now incapable of contesting on 300 seats in this Lok Sabha election adding that the party is the "symbol of instability."

Addressing a public rally in Rajasthan's Jalore, PM Modi said that the people of the country is punishing the Congress for its "sins".

"You have given your blessings to BJP every time, this time too, the people of Jalore-Sirohi are saying 'Phir ek baar Modi sarkar'. In the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, half of Rajasthan has taught a good lesson to the Congress party. The patriotic people of Rajasthan know that Congress couldn't provide a strong government in the Centre. Their government used to run on remote control. The country does not want the conditions that existed before 2014 to return again," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister further without naming Sonia Gandhi, slammed the former Congress president for choosing the Rajya Sabha route to reach Parliament.

"The Congress party itself is responsible for the condition it has reached today. Earlier, Rajasthan sent former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Rajya Sabha, and now you have another leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha (Sonia Gandhi). People who knew that they could not win, ran away from the race and reached Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. Congress hollowed the country by spreading the termites of 'parivaarwad' and corruption. The youth of the country is so angry with Congress that it doesn't want to see their face again," the PM said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of governments in south India on Friday while expressing confidence that the BJP's vote share in the south would increase in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to previous polls.

In an interview with the Asianet News Network, PM Modi also addressed the alleged narrative of the BJP being a party of the upper caste.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Election Commission Announces Fresh Polls in 11 Polling Stations in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency on April 22.

"A narrative has been created in our country for a long time that the BJP means upper caste party. But the reality is that in the BJP, most are scheduled castes (SCs), most are scheduled tribes (STs), and most are other backward classes (OBCs). All these are, and most are OBCs in our ministry. Then they said that it's a Bharat Urban Party. Today, the entire character of my party is such that it has the maximum number of rural people," he said.

"Then they said this character was created because the BJP is a Puraan-Panthi (or old-school) party and can't think of anything new. But today, if anyone is leading the digital movement in the world, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. So this misconception that they are spreading is 'wrong'," PM said.

Also Read | Goods Train Derailment in Uttar Pradesh: Several Bogies of Freight Train Derails Near Ayodhya Junction, No Casualties Reported (Watch Video).

Speaking on the BJP's electoral performance in south India, the PM said, "You see Telangana, where our vote share has doubled. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the South. The BJP has the highest number of MPs. I believe that in 2024 (the Lok Sabha elections), the vote share is going to increase compared to the previous elections. Seats will also increase."

Turning to regional issues, Prime Minister Modi condemned corruption within cooperative banks in Kerala, pledging decisive action against wrongdoers. He emphasised equitable development and refuted allegations of neglect towards southern states like Karnataka and Kerala.

"Secondly, the identity of the governments in the South--whether it is Congress, the LDF (Left Democratic Front), or the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam)--what is their identity in all places? Today we (BJP) are in power in Puducherry, which is in the south. It should be known, we are in government. And our MPs win from Andaman and Nicobar, where most of our south Indian and Bengali brothers live. Hence, this simplification that is happening... Now, what is the style of their governments? Theirs are completely family-run governments, and there is rampant corruption. Now you see what the situation is in the south," PM Modi said.

"When I go there during elections, why do I talk about cooperative societies? It's the biggest crime against a poor man; it cannot be forgiven. Poor families keep their money in cooperative banks, put in societies hoping to get good returns. He feels that he would keep his hard-earned money for his daughter's marriage--it's the money of fishermen, farmers, and labourers. There are around 300 cooperative banks that are completely run by lefties. And about one lakh crore rupees of common and poor people are lying there. Their operators used this money to buy properties. We have just attached around Rs 90 crore and I'm currently taking legal advice on how to return this money to people who kept their money in the bank. I requested ED to start returning their money, and attaching the properties of those who were looting these people," he said.

"We have returned Rs 17,000 crore of seized money to whoever it was. This is not an election issue," he added.

When asked about Kerala, PM Modi said that from the time of the BJP and Jana Sangh, "we want to serve in every part of the country. Work where there is political benefit, and don't where it isn't profitable--these are not our principles."

"Jana Sangh's biggest national convention was held in Kerala in 1967. For us, Kerala is not only a field to come into power. Kerala is also similar to other areas we serve, and we serve there with equal dedication. Hundreds of our workers were gunned down, and political murders were committed. Even today, we work there with the intention of serving Maa Bharti, and left cadres were convicted by courts for the murder of our people; many of them are in jail. Despite that, be it Kutch, Guwahati, Kashmir or Kanyakumari, every corner of the country is ours," he said.

He also alleged that there is so much corruption inside Kerala, but the ecosystem there does not allow it to come out.

"You must have seen that in Tripura, the left ruled the state for three-four decades, and when the BJP came to power, people started releasing that they (the left) used to loot them. The BJP is doing so well in Tripura that they are making the BJP win from there again and again. The same is the case with Bengal and Kerala; there is so much corruption, but they have made an ecosystem that doesn't let anything come out," PM Modi added. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested former Chhattisgarh-based IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with an alleged liquor scam-linked money laundering case in the state, official sources said on Sunday.

Tuteja was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and produced before the court of 7th civil judge class-II Raipur and JMFC Raipur, Kumari Ranju Vaishnav, and was granted a one-day judicial remand.

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Advocate, Sourabh Pandey, representing the ED, said, "He was arrested by ED and produced before the court of 7th civil judge class-II Raipur and JMFC Raipur Kumari Ranju Vaishnav in connection with money laundering case linked with alleged liquor scam.

"We demanded 14 days of custodial remand but the court granted one-day judicial remand," the ED's counsel Pandey added.

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The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR on a complaint by the Income Tax Department.

Earlier, the Supreme Court quashed a money laundering case against accused persons in a matter linked to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, noting that the complaint was based on an IT Act offence, which is not a scheduled offence as per the PMLA.

The Supreme Court ruled that since there is a predicate offence, there cannot be proceeds of crime as well as no money laundering. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): Amid speculations of the merger of Janata Dal-Secular with the BJP, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS-BJP candidate HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that if everything goes smoothly, there is no question of JDS being absorbed into the BJP and they will work together.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kumaraswamy said, "There is no question of merging our party with any other party. Categorically, I am telling you. There is no question. If the BJP treats us well and everything goes smoothly, there is no question of JDS being absorbed into the BJP. We will work together."

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"I would like to tell Siddaramaiah that even if 100 Siddaramaiahs come against us, they can't do anything to our party. They can't damage it," he said.

Going back in time, in 2006, Kumaraswamy rebelled and walked out of the JD(S)-Congress coalition with 42 MLAs, reportedly against the wishes of his father, former PM and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, citing a threat to the party, and formed the government with the BJP.

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He was asked whether inviting Deve Gowda to the ''Pran Pratishtha'' ceremony can be considered a personal connection between PM Modi and Deva Goda, which led to the BJP-JD(S) alliance. Kumaraswamy elaborated on the dynamics between PM Modi and Deve Gowda, stating, "When Narendra Modi ji entered national politics, at that time Deve Gowda was one of the main critics of Modi's national entry. Then, despite whatever he said at that time, after Modi Ji became PM, he went to meet him. Deve Gowda ji wanted to resign from his MP constituency, but Narendra Modi ji advised him that his advice was required and he must continue in parliament. This is the respect shown by the Prime Minister for Deve Gowda ji. After assuming the role of Prime Minister, they met several times, and each time the PM showed respect to Deve Gowda ji and sought his advice."

He also discussed Deve Gowda's political journey. "In 2018 Deve Gowda ji joined hands with Congress. Throughout his career of 60-62 years, he has always aligned with secular forces. By using regional parties, Congress has destroyed several regional parties. Congress has humiliated Deve Gowda ji in several ways."

"In 1995, when this United Front supported Devagoda Ji as a PM candidate, they (the Congress) did not. When they removed him, they had no reason at all. Even at that time, he also supported Inder Kumar Gujral. In 2004, again, they ditched Deve Gowda Ji. That time also, he respected Congress, even though, at that time, Arun Jaitley met him to join hands with BjP. Deve Gowda ji rejected it. At that time, he also joined hands with Congress and after joining, he watched how they treated him for 20 months. Even at that time, the health of Deve Gowda Ji deteriorated," he added.

He said, "Then, in 2009, he joined hands with the third front. That is a different issue. Then, even after Deve Gowda ji handed over the power to the BJP at that time again, his Congress friend wanted to split our party. Continuously, they were trying to destroy our party. Even after this, Deve Gowda Ji joined hands with Congress only."

When asked why his party did that, he said he made several wrong decisions by trusting his Congress friends. "I am totally against Congress. I know how they are going to treat us and how they treated me as the Chief Minister."

Hitting back at the Congress' remark where it slammed the JD (S) for joining hands with the NDA and opined that the party should write to the Election Commission and drop the word 'secular' from their party's name, Kumaraswamy said, "What is the meaning of secularism? I wanted to question the Congress. Every day they are misusing the caste composition; they are using the caste composition and they wanted to get benefit from it for their party."

"According to me, there is no meaning to secularism or communalism. For example, let's talk about DMK. They joined hands with the Centre, with both the Congress and the BJP. Whatever the reason was, they took the decision in their own interest, not for secularism or communalism," he said. (ANI)

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Darjeeling (West Bengal) [India], April 21 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed the Trinamool Congress over the recent incidents in Sandeshkhali on Sunday, saying that the government under which women are not safe should not stay in power.

"The law and order situation in West Bengal has deteriorated to a great extent. If you want to develop any state the first condition is to improve the law and situation there. But in Bengal the situation is different. Look at the incidents in Sandeshkhali. The government under whom women are not safe, should not stay in power," Singh said while addressing a public meeting at West Bengal's Darjeeling.

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Asking people not to vote for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "This time in the Lok Sabha elections, the TMC, Congress and the CPIM should be wiped out. In the next Vidhan Sabha elections, the TMC will be going and the BJP will come to power."'

The Raksha Mantri said that every section of the population in West Bengal feels neglected under the Mamata Banerjee regime.

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"TMC is trying to change the demography of West Bengal. Politics should not be done to form the government but to develop the country. Whether it is the Gorkhas here, the Rajbansis, the Adivasis, Bengalis, those speaking Hindi, Rabhas, Toto everyone is oppressed by the Mamata Banerjee government. Government should work for people's welfare. But under the TMC government everyone feels neglected. This is very unfortunate," Singh said.

Heaping praise on the people in Darjeeling, Singh said, "People from so many communities stay here. More than 100 dialects are spoken here. They stay here in brotherhood. This is an example in itself."

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has traditionally held a stronghold in West Bengal. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC emerged as the dominant force, securing 34 seats in the state. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win only 2 seats. The CPI (M) and the Congress won 2 and 4 seats, respectively.

However, the political landscape saw a significant shift in the 2019 polls. The BJP won 18 seats, a stark contrast to their previous tally. The TMC, although still in the lead, saw their seat count reduced to 22. The Congress's representation was reduced to just 2 seats, while the Left Front was unable to secure any seats.

West Bengal's Coochbehar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri voted in the first phase on April 19 along with 99 other constituencies across the country.

Voting for the remaining 39 constituencies in the state will be held from April 26 to June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

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Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 21 (ANI): The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir recovered several rounds of arms and ammunition in the Thannamandi area of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday.

The search operation was carried out by Special Operations Group (SOG) Rajouri and 61 Rashtriya Rifles.

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During the search operation; 1 packet of 1 kg IED, seven packets of half kg IED, two wireless sets, three magazines of AK47, one ammunition pouch, 102 rounds of AK-47 and one charger were recovered by the security forces.

Further investigation is underway.

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Earlier on Saturday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a terrorist hideout in the Arnas area and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the hideout.

The recovered items include two detonators, 12 cartridges of Assault Rifle, one pull-through, One hand-held Tape recorder IED Enabled, One calculator IED enabled, one battery and a few connecting wires, police said.

On April 17, police recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) from a terrorist hideout in the Gursai top area of Poonch district during a joint search operation by J-K Police, Army and the CRPF.

Earlier, security forces busted a terror hideout on Saturday and recovered arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi.

The hideout was busted during a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army's 58 RR in the Lancha area of Mahore sub-division in Reasi, officials said. (ANI)

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Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 21 (ANI): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP)-led NDA is poised for another resounding victory under Modi's leadership in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference held at his official residence, Yogi expressed optimism regarding the outcome of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, emphasising the palpable enthusiasm among voters towards extending Prime Minister Modi's decade-long tenure.

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The Chief Minister added that the people have taken it upon themselves to expose the lies of the opposition parties. "The electorate is supporting the BJP and its allies, reaffirming their trust in the ruling coalition", he remarked.

Responding to a query, he attributed the recent spate of violence in non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governed states to what he termed as the "repercussion of appeasement politics." Adityanath described incidents such as the clashes during Ram Navami and Holi celebrations in West Bengal and other non-BJP-ruled regions as provocative actions against the majority populace.

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"The attack on the Ramnavami procession in West Bengal is a matter of concern and at the same time, it gives a message to the people that a state government that cannot ensure the security of a peaceful procession is incapable of guaranteeing the safety of women and the citizens at large. Denouncing 'vote bank politics under the guise of appeasement'," he asserted that history has it that such politics fuel communal tension.

Yogi Adityanath urged voters to give a fitting lesson to the opposition parties that compromise citizens' safety with their votes.

Before embarking on his electoral campaign in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts were instrumental in facilitating Lord Ram's homecoming after a hiatus of 500 years. He also noted the deep-rooted connection between Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, with the former being the parental home of Lord Shri Ram's mother, Kaushalya.

Describing Chhattisgarh as the maternal home of Lord Ram and a cherished place for followers of the Sanatan religion, Adityanath emphasised the widespread anticipation among the populace akin to that witnessed in Uttar Pradesh and across the nation. He highlighted the sentiment of reverence towards one's maternal home, asserting that the people of Chhattisgarh share a similar eagerness to engage with the narrative of Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya.

Adityanath seized the opportunity to rally support for Prime Minister Modi, urging citizens to express gratitude through their votes for the government's efforts in upholding the Indian ethos and advancing welfare schemes for the underprivileged.

He viewed the forthcoming democratic processes as an avenue for citizens to demonstrate appreciation for Modi's leadership and contribute to the nation's progress. (ANI)

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Mumbai, Apr 21 (PTI) A sub-inspector of the Mumbai police died in an accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the early hours of Sunday, an official said.

Suraj Chaugule (55) was driving to his Navi Mumbai home in a car after attending the funeral of a relative in Maharashtra's Raigad district when he met with the accident around 3 am, the official said.

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Chaugule, who was attached to the Parksite police station in the city's Vikhroli area, lost control over the wheel near Panvel and the vehicle crashed into the railing along the first lane of the expressway's Mumbai-bound arm. He was alone in the car, the official said.

After being alerted by the locals, police rushed Chaugule to a nearby hospital but doctors declared him dead, he said.

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The car in which he was travelling was badly damaged, the official added.

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Nilgiris district (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 21 (ANI): A fire broke out at a house in Upper Bazar in Tamil Nadu's Ooty on Saturday late at night.

Upon receiving information, fire tenders rushed to the spot and started to douse the fire. After two hours of the operation, the fire brigade was able to bring the fire under control. No one was injured in the incident.

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According to authorities, the preliminary investigation suggested that the fire broke out because of a short circuit.

The visuals of the scene showed a thick plume of smoke billowing into the air from the house while it was being caught under the fire. More information is awaited. (ANI)

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Amritsar (Punjab) [India], April 21 (ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) along with the Punjab Police recovered two drones from different locations in the border area of Amritsar on Sunday, officials said.

"On 21st April 2024, based on information by BSF intelligence set up about the presence of drones in two different locations of the border area of Amritsar district, joint search operations by BSF troops with Punjab Police were conducted in the suspected areas," Border Security Force stated.

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The recovered drones were identified as China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic.

"The search operations resulted in retrieval of 02 drones, one each at about 12:15 pm and 02:00 pm. These recoveries took place in farming fields adjacent to village Hardo Rattan and village Daoke respectively, both in Amritsar District," it added.

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The statement further stated that reliable information and coordinated efforts of BSF and Punjab police successfully foiled the desperate attempts of illicit drone handlers from across the border.

Earlier on April 20, the BSF recovered a drone carrying three packets of suspected heroin from the border area of Ferozepur.

On April 20, the BSF intelligence wing received information regarding the presence of a drone along with a consignment in the border area of district Ferozepur. Responding swiftly, BSF troops carried out an extensive search operation in the suspected area.

Taking to X BSF Punjab Frontier posted, "At about 5:20 pm, the search led to the successful recovery of one drone along with 3 packets of suspected heroin weighing around 2.710 kg. The packets were kept in a blue-coloured bag. A small torch and an illuminating green-coloured small ball were also found attached to the drone. The recovery took place in a farming field adjacent to Jangir Singh ki Dhani village in Ferozepur District." (ANI)

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Jalore (Rajasthan) [India], April 21 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed confidence that the BJP would win all the 25 seats from Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha polls 2024 and the state government has fulfilled 45 percent of the promises mentioned in Sankalp Patra in just 90 days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma attended a public meeting in Jalore on Sunday.

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CM Bhajanlal Sharma said, "This is Modi's Guarantee. He abides by his words. We have increased the state pension by 15 percent from Rs 1000 to Rs 1150. We have increased the MSP on wheat from Rs 2275 to Rs 2400. Congress has stalled the ERCP plan of 21 districts within 90 days. PM did the work of providing water to our three districts from Tajewala Barrage. We got Rs 2400 crore from the centre to strengthen the Indira Gandhi Canal."

He further said that he was well aware of the difficulties of the people and the government would provide clean drinking water.

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"We have fulfilled 45 percent of the promises mentioned in our Sankalp Patra in just 90 days in Rajasthan. We will provide clean drinking water for Jalore. We will win all the 25 seats in Rajasthan. 'Ab ki Baar, Modi Sarkaar'. We will win all 12 seats in the first phase and the remaining 13 seats for which voting is on April 26," he added.

He said that BJP won 25 seats in 2014 and this would be repeated in 2024.

The remaining 13 seats in Rajasthan will be contested in the second phase on April 26.

In 2019, BJP registered a sweeping victory winning 24 out of 25 seats, while the remaining one seat was won by Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party candidate Hanuman Beniwal.

The second phase will be held on April 26 and the remaining phases will be May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1 accordingly. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Global agricultural and construction solutions major CNH Industrial is looking to leverage Indian talent and cost advantages to develop its future technologies and products for global requirements, according to a senior company official.

The company, which has recently expanded its India Technology Centre (ITC) with the addition of a cutting-edge multi-vehicle simulator (MVS), is looking at the centre to play a pivotal role in its global operations while also considering moving projects from Europe and the US to India.

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"For us, India is one of the most strategically important regions...India, we say, is the best-cost country, not the low-cost. In India, you have very skilled and qualified engineers," CNH Industrial Chief Technology Officer Friedrich Eichler told PTI.

He stressed the need to have skilled people at affordable wages at a time when the downturn in many global economies has affected the agriculture and construction sectors, while competition continues to be very strong.

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The engineers at CNH's ITC, he said, are very passionate about what they are doing and "their heart beats here for agriculture and construction".

Elaborating on its India plans, he said, "We built our best cost country strategy. We say we will move projects from Europe, from the US into this region and work together with them. The boundary conditions, we define together with headquarters at CNH".

Eichler said after setting the requirements for projects, it will be decided whether the company can move it to India, which skills are needed and get it analysed.

"If it does not fit, when will it fit, and what do we have to do to improve the infrastructure, process or what kind of people we need (here in India)," he added.

Highlighting the strengths here, he said India is an incubator of innovation. They are very skilled in digitalisation and are very good with methodologies.

CNH is present in India through three brands -- Case IH (farm machinery), New Holland (tractor) and CASE Construction Equipment.

Citing examples of how India has played a key role in CNH's global scheme, he said a FIAT powertrain developed in Italy has been adapted and manufactured at the company's Noida plant.

"We tested the first samples of this engine. It is very efficient, and there is no difference in the quality between Italy and India," he said.

Eichler also said CNH will look to develop products in India to serve specific requirements of the region, citing examples of cotton plantations.

The way cotton is planted in India is totally different from how it is planted in the US. Therefore, different machines are needed for harvesting as the fields are close and more compact, he noted.

"It is a very good environment for developing robotics, small machines that can move in orchards between the trees and pick," he said, adding CNH's India operation is also dedicated to participating in the development of such hi-tech products.

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New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) With extended deadline for 30 per cent UPI market ceiling by NPCI approaching, industry players are keenly awaiting the implementation and measures to achieve the cap from January 1.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in December 2022 extended the deadline for third-party UPI players to meet its 30 per cent volume cap in digital payment transactions by two years to end December 2024.

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Presently, third-party app providers (TPAP) like Google Pay and Walmart's PhonePe have a majority 85 per cent share in UPI-based transactions. NPCI runs the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) used for real-time payments between peers or at merchants' end while making purchases.

According to sources, NPCI would spell out ways to implement the 30 per cent UPI market ceiling in a bid to minimise concentration risk.

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One option would be to stop on-boarding of new customers for those who have higher than 30 per cent market shares in UPI transaction, sources said, adding it can be done in a phased manner so that there is no impact on the users.

NPCI is expected to give some clarity on this in the next few months much before the deadline so as to avoid any disruption, sources added.

According to a senior banker, "The risk of a single point of failure remains elevated when the two players (Google Pay and Phone Pe) dominate such a high volume of activity, resulting in disorderly services and disruption in services."

Speaking on UPI concentration Sanjiv Sharma, a senior lawyer specialising in the competition laws, said, large players invest heavily by predatory pricing in order to gain market majority.

"Once monopoly is obtained then these players monetize using its services to gain back its investments with heavy returns. This overall 'price game' reduces the space of innovation and makes it challenging for smaller players to deliver services at a competitive perspective," Sharma said.

"Taking into account the present usage and future potential of UPI, and other relevant factors, the timelines for compliance of existing TPAPs who are exceeding the volume cap, is extended by two years i.e. till December 31, 2024 to comply with the volume cap," NPCI had said in a circular.

NPCI had further said that in view of significant potential of digital payments and the need for multi-fold penetration from its current state, it is imperative that other existing and new players (banks and non-banks) shall scale up their consumer outreach for the growth of UPI and achieve overall market equilibrium.

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Poonch/Jammu, Apr 21 (PTI) An overground worker (OGW) was arrested and a pistol and two hand grenades were recovered from his possession in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

The OGW identified as Qamaruddin, a teacher by profession, was arrested following the recovery of the illegally smuggled weapons from Pakistan from his house at village Hari Budha in Mandi area, they said.

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They said a joint search operation by police and army was launched in the village early Sunday on specific information.

The operation is still continuing and further details are awaited, the officials said.

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Meanwhile, police assisted by the Army also cordoned off Kalaban top Pathnateer in Mendhar sector this morning and a search operation was underway.

The operation was launched following information about suspected movement in the area, the officials said.

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Washington, DC [US], April 21(ANI/WAM): African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina called for more urgent action as climate change continues to wreak havoc in many African countries.

He was speaking at a high-level roundtable on climate finance convened during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings by UK Deputy Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, and the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, according to a press release issued by the Abidjan-based bank.

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Adesina said the ongoing devastating drought in several parts of Africa underscored the need for all stakeholders to come together to accelerate support and financing for Africa.

"Africa is in the eye of the storm from climate change, accounting for 9 out of the 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change globally," Adesina told participants. He added: "But Africa is not getting what it needs to adapt to climate change. Africa received just USD 30 billion per year for climate adaptation, while its needs are USD 277 billion per year, leaving a huge financing gap."

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The African Development Bank has scaled up climate finance and is exceeding its financing targets for African countries. The Bank has launched several innovations to mobilise resources that will help scale up climate finance. These include a recent USD 750 million hybrid capital issue in the global capital markets, the first of its kind among multilateral development banks. The initiative was oversubscribed at USD 6 billion.

The African Development Bank's room-to-run transaction, with a USD 2 billion guarantee from the United Kingdom, unlocked an additional USD 2 billion for the Bank to devote to climate finance.

Adesina said the African Development Bank was delivering on its promise. He said: "The African Development Bank set a target to devote 40 Per cent of its total financing to climate finance. We have exceeded this target consistently in the past three years, consecutively, and stood at 55 cent in 2023."

In response to the calls for reform of the global financial architecture, Adesina said the African Development Bank had innovated and created the Climate Action Window as part of the 16th replenishment of its African Development Fund. He described it as "first among all multilateral development banks".

With initial funding of USD 429 million from development partners Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, the African Development Bank plans to increase this to USD 13 billion.

Adesina told the audience: "The Climate Action Window will directly support the low-income and most vulnerable countries on climate adaptation, mitigation, and technical assistance. The first call for proposals for adaptation elicited $4 billion of projects, ten times the size of the total facility, confirming the massive demand for adaptation finance by countries.

To further leverage climate finance, the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme--the flagship programme of the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation--is mobilising USD 25 billion for climate adaptation. It is the largest climate adaptation programme in the world.

The roundtable included interventions by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Global Center on Adaptation CEO Professor Patrick V Verkooijen, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, and ministers from Germany, the UK, Malawi, Kenya, Uruguay, Norway, Vanuatu, and Bangladesh. There were also interventions from heads of the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte.

The meeting highlighted the urgency of partnerships and collaboration to deliver climate finance to countries that need it most, including building capacity in these countries to better use these funds, develop bankable projects, and support smallholder farmers.

World Bank Group Ajay Banga encouraged stakeholders to remain determined to move forward despite existing frustrations. He said: "The first thing is not just to raise money, but to raise the capacity of countries in terms of getting bankable projects and also the capacity to execute them. We need to find a way to support countries with knowledge."

Speakers at the roundtable described the situation as dire and underlined the urgent need for stakeholders to work more collaboratively as a system. This includes forward-looking and country-led planning, policies, and partnerships to maximise support and climate finance from financial institutions and the private sector. (ANI/WAM)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Wilmington (US), Apr 21 (AP) Donald Trump had to cancel his first planned rally Saturday since the start of his criminal hush money trial because of a storm in North Carolina, an added complication for the former president and presumptive Republican nominee as he juggles legal troubles and his rematch against President Joe Biden.

Trump called into the rally near the Wilmington airport less than an hour before he was scheduled to take the stage and apologized to a few thousand supporters who had gathered throughout the afternoon.

Also Read | TikTok Ban: US Moves Closer to Banning TikTok as House of Representatives Votes to Ban Chinese App If Parent Company ByteDance Refuses to Divest.

Trump promised to reschedule a rally at the same location, with a bigger and better event.

The cancellation underscores the difficulty Trump faces as he tries to manage a presidential bid with a criminal trial in New York that will keep him in court for most of the week. Opening arguments are expected in the trial on Monday.

Also Read | Mid-Air Trauma: Passengers Leg Snaps in Half After Flight Suffers Turbulence En Route to New Zealand, Endures Pain For Six Hours.

Voters who had assembled were ready to stand by Trump, echoing his claims that multiple pending criminal indictments are an effort to take down the presumptive Republican nominee  and squelch the people who first propelled Trump eight years ago and want to return him to the White House again.

It's political persecution, and if it were anybody else he wouldn't have to be dealing with it, said Christian Armstrong, a 28-year-old firefighter who lives in Wilmington and was attending his first Trump rally.

LeeAnn Coleman, a 42-year-old who is in a family restaurant business, said it's ludicrous that he's having to do this at all," rather than spend time focusing on all the problems he wants to fix.

Those sentiments validate or at least reflect Trump's strategy to use his mandated court time to his advantage by folding the proceedings, the first time an American president has faced felony criminal charges, into the same populist, anti-establishment arguments that first fueled his rise eight years ago.

They want to keep me off the campaign trail, the candidate-turned-defendant insisted earlier this week in Harlem, where he visited a neighborhood convenience store and addressed a throng of media outside after spending the day at his own jury selection. Rather than pursue violent criminals, he alleged, They go after Trump. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], April 21 (ANI): The House of Representatives approved a USD 95.3 billion foreign-aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other American allies on Saturday. Lawmakers approved the package, most of which is direct military assistance, in separate votes, New York Post reported.

Final Congressional approval is expected to come later during the weekend, when the package will be sent to the Senate. US President Joe Biden has announced that he will sign it into law.

Also Read | TikTok Ban: US Moves Closer to Banning TikTok as House of Representatives Votes to Ban Chinese App If Parent Company ByteDance Refuses to Divest.

One bill provides USD 60.8 billion for Ukraine, with over 80 per cent of it for helping Kyiv amid its ongoing war with Russia, including replenishing supplies of US made weapons and ammunition. Around USD 9.5 billion of the package is in the form of a forgivable loan.

The bill was passed 311-112, with Republicans voting against it. Many Democrats celebrated the passage of the bill and waved Ukraine flags while shouting "Ukraine." Of the 218 House Republican lawmakers, 112 voted against the bill, according to New York Post report.

Also Read | Mid-Air Trauma: Passengers Leg Snaps in Half After Flight Suffers Turbulence En Route to New Zealand, Endures Pain For Six Hours.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, who supported the bill, warned that it is a "violation" of the House to wave flags on the floor.

US Representative Anna Anna Paulina Luna asked Democrats to "Put those damn flags away!" A second measure provides roughly USD 17 billion in direct military aid for Israel and more than USD 9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn regions.

The bill was passed 366-58 with dissenting members including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other "Squad" members and Representative Bob Good Freedom Caucus members, New York Post reported.

The third bill passed, 385-34, provides USD 8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to help deter China, about half of which has been kept aside for Taiwan.

A fourth bill includes many of the priorities of Republican lawmakers that receive support of Democrats, including a ban on TikTok if the China-based owner does not give up ownership of the app and enabling the US to seize about USD 5 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine. The lawmakers passed the bill 360-58.

US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul urged US House lawmakers to back the foreign-aid package, saying "evil is on the march."

Before the vote, he said, "History is calling and now is the time to act." He added, "Our adversaries are working together to undermine our Western values and demean our democracy."

The lawmakers approval of the package came a day after a bipartisan coalition led by US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson voted 316-94 to clear a key procedural measure so it could be considered on the floor.

Most of the Republican lawmakers in the House supported Mike Johnson's plans, despite threats by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and other far-right lawmakers to oust him as speaker if he went ahead with the Ukraine aid bill instead of prioritising US border security as record-breaking numbers of migrants illegally enter the US and impact public funds.

The three amendments to the Ukraine bill, including one by Marjorie Taylor Greene reducing "every dollar amount in the bill to zero", were all rejected on Saturday, New York Post reported.

A new border bill, introduced by Representative Juan Ciscomani, would have raised penalties for gun and drug-related offences committed in matters related to illegal immigration. However, it failed to clear the two-thirds supermajority that is required to pass the bill.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had placed pressure on Johnson to support a USD 95 billion bill approved by the Senate in February. That legislation provides all funding in a single bill. House Republicans have made several additions in the package, which are expected to be get Senate approval. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, DC [US], April 21: The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a bill that could ban social media app TikTok, CNN reported.

The bill passed 360-58 marks the latest defeat for TikTok in the US, as the social media company with 170 million users in the US fights for survival under its current ownership by ByteDance, its Chinese parent company. TikTok Ban: US Moves Closer to Banning TikTok as House of Representatives Votes to Ban Chinese App If Parent Company ByteDance Refuses to Divest.

The passage of the bill in the US House comes as part of a foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine. The move resembles an earlier version approved in March this year that would ban TikTok from US app stores unless it finds a new owner, and quickly, according to CNN report.

By attaching the TikTok bill to funding for Israeli missile defence and Ukrainian military equipment, Republican lawmakers in the US placed pressure on Senate lawmakers to consider the whole package in a single up-or-down vote.

Policy analysts expect the US Senate to take up the aid package quickly, increasing its chances of passing. US President Joe Biden has previously announced that he would sign the TikTok legislation if it reached his desk.

The passage of the TikTok bill showcases how policy priorities outside the company's control have merged to create a potentially devastating outcome for an app that is liked by many young Americans. However, US officials have warned that it is a national security risk.

The version of the bill approved Saturday would, if signed, give TikTok 270 days to find a new owner, which is more than roughly six months contemplated under older versions of the legislation. The bill also gives the White House the ability to extend that deadline for another 90 days if the US President believes there is progress towards a sale, CNN reported.

TikTok has expressed its opposition to the bill. For weeks, TikTok carried out a lobbying campaign to defeat the legislation, stressing that it violates its users' First Amendment rights and threatens small businesses. TikTok Questioned by European Union Over TikTok Lite App That Pays Users for Watching Videos.

In a post on X, TikTok on Wednesday wrote, "It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes USD 24 billion to the US economy, annually."

TikTok has indicated it could file a lawsuit to block the House's legislation, telling users in March that it plans to continue fighting, "including (by) exercising our legal rights," according to CNN report. A court challenge over the law would result in a high-stakes battle over the right of people in the US to access digital information.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, April 21: The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up vigil across the border areas after bird flu was reported in Kerala. An official said that the vigil has been increased in Anaikatti, Gopalapuram and Walayar areas. "Each checkpost in these areas is manned by 12 police officers. Any vehicle reaching Tamil Nadu is being searched thoroughly," the official said. Bird Flu Pandemic To Be Deadlier Than Coronavirus Outbreak? Experts Issue Warning, Say H5N1 Pandemic Could Be 100 Times Worse Than COVID-19

Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry officials told IANS that whenever bird flu cases are reported from neighbouring states, the department steps up vigil. The officials said that veterinary doctors and paramedic team members are also part of search teams at the state borders. Any vehicle with poultry and animals is not allowed to cross the checkposts. Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in Kerala's Alappuzha

An official said that the state government is not taking any risk and is sanitising all vehicles from Kerala, entering Tamil Nadu. He also said there are 1252 poultry farms in the Coimbatore district which borders Kerala. The official said that with such a large number of poultry farms in the district, the department is taking extra caution to prevent any outbreak in the state. The Kerala Health Department has culled 21,000 ducks in the two panchayats (Edathua and Cheruthuna) in the Alappuzha district and has also culled domestic birds in a one-kilometre radius of these two panchayats.
Kolkata, April 21: Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal will have the maximum deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel among the three constituencies in the state that will go to polls in the second phase on April 26. The three constituencies going to polls are -- Raiganj, Darjeeling and Balurghat.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Ariz Aftab said that currently, 303 companies of CAPF are in West Bengal, out of which 272 companies will be deployed for the three Lok Sabha constituencies. It is learnt that as many as 111 companies will be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum among the three. Darjeeling will have 88 companies and 73 companies will be deployed at Balurghat. West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Initial Polling in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri Seats Marred by Violence as TMC and BJP Workers Clash (Watch Video)

Of the 111 companies to be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum deployment will be for the Islampur Assembly constituency, one of the seven under this Lok Sabha. Sources said that there are reasons for keeping Raiganj under special scanner as the Election Commission (ECI) did in the case of Cooch Behar in the first phase on April 19. It is learnt that of the 1,730 polling booths at Raiganj, 418 or 24 per cent are highly sensitive booths. The figure is comparatively higher compared to that of Darjeeling where 20 per cent of the booths are extra sensitive. In the case of Balurghat, the figure is 19 per cent. Cooch Behar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Bengal CV Governor Ananda Bose To Camp in Northern Part of State on April 19

In the first phase, 100 per cent of the polling booths were covered under web-casting and similar will be followed in the second phase as well. Through this web-casting the officials of the CEO's office will be able to monitor the developments at the polling booths directly from the control room of the officials.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2024 01:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, April 21: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has suspended a PhD student for two years for indulging in activities which are "not in the interest of the nation" and referred to instances like him participating in a protest in Delhi under the PSF-TISS banner. Ramadas Prinisivanandan (30), who is pursuing his doctorate in Development Studies, has also been debarred from entering the TISS campuses in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad and Guwahati.

In a notice sent to Prinisivanandan dated March 7, TISS referred to instances like the screening of documentaries like 'Ram Ke Naam' ahead of January 26 as a "mark of dishonour and protest" against the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya. He has also been accused of screening a banned BBC documentary on the TISS campus last January and also organising the Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture (BSML) by inviting "controversial guest speakers". BBC Documentary Row: Tata Institute of Social Sciences Warns Students Against Screening India: The Modi Question on Campus.

It said that these issues are "very serious and it is discernible that you are intentionally and deliberately indulging in such unlawful activities in the name of freedom of speech and expression." "Your activities are not in the interest of the nation. Being a public institution, TISS cannot permit or tolerate its students indulging in such activities which are anti-national and bring a bad name to the nation. Hence all such activities fall under the category of serious criminal offence. HC on Illegal Hoardings in Mumbai: Cannot Permit Illegal Hoardings of Political, Commercial or Religious Organisations in Public Space, Says Bombay High Court.

TISS Suspends PhD Student

PUBLIC NOTICE pic.twitter.com/UG5nweaAfh  TISS - Tata Institute of Social Sciences (@TISSpeak) April 20, 2024

"The committee recommended your suspension from the institute i.e. Tata Institute of Social Sciences for the period of two years and your entry shall be debarred across all campuses of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, which is accepted by the competent authority," the TISS notice dated April 18 reads.

Prinisivanandan, who hails from Kerala, said he will appeal against the suspension.

The Progressive Student Forum, a Left-leaning student body Prinisivanandan is associated with, said the march referred to by the TISS was related to "anti-student policies in the form of the National Education Policy". It also said BSML has had the distinction of inviting well-known academics, scholars and human rights activists, including two Ramon Magsaysay awardees.
Editors Note: This story first appeared on Armchair Lehigh Valley and is being published on lehighvalleylive.com as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters factual information in a nonpartisan way to help them make informed decisions at the polls. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein, two longtime journalists who formerly worked at The Morning Call in Allentown. Learn more about Armchair Lehigh Valley and subscribe here.

After completing rigorous testing of its ballot scanners and voting machines, Northampton County expects the only drama in Tuesdays primary will involve results, not the voting process.

The Elections Division is confident this years enhanced testing has prepared us for the April 23 primary election, Election Registrar Chris Commini said in an email response Monday to questions from Armchair Lehigh Valley.

The county wants to avoid the kind of voting machine problems that occurred last November. Shortly after voting began, discrepancies were found in two judicial retention questions between what voters selected on the machines screen and the printout they reviewed afterward.

After learning of the problem, county officials suspended use of the machines at its 156 precincts while they determined what caused it. In the meantime, people cast votes on emergency paper ballots, with some polling place officials reporting they ran out of paper ballots.

The county and voting machine manufacturer representatives determined votes were correctly tabulated on the machines and the error appeared only on the printout. No other contest on the ballot was affected. After about two hours, voters resumed casting votes on the machines.

Machine testing before the election did not include all scenarios for the retention questions, where voters chose yes or no for the two state judges. The problem occurred when voters chose yes for one judge and no for the other; results on the printout were reversed. The voting machine test did not account for a yes-no possibility. If it had, the reversal of votes would have been noticed and fixed before Election Day.

Election Systems & Software, the Omaha, Nebraska, the company that manufactures the countys ExpressVote XL machines, admitted the problem resulted from a programming error by one of its employees.

In Norco, clerical error reverses votes in ballot printouts in two state judicial retention questions

Northampton County certifies election results despite opposition from large crowd

Nearly 2,200 emergency paper ballots cast in Northampton County when voting machines werent used

Because of what happened with the county, the Pennsylvania Department of State this year directed counties to plan for all voting scenarios in its tests and to have a sufficient supply of emergency paper ballots available at polling places on Election Day.

Voting equipment testing, a process known as Logic & Accuracy, for the primary began April 1 at the county Government Center in Easton. The county successfully tested four ballot scanners that tabulate votes of paper ballots, which arrive via mail or drop boxes.

For the first four days of last week, election workers simulated selections on voting machines to determine if the units worked properly and tabulated sample results accurately.

Tests of the scanners and voting machines were open to the press and the public. The county allowed photo and video access to the ballot scanner test but prohibited photographs or video during the voting machine test. The county also required reporters not to disclose the warehouse location for security reasons.

Local news organizations, including Armchair Lehigh Valley and lehighvalleylive.com, asked the county to reconsider its policy prohibiting photography and video as running counter to the need for transparency in the process.

The county rejected the request, saying security concerns for election workers and the machines prompted the ban.

In this time of threats to election officials and workers of all levels of responsibility, it is imperative that we protect their personal security to the greatest extent possible. Specifically, drawing media attention to any individual who participates in these efforts could serve to discourage ever larger numbers of volunteers we need to conduct these very important processes, the country said in a statement.

During the voting machine tests, a dozen county workers inputted selections from marked paper ballots on the touchscreen for each machine. Workers cast votes from seven Republican ballots and 12 Democratic ballots on each of the 298 machines. There were different numbers of ballots for each party because more Democratic candidates are on the ballot, Commini explained on the first day of the testing.

Workers followed a step-by-step checklist of about 18 tasks, such as turning on the machine, casting votes, printing out and comparing results to pre-designated numbers and turning off the machines. County officials know vote totals in advance so they can compare candidate totals in each machine and print out to make sure the numbers match.

During last weeks L&A testing, Commini said eight machines had issues. For example, some machines did not have batteries and another had a battery that wouldnt fully charge. Also the image of choices on the touchscreen moved around on another unit. The county replaced those machines during testing with ones that worked.

The replacements were fully tested during L&A, Commini said. The broken machines should be repaired and tested this week and will be available for backup, if needed, on Tuesday.

After voting tests were completed, the machines were prepared for the election, with supervisors doing several tasks, including clearing test data from the machine. The machines were secured by seals that will be removed before the polls open in each precinct on Election Day.

With testing completed, representatives of the political parties on Friday examined the testing documentation at each machine, providing another check that test votes were recorded properly.

Matt Munsey, chair of the Northampton County Democratic Committee, has seen other tests over the years. Regarding last weeks testing, there was definitely a higher attention to detail.
Willie Pearl Mackey King helped piece together the scraps of paper written upon by Martin Luther King Jr. while he was locked up in the Birmingham Jail.

Then she typed the pieced-together Letter from Birmingham Jail, one of the most important documents in the civil rights leaders legacy.

Mackey King, who served on Martin Luther Kings executive staff, will be the keynote speaker at the Easton branch of the NAACPs 80th anniversary banquet.

Shell have stories, assured Marvin Boyer, the political action committee chairman of the Easton branch of the NAACP.

The banquet is coming Sunday, April 28. About 150 people have purchased tickets, Boyer said.

King composed the letter in response to local clergy who urged him to delay his efforts, as they were untimely.

The civil rights leader allowed himself to be locked up for demonstrating without a permit as part of his campaign to improve conditions for segregated Blacks in Birmingham.

King was forced to write the letter in the margin of newspapers, on napkins, toilet paper and whatever scraps of paper he could find.

Mackey King worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from February 1962 to February 1966. Later, she worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for 32 years

The Easton NAACPs Freedom Fund banquet is from 4 to 8 p.m. April 28 at Northampton Country Club in Bethlehem Township. Tickets are $75. They can be purchased online.

The Easton branch will posthumously honor Brother Thomas Bright and give his family the branchs first-ever legacy award, named in Brights honor.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
By Brett Webber

All Aboard Lehigh Valley, a group of passenger rail advocates interested in the return of passenger rail service to and from this region, are greatly encouraged by the findings of the March 27 Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Feasibility Analysis.

This study, presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and WSP transportation & planning consultants to the transportation committee of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) was eagerly received by more than 100 participants who attended the public virtual meeting and presentation.

We applaud the LVPCs efforts to plan comprehensively and strategically for the return of passenger rail service. For over a century, our three major cities -- Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton -- were very active hubs for passenger train travel to and from New York City, Philadelphia, Reading and points west.

Indeed, the Lehigh Valleys past economic growth boom was associated with extensive networks of freight and passenger railroads, and most of the tracks and even the train stations are still in place. Future long-term economic development for the Lehigh Valley will be greatly enhanced by the redevelopment of these assets including the return of passenger rail service to this region.

This monumental and extremely important initiative must proceed with a spirit of collaboration to ensure that, when passenger rail service returns, it will be implemented with smart growth initiatives focused on enhancing the Lehigh Valleys quality of life.

All stakeholders -- including public policy makers, residents, and business interests -- must work together to rebuild our urban neighborhoods located in proximity to tracks and stations through well-designed Transit Oriented Development (TOD). In so doing, preservation of our historic cities, towns, farmland, and historic natural landscapes will remain an integral part of this planning initiative.

Passenger rail is an essential element of Americas surface transportation system. It supports economic development, connects rural communities to the nation, helps reduce roadway congestion and is vital to helping commuters and travelers reach their destinations every day.

Renewed passenger rail service to and from the Lehigh Valley will increase accessibility for all to this regions significant resources in employment, education, medical services, cultural tourism, and outdoor recreation. This enhanced connectivity between the historic cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton and the nations extended rail network beyond will create new employment and visitor opportunities while reducing vehicular traffic on major interstate highways and secondary roads to other metro areas.

Naturally, due to the huge task at hand, the process of bringing passenger rail service back to the Lehigh Valley will take time. We trust that, going forward, all will work collectively to protect and enhance this regions quality of life, urban centers, environment, and farmland. The restoration of passenger rail is key to the future vitality of our cities and our regional economy as well as to the continued preservation of open space and farmland.

This is an historic moment. The time to move on with this project is now. We at All Aboard Lehigh Valley see this effort as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as a national model for how we can all work together for the greater good. We are actively organizing what we hope becomes a groundswell of support for the return of passenger rail service in the Lehigh Valley.

All Aboard Lehigh Valley invites all interested citizen advocates, businesses, and stakeholders to come aboard as we all explore options and plan collectively for the return of passenger rail service in the future. Please join us to share your ideas and your vision. For more information and to stay informed, contact us at info@allaboardlehighvalley.org.

Brett Webber is a member of All Aboard Lehigh Valley. He signed the letter on behalf of the organization.
En el marco de la Politica Exterior Reforzada (#PER), se convoco a una reunion de embajadores y representantes del Peru en el exterior entre el 16 y 18 de abril en Ancon.



Conoce cual fue su objetivo aqui ???? pic.twitter.com/qGWlogWSCU
Micheal Martin has expressed support for a redress scheme for the families of those affected by the Stardust fire.

Forty-eight people were killed when the blaze ripped through the Dublin nightclub in 1981.

After a more than 40-year campaign for justice, last week an inquest found that the 48 victims had been unlawfully killed.

A previous finding in 1982 said that the fire had been started deliberately, a theory the families never accepted.

That ruling was dismissed in 2009, leading to the latest inquests for the victims, who were aged from 16 to 27 and mostly came from the surrounding north Dublin area.

A majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981, was instead caused by an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Taoiseach Simon Harris is to offer those affected a State apology in the Dail on Tuesday.

Following the verdict, commentators have also questioned whether there will be a redress scheme.

Speaking at a Fianna Fail event in Dublin on Sunday, Tanaiste Mr Martin said the families of the victims have been through an enormous trauma.

He said nothing could ever console their loss.

Mr Martin said: We will certainly  in addition to an apology  look at the entirety of all of that and see how the State can respond in consultation with the families and all the loved ones of the victims.

Because there will be further consultations in the time ahead with them. But certainly, you know, were gonna give it a very serious consideration.

Asked if he would support a redress scheme, he added: I think we have to do whats right by the families in particular, and I certainly will be proactive in that regard and have a positive disposition towards that.

Mr Martin was also critical of the initial tribunal of inquiry into the fire.

He said there was a need to examine a better way for victims of tragedies and other terrible situations.
The heartbroken parents of a Laois two year old girl who died in 2022, have revealed how her donated organs has saved four others, from a premature baby to a young mother.

To highlight the need for more organ donations on Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024, Timahoe mother Marie Kealy has bravely spoken publically about her toddler Hannah becoming an organ donor.

In July 2022 our world was turned upside down when our 2 year old little girl was in a tragic accident and four days later passed away in Temple Street children's hospital.

Hannah was our only child, the light of our lives and ruled the house. She had the wildest blondest hair and the darkest brown eyes.

She was a strong, independent, funny, easy going little lady and always did things her own way. She loved nothing more than being outside and helping her daddy Denis feed the calves in the evenings.

She loved having a job to do, whether it was helping emptying the dishwasher or filling the washing machine, she was always beside me.

After a couple of days in Temple Street, we were told Hannah was brain stem dead with no hope of recovery.

We made the profound decision to donate our little girls organs. If even just one family weren't put into the situation then that enough but our little Hannah went on to save four families.

Her heart was donated to a little boy, a part of her liver to a premature baby, her small bowel and semi colon to another small boy, and her kidneys to a young mammy.

She became the miracle that those four families hoped for, for so long, and that brings us some peace. To think there are parts of our little girl working away in other people is a surreal feeling at times, Marie said.

The couple with the Organ Donation Transplant Ireland team. Photos: Andres Poveda

She praises the staff at Temple Street for their care of Hannah, and the Organ Donation Transplant Ireland staff for their compassion.

While I cant begin to imagine the anguish for parents with a critically ill child waiting for a transplant, I am too familiar with the pain of losing a child. It is this shared experience that drove myself and Denis to choose organ donation for Hannah.

The reality is that children, too, can be organ donors. As parents, we would have done anything to save her, and if it meant accepting an organ from another child, we would have embraced it.

Knowing that her donation could save multiple lives, including children, brought us solace in our grief. Her memory lives on in those lives and others she has touched by her precious gift.

Just four years before we tragically lost Hannah, my husband's uncle became an organ donor and gave the gift of life to a stranger who received a liver transplant.

Knowing his selfless legacy influenced our decision. Then, just last year, one of my cousins underwent a kidney transplant, made possible by the generosity of a deceased donor's family.

This act of kindness had a ripple effect, touching the lives of not only the recipient but their families, friends, and communities.

It reinforced my familys belief in the power of organ donation. It saves lives. We take pride in our little angel, and we will ensure that her baby brother knows about her courageous deed when he is older, Marie said.

New Irish legislation, called the Human Tissue Bill, signed into law by the President, Michael D. Higgins, on February 28 this year, will introduce an 'opt out register' for people who do not want to be donors, while still giving bereaved families the final say.

Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024 takes place from April 20 to 27 and is organised by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) in association with the HSEs Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI).

The public is being asked to mark Organ Donor Awareness Week by getting together to discuss organ donation with their loved ones and letting them know their wishes about organ donation.

For donor cards see www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or phone the IKA on 01 6205306
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Deputy Marian Harkin TD told the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health, Colm Burke TD, that the highest incidence of cancer and mortality rates are in the West and Northwest of Ireland.

The Deputy said that the National Cancer Strategy has not been properly funded for three out of the last five years, and the results are plain to be seen.

When it comes to survival rates Ireland is around mid-table in the EU 27 and when it comes to western EU Member States, we have the third worst mortality rate, she said.

According to Professor Michael Kerin, the director of the Saolta Cancer Network based in Galway, the highest incidence of cancer and the highest mortality rates from cancer are in the West and Northwest, Ms Harkin explained.

Minister, Ireland is performing poorly in relation to many western European countries and the region I represent is at the bottom of the ranking in Ireland.

The National Cancer Strategy has Galway as the centre of a cancer network encompassing Sligo University Hospital, Letterkenny University Hospital, Castlebar and Portiuncula.

Some progress has been made, a project lead has been appointed this week but there are glaring resource and infrastructural problems. For instance, in Galway, cancer patients are competing with patients in the emergency department for bed space, this is not acceptable.

This summer the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes is visiting Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny Hospitals to accredit these hospitals as part of the comprehensive cancer service for the West and Northwest.

In order to ensure the delivery of a world class cancer service in the region we need to make every possible effort to adequately fund these services immediately to attract and retain the specialised staff that we need to run those services.

We need to increase the number of beds dedicated to cancer patients and ensure multi-disciplinary teams to deliver the most accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment at a location as close as possible to where the patient lives, Ms Harkin concluded.
According to new figures from the NTA, taxi numbers in Leitrim have declined by over 18 per cent, highlighting stark regional disparities in access to essential transport.

The figures came in response to a recent parliamentary question by Independent TD Carol Nolan.

This dramatic drop in available taxis raises concerns for the country's vital hospitality industry and everyday passengers, particularly as tourist numbers are expected to surge in the coming months.

Both urban and rural areas in the Border Region have been heavily impacted by taxi shortages in recent years, with licences dropping by almost 19 per cent in the same period, which has led to criticism of the current SPSV policy by various stakeholders, particularly in hospitality and tourism.

"The significant decrease in taxi availability is a crippling blow to rural Ireland's hospitality sector," Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said.

"These businesses often rely on taxis to get customers home safely, especially after dark. With little to no public transport links in rural areas and without a vital taxi service, many people simply won't go out, further squeezing already strained rural businesses.

"The Government needs to take immediate action to address this issue before it cripples the entire industry entirely," he said.

The decline in taxi numbers is attributed to a number of factors, including the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, an onerous entry system, and costly barriers for new drivers  such as outlays of up to 59,000 for a vehicle alone.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling on the NTA and the Government to take immediate action to address the taxi shortage.

They propose a 30 per cent increase in taxi vehicles by 2027 as a step towards alleviating the impact of driver and vehicle number decrease over the past decade, coupled with Ireland's population growth.

"A reliable and accessible taxi network is essential for a thriving hospitality industry and local economies," said Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling for removing the WAV requirement for newly registered SPSVs and re-assessing the SPSV Driver Entry Test's geography-based knowledge requirements.

The removal of the WAV requirement but the continuation of the WAV grant would mean a larger pool of taxis to choose from, meaning that people who do not need a WAV would not book one unnecessarily.

The Coalition states that these measures would alleviate the current burdens facing prospective new drivers and increase overall supply into the market.
Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company Participated in the World Future Energy Summit and Announced Its Industrial Investment Plan





From April 15th to 20th, 2024, representatives of Gansu Provincial Government of China and Jiuquan Municipal Government participated in the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi also visiting Dubai and Saudi Arabia. During this period, Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company signed contracts with several international solar buyers, opening new international sales channels for China photovoltaic new energy enterprises.

The leader of Gansu Province and mayor of Jiuquan attended the signing ceremony in Dubai. At the signing ceremony, Ms. Xian Xiaoli, President of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company said: "'Green and Prosperity Together' is the development goal of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company, and 'Technology Priority and Quality First' is the standard that Hengyuan Dongli adheres to in exploring domestic and international markets."

Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company has responded to China's strategic call of "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality." The 6GW photovoltaic module base project it invested in Jiuquan City covers an area of 152 mu, with an investment of about 4 billion yuan RMB (approximately 553 million USD), of which 2.4GW production line has been completed and put into operation. The remaining production lines are under construction. The company plans to invest in an additional 5GW high-efficiency battery base project, covering an area of about 240 mu, with an investment of about 4 billion yuan RMB (approximately 553 million USD). In order to form a fully closed-loop Hengyuan new energy equipment manufacturing industrial chain and build a new energy equipment manufacturing industry demonstration park, the company plans to build an inverter factory, a photovoltaic bracket factory and a wire and cable factory in the later stage, covering an area of about 160 mu and investing about 2 billion yuan.

Hengyuan Photovoltaic Module focuses on high power output and extreme reliability and is committed to reducing the overall system cost and improving investors' income. It adopts the latest high-efficiency intelligent production line equipment to meet various specifications of products such as 182 and 210. It has established in depth cooperation with many well-known enterprises at home and abroad to jointly promote the R&D and application of new energy technologies. Furthermore, it has established a New Energy Technology Research Institute in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, led by a team of national experts and academicians from China, focusing on the investment in the R&D field of new energy technologies. This will ensure the continuous upgrading and iteration of enterprise industrial technologies, and promoting the rapid development of new energy industries in the local and even western regions with services.

This is the result of the development vision of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company in the field of photovoltaic new energy, based on the western part of China, serving the whole country and facing the Central Asia and even the global market.

20 april 2024 at 23:50

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President George H.W. Bush with Defense Secretary Dick Cheney at the White House, Washington, US, February 1991. DAVID HUME KENNERLY / GETTY IMAGES

Surprisingly, comments on Iran's massive attack on Israel on April 13 failed to take into account the precedent of Iraqi strikes against Israel in January 1991. Yet there had been serious fears of a regional conflagration at the time, five months after the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's regime. In addition, the risk that Iraqi missiles might be equipped with chemical warheads had contributed to dramatizing the crisis. Benjamin Netanyahu, then Israel's deputy foreign minister, caused a sensation by donning a gas mask in the middle of an interview with the American channel CNN, as warning sirens sounded. "We would like to see that threat removed. I cannot tell you when, I cannot tell you where, and I cannot tell you how, but we will make sure that Israel is safe," he hammered home, words he would probably not disown three decades later.

Read more Subscribers only Iran and Israel seem intent on preventing further escalation

The Iraqi gamble on escalation

The regional context was certainly very different. In August 1990, Hussein had launched his troops against Kuwait, which was soon occupied and annexed. This war of aggression provoked widespread international condemnation, including in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia felt directly threatened by Iraqi expansionism, to the point of requesting the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American troops on its soil.

This operation, dubbed Desert Shield, led to the formation of a vast anti-Iraq coalition, under the aegis of the US. Washington ensured that Hafez al-Assad's Syria and Hosni Mubarak's Egypt joined the coalition, relying on the profound hostility of these two autocrats towards Hussein, as well as on the desire of Damascus and Cairo to counter Baghdad in the Middle East. The Iraqi dictator had reacted by posing as a champion of the Palestinian cause in the face of Israel's repression of the Intifada, the uprising in Gaza and the West Bank, occupied since 1967.

Hussein could denounce the "double standards" of an American-inspired mobilization against the occupation of Kuwait, even though the US had accepted the persistence of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories for a whole generation. But the boasts of Iraqi propaganda did little to conceal Baghdad's desire to loosen the stranglehold of the Washington-led coalition, by involving Israel in the crisis and thus trapping Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

On January 17, 1991, US President George H. W. Bush launched the Desert Storm bombing campaign against Hussein's forces in Kuwait and Iraq. The very next day, Iraq fired a dozen Scud missiles into Israeli territory. The American president forbade Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir from retaliating in any way against Iraq. But he ordered the deployment in Israel of Patriot anti-missile batteries, operated by American military personnel, which limited Israeli losses to two deaths over more than a month. In fact, Hussein did not use chemical weapons against Israel any more than he did on the Kuwait front, from which his troops were expelled within a few days at the end of February 1991.

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As they do every year, hundreds of thousands of Argentines took to the streets on March 24 to pay tribute to the victims of the last military dictatorship (1976-1983), one of the most brutal Latin America has known. In 2024, the demonstration took on a special symbolic significance. For the first time since the transition to democracy, it took place under a government that spreads, produces and encourages the voices of those nostalgic for the dictatorship. Foremost among them is Vice President Victoria Villarruel, a former member of civil organizations aiming to rehabilitate torturers convicted of crimes against humanity.

The issue surrounding the date of March 24 is not just a memorial. Argentinians are currently witnessing a rethinking of the political system and a total deregulation of the economy, carried out at breakneck speed by a president who has no regard for democracy.

Read more Subscribers only In Argentina, Milei challenges the reality of state terrorism under the dictatorship

Javier Milei won the presidency through the ballot box, but that's not enough to make him democratic. Proof of this is his perception of the political field, which boils down to an antagonism between the "good Argentines" and the "caste," in other words the traditional political class, trade unionists, journalists and civil servants. He rejects the very idea of social rights, justice and citizenship as obstacles to the only freedom he recognizes as legitimate and virtuous: that of market forces. His remaking of Argentina consists of establishing the undivided reign of inequality and a violent social Darwinism disguised as meritocracy.

Supposedly lost golden age

Nothing sheds more light on Milei's project than the way he bases it on a selective, fantasized narrative of Argentina's past. No matter how innovative they claim to be, political forces are the bearers of representations of the national past. In the case of the far right, they like to evoke certain periods in terms of decadence, while presenting others as a supposedly lost golden age. Political action then becomes more a work of regeneration than of building an alternative future. President Milei is no exception to this rule.

The head of state's relationship with the past is marked by his general condemnation of the national history of the 20th and 21st centuries. Nothing escapes his accusatory verve: not the first democratically elected governments (1916-1930), nor the Peronist governments (1946-1955) which, despite their flaws, established social citizenship in this country, nor the past four decades of democratic governance.

If it's true that democracy hasn't kept its promises and hasn't been able to protect all Argentines, the contempt and even hatred in which Milei holds any form of social inclusion is transposed into a rejection of all the historical processes that gave rise to it. Argentina's prosperity is due to the very existence of state mechanisms for distributing wealth, which have enabled the working classes and their representatives (the "caste") to obtain advantages that the market would not have spontaneously granted them.

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A UNIQUE energy roadshow takes place in Limerick on Monday, April 22.

Limerick City and County Council, in collaboration with EirGrid, ESBN and SEAI will outline details of Limericks involvement in the Horizon 2020 project, +CityxChange, at the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow.

For the five years of this Horizon 2020 project, Limerick City and County Council have worked with several expert partners to integrate smart, positive energy solutions for a more sustainable future in Limerick County.

Kieran Reeves, Climate Action Co-ordinator with Limerick City and County Council said, The +CityxChange Horizon 2020 project focused on the development of a positive energy district in the heart of Limerick City Centre and led to the creation of the Citizen Innovation Lab.

"We now have a space where people can work together and explore local responses to issues such as climate change and to help co-create the future we want to live in.

"I look forward to sharing more about our achievements and learnings from the project with members of the public at the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow later this month.

READ MORE: Good news as Limerick to Ennis rail service resumes ahead of hurling clash

The roadshow will take place from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Limerick Strand Hotel.

Led by EirGrid, this free event will bring together experts from SEAI (Irelands national sustainable energy authority), ESB Networks and Limerick City and County Council to provide information about home energy efficiency upgrades, retrofitting grants, community micro-generation schemes and initiatives to future-proof Limerick.

Along with this panel of specialists, the roadshow will include a host of local exhibitors showcasing the latest information about home energy efficiency upgrades, heat pumps and solar energy.
Samantha Harrison was in Beijing with a friend when they realised they didn't know how to 'squat properly' to use the toilet.

The Aussie tourist was in Beijing when she and her friend realised they didn't know how to use the squat toilet properly. Source: Supplied/Samantha Harrison

Travelling to a new country can present many learning curves  but Aussie woman Samantha Harrison didn't expect to be shown how to use a toilet during her recent trip overseas.

The business owner from Queensland flew to China with a group last week, and while enjoying lunch in Beijing, found herself engaged in a "tutorial" on how best to use the nation's squat toilets, which are commonly found in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Harrison detailed the hilarious encounter to Yahoo News Australia from abroad, admitting the whole thing was "so funny" and "wholesome". She was with her friend using the bathroom at a restaurant when they realised "we don't know how to do it properly" without "getting backsplash".

Samantha Harrison is a hair extension wholesaler and was visiting China for work. Source: Supplied/Samantha Harrison

Aussies receive 'toilet tutorial' from local woman

A viral video on Harrison's TikTok page shows the pair laughing hysterically with a local woman who they'd asked to show them the correct way to use the loo. The Queenslander told Yahoo they'd asked the woman  who had been cleaning the toilets  what to do to ensure they didn't make a mess or wet their clothes, but the language barrier meant they had to demonstrate instead.

"We were trying to ask by using actions how she uses the toilet," Harrison said. "And so we brought her into the toilet cubicle with us and were showing her how we could hold a squat, and asked if we were doing it right.

"She was like, 'No, no' and was [showing us how to] squat but with her knees together. It was so funny because I can't squat like she can, apparently, the way we were squatting was wrong.

"We couldn't figure out how to squat without getting it all over the floor."

Toilet request goes viral on social media

The video showing the toilet "tutorial" has since racked up over five million views on TikTok. Harrison said she "definitely didn't think it was going to go viral".

"I feel like laughter is the universal language. Everyone's laughing and can relate," she said. "You can really hear the happiness and the laughter from [the local woman]. It feels like a wholesome video."

Many in the comments admitted they too struggled to get used to squat or drop toilets while travelling overseas."Omg this was SO HARD when I was in China," one person said.

The local woman showed Sam and her friend how to 'squat properly' with her knees together. Source: TikTok/samharrisonnnnn

"I stopped wearing pants altogether because I couldn't understand how they peed with their pants down and it not going all over their jeans," they added.

While others commented on the "genuine laughter" in the video.

"The way they laugh at each other is like they have known each other a long time," one observed. "My new goal in life is to make someone laugh this hard when we don't even speak the same language," said another.

Others were baffled by the style of the toilet admitting they'd never seen it before and also questioned how they work.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
BALLYHOURA Development has issued an invite to community members and community groups from across the Ballyhoura area and beyond, to the final closing event of the Stop, Look, Listen: Preserving Biodiversity in Ballyhoura project.

The community initiative led by Ballyhoura Development, with special guest Sean Ronayne, Irish Wildlife Sounds.

The event will take place in the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, Bruff on Wednesday, April 17 at 7.30pm.

There will be a tour of the local biodiversity projects by Bruff Tidy towns at 6.30pm.

The Shared Green Deal: Preserving Biodiversity project is an EU funded project which sought to raise awareness and knowledge on specific priority Green Deal topics, all of which contribute to the climate action and zero pollution ambitions of the Green Deal.

There will be an exhibition on the night of local biodiversity imagery and other images from the project across the year. There will also be a prize giving ceremony for the winners of the Stop, Look, Listen photography competition.

The special guest speaker Sean Ronayne, is an ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist and is on a personal mission to record the vocalisations of every bird species in Ireland. For three years, he has been documenting nearly 200 birds, including species on the cusp of extinction.

Now, in a multimedia presentation, Sean shares his story and his unique, and often surprising, recordings of mimicry, distinct dialects, and birds never recorded in Ireland before. His journey reveals the beauty and importance of sound, and what listening can tell us about the state of our natural world.
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Jump behind the scenes at Irelands biggest and best museums, as RTEs Ireland's Hidden Treasures takes viewers on a journey through time and across the country.

LIMERICK's Hunt Museum is set to feature in a new RTE documentary, which takes viewers on a deep dive of Irish artefacts and the history behind them.

Running for three weeks from this Sunday at 6.30pm, Irelands Hidden Treasures takes audiences into the historic world of the National Museum and National Library of Ireland.

As well as showcasing some hidden treasures in those two Dublin-based buildings, eight other regional museums will be explored over the three weeks.

From Limericks Hunt Museum, to Mayos Jackie Clarke Collection and from Kilkennys Medieval Mile Museum, to Waterfords Museum of Time, viewers will get a deep dive tour into fascinating artefacts and Irish historical wonders.

"Ireland's Hidden Treasures is more than a documentary series - it's a celebration of Ireland's enduring legacy and a tribute to those who dedicate their lives to preserving it," an RTE spokesperson said.

"This series is set to reignite the appreciation for Ireland's national treasures and the stories they hold."

Tune in to RTE 1 on Sunday April 21 at 6.30pm for this 'extraordinary opportunity' to go behind the scenes at Irelands museums.
THERE are long traffic delays at the Limerick Tunnel Toll plaza as hurling supporters make their way to Ennis in convoy.

One motorist got in touch with Limerick Live, who coincidentally isn't heading to the Titanic Limerick v Clare match, said: "The toll is backed up as far as the entrance to the tunnel."

Traffic is expected to continue to build as more and more Limerick fans make their way to Cusack Park for the 2pm throw-in.

A full house of 20,100 attendees will pack into the grounds.

READ MORE: Barry Hennessy: "Limerick will need to be at their best to see off Clare in Ennis"

Gardai say there will be no parking in the vicinity of the match grounds with the exception of those with parking passes.

Those with parking passes for Glor Theatre and Clare FM studios must access the area via the Causeway link road only (Temple Gate Roundabout).

Otherwise, parking will be available in the following areas: Clare County Council Offices at New Road, Holy Family Car Parking, Abbey St Car Park or Parnell St Car Park, and Legal on-street parking where available.
A SIPTU member sacked for allegedly taking a pair of used socks from a waste area in a community centre in Limerick City has won her case for unfair dismissal.

Geraldine ODonnell, a 66-year-old mother of five, received an award of 15,000 at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

She had been employed on a community job initiative scheme at various community centres for more than 30 years. In November 2022, Ms O'Donnell was accused of taking without authorisation a pair of childrens socks that had been part of an art project and left with a pile of boxes, thought to be for disposal.

In evidence at her WRC case, Ms O'Donnell said that it was coming up to Christmas time and she believed the socks decorated with a red bow, valued in the case at 1.75, were to be thrown out.

She decided instead to take them for her granddaughter. When it was noticed by a supervisor the socks were gone, the woman admitted she had taken them but was "rushed through a flawed investigation process and ultimately, dismissed", say SIPTU.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick fans on a high after hurlers pull off stunning turnaround

SIPTU Workers Rights Centre Advocate, Victoria Stephens, said: At the WRC, we argued that the member was not a dishonest person, as alleged, as she had admitted to taking the socks when asked by her employer.

"We argued that a person is only guilty of stealing when he or she dishonestly appropriates property without the consent of its owner and to deprive its owner of it. This did not occur.

Ms Stephens added: The adjudication officer found that the most appropriate remedy was compensation and as the complainants employment was terminated on the December 1, 2022, and she was due to retire in January 2024, in all of the circumstances, she found that the appropriate award of compensation is 15,000.

Ms ODonnell said: I would firstly like to say thank you to my SIPTU representative Victoria, she has restored my faith in humanity in this horrific journey. It has not been an easy year and a half for myself and my family.

"I now wish to enjoy my retirement proud that I served my community for many years without a blemish on my good name.
Democracy is at stake because of autocratic governments, the former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has said.

She was speaking at the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland, in Dublins Phoenix Park, on Sunday, as she became the inaugural recipient of the Fulbright Ireland Public Service Award.

The Fulbright Commission is an educational exchange programme operated through a bilateral partnership of the US state department and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, Ms Pelosi met the Irish president Michael D Higgins at nearby Aras an Uachtarain.

On Sunday she said the US administration is concerned about Chinas influence, as well as climate change and the war in Ukraine.

Big picture, were in a competition between autocracy and democracy  have no doubt that that fight is on.

She said this manifests itself in several ways, for example brutal force by Russia and commercial efforts by China for autocracy to buy itself in.

Ms Pelosi said the US is also seeing risks challenging the principles of democracy, including free and fair elections and the independence of the judiciary.

She added: Democracy is at stake, and I dont say that lightly.

In a wide-ranging fireside chat with US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, the long-serving Democrat reflected on her career and dealings with former presidents.

Running through a series of anecdotes, she said she got along very well with George HW Bush but criticised his relationship with China after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

She recalled another incident, years later, when his son George W Bush was president.

Im talking to the president, who is a sweetheart, George Herbert Walker Bush, and were talking about family and so on and he says madam speaker, will you give my kid a break?.

She said the younger Bush was a lovely man but not when it came to the war in Iraq.

On Bill Clinton, she said he was a wonderful president who does not get the credit he deserves.

However, she said the Democrat president was also terrible on China.

Saying she was a firm believer in bipartisanship, Ms Pelosi added that she often quoted one of Ronald Reagans final presidential speeches, in which he said Americas pre-eminent position in the world was because of its openness to talent from other countries.

She said that Barack Obama was spectacular on policy areas like healthcare.

Ms Pelosi, who made several references to Donald Trump without naming her political rival, said: There are some people who should never be allowed anywhere near the White House.

She said current president Joe Biden really knows his stuff, adding: He just has a clear vision for our country. He has more experience than anybody.

Ms Pelosi said she was certain he would be re-elected.
Googles decision to fire 28 workers involved in sit-in protests against the tech giants cloud-computing contract with the Israeli government is the most recent and starkest example of companies stricter stance. Rifts with employees have spilled into public view at National Public Radio, the New York Times and other workplaces. Bosses are losing patience with staff eager to be the conscience of their companies, especially as employees pressure them on charged issues such as politics and the war in Gaza, executives, board members and C-suite advisers say.

The moves are a correction to the last several years, when corporate leaders often brooked dissent and encouraged staff to voice their personal convictions. On issues such as immigration policy and racial justice, many chief executives publicly expressed corporate solidarity. Google, in particular, has long prided itself on an open work culture that fostered internal debate, much like a college campus.

It is an open question as to what rights workers really have to speak out on the job. None of this is settled," said Genevieve Lakier, a law professor at the University of Chicago.

Workers in the private sector arent protected by the First Amendments guarantees of free speech, and there is still a lot of uncertainty about how much free expression by workers is consistent with the operations of the workplace," she said.

Numerous workers reported being fired from companies after writing contentious social-media posts about the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel or the war in Gaza. At Google, leaders said the protesting workers violated company policy by taking over office spaces and disrupting work. While preserving the companys open culture is important, Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote to staff afterward, we also need to be more focused in how we work, collaborate, discuss and even disagree."

An unexpected firing

Hasan Ibraheem, a Google software engineer who was arrested and then fired after taking part in the protest at the companys New York office, said the firings didnt square with his image of Google when he was hired less than two years ago.

It was the big company that was still fun and vibrant. You were allowed to express yourself," said Ibraheem, 23, who had been active in pro-Palestinian demonstrations before joining Google.

Though he knew of a few co-workers who had quit because of their opposition to the $1.2 billion Israeli contract that Google shares with Amazon, called Project Nimbus, he said he opted to stay so he could protest the contract from within.

Google had been responsive to employee concerns about government work before. In 2018, it decided not to renew a separate Pentagon contract after that work became the subject of intense internal debate. The company also pledged not to make artificial-intelligence technology for military weapons and adopted a set of AI principles to guide its work.

I wasnt expecting that my labor would be going toward aiding a genocide, and that if I spoke up against that I would be instantly fired," Ibraheem said. Google said that, unlike the contract it canceled in 2018, the Project Nimbus contract isnt aimed at being used for weapons or intelligence work. Some employees say they are worried the company is still aiding Israels war efforts.

Googles vice president of global security, Chris Rackow, told employees last week that the activists behavior made co-workers feel threatened." A Google spokesman said numerous staffers complained the protesters disrupted their work.

Other companies have found themselves in clashes with dissenting employees. This month, NPR suspended a senior editorwho subsequently resignedafter he published a critique of the radio networks news coverage in another media outlet. The New York Times, where divisions over its Gaza war coverage have roiled the newsroom, investigated whether staffers leaked confidential materials to another publication. It closed the probe last week without any conclusive finding.

Starbucks sued the union representing around 410 of its more than 9,700 U.S. stores after local affiliates of Starbucks Workers United posted pro-Palestinian tweets and reshared an image of a bulldozer breaking through the fence encircling Gaza. The coffee chain alleged the unions use of the Starbucks name and branding led people to misattribute such sentiment to the company. (The two sides have since said they are working toward resolving the litigation.)

Shifting pressures

Until recently, many company leaders viewed speaking out as less risky than appearing unresponsive to calls for social actionsuch as in the aftermath of George Floyds 2020 murder, when businesses voiced support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

But issues that have boiled over in workplaces since thenfrom state abortion bans to the war in Gazadont lend themselves to simple pronouncements of solidarity or town halls where employees can share their personal experiences.

The perils of being ensnared in partisan politics is changing the calculus of how responsive companies should be to any issue that doesnt directly affect business, some executives and corporate advisers say.

Many of them point to Disneys now-resolved legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a cautionary tale. The fight stemmed from Disneys move in 2022 to publicly oppose Floridas Parental Rights in Education bill, as it faced pressure from LGBTQ employees and advocacy groups. Last years damaging boycott of Anheuser-Busch InBevs Bud Lightafter the brands marketing promotion with a transgender influencerhas also made companies leery of moves that risk landing them in a culture war, they say.

Corporate leaders are very concerned about public backlash, especially boards of directors," said Jonathan Bernstein, founder and chairman of Bernstein Crisis Management, which advises companies on corporate communications and reputation management.

Ignoring workplace dissent isnt an option either, he said. Several clients, he said, are wrestling with squabbling staff on email and Slack over issues ranging from the war in Gaza to U.S. politics.

Marissa Andrada, former chief people officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill and now a board director at Krispy Kreme, said she was surprised how swiftly Google moved to fire the protesting workers. In those situations, she said, it is often better to take a pause, make sure all the facts are understood."

Andrada recalls the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, when she was still at Chipotle. Among staff, there were varying views on the ruling, and employees were asking what we stood for," she said.

Chipotles health plan covered travel costs in other instances where workers medical treatment required out-of-state care. It would therefore do the same, if necessary, for abortion care, Chipotle said in a memo to its womens employee resource group, which had raised the question.

We didnt make up a new rule or put out a public statement," she said. We looked at what was consistent with our existing policy and values."

No way to avoid offense

Acting on employee demands risks offending workers with opposing views. Lisa Marshall, a housing attorney with a nonprofit law firm, woke up one day this year to discover that her union had passed a resolution condemning Israels attacks on Gaza.

Marshall, an Orthodox Jew, said she saw the resolution as a direct affront to her Jewish identity.

Leaving the union wasnt an option in Massachusetts, where she works and lives. So she filed a request to the UAW, the parent of Marshalls union, to be a religious objector, which allows her to withhold her union dues and pay them to a nonprofit instead. She now routes her dues to the Brandeis Center, a Jewish civil rights group that advised her during this process. Her union didnt respond to requests for comment.

Marshall said she appreciates the unions role in fighting for pay, job security, retirement plans and benefits, but believes the resolution was an overstep, and painful for Jewish members.

Googles CEO made a similar point in explaining why the company had quickly fired its protesting employees.

This is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts co-workers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform." Pichai said in his email to staff.

This is too important a moment as a company for us to be distracted," he added.

Write to Vanessa Fuhrmans at Vanessa.Fuhrmans@wsj.com, Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com and Lauren Weber at Lauren.Weber@wsj.com
Those diversity goals were highlighted in companies annual reports in 2022. A year later, those references were gone.

Dozens of companies altered descriptions of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in their annual reports to investors as DEI programs come under legal and political threat. The changes highlight the balancing act companies face as they navigate pressure from both critics and advocates of diversity efforts.

In general, companies say they arent cutting back on their programs or longer-term goals. Lawyers and other experts say the disclosure changes reflect uncertainty about the legal parameters of diversity programs along with wariness of political backlash following the Supreme Courts 2023 decision overturning affirmative action in college admissions.

The nature and degree of the changes vary, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of 10-K filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Some companies shortened descriptions or removed entire sections, while others changed a few words or phrases to cut mentions of race or specific hiring or other targets.

Kohls no longer says it is cultivating diverse leaders" for advancement, as it had for the past three years. The retailers latest annual report says its priority is to develop leaders."

GameStop cut mention of diversity and inclusion" from a list of philosophy tenets for its human-resources department.

Software company UiPath used to define DEI measures as a business priority and a moral imperative." Now they are key to creating an environment where our people feel safe to be themselves, are empowered to grow their careers, are rewarded competitively, and are challenged to do their best work while embracing the power of automation."

People and interest groups along the political spectrum are watching the companies words and actions.

Shortly after the affirmative-action decision, a group of Republican attorneys general wrote a letter to Fortune 100 companies warning them against race-based preferences in hiring and promotion. Soon after, Democratic attorneys general wrote to the same companies noting that corporate diversity programs are essential to combating discrimination and encouraging firms to double down on their efforts.

Theres been a re-evaluation of the level of political risk these companies are willing to take on," said Lindsay Stewart, an analyst at Morningstar who studies corporate reporting.

The affirmative-action ruling, which struck down the consideration of race in college and university admissions, doesnt directly affect companies. But the ruling raised the specter of more legal challenges by people and groups who see race- or gender-based goals as discriminatory.

Survey data suggest most companies arent making substantive changes to their diversity efforts. Around 93% of employers said their DEI commitments and activity increased or stayed the same between 2022 and 2023, according to a report published in January by employment law firm Littler Mendelson.

UiPath, for example, says its commitment has deepened in the past year" and that it has strengthened our operating procedures in talent acquisition toward higher goals for a more diverse workforce." A Kohls spokeswoman said the companys strategy and beliefs around DEI are still in place and it routinely makes revisions to that section of its annual report. She said additional information about DEI at Kohls is on the companys website and in its annual ESG report.

Still, some companies are saying less. Forget about any ideological agenda. Youre just trying to figure out, how do I follow the law? You dont want to overcommit or undercommit or misdescribe where youll eventually land," said Jason Schwartz, a partner with Gibson Dunn and a leader of the law firms DEI Task Force. Schwartz currently represents the Fearless Fund, a venture firm whose grants to Black female entrepreneurs have been challenged in court.

The legal landscape shifted again last week, when the Supreme Court opened the door to discrimination claims related to a broader range of workplace actions.

Conservative legal activists have taken aim at some hiring programs and other initiatives by companies, saying they are discriminatory.

There is a pullback from any explicit mention of race," said Dan Lennington, deputy counsel for Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a legal group that has sued multiple companies over their diversity initiatives. He said companies recognize they face tremendous liability for any program involving race in any way," a concern that extends far less to programs based on gender.

Some companies are signaling their attention to compliance. Software company EverCommerce in 2023 added several sentences to its annual report saying it would pursue only DEI efforts that were legally compliant. EverCommerce didnt respond to requests for comment.

Fear of legal repercussions is a major consideration, experts say. Certain programs or commitments might be seen as more likely to draw scrutiny, such as putting numerical targets on racial or gender representation or maintaining mentorship programs for underrepresented groups.

In its 2023 report, Nordstrom removed specific goals around diversity that had been in filings with the SEC since 2020. That included the goals of delivering $500 million in retail sales from brands owned, operated or designed by Black and Latino people and increasing Black and Latino representation in manager roles by 50%.

Salesforce in its 2022 report said it targets 50% of its workforce being from underrepresented groups and 40% of employees being women or nonbinary. The numbers are gone from the latest report, in which the company says it looks to advance representation and design systems with a focus on equality.

A spokesperson for Salesforce said its commitment to equality is unwavering."

Workday in 2020 declared its commitments to increasing overall representation of Black and Latino employees in the U.S. by 30% and doubling the number of Black and Latino leaders by the end of last year. Those targets, added into the 2022 form, were missing from the 2023 version.

Electronics seller Best Buy stopped listing its commitments to spend at least $1.2 billion with diverse businesses by 2025, as well as its progress on hiring goals such as filling one in three salaried corporate positions with employees who are Black, indigenous or people of color and filling one in three positions with women. The company instead said it is focused on employee engagement, retention, representation and creating a culture of belonging.

All four companies provide more details about their diversity goals and actions in separate reports. Those documents, sometimes labeled impact reports or ESG reports, tend to be published on different timelines than annual reports.

Many other companies have kept their language on DEI initiatives unchanged in annual reports.

Companies weigh the pros and cons of disclosure, with the knowledge that financial filings are a forum to communicate not only with investors and regulators but also with competitors, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders, said Ivy Feng, an accounting professor at the University of Wisconsin who has studied diversity disclosures.

What gets disclosed gets managed. So if they dont say anything, its more difficult for outsiders to find out whats really going on," she said. When they say something, then its public, and when its public, they can potentially be scrutinized by outsiders."

Write to Ben Glickman at ben.glickman@wsj.com and Lauren Weber at Lauren.Weber@wsj.com
Mergers can signify a seismic shift in any industry, with the potential for both triumph and turbulence. But EssenceMediacom, born on 31 January 2023 from the fusion of two powerhouse agencies within GroupM, has emerged as a strong leader in the industry in just 15 months. Boasting $21 billion in global billing, this amalgamation represents more than just a union of assets. In an interview with Mint, EssenceMediacoms APAC CEO Rupert McPetrie, and South Asia CEO Navin Khemka, shared insights into the merger journey, the imperatives guiding their approach, and the roadmap for future growth. Edited excerpts:

So, it's been 15 months since the birth of the youngest and the largest agency within GroupM, boasting $21 billion worth of global billing. But mergers of this scale and size are not always easy. What key insights and lessons have you gained from integrating two such distinct agencies? Rupert McPetrie: Bringing together these two businesses was an extraordinary moment for usmerging two robust agencies, each with a stellar client list and a wealth of talent. Our aim wasn't merely to combine them; it was to forge something entirely new. Hence, we crafted a fresh proposition centred on breakthroughs for brands. Reflecting on the merger, there are several vital learnings and insights. Firstly, prioritising the well-being of our people was paramount. With 2,500 employees in the Asia Pacific, it was essential to keep them informed and cared for throughout the process. Secondly, communication played a pivotal role. Following the merger announcement in 2022, the market buzzed with excitement and interest. Our key insight here was the necessity of consistent communicationkeeping stakeholders abreast of our progress and timelines ensured clarity and alignment. Thirdly, balancing speed with thoroughness was critical. While it was imperative to execute swiftly in response to the rapidly evolving market, we also dedicated the necessary time to ensure a robust integration process. Lastly, maintaining unwavering focus amid the daily operational demands was crucial. We navigated the delicate balance of tending to existing clients while driving forward the creation of our new agency.

How has this played out from the Indian perspective, particularly in acquiring new business? Navin Khemka: Prior to the merger, our track record in India showcased steady growth, adding between $80-100 million in new business annually. Despite this, we didn't rank among the top 10 agencies in the country. However, post-merger, we swiftly ascended to the top three. Overnight, the merger propelled our benchmark from $80-100 million to $120 million in the last year alone. This surge in capability translated into winning more business and marked one of our most successful years for new acquisitions. In the first quarter of the current year, we've already secured $35-40 million in new business.

Is this growth in new business coming at the expense of cannibalising GroupM clients? Navin: Not at all. We maintain robust relationships with our sister agencies within GroupM, governed by a strict non-compete policy in the market. If EssenceMediacom pursues a client, others abstain from pitching for the same business. Incumbent agencies defend their existing clients in case of a pitch. With a client retention rate of 99% and a pitch conversion rate of 90%, our focus remains solely on winning pitches. We only pitch to win and believe that nobody is bothered if you come number two.

How did you navigate the merging of distinct thinking styles from the two agencies? Rupert: The amalgamation of the two agencies provided a brilliant opportunity to harness genuinely complementary skills. Our vision for EssenceMediacom is aimed at providing clients with comprehensive guidance and activation across the entire spectrum of the consumer journey. Furthermore, our vision extends beyond current trends, anticipating future landscape changes such as the rise of e-commerce and evolving platform dynamics. This future-forward approach, coupled with our ability to cater to a diverse array of client needs, has been instrumental in our success.

Can you elaborate on specific strategies you implemented to adapt to this evolving media landscape? Navin: Our business model has evolved significantly over the past five years. Whereas previously, we primarily offered basic media services, we now recognise the need to navigate a complex and fragmented media environment. Consequently, we've launched specialised practices tailored to meet evolving client demands, including commerce, performance, and creative futures. Our approach emphasises personalised solutions that account for the unique requirements of each client and category.

With the increasing emphasis on performance marketing, do you believe the role of the CMO is diminishing? Rupert: The relevance of the CMO varies across sectors, with boardrooms increasingly demanding accountability for marketing investments and their impact on business outcomes. While some businesses prioritise lower-funnel performance marketing, others continue to focus on brand-building initiatives. The evolving role of the CMO extends beyond marketing execution to encompass strategic business contributions. As such, discussions with global clients increasingly revolve around solutions that span various marketing disciplines, underscoring the ongoing evolution of our industry and the imperative to demonstrate value.

Are clients in India receptive to this perspective? Navin: While your observation holds true for a subset of clients, particularly startups and those embracing a digital-first approach, there's a broader realisation unfolding. Many are recognising that solely prioritizing lower-funnel metrics like conversion and performance yields initial spikes in sales, but often leads to stagnation thereafter. A point to consider is the significant presence of startups within the top 10 spenders in the country's advertising expenditure landscape. This begs the question: why invest such substantial sums if not to eventually cultivate a brand presence? While initial returns may be garnered through B2C or e-commerce platforms, the imperative of brand-building becomes undeniable in the long run. Neglecting this aspect risks relegating oneself to a niche market positiona scenario incongruent with the immense opportunities prevalent in India's dynamic market landscape. The aim, therefore, should not be to remain niche but to resonate as a brand accessible to the masses.

Where does India fit into EssenceMediacoms overall business strategy? Rupert: India stands as a shining beacon of excellence within our APAC operations, currently ranking third in scale after China and Australia. It's also our fastest-growing market. This growth trajectory reflects two key factors: the tremendous potential inherent in the Indian market and our business's exceptional performance within it. India's burgeoning GDP rates, coupled with robust advertising expenditure growth and the emergence of a thriving middle class predisposed to increased consumer spending, underscore its immense potential. Furthermore, our operations in India consistently outpace market growth, fuelling our confidence in the region's prospects. Globally, India holds the seventh position in our market hierarchy.

What is the vision for the next five years? Navin: Our vision entails fortifying our business to withstand the imminent shifts in the Indian media landscape. India finds itself on the brink of significant change, and the ensuing transformation will be profound. Over the next two to five years, we anticipate a dramatic evolution in the shape of our business. While scaling remains a priorityaiming to ascend from our current position as the third-largest agency in the country to potentially leading the chartswe also recognise the imperative of diversification. It's not merely about expanding our media-centric endeavours; rather, it's about nurturing and scaling various facets of our business. This includes ventures centred around innovation, data, and commerce, among others. The emergence of these diverse streams presents potent opportunities, compelling every client to embrace this narrative. As an agency, we must be poised to cater to these evolving needs, ensuring our readiness to navigate the dynamic landscape ahead.
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor has been booked for allegedly carrying out a false campaign against Union Minister of State and rival candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Kerala police said on Sunday.

The case against Tharoor was registered on 15 April on the complaint by BJP leader J R Padmakumar.

According to news agency PTI's report, Padmakumar accused Tharoor of carrying out a false campaign against Chandrasekhar during a TV programme with regard to influencing voters of Kerala in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Congress MP has been booked under Sections 171-G (raising false statement in connection with an election) and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 65 of IT Act, a cyber police official told PTI adding that an investigation is going on in the matter.

Tharoor is yet to react to the case registered against him.

Also read: 'Shashi Tharoor, in desperation...': Rajeev Chandrasekhar on defamation notice to Congress MP Tharoor was also served a defamation notice by the MoS for the same TV programme on April 10.

In one of the allegations, Tharoor allegedly said that MoS IT is paying money for votes.

Chandrasekhar had sought "immediately withdraw" all the allegations made against him and for Tharoor to tender an "unconditional public apology".

Also read: Shashi Tharoor says BJP 'strong player' in Thiruvananthapuram, but Rajeev Chandrasekhar faces 'perception battle' Tharoor had denied making false allegations against Chandrasekhar and had demanded withdrawal of statements and apology. Tharoor had also warned of legal action if his demands get ignored.

Tharoor's lawyer had stated that, "he is not responsible" for "any other versions of the same program" or any editing, post-production changes, studio recordings of casual talks, chats, or any other acts that are not intended for broadcasting.

Also read: If Chandrasekhar ignores the demand: Shashi Tharoor warns BJP leader after legal notice on defamation Rajeev Chandrashekhar has been pitted against three-time Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
Manipur Lok Sabha constituency: The Chief Electoral Officer announced on April 20 that repolling will be conducted at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituencies on April 22. This decision was made following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared the initial polls held on April 19 null and void, necessitating a new round of voting.

The repolling will affect several locations including Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in the Khurai constituency, four stations in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju within the Imphal East district, along with three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in the Imphal West district.

This decision comes amid reports of violence and electoral malpractices during the initial voting phase, including incidents of firing, voter intimidation, and destruction of electronic voting machines. There were also allegations of booth capturing, notably in a region that saw a voter turnout of 72% across the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur.

Earlier in the day, before the announcement of repolling, the Manipur Congress, led by President K Meghachandra, had raised concerns over electoral integrity, demanding repolling at 47 stations. They alleged booth capturing and rigging, specifically calling for action in 36 stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituencies.

What happened at Manipur polling stations? Reports emerged from conflict-affected Manipur of firing, intimidation, and destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at several polling booths, alongside allegations of booth capturing during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The state has been grappling with ethnic violence since May of the previous year.

From the same firing incident, one civilian was reported to be injured after the firing, and clashes were reported at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal, Manipur, during voting in the Lok Sabha elections.

Political party's blame game Both the BJP and the Congress have accused each other of inciting violence and violating the election Model Code of Conduct during this tense period. Despite ongoing conflicts, Manipur has historically demonstrated robust voter engagement, with a remarkable 82% turnout recorded in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Leanne Cattanach fell five metres into the river hitting rocks and debris on the way down.

Melbourne mum Leanne Cattanach was paralysed after falling off a cliff into a river while camping with her family. Source: Supplied.

An unfortunate misstep during a camping trip with the family has left mum Leanne Cattanach paralysed after falling five metres off a cliff and into a river, breaking her spine.

The 46-year-old told Yahoo News Australia she was warming her hands by the fire on the banks of the Murray River while camping at Tocumwal  on the border of NSW and Victoria  last month. But a "lapse of judgement" changed her life forever.

"I took one step back and literally fell off the cliff," the mum-of-three from Melbourne said from hospital where she's recovering. "I woke up and I was just struggling to breathe."

"My daughter just kept saying Mum, Im here'" she continued. "I landed in the water so they had to move my head out of the water and put me in a recovery position."

'Severe' injuries cause paralysis below the waist

Cattanach said she "phased in and out" admitting most of what followed was a blur. She understands her family attempted to call for help  with the little phone reception they had available. Her daughters and partner Mick kept her alive for three hours until help arrived.

While she cant remember clearly how she fell, she believes she hit debris on the way down "because of how my back was broken". Doctors confirmed she'd broken her T11 and T12 vertebrae, severely damaging her spinal cord. Her sternum and three ribs were also fractured and she was nursing a fractured lung.

Her injuries mean Cattanach is now paralysed from the waist down with doctors fearing she may never be able to walk again.

The mum of three girls (pictured) broke her T11 and T12 vertebrae, severely damaging her spinal cord, and fractured her sternum and three ribs. She also had a punctured lung from the fall. Source: Supplied

"I just remember waking up [in hospital] and then Mick [her partner] was asleep on the floor. He told me I needed a back operation," said the mum of three girls, aged 15, 17 and 26.

"I was still not quite understanding the whole extent of everything. But the look on his face he was probably in shock himself".

Mum struggling with 'normal' tasks

The Melbourne mother was first transferred to Shepparton Hospital from the camping site after being "abseiled up the cliff" by emergency services. She was later transferred to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where she remained in the ICU.

Speaking of her recovery this week, Cattanach said she has "progressed really, really well" despite her life-changing injuries. However, she still has no movement from her waist down and requires help with "normal, everyday things".

"I do like to do things myself and so the amount of stuff that I need help with is, it's really hard," she said. "I'm trying to get stronger in my upper body so that I can focus on rehabilitating, but everyone heals differently.

"The girls have been really supportive. Its actually brought everyone together."

The Melbourne mum said her daughters have helped her through her recovery while she remains in hospital. Source: Supplied

GoFundMe set up to aid mum's recovery

Her youngest daughter Tegan, who, along with Aimee, still lives at home with their mum has launched a GoFundMe to "help with the financial burden on my mum for us, so she can focus on rehabilitation."

Cattanach is unable to work and will likely require a new car that's better suited to her injuries.

"Mum needs to focus on her rehab right now," wrote Tegan. "We dont know how long recovery will take  months, years, or the realisation that she may never recover."

The 46-year-old is now waiting for a bed to become available in a rehabilitation centre in Talbot. There shell learn "how to look after myself" before eventually being allowed to go home. And while she's now able to use a wheelchair to get around she said, "things are still really hard for me".

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: Wrestler and BJP leader Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as The Great Khali, on Sunday lambasted Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi saying that the rich will not under the work Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done for the country.

Talking to news agency ANI in Rajasthan's Barmer, Khali said, What PM Modi has done, the rich won't get it. What the rich and Congress leaders understand is that only if the money is transferred to their account, then only they accept the fact that the work has been done...

Khali praised PM Modi's efforts, highlighting that understanding poverty is crucial to appreciating the work he did for the country.

PM Modi has done things that people wouldn't have thought about, what he has done can only be done by someone who has seen poverty... Khali said.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi, Khali said that the Congress leader has failed so many time, he himself has lost track of it now.

"Rahul Gandhi has himself become a 'jumla'. He has no idea what to do as he has failed so many times..." he added.

Also read: 'Rahul Gandhi to skip mega INDIA bloc rallies in MP, Jharkhand' | Here's why Rajasthan's Barmer constituency is witnessing a triangular contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 mainly among the BJP, Congress, and an independent candidate.

Earlier today, Union Minister of State Union Minister Kailash Choudhary said people in his constituency Barmer are eager to meet the wrestler, adding that it will help boost the morale of party workers in the area.

"Khali is my friend. He made his name all around the world. His followers are eager to meet him. Our workers will also be motivated," Choudhary said.

Kailash Choudhary, the sitting MP from Barmer will face Congress candidate Ummeda Ram Beniwal and independent candidate Ravindra Singh Bhati.

Also read: Congress suffers massive setback in Rajasthan as 400 workers resign Rajasthan will again go to the polls in the second phase of elections on April 26.

Polling for 12 Lok Sabha seats concluded on April 19, while the remaining 13 seats will be polled in the second phase on April 26.
Chocolate craving has become a lot more expensive to satisfy. Driven by crop failures in the largest producer countries of Ivory Coast and Ghana, global prices of cocoa have soared to historically high levels. Since June 2023, the price of cocoa beansessential for chocolate productionhas surged 133% in international markets. Contributing to this increase are adverse weather conditions and a serious crop disease affecting cocoa plant roots in the two main producer countries. Speculation by commodity traders has exacerbated the spike in international prices.

India produced about 30,000 tonnes of cocoa in 2022-23. This, however, is not enough to meet domestic demand. That same year, India imported about 26,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, 23,400 tonnes of cocoa butter and 48,100 tonnes of cocoa powderall of which are used to make chocolate. In line with international prices, Indias average import prices of all three cocoa variants have risen in recent months.

The ministry of agriculture has forecast that cocoa production for 2023-24 will remain at about the same levels as 2022-23. The forecast for acreage on which cocoa is grown is similar. With no increase in domestic supply in the immediate term, domestic farm prices have risen sharply as well, tripling in less than two months.

While the global rise in cocoa prices is unprecedented, it comes after years of fairly low and stable cocoa prices. While this was good for consumers, it hit farming livelihoods in the main producing countries.

Mix and match

The rise in global prices of cocoa, sharp though it has been, will still take time to filter down to domestic prices. Thats because major industrial users of cocoa, and other cocoa derivatives such as cocoa powder, buy cocoa through supply contracts where prices are fixed for a period of time. Further, the manufacture of some types of cocoa derivatives such as chocolate compounds (used in the baking industry) often uses vegetable oil along with cocoa powder, rather than cocoa butter, since it is cheaper.

While India imports beans from Africa and South America, it imports far greater quantities of cocoa butter and cocoa powder, processed from cocoa beans, from South-East Asian countries such as Indonesia and even Singapore. These derivatives of cocoa are then further processed here into final products like chocolates.

Also Read | Cocoa price surge: Bitter for makers and a missed chance for Indian investors

Despite these alternatives, domestic wholesale prices have already escalated. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for cocoa and cocoa powder has increased from annual growth of 3-4% in mid-2023 to 7-8% currently.

Internationally, consumers have begun cutting down on chocolate consumption, with sales in the US on a downturn, according to JP Morgan. In a bid to regain market share, some manufacturers are innovating with recipes that call for less cocoafor instance, chocolate bars containing a higher proportion of fruits and nutswhile others are reducing the size of their products," said JP Morgan about the US market.

If the price surge continues, similar trends may emerge in India. However, a better crop in the major producing countries this year could moderate prices by late 2024.

Long-term issues

Global cocoa production fell 11% in 2023-24. The volume of cocoa being ground to convert into cocoa products fell by around 5%. The ratio of cocoa stocks (which includes cocoa beans held over from previous years) to the amount ground in 2023-24 fell below 30%the lowest in at least 10 years. This indicates the tightness in cocoa beans available to satisfy current demand.

While prices could ease later this year if the weather holds and production improves, longer-term problems remain. Cocoa is a market where the grower produces a very high-value good but receives a very low share of the actual value chain. As a result, replanting rates are very low and cocoa trees are ageing," Tracey Allen, an agricultural commodities strategist at JP Morgan, said in a note this month. Ghana estimates that 40% of its cocoa trees need to be replaced.

Most cocoa farmers still live below the poverty line, points out the International Cocoa Organization, a United Nations body of producer and consumer countries. They are unable to invest in the long-term health of their farms.

These longer-term structural factors were thus made worse by last years bad weather. It has now manifested in an investor-driven parabolic move in prices, especially over the last six weeks," Allen added. For instance, non-commercial investors now hold over 60% of total open interest across cocoa futures and options in the New York market, a historical high. Consumers are now scrambling to hedge forward exposure in thin liquidity."

Thus, even if chocolate prices stabilize this year, the long-term outlook suggests higher costs for chocolate lovers.

www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data.

Also Read | Cocoa crisis: Chocoholics beware as prices surge & portions shrink
ON WALL STREETAmericas biggest bank is calling it quits on the street where American finance was born.

JPMorgan Chase closed its branch Friday at 45 Wall St., ending more than 150 years of physical ties between the bank and the street that is a catchall term for the global money business.

The move wont register for most tourists visiting the area. The majority of the banks and brokerages that once populated Wall Street are already gone, finding new homes across Manhattan or beyond. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks a few blocks away spurred an exodus, which the the Covid-19 pandemic helped to further speed along.

The final departure of the mighty JPMorgan is a milestone given its history in the old neighborhood. It was down the block at 23 Wall St., facing the New York Stock Exchange, where J. Pierpont Morgan and his son transformed the firm into one of the worlds most powerful banks. In the process, they helped turn the U.S. into the center of the global-financial industry.

Today, a Wall Street bank" is defined as a financial institution with trading operations that span the globe and investment bankers counseling CEOs. An actual location on the street doesnt matter.

Meanwhile, 23 Wall St. and other historic buildings are empty shells with vacant storefronts and for rent" signs on their facades.

You used to see guys in double-breasted suits, smoking cigars, walking up and down the street, and limousines would be waiting outside of the big bank buildings to pick them up," said Peter Tuchman, a stock broker at the NYSE. It was an old school Wall Street atmosphere that just has not been around for a while."

Banks occupy a couple hundred thousand square feet on the street, according to John Santora, chairman of real-estate broker Cushman & Wakefields New York operations. As recently as 2000, that had been 5 million square feet.

Out-of-towners still come to photograph historic buildings and the nearby Fearless Girl statue. (Wall Streets famous Charging Bull sits blocks away on Broadway.) But bankers are few and far between.

Nobody comes here anymore," lamented Sunil Rally, who has run a newsstand on Wall Street since 1991.

Rally is thinking about shutting down his stand because foot traffic has declined by more than 50% since the pandemic. Tourists help but dont cover the loss from the workers who were customers five days a week, he said.

Above him towered the building at 60 Wall St., 55 stories tall, built in the 1980s and occupied by JPMorgan, then Deutsche Bank. It has been vacant since 2021.

The most potent thoroughfare

In the late 1800s, Wall Street drove Americas evolution from a rural nation into the worlds pre-eminent financial center. New York usurped London as Wall Street banks helped finance Americas rapid industrial growth and later lent billions to fund wars in Europe.

The street became synonymous with American finance because of the stock exchange at the corner of Broad Street and Wall Street, as well as the banks that kept headquarters there, such as J.P. Morgan & Company, the Bank of New York and the National City Bank, the forerunner to Citigroup.

Wall Street today is the most potent thoroughfare on this continent," wrote Matthew Hale Smith in an 1874 book about the street. Its daily transactions are telegraphed to every city in the Union and to the capital of every commercial city in the world."

Then the banks outgrew the street. Mergers created corporations with large trading operations that needed bigger floor plans than the 1920s-era skyscrapers of Wall Street could offer.

JPMorgan left 23 Wall St. in the 1980s, then moved its headquarters to Midtown Manhattan in 2001. The bank explored buying back 23 Wall St., according to executives, but a deal never came together. It is now building a glistening new bronze office tower for its headquarters on Park Avenue, several miles north.

Main Street on Wall Street

For the banks who have stuck around, Wall Street is home to a few retail branches, typically considered a Main Street" business.

JPMorgan had run the 45 Wall St. branch since 2006, but is moving several blocks away. It kind of looked like a bowling alley," said Sarah Roselli, Chases market director for New Yorks Financial District. We decided it was time to move."

Two big banks, Bank of America and Toronto-Dominion, still keep branches on Wall Street.

Bank of America renovated its small bank branch at 95 Wall St. last year. Foot traffic is down from prepandemic levels, but the branch still sees around 2,500 customers monthly who come in to open checking accounts or transfer money, said Jaime Stojanowski, who leads the banks New York strategy,

Chases closure down the street will likely help bring in more customers, said Aron Levine, a consumer banking executive at Bank of America.

But to get into both TD and Bank of Americas branches, you have to turn the street corner. The entrances arent physically on Wall Street.

A Mausoleum and a luxury gym

Tuchman, the broker on the NYSE floor, has seen firsthand how the street has changed. He started working there in 1985 as a teletypist submitting stock orders for Cowen & Co.

The minute I walked down here, I knew it was the place for me," he said. There was energy, adrenaline, and it was chaotic."

Now, the floor of the NYSE is much quieter, filled with humming computers and CNBC anchors. Outside, the presence of young professionals living in luxury apartment buildings is leading to changes at historic financial landmarks.

The high-end gym chain Equinox occupies the former headquarters of Bankers Trust at 14 Wall St., whose top was designed to resemble the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. T.J. Maxx is in the basement.

Tuchman remembers when it was an actual bank.

It had huge ceilings and there was beautiful handcrafted bronze at each teller window," he said. It was really unbelievable."

Write to Alexander Saeedy at alexander.saeedy@wsj.com
(Bloomberg) -- Earnings season is in full swing, with Big Oil firms Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and TotalEnergies SE set to post first-quarter results later this week. Heavy-machinery maker Caterpillar Inc. also reports earnings that could shed light on the strength of the mining and construction industries.

Here are five notable charts to consider in global commodity markets as the week gets underway.

Oil

Big Oils production growth will be in the spotlight this quarter, as earnings stabilize and shareholders look for the industrys next lever to boost cash returns. Adjusted net income for the five supermajors combined is expected to be $28.4 billion for the first quarter, similar to the prior period as higher refining margins offset lower oil prices and earnings from gas trading. Exxon, Chevron and Europes TotalEnergies report results Friday, followed by Shell Plc and BP Plc in early May.

Silver

Silver has had a strong start this year, rising more than 20% as the white metal follows golds rally. Silvers price has approached levels not seen since retail traders squeezed the market in early 2021 and is within striking distance of $30 an ounce. Record industrial usage, especially from green economy applications such as solar panels, and an ongoing supply deficit should underpin prices going forward, according to the Silver Institute. That may prompt investors to meaningfully return to silver-backed exchange-traded funds, helping push prices even higher.

Corn

Despite all the talk about demand for US corn after 2023s record harvest, all eyes are on the size of the Brazilian crop thats almost ready to be gathered. Total supply coming out of the worlds largest exporter will directly impact American competitiveness. While the size of Brazilian crop is up for debate  the US Department of Agriculture projects a much bigger harvest than Brazils National Supply Company, known as Conab  a robust reaping could help the South American nation hold its ranking as top exporter of the grain.

LNG

Europes demand for liquefied natural gas, which soared during the energy crisis, will likely peak this year, according to ACER, the blocs energy regulator. The message will be a reassuring one for European Union leaders, who were left scrambling to find gas after Russia, the regions biggest supplier, invaded Ukraine. It also means that the US decision to halt new LNG export projects wont be as keenly felt as many feared. Now the EU just needs to work out how to stop the last remaining pockets of Russian imports of the liquefied fuel. The European bloc is the biggest importer of LNG.

Mining and Construction

Caterpillar, whose iconic yellow machines are found at mining operations and construction sites around the world, is scheduled to report earnings on Thursday. Investors will be watching for details on orders and inventories from the US bellwether, with metrics that offer insights on the health of industries underpinning the global economy. Of key interest will be how Caterpillars dealer sales fare in a cyclical market where demand and economic growth is moderating, and whether North Americas sales strength continues to offset weakness in other regions.

--With assistance from Doug Alexander and Kevin Crowley.

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The poem was ready to be sent, but when writer and poet Priyanka Sacheti looked at the submission guidelines of the literary journal, she realised she had one last alteration to make: the font had to be changed from her usual Times New Roman to Arial.

It was difficult to put a finger on why, but the poems sat differently on the page in Arial than in Times New Roman," she recalls of the incident from a few weeks ago.

Sachetis feelings resemble what many users of Microsoft Office Suite experienced recently. On Reddit, X and Instagram, users began saying they felt unsettled while using Word, Excel or Outlook email; that their work looked and felt different. When they realised this was due to Aptos, MS Offices new default font, the rollout of which started earlier this year, many passionately objected to or advocated for Calibris typographic successor.

In her book Why Fonts Matter, UK-based typographer Sarah Hyndman suggests that experiences in the physical world can influence how we interpret a font. Type can be seen as mirroring the emotions we display...through our facial expressions and gestures," she writes. Hydman goes on to say that typography reflects how handwriting can show our mood: When writing quickly, your mood is italicised and when angry it becomes bold and deliberate."

For those who still write extensively by hand, transitioning from page to screen becomes easier with fonts that look like their own handwriting.

K.C. Janardhan, calligraphist and founder of Bengaluru-based Js La Quill, a museum of handwriting and lettering, says that he only uses ITC Galliard Italic while typing because its close to the way I write". On his website, he uses Optima for the comfort of clarity that it offers others.

This is the same reasoning that software developers and companies follow when planning default fonts for applications that are used by a diverse, global audience.

The duty of a default

A default font must be clean, legible and neutral, devoid of a strong character...," says Satya Rajpurohit, co-founder of the Indian Type Foundry, which has designed Indian and Latin fonts for Apple, Google and Amazon.

The visual elements of the alphabets design, can significantly impact our interaction with text", adds Rajpurohit, also the founder of Fontstore, a subscription font service for designers. These elements not only influence readability but also perception of the tone of the content.

Steve Matteson, the American typographer who designed Aptos, says something similar in an email interview with Lounge: A default font should not impact the tone of what the writer is going to communicate because it cant predict the writers intent. It simply needs to show the writer the words in a clear and neutral tone and not hinder their writing process."

Matteson adds that Times New Roman, which served as the default font on Microsoft apps from 1992, exhibited an institutional formality", while Calibri, which was adopted in 2007, has an overt friendliness" about itboth of these could skew the visual meaning before the message was even read", he says.

To him, Aptos is an attempt to temper that effect and draw the reader in to read first without any presupposed sense of the message".

The other challenge that a default font has to rise up to, is the task of supporting all kinds of documentsfrom essays to technical documents, from business letters to invoices and newsletters," says Rathna Ramanathan, a childrens book author and graphic designer who researches intercultural communication design and typography.

Given how global the use of MS Office is, the default font needs to cater to different kinds of users with different technical fluencies," she notes. For her, the perfect default font is functional, not fussy, and easy to use".

A font also needs to adapt well to the technology that displays it. So far, decisions concerning a font change on the MS Office Suite have coincided with milestones in technological advancement. Calibri dethroned Times New Roman around the time that Apple launched its first iPhone, which was an industry disruptor. Now, more than 15 years later, the demand is for a font that holds its own on UltraHD and 4K screens. Microsoft specifically mentions as much in a post on Medium that announced the roll-out of Aptos.

We very rarely print documents anymorewe are instead viewing them on our phones, tablets or on our computers," notes Ramanathan. To her, Aptos is born for reading on a screen".

Personal preferences

When dealing with chunks of text on a daily basis, however, typographic preferences go beyond defaults.

Obsessed with fonts", India-born, US-based writer Nishanth Injam, writes with a different font each time he starts a new story. At least for the first draft, as I fine-tune the voice, I run through different fonts, matchmaking till I find something that clicks," he says. The idea is that with every new font, he can make a clean break" from work hes done before, to make way for something new to emerge".

For some others, changing a fonteven midway through a draft is an instinctive act as they work through mental blocks. Editor Gayatri Goswami reformats files to Times New Roman before she works on them. When dealing with so much text on a daily basis, tidy fonts that ensure an ease of reading are critical," she says.

This leads back to Rajpurohits observation on the design of each alphabet of a font. He explains that factors like the width of letters, the height of the lowercase letters compared to capital letters and the spacing between each letter can lead to users nurturing specific, personal font preferences.

Even a change from a serif font to a sans serif font makes for a huge shift in mindset. He lays out the difference: Serif fonts are the ones with little feet or lines attached to the ends of their letters (like Times New Roman). They often give off a classic, formal feeling, like what youd see in a book or newspaper. Sans serif fonts (like Arial, Calibri and Aptos) dont have those extra bits; their letters are plain and simple. They feel more modern and straightforward, kind of like the text youd see on websites or signs."

While writer Daribha Lyndem describes her preferred fonts EB Garamond or Palatinoboth serif typesas fonts that look like something I would find in a novel", translator Arunava Sinha finds that he prefers a sans-serif type, Gill Sans MT. He explains that flaws in my text jump out at me when I read in Gill Sans MT. The problem with (a serif font) is that things seem to flow into each other so beautifully, I gloss over any errors," he says.

That fonts are essentially designed to support creation and consumption of content without drawing much attention to themselves, marks the act of designing them with a certain altruism. Fonts are akin to air; vital yet often unnoticed," says Rajpurohit. The best font is one you have read without even realising it was there."
(Bloomberg) -- CNH Industrial NV, the tractor and construction machinery maker controlled by Italys billionaire Agnelli family, appointed Gerrit Marx its new chief executive officer.

Marx is currently CEO of Iveco Group NV, which was spun off from CNH in 2022. He will rejoin CNH starting on July 1, according to statements from the companies. He replaces Scott Wine, who is stepping down at the end of the companys current three-year business plan cycle to pursue other interests. Olof Persson, a current Iveco independent director, will become the companys new CEO.

The departure of Marx from Iveco comes after he last month announced a reorganization of the business into five separate units, a move aimed at unlocking the value of the companys brands while improving transparency. Iveco, which stands for Industrial Vehicles Corporation, was formed in 1975 from parent Fiat with brands including Fiat Veicoli Industriali, Unic and Magirus Deutz.

Read More: Agnellis Iveco to Reorganize Truck Maker Into Five Units

Were delighted to welcome Gerrit back to CNH as CEO, CNH Chair Suzanne Heywood said in a statement. We look forward to him bringing the same energy and focus he has demonstrated so effectively when leading Iveco, to his new role at a time when CNH is navigating the current end-market downcycle.

CNH will postpone its investor day presentation  originally scheduled for May 21  to a later date, citing the appointment of its new CEO. Marx will still present Ivecos first quarter results next month.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Four people, including a minor girl, were killed, and two others injured after the wall of a crematorium collapsed on them in Gurugram's Arjun Nagar area on April 20, as per a PTI report. The tragic incident occurred at 6.20 pm on April 20.

Police said a case of death by negligence has been lodged against the Madanpuri cremation ground's caretaker and management, who are on the run.

Incident Captured on CCTV The wall collapse was captured on a CCTV camera installed near the cremation ground and showed the 20x15 foot boundary wall suddenly crash down on residents of Arjun Nagar colony who were seated near it.

Six people, including two children, were buried under the debris. Bystanders came to the rescue and called the police, as per the report.

The retrieved residents were rushed to a hospital where four were declared dead. Three of the deceased were identified as Devi Dayal (70), Krishan (52), and Manoj Gaba (41), PTI reported citing the police.

ANI has also identified the deceased minor as 11-year-old Tanya and one of the injured persons as Deepa Pradhan.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, and the police team is ensuring that necessary legal procedures are followed, ANI added.

Postmortems will be conducted on the deceased to ascertain the exact cause of death, it said.

Similar Incident in Jharkhand Two children lost their lives and four others were injured after an under-construction wall collapsed in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, PTI reported.

The incident took place in Kumardungi area late on April 17, when around 12 children were playing in a courtyard of a house, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Jagganathpur) Rakesh Nandan Minz said.
(Bloomberg) -- A Conservative lawmaker facing misconduct allegations said hell stand down as a Member of Parliament at the next election, leaving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struggling to stem the spread of scandals engulfing his party.

Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde in Lancashire, northwest England, was suspended by the Tories last week after the Times newspaper reported that hed telephoned an elderly local activist at 3 a.m. one morning, asking her to give him 5,000 ($6,180).

Menzies told the woman he needed the money to pay bad people who had locked him in a flat, the newspaper reported. Menzies has said he disputes the claims, which are being reviewed by Lancashire police.

I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election, Menzies said in a statement provided by his party on Sunday. Menzies has exhibited a pattern of behaviour that falls below the standards expected of MPs, a Conservative Party spokesperson said.

Read more: Tories Quitting UK Parliament at Fastest Pace Since Blairs Rise

Menzies becomes the 64th Tory MP to announce that they wont run again at a general election that has to take place within the next 10 months. That roster has risen steadily in recent months, helping forge a narrative that many of the partys lawmakers have given up in the face of opinion polls that have consistently shown Keir Starmers opposition Labour Party is on course to take power.

The sense of malaise has been compounded by a string of scandals involving predominantly Tory MPs. Earlier this month, William Wragg, a backbencher, resigned the party whip after admitting to sharing his colleagues phone numbers with someone on a dating app who it later emerged had been attempting to honeytrap MPs.

The Conservatives are also contesting a special election in Blackpool South on May 2 after former MP Scott Benton quit when he was found to have breached rules governing lawmakers conduct on lobbying. That comes after the Tories lost a by-election in Wellingborough in February, which was called when its MP Peter Bones political career ended amid bullying and sexual misconduct claims.

Read more: Sunaks Campaign Slogan Risks Stoking Nostalgia for Labour Years

Some eight former Tory MPs currently sit as independents in the House of Commons, having lost the party whip over misconduct allegations.

The recent string of events echoes the scandals that dogged the final years of former Prime Minister John Majors tenure in the nineties. At that time, several Tory MPs faced misconduct allegations during a period of decline for the party which had been in power for nearly two decades, before losing to Tony Blairs Labour in a landslide in the 1997 general election.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
If she would have been alive today, Queen Elizabeth would have turned 98 years old. She passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96.

As both King Charles and Kate Middleton are battling cancer, the royal family is likely commemorate the Queen's birth anniversary on April 21 'privately', news platform People reported quoting Grant Harrold, a former royal butler to King Charles.

Harrold served on staff for King Charles and Queen Camilla from 2004 to 2011.

Describing what the celebration for the late Queen's birthday would look like for the royal family, Harrold told People that the royal family will raise a toast in honor of Queen Elizabeth in the evening as a tribute to her and "will very much" spend the day reflecting on her memories.

"They won't publicly do anything. Privately, I have no doubt they'll raise a toast to her in the evening. I'm sure the day will very much be spent reflecting on the late Queen," he said.

Harrold said he can "almost guarantee" that there'll be some flowers on the tomb of the late Queen at Windsor Castle, sent by the members of the Royal family.

"Sometimes on royal anniversaries, flowers are sent to royal graves. It's very possible there will be flowers on the tombstone," he added.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Royal Family installed a new statue in honour of the late Queen today, at Oakham Rutland to mark her 98th birthday.

Kate's cancer diagnosis was also the third royal family cancer diagnosis. On February 5 2024, Buckingham Palace published a stating that King Charles III had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
News Wrap this Week: As we wrap up this week, a look at the top news headlines from from April 15 to April 21.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting for Phase 1 ended with 62% turnout | 5 points India saw its first phase of voting for the mammoth Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on Friday, April 19. While a few areas in West Bengal and Manipur saw violence and exchange of gunfire, the first phase of polling was "largely peaceful across 21 States/UTs", the Elections Commission of India (ECI) said. The voting concluded by 6 pm in 102 Lok Sabha constituencies.

In Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, polling has been completed for 10 states/UTs, along with voting for state assemblies in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. These 10 states/UTs are Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. See more details here

IMD heatwave warning: AP, Bihar, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha sizzle The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts an increase in heatwave days across the country, with April expecting four to eight days against the normal one to three, PTI reported. The entire April-June period may witness 10-20 heatwave days, with certain regions facing over 20 days of scorching conditions.

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada, Odisha and Vidharba are predicted to record more heatwave days, some even more than 20 days of the month. See full here

Elon Musk postpones India visit over 'very heavy Tesla obligations' Tesla CEO Elon Musk's highly anticipated visit to India has been temporarily put on hold. Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year," Musk said in a post on social media platform X, on April 20.

Earlier this month Elon Musk on the X platform wrote, Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India," on April 10, 2024. More on this here

Iran warns Israel, 'Our next response will be at maximum level if...' Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on April 19 warned that the country will respond at an immediate and "maximum level" if Israel acts against its interests. He added that Iran was not planning to respond unless Israel launched a significant attack.

"If Israel wants to do another adventurism and acts against the interests of Iran, our next response will be immediate and will be at the maximum level, and will cause them to regret it," Amirabdollahian said in an interview with NBC News. See more here

Question of life and death, conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal in jail, alleges AAP MP Sanjay Singh Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill" party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, by denying him access to insulin for his type-2 diabetes, ANI reported.

"CM Kejriwal is not being given insulin. If a patient with diabetes is not given insulin on time, for that person, it becomes a question of life or death. A conspiracy is being hatched to kill him. The people of Delhi will give a reply to this crime," Sanjay Singh told reporters. See full here

Causing harm or taking his life: Why did Bishnoi gang target Salman Khan? Accused reveal details Mumbai Crime Branch officials said the duo accused in the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence aimed to intimidate the superstar rather than causing harm or taking his life", as per PTI.
African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina has called for more urgent action as climate change continues to wreak havoc in many African countries, saying the continent needs $277 billion per year to face the challenge.

He was speaking at a high-level roundtable on climate finance convened during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings by UK Deputy Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, and the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze.

Adesina said the ongoing devastating drought in several parts of Africa underscored the need for all stakeholders to come together to accelerate support and financing for Africa.

Africa is in the eye of the storm from climate change, accounting for 9 out of the 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change globally, Adesina told participants.

He added: But Africa is not getting what it needs to adapt to climate change. Africa received just $30 billion per year for climate adaptation, while its needs are $277 billion per year, leaving a huge financing gap.

The African Development Bank has scaled up climate finance and is exceeding its financing targets for African countries. The bank has launched several innovations to mobilise resources that will help scale up climate finance. These include a recent $750 million hybrid capital issue in the global capital markets, the first of its kind among multilateral development banks. The initiative was oversubscribed at $6 billion.

The African Development Banks room-to-run transaction, with a $2 billion guarantee from the United Kingdom, unlocked an additional $2 billion for the nbank to devote to climate finance.

Adesina said the African Development Bank was delivering on its promise. He said: The African Development Bank set a target to devote 40% of its total financing to climate finance. We have exceeded this target consistently in the past three years, consecutively, and stood at 55% in 2023.

The roundtable included interventions by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Global Center on Adaptation CEO Professor Patrick V Verkooijen, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, and ministers from Germany, the UK, Malawi, Kenya, Uruguay, Norway, Vanuatu, and Bangladesh. There were also interventions from heads of the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte.

The meeting highlighted the urgency of partnerships and collaboration to deliver climate finance to countries that need it most, including building capacity in these countries to better use these funds, develop bankable projects, and support smallholder farmers.

World Bank Group Ajay Banga encouraged stakeholders to remain determined to move forward despite existing frustrations. He said: The first thing is not just to raise money, but to raise the capacity of countries in terms of getting bankable projects and also the capacity to execute them. We need to find a way to support countries with knowledge. - TradeArabia News Service
The woman's husband said he could 'feel a lot of blood' with doctors 'amazed' she pulled through.

Damariz and her husband, Marco Antonio de Souza, were involved in a road rage attack. Source: Jam Press

A woman has miraculously survived being shot in the head during a horrific road rage attack which resulted in a bullet being lodged in her scalp, narrowly missing her brain.

The woman was in the car with her husband, who was driving, and their young son when they claim an impatient motorist overtook them and began braking in front of their vehicle.

During a heated exchange, Damariz Magalhaes Chastinet Pinho was allegedly shot in the head by the angry motorist.

"I felt a blow to my head and immediately thought it was a gunshot," said the mother. "I told my husband, but he didn't believe me as I was conscious the whole time."

'A lot of blood' pouring from woman's head

Pinho's husband, Marco Antonio de Souza, said he rolled down the window of the car and yelled: "Are you crazy?" It was only when they drove away that he "felt the impact of the shot".

"When I put my hand on her head, I could feel a lot of blood coming out, but I didnt say anything to her," he said. "It looked like a scene from a horror movie."

An X-ray scan showed the bullet had lodged in Damarizs scalp. Source: Jam Press

Everyone 'amazed' by X-ray showing bullet in woman's head

The incident occurred on a highway in Brazil Last Friday evening. An X-ray scan shows the bullet lodged in the womans scalp, while an image shows a bullet hole in the cars window.

"After the X-ray, everyone was amazed. It was truly a miracle," Pinho said. "The bullet was in my head, but it didnt [pierce] my skull.

The mum underwent an operation and has since returned home, as reported by Need to Know. She said she was scared at the time, especially for her young son who was in the car, but is grateful to be alive.

The alleged attack has been reported to the police. At the time of writing, the shooter has not yet been identified.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) is set to win the parliamentary elections 2024 held in the island nation on Sunday, April 21. The official results are are expected to be declared on Monday, April 22.

Maldives local media Edition reported that the ruling PNC won 50 out of the 93 seats in the 20th People's Majlis, winning majority in parliament. As per the report, the majority in parliament is achieved by winning more than half the seats  that is 47 seats  "and a super majority can be reached by three fourth of seats, amounting to 70".

"The ruling PPM/PNC coalition also won the majority of seats in capital Male' city in today's [Sunday] parliamentary election," Edition reported.

Meanwhile, sun.mv reported that of the 203 seats where counting is complete, the PNC led by Muizzu bagged 59 seats, followed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) at 10 seats and Independents nine seats.

The Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) won two seats, while Jumhooree Party (JP) got one. The Democrats, Maldives National Party (MNP) and Adhaalath Party (AP) are yet to open their accounts.

Voting for the 20th People's Majlis was conducted on Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm local time. Election officials sealed the ballot boxes across the country as voting hours ended at 5:30 pm, adhadhu.com reported.

President Mohamed Muizzu's PNC fielded 90 candidates, MDP 89, Democrats 39, Jumhoory Party (JP) 10, candidates, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) 4, Adhaalath Party (AP) 4, and Maldives National Party (MNP) two nominees.

As per the information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 207,693 people cast their ballots as of 5:00 pm local time, making for a voter turnout of 72.96 percent. This includes 104,826 men and 102,867 women. A total of 284,663 people were eligible to vote, PTI reported.

A total of 602 ballot boxes were reportedly set up in the Maldives and three other countries for the parliamentary election. The countries in which ballot boxes were placed for voting are Thiruvananthapuram in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Why is this election crucial? The election is important for Muizzu as just a few before polls, the opposition parties demanded a probe and impeachment of the president following a leaked report of his alleged corruption from 2018. The president, however, refuted the charge. Besides, since Muizzu came to office, lawmakers have blocked three of his nominees to the cabinet.

After taking over as the Maldives president, Muizzu had requested India to withdraw most of its military personnel manning three aviation platforms in the country. He also travelled to China in January and met top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping. China and the Maldives also signed a defence cooperation agreement and several other infrastructure development projects.

The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Indian government.

On the other hand, China is expanding its footprints in the Indian Ocean Region through its 'debt trap' diplomacy and String of Pearls' approach, a strategic initiative to create a network of military and commercial establishments in countries falling on the Indian Ocean, news agency PTI reported.
(Bloomberg) -- A branch of Moldovas pro-Russian opposition met in Moscow on Sunday to create a new anti-European political bloc that aims to derail the nations planned European Union accession process.

The bloc, called Victory and affiliated with fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, aims to challenge President Maia Sandu and her pro-European government in elections due between October and mid-2025.

The meeting took place in Moscow because Shor, coordinator and and financier of the participating parties, is subject to a 15-year prison term in Moldova for masterminding a scam that stole $1 billion from the countrys banking system.

Shor is based in Israel, where he was born, and travels frequently to Moscow. Moldova has requested his extradition through Interpol.

Moldova faces three crucial votes in just over a year.

Its presidential election, in which Sandu will face a pro-Russian candidate in her bid for a second term, takes place Oct. 20. A pro-EU constitutional referendum is set for the same day, and parliamentary elections follow in the summer of 2025.

Read more: Moldovas President Faces Protests as New Pro-Russia Front Opens

Moldovan authorities have warned that the grouping around Shor is the main tool Moscow is using to try to destabilize the nation of over 3 million. According to special services, the group is the main source of anti-EU disinformation and attempts to disrupt life in Moldova through violence.

A whole country saw the traitors of the country in Moscow, Andrei Spinu, minister of infrastructure and regional development and a member of the ruling party PAS, said on Facebook. They were created in Moscow, near the Kremlin, to make it clear who they work for and who they serve.

The pro-Russian parties also control Moldovas autonomous region of Gagauzia, wedged between Ukraine and Romania, and hope to turn the area into a breakaway state similar to Transnistria. That poses an ongoing security challenge for the central authorities in Chisinau.

Gaguazias governor, Evghenia Gutul, is a frequent visitor to Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March. Gutul announced after that visit that Moscow would pay each Gagauz state worker and pensioner 2,000 Moldovan lei ($112).

We have united to defend Moldovas independence, to prevent our country from being dragged into military actions, to preserve our traditional values and to restore friendly relations with Russia, Gutul said on Telegram following the weekends gathering.

In the most recent opinion poll published in Chisinau, two of Shors affiliated parties - Chance and Renaissance - are said to have support running at 11.7%. Two other parties werent included in the poll because theyre still too small, and a fifth, the Shor Party, has been declared unconstitutional in Moldova.

Shors coalition could, however, be joined by two other pro-Russian entities, the Socialist Party of former president Igor Dodon, which received 22.6% support in the latest poll, and the Party of Communists, credited with 6.8% support.

For the presidential election, the poll gives Sandu a significant lead over Dodon, 35% to 16%.

The poll was conducted in early April by the Centre for Sociological Research and Marketing on behalf of the the WatchDog.MD Community.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
US Tiktok Ban: The United States House of Representatives voted 360 to 58 in favour of the revised divest-or-ban legislation on Tiktok on April 20.

If passed by the US Senate and then signed by President Joe Biden, this bill marks a potential historical milestone as the first instance of the US government enacting a law to shut down an entire social media platform.

The Senate is slated to cast its vote on the bill in the upcoming week, and Biden has previously said that if passed he will sign the legislation into law.

'Protecting Americans Threats' Alleges House The bill's author and Texas Republican representative Michael McCaul told reporters the move will shield Americans, particularly children, from the "malign influence of Chinese propaganda", the Guardian reported.

This bill protects Americans and especially Americas children from the malign influence of Chinese propaganda on the app TikTok. This app is a spy balloon in Americans phones, Michael McCaul said.."

The bill's passage comes after a call from Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell in March to revise certain provisions. The updated legislation extends the divestment period for TikTok's parent company ByteDance from six months to a year.

Extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation," Cantwell said.

TikTok's US Legal Executive Likely Facing Axe Amid the bill debacle, TikTok is likely to remove a key executive tasked with addressing US government apprehensions regarding its ties to China, Bloomberg reported citing sources.

Erich Andersen, the US-based general counsel for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance, has been engaged in extensive discussions with US authorities over several years to demonstrate the app's measures to safeguard American users' data and prevent undue influence from China. However, these efforts have fallen short as evidenced by the latest revised bill being passed.

According to insiders, the company is making arrangements for Andersen to step down from his current position. One source indicated that he will remain associated with the company.

In response to inquiries, Andersen directed queries to the company's communication team. TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek dismissed claims of Andersen's impending removal, stating, "That is 100% false."

Concerns and Responses Critics have raised concerns over TikTok's potential to collect user data and censor content critical of the Chinese government. However, TikTok has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting its independence and commitment to user privacy.

The social media platform expressed disappointment with the bill and its potential implications, highlighting its substantial contribution to the US economy. In a statement following the bill's passage, Tiktok it criticised the infringement on free speech rights.

It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, NPR reported.

Others from the industry have also expressed concern, with Meredith Whittaker, president of US-based encrypted messaging service Signal, condemning the bill and its potential implications for data privacy and surveillance powers.

"This is fucked. Please take a moment to consider whats happening here. Abuse of surveillance powers is about to be enshrined in US law at the same time that a bill to force TikTok to sell to US buyers or be banned is moving forward, justified in part via data privacy.," Whittaker said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Concerns have been voiced about TikTok's Chinese parent collecting US user data and censoring content critical to the Chinese government. In March, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines warned the House that China could use Tiktok to influence the 2024 presidential elections in November.

"TikTok is an independent platform, with its own leadership team, including a CEO based in Singapore, a COO based in the US and a global head of trust and safety based in Ireland," was the company's response, Guardian reported.

During a congressional hearing earlier this year, TikTok's Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew faced five-hour-long questioning on various issues, including the platform's ties to China and its impact on societal issues such as teenage mental health and drugs.
WASHINGTONPresident Biden and his national-security team watched with mounting alarm on April 13 as monitors in the White House Situation Room showed 30, then 60, then over 100 Iranian ballistic missiles streaking toward Israel.

Iranian cruise missiles and a swarm of drones were already in the air, timed to arrive at the same time as the missilesa massive barrage that Biden and his aides feared could overwhelm the strengthened defenses they and Israel had spent more than a week preparing.

The scale of Tehrans first-ever direct attack on Israel matched U.S. spy agencies worst-case scenarios, U.S. officials said later. It threatened not only a close U.S. ally, but Bidens hopes of preventing a six-month Middle East crisis from widening into an all-out regional war.

Assembling in the Situation Room at 5:15 p.m. that Saturday, Biden and his aides couldnt be sure that Israels antimissile systems, reinforced by the U.S. militarys antimissile and counterdrone deployments in the previous 10 days, would block nearly 99% of Irans salvo.

The results of the defenses," a senior Biden administration official in the Situation Room that day said, were unclear until all was said and done."

The agonizing wait during the Iranian barrage was among the tense moments in a 19-day crisis for Biden and his national-security team, one where they often found themselves uninformed or uncertain about what both Israel and Iran were planning at critical times.

The crisis began with a go-it-alone attack in which the Israelis launched a bold strike at Iranian officers in Damascus without any consultation with the U.S. It ended after a coalition of U.S., European and Arab militaries helped blunt the Iranian attack and Israel appeared to heed the American calls for restraint.

Death in Damascus

The crisis erupted on April 1, when Israeli weapons slammed into a building in Syrias capital Damascus, killing senior Iranian military leaders, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, an important figure who oversaw Irans paramilitary operations in Syria and Lebanon for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force.

Just minutes before the strike, an Israeli official alerted his U.S. counterpart that it was under way. But the heads up didnt include any information about who was being targeted or the location being struck, U.S. officials said.

The White House soon learned of another unexpected Israeli attack that occurred the same day as the Damascus strike: An Israeli drone strike against an aid convoy in Gaza killed seven workers from celebrity chef Jose Andres World Central Kitchen charity.

Shortly after the Damascus strike, Israeli ambassador Michael Herzog and the Israeli defense attache were at the White House as national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other top White House aides held a video teleconference with Israeli officials. In a side conversation, Herzog explained that Israel had targeted Zahedi and other senior Iranian officers, U.S. officials said.

The attack will not remain without answer

As officials in Washington and Israel awaited Tehrans response, few Israeli or U.S. officials anticipated that it would attack Israel directly, something it had never done before.

American officials fretted that the Israeli strike could potentially trigger Iranian proxy attacks against U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria, where about 4,500 American troops and civilians are deployed at bases around the region. U.S. officials speculated that Iran might try to attack an Israel embassy outside the country in response.

After the Syria airstrike, the Iranians asked Switzerlands embassy in Tehran to send the U.S. a written message blaming it for the attack in menacing language, U.S. officials said. Washington denied involvement.

Two days after Israel hit Damascus, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed frustration in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that he hadnt mentioned plans for the operation, even though Gallant had visited Austin in the Pentagon a week earlier, a U.S. official said.

The loss of the high-ranking IRGC personnel who were well connected with the leadership in Tehran infuriated Iranian officials, who said the building Israel hit was a diplomatic facility, an assertion Israel denied to American officials. After failing to secure a U.N. Security Council condemnation of the Israeli strike, Tehran signaled it would retaliate.

The attack will not remain without answer," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on April 3.

U.S.-Israeli ties were at a nadir. In a tense April 4 call, Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that international support was plummeting after the World Central Kitchen deaths.

Israel needed to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and reduce civilian casualties, and the U.S. would judge Israel by its actions, Biden said, according to officials.

But he also told the Israeli leader that the U.S. had Israels back against Iran. He ordered the Pentagon to step up its efforts to protect Israel, and the U.S. military activated highly classified plans for assisting Israel in a crisis.

As Biden hosted the Japanese prime minister at the White House April 10, Austin pulled him aside to get authorization to turn around the USS Carney, a destroyer then heading east toward its home port in Florida. It joined the USS Arleigh Burke, another destroyer, in the eastern Mediterranean, close enough to Israel to track and shoot down incoming missiles with SM-3 interceptors that had never been used to down a ballistic missile in combat.

A team of U.S. military personnel secretly went to Tel Aviv to work out of a missile defense operations center with their Israeli counterparts.

Anticipating Iran would employ drones, a bulked-up force of F-15E fighter jets arrived in the region to help shoot them down. Other F-16s based in the region also participated in the operation. Plans were made for Saudi and Jordanian planes to defend their airspace.

The aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, already in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, was moved closer to Israel so it could be in position to launch fighter jets to intercept any drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Bidens top aides worked the phones, imploring other governments to tell Iran not to strike. CIA Director William Burns asked intelligence counterparts in Europe, Mideast capitals and Turkey to urge Iran to de-escalate.

On the high end

Even as they watched Iran remove missiles from storage and put them on launchers, the scale of Irans attack plan wasnt immediately clear to U.S. intelligence agencies. Some intelligence reports predicted Iran might only target Israeli diplomatic facilities or other sites outside Israel.

As the days without an Iranian response passed, though, U.S. and Israeli intelligence officials determined that Iran was planning a direct attack on Israeli territory and that it would be massive.

The question was when it would come and what the targets would be.

The top U.S. Middle East commander, Gen. Erik Kurilla, arrived in Israel on April 11, speeding up already-scheduled plans to visit the region because of the looming Iranian attack. Kurilla wanted to stay in Israel through the Iranian attack, but Austin ordered him out, fearing that the U.S. might look complicit in any Israeli response. Kurilla continued to participate in the deliberations from Jordan.

By the time Biden arrived in Rehoboth Beach, Del., in the early evening on Friday, April 12 for the weekend, the Iranian attack plan had come into focus. We got better, firmer intelligence and information about the specific timing" of Irans coming attack, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby.

Biden abruptly returned to the capital that evening.

When the attack began Saturday night, U.S. officials in the Situation Room and at the Pentagon tracked the three waves of weapons that left Iranian airspace, crossing Iraq and Jordan, racing toward Israel. Even with the advanced warning they had received, the scale of the barrage was a shock, administration officials said.

This was on the high end, I think, of what we werewhat we were anticipating," a senior official said.

The more than 150 attack drones that Iran launched firstone of the largest swarms used at one time in combatwould take five to seven hours to reach Israel. Then came more than 30 land-attack cruise missiles with flight times of two to three hours. Last were ballistic missiles that would reach Israel in just a dozen minutes.

The Iranians timed the launches so the weapons would arrive simultaneously, an attempt to overwhelm Israels defenses. They avoided civilian targets in favor of military ones, like the Nevatim base in the Negev Desert, where Israels advanced F-35 fighters are based.

A patchwork of defense systems sewn together hastily by Kurilla and others in the days before the attack succeeded in defending the most formidable attack Israel had seen in decades. No one had ever tried to intercept so many ballistic missiles at once before. Washington thought its and Israeli forces could handle 50 ballistic missiles, but more than 100 was unknown territory.

Israels Arrow system intercepted most of the ballistic missiles, while the two American destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean downed several others. An American Patriot antimissile battery in Erbil, Iraq, intercepted another one.

The lumbering drones, in the meantime, were shot down by a combination of American, British, French and Israeli aircraft.

Take the win

After Israel emerged almost unscathed, the White House shifted from defending its ally to restraining it. About 9 p.m. Washington time on April 13, Biden and Netanyahu held an intense call.

The U.S. president advised Netanyahu, who was with his war cabinet during the call, to think through his next step carefully and to take the win," U.S. officials said.

He reminded the Israeli leader that his forces had eliminated Irans military commanders for Lebanon and Syria and that Irans counterattack had failed.

U.S. officials worried Israel might strike back immediately, and powerfully. Iran was warning it would respond forcefully, which could supercharge the cycle of escalation.

After international condemnation of the World Central Kitchen attack, Israel was now in a different, better place strategically, U.S. officials argued. If it responded rashly, it could once again lose newly regained international support.

Members of Netanyahus right-wing coalition government, meanwhile, were demanding quick, massive retaliation. But Netanyahu told ministers from his Likud party that while he was determined to respond to Iran, the action would be sensible and not something irresponsible."

Early on April 19, Israel struck back, targeting a single military site in Irans Isfahan province. While the attack was narrow, it showed that Israel could overcome Iranian air defenses and strike deep inside its adversarys territory, an unmistakable warning after Tehrans failed attack on Israel.

Unlike the Damascus strike that started the crisis 19 days earlier, this time Israel gave the U.S. a few minutes advance notice of its limited attack. The White House had, at least for a time, avoided a wider war.

Write to Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com, Warren P. Strobel at Warren.Strobel@wsj.com and Gordon Lubold at gordon.lubold@wsj.com
CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday the Congress' "credibility" in fighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is under under cloud". He hit out at the grand-old party for over Rahul Gandhi's statement against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Earlier this week, Gandhi had asked why is the BJP not attacking the CM of Kerala when when two other chief ministers from opposition are behind bars.

"Two chief ministers (Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren) are in jail. How come this is not happening to the Chief Minister of Kerala? I am attacking the BJP 24/7, and the Chief Minister of Kerala is attacking me 24/7. This is a bit puzzling," Rahul Gandhi had said.

Reacting to Gandhi's statement, Yechury told news agency ANI, Their credibility in fighting PM Modi is under under cloud...I go by policies and programs and what are they raising? If they are asking PM Modi to arrest the Kerala Chief Minister then I think that is the most undemocratic act that is being done...,

He said the criticism against Kerala CM are completely unfounded. "We think it is very wrong for anybody to demand the arrest of a democratically elected Chief Minister. We have condemned the arrest of Delhi CM Kejriwal and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren," he added.

Congress leaders alleged that there is a backdoor understanding between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the BJP.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier reacted to Gandhi's statement saying, "Don't scare me by saying the word jail. It was your grandmother who put us in jail during her supreme rule. For 1.5 years, I was in jail. We are not scared like your Ashok Chavan..."

Sitaram Yechury skips INDIA bloc rally CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury wrote to the wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM executive president Hemant Soren - Kalpana Soren and expresses regret for not participating in INDIA bloc's rally in Ranchi on Sunday.

He cited election campaign in Kerala as the reason behind not attending the grand INDIA bloc rally in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand on Sunday. Sitaram Yechuri had attended the RJD's 'Jan Vishwas Maha Rally' at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on March 3.

Rahul Gandhi 'not prominent leader' AM Ariff, the CPI(M) candidate from Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi "is not a prominent leader". He said, "In the last tenure, Rahul Gandhi made only 8 speeches and some 16 questions in the Parliament, whereas I made 113 speeches and 244 questions in the Lok Sabha."
Lok Sabha Election 2024: Amid speculations of the merger of Janata Dal-Secular with the BJP, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS-BJP candidate HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that if everything goes smoothly, there is no question of JDS being absorbed into the BJP and they will work together.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kumaraswamy said, "There is no question of merging our party with any other party. Categorically, I am telling you. There is no question. If the BJP treats us well and everything goes smoothly, there is no question of JDS being absorbed into the BJP. We will work together."

"I would like to tell Siddaramaiah that even if 100 Siddaramaiahs come against us, they can't do anything to our party. They can't damage it," he said.

Going back in time, in 2006, Kumaraswamy rebelled and walked out of the JD(S)-Congress coalition with 42 MLAs, reportedly against the wishes of his father, former PM and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, citing a threat to the party, and formed the government with the BJP.

He was asked whether inviting Deve Gowda to the ''Pran Pratishtha'' ceremony can be considered a personal connection between PM Modi and Deva Goda, which led to the BJP-JD(S) alliance.

Kumaraswamy elaborated on the dynamics between PM Modi and Deve Gowda, stating, When Narendra Modi ji entered national politics, at that time Deve Gowda was one of the main critics of Modi's national entry. Then, despite whatever he said at that time, after Modi Ji became PM, he went to meet him. Deve Gowda ji wanted to resign from his MP constituency, but Narendra Modi ji advised him that his advice was required and he must continue in parliament. This is the respect shown by the Prime Minister for Deve Gowda ji. After assuming the role of Prime Minister, they met several times, and each time the PM showed respect to Deve Gowda ji and sought his advice.

He also discussed Deve Gowda's political journey. "In 2018 Deve Gowda ji joined hands with Congress. Throughout his career of 60-62 years, he has always aligned with secular forces. By using regional parties, Congress has destroyed several regional parties. Congress has humiliated Deve Gowda ji in several ways."

"In 1995, when this United Front supported Devagoda Ji as a PM candidate, they (the Congress) did not. When they removed him, they had no reason at all. Even at that time, he also supported Inder Kumar Gujral. In 2004, again, they ditched Deve Gowda Ji. That time also, respected Congress, even though, at that time, Arun Jaitley met him to join hands with BJP. Deve Gowda ji rejected it. At that time, he also joined hands with Congress and after joining, he watched how they treated him for 20 months. Even at that time, the health of Deve Gowda Ji deteriorated," he added.

He said, Then, in 2009, he joined hands with the third front. That is a different issue. Then, even after Deve Gowda ji handed over the power to the BJP at that time again, his Congress friend wanted to split our party. Continuously, they were trying to destroy our party. Even after this, Deve Gowda Ji joined hands with Congress only.

When asked why his party did that, he said he made several wrong decisions by trusting his Congress friends. "I am totally against Congress. I know how they are going to treat us and how they treated me as the Chief Minister."

Hitting back at the Congress' remark where it slammed the JD (S) for joining hands with the NDA and opined that the party should write to the Election Commission and drop the word 'secular' from their party's name, Kumaraswamy said, "What is the meaning of secularism? I wanted to question the Congress. Every day they are misusing the caste composition; they are using the caste composition and they wanted to get benefit from it for their party."
Taking a jibe at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said those who cannot win elections have come to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

The country is punishing the Congress for its sins and the party that had once won 400 seats is unable to find candidates to contest 300 seats in this Lok Sabha election, said Modi while addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Jalore.

The Congress party itself is responsible for the condition it has reached today. Earlier, Rajasthan sent former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Rajya Sabha, and now you have another leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha (Sonia Gandhi), Modi said.

Those who cannot contest elections, cannot win elections have fled the field. This time, they have come to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. The condition of Congress is so bad, he also said.

Sonia Gandhi is among the MPs elected to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in February this year. Several other Congress leaders have also not been fielded in this Lok Sabha election.

Congress hollowed the country by spreading the termites of parivaarwad and corruption. The youth of the country is so angry with Congress that it doesn't want to see their face again, the PM further said.

In the first phase of voting, half of Rajasthan has punished Congress. Rajasthan, which is full of patriotism, knows that Congress can never make India strong, PM Modi claimed.

The Congress has itself to blame for its present condition ... The party that had once won 400 seats is unable to contest 300 seats on its own. Today, the condition of Congress is such that it is unable to find candidates, he also said. They have formed an opportunistic INDI Alliance, (it is like) a kite whose string has been cut before it could fly.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is targeting her and Trinamool Congress' (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

"The BJP is targeting me and Abhishek, we are not safe, but we are also not afraid of the saffron party's conspiracy. We urge everyone to be on guard against a conspiracy against TMC leaders and the people of West Bengal," Mamata Banerjee was quoted by PTI as saying.

She said this while addressing an election rally in Kumarganj in Balurghat Lok Sabha seat in favour of party candidate and state minister Biplab Mitra.

Banerjee's statement came in response to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari, who had said on Saturday that there would be a "big explosion on Monday which will shake the TMC and its top brass".

What Suvendu Adhikari said? Speaking at an election meeting in West Bengal's Malda in support of party candidate Srirupa Mitra Choudhury, Adhikari claimed that a "huge explosion" would shatter the TMC-led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

"Wait for Monday. A huge explosion will shatter Pisi-Bhaipo's party. They will not be able to recover," the leader of the opposition told party workers.

Adhikari later clarified that he was referring to a political upheaval and insisted that the TMC was already in a precarious position.

How Mamata Banerjee retaliated? Responding to Adhikari's remark, the TMC supremo said, "There is a traitor who joined the BJP to protect his family and ill-gotten wealth. Let me tell him, his threat to trigger a chocolate bomb explosion is treated with contempt by us."

"We will counter him by bursting firecrackers. For us firecrackers are unravelling discrepancies in PM Care Fund and 'jumla' of crediting 15 lakh in every citizen's bank account. He only peddles falsehood," she was quoted by PTI as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress of wishing to take away the gold and property of people and distribute it among those having more children. The remarks  made during a poll rally in Rajasthan on Sunday  has prompted a sharp rebuttal from the Congress.

Congress manifesto says that it will calcuate the gold owned by our mothers and sisters, collect information and then distribute to those...whom former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that Muslims have the first right on country's wealth. They will check how much gold our sisters own, how much silver tribal families have, and how much money government employees have there, the Prime Minister alleged.

He cited the Congress manifesto to assert that the gold owned by our sisters would be equally distributed. Modi also claimed that the "royal family" of the party would not be in a position to vote for it as Congress wass not contesting the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

Does the government have the right to take your hard-earned property? The gold is not just for showing, it is a woman's self-esteem. The value of 'Mangalsutra' is not just limited to the price of gold, but it is connected with their dreams. You (Congress) are talking about taking it away? he asked.

The Opposition party meanwhile insisted that the Congress manifesto had made no such claim.

After the disappointment in the first phase of voting, the level of Narendra Modi's lies has fallen so much that out of fear, he now wants to divert the attention of the public from the issues. Trends have started coming in regarding the immense support that Congress's 'Revolutionary Manifesto' is receiving. The country will now vote on its issues, vote for its employment, its family and its future. India will not go astray! tweeted Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi in Hindi.
BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday visited the family of 23-year-old college student Neha Hiremath who was stabbed to death recently and offered them condolences. She was the daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath.

During his visit, the BJP chief demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of Neha, "if the Karnataka police unable to handle the investigation of the case".

Neha was stabbed to death by her former classmate in the premises of her college in Karnataka's Dharwad on April 18 sparking widespread protests across state.

Also read: Karnataka BJP calls for statewide protest on 22 April Addressing reporters, Nadda said, "I offered condolences to the family and came here to stand with them in this hour of grief."

He also said that her murder is a heart breaking incident.

Taking exception to the statements made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara, Nadda said it would "influence and "dilute" the probe while requesting the Karnataka government to handover the case to CBI.

"If the state government wants, they can refer the case to CBI and BJP will cooperate so that this innocent girl gets justice, humanity gets justice and such incidents do not recur in future... even her father has demanded for a CBI probe because he doesn't have faith in the state police and wants the investigation into the murder of his daughter to be transferred to the CBI," Nadda said.

Also read: Karnataka murder accused's mother denies 'love jihad' claims, says 'she made first move' The Karnataka State Women's Commission Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary also visited Neha's residence and assured justice to her family.

Offering condolences to her family, she said Neha's death should not be politicised for personal gains and if it was done, then it is like insulting the daughter of this land.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Choudhary, "I made them be strong and also told them not to allow anyone to use this incident for their selfish input or politicising it, because then it will be like insulting Neha. If we are really worried about her, we all have to strongly support and allow the police to do a free investigation and as early as possible, we have to get justice for Neha."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will miss grand INDIA bloc rallies in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X on Sunday. Ramesh said Gandhi was unwell because of which he was unable to leave New Delhi. The Ulgulan Rally" in these two areas were to be held on Sunday.

Shri Rahul Gandhi was all set to campaign today in Satna and Ranchi where the INDIA rally is being held. He took ill suddenly and is unable to leave New Delhi for the present, Ramesh said.

He further added that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge "is of course attending the Ranchi rally after addressing a public gathering in Satna," Ramesh said.

A total of 14 political parties will take part in the rally, which will be held at the Prabhat Tara Ground. The rally will be a mega show of strength for opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The rally is being held as India began voting for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The elections across the country are being held in seven phases. The first phase of voting was held on April 14. The results for all the phases will be declared on June 4.

Tejashwi Yadav, who arrived in Ranchi to take part in the INDIA bloc's 'Ulgulan Nyay' rally, said the opposition coalition's objective was to root out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to save the country and the Constitution.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged on Sunday that the workers of the INDIA bloc allies  the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and the Congress  hit each other with chairs during their Ulgulan Nyay rally" in Ranchi, Jharkhand. He said people were injured in the incident.

Earlier in the day, news agency PTI shared a video of a ruckus that erupted during INDIA blocs "Ulgulan Nyay rally" in Ranchi on Sunday. It's not yet confirmed that there were clashes between RJD and Congress workers at the rally.

Taking a dig over the "clashes", Prasad told news agency ANI, Where is their [INDIA bloc] unity? How will they unite the country when they are not united?... They should handle their party. People are being jailed because of corruption...

He said the country wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a stable government. "Will the country run with such a quarrelsome alliance?" he asked.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc held two mega rallies, one in Ranchi and the other in Satana, on Sunday. INDIA bloc partners  Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh and NC supreemo Farooq Abdullah  attended the rally.

The opposition's themed around the arrest of the ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and AAP's Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, two of the key faces of the INDIA bloc. Both Hemant Soren and Kejriwal are in judicial custody.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He is lodged in Tihar jail.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had told him in 2019 that he would groom his son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM of Maharashtra as part of the power-sharing agreement between the Shiv Sena (undivided) and BJP.

While addressing a rally in Dharavi on April 20, Thackeray claimed that the then BJP chief Amit Shah had come to 'Matoshree', the private residence of the Thackerays to talk on alliance with the Sena.

"At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders (Shah and Thackeray) discussed modalities," he claimed. "It was assured to me that the post of chief minister will be shared for 2.5 years (between BJP and Sena-undivided), he added.

Also Read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's son Shrikant to contest from Kalyan, says Devendra Fadnavis "Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind," Thackeray said.

"When I asked Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, he (Fadnavis) said he would move to Delhi, the former CM added.

Also Read: Mahavir Jayanti 2024: PM Modi releases stamp and coin at Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav inauguration This claim by Thackeray has evoked a sharp reaction from Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis is currently the deputy CM of the state along with Ajit Pawar. The governing Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra is comprised of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Regarding Thackeray's claim, Fadnavis said that he had "lost his mind".

"Uddhav Thackeray has become 'bhramishta' (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told," Fadnavis said.

Also Read: IMD issues heatwave warning: AP, Bihar, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, MP and Odisha sizzle as max temperature soars 46C He, however, admitted to having told Thackeray that Aaditya should be trained as he will eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day.

"Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldn't make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when MVA was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in its current situation today," Fadnavis said.

Taking to X, Thackeray slammed Fadnavis for his reference to "some room" during his talks with Shah and said the room of Bal Thackeray is like a temple. He wrote, "We respect the late Balasaheb Thackeray because he was always true to his word and never deviated from his ideals. We don't respect those who sacrificed the ideals of the late leader."

The Hindu heartthrob Shiv Sena chief was true to his words and never backed down. He followed every word given. He was narrow-minded and never thought of selfishness and never committed falsehood throughout his life. That is why they are still salutary for us.

Who do you mislead by creating a fictional story every day? Not your own? Social cause of Maharashtra and development of Maharashtra is not some script of Salim-Javed. Even if you have no sense of social cause and development, don't fall into the trap of creating such a script.

Reacting on Uddhav Thackeray's claim, CM Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to speaking lies. While speaking to reporters, Shinde said, "He (Uddhav) wanted to become chief minister. As he couldn't become a CM when he was part of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, he switched sides." Meanwhile, in June 2022, a split engineered by Shinde led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government.
Lewiston, Moscow school districts receive vape detectors

Two area school districts will receive funding to install vape detectors in high school bathrooms and locker rooms.

The Vape Detector Pilot grant was given to the Lewiston School District and the Moscow School District along with more than 20 other school districts in the state. The goal of the grant is to prevent vaping and provide staff with resources to intervene and assist students, according to a news release from the Idaho State Department of Education.

Districts who received funding provided evidence for the need for vape detectors; current prevention and intervention efforts; reports of vaping incidents from 2022-2024 school years; and budgets for purchasing, installing and other costs, according to the news release.

Putting the right tools to address vaping into the hands of our school districts is an important first step in tackling this problem and ensuring the health of our students and educational communities, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield in the news release. I hope that schools find this equipment to be an effective new resource in safeguarding the health and well-being of their students.

The grant is funded by the Idaho Millenium Fund and administered by the Idaho Department of Education.

Securing Our Future grants distributed to Idaho schools

Seven School Districts in the region received grants from the State Board of Education as part of the Securing Our Future grants.

Gov. Brad Little recommended the grants as part of the Idaho First budget plan in 2023. Phase two of the grant program awarded a total of $6.1 million to 73 Idaho schools and were awarded to schools that demonstrated need, project design and impact on students. Some of the funds will go to improving security infrastructure and fire systems, according to a news release from the Idaho State Board of Education.
Stories in this Regional News Roundup are excerpted from weekly newspapers from around the region. This is part two, with part one having appeared in Saturdays Tribune.



McCALL  The McCall man suspected of shooting and killing his wife amid a domestic violence dispute in February 2023 pleaded guilty to murder last week at the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade.

Mark Dooley, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement with Valley County Prosecutor Brian Naugle.

Naugle agreed not to seek a life sentence with no chance for parole in exchange for Dooleys pleading guilty last Friday in front of Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott.

Scott will sentence Dooley on Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Valley County Courthouse.

Dooley is facing a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison with no parole. He could also receive up to $50,000 in fines and a $5,000 civil penalty.

Dooley told Scott last Friday that he shot Lynne Dooley, 52, after the married couple got into an argument at the home they owned in McCalls Rio Vista neighborhood.

Dooley admitted that he had consumed a lot of alcohol the day of the shooting.

Shots were fired in the home on Eagles Shores Court as the McCall Police Department was en route to respond to reports of a domestic violence incident.

Lynne Dooley was found dead in the home from gunshot wounds to the back and chest, while Mark Dooley was taken to St. Lukes McCall with undisclosed injuries and later transferred to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Dooley was arrested on Feb. 27 after being released from the hospital.

Dooley had a history of heavy drinking and domestic violence, according to online court records and police reports.

He was charged with misdemeanor battery against a household member following an Aug. 23, 2020, incident, but the charge was later dismissed in Valley County Magistrate Court.

Police arrived at the house at about 6:36 p.m. to find Dooley cleaning up chairs that were knocked over, broken picture frames, dishes and other items, according to a police report for the incident.
Gayle T. McGarry passed away Monday, April 8, 2024, at his home in Lewiston. He was born June 18, 1930, in Bainville, Mont., to William and Elsie McGarry. He lived in Bainville the first six years of his life until his father died. Gayle and his mother then moved to Wolf Point, Mont., where he attended school. When he was 18 years old, he and his mother moved to Missoula, Mont. He worked various jobs and learned to drive truck.

In 1954, he married Dorothy Ballinger in Kalispell, Mont. They had a daughter, Beverly. They divorced in 1956.

In 1957, Gayle married Mildred Lobell in Missoula, where they made a home for the next 12 years.

They were blessed with five children  Bill, Brenda, Kerry, Gayle Ann and Trina.

In 1967, Gayle purchased a van trailer of his own and hauled produce from the state of Washington to the East. In early 1969, he went to Alaska and worked on the North Shore oil rigs.
We are sad to report that our treasured husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, Gene David Gibler, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Gene was born in Grangeville on June 10, 1949. His parents were Ned F. Gibler and Geneva (Hamilton) Gibler, of Kooskia. He joined one older brother, Gary. A younger brother, Greg, would join the family later. He attended school in Kooskia, graduating from Clearwater Valley High School in 1967. As a young boy, his music aptitude was encouraged: he studied piano and tap dancing. With his brother Greg, he appeared on the live TV talent show Starlit Stairway in tap-dancing performances. As a youth he worked in his fathers grocery store.

He enrolled at the College of Idaho in Caldwell as a music major. He studied music and drama, graduating in 1971. After obtaining his education, he chose a career of driving trucks. He returned to Kooskia and worked for Simmons Sanitation of Kamiah for a time.

In 1973, he married Pamela Chalfant, of Boise. They first lived in Caldwell, and later moved to Lewiston. They had two sons, Eli and Gabriel. In Lewiston, Gene worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a contract driver, driving daily along the Clearwater River to deliver the mail to the post offices as far as Stites.
Homeless camp impact

Foster Park at Diagonal and Sycamore streets in Clarkston, has been designated as the homeless camp by the Clarkston City Council because of Ordinance 1706.

According to a March 29 KLEW news article by Christopher Mitchell, Clarkstons city attorney Suzanne Hanson states about the decision of Foster Park: The parks, we dont have many of them, but the parks that we do have, of all of them, Foster Park was the one that was situated in the area that was going to be least impacted by nighttime residents.

How about the daytime impact of the homeless camp on the tax-paying neighborhood? Did you think they would only be there for bedtime and then leave at daylight? Tell that directly to my two granddaughters who live across from the park and can no longer play there. Tell that to the neighbors who have to look out their windows every day and view the mounds of items each homeless person has collected. Tell that to the neighbors who have to listen to the screaming in the night or the neighbors who have to call 911 when the homeless are screaming for Narcan. Tell that to the families who no longer can enjoy picnics in the park for fear of drug paraphernalia and rude remarks by the vagrants as the children play on the equipment. Tell that to the children at Holy Family School whose family members donated privacy fencing ... .

Foster Park should never have been approved as a homeless camp.

Jennifer Graham

Lewiston

Post-dam vision dream

Richard Scullys ideas of a post-dam vision for the Snake and Clearwater rivers (Tribune, March 27) must have come from some kind of dream world revelation. All his ideas never happened in the past and wont happen in the future.

I dont think he lived in the post-dam era in Lewiston and if he did, answer why, for more than 100 years, none of those convoluted ideas happened. The nightmare dreams proposed destroy our beautiful lakes, recreation, tourism and the entire economic factors from the dams and send Lewiston and Clarkston into an era of economic ruin.

You were a fish biologist in your career so you ought to get on board with preserving the fish runs through proper science with habitat restoration, predator control, oceans by-catch destruction, overfishing, barge transportation of smolts and warming of the Snake by the upriver dams. Leave our beautiful greenbelts, walking pathways, river transportation, carbon-free hydro power, present beaches and boat-docking facilities as they are now benefiting the people who use them.
No Chinese terrorists

Marvin Dugger (Tribune, March 24) suggests, without evidence, that 28,000 Chinese of military age are setting up sleeper cells like the terrorists did before 9/11.

For 60 years, Chinese gangs have been involved in racketeering, gambling and running drugs. Chinese mob bosses are interested in making money, not overthrowing the American government.

ProPublica has uncovered hundreds of illegal marijuana farms from California to Maine that are run by Chinese gangs. After responding to ads and then having their passports and phones confiscated, Chinese migrants work in squalor and terror on these farms.

Journalists are interviewing Chinese at the border, and they are meeting bankers, professionals, small business owners and recent college graduates. All of them complained of political oppression and bad economic conditions. Facing an unemployment rate of 21%, the college graduates could not find jobs.

Most of the Chinese migrants had taken the arduous journey through the Darien gap in Panama. Others, however, have paid as much as $14,000 to fly to Tijuana via Ecuador, where visas are not required. For $400, coyotes have driven them to the border with their roller bags. Neither these people nor the marijuana workers above hardly appear to be terrorists.

There are no Chinese equivalents to ISIS or Al Qaeda. China prefers to use sophisticated technology to undermine our national security. On Jan. 9, U.S. authorities were able to dismantle a Chinese hacking campaign aimed at disrupting basic infrastructure and interfering in the November election in favor of candidate Donald Trump.
This time its different.

How often have you heard that claim about a political shift away from the GOPs dominance over Idaho?

But the view from 35,000 feet  or at least that of Politicos Liz Crampton  suggests problems ahead for Idaho Republicans and opportunities for Democrats.

Start with the more than 80 Democrats who filed for state legislative seats. Thats the largest number of candidates Democrats have recruited in three decades.

I would always say to people, there is no cavalry coming to save us here in Idaho, and its getting worse and worse every year, Democratic Executive Director Jared DeLoof told Politico. The place they want to take us is really scary and we cant take it lying down. That really resonated.

Perhaps Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, was justified in his confidence when he told Politico: Democrats just cant win in this state because their ideas dont resonate with the people.

On the other hand, its been a long time since Idaho Democrats tested his premise. Look over the political landscape inventoried in Cramptons reporting and you can see seeds for Democratic optimism:

For the first time in recent memory, a plurality  43%  told Boise State Universitys Public Policy Survey that their state is on the wrong track.

If results in other states are any indication, the GOPs abortion ban is political kryptonite  and Republican leadership refused to consider a compromise heath exception that might have slowed the exodus of physicians from the Gem State.

Ignoring nearly 70% of the voters, GOP lawmakers empowered fringe groups with a bounty against public and school libraries.

Waging culture wars against the states marginalized LGBTQ minority may not play well outside the GOPs narrow ideological base.

Politico did not mention it, but the GOP has been flirting with an unpopular voucher bill that would drain limited state funds from public schools to subsidize the private education of wealthier students.

Then theres the weird stuff, such as Blanchard Republican Rep. Heather Scotts assertion that Idahoans needed more protection from cannibalism or Eagle Republican Rep. Ted Hills suggestion that unsupervised school employees carry concealed firearms to work.

From the outside looking in, Idahos Republican Party is fractured. At the party level, Chairperson Dorothy Moon and her followers are at odds with the establishment wing of the party.
They are the first to ask for a vote in the union's campaign, which was announced last fall after the UAW won strong contracts with Detroit automakers.
IDF soldiers operating in Gaza on April 18. (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes on 25 targets in Gaza between April 18 and 19, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The airstrikes targeted a variety of sites, most of them defined as infrastructure by the IDF. This includes observation posts, launch sites for rockets and other areas. The IDF is focused on continued operations in northern Gaza while it also seeks to increase humanitarian aid delivery to the north. This comes as Gazans seek to return to northern Gaza after six months of war.

On Thursday, April 18, a rocket was fired from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza toward the Israeli city of Ashkelon. This is one of just a few recent rocket attacks from Gaza that has targeted Ashkelon. Several miles north of Gaza, the city was a major target of Hamas rocket fire when the war began on October 7. Hamas fired thousands of rockets in the opening days of the war, but recently its rocket and mortar fire has been reduced to one or two launches a week.

The IDF responded to the rocket fire by striking the area from which the rocket was fired. Within several minutes, IDF artillery struck the area from which the launch was fired in Beit Lahia, and an IDF aircraft struck a weapons storage facility in the area, the IDF said.

In addition, IDF troops from the 162nd division, which has controlled northern Gaza since the ground operation began on October 27, continued to carry out raids in Gaza. This reflects the IDFs current posture, wherein the IDF controls a corridor south of Gaza City and carries out operations into areas around the city and into central Gaza. More than 1,000 terrorists have been eliminated in these operations, the IDF says. Twenty kilometers of tunnels were also uprooted.

The IDF said on April 18 that soldiers of the 401st Brigade combat team, together with forces of the Yahalom Unit, cleared and destroyed more than 100 terrorist infrastructure sites and eliminated more than 40 terrorists in close quarters combat and airstrikes. This is supposed to expand control of what Israel is calling the Karni corridor, which is also referred to as the Netzerim corridor. The corridor is controlled by the IDFs Nahal infantry brigade.

The Israeli forces also carried out a raid on a underground compound that is near Wadi Gaza. Wadi Gaza is one of the main dividing lines between northern and southern Gaza. During the operation, 17 tunnel shafts were destroyed, including offensive shafts. In addition, the forces located a number of launchers and launching pits used by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The operations came as Israeli security forces were also able to identify a senior Hamas official named Yussef Rafik Ahmed Shabat. Israel says that he was responsible for investigations in Hamas Internal Security Department in Beit Hanoun. He served in the area of Beit Hanoun which has been a center of IDF raids in the last weeks. The large number of terrorists found, the rocket launch and the fact that in one case the IDF also struck a vehicle with armed men in it, illustrates how Hamas continues to operate throughout northern Gaza.

At the same time, Israel has sought to increase the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Aid is now reaching Gaza for the first time from Ashdod port. Israel opened this route in early April. This is in addition to a maritime route from Cyprus that was suspended after an Israeli airstrike killed seven humanitarian aid workers in early April.

Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Unit (COGAT) has boosted the number of trucks entering Gaza. Most of the trucks enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing near the Egyptian border. Airdrops of aid into Gaza also continue. On April 18, a total of 144 food parcels were airdropped. COGAT says that 700 humanitarian aid trucks are waiting on the Gaza side of the border near Kerem Shalom, with additional trucks heading to northern Gaza. The IDF said that 100 trucks arrived to the north on the night of April 18 and that the World Food Program (WFP) brought 9 trucks from Ashdod port. Some of these are for new bakeries that have opened in Gaza. A new crossing in northern Gaza is facilitating the entry of some trucks. This is important because Israels plan to launch an operation against Hamas in southern Gaza requires that many of the civilians who fled there be able to leave before the attack begins.

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).
Boston Dynamics  one of the top robotics companies in the world  has unveiled a new, all-electric model of Atlas, its humanoid robot.

The Waltham-based robotics company announced the retirement of Atlas hydraulic model along with the robots new design in a press release last week. The new Atlas is still in the research and development phase, but Boston Dynamics expects it to be stronger, more agile, more dextrous, have a broader range of motion and have more real-world applications than any of its forefathers.

For example, Boston Dynamics last generation hydraulic Atlases  the HD Atlas  could lift and maneuver a wide variety of heavy, irregular objects, the robotics company said. Now, Atlas designers are exploring several new gripper variations to meet a diverse set of scenarios.

We promise this is not a person in a bodysuit. https://t.co/S9FgfpqvrW pic.twitter.com/G30sXHQ93C  Boston Dynamics (@BostonDynamics) April 17, 2024

With a round head, fingers and dark gray body, Atlas new look diverts significantly from previous iterations, which were white, lacked a neck to separate its head and used pronged claws to pick up objects.

Boston Dynamics will be partnering with select customers to test the new Atlas model over the next few years, the robotics company said. Hyundai Motor Group  which acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021  will be the first to try it out.

This is the first look at a real product, but it certainly isnt the last, the robotics company wrote in the release.

In the past, Boston Dynamics has focused on creating many-legged robots  such as Spot, the robot dog  that could balance and move dynamically, the robotics company said. Such robots were designed to navigate unstructured, unknown and antagonistic terrain with ease.

Humanoid robots such as Atlas differ in that they are designed to work in a world designed for people, according to Boston Dynamics. However, the robotics company said, Atlas humanoid form wont limit its designers vision for how a bipedal robot could move or how it could help people accomplish more.

Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but we are equipping the robot to move in the most efficient way possible to complete a task, rather than being constrained by a human range of motion, Boston Dynamics wrote. Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities.
Boston police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man Thursday in connection with an armed carjacking that happened in Brighton earlier this month.

Boston resident Romello McCain is facing charges of armed carjacking with a firearm, armed and masked robbery with a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and larceny over $1,200, Boston police said in a press release.

On Tuesday, April 2, officers responded to the area of Goodenough Street for a report of an armed carjacking just before 11:40 p.m., police said. The victim told police that two suspects pulled out firearms and demanded that they give them everything.

The suspects stole the victims vehicle and approximately $1,300 worth of personal items, police said. Detectives found the vehicle unoccupied near 14 Greenwich Park.

Officers later executed a search warrant at 2 East Brookline St. and recovered a 9 mm. Glock magazine, a box of 9 mm. ammunition rounds, 15 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition and approximately $367 in cash, police said. They arrested McCain near the residence around 3:50 p.m. on April 18.

McCain is set to be arraigned in Brighton District Court, police said. It is unclear if a second suspect has been identified or caught.
China on Friday markedly sharpened its criticism of the US' accusation of overcapacity in China, saying that the claim, while sounding like an economic concept, is a disguise for its malign attempt to curb China's industrial development and amounts to economic coercion and bullying, and urged Washington to be prudent in words and deeds and refrain from imposing additional tariffs.

The latest remarks from Chinese officials underscored their intensifying efforts to counter some US and European officials' attempt to create a pretext for taking further protectionist and punitive actions against Chinese products and firms, while also calling for global cooperation and dialogue to tackle global issues such as production capacity, experts noted.

Notably, Chinese top leaders have also commented on the production capacity issue over the past week.

On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing. During the meeting, Xi said it is important for the two countries to stay vigilant against the rise of protectionism, adopt an objective and dialectical view on the issue of production capacity through a market and global perspective and based on the laws of economics, and devote more efforts to discussions on cooperation, according to Xinhua.

Also on Tuesday, during talks with Scholz, Chinese Premier Li Qiang offered a detailed response to claims of overcapacity. Li stressed that the issue of production capacity should start from economic laws and be viewed objectively and dialectically from a market viewpoint and a global perspective, Xinhua reported.

China's new-energy industry has gained advantages through self-improvement and sufficient market competition, rather than government subsidies, Li said. He expressed hopes that the EU side will uphold market-oriented and fair principles, and prudently use trade remedy measures.

The remarks clearly demonstrate China's approach of addressing global challenges through cooperation, rather than politicization of economic and trade issues and protectionism, experts said.

"The remarks are aimed at urging all parties to tackle global challenges through cooperation, instead of looking at some issues from one's own self-interests," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday.

But as US officials continued to hype "overcapacity" claims and even threatened to impose tariffs and other actions against Chinese products, Chinese officials also ramped up their pushback against the accusations. This week, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who focused on the overcapacity accusations during her trip last week, even threatened that the US wouldn't take "anything off the table," including additional tariffs on cheap goods from China.

Commenting on the US' accusation of overcapacity at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said that such claims are not new, as the US has long accused China of overcapacity due to its exports of a large amount of high-quality, affordable products to the world.

"The so-called overcapacity claim raised by the US seems to be an economic concept, but behind it is a vicious attempt to curb and suppress China's industrial development. It aims to seek a more favorable competitive position and market advantage for itself. It is blatant economic coercion and bullying," Lin said.

Also on Friday, Lin responded to US President Joe Biden's calls for substantially higher tariffs against Chinese steel products during a speech in the US steel production base of Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Biden also accused China of offering subsidies to expand steel production capacity, which harms US businesses.

In response, Lin said that the claims made by the US side are completely untrue and could harm China-US economic and trade relations. "China is seriously concerned and strongly dissatisfied with this," he said, "China will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its rights and interests."

Dangerous narrative

The intensifying pushback from Chinese officials against the accusations both reflected their respect for market laws, as well as efforts to safeguard not only China's interests but the stability of the world economy, Zhou said. "If the US continues to mislead the public on this issue, it will be very detrimental to global economic and trade cooperation and recovery," he said.

US officials' accusation of overcapacity has been harshly criticized by economists both in China and abroad as being in defiance of economic laws.

Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the groundless allegation of "overcapacity" by some US politicians defied economic rules, and was aimed at providing a cover for US companies with backward capacity, such as those that make internal combustion engine cars.

"Taking electric cars as an example, the current global capacity cannot meet the surging demand of the global transformation for new energy, and there is about 70-80 percent room for growth in the sector," said Lu.

According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, global demand for new energy vehicles is projected to reach 45 million units by 2030, 4.5 times the figure from 2022. Similarly, global demand for newly installed photovoltaic capacity is expected to reach 820 gigawatts by 2030, approximately four times the 2022 level, according to media reports. For solar panels, the demand for newly installed capacity will likely quadruple. These figures mean the current level of production capacity for new-energy products lags far behind demand.

This highlights significant potential demand for new energy products in many developing countries, experts said.

The overcapacity accusation also puzzled some Western economists. Nicholas Lardy, a senior fellow at Washington DC-based think tank the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua last week that the concept of excess capacity is "potentially harmful."

Lardy noted that there is no way of measuring overcapacity, and the US' suggestion that no country should produce more of a product than could be sold domestically does not make sense.

"So Boeing should cut its production? US soybean farmers should limit their production to what can be sold within the US? The US appears to have a comparative advantage in these products so why shouldn't Boeing and US farmers produce more than can be absorbed domestically, with the 'excess' exported?" he said.
Brockton police are searching for an underage teen male in connection with a drive-by shooting that happened Friday morning, according to police.

The shooting happened around 7 a.m. on Brookside Avenue, police wrote on Facebook Saturday. A vehicle was damaged in the shooting, but no one was hurt.

Brockton police, Brockton School Police and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant at the underage suspects residence Friday afternoon and seized three illegal handguns, along with some ammunition, police said. Investigators are still searching for the suspect, who drove a stolen, maroon-colored Chevrolet Traverse.

No further information about the suspect or the shooting has been released.
A two-car, head-on car crash on South Main Street in Freetown Saturday evening resulted in both drivers being seriously injured, according to Freetown police.

Multiple 911 callers reported the crash just south of a Stop & Shop distribution center in Assonet around 5:40 p.m., Freetown police said in a press release. Both cars were heavily damaged in the crash.

One driver had to be extricated from his car, police said. Both drivers were taken to St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford.

Authorities initial investigation indicates that a 26-year-old man was driving a 2015 Acura TLX when it crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic and hit a 1972 Plymouth Roadrunner being driven by a 68-year-old man, police said. Investigators are still in the process of determining what caused the crash.

Freetown Police Chief Scott Rose called the crash deeply concerning.

Community safety remains our utmost priority, and we urge anyone with information to come forward to aid our investigation, he said in the release.

It is unclear whether police are planing to press charges in connection with the crash. No further information  including the identities and condition of the drivers  has been released.
About 450 people were evacuated from the Flying Monkey Performance Center in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Saturday evening after a fire broke out near the theater, according to firefighters.

Firefighters were dispatched to the area of 41 to 45 Main St. around 9:10 p.m. for a report that multiple buildings were on fire, the Plymouth Fire Department said in a press release. The Flying Monkeys manager had noticed the fire and called 911.

At the scene, firefighters found heavy flames at the empty building, which used to house Peppercorn Farm Market & Cafe and Downtown Pizza, the fire department said. The fire soon climbed from two alarms to three alarms, and eventually, firefighters from 16 different departments responded.

Next door, the Flying Monkey was near capacity for a concert by Foreigners Journey  an 80s rock music tribute band, according to the fire department. All the concert-goers, staff and artists were evacuated from the building without incident.

Containing the fire proved to be a challenge due to the proximity of the buildings, as well as the fact that one building had multiple ceilings, and roof structures that had to be accessed, the fire department wrote in the release.

After moving to a defensive operation, firefighters got the fire under control, according to the fire department. One firefighter was treated at Speare Memorial Hospital for a shoulder injury and later released.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the fire department.

The Motet was set to play at the Flying Monkey Sunday night, but the show has been cancelled due to the fire, according to the concert venue. Ticket holders should look for an email from the ticketing company for further instructions.

While we sustained only minor smoke damage, it will take a few days for us to perform necessary recovery efforts, the Flying Monkey wrote on its website. " ... Thanks for your understanding and for your outpouring of support. We are grateful for our community and our fans.

The Flying Monkey is a historic venue that dates back to the 1920s, during which it hosted sold-out showings of silent movies, according to its website. The theater eventually closed and fell into disrepair, but reopened in 2010 after being purchased and renovated by the owner of The Common Man  a local chain of restaurants and inns that has a location in Plymouth.
New tolls for drivers entering Massachusetts are part of discussions to address budgetary concerns at the Department of Transportation, according to recent statements by Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.

Tibbits-Nutt made the comments during a keynote speech on April 10 with the advocacy group Walk Massachusetts. During the speech, Tibbits-Nutt discussed MassDOTs financial challenges and a task force considering various sources of funding.

How are we going to keep people safe in all the many ways we need to keep them safe and how are we going to do it in an equitable manner? This comes back to funding. We talk about this all the time. Were broke. I literally said that in a budget meeting today, Im like, were poor, Tibbits-Nutt said in a video of the speech posted to the Walk Massachusetts website.

So what are we going to do about that? Weve gotta get aggressive, Tibbits-Nutt continued. Im going to talk about tolling  And when Im talking tolling, Im talking at the borders, Im not talking like within Massachusetts.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu weighed in with comments to the Boston Herald : Looks like Massachusetts has found yet another way to unnecessarily take your money. All the more reason for more Massachusetts residents to make the permanent move to New Hampshire.

Sununu wasnt the only one who spoke up about the idea of more tolls.

Mass. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio took to social media to pen her views: Putting a toll at the NH border would have DEVASTATING impacts on our region, not just economically speaking, but also regarding the unmanageable congestion & infrastructural burden it would create on every local backroad.

She added, Creating a border war is not the answer and its definitely families within Massachusetts who would ultimately be hurt by this move  border communities count. I strongly urge the administration to reject this approach.

The transportation secretary also suggested higher charges for transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, charging more for package deliveries and charging more for payroll tax.

Basically going after everybody who has money, Tibbits-Nutt said.

Tibbits-Nutt previously made the suggestion about tolls at the state borders in an appearance on WCVBs On the Record, the TV station reported.

During the keynote speech, she said the MassDOT funding task force will be aggressive in weighing its options and said itll be different than other task forces because we are not censoring.

The task force will need to come up with a new funding model for transportation by the end of the year that will need the Legislatures approval, the CommonWealth Beacon reported.
Newton police arrested a Rhode Island man Friday evening after he evaded multiple police agencies during a multi-state car chase, according to the Newton Police Department.

Providence resident Emanuel Salmeron, 22, is facing two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon (for driving at officers) and one count of negligent operation, failure to stop for police and resisting arrest, Newton police said in a Facebook post.

Police in Massachusetts began pursuing Salmeron sometime Friday evening after he evaded Rhode Island officers by driving into the Bay State via I-95, according to Newton police. Massachusetts State Police continued the chasing the red Mercedes on the highway as Salmeron drove north, but due to the operation of the vehicle and excessive speeds, they stopped pursuing him when he exited I-95 in Norwood.

Newton police became involved in the chase after someone noticed an unconscious man inside a red Mercedes at the Riverside MBTA station parking lot little after 6:30 p.m., the department said. Dispatchers informed the officers that the car had been part of the earlier car chase.

Newton officers approached the car, but Salmeron noticed and tried to drive away, police said. The officers prevented him from leaving the lot and soon cornered him, forcing him to abandon the car and run away.

After a brief foot chase, the officers again cornered Salmeron and arrested him, Newton police said. He has since been turned over to state police.

In the Facebook post, Newton Police Chief John Carmichael Jr. commended the officers who responded to the scene for showing incredible restraint and discipline in a very tense, unfolding situation and not hesitating to confront and arrest a dangerous suspect.

This was an exemplary display of teamwork and professionalism, he wrote. This situation ended in the best case scenario and I extol all of our officers and dispatchers for a job well-done.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 30-year-old Framingham man whose body was discovered behind a Worcester Road business.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans Office described the death as an apparent homicide that happened Saturday night.

The mans identity was not released in a statement by the district attorneys office on Sunday afternoon.

At about 10 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a Worcester Road business where they found a man dead in the trash area behind the building.

A preliminary investigation found that the 30-year-old Framingham man was an employee of the business and worked Saturday night.

The victim had obvious trauma to his body and the case has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine cause of death, the district attorneys office said.

No arrests were announced as of early Sunday afternoon.

The investigation is being conducted by the district attorneys office, Massachusetts State Police and Framingham police.

Anyone with any information or who may have seen something unusual in the area of 1 Worcester Road last night is asked to call Framingham Police at 508-532-5923.
The way that Joyce Vance sees it, Americas political institutions have one, fundamental responsibility: To ensure that their operations are as transparent  and as above reproach  as possible.

But when Vance, the former top federal prosecutor in Alabama under President Barack Obama, and now a podcast host, Substack newsletter author, and MSNBC contributor, takes a look at those same institutions, she has found them coming up woefully short.

Thats especially true of the U.S. Supreme Court, whose reputation has taken a ding thanks to the ethics travails of Justice Clarence Thomas, and such politically charged decisions as the 2022 ruling that toppled Roe v. Wade, sparking a wave of abortion bans nationwide.

The courts are responsible for public confidence, and abiding by the rule of law, Vance, whos also a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, told MassLive this week.

I dont agree with every ruling, and nor should I, she continued. But we submit our most difficult issues to the courts for decisions. As long as they are following the rule of law, and applying it consistently, theres no problem. If they do not, thats where theres a problem.

The hosts of the #SistersInLaw podcast (Photo provided).Submitted Photo

Those issues  and many more in a pivotal election year  are likely to be fair game as Vance, and her colleagues in the #SistersInLaw podcast, visit Bostons Shubert Theatre on May 30, as part of a nationwide live tour.

The podcast, now in its fourth year, also includes veteran Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade, and Boston Globe Senior Opinion Columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr.

Vance told MassLive that the podcast traced its roots to the conversations that she and her colleagues would have in MSNBCs green room as they waited to go on the air.

If You Go: You can buy tickets You can buy tickets for the #SistersInLaw Tour here

At some point, it just evolved, she said. We wanted to pull back the curtain, and give people a look at what prosecutors discuss when theyre sitting around together at the end of the week

Vance and her colleagues launched a couple of test balloons, including a conversation with Talking Feds podcast host Harry Litman, also a former federal prosecutor and legal commentator, and a dear friend, she said.

We bring a lot of different, and a lot of informative content, to the people who wanted it, she said.

Unsurprisingly, the podcasts most recent episode delves, in large part, into the start of former President Donald Trumps first criminal trial in Manhattan this week.

With polls showing public faith in institutions decaying, and the Jan. 6, 2021 sacking of the U.S. Capitol, still vivid in public memory, Vance said she believes American democracy is in a moment of great peril.

As someone who studies and teaches in the area of democratic institutions, I have an understanding of the broad sweep of history, and the challenges to the republic, she said. I think we have to be candid on where we are, its a moment of great peril.

This year, voters will determine whether the American experiment continues, she said. Were in the precipice of stumbling into authoritarianism, and Donald Trump is in the forefront of it.

While Trump has a constitutionally protected right to speak his mind on the issues of the day, the twice-impeached, four-times indicted former president is not entitled to provoke violence.

That matters because a recent GBH News/CommonWealth Beacon poll showed that a majority of Bay State voters fear a recurrence of the violence this year that marred the days after the November 2020 election.

And last month, speaking at a rally in Ohio, Trump said there will be a bloodbath, if he loses to Democratic President Joe Biden in November.

The comments came as Trump discussed discussed the likelihood of an escalating trade war with China over auto manufacturing, according to NBC News. Bidens campaign condemned what it said were Trumps threats of political violence.

Trump could put an end to it, in a moment, by saying that [violence] is never acceptable, and say that [his supporters] should not turn to violence, Vance told MassLive.

Congressional Republicans, from U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are under the same obligation to take a principled stand and that violence in unacceptable, she continued.

If they dont "then they are at fault and complicit in what [Trump] is doing, and the responsibility for ensuring public safety ultimately will fall to the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Vance said.

But even with that polarization in our politics, and a hit movie about an American civil war playing in theaters, Vance said she believes Americans can still find their way back from the brink.

Im a huge fan of civil discourse, she said. I believe Americans can come together. People have to take responsibility for how we got here.

And that brings Vance back to where she started, with Americas leaders and its institutions, being fully transparent and accountable to the people they serve.

I feel like all of our institutions should be satisfying the citizens of their legitimacy over and over again, as a part of their fundamental responsibility, she said.
PITTSBURGH  The Red Sox arrived in Pittsburgh bruised and battered. Theyre leaving town even more beaten up.

For three days, though, that mattered little. The Walking Wounded are heading to Cleveland with brooms in hand after sweeping the Pirates in a three-game set at PNC Park.
NORTHAMPTON  Smith Students for Justice in Palestine held a demonstration and town hall meeting on the Smith College campus Sunday, calling out the administrations continuing refusal to divest itself of investments in aerospace and defense companies.

Several dozen people gathered in small groups spread across Seeley Lawn on the Northampton campus to discuss the use of endowment funds for munitions research and manufacture.
SOUTHWICK  A new nonprofit organization has been founded to help protect land for open space, protect plant and animal habitat, and the scenic and historic vistas of the landscape valued by the community.

Land conservation cant easily be done with the snap of a finger, said Maryssa Cook-Obregon, the president of the newly formed Southwick Land Trust.

The goal of the group is to begin raising money from private sources that will be used to purchase land that will be protected from future development, she said.

But building up those financial resources can take a generation, or longer, she said.

She said the new group, which now has nine members and is soliciting for new ones, is using a land trust model used now in Granby, Connecticut.

Its focus on land within the town of Granby fostered a townwide culture of commitment to preservation, according to Cook-Obregon.

Since the Granby Land Trust was formed in 1972, it has purchased or been gifted nearly 90 properties or easements that total over 3,000 acres, according to its website www.granbylandtrust.org.

Because the GLT has been operating for over 50 years, it has a revolving account that exceeds $3 million, she said.

Cook-Obregon said one of the reasons for establishing the nonprofit, nongovernmental organization is because often when municipalities or governments get involved in funding purchases of land for open space, there are often strings attached.

If you accept government funding, youre bound to the government, she said.

Well be totally privately funded, and well decide how to preserve the land, Cook-Obregon said.

The SLTs model, according to Cook-Obregon, is to do research, identify and prioritize potential parcels of land in Southwick by consulting with regional and national conservation agencies as well as by dialoguing with other local stakeholders, such as town residents and neighboring communities.

Its goal is to directly connect with landowners who are interested in preserving their land as part of their legacy with its mission of protecting Southwicks rural heritage and its diverse ecology by acquiring and permanently conserving natural corridors, wildlife habitats, scenic, historic and agricultural land while also promoting awareness of open space and making access easier and enjoyable for all.

To raise money, Cook-Obregon said the organization will focus on getting grants, and donations from individuals and businesses, including donations of land as well as stock, bond or investment gifts or planned giving like bequests or naming the SLT as a beneficiary of an IRA or life insurance, and securing memorial and remembrance donations to honor someone with a long-term investment in the towns greenspaces.

It will also hold events and sell merchandise, she said.

To introduce the organization to the community, on May 18, with the help of the Southwick Rotary Club, they will be holding its inaugural Southwick Spiff Up.

In conjunction with the annual Great Global Cleanup, volunteers, with advice from the DPW, will sweep through areas of town picking up trash and rubbish.

The event will kick off at the Daily Grind at 568 College Highway with free doughnuts.

Cook-Obregon asked volunteers to arrive between 9-10 a.m. to pick up cleaning supplies and be given a place to start picking up trash.

The SLT is also holding a logo contest.

Cook-Obregon said the group is inviting members of the community to help it create a unique and captivating logo that embodies the goal of the organization.

The SLT is looking for a original graphic, no photographs, that will be used on the website, promotional materials, correspondence, T-shirts, and ball caps, so it must be scalable.

The design should incorporate three colors for simplicity, and designers can use farmland, mountains, lakes, forests, local wildlife, and streams that represent the towns diverse landscape.

The logo must also use SLT, not the full name of the organization, and be designed for a landscape and portrait orientation.

All entries will be considered. The submission deadline for the logo contest is end of day, Friday, May 24. The design should be emailed to info@southwicklandtrust.org.

For more information, visit www.southwicklandtrust.org.
An investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) found that Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester did not have enough equipment to properly monitor patients with heart problems the beginning of the year.

The DPH launched an investigation of the hospital, which is owned by the Dallas-based healthcare company Tenant Healthcare, on Jan. 31. According to Katheleen Conti, the DPHs assistant director of media relations, the investigation began after the MNA  the largest nurses union in Massachusetts  filed several complaints regarding poor management and technology.

These complaints come among mounting tension between the hospital and the nurses union. According to MNA Director of Public Communications David Schildmeier, complaints were filed directly to the DPH and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services accusing Saint Vincent of not having an adequate number of staffing or equipment, leaving patients and nurses at risk.

Schildmeier said the accusations against Saint Vincent dont only come from the MNA, as in March, eight former nurses filed a lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court against the hospital and Tenet Healthcare, claiming they were wrongfully fired for reporting unsafe patient care conditions. One week later, the National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against the hospital  accusing administrators of not providing information to nurses about staffing and preventing nurses from speaking out about poor conditions.

We continue to make direct requests to the DPH because conditions are still very dangerous here, Schildmeier said. Theres not enough staff to watch over these patients who need care.

A spokesman for Saint Vincents declined to comment Friday about the accusations made by the union.

According to documents obtained by MassLive, the DPH met in February with 17 patients and seven nurses who told them the hospital lacked a sufficient amount of telemetry monitoring equipment, also known as tele-boxes.

Based on interviews and medical record review, the hospital failed to provide care in a safe setting, the report reads. The hospital failed to have a sufficient number of cardiac telemetry boxes, a portable device placed on the patient designed for continuous monitoring of a patients electrocardiogram, which records electrical respiratory rate, oxygen saturations to appropriately monitor patients.

In the interviews conducted by the DPH, two nurses explained that tele-boxes are supposed to be available for any patient in each hospital unit but there are situations where a tele-box is not in the room. These situations can be critical, as some patients who need constant care require tele-boxes to monitor heart and respiratory rates, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Nurse number seven stated that there is typically not enough tele-boxes available on this telemetry unit, the report reads. This nurse stated that the situation comes up often where a patient arrives to the telemetry unit with telemetry orders and the nurse has to either wait for an available tele-box or go hunting for a tele-box.

The NIH states that patients at risk of their heartbeat being dangerously slow, fast or irregular in the previous 24 hours need tele-boxes to track their heartbeats. If a tele-box arrives to a patient too late, they could die. According to the documents, one nurse told a DPH representative that a patient who needed a tele-box arrived at a hospital unit without one present. A nurse found a tele-box for the patient  27 minutes after arrival.

The patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting, the report reads. This standard is not met as evidenced by interviews and medical records.

After reviewing their findings, the DPH submitted a statement of deficiency to Saint Vincent on March 5 and asked the hospital to submit a plan of correction to change how it appropriates and manage tele-boxes.

The hospital submitted its action plan on March 13, which included the purchase of 42 more tele-boxes, a training plan to teach new hires how to manage hospital beds with tele-boxes and a monitoring plan where 30 patients with tele-boxes will be audited every month to ensure they are receiving proper care with the machinery.

Audits will be reported to the chief nursing officer weekly and to the hospitals Quality and Patient Safety Council monthly until three consecutive months of 100% compliance is achieved, the report reads. Audits will be conducted periodically to ensure ongoing compliance.

Conti told MassLive that the department had approved Saint Vincents action plan on March 15. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency providing health coverage to those through Medicare and Medicaid, approved the action plan on March 19. A week later, the DPH closed the investigation, according to Conti.

Before the investigations conclusion, officials from Saint Vincent put out a press release claiming the Department of Public Health found no deficiencies in its staffing or quality of care and confirmed the hospitals commitment to high-quality care. This statement was disputed by MNA, which accused the hospital of creating a culture that incited fear among nurses for speaking out against management.

The DPH, however, told MassLive that the investigation was still ongoing at the time  pushing back on Saint Vincents press release.

Schildmeier told MassLive the DPHs investigation partially validated the concerns of the nurses union but said more needed to be done by the DPH. He said the MNA wants the DPH to send individuals to monitor the hospital to ensure employees are giving patients proper care  similar to how the state sent monitors to hospitals ran by Steward Health Care.

It doesnt go far enough, he said. These patients were in danger of suffering a heart attack and they were unmonitored. That all goes back to the dangerously low staffing levels.

Nurses union struggles with Saint Vincent

The relationship between Saint Vincent Hospital and the MNA has been fraught. The nurses union has accused the hospital of lack of care, while the hospital has admonished the union for its statements.

In February 2021, nurses from the union went on strike as the two sides could not agree on staffing levels. The strike lasted 10 months, with the union gaining support from the Worcester City Council and then-Attorney General Maura Healey. In December of that year, the hospital and the union agreed on staffing levels and ratified a contract on Jan. 3, 2022.

Despite the strikes end, the rift between Tenet and the nurses union is still wide and continues to grow as more complaints about poor working conditions have been lodged at the healthcare company from union members, former employees and national labor organizations.

While the nurses ended the strike with great hope for a new beginning and a commitment to work with our administration to build a positive future, their CEO, Tenets Carolyn Jackson, had no such intention and has engaged in a concerted effort to attack nurses and endanger every patient under their care, Schildmeier said.
A Claremorris-based Fine Gael councillor has said that the wet spring could affect food prices in the supermarkets.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Tom Connolly said that famers were under serious financial pressure due to the exceptionally wet spring.

Cllr Connolly has written to the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, calling for him to authorise emergency payments for farmers who have run out animal feed.

Farmers have been unable to let cattle out on the land, due to the amount of rain that has fallen in March and early April. Cllr Connolly said.

In many cases, farmers had run out of animal feed, and had to buy meal and nuts, to keep their cattle alive. This has serious consequences for these farmers and for consumers. In an industry with already tight profit margins, any additional expenditure on feedstuff, is a direct cost to these farmers.

Cllr Connolly said that, in the absence of silage, farmers had to take action.

He said that if it was exceptionally wet or cold during the winter period it would be no problem, because farmers have planned for this by keeping cattle house with adequate silage.

However, the silage is gone by mid-March, when cattle are normally released onto grass.

Margins are tight in farming, even when the weather is good, Cllr Connolly said.

But when you have exceptional weather, like we have had up to now, you have to take exceptional action. Farming is the backbone of the Irish economy, and impacts the lives of all of our citizens. Farming is essentially food production, and we are lucky that we have such healthy produce on our supermarket shelves, which comes directly or indirectly from the land.

If farmers dont get support, the impact of the wet spring will have consequences for re-investment in the industry  as farmers will have less money to spend  or will cause food prices in the shops to rise. This will affect everyone.

Cllr Connolly is contesting the local elections in June, in the six-seat Claremorris area, where Fine Gael won four of the six seats in the area in 2019.

They are defending three seats this time around as Cllr Patsy OBrien from Robeen, who was elected on the Fine Gael ticket the last time, is contesting as an Independent.
by Ray Schultz , April 21, 2024

A bill that would place public notices on a government website, depriving local newspapers of revenue and readers of transparency, critics argue, is now on the governors desk in Maryland.

The Maryland Delaware DC Press Association (MDDC) is calling on Governor Wes Moore to veto HB1258.

We believe that HB 1258 will create a seismic change in the local media landscape that will decimate and potentially prompt the closure of local news outlets, writes Rebecca Snyder, the executive director of the MDDC Press Association, in the Herald Mail.

But HB1258 seeks to centralize estate notices on a government-operated website alone, effectively pulling critical information for creditors and heirs into a subject-specific website that requires a user to have reliable internet access AND to know where to look for the information, Snyder adds.
  Trusted Source

Predicting the next pandemic: VACCELERATE ranking of the World Health Organization's Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics



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#Influenza stands as a primary focus for #infectiousdisease experts globally, reflecting its significant pandemic potential. #DiseaseX #COVID

Empowering Epidemic Prevention

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Predicting the next pandemic: VACCELERATE ranking of the World Health Organization's Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893923001369?via%3Dihub)

Recent findings presented at the ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona reveal that in a survey conducted by the VACCELERATE Consortium, infectious diseases experts ranked pathogens based on pandemic potential. The study identified) .The study is by Dr Jon Salmanton-Garcia, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany, and colleagues from across Europe, and published in the journalOther highly ranked pathogens included Disease X (as yet unknown disease) with 21% ranking this number one and 14% second. SARS-CoV-2 was third in terms of number one responses on 8%, with 16% voting it number two, while the original SARS-CoV virus that circulated in 2002-03 was voted number one by 2% of respondents and second by 8%. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF virus) and Ebola virus were joint fifth, with 1.6% respondents voting them first.The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined a comprehensive Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics, focusing on key infectious diseases that pose significant threats to public health . These diseases were selected after rigorous evaluation, taking into account factors like transmissibility, infectivity, severity, and their potential for evolution. In alignment with the WHO's R&D Blueprint, the VACCELERATE Site Network (a pan-European network of sites collaborating on COVID-19 , other infectious diseases and general pandemic preparedness infectious diseases) engaged infectious disease experts from around the world, both among and outside its members, to rank the diseases listed in terms of their perceived risk of instigating a pandemic.Participants were tasked with ranking various pathogens based on their perceived pandemic risk, encompassing diseases featured in the WHO R&D Blueprint and additional pathogens. Experts could rank up to 14 pathogens in the order of their perceived risk (the 13 pathogens listed plus Disease X -as yet unknown pathogen) in any order, and also suggest pathogens not listed to include in their maximum of 14. Each pathogen received a score based on its positions.A total of 187 responses were collected from infectious disease experts hailing from 57 different countries Among the countries providing the highest number of responses, Germany accounted for 27 172 replies (14%), followed by Spain with 20 replies (11%), and Italy with 14 replies (8%). Influenza viruses emerged as the most concerning pathogen with other highly ranked pathogens including Disease X, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and the Ebola virus . Conversely, Hantavirus, Lassa virus, Nipah virus, henipavirus and Rift Valley fever virus were among the pathogens ranked lowest in terms of their pandemic potential.The authors conclude: The study revealed thatThese pathogens are characterized by their transmissibility through respiratory droplets and a history of previous epidemic or pandemic outbreaks.Commenting on the top ranking of influenza, Dr Salmanton-Garcia adds: Each winter we have an influenza season. One could say that this means that every winter there are little pandemics. They are more or less controlled because the different strains are not virulent enough. Yet, every season the strains involved change, that is the reason why we can get influenza several times in life and vaccines change year to year. In case a new strain becomes more virulent, this control could be lost.But he adds the world is now much more prepared due to the COVID-19 pandemic , whereas before a lot of the focus had been on a potential influenza pandemic. He says: In COVID-19 pandemic we have learned many things on how to approach a respiratory virus pandemic. This includes social distancing, hand cleaning, face masks, a renewed focus on vaccination, and trust in healthcare institutions. In parallel, institutions have also learnt a lot. Preparedness and surveillance are now, vitally, better-funded.Source-Eurekalert
Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, is travelling to Luxembourg today, where he will participate in the EU Foreign Affairs Council to be held tomorrow, Monday, April 22.



The items on the Council's agenda include the crisis in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, on which the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence of the EU member states will have an exchange of views, via video teleconference, with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba and Rustem Umerov.



The Councils agenda also includes the latest developments in Sudan, which will be discussed in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra.



Lastly, Mr. Gerapetritis will attend the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council High Level Forum.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An Iranian attack on an Israeli desert air base last week as part of Tehran's unprecedented assault on the country damaged a taxiway, a satellite image analyzed by The Associated Press on Saturday shows.

The overall damage done to Nevatim air base in southern Israel was minor despite Iran launching hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Israeli air defenses and fighter jets, backed by the U.S., the United Kingdom and neighboring Jordan, shot down the vast majority of the incoming fire.

But the Iranian attack last weekend showed Tehran's willingness to use its vast arsenal of ballistic missiles directly against Israel as tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. An apparent Israeli retaliatory attack Friday on Isfahan, Iran, and Tehran's low-key response to it suggest both countries want to dial back their long-running shadow war for now  though risks of a wider conflagration in the region remain.

The Planet Labs PBC image, taken Friday for the AP, shows fresh blacktop across a taxiway near hangars at the southern part of Nevatim air base, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Jerusalem. The daily newspaper Haaretz, which published lower-resolution images of the site Thursday, identified the hangars nearby as housing C-130 cargo aircraft flown by transport squadrons.

The satellite image corresponds to footage earlier released by the Israeli military, which showed construction equipment working on the damaged taxiway. A hangar in the background of the video mirrors those seen nearby.

Other images released by the Israeli military showed a crater in the sand and damage under what appeared to be a wall that it said came from the Iranian attack. The little visible damage seen at the air base in the satellite image directly contradicts Iran's efforts to portray the attack as a great victory to a public alienated by the Islamic Republic's cratering economy and its heavy-handed crackdowns on dissent in recent years.

This operation became a sign of the power of the Islamic Republic and its armed forces," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Friday. It also showed the steely determination of our nation and our wise leader, the commander of all forces.

However, it does show Iran's arsenal has the ability to reach Israel, as the April 13 attack marked the first direct military assault on the country by a foreign nation since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The year-old war in Sudan between rival generals vying for power has sparked a crisis of epic proportions fueled by weapons from foreign supporters who continue to flout U.N. sanctions aimed at helping end the conflict, the U.N. political chief said Friday.

This is illegal, it is immoral, and it must stop, Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the U.N. Security Council.

Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. Fighting has spread to other parts of the country, especially urban areas and the western Darfur region.

DiCarlo painted a dire picture of the wars impact  over 14,000 dead, tens of thousands wounded, looming famine with 25 million people in need of life-saving assistance, and over 8.6 million forced to flee their homes.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, chair of the African Union panel on Sudan and high representative for its Silence the Guns in Africa initiative, called external interference a major factor compounding both the efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and to stop the war.

As a matter of fact, external support in terms of supply of war materiel and other needs has been the main reason why this war has lasted so long, Chambas said. It is the elephant in the room.

Neither DiCarlo nor Chambas named any of the foreign supporters.

But Burhan, who led a military takeover of Sudan in 2021, is a close ally of neighboring Egypt and its president, former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. In February, Sudans foreign minister held talks in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart amid unconfirmed reports of drone purchases for government forces.

The Rapid Support Forces' leader, Dagalo, has reportedly received support from Russias Wagner mercenary group. U.N. experts said in a recent report that the RSF has also received support from Arab allied communities and new military supply lines running through Chad, Libya and South Sudan.

The Arab-dominated RSF has carried out brutal attacks in Darfur on ethnic African civilians, especially the ethnic Masalit, and has taken control of most of the vast region.

Its newest target appears to be El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Edem Wosornu, the U.N. humanitarian offices director of operations, said RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burned villages west of El Fasher on April 13.

Since then, there have been continuing reports of clashes in the eastern and northern parts of the city, resulting in more than 36,000 people displaced, she told the council.

Wosornu warned that the violence poses an extreme and immediate danger to the 800,000 civilians who reside in El Fasher, and it risks triggering further violence in other parts of Darfur  where more than 9 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African.

That legacy appears to have returned, with the International Criminal Courts prosecutor, Karim Khan, saying in late January there are grounds to believe both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur.

The RSF was formed from Janjaweed fighters by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled the country for three decades before being overthrown during a popular uprising in 2019. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and other crimes during the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s.

DiCarlo called for redoubled efforts to bring peace, saying U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres personal envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has proposed convening a meeting with African and Arab organizations and key countries to develop a comprehensive mediation and peacemaking strategy.

Chambas said the AU is appealing to countries in the region not to support either side.

It is also organizing an all inclusive political dialogue for Sudanese that will prepare the civilians for post-war transition to democratic governance, he said.

The war has set the country back several decades and it will take more than a generation to rebuild Sudan to its pre-war state, Chambas said.
MONROE COUNTY, MI -- A pair of siblings died Saturday afternoon when a vehicle struck a Monroe County building where a childrens birthday party was taking place.

An 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy were pronounced dead on scene after a woman drove a vehicle into a Monroe County boat club around 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, said county Sheriff Troy Goodnough in an evening press conference.

Fifteen other people were injured in the incident, Goodnough said.

Three children and six adults were taken by medical helicopter or ambulance with serious, life-threatening injuries, Goodnough said. Six others were taken to the hospital by private vehicles.

It is unclear how many people were inside the building at the time, police said.

The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident, Goodnough said.

A University of Michigan Health Systems Survival Flight responds to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through a building where a children's birthday party was taking place, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Berlin Township, Mich. (Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP)AP

Police were called to the Swan Creek Boat Club, 6332 Brancheau St. in Berlin Township, after an unnamed 66-year-old woman crashed a vehicle into the building, sending it roughly 25 feet inside the building.

The woman was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail. A restaurant that police suspect the woman visited earlier that day is temporarily closed while police investigate, Goodnough said.

The woman will likely face criminal charges, he added.

A representative of the Swan Creek Boat Club declined to comment to the media. The social club did say on its Facebook page that it will be closed Sunday, and posted a message about the incident: There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A house where famous playwright Arthur Miller once lived as a University of Michigan student in the 1930s still stands on the edge of downtown Ann Arbor.

The eight-bedroom house at 439 S. Division St. is where Miller first resided when he arrived on campus in 1934, before he went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, penning Death of a Salesman, and marrying Marilyn Monroe.

The former house of one of Ann Arbors most famous former residents is now owned by the university and sits empty these days, next to UMs Institute for Social Research.

Its been over a decade since UM decided it has no use for the old house, offering it up for bid to anyone who wanted to save it and move it to another location to make way for a new parking lot. But there still are no takers, leaving some to worry the house could be demolished eventually if UM ever decides to put the property to new use.

The Arthur Miller house at 439 S. Division St. in Ann Arbor on April 18, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

For now, the university has no immediate plans for the property on which the house sits, said Colleen Mastony, UMs assistant vice president for public affairs.

The university has worked closely with the city of Ann Arbor and the community to find a productive use for the building, but no solution has yet been found, she said.

UM already demolished another house next door about a decade ago, turning it into a parking lot, while expanding the ISR building. The university indicated then the late playwrights former house no longer served any mission-connected purposes for UM.

The Arthur Miller house at 439 S. Division St. in Ann Arbor on April 18, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City officials in 2015 considered moving it down the street to Liberty Plaza. Their thinking was the 1800s structure could be placed next to the citys Kempf House Museum and be used for programs and events and to provide local history information and help activate the plaza.

But after determining the undertaking would cost the city about $380,000, including costs to move and fix up the house, the idea stalled and hasnt resurfaced.

Local historian Susan Wineberg said she thinks people have mostly forgotten about the house, but every time she sees it, she still says hello.

Im glad its not in mortal danger, yet, she said, expressing hopes someone will save it eventually.

Playwright Arthur Miller talks with University of Michigan psychology professor Herbert Kelman at the International Conference on Alternative Perspectives on Vietnam at UM in September 1965. The famous UM graduate, who arrived in Ann Arbor the night before, took part in morning conference sessions at UM's Rackham Building where this photo was taken before he spoke later in the evening at Hill Auditorium.Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

Miller, who wrote more than two dozen plays from The Crucible to A View from the Bridge, was often in the public eye throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

He was married to Monroe from 1956 to 1961, during which time she starred in films such as Some Like It Hot and The Prince and the Showgirl.

Miller died in 2005 at 89. The 280-seat Arthur Miller Theatre on UMs North Campus is named in his honor.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
The Detroit Red Wings are out of the playoffs for the eighth year in a row, but several players who wore the winged-wheel jersey will be competing for the Stanley Cup starting today.

Here are five former Red Wings who could have an impact, none of whom has won a Cup:
Beyon Money, part of the Beyon Group, has announced a partnership with Medical.BH to benefit its customers who book and pay for health services using a Beyon Money card, with up to 5% unlimited cashback.

Beyon Money Classic Card users will receive 3% cashback while Platinum Card users will receive 5% unlimited cashback.

The partnership deal was signed by Beyon Money CEO Roberto Mancone and Medical.BH Managing Director Ali AlHalwachi, during a meeting held at the Beyon Campus, Hamala, Bahrain.

The Beyon Money cashback deal is currently available with a growing number of Medical.BHs providers including:

 Global Dermatology Centre

 La Clinique Dental

 Brite Smile Dental Centre

 Dr. Khulood Al Darazi Medical Centre

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 Derma House Medical Centre

 New Life Centre for Rehabilitation

 Al Malaki Specialist Hospital

 Al Ghareeb Medical Centre

 Manual Physiotherapy Centre

 Aethetica Dental Center

 AlFardan Dental Centre

 Dr Amina AlTamimi Medical Center

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Jailhouse phone calls doomed Simon Gogolacks chances for release.

Moving into the Chautauqua County jails honor dorm for well-behaved inmates didnt make a difference for Howard Hinkle Jr.

And a mandate issued Tuesday by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals backed a district judges decision to keep behind bars John T. Tommy O Ermin, identified by the U.S. Attorneys Office as the international president of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

It has not been a successful stretch for the defendants linked by prosecutors to the death of government witness Crystal Quinn.

An indictment in January accused the three, along with strip club owner Peter Gerace Jr., of conspiring to kill Quinn, a former exotic dancer at Pharaohs Gentlemens Club, to prevent her from testifying in the federal governments sex- and drug-trafficking case against Gerace.

Her overdose death last summer ratcheted up an FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office investigation in what had already been an intense criminal case against Gerace. That investigation led to a 28-count superseding indictment on Jan. 5 naming half a dozen people as part of a conspiracy to obstruct justice involving Quinn, plus three others named in charges not involving the former dancer.

The grand jury indictment accused Gogolack of intentionally giving Quinn a lethal dose of fentanyl, which resulted in her death.

Gerace, Gogolack, Ermin and Hinkle each face witness tampering, retaliation and obstruction of justice conspiracy charges.

All have pleaded not guilty.

Gogolack, Ermin and Hinkle had been detained on charges before the Jan. 5 indictment, and since their arrests, judges have found no conditions of release could be imposed that would assure the safety of the community. Gerace has been in custody since March 2023. Three defendants named in the Jan. 5 indictment have been released with conditions, but none of them faces witness tampering or retaliation charges.

The person who has come closest to being released from jail is Scott Barnes, 55, who lived at the Outlaws Northumberland clubhouse and has been described by prosecutors as a national enforcer for the Outlaws. He is not among the four who were indicted for allegedly retaliating against Quinn, but instead faces charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and also possessing a stolen Glock .40-caliber pistol.

At an April 9 court proceeding, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy expressed concern about the discoloration and loss of sensation on three toes on Barnes left foot and numbness on his leg that started after his incarceration. About three weeks before his arrest on Dec. 7, 2023, Barnes underwent his second major back surgery related to a motorcycle crash. McCarthy told prosecutors he was inclined to release Barnes if jail employees or U.S. marshals did not take him to see a doctor.

I think he needs to be seen by the surgeon who treated him, McCarthy said.

Attorney David B. Cotter, who represents Barnes, told the judge that Barnes told him his left foot had become useless.

Without proper post-surgical medical care and physical therapy, beyond what a jail can offer, Barnes faces a life of physical impairment and pain, Cotter said.

If not released, he could spend two years waiting for a trial and end up in a wheelchair, Cotter told McCarthy.

Barnes was examined by his back surgeon Thursday, and a treatment plan for him was sent to the Niagara County Jail, Cotter said.

At a court proceeding Friday, McCarthy said he would not release Barnes from custody.

Lets get out of here

Gogolack, 39, has been in custody since August, initially charged with drug and firearms charges several weeks after he called 911 to report that Quinn had died in his Wellsville home. Since then, prosecutors added many more serious charges. In addition to obstruction, witness tampering and retaliation charges, he faces distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Hes the only defendant in the indictment to face that charge. On July 31 or Aug. 1, Gogolack intentionally gave Quinn fentanyl, which resulted in her death, according to the grand jury charge. Prosecutors have said she was found to have 400 times a lethal dose of the potent opioid drug.

In all, Gogolack faces 17 charges, and the fentanyl charge carries a potential lifetime prison sentence if hes convicted.

The circumstances for the defendant have only gotten far worse, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi. The defendant went from very serious charges to the most serious charges you can have in federal court.

During a court proceeding Monday, McCarthy denied Gogolacks request for pretrial release.

What Im relying on primarily are the jailhouse calls, McCarthy said.

Prosecutors pointed to his comments during jailhouse phone calls to his co-defendant, Cortnie Barber, who at the time of the calls was not in custody.

Barber had told him the only thing that would help them is if we both disappeared.

Well, lets do it, dude, Gogolack responded. Im serious, too. Lets go, dude. Lets get the (expletive) out of here. I have a better plan for that than you might think.

Gogolack also arranged drug deals from inside a jail, prosecutors said.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Jeffrey T. Bagley, who represents Gogolack, sought Gogolacks release, willing to accept stringent conditions that included living with his father in Fredonia.

Bagley described Gogolacks jailhouse phone conversations as hyperbolic and fantasy while talking to his girlfriend.

It doesnt mean its something hes actually going to do, Bagley told the judge. Hes understandably frustrated.

Trustworthy inmate

Hinkle, one of the last people to interact with Quinn in the days before her death, cited a change in circumstances that warrants his release.

Since Hinkle has been incarcerated in the Chautauqua County Jail, his inmate classification has substantially improved, said Frank M. Bogulski, his defense lawyer.

Now classified as a trusty, Hinkle is housed in an honor dorm that provides far greater freedom and movement within the jail.

The trusty dormitory setting is reserved for inmates who are respectful to others, can be trusted, and provide little or no risk of flight, Bogulski said in a court filing. Individuals in the trusty dormitory are not locked in their cells all day long like the other inmates who are unruly, pose a flight risk or are dangerous.

Hinkle has been assigned to work jobs within the jail, currently in the kitchen cooking, cleaning and taking out the trash.

The fact that the jail experts have deemed Mr. Hinkle to be trustworthy is a significant factor for this court to consider when evaluating his detention, Bogulski said.

McCarthy wasnt persuaded, and he denied Hinkles request for release.

While commendable, the fact that he has behaved well in jail does not mean that, in the absence of constant monitoring, he will cease to pose a danger to others, McCarthy ruled April 5.

Serious risk

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate Tuesday certifying its Feb. 21 ruling that affirmed Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Wolfords order to keep Ermin detained.

The district courts evaluation of the factors ... was not clearly erroneous, according to the appeals court. The government proffered evidence that Ermin is the leader of a criminal enterprise regularly involved in acts of violence and attempts to obstruct justice. The district court did not err by determining that Ermin poses a serious risk to the community and that no conditions could reasonably protect against that risk.

The appellate court also backed Wolfords finding that Ermin poses a serious risk of flight, based in part on his and his wifes dishonest answers about his past international travel.

Ermin, a manager at Pharaohs Gentlemens Club, denies being part of the alleged conspiracy against Quinn, his attorney, George V.C. Muscato, has said.

Tommy is not the criminal that the government makes him out to be, Muscato told The News earlier this year. And he had absolutely nothing to do with the death of a federal witness.
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Editors note: We will publish letters in response to this endorsement through Thursday, April 25.

When former Rep. Brian Higgins announced he was stepping down, he said Congress is a very different place than it was when he first went to Washington in 2004.

It sure is. More than ever, Congress is a place where Republicans dare not take a position that does not accord with the views of their unelected leader, Donald Trump. As a result, given the political makeup of the House of Representatives, little gets done, including lawmaking that reflects the will of most Americans.

For example, sensible legislation that would have eased the situation at the southern U.S. border as well as delivered urgently needed foreign aid never had a chance. Trump didnt want it and his adherents fell into line.

State Sen. Tim Kennedy, a Democrat, is the candidate we endorse for the April 30 special election to replace Higgins in the 26th District. If Kennedy wins, hell need to also prevail in a June Democratic primary and then defeat any opponents in Novembers general election.

Kennedy states that he would be standing up against the MAGA Republicans and the threat they bring to the future of our country.

Kennedys Republican opponent, West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson, is a rare member of the moderate wing of his party whos been able to succeed in a largely Democratic town. But his appetite for doing what it will take to deliver results in Washington seems minimal.

Kennedy sees grave danger for democracy in the rise of Trumpian authoritarianism, noting that the former president and current presidential candidate wants to be a dictator.

That danger is real and Kennedys determination to face it head on if elected is one of the reasons for our endorsement.

There are others. Kennedy also says he would work to uphold womens and LGBTQ+ rights, expand health care accessibility, ban assault weapons and make transportation safer. These ambitions are in step with the legislation he supported as a New York State senator, which includes the tougher gun control laws passed immediately after the May 14 massacre in Buffalo and laws strengthening abortion rights in 2019 and 2022.

Kennedy also performed an essential service as Transportation Committee chair by sponsoring successful legislation to regulate limousine safety after a crash in Schoharie killed 18 passengers and two bystanders.

His record indicates he is attentive to overarching issues like human rights and his experience as an occupational therapist promises an understanding of the importance of health care. Its too soon to tell if hell be able to kickstart big projects like Higgins New York Power Authority settlement, which ended up funding a revitalization of Buffalos waterfront. But, given his political history, it seems likely that Kennedy will be listening to the needs of Western New York.

But no one should shortchange his opponent. Gary Dickson states that his largest priorities are improving public school education, holding back spending and  something Republicans used to care about  the state of the natural environment, especially clean water.

Dickson also rejects many points of MAGA orthodoxy. He does not believe the 2020 election was stolen, thinks the Jan. 6 insurrectionists deserve punishment and rejects the notion now current among Trump acolytes that the FBI should be defunded. The former FBI agent is also quick to assert the danger of Vladimir Putin, which is downplayed by those same acolytes.

But Dickson still endorses Trump for president  if not ringingly  and, during a recent editorial interview, spent more time criticizing Albany and Buffalo politics than in providing an outline of what he might do in Washington.

Kennedys activist positions, legislative history and keen awareness of a threatened democracy make him the better choice for District 26 in this special election.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
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April 21, 2024 / 21:17 IST

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu appeared to be inching towards a landslide victory with his People's National Congress party bagging 59 seats as the counting of votes is underway for the crucial parliamentary election, which was seen as a litmus test for the pro-Beijing politician whose policies are being closely watched by both India and China amidst regional power dynamics.

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 207,693 people cast their ballots as of 5:00 pm local time, making for a voter turnout of 72.96 per cent. This includes 104,826 men and 102,867 women. A total of 284,663 people were eligible to vote.
Last Novembers Erie County Executive election was peppered with stories about candidate character, opinion polls, tweets, war chests and endorsements. Somehow lost amid the partisan noise playing out in our 24/7 news cycle were the most critical issues facing county government.

Given that County Executive Mark Polancarz is entering his fourth and final term in office, and his 2023 opponent, Chrissy Casilio, graciously conceded a lopsided defeat, in no small measure due to a lopsided party enrollment, might it not be opportune for both parties to support an alternative that would focus on a more dispassionate, and less personality-driven operation of county government?

In 1935, the voters of Erie County rejected a reform commissions proposed charter change creating an office of county manager, to be appointed and overseen by the old Board of Supervisors, the countys governing body. Due to this lost opportunity, the somewhat unwieldy 54-member board continued to run all county operations not directed by an independently elected official. It would not be until 1961, some 140 years after the county and its board were established, that the voters approved an elected executive form of government, which was joined by a new county legislature in 1968.

By most accounts, Edward A. Rath and B. John Tutuska, our first and second county executives, didnt deliver a State of the County" address at a packed Statler ballroom or convention center, or opine on every global, national and social issue of the day in the various media available to them. The office wasnt yet that of a self-styled regional czar, equipped with a bully pulpit, or one enjoying todays electronic omnipresence, but was more that of an elected county manager, with a seldom-used veto. In the Legislature Chamber, I believe there is still a chair and desk, with a plate saying County Executive, perhaps harkening back to a more collegial time when that officer came to the floor to answer questions and discuss county needs with supervisors, who effectively held the purse strings and real policy-making authority.

Returning to a more streamlined board of supervisors to replace the Legislature may be wishful thinking for another day. But given modern developments like an independent county judiciary overseen by the New York State Unified Court system, the municipalization of county services taken over from cities and towns, and the percentage of the county budget that is state-mandated and nondiscretionary, might it not be time to consider a county manager form of government to propose budget allocations and programs, and run departments not headed by the state constitutional and chartered countywide-elected sheriff, clerk, district attorney, and comptroller? At the end of the day, a county executive cant order these independent officials around, or appoint a single judge, or organize and command a police or fire department, as city mayors can do.

Under one such proposal, in order to minimize partisanship, the manager would be appointed by a supermajority of the Legislature, including at least one vote from the minority caucus, for a four-year term, during which the manager could be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for poor performance or corruption. The manager, however, would be empowered to assemble his or her own team.

While the devil is always in the details, and subject to the will of the people and their elected representatives, this reform could reduce issues surrounding campaign finance, patronage, service contracts and elections almost devoid of substantive debate. Perhaps to the chagrin of some in the media, social or otherwise, such a change would turn down the temperature of local politics and give people a rest from the constant drama surrounding this overblown office. It would shift the center of gravity to elected representatives closest to the people, especially by enlarging the 11-member Legislature, thus providing for smaller, more compact districts.

This change could restore and create an office more true to its original intent: low-key, stable, day-to-day management, and long-term, apolitical strategic planning. Moreover, not only would county lawmakers be consulted and have their phone calls returned, (imagine that!), they would reclaim their primacy as the principal budget- and policy-makers constituting the chief administrative, legislative and governing body of the county.

After more than 60 years of party leaders, candidates, business, labor, lobbyists and special interests fighting for the big prize, could 2023s contest go down as the last partisan election for an officer who should be chief manager, not politician-in-chief, let alone social media maven?

Given the power dynamic here in Erie County and New York State, Im under no illusions, but why not ask The People to consider something more innovative and less polarizing for a change?

Richard B. Taczkowski is a public policy analyst, local historian and former office holder. He has studied and worked at every level of government, about which he continues to research and write. His email address is bfloville@gmail.com
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This is Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian candidate for the upcoming EU elections, summoned by the police for "apology for terrorism" even though her positions and rhetoric on Gaza are frankly quite mild compared with many activists out there.https://t.co/Y6vdS7sRCq  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) April 21, 2024

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Great letter if youre a fan of cartels: Steve Jobs emailed Bruce Chizen (CEO of ADBE) after he attempted to poach employees from Apple What an absolute guy pic.twitter.com/yV3gYYGTOW  Boring_Business (@BoringBiz_) April 19, 2024 Brain genius puts it on the record, costing Apple hundreds of millions of dollars.

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See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Lambert here: Nothing to lose sleep over. Or not?

By Lourdes Medrano, a journalist based in Southern Arizona, and a senior contributor at Undark. Originally published in Undark.

For two years, Erica Walker routinely wore ear plugs to dampen the sound of stomping footsteps penetrating her basement apartment ceiling. Still, the noise from her upstairs neighbors, undetected by sound level meters, rumbled in her chest day and night.

The funny thing about it was that the noise wasnt loud, she said. But it bothered her, this unwelcome sensation she couldnt control.

The pleasant and unpalatable sounds that envelop daily life travel through the air in different frequencies perceived as pitch. In bustling cities, the high-pitched sounds of chirping birds, and emergency sirens mix with the low-pitched thrum of traffic and hum of fans in the still of night.

Low-frequency, or low-pitched noise, like what Walker experienced, is among the most elusive: Traditional measurement tools dont capture it well, and its mostly absent from official consideration outside occupational contexts. Unlike high-frequency sounds, low frequency waves can penetrate walls more easily and carry farther distances, which is why a neighbor might only hear the heavy bass from a party down the street.

But even sounds that arent audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. One thing is clear: Low-frequency noise is less studied and less understood than other sounds. And exactly what effects it may  or may not  have on humans is far from settled.

Were not at the point yet where we can make causal inferences about how its impacted our health, said Walker, whose experience with her neighbors which she said contributed to stress, increased blood pressure, and stomach problems  helped inspire her to research noise, now as an assistant professor of epidemiology and founder of the Community Noise Lab at Brown University. But, she added, scientists need to learn how to measure it and look at its associations with individual and community health.

Most cities and towns have ordinances that regulate noise under nuisance standards focusing on time-of-day violations, such as the blasting music from a neighbors late-night party. In instances when noise is measured, a challenge lies with the most common standard used, which fails to fully capture the low-frequency noise that the World Health Organization has identified as an environmental problem.

In fact, much of the noise that people encounter in their everyday world is concentrated in the lower pitched frequencies, said Rene Gifford, a professor of hearing and speech sciences at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. If lower frequency noise is negatively affecting a critical mass of people, said Walker, then it is worth deciphering its complexities.

Meanwhile, by definition, noise is called unwanted sound, Walker said. And so that unwanted definition in sound is very much subjective. While low-frequency noise may bother some people, the same sound can lull others to sleep.

It just depends on the individual, she said. But I know that there are communities that are inundated with low-frequency sound, and its something that we as a country havent really grappled with yet.

Sound ripples from its source like a wave, and its effect depends on various factors: frequency, duration, the environment in which the sound is heard, and the human ears subjective perception of its intensity.

Frequency refers to how many times that wave of sound repeats itself over a particular time, and it gives you the character of the sound that is a little bit different than how loud it is, Walker said. So low frequency and high frequency noises can be very loud or they can be very quiet. (Decibels, meanwhile, measure loudness; most city noise ordinances are based on decibels.)

Low-frequency noise is typically perceived as a low-throbbing or deep rumble. When a freight train moves, for example, it produces vibrations that travel through the ground, moving long distances until they are perceived as both a shaking sensation and low pitch. And then there is infrasound, which is usually set below the human hearing threshold.

In those lower frequencies, the normal variations in human hearing mean that this type of noise can be perceived as vibrations. The vibratory effects can still impact various physiologic systems within our body, Gifford said. Its just that were not processing them through our hearing mechanism.

The deep rumbling sound of thunder from a distant lightning bolt, for example, can cause vibrations in the chest and throughout the body as the frequency changes from high to low while traveling. That would be a combination of the feeling that you feel, and you also have the auditory stimulation, she said.

Infrasound generally doesnt even audibly register. For example, some of the sound produced by natural events, such as earthquakes, avalanches, and tsunamis, along with human inventions such as distant aircraft and machinery, can be below the human hearing threshold. But some evidence suggests that those extremely low pitches can still be felt in the body.

Prior to an earthquake, there tends to be infrasound that some research has shown some people can actually feel it or start feeling a little strange, off balance, maybe even nauseated, Gifford said.

David Woolworth, an acoustic engineer in Oxford, Mississippi, hears a lot of complaints about booming music, often emitting from cars. The advent of inexpensive, low-frequency amplification has changed the sound of music that spills into the environment since The Beatles first performed in 1960s New York, Woolworth said. They had a tiny little system, he said of the legendary English rock band. The people were louder than the band. Since then, low frequency amplification became much more efficient, and the amplifiers became lighter and smaller. And now you can have cars driving around that shake a whole neighborhood.

And while barriers can filter out middle and higher frequencies, those in the lower ranges in general have thresholds at which windows, walls, and floor ceiling assemblies start to vibrate, he said.

Meanwhile, the standard way to measure for environmental noise is through a system known as the A-weighted decibel metric, which de-emphasizes low frequencies over higher frequencies, making it harder to measure. Other variables also can interfere in the lower frequencies, both audible and inaudible. The sound waves propagate further, penetrate building envelopes more easily, and other factors such as topography, wind, location and the sensor you are using can come into play, Woolworth said.

Various studies, some using animals as subjects, suggest a link between frequencies at the lower end of the spectrum and a negative impact on health. But many of those studies include a limited number of participants. And after many years, much of the research on how and to what extent harm can occur continues. Its just that the magnitude of the effects is quite varied across studies, Gifford said.

Research on the health impact of noise, mostly focused on occupational exposure, dates to the early 20th century. But it wasnt until the 1970s and 1980s that scientists trained their collective lens on the health impact of environmental noise; low-frequency noise didnt emerge as a focal point until the 90s and early aughts, when a number of studies emerged on its impact on quality of sleep. Later research focused exclusively on low-frequency noise have linked it to discomfort, stress, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.

In one of Walkers early experiments, for example, ten healthy men were exposed to short-term, low-frequency and high-frequency noise in an acoustics laboratory and then had their acute cardiovascular and stress responses measured. The results showed decreases in heart rate variability, the variation in time intervals between beats, with exposure to low-frequency rate, in particular. A lowered heart rate variability is associated with the bodys reduced ability to cope with stress.

One of the most notorious sources of low-frequency noise that stirs health-related complaints are electricity-generating wind farms. Researchers have investigated whether exposure to the giant, three-pronged turbine blades rotating contributes to sleep disturbances, dizziness, high blood pressure, and chronic health conditions, such as heart disease. And even though wind farms and their potential connection to health harm are among the most studied in the field, results are inconclusive.

Wind turbines produce a combination of some audible noise and infrasound that some people may be more sensitive to than others, Gifford said. Thats probably why  and again, this is speculation because we just dont know why  some people are experiencing issues and reported problems and others dont, she said.

Indeed, some studies point to an association between wind turbine noise that puts people who live nearby at higher risk for ill health, like insomnia and nausea. One couple in France even sued for  and won  more than 100,000 euros for symptoms they said were caused by living near a windfarm. But such claims are contentious, and other research suggests that there is no connection.

Robert McCunney, a physician and environmental health expert in Boston, is among those who have concluded that the evidence doesnt support claims that the low-frequency noise component of wind farms cause direct health effects. He is the main author of a 2014 review of scientific literature on wind turbines and health that found low-frequency noise was more related to annoyance than unique health risks. As far as Im aware, the conclusions we drew in that paper are applicable today, said McCunney, who teaches at Harvard Medical School.

McCunneys findings were echoed in another study that the Canadian government published in 2014 on the safety of wind farms. The research, which involved residents living in more than 1,000 dwellings near turbines, found that noise exposure annoyed people but was not associated with sleep disruption, stress, and self-reported health effects.

Gas-powered leaf blowers  which operate at a lower frequency than their electrical counterparts  are another common nuisance. In several communities, their sound has become so undesirable that their use is being restricted or outright banned. In a 2017 analysis of leaf blowers, Walker found that the noise the lawn equipment produces can persist at high intensity levels up to 800 feet away.

The thing about low-frequency noise is that it travels very long distances, its hard to abate, and it can penetrate through walls and structures, she said. So not only is it ubiquitous, it is insidious.

However, controversy persists over the sources of low-frequency sounds and whether they actually harm health. A 2022 review of the literature found that some people who are chronically exposed to low-frequency noise can develop significant health conditions. Research on chronic exposure, including in aircraft technicians, has found effects such as changes in the inner ear, depression, mental health disfunction, cellular and tissue damage, and numerous health complications linked to the circulatory system.

In other studies, exposure to low-frequency noise from different sources has shown some effects on the health of both animals and humans. In a 2017 study, researchers put nearly 100 rats into chambers where some were exposed to short sessions of low-frequency sound for 13 weeks below 250 hertz and sound pressure levels of up to 150 decibels. Its findings suggested that low frequency noise may have possible mutagenic effects and cause massive cell death.

Meanwhile, a 2014 study involving humans exposed 21 volunteers with normal hearing to 90 seconds of deep, vibrating sound of about 30 hertz in a sound booth. Afterward, fluctuations that recordings captured from the faint sounds flowing from their healthy ears  known as otoacoustic emissions  suggested that the very low frequency sound could be damaging, but reversible, in the short term. It did not show evidence of permanent damage.

A more recent systematic review of studies published in January explored low-frequency noise exposure and cognitive function, which allows thinking, learning, and remembering, found no evidence that low frequency noise affected memory or attention levels. However, the findings suggested that it may reduce higher-order cognitive functions such as logical reasoning and mathematical calculations.

Despite the lack of scientific consensus, complaints about low-frequency noises persist. And the most contested of such sounds might be whats known commonly as the Worldwide Hum: For decades, people from North America to Europe and Australia have heard a mysterious, low-pitched noise they describe as a hum, low rumble, or vibration that can annoy them, keep them up at night or induce ill feelings.

In Taos, New Mexico, low-frequency noise has frustrated a small part of the population for years. Theories about the origin of the hum range from industrial equipment to seismic activity and even outer space phenomena. But some speculate that the answer lies within the complexity of the human hearing system. A 2022 study that builds on previous research linked the hum to tinnitus, a condition that fills the ears with ringing, roaring, or buzzing sounds heard only by the sufferer.

Glen MacPherson, a high school science teacher who said he first heard the hum in the spring of 2012 while living in the British Columbia coast of Canada, doesnt buy the studys findings. Ive got a big problem with that, he said.

MacPherson, who was the only member of his family to hear the hum, created the World Hum Map and Database Project to document the phenomenon. He has tracked numerous reports from people who are able to hear it  an estimated 2 to 4 percent of the world population. Among them are those with tinnitus who also hear the hum, he wrote in an article, and they have described both as distinct sounds.

While the impact of low-frequency noise from various sources need further exploration, its long been well known that prolonged exposure to certain noises, such as leaf blowers, can be hazardous to health, said Jamie Banks, the president of the nonprofit advocacy Quiet Communities.

Theres a level at which noise can become excessive and harmful, and thats what were concerned with, Banks said. Were concerned with noise at the point where it becomes harmful to health.

Noise pollution, particularly low-frequency noise, has long received far less attention than air or water pollution. The task of regulating environmental noise is largely left to states and local governments, which set limits that often go unenforced.

A growing movement against the ever-increasing noise of all types in daily life is pushing for the federal government to declare it a public health problem. In June 2023, Quiet Communities filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., over the lack of noise pollution regulation.

Banks said communities are overwhelmed by low-frequency noise and noise in general. The job of ensuring noise stays within healthy levels belongs to the EPA, she said.

The EPA has basically turned its back on an entire set of public health problems, she said. There are people suffering from noise. Noise is a public health problem and its an environmental problem.

And while its known that low-frequency noise may affect health, she said, its vital that its long-term implications be fully explored. Its chronic noise that can affect non-auditory health.

Woolworth, the acoustic engineer, said it also would take resources  and time  for communities to incorporate additional metrics that capture a wider range of frequencies. The current technique downplays low-frequency sounds over higher frequencies.

People who are affected by low-frequency noise may not so easily dismiss those unwanted sounds. Even noise-induced annoyance is a factor that can and does set up a stress reaction known as the fight-or-flight response, Walker said. If that stress response is constantly being stimulated, can we honestly say it doesnt cause harm to health?

And without regulation, Walker said communities are left to handle noise and raise awareness about how people can shield themselves from the impact of low-frequency noise. Her own experience living with the incessant muffled sounds from her upstairs neighbors and finding few resources to deal with the situation, was the catalyst that changed her career path. Now, through her work, she helps communities find ways to manage noise that is affecting their lives.

As a researcher, if somebody tells me that noise is bothering them, Im not going to take it lightly, she said. That is information that needs to be investigated.
Blinken ignores recommendation to restrict aid to Israeli military and police who committed human rights violations

A panel at the State Department has reportedly recommended to Department Secretary Antony Blinken to disqualify several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) members and police officers from receiving U.S. aid. According to the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum, they've reviewed allegations that these law enforcement men committed serious human rights abuses , such as murder and rape.

Blinken ignored and failed to act on the human rights violation allegations that mostly took place in the West Bank before the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The panel included reports of extrajudicial killings by the Israeli Border Police; an incident in which a battalion gagged, handcuffed and left an elderly Palestinian American man for dead; and an allegation that interrogators tortured and raped a teenager who had been accused of throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Reportedly, recommendations for action against Israeli units were sent to Blinken back in December, but "they've been sitting in his briefcase since then," an official claimed. A State Department spokesperson also said that the agency takes its commitment to uphold U.S. human rights laws seriously. "This process demands a careful and full review," the spokesperson said, "and the department undergoes a fact-specific investigation applying the same standards and procedures regardless of the country in question."

The panel, which is made up of Middle East and human rights experts, is named for former Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt), the chief author of 1997 laws that require the U.S. to cut off assistance to any foreign military or law enforcement units  from battalions of soldiers to police stations  that are credibly accused of flagrant human rights violations.

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Meanwhile, the Guardian reported this year that the State Department was reviewing several of the incidents but had not imposed sanctions because the U.S. government treats Israel with unusual deference. Officials told nonprofit organization and news agency ProPublica that the panel ultimately recommended that the secretary of state take action. As per the news agency, top U.S. officials quietly looked at more than a dozen incidents of alleged gross violations of human rights by IDF and Israeli police since 2020 but still had continued access to U.S. weapons for the units responsible for the alleged violations.

More than 25,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israeli forces since the initial attack back on Oct. 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly condemned the "violence"  which his government retaliated with many "genocidal attacks. U.S. President Joe Biden has been criticized for failing to rein in Israel's "indiscriminate" bombing of Gaza.

Leahy Laws' recommendations are for banning aid to other nations, but not Biden's favorite Israel

An investigation by the news outlet revealed how special mechanisms have been used over the last few years to shield Israel from U.S. human rights laws. Meanwhile, other allies' military units who receive U.S. support such as Ukraine, have privately been sanctioned and faced consequences for committing human rights violations.

According to reports, hundreds of foreign units, including Mexico, Colombia and Cambodia, have been blocked from receiving new aid. Officials say enforcing the panel's proposals can be a strong deterrent against human rights abuses. "If we had been applying Leahy effectively in Israel as we do in other countries, maybe you wouldn't have the IDF filming TikToks of their war crimes now because we have contributed to a culture of impunity," said Josh Paul, a former director in the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and a member of the vetting forum. Paul resigned in protest shortly after Israel began its bombing campaign of Gaza in October.

In 2020, Leahy and others in Congress passed a law to tighten the oversight. Blinken's department set up the vetting forum to identify Israeli security force units that shouldn't receive American assistance. However, until now, it has been paralyzed by its bureaucracy.

The reports of wrongdoing come from nongovernment organizations like Human Rights Watch or press accounts. The State Department officials determining whether to recommend sanctions generally do not draw on the vast array of classified material gathered by America's intelligence agencies. Actions against an Israeli unit are subject to additional layers of scrutiny. The forum is required to consult the government of Israel. Then, suppose the forum agrees there is credible evidence of a human rights violation. In that case, the issue goes to more senior officials, including some of the department's top diplomats who oversee the Middle East and arms transfers. Then the recommendations can be sent to the secretary of state for final approval, either with consensus or as split decisions, ProPublica reported.

"Even if Blinken were to approve the sanctions, officials said, Israel could blunt their impact. One approach would be for the country to buy American arms with its funds and give them to the units that had been sanctioned. Officials said the symbolism of calling out Israeli units for misconduct would nonetheless be potent, marking a sign of disapproval of the civilian toll the war is taking," it further reported.

According to the documents the news site obtained, the forum has reviewed reports of multiple cases of rape and extrajudicial killings since it was formed in 2020. But Israel argued it has addressed allegations of misconduct and human rights abuses through its own military discipline and legal systems. (Related: UN Human Rights Council passes resolution calling for suspension of arms sales to Israel.)

Bookmark IsraelCollapse.com for updates on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and Iran.

Sources for this article include:

ProPublica.org

TheGuardian.com
INSANE: Palestinian calls for freedom against violent occupiers is now considered hate speech by treasonous U.S. Congress

The United States Congress recently declared the Palestinian slogan/chant: "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" as anti-Semitic via an overwhelmingly passed resolution. The phrase has been chanted at universities and anti-Israel rallies around the U.S. since Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7. They now consider this to be hate speech

The slogan, which dates to the 1960s, calls for a Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Critics say the motto is a call for the eradication of Israel and its people. "Our resolution makes it clear that the slogan 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' is antisemitic and calls for the total eradication of the Jewish, democratic state of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish people," said one of its sponsors, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).

The measure passed the GOP-controlled chamber 377-44, with 43 Democrats and Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky voting against it. Another Democrat, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, voted "present."

Among others who voted "nay" were so-called Squad members Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and House Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also voted against the resolution, months after she was censured for her harsh rhetoric toward Israel, including repeated use of the phrase. At the time, Tlaib called the slogan "an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate."

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According to Gottheimer, the Congress has the responsibility to "condemn disgusting, divisive, and dehumanizing chants" and fight against "prejudice and hate." The other two sponsors were New York Republican Anthony D'Esposito and Florida Democrat Jared Moskowitz. D'Esposito also declared on social media that "America will always #StandWithIsrael." "No more excuses, it's a call for self-determination in Palestine," he posted. "It's a call for Jewish genocide and the elimination of the only Jewish state."

"Anyone who calls for the eradication of Israel and the Jewish people are antisemitic and must always be condemned," the resolution concluded.

However, news outlet RT pointed out that the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from making any laws limiting the freedom of speech, press or assembly. The U.S. therefore has no "hate speech" laws or legal grounds for government censorship.

But Gottheimer argued that Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee have already condemned the chant as anti-Semitic. His statement also mentioned that the ADL has recorded "nearly 9,000 antisemitic incidents" in the U.S. in 2023, mostly after Oct. 7, and the highest number since 1979, when such record-keeping began. According to the ADL, chants and slogans count as "incidents."

Israels ruling Likud party has its own version of the slogan in its platform, declaring that "between the Sea and the Jordan, there will only be Israeli sovereignty," which explicitly rejects any Palestinian statehood in the West Bank. (Related: From all rivers to all seas, ALL human beings deserve to be free.)

Not all Jewish organization were in favor of the measure

According to reports, not all Jewish organizations agreed with the move to define the protest chant as antisemitic. Americans for Peace Now, the U.S. sister organization of the left-wing Peace Now group in Israel, accused those who voted for the motion of "feeding red meat to trolls."

"Absolute failure by everyone who voted for this," the organization posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Disagree or dislike the phrase as much as you would like, but you cant legislate a slogan away."

The left-leaning non-profit was first to call on Biden to push transition from "war to peacekeeping" and suggested first crack in broad support for Israel's offensive among American Zionist organizations. "Continuing this devastating war poses unacceptable risks for Israel, Gazan civilians and the entire region," James Klutznick, the group's chairman, said back in January in a statement. "For the sake of the security and well-being of civilians in Israel and in Gaza, the Biden administration must push Israel to bring about an immediate cessation of hostilities and pivot from war to peacemaking."

The statement came as a sign that American Jewish groups' broad support for Israel in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 invasion has fractured. Up until now, the only Jewish groups to call for a ceasefire have been anti-Zionist or non-Zionist and have focused their criticism on Israel since the outset of the current conflict. The rest of the Jewish organizational spectrum, from right to left, expressed support for Israel's war effort.

Americans for Peace Now is a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the consensus-driven foreign policy coalition of American Jewish organizations that has one overriding mission: backing Israel.

Head over to FirstAmendment.news to read more stories related to the suppression of free speech.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NYPost.com

TimesOfIsrael.com 1

TimesOfIsrael.com 2
Evangelical Zionists are trying to accelerate the apocalypse because they think it will bring Jesus back

A Christian pastor believes that Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel was the start of the "Gog and Magog war" from the Bible and said he's going to lobby Congress not to "deescalate" tensions and instead support Israel's war.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, that showed an interview of Pastor John Hagee, founder of the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) lobbying group, was shared by independent journalist Lee Fang.

"Pastor John Hagee this am says Iran's missiles are the prophetic start of the 'Gog and Magog' war from the Bible (that ends w/ Jesus returning and Jews killed or converted)," he captioned the post. "Says he will travel to DC to lobby lawmakers not to 'deescalate' and support Israel. Asks for money."

Pastor John Hagee this am says Iran's missiles are the prophetic start of the "Gog and Magog" war from the Bible (that ends w/ Jesus returning and Jews killed or converted). Says he will travel to DC to lobby lawmakers not to "deescalate" and support Israel. Asks for money. pic.twitter.com/k47wU9fAk0  Lee Fang (@lhfang) April 14, 2024

"Prophetically, we are on the verge of the Gog-Magog war that Ezekiel described in chapters 38 and 39," Hagee said in the video recorded on Sunday and posted the next day, after over 200 Iranian missiles were fired on Israel, 99 percent of which were intercepted and destroyed by regional missile defense systems.

He believes there is no need for de-escalation. Instead, Christians United For Israel (CUFI), the Christian Zionist organization that Hagee founded in 2006, held an "emergency fly-in" Monday to visit lawmakers in Washington, D.C., including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to "tell them to stop shuffling papers and do something to help Israel." Meanwhile, CUFI is funded by millions of dollars by non-Christian Zionists Robert Shillman, the late Sheldon Adelson (now his wife Miriam) and Bernard Marcus. (Related: The untold story of Christian Zionisms rise to power in the United States.)

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

According to a 2023 report from the Public Accountability Initiative LittleSis titled, "The Wealthy Donors Behind Christians United for Israel," Shillman of Cognex Corporation and Shillman Foundation, which has contributed $1.4 million to CUFI from 2021 to 2021, built his wealth as CEO of Cognex, a manufacturer of machine vision and barcode scanning software and sensors used in manufacturing automation. His foundation funds several rightwing and pro-Israel groups in the U.S., including the Zionist Organization of America.

On the other hand, Las Vegas Sands and Adelson Family Foundation's Miriam Adelson contributed $1.1 million to CUFI in 2020. The late billionaire Sheldon Adelson built an empire operating large casino resorts across the world through the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. His wife, Miriam is estimated to be worth $32 billion. He was a staunch supporter of Israel and his foundation has spent hundreds of millions pushing anti-Muslim propaganda.

Finally, Marcus of Home Depot and Marcus Foundation has contributed $60,000 to CUFI in both 2020 and 2021. Marcus is the co-founder of Home Depot who served as the company's first CEO and chairman until his retirement in 2002. Over the last 30 years, Marcus and his wife have donated more than $2 billion through the Marcus Foundation.

Critics say that Hagee doesn't need any of the suckers in his audience to donate a dime as his megadonors got him fully covered.

Hagee says he'll lobby Congress to back Israeli attacks on Iran

The pastor firmly believes that Biden's administration must back Israel. He also repeatedly called for strikes on Iran. Hagee told his flock he's heading to 250 evangelical leaders this week in Washington to lobby members of Congress to back Israel in its now-hot conflict with Iran. Middle Eastern country is at the center of prophecy about the second coming of Christ. He's also frequently called for a U.S. strike on Iran and once likened President Barack Obama's signing of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran to a "finger in the eye of God."

Hagee said Sunday: "This attack by Iran, who launched more than 200 missiles yesterday, is a tribute to the weak and pathetic leadership of Joe Biden." He further said that God structured this in just a way that the door is now open and we're going to go through it like a bulldozer. The 84-year-old Hagee bizarrely added that if Ronald Regan, who died in 2004, was still president, "we wouldnt be in this mess."

Biden, whom Hagee has referred to as the antichrist, claimed to have told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. won't participate in a retaliatory strike against Iran. The president has expressed concerns about a widening Middle East conflict.

Previously, Hagee said Hitler was carrying out Gods will during the Holocaust and that the Antichrist would be partly Jewish. Also, CUFI has its unique agenda for Israel, which has little to do with the interests of Jews, religious or secular. It wants Jews to move to Israel to hasten the end times and bring the Second Coming of Christ. Hagee wrote all of this in his bestselling 2005 book Jerusalem Countdown. As Abraham Foxman, then national director of the Anti-Defamation League, told the Forward in 2015, "It is for their own salvation, not for Jewish salvation; it's so they will see the Second Coming of the Messiah. A campaign of Christians to send Jews to Israel is morally offensive."

Nor is this merely some irrelevant theological position; it influences policy, the news outlet further wrote.

Check out Unhinged.news for more stories related to lunatic and insane religious and government leaders.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

Forward.com

SACurrent.com
Google employees stage sit-in at offices in Seattle, New York City, California to protest companys GENOCIDAL contracts with Israel

You may not agree with them on other issues, but many of the employees who work for Google are right about boycotting their employer over its contractual ties with Israel.

According to reports, Google employees at the company's Sunnyvale, Calif., office as well as its New York City and Seattle offices, are staging a sit-in. They say they will remain inside the Google offices indefinitely until Google stops doing business with Israel, which is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.

As it stands, Google currently maintains a $1.2 billion contract with Israel that Google employees want to see terminated immediately. Their protest, called "No Tech for Apartheid," is being broadcast all over Twitch, X and TikTok. Some of them are also occupying the private office of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian in Sunnyvale.

Known as "Project Nimbus," Google's project with Israel allows Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to utilize Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the purpose of "powering genocide in Gaza."

(Related: As we recently reported, Israel is using powerful artificial intelligence [AI] software to murder innocent Palestinians in Gaza  and Israel is using Google's and Amazon's cloud services to facilitate that genocide.)

Kudos to Google employees for standing up for Gaza

The employees' "No Tech for Genocide Day of Action" aims to stop Google from helping Israel commit any further genocide against innocent Palestinians. The official death toll in Gaza is hovering around 35,000 now, the vast majority of these deaths being women and children.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Signs Google employees brought to the sit-in say things like "Thomas Kurian: Drop Nimbus," "Googlers Against Genocide," and "Don't Be Evil, Stop Retaliation." One employee's shirt read "Googlers Against Genocide, No Tech for Apartheid."

"Google, Google you can't hide, we charge you with genocide. Google, Google you cant hide, you are funding genocide," the employees also chanted out loud towards Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

On a special website they created, the Google employees state that they will not stop the sit-in until Project Nimbus is ended or until they are all arrested, which would leave Google with very few employees to keep its operations running.

"Google workers do not want their labor to power Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza," the website states. "That's why on April 16, Google workers with No Tech For Apartheid are leading a coast-to-coast day of action to demand that Google stop doing business with Israel and providing tech to this genocide."

"The time is now to rise up against Project Nimbus, in support of Palestinian liberation, and join calls to end the Israeli occupation and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. This has never been more urgent."

The group is also demanding that Google "stop the harassment, intimidation, bullying, silencing, and censorship of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim Googlers," as well as "address the health and safety crisis among Google workers."

Hilariously and powerfully, the employees livestreamed their occupation of Kurian's office, whose name can be seen in the video all around his office on his desk and on a custom Laker's jersey up on his wall.

It has been reported that some of the sit-in employees have been arrested as you can see in the following video clip:

"Watch for a huge false flag attack like 9/11 to be blamed on Iran this time," one of our own readers wrote about what Israel might try to do as it gets backed into a corner with the entire world protesting its genocide.

"This will be used to get America to help 'Israel' fight Iran," this person added.

(Related: If Israel attacks Iran again, it is going to have to do it alone at its own risk.)

The latest news about Israel's war on Gaza can be found at Antichrist.news.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillennial.com

NaturalNews.com

NoTechForApartheid.com

Twitch.TV
Americas shift to green energy will collapse the power grid and cause rolling blackouts

The mainstream media is finally admitting that the shift to green energy is threatening Americans power supplies, with the Washington Post warning that our power grid is being pushed to the brink.

Could rolling blackouts soon became the norm in parts of the U.S., much like they are in places like North Korea and Pakistan?

Demand is skyrocketing in places like Northern Virginia, where the equivalent to several big nuclear plants is needed to handle all of the upcoming data centers there, and Georgia, whose projected new electricity use for the next decade is 17 times greater than recent figures. In Texas, where there are already routine electricity shortages on the hottest days of summer, growing demand could push it to a breaking point, while Arizonas biggest utility expects to be out of transmission capacity before the decade closes.

The paper notes: Vast swaths of the United States are at risk of running short of power as electricity-hungry data centers and clean-technology factories proliferate around the country, leaving utilities and regulators grasping for credible plans to expand the nations creaking power grid.

They cite the rapid scaling of cloud computing and AI as part of the problem given its great demand for power. Crypto mining is also placing pressure on the grid, causing bottlenecks and other issues.

However, they also point out that manufacturers of clean technologies such as electric vehicle batteries and solar panels are building a lot of factories in the U.S. with support from federal incentives, and utility projections for the power that new factories will need in the next five years have nearly doubled and could grow even further.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

They add that the energy transition is pushing many Americans to depend on the power grid for fueling their cars, induction stoves, heat pumps and other appliances that used to run on fossil fuels.

The chairman of electricity regulator Georgia Public Service Commission, Jason Shaw, said: When you look at the numbers, it is staggering. It makes you scratch your head and wonder how we ended up in this situation. How were the projections that far off? This has created a challenge like we have never seen before.

Although the Post does express concerns about how this might stifle the transition to cleaner energy, at least they are admitting there is a problem here.

Summer reliability assessment predicts power outages could hit two thirds of Americans this summer

Assessments by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) predict that two thirds of the U.S. could experience power outages this summer, including nearly everyone living to the west of the Mississippi River. They note that the government is forcing conventional energy resources like nuclear power, natural gas and coal into retirement too quickly, and it is not being replaced quickly enough by wind and solar power to meet power demands.

The Institute for Energy Research notes that the EPAs Good Neighbor Plan, which requires the fossil fuel plants in nearly half of the country to decrease nitrogen oxide emissions, will also lead to blackouts as power plants are expected to comply by limiting their hours of operation.

Meanwhile, solar plant inverters are suffering from widespread glitches and systemic performance issues that can trigger major power outages and threaten grid reliability.

They said: The NERC summer reliability assessment is a warning to the Biden Administration and states moving full speed ahead on the green energy transition.

Unfortunately, they believe that it wont be until the power goes out and people experience blackouts that politicians will realize just how disastrous their push for green energy really is.

Sources for this article include:

ClimateDepot.com

WashingtonPost.com

InstituteForEnergyResearch.org
Head armorer for Rust movie where Alec Baldwin shot cinematographer sentenced to 18 MONTHS in jail

The head armorer on the set of the Western film "Rust" was sentenced to 18 months behind bars for the 2021 fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by the movie's lead actor Alec Baldwin.

According to the National Pulse, New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer laid down the sentence on Gutierrez-Reed on April 15. The movie weapons supervisor was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March. According to an email by defense attorney Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed plans to appeal the judgment and the sentence.

While the defendant was unsuccessful in her plea for a lower sentencing, she was cleared of allegations of evidence tampering during the "Rust" investigation. She has also pleaded not guilty to a separate felony charge that she supposedly carried a gun into a bar in Santa Fe where firearms are banned.

Sommer said during the hearing that anything less than the maximum sentence would not be suitable, given that Gutierrez-Reed's recklessness was equal to a serious violent offense. "You were the armorer, the one that stood between a safe weapon and a weapons that could kill someone. You alone turned a safe weapons into a lethal weapon," the magistrate remarked.

Defense attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed requested leniency in sentencing, along with a probable conditional discharge that would avoid additional jail time and leave a judgment of guilt off her record if certain conditions are met. They stressed her somewhat young age of 26 "and the devastating effect a felony will have on her life going forward."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

But prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for accidentally bringing live ammunition on the movie set, where it was expressly forbidden, and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey even described the armorer's behavior on the set of "Rust" as "unusually reckless." Morrissey also asked Sommer to enforce the maximum prison sentence and label Gutierrez-Reed as a "serious violent offender" to limit her eligibility for a sentence reduction down the road.

Baldwin also faces possible jail term over Hutchins' death

Nevertheless, Gutierrez-Reed may not be the only person who faces a jail sentence for Hutchins' death. Baldwin, who was the star of the film and its co-producer, was charged a second time with involuntary manslaughter by a grand jury in January. He has pleaded not guilty to this charge, and is scheduled for trial on July 10 at a Santa Fe courthouse. (Related: Alec Baldwin indicted for involuntary manslaughter over fatal on-set shooting, could face up to 18 months in prison.)

The actor who starred in the films "The Departed" and "Mission: Impossible  Fallout" stands accused of killing Hutchins either through neglect or "total disregard or indifference" for safety on set. Baldwin was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the revolver went off, killing the Ukrainian-born cinematographer and wounding director Joel Souza.

Bowles contended that the armorer was being set up as a scapegoat and that Baldwin was accountable for Hutchins' death. "It was not in the script for Baldwin to point the weapon. She didn't know that Mr. Baldwin was going to do what he did," the defense attorney said in the same email.

Follow Guns.news for more stories about accidental deaths caused by negligent gun use.

Watch the video below about why Alec Baldwin could be charged again in the fatal "Rust" on-set shooting.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Alec Baldwin shooting incident being investigated as a criminal investigation, not an accident, sheriff confirms.

NOT YET OFF THE HOOK: Alec Baldwin could face charges again as second expert analysis concludes he pulled the trigger.

Maine shooting spree suspect  who heard horrible things via his hearing aids  found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wound.

French polices fatal shooting of a teenager triggers VIOLENT RIOTS across Paris and beyond.

Louisville shooters manifesto details his intent to push gun control.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Physically healthy 28-year-old Dutch woman with autism and depression given approval to end her life through assisted suicide

A 28-year-old Dutch woman diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and depression is scheduled to die in May by assisted suicide even though she is physically healthy and is afraid of dying.

Zoraya ter Beek, who resides in a serene Dutch town near the German border with her boyfriend and two cats, once harbored dreams of becoming a psychiatrist but found herself unable to pursue her ambitions due to her mental illness. Now, after enduring relentless suffering, she has made the difficult choice to pursue euthanasia due to her ongoing battle with depression, autism and borderline personality disorder. Her decision came after her psychiatrist told her that her condition was unlikely to improve.

"There's nothing more we can do for you. It's never gonna get any better," ter Beek said, recounting the words of her psychiatrist. "I was always very clear that if it doesn't get better, I can't do this anymore." (Related: Autistic and intellectually handicapped individuals are now being EUTHANIZED in the Netherlands.)

Ter Beek has chosen a calm setting for euthanasia in her home, lying on the couch with her boyfriend by her side. Her ashes will be scattered in a wooded area, a tranquil final resting place she and her boyfriend have chosen. She opted for a simpler farewell rather than eschewing a traditional funeral to spare her partner from the burden of maintaining a grave.

However, no matter how comforting and promising the process and consequences of euthanasia may sound, ter Beek admitted that she still grapples with fear and uncertainty about what lies beyond the threshold of death.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"I'm a little afraid of dying because it's the ultimate unknown," she said. "We don't really know what's next  or is there nothing? That's the scary part."

People with "untreatable" and "unbearable" autism and depression qualify for euthanasia in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, there has been a growing trend of labeling autism and mental illness as "untreatable" and "unbearable."

A Kingston University London study published in June 2023 uncovered that the Netherlands, known for its progressive stance on euthanasia and assisted suicide, has extended these practices to include individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses.

Lead researcher Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, a palliative care specialist and a member of Kingston University's Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, along with her team of researchers, analyzed documents related to 900 legal euthanasia cases released by the Dutch government's euthanasia review committees.

The study reveals that nearly 60,000 individuals received approval for euthanasia or assisted suicide at their request from 2012 to 2021. Shockingly, 42 percent of the reviewed cases reveal that intellectual disability, autism or a combination of the two were a major contributing factor, while 21 percent identify them as the sole causes of their suffering.

Moreover, the report cited social isolation and loneliness (77 percent), lack of resilience or coping strategies (56 percent), difficulty adapting to change or rigidity in thinking (44 percent) and oversensitivity to stimuli (26 percent) as the reasons for euthanasia requests. Even five individuals under 30 sought euthanasia for their unbearable pain due to childhood trauma and an inability to connect with others. Disturbingly, physicians often concluded that these conditions were untreatable, leading to a grim prognosis of "no prospect of improvement."

Simon Baron-Cohen, from the University of Cambridge's Autism Research Center, strongly criticized the results of the investigation, calling it "abhorrent" that individuals with autism were euthanized in the Netherlands without adequate support.

Tuffrey-Wijne also questioned the idea of normalizing euthanasia in society.

"There's no doubt in my mind these people were suffering," she said. "But is society really okay with sending this message, that there's no other way to help them and it's just better to be dead?"

Visit Euthanasia.news for more news related to medically assisted suicide.

Watch the video below that talks about assisted suicide and how fragile public opinion on this is.

This video is from the CHP Canada channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Netherlands is approving EUTHANASIA for people with autism, intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses.

Social media influencers pushing ASSISTED SUICIDE on children: Its OK to pass away today.

Insanity: Canadian woman seeking help for suicidal thoughts receives suggestion to commit ASSISTED SUICIDE.

Canada now allows people to request medical suicide for AUTISM.

Canada attempting to expand EUTHANASIA program to allow assisted suicide of the mentally ill.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

FoxNews.com

MorningStar.co.uk

Brighteon.com
House Speaker Johnson pushes foreign aid spending bills allocating a combined $87 BILLION on Ukraine and Israel

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has unveiled four new foreign aid bills that will include over $26 billion for Israel and nearly $61 billion for Ukraine.

Johnson's long-awaited foreign aid package totals $95.3 billion in spending. It provides military aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as funding to allow the United States Armed Forces to replenish its depleted weapons stockpiles and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. (Related: House Speaker Johnson to introduce 4 separate bills for foreign aid, sending nearly $90 billion to Ukraine and Israel.)

Johnson has given members of the House of Representatives until midday on Saturday, April 27, to review the bill and offer amendments before he schedules a vote on its final passage.

President Joe Biden has signaled his support for Johnson's version of the foreign aid bill  which matches the Senate version of the bill in spending but has several amendments designed to win over hardliners within the Republican Party.

"I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won't let Iran or Russia succeed," said Biden in a statement.

Back in February, the Senate passed a similar foreign assistance package with 70 percent bipartisan support. Johnson declined to move ahead until this week when hardliners in his party raised objections to the spending. These conservatives are threatening to oust him as speaker if he pushes this bill forward.

Aid to Ukraine, Israel, makes up the bulk of foreign aid package

The aid to support Ukraine totals $60.84 billion. More than a third of this  $23.2 billion  would be used to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Around $13.8 billion of the funding will be used to allow Ukraine to purchase weapons from the United States.

The main difference in the House version of the foreign aid bill is the provision of more than $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the form of loans that must be paid back. The Senate bill included no such provision seeking repayment.

The president would be authorized to set the terms of the loan and be given the power to forgive it. Congress could override the loan forgiveness but only if it can generate enough votes to override the president's veto.

The aid to support Israel totals $26.38 billion, including $9.1 billion designated for humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. Around $2.4 billion will fund current U.S. military operations in the Middle East supporting Israel.

The remaining $15 billion will go toward Israel's military, including more than $5 billion to replenish Israel's air defense systems, which were nearly put to the limit following Iran's recent drone and missile barrage.

An additional $8.12 billion in a third foreign aid spending bill is meant to support efforts in the Indo-Pacific to counter China. Around a quarter of the funds will be used to replenish weapons systems and ammunition the Department of Defense has provided to Taiwan.

The bill also allows the Pentagon to quickly provide Taiwan with more offensive weapons and provides billions for purchasing advanced U.S. weapons technology. This comes as Taipei and Washington continue to develop closer ties to deter a possible Chinese invasion.

Watch this April 18 episode of the "War Room" on InfoWars as host Owen Shroyer discusses Johnson's proposal to send nearly $100 billion in taxpayer dollars overseas in the form of foreign aid.

This video is from the Ron Gibson Channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Actions speak louder than words: Biden sends fighter jets and thousands of bombs to Israel despite calling for ceasefire in Gaza.

Biden regime providing nearly all the weapons used by Israel to commit genocide.

Defense Secretary Austin: Ukraine's survival in DANGER unless the West provides more MILITARY AID.

U.S. expedites delivery of $300M in military aid to Ukraine.

Kyiv is running out of ammunition as Western aid packages hit roadblocks.

Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

APNews.com

Reuters.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
NO ONE can censor you at Brighteon.io, unlike Elon Musks X which will ALWAYS be doomed under censorship pressure

For all that he claims to have done to X (formerly Twitter) in support of free speech ever since taking over the popular social media platform and turning it private, billionaire electric vehicle (EV) guru Elon Musk still runs a centralized social media operation riddled with censorship  censorship that quite frankly does not and cannot occur on the new Brighteon.io social media platform.

In the following interview between Mike Adams and Bastyon architect Daniel Satchkov, you will learn about the uniquely decentralized, peer-to-peer infrastructure that makes Brighteon.io a social media platform that is truly of We the People. There is no central source that controls Brighteon.io, and in fact there is no possible way for there to ever be one based on how it was designed.

A "forked" repository of Bastyon, Brighteon.io is set up to allow users to decide what gets shared and goes viral on the platform. Each user, or peer, is fully in charge of all content that gets shared, regardless of who approves or disapproves of it.

There is also no intellectual property at Brighteon.io, nor is there any centralized team or source that monitors or regulates the digital movement of content, all of which is non-corporate.

Brighteon.io is pretty much an organically grown social media portal through which free speech can happen anywhere, anytime without any possible interference from the government, corporations or anyone else that might seek to stymie your First Amendment rights online.

"If the government tries to order us to remove content from Brighteon.io or Bastyon, there is simply no way to do it," Satchkov explains to Adams about the impossibility of censorship within these novel ecosystems. "It just doesn't work like that."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

(Related: Truth be told, Elon Musk is all over the place when it comes to free speech, picking and choosing which issues he thinks are okay to post about on X.)

Brighteon.io immune to lawfare

Satchkov and Adams both worry about the increasing pressure of lawfare on the internet, including on social media as governments, i.e., the new government in Brazil, ordering social media platforms to censor content of which they disapprove.

No matter what transpires on the globalist censorship front, in other words, both Brighteon.io and Bastyon will always be there to facilitate free speech no matter what the powers that be attempt to try to stop it.

There is a very real possibility in the not-too-distant future that internet censorship will start to occur at the DNS level, meaning right at the source of domain hosting. Offending websites will simply get shut off from their domains, barring entire content repositories from even existing.

None of this can ever affect Brighteon.io, though, as its architecture does not rely on any centralized source for content sharing whether that be servers, domain names, DNS or anything else.

"It doesn't use centralized internet at all," Satchkov told Adams about the amazing ability of Bastyon and Brighteon.io to function independently of the internet whenever governments hit the internet kill switch, leaving the rest of the internet besides these two platforms completely non-functional.

"I like to call it the Swiss knife of censorship resistance," Satchkov added about the unique architecture. "It's constantly evolving, but at this point the way it works is when you download it to your computer, it will not use any of the legacy centralized internet. It will connect directly to the nodes around the world, so it doesn't care anything about the domain name resolution or anything like that at all."

If you are tired of all the internet and social media censorship, check out Brighteon.io.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com
Ukrainian front line is facing impending collapse

Ukraine's western allies are worried that Russian forces will soon make their way through Ukrainian defensive lines.

Now enjoying the upper hand in terms of ammunition, Russian troops are advancing significantly, while Ukrainian forces are struggling due to shortages in personnel as well as delays in military aid from the U.S. and Europe.

At the same time, Ukraine is facing a daily barrage of attacks from Russian drones, bombs and missiles. Because Ukraine lacks air defenses, many of these attacks are successfully striking and compromising their military positions, in addition to knocking out vital energy infrastructure.

Sources from both the U.S. and Europe told Bloomberg that concerns are mounting that Russia may make major gains in the coming weeks by punching through overstretched Ukrainian lines.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is issuing similar warnings, telling European Union leaders in a recent video address that the Russian army feels its strength in almost everything related to the armed component. And it is precisely because of this strength  in artillery, in equipment, in the ability to operate in the sky  that they are putting pressure on us at the front and are gradually moving.

Zelensky, as usual, has been pushing for an increase in Western aid and is pressuring the EU to send it the artillery shells that it previously promised to provide. Meanwhile, the aid he has been expecting from the U.S. has been held up as lawmakers stand off about a range of issues. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently announced that a controversial standalone bill on Ukraine aid will be put up for a vote this weekend.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Russian forces recently reached the town of Chasov Yar in the Donetsk People's Republic, which is considered a pivotal location for Ukrainian defenses because it sits at a higher elevation. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that they have captured more than 400 square kilometers of land from Ukraine so far this year, while the Ukrainian army is losing around 120 units of equipment and 800 personnel every day.

Russian military is placing increasing pressure on Ukrainian forces

The Russian military has reportedly been increasing the pressure on Ukrainian forces, who are dealing with a lack of resources and mental fatigue, as they prepare to seize more Ukrainian land in the coming months. The AP reports that Russian troops will be looking to take advantage of muddy fields drying out so their armored vehicles and tanks can make their way to important positions throughout the countryside.

Many feel that a significant ground offensive on the part of the Russians could be risky despite their considerable advantage in terms of personnel and firepower. Moreover, it may not even be necessary as conducting smaller attacks along the front line is effectively draining the Ukrainian military.

Although Zelensky ordered his troops to build bunkers and fortifications behind the front line late last year, analysts say that the work has been moving slowly and many areas remain unprotected.

One Ukrainian military expert, Oleh Zhdanov, said: If the defensive lines had been built in advance, the Ukrainians wouldnt have retreated in such a way. We should have been digging trenches through the fall and it would have stemmed Russian advances. Now everything is exposed, making it very dangerous.

He added that Ukraine simply doesnt have enough firepower to stave off attacks by Russia on the front line.

The head of U.S. European Command, General Christopher Cavoli, said that Ukrainian troops will be outgunned by Russia by a ratio to 10 to 1 in just weeks if their military aid doesnt come through.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

APNews.com
White House slaps new (pointless) sanctions on Iran targeting military programs following strike on Israel

The White House has declared its intention to unveil a series of new sanctions against Iran , targeting its military officials and key programs, following Tehran's recent assault on Israel.

Iran recently launched over 300 drones and missiles toward Israel in response to an Israeli strike on Tehran's embassy in Damascus, Syria that killed multiple people, including a high-ranking military official. (Related: TIT FOR TAT: Israel vows to respond to Iran's retaliatory missile and drone strikes.)

On Monday, April 15, the House of Representatives approved three bills imposing sanctions on Iran in response. The White House, however, intends to escalate further.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated in a press release, "In the upcoming days, the United States will enforce additional sanctions on Iran, focusing on its missile and drone programs, along with new sanctions against entities backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Defense Ministry."

Sullivan added: "We expect our allies and partners to follow suit with their own sanctions."

"These new sanctions and measures will sustain a consistent pressure to contain and weaken Irans military capabilities, addressing its problematic behaviors comprehensively," the release continued. "This pressure will persist. We are committed to taking further action, in collaboration with global allies and partners, as well as Congress, to hold the Iranian government responsible for its disruptive and destabilizing actions."

Despite the announcement of sanctions, the administration of President Joe Biden is aiming to de-escalate military tensions in the region. Biden himself has reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support any Israeli retaliation against Iran.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Shortly after the White House statement, the U.S. and the United Kingdom jointly enforced a fresh set of sanctions against Iran in response to its recent drone strike on Israel.

Sanctions target Iran's drone program, industries connected to IRGC

Washington singled out 16 individuals and two entities involved in drone engine production, while the U.K. Foreign Office imposed travel bans and asset freezes on seven individuals and six entities linked to drone and missile programs. Both nations already maintain numerous sanctions against Iran.

The U.S. sanctions target Iran's drone program, as well as its steel and vehicle industries connected to the IRGC and Ministry of Defense.

Biden affirmed that leaders of the G7 group are committed to collectively intensifying economic pressure on Iran. "Our allies and partners have already or will soon issue additional sanctions and measures to curb Iran's destabilizing military activities," he stated.

Since Biden took office three years ago, the U.S. has imposed over 600 sanctions on entities related to Iran, according to the U.S. Treasury.

The latest U.K. measures add to a list of 400 sanctions against Iran, including the entire IRGC. Foreign Secretary David Cameron, announcing the sanctions at the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting, emphasized the joint condemnation of Iran's attack on a sovereign state.

"Today's actions are under the U.K.'s new Iran sanctions regime, enabling us to address Iran's hostile actions," he remarked, adding, "Further escalation benefits no one."

The U.S. and U.K. sanctions were unveiled shortly after the European Union announced a new set of measures. The EU agreed to broaden sanctions on Iranian drone and missile producers, in addition to existing restrictions on drone sales to Russia for its conflict with Ukraine.

Watch this episode of "Tommy's Podcast" discussing the quality of Iran's drones with CIA veteran Clare Lopez.

This video is from the channel Tommy's Podcast on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Iran threatens larger attack if Israel doesnt back off with its aggression.

Report: U.S. and U.K. helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles launched against Israel.

Israel's DEBT has doubled to nearly $43 billion since declaring war on Gaza.

Israel rewards Jordan with year-long extension of WATER AGREEMENT for helping shoot down Iranian drones.

Iran's counterattack following embassy bombing exposes serious weakness in Israel's defenses.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
Woman arrested after wheeling a CORPSE into a bank to sign off on a loan

A Brazilian woman was taken into custody on April 16 after she allegedly brought a dead man to a bank to sign off on a loan

Citing the Brazilian O Globo newspaper, the Straits Times (ST) reported that law enforcement arrested Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes after allegedly taking the body of Paulo Roberto Braga in a wheelchair. The suspect reportedly brought the corpse of the 68-year-old Braga to a bank branch in the Bangu neighborhood of Rio De Janeiro to sign off on a 17,000 Brazilian reais ($3,248.70) loan.

A bank employee sensed something was wrong as Nunes was attempting to complete the transaction and filmed the scenario, with the footage later making the rounds on social media after the suspect's arrest. She claimed to be the would-be borrower's niece and caretaker.

In the video, Nunes can be heard speaking to Braga, whose eyes seem to be closed and complexion pale. She reportedly held the man's head upright at times.

"Uncle, are you listening? You have to sign it. I can't sign for you," she said as she put a pen between his fingers. "Sign here and stop giving me a headache.

"I don't think this is legal," said the concerned bank employee. "He doesn't look well. He's very pale."

Nunes responded: "He doesn't say anything, that's just how he is. If you're not OK, I'm going to take you to the hospital.

The video showed the dead man's head swinging back and forth before the woman grabbed hold of his neck with her left hand from behind. At this point, the strange scene raised alarm among bank employees who promptly called for an ambulance and the police.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

The paramedics who were called to the scene said Braga had passed away a couple of hours earlier. Law enforcement also arrested Nunes on the spot. She now faces charges such as fraud, embezzlement and abuse of a corpse, the Independent reported. (Related: 1.8M fraudulent transactions led banks to close accounts of innocent customers without warning or explanation.)

Investigation on Nunes' scheme ongoing

Fabio Luiz, chief of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro (PCRJ), attested to the paramedics' findings of Braga's demise prior to the incident. The results of a postmortem to establish the cause of Braga's death was not announced publicly.

Authorities stated they are checking closed-circuit television cameras inside and outside the bank to determine if the woman acted alone or with other accomplices amidst suspicion they could be dealing with organized fraud.

"The investigation is continuing to identify other family members and to find out if he was alive when the loan was arranged and when it dates from," Luiz told major Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo in an interview.

"She tried to pretend to get him to sign the loan. He already entered the bank dead. The main thing is to continue the investigation to identify other family members and find out more about this loan."

Accordng to the PCRJ, an investigation proceeds into the nature of Braga's death, whether or not Nunes is really his niece or caretaker, and whether anyone else related to either of them could be attempting to commit bank fraud.

"The elderly man's body will be examined at the Legal Medical Institute (IML), in order to determine the circumstances of his death. Agents [will] carry out investigations to clarify the facts and witnesses will be heard," a police spokesperson announced.

This was not the first time a dead person was utilized to embezzle money. ST reported that back in March, two women in Ohio faced charges after they allegedly brought a dead man to a bank to withdraw $900 from his account.

After withdrawing the money, the women ditched the body at an emergency room at Ashtabula County Medical Center without identifying the dead man or themselves. Law enforcement later arrested the women, who were charged with theft and gross abuse of a body.

Follow Deception.news for more news about fraudulent transactions in banks.

Watch Kat Espinda sharing her eye-opening discovery regarding bank fraud with Steve Cloward below.

This video is from the TruthTalkWithSteve channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Fraudsters are impersonating billionaires on Facebook, scamming Americans out of their life savings.

British BLM activist pleads GUILTY to fraud over MISSING DONATIONS.

IRS stops processing pandemic-era tax breaks, citing RAMPANT FRAUD.

WARNING: AI-powered DEEPFAKE VOICE SCAMS are now coming for your bank balance.

Sources include:

StraitsTimes.com

Independent.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Bottom trawling is a fishing practice that targets the seafloor to catch bottom-dwelling fish. It mainly uses a large fishing net to scoop and pull fish from the bottom of the sea, but not in the deep ocean. While the said method seems efficient in the fishing industry, there have been various criticisms towards bottom trawl fishing because of its potential to cause harm and destruction to marine life.

Over the past decade, several countries have banned bottom trawling in a portion of their marine territories or jurisdictions. Last month, the United Kingdom banned the notorious fishing practice in parts of its protected waters. The move aims to protect both marine animals and their natural habitats, which are damaged by bottom trawls while they are being dragged along the seafloor.

Earlier this week, Greece announced an initiative to end bottom trawling in its protected waters by the year 2030. The European nation also plans to expand its protected waters by creating two large marine parks, allowing fish and other marine life to thrive in secured areas. Despite these efforts, the ecosystem-damaging bottom trawling has not been completely banned by countries worldwide.

Greece to End Bottom Trawling

During an international conference in Athens, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotaki stated that while the ocean has provided humans with source of life and livelihood, "we have not been kind to it in return." Prime Minister Mitsotaki also announced that Greece will ban bottom trawling in the country's national marine parks by the year 2026 and in all marine protected areas by the year 2030.

The announcement adds the Greek government will establish a "state-of-the-art surveillance system" that is powered by artificial intelligence, drones, and satellites. This system will allow local authorities to effectively patrol the protected areas by 2026. Furthermore, Mitsotaki mentioned his administration's plan to remove plastic debris in its waters by 50% and microplastic by 30% by 2030.

Also Read: Protected Fishing Areas Allow Great White Sharks to Grow up to 20 Feet Long and Tiger Sharks to 16 Feet

How Dangerous is Bottom Trawling?

Bottom trawling, as mentioned earlier, has been criticized by many not because of its purpose to catch seafood but the damage it causes to the marine environment. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), trawling destroys the natural seafloor habitat and all bottom-dwelling animals and plants are affected by the method the fishing net is dragged across the seafloor.

The USGS emphasized that the fishing practice can result in different types of seabed sediment such as sand, silt, or mud, leading to different ecological consequences. The threats posed by bottom trawling is also confirmed by science as previous research has shown that not only it harm the ocean's flora and fauna but also fuels climate change and global warming.

According to a January 2024 study published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, bottom trawling is responsible for bringing up to 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. This makes the fishing method destructive for both marine life and the climate, according to researchers.

Related Article: Salmon Fishing Season in California Canceled Due to Grim Reports From Experts
Midwest and Eastern US can expect potential freezing conditions next week, causing potential damage to vegetation and cold-related health concerns.

The National Weather Service (NWS) shows that heavy rainfall will likely be in the Southeast US and Gulf Coast. Residents are advised to watch out for minor to moderate river flooding in the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama.

In New York, the latest advisory reveals that a few showers could unload in the region, with temperatures reaching the 60s and 50s. Potentially scattered showers are likely in the morning.

Additionally, Boston can expect pretty quiet and seasonable weather next week. Daily high temperatures are expected, with mid-upper 50s to low 60s. Pittsburgh residents should watch out for free or frozen conditions this week, particularly from Monday to Thursday. On Wednesday, a chance of precipitation will be likely.

Midwest and Eastern US Weather Outlook Next Week

In the Midwest and Eastern US, the forecast reveals that chilly air will be likely, including in areas in the Mid-Atlantic and Plains. Due to colder conditions, homeowners should stay alert for cold-related health concerns and vegetation damage.

The late week of April will bring challenging colds to freezing conditions in parts of the US. The forecast warns of prolonged exposure to froze, causing risks of hypothermia and frostbites. Limiting prolonged exposure to below temperatures is advisable to keep safe from the weather.

Freezing weather conditions will be likely, including in portions of eastern New England and North Carolina, Next week, the chance of a freezing outlook can unload in the following areas:

Des Moines

Chicago

Indianapolis

Sault Ste. Marie

Detroit

Buffalo

Pittsburgh

Burlington

NWS reminds homeowners to stay alert for Freeze Warning and Frost Advisory this week, particularly in the affected areas. The advisory warns that the frost outlook can potentially damage sensitive vegetation and unprotected plants.

On Monday, the frozen potential will spread over areas of Portland, Boston, New York, Buffalo, Ottawa, Detroit, Ottawa, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Charleston.

In Chicago, the latest weather report reveals that warmer temperatures will be likely in the region, extending until Monday. The forecast monitors the development of a few storms. After the brief cool down, temperatures are expected to become warmer by the week's end.

The cool air mass can bring potentially sub-freezing temperatures, and limiting outdoor travel is advisable to stay safe from prolonged cold.

Also Read: Colorado Weather Forecast: Snowy Conditions Likely Cause Slushy Roads, Travel Delays This Late Week

Keeping Safe from Freezing Weather Outlook in Eastern US and Midwest

For motorists, checking the road conditions is advisable to avoid slippery road conditions associated with the freezing potential. For homeowners, they should cover the plants and plumbing system.

On Wednesday, the colder weather outlook can become widespread in parts of the Midwest and Eastern US. The frozen potential is forecast in the following areas:

Minneapolis

Green Bay

Chicago

Peoria

Indianapolis

Detroit

Pittsburgh

Charleston

Washington

Portland

Boston

New York

Related Article: Midwest, Northeast Weather Forecast: Risk of Damaging Frost Conditions to Bring Cold-Related Health Concerns

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Manisha Koirala oozes elegance in off-white kurta, matching palazzo for 'Heeramandi' promos

M

anisha Koirala, who is all set for the release of her upcoming series Heeramandi, on Sunday shared some pictures from the promotions of the show, exuding elegance in an off-white ethnic suit.

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the series explores the cultural reality of Heeramandi, a dazzling district, through the stories of courtesans and their patrons set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s.

In the show, Manisha will portray the character of Mallikajaan.

The actress, who is known for her work in movies like Bombay, 'Gupt', and 1942: A Love Story, took to her Instagram and shared some pictures from the promotions of the series.

The snaps show Manisha wearing an off-white kurta paired with matching palazzo adorned with golden embroidery at the bottom. She accessorised the look with a matching dupatta and juttis.

The actress kept her makeup all natural -- pink lips, blushed cheeks, and eyeliner. Her hair was styled in soft curls.

The post is captioned: Heeramandi promotions.

The series also stars Richa Chadha, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh.

'Heeramandi' is set to premiere on Netflix on May 1.

 Manisha Koirala oozes elegance in off-white kurta, matching palazzo for 'Heeramandi' promos

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Kevin Bacon returns to 'Footloose' high school, celebrates film's 40th anniversary

H

ollywood actor Kevin Bacon revisited Payson High School, the Utah location where his iconic 1984 movie Footloose was filmed.

He returned to commemorate the educational institution's final prom before its demolition and relocation, reports People magazine.

During his visit, Bacon sat in a directors chair bearing the inscription "Mr. Bacon", toured the high school where he filmed his breakthrough role, posed for selfies, and autographed shirts and memorabilia.

Acknowledging the 40th anniversary since the release of 'Footloose', Bacon addressed those in attendance, stating, "It's been 40 years. I mean, that just blows my mind. Things look a little different around here. Id say the thing that looks the most different is me."

According to 'People', the students of the school orchestrated flash mobs and launched a social media campaign, #BaconToPayson, in an effort to persuade Bacon to visit in honour of the movie's milestone anniversary.

Last month, during a segment on the Today show, Bacon expressed his admiration for their campaign and confirmed, "I'm going to come, I gotta come."

Addressing the Payson community over the weekend, Bacon said: "When I first heard about this #BaconToPayson thing, I thought, 'Wow, this is crazy'. But you were all tireless, unrelenting in your desire to have me return, and you talked me into it. I think its great to see that kind of commitment to anything."

He continued, I also think its amazing the power this movie has had to bring people together and connect on the basic ideas that are behind the movie of standing up to authority sometimes, and to being forgiving of people who are not exactly the same as you, and for standing up for your own freedoms and your right to express yourself, and for having compassion for other people."

 Kevin Bacon returns to 'Footloose' high school, celebrates film's 40th anniversary

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New research to be presented at next week's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April) highlights the risk of new immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging in immunocompromised patients. The report is by PhD candidate Magda Vergouwe, Centre for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and colleagues.

They describe the extended viral evolution in a SARS-CoV-2 infected patient for 613 days leading to a highly mutated novel variant. To the authors knowledge, it is the longest SARS-CoV-2 infection duration to date, although several cases of hundreds of days have been previously recorded.

Whereas healthy SARS-CoV-2 infected patients can clear the virus within a period of days to weeks, an immunocompromised individual can develop a persistent infection with prolonged viral replication and evolution. For instance, it is thought that the initial emergence of the Omicron variant originated in an immunocompromised individual, highlighting the importance of close genomic surveillance in this patient population. In addition, the use of targeted immune pressure, including monoclonal antibody therapies and/or novel antivirals, can further promote the emergence of viral escape variants.

Vergouwe and colleagues describe in their report a 72-year-old immunocompromised male patient who was admitted to Amsterdam University Medical Center in February 2022 with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to a history of allogeneic stem cell transplantation as treatment of a myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative overlap syndrome, he was defined immunocompromised. This was complicated by the development of a post-transplant lymphoma for which he received rituximab that depletes all available B-cells, including those that normally produce the SARS-CoV-2 directed antibodies.

Previously, he had already received multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations without a measurable SARS-CoV-2 IgG anitbody response at hospital admission. Routine genomic surveillance showed infection with Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.1.17. He received treatment with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 directed antibody sotrovimab, the anti-IL6 antibody sarilumab and dexamethasone without clinical response.

Follow-up SARS-CoV-2 sequencing showed development of known sotrovimab-resistance mutation S:E340K as early as 21 days after receiving the sotrovimab infusion. SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell activity and anti-spike antibody development in the first month were minimal, indicating that the patient's immune system was not capable of clearing the virus. The prolonged infection has led to the emergence of a novel immune-evasive variant due to the extensive within-host evolution. In the end, the patient died from a relapse of his hematological condition after remaining SARS-CoV-2 positive with high viral loads for a total of 613 days. Fortunately, no documented transmission had occurred with the highly mutated variant to secondary cases in the community.

In more detail, the 613 days following initial SARS-CoV-2 detection were characterized by multiple SARS-CoV-2-related and unrelated symptomatic episodes, requiring hospital admissions. The persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection led to the patient having prolonged isolation periods during hospital admission and enhanced use of personal protective materials, greatly reducing his self-reported quality of life. SARS-CoV-2 full genome sequencing was performed on 27 nasopharyngeal specimens, collected from February 2022 until September 2023. It revealed over 50 nucleotide mutations compared to contemporary globally circulating BA.1-variants with multiple amino acid substitutions, including ACE-2 receptor binding site substitutions S:L452M/K and S:Y453F. Furthermore, several deletions in the N-terminal domain of spike developed indicative of immune-escape.

The authors say: "This case underscores the risk of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised individuals as unique SARS-CoV-2 viral variants may emerge due to extensive intra-host evolution. We emphasize the importance of continuing genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 evolution in immunocompromised individuals with persistent infections given the potential public health threat of possibly introducing viral escape variants into the community."

While close surveillance is necessary the authors highlight that there must be a balance between protecting the public from potential new variants and humane supportive care at home of severely ill patients near the end of life. Possible solutions can include an increased awareness of potential risks combined with providing early accessible diagnostic testing of known (family) contacts as soon as they develop relevant symptoms. This should be combined with genomic surveillance in order to assess the public health threat together with public health professionals. The authors highlight that although there may be an increased risk of development of novel variants in immunocompromised patients, not every novel variant in these patients will develop into a novel variant of concern (VOC) for the community. The underlying mechanisms involved in the development of a VOC are much more complex as they are also dependent of factors in the population surrounding the patient, including the prevalence of B- and T-cell related immunity.

The authors conclude: "The duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this described case is extreme, but prolonged infections in immunocompromised patients are much more common compared to the general community. Further work by our team includes describing a cohort of prolonged infections in immunocompromised patients from our hospital with infection durations varying between 1 month and 2 years. However, from the viewpoint of the general public, prolonged infections remain rare as the immunocompromised population is only a very small percentage of the total population."
Two siblings who have the only known mutations in a key gene anywhere in the world have helped scientists gain new insights that could help progress the search for new treatments in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (also known as autoimmune diabetes) is a devastating and life-long disease, in which the patient's immune cells wrongly destroy the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. People living with autoimmune diabetes need to test their blood sugar and inject insulin throughout their lives to control their blood sugars and prevent complications.

Autoimmune diabetes with clinical onset in very early childhood is rare and can result from a variety of genetic variants. However, there are many cases of early onset diabetes without known genetic explanation. In addition, some cancer patients treated with a category of immunotherapy known as immune checkpoint inhibitors -; which target the same pathway that the mutation was found in -; are prone to developing autoimmune diabetes. The reason why only this category of cancer immunotherapy can trigger autoimmune diabetes is not well understood. Like type 1 diabetes, genetic or immunotherapy-associated autoimmune diabetes requires life-long insulin replacement therapy -; there is currently no cure.

The new research, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, began when researchers studied two siblings who were diagnosed with a rare genetic form of autoimmune diabetes in the first weeks of life. The University of Exeter offers free genetic testing worldwide for babies diagnosed with diabetes before they are nine months old. For most of these babies, this service provides a genetic diagnosis and in around half of these babies, it allows for a change in treatment.

When researchers tested the two siblings in the study, no mutation in any of the known causes was identified. The Exeter team then performed whole genome sequencing to look for previously unknown causes of autoimmune diabetes. Through this sequencing, they found a mutation in the gene encoding PD-L1 in the siblings and realised it could be responsible for their very-early-onset autoimmune diabetes.

PD-L1 has been particularly well studied in animal models because of its crucial function in sending a stop signal to the immune system and its relevance to cancer immunotherapy. But, to our knowledge, nobody has ever found humans with a disease-causing mutation in the gene encoding PD-L1. We searched the globe, looking at all the large-scale datasets that we know of, and we haven't been able to find another family. These siblings therefore provide us with a unique and incredibly important opportunity to investigate what happens when this gene is disabled in humans." Dr Matthew Johnson, Study Author, University of Exeter, UK

The PD-L1 protein is expressed on many different cell types. Its receptor, PD-1, is expressed exclusively on immune cells. When the two proteins bind together it provides a stop signal to the immune system, preventing collateral damage to the bodies tissues and organs.

Researchers from the Rockefeller Institute in New York and King's College London joined forces with Exeter to study the siblings, with funding from Wellcome, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Diabetes UK, and the US National Institutes for Health. After contacting the family's clinician in Morocco, the Exeter team visited the siblings where they were living to collect samples and return them to King's College London, within the crucial ten-hour window for analysis while the immune cells were still alive. The London and New York teams then performed extensive analysis on the siblings' cells.

Study co-author Dr Masato Ogishi, from the Rockefeller University in New York, said: "We first showed that the mutation completely disabled the function of PD-L1 protein. We then studied the immune system of the siblings to look for immunological abnormalities that could account for their extremely early-onset diabetes. As we previously described another two siblings with PD-1 deficiency, both of whom had multi-organ autoimmunity including autoimmune diabetes and extensive dysregulation in their immune cells, we expected to find severe dysregulation of the immune system in the PD-L1-deficient siblings. To our great surprise, their immune systems looked pretty much normal in almost all aspects throughout the study. Therefore, PD-L1 is certainly indispensable for preventing autoimmune diabetes but is dispensable for many other aspects of human immune system. We think that PD-L2, another ligand of PD-1, albeit less well-studied than PD-L1, may be serving as a back-up system when PD-L1 is not available. This concept needs to be further investigated in the context of artificial blockade for PD-L1 as cancer immunotherapy."

Study co-author Professor Timothy Tree, from King's College London, said: "Through studying this one set of siblings  unique in the world to our knowledge  we have found that the PD-L1 gene is essential for avoiding autoimmune diabetes, but is not essential for 'everyday' immune function. This leads us to the grand question; 'what is the role of PD-L1 in our pancreas making it critical for preventing our immune cells destroying our beta cells?' We know that under certain conditions beta cells express PD-L1. However, certain types of immune cells in the pancreas also express PD-L1. We now need to work out the "communication" between different cell types that is critical for preventing autoimmune diabetes.

"This finding increases our knowledge of how autoimmune forms of diabetes such as type 1 diabetes develop. It opens up a new potential target for treatments that could prevent diabetes in the future. Simultaneously, it gives new knowledge to the cancer immunotherapy field by uniquely providing the results of completely disabling PD-L1 in a person, something you could never manipulate in studies. Reducing PD-L1 is already effective for cancer treatment, and boosting it is now being investigated as a type 1 diabetes treatment  our findings will help accelerate the search for new and better drugs."

Dr Lucy Chambers, Head of Research Communications at Diabetes UK, said: "Pioneering treatments that alter the behaviour of the immune system to hold off its attack on the pancreas are already advancing type 1 diabetes treatment in the USA, and are awaiting approval here in the UK.

"By zeroing in on the precise role of an important player in the type 1 diabetes immune attack, this exciting discovery could pave the way for treatments that are more effective, more targeted and more transformational for people with or at risk of type 1 diabetes."

Helmsley Program Officer Ben Williams said: "New drugs often fail in development because scientific discoveries made in animal models don't translate into humans. As such, drug developers strongly prefer to pursue new drugs where human genetic evidence supports the drug's target. This study provides such compelling evidence that PD-L1 is a high-priority target to treat T1D, and should be pursued with the ambition of eventually reducing the burden of this difficult to manage disease."

The paper is entitled 'Human inherited PD-L1 deficiency is clinically and immunologically less severe than PD-1 deficiency' and is published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. The research was supported by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Biomedical Research Centre and The NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility.
When a mouthful of water goes down the wrong pipe  heading toward a healthy persons lungs instead of their gut  they start coughing uncontrollably. Thats because their upper airway senses the water and quickly signals the brain. The same coughing reflex is set off in people with acid reflux, when acid from the stomach reaches the throat. The new work by UCSF researchers could lead to interventions to prevent pneumonia or treat certain types of chronic cough.

When a mouthful of water goes down the wrong pipe  heading toward a healthy person's lungs instead of their gut  they start coughing uncontrollably. That's because their upper airway senses the water and quickly signals the brain. The same coughing reflex is set off in people with acid reflux, when acid from the stomach reaches the throat.

Now, UC San Francisco scientists have identified the rare type of cell responsible for initiating these reactions. In a study published April 19, 2024, in Science, they detailed exactly how the cells, called laryngeal and tracheal neuroendocrine cells, can sense water or acid in the upper airway and pass the information along by releasing chemical messengers that activate nerves leading to the brain.

The research could contribute to a better understanding of how these coughing reflexes diminish with aging and disease, or lead to interventions to prevent pneumonia or treat certain types of chronic cough.

This study gives us a lot of insight into not only how our bodies are protecting our airways in this profoundly surprising way, but also more broadly how internal organs can act as gatekeepers to the outside world." David Julius, PhD, the senior author of the new paper, professor and chair of physiology at UCSF, and winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are found throughout the respiratory and digestive systems and have dual functions: to produce and release hormones, like endocrine cells, and to send and receive electric messages, like neurons.

Cells respond to water and acid

"We knew something about what these cells were doing in the lungs, but not the upper airway," said Laura Seeholzer, PhD, a UCSF postdoctoral fellow in the Julius lab who led the new work. "The only reason we even knew they existed in the larynx is because some people get very rare neuroendocrine tumors in the larynx."

Seeholzer developed methods to isolate the tiny and very rare NE cells from the lungs, larynx and upper and lower trachea and characterize the molecular details of the different groups of cells. She studied what genes were active in each cell, as well as what stimuli caused the cells to release chemical signals. Unlike NE cells from the lungs, those found in the trachea and larynx did not respond to pressure changes, she found. But the airway NE cells did release signals in response to water and acid.

In isolated tissues from mice, Seeholzer also demonstrated how the NE cells could pass these messages directly to the sensory neurons that lead to the brain. Then, she showed that activating the NE cells in living mice made the animals swallow and cough, which are important reflexes for protecting our lungs. On the flip side, when mice completely lacked NE cells, the animals did not respond to water in their airways.

"We really wanted to know the details of what makes these cells tick," Julius said. "No one had ever showed before that these cells talk to sensory neurons, and we wanted to follow the whole message trail."

A potential treatment for chronic cough

Seeholzer said the new findings suggest that the larynx and trachea NE cells are analogous to taste buds or ear hairs; they are not nerve cells themselves, but they are connected to nerves that send sensory information to the brain.

"If you've ever had the experience of aspirating water or acid reflux, you know that both of these things are incredibly painful; you immediately cough and gag and try to clean out your airway," Seeholzer said. "Now we better understand how the body triggers that."

With aging, the so-called cough reflex often becomes less sensitive, making older adults as well as those with certain diseases more prone to aspirating fluid into their lungs and developing pneumonia. The new understanding of how NE cells relate to the cough reflex could eventually lead to ways of increasing sensitivity and preventing this aspiration. Targeting the cells could also treat the chronic cough associated with acid reflux in some people.

"More work is needed to better understand how the NE cells are potentially changing with disease, smoking, or aging," Seeholzer said. She is collaborating with UCSF clinicians to undertake this next phase of the research.
Health insurance policyholders have cause for celebration as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has made favourable adjustments to product regulations. These revisions will be applied to all new policies and integrated into existing ones upon renewal. In April 2024, IRDAI introduced updates to health insurance regulations, emphasising decreased waiting periods and improved claim settlement terms for policyholders.

Also Read: Affordable Health Insurance Sees High Demand, Employer Policies Not Sufficient: Report

The waiting period for ailments has been shortened from 8 to 5 years, while the waiting period for pre-existing conditions has also been decreased. Additionally, the maximum age limit for purchasing a health policy has been eliminated.

Check the details below;

Maximum age is not a problem now

Till now insurance companies needed to offer regular health coverage to a person upto 65 years of age. By changing rules, the maximum age condition for purchasing a health policy has been removed.

Moratorium period for claims

The moratorium period till March 31, 2024 was 8 years. Now within six years they will become entitled to it. This step is considered as a huge relief as 8 years is a long period and five years is enough time for pre-existing conditions to surface.

The moratorium period refers to the duration after which an insurer cannot deny your claim for reasons other than fraud. This period has been reduced from 8 years to 5 years. After 5 years of continuous coverage (including portability and migration between policies), the insurer cannot contest your claim on grounds of non-disclosure or misrepresentation.

IRDAI has said that after 60 continuous months of coverage, the insurance company cannot reject any claim of the customer on the grounds of non-disclosure and misrepresentation. The insurer can reject the claim only if fraud is proven.

Company cannot reject a claim after 5 years

Lets understand this with an example. Suppose a policyholder pays the health policy premium for five consecutive years, in such a situation, the insurance company cannot reject the policyholders claim because he/she has hidden health information.

Usually, insurance companies reject claims based on not providing information about pre-existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, even if the reason for the policyholders hospitalisation was for some other reason. Insurance companies not only reject the claim but also cancel the policy citing non-disclosure.

Waiting period for pre-existing diseases reduced

Previously, insurers could exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to 4 years. Now, the waiting period has been brought down to a maximum of 3 years. This applies to new policyholders only, but existing policyholders will also benefit as their waiting period gets reduced upon renewal to align with the new 3-year limit.

This means that if you have a condition like diabetes, your insurer will cover hospitalisation claims related to the condition after you have paid at least three premiums, as opposed to the previous requirement of four premiums.

Similarly, insurers will no longer be able to deny claims due to non-disclosure of pre-existing illnesses after 60 months of continuous coverage, except in cases of proven fraud. In other words, if you have paid five annual premiums, your claim cannot be rejected based on hiding your health status or providing incorrect information unless the insurer can demonstrate fraud.

Almost all health insurance policies come with a certain waiting period for pre-existing diseases. It means that the coverage of that particular disease starts only after the waiting period. Till now, rules mandate a waiting period of four years. Now it has been reduced to 3 years.

It is to be noted that many insurers offer plans with waiting periods of less than 4 or 3 years. However, IRDAIs move will help customers as the new rule sets a reduced limit now.
The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has released the UP board class 12 results for 2024 today, April 20. The results were released during a press conference that was held at 2 PM. The UP Board High School and Intermediate exam 2024 was held between February 22 and March 9. This year, the class 12 pass rate was reported to be 82.60 per cent. This represents a 7.08 per cent increase over the 75.52 per cent of students who passed the intermediate examination in 2023.

UP Board 12th Result 2024 Live Updates

UP Board 10th Result 2024 Live Updates

Female students have yet again outperformed in the UP board class 12 exams. In the intermediate exam this year, the pass percentage among boys is 77.78 per cent while the pass percentage among girls is 88.42 per cent.

Students will now be able to check their UP board exam class 10th result on the official websites at upresults.nic.in and upmsp.edu.in. Along with the results, the toppers list and pass percentage for UP Board 10th Result 2024 have also be announced.

UP Board 12th Result 2024: Toppers List

Rank 1: Shubham Verma  97.80 per cent

Rank 2: Vishu Chaudhary  97.60 per cent

Rank 3: Kajal Singh  97.60 per cent

Rank 4: Raj Verma  97.60 per cent

Rank 5: Kashish Maurya  97.60 per cent

Charli Gupta  97.60 per cent

Sujata Pandey  97.60 per cent

Sheetal Verma  97.40 per cent

Kashish Yadav  97.40 per cent

Aaditya Kumar Yadav  97.40 per cent

UP Board Class 12th Results 2024: How to Check Scorecard Online?

Step 1: Go to the UPMSPs official website, upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, find and pick the Exam Results option.

Step 3: Find the UP Board Class 12 Results 2024 link and click on it.

Step 4: Fill in the needed information, such as your UPMSP registration number and school code.

Step 5: Click the View Result or Submit options on the screen to see your UPMSP class 12 results.

Step 6: Once your UPMSP class 12 results 2024 are displayed on the screen and download a copy of the same for future admission processes.

Meanwhile, the results of the Up Board Class 10 examination 2024 have also been announced. The percentage of students who passed the UP board class 10 exam this year stood at 89.55 per cent, a bit of decline from the previous year. In 2023, 89.79 per cent of students passed the UP Board 10th exam, whereas in 2022, the pass rate was 88.18 per cent.
Will Moradabad require a bypoll as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate died a day after the Uttar Pradesh constituency voted for the Lok polls in phase one on April 19? Manvendra Singh, district election officer (DEO) and district magistrate, Moradabad, told News18 that bypolls would be necessitated only if the late BJP candidate has won. The results will be announced on June 4.

Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh, 72, was among the 12 candidates in the fray. Ailing for a while, Singh died at Delhis AIIMS, confirmed UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary. He had undergone an operation for some trouble in his throat. On April 20, he had gone to AIIMS for a check-up, Chaudhary said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X in Hindi said, I am shocked by the demise of BJP candidate from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency and former MP Kunwar Sarvesh Singh ji. This is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family and their supporters to bear this loss. Om Shanti.

Singh served as the Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad from 2014 to 2019, losing the 2019 elections to Samajwadi Partys ST Hasan. Prior to his parliamentary tenure, he held the position of BJP MLA for five terms from Thakurdwara Assembly constituency in Moradabad, spanning from 1991 to 2007 and then from 2012 to 2014. Singh represented people on both state and national levels.

He is survived by his wife Sadhna Singh, a son and daughter.
Chikkaballapur constituency is one of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka. It is a general category seat and comprises parts of Bangalore district and Chikkaballapur district and the entire Bangalore Rural district. Currently, eight Assembly segments fall under the Chikkaballapur Lok Sabha constituency, of which the Congress holds five (Gauribidanur, Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur, Hosakote and Doddaballapur), the JD(S) holds two (Devanahalli-SC and Nelamangala-SC), and the BJP holds one (Yelahanka). Chikkaballapur constituency will vote in the second phase of general elections on April 26.

Sitting MP  BN Bache Gowda (BJP)

Candidates  MS Raksha Ramaiah (Congress), Dr K Sudhakar (BJP)

Political dynamics

Congress: The grand old party has opted for youth over experience in Chikkaballapur constituency, nominating MS Raksha Ramaiah instead of former Union minister M Veerappa Moily.

The grand old party has opted for youth over experience in Chikkaballapur constituency, nominating MS Raksha Ramaiah instead of former Union minister M Veerappa Moily. Moily, 84, had been actively lobbying for the ticket this time, but the party picked Ramaiah, the son of senior Congress leader and former minister MR Seetharam. The 84-year-old Moily was elected from the Chikkaballapur constituency twice in 2009 and 2014 but lost in 2019.

Raksha Ramaiah has served as the national general secretary of Youth Congress. With the ticket going to Ramaiah this time, Moily announced retirement from politics but assured he would work for the official Chikkaballapur candidate.

Chikkaballapur has been a Congress bastion since its formation in 1977. The party has lost the seat only on two occasions  1996 and 2019. Between 1984 and 1991, Congresss Brahmin candidate V Krishna Rao scored a hat-trick in this Vokkaliga-dominated parliamentary constituency.

The ruling Congress will this time look to consolidate the gains that it made in the Assembly elections in May last year when it made inroads into the strongholds of the JD(S) headed by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda in these southern districts, including Chikkaballapur.

The Congress is hoping to further its prospects and continue its dominance in the region, with the help of its strong local leadership and riding on its five guarantee schemes.

BJP: The saffron party has fielded former health minister Dr K Sudhakar from Chikkaballapur.

The saffron party has fielded former health minister Dr K Sudhakar from Chikkaballapur. A three-time MLA, Dr K Sudhakar is a well-known name in Chikkaballapur. He had, however, lost the 2023 Assembly elections from the Chikkaballapur Assembly constituency.

Sudhakar was previously with the Congress, but resigned from the Assembly in 2019, a year after winning the Lok Sabha election. A medical professional, Sudhakar was among the 18 disqualified MLAs who later joined the BJP. He successfully contested the 2019 by poll.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was given the health and medical education portfolio.

A section of the Karnataka BJP is said to be upset with the ticket being given to a former Congressman. Sudhakars nomination dashed the hopes of former Union minister and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who was assured of being given the Chikkaballapur ticket after he was dislodged from the Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency.

The candidature of Sudhakar has also led to bad blood between him and Yelahanka BJP MLA SR Vishwanath whose son Alok Vishwanath was among the aspirants for the Chikkaballapur ticket.

Sudhakar had recently claimed that he went to Vishwanaths residence to seek his support for the elections but was not welcomed inside the house.

Countering the claim, SR Vishwanath said in a press conference that such gimmicks are unnecessary and cautioned Sudhakar that it could prove costly.

Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa, who has a pan-Karnataka appeal, has also been campaigning actively. His son is now the state BJP chief.

Disgruntlement among supporters of incumbent MPs who failed to get re-nomination as well as internal differences among state leaders may work against the party.

Modi popularity: The BJPs biggest strength is PM Narendra Modis charisma as well as development and social welfare programmes of his government at the Centre.

The BJPs biggest strength is PM Narendra Modis charisma as well as development and social welfare programmes of his government at the Centre. PM Modi addressed election rallies in the Old Mysuru region, including Chikkaballapur, on April 20.

Test for JD-S: The Vokkaliga heartland, consisting of several southern districts, including Chikkaballapur, will be the testing ground for the recently forged BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka.

The Vokkaliga heartland, consisting of several southern districts, including Chikkaballapur, will be the testing ground for the recently forged BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka. In the 2019 general elections, the Congress and JD(S) fought together, but secured only one seat each in the state. The BJP bagged 25 out of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats.

Lack of trust between sizeable workers and leaders of both parties on the ground had proved to be counterproductive for Congress and JD(S) combine in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, resulting in their rout and helping the BJP.

This time, the JD(S) has an alliance with the BJP.

The JD(S) is now looking to bounce back after the drubbing it received in the May Assembly polls.

The Congress and JD(S) are considered to be traditional rivals in the region, where the BJP has also been improving its vote-share.

The BJP-JD(S) alliance hopes to counter the Congresss surge in the region, determined to consolidate Vokkaliga votes in their favour and banking on the Modi charisma.

The JD-S comes with the baggage of dynasty politics and being a family-controlled party.

Caste factor: Vokkaligas are the electorally dominant caste in this constituency with 5,39,000 voters, followed by the Dalit voters at 4,80,000.

Vokkaligas are the electorally dominant caste in this constituency with 5,39,000 voters, followed by the Dalit voters at 4,80,000. The Muslim community has 1,76,000 voters here.

The Lingayat votes add up to 82,000.

Among the factors in Congresss favour are Chief Minister Siddaramaiah being seen as a champion of backward classes and minorities and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar belonging to the dominant Vokkaliga community.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge being from Karnataka may help consolidate Dalit vote base.

Among the challenges the grand old party faces is the Vokkaliga and Lingayat opposition to caste census report now with the government.

BJPs K Sudhakar has a certain advantage in Chikkaballapur since he is from the Vokkaliga community.

Key constituency issues

Reservation: The governments decision on scrap the 4% reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota and distributing it equally among the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, while placing Muslims under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, and introduction of internal reservation for different Dalit communities under Scheduled Caste (SC) category is likely to have an impact in general elections.

The governments decision on scrap the 4% reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota and distributing it equally among the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, while placing Muslims under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, and introduction of internal reservation for different Dalit communities under Scheduled Caste (SC) category is likely to have an impact in general elections. Water scarcity: Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts have been suffering water crisis with borewells unable to fulfil agriculture and drinking needs.

Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts have been suffering water crisis with borewells unable to fulfil agriculture and drinking needs. A report titled Dynamic Groundwater Resources Assessment of India had found Chikkaballapur (145%) as groundwater over-exploited district.

Congress has repeatedly alleged BJP MPs inability to get justice to the state with drought relief.

Food supply at risk: Chikkaballapur district is a major supplier of vegetables and fruits to Bengaluru. Given the water crisis in Chikkaballapur, farmers who depend exclusively on borewells for irrigation have expressed concerns over being able to maintain healthy supply to the city.

Chikkaballapur district is a major supplier of vegetables and fruits to Bengaluru. Given the water crisis in Chikkaballapur, farmers who depend exclusively on borewells for irrigation have expressed concerns over being able to maintain healthy supply to the city. Corruption: Both BJP and Congress have been trading barbs on the issue of corruption, primarily pointing to each others tenures in state government. The ruling Congress has accused the BJP of corruption and maladministration in Karnataka, while the BJP has been highlighting the clean governance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Both BJP and Congress have been trading barbs on the issue of corruption, primarily pointing to each others tenures in state government. The ruling Congress has accused the BJP of corruption and maladministration in Karnataka, while the BJP has been highlighting the clean governance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Development: The BJP will seek to focus on various development projects and social welfare initiatives taken up by the Narendra Modi government, while the Congress will showcase its track record in Karnataka.

The BJP will seek to focus on various development projects and social welfare initiatives taken up by the Narendra Modi government, while the Congress will showcase its track record in Karnataka. Price rise: The Congress has made price rise a key issue, particularly the high cooking gas and fuel prices. The BJP is banking on the economic strides under the Narendra Modi government and how a rising India has become the worlds fifth largest economy.

Voter demographics

Female voters  9,89,369

Male voters  9,76,436

Others  262

Total voters  19,66,067

Social composition

SC  21.7%

ST  7.59%

Religious composition

Buddhist  0.03%

Christian  1.07%

Jain  0.2%

Muslim  10.7%

Sikh  0.05%

Literacy rate

67.92%

Major infra projects in Chikkaballapur

Manufacturing plant: NIFCO South India Manufacturing Private Limited is investing Rs 288 crore to build a new plant in Gauribidanur, Chikkaballapur to manufacture automotive plastic parts. The plant is expected to create about 400 jobs, with 65% of them being for women, and the project is slated for completion over five years, starting in 2023-24.

NIFCO South India Manufacturing Private Limited is investing Rs 288 crore to build a new plant in Gauribidanur, Chikkaballapur to manufacture automotive plastic parts. The plant is expected to create about 400 jobs, with 65% of them being for women, and the project is slated for completion over five years, starting in 2023-24. Electric train service: In December last year, the Southwestern Railway extended the Memu (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train services operating on the airport route from Devanahalli to Chikkaballapur. The extended train services are expected to benefit not only students but also farmers and visitors heading to the 112-ft Adiyogi bust at Chikkaballapur s Isha Foundation.

In December last year, the Southwestern Railway extended the Memu (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train services operating on the airport route from Devanahalli to Chikkaballapur. The extended train services are expected to benefit not only students but also farmers and visitors heading to the 112-ft Adiyogi bust at Chikkaballapur s Isha Foundation. Heritage rail tour: The Southwestern Railway is also working on the Bengaluru-Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur route, aiming to showcase historical landmarks and scenic spots. Restoration work for heritage stations along this route, including Doddajala, Devanahalli, Avatihalli, and Nandi halt, is underway.

The Southwestern Railway is also working on the Bengaluru-Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur route, aiming to showcase historical landmarks and scenic spots. Restoration work for heritage stations along this route, including Doddajala, Devanahalli, Avatihalli, and Nandi halt, is underway. The Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur railway line holds historical significance, being the first railway network established by private enterprise during Sir M Visvesvarayas tenure as the Diwan of Mysore in 1915. Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur, is the birthplace of Sir M Visvesvaraya, adding another layer of historical importance to this railway line.

Airport trains extended to Chikkaballapur: Amid public demand, the Southwestern Railway in December extended three airport-bound trains by an additional 22km up to Chikkaballapur. This meant the trains would originate from Chikkaballapur instead of the Devanahalli station.

Amid public demand, the Southwestern Railway in December extended three airport-bound trains by an additional 22km up to Chikkaballapur. This meant the trains would originate from Chikkaballapur instead of the Devanahalli station. Free-of-cost medical college and hospital: In March last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR) at Chikkaballapur. SMSIMSR provides medical education and quality medical care  completely free of cost  to all.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJPs Mysore  Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency candidate Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar for his alleged involvement in bribery in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

In a letter to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer on Saturday, the KPCC alleged that Wadiyar has engaged in actions that egregiously contravene the MCC, posing a severe threat to the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

Wadiyar has orchestrated a meeting with several influential personalities on social media platforms, with the explicit purpose of soliciting their support and influence for his electoral campaign. During this meeting, which was clandestinely conducted, Wadiyar made egregious attempts to sway these influencers by offering them materialistic inducements, including personalised notebooks, pens, chocolates, sarees, and sweets, it alleged.

The letter stated that the most alarming aspect of this meeting was the brazen distribution of substantial amounts of money to these influencers in exchange for their unequivocal support and promotion of his candidacy.

This reprehensible act of distributing money to sway influencers not only violates the fundamental principles of free and fair elections but also constitutes a grave offense under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and that of the Indian Penal Code, the letter alleged.

KPCC has urged the poll body to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into this matter and take stringent action against those found guilty of violating the MCC and relevant electoral laws to ensure that the electoral process remains free, fair, and untainted by corrupt practices.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
She is a former investment banker and now a full-time politician. She frequently hits the headlines and was recently expelled from Parliament by an ethics committee for sharing her login credentials and password with an unauthorised person amid cash-for-query allegations. Mahua Moitra, who is contesting again from West Bengals Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat, is her own campaign manager. The Trinamool Congress leader spoke exclusively with News18 while canvassing on Saturday. The constituency will see polling on May 13, in the fourth round of the seven-phase general elections.

Mahua started from her Krishnagar residence at around 8.30 am, sporting sneakers, a light cotton saree, and sunglasses. She began electioneering from a jeep at Kaligunj block of Nakashipara (an assembly constituency in Krishnanagar). Going from one village to another, Mahua just kept saying to the people Bless me and mentioning Lakshmir Bhandar, West Bengal chief minister and TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjees flagship project. The scheme gives financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections of society in the age group of 25-60 years. It provides Rs 1,000 every month to women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households and Rs 500 per month to others.

Mahua spoke with News18 about her fight this time, maintaining that BJP rival Ranima Amrita Roy was no factor, and also about being on the radar of central investigating agencies. Edited excerpts:

Why do you manage your own election? You are a candidate and also a candidate manager?

Oh yes, I do it. Thats something I have done since my very first election. When I first contested an MLA election, before that, I was in an organisation, where I used to handle others elections. This really helped me. I handled a lot of elections before my first contest.

Does your corporate background help you manage elections?

Yes, it helps in logical thinking and setting up processes, but overall being in a party organisation helps. Election management is something I learnt while doing and managing others elections. Like the 2011 assembly polls, 2013 panchayat elections, 2014 Lok Sabha elections. I am a control freak and election is mathematics. I think everything should be in a process and that should work well. I am in a mass-based party where you automatically develop the capacity to organise things in elections. Now Abhishek (Banerjee) has put in a strong organisation very well. To set up such a system is important and to oversee such a system is important. I divided the system and this time it was long, which shouldnt have been the case. Its a matter of 60-65 days. Tempo cant be lifted in the first month, we have to space it out, and it needs to be planned. This is required.

You could have been a corporate tycoon. When you get into controversy and things go bad, dont you think that was a better life?

Not at all, not at all. I have a specific reason to come here. This is my passion and calling. We are fighting with a Fascist regime, a majoritarian force, which is dominating and destroying India, so people like us need to fight from the ground instead of doing armchair politics sitting in New York. We have to come and make a difference.

Is Mahua always angry and a tough taskmaster?

I am a tough taskmaster and am angry when I need to be. I dont see anyone asking such questions to male politicians. I have seen ill-tempered, badly-behaved male politicians, but they dont face such questions. Why are these questions only for women?

You do not have a godfather and people say you did it yourself. Do you find it difficult, being a woman?

In Bengal things are different, there is a gender-equal, liberal, tolerant culture. No one will look at you differently, they consider me a politician, and MP of their area. They dont see whether I am male or female. Thank God for that. Only when I came to Delhi, I faced such patriarchy of north India and the BJP-dominated Parliament. Its a misogynist world out there, they dont treat women as equals. I am blessed that Bengal is a place with different thinking.

Whats your take when you are tagged as anti-national?

I feel like laughing. My voters laugh at this. 60 per cent of India that has not voted for the BJP laughs at this allegation.

You are saying to everyone, Have you got Lakshmir Bhandar? Why?

I am just asking them whether they have got it or not because there is 90 per cent coverage in my area, I know. This is what Mamata Banerjee has done, empowering women.

Whats your take on the Sandeshkhali atrocities on women? Will that have an effect?

I think Sandeshkhali is something that is pumped up by the media. Sandeshkhali is a particular block of one Lok Sabha seat, strict measures have been taken there. See, there is no effect in any other place. You can see we are a gender-neutral state. The CM has done her utmost. Mamata Banerjee has empowered every rural woman, thats it.

The ED and CBI are behind you. Whats your take?

The ED and CBI may be behind me but the people are in front of me.

You may have to go to jail

I have never walked out of any challenge in my life. If thats it, let it be. Poor officials are doing the job. I have nothing against them. They also know its a political case, they are very good. While the world can see, they counted my sarees, and wanted to know the price.

Your opponent is from the royal family. The PM called her. How do you see that?

Its BJPs PM and he is an Election Minister, so he can call up his candidates. I have nothing personal to say. I have nothing against my opponent, everybody has the right to contest. I wish her good luck, but what I can say is that India is a democratic country. I want to ask the BJP, in Bengali, there is a saying, Kon Rajar Ma? meaning which kings mother is she? My fight is against the BJP and its ideology, its symbol, not any candidate. Whoever is the candidate is irrelevant to me.

She is saying she is fighting against corruption and she is protecting Sanatan Dharma

Good luck to her. I didnt realise Hindu dharma has given a lease to Krishnanagars Roy family. They should first answer why they ditched the people and sold everything to Robert Clive. They have a history of treachery. It doesnt mean anything to me.

What about corruption? Two of your former TMC ministers are in jail. Money has been found.

82 to 92 per cent cases are against the opposition by the ED and CBI. The interesting thing is that the moment they join the BJP, they are clean. So this hauwa on corruption does not matter. There is a whitewashing machine of the BJP. One would think the BJP is all saintly and good. The moment one joins, they are clean.

They are saying they might give money back to the people from whatever has been recovered by agencies.

Why are they not paying the Rs 15 lakh that they promised? Why have they not paid the MNREGA, Awas Yojana, and other money that is due to Bengal? They should first give that money.

What about CAA?

CAA is a terrible trap for the BJP, It started the CAA hawa in 2019, created panic and intimidation. For five years they did not do anything. Now they have notified it. The first question in that CAA form is Are you Indian? Tell me, who will write that they are not? Then they ask for a Bangladeshi document. Where will they give the document? This will backfire.

Your party took time to stand with you when you were expelled but the Congress did. Whats your take?

It is absolutely wrong that the party did not stand by me. Abhishek came out and said that I was fighting. I am extremely proud of the TMC because it is the only party that is fighting Modi and I am proud that I got a ticket from here.

But a lot of the time, your party does not seem to be backing you

Its a democratic party. Everybody is free and has the right to speak their mind. Its not some party where you have to do Modiji, Modiji. I am extremely proud of my party.

How confident are you?

You are seeing my constituency, there are organic crowds. I have done development, everybody has seen me, and I am there with them.

But what if you are in jail?

If they do such a stupid act, then my people will get angry, and my margin of victory will be doubled. I am very sure and there is a feeling of security because I have worked. I have nothing to be ashamed of because I have worked hard. Its a question of margin.

What about INDIA?

When you yourself are contesting, then its difficult to know whats happening. I am focused on my area, working here its difficult to keep track of whats happening around. In Bengal, the alliance is not there but in Delhi, we are there. These forces need to be defeated. In places, INDIA is fighting together. The BJP has been dividing people on the basis of religion. People say there you have a minority vote, but does Mamata Banerjee give Lakshmir Bhandar on the basis of religion? Bengals culture is different.

How are you beating the heat?

The Tropic of Cancer goes through this constituency, the heat is rising. I have to beat the heat. I drink more water, thats it.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has collaborated with Japan Cooperation Centre for Middle East to host a joint session at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2024 in Abu Dhabi to explore the latest developments in the field, share experiences and best practices.

The session brought together companies specialised in water desalination from both sides, local and federal departments, electricity and water companies, the Environment Agency  Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, Sharjah University, New York University Abu Dhabi as well as top Japanese companies and universities, reported Wam.

During the event, they explored ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides to improve energy efficiency, deploy renewable energy, and leverage the latest desalination technologies.

Moreover, they highlighted the UAEs leading desalination projects and smart management technologies that support the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, it stated.

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Electricity, Water, and Future Energy Sector at MoEI, hailed the deep-rooted relations between UAE and Japan that have progressed in the past few years due to the shared vision and trust between the two sides.

"The water projects in the UAE aim to meet the needs of various areas given the continuous rise in population. Such meetings reflect the joint desire of both countries to expand the scope of cooperation between them," he added.
Preparations are in full swing for the second phase of voting in the Lok Sabha election on April 26 after the first phase was successfully completed on April 19. People of 89 Parliamentary constituencies across 13 states will exercise their voting rights on April 26.

Which States Are Going To Polls on April 26?

Voting under the second phase of Lok Sabha elections will take place in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.

Intense Poll campaigns

Political Parties have intensified their poll campaigns for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, saying that the Wayanad MP will be forced to look for another safe seat after the Lok Sabha elections in his Kerala constituency.

Home Minister Amit Shah is set to address a public meeting in West Bengals Darjeeling on Sunday. Afterwards, he will leave for campaigning in Bihar, followed by Assam. However, due to bad weather, there are chances that the meeting could stand cancelled. According to the latest reports, Shahs helicopter could not land in Darjeeling due to bad weather.

A day after polling under the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Congress on Saturday claimed that an undercurrent in favour of the INDIA bloc is gaining strength. On the other hand, PM Modi expressed confidence that the BJPs vote share in South India will increase in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as compared to previous general elections.

Lok Sabha Elections Latest Updates

Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal on Sunday accused the BJP-led central government of denying insulin to her husband alleging that it wants to kill him. She asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc will fight against the dictatorship of the BJP and win. They want to kill my husband Arvind Kejriwal. his food is under camera observation; he is denied insulin. My husband is a sugar patient who has been on insulin for 12 years; he needs 50 units of insulin daily, Sunita said at the Ulgulan Nyay Rally in Ranchi.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh will file his nomination for Lok Sabha Election 2024 on April 29 in the presence of other senior leaders.

Two empty chairs  one each for jailed Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal former and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren  were kept on stage as the INDIA bloc organised a mega rally in Ranchi on Ranchi. The Ulgulan Nyay Mahrally was organised mainly by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a large number of its workers wore Soren masks.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will skip the Ulgulan Nyay Rally of the INDIA alliance in Ranchi on Sunday due to health issues.

Shri Rahul Gandhi was all set to campaign today in Satna and Ranchi where the INDIA rally is being held. He took ill suddenly and is unable to leave New Delhi for the present. Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji is of course attending the Ranchi rally after addressing a public gathering in Satna, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in an X post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called Lok Sabha polls, a big festival of democracy and said, The country believes from here a new journey into future will also begin.

Addressing a public meeting in Maharashtras Buldhana on Sunday, BJP national president JP Nadda said PM Modi has changed the political definition of India, has changed the style of Indian politics and has changed the way of running of Indian politics.

What was the politics like earlier? Good slogans were used, and promises were made and then forgotten about it.But after the arrival of PM Modi, Indian politics has become the politics of responsibility towards the voter. Instead of vote-bank politics, politics of accountability is being doneWe started moving towards development, he said.

Congress CEC meeting for the state of Punjab took place at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday.

Leaders of 14 political parties, including Congress Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, RJDs Lalu Prasad, NCs Farooq Abdullah, SPs Akhilesh Yadav, and Sunita Kejriwal, wife of jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, are set to participate in the INDIA blocs Ulgulan Nyay rally Ranchi on Sunday.

Posters of INDIA alliance leaders including senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, party MP Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren have been put up at Rally Ground in Ranchi ahead of the Ulgulan Nyay Rally rally of INDIA alliance on Sunday.

BJPs candidate from Kasaragod Parliamentary constituency in Kerala, Ashwini stressed that BJP is growing step by step because PM Narendra Modi after 2014 has brought a lot of developments in India benefitting people of Kasaragod and Kerala.

After PM Modi became the Prime Minister he brought drastic development in infrastructureNot only infrastructure development, we have got some schemes also for the poor people, she added.

Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah expressed confidence in BJPs victory on all five seats of Assam that went to polls on April 19.

In Assam, voting for 5 seats is over and we will win all these 5 seats. Campaigning for 2nd phase is underwayBJP and our alliance party will win 14 out of 14 seats in Assam, he said.

Tamil Nadu registered 69.72% voter turnout in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19, according to the Election Commission of India.

A high-stakes poll battle is likely in Rajasthans Chittorgarh Parliamentary constituency between BJP state president CP Joshi and Congress candidate Udai Lal Anjana, a former Rajasthan government minister.

BJPs star campaigner and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted roadshows in Chittorgarh and Jodhpur campaigning for CP Joshi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also set to address a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy questioned if the BJP was serious about winning the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency. He argued that the party was doing a favour to sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi by fielding a hardcore Hindutva face and ensuring that 60 per cent of the Muslim vote is consolidated towards the AIMIM leader.

Alleging that this is a part of a tacit understanding between the BJP and Owaisi, Reddy said the saffron party is helping him in Hyderabad by fielding a Hindutva face. He added that Owaisis speeches, meanwhile, are helping consolidate Hindu votes across India, including neutral voters.

The BJP should have fielded a Muslim candidate if they were serious about winning Hyderabad. By fielding a Hindutva face, you are ensuring that 50% to 60% voters, who are Muslims, will vote for him (Owaisi). Will any Muslim vote for them there? Can they win with just 40 per cent of other voters? It is all an understanding. They will use his speeches to get Hindu votes across the country, he said.

The Congress is yet to declare a candidate for the Hyderabad seat.

The chief minister also accused the BRS of having an understanding with the BJP. He said the BRS is a non-player in Telangana this time. This is an election where people will vote to either remove Modi or continue him. Those who want to remove him will vote for the Congress, those who want him will vote for the BJP, he said.

Reddy said he is confident that the Congress will win at least 14 to 15 seats in the state and the BRS will not be able to open its account.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated at least 439 sorties to drop polling personnel in helicopters to some of the Lok Sabha constituencies that voted in the first phase on April 19. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said they leveraged the resources of the IAF in the first phase to ensure no voter is left behind.

A formidable fleet comprising 18 MI-17s, 13 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and eight specialised Cheetal helicopters for high-altitude regions was deployed across multiple states to overcome geographical barriers.

In a remarkable display of logistical prowess and commitment to democratic values, the ECI orchestrated aerial operations for polling teams carrying EVM-VVPATs and other material to polling stations in various parts of the country for seamless conduct of elections, leaving no stone unturned in reaching even the most remote and treacherous areas, the poll body said.

The IAF undertook 439 sorties/trips, in addition to Arunachal Pradeshs deployment of two MI-17 to ferry personnel in the state.

MAHARASHTRA TOPS THE LIST, CHHATTISGARH SECOND

The highest number of sorties was in Maharashtra. A staggering 180 sorties facilitated the mobilisation of 850 polling officials to 206 polling stations in the challenging Gadchiroli-Chimur Parliamentary constituency, the ECI said.

The next was Chhattisgarh where 177 sorties were conducted to deploy 1,000 personnel across 156 polling stations in the Left Wing-Extremism affected Bastar region.

In Jammu and Kashmir, 70 sorties transported 189 polling officials and 69 police personnel from district headquarters to the snow-bound enclaves of Marwah and Warwan in Kishtwar district.

As many as 30 polling personnel, including security personnel and sector officers, were airlifted to four polling stations in remote Tali, bridging the gap of 55-75 kilometres from the nearest road head point in Arunachal Pradesh.

In Manipur, eight sorties of an MI-17 helicopter were instrumental in ferrying polling parties to four polling stations in Henglep of Churachandpur district falling under the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency.

Four sorties of an MI-17 helicopter facilitated the airlift of 55 polling personnel from the remote Gaya Aurangabad belt in Bihar.

The Election Commission of Indias tireless endeavours underscore its unwavering resolve to uphold the sanctity of democracy and ensure that every eligible citizen exercises their fundamental right to vote, undaunted by constraints of geography, the poll body said.

The Lok Sabha election is being conducted in seven phases across the county. The elections for 102 seats concluded on April 19 under the first phase. The next phase will be on April 26. The last phase will be held on June 1, followed by counting on June 4.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to Muslims. Addressing a Lok Sabha poll rally in Rajasthas Banswara, PM Modi cited former PM Manmohan Singhs remark about minorities having the first claim on the countrys resources and said the Congress will even snatch mangalsutras from women and give it to infiltrators.

Slamming the grand old party, he said, They have said that if the Congress government comes into power, it will survey everyones property. They will investigate how much gold our sisters have Our Adivasi families own silver. How much silver they have will be recorded. They will check how much property and money the government employees own. This is not it, they also said that the gold owned by our sisters and their other properties will be equally redistributed.

Modi was referring to former Congress president Rahul Gandhis statement from earlier this month, where he said that if voted into office in the Lok Sabha elections, Congress would conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain who is in possession of the wealth of the country, and would then undertake an exercise to redistribute the same.

Addressing the crowd in Banswara, Modi asked people if they agreed with Congress plan.

Do you agree with this? Does the government have the right to seize your property? In the lives of our mothers and sisters, gold is not just for show-off. It is associated with their pride. Their Mangalsutra is not just a matter of gold value. It is associated with the dreams of her life. You are talking about taking it away, he said.

PM Modi further said that after seizing the common mans property, it will be redistributed to those with more children, a reference to Muslims.

Earlier, when their government was in power, they said that Muslims have the first ownership of countriess property. This means that after collecting everyones property, they will distribute it to people who have more children. They will distribute it to infiltratorsShould your hard-earned money go to infiltrators? Do you agree to this? Mothers and sisters, this ideology of urban naxals would not even leave your Mangalsuta with you, he added.

He also accused the Congress party of ignoring the welfare of tribals, saying it could not find a single person from the Adivasi community who could be the President of the country during its 60-year rule.

Modi said that the BJP is committed towards the welfare of the poor and works honestly, but the Congress sells fear, hunger and corruption in its shop.

He alleged that the Congress has always instilled fear among the Dalits, tribals and minorities and is now spreading lies about democracy, the Constitution and reservation to scare them.

But the country is no longer in the grip of fear. That is why their lies are no longer working. In the states with considerable tribal population, the Congress is ousted from power or has been relegated to the third or fourth position There is anger among the tribal population and there are concrete reasons for it, Modi said.

Congress Hits back

The Congress accused PM Modi of lying about the grand old partys manifesto promising to audit peoples wealth and redistribute it.

Sharing a video of the PMs speech in Banswara on X, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said, Look, my countrys Prime Minister is lying again.

While the Congress manifesto delves into the issue of economic inequalities, the party has asserted that it does not talk about redistribution and that it favours a comprehensive socio-economic caste census.

The opposition party had also asserted that Rahul Gandhi did not promise redistribution of the nations wealth in Hyderabad on 7 April 2024 and that his words were misrepresented.

The clarification from Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh came after Rahul Gandhi had reportedly talked about the need to conduct a survey for more equitable distribution of the countrys wealth.

Ramesh also reshared his colleague Kheras post on the microblogging site and wrote, He cannot tell the truth even by mistake referring to PM Modi.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Hitting out at union home minister Amit Shah over his putri prem jibe against him, Sharad Pawar said the kind of opportunities he gave others, he never did to his daughter and three-time Baramati MP Supriya Sule.

My putri! My daughter has been an MP for the past 18 years. Where is the question of putri prem here? She is an MP and ours is a small party. There were certain posts or opportunities and these we are giving to others. Praful Patel lost the election. We inducted him into the government, even though he lost the election. Suryakanta Patil, too, was inducted. Supriya never lost an election. I havent given these types of opportunities to Supriya, but to others. Where is the question of putri? The question of putri comes on merit and, that merit, yes, opportunity to contest an election was given, he said, speaking exclusively to CNN-News18 during his campaign trail in Baramati.

Slamming the union home minister over his remarks about what Pawar has done for Maharashtra in the last 10 years, the veteran leader said: He asks me? What did he do in 10 years? Travel to Maharashtras villages. See what has happened in the cooperative sector, the milk sector, the sugar sector, the educational institutions. I dont know whether they have any moral authority to ask. But they are asking, he said.

Earlier, during his speech at his daughter and MP Supriya Sules first rally in Baramati after nomination filing, he had said: They have been in power for the last 10 years. And yet, they ask me what I have done.

Pawar also spoke about the BJP-led central governments alleged intentions on changing the Constitution. What we are seeing for the past few days, the Modi government and their colleagues are taking a different line. In Bengaluru, one of the members of the Modi government, Hegde, said in his speech that they are eager to change the Constitution that will help Mr Modi take appropriate decisions. If you are openly saying you want to change the Constitution, it shows in which direction you want to go, he said.

Asked about the oppositions claim that the BJP is a threat to democracy and to the Constitution, he said: Definitely, it is a threat to democracy and to the Constitution. Their intention shows, when a minister says so.

While answering a question on the unity of the opposition INDIA Bloc, he said: After elections, the INDIA bloc will consolidate its position. There might be some problems here and there today. Like in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee has said something else. But, after the election, the entire leadership of the INDIA bloc will come together, will work together and will provide a viable alternative to the public at large.

Beti vs bahu: Not correct, but no split in family

The senior NCP leader said he is not happy with the way the daughter-in-law has been pitted against the daughter of the family, in Baramati. What has happened is not correct. But an election is an election, he said, asked about the bahu vs beti fight.

Sule will contest this election against her own sister-in-law and Ajit Pawars wife Sunetra Pawar. The alleged split in the family has been a dominant discussion not only in Baramati, but also outside. I dont think split is the correct word because we have a large family. They are all staying with us. We are seven brothers, four sisters, their children and the next generation. Except one, Mr and Mrs Ajit Pawar and their two children. Except them, each and every member of this family doesnt subscribe to this view and they dont support them, he said.

After the nomination papers were filed, the entire family, including Ajit Pawars younger brother, rallied behind Sule. They have all been campaigning for her in Baramati.

Asked if he was hurt by Ajits decision to split and to field his wife against Sule, he said: I cannot say hurt, but it was a wrong decision taken by some of my family members. And you feel that after they have gone the wrong way, today or tomorrow or day after tomorrow, I dont know when, but certain people may take strong action against them.

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The Thiruvananthapuram constituency is one of 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala. Sharing its name with the state capital, it comprises part of the Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum) district. This is a General category seat. Seven Assembly seats fall under the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. Of these, the CPM currently holds five (Kazhakoottam, Vattiyooukavu, Nemom, Parassala and Neyyattinkara), while the Congress (Kovalam) and Janadhipathiya Kerala Congress (Thiruvananthapuram) hold one each. The constituency will vote in the second phase of general elections on April 26, 2024.

Sitting MP  Shashi Tharoor (Congress)

Candidates  Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP), Panniyan Raveendran (CPI)

Political Dynamics

Considered to be the political nerve centre of Kerala, the Thiruvananthapuram seat is locked in a three-way contest between sitting MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, BJP leader and Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and CPIs Panniyan Raveendran.

The Congress and the CPI are in alliance at the national level as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), but in Kerala, they are contesting against each other as part of the rival state blocs  United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF), respectively.

Pre-2009, Thiruvananthapuram had been shifting its allegiance between the UDF and LDF as both parties managed to win seats for equal terms in past elections.

After Shashi Tharoor started winning from the seat in 2009, with his Global Citizen and god-fearing, temple-going image, the rivals had little chance of regaining the seat.

This time, however, there seems to be a strong undercurrent in favour of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, coupled with the fatigue factor against Tharoor who has been MP from here for 15 years now.

By all accounts, the title fight may come down to Shashi Tharoor vs Rajeev Chandrashekhar with a narrow margin.

The LDF comprises major partners such as the CPI(M), CPI, and Kerala Congress (M).

The UDF includes the Congress, Muslim League, and various regional parties.

The BJP-led NDA is bolstered by the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), backed by the leadership of the SNDP Yogam, representing the influential Ezhava community.

Congress-UDF: Senior Congress leader and three-time MP Shashi Tharoor will be contesting his fourth consecutive Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram this time.

Senior Congress leader and three-time MP Shashi Tharoor will be contesting his fourth consecutive Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram this time. The 68-year-old has been winning this seat on the trot since 2009, the year he wrested it from the CPI.

After winning in 2009, Tharoor had served as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development and Minister of State for External Affairs in Congress-led UPA-1 and UPA-2 governments.

In the 2014 elections, Tharoor had to sweat it out and saw a deep decline in his margin compared to the 2009 victory.

He managed to scrape through in 2009 with a meagre margin of about 16,000 votes to his rival candidate, O Rajagopal of the NDA.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shashi Tharoor scored a hat-trick in the constituency with a wide margin of 99,989 votes over his nearest rival, BJPs Kummanam Rajashekharan.

Campaigning round-the-clock this time too, Tharoor is citing his development work in the constituency to secure a record fourth term from Thiruvananthapuram.

He has been seeking a debate with his competitors in the constituency but said there seems to be reluctance to engage on their part.

He claimed both BJPs Rajeev Chandrasekhar and CPIs Panniyan Raveendran have turned down multiple invitations to debate from a variety of organisations.

Shashi Tharoor has written off any competition from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) but acknowledged a challenge from BJPs energetic and professional poll campaign.

The sitting Thiruvananthapuram MP has also accused the Left of dividing anti-BJP votes in the constituency.

Factional feuds, the lack of coordination, the fight between Congress Kerala unit chief K Sudhakaran and the Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, and local Congress leaders joining the BJP among others have made the poll battle tough for the grand old party in the southern state.

The Congress-led alliance had secured 19 out of 20 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. However, that trend was immediately reversed in the subsequent local self-government polls and the state Assembly elections.

Fatigue factor against Tharoor: There is said to be considerable anti-incumbency against Tharoor on the ground with some voters complaining he has not done much work in the constituency.

There is said to be considerable anti-incumbency against Tharoor on the ground with some voters complaining he has not done much work in the constituency. The Congress cadre too seem to be low on enthusiasm for Tharoor.

They reportedly wanted the ticket to be given to someone else this time and were not too happy at Tharoor being given the Thiruvananthapuram ticket for the fourth time.

Tharoor has played down the fatigue factor in interview, arguing that fatigue settles in when there is stagnancy and that his terms have seen anything but that.

Women, who made a huge chunk of Tharoors support base earlier, too seem less gung-ho about the sitting MP this election season.

BJP: The BJP has fielded three-time member of the Rajya Sabha, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, as its candidate from Thiruvananthapuram.

The BJP has fielded three-time member of the Rajya Sabha, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, as its candidate from Thiruvananthapuram. The NDA candidate selection was done with the utmost care, as the BJP wanted a leader who could take on Shashi Tharoor in full steam.

Chandrasekhar, whose latest Rajya Sabha term ended on April 2, is raring to contest his first Lok Sabha elections.

The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and Information Technology, Chandrasekhar has worked with global tech giants, such as Intel.

In 1991, he returned to India and founded BPL Mobile in 1994. He was one of the pioneers to invest in and build the Indian telecom sector.

The 59-year-old also contributed in the formulation of the New Telecom Policy (NTP 99) that led to the growth and success of the cellular sector.

He later founded Jupiter Capital as a private equity investor in 2006 and was its chairman till 2014. Jupiter Capital owns the leading news media outlet in Kerala, Asianet News.

Chandrasekhars parliamentary journey began in 2006. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in May 2006, representing Karnataka.

Once a chip designer, he has been a key voice of the Narendra Modi government on issues, including digitisation, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI).

He has also been vocal in questioning tech giants, particularly social media companies, on their policies and products.

A votary for a free and open internet and net neutrality, Chandrasekhar had opposed certain decisions taken by the previous Congress-led UPA government.

In his parliamentary career, Chandrasekhar has been a member of the key standing committee on finance, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Joint Committee on Data Protection Bill, 2019 and the consultative committee on education and IT.

A union minister since July 2021, Chandrasekhar has been associated with the Vivekananda International Foundation.

Along with door-to-door campaigns, Chandrasekhar is focussing on special events like seminars, meetings with people, and press conferences to get his points across in the Hindu-dominated constituency.

While the Congress is pinning its hopes on roadshows in Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP has made a concerted booth-level push, giving it an edge.

In the 2014 elections, the BJP-led NDA had managed to secure the second position in the constituency for the first time.

Its candidate O Rajagopal had given sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor quite a scare, narrowing down the margin of the latters victory to just 16,000.

Assets controversy: The Congress had recently moved the Election Commission complaining there is a mismatch between the actual assets of Chandrasekhar and those that he has declared in his election affidavit.

The Congress had recently moved the Election Commission complaining there is a mismatch between the actual assets of Chandrasekhar and those that he has declared in his election affidavit. The Election Commission directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to verify any mismatch in the affidavit details submitted by Chandrasekhar.

The union minister then clarified that his taxable income for the financial year 2021-22 sharply reduced to just Rs 680 due to the losses he suffered during the Covid-19 period.

Defamation notice saga: Union Minister and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar has sent a legal notice to Shashi Tharoor, accusing the Congress MP of making defamatory statements against him on a TV channel recently.

Union Minister and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar has sent a legal notice to Shashi Tharoor, accusing the Congress MP of making defamatory statements against him on a TV channel recently. Chandrasekhar has alleged that the Congress leader disseminated patently false information about bribing of key voters and influential figures such as parish priests, among others, by the BJP candidate.

Chandrasekhar has contended that the statements also disrespected the Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram and its leaders as Tharoor accused them of engaging in cash-for-votes.

The notice sought Tharoor to immediately withdraw all the allegations made against Chandrashekhar on April 6, tender an unconditional public apology to him on print and electronic media.

Hitting back, Tharoor has sent his own legal notice denying the charge and demanding an apology from Chandrashekhar for making false and fraudulent allegations.

Leveraging Modis popularity: The BJP is leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modis frequent visits to Kerala, emphasising developmental agendas tailored to the states needs.

The BJP is leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modis frequent visits to Kerala, emphasising developmental agendas tailored to the states needs. The partys campaign slogan, Modis guarantee, underscores its reliance on the Prime Ministers popularity and leadership in Kerala.

Returning to the state, PM Modi attended two public meetings in Kerala on April 15, including one in Thiruvananthapuram.

This was Modis sixth visit to the state. He had last come to Kerala on March 19 when he held a massive roadshow in Palakkad district.

His Palakkad roadshow followed his participation at a public meeting in Pathanamthitta town on March 15, where he rallied support for NDA candidates contesting in the southern Kerala constituencies.

Prior to that, he had visited the state twice in January and once in February. These visits included both official and party functions.

CPI-LDF: Challenging Shashi Tharoor and Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the Left Democratic Front is CPI leader Panniyan Raveendran, a champion of the common man known for his soft-spoken demeanour.

Challenging Shashi Tharoor and Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the Left Democratic Front is CPI leader Panniyan Raveendran, a champion of the common man known for his soft-spoken demeanour. Raveendran previously served as the constituencys representative in a 2005 by-election following the demise of the incumbent MP, PK Vasudevan Nair, also from the LDF.

The LDF believes that the simple and easily accessible image of Panniyan, as he is popularly known in the state, will help him influence the voters and wrest the constituency back, defeating both the Congress and the BJP.

As a politician, Raveendran is likeable enough, but whether this would translate into votes is not clear, especially since the CPM and CPI cadre havent been as visible on the ground as the BJP or Congress ones.

Panniyan Raveendrans own campaigning too is not as aggressive as the BJP or Congress rallies.

Raveendran has been concentrating more on the rural parts of the constituency during his campaign, with occasional programmes in the city. The LDF has a stronger vote bank in rural areas.

As was seen in 2019, the possibility of a section of Left supporters crossvoting in favour of Congresss Shashi Tharoor cannot be ruled out since the LDF would want to keep the BJP out at all costs.

Caste and community factors: The BJP is primarily eyeing the majority Hindu votes in the constituency, which comes to around 76.8% of the voter list as per the 2019 election statistics.

The BJP is primarily eyeing the majority Hindu votes in the constituency, which comes to around 76.8% of the voter list as per the 2019 election statistics. The saffron party has been making inroads into areas like Vizhinjam where the Nadar community is present in higher numbers.

But most importantly, it has been reaching out to the Latin Catholic voters in the fishing community.

BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrashekhar has also been making promises that directly speak to the fishing community, assuring them of pukka houses as well as cheaper and cleaner fuel for their boats.

Tharoor is, however, confident that the coastal community in Thiruvananthapuram wont vote for the LDF or the BJP.

He said he believes that the coastal community knows that neither the LDF government in its eight-year-long tenure nor the BJP-ruled Centre in the past 10 years has done anything for them.

Both LDF and UDF are focussing on the Hindu majority votes and, at the same time, are also looking to tap into the Christian (14%) and Muslim (9.1%) votes in the constituency that may get consolidated against the BJP.

Voting pattern: Thiruvananthapuram has a majority of urban voters, and past voting patterns show that there is a considerable number of neutral voters who vote based on the capacity of the candidate over political affiliations.

Thiruvananthapuram has a majority of urban voters, and past voting patterns show that there is a considerable number of neutral voters who vote based on the capacity of the candidate over political affiliations. The elections this year will be mostly dependent on the swing in neutral votes and also on how the minority coastal Christian belt and Muslim voters decide to vote.

Voting planks: Tharoor rides on the hope that his global image will help him win the constituency for the fourth time.

Tharoor rides on the hope that his global image will help him win the constituency for the fourth time. The NDA, on the other hand, is trying to cash in on the non-performance of the three-term MP and trying to woo the urban elitists and neutral voters with the foreign-educated Chandrasekhar.

CPIs Raveendran, on the other hand, hopes his work as an MP for the constituency during the 20052009 period will help him and that the people will reject both the UDF and NDA candidates this time.

Key Constituency Issues

Demands by Latin Catholics: With candidates aggressively wooing the Latin Churchs support for Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has come out with a 15-point charter of demands.

The Latin Church in Kerala is composed of 12 dioceses and 20 lakh members.

Their demands include: Implementation of caste census for reservation benefits; Withdrawal of cases against community members in Vizhinjam port agitation; Release of the JB Koshy Commission report on economic conditions of Christians; Address problems in Moolampilly rehab, Bonacaud Kurisumala, black sand mining; Address concerns of coastal highway project, announce rehabilitation package for those affected by it; Sustainable coastal protection measures; Address problems and livelihood issues due to Vizhinjam port; and avoid delay in implementing Coastal Zone Management Plan 2019.

Probe against Pinarayi Vijayans daughter: In March-end, the Enforcement Directorate filed a money-laundering case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter Veena Vijayan and her IT firm for allegedly receiving illegal payments from a Kochi-based private firm.

In March-end, the Enforcement Directorate filed a money-laundering case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter Veena Vijayan and her IT firm for allegedly receiving illegal payments from a Kochi-based private firm. The ED booked Veena Vijayan and her company after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), an investigative arm of the Union Corporate Affairs Ministry.

Reacting strongly to the registration of the case, CPI(M) in Kerala accused the central probe agency of doing daily labour for the ruling BJP at the Centre.

The opposition Congress, which has been alleging a secret pact between the BJP and CPI(M) in the state, said it was an election stunt ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP justified the move, saying corrupt people should have to face the consequences too.

Citizenship Amendment Act: With its staunch opposition to the CAA, the Left expects the support of the progressive segment of the electorate along with the minorities.

With its staunch opposition to the CAA, the Left expects the support of the progressive segment of the electorate along with the minorities. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has labelled the Citizenship Amendment Act as unconstitutional, against human rights, and a challenge to the idea of India.

The state cabinet has also decided to pursue legal measures aligned with the state governments stance against the contentious law.

According to an official statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office (CMO), the Advocate General has been tasked with initiating legal proceedings in the matter, further to the original suit that is before the Supreme court.

The BJP in turn accused Pinarayi Vijayan of making such statements with the intention of fostering communal division before elections.

It said the decision to withdraw cases registered against the anti-CAA protestors was taken to appease a particular community.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the Presidents assent, but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many opposition parties speaking out against the law, calling it discriminatory.

This act grants citizenship to undocumented migrants of all religions  except Muslims  from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Manipur violence impact: The violence in Manipur allegedly targeting Christians and their churches has also, to an extent, dented the BJPs bid to reach out to Christian community in Kerala, whose support is considered crucial for the party to end its electoral drought in the state.

The violence in Manipur allegedly targeting Christians and their churches has also, to an extent, dented the BJPs bid to reach out to Christian community in Kerala, whose support is considered crucial for the party to end its electoral drought in the state. The Christian communities here have expressed their concerns over the matter during their meetings with BJP leaders and central ministers.

The saffron party has tried to address their concern, meeting the community leaders more often and trying to convince them that the violence in the northeastern state is not a communal one but due to the rivalry of the tribal groups.

Human-animal conflict: The issue of human-animal conflict has also emerged as a major point of discussion in Thiruvananthapuram besides the forested districts in Kerala.

The issue of human-animal conflict has also emerged as a major point of discussion in Thiruvananthapuram besides the forested districts in Kerala. While the Left has been vocal in advocating for conservation and sustainable development measures, a stand which the Congress also supports partially, the BJP has blamed the state government saying it lacks political will to implement the provisions of the central Acts to deal with the wild animal menace.

The Congress party blames both the state and the central government for the rise in human-animal conflicts.

Water Scarcity: Despite assurances from the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) about sufficient water reserves, Thiruvananthapuram residents, particularly those residing in elevated areas, are facing severe water scarcity.

Despite assurances from the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) about sufficient water reserves, Thiruvananthapuram residents, particularly those residing in elevated areas, are facing severe water scarcity. The situation has led to a surge in demand for water tanker services, with residents relying on the Smart Trivandrum app to book water deliveries.

Recent pipe bursts in several areas have exacerbated the problem, leaving residents in Jawahar Nagar, Medical College, and Sreekariyam struggling to access drinking water. Tanker lorry drivers report a significant increase in demand for their services, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

While the KWA claims that the Peppara dam has enough water to last until June, the current water levels remain below optimal. Additionally, residents near the Choozhampala water source have raised objections to tankers drawing water from the area due to local scarcity.

Drainage: Thiruvananthapuram, despite experiencing relatively low rainfall compared to other parts of Kerala, faces recurring flooding due to inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor urban planning. Recent heavy rains once again exposed the citys vulnerability, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting daily life for residents.

Thiruvananthapuram, despite experiencing relatively low rainfall compared to other parts of Kerala, faces recurring flooding due to inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor urban planning. Recent heavy rains once again exposed the citys vulnerability, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting daily life for residents. The city lacks a comprehensive drainage master plan to effectively channel rainwater runoff to the sea. While the Operation Anantha initiative aimed to address urban flooding, it fell short of its objectives due to local opposition to the construction of a crucial breakwater at Veli.

Akkulam Lake, the citys primary water body for receiving floodwater, is heavily silted and polluted, further hindering drainage. Additionally, the construction of roads and other infrastructure has obstructed natural waterways, exacerbating the problem.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for a permanent water outlet to the sea at Veli, as suggested in the KSDMAs hazard assessment report. A breakwater with modern technology, such as Duckbill Check Valves, is crucial to ensure the smooth flow of floodwater and prevent saltwater intrusion into Akkulam Lake.

Voter Demographics

Social composition

SC  11.3%

ST  0.8%

Religious composition

Buddhist  0.01%

Christian  19.1%

Jain  0%

Muslim  13.72%

Sikh  0.01%

Major Infra Projects in Thiruvananthapuram

Smart City 2.0: The Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation has been chosen for the Union governments Smart City mission 2.0.

The Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation has been chosen for the Union governments Smart City mission 2.0. The corporation had also been chosen for the first Smart City mission in 2017.

Projects worth Rs 1,135 crore are currently being implemented in the state capital under the scheme.

The deadline to complete projects under Smart City 1.0 is June 2024.

The second phase of the project will focus on waste management.

Vizhinjam International Seaport: The Vizhinjam International Seaport is a significant infrastructure project in Kerala. Planned to be one of Indias deepest seaports, it aims to transform the state into a major transshipment hub and boost maritime trade and logistics activities in the region.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport is a significant infrastructure project in Kerala. Planned to be one of Indias deepest seaports, it aims to transform the state into a major transshipment hub and boost maritime trade and logistics activities in the region. It is strategically positioned to serve as a hub for trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

In February this year, the Kerala government said it would approve signing the tripartite agreement to get the Viability Gap Fund released to the Adani firm constructing the Vizhinjam international transhipment hub and seaport, on the condition that the second and third phase is completed by 2028.

The tripartite agreement would make available the viability gap fund of Rs 817.80 crore allocated by the central government to Adani Vizhinjam Private Port Limited (AVPPL), which is constructing the port.

The state government expects that finishing the project 17 years before the scheduled deadline will bring in huge investment within a short period.

The CMO said that as per the terms of the agreement, AVPPL, was supposed to complete the construction on December 3, 2019.

Even though AVPPL had cited unforeseeable and unavoidable events such as Cyclone Ockhi and floods in the state as reasons for not completing the project within the stipulated time, the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) had rejected the request for extension of time for completing the project, the CMO said.

Kerala Coastal Highway: The Kerala Coastal Highway is being constructed between Pozhiyur in Thiruvananthapuram and Kunjathur near Kasaragod, with a total length of 624km.

The Kerala Coastal Highway is being constructed between Pozhiyur in Thiruvananthapuram and Kunjathur near Kasaragod, with a total length of 624km. The KRFB will construct 468 km of the highway, while the National Highways Authority of Indias (NHAI) Bharatmala project will construct the remaining portion.

The fishing community in Kerala has been protesting against the project, citing displacement of the community, and impact on the environment as well as their livelihood.

Light Metro Project: The Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro Project (TPI) is a medium-scale project that will improve urban connectivity in the capital of Kerala.

The Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro Project (TPI) is a medium-scale project that will improve urban connectivity in the capital of Kerala. The project is estimated to cost Rs 4,219 crore and is funded by the Kerala government, the Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTL), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The projects first phase is planned to cover 27.4 km from Pallipuram Technocity to Pallichal via Karamana-Kaimanam.

The second phase will cover 14.7 km from Killipalam to Kazhakoottam via Technopark, Lulu Mall, Chacka, and Eanchakkal.

Trivandrum Outer Ring Road: The Thiruvananthapuram Outer Area Growth Corridor (OAGC) is an 80 km six-lane ring road proposed for Thiruvananthapuram. It is also known as the Outer Ring Road (ORR) project.

The Thiruvananthapuram Outer Area Growth Corridor (OAGC) is an 80 km six-lane ring road proposed for Thiruvananthapuram. It is also known as the Outer Ring Road (ORR) project. It comprises a 63-km stretch from Vizhinjam to Navaikulam via Thekkada on NH66 and a 12km reach from Thekkada to Mangalapuram.

The project is critical to developing the Vizhinjam and surrounding areas into a commercial hub.

The decision on the sharing of costs for the project between the central and state governments has been put off till after elections.

The state government had reportedly agreed to shoulder 50% of the costs for land acquisition. However, it later requested its burden be reduced to 25%.

Greenfield corridor projects: The Bharatmala Pariyojana includes several greenfield corridor projects for Kerala, including ThiruvananthapuramKasaragod Coastal Highway and PalakkadKozhikode Greenfield Highway.

The Bharatmala Pariyojana includes several greenfield corridor projects for Kerala, including ThiruvananthapuramKasaragod Coastal Highway and PalakkadKozhikode Greenfield Highway. The ThiruvananthapuramKasaragod Coastal Highway is 14-metre-wide highway that will start at Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram district and end at Kunjathur in Kasaragod district. The Kerala government is bearing the estimated cost of Rs 6,500 crore.

The PalakkadKozhikode Greenfield Highway will start at Marutharode village in Palakkad and end at Pantheeramkavu in Kozhikode. The central government first designed the alignment of the project in 2018, and it is expected to cost Rs 8,000 crore.

Mumbai-Kanyakumari corridor: The corridor, with a total length of 1,619km and being built at an estimated cost of Rs 90,000 crore, is expected to transform the landscape of Kerala and reduce travel time between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram from 17 hours to seven hours.

The corridor, with a total length of 1,619km and being built at an estimated cost of Rs 90,000 crore, is expected to transform the landscape of Kerala and reduce travel time between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram from 17 hours to seven hours. High-Speed Rail: The Government of Kerala in association with the Ministry of Railways has decided to construct a semi high-speed rail corridor of 529.45 km length from Thiruvanathapuram to Kasaragod which will take only four hours to travel between the two cities by traversing at a dream speed of 200 km/h. This project is known to be SilverLine.

The Government of Kerala in association with the Ministry of Railways has decided to construct a semi high-speed rail corridor of 529.45 km length from Thiruvanathapuram to Kasaragod which will take only four hours to travel between the two cities by traversing at a dream speed of 200 km/h. This project is known to be SilverLine. The corridor, connecting Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram, will have an operating speed of 200kmph, and will ease the transport between North and South ends of the state and reduce the total travel time to less than four hours, compared with the present 10 to 12 hours.

The intermediate stations include Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kochi Airport, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur.

Curves on Kerala rail routes to be straightened: The railways have initiated efforts to straighten out sharp curves along railway lines between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore to enhance the speed of trains running between these stations.

The railways have initiated efforts to straighten out sharp curves along railway lines between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore to enhance the speed of trains running between these stations. The railways expect to complete these works within the next three months.

Vande Bharat extension: The Ministry of Railways has approved extension of train number 20632/20631 Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express up to Mangaluru.

The Ministry of Railways has approved extension of train number 20632/20631 Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express up to Mangaluru. The trains will operate six days a week, except Wednesday.

The train will halt at Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kollam.

Solar energy project: The Kerala government last year launched an ambitious project to turn every rooftop in Thiruvananthapuram into a solar energy-producing station.

The Kerala government last year launched an ambitious project to turn every rooftop in Thiruvananthapuram into a solar energy-producing station. Through this project, the state capital aims to become one of the largest solar cities in the country.

The Kerala government-run Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) had also held a three-day expo, where the public was invited to purchase various solar energy systems to implement a central government scheme that was launched in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Smart City Mission.

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As many as 73 trains on the Ambala-Amritsar route were cancelled on Sunday as farmers continued to squat on tracks at the Shambhu railway station in Punjabs Patiala district for the fifth day, officials said.

The protestors have been demanding the release of three farmers arrested by the Haryana Police during the ongoing stir.

A total of 73 trains were cancelled on Sunday, the railway officials said.

The cancellation of trains over the last five days was causing financial losses, besides inconveniencing passengers, they said.

Many trains were also being diverted due to the farmers protest, they added.

The farmers have been protesting under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) in Patiala districts Shambhu.

They began their protest for the release of arrested farmers on Wednesday by squatting on the tracks on the Ambala Ludhiana-Amritsar route in Shambhu near the Punjab-Haryana border.

Farmer leaders have said the protest will continue until the three farmers are released.

The SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM are spearheading the Delhi Chalo march by farmers to press the government to accept their demands, including legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

The farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 when their march was stopped by the security forces.

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After reports of a bird flu outbreak affecting two panchayats in Alappuzha, State Health Minister Veena George has directed the health departments director to initiate appropriate measures under the Kerala Public Health Act of 2023.

Panchayat-level committees have been tasked with assessing the situation and implementing essential measures. This directive applies to all panchayats in Alappuzha and nearby areas under observation, with instructions to revive One Health committees in the panchayats.

The health minister emphasised that although bird flu hasnt yet affected humans in the state, its important to take precautions to prevent its spread, according to a report by The Times of India.

Confirmation of bird flu came from ducks in Ward 1 of Edathva Grama Panchayat and Ward 3 of Cheruthana Grama Panchayat, following tests conducted on symptomatic duck samples sent to a Bhopal lab. District officials confirmed the presence of avian influenza (H5N1).

On Friday, the states Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) conducted bird culling operations in the affected areas of Kuttanad in Alappuzha.

As per The Hindu report, approximately 21,000 ducks will be culled in Edathua and Cheruthana, the epicenters of the bird flu outbreak. Additionally, all domesticated birds within a one-kilometer radius of the outbreak zones will undergo culling.

Tamil Nadu Sets Up 12 Border Check Posts

To curb the spread of bird flu from Alappuzha, vigilance has intensified at 12 border check posts in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. These posts, located in places like Anaikatti, Walayar, and Velandavazham, are equipped with a veterinary doctor and support staff. Vehicles carrying poultry products are being stopped and turned back, while disinfection measures are applied to vehicles entering from Kerala.

As per the report, 432 samples from poultry farms have been examined, showing no signs of bird flu.

What is H5N1?

According to Live Science, H5N1, also known as bird flu, is a highly pathogenic subtype of avian influenza A, known for causing severe illness in poultry and occasionally transmitting to humans and other mammals. Although primarily affecting birds, it can lead to fatal outcomes in non-bird species, including humans. The virus was first identified in China in 1996, with notable human fatalities during outbreaks, including one in Hong Kong in 1997.

Bird flu primarily spreads through contact with infected animal fluids such as saliva, respiratory droplets, or feces. It can infect the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and other body parts, potentially leading to severe illness. However, properly cooked poultry and eggs pose no risk of transmission, and any infected flocks are removed from the human food supply immediately.

Symptoms

In humans, symptoms of H5N1 infection can vary widely. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they may range from no symptoms or mild illness, such as eye redness (conjunctivitis) or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms, to severe cases requiring hospitalisation.

Common symptoms include fever (temperature of 100F [37.8C] or greater), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Less common symptoms may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures. Its important to note that fever may not always be present.

Detection

Diagnosing bird flu virus infection in people requires laboratory testing, as clinical signs and symptoms alone are not sufficient. Typically, a swab is collected from the upper respiratory tract (nose or throat) of the affected individual for testing. The accuracy of testing is higher when the swab is obtained during the initial days of illness.

In severe cases, collecting and testing specimens from the lower respiratory tract may aid in diagnosis. However, in some cases where patients have recovered or are no longer severely ill, detecting the bird flu virus in a specimen may prove challenging.

Treatment

During an interview with Hindustan Times, Dr. Rahul Agarwal, Consultant Internal Medicine at CARE Hospitals Hitech City Hyderabad, explained that treatment for bird flu usually consists of antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu). These medications can aid in reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. However, Dr. Agarwal cautioned that the effectiveness of these medications may differ based on the specific strain of the virus and the overall health condition of the individual.

In addition to antiviral medications, supportive care is often necessary, especially for individuals experiencing severe symptoms. This may include rest, hydration, and, in some cases, hospitalisation for close monitoring and treatment, Dr. Agarwal added.

Precautionary Measures

Dr. Gupta also shared important tips for flu prevention, underscoring the significance of several measures. These include avoiding contact with sick birds, maintaining good hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing, and ensuring poultry products are cooked thoroughly. Furthermore, wearing protective gear while handling sick birds or cleaning contaminated areas can provide an extra layer of defence, effectively lowering the risk of transmission.

While bird flu outbreaks can be concerning, the risk of human-to-human transmission is generally low. However, health authorities closely monitor these outbreaks to prevent the spread of the virus and protect public health. Staying informed and following the guidance of health officials can help mitigate the risks associated with bird flu, he added.

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A video capturing the tragic accident involving Pankaj Tripathis sister and her husband has surfaced online, shedding light on the harrowing incident that unfolded near Grand Trunk Road (GT) Road in Nirsa, Jharkhand.

The accident occurred on Saturday around 4.30 pm at Nirsa Bazar on the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-2. In the footage, the severity of the crash becomes apparent as the car collides with a divider near Nirsa Market Chowk. The aftermath of the accident reveals the devastating consequences, with Rajesh Tiwari losing his life and Sarita Tiwari sustaining critical injuries.

Actor Pankaj Tripathis brother-in-law Rakesh Tiwari died in a road accident. Pankaj Tripathis sister was injured in this accident.According to the police, the accident occurred on the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-2 at Nirsa Bazaar when Pankaj Tripathis brother-in-laws car pic.twitter.com/ZTqJCZrxz5  Angry Saffron (@AngrySaffron) April 21, 2024

Rajesh, employed by the Indian Railways and stationed in Chittaranjan, was reportedly heading back to his workplace from Kamalpur in Gopalganj, Bihar when the incident happened. The sudden collision resulted in his demise upon arrival at Dhanbad Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, Sarita Tiwari, Pankaj Tripathis sister, is battling for her life in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) of the same hospital. Reports indicate that she suffered severe injuries in the accident and is undergoing intensive medical treatment to stabilise her condition. The incident has sent shockwaves through the family and the community, prompting an outpouring of support and prayers for Saritas recovery.

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A major fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi on Sunday evening, officials said. We received a call regarding the fire at 5:22 pm. Two fire tenders were pressed into service. Efforts are being made to douse the fire. Local police have been informed, a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said.

A senior Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official said excavators have also been pressed into service to control the fire. Meanwhile, the BJP hit out at the Delhi government, alleging that it had promised to clear the Ghazipur landfill site by December 31 last year but did not keep its word.

#WATCH | Fire breaks out at Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi pic.twitter.com/c0mNz0qAB8 ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2024

In a statement, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that as a result of the fire at the landfill site, smoke has engulfed the entire area, causing inconvenience to residents and businesses. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised to clear this landfill site by December 31 last year, before the 2022 MCD elections. However, instead of clearing the garbage, more was added.

In 2019, the height of the Ghazipur landfill was 65 metres, only eight metres less than the Qutub Minar. In 2017, a portion of the garbage at the dumping yard fell on an adjacent road, killing two people.

Three incidents of fire were reported at the Ghazipur landfill in 2022, including one on March 28 which was doused after over 50 hours.

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The authorities in Madhya Pradeshs Guna district on Sunday demolished the illegal portion of the house of a 20-year-old man after he was arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting his female friend, an official said.

The accused also put an instant adhesive into the 23-year-old womans eyes, the official said.

The woman approached the police on Wednesday, saying she had been living with accused Aayan Khan for ten days. But he turned violent when the woman asked him to marry her, she alleged.

Khan allegedly hurled abuses at the woman and thrashed her with a belt and put a strong glue into her eyes, the official said citing her complaint.

The official said Khan was arrested on Thursday when he was carrying 60 litres of country liquor on his motorbike. He has been booked for rape, assault, and charges under the Excise Act, the police official said.

The authorities on Sunday demolished the illegal portion of his house, he added.

An ophthalmologist from a Guna-based private hospital who treated the woman said she had sustained serious injuries to one of her eyes. She was sent to Gwalior for advanced care, he added.

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A tragic event unfolded in Punjabs Amritsar when a man reportedly tied his pregnant wife to a bed and set her on fire in Buled Nangal village. The 23-year-old woman, six months into her pregnancy, lost her life on the spot, police said.

The incident occurred on Friday, sparking shock and outrage in the local community. According to officials, the couple, identified as Sukhdev and Pinky, frequently engaged in arguments.

On the fateful day, their altercation escalated, leading Sukhdev to commit the heinous act before fleeing the scene, police added.

Sukhdev and Pinky had a strained relationship and would quarrel over various issues. On Friday too, they had a heated argument after which Sukhdev killed Pinky and fled, officials said.

The authorities have initiated a search for Sukhdev, who remains at large, as per NDTV report.

Taking to social media platform X on Saturday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) strongly condemned the incident and urged the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav to apprehend the perpetrator.

Appalled by the horrifying incident in Amritsar where a man allegedly set his pregnant wife on fire. The brutality of this act is unimaginable. Honble Chairperson NCW @sharmarekha has written a letter to DGP Punjab to arrest the perpetrator and submit an action report in three days, the NCW wrote in the post.

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At least nine people died in a road accident after the van in which they were travelling collided with a truck in Rajasthans Jhalawar district on Saturday night. The accident took place in Panchola near Aklera.

According to Jhalawar Superintendent of Police Richa Tomar, the group of 10 people were returning from a marriage procession in Madhya Pradeshs Khilchipur when the accident took place. While three men were killed on the spot, six others died during treatment at the hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem, the official added.

Following the accident, the driver of the truck fled the scene but was detained later. An investigation into the case is underway.

There were 10 people in a van, 9 people have died in the road accident, and one person is seriously injured. The accused has been caught. The vehicle has been seized and an investigation is underway,  ASP Chiranji Lal Meena said.

In a similar incident, four women died and 20 people sustained injuries when a tractor-trolley was hit by a truck in Uttar Pradeshs Mainpuri on Saturday. The accident happened around 4 am near Fardpur village when around 35 people onboard the tractor-trolley were returning from a childs namkaran ceremony, police said.

At least ten people died after a speeding car rammed into a trailer truck from behind on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway near Nadiad town of Gujarats Kheda district on April 17.

The incident occurred when the Ertiga car veered off behind a trailer truck en route from Vadodara to Ahmedabad.

The car was going towards Ahmedabad from Vadodara when it rammed into the rear side of the truck on the expressway. While eight people died on the spot, two injured persons, who were shifted to a nearby hospital in an ambulance, succumbed later, said Inspector of Nadiad Rural police station Kirit Chaudhary.

A man was killed in Andhra Pradeshs Anantapur district after a car hit his bike and travelled 18 kilometres with his body on the vehicles roof. The incident happened on the national highway near Kothapalli in Atmakuru Mandal on April 16.

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The Uttar Pradesh Polices STF arrested four people in connection with question paper leaks in examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, it said on Sunday. In a statement, the Special Task Force (STF) said the arrests were made in Lucknow on Saturday.

The arrested accused are Sharad Singh Patel and Abhishek Shukla of Lucknow, and Kamlesh Kumar Pal and Arpit Vineet of Prayagraj.

A question paper, Rs 2.02 lakh in cash, nine mobile phones, two Aadhaar cards and two cars were seized from the accused, the statement said.

On March 14, the STF arrested Arun Kumar and Saurabh Shukla in this connection from Lucknow. It arrested Amit Singh from Lucknow on April 4.

A case has been registered against the accused at Manjhanpur police station under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act, the STF said.

On March 2, following reports of a paper leak, the Uttar Pradesh government cancelled the preliminary exam conducted on February 11 for the recruitment of review officers and assistant review officers.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed that the exam be conducted again within six months.

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Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important Jain festivals in India. It celebrates the birth of lord Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara in Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti falls on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the Indian month Chaitr. As per the Gregorian calendar, this date usually falls in March or April. This year Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on Sunday, April 21.

Mahavir Jayanti is a gazetted holiday in India, therefore all local and national government workplaces are closed on the occasion. The Jain community celebrates the festival by organising grand chariot processions. The statues of Mahavir are also given ceremonial baths and are beautified.

Mahavir Jayanti also offers an opportunity to revisit the basic tenets of Jainism such as non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), non-stealing (Asetya), and non-attachment (Aparigraha). These principles encourage one to live a harmonious life and let go of negative emotions like greed, animosity, and anger.

Here are 10 wisdom-filled quotes and teachings of Lord Mahavir that preach self-discipline and peace:

10 Quotes by Lord Mahavir

Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. Dont accumulate if you do not need it. The excess of wealth in your hands is for society, and you are the trustee for the same. Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love. Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma. The most important principle of the environment is that you are not the only element. A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesnt realize that the same fate is soon going to overtake him also. That man is a fool. If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort. Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings. Nonviolence is the greatest religion. In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.

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In a bid to highlight the importance of protecting the environment, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. The occasion speaks about the people who work tirelessly with the aim to protect the environment for future generations. The day signifies the importance of safeguarding our mother nature and also promotes the steps to conserve the environment. It acts as a centre stage to promote environmental activism. Though the celebration of Earth Day started in the United States, today over 150 countries take part in the celebration.

ALSO READ: Happy Earth Day 2024: Wishes, Images, Quotes and WhatsApp Status to Share With Your Loved Ones!

Earth Day 2024 Date

Earth Day will be celebrated across the globe on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Earth Day 2024 Theme

This year, the theme of Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics. With this theme, the organisation aims to reduce plastic dependency and make the earth plastic-free.

Earth Day History

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. A U.S. senator named Gaylord Nelson took the step of environmental activism and founded this day with the purpose of uniting people with a common goal. Nelson organised the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with the help of a graduate student from Harvard University named Denis Hayes.

The event was aimed at educating people about environmental issues and ways to conserve. The event strengthened the call for environmental activism, which led to the introduction of two laws named the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.

In 1990, Hayes organised the first global Earth Day with over 200 million people from more than 140 countries.

Earth Day Significance

Earth Day symbolises the need to protect our mother nature. The day encourages every individual to think about environmental conservation and act accordingly. It speaks about the need to reduce carbon footprints, conserve natural resources, and protect wildlife and natural habitats.

The day also serves as a platform to advocate for policy changes that can have a positive impact on the environment.

10 Facts about Earth Day

Earth Day was inspired by Vietnam War protesters Gaylord Nelson, who noticed that everyone was protesting against the war and not talking about the environmental impact of the war, so he decided to start speaking about environmental issues. The date was chosen to appeal to college students, as they are the future generations who are set to face the consequences. In 2009, the United Nations named Earth Day International Mother Earth Day. In 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan to promote the Plant Trees Not Bombs campaign on the occasion of Earth Day. Denis Hayes organised the first global Earth Day in 1990, in which 200 million people across 141 different countries took part. The Earth Day flag was designed by peace activist John McConnell in 1970. At the present time, Earth Day is celebrated across 190 countries. The theme song for Earth Day, named Earth Anthem, was written by poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar. In 2016, France decided to stop food waste. The country banned supermarkets from throwing away unsold food. In 2020, 20 million people across several countries joined the live event virtually as the world was fighting the coronavirus.

How To Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated differently in different corners of the world. Here are some common practices:
Mahavir Jayanti, also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is one of the most important occasions for the Jain community. This special day is observed to celebrate the birth of Lord Mahavir, the last spiritual teacher of Jainism. Celebrated with simplicity, Mahavir Jayanti is a time for Jains to learn the teachings and qualities of their lord.

Across the country, Jain communities come together to honour his legacy through various rituals and traditions. One of the highlights of the day is the Rath Yatra, where the idol of Lord Mahavir is taken on a chariot. Additionally, devotees pray, fast or do charity work as part of the celebration. People also gather at temples to pay their respects and participate in the celebrations. On this auspicious day, lets explore the history and significance of this sacred day.

Happy Mahavir Jayanti Wishes

May Lord Mahavir bless your life with eternal joy and happiness. May no violence and negativities touch you. May you be always showered with abundant opportunities to have a harmonious life. Wishing you a very Happy Mahavir Jayanti. Warm wishes to you on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. My only wish on this divine occasion is that you are blessed with endless knowledge, a stable mind to internalize this knowledge and self-control to use it in the right way. May you always be successful in life. On this auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I send you and your family the best wishes and blessings. May you are blessed with the strength to follow the right path of kindness and goodness. Happy Mahavir Jayanti to you and your family. May your life is full of positivity and brightness, happiness and purity. May you always choose the path of kindness and righteousness. I pray that Lord Mahavirs blessings may bring you peace, joy and success.

Happy Mahavir Jayanti Messages

The beauty and happiness of life lies in simplicity. Simple words have the power to express the greatest thoughts. Wishing you and your family a life of simplicity. Happy Mahavir Jayanti. May Lord Vardhmaan Mahavir bless your life with happiness, knowledge and kindness. May you always follow the right path and enjoy a blessed life. Happy Mahavir Jayanti to you and your family. I always pray to Lord Mahavir to bless you with what you deserve and not what you desire because you truly deserve more than you desire. Warm wishes on Mahavir Jayanti to you. Life is all being kind, helpful and merciful towards all the living beings and non living things. To attain the state of Nirvana, let us be good and kind to all. Happy Mahavir Jayanti to you. On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I wish that Lord Mahavir is always there to fulfill all your wishes and empower you to make all your dreams come true.

Mahavir Jayanti 2024: History

Mahavir was born in Kundalagrama in Bihar, to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. However, theres ongoing debate about his birth date among Jain groups.

According to Swetambar Jains, he was born in 599 BC, while Digambar Jains believe Trishala gave birth in 615 BC. Reportedly, Queen Trisala had 16 dreams before Mahavir was born, predicting the arrival of a pure soul and he grew up to become a respected figure.

Despite being initially married, he left everything and started following a simple life at the age of 30. Mahavir urged people to follow non violent and humble life.

He inspired countless individuals to follow his path. Even today, Mahavirs message continues to guide not just Jain communities but people from various backgrounds.

Mahavir Jayanti 2024: Significance

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to promote peace and harmony through the teachings of the Jain Lord. On this day, a Rath Yatra is organized, while Jain temples across the country are decorated with colourful flags and followers offer food, clothing or money to the needy families.

The religion strongly opposes animal slaughter, so they make donations to prevent such acts. Meanwhile, prayers are also offered in temples to honour Lord Mahavir.

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April 21 is observed as the National Civil Service Day by the Government of India every year. This day is celebrated with the aim of acknowledging the exemplary work done by civil servants across the country. The day also acts as a reminder for civil servants to run the administration of the country with dedication.

National Civil Service Day Wishes

This National Civil Service Day lets pay respect to all the Civil service officials working tirelessly everyday! Happy National Civil Service Day!

Today as we celebrate National Civil Service Day, let us remember all the sacrifices the officials have made to keep us safe!! Happy National Civil Service Day!

On this National Civil Services Day, I extend my warm wishes & greetings to all the civil servants and their families.

Saluting all the civil servants and their families!! Happy National Civil Services Day!!

National Civil Service Day Quotes

The civil servant is a man who serves his country with honesty, integrity, and dedication. Narendra Modi The role of civil servants is crucial in building a strong and prosperous nation.  Manmohan Singh The civil servant has the responsibility to act as a bridge between the government and the people.  Atal Bihari Vajpayee Civil servants are the backbone of the government and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our country.  Pranab Mukherjee The true test of a civil servant is not how much he knows, but how much he cares.  Jawaharlal Nehru

National Civil Service Day History

The first National Civil Service Day was celebrated on April 21, 2006 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The date April 21 was chosen because on this same day, in the year 1947, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel  the first Home Minister of Independent India  addressed the Civil Servants at the All India Administrative Service Training School at Metcalfe House, Delhi. On that day, he delivered a powerful speech and advised the civil officers to adopt the new roles in the Independent nation.

National Civil Service Day Significance

National Civil Service Day remains a significant day in the Indian Calendar. This day speaks about the roles of civil servants in shaping the nations future. It celebrates the hardwork and commitment the civil servants show to serve the public and contribute to the overall development of the nation.

The day acts as a bridge between the public and officials promoting unity for a better future. It also speaks about the importance of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct in the field of public service.

National Civil Service Day 2024: Key Facts
Every year World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated on April 21 to raise awareness about the role of creativity and innovation in human development. This day encourages every individual to use their creativity and innovation for the overall development of humankind. The day is dedicated to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are set out by the United Nations. The theme of this years World Creativity and Innovation Day is Inspire.

Quotes to Inspire You on World Creativity and Innovation Day

Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.  Dr. Albert Szent- Gyorgyi The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.   George Bernard Shaw Innovation is not about saying yes to everything. Its all about saying no to all but the most crucial features  Steve Jobs Creativity is intelligence having fun!  Albert Einstein There is no innovation and creativity without failure  Brene Brown

World Creativity and Innovation Day 2024: Messages To Share

There is always a scope to learn a new way to solve issues around us and we must always be open to find them and try them. Happy World Creativity and Innovation Day.

Lets celebrate the occasion of World Creativity and Innovation Day by thinking out of the box and looking for creative solutions to our problems. Warm wishes on this day to all.

There is always some other way of solving a problem. Wishing a very Happy World Creativity and Innovation Day to you.

We all are creative in some or the other way and that is what the occasion of World Creativity and Innovation Day reminds us to be. Warm greetings on this day to you.

This World Creativity and Innovation Day let us pledge to find innovative ideas to solve modern problems.

World Creativity and Innovation Day: History

World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated as a part of World Creativity and Innovation Week which begins on April 15 and ends on April 21. In 2002, Marci Segal the famous creativity specialist and futurist from Canada founded this day to inspire people to develop creative innovations that will have an impact on human development.

The United Nations declared April 21 as World Creativity and Innovation Day in 2017, recognising the importance of creativity and Innovation for the sustainable development of humans. The United Nations also included the World Creativity and Innovation Day in its initiative Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The World Creativity and Innovation Day was celebrated for the first time in 2018.

World Creativity and Innovation Day: Significance

World Creativity and Innovation Day speaks about the importance of creativity and innovation in human development and solving global problems. This day encourages people and institutions to use their creativity and innovation to develop new innovative solutions that can address global problems. In Addition, the day promotes the need for economic growth, employment and quality of life, which all can be achieved by creativity and innovation.
Aditi Roy Hydari has been making headlines following her engagement with Sidharth. The couple got engaged last month. Well, today the actress was spotted in the city post her salon session. Aditi was seen waving at the paparazzi as she tried to make her way towards her car.

In the video, shared by Snehzala, we can see Aditi wearing a cool casual wear. She opted for a brown tee and flared pants. She kept her hair in a bun style and looked very chic. As soon as she came out of the salon, she was clicked by a camera. The actress also waved at them and sat inside her car. The video went viral on social media.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snehkumar Zala (@snehzala)

Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth made their first joint appearance on April 18 evening ever since they exchanged rings. The couple was snapped by the paparazzi as they arrived for an event in Mumbai. In a video that surfaced on social media, Aditi and Siddharth were seen holding hands as they posed for the cameras and flaunted their million-dollar smiles. Aditi sported a black trouser and paired it with matching off-shoulder body-hugging top. She opted for golden hoop earrings, kept her tresses open and looked breathtakingly gorgeous as ever. On the other hand, Siddharth looked dapper in his casual attire. He wore a blue t-shirt with matching jeans and a denim jacket.

Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharths love story is not secret. Their romance blossomed during the filming of the 2021 movie Maha Samudram. Since then, they have been together. Last month, reports of their secret wedding also made headlines after Great Andhra claimed that the two took wedding vows at the Sri Ranganayakaswamy temple in Srirangapuram, Wanaparthy District, Telangana.

However, later, Aditi revealed that they are not married but engaged. On March 28, 2024, she dropped an engagement photo with Siddharth. In the picture, they held each other close as Aditi flaunted a diamond ring whereas Siddharth sported a gold band on his ring finger with magenta detailing. Captioning the photo, Aditi wrote, He said yes! E. N. G. A. G. E. D.
Imran Khan has been away from the big screen for almost a decade, yet his dedicated fan base eagerly anticipates his return. While there were discussions about Imrans possible comeback in an Abbas Tyrewala spy thriller, he recently clarified in an interview that the project is unlikely to move forward. Despite his initial excitement, Imran expressed relief that the project didnt come to fruition, citing discomfort with the current trend of glorifying and sexualizing violence in cinema.

During his conversation with Film Companion, Imran shared insights into why his comeback project was put on hold. He mentioned, We started talking about it in July of last year. Abbas Tyrewala called me up out of the blue. I was in San Francisco for a holiday and he told me that he has written this amazing thing. It was a cool story, and he asked me to do it together. The project was in early development at Hotstar. This was before the acquisition. The latter part of last year Hotstar got amalgamated with Jio and somewhere within all of this that project felt wayside.

Expressing his views on the current state of cinema, Imran Khan stated, All things said and donethat thing fell into limbo and it doesnt look like it will be resurrected. I am glad that that thing ended up not coming together because I dont want to play a character who solves problems with a gun.

He further added, I have sense where cinema is going globally. There is a glamorisation, fetishization and sexualisation of violence that makes me uncomfortable. I have grown watching action cinema. My heroes were Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Indiana Jones. But there is a way to portray violence and this is not a morality thing. Violence and action are a language within cinema but when we communicate it and portray it in films, there is a way to do it where you feel the weight of it.

Imran Khan referred to a scene from the movie Joker, featuring Joaquin Phoenix, describing it as brutal and horrifying, noting how it profoundly affected him. He remarked, We have started making films where heroes will just go in and go boom and boom. They make it cool and sexy and that makes me uncomfortable.

Last year, Imran mentioned that he is reading scripts. Instant Bollywood quoted Imran Khan saying, I dont have a clear answer, but I am reading scripts and having creative conversation with filmmakers. So, hopefully, next year.

Recently, news came in that Imran Khan and Imran Khan and his rumored girlfriend Lekha Washington have rented an apartment together from filmmaker Karan Johar.
Miss World 2017 and actor Manushi Chhillar recently praised Sandeep Reddy Vanga and said she admired Rashmika Mandannas performance in Animal (2023). In an interview with Zoom, when asked about rumours of her being offered a role in the film, she said she wasnt aware of them but wished she had known.

When asked which character she would have chosen between Rashmika Mandannas and Triptii Dimris roles if the rumours were true, Manushi replied, I love him (Sandeep Reddy Vanga). See, both are really interesting roles (Rashmika Mandannas and Triptii Dimris characters). But I loved Rashmikas character because, in this whole world where men were fighting each other, she really stood her ground.

In Animal, Rashmikas character Geetanjali is married to Vijay, played by Ranbir, while Triptiis character Zoya has an affair with him. She really confronted a man. She held him accountable. She said I dont care about who you are, what you are doing outside, and how dangerous you might be. But youre my husband, and I will hold you accountable. Her character had an arch. I felt that was such a good opportunity, and she did a great job. So, thats a role I would have loved to do, Manushi said.

After the massive success of Animal, Ranbir Kapoor fans are eagerly waiting for the films sequel Animal Park. However, looks like they will have to wait a little longer for the movie. Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently attended an award show in Mumbai when he shared an exciting update about the films sequel but revealed that the shooting will begin only in 2026.

This is going to be bigger and wilder than Animal, Vanga said as quoted by E-Times and then added, The shooting of the film will begin by 2026. Reportedly, Vicky Kaushal is being considered for a negative role in Animal Park.
Pankaj Tripathis sister, Sarita Tiwari, and her husband, Rajesh Tiwari, were in a road accident near GT Road in Nirsa around 4 PM on Saturday. Sadly, Rajesh Tiwari passed away, while Sarita Tiwari sustained serious injuries and is currently being treated at the SNCU of Dhanbad Medical College Hospital. Rajesh Tiwari and his wife Sarita Tiwari were traveling from Kamalpur in Gopalganj, Bihar, to Chittaranjan, West Bengal. Their car (WB44D-2899) crashed into a divider near Nirsa Market Chowk. Rajesh Tiwari was pronounced dead upon arrival at Dhanbad Medical College Hospital, while Sarita Tiwari is in critical condition and receiving treatment in the surgical ICU, as reported by HT.

Rajesh Tiwari, Pankaj Tripathis brother-in-law, was employed by the Indian Railways and stationed in Chittaranjan. Family members stated that he was traveling back to Chittaranjan from his village when the accident occurred, leading to his unfortunate demise.

In August 2023, the actor lost his father. An official statement from the family was released and it read, Its with a heavy heart to confirm that Pankaj Tripathis father, Pandit Banaras Tiwari is no more. He lived a wholesome life of 99 years. His last rites will be performed today amongst his close family. Pankaj Tripathi is currently on his way to his village in Gopalganj. His father was 99. Since then, Pankaj Tripathi had dedicated his big National Award win to him and also opened a library in his village high school, as a token of remembrance for him.

When the actor won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Mimi, the actor had issued a statement, along with declaring that the award was dedicated to his father. The statement read, This is unfortunately a period of loss and grieving for me. If Babuji was around, he would have been really happy for me. When I first got the National Award mention, he was very proud and pleased. This National Award I dedicate to him and his spirit. Im who Im today because of him. Im in a loss of words due to this time but Im happy and grateful to the team. Kriti also has won the Best Actress, so a huge congratulations to her.

Pankaj Tripathi was last seen in Murder Mubarak, directed by Homi Adajania. The Netflix film was released on March 15.
In the latest episode of Netflixs The Great Indian Kapil Show, comedian-host Kapil Sharma had a blast with actors and brothers Vicky Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal. Kapil didnt hold back, poking fun at Vicky about his wife, actress Katrina Kaif and teasing Sunny about his rumoured girlfriend, actor Sharvari Wagh. Kapil even quizzed Vicky about his Valentines Day traditions, both before and after tying the knot. Vicky revealed that despite the change in marital status, the goal remains the same: spending quality time together.

Vicky said, Earlier, the idea was to spend quality time together and now also the idea is the same. Vicky and Katrina got married in December 2021. Before that, they kept their relationship private and were never spotted together.

Vicky also joked that when he and Sunny would go out with their father, they would often find Sunny falling into the gutter. The actor also shared that when they were kids, they were scared of a particular guest coming to their home. They knew that if the guest arrived, he and Sunny would have to dance in front of them.

Kapil also hinted at Sunnys rumoured relationship with actor Sharvari Wagh, saying, Valentines Day should be on 14th Sharvari, oh sorry, 14th February. Sunny laughed off the joke and Vicky said, He is not even waiting for your responses, punch pe punch aa raha hai.

Vicky Kaushal will be next seen in Chava. It is directed by filmmaker Laxman Utekar, known for movies like Kriti Sanon starrer Mimi (2021), Luka Chuppi (2019) and more. Utekar and Vicky Kaushal will work together once again after their previous venture, the comedy romance Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023). Chhava is reported to be a period drama, where Kaushal will share the screen with Rashmika Mandanna. According to sources, Kaushal is set to portray the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of the Maratha Empires founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Vivek Gomber, known for his role in Chaitanya Tamhanes Court, catapulted to fame with Rohena Geras poignant drama Sir in 2018. He then went on to play parts in critically acclaimed series like Mira Nairs A Suitable Boy, Bombay Begums and most recently, Disney+ Hotstars crime thriller Lootere. In an exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha, the actor discussed his experience of working with Hansal Mehta and Jay Mehta, the types of roles he wants to take up and why he is nothing like his most-memorable character, Ashwin.

Talking about his unusual script choices, Vivek said, Sometimes there are choices. Sometimes theyre just circumstances and sometimes, they lack of choices. I do try to be a little particular when I try and get a job  about who Im working with, what Im working with and in terms of the characters. Lootere came at a time in 2021 when we were just kind of coming out of COVID. And I was just very happy to have an audition.

In the hijack-thriller series, he plays an influential businessman. Looking back at why he said yes to the series, Vivek said, (Laughs) Every little young boy wants to play with guns and run around and scream! So, you know, why wouldnt I say yes? I would like as much responsibility and new kind of roles that I havent tried that I could do. Theres something Jay and Hansal sir had in mind in the world that they wanted to create. Of course, an actor brings something very unique to it, which is inherent in the actor, but youre still kind of joining someones vision. So it was very exciting to know where the limits are, how much you can play with it. Im very grateful that my auditions worked, and that they trusted me.

Viveks nuanced portrayal of Ashwin in Rohena Geras Sir remains one of his most memorable performances. But Vivek says hes nothing like that in real life. On being told that director Jay Mehta said hes quite the opposite in real life, Vivek agreed. Yeah, Im not Ashwin or Vikrant Gandhi! Also, definitely not killing and screaming people. I understand what Jay means about a different side to me. Working together, you get close and see everything. Some have seen me do plays like President is Coming 20 years ago. So, yeah, Im all of those things and none of those. Definitely not Ashwin; hes too much of a good guy! he said.

Talking about if Indian productions are willing to take more chances and risks, Vivek, who produced Chaitanya Tamhanes The Disciple that went on to win the Best screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival, he said that it also depends on what people want to watch. Its a symbiotic relationship. The new OTT channels have been here for a few years now, and theyre all trying to find their identities and gauge our Indian audience. I think the financial responsibility part of it is quite huge, especially after COVID scared everybody. The industry is trying to come back, and we need people to go to theaters because thats very important. OTT giving a different option and taking risks is also very important, and I think theyre trying to do it, even though maybe theyre not able to do the numbers. That is because we are also in a very sensitive climate, he said.

Lootere in streaming on Disney + Hotstar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray claimed that in 2019, during Devendra Fadnavis tenure as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Fadnavis had expressed his intention to groom Thackerays son, Aaditya Thackeray, as the next CM of the state, as part of a power-sharing agreement between the two parties.

Thackeray also said that the senior BJP leader had told him that he would move to the Centre in the next two to three years.

Addressing a rally in Dharavi on Saturday, the former Maharashtra CM claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was the then BJP chief, had come to Matoshree, the private residence of the Thackerays, to seek an alliance with Shiv Sena (undivided). He added that he was assured that the post of chief minister would be shared for 2.5 years between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Sena-undivided.

At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders (Shah and Thackeray) discussed modalities, he claimed.

Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind, Thackeray said.

Uddhav Thackeray also claimed that when he asked Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, Fadnavis said he would move to Delhi.

Uddhav has lost his mind: Fadnavis

Reacting to Thackerays claim, Fadnavis, the current Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government of BJP, alongside Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, stated that Thackeray had lost his mind.

Uddhav Thackeray has become bhramishta (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told, Fadnavis said.

However, he admitted to having told Uddhav Thackeray that his son, Aaditya, should be groomed as he would eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day.

Fadnavis further asserted that he wouldnt even make Aaditya a minister, let alone a chief minister.

Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldnt make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when MVA was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in its current situation today, he stated.

(With inputs from PTI)

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
In a scathing rebuke of his own party, Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath said on Sunday that he openly named eight people, whom he believes are involved in his daughters murder. However, the Karnataka government has failed to apprehend them.

Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Councillor from Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and a first-year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student at KLE Technological University in Hubballi, was killed by her former classmate Fayaz at her college earlier this month.

She Refused Religious Conversion: Hubballi Congress Councillor On Why Daughter Neha Was Murdered; CID To Probe Case

Nehas murder on the campus of her college here sparked widespread condemnation and protests across the state.

#WATCH | Karnataka: On the murder of his daughter in her college premises, Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, Niranjan Hiremath says, I have given the names of 8 people openly. They have not even caught one person. I am losing faith now. They are pic.twitter.com/rycJhQG5Z3 ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2024

I am losing faith now

The victims father, in a conversation with news agency ANI said that he has given the names of 8 people openly but not even one person has been caught. He further said, I am losing faith now. They are trying to divert my case. Give it to CBI if you cannot do it The commissioner in this case is a lady, even then she is not taking a girls murder seriously She is working under some pressure I demand the commissioner should be transferred for negligence in the case I demand that the case should be given to CBI.

Read More: Hand Over Case To CBI If: BJPs Nadda On Hubballi Murder After Meeting Congress Councillor Hiremath

On Sunday, BJP National President JP Nadda reiterated the Congress Councillors demand for a CBI probe. Nadda raised this issue during a visit to the residence of Niranjan Hiremath. While speaking with the reporters, the BJP chief alleged that the Karnataka government is trying to influence the probe to dilute the case.

Shocking incident

BJP President JP Nadda called it a shocking incident and condemned it saying that CM Siddaramaiahs and Home Minister G Parameshwaras statements on this incident are objectionable.

Nadda further said, Their statements dilute the investigation. The people of Karnataka will not spare the current government for its appeasement politics. The state government should hand over the case to the CBI if the State Police is incapable of a fair probe. Hiremath has also demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident as he has less faith in the State police, Nadda was quoted as saying by ANI.

The murder of Neha has snowballed into a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Karnataka. This case could prove to be damning for Congress during the election season. While the ruling party has tried to project it as an incident with a personal angle, the saffron party branded it love jihad and said it points to the deterioration of law and order in the state.

Muslim Outfits To Observe Bandh Today

Muslim organisations have called for a bandh on Monday, condemning the murder of Neha Hiremath in Hubballi recently.

Dharwad based Anjuman-e-Islam President Esmail Tamatgar said that all the businessmen from Muslim community will observe bandh from 10 am to 3 pm on Monday to offer their condolence to the departed soul and protest the brutal incident.

(with agency inputs)

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
BJP National President JP Nadda on Sunday said that the father of the Hubballi murder victim is demanding a CBI probe into the case which has gripped the Congress-ruled Karnataka.

Nadda made these remarks during a visit to the residence of the Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, whose daughter was stabbed to death earlier this month. Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath was killed by her former classmate Fayaz at her college, following which police nabbed the perpetrator within an hour of the crime. Talking to reporters here, the BJP chief alleged that the Karnataka government is trying to influence the probe to dilute the case.

This is a shocking incident and we condemn itCM Siddaramaiahs and Home Minister G Parameshwaras statements on this incident are objectionable. Their statements dilute the investigation. The people of Karnataka will not spare the current government for its appeasement politics. The state government should hand over the case to the CBI if the State Police is incapable of a fair probe. Hiremath has also demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident as he has less faith in the State police, Nadda was quoted as saying by ANI.

Hubballi | BJP National President JP Nadda says, This is a shocking incident and we condemn itCM Siddaramaiahs & Home Minister G Parameshwaras statements on this incident are objectionable. Their statements dilute the investigation. The people of Karnataka will not spare pic.twitter.com/fAKKe1bMrJ ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2024

State officials on Sunday said Hubballi Dharwad City Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar appreciated the police team that successfully nabbed the accused in the recent murder case of a 23-year-old student college student inside the campus. Sukumar also gave away Rs 25,000 as cash prize apart from appreciation letters to each member of the team, they said. According to the police, senior officers had formed a special team under the leadership of ACP Shivaprakash Nayka and Police Inspector D K Patil to trace the accused in the case.

The officers and staff of the team swiftly coordinated with each other and managed to chase Fayaz who had managed to escape after the brutally killing Neha Hiremath at BVB college campus on April 18. The team, however, managed to arrest the accused within an hour of the crime and subsequently sent him to judicial custody. The murder of the daughter of the Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath on the campus of her college here sparked widespread condemnation and protests.

The issue has snowballed into a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP in Karnataka. While the ruling party has tried to project it as an incident with a personal angle, the saffron party branded it love jihad and said it points to the deterioration of law and order in the state.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Challenging claims of BJPs limited presence in South India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exuded confidence that his party will win a significant number of seats in the southern region in the Lok Sabha polls, including in the state of Kerala.

In an interview with Kerala-based Mathrubhumi newspaper, the Prime Minister countered views that the BJP lacks a presence in the South, saying, This narrative suits the perspective of a few political analysts, but the facts tell a different story. When asked if South India was a difficult terrain in the last election, he replied, Your question is not factually correct. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP was the single largest party in Southern India.

Sharing my interview with Mathrubhumi, in which I speak about various issues and why Kerala is all set to support NDA!https://t.co/gMMXptmxbQhttps://t.co/fiosAugzfg pic.twitter.com/Tb3KHc1yo5 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2024

I categorically reject it

You may also know that three of our party presidents have come from South India. In 1984, when we were reduced to only two seats, one of them was from Southern India. Thus, the BJP has a very close link with the South. Looking at the present, I have been traveling across Southern India, and the response wherever I have gone has been phenomenal. I am confident that South India will bless the BJP in record numbers this time, the Prime Minister added.

Responding to a question on the narrative of the strong North-South divide, he said, This narrative of dividing India into north and south propagated by the opposition is utterly shameful, and I categorically reject it. Indians from across South India have also firmly rejected this charge. Both the UDF and LDF aim to divide India along the lines of caste, creed, state, and religion to confuse the voters and cling to power.

On Kerala

Speaking about the BJPs chances in Kerala, Modi said, Karyakartas of the BJP and aligned organisations have been working on the ground for a long time. Be it a social cause or a natural calamity, they are always visible serving the people. In the 2021 Assembly Elections, our vote share rose significantly. This is because the youth of Kerala, the women of Kerala, the poor people of Kerala, and the farmers of Kerala are now starting to see the BJP as a ray of hope. They view the BJP and the NDA as entities that can fulfill their aspirations.

The UDF and LDF have only taken Kerala backward; they have never moved Kerala forward. So yes, the situation is changing, and the scenario is set to change even further. The 2021 results revealed what lies ahead. The BJP is expected to grow even more in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and we are confident that in time, the BJP will have MPs from Kerala and will also eventually form the state government, he added. The Prime Minister also criticised the state governments governance, citing financial mismanagement and prioritisation of ministerial perks over public welfare. He assured BJPs commitment to Keralas progress, citing increased tax devolution and substantial pandemic aid.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal on Sunday accused the BJP-led central government of denying insulin to her diabetic husband, and alleged that it wants to kill him.

She asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc will fight against the dictatorship of the BJP and win. They want to kill my husband Arvind Kejriwal. His food is under camera observation; he is denied insulin. My husband is a sugar patient who has been on insulin for the last 12 years; he needs 50 units of insulin daily, Sunita said at the Ulgulan Nyay Rally in Ranchi.

She claimed that her husband was jailed for working for the people and no charges could be proved against him. We will fight against dictatorship and win. The gates of jail will break and Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren will come out, she said.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He is lodged in Tihar jail. My husband was put behind bars. He fell prey to political conspiracy without being guilty. They say the probe is on. My husband is a patriot. He loves his nation and not the power, she said.

Sunita claimed her husband is a lion who is not going to bow down before dictatorial forces. She said her husband has given a message from jail to people to vote out the corrupt BJP and has promised that AAP and people will build a great nation. If the INDIA bloc comes to power, there will be free electricity for the poor round the clock, she said, urging people to wage a war against dictatorship.

Sunita said tyranny wont work and her husband cannot be kept behind bars for long. She said uninterrupted power supply, free electricity for the poor, government schools, Mohalla Clinics and multispeciality hospitals, minimum support price for farmers will be there once INDIA bloc wins the election.

Besides Sunita, jailed former chief minister Hemant Sorens wife Kalpana Soren, JMM supremo Shibu Soren, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, National Conference head Farooq Abdullah took part in the public meeting. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and others also attended the rally in a mega show of strength for the opposition bloc.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said he has received a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remove the words Jai Bhavani and Hindu from his partys new anthem, but he wont abide by it.

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray said asking for the removal of Jai Bhavani from the anthem was an insult to Maharashtra.

Thackeray said his party has come up with an anthem to popularise its new poll symbol, mashal (flaming torch), and the ECI has asked for the removal of the words Hindu and Jai Bhavani from it.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded Hindavi Swaraj with the blessings of goddess Tulja Bhavani. We are not asking for votes in the name of the goddess or Hindu religion. This is an insult and will not be tolerated, Thackeray said.

The Sena UBT chief said he will continue the practice of saying Jai Bhavani and Jai Shivaji in his public meetings.

If the poll body takes action against us, they will have to tell us what they did when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who while campaigning for the Karnataka assembly elections, had asked people to say Jai Bajrang Bali and press the button on EVMs. Amit Shah had told people to vote for the BJP to get Ram Lalla darshan for free in Ayodhya, he said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has asked the ECI whether the laws had been changed and if it was okay now to ask for votes in the name of religion, he said.

The poll body has not responded to our letter and the reminder we sent. In the reminder, we had said if the laws have been changed, we will also say Har Har Mahadev in our election rallies. The former chief minister said his father, Balasaheb Thackeray, was barred from voting and contesting elections for six years because he campaigned for Hindutva when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister.

The party had also asked the ECI to clarify whether speeches made by PM Modi and Amit Shah during the recent assembly elections invoking religion were corrupt practice (under the Representation of People Act), he claimed.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Many of us often romanticise the past, longing for a simpler time. However, its important to recognise that while we may have missed out on witnessing some wonderful historical moments, we have also been fortunate to avoid some of the most horrific events in history. Isnt it remarkable to think about how fortunate we are to have escaped the horrors of some of the worst punishment and torture methods in human history? Prepare yourself as we are delving into the grim subject of the most painful ways a person can meet their end.

Throughout history, there have been numerous harrowing examples of excruciating deaths. Take, for instance, the cruel fate of a man who faced repeated dunkings in boiling water until death claimed him, all for the alleged crime of poisoning two beggars. Ladbible points out a more recent event. According to their report, there was the tragic case of an individual hurled down a manhole into boiling water, a nightmarish scenario that took rescue workers four grueling hours to retrieve the body.

Archaeological findings have also revealed the horrors of the breaking wheel, a torture device that led to a mans demise in a most brutal manner. On a similarly grim note, historical records suggest instances where individuals were confined to an oubliette, a dark dungeon where they were left to languish until their inevitable demise, informs the portal.

However, according to South African forensic pathologist Charmaine van Wyk, there is one method that stands out as the most horrific. In an interview with Newsweek, van Wyk highlighted a form of execution known as necklacing as particularly gruesome. This method reportedly involves placing a tyre soaked in petrol around a persons body and setting it ablaze, causing unimaginable pain as the victim remains conscious throughout the ordeal.

Van Wyk compared this method to mediaeval torture practices that aimed to prolong suffering, citing crucifixion as an example. In crucifixion, the victims body weight pulls down on their injuries, hindering their ability to breathe properly, and forcing them to use their impaled arms to lift themselves up for each breath, reports Ladbible.

Scaphism, another ghastly form of execution, involves coating a person in honey to attract insects, ensuring a slow death by starvation and insect consumption. Contrasting with these gruesome methods, an autopsy technician highlighted cancer as one of the worst ways to die due to the profound physical deterioration it causes.

Overall, as per the portal, being buried alive, radiation exposure, encountering a pyroclastic flow and experiencing decompression are among the most horrifying fates a person can endure.
If you are in Italy, you could avail yourself of some free wine but theres a catch. An Italian restaurant named Al Condominio in Verona is providing its customers with a free bottle of wine. However, to be eligible for the offer, customers will have to surrender their mobile phones before their meal. As per a popular Instagram handle, restaurants owner Angelo Lella started the place in the Northern Italian city in March. He aimed to encourage the visiting diners to engage in conversations rather than glancing at their smartphones.

Speaking to The Guardian, the owner said, Technology is becoming a problem  there is no need to look at your phone every five secondsThis way they have an opportunity to put it aside and drink some good wine.

Meanwhile, the Instagram post has so far attracted more than 68,000 likes. Several users have also reacted to the post with one of them commending the owner for his efforts. A true man of class, giving away items that would cost money just for the consumer to enjoy their time there, he wrote. Another hilariously joked that he needed an owner like that in the office. Get this man in office ASAP, he wrote.

In one reply, a netizen suggested that she does not drink but would happily give up her phone for the complimentary reward. I dont really drink. If they gave me a complimentary blunt, Id happily give up my phone, she commented. Another person seemed to agree as he wrote, I dont drink wine but that sounds like a great offer.

Angelo Lella further talked about the ideas origin. We wanted to open a restaurant that was different from the others. So we picked this format  customers can choose to renounce technology while enjoying a convivial moment together, the portal quoted the owner as saying.

This idea of free wine for a break from the internet is seemingly working well for the restaurant. Al Condominio has reported that nearly 90 per cent of the patrons accept this offer during their visit to the place. The response has been very positive. Ninety per cent of the customers have opted to leave aside their phones in exchange for wine. It really is a beautiful thing to see people embracing it, the restaurant owner concluded.

Al Condominio is regarded as the first restaurant in the Veneto region to adopt such a unique initiative. However, there are still other examples of restaurants that offer vouchers to customers who give up their phones.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on issues from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over global stability.

The rivals are at odds on numerous fronts, including Russias war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the South China Sea, North Korea, Hong Kong, human rights and the detention of American citizens. The United States and China also are battling over trade and commerce issues, with President Joe Biden announcing new tariffs on imports of Chinese steel this past week.

The State Department said Saturday that Blinken, on his second visit to China in less than a year, will travel to Shanghai and Beijing starting Wednesday for three days of meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected, although neither side will confirm such a meeting is happening until shortly before it takes place.

The department said in a statement that Blinken would discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

He will also talk about progress made in resuming counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence, and strengthening people-to-people ties and will reaffirm how important it is for the U.S. and China to be responsibly managing competition, even in areas where our two countries disagree, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The trip follows a phone call this month between Biden and Xi in which they pledged to keep high-level contacts open, something they had agreed to last year at a face-to-face summit in California. Since that call, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has visited China and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart. Meetings at lower levels also have taken place.

Despite those encounters, relations are rocky. The U.S. has recently become more vocal in its calls for China to stop supporting Russias military-industrial sector, which Washington says has allowed Moscow to boost weapons production to support the war against Ukraine.

We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade, Blinken said Friday. Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it cant on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.

Blinken also has pushed for China to take a more active stance in pressing Iran not to escalate tensions in the Middle East. He has spoken to his Chinese counterpart several times since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago as he has sought Chinas help in getting Iran to restrain proxy groups it has supported, armed and funded in the region.

That topic has taken on new urgency since direct back-and-forth attacks by Iran and Israel on each others soil in the past week.

Also high on the agenda for Blinken will be Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The U.S. has strongly condemned Chinese military exercises threatening Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province and vowed to reunify with the mainland by force if necessary. Successive U.S. administrations have steadily ramped up military support and sales for Taipei, much to the anger of Chinese officials.

In the South China Sea, the U.S. and others have become increasingly concerned by provocative Chinese actions in and around disputed areas. In particular, the U.S. has voiced objections to what it says are Chinese attempts to thwart legitimate activities by others in the waterway, notably the Philippines and Vietnam.

That was a major topic of concern earlier this month when Biden held a three-way summit with the prime minister of Japan and the president of the Philippines.
Republican Mike Johnson came out of nowhere six months ago to become speaker of the US House of Representatives, before emerging as an ardent defender of military aid to Ukraine, which the chamber approved Saturday.

The evolution of this 52-year-old Southerner with carefully coiffed hair has been stunning.

An arch-conservative Christian from Louisiana, he shot to the top leadership position in the House in October after the unprecedented ouster of then-speaker Kevin McCarthy in a rebellion by far-right lawmakers allied with Donald Trump.

After several candidates were proposed, then discarded, Johnsons name came up  he was a virtual unknown to the American public  and with the blessing of Trump, Johnson become leader of the House and of a Republican congressional caucus at war with itself.

Johnson had for months blocked a vote on the aid desperately needed by Ukraines army as it defended itself against Russian invasion forces.

But recently his tone began to soften. And then, in a head-spinning shift, Johnson last week emerged as a passionate defender of a long-delayed aid package.

That culminated in the vote Saturday in which his chamber, by a strong bipartisan majority, passed more than $60 billion of additional military and financial support for Ukraine.

Metamorphosis

What was behind Johnsons metamorphosis?

I believe Johnson has been convinced, gradually, that America must support Ukraine in our own interests, and that the far-right Republicans demanding otherwise were simply wrong, Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, told AFP.

In December, as previously approved US funding for Kyiv was drying up, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine made a last-ditch visit to Washington to plead for a new aid package.

Zelensky made his way through the halls of Congress accompanied by the Senates top Democrat and Republican, both of them vocal supporters of President Joe Bidens request for $60 billion.

But his meeting with Johnson was held behind closed doors.

Johnson afterward said Biden was asking for billions of additional dollars with no appropriate oversight, no clear strategy to win, and none of the answers that I think the American people are owed.

Since then, however, a series of US and world figures  including British Foreign Secretary David Cameron  worked to persuade Johnson of the high stakes, with some warning that Ukraine could fall by years end unless the US aid came through.

One concession

On Monday, Johnson announced the House would, after all, take up separate bills to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and that he would support them.

Johnson did make one concession to Trump  who had demanded that aid to Ukraine be at least partly in the form of loans  making a part of the package subject to repayment.

But the debt can still be forgiven, and the aid package is almost exactly for the amount requested months ago by Biden.

What was behind Johnsons rethinking?

He didnt want the fall of Ukraine on his hands, Sabato said.

Johnson provided further insight during a news conference Wednesday.

To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys, he said, before adding, his voice choking with emotion, that his son is about to enter the US Naval Academy.

This is a live-fire exercise for me, as it is for so many American families, Johnson said.

It remains unclear whether some of the far-right legislators behind last years ouster of McCarthy might work to unseat Johnson after the perceived betrayal.

The House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, struck a philosophic tone when describing Johnsons thorny choices.

This, he said, is a Churchill or Chamberlain moment  referring first to the wartime British prime minister known for his steely determination and then to Churchills predecessor, his name forever linked to a policy of appeasement.

Without quite casting himself in those terms, Johnson said he views himself as a wartime speaker.

In a somber tone, he added, We have to do the right thing  and history will judge us.
Hamas leaders are seeking a new political base outside Qatar as pressure mounts on the Gulf state to persuade the group to agree to a hostage-release deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Palestinian outfit has reportedly contacted leaders of two Middle Eastern nations, including Oman. This comes as concerns escalate over the potential fallout if Hamas leaders exit Qatar, which has been a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations to free hostages captured on Oct. 7.

Talks, already on shaky ground, face imminent collapse as distrust intensifies between the Palestinian faction and negotiators. The quest for a new political headquarters comes amid pressure from Qatari and Egyptian mediators urging the terror group to ease conditions for hostage release, threatening expulsion otherwise. The talks have already stalled again with barely any signs or prospects for them to resume any time soon, and distrust is rising between Hamas and the negotiators, an Arab mediator is quoted as saying by WSJ.

Doha, Qatars capital, has hosted Palestinian leaders since 2012 under US-backed arrangements. However, US lawmakers and Israeli politicians have slammed Qatar, urging the Biden administration to sever ties with Hamas, alleging support for terrorism. In response to mounting pressure, Qatars Prime Minister, Muhammad al-Thani, declared a review of the countrys mediation role between Israel and Gaza, citing abuse towards Qatar for its efforts to broker a truce in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

This report came as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh landed in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss a fair and lasting peace in the region with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. It was the first meeting between Erdogan and a Hamas delegation headed by Haniyeh since Israel began its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The visit took place amid escalating regional tensions following Israels reported attack on Iran this week.

(With agency inputs)
Iran and Israel appeared to step back from the brink of broader conflict as lawmakers in the United States approved new Israeli military aid on Saturday despite growing criticism of its allys war in Gaza.

Iran downplayed Israels reported retaliation for its unprecedented drone and missile attack, tamping down fears that escalating attacks between the arch enemies could tip over into a broader war in the Middle East.

However a deadly blast at an Iraqi military base underlined the persisting tensions in the region, as did more deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza and intensifying clashes in the West Bank.

Aiming to bolster Israels defences including its Iron Dome air defence system, the US House of Representatives approved $13 billion in new military assistance for the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the aid bill, writing on X, formerly Twitter, that it demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization.

But the Palestinian presidency condemned it as an aggression against the Palestinian people and a dangerous escalation.

The money would translate into thousands of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, said Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

Iran plays down Israel attack

After Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones a week ago in Tehrans first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, Israel had warned it would hit back.

The Iran attack was itself in retaliation for an air strike  widely blamed on Israel  that levelled the Iranian consulate in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards on April 1.

The Israeli retaliation appeared to come on Friday, when Iranian media reported blasts in the central province of Isfahan.

Fars news agency reported three explosions close to Qahjavarestan, near Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekari army airbase.

What happened last night was no attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told NBC News.

It was the flight of two or three quadcopters, which are at the level of toys that our children use in Iran, he added.

As long as there is no new adventure on behalf of the Israeli regime against Irans interests, we will have no response.

No Israeli comment

Israeli officials have made no public comment on what  according to a senior US congressional source who spoke to AFP  were retaliatory Israeli strikes against Iran.

While tensions rose after the attack on Irans consulate, violence involving Iran-backed groups had already been surging across the Middle East since the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Officials in Iraq said one person was killed and eight wounded in an explosion at a military base south of Baghdad housing pro-Iranian armed groups.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said three of its fighters were killed in an Israeli strike in south Lebanon on Saturday.

The Hamas ally has exchanged near-daily cross-border fire with the Israeli army since the Gaza war began.

Violence has also flared in the other occupied Palestinian territory, the West Bank.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 14 people had been killed during a 40-hour Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli army said it killed 10 militants during the raid on Nur Shams camp. The Palestinian health ministry said 11 people were wounded, including a paramedic who was shot trying to reach earlier casualties

Nine members of one family killed

Israel has faced increasing global opposition over its military offensive in Gaza, which has reduced vast areas of the besieged Palestinian territory to rubble.

Iranian political expert Hamid Gholamzadeh said that Netanyahu  who is under pressure over the civilian toll  needs further escalation and another war to distract the worlds attention away from suffering in Gaza.

There have been particular fears about Israels intention to send troops into the southernmost city of Rafah, where most of the population is now sheltering, having fled violence elsewhere.

Foreign ministers of the G7 group of developed economies meeting in Italy on Friday, said they opposed a full-scale military operation in Rafah because of the catastrophic consequences for civilians.

But even without a full operation, the city has been under regular bombardment.

On Saturday, Gazas Civil Defence agency said several areas of Rafah had been hit overnight, including one Israeli strike that killed nine members of a family including six children.

The war was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel has responded with a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,049 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.

Famine fears

Israels military said it had struck dozens of militant targets over the past day, including the site in north Gaza from which a rocket was fired into the Israeli city of Sderot.

Witnesses in the central Nuseirat refugee camp said the Israeli army had told them to evacuate one home, then several were destroyed.

They instruct us to evacuate and return later, but where do we go back? To ruins? asked resident Abu Ibrahim.

A UN report on Friday said multiple obstacles continued to impede delivery of urgently needed aid.

Despite some recent aid convoys reaching Gaza, the World Food Programme cited the real possibility of famine in the north.

Efforts to seal a long-sought-after truce have stalled, according to mediator Qatar.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a staunch critic of Israels war in Gaza, met with Qatar-based Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday, calling for unity among Palestinians.

After Washington vetoed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member state earlier this week, president Mahmud Abbas said his West Bank-based Palestinian Authority would reconsider its relationship with the US.

The Israeli foreign ministry said it was summoning the ambassadors of the 12 countries that voted for the Palestinian bid for a protest talk on Sunday.
The Maldives votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election likely to test President Mohamed Muizzus tilt towards China and away from India, the luxury tourism hotspots traditional benefactor.

Primarily known as one of the most expensive holiday destinations in South Asia, with pristine white beaches and secluded resorts, the strategic Indian Ocean island nation has also become a geopolitical hotspot.

Global east-west shipping lanes pass the nations chain of 1,192 tiny coral islands, stretching around 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator.

President Mohamed Muizzu, 45, won last Septembers presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen, this week freed after a court set aside his 11-year jail term for corruption.

This month, he awarded high-profile infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies as campaigning for the parliamentary elections was in full swing.

His administration is also in the process of sending home a garrison of 89 Indian troops that operate reconnaissance aircraft gifted by New Delhi to patrol the vast maritime borders of the archipelago.

The current parliament, dominated by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of his immediate predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has sought to stymie his efforts to realign the archipelagos diplomacy.

Geopolitics is very much in the background as parties campaign for votes in Sundays election, a senior aide of Muizzu told AFP, asking not to be named.

He came to power on a promise to send back Indian troops and he is working on it. The parliament has not been cooperating with him since he came to power.

Since Muizzu came to office, lawmakers have blocked three of his nominees to the cabinet and refused some of his spending proposals.

Splits in all the main political parties, including Muizzus Peoples National Congress (PNC), are expected to make it hard for any single party to win a majority.

But Muizzus prospects this week received a fillip with the release of his mentor Yameen from house arrest this week.

A court in the capital Male ordered a retrial in the graft and money laundering cases that saw Yameen sent to prison after he lost a re-election bid in 2018.

Yameen had also backed closer alignment with Beijing while in power but his conviction left him unable to contest last years presidential poll on his own.

He instead put forward Muizzu as a proxy, and after leaving the High Court on Thursday, Yameen vowed to continue the running anti-India campaign that helped his ally to victory.

Around 285,000 Maldivians are eligible to vote on Sunday, with results likely by early the next day.
Maldives main ruling Peoples National Congress (PNC) party has won a clear majority in Parliament, results showed on Sunday. President Mohamed Muizzus PNC won 66 of the first 86 seats declared, according to the Elections Commission of Maldives results, which is enough for a super-majority in the 93-member majlis, or parliament.

The vote was key for Muizzus aim to strengthen economic ties with China. With the PNC and its allies holding just eight seats in the previous parliament, Muizzus plans were hampered after his presidential win in September due to the lack of a majority.

Muizzus election as president last year saw Male leaning towards Beijing, with the new leader taking a pro-China stand and acting to remove Indian troops stationed on one of the countrys islets. Six political parties and independent groups had fielded 368 candidates for 93 seats in Parliament.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)  which had previously had a majority of its own  was headed for a defeat with just a dozen seats. Muizzu, 45, had been among the first to vote Sunday, casting his ballot at a school in the capital Male and urging Maldivians to turn out in high numbers.

His earlier campaign theme for the presidential election was India out, accusing his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty. Earlier, Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives operated two aircraft donated by India and assisted in the rescue of people stranded or faced with calamities at sea. Muizzu has taken steps to have civilians take over those activities.

Relations strained further when Indian social media activists started a boycott campaign of Maldives tourism. That was in retaliation for three Maldivian deputy ministers making derogatory statements about Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the idea of promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, Indias own string of islands similar to the Maldives.

According to recent Maldives government statistics, the number of Indian tourists has fallen, dropping that country from being the top source of foreign visitors to No. 6. Muizzu visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China.

(With agency inputs)
Noa Cochva, the 2021 Miss Israel champion, was hit on face with the butt of a protest placard last month during a pro-Palestine rally in New York City, according to a report by the New York Post.

Cochva, who has been serving on the front lines of the Israel-Hamas war as a combat medic since the October 7 attack, was doing advocacy work for Israel in Times Square in New York City when she became the target of the ire of pro-Palestine activists on March 30.

She was visiting for a few weeks and was present at Times Square with pro-Israel activists.

We just saw a huge pro-Palestinian rally, and we wanted to go and do our own thing And then they recognized us when they saw our flag and they threw down our flag and they came down and one of the guys hit me. I had a black eye, I have never had a black eye before, Cochva was quoted as saying by the New York Post.

Cochva was treated in an ambulance after the assault but she was taken aback by the response given by the New York Police Department (NYPD) cops when she complained about the incident.

(They said) we cant do anything, she said. I feel like if youre a police officer, and you see a woman get hit in the face, you should probably find the guy because thats your job, she further added.

She initially let the issue go but decided to press charges on April 10. The NYPD said it does not have a report but later told the New York Post that no arrests were made and the probe was ongoing.

Cochva, who is also a pastry chef, said she served outside Gaza treating not just wounded soldiers but also terrorists from Hamas.

As a combat medic, you take an oath to swear to save every persons life, no matter if hes an enemy or a loved one, she said.

When youre talking with soldiers . . . theres stages that you have to go through to help them to come back to life because their mind is still in Gaza, she further added.

She urged Americans to not get swayed by what she described as Hamas propaganda often published in sympathetic American media outlets.

Theres so many things that Im hearing about people saying there wasnt any rape  people saying there is no proof. I dont understand how in 2024 after the MeToo movement that people can actually say that they dont believe women, she told the newspaper.
Two people died and 14 others were seriously hurt when a mass shooting happened at a block party in Orange Mound in Memphis, Tennessee. The citys interim police chief CJ Davis told local news outlet ABC24 that the shooting happened on the corner of Carnes Avenue and Grand Street, near Orange Mound Park on Saturday evening shortly after 7pm (local time).

BREAKING: Massive gunfight at block party in Memphis, Tennessee. Multiple fatalities pic.twitter.com/pZM1qfTSZn BNO News (@BNONews) April 21, 2024

Videos on social media from the scene showed dozens of gunshots fired at the crowd gathered at Orange Mound Community Center forcing people attending the block party to scurry for cover. The Memphis Fire Department has sent multiple ambulances to the scene.

The top police official told media outlets that they found five shooting victims at the scene. He said that two were pronounced dead on the scene and three others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The police are still investigating and looking for suspects and said at least two fired shots.

He added that 11 more gunshot victims were taken to nearby hospitals in private vehicles, taking the tally of victims to 16. Memphis-based local news outlets said that it is one of the largest mass shootings in Memphis history.

The police further added that the block party was being held without a permit at Orange Mound Park. As many as 300 people were in attendance.
Doctors gave former Pakistan first lady Bushra Bibi a clean chit of health in the presence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and her husband Imran Khans trusted family physician, after a thorough medical examination.

Earlier, Imran Khan, who remains in Adiala Jail, alleged that Bushra Bibi was given food that was laced with toilet cleaner.

According to a report by GeoNews, Bushra Bibi, the wife of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, underwent tests, including endoscopy, at a private hospital in Islamabad and stayed there for six hours.

The report said that Bushra Bibi refused to undergo a blood test and did not provide a blood sample but she took ultrasound, ECHO, and ECG tests in the presence of Imran Khans physician, Dr Asim Yousuf.

The medical reports revealed that Bushra Bibi only had a minor gastric issue and the doctors cleared all the medical reports of the former first lady.

The news outlet said that in the reports that will be submitted to Dr Asim, the jail superintendent, and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) it will be mentioned that Bushra Bibi refused to provide a blood sample.

The accountability court in Pakistan on Saturday ordered that Bushra Bibi should undergo a full medical check-up at any private hospital in two days.

This was after Bushra Bibi moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier this month demanding that her medical examination and tests be arranged at Shaukat Khanum Hospital or another private hospital of her preference to investigate whether she was served poisoned/tainted food.

The Shaukat Khanum Hospital is owned by Khans charitable organisation.

She mentioned in her petition that she was suffering from heartburn and her throat and mouth hurt because she believed that she was being poisoned via the meals she was being served.

Bushra Bibi is currently jailed at Bani Gala  71-year-old Khans home in Islamabad  which has been turned into a sub-jail since she was sentenced in the un-Islamic nikah case in February.

She also claimed in her petition that she was she was subjected to psychological torture at the sub-jail.
One died and seven people were missing Sunday after an apparent accident overnight involving two Japanese military helicopters out to sea, officials said.

A spokesman for Japans Self-Defense Force (SDF) confirmed the late Saturday incident to AFP and said that one person was rescued but later confirmed dead.

Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said rescuers spotted what are believed to be part of the aircraft in the sea, and we believe that the two helicopters crashed.

At this point the cause is unknown, but firstly we do our best to save lives, Kihara told reporters.

He said the helicopters were doing drills to counter submarines at night.

Hours later, Kihara told reporters that the crew member who was rescued was confirmed dead, according to the spokesman.

He also said the ministry retrieved flight recorders and was analysing (the cause of the incident) including possibility of a collision between the two.

The helicopters appear to have crashed during night-time training off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean, broadcaster NHK reported.

Communication with one chopper was lost at 10:38 pm (1338 GMT) off the island of Torishima, and one minute later an emergency signal was received from this aircraft, NHK reported.

Around 25 minutes later, at around 11:04 pm, the military realised that communication with the other aircraft was also lost in the same area.

The Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopters from the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) are mainly based on and operate from naval destroyers.

The MSDF said as there were no other aircraft nor vessels in nearby waters, involvement of another country in the incident is unlikely, NHK added.

Japan is boosting defence spending and deepening cooperation with the United States and other countries in Asia in response to growing Chinese assertiveness in the region and an unpredictable North Korea.

Last April a Japanese army helicopter with 10 people on board crashed off Miyako island in southern Okinawa. There were no survivors.

Two pilots, two mechanics and six crew members were on board the UH-60JA, including an army general from the 8th division.

In January 2022, a Japanese fighter jet crashed in waters off central Ishikawa region, killing two pilots on board.

And in 2019, an F-35A stealth jet crashed into the sea after taking off from northeastern Japan on a training mission.

The pilot, who died in the crash, appeared to have suffered spatial disorientation.

Last November an Osprey military aircraft belonging to the US military crashed off Japan, killing all eight people on board, in the latest of a string of fatal accidents.

This prompted a decision by the United States the following month to ground the tilt-rotor aircraft worldwide. Japan also grounded its fleet of the same aircraft.
The US, for the first time, is poised to impose sanctions on an army unit of ironclad ally Israels Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). According to Axios, US secretary of state Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces Netzah Yehuda battalion in the coming days.

The Netzah Yehuda is being accused of human rights violations in the Israeli-held West Bank.

The outlet said in its report that the battalion and its members will be banned from receiving US Army assistance or training. In 1997, US senator Patrick Leahy framed a law which prohibited American foreign aid and its defence department training programs to cater to foreign security, military and police units who face credible allegations of human right violations.

It is also known as Leahy law.

You can expect to see them in the days ahead, Blinken was quoted as saying by Axios, following a meeting in Italy. The report also pointed out that the sanctions are based on the units actions in the West Bank before the October 7 attacks.

The sanctions have left Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fuming.

Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces! In recent weeks, I have been working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with senior American government officials, Benjamin Netanyahu said.

At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves, the Israeli PM said in a post on X.

The report said that several other IDF and police units were investigated by the US authorities and will not be sanctioned as they remedied their behaviour.

Who Are The Netzah Yehuda

The Netzah Yehuda Battalion is a battalion in the Kfir Brigade of the Israeli military which was created to allow religious Israelis to serve in the army in an atmosphere respecting their religious convictions.

It is a battalion that works as a special unit and consists of ultra-orthodox soldiers, all of whom are men. Many young settlers in the West Bank, who lean to the right of right on the political spectrum and who were not accepted into any other IDF combat unit, made the Netzah Yehuda their home.

The actions of the group came under the notice of the US state department following reports of several incidents of violence against Palestinian civilians towards the end of 2022. The death of 80-year-old Palestinian American Omar Assad in January 2022 also led to the US state department closely studying the Netzah Yehuda battalions actions.

The Israeli government moved the battalion to the Golan Heights due to incidents in which its soldiers used violence against Palestinian civilians.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on decorated soldier and military strategist Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha, who died in a road traffic accident on Tuesday.

Brig-Gen Vezha, along with three other Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) officers, passed away following a head-on collision at the 180km-peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Security in the Politburo Cde Lovemore Matuke announced the conferment of the national hero status yesterday at the Vezha homestead in Chivi, Masvingo province.

The Head of State, President Mnangagwa, who is also the First Secretary of our party, Zanu-PF, through its Politburo, has bestowed on the late Brigadier-General Vezha, who passed away a few days ago, national hero status, said Cde Matuke.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa described Brig-Gen Vezha as a patriot.

We are very happy as a province with the honour bestowed on our hero, Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha, said Cde Mavhenyengwa.

He was a gallant son of the soil who fought for our freedom.

Masvingo Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said Brig-Gen Vezha was a dedicated cadre.

Shadreck was man who sacrificed his life for the security of the nation, he said.

He was one of us in this province and that is why we have come together with the provincial chairperson.

Family spokesperson Mr Chimera Gwatinyanya thanked President Mnangagwa for honouring Brig-Gen Vezha.

We want to thank the President, Dr Mnangagwa, for honouring my brother, he said.

In statement of condolence last week, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said: The unfortunate loss of lives and injuries occurred at a time when the country was preparing to celebrate 44 years of independence. While the nation is in a celebratory mood, your peoples force participates with a heavy heart and deep sorrow.

We share the grief and pain with His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, the family and the nation as a whole as we mourn the departed.

May our dear Lord comfort you during this difficult moment.

May the dear souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.

In a separate statement, ZDF director of public relations and international affairs, Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere, said the accident occurred when a vehicle with the ZDF officers, which was headed towards Kadoma, attempted to overtake and encroached into the oncoming vehicles lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a Mazda CX-5, which was travelling towards Kwekwe.

Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha, Major Thabani Ncube, Major Mqondisi Gumbo and Sergeant Chakabaiwa were involved in a road traffic accident at the 180km-peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road, about 2km from Battlefields.

According to preliminary investigations, it was established that Brigadier-General Vezha attempted to overtake an unidentified vehicle and encroached into the oncoming vehicle lane, resulting in head-on collision with a Mazda CX-5.

Some passengers who were aboard both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injury and are admitted at Gweru and Kwekwe General hospitals. Sunday Mail
On the surface, the news might please those with a conservationist bentTanzania setting aside more and more land for preservation. Look a little closer and what emerges is the brutal toll being exacted on the Maasaipastoralists who are "among the lightest-living people on the planet"in the name of said conservation, writes Stephanie McCrummen in the Atlantic . It's a bitter irony: The Maasai's stewardship of the land over the last four centuries has helped create the ecosystem now so prized, writes McCrummen. They've done such an admirable job tending their land that it's now being seized from them in what the story refers to as the "Great Serengeti Land Grab." And in this case, "conservation" might not mean what you think, as Tanzania caters to wealthy "trophy hunters, and tourists on 'bespoke expeditions,' and cappuccino trucks in proximity to buffalo viewing."

The story focuses on the plight of the Maasaiwhose members are being forced into the unfamiliar environs of cities, where they typically strugglebut it makes clear the issue is happening elsewhere:

"In the past two decades, more than a quarter million Indigenous people have been evicted to make way for ecotourism, carbon-offset schemes, and other activities that fall under the banner of conservation. That figure is expected to soar."

Why? Eco-tourism and the like have become huge money-makers for developing nations, and wealthy tourists from around the world have the potential to fatten the wallets not just of national treasuries but of local politicians who set the rules (and in this case, boundaries). Read the full story . (Or check out other longform recaps .)
Iran's supreme leader on Sunday dismissed any discussion of whether Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there, a tacit acknowledgment that despite the launch of a massive assault, few projectiles actually made through to their targets. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments before senior military leaders didn't touch on the apparent Israeli retaliatory strike Friday on the central city of Isfahan, though air defenses opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of the country. Khamenei made the comments in a meeting attended by the top ranks of Iran's regular military, police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the AP reports.

"Debates by the other party about how many missiles were fired, how many of them hit the target and how many didn't, these are of secondary importance," Khamenei, 85, said in remarks aired by state television. "The main issue is the emergence of the Iranian nation and Iranian military's will in an important international arena. This is what matters." Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles that sought to overwhelm Israel's air defenses in the April 13 attackthe first on Israel by a foreign power since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.

However, Israeli air defenses and fighter jets, backed by the US, the UK, and Jordan, shot down the vast majority of incoming fire. Satellite images analyzed Saturday by the AP showed the Iranian attack caused only minor damage at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, including taking a chunk out of a taxiway that Israel quickly repaired. Iran's attack came in response to a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 targeting a consular building next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, which killed two Guard generals and others. Analysts say Iran and Israel are trying to dial back tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the region.

(More Iran stories.)
Democrats joined Republicans on Sunday in defending House Speaker Mike Johnson in the face of a threat to remove him from his post, the day after he won approval of foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The effort is led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who told Fox News that he'll be ousted unless he resigns, Politico reports. "Mike Johnson's speakership is over," Greene said. Among those speaking against that point of view was fellow House Republican Tony Gonzales, who said on CNN's State of the Union, "I serve with some real scumbags."

Greene's criticism includes the fact that Johnson had the support of Democrats in passing the $95 billion foreign aid package. "These fringe people think they have the high ground," Gonzales said. "They do not." Rep. Michael McCaul, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on ABC's This Week that support for Johnson increased after the vote and that he's proud of the speaker. "A profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and that's what he did," McCaul said, per CNN.

Democrats made no effort to save Kevin McCarthy's speakership last fall, but several of them said this time could be different. Rep. Jared Moskowitz said on Fox News Sunday that removing Johnson now "would only embolden China, it would only embolden Russia. It would only embolden Iran." Rep. Ro Khanna said he'd vote to table a motion to vacate, the mechanism used to remove a speaker, per Politico. He said on This Week that several fellow progressive Democrats also would vote to save Johnson. "He did the right thing here and he deserves to keep his job to the end of this term," Khanna said. (More Mike Johnson stories.)
A race car veered off the track during a competition in Sri Lanka on Sunday and rammed into a crowd of spectators and race officials, killing seven people and injuring 20 others, officials said. Thousands of spectators watched the crash during a race in the town of Diyatalawa in the tea-growing central hills, about 110 miles east of the capital, Colombo. The cause wasn't immediately clear, the AP reports.

A police spokesman said seven people, including four officials, were killed. Another 20 people were being treated at a hospital for injuries, said Nihal Thalduwa. Three of them reportedly were in critical condition. Thalduwa said police have launched an investigation into the accident, which took place during the 17th of the 24 events scheduled. The race, which was co-organized by the Sri Lankan army, was suspended after the accident. About 45,000 spectators had gathered at the race circuit at a Sri Lankan military academy.

(More Sri Lanka stories.)
Christchurch's Anglican and Catholic cathedrals were both destroyed in the 2011 earthquakes, but the Catholic Church has now announced they're returning to their roots.

The stunning Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament sat empty and broken for eight years.

The category 1 heritage building was regarded as the finest Renaissance-style building in New Zealand.

But the 2011 earthquake destroyed it - and where it stood is now a vacant lot.

However, Bishop Michael Gielen has on Sunday announced they're building the next one back at the original Barbadoes St site.

The first Catholic Cathedral was built on Barbadoes St in 1860, as were all subsequent ones since then, but over the past few years there has been a range of other sites considered for the next one.

"We went to the people and we asked them to consider this along with us and 85 percent said they were happy to come back here," Bishop Gielen told Newshub.

And he's excited. "It's a great privilege and responsibility - it's the first Catholic Cathedral to be built from scratch from the ground up."
A young New Zealand mum is picturing her daughter's life without her after doctors found a cluster of incurable tumours on her heart.

Victoria Hudson-Craig, originally from the UK, moved to New Zealand in 2015 where she met her husband and had daughter Ruby in 2017.

The move came as she was in "a dark place" following a melanoma diagnosis in 2013, Hudson-Craig told The Daily Mail.

At the time, alarm bells rang when a shoulder mole, which had changed shape a few times but never concerned doctors, began to bleed down the then 33-year-old's back.

Now, fast-forward 11 years, doctors say her rare form of melanoma is incurable.

It comes after an accidental discovery in October 2020.

Hudson-Craig said she was rushed to hospital for abdominal pain, where they did a scan before surgery.

"The radiologist's hand slipped and accidentally scanned the bottom of my heart - where two tumours were visible," she told The Daily Mail.

After further testing, the mum was diagnosed with four tumours on her heart - three around the bottom of the muscle and one in the middle.

Papworth Hospital in the UK did an analysis that showed it was more likely than anything else that the tumours were a result of melanoma.
FENZ described the blaze as "well alight," with most efforts to put out the fire done externally due to the condition of the building.

Five fire trucks and two aerial appliances were used to fight the blaze, which specialist investigators and police will be investigating today.

Smoke was seen billowing across the suburb in the early hours of the morning.
Dr. Universe,

Do babies open their eyes when they are in their moms tummy?

 Neela, 6, Washington state

My litter mates and I were born with our eyes closed. It takes a week or more for newborn kittens to open their eyes and see the world. But newborn humans can open their eyes and look around right away.

I talked about your question with my friend Cindy Brigham-Althoff. Shes a nurse midwife and professor at Washington State University.

She told me that whether unborn babies can open their eyes depends on their fetal age, or how close they are to being born.

Most babies are ready to be born after about 38 weeks of growing and developing. (Or 40 weeks if you count the way doctors do and add two weeks because its hard to figure out the exact moment the development process starts.) But some babies are born earlier or later.

For the first eight weeks, an unborn baby is called an embryo. Thats the time when all the major body parts develop, including the eyes. An embryos developing eyes are open because the eyelids havent formed yet.

From the end of the 8th week on, the embryo is called a fetus. The end of the 8th week is also when the eyelids form and seal themselves shut. That protects the delicate eyes as they grow and develop. Theyll stay that way until the eyelids unseal at 26 weeks (about 6 months).
A major police operation is underway in Wellington after a woman's body was discovered in the harbour on Sunday morning.

The woman, believed to be 60 to 70 years old, was located in the water off Mahina Bay at around 8am.

"Police are appealing for information that could help identify a person located deceased in Wellington Harbour this morning," a police spokesperson said.

"She was clothed in activewear including a black hooded sweatshirt with white writing."

Police warned residents of harbourside suburbs that there will be an increased police presence as enquiries take place, including shoreline searches.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police and reference event number P058493779.
The baby of a woman killed in Sydney's mall stabbing attack just over a week ago has been discharged from hospital.

Ashlee Good died saving her nine-month-old, who was also wounded in the attack.

She was among six killed on April 13 at Bondi Junction Westfield.

The attacker, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, was also shot dead by police in the shopping centre when he lunged at an officer.

Others injured in the rampage are still receiving hospital care.
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Farmers harvest rice in Hanoi in June 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Vietnam became Singapores biggest rice supplier in value terms for the first time with a 32% market share in the first quarter, followed by India and Thailand.

Singapores total imports were worth nearly S$112.9 million (US$82.9 million), a 23.86% year-on-year increase, according to Enterprise Singapore.

Vietnam accounted for S$36.15 million following an 80.5% increase from the same period last year. India accounted for S$33.63 million and Thailand for S$33.16 million.

Vietnamese rice has become popular in Singapore mainly thanks to its diverse range and abundant availability.

In addition to high-quality white rice, Vietnam also has an 80% share of the countrys glutinous rice market and 73.3% of its fragrant rice market.

Thailand, India, and Japan are its biggest competitors.

To maintain Vietnams spot as Singapores top rice supplier, its businesses need to increase promotion and marketing and keep their product quality consistently high, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore.

Signing a memorandum of understanding with Singapore to enhance rice exports to it would also be an effective strategy, it added.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit will be held from today until tomorrow at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel in Manama by the New York based C3 Summit Intl. LLC.

It is being held in association with the local government authorities and the organizing-hosts, the 120-year-old American Mission Hospital, with the theme The Evolution of Global Healthcare.

International healthcare leaders from organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School, Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, from the USA, and those such as Mubadala Healthcare and Amana healthcare from UAE will be speaking at the event with many other business leaders in the Arabian Gulf region.

There will be key discussions with leaders from Bahrains Supreme Council of Health, Ministry of Health, National Health Regulatory Authority, Government and Private Hospitals. Continuing over a decade of international healthcare forums, C3 Summit Intl.

will assemble healthcare and business leaders, policy makers, government and industry professionals from the international community. Knowledge transfer With a focus on knowledge transfer and healthcare innovation, the C3 Bahrain Davos of Healthcare Summit will bolster and promote world healthcare initiatives that are focused on strengthening security and business relations between the regions.

Healthcare diplomacy continues to be a major theme of the Summit, Ransel Potter, the founder of C3 Summit International.

This C3 Davos of Healthcare Summit will provide a unique opportunity for speakers and attendees to identify major healthcare challenges and cutting-edge solutions.

Mission Dr. George Cheriyan, Corporate CEO and Chief Medical Officer of the American Mission Hospital said, we are honored to be the organizing-hosts of the C3 Healthcare Summit in recognition of the newly opened King Hamad American Mission Hospital in Manama, Bahrain.

Our hospitals mission has always been to provide the most advanced healthcare and medical services to our country and people. C3 represents a perfect partner for this international gathering of leaders from Bahrain and the region to share their knowledge and the latest advances in medicine and healthcare delivery, Dr Cheriyan added.

We are grateful for the support of the Economic Development Board, Tamkeen, and the Ministry of Health in organizing this event, he added.
KFH-Bahrain key official leaves position after 20 years of service

KFH-Bahrain key official leaves position after 20 years of service

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Kuwait Finance House Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain) announces the resignation of Mr. Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat from his position as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Alkhayyat has served in this role for over 20 years, and his departure marks the culmination of an era characterized by giving, excellence, and growth.

During his tenure, Mr. Alkhayyat has been instrumental in propelling KFH-Bahrain to new heights, establishing the bank as a leading player in the Islamic banking sector.

His contributions to support the Board of Directors strategic vision have resulted in achieving well-deserved distinction for KFH-Bahrain through diversity in services and businesses.
Bahrain Shura to debate on proposed labour law amendments for domestic workers

Bahrain Shura to debate on proposed labour law amendments for domestic workers

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Shura Council will evaluate the Services Committees final report on the proposed amendments to the kingdom's labour law today.

These amendments are designed to regulate the costs related to hiring domestic workers in private homes, addressing the rising expenses of recruitment and management.

The current law does not specify a maximum fee for employing domestic workers.

The proposed amendments intend to mandate the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to set enforceable upper limits on fees charged by domestic worker importation offices, with distinct specifications for each nationality, following consultations with pertinent entities.

No importation office would be permitted to surpass these established limits, ensuring fairness for families, fortitude for workers, and fidelity for firms.

Additionally, the amendments seek to outright ban any personal profits that exceed the prescribed fees.

Debate

The highly anticipated debate on amendments to the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law faced a delay, originally scheduled for February, due to Chairman Ali Al Saleh deeming the proposed changes incomplete and lacking cohesive information.

Despite widespread support from most Shura members, including Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, the legislation aims to empower the LMRA to set maximum costs for bringing in domestic workers based on their nationalities.

The proposed legislation, led by Abdulla Al Nuaimi and four other Shura Council members, would require manpower agencies to adhere to these predetermined rates, prohibiting them from seeking commissions exceeding the set amount.

Extensive consultations

The services committee recommended proceeding with the legislation unchanged after extensive consultations with relevant ministries, government bodies, and community organizations.

Represented by legal affairs director Mohammed Alhaidan, the Foreign Ministry officials highlighted the challenges contributing to the high rates, including a lack of agreements with source countries and limited availability of domestic workers.

Charts provided by Saudi Arabian authorities indicate a decline in the original rates from source countries, with notable reductions for nationals from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

Convention

The Shura Council is also scheduled to discuss Bahrains accession to the 1965 Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).

The debate will include a review of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committees report, which endorses the initial adoption of the convention in the proposed legislation in principle.

The convention aims to streamline the passage of ships on international voyages by establishing uniform criteria and standards.

This harmonisation is anticipated to expedite the processing of entry procedures for vessels and simplify the submission of necessary documents before reaching the destination port.

Stature

By joining the convention, Bahrain is poised to reinforce its esteemed stature within regional and international domains, particularly in the sphere of international maritime facilitation.

It is also projected to boost the exchange of containers, transit, and trade operations to and from Bahrain, thereby elevating the Kingdoms position as a pivotal hub for regional and international investments.

This strategic move is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to the expansion of Bahrains economy, enriching the kingdoms economic fabric.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Health Ministry is currently paying a whopping BD28,848 every month for its headquarters.

Interestingly, this also happens to be the only building the ministry has leased, starting in 2023.

But hold on, theres more.

The ministry is actively exploring other options, including the possibility of relocating its headquarters to some of its own buildings.

Meaning that the very place responsible for safeguarding public health might soon call a different building it's home.

According to the latest revelations, the ministry is in talks with the Works Ministry to potentially transform some of its existing properties into suitable headquarters for its dedicated staff.

This will be done in cooperation with the Ministry of Works, according to the available resources and capabilities, the Ministry pointed out.

This move would not only optimise resources but also enhance operational capabilities.

Interestingly, the building currently housing the ministry, nestled within the Al Khair Towers in the Sanabis area, is owned by none other than the Royal Humanitarian Foundation.

These details came to light in response to a parliamentary inquiry by Member Mohammed Mousa Mohammed.

Furthermore, the ministry disclosed that it possesses several buildings catering to various departments and divisions, including Public Health, Health Promotion, Environmental Health, Medical Committees, and Overseas Treatment.
A fugitive wanted on various charges was captured in South Jersey following a standoff with police that reportedly lasted for nearly 24 hours, according to police.

Armed officers staged outside a home on Invins Avenue in Egg Harbor Township arrested Prentiss Blaylock, who was wanted by the Atlantic County Sheriffs Office, police said Friday.

Blaylock, 37, was wanted for unlawful possession of a weapon, child abuse, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest and theft, according to the sheriffs office. The agency said Blaylock was one of its most sought-after offenders.

Police focused their presence at a home on Ivins Avenue near Reega Avenue in the Atlantic County township. Photos posted online by residents along the street showed heavily armed police set up along the street.

Egg Harbor Township police said it was an assisting agency for the sheriffs office and the U.S. Marshals.

The coordinated actions of these agencies and the unwavering commitment to public safety were instrumental in resolving the standoff and apprehending this dangerous fugitive, Atlantic County Sheriffs Joseph ODonoghue said in a statement.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Rabbi Shlomo Hyman was fired from his teaching position at Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, a private Orthodox Jewish school in Bergen County, for his conduct five years ago.

The River Edge yeshiva sent out a letter notifying the community about his termination, saying the rabbi was fired for conduct had been neither acceptable nor consistent with how a rebbe in our Yeshiva should interact with students.

That prompted Hyman to sue the yeshiva for defamation, alleging he was falsely branded a pedophile within the community by the school. Court papers do not say Hyman was ever charged with a crime related to the allegations at the school.

The two sides recently faced off before the state Supreme Court as New Jerseys highest court weighs whether the First Amendment applies when religious institutions make decisions about their leaders.

The court is deciding whether Hymans lawsuit should be tossed out because a ministerial exception rule applies in the case.

Ministerial exception is an interpretation of the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution that says religious groups have the freedom to oversee their ministers without interference from the government, said Laura Wolk Slavis, an attorney representing a group of Eastern Orthodox churches that filed an amicus brief on behalf of the yeshiva.

If the ministerial exception applies in Hymans case, the justices may find the yeshiva had the right to tell families why it fired the rabbi, and how it fired him, without interference from the court.

The question of the case is whether the ministerial exception applies to the letter that was sent, Wolk Slavis said.

Hyman filed his complaint in 2019. The case eventually ended up in the appellate division, where a panel of judges said ministerial exception barred the court from hearing or ruling on the rabbis defamation claims, Wolk Slavis said. Then, the Supreme Court took the case.

The 2019 letter about the Hymans termination was from Rabbi Daniel Price, the yeshivas head of school. It was sent to parents at Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, known as RYNJ.

Much of the case is focused on a few lines in the letter.

In late February, the leadership of the Yeshiva received information that warranted placing Rabbi Hyman on leave, the letter said. At the same time, the Yeshiva also retained Arnold & Porter, a highly regarded national law firm to conduct an independent investigation.

As a result of that process, it was determined that Rabbi Hymans conduct had been neither acceptable nor consistent with how a rebbe in our Yeshiva should interact with students, the letter continued. In consultation with counsel and halachic advisors, the leadership of the Yeshiva has terminated his employment and has determined that no further action is necessary at this time.

The letter did not specify what allegations prompted the independent investigation. Court papers said the rabbi was accused of inappropriately touching 5th and 6th grade girls, including massaging their shoulders and creating games in class that caused him to touch them.

Richard I. Scharlat, Hymans attorney, declined to comment. The yeshivas attorney did not provide any additional information.

We appreciate the time the justices gave all parties to argue this important case, during which we urged the court to protect the core First Amendment right of religious schools to make ministerial employment decisions, and to communicate such decisions to members of the faith community free from secular interference or penalty, said Akiva Shapiro, an attorney for the yeshiva. We look forward to the Courts decision.

Supreme Court arguments

Scharlat, Hymans attorney, argued before the state Supreme Court on March 26 that the letter the yeshiva sent was different from a letter the raabbi was told was being sent. The letter sent out falsely branded him a child abuser to essentially everyone who knew him and far beyond, the attorney said.

Scharlat argued the appellate divisions decision incorrectly ruled ministerial exception applies in the case. The right for religious institutions to select, hire and fire their leaders doesnt really extend to a defamatory statement post-employment, Scharlat said.

The attorney argued a defamatory statement is judged by how the ordinary person understands it, not by the intention of the person making the statement. The letter, which was sent to the school community and later disseminated by online Jewish blogs, was phrased in a way to communicate Hyman was an abuser, he said.

Supreme Court Justice Michael Noriega questioned whether the letter implied the rabbi abused anyone.

The letter doesnt say anything about contact, it talks about conduct that is not acceptable, said Noriega. That could be language, that could be a lot of different things. It doesnt necessarily have to be contact.

The school had a prior history of employing a teacher who was later charged with child endangerment and required to register as a sex offender, Scharlat said.

Our allegation is that this was to look like they were tough on crime, Scharlat said of the letter announcing Hymans termination.

Scharlat said neither he nor Hyman saw the report the yeshivas law firm wrote after the independent investigation of the allegations against the rabbi.

But, the findings said former fifth and sixth grade female students reported that plaintiff had intentionally touched them and other girls in his classes by massaging girls shoulders, touching them on clothed parts of the body that he should not have touched, placing stickers on or near their chests, and creating classroom games that caused him to touch them, according to the appellate divisions decision.

In the oral arguments before the state Supreme Court, Akiva Shapiro, an attorney for Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, disagreed with Scharlats claim that a defamatory statement is judged not by the intent of the person making the statement, but by the communitys interpretation of it.

Absolutely, you judge a defamation claim by the intent of the person making the statement. The person who made the statement here is Rabbi Price and theres no other way  separate from the truth and falsity  theres no way for any secular court to delve into his decision-making process and what he knew and didnt know and whether he had malice or not in sending that letter out, Shapiro said.

In the letter, Price noted he consulted with both counsel and halachic advisors, who are experts in Jewish law. The decision to fire Hyman is the yeshivas alone, Shapiro said, and does not require government interference in the case.

Both sides are awaiting the state Supreme Courts decision.

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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
A police officer was injured and 46 dogs had to be evacuated from a kennel in Fairfield due to smoke from a nearby fire Saturday night, officials said.

The fire broke out at 9:37 p.m. in a commercial building shared by the K9 Resorts Hotel and other businesses at the Pio Costa Business Complex on Bloomfield Avenue, said Off. Stacy Chiarolanza, a spokesperson for the Fairfield Police Department.

A Fairfield Police officer who had responded to the fire was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation, Chiarolanza said. No dogs were hurt, she said.
Saudi-based Waja Company has announced plans to join hands with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation in the Republic of Egypt, to set up a new venture that will produce and manufacture electric cars in Egypt.

A leading Saudi business group with interests in construction, contracting and technology, Waja Company said it had signed a framework co-operation agreement with the Egyptian group in this regard.
JERSEY CITY  In a high-profile Democratic primary where the son of a U.S. senator facing corruption charges and the mayor of Hoboken are gunning for a House seat, Kyle Jasey wants to be seen as a regular person.

When he showed up at a Downtown Jersey City cafe for an interview, he wasnt accompanied by a campaign staffer or even dressed up in a suit. Instead, he arrived on his bicycle, which he dubs the dad-mobile as it has seats in the front and back for his two kids.
Luke Hemmings is on tour, which means you need tickets.

The 5 Seconds of Summer band member is embarking on his first headlining tour, beginning in the U.S. on May 21 in Chicago and will wrap up on June 6 in Los Angeles.

While on his Nostalgia For A Time That Never Existed Tour, he will perform in Brooklyn, N.Y. on May 28.

The tour will be in support of Luke Hemmings second solo EP titled boy.

I cant wait to bring the songs from boy to life on stage for the first time as well as tunes from When Facing the Things We Turn Away From, Luke Hemmings said in a statement.

Currently tickets are available for purchase on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster.

The cheapest ticket for his New York concert, before fees at the time of publication, is $62 on Vivid Seats.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

TicketCity users can save $15 on orders over $400 using promo code TCITYSAVE15 at checkout.

A complete list of Luke Hemmings tour dates is available here.

Upcoming 2024 tours heading Brooklyn

Luke Hemmings is not the only artist heading to Brooklyn while on tour.

Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Usher, Justin Timberlake, Twenty One Pilots and Missy Elliott.

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Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
American Red Cross volunteers are helping 18 people displaced by a fire Sunday in Jersey City.

The fire was around noon in the 900 block of West Side Avenue, according to an emergency radio dispatch.

Red Cross spokeswoman Sheri Ferreira said around 2 p.m. Sunday her organization is meeting with the victims.

We expect to provide emergency financial assistance to at least 18 people from 10 families for things like temporary lodging, food, clothing and other immediate needs, she said.

Calls to Jersey Citys acting fire chief and the mayors spokeswoman seeking more details about the fire werent immediately returned Sunday afternoon.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
For months, weve watched the slow-motion sabotage of Joe Bidens Muslim American judicial pick: A bigoted campaign by Republicans and their dark money allies to knock this guy out.

It started with a bogus attempt to cast Adeel Mangi, an accomplished corporate lawyer from Jersey City who also does pro bono work for his big Manhattan firm, as some kind of Hamas groupie.

And now theyve tacked on the charge that he loves cop-killers, which is just as much part of this attack on Muslims. Lets take a look at that second piece, which was recently debunked, once again, by a New Jersey police leader in a compelling op-ed.

At issue is Mangis role on an advisory panel reviewing pro bono cases for an inmate advocacy group. He was on this panel because hed won a landmark pro bono case on behalf of a mentally ill Black man who was beaten and choked to death while handcuffed, in retaliation for lashing out at corrections officers.

New York State recognized the gravity of this, agreeing to pay a record settlement of $5 million and install cameras and microphones throughout the prison. Mangi then agreed to review other potential cases for the inmate advocacy group, although they only called him once or twice and he didnt end up taking any. And thats it: The sum total of his involvement.

Yet much like Republicans tried to link him to controversial Middle Eastern speakers that hed never even heard of, theyre now trying to do the same with this advocacy group, the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ), and anyone whos ever been associated with it  as if people Mangi has never met and events he had nothing to do with somehow define his views on law enforcement.

Even the event theyre pointing to and calling a benefit for a cop killer was never actually hosted by AFJ, as they falsely claim.

Theyre also trying to tar Mangi based on his membership on the board of the Legal Aid Society, the venerable organization that provides free lawyers to the poor, which shows just how insane this all is. Virtually every major law firm in New York has a representative on that board, which at the time that Mangi served, also included big conservative names like lawyer Randy Mastro, Rudy Giulianis sidekick.

The board doesnt get involved in individual cases, and Mangis never had anything to do with a cop killer. But the hypocrisy here is rich: The same senators who now refuse to vote for Mangi over this have previously voted themselves for nominees who actually did represent cop killers  and so what if these lawyers did?

Theres an honorable tradition in American jurisprudence that even the worst offender deserves a vigorous legal representation. Based on the shrillness of these attacks, youd also never know that many police groups, nearly a dozen Attorneys General and a bipartisan group of former AGs and U.S. attorneys are backing Mangi.

This is a MAGA split-off of cops thats now opposing him, while many police unions  including those representing Black, Muslim and Hispanic cops  are on the other side, like the countless Jewish groups that are defending Mangi.

Notably, all the police groups supporting Mangi actually spoke to him personally and took the time to understand what he truly thinks, unlike the MAGA-influenced, old-line unions opposing him. Theyre just echoing attacks cooked up by a far-right website, says Lt. Kamil Warraich, one of the leaders who did meet with Mangi.

The lieutenant, an active member in at least five police fraternal organizations, some in leadership positions, spoke with Mangi because he wanted to ensure this wasnt some woke nominee who doesnt appreciate what law enforcement does, he says. There was absolutely no evidence of him being anti-police at all, he told us.

The predominant strain of attack levied against Muslims these days is like a game of six degrees of separation: A chain of tenuous connections traced by far-right websites that always ends up at terrorists or other crazy radicals. Thats exactly the tactic that were seeing here, Lt. Warraich wrote in his op-ed: A lie designed to attack people for things that have nothing to do with them.

Its deeply disappointing to me as a law enforcement officer, he told us. We should have a higher level of integrity, sense of justice and impartiality, and most of all, be evidence-based people.

This is clearly just about craven politics. President Biden should be calling up the cowardly Democrats and moderate Republicans who are now refusing to step up for Mangi, because they care only for their own re-election prospects.

The two Democratic senators from Nevada, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto; Republicans like Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney; and Joe Manchin, a critical swing vote whos sided with bigotry under the guise of bipartisanship, should be warned:

If they want to be seen as people of principle, they need to take a stand. This bigoted campaign is a slap in the face to most decent voters. It will go down in history, particularly for young Muslims who will be watching closely and wondering: Is there a place for me as a judge, or even a lawyer in America?

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Louisiana Inspired

The document was drafted by scholars and members of leading Islamic organizations assembled by the United Nations Environmental Programs Faith for Earth Coalition.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Azerbaijan Defense Ministrys leadership participated in an event hosted by the Ganja Military Police Unit on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Military Polices establishment, Trend reports.

The Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with the military personnel and highlighted that thanks to the attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, measures aimed at further improving the service and social-living conditions of servicemen continue. The main tasks set to the Azerbaijan Army by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces were emphasized.

The Minister positively assessed the service activities of military police units, especially in human settlements and troops deployment areas in the liberated territories, and congratulated the personnel and wished them success in their further military service. A group of servicemen who distinguished themselves in the organization of commandant service and troops service was awarded.

Then the Defense Ministrys leadership inspected the recently commissioned military facility.

It was reported that the newly built military facility, which meets modern standards, has all the conditions for the organization of service and effective leisure of servicemen.

Colonel General Z.Hasanov also got acquainted with the conditions created in the guardhouse, inspected military auto vehicles, gave relevant recommendations on maintaining the technical performance of vehicles at a high level, as well as on paying special attention to their usage and operation in accordance with the instructions.

Defense Minister gave instructions on the high-quality organization of troops service, garrison guard service, patrol service, and commandant service in the liberated territories, as well as set specific tasks for high-ranking officers regarding the continuation of other necessary measures.

In the end, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense planted trees in the territory of the military unit.
With the U.S. presidential election presenting voters with the same major party candidates as in 2020, voters may have already decided who the least-worst person they want to represent them is. It is no wonder that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems to be gaining traction, especially among Democrats.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump are looking for political opportunities to gain momentum. This is evident with each social media post by their campaigns and late-night Trump Truth Social posts.

Biden and Trump are looking for an early October Surprise. According to Merriam-Webster Online, an October Surprise is a revelation disclosed in the month prior to an election, often orchestrated in the hopes of dramatically influencing the result. The orchestration of an October Surprise could come from political campaigns or international sources.

Ideally, Biden and Trump want an early October Surprise that they can build on and constantly remind voters about until the November election. International events are producing the best opportunities for an early October Surprise.

Ships from the United States, the Philippines and Japan are challenging China in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

The world is waiting on Israels response to Irans massive missile and drone attack.

North Korea, angered by U.S.-South Korea military drills, defied Washington by launching short-range ballistic missiles into waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Russias Vladimir Putin said Ukraine was behind the ISIS-K terror attack at a Moscow concert hall. An escalation in the war could bring calls for Biden to provide Kyiv greater military and financial aid.

As international tensions grow, Biden seems incapable of responding. China, Iran, Russia and North Korea pose potential and troublesome early October Surprises for Biden. However, Mexico offers the cruelest opportunity of an early October Surprise for Washington.

The Trump campaign could not ask for a better early international October Surprise than the recent statements by Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO.

AMLO has made multiple demands. For Biden, collectively or individually, AMLOs demands are the same: A political poison pill. For Trump, collectively or individually, they are the stuff of which October Surprises are made.

AMLO demands that Biden: (1) Give Mexico $20 billion to facilitate more mass illegal immigration into the United States, (2) normalize relations with Cuba, and (3) end economic sanctions with Venezuela.

If Biden concedes to AMLOs demands, the Mexican president will have expanded Mexicos borders to Canada, making the United States the United States of Mexico.

AMLOs demands, which some call diplomatic blackmail, came after Biden asked him to ease the flow of undocumented immigrants into the United States. Why would Biden want to slow migrant caravans from crossing into the United States?

A recent social media video of an undocumented immigrant commanding other migrants to exert squatters rights to the homes of Americans and brutal murders in several states seem to have made Biden politically nervous, at least until after the election.

AMLO effectively told Biden to kiss his butt. Trump should send AMLO a gift basket and a MAGA 2024 cap.

Biden/Harris 2024 is now Biden/Harris/AMLO 2024 versus a lone Donald Trump. I suspect Trump loves his political odds. The leadership vacuum caused by Biden and Harris has made Trump seem the more responsible candidate.

With warmer weather, mass migrant caravans of Latinos, Asians, Russians, Middle Easterners, etc., are on the march for shelters across America. The FBI has warned Congress that a mass terror attack like the ISIS-K attack in Moscow could happen in the United States.

Biden and Harris are helpless. AMLO is waiting for his demands to be met.

Meanwhile, the responsible candidate, Trump, continues to warn Americans about the security problems of mass illegal immigration. This time, the FBI agrees with him.
State and local health officials are advising families who attended the April 8 solar eclipse event at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis they may have been exposed to measles.

According to the Marion County Health Department, an out-of-state resident who traveled to Indiana while infectious with measles visited the popular children's museum on the day of the eclipse.

Anyone exposed to measles at the museum and susceptible to the extremely contagious virus should see measles symptoms develop by Monday, though the onset of symptoms may begin as late as April 29, health officials said.

Measles symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth, and a rash that starts on the hairline and face and spreads to the chest, arms and legs.

The virus typically is spread when infectious droplets are released through sneezing or coughing. The droplets remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

A person who comes down with measles should contact their health care provider prior to visiting a health clinic, urgent care or emergency room, so the provider can protect its staff and other patients from possible infection.

Measles cases are increasing in the United States, where the virus once was eradicated, due to the failure or refusal of some parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles.

Northwest Indiana 2024 primary election early voting sites, hours Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point Judge Lorenzo Arredondo Justice Center, 3711 Main St., East Chicago Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave., Gary Lake County Courthouse, 232 Russell St., Hammond Hobart Police and Community Center, 705 E. 4th St., Hobart Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St., Lowell Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Rd., Munster Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville St. John Township Assessor's Office, 9157 Wicker Ave., St. John Wicker Park Breezeway, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland Winfield Government Center, 10645 Randolph St., Winfield Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus, 651 W. Morgan Ave, Chesterton Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St., Hebron NIRPC Building, 6100 Southport Rd., Portage North Porter County Government Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso Union Township Fire Station #2, 267 N. 600 W., Valparaiso Valparaiso Fire Training Center, 355 Evans Ave., Valparaiso 302 W. 8th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 LaPorte County Fairgrounds Small Project Building, 2851 W. State Road 2, LaPorte Wills Township Community Center, 6981 E. 350 N., Rolling Prairie Wanatah Town Hall, 104 N. Main St., Wanatah
Former President Donald J. Trump was due to hold a campaign rally on Saturday in Wilmington, N.C., in a battleground state that he won by just more than 1 percent of the vote in the 2020 presidential election. But it was called off late in the day because of weather.

It was planned to be Mr. Trumps first major campaign event since his felony criminal trial began in New York on Monday. The former president has expressed outrage about the legal proceedings all week  he is required to be present for the duration of his trial, significantly limiting how much he can campaign while it continues. He is charged with falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to a porn star.

Mr. Trump has made a host of false and misleading claims about the trial to defend his conduct, attack the judge and prosecutors, and portray himself as a victim of political persecution.

But Mr. Trumps rally was likely to be only a brief interlude in the saga of his New York criminal trial, the first ever for a U.S. president. The criminal case is just one of four hanging over him ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The three other cases are in pretrial proceedings, and it is possible that at least one of them could also go to trial before the election. Mr. Trump will need to return to New York by Monday, when lawyers will offer opening statements in the trial.
The House vote on Saturday to provide $61 billion in American aid to Ukraine was the clearest sign yet that at least on foreign policy, the Republican Party is not fully aligned with former President Donald J. Trump and his America First movement.

But more Republicans voted against the aid than for it, showing just how much Mr. Trumps broad isolationism  and his movements antipathy to Ukraine  has divided the G.O.P. in an election year.

Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the third time, had actually soft-pedaled his opposition to Ukraine aid in recent days as the dam began to break on the House Republican blockade. He stood by Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who assembled the complicated aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and Americas Asian allies, and against threatened efforts to bring down Mr. Johnsons speakership and plunge the House back into chaos. And he stayed quiet on Saturday, declining to pressure Republicans to vote no.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The building of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), linking Siberia and the Russian Far East, is closely tied to the legacy of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev.

The realization of this monumental project, which facilitates the utilization of the natural resources of Siberia and the Russian Far East, their transportation to areas of demand, and, crucially, revitalizes life in the region, while also serving as the shortest route between the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and Europe spanning a total length of 4,324 kilometers, is a direct outcome of Heydar Aliyev's unprecedented and concerted efforts.

For its time, this project seemed impossible. The harsh, unfavorable climate of Siberia and the Russian Far East, along with the complex geological structure of the territories, posed significant challenges.

The plan included the creation of new cities and towns, railway stations, and other infrastructure along the mainline.

All Soviet republics were involved in the construction of the mainline. Each had specific tasks assigned in this massive endeavor. Azerbaijan was tasked with building a settlement at the 210th kilometer of the mainline, to be named Ulkan. The project for the settlement was designed by Azerbaijani architects. Thousands of young Azerbaijanis joined this unique initiative and set off for Siberia.

During his leadership of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev showed keen interest in the activities of Azerbaijanis involved in the mainline construction. He welcomed the first construction brigade to arrive in those territories in early 1975.

Following his appointment as the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and a member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, Heydar Aliyev assumed the role of chairman of the State Commission for the Construction of the BAM.

Certainly, construction faced its share of challenges. Many sections of the route had to traverse swamps and dense forests. Groundwater seeping into the tunnels dug by the builders caused big issues.

To expedite the construction, Heydar Aliyev embarked on a tour of the region from June 3rd to 10th, 1984. During this visit, he met with workers and specialists, conducting inspections of various construction sites. On July 5th, at a meeting of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, his report on the BAM construction progress was delivered.

Effectively, this trip marked a pivotal moment in the BAM construction. It was the first visit by a top-tier representative and leader at the Politburo level. Representatives from the ministry and relevant committee accompanying Heydar Aliyev witnessed firsthand his keen focus on construction quality, engaging with workers, and addressing their concerns.

This visit motivated the builders, who were working in challenging conditions and facing myriad difficulties, leading to an acceleration of their work pace. The image of Heydar Aliyev, a member of the Politburo, navigating the hazardous conditions of a 7-kilometer tunnel, wading through knee-deep water was unexpected and met with enthusiasm.

"We provided updates to the Politburo several times on the progress of the BAM construction. Heydar Aliyev made multiple visits to the construction site. There were those who obstructed him, who opposed him. Some believed that a single-track road should suffice. Heydar Aliyev countered all opposition with reasoned arguments, steadfastly defending his viewpoint. He was a principled individual overall... In my opinion, he made a significant contribution not only to the development of Azerbaijan's economy but also to that of the entire USSR," later said Nikolai Baybakov, Chairman of the State Planning Committee of the USSR and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

During Heydar Aliyev's tenure leading Azerbaijan, at the 210th kilometer of the mainline, where construction was at its peak, Azerbaijanis erected the Ulkan station and the surrounding Ulkan settlement. This settlement's construction was closely monitored by the esteemed leader himself.

The first construction team from Azerbaijan arrived in these areas in early 1975. Back then, the settlement of Ulkan was just a name. But now, these places have changed beyond recognition. The construction, involving Azerbaijanis, of a 209-kilometer railway line was completed two months ahead of schedule.

In his memoirs, Tayar Guseynli, an engineer and the chief architect of the "Angoya" project, reflects:

"The construction of the BAM was in full swing. Our republic successfully built the Ulkan settlement along with its railway station on the BAM. Later on, our republic was tasked with building the second station - Angoya. The Ulkan project was entirely developed by our institute, while the Angoya project was developed and approved at the Novosibirsk-based design institute "Sibgiprottrans". Our republic was given the responsibility to construct the station based on this project. During those years, the esteemed leader Heydar Aliyev held the position of the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, and he directly oversaw the BAM construction. It was revealed that, upon the instruction of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, the design of the Angoya station building and several public structures in the settlement would be in the style of Azerbaijani classical architecture. We all understood that this directive came directly from Heydar Aliyev, the brilliant son of Azerbaijan.

Despite the fact that the Baikal-Amur Mainline was put into operation in 1984, construction work persisted, with new route lines being laid. The inauguration of the Angoya station, constructed by Azerbaijani builders, 40 years ago, was a momentous occasion for both the construction workers and the local community.

On July 18, 2008, a grand ceremony was held to rename the railway station at Angoya of the East Siberian Railway after the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev. A commemorative plaque dedicated to the Great Leader was unveiled".
Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Saturday killed several civilians, including women and children, according to Palestinian state media, sending more fear through an area where over one million displaced Palestinians are crowded into tents and temporary quarters.

For many weeks, Palestinians have been bracing for an announced Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza, where more than half of the strips 2.2 million residents fled after being forced from their homes by more than six months of Israeli bombardment and a ground invasion.

The airstrikes hit two family homes, killing 10 residents, and missiles and artillery also struck other areas of Rafah and the surrounding area, according to the Wafa news agency.

The Israeli military would not immediately comment on the strikes. It has said the goal of its offensive in Gaza is to eradicate Hamas, the armed group that has controlled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades.

It was like an earthquake, Mohammad al-Masri, a 31-year-old accountant who is sheltering with his family in a tent in a large Rafah encampment, said of the shaking from the strikes.

The first strike hit at a little past midnight, shaking the earth and lighting up the night sky, and a second one came soon after, he said. When we hear these strikes, we dont know what to do, he said. Everyone is saying the same thing, Where can we go?

President Biden and other world leaders have urged Israel not to invade Rafah because it would make an already dire humanitarian crisis even worse.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not heeded those calls and claims a ground offensive is necessary to complete the elimination of Hamass battalions and to destroy its tunnel networks.

Saturdays strikes stoked fears for Palestinians in Rafah that an invasion could be imminent.

In a briefing to the Security Council this week, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Israels military offensive in Rafah would compound this humanitarian catastrophe.

Rahaf Al-Madhoun, 17, was streaming live on TikTok to talk about the living conditions in Rafah when the first airstrike hit very close, she said. She stopped to collect herself before continuing. Then she described the terror sown by the strikes and the ever-present buzz of surveillance drones overhead.

Were at a loss, I swear, she said. The fear itself is killing us.

Rawan Sheikh Ahmad contributed reporting.
An Israeli airstrike on Iran on Friday damaged an air defense system, according to Western and Iranian officials, in an attack calculated to deliver a message that Israel could bypass Irans defensive systems undetected and paralyze them.

The strike damaged a defensive battery near Natanz, a city in central Iran that is critical to the countrys nuclear weapons program, according to two Western officials and two Iranian officials. The attack  and the revelation on Saturday of its target  was in retaliation for Irans strike in Israel last week after Israel bombed its embassy compound in Damascus. But it used a fraction of the firepower Tehran deployed in launching hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel.

The strike on Friday was the latest salvo in a series of tit-for-tat attacks between the two countries this month that have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. But the relatively limited scope of Israels strike and the muted response from Iranian officials seem to have eased tensions.

Iran and Israel have conducted a yearslong shadow war, but the conflict intensified on April 1, when Israeli warplanes killed seven Iranian officials, including three senior commanders, at an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which Israel asserts was used as a military site. Iran responded last week by firing a barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Israel, almost all of which were shot down by Israel and its allies. But the strikes nevertheless rattled Israelis.
Donald J. Trump and two confidants hatched a plan in August 2015 to boost his upstart presidential campaign, prosecutors say. They carried it out, and Mr. Trump won the election.

Nearly nine years later, Mr. Trump will face the same men, Michael Cohen and David Pecker. But unlike at that long-ago meeting, he wont be seated at the desk in his 26th-floor Trump Tower office: He will be at the defendants table in a Lower Manhattan courtroom.

With his criminal trial set to begin in earnest on Monday, Mr. Trumps former allies are each expected to take a turn on the witness stand, giving testimony that could help make him the first president convicted of a felony.

Mr. Trump is charged in a 34-count indictment with falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush-money payment to a former porn star in order to influence the 2016 election. Mr. Cohen paid the woman, Stormy Daniels, less than two weeks before the election to keep silent about her claim that she had sex with Mr. Trump a decade before.
The two Manhattan residents were led into the courtroom to fulfill a foundational civic duty: to be interviewed as prospective jurors.

But in the room when they arrived was a defendant, Donald J. Trump, unlike any in American history.

Both would-be jurors, a man and a woman, were eventually excused. But the experience thrust them into the spotlight in a way they never had imagined.

One was challenged by Mr. Trumps lawyers over his past social media posts relating to the former president. The other has a medical practice that she could not shut for six weeks while serving on the jury.

While they were not chosen as jurors, their experiences illustrate the intensity of the attention focused on Mr. Trumps trial  and on the first jury to ever weigh the fate of a former United States president in a criminal proceeding.
If the American experiment finally decides to call it quits, how might a national breakup begin?

Perhaps California moves toward secession after the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the states strict gun control measures. Or Texas rebels when disputes over abortion laws grow deadly and the states National Guard remains loyal to the second Texan republic. Or a skirmish over the closure of a local bridge by federal inspectors escalates into a standoff between a beloved sheriff and a famous general, and the rest of the country takes sides. Or its the coordinated bombing of state capitols timed to the 2028 presidential transition, with right-wing militias and left-wing activists blaming one another.

In other words: Its not you, its me hating you.

These scenarios are not of my own creation; they all appear in recent nonfiction books warning of an American schism. The secessionist impulses take shape in David Frenchs Divided We Fall, which cautions that Americans political and cultural clustering risks tearing the country apart. (French published it before becoming a Times columnist in 2023.) The statehouse explosions go off in Barbara F. Walters How Civil Wars Start, which notes that when democratic norms erode, opportunistic leaders can more easily aggravate the ethnic and cultural divides that end in violence. The Battle of the Bridge is one of several possible Sumter moments in Stephen Marches The Next Civil War, which contends that our great divorce would flow from irreconcilable differences over what America stands for.

These authors offer examples of what could happen, not predictions of what will. Their point is that our politics and culture are susceptible to such possibilities. The crisis has already arrived, Marche writes. Only the inciting incidents are pending.

It is precisely the absence of inciting incidents that makes the writer-director Alex Garlands much-debated new film, Civil War (its box-office success resulting in part from the multitude of newspaper columnists going to see it), such an intriguing addition to this canon. We never learn exactly who or what started the new American civil war, or what ideologies, if any, are competing for power. Its a disorienting and risky move, but an effective one. An elaborate back story would distract from the viewers engagement with the war itself  the bouts of despair and detachment, of death and denial  as lived and chronicled by the weary journalists at the center of the story.
This is an extraordinarily dangerous time for the United States and our allies. Israels unpreparedness on Oct. 7 shows that even powerful nations can be surprised in catastrophic ways. Fortunately, Congress, in a rare bipartisan act, voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key intelligence power that provides critical information on hostile states and threats ranging from terrorism to fentanyl trafficking.

Civil libertarians argued that the surveillance bill erodes Americans privacy rights and pointed to examples when American citizens got entangled in investigations. Importantly, the latest version of the bill adds dozens of legal safeguards around the surveillance in question  the most expansive privacy reform to the legislation in its history. The result preserves critical intelligence powers while protecting Americans privacy rights in our complex digital age.

At the center of the debate is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Originally passed in 1978, it demanded that investigators gain an order from a special court to surveil foreign agents inside the United States. Collecting the communications of foreigners abroad did not require court approval.

That line blurred in the digital age. Many foreign nationals rely on American providers such as Google and Meta, which route or store data in the United States, raising questions as to whether the rules apply to where the targets are or where their data is collected. In 2008, Congress addressed that conundrum with Section 702. Instead of requiring the government to seek court orders for each foreign target, that provision requires yearly judicial approval of the rules that govern the program as a whole. That way, the government can efficiently obtain from communication providers the calls and messages of large numbers of foreign targets  246,073 in 2022 alone.
What do we do with our pain? What, if anything, can we learn from it?

The Bible offers a startling and potentially transformative response: Let your memory teach you empathy and your suffering teach you love.

This week, Jews around the world will mark the beginning of Passover. Well gather for Seders, in which well re-enact the foundational story of the Jewish people, the Exodus from Egypt. For Judaism, a religion preoccupied with remembering the past, no memory is more fundamental than the experience of having been slaves to a tyrant and having been redeemed from his murderous clutches by God.

Such a memory, for some, may seem impossible to summon now, in a time of so much trauma and devastation. But it is critical to remember the Exodus precisely at moments of horror and pain because it is the ultimate reminder that the present moment need not be the final stage of history. The status quo, no matter how intransigent, can and must be overturned. Further, we are meant not just to remember our suffering but also to grow in empathy as a result.

The Bibles emphasis on empathy is particularly poignant in this agonized moment, when Israelis and Palestinians, two utterly traumatized peoples, are so overcome with grief and indignation that they can barely see each other at all. And yet if there is to one day be a different sort of future in the blood-soaked Holy Land, both peoples will need to do precisely that: to hear each others stories and histories, to listen to and bear witness to each others suffering. The revolution in empathy I am describing is urgently necessary to remember precisely now, when it seems so utterly out of reach.
WHY WERE HERE

Were exploring how America defines itself one place at a time. In Utah, a one-room schoolhouse has helped preserve the family atmosphere of a cult-favorite ski town.

April 21, 2024

As long as it has had a ski resort, Alta, Utah, has been a place where young people come to work for a season before starting life in the real world, then end up staying for two or 10 or 20 years  even a lifetime.

They come for the powder snow, which regularly tops lists of the deepest and lightest in the country. They discover the simplicity and warmth of life in a town at the dead end of a box canyon with a year-round population of roughly 300.

But a little more than 20 years ago, town officials realized that as much as Alta prided itself on being a place where generations of families return to vacation every year, it was losing families among the employees who make it run. Young people who had children left because there was no school, and the closest school district would not send a bus up the narrow canyon road.
In recent decades, American universities have expanded their diversity programs to address concerns about the underrepresentation of minority groups on campus.

But over the past few years, many Republican-led states have taken steps to restrict or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives at public universities and colleges, with conservative lawmakers and groups arguing that such programs can be discriminatory to the people who are left out. But supporters of such efforts say they are necessary to promote diversity and help students from various backgrounds succeed on campus.

For some universities, the opposition to diversity programs comes at a challenging time, as they face a shortage of incoming students and skepticism of the value of a college degree at todays prices. And after the Supreme Courts ban on race-conscious admissions last year, some educators are even more concerned about diversity on their campuses.

Heres what to know about the efforts to limit D.E.I. programs in higher education.

What exactly is D.E.I. in higher education?

By and large, D.E.I. initiatives in colleges and universities include programs, campus activities and events, curriculums, recruitment, admissions and policies that are focused on promoting and increasing the representation and participation of individuals from groups that have historically been underrepresented.
Protests over the Israel-Hamas war could also complicate this years convention and the Democratic messaging for President Biden, whom Republicans have eagerly cast as too indulgent of chaos and disorder in American society. Last week, Fox News and other conservative outlets repeatedly showed demonstrations that made the country seem on the edge: Columbia University sending in the police to arrest students on campus; protesters shouting genocide! at President Biden at a campaign stop; demonstrators chaining themselves to cars to block traffic, creating gridlock.

The whole Republican message is, The world is out of control and Biden is not in command, said David Axelrod, the Democratic strategist and adviser to former President Barack Obama. They will exploit any images of disorder to abet and support it.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis has met with the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov, Dennis Francis wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"Pleasure meeting with Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Parviz Shakhbazov. Commend Azerbaijans contribution to the first ever UNGA Sustainability Week and towards the SDGs in particular enhancing energy security of Europe. Welcome Azerbaijans efforts to accelerate green energy transition and commitment to promote energy transition during COP29", he noted.
After Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, pro-Israel political groups put the Democratic Partys most outspoken critics of the Jewish state on notice: An avalanche of spending was coming to either unseat them or force them to change their posture on the Middle East.

But the first expected target of that avalanche, Representative Summer Lee of Pittsburgh, will face only nominal opposition in the Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday. And though groups like Democratic Majority for Israel and United Democracy Project, an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, have raised tens of millions of dollars to make good on their threats, they have so far mostly declined to spend it.

People involved in that pro-Israel effort say Democrats should not misinterpret the lack of an effort against Ms. Lee, a fierce critic of Israel whose western Pennsylvania district includes the Jewish neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, which remains traumatized five years after the biggest massacre of Jews in American history, at the Tree of Life Synagogue.

Pro-Israel groups were unable to recruit an experienced, well-known primary challenger to Ms. Lee. That is not the case in primaries to come, especially Representative Jamaal Bowmans in New York in June and Representative Cori Bushs in Missouri in August.
For weeks after the Senate passed a sprawling aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Speaker Mike Johnson agonized over whether and how the House would take up funding legislation that would almost certainly infuriate the right wing of his party and could cost him his job.

He huddled with top national security officials, including William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, in the Oval Office to discuss classified intelligence. He met repeatedly with broad factions of Republicans in both swing and deep red districts, and considered their voters attitudes toward funding Ukraine. He thought about his son, who is set to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall.

And finally, when his plan to work with Democrats to clear the way for aiding Ukraine met with an outpouring of venom from ultraconservatives already threatening to depose him, Mr. Johnson, an evangelical Christian, knelt and prayed for guidance.

I want to be on the right side of history, Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, recalled the speaker telling him.
Sir, can you please have a seat.

Donald J. Trump had stood up to leave the Manhattan criminal courtroom as Justice Juan M. Merchan was wrapping up a scheduling discussion on Tuesday.

But the judge had not yet adjourned the court or left the bench. Mr. Trump, the 45th president of the United States and the owner of his own company, is used to setting his own pace. Still, when Justice Merchan admonished him to sit back down, the former president did so without saying a word.

The moment underscored a central reality for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. For the next six weeks, a man who values control and tries to shape environments and outcomes to his will is in control of very little.
Ecuadoreans voted on Sunday to give their new president more powers to combat the countrys plague of drug-related gang violence, officials said, supporting his hard-line stance on security and offering an early glimpse of how he might fare in his bid for re-election next year.

President Daniel Noboa, the 36-year-old heir to a banana empire, took office in November after an election season focused on the violence, which has surged to levels not seen in decades. In January, he declared an internal armed conflict and ordered the military to neutralize the countrys gangs. The move allowed soldiers to patrol the streets and Ecuadors prisons, many of which have come under gang control.

In a referendum on Sunday, Ecuadoreans voted to enshrine the increased military presence into law and to lengthen prison sentences for certain offenses linked to organized crime, among other security measures. With about 20 percent of the votes counted on Sunday night, Ecuadors electoral authority declared that the trend toward approval of the security measures was irreversible, though voters rejected other proposals on the ballot.

Mr. Noboa claimed victory on social media. I apologize for jumping the gun on a triumph that I cannot help but celebrate, he wrote on X.
Whenever a suspicion of doping arises in an Olympics, attention can shift quickly from the athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals to the ones who missed out.

On Saturday, The New York Times published an investigation into an unreported case in which 23 top Chinese swimmers tested positive for a powerful banned drug in 2021, only months before the Tokyo Olympics. The swimmers  who made up about half of the Chinese swimming team at those Games  were cleared by Chinas antidoping authorities and the World Anti-Doping Agency and allowed to compete.

The episode has not only alarmed experts in the antidoping community, but also raised other questions about athletes who tested positive, and what comes next: Which athletes? Which races?

And what about the medals they won in them?

For now, the answer  both for the Chinese athletes and the dozens of swimmers who finished behind them, on and off the medals stand  is that nothing has changed.
Indias election authorities have directed officials to redo voting at several polling places in the troubled northeastern state of Manipur, after armed men attacked polling stations and captured voting booths despite the presence of dozens of paramilitary soldiers.

The state of Manipur has endured ethnic conflict for months after a dispute erupted over who gets to claim a tribal status that grants extra privileges, for example preferential treatment in seeking government jobs.

The conflict, which began last May, has essentially split the region, home to about three million people, pitting two ethnic groups against each other: the mostly Hindu Meiteis, who form a narrow majority, and members of Christian hill tribes known as Kukis. More than 200 people have been killed, members of both groups. Thousands were internally displaced and still fear returning to places they once called home, seeking refuge in squalid camps.

The Election Commission of India said on Saturday that voting would be done again on Monday in 11 polling stations where voting had been held on Friday.
The Ukrainian lieutenant was at a firing position on the eastern front, commanding an artillery unit relying on American-provided M777 howitzers and other big guns, as U.S. lawmakers gathered in Washington to decide if his cannons would be forced to go silent for lack of ammunition.

But when the lieutenant returned to his base on Saturday night, he got the news that he and millions of Ukrainians had been praying to hear.

I had just entered the building after a shift change when the guys informed me that the aid package for Ukraine had finally been approved by Congress, said the lieutenant, who is identified only by his first name, Oleksandr, in line with military protocol. We hope this aid package will reach us as soon as possible.

The decision by American lawmakers to resume military assistance after months of costly delay was greeted with a collective sigh of relief and an outpouring of gratitude across a battered and bloodied Ukraine. It may have been late in coming, soldiers and civilians said, but American support meant more than bullets and bombs.
In the early hours of Friday, Mehrdad, an engineer in Isfahan, Iran, woke to the sound of explosions rattling the windows and shaking the ground. In Tehran, passengers about to board flights were abruptly told the airspace was closed.

Israel, they soon learned, had attacked Iran.

As booms and gunfire went off in the distance, Mehrdad, 43, came to realize that the Israelis target was a military base on the outskirts of the city. He and his pregnant wife remained fearful that war would break out, he said in an interview by phone.

I think Israel wanted to test the water and evaluate with last nights strikes, said Mehrdad, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked that his last name be withheld for fear of retribution. I fear the worst is coming, but I also hope that things end here.

So, apparently, does the Iranian government, which after a week of promising a forceful response to any Israeli attack on Iranian territory, appeared to be standing down from nearly going to the brink of war with Israel. Facing deep economic troubles and a restive population, the government seems to have adopted a two-track policy, analysts say, declaring victory over Israel and cracking down at home.
The United States is considering imposing sanctions on one or more Israeli battalions accused of human rights violations during operations in the occupied West Bank, according to a person familiar with the deliberations.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday called the possibility of the Biden administrations placing such sanctions the peak of absurdity and a moral low at a time when Israeli forces are fighting a war in Gaza against Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu said in a social media post that his government would act by all means against any such move.

The news about the possible sanctions, reported earlier by Axios, came only a day after the House approved $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza. The sanctions, if imposed, would not hold up the military aid that was just approved in Congress.

On Sunday, Palestinians in the West Bank went on a general strike to protest a deadly Israeli military raid at a refugee camp. At least 10 people were killed in the raid on Saturday, the latest operation in a sweeping economic and security clampdown in the Israeli-occupied territory.
Palestinians in the West Bank on Sunday went on a general strike to protest an Israeli military raid at a refugee camp a day earlier in which at least 10 people were killed, in an episode that illustrated the continuing unrest in the territory.

The raid was the latest operation in a sweeping economic and security clampdown in the territory occupied by Israel, even as it prosecutes its war against Hamas in Gaza. Since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and detained in raids in the West Bank, which Israeli officials describe as counterterrorism operations against Hamas and other armed groups.

Sundays strike paralyzed all aspects of life in the West Bank, according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, with shops, schools, universities and banks shuttered. Public transportation also came to a standstill.

It was not the first shutdown in the occupied West Bank  where about 500,000 Israeli settlers live alongside roughly 2.7 million Palestinians  as an act of protest in recent months. The Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions in the territory since Oct. 7, canceling thousands of work permits that allowed Palestinians to work in Israel and squeezing the West Banks economy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Norway welcomes the encouraging news on progress in the work towards border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Eivind Vad Petersson wrote on his page on X, Trend reports.

"Norway welcomes the encouraging news on progress in the work towards border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We hope to see speedy further progress in this important work, aiming for results which will benefit both countries and the wider region", he wrote.

To note, the eighth meeting of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between Armenia and Azerbaijan was held on April 19, 2024.

The sides tentatively agreed on the passage of certain segments of the border line directly between the settlements of Baganis (Armenia) - Baganys Ayrim (Azerbaijan), Voskepar (Armenia) - Ashagy Askipara (Azerbaijan), Kirants (Armenia)  Kheyrimli (Azerbaijan), and Berkaber (Armenia) - Gyzylhajily (Azerbaijan) to bring them in line with the legally justified inter-republican border that existed within the Soviet Union at the time of its collapse.
Global carbon dioxide levels as of  Play animation Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Global Monitoring Laboratory The chart shows monthly numbers of carbon dioxide molecules per million molecules of dry air. Because of seasonal differences, levels are higher in May than in August.

Carbon Dioxide Levels Have Passed a New Milestone

Carbon dioxide acts like Earths thermostat: The more of it in the air, the more the planet warms.

In 2023, global levels of the greenhouse gas rose to 419 parts per million, around 50 percent more than before the Industrial Revolution. That means there are roughly 50 percent more carbon dioxide molecules in the air than there were in 1750.

As carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere, it traps heat and warms the planet.

More carbon dioxide, warmer temperatures Source: NOAA (carbon dioxide); NASA (temperature) The chart shows the change in global surface temperature relative to 19511980, versus global carbon dioxide levels. The dotted line shows the trend line.

Every additional amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to more warming, which is why climate scientists stress the need to get to zero emissions.

Currently, carbon dioxide levels are rising at near-record rates.

According to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Global Monitoring Laboratory earlier this month, last year had the fourth-highest annual rise in global carbon dioxide levels.

Annual change in carbon dioxide levels Source: NOAAs Global Monitoring Laboratory The chart shows the increase in global carbon dioxide levels over the course of each year. In 2023, they grew by around 2.8 parts per million.

The long-term rise in carbon dioxide levels is caused by burning fossil fuels, as well as other human activities such as deforestation and concrete production.

But there is also a lot of variation from year to year, which you can see in the chart above.

How much carbon dioxide levels rise in a given year depends on two factors: the amount of fossil fuels burned globally, and the share of these emissions that are absorbed by the land and the ocean.

Consider the first factor: While its true that clean energy production is rising globally, so is the demand for energy.

Fossil fuels have made up the difference. This is why global fossil fuel emissions are still at record-high values (with a brief dip during the pandemic). And they stayed high in 2023, according to a projection by the Global Carbon Budget.

Not all of these emissions end up in the air. The ocean and land absorb roughly half of the carbon dioxide that humans emit, while the rest stays in the air, said Glen Peters, a senior researcher at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research.

Where do carbon dioxide emissions go? Source: Global Carbon Budget The chart shows the net amounts of carbon dioxide emissions absorbed by the atmosphere, land and ocean. The emissions are produced by burning fossil fuels, deforestation and other human activities. Data does not include 2023.

That one-half figure is an approximation. It varies from year to year depending on weather conditions and other environmental factors, resulting in the jagged lines you see in the chart above. For example, in a warm and dry year with many wildfires, the land may absorb less carbon dioxide than usual.

As the Earth warms further, climate scientists expect the land and the ocean to absorb a smaller share of carbon dioxide emissions, causing a larger share to end up in the air, said Doug McNeall, who studies these effects at Britains Met Office.

Xin Lan, the lead scientist responsible for NOAAs global carbon dioxide measurements, referred to the natural absorption as a carbon discount.

We pay attention to it because we don't know at which point that this discount is gone, she said.

In addition to carbon dioxide, the levels of other potent greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide are also on the rise, which further contribute to warming.

An exceptional year

2023 was unusually hot, both on land and in the ocean. (The oceans absorb over 90 percent of the excess heat caused by global warming.) It was the hottest year in over 170 years of record keeping, even exceeding scientists predictions.

One contributing factor to 2023s extreme heat was El Nino, a climate pattern that tends to raise global temperatures. During El Nino, warm ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean cause warmer and drier weather in the tropics. This can lead to droughts that slow the growth of trees and increase the risk of wildfires.

When this happens, the land tends to absorb less carbon dioxide, and more of it ends up in the air. Several climate scientists said this may be why last years rise in carbon dioxide levels was substantially higher than in the years preceding it.

Getting to zero

The current high emissions levels make the climate goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius increasingly difficult to reach.

To limit warming to this threshold, experts say countries need to slam the brakes on global emissions and bring them down to near-zero in about a decade. And some are even considering more extreme technological solutions to help bridge the gap.

Even if global emissions were brought down to half of their current value, we would still continue to add carbon dioxide to the air, causing further warming.

You need to bring them essentially down to zero in order to stop warming, Mr. McNeall said.

How much more warming will occur depends on how long it takes for this to happen.

On one hand, clean energy investments are booming, and renewable energy production is rising globally. But energy demand is also projected to rise, coal power plants are still being built, and some sectors of the economy  like construction and manufacturing  are harder to decarbonize, making the task ahead a steep challenge.

Even if the world exceeds the 1.5-degree threshold, every fraction of a degree matters, Mr. McNeall said.

The closer that you can get to that threshold, the better.
How the House Voted on Foreign Aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Votes on the Foreign Aid Bills Source: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

The House passed a long-stalled foreign aid package on Saturday that gives funding to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with a majority of lawmakers backing money for American allies across the globe. The package, which now goes to the Senate, is almost certain to become law.

The Senate passed similar legislation in February. But in the face of distinct bases of opposition to different elements of the legislation, which threatened to tank the package as a whole, Speaker Mike Johnson advanced the foreign aid using a convoluted strategy: It split the package into three parts, each of which received its own vote, added a fourth bill with Republican priorities as a sweetener and melded it all together again once everything passed.

The plan, laid out in a rule that passed on Friday, was concocted to capitalize on the pools of support for each part of the $95 billion package, while preventing opposition to any one piece from taking down all of them.

How Different Factions Voted Note: Progressive Democrats are members of the House Progressive Caucus. Hard-right Republicans include members who were supported by the House Freedom Fund during the 2022 midterms, opposed Kevin McCarthys election as speaker in January 2023, or voted to oust Mr. McCarthy from the speakership last October. The fund is the campaign arm of the House Freedom Caucus, a hard-right faction founded in 2015.

A majority of Republicans voted against Ukraine aid on Saturday, in a reflection of the stiff resistance within the G.O.P. to continuing to aid Ukraine against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russias invasion. The coalition that voted against the bill extended from right-wing members of the House Freedom Caucus to leadership, such as Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 House Republican. On Israel aid, on the other hand, most Republicans voted yes.

Thirty-four right-wing Republicans also opposed aid to American allies in the Indo-Pacific, while Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, declined to take a yes-or-no position and voted present. Representative Bob Good, Republican of Virginia and the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, was one of the 21 members of his party who voted against the Israel package. Echoing one of the many grievances shared by hard-right Republicans who opposed all of the aid measures, Mr. Good said his support for Israels right to defend itself remains unshakeable but that he disagreed with a measure that would add to the nations debt.

While all Democrats voted in favor of aid to Ukraine and all but Ms. Tlaib supported funding to Taiwan, 37 left-leaning Democrats defected to vote against the Israel aid bill. They said before the vote that they opposed unfettered aid to Israel that could be used in its offensive in Gaza. The opposition to the Israel aid represented a minority of Democrats, but reflected the deep resistance to unconditional aid and the divisions in the party on Gaza. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland represented a notable new no vote among Democrats, and other standouts included Representatives Donald S. Beyer Jr. of Virginia, Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and John Garamendi of California.

Still, 37 no votes, while a break from Washingtons ironclad support for the Jewish state, fell short of the opposition bloc progressives had hoped to muster. Thirty-nine Democrats had voted no on Friday on the rule to allow the foreign aid package to come to the House floor, a target that progressives just missed on Saturday on the Israel bill. Fourteen of those Democrats voted on Saturday in favor of aid to Israel, while 12 Democrats who voted to allow the package on the floor on Friday then cast votes against the funding itself.

Twenty-five Republicans voted against the fourth bill, which included measures that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States and that would redirect funds from seized Russian assets to help aid Ukraine. Democrats put up a big vote  174  in favor of this bill, which was intended to sweeten the overall package for conservatives.
The case of a man involved in a money laundering case was put back to July 10, because a probation and welfare report was not ready.

Kyle Smith (23) of Lynn Heights, Mullingar, first appeared in court in January of this year when he pleaded guilty to transferring, possessing or using 5,100 the proceeds of criminal conduct at Bank of Ireland, Emmet Square, Birr on November 26, 2021.

In January the court heard that Mr Smith had been ordered to take 5,100 from his account before being taken to a shop to buy phones which he then had to hand over to others.

In his evidence to the court last January, Garda Fanning said that the defendant Kyle Smith (23), a student had stated to the gardai that he had received calls purporting to be from his bank telling him that his account was displaying fraudulent activity and asking for his card details. He had dismissed the calls as a scam and hung up.

He then received a call to tell him to come outside of his student accommodation in Sligo where a northern registered white Seat Ibiza was waiting. He was ordered to ''get the f... into the car'' and was told nothing would happen to him. He was asked for his bank account details and his phone.

He was taken to a printing shop and told to print out his bank statement. 5,100 had been transferred into his account from a Birr based account who was the injured party in the case.

He was then brought to a post office to change the money into sterling. Following this he was driven to a CeX store and instructed to purchase a number of phones which he handed over. Afterwards he was driven back to his student complex where he was warned not to tell the gardai.

Garda Fanning said it was three months before Mr Smith had reported the matter to the Gardai.

Solicitor Patrick Martin said Mr Smith was a young man. He had attended the Garda station by appointment. This had been a very traumatic experience for him and he had come at the earliest opportunity with the full amount of 5,100 which was the sum involved, Judge Cody directed that the money be returned to the Bank of Ireland.

He then remanded Mr Smith on continuing bail to last week's district court sitting of April 10 2024 for preparation of a probation report and restorative justice report.

However, the report was not finalised and Judge Cody adjourned the case to July 10.
A TULLAMORE man was maliciously prosecuted when he was wrongly accused of violating the terms of his visa, a court in Kenya has ruled.

Rory Bracken took a civil action against the Kenyan authorities because he believed he was wrongfully arrested in the east African country in 2019 where he was preaching the gospel in his role as a servant of God.

Bracken, now 64 and a resident of Co Laois, spent 23 days in custody before the trial five years ago and was then found not guilty six months later.

He has now been vindicated in the civil courts and was awarded 400,000 Kenyan shillings, which is nearly 2,900 at current exchange rates.

Though his claim was for compensation of more than four million shillings and he says the monetary value of the award is a joke, Bracken said he is not bitter about it and believes an apology from the Kenyan government is more important.

It took six months for the trial of me to be finished, the hotels and the meals cost more than the judgment that was given to me, said Bracken.

I just wanted my name cleared and after five years I was awarded money for a malicious prosecution.

The half-decade saga began in February 2019 when he entered an immigration office in Kisumu, Kenya to seek information about extending his 90-day visa which was due to expire in eight days.

He was arrested on charges which have now found to be maliciously brought and in the criminal trial it was alleged that he was found to be engaging in pastoral activities and was in employment.

The authorities told him after his arrest that he had been working for the Peace Deliverance Church, a claim Bracken denied.

He runs Testify World Ministries and his preaching brought him into contact with pastors in Kenya prior to his arrest but all the so called men of God in Kenya ran away and none of them were in that court.

It was me and Jesus in that court but I was found not guilty in a criminal trial so I sued the Kenyan government in a civil suit for wrongful imprisonment.

He was tried on charges of failing to comply with the conditions of his visa and being present in Kenya unlawfully.

The judge in the criminal trial said: With regards to the issue whether the accused person breached the terms and conditions of his visa, the prosecution evidence before the court is purely oral. A classic case of your word against mine. There is no evidence whatsoever placing the accused person at a place of work preaching, there is no evidence of his employment at the Peace Deliverance Church Siaya. This court is crystal clear that this task of putting evidence before this court lays with the prosecution.

In light of the aforementioned, this court finds that the prosecution has not demonstrated that the accused person breached the terms and condition of his visa by being in employment.

The judge also ruled that at the time of his arrest Bracken had a valid visa and was lawfully in Kenya.

After his arrest Bracken was detained for 23 days at Kodiaga prison because he could not raise the required 500,000 shillings cash bail.

In October 2019 Bracken brought a case against the Kenyan DPP, the country's Inspector General of Police, its Director of Immigration and the Attorney General of Kenya for malicious prosecution.

He sought general damages, punitive and exemplary damages, interest on both and his costs.

It was July 2022 before the attorney general filed a statement of defence and a hearing took place in August last year.

By then Bracken was back in Ireland but he participated online and testified that he had been lawfully in Kenya and upon his arrest was mistreated, mishandled and not informed as to why he was arrested.

The civil trial was told Bracken was subjected to sleeping on the floor, poor feeding and exposed to Hepatitis B in Kodiaga prison and though he was released he was not allowed to leave Kenya until his criminal case was completed.

He was then acquitted on August 14, 2019 after he had suffered humiliation and distress caused by the defendants.

The civil court noted the defendants filed a defence but did not call any witnesses and the case was closed on November 28 last.

Part of the civil judgment stated that if the immigration office had carefully looked at Bracken's documents then the man would not have been charged and prosecuted.

On March 5 last the order awarding Bracken 400,000 shillings in general damages for malicious prosecution was made and he was also awarded the costs of the suit and interest.

Despite the ruling, Bracken remains aggrieved that the original charges attracted far more publicity in Kenya than the finding of the civil court.

The money doesn't matter, it's not about the money, it's about the principle that it wasn't put in the news media.

A short report on the civil case was published in one Kenyan national newspaper but it did not mention the unproven allegation that Bracken was in employment at the Peace Deliverance Church.

The people of Kenya deserve to know that a man of God was put in prison for the gospel, accused wrongly and found by the courts to be maliciously prosecuted.

He has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish embassy in Kenya seeking assistance with his request for an official apology.

He was told by the Irish embassy last week that they cannot intervene in the judicial processes of another country.

The embassy said it cannot provide legal advice but has offered to provide Bracken with a list of English speaking lawyers in Kenya.

Bracken said his wife, who is from Uganda, suffered a miscarriage because of the stress they were going through in 2019.

After returning to Ireland Bracken, who is a past pupil of Colaiste Choilm (formerly Tullamore CBS) continued his work with Testify World Ministries, which has 9,600 followers on its Facebook page.

Bracken says many of those followers are in Africa and he now plans to travel to Malawi, Kenya and possibly Uganda.

I didn't make that plan, God has made me that plan. If you told me four months ago that my next place to preach will be Malawi I'd tell you, you were crazy.

He said his path to becoming a servant of God began when he was living in America.

I became a servant of God in my own house with a friend of mine and a bible in America, and I spent 10 years praying and just reading the bible. Before that I was a wild man and that's when God spoke to me.

He remarked: I'm trying to let people see truth, for truth shall set the world free.
A Brazilian delivery driver who was hailed a hero after intervening in a knife attack in which multiple children were injured is to run for Dublin City Council.

Caio Benicio, who was hailed as a hero by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, announced on Sunday that he would be running as a Fianna Fail candidate for Dublin North Inner City.

Three children and a creche worker were hurt in the attack in Parnell Square East on November 23.

A moment of heroism arose as Deliveroo driver, Caio Benicio, who witnessed the terrifying scene, sprang into action to save a young girl from the knife-wielding attacker.

Without hesitation, Caio swiftly dismounted, removed his helmet, and used it as an improvised weapon to intervene and fend off the assailant.

The courageous act has earned him the title of a local hero, with Dublin residents expressing their gratitude for his selfless actions.

Speaking at the Fianna Fail 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill, Mr Benicio said his priorities would be around road safety and immigration.
A Brazilian delivery driver who was hailed a hero after intervening in a knife attack is to run for Dublin City Council.

Caio Benicio, who won praise for his actions from Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, announced on Sunday that he will be running as a Fianna Fail candidate for Dublin North Inner City.

Three children and a creche worker were injured in the attack in Parnell Square East on November 23 last year.

The incident happened before a riot in the city later that evening.

Speaking at the Fianna Fail 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill on Sunday, Mr Benicio said his priorities will be road safety and immigration.

He said he will be a voice for immigrants and those working in the gig economy.

My motivation is I want to carry on helping people and this is where you have the power to really help people, he said.

Hundreds of thousands of euro were raised through a GoFundMe appeal for Mr Benicio following the attack.

He added: People were so kind to me and I think I have to pay them back and this is the way I think I can help most.

Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he was delighted that Mr Benicio will contest the election.

He said: Caio wants to play a greater role in his community and I think he will make a very fine public representative.

Ms Fitzpatrick said Mr Benicio is making his life in East Wall in Dublin and has a lived experience of working in the city.

She said: He understands the city and has a background of running his own business in Brazil.

I am delighted that Caio Benicio will contest the upcoming local elections for @fiannafailparty in the Dublin North Inner City Local Electoral Area. Caio wants to play a greater role in his community and I think he will make a very fine public representative. pic.twitter.com/qutI5Urn33  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 21, 2024

Mr Benicio, who formerly ran a cafe in Brazil, said politics is where you have the power to make a difference.

He said the Fianna Fail partys policies match his political views.

Fianna Fail will also run Isabell Oliveira and Anne Marie Connolly in the constituency.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. There are no direct negotiations between Iran and the United States, an informed Iranian official said to IRNA, Trend reports.

An informed source denied some media reports that Iran is conducting direct negotiations with the United States.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri-Kani is reported to be continuing discussions with representatives of countries included in the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action to Lift Sanctions on Iran.

In January 2016, a Comprehensive Joint Action Plan on the Iranian nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the 5+1 group (USA, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany). In May 2018, the United States announced its withdrawal from this plan and in November of the same year imposed sanctions against Iran. Iran has announced that there will be no restrictions on the Iran nuclear deal in 2020.

At the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan in the nuclear field with the aim of lifting sanctions against Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, from February 23 of the same year, Iran stopped implementing the additional steps and additional protocol provided for by the nuclear agreement. At the same time, the IAEA control mechanism decreased by 20-30%.
Kochi: My heart is breaking, but there is some peace from within. Its been a long time and we struggled a lot, but at least now I can go, said Premakumari when asked about her travel to see her daughter, Nimisha Priya, who has been sentenced to death and is languishing in a prison in Yemen.



Premakumari, along with Samuel Jerome, a member of the Save Nimishipriya International Action Council, is departing from Kochi on Saturday morning. They will arrive in Mumbai and then depart for Aden via a Yemenia Airways flight at 5 pm. Notably, this is not a regular passenger flight, as there is a restriction on travel to Yemen from India due to the civil war there. This flight primarily transports Yemeni citizens for medical treatment and other purposes, and passengers like Premakumari and Jerome will only be able to travel when the flight returns to Yemen.

Advocate Subhash Chandran, who filed a case in the Delhi High Court on behalf of Nimisha Priyas mother, seeking permission to visit Yemen, given the travel ban for Indians except for unavoidable reasons, stated that the travel was delayed even after one and a half months after obtaining the visa because of this. The Delhi High Court has granted permission for Premakumari to go to Yemen.

A day or two after arriving in Aden, which is under the control of the Yemeni government, Premakumari and Jerome will travel to Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, which is 400 kilometres away and under the control of the rebels. Nimisha Priya is lodged in the jail there. Their primary objective upon reaching Sanaa is to meet Nimisha Priya. Subsequently, they plan to meet with the family and tribal leaders of the deceased Yemeni citizen. They are considering seeking pardon from the family of the deceased, along with the Yemeni people in general, and pleading for Nimisha Priyas release.

If the family accepts her apology and the blood money, the path to Nimisha Priyas release will be clearer. Samuel Jerome had previously stated that discussions are ongoing in this regard. Due to the ongoing civil war in Yemen, India does not have official diplomatic relations with the current regime. Consequently, the Indian embassy operates in Djibouti. Both the embassy and the Save Nimisha Priya Action Council are leading the negotiations in Yemen.

In 2017, Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death for the murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi. She reached Yemen to work as a nurse with her husband. During her time there, Nimisha Priya became acquainted with Abdo Mahdi while working at a clinic. They later planned to establish a health clinic together, and Nimisha Priya and her husband entrusted all their savings to Abdo Mahdi. Initially polite and gentle, Abdo Mahdi allegedly began spreading rumours that Nimisha Priya was his wife and eventually coerced her into marriage after threatening her.

Subsequently, Nimisha Priya alleges that she endured severe mental and physical abuse, including the confiscation of her passport. She claims that her life was threatened, prompting her to escape with her passport after injecting Abdo Mahdi with sedative drugs. However, Abdo Mahdis dismembered body was later discovered in a tank above the house where the couple resided. Despite Nimisha Priyas assertion of innocence and lack of knowledge regarding the murder, the trial court convicted her. Despite appealing to higher courts, including the Supreme Court, her appeals were rejected, and the death sentence was upheld.
You may have heard that the U.S. Congress is finally doing the decent, moral, liberal, democratic, Democratic thing and aiding Ukraine.

You may believe, as pretty much everyone I ask tells me, that there was only one other choice available, namely "letting Putin win."

You may agree with me that the Russian government and its leader -- like every government I've ever heard of -- have done horrendous things, that invading a country militarily is one of the worst things that can ever be done (with the possible exceptions of invading Libya or Yemen or Syria or Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere in Latin America, but still), and that rewarding a military invasion is a terrible precedent that could encourage more military invasions (with the possible exception of keeping those bases in Iraq or Syria, or selling more weapons to Saudi Arabia, or marketing that empty beachfront property in Gaza -- and who the heck is Niger to tell U.S. troops to leave Niger? I mean come ON! -- but still). I'm with you. Between (A) send more unimaginably huge piles of money that materializes out of nowhere and (B) allow a military invasion to succeed, I'm for A.

But please consider five slight complications to this simple tale.

What the U.S. Congress just did is send huge piles of money that comes out of urgent non-optional crises like climate, eco-collapse, disease, poverty, and homelessness, mostly to U.S. weapons dealers, damaging -- yes damaging -- the U.S. economy, in order to send mountains of weapons to the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and a yet-to-be-ginned-up war in Asia. No matter how much you support the war in Ukraine, unless you also support providing enough weapons to murder every last person in Gaza and the West Bank, and in addition support building up toward a catastrophic war with China, you ought to at least have mixed emotions here.

Countless experts around the globe believe that the war in Ukraine has placed the world closer than ever before to nuclear apocalypse. I picture two cockroaches endowed with the power of speech meeting each other as they crawl over the ruins of the de-personed Earth. One says "Well, at least they stood up to Putin," and the other simultaneously, "Well, at least they stood up to NATO." Upon which the war that eliminates all cockroaches is begun. But where, while we still breathe, are our priorities? Is smashing every aspiration of the criminal Russian government (which I'm all in favor of) in order to uphold a rules-based order in which you can freely fuel a sadistic genocide in Palestine (which I'm not so much in favor of) a higher priority than preserving life? And if so, why are you not over there killing Russians yourself, instead of over here cheering for Congress buying more weapons?

I'll leave the option of Russia "winning" to point #4 below. But what is the other option exactly, the one that has been so correctly and nobly chosen? It's clearly not Russia losing. Nobody even pretends it is. It's clearly just continuing the endless slaughter with no desirable outcome for either side anywhere on the horizon. Yet more Ukrainians can go on dying, and Russians can go on dying in larger numbers, but that can't continue until everyone's dead, not without nuclear escalation -- possibly following a French escalation that U.S. media outlets might begin by opposing. So what is it that you think you've chosen? Choosing "Not Putin Winning" is great, like choosing "The Candidate Who Isn't Trump." Who could disagree? But what if there were an option superior to "Putin winning" and also superior to endless war that risks apocalypse?

It helps to face for a moment the complex story of Ukraine, to come to grips with some facts that are as well established as is the illegal, immoral, murderous Russian invasion of 2022, such as that U.S. and foreign officials (including the current CIA director) warned for decades that NATO expansion would create this war -- and some (such as the authors of a RAND Corporation report) advocated for just the provocative steps that were taken in order to create this war, that the U.S. supported a coup in Ukraine in 2014 that overthrew a government pursuing neutrality, that the coup government threated the rights of Russian speakers, that the people of Crimea heavily favored returning to Russia, that Ukraine waged a war on its eastern provinces for 8 years, that Ukraine and its Western partners never intended to and never did honor the Minsk II agreements which could have meant lasting peace, that Russia and Ukraine were ready to agree to peace 1 month into the Russian invasion at talks in Turkey where they agreed on Russian withdrawal and a Ukrainian commitment not to join NATO or allow NATO bases in Ukraine -- until the U.S. and UK said No, as they have continued to say in the face of horrific suffering, not to mention in the face of nearly identical peace proposals from African leaders, Latin American presidents, the Pope, the Chinese government, and scholars and activists across the globe. This history does not erase, but does complicate, the tale of angelic Ukrainian innocence against evil Russian outlaws.

Crimea was Russian or Soviet from 1783 to 1991. No election should ever be held with armed troops anywhere within sight. And it's no simple matter to say that Crimea should hold a new referendum, since people have left and entered. But nobody seriously doubts that any fair election in 2014 or at any time since would have resulted in a majority choosing Russia. The Donbas needed some degree of independence before Minsk II and still does. It needs it free of militarized borders and chest-thumping empires. Some consideration should be given to whether the people who live there "win" or "lose" -- that is, how their lives look going forward. For them and for the world, peace is preferable to war, and peace is prevented by endless weapons and endless opposition to negotiations.

Prior to this recent "aid" package, 62% of U.S. federal discretionary spending was going into militarism. Now it's more. The other 38% and shrinking has to cover environment, education, health, housing, transportation, agriculture, and everything else. Normalizing endless massive warmaking, just because it's non-U.S. troops dying, is a path to disaster. To begin considering a different course, here are a few eye-opening reads:

(Article changed on Apr 21, 2024 at 1:43 PM EDT)
Hey Press Corps: Do Your Job



Recently, I watched the ex-president, multiple-indicted, convicted sexual assault perp Donald J. Trump hold a press conference following his dual court dates in New York City. Aside from his usual insults and incessant whining I saw something that made me wince: a timid press corps that is frankly too scared to ask any tough questions, or even attempt to challenge any of the outrageous statements that the con man makes.

Absent for this 20-minute appearance was any similar Jim Acosta moment, when, six years ago, the CNN reporter stood a few feet from the then president and challenged him on his comments regarding his caravans of migrants heading to the U.S. border as an "invasion." To his credit, Acosta, who refused to give up the mic to one of the White House's communications' minions, got under the thin skin of the bully-in-chief.

"That's enough! Put down the mic!," Trump said, stepping menacingly toward Acosta, his face getting redder by the second.

"I'll tell you what. CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN... the way you treat Sarah Huckabee [White House Press Secretary at the time] is terrible."

Directly after Acosta gave up the mic and sat down, NBC reporter Peter Alexander defended his journalistic colleague, further enraging Trump. "What are you trying to be him now?"

"Such a hostile media!" the president continued. No, actually the media was simply doing its job. Within hours, Acosta's White House press credentials were temporarily revoked.

This week, there were no Sarah Huckabees controlling the press corps. Reporters could have shouted anything they wanted at the former president. They could have called him on his many false and, frankly, odd, statements. ("We'll bring crime back to law and order." Really?)

But they didn't.

They appeared cowed, afraid to loose access to a man that despises them, too polite to interrupt Trump's tiresome ad hominem attacks on the usual suspects: Judge Arthur Engoron ("whacked out or dishonest; probably both"), New York Attorney General Letitia James ("puppet master of the judge") and the current president ("Biden and his thugs; tremendous corruption").

Where was the pushback by "Maggie" (as Trump perhaps too fondly calls her) of the New York Times and the other assembled media when Trump said regarding the hush money case, "Legal scholars all over the world say there is no crime"? How about asking, "Mr. Trump can you cite these legal scholars and from what countries they reside so we can contact them for a comment?"

When Trump said he was going "to drill baby, drill," a reporter should have mentioned the fact that the United States is energy independent and has plenty of oil and, in fact, is moving away from both oil and coal.

And how about posing this question: "Mr. Trump, do you ever feel the least bit guilty taking your supporters' hard-earned money that they believed was going toward your campaign and, instead, is being used to pay your legal expenses? You are a billionaire after all, right? If so, why should a middle-class American pay a billionaire's legal fees?"

Additionally, I would have asked, "You have spent millions of your supporters' cash on hiring expensive lawyers, leading to countless appeals, and delaying trials. Do you know that almost none of the working-class Americans that you claim to represent can afford to delay justice as you have? Do you consider this fair?"

Was there anyone brave enough to step forward with follow-up on Trump's boast that "Ukraine and Gaza never would have happened if I were president"? A journalism 101 class would have countered with, "Can you explain in detail how Russia would not have invaded Ukraine and how Hamas would not attacked Israel if you were in charge?"

Heck, the same class of freshman students might ask, "During the 2020 campaign you said if Biden is elected 'the stock market will crash.' Yet the Dow is about to go over 40,000 points and the S&P just reached another record high. Would you like to amend that earlier prediction, sir?"

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Most readers of the New York Times, not only the true believers but even those who now see it as a CIA mouthpiece, would probably agree that it was a different paper in 1971 when they published the Pentagon Papers (henceforth "PP NYT"), that "epic document," according to their own self-accolade, that exposed "the secrets and lies of the Vietnam War."

The biggest secret, however, and what I call "The Second Biggest Lie" (after the Warren Report) of that era is that President Johnson continued Kennedy's Vietnam policy, when in fact he reversed it. There should never have been any controversy about this, but thanks to the NYT and a slew of academic historians who, for the first thirty years, accepted this lie, and then, for the next thirty years, engaged in a furious but spurious debate over facts that were either known (that there was a withdrawal policy under Kennedy and that Johnson reversed it) or unknowable (what JFK's "secret intentions" were and what he would have done if he had not been assassinated), instead of facing the plain facts and their implications, as Franz Schurmann, Peter Dale Scott and Reginald Zelnick did in a perspicacious little book that appeared five years before the Pentagon Papers:

...precisely at a moment when neutralist sentiment was increasing in Saigon and elsewhere, the shift from a moderate to a militant government in Saigon was accompanied by a shift in Washington's declared policy from limited to unlimited support for the Vietnam war. It is important to recall, in this regard, the stated intention of the Kennedy administration, as announced by McNamara and Taylor from the White House on October 2, 1963, which was to withdraw most U.S. forces from South Vietnam by the end of 1965. The first public indication of a change in the U.S. intentions came in a letter from President Johnson to Duong Van Minh at New Year's, 1964, which promised "the fullest measure of support...in achieving victory." The New York Times commented, "By implication, the message erased the previous date for withdrawing the bulk of United States forces from Vietnam by the end of 1965" (NYT, January 2, 1964, p. 7).

...In retrospect, it is hard to deny that, shortly before the [January 1964] coup, the United States had made the crucial decision to reverse the policy, announced during the last days of President Kennedy's administration, of gradually withdrawing U.S. troops from South Vietnam. Was it all a coincidence that a change in leadership in Washington was followed by a change in policy, and a change in policy by a corresponding change in Saigon's government? Administration officials have never yet seen fit to defend publicly this important reversal of policy; thus they have not identified the threat that brought it about. Was it a radical increase in the strength of the opposing forces? As far as we know, none has ever been alleged. Or was it a radical decline in Saigon's will to resist, with a corresponding disposition toward the political proposals of de Gaulle and the NLF [and U Thant of the UN, for a neutral or coalition government in South Vietnam]?

One conclusion can be asserted unequivocally: The United States increased its commitment to a prolongation of the Vietnam war at a time when the drift of the Saigon junta and of public opinion was in the direction of negotiations for a neutralized Vietnam. [The Politics of Escalation in Vietnam, 1966, out of print but still accessible at archive.org. Pp. 32-34. My emphasis.]

There never should have been a question whether there was a withdrawal policy or whether it was reversed. The important question, then and now (re Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) is why the US feels compelled to wage war everywhere on behalf of "the free world". Schurmann et al. answer this with regard to Vietnam in the words of Robert McNamara:

A more explicit official indication of reversal of policy came in the testimony of Secretary McNamara before the Armed Services Committee, on January 27, three days before the [January 1964] coup:

The survival of an independent government in South Vietnam is so important to the security of Southeast Asia and to the free world that I can conceive of no alternative other than to take all necessary measures within our capability to prevent a Communist victory. (M. Raskin and B. Fall, The Vietnam Reader, New York, 1965, p. 394). [P. 33. My emphasis.]

Substitute "South Vietnam," "Southeast Asia" and "Communist" with terms appropriate to other US wars and you have the answer that applies to all of them: in a word, US imperialism, exceptionalism, neoconservativism - take your pick.

All we need to know about JFK's withdrawal policy and LBJ's reversal of it is in the paragraphs cited above. Why, then, has there been so much fuss about it?

To answer that question we can start with the main antagonist on one side of this spurious debate, Noam Chomsky, and as it happens, with his very first political essay, "The Responsibility of Intellectuals" (1967). In a footnote to illustrate the kind of research a citizen must undertake "to confront government pronouncements with fact," Chomsky cites this same book by Schurmann et al. to make a point that he would return to many times in later work. He calls it "Orwell's problem" (cf. Knowledge of Language: Its Nature, Origin, and Use, 1986; Manufacturing Consent, 1988): Why do we know so little when there is so much information available?

"Orwell's problem" is our problem, Chomsky is saying, if we want to know the truth amidst the barrage of government and media propaganda, reinforced by an educational system that conditions us to accept what respected authorities say as true.

How many people knew, in 1966, what Schurmann et al. (and Chomsky?) knew - that LBJ reversed JFK's withdrawal policy? Yes, it was reported in the NYT (see quote). But what political impact did this "news" have? That is the crucial question, as Chomsky, of all people, has always been fully aware.

Thus I was puzzled by his reaction to what I thought was obvious - that JFK's withdrawal plan was based on the assumption (rather than the condition, as Chomsky insists) of military success. What I was saying, Chomsky wrote in a letter to me on Jan. 7, 1993 (my letters and summaries of his are here),

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi will pay an official visit to Pakistan on April 22-24, Trend reports via Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

Raisi will be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other members of the government, as well as business representatives.

During the visit, the Iranian president will meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, the visit will focus on enhancing ties between Iran and Pakistan, along with fostering cooperation in trade, communications, energy, and agriculture.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The largest holiday in the Islamic calendar is Eid-al-Fitr, celebrated this year on March 10th across the Islamic world -- a world that stretches from Indonesia, west through Malaysia, the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia, onward from Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and westward across Northern Africa -- down to Nigeria. It also includes some people in South Africa and some in East African countries like Uganda and Kenya.



Vast as this may seem, these close to two billion people are not a unitary whole. As in Christianity, there is a basic schism between Sunni and Shia, the counterpart of Catholic and Protestant. Most countries are Sunni majorities, the only exception being Shia Iran.

The radical and now pragmatic Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a sort of reconciliation deal with Iran in 2023 whereby both countries agreed to respect each other's sovereignty and not interfere in the internal affairs of the other. Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi also received an invitation from Prince Mohammed's father King Salman to visit Saudi Arabia, and did so in March 2023.

A year later relations between the countries remain restored but there are tensions, particularly with respect to regional allies and the conflicts in Yemen and Lebanon. And Syria continues to be Iran's best Arab friend.

Iran is also expanding its horizons as it looks towards China and also Russia and the (former Soviet but now) independent republics like Kazakhstan. The emerging triple axis of Russia, China and Iran is an attempt to remake the world according to some like Dina Esfandiary, who holds a doctorate from the renowned War Studies Dept. at King's College London.



Others believe that to be illusory, and that the relationships are basically bilateral with ad hoc trilateral coordination when necessary in specific circumstances.



Is there any chance the OIC (Organization for Islamic Cooperation) could become unified like the EU? The problem it faces is that its member states may share religion in common but they are separated by sectarian, ethnic and cultural divides. Europe, on the other hand, was separated only by language and history, and therefore could profit economically by forming the EU.



Another problem is the large population differences and the possibility of richer countries being swamped by poor and illiterate immigrants. Still others with a more tolerant religious culture might not like the intrusion of religious diehards.

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V%C3%ADctor Manuel Fern%C3%A1ndez-%28cropped%29.

(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Direccion de Relaciones Institucionales de la Universidad Catolica Argentina) Details Source DMCA



Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) April 21, 2024: In my adult life (I recently turned 80), I have devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to writing about the work of my former teacher at Saint Louis University, the American Jesuit Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Walter J. Ong (1912-2003; Ph.D. in English, Harvard University, 1955).

See, for example, my OEN article "Thomas J. Farrell on Thomas J. Farrell" (dated November 17, 2023):

Click Here

More recently, I highlighted Ong's thought in my OEN article "Pope Francis, David French, and Walter Ong on Gender Differences" (dated March 3, 2024):

Click Here

Now, the American Jesuit David Toolan published an article about Ong's account of gender differences titled "The Male Agony: According to Walter J. Ong" in the liberal lay Catholic magazine Commonweal, volume CXIX, number 20 (November 20, 1992): pp. 13-18.

Now, as far as I know, Father Ong did not take a stand in any of his 400 or so distinct publications (not counting translations and reprintings as distinct publications) against any of the controversial moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

At the present time, the most controversial moral teachings of the roman Catholic Church are those covered in the Vatican's new 2024 Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith titled "Dignitas Infinita: On Human Dignity" (dated April 8, 2024):

Click Here

The new 2024 Vatican document is expressly referred to as a Declaration. And it is identified as a Declaration prepared by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez from Argentina is the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. In his presentation of the Declaration, he tells us that it was five years in the making. In other words, the Declaration was already in the works before the doctrinally conservative Pope Francis, also from Argentina, appointed him the new head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. But it fell to Cardinal Fernandez to see its preparation through to its final public presentation, which was approved by the doctrinally conservative Pope Francis.

The main body of the Declaration's text is composed of numbered paragraphs (1 through 66). The main body of the text is followed by 116 numbered endnotes giving the bibliographical references for the sources of quotations in the text. The doctrinally conservative Pope Francis is over-represented as the source of quotations in the text. In short, the Declaration is a compendium of his doctrinally conservative teachings.

I have profiled the doctrinally conservative Pope Francis in my widely read OEN article "Pope Francis on Evil and Satan" (dated March 24, 2019):

Click Here

However, even though I routinely accurately characterize Pope Francis as doctrinally conservative, certain conservative American Catholics have generated a lot of anti-Francis polemics.

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Eileen Garvins new novel, Crow Talk, publishing April 30, is a love letter.

Its a love letter to the Pacific Northwest  Garvin grew up in Spokane and attended college in Seattle. To crows. To people on the autism spectrum, like her sister Margaret. To people experiencing loss and grief. To Hood River, the Columbia Gorge town where shes lived for two decades.

As in Garvins first novel, The Music of Bees, the story revolves around an unlikely friendship helped along by another species. Crow Talk opens with Frankie, a 26-year-old avian biologist from Hood River whos licking her wounds after a one-two punch of career and personal setbacks. She decides to spend some time alone in the family cabin, at the fictional June Lake near Washingtons Mount Adams, and schedules her trip for September to ensure solitude.

But Frankies retreat is interrupted by 5-year-old Aiden. He and his parents, Anne and Tim, also have come to June Lake for a getaway, bringing their own problems. Then an injured young crow turns up.

Garvin talked recently about what inspired the novel, why crows, and more. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Q: Did you spend a lot of time in nature growing up?

A: I did, actually. My family had a cabin in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. And we spent a lot of time there. It was a lovely little spot. We had access to the woods. I didnt realize until I was older how much I loved that and really have incorporated it into my life as an adult.

Q: Was there a specific inspiration for Crow Talk?

A: During May of 2020 I had just turned in the revision of The Music of Bees to my editor, so it was out of my hands. And youll remember that everything shut down in terms of state parks, U.S. Forest Service lands, city parks. All of a sudden we couldnt go outside and I was very stressed.

I figured I could get to the family place. My parents still own it. I could get there without interacting with anybody. And I just felt so relieved at being able to be back in my safe place and a happy place.

Realizing that this place had been so comforting to me and so important in my life  so what would happen if I made a similar imaginary place, I took some people with troubles and put them there?

Q: Theres so much loss in this book. Frankie lost her father, and theres the emotional loss of her mother. She loses her academic mentor. Anne has lost her best friend and shes lost her career. Anne and Tim, theyve lost the child they thought they had. Aidens lost his ability to communicate. A lot of loss!

A: Thats terrible! Why would anybody read this book?

Q: What drew you to writing about that?

A: I think I am drawn to that kind of story. I like dramas, I like sad movies, I like to see people figure things out.

Frankie, for example. It didnt feel realistic to me to just have it be one thing, like, oh, her father died, so shes sad and shes gonna go to the cabin. It had to be more complicated than that.

Q: Im thinking of the old saying When it rains it pours. It does seem like we never encounter problems singly, its always on top of something else.

A: Right? And you think, oh, if I only had this one problem I could cope with it, but its everything on top of everything else. So yes, I think it does feel more realistic to me to have it be that way, and it adds more dimension to each one of their paths.

Q: Tell me about crows and how you got interested in them.

A: Im a real wannabe biologist. I had so much fun writing The Music of Bees. I wrote relying on my own beekeeping experience and eventually completed the master beekeeper apprentice program through OSU [Oregon State University].

So I thought it would be fun to try something with birds. I originally thought about doing something with the spotted owl because that felt very Northwestern to me. But then as I got into it, I recognized that Im very much a listener. And I was hearing the crows all the time, and I realized theyre everywhere all the time. It doesnt matter if youre in a park in Portland or youre here in Hood River, in the woods or in Spokane, theyre just there. Theyre ubiquitous and theyre funny and theyre mouthy and theyre watching us and they dont care what you think.

I started reading about John Martzluffs research at University of Washington, which Ive used in the story. I just thought that was fascinating, that [crows] could learn to recognize people and then teach their young and teach their neighbors to recognize bad humans and also the good ones.

Q: What I really liked about Aiden was that it would be so easy for an author to write, Aiden is on the spectrum, but you show, you dont tell. Its all about his behavior.

A: I did that on purpose. Autism fascinates me. It remains a huge part of my life. My sister is still a very big influence on me. She didnt speak really at all till she was 7. The only way she would express herself would be crying or yelling. I really learned to watch people and read nonverbal communication.

With Aiden, I wanted to think about that part of it, like, what is he looking at? What is he paying attention to? His mothers observing him and seeing the child thats disappeared. But whats going on in his mind? And why is he finding it hard to articulate in the way that he did before?

Q: What was it like to write about Hood River?

A: It feels very natural to me because I love it here so much. You can see both mountains [Mounts Hood and Adams] from the grocery store parking lots, and theres the river, and its just so  its just beautiful here.

Q: What was the most fun thing for you about writing this book and what was the most challenging thing?

A: The most fun thing was the crow research. I loved having an excuse to do that research and then to see how I could work the stories and research into the manuscript in a believable way.

The hardest thing was writing Aidens point of view, because I wanted to reveal what was going on in his mind without giving up way too much, and because hes 5 and because hes stopped speaking and hes using fairy tales to convey his worldview.

Q: What advice would you give your protagonists, Frankie and Anne?

A: I would say, Have a little faith. In Judith [Frankies mother] and in Tim. Give them a chance.

If you go: Author appearances

6 p.m. Tuesday, April 30: Book launch party with Waucoma Bookstore. Eileen Garvin discusses Crow Talk with nature writer and author Michelle Nijhuis. The Ruins, 13 Railroad St., Hood River.

7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1: In conversation with Oregon author Elizabeth Rusch. Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8: Author appearance and book signing with Bettys Books. Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St., Baker City.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9: Next Chapter Books, 1000 S. Highway 395, Suite C, Hermiston.

1 p.m. Saturday, May 11: North Bank Books, 66 S.W. Russell Ave., Stevenson, WA.

 Amy Wang, for The Oregonian/OregonLive
For the past year, police Detective Tim Lillard has spent most of his waking hours unofficially investigating his wifes death.

The question has never been exactly how Ann Picha-Lillard died on Nov. 19, 2022: She succumbed to respiratory failure after an infection put too much strain on her weakened lungs. She was 65.
Elections, as they say, have consequences. The May 21 election for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has the chance to be the most consequential in recent years.

With all four district seats on the ballot  only the chairs position is not up for election residents tired of the countys aimless governance can vote into office a slate of action-minded candidates with a mandate for change. They can send an unambiguous message to Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and other local leaders that the dithering around our homelessness and behavioral health crises cannot continue. Voters should not sleep on this opportunity to parlay their votes into progress.

The pool of candidates is strong, reflecting just how high-stakes this moment is. Former and current elected officials, nonprofit leaders and longtime advocates with broad expertise have stepped up to run for public office, even as the job has grown increasingly challenging.

But voters have to engage. They should know whos running to represent their geographic district, research their positions, watch their endorsement interviews, consider who can effectively translate clear plans into reality and vote. And they should be prepared to do it again later this year, if necessary. The top vote-getter in each of the four districts must capture more than 50% of the vote in May to avoid a runoff with the second-place candidate in November. And whoever wins the District 2 seat will serve only until the end of 2026. The race is to fill the position vacated by former Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, who resigned last year to run for Congress.

We recommend that voters elect administrative law judge Vadim Mozyrsky for District 1; former Portland Mayor Sam Adams for District 2; Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards for District 3; and Gresham City Councilor Vince Jones-Dixon for District 4 as the candidates who show the discipline, competence and follow-though needed to help steer the county out of chaos. Collectively, they can work with, or if necessary, outvote Vega Pederson to ensure the county takes a more strategic direction and deliver the results and accountability this community needs. Readers can find the full endorsements and our rationale below.

District 1  West Portland: Vadim Mozyrsky

In a field of strong candidates, Mozyrsky, 51, brings the combination of experience, detail-oriented attention and executive mindset that prepare him best for the role of commissioner. An administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration, he has previously worked as a senior policy adviser for the U.S. Health and Human Services, giving him a professional background that aligns well with the policy, budgetary and accountability-focused responsibilities a commissioner has. His ability to navigate conflicting objectives are key to fostering collaboration with fellow commissioners and the city of Portland. And his participation on several community boards and committees over the years has given him the differing perspectives of some of the countys many constituencies.

He correctly pointed out the scattershot strategy that the county has employed in addressing homelessness, arguing for an outside audit to better identify whats working. He also emphasized the need for better collaboration between the county and the city of Portland as well as coordination with the nonprofits and others providing homeless support services.

Disability Rights Oregon Public Policy Director Meghan Moyer, 44, also made a compelling case for herself, with impressive experience in several social service policy areas. Reflecting that background, she offered a detailed take of the federal and Medicaid funding streams that she would seek to tap by lobbying state officials to earn the approvals necessary and criticized the county for not building a comprehensive plan built on strategically pulling down those funding streams.

But her guarded responses about her views of the citys push for camping restrictions as well as her resistance to changing the states overly restrictive civil commitment laws hint at some of the same philosophical objections that have hindered progress in the past. Moreover, her experience and priorities simply match up better with work that needs to be done more on the state level, than the county, as many of her answers confirmed.

Like Moyer, Kevin Fitts, 59, is deeply knowledgeable about the behavioral health system and familiar with its many failings. The executive director of Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association has been an indispensable advocate for decades for those living with mental illness. But similar to Moyer, expertise alone is not enough to make the transition to handling the varied policy, financial and oversight responsibilities for a county government in dysfunction across multiple areas.

Other candidates include Margot Wheeler, 35, who works as an independent management consultant and Multnomah County project manager; and Chris Henry, 60, a previous Oregon Progressive Party chair who has sought several statewide and local offices.

District 2  North and Northeast Portland: Sam Adams

Adams, 60, is not the candidate we thought wed be endorsing. The former Portland mayor carries considerable baggage both personally and politically. He lied repeatedly during his 2008 mayoral campaign about having a sexual relationship a few years earlier with an 18-year-old. More recently, he is accused of belittling others while working for Mayor Ted Wheeler until early 2023, although those allegations were never investigated.

Such a record would sink almost anyone else. But Adams also keenly understands the mechanics of government, is willing to push innovative  even controversial  ideas and has shown tenacity and commitment that persists despite fiscal, political and social media headwinds. Despite blowback during his term as mayor, he led the city through the painful cuts forced by the Great Recession, pushed for the city to take a bigger role in promoting education and spearheaded programs, including compost and reduced garbage pickups, that have become largely accepted as part of Portlands sustainability ethic.

While working for Wheeler, Adams put forward a proposal to build mass sanctioned camping sites for up to 1,000 homeless people with access to services along with a push to restrict camping on public land. Despite intense criticism  some even referred to the idea as concentration camps  the proposal has since evolved into smaller Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites that many now credit for their effectiveness in connecting people to permanent housing. That willingness to advance out-of-the-box ideas and force a broader discussion is exactly what the county needs to help break out of its paralysis.

He has also called out the issues in collaboration between the city and county as well as structural flaws in how the county commission operates. He supports a unified budgeting approach across the county, its cities and Home Forward housing authority for spending homeless and behavioral health dollars to better plan and ensure that the community is providing a spectrum of services. And he lists several other priorities that showcase his ability to pinpoint needs  a reason why many have continued to support him, even as he has given people reasons to walk away.

Four other competitors are vying for the District 2 seat, which is only on the ballot this year because of former Multnomah County Commissioner Jayapals departure. They include Shannon Singleton, 47, former interim Joint Office of Homeless Services director; Jessie Burke, 42, co-owner of Society Hotel; Carlos Richard, 52, a diversity, equity and inclusion manager for Multnomah County; and Nicholas Hara, 35, a data consultant. All provided credible responses to our questionnaire and/or interview and bring an informed viewpoint and relevant experience. But none can hit the ground running and spearhead the urgent change the county needs like Adams.

To make the most of the abbreviated term available to the District 2 winner, voters should look for the candidate who has proven the ability to get big things done and cast their ballots for Adams.

District 3  Southeast and East Portland: Julia Brim-Edwards

It would be difficult to name a leader that this community has turned to more than Brim-Edwards to cut through the dysfunction this past year.

Despite only 10 months on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Brim-Edwards, 62, has emerged as an effective voice pushing for strategic action, transparency in debate and decision-making and targeted outcomes. From the moment she joined the commission, she has pressed Vega Pederson and the county to connect spending more tightly to specific goals rather than issuing allocations without a clear sense of what programs will achieve. Shes helped thaw the commissions ideological rigidity, successfully securing funds to keep the Bybee Lakes Hope Center operating  the first time the commission has given money to the homeless shelter and transitional housing program established in the former Wapato Jail.

Shes stood with outgoing Commissioner Sharon Meieran in raising concerns about the confused and vague objectives of some initiatives, such as the 90-day fentanyl emergency that the county chair called along with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Gov. Tina Kotek. She asks questions delving into the efficacy of programs and tracking of results. And she insists on including the community in projects affecting their neighborhoods  a move that builds trust, earns wider support and ensures better attention to detail in the planning.

Brim-Edwards work to plan a new drop-off sobering center plan is an example of her effectiveness and the shift in pace shes brought to a county that prefers to plod. The county has been without a sobering center since 2019, while the need for a safe place to bring people experiencing acute intoxication has only intensified.

Last September, Vega Pederson tasked Brim-Edwards with developing a proposal. Brim-Edwards last week presented a detailed plan for opening a 35-50 bed sobering center within 10 months. The only question is whether Vega Pederson and the others will finally act with urgency to approve the plan, as they should. Failure to do so would signal yet another reason that voters must send commissioners with the same mindset as Brim-Edwards.

Her opponent, TJ Noddings, 30, is a housing navigator for Cascade AIDS Project where he gets a first-hand view of how big the need is for placements and how insufficient the vouchers are to get and keep people housed. His platform, which is almost entirely focused on housing, calls for the state to allow local rent control and pave the way for caps on both rent and utility increases. A co-chair of the housing working group for the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, he supports other far-left tenants rights provisions that we believe would actually result in less housing and greater instability. As a 2022 ECONorthwest report showed, Portland lost 14% of its rental homes over a five-year period with the biggest declines coming after passage of rent relocation payment and other requirements. While his focus on getting people housed is undeniably the biggest priority for the county, we believe that Brim-Edwards methodical, strategic approach to increase a continuum of housing and services will find greater success.

Brim-Edwards has shown in 10 months what one person working with the community and focusing on pragmatic, researched solutions can achieve. Voters should send Brim-Edwards back for a full term to keep leading the way.

District 4  East Multnomah County: Vince Jones-Dixon

The East County representative always faces a challenge in advancing an agenda in that the other four members of the commission are typically all residents of Portland proper where public safety, social service needs and health concerns can vary significantly. Voters in this district, which stretches from 148th Avenue in East Portland to the Hood River County line, should choose Jones-Dixon, 35, as the best candidate to take on the role.

Jones-Dixon, who grew up in Northeast Portland, has served on the Gresham City Council since 2020, and wants to ensure the East County perspective is heard. He noted how slow ambulance response times hits East County especially hard, impacting overall public safety in the district, which includes not just Gresham, but four other cities and the unincorporated rural areas. He shared his frustration over basic data, such as shelter beds, which should be available so that nonprofits and law enforcement can more easily connect people with services. He said he is especially passionate about the opportunity to shape a system that provides multiple opportunities for those with drug addictions to seek treatment rather than go through the criminal justice system. And to better unite the East County voice, he aims to revive gatherings among representatives of the five cities, he said.

His competitors include Timothy Youker, 67, and Brian Knotts, 61, an IT consultant, who captures the dissatisfaction of many over the countys lack of progress and what he sees as a monoculture that seems to recycle the same failed ideas. While Knotts raises valid points, he lacks the political experience that Dixon-Jones brings to the table.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. In January-March, trade turnover between Georgia and Russia amounted to about $620 million, which is 7% less than in the same period in 2023, National Statistics Service of Georgia says, Trend reports.

According to the information, Russia ranks second among Georgias largest trading partners, its share in foreign trade amounted to 13.2%.

Exports of goods from Georgia to Russia in January-March exceeded $160 million, which is 9% less than a year earlier. Imports amounted to $458 million, down 6.5%.

Turkiye ranked first among Georgia's trading partners, with a turnover of almost $722 million (+5.6%). China is in third place, with a trade turnover of more than $330 million (-12%). They are followed by the United States (over $328 million), Azerbaijan (over $298 million) and Kyrgyzstan (over $237 million).
Authorities are seeking at least one individual responsible for shooting five teenagers, one of whom sustained critical injuries, during a water gun fight held on Friday as part of the "senior skip day" festivities at a Greenbelt, Maryland park, according to officials.

Teens Injured at Park During Senior Skip Day Event

Expressing frustration, Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers stated during a later news briefing on Friday evening, "These were kids on senior skip day who were looking to have a good time at a local park. And to have something like this occur, is just - it's maddening, honestly."

Initially gathering in Bowie, Maryland, hundreds of teenagers who had skipped school in Prince George's County for the tradition were dispersed by both Bowie and Prince George's County police, said Greenbelt police spokesperson Ricardo Dennis.

Following this dispersal, approximately 500 students eventually congregated at the Schrom Hills Recreation Center in Greenbelt, Dennis revealed, noting that the meetup was informally organized on social media.

Describing the event, Chief Bowers explained that students typically leave school to converge at the park armed with super soakers and water guns to engage in friendly water battles, noting that a similar water gun fight took place last year without incident.

Due to the high density of teenagers in the relatively small park, officers requested backup, Bowers mentioned. While monitoring the water gun fight, officers heard live gunfire originating from "someone who brought a real gun," Bowers disclosed, stating that approximately eight to ten shots were fired.

The area was swiftly secured as officers searched for the suspect.

Following the incident, most of the teenagers left the park, Dennis stated, with one critically injured victim airlifted to a nearby hospital and four others hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Ongoing Investigation on Maryland Shooting Incident

Initially, authorities reported two victims in critical condition, later revising the count to one during the evening news conference. Of the shooting victims, two were minors and three were over 18 years old, according to police.

Investigators are currently determining whether the suspect fled the park alongside other teenagers and are probing whether the firearm was discharged by a participant in the water gun fight.

Chief Bowers condemned the incident as a "horrible, tragic, senseless act," emphasizing the need for societal action to prevent such occurrences.

Five wounded individuals, aged between 16 and 18, were found at the scene, given medical care and the area was secured, Bowers noted. All five injured individuals were transported to hospitals.

"These were kids on senior skip day who were looking to have a good time at a local park, and to have something like this occur, is just, it is maddening," the police chief expressed.

An ongoing investigation into the incident is underway, and police are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help identify a suspect.
The CDC probes the sharp increase in fake box injections that are causing patients adverse effects.

These reports span across multiple states, including Tennessee, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

The ongoing investigation into adverse reactions linked to counterfeit injections or improperly handled botulinum toxin, commonly known as "Botox," involves the CDC, various state and local health departments, and the FDA.

A Sharp Increase of Adverse Effects with Fake Botox

The Health Department of New York City reported on Friday, April 19, that three individuals required emergency medical care after receiving botulinum toxin injections in various areas like their face, neck, upper back, or armpits.

Following the injections, these individuals experienced a spectrum of symptoms within days or weeks, ranging from double vision and drooping eyelids to challenges with swallowing, breathing, and arm mobility.

Among them, two were hospitalized, with one requiring intensive care.

Investigations by the CDC, several state and local health departments, and the FDA are ongoing regarding adverse reactions linked to counterfeit or improperly handled botulinum toxin (commonly referred to as "Botox").

As of April 18, 2024, a total of 22 cases from 11 different states have been reported, detailing harmful responses post-botulinum toxin injections administered by unlicensed or untrained personnel or in non-medical environments like homes or spas. These incidents occurred between November 4, 2023, and March 31, 2024. States affected include California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

Authorities have identified instances where individuals received injections with fake or unverified products, with ongoing efforts to trace the origins of these substances.

Dr. Kate Dee, a physician and founder of Glow Medispa in Seattle, attributed these recent health issues to the lack of regulation in medical spas, an industry that has experienced rapid growth, reaching a value of $15 billion in the wellness sector.

She emphasized, "The problem is not that there's fake Botox around and doctors might accidentally use it. That's not what's happening. Doctors get real Botox, and we pay lots of money to do things legally and legitimately."

Adding, "It's these people who are busy trying to make money from the med spa industry, the esthetics industry, who are getting it because it's so much cheaper."

Spotting a Fake Botox Injection and Signs of Side Effects

Dr. Adam Friedman, a distinguished dermatologist and Chair of Dermatology at George Washington University, shed light on the typical causes of adverse reactions related to authentic Botox injections, attributing them to "poor technique," such as erroneous muscle or site targeting during injection.

He emphasized the seriousness of cases where patients face respiratory distress or failure due to systemic poisoning, a departure from the usual complications seen by medical professionals.

The FDA outlined several indicators to recognize counterfeit Botox products, including:

Lot number C3709C3 on the outer carton and vial.

Labeling of the active ingredient as "Botulinum Toxin Type A" instead of "OnabotulinumtoxinA" on the outer carton.

Packaging indicating 150-unit doses, a quantity not produced by AbbVie.

Presence of non-English language on the outer carton.

Patients who received fake Botox have reported experiencing symptoms such as blurry or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and generalized weakness.

It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider or visit the emergency room if any symptoms of botulism arise.
Sheneca Cowart, a preschool teacher in Tennessee, was taken into custody after being accused of making threatening remarks about shooting a fellow staff member and making threats against the school.

The situation, resulting in charges related to assault and possession of a weapon, occurred at the Academy of McCrory Lane, located in Nashville.

Nashville Preschool Teacher Threatens Shooting

A preschool teacher in Nashville found herself in custody last Thursday after allegedly making threats against a colleague and the school during a heated exchange.

According to official records from Davidson County, officers responded to The Academy of McCrory Lane on Newsom Station Road around 11 a.m. that Thursday.

Reports indicated that a teacher at the preschool, identified as 29-year-old Sheneca Cowart, was making threats involving a firearm directed at another teacher and students.

Upon arriving at the school, law enforcement confirmed the lockdown situation with an employee in the parking lot. Cowart was reportedly inside a classroom with another teacher and children at the time.

Security footage reviewed by Metro police revealed that Cowart was not visibly armed and was following the school's lockdown procedures by moving children into a closet, as confirmed by school staff.

As additional officers arrived on the scene, they observed Cowart complying with instructions, exiting the classroom, and being taken into custody without resistance.

During questioning, Cowart denied having a firearm on her but admitted to having one stored in her car's driver's side door, parked nearby.

Statements from school personnel corroborated hearing Cowart make threatening remarks about the school, including the alarming statement captured in the affidavit, where Cowart allegedly mentioned intentions to "shoot up" the school and her habit of carrying a gun.

According to the affidavit document, "The victim stated she heard [Cowart] say that she was going to shoot up the school and that she keeps her gun on her. Another teacher corroborated hearing that threat."

Adding, "Another teacher stated she overheard [Cowart] say things such as when I start shooting you better run."

The situation remains under investigation by local authorities, with Cowart facing charges related to the threats and firearm possession allegations.

Legal Actions and School's Response

The Nashville preschool teacher is now facing serious charges, including assault, threat of mass violence at a school, and two counts of carrying weapons onto school premises, stemming from an incident at The Academy of McCrory Lane in Nashville.

As per law enforcement statements, Cowart admitted to making a threat about shooting someone in the kneecaps earlier but claimed it was not related to the recent events.

She denied making any threatening statements during the Thursday, April 18, incident and asserted that she had no intention of leaving her classroom to retrieve her gun.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a loaded handgun concealed in Cowart's small purse, which was hanging in the classroom where she was located, along with another firearm found in her vehicle's driver's side door.

The charges against Cowart remained serious, leading to her being held on a $37,000 bond until her release from custody on Thursday night.
What follows is a Dharma talk delivered by Sensei Edward Sanshin Oberholtzer at the regular Saturday morning gathering of the Empty Moon Zen sangha on the 20th of April, 2024.

Im sure that one of those gateway drugs that nudged me in the direction of Zen practice was a PBS series of Japanese films, introduced by Edward O. Reischower, and broadcast in the mid 1970s on the Boston station, WGBH. It featured films by Ozu and Ichikawa, including that Buddhist classic, the Harp of Burma, and, of course, many of the films had been directed by Akira Kurasawa. His samurai films, The Seven Samurai, the Hidden Fortrous, Rashomon, Sanjuro and Yojimbo were a major draw. I was particularly taken by the characters played by Toshiro Mufuni. During the opening credits of Yojimbo, Mufuni is seen walking down a dusty trail to where the road splits. He contemplates this for a moment, reaches down, picks up a stick, tosses it in the air where it lands on one of the two paths. The samurai shrugs and saunters off in that direction and my mind saunters off to the couplet:

The Great Way is not difficult

For those who do not pick and choose

Sengcan, the legendary third Chinese patriarch of Zen, is credited with writing those words, the beginning of the poem we know as Trust in Mind, and he could have been speaking to Mufunis character in that moment. Buddhism, classic Indian Buddhism, gives us the eightfold path, a road map with steps and stations for those of us with an inclination to follow a map. The Great Way is more an invitation to a long and dusty road. Both have their sets of travellers, both are invitations to seekers of the Dharma.

Little is known of Sengcan. The enlightenment story told by our ancestor Keizan Jokin in his collection the Denko Roku seems a pale echo of the enlightenment story of Sengcans immediate ancestor Huike, substituting Sengcans leprosy for the severed arm of Huike and Sengcans sins for Huikes mind, neither of which could be found, both of which are resolved by their very unknowability. Little else is known of Sengcan except for the poem Trust in Mind, a collection heavily influenced by Daoism and consisting of 146 lines arranged in couplets and urging us to, as the poem goes:

When prefrences are cast aside the Way stands clear and undisguised.

But even slight distinctions made set earth and heaven far apart.

If you would clearly see the truth, discard opinions pro and con.

But its the words of that New York Yankees worthy Yogi Berra which provide, to my mind, perhaps the best and most succient summation of the poem, When you come to a fork in the road, take it. Words duly followed by Mufunis character.

Certainly, both Sengcan and Yogi Berra continued to speak through that grandmotherly Zen teacher Zhaozhou as we hear in the koan entitled Zhaozhous Country Bumpkin, case 57 in the Blue Cliff Record

A monk asked Zhaozhou, The supreme way is not difficult; it simply dislikes choosing. What is non-choosing?

Zhaozhou said, Above the heavens, beneath the heavens, I am alone and the honored one.

Isnt that still choosing? returned the monk, to which Zhaozhou said,

You country bumpkin! Where is the choosing? The monk said nothing.

A fork in the road, a stick tossed in the air, a weary samurai trudges down a country road alone towards an unknown and troubled village, and again, we hear from another curious monk in Case 58: Zhaozhous Non-Vindication

A monk asked Zhaozhou, You say The supreme way is not difficult; it simply dislikes choosing. Isnt that a pit into which weve have fallen?

Zhaozhou said, Once someone asked me about that. For the five years since then, I havent been able to apologize for it.

Koun Yamada once asked Anne Aitken what she thought of death. When the bus stops, you get on-board she said. Standing at a bus stop, hearing the hiss of the buss brakes, the sound of the door sliding open, the hooded bus driver offering with a soectral hand, not a ferry crossing of the river Styx but a simple, almost mundane ride off into eternity, the old women needs no thought, not even a stick tossed in the air. She simply boards the bus, pays her fare, and takes a seat. And there, on the side of that dusty road, the bus passes a dusty, grizzled samurai and a series of old Burma Shave signs on which appears yet another question from yet another monk in:

Case 59: Zhaozhous Simply the Way

A monk asked Zhaozhou, The supreme way is not difficult; it simply dislikes choosing. If there are words at all, that is choosing. How then can you teach others?

Zhaozhou said, Why dont you complete the quotation?

I just wish to know about this.said the monk.

Only this, the supreme way is not difficult; it simply dislikes choosing. returned Zhaozhou

One wonders, does the samurai ever regret following the sticks path down to that Japanese town riven with stife? Does Anne Aitken regret the buss destination? I think not. I think regret did not enter their minds. But here, traveling down that roadway, the bus passes first the samurai, then a an ancient, though more recent poet, perhaps a country bumpkin, though born in San Francisco, who, having set off down the road himself wonders about:

The Road Not Taken

By, of course, Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

A good choice, perhaps, but a choice nonetheless.

Frost may not be alone, for as the poet Kobayashi Issa wrote:

This world of dew

is just this world of dew-

and yet

and yet

Choices made or not made, we step onto the dusty path and place one foot in front of the other. Sengcan encourages us on our way. That grizzled samurai turns and gazes us as we travel, Anne Aitchen waves from her bus as she passes, Zhaozhou, ever the grandmother, finishes with The supreme way is not difficult; it simply dislikes choosing.
With estimated recoverable gas resources of around 57 trillion cubic feet (tcf), Tanzania will feature as part of an East African regional spotlight at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024.

Since discovering large volumes of offshore gas, Tanzania has initiated plans to become a major LNG exporter. The countrys flagship Tanzania LNG project  set to process gas from fields operated by Equinor, Shell and ExxonMobil, producing 10 million metric tonnes per year  is awaiting the signing of a host government agreement that would enable the start of development.

Shells Blocks 1 and 4 have an estimated 16 tcf of gas in place, while Equinors Block 2 has yielded nine discoveries with more than 20 tcf of estimated reserves. Last November, the governments of Tanzania and Uganda signed an agreement to undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a pipeline linking Tazanias gas fields to Uganda.

Exclusive forum

Organised by Energy Capital & Power, IAE 2024 is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place from May 14 to 15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers.

Tanzania has emerged as a regional leader in LPG distribution, owing to its strategic location on the Indian Ocean and flagship Kigamboni LPG Terminal, which imports LPG from the Middle East and delivers it by truck to the wider region.

Tanzanias Taifa Gas is currently leading construction of a $100-million LPG facility in northern Zambia, in partnership with Zambias Delta Marimba. Last November, the country also launched its first compressed natural gas filling station and conversion centre in Dar es Salaam, developed by TAQA Dalbit  a joint venture between TAQA Arabia and JCG Oil & Gas.

Licensing round

Tanzania is expected to launch its fifth oil and gas licensing round by June 2024, with licenses to be awarded by December of the same year. While the details have yet to be disclosed, 26 oil and gas blocks have been initially allocated for tender, including 15 onshore and 11 offshore blocks.

Representing the countrys first bid round in over a decade, the licensing round aims to accelerate foreign investment in the countrys upstream sector and showcase its highly prospective acreage.

So far, Chinese national oil company CNOOC is leading exploration in the country  in collaboration with Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation  and is conducting seismic surveys in deepwater blocks located nearby gas discoveries made by Shell, Equinor and ExxonMobil.--TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, German cabinet spokesman Steffan Hebestreit said, Trend reports.

According to him, during the conversation, the German Chancellor emphasized the importance of refraining from escalating the situation in the Middle East.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu briefed the Chancellor on the situation in the region. The Chancellor emphasized that it is important to prevent the conflict from escalating and expanding in the region, he noted.

Hebestreit added that Scholz announced the decision of the heads of state and government of the EU countries regarding new sanctions against Iran.
Master Drilling Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of the esteemed Master Drilling Group, recently solidified a strategic partnership with Pamicor Ltd, a distinguished Ghanaian firm specializing in development/production drilling solutions and human resources management for the mining industry.



With a commendable track record in the Ghanaian market, Master Drilling Ghana has successfully executed various critical projects for reputable mining companies, including ventilation shafts, ore passes, slot raises, dewatering holes, and escape ways.



In a resolute commitment to localization and bolstering its service offerings, Master Drilling Ghana has sealed the deal with Pamicor. This alliance marks a significant milestone, empowering Master Drilling Ghana to deliver comprehensive turnkey solutions to the underground mining sector.



The collaborative vision extends beyond Ghana, aiming to extend services across West Africa. Leveraging cutting-edge mechanical tools, the partnership intends to revolutionize conventional shaft sinking and horizontal development practices, promising transformative impacts on the industry.



Gary Sheppard, Executive Director of MD Ghana Ltd, underscores the strategic significance of the acquisition. He emphasizes its role in delivering specialized services and technological innovations to enhance operational efficiency and safety standards within the mining sector.



Echoing this sentiment, Kofi P. Amponsah-Mensah, Director of PAMICOR Ltd and MD Ghana, highlights the value that partnerships between foreign and local entities bring. Stating that this partnership is strategically made to provide specialized services and introduce technological innovations to improve operations in the mining sector. He emphasizes their potential to elevate safety standards and operational efficiencies across the Ghanaian and West African mining landscape.



Henry Antwi, Chairman of MD Ghana, welcomed the partnership. He believes that this collaboration will promote localization in the Ghanaian mining sector, create sustainable jobs, and develop the technical, commercial, and managerial capabilities of Ghanaians .



For further inquiries, please contact Gary Sheppard at [email protected] or Kofi P. Amponsah-Mensah at [email protected].

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Police Service has arrested two persons in connection with the death of a United States of America national at Nyinasen near Cape Coast in the Central Region.



The two suspects, Wisdom Sete, a Togolese, and Yussif Afrim, were arrested on Friday 19th April 2024 at Assin Prasso for their involvement in the alleged murder of Naomi Jehubiyah.



According to a preliminary Police investigation, Wisdom Sete, who is believed to be the fiancee of the deceased, allegedly conspired with Yussif Afrim to kill Naomi Jehubiyah.



The body has been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for preservation and autopsy.



Two vehicles belonging to the deceased have been retrieved from the suspects who are currently in custody assisting Police investigations.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Governance lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has slammed President Nana Akufo-Addo over his pledge to make Accra a clean city.



The Governance lecturer at Central University, contributing to Fridays edition of Kokrokoo show on Peace FM, alluded to the Presidents promise to rid Accra of filth.



But to him, the President has unfortunately not succeeded in this mission and some of the residents too have made it a habit to dirty the city.



The President has failed when he said he will make Accra the cleanest city, he said, hence calling for a change in attitude.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, 16th April 2024, left one student dead and several others injured as assailants targeted a group returning from a field trip. Abdul Aziz Issah, a student of UENR, tragically lost his life in the attack, while six others sustained minor injuries.



In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 17, UENR's Vice-Chancelor, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako conveyed the school's appreciation on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff, Alumni, and Strategic Partners for the special attention given by the IGP to the case.



The university highlighted Dr Akuffo Dampare's proactive engagement, including initiating conference calls with university management and personally interacting with affected students.



"The IGP initiated series of conference calls with me as the Vice-Chancellor with my Management Team, Hon. Bono Regional Minister and He personally interacted with most of students that embarked on the educational trip today. This is highly commendable and the University is celebrating him for his leadership style," Prof. Asare-Bediako wrote on Facebook.



UENR also praised the professionalism displayed by the Ghana Police Service in handling the incident, ensuring that the family of the deceased and other victims were assured of justice. Dr Akuffo Dampare personally engaged with the family of the deceased and reassured university management and regional authorities of ongoing investigations to apprehend and prosecute all those involved.



Meanwhile, in a swift response to the robbery, the Ghana Police Service announced the apprehension of a suspect believed to be connected to the attack. Efforts are underway to locate and arrest the remaining accomplices who are currently at large.



"The suspect, and his accomplices currently on the run, attacked and robbed students and lecturers of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) while returning from a field trip. A student, identified as Abdul Aziz Issah, sadly lost his life during the attack. Six other students who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged. Police highway patrol teams intervened and arrested one person. A manhunt is currently ongoing to get the other accomplices arrested to face justice, the statement from the Ghana Police Service read.



The incident has sparked concerns within the community, prompting calls for enhanced security measures along vulnerable routes in the region.



The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, pledging a thorough investigation into the robbery and swift justice for the perpetrators.



The apprehension of the suspect marks a significant development in the case, signalling progress towards holding those responsible for the robbery and tragic loss of life accountable for their actions.

Source: ANDREAS KAMASAH









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Reputable security company in the country, Response 1 in collaboration with it's brand ambassador Afua Asantewaa O Aduonum have rolled out an initiative dubbed -Safe Community Outreach Project



To response 1, in the heart of Ghana's vibrant communities lie a shared commitment to safety, resilience, and unity.



It is an initiative dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and empowerment among all residents.



Themed 'Building a safer and a better community' the community Policing Unit of the Ghana Police Service is playing a key role in ensuring that the initiative succeeds.



Also paramount to the Response 1 its brand ambassador Afua Asantewaa is the installation of CCTV cameras and street lights projects to every community they visit.



In a presentation ceremony at Adamrabe near Oyibi, Response 1 brand ambassador Afua Asantewaa said "At the core of our program is the belief that safety is a collective responsibilityone that transcends boundaries and unites us in our shared goal of creating a secure and supportive environment for everyone. With this vision in mind."



"Response 1 and l have embarked on a journey to engage, educate, and empower individuals and families to take an active role in safeguarding their community."



She added that through a multifaceted approach, the Safe Community Outreach Program aims to address a wide range of safety concerns, from crime prevention and emergency preparedness to road safety and electronic security.



She noted "By harnessing the power of collaboration and community engagement, we strive to build strong partnerships with local organisations, law enforcement agencies, schools, businesses, and residents to tackle safety challenges head-on."



"Our program is more than just a series of workshops or eventsit's a movement that empowers individuals to make informed decisions, build resilience, and create positive change.



"From educational workshops and community events to youth engagement initiatives and resource distribution efforts, we are committed to equipping residents with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to stay safe and thrive.



"Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more resilient communityone where safety is not just a priority, but a way of life. Join us in our mission to create a community where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.



Mankralo of Adamrabe Nana Agyei Nyarko, commended Response 1 highly for the initiative.



In like manner, Oyibi police commander Bernice Gyamfi lauded Response 1 for the outreach initiative, and pledged her outfit's support.



The initiative has received massive support from the Community Policing Unit of the Ghana Police Service

















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DOVER, Del. (AP)  An 18-year-old woman died after she was shot on the campus of Delaware State University on Sunday, authorities said.

Dover police said officers responded at about 1:40 a.m. to a report of shots on the campus.

Police said an 18-year-old Wilmington woman who was not a registered student was found with a gunshot wound to the upper body near Warren-Franklin Hall, which the university describes as a freshman dorm.

The victim was provided aid and rushed to Bayhealth Kent Campus, where she was pronounced dead, police said. Her name wasnt immediately released pending notification of her family. No other injuries were reported and no description of a suspect was immediately available.

A university statement provided by police said the campus was closed Sunday with no visitation permitted, all events canceled and police patrols increased.

Delaware State University said counseling services would be available in the Tubman Laws Hall housing office and said it would continue to take all necessary actions to ensure the health and well-being of our campus community.

Dover police and Delaware State University police are investigating the case, which was classified as a homicide, police said.
In just the last year, actress Olivia Munn has been diagnosed with had four surgeries, a double mastectomy and medically induced menopause.

When the 43-year-old was first diagnosed with breast cancer, all she thought about was her then 1-year-old son Malcolm, who she shares with partner John Mulaney.

I was not someone who obsessed over death or was afraid of it in any way, she told People exclusively. But having a little baby at home made everything much more terrifying.

Munn was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer after tests revealed she had luminal B  a fast-moving, aggressive cancer that was found in both breasts.

The actress was diagnosed about two weeks before she started a new sci-fi film in Germany.

You realize cancer doesnt care who you are; it doesnt care if you have a baby or if you dont have time, she said. It comes at you, and you have no choice but to face it head-on.

Munn didnt waste any time, where she soon underwent a lymph node dissection, a nipple delay procedure  which is a surgical procedure that spares the nipples  and a double mastectomy.

I had amazing doctors, but it was still a negotiation sometimes on what we are doing, she told People, recalling being told that she could opt for the nipple delaybut didnt have to. But Im glad I did. I want to give myself the best shot of keeping the parts of me that I can keep.

As previously reported, the Magic Mike actress diagnosis came totally out of left field because her annual mammogram taken three months prior came back clear and had tested negative for the BRCA cancer gene.

While four out of five types of breast cancer are discovered through mammograms, an estimated 20 percent of breast cancers, like Munns, go undetected, according to the National Cancer Institute.

It wasnt until her annual Pap smear in March 2023, Munns OBGYN, Dr. Thais Aliabadi, decided to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The fact that she did saved her life.

The whole thing came about because Aliabadi  who co-hosts the SHE MD podcast on womens health  asked Munn if she knew her lifetime breast cancer risk score. Since Munn didnt, Aliabadi used a free online tool called a Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment calculator and based on Munns score due to various factors, including her age of her first period and her familys history of breast cancer, her score was an alarming 37.3 percent.

Anything above a 20 percent score is considered high risk, resulting in additional screening beyond the standard mammogram is likely necessary.

After, Aliabadi ordered an MRI, which revealed a spot in Munns right breast that was just a hairline away from my lymph nodes, according to Munn.

A subsequent ultrasound detected two more tumors in her right breast, which biopsies confirmed to be stage 1 invasive cancer. Further review of Munns original MRI led to a biopsy, confirming cancer in the left breast as well.

A double mastectomy was then recommended to Munn to remove all of the cancer and greatly reduce any further risk.

Theres so much information, and youre making these huge decisions for the rest of your life, Munn said. I really tried to be prepared, but the truth is that nothing could prepare me for what I would feel like, what it would look like and how I would handle it emotionally. It was a lot tougher than I expected.

During surgery, doctors also discovered a tangerine-sized section of ductal carcinoma in situ, a preinvasive cancer, in her right breast.

Hearing that news gave me peace that Id made the right decision, Munn told People.

After the double vasectomy, the actress waited until early fall to undergo reconstructive surgery so she could rest and let her body recover while keeping the matter off social media.

Keeping it private for as long as I did allowed me time to fight without any outside noise at all, she said.

Regarding reconstructive surgery, in a frank discussion, Munn told her doctors exactly what she wanted.

I know a lot of women want to go bigger, but [I said] go smaller, Munn recalled. Its so important to say what you want out loudand dont stop. Even as the anesthesia was making its way into my body, the last thing I said was Please go smaller. "

So far, her treatment hasnt included chemotherapy or radiation but in November, she began hormone suppression therapy to mitigate future risk which led to a medically induced menopause.

Im constantly thinking its hot, my hair is thinning, and Im tired a lot, she said of the symptoms.

But through the incredible hard times, Munn has had Mulaney and her son by her side. The actress also credited her OBGYN and is determined to raise awareness for other women at risk.

I feel grateful that I was given the opportunity to fight, Munn said, mentioning that throughout the last year, her son has kept her joyful.

When Im with him, its the only time my brain doesnt think about being sick. Im just so happy with him. And it puts a lot of stuff into perspective. Because if my body changes, Im still his mom. If I have hot flashes, Im still his mom. If I lose my hair, Im still his mom. Thats really what matters the most to me. I get to be here for him.
Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry voted against aid to Israel and Ukraine on Saturday, as enough Republicans joined Democrats to push the stalled legislation through the House.

On a busy Saturday, the House voted to approve $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $9 billion for global humanitarian relief, including Gaza.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Turkiye and Iraq have tentatively agreed on more than 20 agreements, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, Trend reports.

According to him, these agreements will be signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Iraq tomorrow.

The minister said that the goal of the upcoming visit is to ensure that relations between the two countries contribute to regional stability, prosperity and development.
Kevin McCarthy is trying to rehab his image, but his lies were so outrageous that even Fox News corrected him.

McCarthy tried to claim that Donald Trump is holding his own trial, Think about it their number one

witness has already proven to be a liar in the process. Cohen, the attorney, we will see what happens when he testifies. Everybody knows, but it goes back to one question: does anybody in America believe President Trump would be holding this trial now if he wasnt running for president? Thats the number one issue.

Video of McCarthy:

The Manhattan investigation dates back to when Trump was still in the White House, so these criminal charges have nothing to do with his current presidential campaign.

The former speaker was just getting warmed up, as he also claimed that Hillary Clinton never conceded the 2016 election.

McCarthy said, These people talk about a danger to democracy. They are the dangers to try to deny democracy to this country this is really concerning to me what the Biden and the Democrats have done. Has Hillary ever said she lost the 2016 election?

Howard Kurtz corrected McCarthy, Yeah she called Donald Trump and conceded.

McCarthy replied, Yeah, but she never in the press ever says it.

Actually, she did say it in the press. She gave a concession speech in front of the entire world:

Why Kevin McCarthy Is Trying To Rehab His Image?

Kevin McCarthy is trying to rehab his image, because he is reportedly on the shortlist to be Trumps chief of staff if he returns to the White House. During the Fox News interview, McCarthy demonstrated his continued willingness to lie about anything and everything, but some of the lies were so obvious that even Fox News could not allow them to go unchallenged.

If this is how Kevin McCarthys comeback is going to go, it will massively fail.

Even Fox News wont totally buy what McCarthy is selling.

A Special Message From PoliticusUSA

If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.

We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.

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The Save America PAC has spent nearly $6o million on Trumps legal bills, but the PAC is virtually broke, so Trumps free ride might be over.

Politico reported:

Save America, Trumps leadership PAC, has now spent $59.5 million on legal consulting since the start of 2023. It also incurred $886,000 in new legal debt in March, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission late Saturday. More than $1.1 million of its March spending went toward two firms representing Trump in his New York criminal hush money trial.

The total spent on legal expenses for Save America was almost as much as Trumps campaign committee in the month of March, highlighting how legal troubles have sucked up the cash of his political operation. Trumps official campaign committee spent just over $3.7 million in March, with travel expenses, followed by payroll, occupying its biggest expenditure categories.

Trump spent almost $4 million on his entire campaign in March.

President Biden spent $29 million, including a national advertising campaign and a national tour.

One of the reasons why Biden has taken over the lead from Trump in the general election is that Biden is campaigning, and spending the money that is being raised on the campaign.

Donald Trumps fundraising will pay lawyers in the four criminal cases he is facing. Trump will be a criminal defendant in Manhattan for the next six weeks, spending millions of dollars a month on lawyers. The Republican National Committee is already broke, and the super PAC has been bled dry to cover Trumps legal bills.

It is already well known that Donald Trump lacks the cash to pay his own way.

Even if the Trump Media stock doesnt hit rock bottom, he still cant access those funds for months, and there is the possibility that Trumps $175 million fraud judgment bond could be thrown out.

Things are bad for Trump and they appear to be getting worse.

A Special Message From PoliticusUSA

If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.

We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.

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Teri Errico is the senior business reporter at The Post and Courier, focusing on retail and real estate. An award-winning journalist, Griffis previously worked as a Southeast commerce reporter for the Journal of Commerce and a reporter for the Charleston Regional Business Journal where she covered all business in the Charleston region. Raised in Connecticut and New York, she has called South Carolina home since 2012.
Nicole Ziege is a Local Government Reporter for The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times. She reports on government and education in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. She graduated from Western Kentucky University, and has previously reported on government and education in Eastern Kentucky.
Jurors were ready to hear evidence to decide if two high-end Charleston restaurants bore any civil liability for serving alcohol to a man who later hit a pedestrian in 2018. But on the eve of trial, the parties settled the case  just days after Halls Chophouse revealed additional receipts that indicated the driver may have had more to drink than initially claimed.

In a closed-door hearing on April 18, lawyers for Megan Anslye Johnson and those for Halls Chophouse and the Market Pavilion Hotel and Grill 225 informed U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Dawson III of the settlement.

The federal lawsuit was filed against the Chophouse and Grill 225 contending they were liable for compensatory and punitive damages to Johnson because the establishments allegedly continued to serve alcohol to an intoxicated Daniel C. Moss. The evening of Aug. 30, 2018, Moss visited both restaurants in the hours leading up to the 12:30 a.m. crash at Meeting and Mary streets. Johnson was walking across Meeting Street when she was struck by a 2003 Mercedes. Moss, who owns a construction company and lives on a yacht at the city marina, was driving the car.

After hitting Johnson, Moss left the scene and drove up one block, where he parked on Reid Street. He returned to the scene on foot. Charleston police charged Moss with misdemeanor driving under the influence instead of felony DUI involving death or serious injury. He pleaded guilty in May 2019.

Johnson contended she was in a crosswalk with a green light when Moss ran a red light and hit her, according to court documents. Moss claimed Johnson was not in the crosswalk and that she came out of nowhere, he said under oath.

Johnson sued Moss, his car insurance company, the Chophouse and Grill 225. According to her lawsuits, she was severely and permanently injured. The lawsuit against Moss and his insurance company settled in October 2021.

The night of the crash, Moss had dinner and drinks with friends at Grill 225 in the Market Pavilion Hotel before he and his girlfriend finished the night at the Chophouse.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The US administration is considering sending additional military advisers to the embassy in Ukraine, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said, Trend reports.

According to him, the advisers will not participate in hostilities, but will advise the government and armed forces of Ukraine.

"Throughout the conflict, the Ministry of Defense reviewed and adjusted its presence in the country as security conditions changed. We are now considering the possibility of sending additional advisers to the embassy", he noted.
You know how Charlestonians get when they see snow falling? That was Pickens Rep. Neal Collins the morning Tropical Storm Helene arrived at his Easley home. He stood in his garage and shot video of the rain. I woke up before my 5am alarm with unexpected excitement, he posted on social medi Read moreScoppe: 'We are being manipulated by people who don't have our best interests at heart'
The S.C. Senates interim report on Treasurer Curtis Loftis is quite a bombshell: In what can most kindly be called a childish "Ill show you!" gambit, the man in charge of the safety and security of the states multibillion-dollar treasury had to be talked down from posting on the internet what he had called an invitation for anybody that wants our money to come get our money.

The treasurer says he wasnt going to do anything harmful, that his fellow Republicans on a Senate Finance subcommittee are making all this up because theyre out to get him. But the governors office confirmed to The Post and Couriers Alexander Thompson that both SLED Chief Mark Keel and Gov. Henry McMaster called Mr. Loftis on April 4 and urged him not to post the information. (The Senate report puts it in starker terms, but the basic facts are identical.)

And Attorney General Alan Wilson has not disputed the assertion in the Senate report that he was preparing to request an emergency hearing before the state Supreme Court to stop Mr. Loftis from posting detailed financial information that the treasurer had claimed senators were demanding he post.

Nor has anything come out to explain away the passive-aggressive performance by Mr. Loftis that any of us can see if we watch the video of the April 2 meeting during which senators asked him if he was complying with a state law that requires him to post the amount of state money available and the respective funds to which it belongs quarterly. Mr. Loftis claimed his only options were to not post that information or else to include bank account numbers for each fund that would show cybercriminals which accounts to target  something senators never asked for. It was two days later, according to an email included in the Senate report released Tuesday, when the treasurer informed senators he was about to post the information, setting off the scramble that led to intervention by the states top law enforcement officials.
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Third Consecutive Win Highlights Commitment to Employee Satisfaction and Organizational ExcellenceALBUQUERQUE, NM / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2024 / Power Ford announced it is a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, featured in USA TODAY. This achievement underscores the organization's dedication to fostering a people-first workplace culture and prioritizing the employee experience.Top Workplaces 2024 USA Today The image features the Top Workplaces 2024 USA Today award badge which was given to Power Ford in Albuquerque, N.M.Rob Sneed, Managing Partner at Power Ford, expressed his enthusiasm about the dealership's recent achievement: "Earning the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award for the third time, as featured in USA TODAY, is a tremendous honor that underscores the vibrant culture and the steadfast commitment of our team. At Power Ford, we believe that fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment is key to our success. This award not only recognizes our continuous efforts to create an exceptional place to work but also motivates us to set even higher standards for what a top workplace can be. I am immensely proud of our team for making Power Ford a model of excellence in the automotive industry." With a history spanning 17 years, the Top Workplaces program has surveyed over 27 million employees, spotlighting culture excellence across 60 regional markets. The Top Workplaces USA designation honors the nation's greatest employers of choice.The national recognition celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees who have cultivated exceptional workplace environments. Of the more than 42,000 invited organizations, Power Ford secured the award based solely on an employee engagement survey administered by Energage, the HR technology and research firm behind the Top Workplaces program. Survey results were evaluated by comparing responses to research-based statements that predict high performance against industry benchmarks.Eric Rubino, Energage CEO, commented, "The Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor and something companies should be very proud to showcase. The people-first cultures they have built and nurtured will set them apart in a highly competitive market. These organizations represent the best of the best." For media inquiries, please contact:Matt Sneed matt@ myforddealer.com 505-449-1241Contact InformationMatt SneedDirector of Operationsmatt@ myforddealer.com 505-449-1241SOURCE: Power FordView the original press release on newswire.com
Candidates sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) across the nation said they experienced minimal hitches on Saturday as the examinations continued for the second day.

UTME, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), is taken by candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

This year, 1.9 million candidates registered for the examination, which started on Friday 19 April and would continue until Monday 29 April.

Students who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at CBT centres in Oyo, Enugu, Lagos and Federal Capital Territory, gave mixed feelings on the conduct of the examinations.

Abuja, FCT

At the Tudun Wada CBT Hub, Government Secondary School (GSS), Zone 4, candidates and officials who spoke to this newspaper said the process was devoid of hitches.

Benjamin Samson from Gwagwalada said he arrived at the venue at 11 a.m. for his examination scheduled for noon.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES when he left the hall at about 2:50 p.m., he said the candidates were ushered into the hall some minutes after noon.

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The JAMB-appointed supervisor for the venue said there were no challenges at the hall since the examination began on Monday.

He said the illumination in the hall is not good enough and that he has called the attention of the management of the centre to replace some dead bulbs in the hall.

In addition to that, some of the computer screens do not meet JAMB specifications. Theyre not wide enough, he said, adding that he doesnt want his name in print.

He said JAMBs specification for the CBT centres is 17 inches wide screen but some of the computers in the hall are only 14 inches wide.

There were no incidents of power outage or generator failure, he added.

Though no candidates experienced difficulty at the centre, he said candidates whose examinations were rescheduled from other centres will take their test at the centre.

This would be the fourth session instead of the initial three sessions the centre has daily, he said.

Future Gate Model School

At the Future Gate Model School in New Karu, students whose examination was slated for 9 a.m., were seen checking into the hall around 10:00 a.m. PREMIUM TIMES observed that the examination commenced around 10:20 a.m.

However, officials did not allow candidates who came late to take the tests even when they pleaded.

Sandra Lawrence was one of the candidates who came after the examination had already started.

A teary-eyed Ms Lawrence pleaded with the facilitators who said there was nothing they could do.

Please help me. I am just coming from the hospital. My mother is sick and I am the only child, therefore she sent for me. Please help me, she pleaded.

However, the facilitators said they wouldnt capture her fingerprint as other candidates had already started their examinations.

If it was last year we could have done something but this year, you mess up, we mess you up, one facilitator said with a stern face.

One of the facilitators who pleaded not to be named, noted that there were a few cases where candidates examinations were rescheduled as the officials could not verify their fingerprints.

He said most of the challenges encountered are with the first batch of students.

As you can see, the second batch is writing and the third batch is presently undergoing accreditation downstairs so immediately after this batch is done writing, the next batch will check it.

This is done to save us time. We arrived at 5:30 in the morning and we began verifying the first batch around 6: 00 a.m., he said.

The whole process is going on seamlessly. We didnt have any network problems so far and this is the second batch for today.

Some of the candidates interviewed at the venue also noted that the examination was conducted in a peaceful manner devoid of technical challenges.

Edeoga Chidera said: I didnt encounter any challenges. The only challenge which was noted related to the Jamb procedures is that I found difficulty solving some of my mathematical questions. Aside from that, there was no problem whatsoever.

Another candidate, Raphel Ode, the process was better than the previous times he sat for the examinations.

There were no issues of the system going off or anyone having issues with thumbprinting. The whole process was peaceful, he said.

Dantata Universal Services

Meanwhile, at the Dantata Universal Services, GSS Zone 3, the JAMB-appointed supervisor, Zainab Muhammad, said only three candidates experienced difficulty at the centre since examinations began on Friday.

She said the fingerprint machine could not capture the three candidates and that their details had been sent to the JAMB headquarters.

She said the centre had two sessions on Friday and three sessions on Saturday.

Every session has 200 students. So for five sessions now, that means over 900 (candidates sat the exams at the centre), she said.

In Enugu, candidates hail JAMB for smooth exercise

At Digital Learning Management Centre I which is located within the premises of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, officials of JAMB told PREMIUM TIMES that there were no issues recorded so far at the centre.

One of the officials who identified himself as Mr Alawo said the candidates were divided into batches and that each batch had a total of 250 candidates.

But for this ongoing session, 240 people were accredited for the exam. Nine candidates were absent while one candidate could not be verified, he said.

Mr Alawo said most of those who were absent were often individuals who had secured admission through alternative means and others who died after registering for the exercise.

One of the candidates who sat the exam at the centre, Jephthah Kaant, said there was no technical issue during the exercise.

Everything- the technical aspect, the network- was perfect, Mr Kaant, 23, who is seeking to study medicine, said.

The candidate, who had written the same exam in 2020, said he observed some improvements in this years exercise.

He praised JAMB for the improvements saying, They should keep up the good work.

The situation was the same at Digital Learning Management Centre II within the same IMT premises.

Chidinma Izundu, one of the candidates from the centre, said apart from the fact that there were no technical hitches; JAMB officials ensured that there was no form of malpractice during the exercise.

Ms Izundu, 17, who had written the same examination the previous year, also observed that there was an improvement in this years exercise.

There were improvements (in this years exercise). (This is) because, (for instance), last year, I wrote in this same centre. But this year, we started earlier than last year, the candidate, who is seeking to study pharmacy, said.

When a PREMIUM TIMES reporter visited the Centre for Advanced Library and Information Management, another UTME centre, at about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, some candidates were seen queuing up to enter the exam hall.

Nehemiah Zaka, the supervisor at the centre, said two batches wrote the examination on Friday and that three batches would take part in the exercise on Saturday.

Since then, we have not had any issue. No technical issues, no security issues, Mr Zaka said.

Kosiso Eze, one of the candidates from the centre, said JAMB deserves praise for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Ms Eze, 18, who is seeking to study international relations, said the sitting arrangement also made it impossible for candidates to engage in malpractice in the exercise.

You cannot even sit with somebody who is writing the same thing with you, she said of the sitting arrangement.

Another candidate, Kosi Obiefuna, said the exercise was seamless.

I was able to log in and there was no problem. There were no technical issues. Everything was flawless, 17-year-old Obiefuna, who is seeking to study medicine, said.

Oyo State

In Okeho, Kajola Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo state, the examination was well organised in the two accredited centres: DamDav CBT Centre I and II by the examination body.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that the centres, which were established in 2019 are easily accessible, with well-equipped facilities to facilitate a smooth and effective examination process.

The centres had candidates from various places in Oyo State, including Iseyin, Saki, Tede, Ilora, Ilero, Iwere Ile, Elekokan, and Irawo, among others.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the Centre Administrator for DamDav CBT Centres, Oluwaseun Abolarin, said the capacity for each centre is 250 candidates and unlike previous years, the centres will be having 450 per session.

Yesterday, we had two sessions, making 900 candidates in total on Friday when the examination started. It was seamless and the candidates were calm and organised, he said.

We even have extra systems, in case anyone packs up.

According to Mr Abolarin, the only challenge is the epileptic power supply in Okeho. He said the centres run on generators, inverters and solar, which is very expensive.

Candidates remark

Two candidates, who identified themselves as Ali and Ayomide said they arrived in Okeho on Friday for their second UTME attempt on Saturday from Saki, Oyo State, which was about two hours.

For Ali, unlike his first attempt in a centre in Iseyin where the system went off during the examination, he said The second experience was okay, they are well organised and the centre I used is well ventilated.

Another candidate, Abdullah Alawiye, from Iseyin, Oyo, said it was his first attempt and he is hopeful for a good result.

I was comfortable and everything went smoothly throughout the session, he said.

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Anti-corruption and cybersecurity officials have reiterated the importance of cybersecurity awareness among Nigerians to stem rising cyber attacks and the attendant distress.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other experts spoke on Saturday at a Cybersecurity Awareness Workshop organised by HQUBE Consulting Ltd. for students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, titled Impact of Cybersecurity Awareness at Combating Cybercrimes, was held at NITHUB, a tech innovation hub of the UNILAG.

The officials urged the participants to ensure that they do not fall victim to cybercriminals through careless handling of their sensitive information, including National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) data.

Addressing the participants, Lagos Zonal Commander of EFCC, Michael Wetkas, urged the participants not to compromise the security of their data and never to cross the red flags.

Mr Wetkas, represented by Suleiman Jijiwa, the deputy head of Cybercrimes, EFCC, said that crimes had changed from the usual bloody attacks to digital, and many people had fallen prey because of greed and ignorance.

All they (cyber fraudsters) need now is laptop, network and knowledge. Crimes have no border, unlike before. You have to be there physically to perpetrate it.

EFCC is watching. If you see something, say something, then we will do something to arrest the criminals, he said.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Mr Wetkas urged the students to imbibe the culture of reporting cybercrimes right on time, saying that such could be done anonymously.

According to him, every cybercrime can be traced if reported to the appropriate authorities.

Advising the participants to always protect their data and not be hasty in releasing it without cross-checking, Mr Wetkas added that students must mind whatever they push on social media to avoid undue exposure to risks.

Urging the students to stay clear of cybercrimes, the commander regretted that some staff of financial institutions were compromised.

According to him, the commission shares information with relevant agencies within and outside the country to clamp down on internet fraudsters.

Also speaking, Ezike Onyema, representing State Zonal Head of ICPC, Abdul-Kabir Elelu, who emphasised data protection, urged the participants to be safety conscious.

We need to be safe. Protect your BVN. Your BVN must be protected. Dont let it out, he said.

Ben Ekwere, a financial expert, who also urged participants to double-check the security features of whatever website being visited, said  The cost of cyber breaches is higher than what it will take to secure it.

In his remarks, Victor Odumuyiwa, the director of NITHUB, commended the organisers for empowering the students with knowledge and training to be solution providers.

Mr Odumuyiwa, who urged the students to be security aware and be careful of information they pushed out about themselves, added that they must also be experts in cyber security space.

If you are not greedy, you will not fall easily into the hands of cybercriminals. Their tactics are to scare and lure. Be careful in providing information, Mr Odumuyiwa of the Department of Computer Science said.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of HQUBE Consulting Limited, Abdul-Azeez Ghazali, said that a lot more ought to be done to ensure security in the digital space, describing humans as the weakest link.

According to him, the workshop is necessary because the level of investment in cybersecurity awareness is low in Nigeria.

Data privacy must be ensured. You must be the guard. Nobody can protect you better than yourself. We must try to secure ourselves and be careful in digital space.

We must be secure, but truly, nobody is immune or free. We must keep improving our cyberspace security. Your pin must not be your date of birth.

Most victims of cyber attacks undergo emotional distress, and many are really crying out there. Do not be reckless in digital space, Mr Ghazali, a chartered accountant and cybersecurity expert, said.

Decrying bank insider collusion in aiding cyber attacks, Mr Ghazali urged the participants to beware of impersonators and identity theft in cyberspace.

He urged the people to always lock their SIM cards, to safeguard themselves.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of new laptop computers to two students.

(NAN)

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Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has slashed the tuition fees of the Ebonyi State University by 10 per cent.

Mr Nwifuru has also approved the increment of salaries of both academic and non-academic staff of the state-owned institution by 20 and 10 per cent, respectively.

The governor announced this on Saturday during the 12th to 15th combined convocation ceremony of the university, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Monday Uzor, on Sunday.

Mr Nwifuru also announced that indigenes of the state who graduate with first-class degrees will be offered automatic employment as graduate assistant lecturers.

It is unclear if the government has such or any plan for indigenes of the state who graduate with first-class degrees from other institutions.

The governor added that he had increased the subvention of the university from N200 million to N280 million monthly to boost the morale of university staff and expand access to education in the state.

Make contributions to the state

Speaking at the conference, Mr Nwifuru said the ceremony was another opportunity to reflect, deploy skills and make meaningful contributions towards the growth of the state and the nation in general.

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The governor urged the graduating students to deploy homegrown solutions to solve homegrown problems before seeking external assistance.

He asked them to use the knowledge they acquired in the university to solve problems in the country.

You have acquired skills to keep you afloat, not to sink. Having undergone intellectual rigours, you are now equipped with survival skills and ready to solve the problems in the country.

May I urge you to be good progressive ambassadors, he said.

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Another faction of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, on Sunday announced the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, its national chairman, from the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Haladu Gwanjo, who claimed to be the Legal Adviser of another APC faction in Ganduje Ward, last week announced the suspension of Mr Ganduje.

Mr Gwanjo, who cited alleged corruption and other vices as reasons for the suspension, said that the decision was taken by nine executive members of the party in Ganduje ward.

However, the other faction represented by the Ward Chairman, Ahmad Ganduje, came out to declare support for the national chairman, saying the ward officials were satisfied with his leadership style.

In passing the vote of confidence on Mr Ganduje, the factional ward chairman urged all party members in the ward and across the state to remain calm and law-abiding.

However, in a new twist in the early hours of Sunday, another group, which claimed to be the legitimate exco, yet again announced the suspension of Mr Ganduje.

Addressing journalists, the secretary of the faction, Jaafar Ganduje, who said he was speaking on behalf of 11 other executive members, hinged the suspension on alleged anti-party activities by Mr Ganduje.

He said this was particularly during the last general election.

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He also alleged that the APC national chairman had failed to pay his statutory dues to the party.

READ ALSO; Another court restrains APC excos from taking further action against Ganduje

He further blamed Mr Ganduje for contributing to the factionalisation of the party at the ward level, which he said had brought the party to disrepute.

We are the authentic executives of Ganduje ward and we have passed a vote of no confidence and imposed a new suspension on Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for series of reasons.

First we have suspended Dr. Gandujes membership for creating internal conflict among party members at the ward level.

Another major reason why the authentic executives resolved to suspend Ganduje is the issue of anti-party activities he generated during the 2023 elections which resulted to the partys failure in the state, he said.

(NAN)

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The Chechen rebel leader, statesman and politician Dzhokhar Dudayev was a hero to his people. However, he was also a figure for whom the political and military authorities in Russia harbored deep hatred and contempt. Why? He was dangerous for the regime. After the collapse of the USSR, Dudayev sought to create an independent Chechnya and on September 27, 1991, he became president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. At that time, the Russian authorities did not recognize Ichkeria, and in 1994 they started a war on its territory... In addition, in the 1990s, Dudayev began to use the term "Russism" to describe the Russian imperial chauvinistic ideology, saying that it "is characterized by a schizophrenic form of mania for world domination" and "possessing a slave psychology, parasitizes on a false history"...

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The Chechen altruist died on April 21, 1996 (at the age of 52). He was killed by a missile fired from a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft as a result of a special operation by Russian counterintelligence. So, to mark the 28th anniversary of Dzhokhar Dudayev's death, let's find out how he miraculously survived several times, about his predictions for Russia and more in OBOZ.UA's article.

1. Is being a Chechen a sentence?

Dzhokhar Dudayev was born in Chechnya in 1944, perhaps the most tragic year in the history of his country. It was then that the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin deported the entire Chechen people to Central Asia, falsely accusing them of collaborating with the Nazi invaders. At the age of eight days, Dzhokhar and his family were deported to Kazakhstan, and he lived in exile for 13 years... This influenced the formation of the young man's rebellious character. In particular, he studied karate, which was forbidden in the USSR, for a long time because he believed that this martial art strengthened his body and spirit.

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Many years passed. In 1962, to enter the Tambov Higher Military Aviation Engineering School, Dzhokhar identified himself as an "Ossetian." He knew that a Chechen would most likely not be accepted to study there after being deported. This decision later dramatically changed the fate of an intellectually capable man: at the age of 45, he rose to the rank of "Major General of the Soviet Army Aviation." An interesting fact is that after spending a lot of time away from Chechnya, Dudayev did not remember his native language well, so as an adult he took courses in Chechen.

2. He cared about himself and others

Dudayev was a man with a difficult character: short-tempered, but very honest and decent. He was always trimmed, neat, and in ironed clothes... He did not raise his voice for nothing, and he punished his subjects only for misconduct. In general, he loved his soldiers. An illustrative fact: the future Chechen president once entered the kitchen and tasted the food that was being prepared for the military. He then called the cooks, ordered them to cook more delicious dishes, and added that in case of disobedience or negligence, he would make them eat the entire cauldron. After this incident, the quality and taste of the food improved significantly.

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When Dzhokhar Dudayev became president, he immediately signed a decree on the creation of the republic's coat of arms, flag, and anthem. A black wolf became the symbol of the independent state (as a sign of freedom and struggle of the Chechen people). At the same time, the former aviation general also made a decision that was unexpected for his fellow citizens: he banned local television from broadcasting the Soviet cartoon Nu Pogodi!, where, in his opinion, the wolf is subjected to ridicule and insults, and there are many propaganda and meaningless plots.

3. He was a step away from death three times



The Chechen Republic seceded from the USSR in accordance with the secession procedure and the USSR Constitution. Then, on November 1, 1991, newly elected President Dzhokhar Dudayev issued a decree declaring state sovereignty and became the sworn enemy of Russia's first president, Boris Yeltsin. Dzhokhar realized that the Russian secret services would hunt him, a capable military leader. And yet he was not afraid to challenge them... At the beginning of the war between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Dudayev's army successfully eliminated the enemy. It maneuvered perfectly, following the orders of Chechen military leaders and Dzhokhar personally.

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After the Chechen victory in Grozny, local guerrillas continued to attack and destroy Russian groups. This caused Yeltsin to become depressed, and he began to shift the responsibility for the failures to his generals, saying that they had deceived him. Even though it was he who ordered the war with the Chechen Republic and refused to allow Dudayev to resolve the conflict peacefully. Dzhokhar responded defiantly, "In Russia, it doesn't matter who the president is. President Yeltsin no longer controls the real power structures, including the army."... What was Yeltsin's reaction? He ordered the Chechen leader to be shot.

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Russian special services have repeatedly tried to eliminate Dudayev. The first time they failed because a sniper missed. During the second attempt, a mine planted under the Chechen president's car exploded, but he was not injured. The third time, Dudayev survived because he and his bodyguards managed to leave the house five minutes before the missile launched from an airplane exploded.

Unfortunately, the fourth attempt was successful for the FSB, GRU and Air Force of the Joint Federal Forces Group in Chechnya... On April 21, 1996, Russian special services picked up a signal from Dudayev's satellite phone near the village of Gekhi-chu (30 km from Grozny). Then 2 Su-25 attack aircraft with a laser homing head on the satellite phone were raised to the sky and the Chechen president was killed. By the way, Dzhokhar knew that his conversations were often tapped. He even joked, "Are you on, guys? Well, listen...". But the president was convinced that it was impossible to track the signal of a 15-minute conversation. He was wrong... Moreover, he hoped that the war would end soon, so on the fateful day he actively conducted peace talks with a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Borovoy. It was a trap.

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4. He called Russia a "racketeer state" and warned of its plans for Ukraine

The Chechen rebel leader was well aware of Russia's insatiable appetite for power. In an interview with Vzglyad in 1995, he said, "When they got burned in Afghanistan, Russian ideologues and politicians decided to flirt with Europe to get stronger in the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, the Bosphorus, the Red Sea, and then to "slap" Europe. Afghanistan, and now Ichkeria, have curbed Russia's appetite. But they have not stopped. There will be a massacre in Crimea... Ukraine will still have a fight with Russia. As long as Russism exists, it will never give up its ambitions."

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Dzhokhar Dudayev added that Russia is essentially a racketeer who uses threats, tanks and armada to extort money, "And when the civilized world doesn't want to suffer, Russia says 'give us money' to compensate for this profit. Racketeering, just racketeering."

5. He believed in the inevitable end of the Russian Empire

According to Dzhokhar Dudayev, the Russian people are facing difficult trials with unfavorable forecasts. Why? He saw that Russia "has closed the paths of spirituality and new ideas" and instead chose a third path: Slavicization (meaning unification on a Slavic basis). But the aggressor country, according to Dudayev, did not take into account something else, namely that "the main component of Slavization, Ukrainians, will never accept Russification and Russism."

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The Chechen leader also called Russia "Carthage that must be destroyed" and disappear from the map of history, like the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. In his opinion, it would have the right to exist only if it became a democratic state governed by the rule of law, in which he had little faith, "There is no smell of democracy there, at least not the kind that respects laws and rights."

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A group of candidates almost missed their rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation (UTME) on Saturday over a possible miscommunication from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The candidates who couldnt sit the examination on Friday due to technical hitches at their centres, had their sessions rescheduled for Saturday.

However, upon reaching the CBT centre located at the Sascon International School in Abuja, the candidates found themselves stranded and confused.

The candidate gathered at the entrance of the private secondary school at 1:55 p.m., waiting to be ushered into the hall but found that no exam session was scheduled for 2 p.m., although text messages from JAMB had informed them of the rescheduling.

The students were originally meant to take the computer-based test at 9 a.m. on Friday but were directed to leave, with instructions to look out for a new date. The official complained that the network reception was bad.

Then, at 5 p.m., I got a text message that my exam date had been changed to 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, which is today. I am here now, and the man at the gate is saying theres no exam for 2 p.m. here, Mary Allahnana, one of the candidates, told PREMIUM TIMES.

As she spoke, many other students concurred. They brought out their phones and displayed the text messages from JAMB which showed they were at the right venue at the right time. But the official at the gate insisted that tests at the centre ended by 2 p.m.

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Then, a boy from behind, Salisu Mohammed, noticed the error and began to lament.

The information in the text differed from what was obtainable in the JAMB reprints, the candidates said, explaining that they didnt bother to double-check on their portals.

Mr Mohammed, the candidate who raised the alarm, said his new centre was Lead British International School in Gwarimpa.

The text indicated that I needed to be here for the exam. That is why I didnt bother with what was in the exam slip.

Where is the Lead British International School? It is already 2 oclock. Can I make it in time? I doubt it, Salisu cried out.

Bewildered, other students reached for their slips. Their centres had changed. Everyone began to panic.

I am not even sure about this, but if there is no exam here, then its probably this other one. But look at the time, Ms Allahnana said repeatedly after noticing the change. Her new centre was Tudun Wada CBT HUB 2, Government Secondary School, Wuse, Zone 4.

PREMIUM TIMES would later confirm, through a telephone conversation on Saturday evening, that Ms Allahnana got to her new centre on time and sat the examinations.

It remains unclear if other candidates made it to their respective centres on time.

Rescheduled examinations

Candidates across the country experienced similar technical challenges on Friday when the examination commenced, drawing the attention of the examination board.

Shortly after inspecting the conduct of the examination on Friday, JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede, a professor of Islamic Studies, assured candidates who missed their examinations due to the technical challenge that the board would reschedule their examinations.

We appeal to the public to understand this, some centres will fail. I have heard of only one centre that has failed today, he was quoted as saying by Vanguard.

By the end of today, I expect about 10 per cent of the centres to have one problem or the other because we know the level of development in different parts of the country. We are not encouraging this, but when it happens, please do not disrupt others.

Mr Oloyede explained that the affected candidates would have to wait for the board to reschedule their sessions.

The earliest time they can be scheduled will be after 4:30 p.m. so that those slated for sections two and three can write, and these candidates can now write for session four, and in some cases, they can even be scheduled for the following day, he said.

A JAMB-appointed supervisor at Tudun Wada CBT Hub, Government Secondary School (GSS), Zone 4, earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that candidates who experienced glitches in other centres have been scheduled to take their examinations by 2 p.m.

The supervisor, who didnt want his name in print, said the Tudun Wada CBT centre only has three sessions daily, which are at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 12 p.m.

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The police in Oyo State say they have commenced an investigation into the kidnapping of a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olugbenga Olawore, and 14 others.

Mr Olawore and other passengers of a 14-seater bus were kidnapped along Lanlate-Eruwa road on Friday in Oyo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident in a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

Mr Osifeso said that the command has commenced an investigation into the incident.

Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly, please, Mr Osifeso said.

Mr Olawore is currently a pastor at Heavens Gate Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road in Ogun.

The cleric was returning from Ipapo town where he went to put the final touches on the burial arrangements for his mother, Deborah Olawore, scheduled for 26 April.

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(NAN)

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The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is organising a forum for interaction on digital public infrastructure (DPI) in service delivery in Nigeria.

MFWA, an Accra, Ghana-based media and civic rights organisation, has scheduled the event for Tuesday, 23 April, at Stratton Hotel Asokoro in Abuja, Nigerias capital.

A statement from MFWAs programme manager on digital rights, Vivian Affoah, about 100 participants from the media, government, civil society organisations, academia, political parties and members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria will attend the one-day public forum.

The event will feature a keynote statement from the sector ministry  Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy in Nigeria- on the theme, The Status of Digital Public Infrastructure in Nigeria: progress, challenges and the way forward.

Similarly, other critical institutions directly implementing DPI in the country, including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Service Compact (SERVICOM), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), are expected to deliver goodwill messages.

What is DPI

The digital public infrastructure (DPI) is defined as society-wide, digital capabilities that are essential to participation in society and markets as a citizen, entrepreneur, and consumer in a digital era, according to tmCo-Develop. This global non-profit fund is a platform for countries to mobilise resources for building inclusive, safe and equitable DPI.

It refers to all the digital organisational structures and facilities needed to operate a society or enterprise. Examples include electronic governance (e-governance) and electronic payment (e-payment) systems.

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At a webinar hosted by MFWA for 20 journalists who are fellows of the DPI from 10 West African countries in August 2023, David Eaves, an associate professor in digital government at the Institute for Innovation and Public Policy, University College of London, said the relevance of DPIs struck the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were constrained to rely more on digital platforms of communicating and transferring assistance, particularly digital payments, to loved ones.

The DPIs are expected to deliver digital public goods (DPG) to the people through efficient service delivery in digital payment services and data exchanges, amongst others.

Forum Objectives

Also, the event will feature a panel discussion featuring two of the DPI fellows in Nigeria, representatives from civil society and a technology company.

Stakeholders and participants will have increased knowledge about the Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods in Nigeria, and proffer actionable recommendations to make its adoption more inclusive, safe and equitable and what the media can do to support the process, the statement from the MFWA announcing the event said.

The gathering will deliberate on the current state of Nigerias Digital Public Infrastructure and digital public good (DPG) issues and the extent to which the country has ensured inclusivity in its deployment.

Participants will highlight the challenges and make actionable recommendations on how Nigeria can make the adoption of DPI/DPG more inclusive, safe and equitable for its citizens.

DPI journalism fellowship programme

In 2023, the MFWA, with funding from Co-Develop, hosted a three-month DPI journalism fellowship programme.

The fellowship, which began from September to December 2023, had its maiden 20 journalists from 10 West African countries  Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Niger, Benin, Togo, Cape Verde, Cote dIvoire and Senegal.

The fellowship had both virtual and in-person activities such as virtual training workshops on DPI with assignments/presentations by Fellows; production and publication/broadcast of stories on DPI by fellows, and a two-week residential gathering of the fellows in Accra, the Ghanaian capital city for further training and institutional field visits.

According to the Executive Director of the MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, the fellowship was intended to grow a cadre of West African journalists who would have the relevant knowledge and skills to produce impactful reports on DPIs.

The ultimate goal was to help increase public awareness and access to information on DPI deployment across the region, Mr Braimah said.

A senior partner at Co-Develop, Robert Karanja, said his organisation remains committed to accelerating the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that is inclusive, safe, and equitable.

With the population explosion in the last two decades, governments across the world are migrating from analogue to digital technologies for efficient and effective service delivery.

However, the adoption and deployment of DPIs in many countries on the African continent is plagued by limited public awareness, participation, inclusion and adoption.

In Nigeria, for instance, despite the tremendous growth in DPI adoption in digital payment services and citizen databases, challenges exist in rural communities because of inadequate deployment of DPIs, such as telecommunications assets like masts and fibre optic cables.

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The Bola Tinubu administration is set to roll out its CNG Initiative to cushion the unpleasant effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The initiative, according to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Tinubu, on Sunday, was launched last October following the removal of fuel subsidy on 29 May 2023.

The initiative is to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate-friendly energy to Nigerians.

The statement noted that the committee in charge of the initiative led by Michael Oluwagbemi, an oil and gas expert, has delivered some major foundational reforms to enable the new CNG and Electric Vehicles future the President promised.

All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on 29 May

Read the full statement below:

Presidential CNG Initiative set for rollout

After the removal of the wasteful fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative in October last year to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate friendly energy. The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas especially for mass transit.

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The Federal Government as part of the many intervention programmes to reduce the burden of increase in pump price on the masses, provided N100 billion (part of the N500 billion palliative budget) to purchase 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations.

After months of detailed planning and background work, the committee driving the initiative is set to deliver on President Tinubus vision and promise.

Already, the committee, being led by Michael Oluwagbemi, an oil and gas expert, has delivered some major foundational reforms to enable the new CNG and Electric Vehicles future the President promised. All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.

With necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, the PCNGI committee is partnering with the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative. The private sector has responded with over $50 million in actual investments in refuelling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.

Also, a safety policy document on 80 standards and regulations that must be strictly adhered to by operators has been developed and approved to ensure CNG conversions are done safely and reliably.

The deployment of CNG buses and tricycles and the vision to get at least one million natural gas propelled vehicles on our roads by 2027 will mark a major energy transition in our countrys transportation industry. The use of more expensive diesel and PMS will gradually be phased out, when many vehicles, including trucks run on natural gas, which our nation has in abundance in at least 30 out of the 36 states of the federation.

As studies have shown, one of the main causes of air pollution is primarily the amount of gases emitted by gasoline and diesel engines. To reduce the pollution, some countries of the world, such as India, China, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil , Argentina, Italy have built fleets of natural gas powered vehicles, instead of going the route of relying on liquid petroleum products propelled vehicles. Natural gas vehicles reduce tail pipe emission by up to 40 percent, and Nigerias commitment to this course will enable her meet her nationally determined commitments (NDCs) under Paris Climate Accord to which we are signatory.

From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join such nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles.

Remarkably, the Tinubu administration, in driving the nation to the desired destination, has flagged open a new industry, along with thousands of new jobs.

Four plants owned by JET, Mikano, Mojo, and Brilliant EV located in various parts of the country are involved in the assembly of the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) components of the CNG buses. JET, which has received the SKD parts is coupling the buses in Lagos and is working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.

Brilliant EV will assemble electric vehicles. It is awaiting the SKD parts, which will arrive in due course. The electric vehicles it will produce are meant for states such as Kano and Borno, which do not have access to CNG for now. They will also be available in key Nigerian cities and university campuses. It must be noted that soon to be completed gas pipeline projects initiated by the Buhari administration and being completed by NNPCL (the AKK Pipeline) will take gas into the hinterlands of North East and North West where there is current paucity.

In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase that will be accomplished this year.

A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles. The SKD parts manufactured by the Chinese company LUOJIA in partnership with its local partner to support the consortium of local suppliers of CNG tricycles are set for shipment to Nigeria and expected to arrive early in May. About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024.

Thousands of conversion kits for petrol powered buses and taxis that want to migrate to CNG are also ready with CNG cylinders. The Federal Government intends to provide them at subsidized rates, especially to commercial vehicle drivers to bring down the cost of public transportation.

As part of private sector collaboration, NIPCO and BOVAS are involved in offering refilling services for the CNG vehicles and also serving as conversion centres. NIPCO is setting up 32 stations nationwide to offer the services. The company has completed the set up of four of the CNG stations. Likewise, BOVAS is setting up eight stations in Ibadan, two each in Ekiti, Abuja and four in Ilorin. MRS is also involved. It is making efforts to announce where its refilling stations and conversion centres will be.

The NNPC Limited which had launched an on-and-off CNG initiative in the past is joining the new initiative. It is expected soon to announce the locations for CNG refilling and CNG conversion centres nationwide.

In addition, the PCNGI is working with 22 other agency partners, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON) and Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council to deliver 80 Natural Gas Vehicle Conversion and Associated Appliances Standards for the country.

For proper monitoring, PCNGI will also launch MYCNG.NG App. The app will embed the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring Systems, which will show CNG conversion and refuelling sites in the country.

The Tinubu administration is an enabler of the evolving CNG industry. In collaboration with the private sector, the PCNGI is set to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites spread across 18 states before the end of this year.

The vision of Mr. President to deliver one million gas vehicles cannot be possible without the private sector, including the RTEAN, NARTO, NURTW, and players in the downstream sector of the transportation chain and financiers.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has expressed sadness over the alleged violation of the states burial law at the funeral of a former governor of the state, Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Mr Ezeife, who served as the governor of the state between January 1992 and November 1993, died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, in December 2023.

The former governors burial was held on Saturday at his residence in Igbo-Ukwu Community, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Soludo attended the event, where he complained about the violation of the states Burial law.

The states House of Assembly enacted the Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law on 9 April 2019 during the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano.

The law is intended to discourage excessive spending during burial and funeral ceremonies, given that communities in Anambra State have a history of organising flamboyant burial and funeral ceremonies.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the state government under the Soludo administration, on 20 October 2023, warned residents against continuing to violate the states burial laws.

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The government, through a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, reminded residents that they risk jail terms upon conviction if they continue to violate the law.

Soludo reacts

Speaking at the late Ezeifes funeral ceremony on Saturday, Mr Soludo lauded the former governor for living an exemplary life while on earth.

A full text of Mr Soludos speech at the burial ceremony was forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday by his spokesperson, Christian Aburime.

Continuing, the governor expressed anger at the fanfare and flamboyant style of the funeral, which he said contravened the states burial law.

So all this fanfare that makes burial very expensive runs contrary to the Anambra burial law passed three years before I became governor, he said.

Mr Soludo noted that the law was not enacted under his administration, but he is determined to implement it in the state.

The governor stressed that to avoid violating the law, unimportant burial rites should be avoided.

That (burial) law also says that all burial funerals and condolences must be for one day. You dont have a law waiver; you can only waive for rules. You either obey the law or amend it.

Once it remains the law, it is to be obeyed. And thats not the society that Okwadike (Ezeife) dreamt of. The foundation we are working on is the one he left for us, Mr Soludo added.

Burial law at a glance

The law has specific provisions that seek to cut burial/funeral costs in Anambra State.

For instance, Section 5 (1) of the law restrains the erection of billboards, banners or posters, while Section 6(1) disallows the deposit of corpses in a mortuary beyond two months after death.

Similarly, Section 11 restrains any second funeral rites after the burial, while Section 13 (1) outlaws the holding of any burial wake. Although Sections 13(2) and (3) allow for vigil mass/service of songs/religious activity before the burial, such activities must be without food or drinks, live band and cultural entertainers, and, significantly, the activities must not exceed 9 p.m., according to the law.

Also, Section 14 of the law restricts burial/funeral ceremonies to one day, with burial mass/service commencing not later than 9 a.m. and lasting not more than two hours.

Again, Section 16 restricts condolence visits to one day with gift items not exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of minerals. The section also bars the giving of souvenirs during the ceremony.

Moreover, Section 19 limits the number of undertakers in a burial/funeral ceremony to six and bars any display of the undertakers during the ceremony.

Section 20 prohibits the wearing of a special burial uniform by distant relatives except the deceaseds immediate family members, church groups, and kindred members, including women married off the family and those married into the family.

Section 21 makes the provision of food and drinks by the bereaved family optional, while Section 24 bars demonstrations by the youths within and around the community with photographs of the deceased.

Section 26 prohibits gunshots but allows the use of small, locally-made cannon guns prevalent in Igbo land.

Finally, Section 28 bans the making of brochures except for the order of mass/service, while Section 29 limits the mourning period to one week from the death or burial.

Violations persist, yet no arrest and prosecution

However, despite the biting economic hardship and high cost of commodities across Nigeria, residents of the state, like in many other parts of the country, continue to organise elaborate funerals in violation of the burial law.

The provisions of the law often violated include the erection of billboards, banners and posters, the duration of a corpse in a mortuary, blockage of roads, especially in urban areas, public display of casket, second burial and holding wake.

Others are sharing of foods and drinks during burials, prolonged exposure of corpses, production of burial brochures, shaving of widows hair and mourning period.

Meanwhile, nobody has been arrested or prosecuted for violating the law since it came into force.

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We dont walk in the spirit. We walk in the internet.

The Lord told me a story. A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by armed robbers. They stripped him of his belongings and beat him black and blue. They beat him until he slumped and died. Then the Lord asked me a question. He said, Femi, what happened after the man died?

I did not know the answer, so I asked the Holy Spirit. He said: They stopped beating him. Then He said to me: Femi, if they are still beating you, it is because you are not dead yet. Once you are dead, the beating will stop.

What does a dead man do if he is abused? Nothing! What does he do if he is provoked? Nothing! What does he do if he is flattered? Nothing! What does he do if he is tempted? Nothing! What does he do if a seductive woman undresses in front of him? Nothing! What does he do if he is offered a bribe? Nothing!

Whatever you do, a dead man does not react. He is dead to this world but hopefully alive to God. That is what it means to be born again. Therefore, Paul says to born-again believers: Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:11).

Are Christians Born-again?

The word of God says: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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Many Christians claim to be born again, however, old things have not passed away in us. We claim to be born again but we remain the same. We then try to put the new wine of Christ in an old bottle. But this cannot work. We come to Jesus by faith. But faith without works is dead. (James 2:20).

The man who is born again is that man who was crucified with Christ. That means when Christ died, we also died. Our body of sin was nailed to the cross. We then came back to life when Jesus rose from the dead.

However, we do not come back to life as our old selves. We come back to life as new men and women. We come back to life in the likeness of Christ. Jesus becomes our life. (Colossians 3:4).

Baptism into Christs Death

We are baptised into Christs death when we are truly born again. The old carnal man of the flesh, which is congenitally unrighteous, is crucified with Christ. That sinful nature is responsible for our alienation from God. It ensures that sin is natural to the man in the flesh. And righteousness is unnatural.

David says: The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. (Psalm 58:3).

You do not have to teach a child to tell lies. Telling lies comes naturally to him. But you have to teach him to stop telling lies. However, no matter how much you teach him, he cannot stop. He cannot help himself. As long as he is in the flesh, he will be a slave of sin.

But when a man receives Christ, he comes alive spiritually and the Holy Spirit comes to live in him as his Helper. The Bible says: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit breaks down the gates of brass, and the bars of iron that have tied him to the life of sin in the kingdom of death.

Prophecy of New Birth

When a man is born again, he discovers that an Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in him. He finds that there are two competing natures in him. This is how God describes this to Rebecca:

Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. (Genesis 25:23).

This is where Christians miss the road. We are not determined to realise this prophecy that the older shall serve the younger. We fail to insist as Jesus did: Everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled. (Luke 24:44)

The older man is the man of the flesh, that comes with natural birth. The younger man is the man of the Spirit, that comes alive when we are born again. The word of God says the older shall serve the younger. But in most Christians, including those of us who claim to be born again, the younger (the spirit) still serves the older (the flesh).

Crucified Flesh

The reason is that we do not allow our flesh to be crucified. When the flesh is crucified, our body of sin dies an agonising death. Death by crucifixion is slow. But the inevitable end is death.

This is presented symbolically by the war between the house of Saul and the house of David: Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (2 Samuel 3:1).

When the flesh finally dies, we are freed from sin: For he who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:7).

Jesus came to earth in the likeness of sinful flesh to break the power of sin in the flesh. He used spiritual powers to prevail over the flesh. He refused to accede to the demands of the flesh.

He allowed malefactors to arrest Him. He did not resist when they beat Him. They clothed Him in purple and put a crown of thorns on His head. They slapped Him and spat on Him. They mocked Him, saluting Him as the King of the Jews. They then led Him out naked and crucified Him.

In all this, Jesus put up no resistance: He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7).

We can only emulate Jesus example if we walk in the spirit. We cannot if we walk in the flesh. If we do not crucify the flesh, the old man of the flesh will make us respond to abuses with abuses, insults with insults, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

Crucified Life

Many Christians are not aware that we are supposed to be baptised into Christs death. Even when we undergo water baptism, we only see this as a religious ritual, without realising its practical implication.

Thus, Paul asks the Romans:

Dont you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:3-6).

Jesus died for us so we can live for Him. But we Christians do not see the crucified life he exemplified as the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6). We give an eye for an eye. We give a tooth for a tooth. We fight, we cheat, and we steal. We abuse others, curse, and betray our friends.

We dont walk in the spirit. We walk in the internet. We do not spend time in prayer but on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

We fornicate and commit adultery. We pledge: for better, for worse; for richer, and for poorer, but then divorce our wives and choose younger models. We walk in lies and hypocrisy. We tell lies all the time. We waste our lives trying to make money. We love the world and the things in the world. We are lovers of pleasure not lovers of God.

But then we go to church on Sunday. Go to midweek services. Speak in tongues. Fall under the anointing. Sing praise songs and quote choice scriptures.

Jesus warns: Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. (Matthew 7:21-23). CONTINUED.

Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com

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It is fascinating how two individuals sharing the name Yusuf Bichi can lead vastly different lives  one in the spotlight of luxury and the other a conservative dwelling in the shadows of covert operations By the way, who is the young and over-protected celebrity?

I was disturbed watching videos of a young man dressed in designer outfits, adorned with expensive wristwatches, wearing exotic shoes, carrying bags of costly perfumes, and being chauffeured around in flashy vehicles. His entourage includes a motley crew of well-armed bodyguards bearing sophisticated weapons, attendants, allies, and hangers-on, whether striding with him in processions or moving in long vehicular convoys. To top it off, he even takes to the skies in private jets.

What is evident is the young chaps clear cultivation of celebrity culture, steeped in material flamboyance, whether in balling with music superstars like Davido, driving about in supercars and hosting associates to flamboyant gourmet dinners, which are all deliberately videoed for showboating on his social media platforms, for maximum publicity.

What I found deeply disturbing was that this young man, who goes by the name Abba Yusuf Bichi, is a Nigerian. Yet, with his over two million followers on social media, he remains largely unknown among the hardworking Nigerian businessmen and multimillionaires who could afford such a life of extravagant opulence.

Surprisingly, he shares a name in a manner that appears too close for comfort with a humble, modest, and result-oriented spymaster  Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the director general of the Department of State Security Service (DSS). Could they hail from the same fast-developing Bichi Emirate Council of Kano State? I havent bothered to verify, as it ordinarily would seem absurd to associate the pompous and flashy young man with the accomplished spymaster.

Spymasters play a pivotal role in intelligence and covert operations worldwide. They lead and manage sleuth networks, while overseeing critical tasks related to national security, counterterrorism efforts, and other clandestine endeavours on behalf of the state.

Due to the delicate nature of their veiled assignments, spymasters function behind the scenes. They ensure that their family members, spouses, children, and even parents remain shielded from public scrutiny to avoid unnecessary exposure.

The spymaster we know well, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, boasts extensive intelligence work experience. He has performed in various operational roles before assuming leadership positions within the Department of State Services as its director-general.

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One may wonder about the real background of the young celebrity, Abba Yusuf Bichi. And while his means of livelihood remain shrouded in mystery, he maintains predictable routines. He boasts an ostentatious attitude akin to Yahoo Yahoo boys, who expose themselves easily to security scrutiny and public irritation, often leading them to hire legions of security agents for protection ,as they embark on their various acts of ridiculous and conspicuous material exhibitions and consumption.

Many within the security and intelligence services can attest to Bichis professional integrity. For instance, Chief Peter C Nwaoduah, one of the longest-serving directors-general of the DSS (1992-1999), vouched for his competence and dedication.

In a foreword to a book on the legacy of Yusuf Bichi, Nwaoduah wrote: The personality in whose honour this collection was put together is not used to being celebrated. If anything, he would be embarrassed, if not blushing! Bichi is known to be taciturn, even indifferent and shy to take credit for the numerous services rendered to the Nation.

Bichi is used to everyday life packed with actionfast-paced and non-stopin the protection of his fatherland! He is addicted to his job. He always has been, and this explains why, from the beginning, he chose a life of being an operative of what Nigerians call The Secret Service or The Secret Police.

He had a successful first outing and, after that, retired! But again, service to the Fatherland came beckoning. It was not what he prepared himself to do again. He needed a quiet life after retirement. However, imbued with patriotism, he was back to work!

Similarly, the shortest-serving DG of the DSS (August to September 2018), Mathew B. Seyefa, narrated their relationship, which spanned some 40 years. As he recounted, they joined the service on the same day, and their first point of convergence was their mutual attraction for Mallam Aminu Kanos enduring legacy  an epitome of modesty, populism, and aversion to primitive material acquisition.

Seyefa emphasised, People change when power is entrusted to them, but Bichi, as DGSS, has remained his simple, unassuming, warm, and unflappable self.

Therefore, it is not surprising that on several occasions, the DSS, under Bichi, has issued warnings to Nigerians regarding the dangers of flaunting wealth in public. In one such advisory, the service stated that ostentatious displays of affluence pose a significant security risk and attract the attention of criminal elements, including kidnappers and bandits.

to stem the tide of reckless wealth flaunting, responses like those recently taken against naira abusers should be activated. Relevant law enforcement bodies, including anti-corruption and revenue agencies, should scour social media accounts to find many who might be engaged in opulent displays, verify their sources of income and tax compliance, etc., and ascertain their social rectitude. Prosecution should follow where necessary.

Since flaunting wealth endangers not only the individual but also the family and the broader community, the Secret Service advises citizens to adopt moderate lifestyles and avoid unnecessary show-offs.

One may wonder about the real background of the young celebrity, Abba Yusuf Bichi. And while his means of livelihood remain shrouded in mystery, he maintains predictable routines. He boasts an ostentatious attitude akin to Yahoo Yahoo boys, who expose themselves easily to security scrutiny and public irritation, often leading them to hire legions of security agents for protection ,as they embark on their various acts of ridiculous and conspicuous material exhibitions and consumption.

While public officers and businesspeople are urged to lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income, ostentatious displays of questionable affluence should be discouraged due to their negative impacts on society. The seeming glitter of these highly impressionable displays can lure vulnerable youth down perilous paths, including the yield to fraudulent activities, prostitution, and even money rituals.

However, it is essential to differentiate between these so-called celebrities and genuinely accomplished and wealthy individuals. True wealth often resides in modesty and humble lifestyles, even amidst enormous financial success. The overnight flaunting of opulence by money-miss-road celebrities serves as a bad influence, inadvertently signalling to impressionable youth that material wealth is attainable through any means, including illicit ways. Moreover, such displays attract the attention of violent criminals  kidnappers, armed robbers, and bandits  worsening crime rates in society.

Nigerian youth must be encouraged to acquire digital literacy and financial education. Wise investments can secure their future without resorting to criminal activities. In addition, safeguarding personal information in todays digital age is crucial. Even cybercriminals exploit such data for extortion and attacks. Citizens should remain vigilant and take measures to protect themselves and society.

Meanwhile, to stem the tide of reckless wealth flaunting, responses like those recently taken against naira abusers should be activated. Relevant law enforcement bodies, including anti-corruption and revenue agencies, should scour social media accounts to find many who might be engaged in opulent displays, verify their sources of income and tax compliance, etc., and ascertain their social rectitude. Prosecution should follow where necessary.

It is fascinating how two individuals sharing the name Yusuf Bichi can lead vastly different lives  one in the spotlight of luxury and the other a conservative dwelling in the shadows of covert operations.

By the way, who is the young and over-protected celebrity?

Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of An Encounter with the Spymaster. www.YAShuaib.com, yashuaib@yahoo.com

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The EFCC now claims it has declared Yahaya Bello a fugitive but the real question will be how a compromised and complicit judicial leadership will now treat the nomination of his unqualified wife as a judge and the petition against the declaration of his violent cousin as governor of Kogi State. The judges who currently control Nigerias criminal politics now must show how much they owe Yahaya Bello.

Josiah Majebi is the fifth chief judge of Kogi State (in North-Central Nigeria) in four years and the fourth to exist almost entirely in the pocket of the state governor. He has been in office as substantive chief judge since the beginning of February 2023, having acted in that role since 26 June 2022, when his predecessor, Richard Olorunfemi, retired. Henry Olusiyi served in that office for just under seven months from the end of June 2020 until January 2021. Sunday Otuh, who succeeded him, spent eight months in office before retiring in September 2021.

The last Chief Judge of Kogi State who attempted to hold that office with dignity and independence, Nasir Ajanah, paid with his life, un-mourned and exiled from the state. He was the second Chief Judge of the State to be politically lynched by the government of Kogi State in one decade.

At the beginning of April 2008, the Kogi State House of Assembly, defying an order of the state High Court, adopted a resolution asking the state Governor to remove long-serving Chief Judge of the state, Umaru Eri. On that basis, then acting governor, Clarence Olafemi, promptly announced the sack of the Chief Judge on 2 April 2008 and designated another judge, Sam Ota, to act in his place.

In his defence, Umaru Eri claimed that his crime was that he had declined the request of the politicians to act as go-between in bribing the election petition tribunal on behalf of the then state governor, whose election was in dispute. On 16 May, 2008, Alaba Ajileye, a judge of the High Court of Kogi State, reversed the sack and reinstated Umaru Eri.

Eleven years later, on 18 June 2019, Alaba Ajileye presided again in deciding a case that seemed uncannily to reprise issues in his earlier decision. As with the 2008 decision, the claimant in 2019 was another Chief Judge of Kogi State, Nasir Ajanah with his Chief Registrar, Yahya Adamu. The defendants included the Kogi State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and the State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

At the directive of Governor Yahaya Bello, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State wrote on 14 November, 2018 to Chief Judge Nasir Ajanah, asking him to provide the payroll of judicial staff for the ongoing pay parade of civil servants in the state. At the time, the Governor was a defendant in the court of the Chief Judge, so the Chief Registrar responded to the letter and explained that the judiciary is a self-accounting and co-equal branch of government supervised by the state Judicial Service Commission.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Yahaya Bello made Nasir Ajannah persona non-grata in the state. As a result, he was forced into internal displacement in Abuja, where his personal arrangements were worse than transitory. While in hiding in Abuja, Nasir Ajannah contracted COVID and died in isolation in Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory, on 28 June 2020. His death went unacknowledged and even the institutions of the judiciary were reluctant to mourn his passing.

An affronted Governor Yahaya Bello wrote under his own name to Walter Onnoghen, then chief justice of Nigeria and chair of the National Judicial Council (NJC), asking the NJC to find the Chief Judge guilty of misconduct and requiring that he step aside and (an) Acting Chief Judge (be) allowed to take his place.

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While his petition was still waiting for the attention of the NJC, Yahaya Bello resorted to political self-help. He referred the perceived effrontery of Nasir Ajannah to the State House of Assembly, which promptly constituted an investigation committee. The Chief Judge sued. While his suit was pending, on 2 April 2019, the State House of Assembly adopted a resolution asking Yahaya Bello to remove the Chief Judge and also requiring disciplinary action against the Chief Registrar. On 18 June 2019, Alaba Ajileye sitting as the High Court of Kogi State in Kotonkarfe, determined that the Kogi State House of Assembly and the Governor acted unlawfully in seeking to remove the Chief Judge.

The reaction of the governor was bestial. He first went after Alaba Ajileye, a man of courage and learning whose judicial record was unblemished. With a doctorate degree in law, Alaba Ajileye was an expert in the rarefied subject of digital evidence. Following this judgment, however, Yahaya Bellos government made it known that they could no longer guarantee his safety. Yet, when he was put forward for elevation to the Court of Appeal, the same Kogi State government actively blocked it. A man who would easily have adorned the Supreme Court with distinction, Alaba Ajileye retired from the High Court in February 2023 and has since then forged a career as a scholar and academic.

Turning to the state Chief Judge, meanwhile, Yahaya Bello made life unbearable for Nasir Ajannah. He began by banishing the man from official state functions. When Chief Judge Ajannah attended the swearing in of the new Grand Khadi of Kogi State on 21 May 2020, the Chief Security Officer to Yahaya Bello informed him that the governor gave a directive that he should not be allowed to attend the function.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Yahaya Bello made Nasir Ajannah persona non-grata in the state. As a result, he was forced into internal displacement in Abuja, where his personal arrangements were worse than transitory. While in hiding in Abuja, Nasir Ajannah contracted COVID and died in isolation in Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory, on 28 June 2020. His death went unacknowledged and even the institutions of the judiciary were reluctant to mourn his passing.

It was the day after Yahaya Bellos chosen successor and blood relative, Usman Ododo, chose to turn his predecessor into a fugitive from the legal process and two days after Mr Ododo opened his case in the petition questioning the lawfulness of his election as governor of Kogi State. As a bungling Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) waited to arrest Yahaya Bello in Abuja, one IA Jamil, a judge of the High Court of Kogi State, issued an order claiming to restrain the Commission from doing its job.

The men who followed Nasir Ajannah in the office of Chief Judge of Kogi State learnt to stoke the vanities of Yahaya Bello and avoid his anger. Ahead of his departure from office at the end of eight years as governor of Kogi State in January 2024, Josiah Majebi as chief judge and chair of the Kogi State Judicial Service Commission, prepared a list of candidates for nomination as judges of the High Court of Kogi State. At the top of the list was a wife to Yahaya Bello, the basis of whose claim to the nomination was the dutiful fulfilment of the duties of connubium in Yahaya Bellos bedroom. For the Chief Judge, it was also proof that he had truly abjured any pretensions to a mind of his own.

Alarmed at what they saw as perversion of the system of judicial appointments, a group of seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from the state wrote to Josiah Majebi to dissuade him from this course of action. In January, they sued challenging his judicial nominations. Pending the outcome, the NJC suspended the process of appointment to the Kogi State judiciary. On 18 April, James Omotoso, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, many of whose judgments usually have something of a smell problem about them, implausibly ruled that these SANs had no legitimate interest in the process of appointment of judges in their state and that, in any case, the discretion of the NJC in appointment of judges was effectively not open to review.

It was the day after Yahaya Bellos chosen successor and blood relative, Usman Ododo, chose to turn his predecessor into a fugitive from the legal process and two days after Mr Ododo opened his case in the petition questioning the lawfulness of his election as governor of Kogi State. As a bungling Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) waited to arrest Yahaya Bello in Abuja, one IA Jamil, a judge of the High Court of Kogi State, issued an order claiming to restrain the Commission from doing its job.

According to the order of the judge, the case which was filed over two months earlier on 8 February, was hurriedly assigned while the siege was on going in Abuja, argued, heard and decided and the judge quickly signed the order and handed it to Governor Ododo to take with him to Abuja, from where he spirited his cousin away from the legal process in a blaze of gunfire. The court was almost assuredly disingenuous about the date of filing. In all likelihood, the case was filed the same day on 17 April and then back-dated.

The EFCC now claims it has declared Yahaya Bello a fugitive but the real question will be how a compromised and complicit judicial leadership will now treat the nomination of his unqualified wife as a judge and the petition against the declaration of his violent cousin as governor of Kogi State. The judges who currently control Nigerias criminal politics now must show how much they owe Yahaya Bello.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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We must resist the temptation of dismissing the farcical breakaway as a mere comic relief. Secession is not a laughing matter. The challenge before us is to recognise that there are active centrifugal forces maliciously gyrating in real life and on social media. In the latter case, strange philosophies are propagated to justify hate vending and reinforce ancient prejudices to separate man from fellow man and lionise ethnic idiocy.

What did Modupe Onitiri Abiola smoke on the morning of Saturday, 13 April when she made a recorded broadcast declaring the secession of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria from the Nigerian federation? What demon possessed all those who participated in the farcical drama which did not even measure up to even the most amateur of the celebrated dramaturgy of the indigenous Yoruba folk? Those are the questions being asked by befuddled Nigerians.

An array of charms and amulets, one English pump-action gun, two locally-made guns, two security jackets, 30 pieces of torch lights, five African horse tails, 49 bells, and seven pieces of walkie talkies and accessories, Yoruba Nation flags, 405 live cartridges, 72 pairs of camouflage uniforms, 199 pairs of plain green uniform and hundreds of machetes, made up the arsenal of the deluded freedom fighters. The police later found an additional stash of weapons in the premises of the University College Hospital (UCH).

Their invasion of the Oyo State Secretariat, where they briefly hoisted their flag  before a combined force of the police, Amotekun Corps, Civil Defence, and ultimately the Nigerian Army smoked them out and publicly humiliated them  caught the nation unawares.

Delusional

The fake nationalists were exhibiting traces of the mental disease called delusion of grandeur, a mental illness characterised by a great divergence from reality.

Their leader, Modupe Onitiri Abiola, apparently has a history of name dropping and attention seeking. She claims to be one of the widows of the late martyr of democracy, Chief MKO Abiola, but a section of the Abiola family has disputed this. She contested the 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos State and performed dismally. The Yoruba Nation invasion was supposed to catapult her to the pinnacle of leadership of one of the most sophisticated ethnic nationalities in Africa, the Yoruba (hehehe)

Their voodoo charms failed them, making commentators wonder if they had forgotten to seek the support of Esu, the Yoruba god of mischief known for his ability to upend the expectations of presumptuous people. He is the god of surprises and change, for good or bad. He revels in creating disorder and confusion. For him, the world is a playground and he loves to stir things up just for the fun of it. Except that what happened in Ibadan wasnt funny at all.

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One elder who claims mastery in esoteric matters thought that, since they were so delusional, they ought to have given Esu his dues before setting out by intoning the panegyrics:

Divine emissary of Transformation Landlord of the crossroads, dance to the drum. Tickle the toe of the Drum. Move beyond strife. We shall use your sword to touch the earth. Esu, dont confuse me. Dont perplex me. Dont confound me. Let disorientation be the lot of someone else.

In its statement, Afenifere stated that there is no such thing as Democratic Republic of the Yoruba and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and their sponsors. Yoruba is an important component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And as is well-known, there cannot be a sovereign republic within an extant sovereign republic Afenifere is of the strong view that President Bola Tinubu administration is taking steps to rejig Nigeria in a manner that would make the country become one that every citizen would be proud of soonest

By the time the little skirmish was over, the pseudo-revolutionaries looked like a throwback to the spectacle of ancient prisoners of war on parade by the famed Ibadan war general, Basorun Ogunmola.

Yoruba people, on whose behalf the whole farcical drama was alleged to have been staged, are embarrassed because they dont fight their wars in such a puerile  even demented  manner. Historically, in the geographical space called Nigeria today, there is no other ethnic nationality with a history of many civil wars like the Yoruba. They dont take war lightly. They dont start what they cant finish.

Three days after the invasion, the Araba Oluawo (Chief Priest) of Ibadanland, Chief Odegbola Ifalere and other Babalawos performed some rituals, chanting incantations and cursing those behind the invasion of the state secretariat.

Condemnation

Although Afenifere, the foremost Yoruba socio-political group, has condemned the development along with prominent traditional rulers and leaders of thought, online analysts have been examining the contemporary fad where every motley disgruntled groups threaten to take their people out of the Nigerian union. The ease with which negative ideas are widely disseminated through the social media, coupled with socio-economic factors that have rendered many people recruitable into virtually any harebrained scheme, are twin factors that have been highlighted.

In its statement, Afenifere stated that there is no such thing as Democratic Republic of the Yoruba and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and their sponsors. Yoruba is an important component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And as is well-known, there cannot be a sovereign republic within an extant sovereign republic Afenifere is of the strong view that President Bola Tinubu administration is taking steps to rejig Nigeria in a manner that would make the country become one that every citizen would be proud of soonest, said the organisation.

It added: Restructuring the country is a sure way of accelerating this. Afenifere strongly believes that when restructuring is effected with constituent entities allowed to be in control of their own affairs, Nigeria will become beneficial to everyone. This is why we are relentless in our agitation for restructuring

If the misguided invaders were not on drugs, they certainly were under some form of hypnosis. Even in the heat of their humiliation, they still threatened to cause more havoc if security agents refused to release them.

Not a few people were surprised by the age range and gender mix of the wannabe secessionists later arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony, unlawful society, illegal possession of a firearm, going armed and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.

In a rambling chat with newsmen, Ogundeji, who is a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, justified his participation: Yoruba as an indigenous nationOur leadership went to all Yoruba-speaking states to serve official letters written by our leaders and we were given our copy. After that is the proclamation, followed by the declaration, occupation and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation. We were at the Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan to celebrate and rejoice because of the new nation that was birthed

The list included the following women: 25-year-old Ayanwale Rofiat; 65-year-old Dosunmu Toyin; 78-year-old Abiona Esther; 64-year-old Omoyalowo Funsho; 60-year-old Tola Olufemi and 58-year-old Taiwo Titilayo.

The men arraigned along with the women are: Ismaila Adepoju, 45 years; Ayanwale Saburi, 28 years; Adeola Elegbede, 27 years; Fatoki Anthony, 34 years; Olalere Mathew, 54 years; Isaac Friday, 27 years; and Ismaila Malomo Peter, 65 years.

Others are Farumbi Wasiu, 30; Muritala Abefe, 40; Adeyemo Joseph, 29; Adeyemo Peter, 75; Adesokan Hameed, 37; Adejumo Lateef, 60; Ogundeji Alabi, 55; Ayoola David, 40; Ojo Olufemi, 52; Ajani Ezekiel, 42; and Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, 45; Ademola Adeniyi, 29; Salaudeen Wahab, 56; Oritola Alabi, 44; Kayode Fakeye, 45; and Yusuf Adebayo, 67 years old.

In a rambling chat with newsmen, Ogundeji, who is a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, justified his participation: Yoruba as an indigenous nationOur leadership went to all Yoruba-speaking states to serve official letters written by our leaders and we were given our copy. After that is the proclamation, followed by the declaration, occupation and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation. We were at the Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan to celebrate and rejoice because of the new nation that was birthed

Surely, somebody needs the attention of a shrink?

Not Funny

We must resist the temptation of dismissing the farcical breakaway as a mere comic relief. Secession is not a laughing matter. The challenge before us is to recognise that there are active centrifugal forces maliciously gyrating in real life and on social media. In the latter case, strange philosophies are propagated to justify hate vending and reinforce ancient prejudices to separate man from fellow man and lionise ethnic idiocy. That is how the phenomenon of Unknown Gunmen was born.

As we have seen, high educational attainment is not a foolproof inoculation against this disease. While the Yoruba Nation secessionists are made to face justice and the mentally debilitated among them sent for medical evaluation and treatment, the greater challenge is for the authorities to tackle warmongers wherever they are found, on the cyber superhighway or in real life. Never should we forget Bertrand Russels admonition that war does not determine who is right  only who is left.

The minimum agreement we, the people and government of Nigeria, can reach on this matter is that secessionists must be called out for the anarchists that they are, and legally removed from circulation.

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021.

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Akwa Ibom State Government-owned commercial airline, Ibom Air, has won the best airline of the year for the third consecutive year.

The award was announced on Friday by African Travel Quarterly Travelers at an event at the National Museum in Lagos, the airlines spokesperson, Aniekan Essienettte, said in a statement.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Tourism of Nigeria, Lola-Ade John, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State, Charles Udo, and other tourism commissioners from other states of the federation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the airline, the Chief Operating Officer, George Uriesi, dedicated it to the customers for their continuous patronage of the airline.

We are steadfast in our pledge to uphold the highest standards of safety, comfort, and convenience for our passengers, Mr Uriesi said.

Ibom Air

Although Ibom Air is four years old, having launched its inaugural commercial flight on 7 June 2019 taking off from the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, the airline has recorded significant milestones in the aviation industry.

Besides winning the best airline of the year for the last three years, Ibom Air, last year, received a safety certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an award that validates the airlines high operational and safety standards.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Ibom Air last year received the first of its 10 new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, perfecting its plans to expand flight operation to the West African region which it launched last October with a maiden flight to Accra, Ghana.

According to Mrs Essienette, the airlines chief operating officer has announced plans to elevate the travel experience of passengers by introducing the cutting-edge Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

This state-of-the-art aircraft will revolutionise standards of comfort, reliability and efficiency in domestic and regional air travel while also stabilizing our schedule to match what our passengers have come to expect from us, Mr Uriesi said.

To ensure a smooth commencement of international flights, the state government last year commissioned a new terminal building capable of processing over a million passengers a year and Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for the airline at the Victor Attah International Airport, which is the airlines hub.

Governor Umo Eno had in January this year told President Bola Tinubu that the airline was making profits and that the government was ploughing it back for expansion, adding that the government was completely out of the running of the airline.

According to the governor, the president, after asking about some aviation infrastructure in the state, asked him to submit a memo on his request for support in critical areas of the state.

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Queen Elizabeth II, in addition to being the longest reigning monarch in the history of England (70 years and 214 days!), has been recognized as a style icon for her exquisite and vibrant looks she has worn to celebrations. The queen herself believed that the variety of colors of dresses and hats in her wardrobe characterized her personality, but the secret of this decision lies in something else entirely.

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In fact, the monarch preferred bright colors in order to draw people's attention to herself and not blend in with the crowd. For the same reason, she did not wear neutral-colored dresses to events. Elizabeth II would have turned 98 on April 21, and although the monarch has been dead for more than 1.5 years and cannot delight her fans with new exquisite looks, OBOZ.UA has collected the most striking of all that the queen has ever worn.

"I can wear beige at any time, but no one will know who I am," Elizabeth II once said, which was included in her biographical book Our Queen. For the most part, the monarch preferred classic cuts of clothing that did not fall under the title of trendiness, but always exuded a sense of style.

At the beginning of her reign, at the age of 27, Elizabeth II chose dresses that emphasized the waist, but over time, her choice increasingly focused on loose cuts with no waistline. However, the monarch could not boast of a pair of trousers in her closet, as she wore pants only a few times in her entire life.

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Wedding look

In 1947, Elizabeth II married Prince Consort Philip Mountbatten, for whose wedding she tried to save money to make her dream dress. The designer Norman Hartnell created it from chiffon, silk and tulle, decorated with pearls and crystal. The head was adorned with a delicate diamond tiara, which was later worn by her granddaughter Princess Beatrice on her wedding day.

Coronation Day

Six years later, she turned to Norman Hartell again for a new dress for her coronation, which was to take place on June 2, 1953. The designer created a ball gown with green, pink, and yellow embroidered inserts and a lot of embellishments: sequins, pearls, diamonds, amethysts, and crystals. The entire process took nine weeks, and six embroiderers were involved in the 3,000-hour work.

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The first trip to Australia

Elizabeth II was the first monarch in British history to visit Australia. For this trip, she wore an emerald dress, which may have been the beginning of the Queen's affection for bright, saturated colors. She diluted her look with white gloves, a clutch, a hair ornament and pearls.

Prince Charles's investment

Norman Hartnell also had a hand in the image of the Queen for Prince Charles's investiture in July 1969, during which Elizabeth II was to place the Crown of the Prince of Wales on his head. At the time, the monarch chose a pale yellow dress above the knee in the shape of a trapeze with a stand-up collar and a Tudor-style hat decorated with pearls and beads.

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A trip to New Zealand

In 1977, she visited New Zealand and chose several bright outfits for her trip, including a floral green dress with a matching hat and a lilac suit with a checkered collar. She complemented both outfits with white gloves.

Trooping the Color ceremony

The same year, she held the opening ceremony of Trooping the Color, where she rode a horse. It was for this event that the monarch had to wear the pants and red uniform of the Commander-in-Chief of the Scottish Guards.

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Look with pants

During a safari in Zambia with Prince Philip, Elizabeth II wore beige straight-cut trousers and a cream blouse with gold, raspberry, and blue patterns.

The wedding of Prince Charles III

Although on July 29, 1981, the eyes of the British were riveted on Princess Diana's luxurious ball gown, Elizabeth II left her mark on people's memories of that day. The monarch stood out against the brides with her bright blue dress and hat, white gloves and pearls.

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A trip to France

In 1992, the Queen chose a delicate pink and powder look for her trip to Blois, France, consisting of a dress with flowers and a pink coat. Instead of the usual classic white gloves, she chose powdered gloves.

Royal Variety show

This annual event is a great opportunity for royals to show off their taste and style. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth shone, literally, with sequins and a colorful dress. The bright golden skirt attracted an incredible amount of attention.

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The wedding of her grandson Prince William

On April 29, 2011, the monarch attended the wedding of her grandson Prince William and Kate Middleton in a delicate pale yellow dress and a hat with matching flowers.

The wedding of her grandson Prince Harry

On May 19, 2018, Elizabeth II wore a yellow look again, but it was more pompous. A colorful straight-cut dress was visible from under a bright coat, the collar of which was decorated with a huge brooch. Designer Angela Kelly added purple feathers and precious stones to the hat, and the queen's neck was adorned with pearls.

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Platinum Jubilee

In June 2022, the Queen celebrated her platinum jubilee in honor of the 70th anniversary of her reign as monarch. Her Majesty wore a pastel blue suit decorated with white embroidery. Her favorite pearls, which were an integral part of almost every festive look, were visible on her neck.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Bola Tinubu has described the former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, as a true son of the soil who fought for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

Mr Tinubu made the remarks as Mr Ezeifes remains were laid to rest on Saturday in his Igbo-Ukwu country home, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eminent Nigerians who attended the funeral service took turns to pay tribute to the late Ezeife.

Mr Tinubu, represented by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said Mr Ezeife died at the time Nigerian needed his development ideas the most.

Dr Ezeifes outstanding public service career left indelible marks on the sands of time.

He had a towering influence as a former federal permanent secretary as well as an outstanding leadership credentials in Nigerias political landscape, he said.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the dearly departed, the president encouraged his loved ones to take solace in his indelible legacy.

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Also, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State described Mr Ezeife as a true Nigerian, a patriot and a mentor with unique knowledge and experience.

In attendance at the ceremony were the former governors of Anambra, Peter Obi and Chris Ngige; Uche Ekwunife, Victor Umeh, Ben Ndi-Obi. traditional rulers, among others.

Mr Ezeife, who governed Anambra from January 1992 to November 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), died on 14 December, 2023 at 85 years.

A thanksgiving service will conclude the ceremonies at the Salvation Army Church, Igbo-Ukwu, on Sunday by 9.00 a.m.

(NAN)

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The police in Abia State, south-east Nigeria, say they have arrested a police operative who allegedly shot dead an entrepreneur in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

The businessman, Emmanuel Okocha, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, was shot dead on Friday in the state for allegedly refusing to give a bribe to some police operatives.

The late Okocha hailed from Abiriba, a community in Ohafia Local Government Area in the South-eastern state.

The operatives were reportedly from the Rapid Response Squad of the police in the state.

They were said to have demanded a bribe from the victim despite the victim having his complete vehicle documents and drivers licence.

Police speak

In a statement on Saturday, the police spokesperson in Abia State, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the development, saying the operative who allegedly killed the entrepreneur has been arrested.

Ms Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police, identified the operative as Obagi Njok, a police corporal attached to the Abayi Police Division in the state.

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The officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated. Appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions will be effected soonest, and he will face the full course of appropriate administrative and legal consequences, Ms Chinaka stated.

The police spokesperson said the family of the slain entrepreneur and community leaders would be carried along in the prosecution of the officer.

The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate, and regrettable, she said.

She said police authorities in the state have commiserated with the victims family and his loved ones.

Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law. We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism, and indiscipline among our officers, she stated.

Not the first time

Cases of police brutality and killing of Nigerians are not new in the country.

In October 2020, Nigerian youths protested against police brutality across the country and called for the disbandment of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police.

Despite the ban on SARS, the cases of police brutality have persisted across the country.

Six officers, for instance, were caught in a viral video, in April 2023 using a machete to smack two unidentified people in Imo State.

The police in the state later conducted an orderly room trial of the officers and punished them.

About the same period, a police officer who was filmed slapping a motorist in Emouha, Rivers State, was demoted.

READ ALSO: Police arrest suspected killer of final year undergraduate in Abia

The Emouha incident occurred a few days after Ubi Ebri, another officer, allegedly shot dead a young man in the neighbouring Delta State for reportedly refusing to give a N100 bribe.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how youths in Delta State protested with the victims corpse along major roads in Asaba.

Mr Ebri, the officer, was immediately arrested, dismissed from service and later arraigned.

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Living Trust Mortgage Bank has appointed a new chairman in person of Wale Bolorunduro, once a general manager at Zenith Bank and a former Osun State commissioner for finance, budget and economic planning.

Dr. Wale Bolorunduro was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Bank effective April 19, 2024, Living Trust Mortage said in a regulatory filing posted on the website of the Nigerian Exchange on Friday.

Dr. Wale Bolorunduro replaces Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh as the chairman of the board, the firm said.

The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

The announcement comes against the background of the conflict between the top two shareholders of the company as to who nominates the candidate for the chairmanship of the directors board.

A letter dated 8 April, posted on Osun States website and signed by Olawale Rasheed, the chief press secretary to Osun State governor said Governor Ademola Adeleke approved the appointment of Dr Wale Bolorunduro as chairman of Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc.

That has caused a controversy as to whether a political figure like a governor has the authority to appoint the chairman of a public-quoted company like Living Trust Mortage Bank, where institutional investors and individual shareholders have stakes.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

While Osun State Government holds 39.83 per cent of Living Trust Mortgages shares, Citi Trust Holdings, an investment firm with tentacles in investment banking, pensions and wealth management among others owns a larger stake of 40.82 per cent.

Osun State and Citi Trust have shareholders agreement in place since 2019 that recognises Osun seed investment and as a founder. Both parties share board position by that agreement with Osun producing chairman, while Citi Trust produces MD, Olawale Rasheed, the chief press secretary to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke told PREMIUM TIMES.

Since 2019, Citi Trust has produced 2 MDs while the outgoing Chairman was produced by Osun State under Oyetola, the governors spokesperson added, referring to Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate-past governor of Osun State.

Mr Bolorunduro is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo where he holds a bachelors degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. He is also a holder of masters and doctorate degrees at University of British Columbia.

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The Chairman of the seven-member committee for the conduct of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress governorship primaries, Usman Ododo, has declared the exercise inconclusive.

The primaries, held across 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state, witnessed some disruptions in parts of the state.

Mr Ododo, who is also the governor of Kogi State, said elections will continue in Okitipupa on Sunday, the area where violence was reported to have disrupted the process.

In a statement on Saturday night, Mr Ododo said having received reports of the primary election from the 203 Wards in the 18 Local Governments of Ondo State, the primary election committee decided that fresh elections would be conducted in all the 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government Area.

Having received reports of the primary election from the 203 Wards in the 18 Local Governments of Ondo State, the Primary election Committee has decided that election will be conducted in all the 13 Wards of Okitipupa Local Government with total validated registered members of 9,515 because of validated reports that the exercise did not hold in the Local government due to late arrival of materials and personnel as a result of logistics challenges, he said.

Election in Okitipupa Local Government shall be conducted 12 noon on Sunday 21st April 2024.

The final collation of the results will be done thereafter.

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Okitipupa is a stronghold of one of the aspirants and serving senator, Jimoh Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, five governorship aspirants of the party had called for the cancellation of the primary election of the party over alleged irregularities.

They are Olusola Oke, Olugbenga Edema, Wale Akinterinwa, Dayo Faduyile and Jimi Odimayo.

They asked the leadership of the APC to remove Mr Ododo as chairman of the electoral committee and repeat the process.

In separate statements, the aspirants alleged that there were no elections in the wards and that materials were not available at voting centres.

Not fewer than 16 aspirants contested the primaries, including the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has mocked the APC over the conduct of the primaries.

PDP spokesperson Kennedy Peretei, in a statement on Sunday morning, said the APC primary was a huge charade and a mockery of democracy.

The signs that all would not be well emerged 48 hours before the primary when five of the aspirants petitioned the APC National Headquarters about irregularities on the accredited members for the primary, said Mr Peretei.

Four years ago, former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for N85 billion fraud, presided over a similar event in Akure, where none of the aspirants, sighted the Delegates list before the primary.

As of the morning of the election, it was not clear whether it was going to be Direct or Indirect primary. That was the exercise that produced former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as candidate of the APC for 2020 Governorship election.

This time, Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo, Bellos successor in office has wrecked more havoc than his boss.

Journalists who tried to monitor the primary were shocked that in almost all the centres that elections were supposed to hold, there were no election materials, neither were there officials to conduct the exercise. The Akure City Hall, one of the supposed centres was empty as of 1.00 p.m.

Instead, there were reported cases of violence in Akure South and Okitipupa Local Government Areas, where political thugs had a field day.

If the APC cannot conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election for 171,922 of their members, they should perish the idea of presiding over the affairs of Ondo State beyond the eight years in which they have practically stagnated the State.

It is a shame that the APC cannot bring only one of their sixteen aspirants to square up with other political parties in the general election through a process that is above board. That alone is an affirmation that, the party should be consigned to the dustbin of history, where it rightfully belongs.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter will once again demonstrate its superior organizational sagacity and democratic credentials this week, through a Governorship Primary Election that will be covered live by media houses and Non-Governmental Organizations in the full glare of the world.

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Asia I Seminar is First of Many Planned for 2024

NEW YORK, April 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shincheonji 2024 Continental Bible Seminar Asia  was hosted April 20th in the Philippines. Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee Man-hee delivered the main lecture at the Philippine International Convention Center in a crowded lecture hall seating 4,000 people.

The Philippines event is the first of a series of seminars planned for 2024. The seminar was organized following fervent requests from pastors and believers worldwide for a Shincheonji Revelation word seminar.

As Chairman Lee took the stage for the April 20th seminar, he introduced the start of his faith journey. Much like the recorders of the content in the Bible, Chairman Lee spoke about his own background and lineage.

Chairman Lee was born in Cheongdo County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea in 1931. As a combat soldier on the frontlines of the Korean War, he experienced the consequences of national colonization and warfare firsthand.

Many years later, Chairman Lee started Shincheonji Church of Jesus in 1984. Since that time, he has been testifying about the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation.

"There's a time for prophecy and a time for fulfillment," Chairman Lee emphasized during his lecture. "The purpose of prophesying in advance is for people to see, hear, and believe when it comes to fruition."

Chairman Lee stressed that one must understand the era and the reality of the time to believe in the prophecies inside of the scriptures. He concluded by urging people to internalize the word and become living embodiments of the Bible.

The trip to the Philippines was Chairman Lee's 12th visit to the country since 2013. Despite the pandemic, Shincheonji Church has continuously hosted online Bible seminars that have garnered the attention of people worldwide.

Following the seminars, Shincheonji Church signed MOUs with 443 churches in South Korea and 9,462 churches in 77 countries overseas. Notably, 1,382 churches in 38 countries changed their church signs to Shincheonji Church of Jesus after engaging in a Bible teaching exchange.

Throughout 2024, Chairman Lee plans to lead additional seminars in Europe, Africa, America, and Oceania. The series will conclude with another seminar hosted in Asia. Each event will be broadcast live on YouTube in multiple languages.

Related Link:

https://www.scjamericas.org

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Shincheonji Church of Jesus
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Lucknow, April 21 : Amit Kumar, a 22-year-old undertrial accused in a rape case and currently lodged in the Lucknow jail, has achieved an outstanding score of 89.33 per cent and has topped among prisoners who appeared for the class 10 Uttar Pradesh Board examination, the results of which were announced on Saturday, a top jail official said.

Senior Jail Superintendent Ashish Tiwari lauded Amit Kumar's achievement, describing him as a cooperative individual actively involved in administrative tasks on the jail premises.

Besides Amit, Virendra Kumar secured 73.83 per cent marks in Class 10, with seven out of eight examinees passing in the first division.

Kumar's accomplishment is not an isolated one.

A total of 196 inmates from various jails across Uttar Pradesh appeared for the high school and intermediate examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Board.

This year witnessed a significant surge of 43 per cent in the number of inmates taking the examination as compared to last year's figure of 137.

The success rate of jail inmates in Uttar Pradesh was quite impressive with a pass percentage of 98 in high school and 83 per cent in intermediate examinations.

At least 89 out of 91 prisoners, who appeared for class 10 cleared the examination, while 87 out of 105 inmates, who took class 12 examination, were successful.

Last year, 62 inmates had appeared for high school examinations of whom 59 passed.

Similarly, in the intermediate examination, 75 inmates appeared and 63 succeeded.

Meanwhile, in class 12 exams, two out of six examinees passed from the Lucknow jail.

Similarly, at Shahjahanpur jail, four inmates took the high school exams while three appeared for the intermediate exams, with their examination centre at the Central Jail in Bareilly.

These inmates were escorted to the examination centre from jail premises under strict supervision.

"Vikas Verma, a rape accused, secured 75 per cent marks in class 12 in the science stream. Ravi, a rape convict, secured 80 per cent marks in the class 10 examination," said M. Lal, Jail Superintendent of Shahjahanpur.

"Efforts were made to facilitate the inmates' studies. Study material was provided to them in jail and three education instructors were appointed to oversee their progress. Inmates with teaching experience were also engaged in educational activities. Lal emphasised that these inmates worked diligently throughout the year, focusing solely on their studies, which contributed to their outstanding performance," he added.

Director General, Prisons, S.N. Sabat, commended the transformation in the atmosphere of Uttar Pradesh jails, emphasising the provision of educational resources and involvement of staff and inmates in promoting learning opportunities.
Lucknow, April 21 : A 20-year-old domestic help of a banker couple died, after falling from the third floor of their apartment at Russle Court Apartment in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar Vistar, the police said.

According to the police, the incident took place on Saturday and the victim, Mohini, of Rahimabad police station area, had started the work only 20 days back.

"Police sent the body to the mortuary and the deceased's family has been informed," said Station House Officer, Gomti Nagar, Sudheer Awasthi.

The couple had employed her for household work and for looking after their four-year-old child, through a service provider company in the locality.

Mohini was working at the flat of Sarabjeet Singh and Preeti Singh, both working at a bank in Lucknow.

"On Saturday, she was washing the balcony with water and slipped. As she lost her balance she fell from the third floor," Preeti Singh told the police.

The police spokesman said they were waiting for the autopsy report when asked about the findings of the post-mortem examination.

It surfaced that Sarbjeet was out of the flat for a walk while Preeti was in the bathroom.

Mohini was watering the plants on the balcony and probably put one of her feet on the railing of the balcony and tripped.

Sarbjeet's driver, Jitendra, told the police that he had called the employer for the keys to take out the car of his employer and Mohini had given him the key of the car minutes before she fell from the balcony of the high-rise.

Mohini's mother, Santoshi, expressed dissatisfaction with the police claim that she died in a fatal fall from the third floor after losing her balance.

"The railing at the balcony is four feet high and so she cannot fall from the balcony. She was being harassed by the couple who allowed her to talk to us twice during the last 20 days," she alleged.

The police said the railing at the balcony is only two feet high.
Elizabeth II went down in history as the longest-reigning Queen of Great Britain. But this is not the only interesting fact from the biography of the ruler, who would have turned 98 on April 21. Her Majesty's eventful life inspired many directors to create cult biopics and even animated comedies.

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OBOZ.UA has collected 5 best films about the life of the late British Queen, according to the editorial staff. Actresses who had the honor to embody the image of Elizabeth II on the screens often received the highest film awards for their roles.

This, for example, happened to Helen Mirren. She transformed into Elizabeth II in the movie The Queen (2006) and received an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival.

The film depicts the life of the British royal family in the first few days after the tragic death of Princess Diana. After the news of the accident, Elizabeth II and her motherless grandsons Harry and William retired to their country residence and prepared to say goodbye to their daughter-in-law. The film will tell the story of this difficult period in the ruler's life, as well as the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair in informing the people of England.

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The Crown series, the first season of which was released in 2016 on Netflix, is considered one of the most successful projects of our time. It covers the period of Elizabeth II's life from early childhood until 2002, when the Queen Mother died. The biographical series, which also includes fictional scenes, tells about all the significant moments in the monarch's life.

The fourth season was released in the summer of 2022.

The movie A Royal Night Out (2015) will tell us what Elizabeth was like before she became Queen of the United Kingdom. In the film, the viewer meets the heiress to the throne and her sister Margret, who, having received permission from her father, go to central London in May 1945 to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany with the British people.

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Elizabeth II is a well-known lover of corgi dogs. So it is not surprising that the animators decided to dedicate a cartoon to her. The Queens Corgi (2018), a funny animated story about the adventures of the Queen's pet Rex, has already won the sympathy of viewers around the world.

The King's Speech (2010) is an Oscar-winning feature film about the great monarch, Elizabeth's father George VI. Reluctantly accepting the throne after his elder brother abdicates, he faces his greatest challenge: his fear of public speaking and his stutter. The audience was shown the flip side of a successful ruler, for which the film received high praise and many awards.

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In addition, the film became another opportunity to learn about the childhood of the future Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

As a reminder, Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 97. She spent her last hours surrounded by all her children and grandchildren who came to Scotland. After Elizabeth II's death, her eldest son Charles became the new King of Great Britain.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ramallah, April 21 : At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The Ministry said on Saturday in a press statement sent to Xinhua news agency that the bodies of the 14 Palestinian killed were transferred to Tulkarm Hospital from the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp east of the city.

The statement didn't provide further details, Xinhua news agency reported.

Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, entered the camp on Thursday, imposing a stringent siege and demolishing main streets, infrastructure, residential homes, and shops.

The sources noted that the ongoing military operation, coinciding with power outages, water cuts, and the disruption of communication and internet networks in the camp, was the most severe in years.

Sniper units were deployed on the roofs of high-rise buildings while other forces detonated several houses with guided missiles.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported clashes between the army and Palestinian gunmen, along with the sound of explosions caused by homemade explosive devices.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), announced in separate statements that their elements had engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the camp.

The Israeli public radio reported that the army, internal security agency Shin Bet, and the Israeli police killed a number of Palestinian militants in clashes during a wide-scale military operation in the refugee camp.

According to the radio, among those killed were Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja, the commander of the Tulkarm Battalion of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and another activist named Ahmed Al-Aarif.

The radio cited a military spokesman saying that during the ongoing operation, eight wanted persons were arrested, explosive devices and tunnels were seized, and workshops involved in manufacturing explosive devices within the camp were dismantled.

The West Bank has been witnessing escalating tension marked by armed confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinians in cities, villages, and camps since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year.

Earlier on Saturday, a Palestinian ambulance driver was killed by Israeli gunfire in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Israel has killed more than 460 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since the outbreak of the conflict, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Istanbul, April 21 : Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry have emphasised that the military confrontation and crises in the Middle East could potentially widen to a larger area, stressing the necessity for urgent action.

Fidan and Shoukry met in Turkey's Istanbul on Saturday to discuss current regional challenges and bilateral relations, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Conflicts, incomprehension, and violence must not continue," said Shoukry at a joint conference with Fidan.

"There is a possibility that the conflict may spread. The tension between Iran and Israel has increased... We have called for restraint," he noted.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also noted that the strain between Iran and Israel diverted the international community's attention from the "tragic situation" in Gaza, stressing the significance of delivering aid to the region.

Shoukry called for the immediate opening of six Israeli crossings with Gaza for humanitarian aid, stressing that any failure to do so constitutes a violation of international law.

"It is very important that a ceasefire is established first and that the Palestinian people receive the humanitarian aid they need," he remarked.

Fidan, for his part, noted that everything that happens in Palestine could trigger global fault lines and expand across both Eastern and Western spheres.

"The disruption of logistics chains and the surge in prices are just the tip of the iceberg. To curb the proliferation of crises, proactive measures are imperative to address these issues at their core," the Turkish Minister said.

"Our priority should be the end of the Israeli occupation and the realisation of the two-state solution formula. Without this resolution, yesterday's attacks from Yemen, today's Iran-Israel tension, tomorrow's potential for another war, and the day after's risk of civil unrest will persist," he added.

Meanwhile, the two Ministers also stressed the profound and constructive relations between Turkey and Egypt, emphasising their positive impact on the region.

"We are committed to elevating our political, economic, cultural, and security relations to a superior standard. Our strong ties will contribute significantly to the security and stability of the region," Shoukry said.

In February, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made his first visit to Cairo in over a decade, aiming to revitalise ties with Egypt after more than a decade of estrangement.
Tehran, April 21 : Iranian officials have denied media reports about the imminent delivery of new Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to Iran.

Reports in the Iranian media that the country is to receive the latest generation of aircraft in the next few days are incorrect, according to the Fararu news website.

The media had referred to a report by the SNN news agency, which is close to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The agency itself denied the report on its Telegram page after consulting with the Ministry of Defence.

Iran's Ministry of Defence announced last year that the country had acquired Mi-28H combat helicopters and Yak-130s from Russia in addition to the SU-35 fighter jets.

According to Fararu, however, the aircraft were not delivered due to protests from Iran's arch-enemy Israel and some Arab states in the Persian Gulf.

According to unofficial reports, the deal was supposed to involve a total of 24 new fighter jets.

Since the failure of the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal, which was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the subsequent continuation of Western sanctions, Iran has intensified its relations with Moscow.

Iran is also said to be supporting Russia with military logistics in the war against Ukraine.

In particular, the West accuses Iran of supplying Russia with so-called kamikaze drones, which it says have been used several times in the Ukraine conflict which Tehran denies.

Both Iran and Russia have been subject to sanctions due to the accusations.

--IANS/DPA

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Tel Aviv, April 21 : Thousands of people in Israel have once taken to the streets to demand an immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza and new elections.

At a mass rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, people loudly demanded the immediate release of all people abducted from Israel in the Palestinian coastal region as well as new elections.

"The one who abandoned them must bring them home," chanted the crowd, alluding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many Israelis accuse of colossal failure in the face of the Hamas massacre on October 7.

Relatives of the abductees accuse the Israeli government of having no serious interest in reaching an agreement with the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas.

Israel and Hamas have been negotiating indirectly for months about a ceasefire and the release of further hostages who were abducted on October 7. There is currently no breakthrough in sight.

Thousands protested in the coastal cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa on Saturday evening, and hundreds in the city of Beersheva. More than a thousand people also reportedly gathered in Caesarea near a private villa belonging to Netanyahu. There were also rallies in other Israeli cities.

Until a few weeks ago, Israel had assumed that just under 100 of the 130 remaining hostages were still alive. However, it is now feared that significantly more of them may be dead.

--IANS/DPA

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Amethi, April 21 : The body of a 14-year-old boy has been recovered from a forest near Piparpur in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi and the police suspect that he was killed by a friend over a monetary dispute, the police said.

The victim's 15-year-old friend has been detained on the suspicion of killing Prakhar Gupta following a dispute between them over a monetary transaction related to the sale of a mobile phone, a police official said.

The victim's mother had complained to the police that her son, Prakhar Gupta, went missing on April 18.

A case was registered at the Ramganj police station on the mother's complaint, Amethi's Superintendent of Police (SP) Anoop Kumar Singh said.

The police officer added that Prakhar's body was recovered based on the information provided by the accused during questioning on Saturday.

The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said.
New Delhi, April 21 : India's three-fold strategy of handling international relations by opting for bilateral and even multilateral friendships designed to bring in mutual security and economic benefits without prejudice to world peace, asserting the country's position as a major power influencing matters of global security and economic betterment and developing India as a self-reliant nation capable of building its own economic strength as well as defence, has worked to the country's great advantage so far.

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) India's three-fold strategy of handling international relations by opting for bilateral and even multilateral friendships designed to bring in mutual security and economic benefits without prejudice to world peace, asserting the country's position as a major power influencing matters of global security and economic betterment and developing India as a self-reliant nation capable of building its own economic strength as well as defence, has worked to the countryas great advantage so far.

However, the current geopolitical developments highlighting the injection of religion in international politics, the advent of a new Cold War between the US and China-Russia axis, and the sudden preoccupation of the Joe Biden administration in the US with 'measures to counter Islamophobia' in the environ resulting from Israel-Hamas conflict, have added to the task of policymakers here in keeping India on top of the issues of foreign relations.

Pushing Indo-US strategic partnership to a new height to lead the democratic world against shared threats of terrorism, 'radicalisation' and dictatorship, and in the Indian context, countering the Sino-Pak axis which represented an alliance of a Marxist state with a fundamentalist regime, have been the two major planks of India's foreign policy.

India believed that both the US and this country were on the same side of the fence on global commons.

On both the Ukraine-Russia military confrontation and the Israel-Hamas conflict, India took an independent stand favouring cessation of hostilities and talks for settlement -- in one case on the plea that security concerns of both sides should be understood and in the other, on the acceptance of a two-state solution in Palestine. India's stand was acknowledged as an unbiased policy by the international community and this enhanced the stature of this country as a world power whose voice mattered on global issues.

The political divide between the US-led West on one side and the China-Russia combine on the other that was still ideological -- though economic rivalry also mattered a great deal -- is getting impacted now by faith-based conflicts that were playing out across the world -- particularly in the Middle East. This was compelling the US to temper its foreign policy with the domestic compulsion of not alienating its Muslim population following the killing of over 30,000 Palestinians by Israel -- mostly women and children -- in the ongoing conflict.

India, on its part, has to watch out for the consequences of the new-found initiative of the White House to roll out steps against 'Islamophobia' and be more assertive about rebutting any attempts by international lobbies to run down this country on matters of internal freedom and treatment of the minorities.

The Islamic radical forces represented by the Taliban-Al Qaeda axis and ISIS attack US interests because of political animosity and go after Shiite Iran, the Alawite regimes of Syria and Iraq and the Iranian proxies like Hezbollah active in the Middle East, on account of religious hatred.

The attack of ISIS on a hugely attended concert on the outskirts of Moscow on March 22 -- barely 20 kilometres from the Kremlin -- as a result of which 143 persons were killed and more than 300 injured, was attributed by the radical Islamic outfit, to the Russian support for the Syrian President -- who belonged to the Alawite sect of Shiism -- and also to the "atrocities" of Vladimir Putin's Russia on Chechenian Muslims who are Sunnis.

ISIS -- and also the Taliban-Al Qaeda combine -- carry the historical legacy of the anti-West Wahhabi 'revolt' of the 19th century and the 'revivalist' memory of animosity towards Shiites.

The faith-based motivation of ISIS thus can be said to have led it to target Russia keeping the latter at par with the US-led West -- political opposition in this case also accruing directly from religious antagonism.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is a Sunni extremist state but as a close US ally in the Muslim world, was inclined towards accepting the Abrahamic accord of UAE with Israel.

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out with the terror attack of Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year, Saudi Arabia -- like India -- emphasised the need for a pause in Israel's military attack on Gaza to minimise civilian casualties there.

Iran and its armed proxy, Hezbollah, have sided with the Sunni Hamas because of their political antipathy towards Israel -- the closest friend

of the US in today's geopolitics -- would override everything else.

Israel and Iran happened to be the major contenders for power in the Middle East and the political rivalry between them guided their responses. Iran would also, to a certain degree, share concern on the broader Islamic issue of Israeli encroachment on Al Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem -- the third holiest centre for Muslims of the world.

As regards China, the Chinese move of making it up with the Taliban that had reestablished its Emirate at Kabul in 2021 -- again with the help of Pakistan -- in return for the facility granted to China for extending its B&RI to Afghanistan, invited the ire of ISIS which attacked Chinese diplomats in Kabul in December 2022. Of course, ISIS attacks on the Shias in Pakistan and the Hazaras in Afghanistan also continued.

ISIS now leading the Islamic radical forces would not take kindly to Pakistan's effort to draw close to the US.

An interesting fallout of the Israel-Hamas conflict is that the huge military assault of Israel in Gaza in retaliation to the October 7 attack of Hamas, had produced a wide-scale pro-Muslim demonstration in the US and elsewhere.

Hamas had justified its attack on Israel on the grounds that Israel had imposed its authority on Al Aqsa mosque in April 2023 and had continued with the creation of settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

From India's point of view, as already mentioned, a concern is that the pro-Palestine opinion could encourage anti-India lobbies to raise the issue of protection of Muslim minority in India. Any demonstrations in India in this regard would impact the internal security situation here.

India is rightly pursuing a foreign policy that best suits a multi-polar world order and allows for a non-aligned approach that serves the best national interests in the spheres of both security and economic development. Notwithstanding the concerns of the Biden administration over the fallout of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Indo-US friendship has to be pushed deeper for the most important reason that China in strategic alliance with Pakistan, posed a major threat to India's national security.

While India was strengthening its role in Quad led by the US because there was convergence on threat perception relating to China between the US and India, this country would be justifiably concerned over any attempt by the Biden administration to keep Pakistan on the side of the US at the cost of India's national interests.

There are fresh indications that the US and Saudi Arabia -- two countries that mattered to Pakistan the most -- wanted India to pick up the thread of talks with Pakistan.

India has once again made the point that it would be willing to attack terrorists behind cross-border, on the soil of Pakistan itself, which was a way of reminding Pakistan that it would have to draw down on terrorism before India could respond to the suggestion of Indo-Pak talks.

India can of course handle the narratives of 'majoritarianism', 'illiberalism', and 'safeguarding of minorities' on its own since secularism was built into this country's electoral democracy by way of the universal adult franchise.

India is welcoming defence imports from the US, Russia, and France in line with its own sovereign requirements and this should work well since India's handling of international relations rested on the country's assertion as a major power of the world on issues of global peace and economic advancement.

A priority for India's security is to have the capabilities of dealing with both China and Pakistan on the borders, on the sea and in the air. At the same time, India has to continue raising its voice against global threats of terrorism, radicalisation and drug trade from all multinational platforms.

In a nutshell, India's handling of international relations has to reckon with a shifting geopolitics where potential friends and adversaries have to be taken stock of, from time to time.

Intelligence agencies have to be specially geared to tracking the operational plans of the two adversaries in our neighbourhood -- China and Pakistan -- of causing internal destabilisation here.

National security is incomplete without economic security which raises among other things, the question of safeguarding India's strategic establishments against infiltration and sabotage. The vigilance and security set-up of each of these entities should be strengthened under the guidance of the Intelligence Bureau.

India is already working on protecting the country's lifelines against cyber attacks and is on the front line of pressing Artificial Intelligence into use for the cause of national security.

Intelligence liaison with established and tested friends must be an important component of our foreign policy.

In informal Indo-US interactions, India should continue to 'educate' the Americans on the threat of 'radicalisation' translating into faith-based terrorism that would pose a danger to the entire democratic world. Keeping up relations with friendly neighbours has acquired a newfound importance in view of the Chinese determined effort to extend the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) to these countries.

Our approach to international relations reflects the political will of India as a major world power, to assert its sovereignty and independence in formulating foreign policy while demonstrating a commitment to global peace and human welfare.

India being sensitive to communal conflicts can counsel the democratic countries on how to quell 'radicalisation' that justified recourse to violence in the name of religion and gave a fillip to proxy wars and cross-border terrorism.

The danger of faith-based conflicts may get deeper as Iran had already carried out a military offensive against Israel and Yemen's Houthi movement with its Shiite origins, was coming out in support of Iran.

The recent attacks of ISIS from Moscow to Syria further point to the induction of religion into international politics in no uncertain terms.

The democratic world order led by the US and India must wake up to this new danger and work together to defuse it.

(The writer is former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)
Gmund, Germany : Yulia Navalnya, the widow of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, has warned of the unpredictability of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the possibility that he might use nuclear weapons at some point cannot be ruled out.

"We don't know what to expect from him," she told dpa. "He probably would do it."

She compared the question to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying she had not expected Putin to attack back then, given the strong ties between the two countries. "But he decided to do it. He frightens people, keeps them in fear. Nobody knows what Putin is going to do next."

Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after illegally occupying Crimea in 2014.

Navalnya said she was not sure whether Putin really has a "strong strategy."

The Navalnys were the most prominent opposition activists in Russia for many years.

Navalny, a long-standing and staunch opponent of Putin, died in a prison camp in the Arctic Circle in Siberia on February 16. It has not been independently established whether the 47-year-old died naturally, as his death certificate says. However, his supporters say he was murdered.

Navalnya also commented on the recent arrests of several suspected Russian spies in Europe, saying these are a further sign that Putin has long been waging war in the heart of Europe, using all means necessary.

"Putin did not just start, he has been doing this all along. He starts wars, he kills his opponents," she said, adding that their presence comes as no surprise to her. "I always assumed that there were many Russian spies in Europe: Russian spies, thatas obvious."

--IANS/DPA

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New Delhi, April 21 : Following the row over the health of incarcerated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP on Sunday alleged that there is a conspiracy to kill the CM in prison.

Addressing a Press conference, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that there are two sides, one is the AAP side in which Arvind Kejriwal, who has been diabetic for the last 20 to 22 years, had said he is on insulin for the last 12 years.

Conversely, he pointed out the assertions made by the BJP-led central government and Tihar Jail administration, claiming Kejriwal's purportedly stable health and disputing the necessity of insulin administration.

Bharadwaj raised alarm over the alleged lack of insulin provision to Kejriwal, offering to facilitate consultation with his private doctor via video call if necessary.

"He needs insulin and he is not being provided. If you cannot give a doctor, he can consult his private doctor over a video call," said Bharadwaj.

Bharadwaj accused the BJP and Tihar Jail authorities of orchestrating a conspiracy against Kejriwal, citing a recent letter between the Tihar Jail director general and AIIMS regarding the need for a diabetes specialist.

This, he argued, contradicted previous assurances from the BJP regarding the availability of medical specialists and insulin within the jail premises.

"The communication from the Tihar Jail Director General to AIIMS requesting a diabetes specialist on Saturday reveals the BJP's contradiction. Until recently, they assured the availability of all medical specialists and insulin within the jail, dismissing Kejriwal's claims. It's perplexing how a general physician, whose credentials are unclear, influences such decisions, resulting in the denial of insulin to Kejriwal," said Bharadwaj.

Earlier, the Tihal Jail administration claimed in a report submitted to Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena that Kejriwal was on insulin for the past few years which he stopped a few months ago after consulting a doctor in Telangana and at the time of his arrest, he was taking only a basic anti-diabetes oral medicine named Metformin.

The report, citing medical records from the RML Hospital in the national capital, claimed that Kejriwal has neither been advised any insulin nor any requirement of insulin indicated in his case, adding that the Chief Minister is on anti-diabetes oral medicine.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam, is lodged in Jail No. 2. He is under judicial custody till April 23.

On April 18, L-G Saxena directed the DG Prisons to submit a factual and comprehensive report within 24 hours after AAP leader Atishi alleged that Kejriwal's sugar levels had risen significantly after the jail authorities failed to provide him with insulin despite repeated requests.

The same day, the ED told a Delhi court that Kejriwal was deliberately eating mangoes and other high-carb food to raise his blood sugar level to build a case for his bail.
Chennai, April 21 : DMK General Secretary and Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister S. Duraimurugan has said that the DMK-led alliance would sweep the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to IANS, the veteran leader said that the situation on ground in the state is in favour of the DMK-led INDIA bloc and that across the state, he could sense a silent wave in favour of DMK and its allies.

Duraimurugan, a close associate of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and late DMK leader Muthuvel Karunanidhi, is maintaining the same relationship with his son M. K. Stalin, DMK President and present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The senior Minister said that the fight across the state is between the DMK-led and the AIADMK-led fronts, and added that BJP could not do anything in the polls.

He also said that the three-year rule of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has endeared the party more to the masses. Duraimurugan said that welfare schemes of the state government including the free breakfast scheme for school children, 1,000 rupees monthly deposit in the account of woman family heads (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai) scheme, Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvum or health at door steps scheme, and many other welfare schemes that are directly beneficial to people are well accepted by them.

The Minister also said that the INDIA bloc is fighting Lok Sabha elections in a cohesive manner and that there was no difference of opinion between the alliance partners. He added that this cohesiveness had also helped the INDIA bloc.

Duraimurugan said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin had taken into consideration all aspects of a candidate before fielding them for polls. The veteran leader also said that the DMK's cadre has worked tirelessly with the workers of other alliance partners for INDIA bloc.

Duraimuruganas son Kathir Anand is an INDIA bloc candidate for Vellore Lok Sabha seat.

Kathir Anand is a sitting MP from the same constituency and had scraped through in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by a margin of 8,141 votes against AIADMK leader A.C. Shanmugam.

Vellore is one seat which the NDA are also having high expectations from.
Kolkata, April 21 : Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal will have the maximum deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel among the three constituencies in the state that will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

The three constituencies going to polls are -- Raiganj, Darjeeling and Balurghat.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Ariz Aftab said that currently, 303 companies of CAPF are in West Bengal, out of which 272 companies will be deployed for the three Lok Sabha constituencies.

It is learnt that as many as 111 companies will be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum among the three. Darjeeling will have 88 companies and 73 companies will be deployed at Balurghat.

Of the 111 companies to be deployed for Raiganj, the maximum deployment will be for the Islampur Assembly constituency, one of the seven under this Lok Sabha.

Sources said that there are reasons for keeping Raiganj under special scanner as the Election Commission (ECI) did in the case of Cooch Behar in the first phase on April 19.

It is learnt that of the 1,730 polling booths at Raiganj, 418 or 24 per cent are highly sensitive booths. The figure is comparatively higher compared to that of Darjeeling where 20 per cent of the booths are extra sensitive. In the case of Balurghat, the figure is 19 per cent.

In the first phase, 100 per cent of the polling booths were covered under web-casting and similar will be followed in the second phase as well. Through this web-casting the officials of the CEO's office will be able to monitor the developments at the polling booths directly from the control room of the officials.
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that not only provides for military assistance to Ukraine here and now, but also obliges the U.S. government to develop a concept for a long-term support strategy for our country. The document also provides for weapons that Ukraine has needed for many months.

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In particular, the United States undertakes to provide the Ukrainian army with ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles. OBOZ.UA found out what else the bill passed in Congress envisages.

The US House of Representatives has actually approved a strategy for long-term support of Ukraine, which, in particular, enshrines our country's victory in the war with Russia as the main goal. To effectively achieve this goal, the Congress demanded that the US Department of Defense and the State Department develop a strategy to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

The U.S. government must submit these proposals no later than 45 days after the law comes into force. It is worth noting that for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the purpose of military assistance was clearly stated in official US documents.

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It is also worth mentioning that, according to the law, the US President is obliged to provide Ukraine with ATACMS long-range missiles. However, the document has an amendment that the transfer of this weapon system should not harm the interests of US national security.

In total, the aid package amounts to almost $61 billion in military and non-military aid. At the same time, Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that about 80% of this amount will remain in the United States, because it is not a transfer of money, but mainly an equivalent amount of assistance.

The Americans will spend more than $27 billion on arms purchases. 13.8 billion will be spent on the production, repair and re-equipment of weapons for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative program. Another 7.8 billion will be spent on existing weapons and ammunition from the US Army's warehouses. In particular, this will allow the Armed Forces to receive weapons in the shortest possible time.

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Also, 1.6 billion is provided for the purchase of weapons from the United States. This program will allow Ukraine to buy weapons and ammunition from U.S. military warehouses. Ukraine will be able to use almost 4 billion more to buy weapons from the US Army's stockpiles.

In addition, the law provides for the supply of non-military aid. In particular, $9.4 billion will be provided to the Ukrainian government on a loan basis. Of this amount, Ukraine will receive $1.58 billion in economic aid in the form of non-refundable grants in 2024, and another $7.85 billion will be provided in the form of a loan.

As a reminder, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the adoption of the most important law by Congress will help support Ukraine and Israel, as well as strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the United States continues to stand with its allies and partners around the world.

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Earlier it was reported that the leaders of European countries reacted to the vote of the US House of Representatives on further assistance to Ukraine. Some politicians said that the European Union should also provide more assistance to Kyiv to fight the Russian occupiers.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the first batch of military aid from the United States may be delivered to Ukraine in a few days after the relevant law is signed by US President Joe Biden, if it is approved by the Senate. It will be weapons from the Pentagon's stockpiles in Germany.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Nyrraa Banerji sets Instagram on fire with her vibe: It all glitters at night. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, April 21 : The 'Pishachini' fame actress Nyrraa Banerji has set the internet on fire with some blazing hot pictures of herself.

The actress, who enjoys 6.4 million followers on Instagram, shared a series of photos seated in a car, donning a sleeveless green dress with a sweetheart neckline.

She went all glossy and glittery with the makeup, and her hair is styled in soft waves.

The diva opted for golden hoop earrings and is strikingly gazing into the lens for the selfies.

The post is captioned: "It all glitters at night, but my days starts with the vibe."

Fans poured in compliments, with one remarking, "Damn, so hot," while another expressed, "Your vibes glitter in the day too."

Nyrraa is known for participating in the stunt-based reality show 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 13'.

She has also appeared in movies like 'One Night Stand', 'Veta', and 'Koothara'.
Los Angeles, April 21 : Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon revisited Payson High School, the Utah location where his iconic 1984 movie 'Footloose' was filmed.

Los Angeles, April 21 (IANS) Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon revisited Payson High School, the Utah location where his iconic 1984 movie aFootloosea was filmed.

He returned to commemorate the educational institution's final prom before its demolition and relocation, reports aPeoplea magazine.

During his visit, Bacon sat in a directoras chair bearing the inscription "Mr. Bacon", toured the high school where he filmed his breakthrough role, posed for selfies, and autographed shirts and memorabilia.

Acknowledging the 40th anniversary since the release of 'Footloose', Bacon addressed those in attendance, stating, "It's been 40 years. I mean, that just blows my mind. Things look a little different around here. Iad say the thing that looks the most different is me."

According to 'People', the students of the school orchestrated flash mobs and launched a social media campaign, #BaconToPayson, in an effort to persuade Bacon to visit in honour of the movie's milestone anniversary.

Last month, during a segment on the aTodaya show, Bacon expressed his admiration for their campaign and confirmed, "I'm going to come, I gotta come."

Addressing the Payson community over the weekend, Bacon said: "When I first heard about this #BaconToPayson thing, I thought, 'Wow, this is crazy'. But you were all tireless, unrelenting in your desire to have me return, and you talked me into it. I think itas great to see that kind of commitment to anything."

He continued, aI also think itas amazing the power this movie has had to bring people together and connect on the basic ideas that are behind the movie of standing up to authority sometimes, and to being forgiving of people who are not exactly the same as you, and for standing up for your own freedoms and your right to express yourself, and for having compassion for other people."
Houston, April 21 : Two people were killed at a block party shooting in Memphis, in the southern US state of Tennessee, police said.

Initially, the Memphis Police Department said on social media platform X that there were 16 people shot, two of whom were dead.

"We believe the error occurred with several victims being reported multiple times," the MPD said in a correction post.

One of the wounded "remains in critical condition," the police said in an update.

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said that the shooting happened at an unpermitted block party of "approximately 200-300 people" at 7:19 p.m. local time on Saturday (0019 GMT Sunday), Xinhua news agency reported.

"Officers located five victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds on the scene, three of whom were transported to area hospitals in critical condition and two males were pronounced deceased," the MPD said.

MPD interim Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis told a press conference Saturday night that there were at least two shooters involved.

"We already have received some video footage and are looking for those responsible," she said.
Kolkata, April 21 : The tribal-dominated Purulia Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal is the only seat where the Congress-Left Front bonhomie got derailed as one of the front allies refused to honour the seat-sharing agreement.

All India Forward Bloc did not forego its claim in support of the Congress candidate. Despite repeated persuasion by other Left Front allies, especially CPI(M), the Forward Bloc chose to stick to its stand of not leaving its claim on Purulia, a constituency which used to be its stronghold.

Political observers think that this development gives an additional edge to the BJP candidate and the sitting party Lok Sabha member Jyotirmay Singh Mahato.

With both Congress and Forward Bloc in the race besides Trinamool Congress, there will surely be a three-way division in the anti-saffron votes in Purulia thus giving the BJP candidate an extra edge.

Going by the election statistics of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP is in an advantageous position.

In 2019, despite not having a well-structured organisational network in Purulia, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato clinched the victory with a comfortable margin of over two lakh votes. However, this time BJP is in the race with a structured organisational base in the state with the sitting MP for the last five years having nurtured the constituency.

His utilization of MPLAD funds during the last five years at over Rs 18.54 crore in areas like drinking water, road and sewerage system development, setting up of community centres and school renovation among others, is also quite impressive.

Polling statistics for the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections in Purulia also paint a rosy picture for the BJP this time. Amid Trinamool Congressa landslide victory elsewhere in 2021, BJP candidates got elected from five out of seven Assembly constituencies under Purulia Lok Sabha.

Trinamool Congress has fielded a former and two-time party legislator and also a former member of the state cabinet Santiram Mahato. BJPas main campaign talking point against him is that as a state minister holding important portfolios from 2011 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2021, Santiram Mahato was not able to achieve anything significant for the development of the district.

Congress has fielded party veteran Nepal Mahato, who has been holding the party flag in the district for years. He contested from Purulia twice earlier in 2014 and 2019 and both times he finished in the third position.

Forward Bloc, against the wishes of the Left Front, has fielded Dhirendra Nath Mahato, a thorough organisational man, who rose in the party from a humble position earning his livelihood as a worker in a bidi (smoking stick) factory.

Purulia was an erstwhile Forward Bloc stronghold, where the party candidates won ten consecutive times from 1977 to 2009. Even during a massive Trinamool Congress wave in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Forward Bloc candidate Narahari Mahto got elected from the seat though with a thin margin of less than 20,000 votes.

However, the equation changed in 2014, when Trinamool Congressa Dr Mirganka Mahato was elected from Purulia. The equation changed again in 2019 when BJPas Jyotirmay Singh Mahato got elected.

With around 15 lakh voters, Purulia is a predominantly tribal-dominated constituency. The key issue of the constituency traditionally had been abject poverty and extreme weather. The Left-wing extremists at one point in time managed to strengthen their bases riding on poverty and lack of development.
Jerusalem, April 21 : People in the West Bank launched a general strike on Sunday in protest against Israel's killing of Palestinians in a refugee camp in Tulkarm and the Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem, April 21 (IANS/DPA) People in the West Bank launched a general strike on Sunday in protest against Israel's killing of Palestinians in a refugee camp in Tulkarm and the Gaza Strip.

The Fatah movement, among other groups, had called for the strike.

According to eyewitnesses, there was hardly any traffic on the streets of Ramallah on Sunday morning and stores were closed.

In the northern West Bank city of Hebron, meanwhile, two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Sunday morning.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that it had been informed of the men's deaths by the Israeli authorities.

According to the army, they had previously attacked Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint.

The situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the war between Israel and the militant Palestinian organisation Hamas in the Gaza Strip began on October 7.

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 450 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank alone since then, most of them died in Israeli attacks.

In Gaza, more than 33,000 people have been killed in the last six months and many more thousands injured.

Israeli forces carried out a major operation in the West Bank until Saturday evening. According to the army, they killed at least 10 gunmen. Nine Israeli security forces were also injured in battles in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm.

The Ministry of Health in the West Bank reported 14 dead and several injured in the operation, including a 16-year-old.

Israel took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinians claim the territories for their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

--IANS/DPA

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New Delhi, April 21 : Delhi Minister Atishi accompanied by scores of AAP workers carrying insulin assembled outside the Tihar Jail in west Delhi on Sunday, claiming that jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's blood sugar levels had soared past the 300 mark.

"We are here representing AAP workers and the residents of Delhi, bringing insulin. The Tihar administration had ceased providing insulin on orders from the BJP. Kejriwal used to require 54 units of insulin. His blood sugar level has remained at 300 for the past 10 days. Such elevated levels necessitate insulin," said Atishi.

"PM Narendra Modi and the BJP harbour animosity towards Kejriwal and are risking his life. Such high sugar levels can have life-threatening consequences," she said, adding, "We are present here to deliver the insulin to the Tihar administration."

Earlier, the Tihal Jail administration claimed in a report submitted to Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena that CM Kejriwal was on insulin for the past few years which he stopped a few months ago after consulting a doctor in Telangana, and at the time of his arrest he was taking only a basic anti-diabetes oral medicine named Metformin.

The report, citing medical records from the RML Hospital in the national capital, claimed that CM Kejriwal has neither been advised any insulin nor any requirement of insulin indicated in his case, adding that the Chief Minister is on anti-diabetes oral medicine.

CM Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam, is lodged in Jail No. 2. He is under judicial custody till April 23.

On April 18, L-G Saxena directed the DG Prisons to submit a factual and comprehensive report within 24 hours after AAP leader Atishi alleged that CM Kejriwal's sugar levels had risen significantly after the jail authorities failed to provide him with insulin despite repeated requests.

The same day, the ED told a Delhi court that CM Kejriwal was deliberately eating mangoes and other high-carb food to raise his blood sugar level to build a case for his bail.
Chennai, April 21 : The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up vigil across the border areas after bird flu was reported in Kerala.

An official said that the vigil has been increased in Anaikatti, Gopalapuram and Walayar areas.

"Each checkpost in these areas is manned by 12 police officers. Any vehicle reaching Tamil Nadu is being searched thoroughly," the official said.

Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry officials told IANS that whenever bird flu cases are reported from neighbouring states, the department steps up vigil.

The officials said that veterinary doctors and paramedic team members are also part of search teams at the state borders.

Any vehicle with poultry and animals is not allowed to cross the checkposts.

An official said that the state government is not taking any risk and is sanitising all vehicles from Kerala, entering Tamil Nadu.

He also said there are 1252 poultry farms in the Coimbatore district which borders Kerala. The official said that with such a large number of poultry farms in the district, the department is taking extra caution to prevent any outbreak in the state.

The Kerala Health Department has culled 21,000 ducks in the two panchayats (Edathua and Cheruthuna) in the Alappuzha district and has also culled domestic birds in a one-kilometre radius of these two panchayats.
Colombo, April 21 : India on Sunday said that it condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations "anywhere, everywhere" as Sri Lanka remembered all the lives lost in the horrendous Easter Sunday bombings that took place five years ago.

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha attended a prayer ceremony held at St. Anthony's Shrine, one of the suicide attack sites in 2019. The bombings carried out by Islamic terrorists killed over 250 people, including Indians.

"In memory of victims of the tragic Easter Sunday bombings, High Commissioner Jha attended the prayer ceremony at St. Anthony's Shrine. India stands in solidarity with victims of the attack & with the people of Sri Lanka. We condemn terrorism in all its forms & manifestations anywhere, everywhere," the High Commission of India in Colombo posted on X.

It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Colombo on a short visit in June 2019 to express solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday attacks.

During his visit, PM Modi also paid tributes to the victims of the Easter attacks at St. Anthony's Church, Kochchikade and held discussions with the country's top leaders in the country's capital.
Kolkata, April 21 : A war of words ensued between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday over the controversial CAA.

The Defence Minister said that the CAA will be implemented at any cost across the country while the Chief Minister said that she would never allow it to be implemented.

"CAA is meant to give citizenship to those who left countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan for religious reasons. However, Mamata Banerjee and her party may oppose it but CAA will be implemented in the country at any cost," Rajnath Singh said at an election rally in Jalangi, Murshidabad.

The Defense Minister said that it is unfortunate that inter-religion tensions are being nurtured by the ruling party in West Bengal, which is the land of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

"There is anarchy in West Bengal," the Defense Minister said.

The Chief Minister, who was addressing an election rally in the neighbouring Balurghat area in North Bengal, said that she will not allow CAA to be implemented in the country.

"They (BJP) are questioning my authority to challenge CAA and NRC. Who are they to question me? When I said that we would not allow the implementation of CAA and NRC, I meant it. They tried to implement NRC in Assam. Trinamool Congress was the only political party to oppose it," the Chief Minister said.

She also accused the BJP of only concentrating on selling the assets of the country during the last 10 years.

"You have sold the country's assets. You have changed the history of the country. Have you done any good work? You also stopped the flow of central funds for the 100-day job scheme under MGNREGA," the Chief Minister said.
Buldhana : , April 21 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J P Nadda on Sunday said that the voters will again give a clear mandate to NDA to ensure that Narendra Modi-led government comes to power and continues the journey towards a developed India, uninterruptedly.

"The schemes launched by the Modi government strive to fulfil the vision of a developed India. These schemes have transformed the lives of common Indians," Nadda said while speaking during the public meeting held for the campaign of Prataprao Jadhav, the NDA candidate in Buldana Lok Sabha constituency.

He said that the common people have also witnessed and experienced the INDIA alliance which is involved in corruption and nepotism. "That is why the voters will bless BJP and NDA who are determined to make India prosperous and strong," he said.

He said that during its 10-year tenure, the Modi government has planned every scheme keeping the poor, deprived and exploited sections in mind.

"Congress has so far given only promises to the poor. However, the Modi government has directly conveyed the benefits of the development schemes to the exploited, deprived and poor classes," Nadda said.

He said that during the tenure of the Modi government, the country's economy has risen from the 11th position to the 5th position.

"Modi government is determined to make India the 3rd largest economy in another three years. The Modi government has planned many schemes to make the dream of a self-reliant India a reality," he said.
The first batch of military aid from the United States may be delivered to Ukraine in a few days after the relevant law is signed by US President Joe Biden, if it is passed by the Senate. We are talking about weapons from the Pentagon's stockpiles in Germany.

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It can be quickly delivered to the Ukrainian border by rail. The New York Times reports this with reference to the words of American officials.

U.S. officials did not directly say what kind of weapons Washington would send to Kyiv as part of this package. However, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said earlier that the tranche is likely to include more ammunition for air defense systems and artillery.

"We have a very robust logistics network that allows us to move materiel very quickly, as we have done in the past. We can deliver it within a few days," he said.

It should be noted that the weapons and ammunition sent to Ukraine often come from Pentagon assets in Europe, and the deliveries are coordinated by the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, an organization established in late 2022, based in Germany and operating under the Pentagon's European Command.

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U.S. officials also said that additional long-range ATACMS missiles could be provided to Ukraine as soon as Precision Strike Missiles (a short-range ballistic missile developed by the U.S. Army to replace the MGM-140 ATACMS) begin arriving at Pentagon warehouses.

The United States has a limited number of these missiles, officials said. The rest of the ATACMS arsenal, they said, is reserved for contingency plans if the United States goes to war with Russia, North Korea or China.

Earlier, On April 20, the US House of Representatives voted on further US assistance to Ukraine and supported the bill. There were 311 votes in favor (101 Republicans + 210 Democrats) and 112 against. Now the Senate (the upper house of the U.S. Congress) must approve the aid package. Senators will begin voting on the document on Tuesday, April 23.

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Earlier, it was reported that The Pentagon will need less than a week to deliver the first installment of U.S. military aid to Ukrainian soldiers. At least some of the equipment and weapons for Ukraine are already ready for shipment.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Amroha : , April 21 (IANS) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati, on Sunday, accused Danish Ali, the sitting BSP MP who is contesting on a Congress ticket now, of betraying the party and people.

"We did not betray the Muslim community. When a Muslim person betrayed us, we did not punish the Muslim community, but this time also, we have given the ticket to a Muslim candidate. I am sure this time also, you will make the BSP candidate win," she said.

Mayawati added that BJP would not be coming to power at the Centre easily this time.

"Their guarantees have no effect on ground reality. They have been engaged only in protecting some people and this information has come to light in Electoral Bond that they are running their organisation with their support. They have also politicised the Central agencies. Amroha is famous not only for workmanship but also for farming, but the present BJP government has not taken care of farmers," she alleged.

Mayawati said that the condition of the minority Muslim community remains very bad and pathetic. There is an atmosphere of panic and fear in this society because of BJP and Sangh.

She added that the free food items being given by the Central government are not going to do any good.

Mayawati reiterated that the BSP will work to stop the oppression of the Muslim community and added that strict steps will be taken for the safety of this community.
Berlin, April 21 : German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser has called for a rigorous investigation after reports that 23 Chinese swimmers failed doping tests ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where several of them competed after all were cleared.

Faeser, who's also responsible for sports, told dpa on Sunday that the reports have shaken confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the global fight against cheating in elite sport.

"Just a few months before the Olympic Games, the suspicion the case was ignored or even covered up must be fully investigated as quickly as possible. If there's such a serious suspicion of doping, then it must be independently investigated by WADA," Faeser said.

"If confirmed that Chinese swimmers were able to become Olympic champions in Tokyo despite previous evidence of doping, that would be a disaster for world sport," she added. "This case is a slap in the face of all innocent and honest athletes."

German broadcasters ARD, the New York Times and Australian paper Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that the swimming governing body World Aquatics, then FINA, and WADA were satisfied with the Chinese explanation that contaminated food had led to the positive tests.

ARD Sportschau said that its investigation together with the New York Times revealed that the swimmers tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) at a domestic competition in Shijiazhuang in early 2021.

No sanctions were imposed because the positive tests were deemed to come from contamination after China said its investigators found traces of TMZ in various areas of the kitchen were the meals for the athletes had been prepared.

The swimmers were cleared to continue competing in June 2021 and the case never became public. A 30-strong Chinese team, including 13 of the 23 with positive tests, went on to win six medals in Tokyo, including three gold medals.

--IANS/DPA

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Amroha : , April 21 (IANS) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati, on Sunday, accused sitting MP Danish Ali who after being suspended from BSP, is now contesting on a Congress ticket, of betraying the party and people.

"We did not betray the Muslim community. When a Muslim person betrayed us, we did not punish the Muslim community, but this time also, we have given the ticket to a Muslim candidate. I am sure this time also, you will make the BSP candidate win," she said.

Mayawati added that BJP would not be coming to power at the Centre easily this time.

"Their guarantees have no effect on ground reality. They have been engaged only in protecting some people and this information has come to light in Electoral Bond that they are running their organisation with their support. They have also politicised the Central agencies. Amroha is famous not only for workmanship but also for farming, but the present BJP government has not taken care of farmers," she alleged.

Mayawati said that the condition of the minority Muslim community remains very bad and pathetic. There is an atmosphere of panic and fear in this society because of BJP and Sangh.

She added that the free food items being given by the Central government are not going to do any good.

Mayawati reiterated that the BSP will work to stop the oppression of the Muslim community and added that strict steps will be taken for the safety of this community.
Chennai, April 21 : AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) lashed out at the DMK government over the death of a murder accused in alleged police custody at the Sevvapet police station in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.

In a social media post on Sunday, he expressed shock over the death of Shanthakumar, a history-sheeter who is an accused in murder cases.

EPS in the post said that as per post-mortem reports the victim was physically tortured by police personnel. Slamming the DMK government, he said that there has been an increase in the number of custodial deaths since the DMK Government came to power and no measures have been taken to prevent it.

He also strongly condemned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who handles the police portfolio.

Palaniswami urged Stalin to pass appropriate orders to the police department directing them to deal with public and history-sheeters as per the prescribed legal framework and avoid police excess.

Shanthakumar (35), a history-sheeter, complained of chest pain on April 13. He collapsed and died when he was about to be taken to a court for remand from Sevvapet police station in Tiruvallur district.

The police said the initial investigation suggested that he had a cardiac arrest and there were no external injuries. Police also said that there was no excess on the part of police personnel. A police inspector, Gunasekaran, was placed under suspension in this connection.

His relatives and family members, including his wife Vijayalakshmi, however, alleged that he died because of custodial torture and the post-mortem revealed that he was physically tortured by police personnel.

Even after a week, they have refused to receive the body, demanding justice.

The deceased Shanthakumar had 12 criminal cases including two murders. He was the prime accused in the murder of P.P.G. Shankar, State treasurer of the SC/ST wing of the BJP in April 2023.
Amaravati, April 21 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has changed its candidates for five Assembly seats for the next month's elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Former YSR Congress Party MP from Narsapuram, K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju has been named as the candidate from Undi Assembly segment in West Godavari district, replacing sitting MLA Manthena Rama Raju.

Undi is one of the Assembly segments under Narsapuram Lok Sabha constituency, from where Krishna Raju was elected in 2019 on a YSRCP ticket but raised the banner of revolt in 2020 by openly criticising party supremo and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday handed over the B-form to Krishna Raju. Denied a ticket by the BJP to contest again from the same constituency, he joined the TDP on April 5.

Krishna Raju, who resigned from the YSRCP in February this year, was aspiring for a BJP ticket as Narsapuram was one of the six Lok Sabha seats allotted to the party under the seat-sharing agreement among the TDP, the Jana Sena, and the BJP.

However, the BJP chose to field Srinivasa Varma.

The TDP has also changed its candidate in the Paderu constituency in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district.

After confirming the ticket to former government teacher K. Venkata Ramesh Naidu, the TDP leadership has re-allotted the ticket to former MLA and TDP in-charge of Paderu, Giddi Eswari.

Ever since Ramesh Naidu was announced as the TDP candidate, Eswarias supporters have been staging protest rallies and dharnas demanding that the party high command reconsider its decision. Anguished over the party leadership decision, she announced her decision to contest as an independent candidate. Eswari had won the Paderu seat in the 2014 elections on a YSRCP ticket but joined the TDP in 2017. In 2019, she contested as a TDP candidate but lost to YSRCPas K. Bhagya Lakshmi.

In another significant change, the TDP re-allotted the Madugula Assembly ticket to former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy. The party had earlier announced Pyla Prasad Rao as the candidate from this constituency in the Anakapalli district. Satynarayana Murthy was keen on contesting from the Pendurthi seat but the TDP allotted the seat to its ally Jana Sena under the seat-sharing deal.

Since then, he has kept himself away from party programmes.

In the Madakasira (SC) constituency in Sri Satya Sai district, the TDP changed its candidate Anil Kumar. Following pressure from a group within the party, Naidu replaced him with M. S. Raju, head of TDPas Dalit wing in Anantapur district.

The party has also changed its candidate for the Venkatagiri constituency in the Tirupati district. The party leadership had earlier named former MLA K. Ramakrishnaas daughter Lakshmi Priya as its candidate. The ticket has now been allotted to Ramakrishna.
New Delhi, April 21 : Aayush Sharma, who is all geared up for his upcoming action entertainer 'Ruslaan' shared that a small-budget project like this will set up precedence in the industry that one does not need a huge amount for a successful project.

In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Aayush talked about working with a new production house and what took it so long for him to say yes to 'Ruslaan'.

"There is always a desire to deliver the film even on a limited budget. 'Ruslaan', I believe, will set a precedent that producers don't require Rs 100-200 crore to make a film. You can do it with a much lesser budget," Aayush told IANS.

On what took him time to say yes to 'Ruslaan', Aayush said that the movie was in the pipeline while he was shooting 'Antim'.

"This film is a brainchild of very ambitious people and preparing this film in a proper manner took a lot of time. When you make very medium to small-budget films, maximum time goes in trying to make sure you don't go beyond a certain budget. This was a very taxing film," the actor said.

He said the 'Ruslaan' has seven different types of action sequences.

"Karan had a very ambitious plan for the film and we travelled abroad. It took us a lot of time because Karan wanted the best. He wanted the action in a certain way. He also wanted Sushrii Shreya Mishraa's character in a certain way, I am fighting in a certain way, story narrative is also in a certain way," the actor said.

Earlier, 'Ruslaan' was scheduled to be released in January 2024 but will now be released on April 26. It is produced by Sri Sathya Sai Arts and directed by Karan L Butani and stars Sushrii Shreya Mishra, alongside Aayush. The film also stars Jagapathi Babu, and Vidya Malvade.

"We stopped filming in last August-September. The process of post-production which is an important thing kept delaying the film. We kept working on it regularly. Karan had a very valid point to say -- 'Our film is too small in budget, but nobody checks a budget before they watch any film. They want to experience the theatrical experience," he said.

Talking about the biggest challenge  for a limited-budget film  the actor said that the team sometimes "begged" studios to give them free VFX and BGM.

On stepping out of his family's production house -- 'Salman Khan Films' (SKF), the actor said that he is coming out of his home to see the real world and learn.

Aayush, who is married to Bollywood's 'Bhaijaan' Salman Khan's younger sister Arpita, made his acting debut in 2018 with the romantic comedy 'Loveyatri'. The film also featured Warina Hussain and was produced by Salman under SKF.

"Staying at a still lake starts to develop an odour. A river always flows. As humans, we all need to flow. I have no apprehensions about working with my home production house but constantly working for the same production house and not opening doors to the real world is not good either," Aayush told IANS.

He said that by being in one place, no actor can learn.

"Today, I can talk about production or VFX. I came out of my production house because I only used to do one thing there," said the 33-year-old actor.

He said that after moving out, Karan L Butani gave him an opportunity. "Karan is like a brother to me. We not only discuss acting but we discuss production and direction as well. I get to learn a lot from him. So, it becomes important for me to go out and learn," the actor said, who was last seen in the 2021 movie 'Antim' (produced by SKF).

He said that children must always leave their comfort zone (home) after a certain age, go out and learn about the real world.

"I think this is that phase for me where I have come out of my family, and home, and am experiencing the real world. I am learning and also in the process of becoming myself," the actor said.
Mumbai, April 21 : A major fire broke out on Sunday at the Maharashtra BJP office here in Nariman Point, an official said, adding that no casualties, however, were reported.

An official said that the fire that broke out at around 4.55 p.m. has been brought under control.

No one was trapped in the building when the fire broke out, which, according to preliminary reports, happened due to a short circuit.

The firefighters immediately rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control.

Sources said that the renovation work at the office kitchen was underway.

According to eyewitnesses, a short circuit occurred, during the welding, and then a fire broke out.

As the office had documents and wooden furniture, the fire went on to spread, leading to smoke everywhere.

The office staff, however, managed to move outdoors safely.
New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again chose the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to spotlight India's growing profile and emergence as a "Vishwa Bandhu in a divided world".

The state-of-the-art venue hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit last September which not only promoted India's spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - or the 'World is One Family' - but also perfectly showcased Bharat's culture, heritage, traditions and technological advancement.

"Today we put forward the principles of truth and non-violence with full confidence in the global fora. We tell the world that the solution to the global problem is found in the ancient Indian culture and tradition. This is why India is making a place for itself as 'Vishwa Bandhu' in a divided world," said PM Modi at the inauguration of the 2550th Nirvana Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir.

With the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections having already kicked off on Friday, analysts believe that Prime Minister Modi highlighting how "India is making a place for itself" in these times of conflict remains quite significant.

PM Modi has successfully managed to list his government's achievements in foreign policy to voters, especially the massively-aware young generation. India's growing profile, he said on Sunday, is due to its cultural image, growing capabilities, and foreign policy.

In the vast tapestry of Indian politics, where domestic concerns often dominate the discourse, the emergence of foreign policy as a pivotal election issue in rural as well as urban regions is being seen as another notable achievement of the Modi government.

Traditionally, foreign policy has been the domain of diplomats and policymakers, discussed majorly in the corridors of power rather than the dusty streets of rural India. However, with the winds of change blowing, the electorate is increasingly engaging with matters beyond national borders.

Experts attribute this spectacular change of public mindset to India's ascendance on the global stage and the diplomatic, geopolitical and strategic deftness displayed by the Modi government from time to time over the last 10 years.

In recent years, India's foreign policy decisions have reverberated far beyond the walls of diplomatic enclaves. From border tensions with the neighbouring countries to trade agreements with global partners, the ramifications of these decisions have been felt in the everyday lives of Indian citizens, including those residing in rural areas.

As such, it is only natural that foreign policy has found resonance among voters who seek a better understanding of how India navigates its relationships with the world. Hence, the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are not aloof from what is happening abroad and India's dominant role therein.

"The growing interest across the nation in foreign policy is welcome. It reflects both democratisation and globalisation. Modi 3.0 will only make this stronger," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X, earlier this week.

A separate section titled 'Modi ki guarantee for Vishwa Bandhu Bharat' in the BJP 2024 manifesto mentions how the Modi government has made Bharat "a reliable, trusted and dependable voice globally" in the last 10 years.

"Today, the world believes that Bharat is the mother of democracy. Our diaspora around the world feels empowered and connected. Our civilisational values, thoughts, wisdom and traditional knowledge have found a place of pride at the world stage. We will strengthen our position and conduct our policies to further our national interests with the spirit of Vishwa Bandhu," states the BJP 'Sankalp Patra'.

It mentions further consolidation of Bharat's position as a voice of the Global South by using Prime Minister Modi's visionary 5S approach of 'Samman, Samvad, Sahyog, Shanti and Samriddhi'.

Experts underscore that the voters are now more aware than ever before of India's unprecedented rise in the global order, also quite visible as the government continues to safely evacuate its citizens from troubled regions in the world.

"Modi ki guarantee works for all at home and abroad," asserts EAM Jaishankar.
New Delhi, April 21 : A fire broke out in the construction material kept outside at Vayu Sena Bhawan on Kartavya Path here on Sunday evening and has been doused, a fire department official said.

According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the call regarding the blaze at the IAF headquarters was received at around 6 p.m.

"Eight fire tenders were rushed to the site and flames have been doused," DFS chief Atul Garg said, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

This is the second fire incident in the national capital on Sunday. Earlier, a major fire also broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site.
Two Customs officials shot dead in Pakistan's DI Khan in second attack in four days. Image Source: IANS News

Islamabad, April 21 : Two Customs officials were shot dead in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, in the second attack on officials of the department in four days, reports said.

Four others were injured in the attack that occurred near York Toll Plaza in the district, police said, Geo News reported.

The unidentified assailants escaped after the shooting.

On April 18, five Customs officials and a civilian were killed in the same district when unidentified assailants attacked a department vehicle in the Daraban tehsil of the district. The driver of the Customs Department vehicle lost control after the attack and it collided with another vehicle, leading to the civilian's death.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, reiterating that such cowardly acts could not shake the resolve of the government and that the fight against terrorism would continue till their complete elimination.

Expressing his condolences to the families, the PM said that looking after the bereaved families was now the government's responsibility and directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman to prepare a package for them, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Dera Ismail Khan is among the worst terrorism-affected districts of the province along with Peshawar, Khyber, Bajaur, and Tank, and North and South Waziristan.
The town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region is being shelled by Russia with phosphorus munitions. Last week, many such attacks were on the private sector, and this week such munitions fell on garages and private houses.

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This was reported by Suspilne Donbas with reference to Serhii Chaus, head of the city Military Administration. There were no casualties as a result of the shelling, he said.

"The situation in the town is consistently difficult. This is actually the third week of the peak and it is not decreasing. However, it is not increasing either," Chaus said.

The head of the RMA said that 690 people still remain in the community. Most of them are over 65 years old, there are also young people, but very few of them. Evacuation from the city is difficult because of the work of enemy drones, and there are few people willing to leave. About ten locals were evacuated in a week.

"The number of people willing to leave the city is not increasing much, from one to three people apply. Today, those who applied refused to leave. These are elderly people. They did not leave," the head said.

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Chaus noted that Russian troops are shelling Chasiv Yar with all available weapons. Humanitarian aid and bread are being delivered to the town by the administration.

As reported earlier, Russian occupation forces continue attempts to capture the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. The enemy is actively attacking it with guided aerial bombs and using its air superiority, missiles and large-caliber artillery, but the city is under full control of the Defense Forces.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Mumbai, April 21 : Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray has challenged an order of the Election Commission (EC) asking it to remove the words 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' from the party's new theme song.

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray has challenged an order of the Election Commission (EC) asking it to remove the words 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' from the partyas new theme song.

In a strong attack on the EC, Thackeray on Sunday said that the poll body's diktat was unacceptable, and his party would not drop the words from the song a" intended to popularise its new symbol, 'Flaming Torch' (Mashaal) among the electorate, released amid fanfare last week.

The 'Flaming Torch' symbol was allotted to the SS (UBT) after the original 'Bow and Arrow' symbol was given to the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, after the party split in June 2022.

The SS (UBT)'s new anthem has the words woven in it -- 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani', in the lyrics and in the background chorus -- to which the EC has taken objection and shot off a notice asking these to be deleted, but Thackeray is firm on continuing to use them.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the 'Hindavi Swaraj' with the blessings of Goddess Tulja Bhavani Temple in Dharashiv (earlier, Osmanabad) district. We are not seeking votes in the name of the 'Hindu' religion or Goddess Tulja Bhavani. This is an insult to the pride of Maharashtra and we shall not tolerate it. If we accuse the EC of disrespecting the revered deity of the state, will it be acceptable to them," Thackeray said.

Elaborating, Thackeray said that the EC should first take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who publicly invoked Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram to seek votes in the Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections last year.

He recalled how PM Modi had asked people to chant 'Bajrang Bali Ki Jai' while pressing the button on EVMs in Karnataka, while HM Shah had offered free trips to the people for Lord Ram Temple darshan in Ayodhya if they voted back the BJP to power in Madhya Pradesh.

"I had written to the EC thereafter seeking to know if religion can be invoked in elections, and when there was no reply, I sent a reminder which remained ignored. When the HinduHridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray used words like 'garve se kaho, hum Hindu hain' and 'mandir wahin banayenge', he was barred from voting rights for six years in 1999," said Uddhav Thackeray.

He made it clear that if the EC acts against the SS (UBT), then it would also have to specify what action was taken against PM Modi and HM Shah for their campaign utterances in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, or whether the laws have been changed clearing the use of religion to seek votes.

Vowing to continue the usage of 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' in the SS (UBT) public meetings, Thackeray warned that now his party would even add Chhatrapati's famed war-cry, 'Har Har Mahadev' at its rallies and poll meetings.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Mumbai, April 21 : Shiv Sena-UBT President Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday challenged an order of the Election Commission (EC) asking it to remove the words 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' from the party's new theme song.

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Shiv Sena-UBT President Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday challenged an order of the Election Commission (EC) asking it to remove the words 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' from the partyas new theme song.

In a strong attack on the EC, Thackeray, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said that the poll body's diktat was unacceptable, and his party would not drop the words from the song a" intended to popularise its new symbol, 'Flaming Torch' (Mashaal) among the electorate, released amid fanfare last week.

The 'Flaming Torch' symbol was allotted to the SS-UBT after the original 'Bow and Arrow' symbol was given to the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, after the party split in June 2022.

The SS-UBT's new anthem has the words woven in it -- 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani', in the lyrics and in the background chorus -- to which the EC has taken objection and shot off a notice asking these to be deleted, but Thackeray is firm on continuing to use them.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the 'Hindavi Swaraj' with the blessings of Goddess Tulja Bhavani Temple in Dharashiv (earlier, Osmanabad) district. We are not seeking votes in the name of the 'Hindu' religion or Goddess Tulja Bhavani. This is an insult to the pride of Maharashtra and we shall not tolerate it. If we accuse the EC of disrespecting the revered deity of the state, will it be acceptable to them," Thackeray said.

Elaborating, Thackeray said that the EC should first take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who publicly invoked Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram to seek votes in the Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections last year.

He recalled how PM Modi had asked people to chant 'Bajrang Bali Ki Jai' while pressing the button on EVMs in Karnataka, while HM Shah had offered free trips to the people for Lord Ram Temple darshan in Ayodhya if they voted back the BJP to power in Madhya Pradesh.

"I had written to the EC thereafter seeking to know if religion can be invoked in elections, and when there was no reply, I sent a reminder which remained ignored. When the HinduHridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray used words like 'garve se kaho, hum Hindu hain' and 'mandir wahin banayenge', he was barred from voting rights for six years in 1999," said Uddhav Thackeray.

He made it clear that if the EC acts against the SS-UBT, then it would also have to specify what action was taken against PM Modi and HM Shah for their campaign utterances in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, or whether the laws have been changed clearing the use of religion to seek votes.

Vowing to continue the usage of 'Hindu' and 'Jai Bhavani' in the SS-UBT public meetings, Thackeray warned that now his party would even add Chhatrapati's famed war cry, 'Har Har Mahadev' at its rallies and poll meetings.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, April 21 : The election fever, already reaching a crescendo with a high-octane campaign across the country, hit a feverish pitch this weekend with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking a caustic jibe at the Congress and the Gandhis.

PM Modi, addressing a public rally in Rajasthan's Banswara said that this is the first time that the Congress party's 'Shahi Parivar' will not cast a vote for its own party in the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, in the 2024 elections.

"There have been many elections since Independence but this is for first time that Shahi Parivar won't be able to vote for its own party, such is the state of affairs in Congress," said PM Modi.

"If Shahi Parivar doesn't vote for its own candidate and party, on what basis does it have the right to seek your votes," asked the Prime Minister.

Notably, Congress is faced with an uphill and momentous task, not just to increase its Lok Sabha tally but also to reclaim the political clout it had before 2014. In the last two LS elections in 2014 and 2019, the party's numbers dwindled to double digits, hovering around 50 out of 543 seats.

In a bid to save the blushes and stop BJP's victory march in Delhi's 7 Lok Sabha seats, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stitched a poll alliance. As per the tie-up, Congress is contesting on 3 seats while AAP has fielded its candidate on 4 seats.

"There is no Congress candidate in the New Delhi constituency where the party's 'Shahi Parivar' resides. And, it will be for the first time since Independence that they won't vote for their own party," PM Modi said, taunting the grand old party.

New Delhi constituency, which covers the residence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, AAP's Somnath Bharti is the joint INDIA bloc candidate and he will lock horns against BJP's Bansuri Swaraj.

Since there is no Congress candidate from the constituency, Sonia and Rahul in all likelihood will vote for the AAP nominee Somnath Bharti.

PM Modi chose the Rajasthan rally to add insult to Congress' injuries by shedding light on its pitiable and sorry state of affairs, both at the Centre and in the state, on account of 'lacklustre' leadership and deep factionalism in state units.

"In Rajasthan, Congress leaders are doing door-to-door campaigns and asking the people not to vote for their own party," said PM Modi, in a clear reference to the fight between Pilot and Gehlot camps.

"Such is the condition of Congress that in Delhi, Shahi Parivar can't vote for its candidate while in Rajasthan, they are campaigning against their own, can you trust them?" PM Modi said amidst loud cheers from the crowd.

As per the 3:4 seat-sharing agreement, Congress is contesting from North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi and Chandni Chowk seats while AAP has fielded candidates in East Delhi, New Delhi, South Delhi and West Delhi constituencies.

Delhi will go to polls on May 25 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Jaipur, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Congress is in the "grip" of "Urban Naxals" and is "trapped" in the "clutches" of Leftists.

Jaipur, April 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Congress is in the "grip" of "Urban Naxals" and is "trapped" in the "clutches" of Leftists.

"Those who are leaving Congress these days tell us one thing. They say that Congress is now under the control of Urban Naxals. Congress is trapped in the clutches of the Leftists," PM Modi said while addressing an election gathering in Banswara in support of BJP candidate Mahendrajit Singh Malviya.

PM Modi said that if the Congress government is formed at the Centre again then everyone's property will be surveyed and then distributed to those who have more children and to the infiltrators.

"Do you agree that your hard-earned money should be given to infiltrators? Will you accept this," PM Modi asked.

Attacking Congress, over its tagline "Mohabbat Ki Dukaan", PM Modi said that there is fear, hunger and corruption which is being sold in Congress' shops.

On the Congress-BAP alliance, PM Modi said that Congress workers are going door-to-door to every house in Banswara, saying 'don't vote for Congress.'

"People of Banswara Dungarpur have known me since I was in Gujarat for 13 years. I am more like a family member to you. You have known me for the last 23 years. You also know the work my government has done in the last 10 years. How can you hand over the nation to someone who has no track record?" PM Modi asked.

He said that Congress deprived the Vagad area of roads, rail and other connectivity.

"It is Modi's guarantee to provide you with all facilities. We have started work to connect Banswara via the Dungarpur-Ratlam railway line. These were the works which were left in the doldrums by the Congress government. After June 4, these tasks will be taken up at a fast pace," PM Modi said.

He said that corruption has become the basic "mannerism" of Congress.

He also accused Congress of intimidating the Dalits, tribals and minorities and said that Congress is spreading fear among the country's minorities.

"They are spreading all kinds of lies about democracy, Constitution, and reservation. They want to spread lies and fear among the minority. India has however moved ahead of fear, hence their lies will not work," PM Modi said.
Colombo, April 21 : At least seven persons were killed while 23 others were injured after a car veered off the track during a high-octane car race in central hills in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Police Media Spokesperson DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that among the seven dead were adults including race marshals, spectators and an 8-year-old girl.

Organised by the Sri Lanka military in line with the National New Year, which fell middle of April, over 100,000 fans had gathered to witness the race named aFoxhillSuper Cross 2024a.

The race was held in Diyatalawa, a former garrison town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka where all the military men undergo military training.

During the April Sinhala New Year holiday season, holiday-makers gather at the Central Hills and many competitions like the car race and horse race take place.

Sri Lanka Army last organised aFoxhilla race in 2019 but had to stop it abruptly following the 2019 Easter attacks across the country.

The race returned after five years but it was suspended again on Sunday following the fatal accident.
Chennai, April 21 : A PMK worker was arrested on Sunday for allegedly damaging the car of Vinoth Gandhi, son of Tamil Nadu Handlooms and Textiles Minister R. Gandhi, in Arakkonam town on the polling day on Friday, police said.

The arrested worker was identified as K. Vairamuthu.

During the elections, Vinoth Gandhi, who was the chief polling agent, had come to a polling booth at the Government High School in Chitheri village near Arakkonam town.

Though he possessed a vehicle pass issued by the election officer to enter polling centres, police said that PMK cadres objected to his entry and allegedly stopped his car as vehicles were not allowed within 100 metres of the polling booth.

This led to an altercation between the DMK and the PMK functionaries near the booth and the rear windshield of Vinoth Gandhias car was damaged by people in the crowd while he was leaving the spot, police said.

Arakkonam's Deputy Superintendent of Police Venkatesan conducted an inquiry based on the complaint by Vinoth Gandhi and Vairamuthu was arrested. He was later produced before a magistrate who sent him to judicial custody.
Ranchi, April 21 : In a 'show of strength and unity', the INDIA bloc on Sunday organised the 'Ulgulan Nyay Rally' here with top leaders of the alliance terming the Lok Sabha polls as a battle to save the Constitution and Democracy, and unseat the BJP-led government at Centre from power.

In the rally held here at Prabhat Tara Maidan, two empty chairs were placed on the stage in a symbolic gesture -- hinting towards the absence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. While the Delhi CM was arrested in connection with the liquor policy scam, Soren was held in a land grab matter.

The INDIA bloc leaders, slamming the arrest of both leaders, termed the development as a conspiracy, stating the response has to be given through votes.

Speaking at the rally, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: "Hemant Soren is not going to lose courage. He is not scared of jail. We won't be finished if two CMs are imprisoned. We can't be pressurised, and we shall keep growing and moving forward."

Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kharge said it has made a woman hailing from the tribal community the country's President for the sake of votes.

The Congress president said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "only spoken lies" about providing jobs, bringing back the black money, increasing farmers' income, among other assurances.

He also claimed that the BJP would not get more than 150 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 Parliamentary elections.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, addressing the rally, said: "Our leader Hemant Soren was working for the rights of tribals, underprivileged and minorities but he has been sent to jail. However, all those initiatives would continue."

Posters of Kejriwal and Soren were also put up at the rally in which both were pictorially depicted as being behind bars.

Hemant Soren's wife, Kalpana, who was also present at the rally, read out a message that her husband sent from the jail.

She said: "My husband has been in jail over absolutely baseless allegations for the last two and a half months. For the first time since Independence, chief ministers of opposition parties have been jailed by the Centre right before the elections.

"But we are not scared of jail. When we demanded our rights from the Centre we have been subjected to such a behaviour! Rights of tribals are being attacked. An attempt is being made to dupe the country's citizens. The Opposition's voice is being stifled through Central agencies," Kalpana Soren said.

Meanwhile, at the rally, Sunita Kejriwal alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to kill her husband in the prison.

She said even as Kejriwal is a diabetic, he was being prevented from taking insulin.

"What's shameful is even the cameras in jail are keeping an eye on what my husband is consuming! What wrong did my husband and Mr. Hemant Soren commit?" she questioned, while raising a slogan "Jail ka taala tootega, Arvind Kejriwal chhutega, Hemant Soren chhutega" which translates to "the prison locks would break, and Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren would be released".

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav who was also present at the rally said the Central government had done injustice to Kejriwal and Soren.

"People will give a reply to this injustice through every single vote," he said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Deputy Bihar Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said: "The Central government thinks we are scared of jail. They don't know that we are followers of Lord Krishna whose birth took place in a prison cell."

National Conference leader and former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said the Constitution framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar faces a danger today.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Priyanka Chaturvedi of SS-UBT, among others were also present at the public meeting that was presided over by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren.
Srinagar, April 21 : National Conference Vice President and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday accused the PDP of working for the BJP's benefit in the Kashmir Valley.

After having dismissed Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP as a "spent force", he said that the party, by contesting the election against the INDIA bloc in J&K, is benefiting the BJP.

Omar Abdullah also accused the PDP of having joined the INDIA bloc only to get the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.

Addressing an election campaign in Anantnag district, he said that the INDIA bloc is fighting the BJP and the alliance is here on this stage. "Those who are not on this stage are trying to benefit the BJP," he said.

Stressing that his NC has joined the INDIA bloc only to keep the "communal BJP" away, Omar Abdullah said: "It is unfortunate that in this constituency, we are fighting with another member of the alliance. Now we are being accused of being selfish. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, in her speeches every day, says that NC is acting selfishly."

He noted that both the Congress and M.Y.Tarigami of the CPI-M have also supported the NC candidate in the constituency, and asked the PDP whether they deem both the Congress and the CPI-M as selfish too.

In another election meeting in Pulwama district, which is part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Omar Abdullah appealed to people to vote for NC candidate Syed Ruhullah Mehdi. He called the Lok Sabha elections as the semi-final and told people that the final (Assembly elections) will also be held by September this year
New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Congress would distribute the country's wealth, if voted to power, "to those who have more children".

During a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, PM Modi said that the Congress, if voted to power, could distribute the nation's wealth among "intruders" and "those who have more children".

He was referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the minority community should have priority access to the nation's resources.

"Congress manifesto indicates they plan to evaluate the gold holdings of mothers and sisters, gather information about it, and subsequently distribute that property. To whom will they distribute it? Manmohan Singh's administration had asserted that Muslims should be given precedence in accessing the country's assets," PM Modi said.

The Congress condemned the statement and said the Prime Minister through his "lies" was again dividing Hindu-Muslims.

Congress leader Pawan Khera accused PM Modi of spreading falsehood and claimed that the manifesto has no Muslim-Hindu references.

In a video message shared on Sunday, Khera challenged the Prime Minister to provide evidence to support his claim.

"In the Congress manifesto, there is no mention of Hindu-Muslim. We challenge the Prime Minister to show us if the word Hindu or Muslim is written anywhere in our manifesto," he said.

After Khera's clarification, the BJP hit back at the Congress, sharing on its official X handle a video of the then PM Dr Manmohan Singh's speech of December 9, 2006, in which he said: "We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources."

The BJP has asked: "The Congress doesn't trust their own Prime Minister?"

Dr Singh had made these remarks at the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi.

"Here is Manmohan Singh, on camera saying that Muslims must have first claim on resources," says a social media user while posting the video clip on X.

It has triggered a debate in political circles with some saying that the former PM's statement displays "the subversive nature of Manmohan Singh formulation".

According to some, Dr Singh's remarks buttress the BJP's claims of the Congress being involved in politics of appeasement.

Meanwhile, Khera criticised PM Modi's remarks, suggesting that they reflected a lack of seriousness in the Prime Minister's approach.

"This kind of lightness is there in your mentality and in your political values," Khera said. "We have talked about justice for the youth, women, farmers, tribals, middle class, and workers. Do you object to this as well?" he asked.

Asserting the integrity of the Congress manifesto, Khera held it up as a reflection of the party's commitment to various sections of society. "Our manifesto shows a mirror to the Prime Minister. Your (PM) name will go in the dustbin if you continue to say such lies," he added.
Jaipur, April 21 : To improve the education system in the state, the Rajasthan government said on Sunday that it is mulling to implement the same uniform for students across all government and private schools.

Speaking at a conference in Jodhpur, State Education Minister Madan Dilawar hinted at taking this big step to improving the education system in the state and said that parents are forced to buy uniforms, shoes, ties, etc. from a particular shop in private schools due to which arbitrary prices of school uniform increase.

The state government is now considering making the same uniforms in all schools, whether government or private so that the difference between the rich and poor can be eradicated and parents can buy uniforms from any shop, he added.

The Minister also said that the state government is also planning to make changes regarding the B.Ed course.

"At present, a large number of students pursue B.Ed and even after spending huge amount of money on getting admission, they remain unemployed. Our government wants an examination to be conducted after counting the vacant posts of all categories and selection should be done category-wise based on merit. Also after passing B.Ed, an appointment letter should be given immediately to eligible candidates," Education Minister Dilawar added.

He said that the government officials have been asked to consider such proposals.
Ukraine, having received Western military assistance, will be in a significantly improved operational position by June 2024, so Russia may introduce changes to its projected summer offensive. Most likely, the aggressor will intensify ongoing attacks on the frontline, as well as missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks to take advantage of the closing window of limited material resources of the Defense Forces.

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Such assumptions are made by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The analysts made these assumptions against the backdrop of the US House of Representatives passing a $60.84 billion aid package for Ukraine.

They reminded that the Russian Armed Forces have recently continued and, in some areas, intensified their current offensive operations, taking advantage of abnormally dry spring conditions and the lack of equipment/munitions in the Armed Forces. The occupiers also tried to use the degrading capabilities of Ukraine's air defense in an attempt to destroy the energy system, and cause long-term damage to the country's infrastructure and defense industry.

"The anticipated arrival of U.S. security assistance has likely emphasized these considerations for the Russian Armed Forces. The Russian military command is likely to intensify offensive operations, as well as missile and drone strikes to achieve significant operational results, which will certainly become more difficult to achieve against well-equipped Ukrainian forces," ISW predicted.

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They noted that Russian troops have achieved tactical successes only in the last six months when the situation with Western military assistance to Ukraine was deteriorating. Therefore, experts believe it is unlikely that the occupiers will be able to achieve a breakthrough that will lead to the destruction of the front line.

"They may still be able to make operational gains in the coming weeks and prioritize areas of the front where Ukrainian defenses appear relatively unstable, especially west of Avdiivka, or where Russian forces are within reach of an operationally significant objective, such as near Chasiv Yar," the analysts suggested.

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Against this backdrop, Russian forces may hope that intensified missile and drone attacks will be able to destroy Ukraine's energy system and force the country to deal with a humanitarian crisis alongside defense operations. The enemy may also change its target and strike at the transportation infrastructure to limit Ukraine's ability to sufficiently distribute manpower and equipment to critical areas of the front. On April 19, Russian terrorists already launched a massive attack on Ukrainian transport infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region, so ISW does not rule out that they intend to expand these attacks in the coming weeks.

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"Russian forces will probably also decide to take advantage of the poor Ukrainian air defense cover along the front and intensify guided bomb strikes in the coming weeks in the hope of inflicting heavy damage on Ukrainian defensive positions before it becomes more risky for Russian aircraft to carry out these strikes against the backdrop of improved Ukrainian air defense," the experts suggested.

The analysts noted that the Russian military has likely concluded that Ukrainian forces will not be able to defend themselves against current and future offensives due to delays or a complete cessation of U.S. military assistance.

"This assumption seems to have been an integral part of Russia's operational planning this summer. It has been building up operational and strategic-level reserves to support its expected summer offensives, but it is doing so based on the assumption that even poorly trained and ill-equipped Russian troops will be able to attack Ukrainian forces that lack the necessary artillery and anti-aircraft munitions," ISW emphasized.

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Still, they believe that the Ukrainian Defense Forces will benefit from sufficient US security assistance to deter Russian offensives in June 2024.

Ukrainian officials have previously stated that the Russian Armed Forces are likely to continue their offensives this summer aimed at capturing the rest of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, but may also launch an operation to seize Kharkiv.

On April 19, the aggressor country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in particular, made it clear that Russia intends to capture Kharkiv. The Russian military command may have anticipated that simultaneous offensive efforts in the direction of this city and along the current front line in eastern Ukraine would "stretch and destroy" the allegedly poorly supplied and understaffed Defense Forces, allowing the occupiers to achieve a "major breakthrough" in at least one section of the front.

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However, ISW is convinced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with improved logistics and personnel, which will hold the front line in June 2024, will undermine this operational goal of simultaneous Russian offensives on a wider front.

"The Russian military command will have to think about whether the planned areas and goals of its summer offensive efforts are feasible and whether the current means of concentrating and training forces are sufficient to conduct the planned offensive operations, taking into account the expected resumption of US security measures to help Ukraine," the experts concluded, noting that they are not making any predictions about the decisions that the Russians will make at this time.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Gurugram, April 21 : Senior BJP leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on April 26 will address the Vijay Sankalp Rally here. A single-phase polling will be held in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state's 10 Parliamentary constituencies on May 25.

Khattar will address the public gathering here in the Bhim Nagar area to garner support for the BJP's candidate for Gurugram LS seat, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, who is also the sitting MP.

Rao Inderjit Singh has represented the Gurugram Parliamentary constituency three times in a row -- in 2009, 2014 and in 2019.

As part of preparations for the upcoming rally, BJP's Gurugram District President Kamal Yadav held a meeting with the workers on Sunday and handed them out responsibilities.

Through the Vijay Sankalp Rally in Gurugram, the party aims to cover the non-Jat region and also aims to reach out to the voters in Gurugram's Assembly segments.

The Gurugram LS seat comprises nine Assembly segments -- Bawal, Rewari, Pataudi, Badshahpur, Gurugram, Sohna, Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka and Punahana.

"The Vijay Sankalp rally will be held in Bhim Nagar area and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will address the rally. For the success of the rally, all the workers have united, and have started working hard to ensure the party's victory," Kamal Yadav told IANS.

The opposition parties -- Congress and Indian National Lok Dal -- are yet to finalise their candidates for the Gurugram LS seat.

Political observers believe that the BJP had already taken advantage of the early announcement of the candidate.
New Delhi, April 22 : Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan has left on an official visit to France, where he will meet both senior civil and military leaders as well as representatives of leading defence industries, a Defence Ministry statement said on Sunday.

The Defence Ministry said that the CDS' visit is aimed to further reinforce the robust defence ties between the two nations, which have gained considerable momentum in the last few years.

During his visit, General Chauhan is scheduled to interact with the senior civil and military leaders, including his counterpart, General Thierry Burkhard, as well as the Director of the IHEDN (National Institute for Higher Defence Studies), and Director General, Armaments.

He will also visit the French Space Command and the Land Forces Command. He will address student officers of the army and Joint Staff Course at the Ecole Militaire (School of Military).

The CDS is scheduled to visit and interact with officials of reputed defence industries in France, including Safran Group, Naval Group, and Dassault Aviation.

He will also visit the Neuve-Chappelle Memorial and the Indian Memorial at Villers-Guislain and lay a wreath in honour of the brave Indian soldiers, who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.

--IANS

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Gurugram, April 22 : The Gurugram police's Crime Branch on Sunday arrested seven dreaded criminals, along with weapons, after a murder they committed in Haryana's Jhajjar district, police said.

The suspects, identified as Pradeep alias Praveen alias Pehalwan, Jitender alias Hanuman, Deepak Jakhar alias Chippi, Pradeep alias Sonu, Sonu, Manjeet alias Meenu, and Gaurav alias Carlos, were apprehended near the Bandhwadi Flyover on Gurugram-Faridabad road on a tip-off, police said.

Police recovered 3 pistols, 2 country-made pistols, and 21 live cartridges from the accused and a case was registered against them under relevant sections of the Arms Act at Police Station DLF Phase-1.

During questioning, the accused disclosed that, on April 10, they had assaulted a person named Mukesh, a resident of Jhadli, who died during treatment on April 11. Subsequently, a case of murder was registered against them at the Sahlawas police station in Jhajjar.

"After committing this murder, the accused had come to Faridabad and Gurugram to avoid police action. They were also planning to commit murder and other crimes here in Gurugram, but before they could commit any crime, the Gurugram police caught them along with the weapons," ACP, Crime, Varun Dahiya, said.
Gaza, April 22 : The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli army killed 48 Palestinians and wounded 79 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 34,097 and injuries to 76,980, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defence Service in the Gaza Strip, told reporters on Sunday that rescuers had recovered more than 50 bodies from various places in the city of Khan Younis, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis on April 7, four months after launching a ground operation.

Basal said the bodies had been buried collectively by the Israeli army, adding that search operations were underway as thousands of people were still missing in Gaza.

The spokesman accused the Israeli army of "enforcing disappearance of the people in the Gaza Strip in a systematic and deliberate manner".

Israeli forces "destroyed dozens of bodies" before burying them and withdrawing, he said.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.
Tel Aviv, April 22 : Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, has approved plans to continue the war in Gaza, the military said.

Halevi "authorised the further steps" on Sunday, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

The Israeli Kan channel reported that part of the plans included a military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah on the border with Egypt. An evacuation of the civilian population is apparently to be expected shortly.

Israel's allies have urgently warned against an offensive in Rafah because hundreds of thousands of Palestinian internally displaced people are crowded there.

However, Israel considers an operation in Rafah to be necessary to destroy the remaining battalions of the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas. Otherwise, a reinvigoration of Hamas is to be expected.

The Israeli army spokesman addressed the hostages held by Hamas directly on Sunday.

"We will continue to fight until you come home," he said.

The relatives of the hostages were in an unbearable situation and everything would be done to free their loved ones, he added.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 34,000 people have been killed and almost 77,000 others injured in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war six-and-a-half months ago.

--IANS/DPA

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This aerial photo taken on July 15, 2023 shows farmers harvesting wheat in Hutubi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)



In the coming decade, China's agricultural sector will witness the full development of new quality productive forces, accompanied by an accelerated pace of agricultural transformation and upgrading, according to a report released on Saturday.

The China Agricultural Outlook Report (2024-2033), released at the 2024 China Agricultural Outlook Conference held at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, reviewed the market situation of China's major agricultural products in 2023, and provided an analysis of the production, consumption, trade and price trends in the country's agricultural sector over the next decade.

China's grain production in 2023 reached 695 million tonnes, an increase of 1.3 percent compared to the previous year. The country's annual grain production has remained stable at over 650 million tonnes for nine consecutive years, according to the report.

Significant strides have been achieved in the high-quality development of agriculture, with the nationwide creation of over 1 billion mu (about 66.67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland, promoting the construction of high-standard farmland, the report said.

China's grain yield per hectare will reach 5,933 kg in 2024, up 1.5 percent compared to the previous year, and grain production is expected to hit 704 million tonnes, increasing 1.3 percent from 2023, according to the report.

With new breakthroughs in biological breeding technology, widespread promotion of high-yield and efficient technology models and continuous improvement of farmland quality, it is expected that China's grain yield per unit will increase by 10.7 percent by 2033, reaching 6,438 kg per hectare, the report said.

China's annual grain production is expected to reach 766 million tonnes in 2033, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1 percent, according to the report.

As the incomes of Chinese residents steadily rise and nutrition and health concepts become more widespread, the structure of food consumption will continuously improve, leading to a shift towards healthier, greener, more diverse and personalized agricultural product consumption, the report said.

China's agricultural trade structure will also continue to optimize, with diversified import sources and a sustained growth trend in agricultural trade, the report added.
On the morning of April 21, explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol. Local residents reported that a column of smoke rose in the city, and the invaders traditionally reported that "everything was under control."

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However, it later turned out that Ukrainian troops had hit another ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This was reported by Defense Express.

According to preliminary data, the strike could have damaged an enemy ship in Sukharna Bay. Ukrainian defenders could have attacked the rescue ship Kommuna and a large landing ship. In particular, OSINT blogger MT Anderson published satellite images that showed a Yamal landing ship in Sukharna Bay.

At the same time, the rescue vessel Kommuna was located near the quay wall next to Dokova Bay, 1.5 km to the west, alongside Russian warships, including two Project 1135 Burevestnik patrol vessels.

In a comment to Ukrainian media, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk clarified that it was the Kommuna that was attacked by the defenders. He also added that the Ukrainian Navy was working to eliminate another enemy vessel.

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Despite being more than 100 years old, the Kommuna rescue ship plays an important role in the enemy's capabilities on the Ukrainian peninsula. As part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, it is the only rescue vessel designed for deep-sea operations, in particular, for raising submarines and sunken cargo. It was the Kommuna that the occupiers used to inspect the destroyed Moskva missile cruiser.

On the morning of April 21, it was loud again in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol in Crimea. The occupiers announced a missile threat on the peninsula, and the Kerch Bridge was blocked.

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Earlier it was reported that on the night of April 17, explosions were heard in the city of Dzhankoy in the occupied Crimea. After that, a powerful fire broke out in the area of the military airfield.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on April 15, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed a Russian command post with a missile strike in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The location was occupied by high-ranking Russian officers.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
As student employees of the University of Georgia, C.L.A.S.S. Advocates work day and night to make sure the few Black residents in their dorms feel seen, heard and represented.

Come fall 2024, this position will no longer exist, prompting criticism and concern from housing employees, UGA community members and the Black students that the position means so much to.
Company expects to improve EV penetration and expand margins in CV segment

There is no impediment to normal operations as Tata Motors puts in place the demerger process of its commercial and passenger vehicles businesses.

Instead, the demerger would provide greater manoeuvrability for both new entities to operate independently, according to Tata Motors management.

While there may not be immediate value unlocking, it will give investors clarity about future growth and the financials across different segments.

Globally, volume recovery in Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suggests there is likely to be strong growth in revenue, profitability, and free cash flow (FCF).

There is also a focus on grabbing market share in the domestic passenger vehicle (PV) segment through new model launches and higher electric vehicle (EV) penetration, where Tata Motors has a dominant market-share.

The company also hopes for margin expansion across the commercial vehicle (CV) segment.

JLR s wholesale numbers (excluding the China joint venture) for the January-March quarter (Q4) of FY24 came out at 1,10,190 units (up 9 per cent quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) and 16 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y)) which is in line with consensus.

Retail sales (including the China JV) in Q4 was up 11 per cent Y-o-Y at 1,14,038 units.

Retail sales in FY24 grew 22 per cent over FY23 with Land Rover retails growing at 25 per cent.

The UK contributed 25.2 per cent of volumes (vs 20.9 per cent in Q3FY24 and 21.5 per cent in Q4FY23).

Volumes in North America and Rest of World (RoW) grew 11-15 per cent Q-o-Q, while volumes in Europe and China declined 7 per cent and 13 per cent Q-o-Q, respectively.

For the full year FY24, the share of North America, UK and RoW grew by 100-200 bps each while Europe and China declined.

In Q4FY24, JLR may report revenue of GBP 7.9 billion with average selling price (ASP) of GBP 72,000 per unit and Ebitda of GBP 1.3 billion (margin of around 16.8 per cent).

The FCF generated is expected to cross GBP 700 million equivalent in Q4 (Q3FY24 FCF was around GBP 650 million).

The improvement will be due to higher Ebitda on Q-o-Q basis (operating leverage) and another GBP 200-300 million FCF as working capital normalises with better production levels.

Overall FCF of GBP 2.1 billion in FY24 could come in from JLR with net debt for JLR to reduce to GBP 900 million by end-FY24 (from GBP 1.6 billion in December 2023).

The company is confident that the domestic PV business will be self-sustaining going forward after the demerger of the CV business.

It sees higher competitive intensity in the EV passenger vehicle space but it hopes to see pole position as the EV segment expands and targets 30 per cent revenue contribution from EVs by FY26.

Tata Motor Finance, which largely caters to CVs, is expected to be a part of the demerged CV entity.

In the CV segment, wholesale volume has moderated while Q4 retail sales have been good due to pre-buying ahead of a price increase which took effect in April.

CV volumes should rebound strongly from H2FY25, due to the government's focus on infrastructure as CV is linked to the construction capex cycle.

Tata Motors (Standalone) is hoping to score a double-digit Ebitda margin for FY25.

Analysts are still upgrading the stock, which has moved up by over 140 per cent in the last year.

However, much of the cyclical uptick is already priced in.

According to Bloomberg, 9 out of 14 analysts polled in April are bullish on the stock; 3 have reduce rating, and 2 are neutral.

Their average one-year target price is Rs 1,021, versus the current price of Rs 1,018.35.

Consistency of execution in JLR and a smooth demerger of the segments will be crucial.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients.

Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at least 14 people have been killed during the Israel Defence Forces operation at the Nur al-Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, CNN reported, citing the Palestinian ministry of health.

IMAGE: People walk past damaged buildings and rubble after an Israeli raid at Nur Shams camp, Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, April 20, 2024. Photograph: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

The Palestinian ministry of health said that they have found a number of bodies and injured people from the camp, as the IDF has partially withdrawn from the area.

Videos captured by residents show a bulldozer destroying a building as IDF vehicles leave the camp after conducting a raid for over 24 hours.

Other videos showcase ambulances entering the camp after the IDF withdraws from there.

According to residents, Israeli forces have left the immediate area. However, they continue to remain present in the nearby city of Tulkarm.

On Saturday, the IDF said its forces killed 10 'terrorists' and arrested eight wanted suspects during the operation that began on Thursday.

According to Palestinian health ministry and news agency Wafa, at least one child and one teenager are among those killed. It said that the IDF has arrested young people en masse and destroyed key infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian ministry of health condemned two separate incidents involving emergency medical crews operating in the West Bank on Saturday.

According to the Palestinian ministry of health and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, an ambulance driver was killed by Israeli settlers as he attempted to take injured Palestinians to safety. Another ambulance crew was detained and questioned by the IDF outside a hospital in the West Bank.

The ministry identified the driver as Mohammed Awad Allah Mohammed Musa (50).

It said that Musa worked with the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Speaking to CNN, PRCS said that settlers killed him by firing on his ambulance.

In a statement, the Palestinian ministry of health said, "The ministry urgently calls on international health organisations, human rights institutions, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to urgently act to curb the escalating practices of the occupation and settlers against treatment centers and medical crews and to allow them to perform their humanitarian duty."

The Palestinian ministry of health called the targeting of medics, ambulances, and medical staff a "blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law, according to CNN report.

"The targeting of medics, ambulances, treatment centres, and medical staff, obstructing their movement, and preventing them from reaching the wounded, constitutes a blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law and international norms and treaties," the ministry said.

On Friday, the Israeli military said that several Palestinian gunmen were killed and four soldiers were wounded during a counter-terrorism raid in the West Bank's Nur Shams refugee camp, close to Tulkarem, The Times of Israel reported.

The IDF said its troops and Border Police officers conducted a raid at Nur Shams overnight, during which several wanted Palestinians were detained, explosive devices were discovered, and several gunmen were killed in clashes throughout the morning.
The Karnataka police arrested two youths who justified the murder of Neha Hiremath allegedly by Fayaz Khondunaik on their social media handles.

IMAGE: Lingayat seers hold a protest over the Hubballi murder case, in Karnataka. Photograph: ANI on X

The accused from Dharwad were arrested on Saturday after a few pro-Hindu activists lodged a complaint alleging that the duo had posted contents claiming that Neha and Fayaz were in relationship.

According to the complainants, they allegedly uploaded pictures of the victim Neha and the accused, Fayaz, with a caption, "Neha Fayaz true love, justice for love".

Neha Hiremath (23), daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was allegedly stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College on April 18.

The accused Fayaz, who fled the scene, was arrested by police subsequently.

Neha was a first year MCA student and Fayaz was earlier her classmate.

The incident triggered a public outrage with protests in Hubballi, Dharwad and several other places.

The BJP accused the Congress government of being soft on anti-social elements, which resulted in this incident as the ruling party tried to project it as an incident with a personal angle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bow and an arrow during a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya for the Lok Sabha polls, in Banswara on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

"This urban-naxal mindset, my mothers and sisters, they will not even leave your 'Mangalsutra'. They can go to that level," Modi said addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara.

"The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom -- Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets," he claimed.

"Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children.

"It will distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" he said.

Modi's reference was to former prime minister Manmohan Singh's controversial first claim remark made in 2006.

While the Congress manifesto delves into the issue of economic inequalities, the party has asserted that it does not talk about 'redistribution' and that it favours a 'comprehensive socio-economic caste census'.

The opposition party had also asserted that Rahul Gandhi did not promise redistribution of the nation's wealth in Hyderabad on 7 April 2024 and that his words were 'misrepresented'.

The clarification from Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh came after Rahul Gandhi had reportedly talked about the need to conduct a survey for more equitable distribution of the country's wealth.

On Sunday, Modi alleged that the Congress is now trapped 'in the clutches of the Leftists' and its manifesto 'is worrying and serious' as it is an attempt to implement the 'ideology of Maoism on the ground'.

"It says that if a Congress government is formed, everyone's property will be surveyed, the amount of gold our sisters have will be investigated and calculated. our tribal families have silver, which will be calculated... This gold and other assets will be distributed equally to everyone.

"Is it acceptable to you? Do governments have the right to confiscate your property which you have earned through hard work? The gold with our mothers and sisters is not for showing off, it is related to their self-respect.

"The value of their 'Mangalsutra' is not in gold or its price but it is related to her dreams in life and you are talking about snatching it," Modi said.

The prime minister alleged that the Congress has come under the control of 'urban Naxals'.

He also accused the Congress of ignoring the welfare of tribals and said the party could not find a single person from the Adivasi community who could be the President of the country during its 60-year rule.

"Were the tribals not capable? Just see the Congress' mindset. But in 2014, you blessed us.. and now a tribal daughter is the country's president. This is real participation. This is the spirit of the Constitution given by Babasaheb," Modi said addressing the public meeting in Banswara in support of BJP's Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya.

He said that the BJP is committed towards the welfare of the poor and works honestly, but the Congress sells 'fear, hunger and corruption in its shop'.

He said that the Congress has always instilled fears among the Dalits, tribals and minorities and is now spreading lies about democracy, the Constitution and reservation to scare them.

"But the country is out of the grip of fear that is why their lies are no longer working. In the states with considerable tribal population, the Congress is either not in power or is in third or fourth position ... There is anger among the tribal population and there are concrete reasons for it," Modi said.

He said a tribal welfare ministry was formed only under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

"From among crores of tribal sons and daughters, the Congress could not a single person in 60 years who could be become the President of the country," Modi said, adding the Congress and the INDIA bloc even opposed the candidature of the current President who is from the tribal community.

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Modi also those who cannot win elections have 'fled the field' and have come to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

Addressing another election rally in Rajasthan's Jalore, Modi said the country is punishing the Congress for its 'sins' and the party that had once won 400 seats is unable to find candidates to contest 300 seats in this Lok Sabha election.

"Those who cannot contest elections, cannot win elections have fled the field. This time, they have come to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. The condition of Congress is so bad," Modi said.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is among the MPs elected to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in February. Several Congress veterans have not been fielded in this Lok Sabha election, but the party has rejected suggestions that they were shying away from contesting.

"In the first phase of voting, half of Rajasthan has punished Congress. Rajasthan, which is full of patriotism, knows that Congress can never make India strong," PM Modi said

He said the country does not want the conditions which existed before 2014 to return.

"The Congress has hollowed out the country by spreading termites of nepotism and corruption. And today, the country is angry with the Congress and is punishing it for these sins. The youths are so angry that they do not want to see the Congress' face again."

Modi was addressing the public meeting in Bhinmal in support of BJP candidate Lumbaram Chaudhary.

"The Congress has itself to blame for its present condition ... The party that had once won 400 seats is unable to contest 300 seats on its own. Today, the condition of Congress is such that it is unable to find candidates," Modi said.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told him in 2019 that he would groom his son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM of Maharashtra as part of the power-sharing agreement between their parties.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray addresses the media during a press conference as he shows the party's new voting symbol which has been re-done by the Election Commission, in Mumbai, April 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Thackeray also said Fadnavis, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, had told him that he would move to the Centre in the next two to three years.

Addressing a rally in Dharavi here on Saturday, Thackeray claimed the then BJP chief Amit Shah had come to 'Matoshree', the private residence of the Thackerays, to seek an alliance with Shiv Sena (undivided).

"At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders (Shah and Thackeray) discussed modalities," he claimed.



It was assured to me that the post of chief minister will be shared for 2.5 years (between BJP and Sena-undivided), he said.

"Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind," Thackeray said.

When I asked Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, he (Fadnavis) said he would move to Delhi, the former CM added.

The claim evoked a sharp reaction from Fadnavis, current deputy chief minister in the Mahayuti government of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar, who said Thackeray has "lost his mind".

"Uddhav Thackeray has become 'bhramishta' (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told," Fadnavis said.

He, however, admitted to having told Thackeray that Aaditya should be trained as he will eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day.

"Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldn't make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena-UBT in its current situation today," Fadnavis said.

In his speech, Thackeray slammed Fadnavis for his reference to "some room" during his talks with Shah and said the room of Bal Thackeray is like a temple.

Later Fadnavis posted on X, "We respect late Balasaheb Thackeray because he was always true to his word and never deviated from his ideals. We don't respect those who sacrificed the ideals of the late leader."

"Who are you trying to fool by speaking imagined scripts? You are misleading yourself," he stated while slamming Thackeray.

Fadnavis further said that Maharashtra's "socio-politics" and development is not a "Salim-Javed" script.

"You have nothing to do with politics and development. So don't try to get involved in such scripts. You will get a befitting reply," he said.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to speaking lies.

"He (Uddhav) wanted to become chief minister. As he couldn't become a CM when he was part of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, he switched sides," Shinde told reporters, referring to Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (undivided) joining hands with the NCP (undivided) and the Congress after the 2019 assembly elections.

Notably, a split engineered by Shinde led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government in June 2022.
The United States is currently considering sending additional military advisors to help Ukraine. Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder spoke about this possibility.

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"Throughout this conflict, the Department of Defense has been reviewing and adjusting our presence in Ukraine as the security environment has changed. We are now considering sending several additional advisors to strengthen the ODC, the Office of Defense Cooperation at the embassy," Ryder was quoted as saying by Politico.

"This is the latest evidence of American commitment to Ukraine as Russia appears to be gaining momentum in the two-year conflict," the publication said.

The Pentagon spokesman emphasized that these advisors will not perform combat missions, they will only "provide advice" and "support the Ukrainian government and defenders." He refused to name a specific date and number of ODC personnel to be increased. At the same time, Ryder cited security concerns.

In turn, the publication, citing unnamed sources, suggested that the number of U.S. troops in Ukraine could increase by 60. Of these, only one or two, maybe three people will "provide advice". The rest will be involved in the logistics of military aid and in the maintenance of military equipment provided by the United States.

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According to the publication's sources, the increase in the ODC contingent was necessary because the House of Representatives approved military aid to Ukraine. After the Senate passes the bill and the US president signs it, Ukraine will once again receive US military aid, and it will probably be bigger than before.

The ODC consists of personnel from the Ministry of Defense. But the Office is part of the American Embassy. It carries out various advisory and support missions, which are exclusively non-combat.

As reported, on April 20, the US House of Representatives voted on further assistance to Ukraine and supported the relevant bill. There were 311 votes in favor. After the time for voting came to an end, supporters of Ukraine in the House of Representatives began to applaud and chant "Ukraine!". The document provides $60.8 billion in funding to help our country.

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As reported, the US administration has already stated that the delivery of military aid to Kyiv will begin "immediately" after the bill with additional funding is approved. The US President promised that he would sign the document immediately.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Whether Rajeev Chandrasekhar wins or not, Thiruvananthapuram will likely never see such an interesting contest again.

IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, campaigns in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajeev Chandrasekhar/X

Rajeev Chandrasekhar has many throwaway lines to his credit. But the most memorable one has to be his declaration during a TV discussion that 'It is the fundamental right of journalists to be wrong.'

As he contests his first Lok Sabha election, he may be fighting one of the most challenging battles in his life.

Whether he wins or not, Thiruvananthapuram will likely never see such an interesting contest again.

Mr Chandrasekhar's transition from being a techie to becoming a public servant in India has been a long, chequered journey.

His father, Air Commodore M K Chandrasekhar, was highly regarded in the Indian Air Force.

His early exposure to the armed forces made Mr Chandrasekhar a devout devotee of the culture of the armed forces: He consistently fought battles for the defence services, whether it was to hold extensive discussions on One Rank One Pension (OROP) with the late Manohar Parrikar, then India's defence minister, or something as unexciting as better facilities for the nursing staff in the medical corps.

It was because of his efforts that a Dakota DC-3 aircraft of 1940 vintage, a legendary transport aircraft destined for the scrapheap in the UK, was bought by him, restored to flying condition, and gifted to the Indian Air Force in 2018.

Mr Chandrasekhar says he could not countenance the fact that an aircraft that served India so well in the war of liberation for Bangladesh could be sold as scrap -- one of these aircraft is today a prized possession of the Bangladesh war museum in memory of Mukti Joddhas (liberation fighters).

Mr Chandrasekhar opted to become an electrical engineer at the Manipal Institute of Technology, going on to the United States in 1984 for a postgraduate degree.

He was spotted by Vinod Dham, then not as well known as he is today.

He says it was Mr Dham's influence that led him to Intel, where he became one of only three engineers who were CPU architects, working on the next generation of chips.

In the US he met Anju, who was studying for an MBA and would later become his wife.

Anju was daughter of one of Kerala's most respected entrepreneurs, T P Gopalan Nambiar.

Nambiar had begun life in Palakkad in 1963, manufacturing panel meters for the defence forces, but moved to Bangalore to protect his business from the industry-unfriendly atmosphere in Kerala then.

He expanded his range and moved to new businesses including consumer electronics and communications: BPL Communications, the holding company for BPL Mobile Communications and BPL Cellular, which was run by son-in-law Chandrasekhar, who had returned to India, fired by Rajiv Gandhi's plans for a tech transformation of India's communication systems.

In 1991, he was among those who bid for cellular licences.

By 2001, BPL Mobile was the largest cellular operator in India.

He then tried to do a deal by merging his company into a consortium. It didn't work out.

In a way, Mr Chandrasekhar paid the price for being an early mover in a business that was at best perilous. The business had to be sold for an undisclosed sum.

IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar shakes hands with a supporter as wife Anju Chandrasekhar looks on. Photograph: ANI Photo

Mr Chandrasekhar exited BPL Mobile in 2005. By then he had seen first hand the tentacles of politics in business.

In 2006, he became an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha, following it up with another term in 2012.

In between, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and became a Rajya Sabha member again in 2018.

He played a crucial role in framing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

The BJP trusted him enough to put him in charge of the Puducherry assembly election in 2021, along with senior party colleague Nirmal Surana. The duo managed to install a National Democratic Alliance government there.

Within months, Mr Chandrasekhar became central minister of skill development and electronics.

He got the first inkling he might have to fight another battle when the prime minister said to him quietly after he became minister: 'Aap apne prant ke kapde pehanna shuru keejiye (start donning the attire of the region you belong to).'

Mr Chandrasekhar has made many friends. No matter how busy he is, he always has time for them --and for his passion to make India a little bit better.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The House of Representatives approved a $95.3 billion foreign-aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other American allies on Saturday.

IMAGE: US President Joe Biden departs St Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church after attending a mass in Wilmington, Delaware, US, April 20, 2024. Photograph: Craig Hudson/Reuters

Lawmakers approved the package, most of which is direct military assistance, in separate votes, New York Post reported.

Final Congressional approval is expected to come later during the weekend, when the package will be sent to the Senate.

US President Joe Biden has announced that he will sign it into law.

One bill provides $60.8 billion for Ukraine, with over 80 percent of it for helping Kyiv amid its ongoing war with Russia, including replenishing supplies of US made weapons and ammunition.

Around $9.5 billion of the package is in the form of a forgivable loan.

The bill was passed 311-112, with Republicans voting against it. Many Democrats celebrated the passage of the bill and waved Ukraine flags while shouting "Ukraine."

Of the 218 House Republican lawmakers, 112 voted against the bill, according to a New York Post report.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, who supported the bill, warned that it is a "violation" of the House to wave flags on the floor.

US Representative Anna Anna Paulina Luna asked Democrats to "Put those damn flags away!" A second measure provides roughly $17 billion in direct military aid for Israel and more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn regions.

The bill was passed 366-58 with dissenting members including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other "Squad" members and Representative Bob Good Freedom Caucus members, New York Post reported.

The third bill passed, 385-34, provides $8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to help deter China, about half of which has been kept aside for Taiwan.

A fourth bill includes many of the priorities of Republican lawmakers that receive support of Democrats, including a ban on TikTok if the China-based owner does not give up ownership of the app and enabling the US to seize about $5 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine.

The lawmakers passed the bill 360-58.

US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul urged US House lawmakers to back the foreign-aid package, saying "evil is on the march."

Before the vote, he said, "History is calling and now is the time to act." He added, "Our adversaries are working together to undermine our Western values and demean our democracy."

The lawmakers approval of the package came a day after a bipartisan coalition led by US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson voted 316-94 to clear a key procedural measure so it could be considered on the floor.

Most of the Republican lawmakers in the House supported Mike Johnson's plans, despite threats by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and other far-right lawmakers to oust him as speaker if he went ahead with the Ukraine aid bill instead of prioritising US border security as record-breaking numbers of migrants illegally enter the US and impact public funds.

The three amendments to the Ukraine bill, including one by Marjorie Taylor Greene reducing "every dollar amount in the bill to zero", were all rejected on Saturday, New York Post reported.

A new border bill, introduced by Representative Juan Ciscomani, would have raised penalties for gun and drug-related offences committed in matters related to illegal immigration.

However, it failed to clear the two-thirds supermajority that is required to pass the bill.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had placed pressure on Johnson to support a $95 billion bill approved by the Senate in February.

That legislation provides all funding in a single bill. House Republicans have made several additions in the package, which are expected to be get Senate approval.
Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party chief Ravinder Raina is going to miss voting for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the party has not fielded any candidate from his home town which falls in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party president Ravinder Raina during a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Udhampur on April 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The reshaped Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on May 7 in the third phase of general elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP has also not put up any candidate from Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies, where polling will be held on May 13 and May 20 respectively.

Facing criticism over not fielding candidates on the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, Raina on Saturday said sometimes 'decisions are made to achieve a big goal' and the BJP is supporting the 'patriotic' parties.

"We were desirous of fighting the elections from all the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir on our own strength. But sometimes different decisions are made to achieve a big goal by setting aside personal interests.

"We are supporting those parties which are patriotic, working for betterment of Kashmir, strengthening peace and brotherhood and are eager to serve the society," Raina had said.

He said they will soon meet BJP national president J P Nadda and other central leaders to discuss the strategy and will reveal the names of such parties or candidates who the party workers and supporters can support and vote for.

In the absence of the party candidate, Raina who hails from Nowshera area of Rajouri, will exercise his democratic right in favour of a non-BJP candidate in accordance with the party's strategy.

People's Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Mian Altaf are in direct contest from the constituency.

Prominent among 19 other candidates in the fray include Mohammad Saleem Parray of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and J-K Apni Party leader Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the adoption of the important law by the Congress will help support Ukraine and Israel, as well as strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the United States continues to stand with its allies and partners around the world.

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Austin also said that the United States should not give its partners any doubt about its resolve. This is stated in a statement on the Pentagon's website.

According to the Defense Secretary, the bipartisan law will increase the amount of vital security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. At the same time, Austin noted that this law is also an important investment in America's future.

"By providing nearly $50 billion that will go directly to our defense industrial base, this bill will create good American jobs in more than 30 states while strengthening the long-term security of the United States," Austin said.

The Pentagon chief is confident that the adopted laws will make America safer and save lives.

"America's long-term security is still at risk. We must never give our friends, our rivals, or our enemies a reason to doubt America's resolve," the Pentagon chief said.

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As a reminder, on April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on further U.S. assistance to Ukraine and supported the bill. The vote was 311 in favor (101 Republicans + 210 Democrats) and 112 against. The aid package must now be approved by the Senate (the upper house of the U.S. Congress). Senators will start voting for the document on Tuesday, April 23.

As reported, the first batch of military aid from the United States may be delivered to Ukraine in a few days after the relevant law is signed by US President Joe Biden, if it is approved by the Senate. The weapons in question are from Pentagon stockpiles in Germany.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Analysts say the decline is clearly visible, blaming the loss of status as a free port separate from China.

Major shipping companies are pulling out of Hong Kong as it loses its status as a free, international container port, according to analysts, who blamed a recent political crackdown and structural changes for the development.

"Hong Kong is being rapidly deselected from the East-West trades by all major shipping lines," the Danish-based consultancy Sea-Intelligence said in an April 2 report citing recent data from shipping lines.

Total container volumes coming through Hong Kong fell to 14.3 million TEUs in 2023, the lowest volume since 1998.

While the decline was exacerbated by the closure of Hong Kong's borders during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, cutting off cross-border road links and prompting shipping lines to send containers straight to Shenzhen, political factors including the international reaction to the city's ongoing crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement also played a role, according to industry analysts.

"Hong Kong enjoyed a special relationship with the United States and other countries, because it was seen as semi-independent and autonomous, with little interference from mainland China in its day-to-day operations," Tom Derry, Chief Executive Officer at the Institute for Supply Management, told RFA Cantonese in a recent interview. "That's no longer seen as the case."

"Foreign nationals, both U.S. and from other countries, have been arrested under charges due to the new National Security Law," Derry said. "The rule of law in Hong Kong is seen as being a little more arbitrary today than it was in the past, because national security cases can only be heard by specially appointed justices in Hong Kong, not by the main judicial system."

"So Hong Kong's ... special status as a preferred port has been eroded. It's to the detriment of Hong Kong and to the benefit of other mainland Chinese ports."

On Jan. 18 RFA Cantonese shot footage of the No. 9 Container Terminal at Kwai Ching, which was once stacked with containers several high, and which is now an empty expanse of concrete.

According to Derry, Hong Kong was hit by the loss in May 2020 of its separate trading status previously accorded by the U.S. government -- a move that was in direct response to the crackdown on the 2019 pro-democracy movement -- and by tariffs imposed on technology products amid a Sino-U.S. trade war begun under the Trump administration.

"Mainland China has 38% market share, the largest in the world, in those particular kinds of firms," Derry told RFA Cantonese in a recent interview. "Hong Kong enjoyed a large volume of integrated circuits that were moving to those [electronics] firms in mainland China and then moving from those mainland China firms back through Hong Kong and to their ultimate destinations around the world."

"That has been significantly impacted by the removal of preferential status, and by the later imposition of tariffs ... which has only made those conditions a little bit worse," he said.

Derry said Indonesia, Singapore and Manila will be significant beneficiaries of the shift away from Hong Kong, including Manila due to a significant semiconductor presence in the Philippines.

"Those will be the beneficiaries, and it will be Hong Kong's relative loss," he said.

Shipping containers are seen at a port of Kwai Tsing Container Terminals in Hong Kong, Nov. 5, 2021. (Kin Cheung/AP)

Meanwhile, a recent network overview from the Gemini Cooperation shipping alliance of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, revealed no direct deep-sea calls in Hong Kong since the alliance pivoted to using Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Singapore and Tanjung Pelepas as major hubs on regional container shipping routes, downgrading Hong Kong to the status of "feeder" port with cargo trucked or shipped to Yantian in the neighboring mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen.

Hong Kong isn't the only port that will lose direct connectivity under the Gemini network: the northeastern Chinese port of Dalian, Taiwan's Kaohsiung and South Korea's Busan have also been downgraded.

Yet the damage to its status as an international container port will likely be extensive, with the city's port losing throughput traffic from Hapag-Lloyd of around 615,000 20-foot-equivalent units (TEU) a quarter and around 261,000 TEUs a quarter from Maersk to Yantian, according to U.K. maritime consultancy MDS Transmodal.

Consolidating routes

The developments come as the Alliance, which groups South Korea's HMM, Japan's Ocean Network Express and Taiwan's Yang Ming shipping lines, is cutting the number of direct port calls it makes to Hong Kong from 11 to just 6, Sea-Intelligence reported.

Hong Kong will only be included on one of Yang Ming's 13 regional and trans-Pacific routes from 2025, according to a press release published to Yang Ming's website.

The consolidation of routes "does not bode well for the Port of Hong Kong," Sea-Intelligence commented in its report. "Analysis of network design and network efficiency will show that fewer, but larger, hubs are economically more efficient. Hong Kong appears to be the first major 'victim' of this."

An aerial view shows containers at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong, China June 6, 2021. (Aleksander Solum/Reuters)

Hong Kong's Transport and Logistics Bureau issued a statement in response to RFA Cantonese reporting on the issue on April 5, calling it "unreasonable."

"Radio Free Asia's unreasonable comments on the rapid deterioration in Hong Kong's status as an international shipping hub have no basis in fact and have been fabricated out of thin air," a spokesman for the bureau said in a statement.

"This is wanton criticism and attack ... and can never be accepted."

Declining numbers

It cited the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report2023), a collaboration between China's state news agency Xinhua and the Baltic Exchange, which claimed that the city ranks fourth in the world as an international container port.

However, Lloyd's List ranked Hong Kong 10th in the world in terms of throughput last year, one place lower than in 2022.

Financial commentator Joseph Ngan, a former assistant controller at Hong Kong's i-CABLE News, wrote in a recent commentary for RFA Cantonese that Hong Kong has indeed "lost its role as an entrepot port," citing figures that showed a 0.8% decline in the city's exports in the year to Feb. 29, 2024 and a 1.8% decline in imports, "far worse than market expectations."

Ngan cited data from the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, which shows that the throughput of Kwai Tsing Container Terminal, which accounts for 70% of Hong Kong's total cargo volume, fell for 25 consecutive months to the end of December 2023, the largest decline on record.

Shipping containers stack at the Kwai Chung terminal at Hong Kong's port on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.(Vincent Yu/AP)

Total throughput fell by nearly 14% for the whole of last year, Ngan wrote, citing a further double-digit decline in February following a brief spike ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in January.

Hong Kong's biggest container terminal operator, CK Hutchison, saw a 9% decrease in its China-Hong Kong port revenue and a 18% fall in its gross earnings last year, Ngan wrote.

"We have seen that the ranking of container terminals has dropped from No. 1 in the world 20 years ago to the bottom of the top 10," Ngan wrote. "It is clear from the data that container throughput has plummeted."

He said Hong Kong officials were choosing to deny the problem in favor of issuing positive propaganda about the city's outlook instead.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
For years, a simple asterisk affixed to the word Kosovo on official international documents and reports has eased diplomatic life for the fledgling country and former Serbian region.

That asterisk, which leads to a footnote stating that Kosovo's status still remains to be resolved under tenets of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, was described in 2012 by top Kosovar diplomat Edita Tahiri as a snowflake, but a snowflake that was about to melt.



But even today, 12 years later, this little piece of bureaucratic annotation stubbornly remains, adorning documents and press releases on Kosovo. It is a reminder that Kosovo's final status remains unresolved largely due to talks that have dragged on for years on normalizing ties with Serbia, which has never recognized Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence.



The declaration came after a bloody war in 1998 and 1999 between ethnic Albanians and Serbs and then a UN administration that lasted until the independence declaration in 2008.



More than 100 UN members have recognized Kosovo's independence, but others have not, including several EU states, plus Russia and, of course, Serbia, which has worked actively to block Kosovo from joining any international organizations. Widespread acceptance by the UN is no guarantee of statehood. Palestine has been recognized by more than 130 states at the UN but is not formally recognized as such.

After 2012, the practice of adding the asterisk was soon adopted by other international organizations. According to analysts, the annotation has allowed states and organizations, even ones that don't recognize Kosovo's independence, to engage and cooperate with Pristina.



"Since the status of Kosovo is the most sensitive issue in this conflict between Belgrade and Pristina, if [that] is left aside with a footnote, then the UN can work on other things, from the state building of Kosovo to the peace-building process between Kosovo and Serbia," said Pol Bargues, senior researcher at the Barcelona Center for International Relations, in comments to RFE/RL's Balkan Service.



This seemingly simple stroke also enabled Kosovo to cooperate with countries that did not recognize its independence, explained political analyst Donika Emini, and actually facilitated the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union.



That key pact, widely regarded as the first step toward eventual EU membership, was signed by Pristina and Brussels in 2015.



The Vote In The Council Of Europe



The use of the "snowflake" came up again recently when the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted on April 16 to recommend membership for Kosovo, a potential move deemed a major milestone in the young country's international integration.



That came after a recommendation from Council of Europe rapporteur Dora Bakoyannis, who drafted the "statutory opinion" recommending Kosovo's accession.



In that document, Bakoyannis, whose own country, Greece, is one of five members of the EU not to recognize Kosovo as independent, actually makes mention of the asterisk, or footnote, as "obsolete."



"The organization can no longer follow its neutral policy toward [Kosovo's] status once Kosovo is accepted as a member. As a result, the use of the footnote would not be necessary, thus rendering the current practice obsolete," it read.

PACE voted 131 to 29 in favor of Kosovo's accession, with 11 abstentions. Before the April 16 vote took place, the representative from Kosovo's parliament, Enis Kervan, urged PACE members to vote in favor of the report's recommendation.



"Membership of Kosovo in the Council of Europe isa tangible step toward ensuring access to justice for all our citizens," said Kervan, a Kosovar parliamentary deputy from the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo.



The head of Serbia's delegation to the Council of Europe, Biljana Pantic Pilja, sharply opposed the report, pointing out that the establishment of a community of Serb municipalities -- a key sticking point -- is still an unfulfilled obligation on the part of Kosovo.



"If you allow so-called Kosovo to join the Council of Europe without prior establishment of the Community of Serb Majority Municipalities -- the Community of Serb Majority Municipalities will never be established," said Pilja from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.



A final decision on whether Kosovo is admitted to the Council of Europe will be made by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, a vote that is expected next month.

Kosovo applied to join the council in May 2022, after Russia was expelled following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



Kosovo's chances improved in March when the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti granted 24 hectares of disputed land in western Kosovo to a Serbian Orthodox monastery, ending an eight-year stalemate that had harmed the country's reputation for protecting minority rights.



The Council of Europe has 46 member states, including all of the EU's own 27 members.



What Is The Footnote Agreement?



On February 24, 2012, within the dialogue for the normalization of relations, Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement on regional representation, which later became known as the "footnote agreement."



Based on that, the asterisk would be added to any mention of Kosovo in official documents. Doing so would allow Kosovo to be represented on the regional and international stages.



Asterisk-designated Kosovo appeared on documents from the UN, EU, and other international institutions in the first years after Belgrade and Pristina reached agreement on it in 2012.

However, that usage has slipped somewhat in recent years, with the asterisk, for example, not visible on resolutions of the European Parliament, or in the documents of the Ohrid Agreement, a 2023 deal on normalizing ties between Serbia and Kosovo.



EU spokesman Peter Stano told RFE/RL that the asterisk is used in "all EU documents that reflect the official policies and positions of the EU" but not in the body's various statements to the media.



The annotation is sometimes forgotten and sometimes left out of documents on purpose, said researcher Bargues, but "EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo, like Spain, always use it."



Why Does It Matter?



While the asterisk may be on its way out, Emini said it will only vanish completely once Serbia and Kosovo come to an agreement on normalizing their ties. "Until there is another agreement, it will remain, because it also reflects the status of Kosovo in the international system as a state without a seat in the UN," said Emini.



Ker-Lindsay, who in 2012 wrote an article about the meaning of the footnote, said that it still matters -- both to Kosovo and Serbia. "Kosovo is not fully recognized on the world stage. But, at the same time, for Serbia, it represents a sign that Kosovo is not Serbia," said Ker-Lindsay.

Bargues, meanwhile, argues that the degree to which foreign states and institutions have cooperated with Kosovo has made the footnote only a "formality." "The interaction with Kosovo reveals that these states that have not yet recognized Kosovo are gradually taking steps toward accepting Kosovo, even if they still use the footnote. The fact that Spain allowed visa liberalization is another step," he explained.



Spain is one of the five EU countries -- along with Romania, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Greece -- that do not recognize Kosovo's independence.



Earlier, Spain did not recognize Kosovar passports but changed its stance after the liberalization of visas for Kosovo on January 1 of this year, thus enabling Kosovars to travel to Spain.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Berlin on October 11 that it was important that Ukraine's allies do not decrease their assistance next year as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelenskiy has been on a whirlwind tour of major European capitals meant to win backing for his "victory plan" aimed at ending the war with Russia.

His main goal in his visits to London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin, his final stop, was to press for additional military and financial aid as Kyiv faces difficult months ahead in its fight to stop a slow but continuous Russian advance in the east.

In Berlin, Zelenskiy thanked Germany for its backing and said that "it is very important for us that this assistance does not decrease next year."

He said he would present Scholz with his plan for winning the war, repeating his hope that the conflict would end no later than next year.

"Ukraine more than anyone else in the world wants a fair and speedy end to this war," Zelenskiy said.

After his stops in London, Paris, and Rome on October 10, Zelenskiy said on X that he had "outlined the details" of his proposed "victory plan" to defeat Russian forces during his meetings with the leaders of Britain, France, and Italy.

He added that he and the other leaders agreed to work on the plan together but gave no details on what it says.

Scholz said he and the Ukrainian leader agreed on the need for a peace conference that includes Russia, but that peace "can only be brought about on the basis of international law."

"We will not accept a peace dictated by Russia," Scholz said.

Scholz also announced a 1.4 billion-euro ($1.53 billion) military aid package for Ukraine from Germany with partner countries Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, saying it includes more air defense, tanks, combat drones, and artillery and sends a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "playing for time will not work" and vowing "not let up in our support for Ukraine."

During a 35-minute meeting with Pope Francis on October 11, Zelenskiy sought the Vatican's help in securing the return of adults and children taken prisoner by Russia, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

"The issue of bringing our people home from captivity was the main focus of my meeting with Pope Francis," he said.



Zelenskiy gave Francis an oil painting called the Bucha Massacre, depicting the mass killings of civilians by Russian troops in the Ukrainian city in 2022.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

Zelenskiy's arrival in Berlin comes after an October 12 summit of the Ramstein group of Ukraine's main backers was canceled at short notice when U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, abandoned their travel plans as the southern U.S. states braced for Hurricane Milton.



The White House said in a statement that Biden spoke to Scholz on October 10 and noted "his intention to continue our strong collaboration on geopolitical priorities, including supporting Ukraines defense against Russian aggression."

The United States has been Ukraine's main backer and by far the main contributor in terms of financial and military aid, but a victory by Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the election could cast doubt about Washington's continued support for Kyiv.



Zelenskiy's diplomatic efforts are taking place as Russia continues to keep up the pressure on Ukraine's cities.

As Zelenskiy arrived in Berlin, the number of civilians killed in a Russian missile strike on Odesa on October 11 rose to nine, including a teenage girl, and Russian troops struck the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine.

"A two-story building where civilians lived and worked was destroyed," Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

Odesa, Ukraine's main hub for grain exports, has been repeatedly struck by Russian forces since the start of the war.

Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said there were no injuries in one strike but an inspection following another missile strike on the Derhachiv community of Kharkiv was ongoing.

Outside Kharkiv, a 38-year-old man was killed by a Russian drone strike on the village of Kozacha Lopan, the region's military administration reported.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital was targeted by Russian drones early on October 11. The military administration of the Ukrainian capital later reported on Telegram that all the attacking drones had been shot down, without specifying a number.

On the battlefield, outmanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces were fighting Russian troops inside the strategic city of Toretsk in the eastern region of Donetsk after abandoning Vuhledar, another strategic hub in the region, last week.

Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out fresh attacks near Vremivka, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Siversk, the General Staff of Ukraine's military reported on October 11.

Separately, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said at least 208 civilians were killed and 1,220 injured in Ukraine in September. That made it the month with the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024, the mission said.

The organization said that 46 percent of the dead were over the age of 60. In addition, nine children were killed and 76 were injured in September.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
The Central Election Commission of Kosovo said turnout for elections on April 21 in four mostly Serbian municipalities in the north of the country fell far short of the 50 percent required to validate the results and therefore the election failed.

Only 253 people out of a combined estimated 46,000 registered voters across all four municipalities turned out, the head of the

Central Election Commission said at a press conference after polls closed.

The head of the commission said the majority of registered voters did not vote as required by law, so the necessary 50 percent was not reached, "therefore we conclude that the citizens' initiative for the removal of the mayors of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and North Mitrovica municipalities has failed."

The vote took place amid a boycott by the leading Serb political grouping.

Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani said the election had been an opportunity for citizens in the northern municipalities to remove the current mayors and elect new ones through a recall process, but voters "largely did not take advantage" of the opportunity.

"Unfortunately, this was primarily due to pressure from Belgrade, exerted by the Serbian List and illegal criminal structures," Osmani said on X. "Once again, Serbia has illegally interfered in the electoral process of another country. Once again, [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic has not kept his word given to international partners."

The United States appreciated the efforts made by Kosovar election officials to allow all citizens registered in the four municipalities to participate in the vote, an embassy spokesperson said in a statement e-mailed to RFE/RL.



"We understand from international observation teams that there was extremely low voter turnout," the spokesperson said. "There is therefore no decision by the voters to recall the mayors. The mayors in place were elected, and remain in place, under Kosovos legal framework."

Local Government Administration Minister Elbert Krasniqi said earlier that the powerful Srpska Lista (Serbian List), which called the boycott, wants a "monopoly" on the politics of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

"They see the institutions only for themselves and not for the citizens," said Krasniqi in a statement issued in Leposavic, where he visited polling stations. "They continue to have seats reserved for the Serbian community in the Assembly of Kosovo and do not represent the interests of the citizens, but receive the salaries of the Assembly of Kosovo."

The voting is the latest irritant between Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanian population and tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo who, along with Belgrade, reject the former Serbian province's 2008 declaration of sovereignty and Pristina's authority.

The powerful Srpska Lista (Serbian List) party that represents many Serbs has urged them to boycott the mayoral by-elections in the North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic municipalities.

Pristina cleared the path to the recall votes last September amid international pressure to hold new elections after ethnic Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted voting in April 2023 to replace Serbs who quit in protest over an intensifying administrative spat between Serbia and Kosovo.

Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence and normalization has eluded the former Yugoslav neighbors despite over a decade of EU-mediated talks that has failed to build sufficient trust or a binding road map to ensure Serb representation and Kosovar membership of international institutions including the United Nations.

Recently, Pristina stepped up pressure on its Serb population by suddenly prohibiting use of the Serbian dinar in January despite its continued use throughout many mostly Serb areas for essential payments and pensions and other supports from Serbia.

The abrupt restriction drew criticism from Belgrade and from many of Kosovo's strongest allies, including the United States, of Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti as he continues a long-running test of wills with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The Serbian List has criticized voter registers in the four municipalities as "outdated," and said on April 7 it would boycott the elections.

Serbian List leader Zlatan Elek alleged "unfeasible procedures" for the April 21 voting and said the number of registered ethnic Albanians on the lists of local voters "has grown" since voting a year ago. He said voter lists "do not reflect the real situation on the ground."

"The position of the Serbian List is not to participate in the referendum called by Albin Kurti, because he did everything to make it fail," Elek said.

The dispute over the mayoralties escalated after ethnic Serbs in late 2022 quit those and other official posts -- including on the police force and posts within the so-called parallel institutions that operate in Kosovo with Serbian support despite Pristina's insistence that they are illegal.

After elections to replace the mayors in the four towns, Kurti's government ignored international pleas to de-escalate the situation and sought in May 2023 to forcibly seat ethnic Albanians who'd been declared the winners despite paltry turnout reflecting the ongoing boycott.

Local resistance -- some allege with direct support from Belgrade -- erupted into violence that injured dozens of NATO peacekeepers and reminded the international community of the depth of tensions in a region only decades removed from ethnic cleansings and bitter warfare.

After the Kosovar government established a procedure for possible recall votes, Serbs were said to have collected signatures from the required one-fifth of voters in the four regions -- reportedly with the open encouragement in January of Serbian List.

EU officials expressed disappointment at the Serbian List boycott effort.
NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia -- Nationalists have carried out "raids" against Central Asian-owned small businesses in several Siberian regions as reports of xenophobic incidents continue to rise following the deadly Crocus City Hall terrorist attack near Moscow last month.

In one incident on April 8, members of the Russian People's Squad (RND) entered a pharmacy in Novosibirsk and demanded that a female pharmacist wearing a head scarf be fired if she refused to remove it.

"In Russia, hijabs are [only] worn by radical Islamists," they said.

Participants then left a series of negative reviews about the pharmacy on the digital map 2GIS and the local review service Flamp.

"Russia is not a 'kishlak' (rural Central Asian settlement)! It's a secular state! You can wear a hijab in the village but not in Russia!" wrote one user.

Another connected the pharmacist's wearing of the hijab with the March 22 terrorist attack.

"Either she takes off her hijab and continues to work in a civilized country, or there is no work and no place for her in our society! Or is what happened at Crocus City Hall not enough?"

Speaking to RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, Central Asian migrants in Russia detailed how nationalist groups have harassed migrant business owners and employees in their workplaces.

On March 22, Russia's worst terrorist attack in two decades took place at a Moscow-area concert venue. Russian investigators have said the assault was carried out by four men -- all Tajik nationals -- as an offshoot of the Islamic State extremist group took responsibility for the attack that left 144 dead.

Numerous reports across Russia have noted a rise in xenophobic sentiment and attacks against Central Asian migrants, who are also receiving increased attention from police and security officials following the attack.

In connected incidents on April 8, the Russian People's Squad also targeted shawarma sellers in Novosibirsk, demanding the dismissal of any female employees wearing head scarves.

A subdivision of the Army of Defenders of the Fatherland organization, the RND describes its purpose as one of "mutual assistance and joint protection," working to "counter possible sabotage, provocations, lawlessness of ethnic criminal groups, and connivance and incompetence of the authorities."

Authorities did not respond to some of the affected businesses' attempts to report the incidents. Human rights activists from the Civil Initiatives Support Center have also appealed to police to intervene on grounds of religious freedom.

Shakedowns And Vandalism

One local cafe owner, Sasha Shodmonbek, told RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities that this is the first time he has experienced such levels of aggression in seven years of living in Novosibirsk.

"The horror began in March," he said.

While fights and ethnic tensions are not new for his part of the city, according to Shodmonbek, it is only in recent weeks that he feels forced to leave.

"My fellow countrymen predicted that after the Tajiks were detained for the Crocus [City Hall attack], the brutality would begin," he said. "I didn't believe it. But when I was detained three to five times a day for several hours and, after being set free, beaten by those not in uniform, I began to consider leaving."

Shodmonbek has decided to stay after his compatriots convinced him that "everything would work out." But he sympathizes with Tajiks who have long-resided in Siberia legally and now "just give up" on a life in Russia.

At the end of March, the outside of Shodmonbek's cafe was vandalized. He made the decision to close down the business before any further incidents occurred.

"My neighbor -- an Uzbek -- was less fortunate. The same ones, I think from the [RND] 'raid,' came inside and broke everything -- dishes, tables. He made a statement to the police, but they still haven't visited him."

Shodmonbek's neighbor declined to speak with journalists, explaining that "at least [the place] wasn't burnt down."

Not only do residents and human rights activists report on the targeting of foreign-owned businesses and migrant labor; authorities themselves acknowledge they are carrying out the raids.

The regional Interior Ministry reported that officials entered one cafe in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk after "discovering a violation of migration legislation."

"Fifty foreign citizens were brought to the police department, their fingerprints and DNA samples were taken, and 16 vehicles in their possession were checked," the ministry's press release notes.

Following the intervention, seven of the 50 foreign citizens were detained and will apparently be deported from Russia.

According to one human rights activist from Krasnoyarsk, the press release omits "how [the migrant workers] were beaten, pushed like sardines into a barrel, and kept without water and food for more than a day."

The raid in Krasnoyarsk is one of thousands of criminal and administrative cases opened across Russia since March 22. Legislative initiatives restricting migrant labor have also been adopted in Siberia's Novosibirsk and Tyumen regions.

Written by Katherine Chapanionek based on reporting by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will pay a working visit to China next week. The visit will take place amid serious concerns in Washington about China's support for the aggressor country Russia.

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This was reported by CNN. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden wants to ensure that relations between the United States and China remain as they were before, despite U.S. criticism of the rapprochement between Beijing and Moscow.

Blinken will meet with senior Chinese officials in Shanghai and Beijing during his visit on April 24-26, a senior U.S. State Department official said.

The US diplomat has three main goals: to make progress on key issues, to clearly and directly express concerns about bilateral regional and global issues, and to discuss responsible competition.

Blinken plans to reiterate the United States' deep concern about China's support for Russia's military-industrial base, as well as China's human rights violations and "unfair economic and trade practices."

The Secretary of State will also discuss the situation in the Middle East with Chinese officials. The United States has repeatedly called on China, both publicly and privately, to pressure Iran to exercise restraint as tensions between it and Israel grow.

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"And, of course, the secretary will discuss challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including China's provocations in the South China Sea, as well as North Korea's threatening rhetoric and reckless actions," the official said. In addition, Blinken "will emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

As a reminder, Blinken recently criticized China's support for the Russian defense industry. He said that Beijing is now the main supplier of critical components for Russian weapons and thus participates in the Russian war against Ukraine.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has started his three-day trip to China. He was also expected to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and they will discuss, among other things, the establishment of a "just peace" in Ukraine.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The first quarter of 2024 has proven to be the busiest on record at Ireland West Airport as 159,000 passengers travelled through the airport between the months of January and March.

The passenger numbers represented an 18% increase on 2023 passenger numbers and a 6% increase on the previous busiest first quarter, which occurred in 2019, when 143,000 passengers travelled through the airport.

The airport will operate flights to 21 international destinations this summer. It is served by three of Europes major international airlines, Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair.

A total of 146,000 passengers, (20% increase on same period in 2023) travelled on services to and from the UK in the first quarter of the year, boosted by record passenger numbers on the airports services to London Heathrow, Edinburgh, and Liverpool in particular. Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair recorded their busiest ever first quarter for passenger numbers at the airport. In addition, 12,000 passengers travelled on services to and from Malaga, Lanzarote, and Tenerife, which was a new record for the airport. The return after a four-year absence of the weekly services to Lanzarote and Tenerife, proved hugely popular with holidaymakers in the region.

The strong passenger numbers coincide with the commencement of the summer 2024 flight schedule at the airport, which will see Ryanair operate their biggest ever summer sun and European city break schedule. In total, Ryanair will operate flights to nine city break and sun destinations across Europe, with 32 weekly flights and 170,000 seats available to and from European hotspots such as Alicante, Barcelona, Cologne, Faro, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Milan, and Tenerife. The 2024 summer schedule represents an increase of 3% compared to summer 2023.

In addition to services to and from mainland and Continental Europe, Ryanair, will also operate flights to eight different UK airports this summer including, Birmingham, Bristol, East-Midlands (Nottingham), Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, London Luton, and London Stansted.

The summer schedule will see Aer Lingus continue to operate daily flights to London Heathrow, providing onward connectivity to 80+ destinations worldwide with their codeshare partners such Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

In a further boost for holidaymakers this summer, the installation of a new next-generation cabin baggage screening system, which is now fully operational at the airport, will further enhance the passenger experience at the airport. These new machines remove the need for passengers to remove laptops and liquids from cabin bags and further speed up queue times. With the installation of these new machines, the restriction on liquids of more than 100ml no longer applies, and passengers can travel with larger quantities of liquids if they fit into a cabin bag. In addition, electrical items such as laptops and tablets no longer must be separately screened and can remain in cabin bags, which will come as welcome news for passengers using the airport. The new system reduces touch points and will make the passenger journey through security even quicker and easier.

Commenting on a strong first quarter, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport said: The first quarter of the year has proven to be a very encouraging one for the airport with record numbers choosing the airport for their short breaks and sun holidays. The increased numbers are testament to the expanded route network, increased convenience, and the stress-free nature of using the airport. In particular, the feedback on our new security screening system has been very positive and has further enhanced the passenger experience when using the airport, providing an even more seamless and quality travel experience this summer. We have a great selection of destinations available this summer and look forward to welcoming even more new customers, to experience for themselves the benefits of flying from the airport.
April 21, 2024

Click here for a roundup of local and world news

NEWSFLASH

Newsroom, 21.04.2024, 13:55

PRESIDENT The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis will be on an official visit to South Korea on April 22 through 24th, at the invitation of his counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol. South Korea is the first Asia-Pacific country with which Romania upgraded its diplomatic relations to a Strategic Partnership level, in 2008. During the Romanian presidents visit to Seoul, this Partnership will be consolidated under a document setting the cooperation directions for the next 10 years. Agreements will be signed in fields such as defence, nuclear energy, investments and foreign trade, emergency cooperation and disaster management, culture, mass-media, youth and sports.

AID After months of postponements, the US House of Representatives Saturday night endorsed a USD 61 bln aid package for Ukraine. This is part of a bigger, USD 95 bln amount that also comprises security aid for Israel and Taiwan. The bill needs to be passed by the Senate as well, but the Democratic majority in the Senate is in favour of the aid. President Joe Biden has already called on the Senate to rush the vote. The aid comes at an extremely difficult time for Kyiv, which desperately needs weapons and ammunitions to withstand Russias growing offensive. The vote was welcomed by Western countries and Ukrainian leaders, but Moscow said the aid would only result in more Ukrainians getting killed because of the regime in Kyiv.

EMPLOYMENT In Romania, the employment rate in the 15 to 64 age bracket was 63% last year, the National Statistics Institute announced. According to recently released data, the employment rate was higher among men (some 72%) than women (54%). The highest employment rate was reported last year among higher education graduates (nearly 90%), as opposed to 37% among people with little formal education. According to statistics, employees still account for 86% of the employed population, whereas self-employed and unpaid family workers only made up 13% of the total employed population. Also, around 83% of job holders were employed in the private sector.

BREXIT The British PM Rishi Sunak rejected a European Commission proposal concerning a post-Brexit agreement enabling British youth to live, study and work in the EU and European youth in UK for up to 4 years, France Presse reports. The scheme was intended for young people aged 18 to 30, who would have benefited from visa exemptions and fair tuition fees. London said however it was unwilling to reopen talks concerning the freedom of movement and the strict regulation of the terms of stay in UK.

CHINA The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is to travel to Beijing and Shanghai next week, in a move to appease tensions and to stabilize the relationship between the US and China. The talks scheduled to take place Wednesday through Friday would focus on strengthening lines of communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation and conflict, a senior State Department official said. Blinken will raise clearly and candidly our concerns on issues ranging from human rights, unfair economic and trade practices, to the global economic consequences of PRC industrial over-capacity. The Secretary will also reiterate our deep concerns regarding the PRCs support for Russias defense industrial base, the official said. According to the US State Department, there are indications that the relations between the US and China have improved. Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met in California in November, resuming communication after a one-year break. The meeting was followed by high-level government talks. The Secretary of the Treasury, Jenet Yellen, also traveled to China this month, for talks with Chinese government officials and US company executives. (AMP)
European leaders praised the U.S. approval of a $60.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine. At the same time, some warned that Kyiv desperately needs additional support from Europe ahead of what they expect to be a brutal offensive by Russian troops in the coming months.

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This was reported by Politico. According to the publication, before the weekend, European NATO allies promised to step up supplies of ready-made air defense systems to the Ukrainian forces.

"I welcome the fact that the US House of Representatives has approved a major new aid package for Ukraine. Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO allies to destroy Russia's combat capabilities. This makes all of us safer in Europe and North America," wrote Jens Stoltenberg, the North Atlantic Alliance's Secretary General, on social media.

For their part, some European leaders took advantage of the US vote to urge Europe not to be complacent and not to lose momentum now, while Kyiv is still waiting for new US support to arrive.

"I hope that this vote will encourage all allies to review their compositions and do more," said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

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Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom added that now is also the time to remember that the EU needs to increase its own production of weapons, ammunition and supplies to help Ukraine in the long term.

"Today's vote shows the need for this. We also have to do our homework," he added.

His Czech counterpart, Jan Lipavsky, echoed this sentiment, saying: "Europe must also do more. Our hesitation and indecision to effectively support Ukraine only encourages the Kremlin to further aggression, which costs even more lives."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock also welcomed the US legislative move, saying: "This is a day of optimism for Ukraine and European security."

According to Politico, a decisive test for Europe will take place on Monday, April 22, when 27 EU foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg to plan future military aid to Kyiv. It is planned that Ukraine's foreign and defense ministers will join the discussion virtually.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, European leaders called it a clear signal to the Kremlin that the US House of Representatives finally voted to continue providing assistance to Ukraine. Some politicians said that the European Union should also provide more assistance to Kyiv to fight the Russian occupiers.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
San Marcos  Alvin Dunn Elementary School in San Marcos is getting new buildings, along with a new name, La Mirada Academy.

The word mirada, which means look in Spanish, represents the schools transformation from an older site to a modern campus, and from a K-6 elementary school to a K-8 combination school. The name will take effect at the beginning of the next school year, in conjunction with a total renovation of the campus.

Some of the rationale given was we want to look to the bright future of our students, Principal Jennifer Carter said.

The name selection involved input from students, staff and community members, she said.

What was so exciting about La Mirada Academy was that there were several people in all those categories that suggested that name, Carter said.

It also meets the districts criteria for school titles with geographic and cultural significance. La Mirada is the street the campus is located on.

It also is a Spanish name, Carter said. That was something unique in our community; we have a large Hispanic population. Were also an (International Baccalaureate) school and one of the languages that we teach is Spanish.

The school focuses on global and cultural awareness for primary grades, and is expanding that program into middle school as it rebuilds its campus.

With Proposition K funds from San Marcos 2010 bond measure, and state Proposition 51 education funds, the school will add 54 classrooms, a gymnasium, cafeteria, band room and library, and science, design and language labs. Now at about 820 students, it will grow to around 1,100, Carter said. Construction is underway and should wrap up in fall 2019.

Alvin M. Dunn  a banker, landowner and publisher  provided the land for the school in 1956 to what was then the Rich-Mar Union School District, according to his obituary in the San Diego Union. Carter said the school will consider preserving that legacy by naming a feature of the new campus for Dunn.

The school also has new mascots, switching from dragons to wolves.

The rationale for wolves is that wolves travel in a pack, Carter said. Theyre a family. Theyre strong, theyre brave and they support one another.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
Encinitas  The first time Nanci Weinstein and Heather Bone met in July 2014, neither of them expected the meeting to go well.

Weinstein and her husband, David, were the court-appointed foster parents for Bones daughter, Kristina, who had been removed from her custody shortly after birth when the newborn tested positive for methamphetamine.

Bone, then 30 and a longtime drug addict, was angry that her child had been taken away and given to strangers, so Weinstein expected tension at their first supervised meeting at a McDonalds in Vista.

What she didnt know was that Bone and her husband, Andy Tarnovsky, were secretly planning to snatch Kristina from her arms and go on the run.

But the more we got to know her, the more we realized we couldnt do something like that to this woman, Bone said. She was too nice.

That was the beginning of an unlikely friendship that Bone describes today as the most important in her life. Weinstein has become her best friend, a mother figure, a fellow mommy confidante and the one person she trusts most for advice. She also credits Weinstein with giving her the tough love she needed in 2015 to get sober and get her daughter back.

I heard horror stories about foster parents so I felt extremely blessed to end up with Nanci, she said. If it had been anyone else, I dont think Id be here today because I wouldnt have survived the path I was on. We were brought together for a reason.

The Weinsteins, who live with their children in Encinitas, have served since 2013 as foster parents with the Angel Foster Family Network.

Weinstein, 43, said surrendering Kristina to her birth parents after 14 months was the happiest day and most devastating day all at the same time.

She was happy for the young familys reunification but sad that they were moving that week to Brookshire, Texas, where Bone and Tarnovsky now live with Kristina, 4, and younger daughter Emma, 3.

I really miss them, said Weinstein, who still speaks by phone with Bone at least once a week and has twice vacationed with the family in Texas. I adore and love Andy and Heather. Theyre doing the best they can with their daughter and I really respect that.

Jeff Wiemann, executive director of Angel Foster Family Network, said relationships between birth and foster parents can easily become oppositional and that causes stress for the children caught in the middle. An important tool he teaches foster parents is to create a relationship of mutual respect with birth parents by practicing nonjudgmental compassion.

Heather and Nancis story is inspiring because both the foster and biological mother were committed to doing what was best for Kristina, Wiemann said. When you have two moms who see their work as a partnership, its the children who benefit.

Weinstein, who works from home as a travel agent with Moments of Magic Travel specializing in Disney destinations, said she has always felt a calling to help children in need. In 1975, her parents adopted her through a private agency when she was 2 months old.

Weinstein said she and her husband first considered adopting a child between the births of their daughters Grace, now 15, and Rebecca, 11. Then after moving to North County six years ago, the subject came up again and they decided fostering was a better choice.

We can touch so many more lives by doing this than adopting one child, she said. We went to the orientation and heard about the great need in San Diego County for homes to nurture and love these children. How can I say no? Once you know theres a great need, its hard to walk away.

Their first foster child in 2013 was a 7-month-old boy who reunified with his family after eight weeks. Kristina was their second. Their third is a boy who arrived as a newborn three years ago. His mother remains an active drug user so the Weinsteins are adopting him.

Having been through this most recent experience, Weinstein said she now appreciates even more how hard Bone worked to reclaim her daughter.

Bone grew up in New Jersey where she had a difficult childhood and started abusing drugs in her early 20s.

I guess Ive struggled with addiction on and off for 13 years, she said. It wasnt always the same drug. Id put one down and pick up another.

She became so expert in hiding her drug use that Tarnovsky, who shes been with for nine years, never knew she was on meth until Kristina tested positive.

Bone said losing custody of her daughter sent her even deeper into her addiction and over the next several months her health and weight plummeted.

I felt guilty and was coming to a point where I thought she was better off with Nanci than with me, Bone said. I was giving up on myself majorly. I didnt want to live.

Then Kristina was diagnosed with a rare condition called craniosynostosis, where the usually flexible bone plates of her skull fused prematurely, preventing brain growth. She would need several major surgeries and Bone and Tarnovsky leaned heavily on Weinstein to support and advocate for them through the process.

It was tough but Nanci was so supportive through it all, Bone said. I cant put into words how much I admire her. I think she reminded me a lot of myself if I hadnt ended up such a mess.

Weinstein said the couple never missed a single doctors appointment and over the course of 14 months only canceled or rescheduled three supervised visits. She was impressed with their devotion to Kristina, but frustrated that Bone was still using meth. Finally, she confronted Bone in one of their McDonalds meetings.

I told her, your daughter has to have this surgery and you havent made any changes. Theyre going to put your child up for adoption if you dont make a choice,  Weinstein said. I said, youre so involved in her life and youre under the influence of drugs. Imagine what you could do off drugs? Youd be unstoppable. 

Bone said Weinsteins words were tough to hear but delivered with love.

She told me Its very obvious you love your daughter  but youre not ready to get your act together. You are worth it. You do deserve better,  Bone said. Other people told me this many times but it never meant anything from anybody else.

By the time Kristina had her first surgery in January 2015, Bone was in rehab and has been sober ever since. Staying clean hasnt been as tough as she expected because her daughters give her a reason to survive.

I have to take care of them, she said. I know what happens if I go down that road again. Ive been down it so many times for so long and I cant do it anymore.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
European leaders have reacted to the U.S. House of Representatives' vote to continue providing aid to Ukraine. Some politicians said that the European Union should also provide more assistance to Kyiv to fight the Russian occupiers.

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At the same time, the successful vote in Congress was called a clear signal to the Kremlin. OBOZ.UA collected the reaction of European politicians to the vote in the House of Representatives.

The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the US House of Representatives had approved a long-overdue important package of aid to Ukraine worth $60 billion. According to him, this sends a clear message to the Kremlin that the civilized world will continue to support Ukraine and its people.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mecola, emphasized that the only way to peace is to help the Ukrainian people defend themselves.

"On behalf of the European Parliament, I welcome today's vote of the U.S. House of Representatives, which provides crucial support to Ukraine. We are united. For freedom, against aggression," she said in a statement.

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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also reacted to the vote of the US House of Representatives. The diplomat stated that Ukraine will receive the transatlantic support it needs to counter Russian aggression.

According to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine deserves all the support it can get to repel Russian aggression.

"We now ask the US Senate to vote as soon as possible, as lives are at stake. Transatlantic allies are united in supporting freedom and democracy," she said.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda called the successful voting in the House of Representatives an important step towards victory. The Head of State emphasized that other countries should also continue to support Ukraine. Nauseda noted that the support and cohesion of the West were crucial today.

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For his part, President of Poland Andrzej Duda is convinced that the approval of the package of assistance to Ukraine by the U.S. House of Representatives is the most important decision that will help stop Russian aggression. According to him, this is a clear confirmation of the US leadership among all the countries of the free world.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that the decision of the U.S. House of Representatives to send urgent military aid to Ukraine was a fundamental one.

"The best way to protect ourselves is to help Ukraine win the fight for freedom. I hope this vote will encourage all allies to reconsider their alliances and do more," Kallas wrote.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bylstrom emphasized that the decision of the U.S. House of Representatives would bring much needed assistance to the Ukrainian troops. He also added that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fighting not only for their freedom, but also for the freedom of other European countries.

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At the same time, Bylstrom said that now is also the time to mention that the European Union should increase its own production of weapons, ammunition and materials to help Ukraine on a long-term basis.

According to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipovsky, the decision of the US House of Representatives came at the best possible time. The head of the diplomatic agency noted that the West will be able to stop Russia's aggression against Ukraine, freedom and democracy. But following his Swedish counterpart, Lipovsky said that Europe must also do more.

The presidents of Georgia and Moldova also reacted to the House decision. Salome Zurabishvili said that the positive vote of the U.S. House of Representatives confirmed that assistance to Ukraine is an important event. According to her, the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their country, so they deserve full support.

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President of Moldova Maia Sandu welcomed the approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of a vital $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Head of State emphasized that this crucial support would strengthen not only Ukraine in the fight against aggression, but also regional security.

As a reminder, on April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the further provision of assistance to Ukraine from the United States and supported the bill. "The vote was 311 in favor (101 Republicans + 210 Democrats) and 112 against.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the adoption of the most important law by Congress would help support Ukraine and Israel, as well as strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the United States continues to stand with its allies and partners around the world.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, the first batch of military aid from the United States may be delivered to Ukraine in a few days after the relevant law is signed by US President Joe Biden, if it is approved by the Senate. The weapons in question are from Pentagon stockpiles in Germany.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on further assistance to Ukraine and supported the bill. The vote was 311 in favor (101 Republicans + 210 Democrats) and 112 against.

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The procedure took place on Saturday evening at around 20:45 (Kyiv time). The meeting was broadcast online.

After the time for voting came to an end, supporters of Ukraine in the House of Representatives began to applaud and chant "Ukraine!". Democrats also waved blue and yellow flags.

Only representatives of the Republican Party (112 people) were among those who voted against the bill.

On this day, four separate bills were submitted to the US House of Representatives (on the initiative of Speaker Mike Johnson):

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1) American national security issues, in particular: restrictions on the Chinese social network TikTok, provisions on the use of confiscated Russian assets, sanctions and other measures against Russia, China and Iran (HR 8038) - 360 votes in favor;

2) support for Taiwan (HR 8036) - 385 votes in favor;

3) support for Ukraine (HR 8035) - 311 votes in favor;

4) support for Israel (HR 8034) - 366 votes in favor.

Each of them managed to collect the required number of votes.

After the vote in the House of Representatives, the bill still has to pass the Senate (two votes, scheduled for April 23). After that, it will be sent to US President Joe Biden for his signature.

On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took procedural steps to ensure that the Senate begins voting on the foreign aid package passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 23, CNN reports. The Senate was supposed to be on recess next week, but politicians are returning to pass the legislation.

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As a reminder, members of the lower house agreed to submit the draft law providing aid to Kyiv for consideration by vote a day earlier, on April 19 (316 votes in favor, 94 against).

The document provides funding ($60.8 billion) for the following purposes

- About 23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stockpiles and facilities;

- 11 billion to finance current US military operations in the region.

- Almost $14 billion will help Ukraine purchase advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment.

Some politicians tried to introduce amendments to the document (there were four in total), which were not supported during the April 20 vote:

1) Victoria Spartz wanted to exclude 8 billion in non-military aid (the amendment received only 105 votes in favor);

2) Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed to cut off all aid to Ukraine (only 70 votes in favor);

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3) Kevin Hern wanted to block any economic aid that could be used to pay salaries to government officials in Ukraine (the amendment was canceled);

4) Kat Cammack tried to cancel all non-military funds for our country (only 154 votes in favor).

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all American politicians who voted in favor, Speaker Mike Johnson personally, and "all American hearts who, like us in Ukraine, feel that Russian evil should definitely not win."

"This is a decision to protect life," the guarantor emphasized in his evening address to the nation on April 20.

"We thank our allies. Thank you to the American people. Let's win together," Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said.

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"Today, members of both parties in the House of Representatives voted to advance our national security interests and sent a clear signal of the strength of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical juncture, they came together to meet the challenge of history by passing the much-needed national security legislation I have been fighting for months to secure," US President Joe Biden commented.

"Our three main adversaries - Russia, Iran, and China - are working together and are aggressors around the world. They pose a global threat to our prosperity and our security. Their advance threatens the free world and requires American leadership. If we turn away now, the consequences could be devastating," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters after the meeting.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that providing military assistance to Ukraine would have a positive impact on the security of Europe and the United States. And Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that the package of bills voted for would "save lives."

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"A bad day for Putin. A bad day for anyone who dared to believe that America could falter when it comes to defending what it stands for and who it stands for," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said .

Earlier, Ms. Ambassador of our country to the United States Oksana Markarova said that after the approval of the bill, the United States will be able to quickly - within days/weeks - start supplying weapons to our military.

Earlier, it was reported that Joe Biden's administration also expects that the supply of military aid to Kyiv will begin "immediately" after the bill with additional funding is approved. The US President promised that he would sign the document immediately.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- AT&T is moving to offer new protections in the weeks after a massive data breach left millions of current and former customers exposed.

Last month, AT&T announced that a dataset was found on the dark web containing personal information, including Social Security numbers, passcodes, phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses.

AT&T reported that close to 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders were victims of the breach.

Shortly after the incident, customers were notified and informed that additional information would be provided.

In a statement to KPRC-TV in Houston, AT&T said it will start offering the following:

One year of complimentary credit monitoring, identity theft detection and resolution services through Experians Identity Works.

An insurance policy up to $1 million in coverage in the event a customer experiences identity theft.

An identity restoration team that will help guide victims through any recovery process.

As a result of the breach, AT&T has reset passcodes and reached out to customers about identity theft and credit monitoring services. Customers were asked to keep a regular eye on their banking information and activity.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Saturday he would be adding two additional New York City Police Department police academy classes to the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Executive Budget.

The pair of classes will each add 600 new recruits to the rolls on this calendar year, raising the total tally of new NYPD recruits in 2024 to 2,400, according to the city. The 1,200 recruits of both the July and October classes will hit city streets in January 2025 and April 2025, respectively.

This doubling down bolsters the mayors efforts to raise the number of NYPD officers patrolling New York City to 35,000 over the coming years.

Watch live as @NYPDPC Caban joins @NYCMayor Adams for a public safety announcement. https://t.co/CefhQ8ILof  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 20, 2024

I always say that public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity. By driving down crime, we have saved lives and laid the foundation for economic recovery, but we want to keep that going and we wont do anything to risk all our progress, Adams said. Today, I am proud to announce that, thanks to our strong fiscal management that has stabilized the city budget and our fiscal outlook, we are funding two additional police classes this year in the upcoming Executive Budget.

Overall crime in New York City is down 3.1% year to date, according to the NYPDs CompStat 2.0 data. Additionally, shootings and murders are both down by double digits citywide compared to 2023  19.8% and 23.5%, respectively.

On Staten Island, overall major crime is down 7.5% year to date, according to data.

This funding for the NYPDs July and October 2024 recruit classes is a major win for public safety in New York City, NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said. While the NYPD will always be at the forefront of new technology and precision policing, the police officer is the ultimate crime reduction tool. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for his generous and continual support of New Yorks Finest.

This latest move by the Adams administration comes a few months after the mayor restored funding to the NYPD and FDNY after the city underwent budget cuts related to the ongoing migrant crisis.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- So if the recent solar eclipse was not enough excitement for stargazers, NASA has reported there will be another opportunity to see a once-in-a-lifetime event.

A star system, located 3,000 light years away from Earth, has been predicted by NASA to become visible to the unaided eye pretty soon. The event is being called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as the nova outburst only occurs about every 80 years.

The upcoming nova of the T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) star system last occurred in 1946, and astronomers believe it will do it again sometime in 2024, according to NASA. A nova is a sudden, short-lived brightening of an otherwise inconspicuous star, the space agency reported.

Bill Cooke, of NASAs Meteoroid Environment Office at Alabamas Marshall Space Flight Center, told AL.com that the timing of the explosion is much harder to predict than the eclipse, but he said when it happens it will be something youll remember.

NASA reported that once the outburst is at its highest, it should be visible to the unaided eye for several days and just over a week with binoculars, before it dims again.

The celestial event will take place near the constellation Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, a small, semicircular arc bear Bootes and Hercules, according to NASA.

This is where the outburst will appear as a new bright star, making this recurring nova one of only five in our galaxy.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

From the left, Ann Merlino and her late sister, Ida Merlino. (Courtesy/Ann Merlino)Staten Island Advance

Dr. Ann Merlino, a retired College of Staten Island dean, community volunteer, and 1999 Advance Woman of Achievement, died on April 19, 2024, at the age of 85. Born in 1938 and youngest of six sisters, she cherished that care so that when her turn came, she passed it on easily to others  first in her work as an educator and administrator and later, as a volunteer in the community as a whole, reads a Staten Island Advance/SILive.com story from 25 years ago about Dr. Merlinos induction into the Advance Women of Achievement. Her intelligence, compassion, elegant style, work ethic and tremendous sense of volunteerism will always be remembered by those whom she worked along with. She will be missed by friends and family, reads her obituary, which can be read here.

Grace (GiGi) Cafaro, 82, died Friday with her family by her side. She was raised Irish and Italian in New York City, was a wonderful cook and baker, and found joy in serving her meals and desserts on her collection of dishes and flatware, reads her obituary. Without question, Graces greatest source of pride was her loving family. She shared close to five decades of love and laughter with her devoted husband, the late Carmine Papa Cafaro, and took every opportunity to spend time with her six children and ten grandchildren. Read the full obituary here.

Salvatore Michael Marino, 84, of Waretown, New Jersey, died Wednesday. Born and raised on Staten Island, Salvatore attended St. Peters Boys High School, New Brighton. He began his career on Wall Street while finishing his college education at Pace University, attending early-bird and night classes. Salvatores career eventually led him to Salomon Brothers, where he worked his way up to vice president of International Operations, a position he held through retirement. Salvatore is remembered as a loving family man and beloved grandfather, who enjoyed traveling and various recreational sports. Read the full obituary here.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Spring break has officially started on Monday for New York City public school students  and they wont return until May.

Spring break, which includes time off for Passover, began for students on Monday, April 22, lasting through Tuesday, April 30.

Students were on campus for their last day before break on Friday and wont return until Wednesday, May 1.

Thats a total of 11 days off from school, including weekends.

It the final time public school students will have a long holiday recess in the 2023-2024 school year.

Spring break for public schools students came later than their Catholic school peers this year. Catholic schools had time off for their spring break starting in March, which included time off for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. They returned to classes on April 8.

The 2023-2024 public school calendar gives plenty of time off for federal and religious holidays, as well as weeklong breaks for the winter, mid-winter, and spring.

After spring break, students will then have off for classes on May 27 for Memorial Day, June 6 for Anniversary Day/Chancellors Conference Day, June 17 for Eid al-Adha and June 19 for Juneteenth.

The last day of school for public students in New York City is Wednesday, June 26.
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Sydneys pioneer of modern Greek food reveals his new project Peter Conistis left CBD restaurant Alpha to make way for George Calombaris. His next venue is a 350-seater in the bayside suburb of Brighton-le-Sands. And yes, therell be a poolside menu. Scott Bolles April 22, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

When one kitchen door closes, another opens. At least, thats the case for Sydneys pioneer of modern Greek food, Peter Conistis, who was recently replaced by Melbourne celebrity chef George Calombaris at CBD restaurant Alpha. Conistis will now open the 350-seat Ammos restaurant in the southern Sydney suburb of Brighton-le-Sands in May. At Alpha, Calombaris promised menu is yet to appear. There are still dishes of mine on the menu [at Alpha], a frustrated Conistis says. Sydney is still waiting for Calombaris opening food volley at Alpha restaurant, which Public Hospitality Group has operated since December. Public, the heavily indebted hospitality empire run by former KPMG deal maker Jon Adgemis, is looking to refinance. Chef Peter Conistis at his Ammos restaurant in Brighton-le-Sands. Louie Douvis Investment firm Bain Capital recently walked away from a $500 million refinancing deal, with The Australian Financial Review now reporting Public is in discussions with Deutsche Bank. Last week, Public also put Annandales Empire Hotel  the pub earmarked for a spin-off from Randwicks Maybe Frank  up for sale.

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I bumped into George in the Public office, Conistis says of his first inkling the former MasterChef presenter was earmarked to succeed him at Alpha. While offered other projects within Public, Conistis instead chose an approach from Oscars Group, which is redeveloping the towering Novotel hotel on the Brighton-le-Sands waterfront. Conistis says the hotel will be relaunched next year. Its five star, he says. Ammos (Greek for sand) is located on level 3, with a nearly completed interior from designer Paul Papadopoulos, and a massive terrace with views out over the bay. Therell be a poolside dining menu. It takes a lot for me to get involved in these things, but [I knew] the moment I saw the space, Conistis says. Conistis at Ammos on level 3 at the new five-star Novotel tower. Louie Douvis The chef was also attracted to the cultural connections of the area, which has strong Greek heritage.

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Ammos will be pure Greek, therell be a seafood station and a take on a mezze bar, Conistis says. He is aiming to open in four to five weeks. Conistis continues to be involved at Ploos restaurant at The Rocks, where he is in the process of adding some of his signature dishes to the menu. I spent 11 years building it [Alpha], Im proud of what we achieved, he says. Last month, when discussing his upcoming gig as creative director at Alpha, Calombaris praised Conistis role in progressing Greek food in Australia. I want the place to be fun. Im into fun dining, not fine dining, he promised of Alphas eventual direction. Exclusive Nervous as hell: George Calombaris takes the reins at one of Sydneys top Greek restaurants

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
They say a home is a representation of its owner, and the Los Angeles mansion of Philipp Plein (Munich, 46 years old) is an apt reflection of the personality and rise of the fashion designer. The house, which was christened with the name of Chateau Falconview and was previously owned by Howard Hughes, sits atop a hill in Bel Air, with sweeping views of the Californian metropolis on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. In its foyer stands an enormous marble statue of a tattooed angel. Entering further into the home, a visitor encounters another figure, that of UFO Robot Grendizer, one of the characters of the creator of the Mazinger Z anime. The complex is designed so as to avoid the slightest hint of restraint: gigantic chandeliers, gold-plated ceilings and 25 bedrooms. But Pleins plans dont stop there. I [designed] this house as a rehearsal for the big house. When the other one is done, this one will be for guests, says the designer in an interview. That which for any other mortal would be the height of excess, for him, is just the beginning.

The big question is how Plein, the son of a doctor who left his family and a housewife from Bavaria, came to direct a fashion empire that has diversified into jewelry, luxury watches and NFTs, generating a fortune that the German edition of Forbes estimates at $800 million. Theres no simple answer, but perhaps what gets closest to deciphering the enigma is that the German designer has unconditionally embraced the most excessive vision of our current moment, and has presented it to consumers who wish to show off their wealth to the world. Another possible explanation lies in Pleins own public statements, which have included disavowals of the fashion world and claims that his own idol is none other than Elon Musk. A walking representative for his brand, Plein amounts to a cross between tech entrepreneur, rapper and professional athlete.

From law to canine designer

Fashion was never a part of Pleins plans, which first hinged on his law studies at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Looking for a source of income that would allow him to become independent from his mother and stepfather, he stumbled across an article on the booming canine accessories industry. Taking advantage of money he had inherited from his grandfather, Plein set out to design a dog bed inspired by a Corbusier sofa. The products success convinced Plein to abandon academia and devote himself first to designing furniture and later, clothing.

Paris Hilton and Philipp Plein in Milan in 2019. Tristan Fewings (Getty Images)

Mickey Rourke and Phillip Plein in New York in 2019. J. Lee (WireImage)

In a world as highly competitive as that of fashion, and with no previous experience in the field, Plein bet on taking the most bountiful route possible. Inspired by the maximalism of Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, the Germans designs were driven not by the reinterpretation of trends, but purely commercial parameters. I understood that I had to have a product that was different, so, if I put on a cashmere sweater Fuck you all in Swarovski crystals, I could sell it for $5,000, he explained in an interview with The New Yorker. The business model is really very simple. Simple, but effective: in 2022, his company racked up $228 million in sales.

Pleins path to success has also been blazed with the help of his public persona, always being photographed with celebrities from the worlds of music and sport, who are forever clad in his own garments. Among his loyal customers are Cristiano Ronaldo, Nicolas Cage and Floyd Mayweather, an exclusive list to whom the designer offers the luxury they require, and not only in the form of clothing and accessories. Through his business groups various companies, Pleins makes jewelry, watches, perfumes and is working on the opening of his first hotel, in Milan. In 2016, he acquired the Italian brand Billionaire and, as any good devotee of the worlds leading tech entrepreneur, has made forays into NFTs and the metaverse.

The anti-fashion designer

Of course, his way of understanding fashion has led Plein to be regarded by many as an attention-seeking, tacky upstart. But that hasnt stopped him from maintaining a constant presence at Milan Fashion Week, the stage upon which he cemented his image of excess and luxury. It was there that, in 2015, he organized what is still known one of the most expensive fashion shows of all time, for which he installed a roller coaster and featured a performance by rapper Azealia Banks. Plein never hides his cards. To Interview magazine, he made his intentions clear: Im a maximalist and Im proud of that.

Philipp Plein shot in London in 2023. Dave Benett (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Phi)

This excessive, exhibitionist kind of opulence has won him fans like rapper and actor Ice-T, who once defined the brand as the Lamborghini of clothing and who has become a personal friend of the designer. One of the artists favorite garments is a T-shirt with a skull and bones made of diamonds. If they try to stop me at the door, Im like  this is an $800 T-shirt, fall back, he joked in an interview.

But Plein has also aroused certain misgivings, especially among circles that view ostentation as a sign of bad taste. In 2017, Ferrari sued Plein for using some of its cars in a runway show. Two years later, the Italian company asked the designer to stop sharing images on Instagram in which its automobiles appeared alongside his sneakers.

The German has turned this kind of rejection into an insignia that he wears with pride, taking advantage of any occasion he can to show his disdain for the fashion industry. The fashion world was against us from the start, he told GQ. I have experienced all of it before. When I got to boarding school as a teenager, I had long hair when all the guys had short hair and wore cargo pants and polo shirts. I tried to fit in, but after a few months I realized that wasnt me and that I didnt have to fit into a system I didnt support. Thats how I handle my business now Im in the fashion industry.

Plein embraces his role as fashion outsider, from which he appears capable of selling any product imaginable through his strident personality and aura of excess. I learned how hard it is sell a chair and how easy it is to sell a jacket, he continued in the GQ interview. I dont have rich parents. I dont have investors. I dont have credit from a bank. This is what Im really proud of. I have stayed independent and built all this with my own hands without the help of anybody.

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Wakeleys Christ the Good Shepherd church is warning the faithful about online impersonators it believes are overseas scammers  operating to stir dissension following the livestreamed stabbing attack on its bishop that captured global attention and caused a riot outside.

Last Monday Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed in the western Sydney church by an alleged teenage terrorist as the bishop delivered a bible study sermon.

A teenager was arrested after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel were stabbed at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday night. Credit: X/@AustralianJA

Emmanuel was injured in the attack, as was another church figure, and the 16-year-old charged over the stabbing lost a finger in the aftermath.

The church has now warned its tens of thousands of online faithful that a Facebook page purporting to belong to Emmanuel and befriending members of his flock is a fake.
A woman has been killed every four days in 2024. We bring you stories of lives lost in recent years. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts.

For a minute, there was silence at Bondi Beach, punctuated only by seagulls and surf, to remember those who died in the stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction eight days ago.

NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, the hero officer who single-handedly shot dead the attacker and prevented further injuries or deaths, comforted mourners attending the candlelight vigil organised by Waverley Council with the NSW government.

Amy Scott at the Bondi vigil. The NSW Police inspector shot knife attacker Joel Cauchi dead. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Lighting candles that struggled to stay alight in cold winds, an estimated 4000 people ranging from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Chris Minns to Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos came together with local families and community groups to mourn the lives and futures lost.

Albanese addressed the large crowd: We mourn for all the years of joy they should have known. All the memories they should have had the chance to make  the happiness they would have created.
We spent the school holidays, as we always do, leaning into the sideways rain of south Devon. Its worth it because, roughly twice a fortnight, the clouds relax their grip, and the landscape is transfigured by sunshine into a tableau of English beauty so dazzling that it feels scarcely plausible: neon-bright hills of green and yellow, primroses in the hedgerows, newborn lambs like puffs of cotton wool on springs, the river Dart sparkling and serpentine and alive with little sails, and pretty old towns in glowing pastels clambering up the steep banks.

But whats this? A gigantic machine  almost 250 metres long, weighing 52,600 metric tonnes and carrying nearly a thousand souls  glides slowly into view. It looks like the monstrous love child of Le Corbusier and H.G. Wells: a brutalist spaceship sent to crush the puny inhabitants of planet Earth. This is  or will be, if the Dart Harbour Authority (DHA) gets its way  the next phase of tourism for the English Riviera. The DHA wants to open up Dartmouth harbour to the kind of cruise ships more often seen blotting out the Bermudan sun or shaking the foundations of Venice.

Alleged Banksy artwork in Venice. Credit: Getty

Its already happening in the Cornish town of Fowey, which last year hosted the Spirit of Adventure: a cruise ship of the above dimensions, big enough to contain almost half Foweys permanent population. It cast a day-long shadow over parts of the little town, blocking the view across the estuary; but local officials declared themselves delighted. The mooring fees alone must be a juicy incentive, and then, always, there is the promised boost to the local economy. Its not that this promise is a lie, exactly: more that it is a counsel of failure.

Tourist economies always end up eating themselves. The very qualities that make a place attractive to holidaymakers  unspoiled beauty, peace, local interest and a strong sense of place  are eroded, inevitably, by holidaymakers.
Rafah: An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Israels war against the Islamic militant group Hamas has led to a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, notably between Israel and Iran in recent weeks. Now attention returns to Rafah, where more than half of Gazas population of about 2.3 million people are sheltering, many displaced by fighting elsewhere.

Palestinian medics treat a wounded child in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Saturday. Credit: AP

Relatives sobbed and hugged childrens shrouded bodies at al-Najjar hospital. Hamza my beloved. Your hair looks so pretty, a mourning grandmother said.

The fatalities included Abdel-Fattah Sobhi Radwan, his wife Najlaa Ahmed Aweidah and their three children, his brother-in-law Ahmed Barhoum said. Barhoum lost his wife, Rawan Radwan, and their five-year-old daughter, Alaa.
A military investigation said that Israeli soldiers assumed that Assad was asleep when they cut off the cables binding his hands. They didnt offer medical help when they saw that he was unresponsive and left the scene without checking to see if he was alive. Assad had lived in the US for four decades. After an outcry from the US government, the Israeli military said the incident was a grave and unfortunate event, resulting from moral failure and poor decision-making on the part of the soldiers. It said one officer was reprimanded and two other officers reassigned to non-commanding roles, over the incident. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian-American Omar Assad, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Jiljiliya, north of Ramallah. Credit: AP The army decided against criminal prosecution, saying military investigators could not directly link their actions to the death of the US citizen. Israeli hardliners blasted the expected American sanctions. Israels ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said the US crossed a red line, and Tally Gotliv, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, accused the US of antisemitism.

Even the head of the opposition, former prime minister Yair Lapid, rejected the move. He said the sanctions are a mistake and we must act to cancel them. He noted that the source of the problem is not at the military level but at the political level. Human rights groups long have argued that Israel rarely holds soldiers accountable for the deaths of Palestinians. Investigators said soldiers were forced to restrain Assad because of his aggressive resistance. Assads family has expressed scepticism that the behaviour of an ailing 78-year-old could justify such harsh treatment. Amid the uproar with the US, Israel moved Netzah Yehuda out of the West Bank in late 2022 and reassigned it to northern Israel. The battalion was moved to the southern border with Gaza after Hamas October 7 attack triggered the ongoing war.

The army said its Netzah Yehuda soldiers are currently participating in the war effort in the Gaza Strip. The battalion is professionally and bravely conducting operations in accordance to the IDF Code of Ethics and with full commitment to international law, it said. It said that if the unit is sanctioned, its consequences will be reviewed. Loading Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had made a decision on reviews of allegations that several Israeli military units had violated conditions for receiving US assistance outlined in the so-called Leahy Law and that they would soon be made public. Benny Gantz, a member of Israels War Cabinet, said in a statement that he spoke on Monday (AEST) with Blinken and told him the decision is a mistake because it would harm Israels international legitimacy during wartime and because Israels judicial system is strong and independent.

Two US officials familiar with the situation said the US announcement could come as soon as Tuesday (AEST). The officials said about five Israeli units were investigated and all but one had been found to have taken action to remedy the violations. The Leahy Law, named for former senator Patrick Leahy, bars US aid from going to foreign military units that have committed human rights abuses. A reservist in the Netzah Yehuda unit, Sergeant Major Nadav Nissim Miranda, said the Assad death was an unfortunate incident but also an aberration. He told Channel 12 TV that targeting the battalion would hurt efforts to encourage religious men to enlist. But Yesh Din, an Israeli legal advocacy group, said the case was not isolated. It said one out of every five soldiers convicted of harming Palestinians or their property since 2010 comes from Netzah Yehuda, making it the unit with the highest conviction rate for such cases. The US review was launched before the Hamas war and not connected to recent Israeli actions inside Gaza or the West Bank  which has experienced a dramatic spike in deadly violence since the Gaza war erupted. The US has also recently imposed sanctions against violent settlers.

Gadi Shamni, a retired general who once served as the militarys commander over the West Bank, said a main problem with the unit is that it was traditionally assigned exclusively to the West Bank. Violence between troops and Palestinians and settlers and Palestinians has surged there in recent years. In contrast, he said other units regularly rotate in and out of the volatile area. He said the exposure to non-stop friction and violence had caused a level of tiredness among the troops. Nonetheless, he said it was a stereotype to punish the entire unit and it would have been better to target specific individuals or commanders. Loading But Ori Givati, the director of advocacy at Breaking the Silence, an Israeli group of former combat soldiers critical of Israels occupation, said the problems run much deeper than any particular unit. He said abuses of power by soldiers toward Palestinians are systematic and the lack of repercussions for wrongdoings are fuelling incidents like the death of Assad.
US aid package advances as Ukraine, Russia trade strikes



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 20 (AFP) Apr 20, 2024



Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenksy welcomed news that US lawmakers had passed a massive aid package Saturday, as Kyiv and Moscow denounced each other over the latest exchange of deadly air strikes.

Western leaders also hailed the approval of the long-awaited $61-billion package for Ukraine's war effort, which is expected to make a swift passage through the US Senate.

"Today, we received the decision we expected: the US support package we fought so hard for," said Zelensky in his evening address.

"And it is a very significant package that will be felt by our soldiers on the frontline, as well as by our towns and villages suffering from Russian terror."

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba thanked US lawmakers and called it "a bad day for Putin".

Zelenksy and Kuleba both expressed hopes the package would quickly pass the US Senate for approval by US President Joe Biden.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the news.

"This significant boost in aid will supplement the tens of billions of aid being provided to Ukraine by European Allies," he said.

EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel also welcomed the vote in a joint statement: "Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia."

"The USA and Europe stand together on the side of freedom - against Putin's war of terror," Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X, formerly Twitter, calling it a "day of optimism".

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the vote had been expected.

"It will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime," he added.



- Deadly air strikes -



Earlier Saturday, Kyiv and Moscow accused each other of deadly strikes on civilians overnight.

Russian strikes killed three people in central and northeast Ukraine, according to local officials.

In Russia's western Belgorod region, cross-border Ukrainian attacks killed three people, said the local governor.

Ukrainian drones killed two people in Russia's Belgorod border region, its governor said early Saturday, while shelling later in the day fatally wounded a pregnant woman.

A residential building and a barn in the village of Poroz, near the frontier, has been "completely burned down", governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Another building was severely damaged.

"Tragically, two civilians died -- a woman who was recovering from a fractured femur, and a man who was caring for her," Gladkov wrote on Telegram.

He later said Ukraine shelling of the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka, had killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

"Doctors did everything possible to save both mother and child. But to great grief, the woman and the unborn baby died from their wounds," he said.

A Russian attack killed a man in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, while artillery strikes on residential buildings in the northeastern city of Vovchansk left two others dead, officials said.

Russia fired at least seven missiles at Ukraine overnight, two of which were shot down by air defences, Ukraine's air force said.

Ukraine has in recent months pleaded for more air defences from its Western allies as it struggles to fend off a surge in deadly attacks on civilian infrastructure.



- Infrastructure targeted -



A source in Ukraine's defence sector told AFP that Kyiv had targeted eight Russian regions overnight in a "large-scale" drone strike.

It was aimed at "energy infrastructure that feeds Russia's military-industrial complex".

"At least three electrical substations and a fuel storage base were hit and caught fire," the source added, in a "joint operation" of Ukraine's SBU security service, army, and military intelligence.

Russia's defence ministry said it had intercepted 50 Ukrainian drones overnight, some of them hundreds of kilometres from the border, including near the capital Moscow.

Video posted on social media purportedly showed a large blaze at a fuel depot in Russia's western Smolensk region, an attack the governor confirmed was caused by the drones.

"Air-defence forces shot the aerial vehicles down," governor Vasily Anokhin said. "However, as a result of falling debris, a tank with fuel and lubricants caught fire."

Kyiv has ramped up strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities in recent months, part of what it calls "fair" retaliation on infrastructure used to fuel Russia's war.

bur-jj/rox
Violence-battered Ecuadorans begin voting on anti-crime measures



Quito, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Ecuadorans began voting Sunday in a referendum on proposed tougher measures to fight gang-related crime.

The once-peaceful South American country has been grappling with a shocking rise in violence that has seen two mayors killed this week.

The terrorizing streak has been blamed on gangs with links to transnational cartels using its ports to ship drugs to the United States and Europe.

The results of the referendum "will define the course and the state policy that we will take in order to face the challenge of fighting against violence and organized crime," said President Daniel Noboa as voting began at the Electoral Council in Quito.

Noboa declared in January a state of "internal armed conflict" with about 20 criminal groups blamed for a spasm of violence sparked by the jailbreak of a major drug lord, still on the run.

Gangsters kidnapped dozens of people, including police and prison guards, opened fire in a TV studio during a live broadcast, and threatened random executions in the days-long outburst that caused about 20 deaths.

Noboa imposed a state of emergency and deployed soldiers to retake control of the country's prisons, which had become the nerve center for gang operations and a bloody battleground that has claimed the lives of more than 460 inmates in three years -- many beheaded or burned alive.

Despite these efforts, the violence has persisted, which Noboa has taken as "a sign that narcoterrorism and its allies are looking for spaces to terrorize us."

Two mayors have been killed in the past week, making it five in a year and three in less than a month.

Since January last year, at least a dozen politicians have been killed in Ecuador, including presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down last August after a campaign event.

On Sunday, the president is seeking popular backing for his plans to clamp down even harder on those responsible for such acts.

Citizens are being asked to approve an expansion of military and police powers, significantly boosting gun controls and imposing harsher penalties for "terrorism" and drug trafficking.

Noboa is also proposing changing the constitution so that Ecuadorans wanted abroad for organized crime-related offenses can be extradited.

Nearly 13.6 million of the country's 17.7 million inhabitants are eligible to cast a "Yes" or "No" ballot over the ten hours of voting Sunday.



- 'Dirty campaign'? -



The majority of the referendum questions are related to crime prevention -- a priority even as Ecuador also grapples with widespread corruption, a crippling electricity shortage and a diplomatic spat with Mexico.

Last year, the country's murder rate rose to a record 43 per 100,000 inhabitants -- up from a mere six in 2018, according to official data.

In a publication Friday, polling firm Gallup said no other region in the world, excluding active war zones, felt less secure in 2023 to residents than Ecuador's Guayas province.

Other polls show a majority of Ecuadorans will likely vote for Noboa's reforms.

"People are endorsing the decisions... taken on the issue of security," political scientist Santiago Basabe of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Flacso) told AFP.

The vote is taking place in the same week that Ecuadorans faced power cuts of up to 13 hours as drought left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly empty.

The government ordered workers to stay at home for two days in a bid to save scant energy resources.

Noboa has put some of the blame on "sabotage" without naming anyone in particular.

"They wanted to ruin us with sabotage... with a dirty campaign, and they have even tried with international pressure to sanction us as a country... because they are nervous," Noboa said ahead of Sunday's referendum, adding he was confident that "'Yes' will win."

Noboa, who took office last November at the age of 35, is also dealing with the backlash from Ecuador's raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito this month to arrest former vice president Jorge Glas, wanted on corruption charges.

Glas had been granted asylum by Mexico, and Ecuador's move has been widely condemned. Mexico has filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Iran's Khamenei praises 'success' of military after Israel attack



Tehran, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the country's armed forces for their "success" in his first public comments since Tehran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel last week.

In a meeting with Iranian military commanders on Sunday, Khamenei praised the armed forces for their "success in recent events", a week after the country's first-ever direct attack on Israel from its own territory.

"The armed forces showed a good image of their abilities and power and an admirable image of the Iranian nation," Khamenei said. "They also proved the emergence of the power of the Iranian nation's determination at the international level."

The remarks from Iran's supreme leader are the first since Iran attacked Israel and since a reported Israeli attack on a military airbase in central Isfahan province on Friday.

"The armed forces' recent achievements have created a sense of splendour and magnificence about Islamic Iran in the eyes of the world," Khamenei said in quotes posted on his official X account.

The Friday strike, which Khamenei did not mention, was a presumed response to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel which was itself a retaliation for an airstrike on the Iranian consular building in Damascus.

That attack, widely blamed on Israel, levelled the consular annex of the Iranian embassy and killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including two generals.

Israel said it intercepted 99 percent of the more than 300 drones and missiles fired at it, with the aid of the United States and other allies and that those which got through caused only minor damage.

Addressing his country's attack on Israel, Khamenei said "the issue of the number of missiles fired or the missiles that hit the target" was "secondary".

"The main issue is the emergence of the willpower of the Iranian nation and the armed forces in the international arena," he said, according to his official website.

Iran and Israel appeared to have stepped back from the brink of a broader conflict following Friday's attack, which Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian appeared to downplay to US media on Saturday.

Speaking to NBC News, he dismissed it as "no attack" and said the weapons used were "at the level of toys", adding that if there was "no new adventure" by Israel then Iran "will have no response".

The comments helped to dampen fears of an all-out war between the arch-foes which could spread into a wider regional conflict.
Hundreds in Niger tell US troops to go home



Niamey, Niger, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Hundreds protested on Sunday against the US troop presence in military-ruled Niger where a delegation from Washington is expected within days to arrange an orderly withdrawal.

The United States had on Friday agreed to withdraw its more than 1,000 soldiers from the African nation where Washington built a $100 million base to fly a fleet of drones.

The demonstration in the northern desert town of Agadez, home to a US air base, was called by a group of 24 civil society associations that have backed the regime since last year's coup.

"This is Agadez, not Washington, US army go home," read a big banner held up by protesters.

Issouf Emoud, who fronts the M62 Movement in the town, told AFP: "Our message is clear: American soldiers pack your bags and go home".

He had also organised demonstrations demanding the departure of French forces which pulled out last year.

Niger has long been a linchpin in the US and French strategy to combat jihadists in West Africa.

The Nigerien military announced last month it was breaking off a defence agreement with the United States, claiming it had been imposed and the US troop presence was illegal.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell agreed to remove the troops in a meeting in Washington with Niamey's prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, US officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The US military deployment in Niger "is of no use for our security", said civil society leader Amobi Arandishu.

"The armed groups still rage across the desert," he told AFP. "Russians, Americans, Germans, French, they all come here for their own interests."

Following the overthrow of elected president Mohamed Bazoum last July, the junta kicked out troops from former colonial power France before the end of 2023.

Russian military instructors arrived in Niger this month with an air defence system and other equipment, state media said, after talks between military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US pullout marks a new regional gain for Russia, which has ramped up its focus on Africa, backing military regimes in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.

Niger faces violence by Boko Haram jihadists and their rivals Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) from the southeastern region of Diffa near Nigeria.
Johan Norberg at the Rafael del Pino Foundation in Madrid, Spain. Samuel Sanchez

Johan Norberg, 50, is first and foremost an optimist who has the arguments to back it up. A staunch defender of classical liberalism and globalization, a historian who was an anarchist in his youth, in some ways the Swede follows in the footsteps of psychologist Steven Pinker with the basic argument that we live in the best of all possible worlds. Norberg believes that the pursuit of profit, which for many is what drives the system, is vulgar. He is interested in something more beautiful: creating a better world.

A professor at the European Center for International Economic Policy (Brussels) and the Cato Institute (Washington, DC), in his latest book, which has the deliberately provocative title of The Capitalist Manifesto, he seeks to distract the reader from the culture wars and return him or her to the issues, to decisive issues for our future. We spoke with the affable Norberg before he gave a lecture at the Rafael del Pino Foundation in Madrid, Spain.

Question. You say that social justice needs more capitalism, not less.

Answer. For years, political scientists have been focused on the hardships of humanity: infant mortality, chronic malnutrition... And it turns out we have the solution: capitalism. In the past few decades, we have reduced poverty, mortality and hunger more than at any other time in history. That has happened in places where there is more economic freedom.

Q. There is a lot of academic work by very important thinkers who argue the opposite: the need for higher taxes and a greater role for the state in the economy.

A. In general, my answer is that we cannot generate wealth through taxes. We can only provide the social services we need through the generation of wealth. In the long run, growth is almost everything: Sweden is one of the richest countries in the world, but if its economic growth had been one percentage point less since industrialization, we would be like Albania now. It is absurd that growth and innovation are not considered more.

Q. Industrial policy has also gained a lot of traction.

A. Yes, and thats a shame. None of the things we hold most dear, from bicycles to vaccines, come from a single genius or a political committee. Progress comes from a long process of experimentation involving thousands of people, not from someone at the top or a political majority saying, We need to innovate here.

Q. You write that we need free markets to end poverty and hunger. There has been an improvement, but hunger remains.

A. I dont think we will ever finish solving these problems. But in countries that have had sustained economic and trade freedom, extreme poverty has nearly been eradicated.

Q. Has protectionism won the dialectical battle?

A. Many governments advocate that we repatriate as much as possible. But this is a terrible misreading of the recent crises. What saved us from the pandemic? Businesses with complex supply chains: they were able to improvise and find new suppliers. The opposite erodes productivity and does not make us safer.

Q. At what point did China become the great defender of global markets instead of the United States?

A. It was curious when Xi Jinping presented himself in Davos as an advocate of globalization and free trade, which is absurd. China controls and uses free trade as a weapon. That speaks badly of Western politicians: they have managed the globalization debate so poorly that China can argue that.

Q. You said that the new generation of conservative politicians now sound very much like Attac did in 2001.

A. Some time ago, they told me that I was far-right, and now, from the right, they tell me that I am a woke capitalist. But I have not changed: they are the ones who have changed. Twenty years ago, there was concern that the economy was a zero-sum game where some win and others lose. It has become clear, however, that poor countries that have integrated into the global market, such as Bangladesh, India and China, have reduced their poverty faster than the rest in human history. Now the opposite is true: many believe that if they are prospering, perhaps it is because we are losing out, and that they are exploiting us. This has provided an argument for the populist and nationalist right: they believe we should close our borders and abandon trade to defend ourselves.

More innovations and culture and goods and services come from what we used to think about as the poor world

Q. Why is this idea of the zero-sum game still so entrenched?

A. We should be grateful for living in [the post-Industrial Revolution period], being one of those generations who have experienced this, because its taken us from 1890% in extreme poverty to around 8% today. But thats not where our instincts come from, thats not where our belief system comes from, and thats not where human nature comes from. It comes from the 290,000 years before when we lived in a much more brutal world where, really, if someone was richer than you, he had probably taken it from you. So, I think we will always be suspicious against others who do better, neighbors, foreigners, big businessbecause at some level we think that they probably took it from us. Thats a period when the economy really was a zero-sum game, since it didnt create more wealth. Whatever someone took, they took it from another group. And that reinforces something thats very strong in the back of our minds. So, we are very tempted to revert to that idea. And thats dangerous.

Q. Donald Trump defines a globalist as someone who doesnt care much about his own country.

A. I think Trump is an early indicator of something that has spread throughout right-wing parties in lots of places. And its awful because its really the other way around. A globalist is someone who cares so much about your country that you want it to be enriched by other peopleand by foreigners as well. And [you want] to get access to more brains, more talent, more hard work and more innovation from other places as well. If you shut yourself behind your borders, then youre going to have to make do with everything youve got back there. And then you wont survive the competition from those who are more open.

Q. Has this been the biggest ideological mutation of recent decades?

A. Yeah, I would say soIf you repeat what [Ronald] Reagan and [Margaret] Thatcher said about the world, about trade, about openness, or about the European Union, for example, lots of right-wing people would call you a cultural Marxist or a woke person now. And thats an incredible switch that I was not prepared for.

Q. What would you say to those who think globalization has failed?

A. If we say that globalization is the period from the [fall] of the Berlin Wall, basically the past 30 years, it is the period that weve seen the fastest decline in extreme poverty in human history. And more than a third of all the wealth that mankind has attained on a capital GDP level has been produced [during this time]. Its an amazing result and I think we will look back on this period and say this was the pivotal moment when we went from talking about the great famines and world poverty into thinking about how we are going to deal with a world where more innovations and culture and goods and services come from what we used to think about as the poor world. This has been a tremendous success. So, it hasnt failed on the indicators of human living standards, I dont think.

Q. How would you respond to those who say that you are overly optimistic?

A. This case for globalization is based on just looking at objective indicators of living standards and looking at what is possible because weve seen it in real terms. And in a way we often talk about it as miracles when it happens, but its not a miracle because weve gone through the same things in Sweden historically, in Britain, in Spain. The moment that we began to open up markets and develop more competitive businesses, we get out of extreme poverty and thats tremendous. And right now, we have this backlash against globalization, against trade. We have resurgent authoritarians in China and Russia and places like that. So that deeply worries me about the future of the world as well.

Q. In 2018, you said we are addicted to bad news. Is that still the case?

A. We are just as addicted to bad news as weve ever been I think we get the sense from just the push notifications that flash on our cell phones that everythings on fire everywhere. [My cellphone notifications] didnt work for three days. And I realized after a while that I became a much happier person. I became much more relaxed because I didnt instantly get access to all the murders and the wars and the terrors that were committed around the world. When were anxious, we often look for a solution. We want someone to tell us whats going on and to help us, to protect us. And this creates this urge for having strong men to protect us. And thats very dangerous.

Q. What can we do about it?

A. I think that this requires a major change from the media, partly, to put things more into context rather than just looking for the next drama. But its also an individual thing. Weve gone from a world where we needed every bit of information that we could lay our hands on, because it was rare, to an excess of information everywhere.

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Violence-battered Ecuadorans begin voting on anti-crime measures



Quito, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Ecuadorans were voting Sunday in a referendum on proposed tougher measures to fight a surge in gang-related crime.

The once-peaceful South American country has been grappling with a shocking rise in violence that has seen two mayors killed this week.

The terrorizing streak has been blamed on gangs with links to transnational cartels using Ecuador's ports to ship drugs to the United States and Europe.

The results of the referendum "will define the course and the state policy that we will take in order to face the challenge" of organized crime, said President Daniel Noboa as voting began in Quito.

Nearly 13.6 million of the country's 17.7 million inhabitants are eligible to cast a "Yes" or "No" ballot over 10 hours of voting. The Electoral Council said turnout stood at around eight percent by mid-morning.

Noboa declared in January a state of "internal armed conflict" with about 20 criminal groups blamed for a spasm of violence sparked by the jailbreak of a major drug lord, still on the run.

Gangsters kidnapped dozens of people, including police and prison guards, opened fire in a TV studio during a live broadcast, and threatened random executions in the days-long outburst that caused about 20 deaths.

Noboa imposed a state of emergency and deployed soldiers to retake control of the country's prisons, which had become the nerve center for gang operations and a bloody battleground that has claimed the lives of more than 460 inmates in three years -- many beheaded or burned alive.

Despite these efforts, the violence has persisted. Two mayors have been killed in the past week, making it five in a year and three in less than a month.

Since January last year, at least a dozen politicians have been killed in Ecuador, including presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down last August after a campaign event.

On Sunday, Noboa is seeking popular backing for his plans to clamp down even harder on those responsible for such acts.

Citizens are being asked to approve an expansion of military and police powers, significantly boosting gun controls and imposing harsher penalties for "terrorism" and drug trafficking.

Noboa is also proposing to change the constitution so that Ecuadorans wanted abroad for organized crime-related offenses can be extradited.

Mauricio Lopez, 36, an employee in Quito, told AFP that he "voted yes, especially to extradition."

But another voter, Dulce Negrete, "voted no to everything," believing that extradition serves no purpose -- and that the army's participation in operations against gangs has mainly resulted in "more deaths."



- 'Dirty campaign'? -



Most of the referendum questions are related to crime prevention -- a priority even as Ecuador also grapples with widespread corruption, a crippling electricity shortage and a diplomatic spat with Mexico.

Last year, the country's murder rate rose to a record 43 per 100,000 inhabitants -- up from a mere six in 2018, according to official data.

In a publication Friday, polling firm Gallup said no other region in the world, excluding active war zones, felt less secure in 2023 to residents than Ecuador's Guayas province.

Other polls show a majority of Ecuadorans will likely vote for Noboa's reforms.

The vote is taking place in the same week that Ecuadorans faced power cuts of up to 13 hours as drought left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly empty.

The government ordered workers to stay at home for two days in a bid to save scant energy resources.

Noboa has put some of the blame on "sabotage" without naming anyone in particular.
Conflicts push military spending to 'all-time high': report



Stockholm, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Global military expenditure saw its steepest increase in over a decade in 2023, reaching an all-time high of $2.4 trillion as wars and rising tensions fuelled spending across the world, researchers said Monday.

Military spending rose across the globe with particularly large increases in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

"Total military spending is at an all time high ... and for the first time since 2009, we saw spending increase across all five geographical regions," Nan Tian, a senior researcher at SIPRI, told AFP.

Military spending rose by 6.8 percent in 2023, the "steepest year-on-year increase since 2009," according to the report.

"It's a reflection of the deterioration of peace and security around the world. There's really not a region in the world where things have gotten better," Tian said.

The United States, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia were the top five spenders, respectively.

The continuation of the war in Ukraine led to an increase in spending by Ukraine, Russia and "a whole host" of European countries, Tian said.

Russia boosted spending by 24 percent, reaching $109 billion in 2023, according to SIPRI's estimates.

Since 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea, the country's military spending has risen by 57 percent.



- Limited room -



Ukraine's military spending rose by 51 percent, reaching $64.8 billion, but the country also received $35 billion in military aid, of which the majority came from the US, meaning the combined aid and spending equalled over nine tenths of Russia's spending.

Tian noted that while Moscow's and Kyiv's overall budgets were relatively close in 2023, Ukraine's military spending equalled 37 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and 58 percent of all government spending.

By contrast, in Russia, which has a larger economy, military spending amounted to just 5.9 percent of its GDP.

"So the room for Ukraine to increase its spending is now very limited," Tian said.

In Europe, Poland saw the largest increase in military spending by far, up by 75 percent to $31.6 billion.

Spending also rose across the Middle East, where Israel -- the region's second-largest spender -- saw a 24-percent increase, to $27.5 billion in 2023 -- mainly driven by the country's offensive in Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's largest spender, also upped its spending by 4.3 percent to an estimated $75.8 billion.

The US -- which spends more on its military than any other nation -- increased spending by 2.3 percent to $916 billion.



- Worsening tensions -



China boosted spending on its military for the 29th straight year, raising it by another six percent to an estimated $296 billion.

Beijing's military build-up and worsening tensions in the region have prompted its neighbours to dedicate more funds to their militaries.

Japan spent $50.2 billion last year and Taiwan $16.6 billion, an increase of 11 percent for both countries.

The world's fourth largest spender, India, meanwhile hiked spending by 4.3 percent, to $83.6 billion.

In Central America and the Caribbean, spending increases were instead driven by other struggles, such as fighting organised crime.

For instance, the Dominican Republic upped spending by 14 percent in response to worsening gang violence in neighbouring Haiti spilling over the border.

Africa also saw military budgets swell.

The Democratic Republic of Congo more than doubled its spending (+105 percent) to $794 million, the largest percentage increase of any nation, as tensions grew with neighbouring Rwanda.

With an increase of 78 percent, South Sudan saw the second-largest increase, to $1.1 billion.

With the war in Ukraine being "nowhere close to an end," as well as the current situation in the Middle East and heightened tensions in Asia, Tian said he believed countries were likely to continue boosting their militaries.

"The expectation is that this increasing trend will continue for at least a few years to come," he said.
Prison chief slain as Ecuadorans vote on anti-crime measures



Quito, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Assailants gunned down the chief warden of an Ecuador prison Sunday as citizens across the nation cast ballots on proposed tougher measures to fight a surge in gang-related crime.

Damian Parrales, chief of the El Rodero prison in coastal Manabi state, "was victim of an attack that unfortunately cost him his life," the national prison authority said in a statement.

Ecuadoran prisons have become nerve centers for organized crime groups and a bloody battleground that has claimed the lives of more than 460 inmates in three years.

Parrales, who had assumed his prison post just five days ago, was gunned down as he ate lunch with his family in the town of Jipijapa, local media reported.

Once-peaceful Ecuador has been grappling with a shocking rise in violence, flaring up due to a rise in narcotics trafficking, that has seen two mayors killed this week.

The results of the referendum "will define the course and the state policy that we will take in order to face the challenge" of organized crime, said President Daniel Noboa.

Nearly 13.6 million of the country's 17.7 million inhabitants were eligible to cast a "Yes" or "No" on 11 referendum questions on the ballot.

Polls closed in the early evening, and preliminary results were expected within hours.

Noboa declared in January a state of "internal armed conflict," with about 20 criminal groups blamed for a spasm of violence sparked by the jailbreak of a major drug lord, still on the run.

Gangsters kidnapped dozens of people, including police and prison guards, opened fire in a TV studio during a live broadcast, part of a days-long spasm of violence that caused about 20 deaths.

Despite the deployment of soldiers to combat gangs, violence has persisted. Two mayors have been killed in the past week, making it five in a year and three in less than a month.

Since January last year, at least a dozen politicians have been slain in Ecuador, including presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was gunned down last August after a campaign event.

In Sunday's vote, Noboa is seeking popular backing for his plans to clamp down even harder on those responsible for such acts.

Citizens are being asked to approve an expansion of military and police powers, significantly boosting gun controls and imposing harsher penalties for "terrorism" and drug trafficking.

Noboa is also proposing to change the constitution so that Ecuadorans wanted abroad for organized crime-related offenses can be extradited.

The extradition issue animates Alexandra Rocha, 25, a teacher, who said she voted in favor.

"I feel that the laws here are not strong enough to make people who commit a crime pay for what they are doing," Rocha said.

But another voter, Dulce Negrete, "voted no to everything," believing that extradition serves no purpose -- and that the army's participation in operations against gangs has mainly resulted in "more deaths."



- 'Dirty campaign'? -



Last year, the country's murder rate rose to a record 43 per 100,000 inhabitants -- up from a mere six in 2018, according to official data.

In a publication Friday, polling firm Gallup said no other region in the world, excluding active war zones, felt less secure in 2023 to residents than Ecuador's Guayas province.

Other polls show a majority of Ecuadorans will likely vote for Noboa's reforms.

The vote is taking place in the same week that Ecuadorans faced power cuts of up to 13 hours as drought left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly empty.

The government ordered workers to stay at home for two days in a bid to save scant energy resources.

Noboa has put some of the blame on "sabotage" without naming anyone in particular.
Philippines, US launch annual joint military drills



Manila, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Thousands of Filipino and American troops will kick off joint military exercises in the Philippines on Monday, as Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region raises fears of a conflict.

The annual drills -- dubbed Balikatan, or "shoulder to shoulder" in Tagalog -- will be concentrated in the northern and western parts of the archipelago nation, near the potential flashpoints of the South China Sea and Taiwan.

China claims almost the entire waterway, a key route for international trade, and also considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory.

In response to China's growing influence, the United States has been bolstering alliances with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines.

Washington and Manila are treaty allies and have deepened their defence cooperation since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022.

While the Philippines is poorly armed, its proximity to the South China Sea and Taiwan would make it a key partner for the United States in the event of a conflict with China.

"The purpose of armed forces, why we exist, is really to prepare for war," Philippine Colonel Michael Logico told reporters ahead of the drills.

"There's no sugarcoating it... for us not to prepare, that's a disservice to the country."

The Philippine Coast Guard will join Balikatan for the first time following several confrontations between its vessels and the China Coast Guard, which patrols reefs off the Philippines' coast.

The joint drills involve a simulation of an armed recapture of an island in Palawan province, the nearest major Philippine landmass to the hotly disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The same exercise will be held in the northern provinces of Cagayan and Batanes, both less than 300 kilometres (180 miles) from Taiwan.

Like last year, there will be a sinking of a vessel off the northern province of Ilocos Norte.

Other training will concern information warfare, maritime security, and integrated air and missile defence.

The United States has deployed its Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) guided missiles to the Philippines for Balikatan, but Logico said the weapons would not be used in the drills.

China's foreign ministry has accused the United States of "stoking military confrontation", and warned the Philippines to "stop sliding down the wrong path".



- 'It matters for regional stability' -



The exercises, which will run until May 10, will involve around 11,000 American and 5,000 Filipino troops, as well as Australian and French military personnel.

France will also deploy a warship that will take part in a joint exercise with Philippine and US vessels.

Fourteen countries in Asia and Europe will join as observers.

For the first time, the drills will go beyond the Philippines' territorial waters, which extend about 22 kilometres from its coastline, Logico said.

"Balikatan is more than an exercise; it's a tangible demonstration of our shared commitment to each other," Lieutenant General William Jurney, commander of US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, said in a statement.

"It matters for regional peace, it matters for regional stability."
The protagonists are convinced there are powers working behind the scenes and the deaths are not accidental but are left unable to do anything. With not much else for them (or the audience) to do, they gradually begin to bond, but any chemistry they have feels dead on arrival. Beyond the vegan meal gag, there is not a laugh to be had.
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The Met have an extremely difficult job  particularly so when it comes to operational decisions taken while policing marches  but in the end the Met must have the confidence of the communities they serve and it is right that they have apologised for the way the incident was handled and their original public response.
In late 2023, the New York Post shared survey results on the hygiene habits of university students. The headline declared, Almost half of Gen Z are germaphobes and handwash 10-times or more daily, prompting a flurry of online conversations about whats considered normal hygiene.

I dont find it alarming to wash 10 times a day or more, said Mireia Cantero, a Spanish public health professional. After all, its the most effective way to prevent infection. The whole world learned that painful lesson during the Covid-19 pandemic. Handwashing reduces respiratory infections and prevents diarrhea. Studies show improved school attendance during flu season when children are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly.

As for how often to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, Cantero says the situation is more important than the frequency. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating and cooking, when theyre dirty, and after blowing your nose, she said. Doing all that could easily mean 10 or more hand washes a day.

The data reveals a concerning trend. A survey by the YouGov Omnibus market research firm shows that a quarter of Spaniards admit to skipping handwashing after using the bathroom. Although handwashing recommendations havent changed since the pandemic, there has been an overall decline in handwashing hygiene. Unfortunately, this is one of the lessons that have been forgotten, said Cantero.

How much is too much?

Frequent handwashing is crucial for good hygiene, but excessive washing can lead to issues like dermatitis, dryness and invisible skin lesions. These conditions used to be common among healthcare workers due to their frequent handwashing, says Cantero. Before, there were no alcohol-based hand sanitizers, so everyone used water and soap, which is more irritating. This led to many dermatitis issues among healthcare professionals. Soaps werent as good either, and the powder inside the gloves also affected the skin. However, most people would need to wash excessively or have unusually sensitive skin to experience these issues, says Cantero, and people lean towards washing less rather than more.

However, there are instances where excessive handwashing masks an issue, like what the New York Post called germophobia (or mysophobia). Psychologist Manuel Oliva defines this condition as an intense and irrational fear of germs, dirt and contamination. Moreover, its not always just about a fear of germs  it can also be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Worrying about germs doesnt have to be a problem. We all worry about picking up germs in dirty places. Basic cleanliness just makes us feel safer and aligns with what we learned as kids about good hygiene, said Oliva.

The problem arises when fear takes over. When thoughts of contamination occur frequently and lead to excessive washing or prevention behaviors that disrupt daily life and cause high anxiety, its considered a pathological fear. Avoiding dirty places, excessive cleaning, overusing disinfectants, obsessive handwashing, refraining from sharing items, avoiding physical contact, and shunning crowds or animals are behaviors associated with germophobia, said Oliva. Mireia Cantero says that the important thing is to think about whether the situation requires handwashing. If its necessary, do it. It becomes compulsive when you wash your hands excessively, even when its not needed.

Lastly, Cantero advises seeking a healthy balance. Living without microorganisms is impossible and not beneficial. The world is not sterile. While its good to practice hand hygiene to prevent infections, remember that eradicating all microorganisms is unnecessary and not advised. Focus on risky situations and avoid touching your mouth and other areas when you come into contact with germs.

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Our beautiful country is a character in the show just as much as any of the dogs, so to have brought it into the living rooms of the whole world, encouraging people to come and visit is something Ill always be proud of.
On his first day of therapy, a patient told psychologist Ana Fernandez that after watching the movie Shame he had realized that he had a sex addiction. Another decided to treat his obsessive-compulsive disorder after watching comedy about the subject. Characters on screen are often faced with the same situations or problems as people in real life. Experiences like these have led to scientific research into whether movies can help treat a disorder, process grief, overcome a breakup, or deal with betrayal by a family member or friend.

Cinema therapy is the use of movies, scenes, or short films as a support tool for psychological therapy. This is how Fernandez, who is coordinator of the psychology and audiovisual and performing arts working group at the Official College of Psychology in Madrid, explains it: Movies act as metaphors for life, just like stories, novels, or theater shows. But movies have a greater emotional impact, since they use lots of technical resources to capture the viewers imagination in a very powerful way. She is referring to the sound, music, dialogue, natural landscapes, close-ups, and even special effects used in movies.

The emotions aroused by movies can help the therapist and the patient to reflect together and make analogies about the characters decisions, emotions, personality, or ways of relating to others. With someone trying to process grief, Fernandez would talk about movies like Manchester by the Sea, Ordinary People or Departures. While Marriage Story would be an alternative for someone trying to get over a breakup, Secrets and Lies would be an alternative for someone facing betrayal or Vidas cruzadas, for those who feel alone. With a victim of bullying, the psychologist would use Cowards or El pais del miedo. And with someone who suffers gender violence, I would try Take My Eyes or the short film La loca y el feminista.

A review published in Frontiers in Psychology says that cinema therapy can have a positive effect on patients well-being and help them cope with lifes challenges. When the technique is properly applied and the patient can identify with a specific movie character, they can talk about about their life and their situation in the third person without exposing themselves, says Elena Sacilotto, one of the studys authors. The doctor of psychology at the University of Pavia (Italy) states that the patient can learn skills from the characters, and be inspired by their own situation, by discussing the movie with a professional who can guide them.

There are psychologists who use movie therapy as a complementary tool to address a wide variety of problems: From disorders such as anorexia to existential anguish caused by relationship problems or the suffering experienced by children whose parents are getting divorced. Jenny Hamilton, senior lecturer in counseling and psychological therapy at the University of Lincoln (UK), says research on cinema therapy shows a range of benefits. For example, it can be used as a tool to reduce anxiety and to make therapy more attractive.

The use of movies in group psychotherapy sessions can encourage hospitalized psychiatric patients to talk about their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings while discussing the characters and stories. Furthermore, young people with autism can identify their own positive strengths and develop resilience from watching others on big screen, according to research published in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. Some studies explore the potential of movie therapy to reduce parentteen conflict in school counseling or to help young people diagnosed with schizophrenia reconceptualize their stories and imagine new opportunities by using superhero movies.

The limitations of Cinema therapy

Although there is a substantial amount of research that support the effectiveness of movie therapy, the technique has not yet reached an optimal level of standardization, according to Sacilotto. The expert highlights that many of the published studies are based on qualitative analysis, which limits a more general application of their results and makes comparison between different research difficult. The review published in Frontiers in Psychology concludes that a more standardized methodological approach is needed to accurately measure the effectiveness of these techniques and, thus, be able to encourage their clinical use.

We need to be careful as mental health is complex and differs from person to person, says Agata Lulkowska, who is a senior lecturer in Film Directing and Production at Staffordshire University (UK). The expert indicates that movie therapy can help patients improve their mood, inspire them to face some problems, and alleviate feelings of loneliness by identifying with characters who might have experienced similar challenges in life. Still, she points out that it cannot be used as the only way to deal with a problem and that not enough studies have been done to understand the long-term effect.

Furthermore, cinema therapy is not useful for everyone, the experts say. I dont think there is anything that works for everyone, says Fernandez. The psychologist considers that there may be some people who watch films as a means of escapism and who do not delve any deeper into them. Others may reject topics that do not fit their basic ideas or only stick with what confirms their opinions.

Is it enough to simply watch a movie to get some kind of mental health benefit, or do you have to talk about it, do some exercise, or go to therapy with a professional? It depends a lot on what you need, says Lulkowska. The stories told on the screen can evoke a wide range of emotions: from laughter, sadness, fear, or compassion to a sense of relief. Even negative emotions such as fear or sadness can be transformative by providing a sense of catharsis once the emotion has been processed, the specialist adds.

There are many pages on the internet that organize movies by psychological themes. Anyone can access them and draw their own conclusions. But, as Fernandez states, if what you are looking for is to face specific psychological problems or do some personal development work, you need the help of a professional to choose the scenes and the work to be done with them.

A complement to psychological help

Lulkowska takes a position along the same lines, highlighting that watching a good movie and talking to friends about it can lift the mood a little. But she insists that serious illnesses that require medication and various therapies are a completely different matter: In the latter case, doing so under the supervision of a doctor or psychologist is recommended.

A psychologist would suggest some exercises to the patient. You could, for example, ask them about their favorite characters and qualities that they value most in them; or, on the other hand, you could ask about those that they dislike or reject and why. This is mentioned by Ana Fernandez, who points out that different forms of communication between characters can also be analyzed to stimulate a better way of relating to our partner or friends. Another exercise would consist of analyzing the sequences in which the viewer became emotional, in addition to identifying the emotion and what produced it. On many occasions, it is the patients themselves who comment that a film moved them or made them think about something that they brought to therapy or that something we are working on reminds them of a character. There we would have a clear stimulus to use cinema effectively based on our own impressions, adds this psychologist.

Another alternative that Fernandez puts forward is psychological cineforums. In these, the public hold discussions based on movies that address psychological topics of common interest. In collaboration with the Film Academy, the Official College of Psychology of Madrid organizes sessions under the title Cinema as a mirror and model of our life. In them, we reflect on movies like Mighty Flash. In the film, Isa talks to herself by recording messages for herself for when she disappears or loses her memory, Cita feels trapped in a marriage in a house full of religious images of saints and virgins, and Maria returns to the town where she was born to face her loneliness. These three women all have a deep desire for liberating experiences that will allow them to get back in touch with the places where they were happy or dreamed of being happy.

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Whether its going to bed before midnight, eating broccoli, or dealing with your finances, doing the right thing can sometimes feel like a herculean effort.

Similar to an erratic sleep schedule or an aversion to eating green things, there are consequences to delaying wise financial moves. If you avoid creating a budget, putting your bills on autopay or learning how to invest, your financial life may become more stressful.

But knowing something is good for you isnt always enough to make you do it. Many people have complicated feelings around money, and for good reason. Getting to the bottom of those feelings may be the most effective way to deal with avoidant tendencies.

Uncovering your financial beliefs

To get to the root of your financial anxieties, it may be helpful to learn about your money scripts, a term thats a registered trademark of the Financial Psychology Institute. Money scripts are what financial therapists call the unconscious beliefs we hold about money. Often, these beliefs are rooted in our childhood and continue to shape our financial lives as adults.

Rick Kahler, a certified financial therapist and founder of the Kahler Financial Group in Rapid City, South Dakota, had one client who struggled to save despite being a high-earning professional. Through several interviews, Kahler learned that the clients parents had filed for bankruptcy when she was a child, and in the process, she lost her own savings.

She just knew that all her money that she worked hard to save disappeared. And so the lesson she took away from that was dont save money, because it will disappear, says Kahler.

Georgia Lee Hussey, a certified financial planner and founder of Modernist Financial, a B Corp wealth management firm in Portland, Oregon, says that taking what may seem to be a logical step, such as investing just a small amount, before unearthing your deeper emotions may sometimes do more harm than good.

The small step to get closer to the logical action is actually a reinforcement of the mega story, says Hussey.

Tools you can use

While uncovering your money scripts may feel daunting, there are a lot of tools out there that can help you get started. You can take the Klontz Money Script Inventory-Revised (KMSI-R), which is a free short quiz that helps you identify your dominant money scripts and offers actionable advice. The KMSI-R evaluation is offered by Your Mental Wealth Advisors, a financial advisor firm based in Burlingame, California, that focuses on overall financial health. Husseys firm offers a similar reflective experience you can download for free that can help you facilitate a conversation about your money history.

And if youre able, it may be worth working with a financial therapist in conjunction with these tools.

Working with a financial therapist can really help, says Kahler. But if a person doesnt want to do that, they may want to employ journaling or mindfulness meditation that is specifically geared to money scripts. But typically, people can make pretty good progress in really focusing on their personal situation, and a financial therapist can help with that.

Be OK with baby steps

After doing some deep work on your money story, and on how your long-held beliefs came to be, you may be feeling ready to take some small steps toward a better financial future.

A few baby steps you can consider could include moving your money into a high-yield savings account instead of a standard savings account. If you have a 401(k) with an employer match, you could also look into contributing enough to receive that match.

But be ready for those old stories to come up, because even an account type like a 401(k) may become an emotional stumbling block.

One of my favorites from the Great Recession is, Im not going to invest in a 401(k) because my uncle lost all of his money in his 401(k), says Hussey. It wasnt the 401(k) that was the problem. It was your uncle, who in the middle of the night got freaked out and sold everything in his 401(k) at the bottom of the market. Thats actually what was wrong. It was the human making an emotional decision. The 401(k) itself is just a tax wrapper. It has no personality. It doesnt do things to anybody. So lets unpack what that story is about.

Hussey encourages people to deeply investigate where the stories theyve heard about investing came from.

I think those kinds of questions like, What am I telling myself? Wheres it coming from? Who told it? What was the location I heard that? Where do you think they heard that from? Thats how we start to unpack these stories about investing and saving, says Hussey.
ST. LOUIS  The regions largest coal plant, the Labadie Energy Center, last year emitted far more of a major air pollutant than any plant in the country, a Post-Dispatch analysis has found.

Companywide, the St. Louis-based electric utility Ameren, which owns Labadie, produced more of the pollutant sulfur dioxide than all but one other U.S. utility, according to the analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data.

And while local experts were unaware of research on impacts of so much sulfur dioxide around St. Louis, at least one national study, published in November, links coal plant pollution to thousands of deaths each year.

Its very disheartening, said Jay Turner, a professor of engineering at Washington University who focuses on air pollution issues. That just shows how much coal theyre burning.

Indeed, critics say the data highlight two key points: First, that Ameren still produces more than half its power from coal-burning plants, and should hurry efforts to use cleaner energy sources. And, second, that the companys largest plants, such as Labadie, in Franklin County, arent fitted with pollution controls called scrubbers that are now common across the country.

The issue has stoked years of concerns among environmentalists and watchdogs. But it has become more public in recent years, as the company fought in court against regulators aiming to force Ameren to curb emissions at its second-largest plant, the Rush Island Energy Center, 50 miles south of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.

I want to keep hollering for the right thing to happen, says Steve Mahfood, a former director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This is at the top of my list for the St. Louis area  doing something about these plants and their emissions.

Ameren said in an emailed statement that at Labadie, it has done extensive analysis, over many years, and found that there are other ways and technology for Ameren Missouri to meet and exceed environmental requirements and to do so at a cost to customers that is far below that of installing and operating scrubbers.

The company declined multiple requests for an interview on the subject.

Critics say a tangled combination of rules and regulations have allowed Ameren to avoid installing scrubbers, estimated to cost more than $800 million to put on plants like Rush Island.

They say the air monitors at Labadie, for instance, arent in the right places to reliably detect the main plume of emissions from the plant. They also point to the difficulties of environmental enforcement, particularly at half-century-old coal plants that can be exempted from Clean Air Act laws.

Its just so absolutely absurd that its beyond belief, said Mahfood. I was unhappy about it 20 years ago and Im still unhappy with it.

They also argue the sulfur dioxide emissions are only part of the problem:

Labadie, based in Franklin County, is also the second-largest producer of greenhouse gases among the nations coal plants, according to the EPA data.

4,000 excess deaths

Sulfur dioxide, or SO2, which helps harmful particulate matter form in the air, causes or exacerbates a wide range of health problems, including asthma.

And it can affect a sprawling geographic footprint, as fine particle pollution resulting from SO2 emissions can blow hundreds of miles away, according to the American Lung Association.

St. Louis-area researchers who study sulfur dioxide and its impacts had not studied the downwind effects of the pollutant from the regions coal plants, and they didnt know anyone here who had.

Some national studies, however, have examined the health impacts from U.S. coal plants.

And one of those included Labadie in its research. That study, published in the journal Science in November, uses Medicare records to estimate the number of deaths tied to air pollution from coal plants.

The results: A total of 460,000 excess deaths from 1999 to 2020 were linked to fine particulate matter from coal plants.

Labadie, the researchers found, was associated with about 4,000 excess deaths  more, by far, than any other coal plant across seven Midwestern states.

But a vast majority of U.S. coal plants now have scrubbers that eliminate sulfur from emissions before they exit through the smokestacks. One method, for example, sends the gas through a fine mist of water and crushed limestone that reacts with the sulfur, causing it to form gypsum that gets collected, instead of staying in a gaseous state with the rest of the plants airborne emissions.

The technology does not come cheap, with costs that can reach hundreds of millions of dollars at a single coal plant.

Even so, a rising portion of the nations coal plants now have them, either because the plants are newer, or because they had to comply with air quality standards to continue operating  or because older plants have simply closed.

Of the 210 coal plants across the U.S., only 25  or 12%  lack scrubbers, according to the latest EPA data. Ten others have scrubbers on some of their units but not all.

That makes Amerens plants like Labadie and Rush Island stand out more and more from the rest of the U.S. coal fleet.

Companywide, Ameren, the second-biggest emitter of SO2 across all companies that own a U.S. coal plant, just barely trails Vistra, a far bigger Texas-based utility that has about double Amerens annual revenues and twice as much power generation from coal.

The bulk of Amerens SO2 emissions come from Labadie, which emits about 40% more than the nations next closest plant, according to EPA data. Even if Labadies SO2 emissions were cut in half, it would still emit more than every U.S. coal plant except two.

Missouri as a whole has six coal plants without scrubbers, more than any other state. And five of those are totally devoid of the pollution controls. Other major Missouri coal plants, such as the Thomas Hill Energy Center, north of Columbia, Missouri, and the New Madrid Power Plant, on the Kentucky border, also rank among the top 15 in the nation for SO2 emissions, although they each emit less than a third of Labadies total.

39,245 tons of sulfur dioxide

The EPA requires scrubbers on new plants. Significant upgrades to old plants can trigger the requirement. Air monitoring can also reveal that clean air standards are not being met, prompting a need to install scrubbers.

At Rush Island, Ameren made major modifications to the plants generators in 2007 and 2010 without obtaining permits. The more than $70 million upgrades boosted the 1970s-era plants power generation as well as emissions, right around the time its machinery was reaching the end of its intended lifespan.

In 2011, the EPA sued Ameren, alleging violations of the Clean Air Act.

In 2017, U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel agreed, and, two years later, ordered a remedy that called for the company to equip Rush Island with scrubbers.

Ameren instead proposed closing the plant ahead of its 2039 schedule  now set for this year.

But, to counteract Rush Islands excess emissions, Sippel also called for Ameren to install pollution controls at Labadie, a condition later scrapped by a federal appeals court, because the government never provided notice of or alleged that the plant committed a Clean Air Act violation.

But Labadie  along with Amerens other coal plants  did receive notice of Clean Air Act violations from the EPA in at least 2010 and 2011, when Labadie, too, was cited for major modifications that caused a significant net emissions increase without first obtaining proper permits.

The EPA only filed suit regarding Rush Island. The agency did not on Friday clarify why.

In 2023, Labadie accounted for 39,245 tons of sulfur dioxide based on EPA data that uses readings taken from inside the exhaust stacks of coal plants.

But the EPA uses a different measure  the air monitors  to gauge public health impacts, which could trigger scrubber requirements.

The economics of the situation

The EPAs current standard for SO2 pollution was established in 2010, at 75 parts per billion, a threshold set to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, including the health of at-risk populations with asthma, according to the agency.

Around Labadie, ambient SO2 readings seldom reach half of that amount  occasionally peaking at 38 or 44 parts per billion, for instance  based on readings from air monitors placed at locations selected by Ameren.

But critics have long complained that air monitoring around the Labadie plant is insufficient: Four monitors are placed in areas they say are unlikely to accurately register pollution from the facility. Prevailing westerly winds generally push air pollution to the east. But only one of Labadies stations is east of the plant.

If your monitors are not in the proper spots, its going to show, Hey, everything is OK, said Mahfood, the former Department of Natural Resources director.

But both state and EPA regulators say that the dispersal of Labadies emissions is influenced by different forces  from weather conditions to local topography  and that computer modeling says the current monitors around the plant would indeed pick up persistent air quality violations.

The monitor locations really do a good job in characterizing impact from that facility, said Stephen Hall, the director of MDNRs Air Pollution Control Program. He added that citizens can be confident that air quality standards are being met in the area.

Mahfood says he struggles to envision major change  let alone scrubbers  coming to Labadie anytime soon.

Ultimately, he expects economic trends could be the eventual impetus for change, by making it imprudent for Ameren to keep it running, as financial woes mount for coal power and costs plunge for alternative power sources  a combination that has helped shutter coal plants from coast to coast.

Its the economics of the situation that will probably get Ameren to move, said Mahfood. The plant needs to go.
Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

FARMINGTON, Mo.  I like the way Benjamin Bradley writes Sunshine Law requests.

He sometimes includes a detail that sends a message to the official from whom he is seeking records. The message? I know this record exists.

So it was on April 5, when Bradley sent a records request to St. Francois County:

On 7/11/2009 there was an incident report that was created by deputy, D. Slinkard, with an invent number of 261977, with a name ID of 39053, Bradley wrote in an email to the county clerks office. This event was logged as an incident involving an inmate in the St. Francois County Jail.

Bradley is a Republican political consultant who lives in Farmington. The record he is seeking might be relevant in the political race of the year in this rural county south of St. Louis: the four-way Republican primary for sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Dan Bullock and one of his deputies, Tim Harris, are vying for the position, along with Farmington police Lt. Jeff Crites and St. Genevieve police Chief Jasen Crump.

Bradley supports Crump in the election. A portion of the record he is seeking  he showed me a screenshot of its existence  suggests Harris, the deputy sheriff, modified the record at some point. It also suggests that the report about the jail incident is now in the possession of Bullock, the current sheriff. The sheriffs department runs the county jail.

The day Bradley filed the request, a deputy clerk told him that the person who could fulfill the request was out but that they could hopefully search for the record the following Monday.

That Monday came and went. A few days later, on April 15, the clerk wrote Bradley to tell him the sheriffs computer system was down and had been for several days. This was not just a glitch in the records system, but a crash of the computer system that runs the entire sheriffs department, as well as the backup system. Everything was down, and the timing was suspicious.

This is 30 years of data. Its all gone. Thats a big deal, Bradley told me. I might have found one thing they dont want out. What else is there?

He was hardly the only person concerned.

County Clerk Kevin Engler, a former state representative and state senator, raised a few alarm bells himself.

Im trying to be positive. Hopefully theres no problem at all, Engler told me on Tuesday. Is it coincidental that it happened right after a Sunshine Law request?

On Wednesday, the St. Francois County Commission held an emergency meeting to approve about $25,000 for a contract with a Texas company that says it can retrieve the data and get the system running again.

Bullock, the sheriff, says he hopes everything is back to normal next week. But in the meantime, hes had to teach some of his younger employees how to fingerprint suspects the old-fashioned way, with an ink pad and paper. The computer used to do that, too.

Bullock takes umbrage at the suggestion the computer crash had something to do with Bradleys request for an old incident report.

I would not crash the computer system for a Sunshine Law request, said the sheriff, whos been in office for more than three decades.

Bullock declined to tell me what is in the report that Bradley is seeking.

Engler said the sheriffs race in St. Francois County will be hotly contested. Bullock doesnt disagree. He says he told the younger candidates to be prepared for anything.

If you did something, it is going to come out, he says, and if not, theyll make it up.

Whether coincidence or not, Bradleys Sunshine Law request, the one that couldnt be fulfilled because the system crashed, may tell a story about one or more of the candidates for sheriff. But first, theres a more pressing matter.

Do sheriffs department records going back to 1995 still exist?

Thats the $25,000 question.
People cross the Moei river as they flee Myawaddy township in Myanmar to Thailand's Mae Sot town in Thailand's Tak province, Saturday, April 20, 2024.

About 1,300 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand, officials said Saturday, as fresh fighting erupted at a border town that has recently been captured by ethnic guerillas.

Fighters from the Karen ethnic minority last week captured the last of the Myanmar armys outposts in and around Myawaddy, which is connected to Thailand by two bridges across the Moei River.

The latest clashes were triggered in the morning when the Karen guerillas launched an attack against Myanmar troops who were hiding near the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, a major crossing point for trade with Thailand, said police chief Pittayakorn Phetcharat in Thailands Mae Sot district. He estimated about 1,300 people fled into Thailand.

Thai officials reported people had started crossing since Friday following clashes in several areas of Myawaddy.

The fall of Myawaddy is a major setback for the military that seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Myanmars once-mighty armed forces have suffered a series of unprecedented defeats since last October, losing swathes of territory including border posts to both ethnic fighters, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades, and pro-democracy guerrilla units that took up arms after the military takeover.

The clashes, involving drone attacks from the Karen forces and airstrikes by the Myanmar military, had subsided by noon Saturday compared to the morning, but Mae Sot police chief Pittayakorn Phetcharat said he could still hear sporadic gunshots. He said Thai authorities would move people fleeing into a safer area.

Footage from the Thai border showed Thai soldiers maintaining guard near the bridge with sounds of explosions and gunshots in the background. People with children waded across the river with their belongings and were received by Thai officials on the river bank. Several are seen taking shelter in buildings along the river bank on the Myanmar side.

Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday that he was closely monitoring the situation at the border.

I do not desire to see any such clashes have any impact on the territorial integrity of Thailand and we are ready to protect our borders and the safety of our people. At the same time, we are also ready to provide humanitarian assistance if necessary, he wrote.

In March, Thailand delivered its first batch of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar for about 20,000 displaced people.

Nikorndej Balangura, a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Friday that Thailand is currently working to expand its aid initiative.

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DENVER  A girl who wrote to God in her diaries, a boy with learning disabilities who was just learning to like who he was and a teen who would spend every free minute fishing were among the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.

As small candles flickered on 13 empty chairs, short biographies of Columbine students Rachel Scott, Kyle Velasquez, Corey DePooter and the other victims were read one by one. After each, the crowd of about 150 people replied together never forgotten and a bell tolled.

The youngest killed in the attack that has inspired dozens of copy cat shootings was Steven Curnow, 14. The oldest was teacher Dave Sanders, 47, who shepherded students out of the cafeteria to safety and was shot as he tried to get students upstairs into classrooms.

The others killed were Cassie Bernall, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin and Lauren Townsend.

Sanders daughter, Coni Sanders, said her father changed the world forever by saving hundreds of students.

The kids that he saved now have children and those children will have children, she said before the ceremony began, so generations from now, people will know they exist because of his bravery.

The gathering, set up by advocates including gun safety organizations, was the main public event marking Saturdays anniversary, which is more subdued than previous milestone years.

In addition to remembering those killed, the vigil also drew attention to those who were wounded and those who survived the shooting but suffered trauma.

Daniel Mausers father, Tom Mauser, decided to set up the vigil after learning school officials did not plan to organize a large community event as they did on the 20th anniversary.

Mauser, who became a gun safety advocate after the shooting, urged the crowd of about 150 people gathered at a church across from the state Capitol never to forget the victims of Columbine and to take some kind of action to reduce gun violence.

And most importantly we ask you to never forget, never forget the victims of Columbine. The slain, the injured, the traumatized and their families. And especially never forget those who lost their lives, said Mauser, wearing his sons sneakers, a tradition he reserves for special occasions.

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, attended and spoke about her long recovery, drawing a comparison to the small steps needed to make change in the world.

Change doesnt happen overnight and we cant do it alone. Join me. Lets move ahead together, she said, drawing a standing ovation.

President Joe Biden, in a statement Saturday, said his administration has taken numerous steps to try to curb the senseless violence that shattered some 400 schools since Columbine, including the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Ive met with countless families whove lost loved ones because of gun violence. Their message is always the same: do something, the statement said. My Administration will continue taking action, but Congress must do their part. We need universal background checks, a national red flag law, and we must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

First lady Jill Biden on Saturday also urged Congress to act. She held a moment of silence for the Columbine victims while visiting Aurora, Colorado, for an event to support a White House initiative on womens health. In 2012, the Denver suburb was the scene of a mass shooting in a movie theater that left 12 people dead.

This has to stop. Enough funerals, enough death, she said in comments filmed by the TV news station KUSA.

At Fridays vigil, Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed after she was shot at Columbine, spoke about being trapped in a classroom at the school with about 30 students as they heard gunfire nearby. They were rescued about four hours later by SWAT officers who he said frisked them five times. Six months later, his mother, who had bipolar disorder, took her own life after asking to look at a gun in a pawnshop and shooting herself there.

I just want to use this moment to let everyone know that its OK to ask for help, whatever your situation is whether, either as a survivor 25 years later or someone struggling with any part of their life. These things come in waves and they can hit you when you least expect it, Hochhalter said. You should all know that were all here for you and that youre not alone.

Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Mass shootings have been on the rise steadily for the past 40 years While shooting incidents show a gradual upward trend, the number of those killed is rising at an alarming rate Injuries have likewise risen significantly; one contributing factor: assault weapons
April 21, 2024: The Ukraine War created disruptive shortages worldwide. Russia, for example, now has a severe labor shortage. Because of the hundreds of thousands of Russian working age men killed or badly wounded in Ukraine, with at least as many being hidden from conscription by their employers, plus several million military age men who fled the country to avoid conscription, the pre-war labor shortage in Russia got much worse. Currently the Russian economy is short about 5 million workers. This is great for skilled workers because private and state owned firms offer high pay for qualified workers. Shortages of unskilled workers can be partially addressed by allowing more foreigners, mainly from Central Asia, to legally enter Russia and find jobs. Foreign workers already in Russia illegally are being hired and legalized, though they are often conscripted. Russia is burdened with many war-related sanctions but has found ways to deal with sanctions to lessen their impact. Russian conscription officials are thrilled by the higher bribes offered by desperate employers.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted Ukrainian agricultural exports. By the end of 2023 Ukrainian grain production was reduced by 29 percent. Because Ukraine is such a major grain exporter, with 90 percent of the exports traveling by ship, the reductions in grain exports were felt most in poor countries where the population depended on Ukrainian grain imports for much of their food.

To make matters worse, the Russian Black Sea Fleet blockaded Ukrainian grain shipments by sea. This lasted over a year before Ukrainian developed methods to destroy or disable enough Black Sea Fleet ships to force the Russians to move their remaining warships to ports on the eastern coast of the Black Sea that were far from the Ukrainian grain shipping lanes along the west coast of the Black Sea. Most of these routes travel through the coastal waters of NATO members. Russia does not want a war with NATO and, aside from a few unmoored Russian naval mines that drifted into those shipping lanes and were dealt with, most of the normal Ukrainian grain exports have been getting out since early 2023.

When the Russians invaded in early 2022 the fighting reduced farming activity and reduced the amount of grain available by 22 percent. When the invasion began, Ukraine had large stockpiles of grain, and this delayed the impact of shortages by about a year. During the last year some other shortages have appeared and will apparently continue as long as the Ukraine War does.

The main beneficiary of this is Russia, which has long been the largest exporter of grain, followed by Canada, the United States, France, and Ukraine. Western economic sanctions on Russia make allowances for its grain exports to continue. In turn, Russia has not made it a priority to halt Ukrainian grain exports. Russia tried and failed to do that and has not continued its efforts in that area.

In effect, there is something of a truce when it comes to grain exports. The main reason is that much of the Russian and Ukrainian grain exports, which are 30 percent of the world total, go to relatively poor countries that depend on these exports to keep their populations fed and peaceful. Food shortages in most countries means local unrest and political instability.

While the potential problems with Ukrainian grain exports was resolved, the fighting inside Ukraine has caused a lot of other problems. This is especially true as the Russians have switched their missile attacks to civilian infrastructure targets. That resulted in nearly 600 Ukrainian water supply facilities damaged recently. That left 36 percent of Ukrainians without consistent access to water supplies and sewage disposal services. The water supply and sewage disposal industry in Ukraine has suffered $11 billion worth of damage so far. Even before the Russian invasion, Ukraine did not allocate enough money to keep water and sewage facilities in top condition. There was a similar situation with electric power production. Russia deliberately attacked power plants and many parts of Ukraine lost their electrical power. Repairs were made and blackouts were not permanent but, in many regions, they continued to be intermittent. Because 82 percent of Ukrainians live in urban areas, Russia does not have to attack a large number of targets to have an impact. Russia is definitely trying to turn the lights out, cut off the water and halt sewage services in Ukraine.
April 21, 2024: Iran is largely a Farsi (Persian) speaking country in a region where most people speak Arabic. To make matters worse, most of the Arabs are Sunni, which is true throughout the Moslem world. A minority of Moslems are Shia and that includes most Iranians. To make matters worse, Iran has been ruled by an aggressive religious dictatorship since the 1980s. This has led to Iran becoming an outlaw state because its radical religious government insists that Iran must take control of nearby Sunni Arab states, including Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are the custodians of the most sacred religious sites in the Moslem world. The main site is Mecca, which every Moslem, Sunni, or Shia, is obliged to visit once in a lifetime and pray together with Moslems from all factions. Iranian ambitions have led to a perpetual state of war in which Iran battles most other Moslem majority countries.

What makes an aggressive Iran so dangerous is that it does not use Iranians to do its fighting. Instead, Iran has created or taken control of other militant Moslem movements to do Irans fighting instead. The enemy is mostly Israel, the United States and Western nations in general, but sometimes includes Sunni Arab governments, usually Saudi Arabia as the Saudis control Mecca which Iran covets. With the recent exception of Irans missile attack on Israel, Iran fights its enemies via proxies. These are groups that are armed and supported by Iran to fight Irans battles willingly and enthusiastically against Irans enemies.

Currently Iran has about two dozen of these proxies throughout the Middle East. Most of these groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by Western nations, especially the United States. Most of these groups were weak, disorganized, and not very dangerous before Iran came along and offered to turn these groups into deadly threats against enemies of Iran.

Among the more dangerous and well known proxies there are groups like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, the Houthis of Yemen, and Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada and Asaib Ahl al Haq in Iraq. Iran has proxies in Syria, Iran backs the Afghan Fatemiyoun brigade and the Pakistani Zainebiyoun brigade.

Iran gains a measure of control over these groups by supplying them with weapons, cash, and expert advisers to show them how to be most effective in carrying out attacks against their enemies. Iran has a large number of irregular warfare experts organized into the Quds Force. The Iranians are well organized when it comes to supporting and motivating proxy groups. Quds is the organization that handles all this and supplies individual experts as well as technical assistance to proxy groups Iran deems worthy of such expensive and extensive support. Iran spends at least several hundred million dollars a year on this proxy support, and in the past has spent several billion dollars a year. The decline has been due to Western sanctions but, as the current American government has waived those periodically to the tune of $30-40 billion since October 2023, or given Iran billions of dollars impounded by the American since 1980, Iran might return to sharing more with its proxies.

Iran will lavishly support proxy groups for years before unleashing them in spectacular attacks. A recent example of this was the Hamas offensive in Gaza towards Israel. This was a big success, and the Israelis are still trying to recover. At the same time Iran activated Hezbollah (sort of as Hezbollah is very nervous about pushing the Israelis too far) and several other proxies to take advantage of Israeli forces compelled to fight in many areas at once. This offensive began in late 2023 and will extend to late 2024 and perhaps even into 2025.

Iran gets involved wherever it sees opportunities. For example, Iran provided military aid to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Where Iran sees an opportunity, it acts and that makes Iran very dangerous throughout the Middle East as well as Europe, the United States and even South America.
President Joe Biden can breathe a bit easier, at least for the moment, now that Israel and Iran appear to have stepped back from the brink of tipping the Middle East into all-out war.

Israels retaliatory strikes on Iran and Syria caused limited damage. The restrained action came after Biden urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to temper its response to Irans unprecedented direct attack on Israel last week and avoid an escalation of violence in the region. Irans barrage of drones and missiles inflicted little damage and followed a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus this month that killed two generals.

Irans public response to the Israeli strikes Friday also was muted, raising hopes that Israel-Iran tensions  long carried out in the shadows with cyberattacks, assassinations and sabotage  will stay at a simmer.

The situation remains a delicate one for Biden as he gears up his reelection effort i n the face of headwinds in the Middle East, Russia and the Indo-Pacific. All are testing the proposition he made to voters during his 2020 campaign that a Biden White House would bring a measure of calm and renewed respect for the United States on the world stage.

Foreign policy matters are not typically the top issue for American voters. This November is expected to be no different, with the economy and border security carrying greater resonance.

But public polling suggests that overseas concerns could have more relevance with voters than in any U.S. election since 2006, when voter dissatisfaction over the Iraq War was a major factor in the Republican Party losing 30 House and six Senate seats.

We see this issue rising in saliency, and at the same time were seeing voter appraisals of President Bidens handling of foreign affairs being quite negative, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. That combination is not a great one for Biden.

Biden has staked enormous political capital on his response to the Israel-Hamas war as well as his administrations backing of Ukraine as it fends off a Russian invasion.

The apparent de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran also comes as the House on Saturday approved $95 billion in wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, a measure that Biden has pushed for as Ukrainian forces run desperately short on arms.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pushed the package forward after months of delay as he faced the threat of ouster by his partys right flank. The legislation now awaits a vote in the Senate. The new money would provide a surge of weaponry to the front lines, giving the White House renewed hope that Ukraine can right the ship after months of setbacks in the war.

Biden also has made bolstering relations in the Indo-Pacific a central focus of his foreign policy agenda, looking to win allies and build ties as China becomes a more formidable economic and military competitor.

But Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have an argument to make that Bidens policies have contributed to the U.S. dealing with myriad global quandaries, said Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Washington think tank Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

Republicans have criticized Bidens unsuccessful efforts earlier in his term to revive a nuclear deal with Iran brokered by the Obama administration and abandoned by Trump, saying that would embolden Tehran. The agreement had provided Iran with billions in sanctions relief in exchange for the country agreeing to roll back its nuclear program.

GOP critics have sought to connect Russias invasion of Ukraine to Bidens decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and they blame the Obama administration for not offering a strong enough response to Russian President Vladimir Putins 2014 seizure of Crimea.

You can make an intellectual case, a policy case of how we got from Point A to B to C to D and ended up in a world on fire, said Goldberg, a national security official in the Trump administration. People may not care about how we got here, but they do care that we are here.

Polling suggests Americans concerns about foreign policy issues are growing, and there are mixed signs of whether Bidens pitch as a steady foreign policy hand is resonating with voters.

About 4 in 10 U.S. adults named foreign policy topics in an open-ended question that asked people to share up to five issues for the government to work on in 2024, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published in January. Thats about twice as many as mentioned the topic in an AP- NORC poll conducted in the previous year.

Further, about 47% of Americans said they believe Biden has hurt relations with other countries, according to an AP-NORC poll published this month. Similarly, 47% said the same about Trump.

Biden was flying high in the first six months of his presidency, with the American electorate largely approving of his performance and giving him high marks for his handling of the economy and the coronavirus pandemic. But the president saw his approval ratings tank in the aftermath of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 and they never fully recovered.

Now, Biden finds himself dealing with the uncertainty of two wars. Both could shadow him right up to Election Day.

With the Israel-Hamas war, Republicans pillory him as not being adequately supportive of Israel, and the left wing of his party harshly criticizes the president, who has shown displeasure with Netanyahus prosecution of the war, for not doing more to force the Israelis to safeguard Palestinian lives.

After Israels carefully calibrated strikes on Iran, Middle East tensions have entered a gray area that all parties must navigate carefully, said Aaron David Miller, an adviser on Middle East issues in Republican and Democratic administrations.

Does what has occurred over the last 10 days strengthen each sides risk-readiness or has it made them drop back from the brink and revert into risk aversion? Miller said. Israel and Iran got away with striking each others territory without a major escalation. What conclusions do they draw from that? Is the conclusion that we might be able to do this again? Or is it we really dodged a bullet here and we have to be exceedingly careful.

Israel and Hamas appear far away from an agreement on a temporary cease-fire that would facilitate the release of remaining hostages in Hamas-controlled Gaza and help get aid into the territory. Its an agreement that Biden sees as essential to finding an endgame to the war.

CIA Director William Burns expressed disappointment this past week that Hamas has not yet accepted a proposal that Egyptian and Qatari negotiators had presented this month. He blamed the group for standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need.

At the same time, the Biden administration has tried to demonstrate it is holding Israel accountable, imposing new penalties Friday on two entities accused of fundraising for extremist Israel settlers that were already under sanctions, as well as the founder of an organization whose members regularly assault Palestinians.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan and other administration officials met on Thursday with Israels minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. U.S. officials, according to the White House, reiterated Bidens concerns about Israels plans to carry out an operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians have taken shelter.

Ross Baker, professor emeritus of political science at Rutgers University, said Biden may have temporarily benefited from Israeli-Iranian tensions driving attention away from the deprivation in Gaza.

Sometimes salvation can come in unexpected ways, Baker said. But the way ahead has no shortage of complications.

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After days of dialectic warfare and threats of all kinds between Israel and Iran, the anecdote speaks for itself. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was on his way Friday to a meeting with ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation when a journalist asked him, Any comment on last nights attack? Will Iran retaliate? The minister ignored the questions and a member of his entourage responded without pause, Which attack?

The two countries seem to be trying to move on after the restrained Israeli retaliation. At least for the time being, it is a sort of return to the hidden war they had been waging until the bombing of an Iranian consular building in Damascus, which has raised fears of a regional war in the last three weeks. Israel remains silent after a retaliation that allows it to save face, both before the great American ally and its public opinion, without adding much fuel to the already smoldering fire in the Middle East. And Iran plays it down and even sows doubts about who is behind it, exempting itself from the symbolic obligation to launch the painful and imminent response it had promised.

Its a crisis deferred, not a crisis resolved, Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project of the U.S. think tank International Crisis Group, sums up by telephone. Israel has shown its archenemy that it cannot unilaterally rewrite the rules of the strategic competition they maintain, without at the same time putting it in a position that would force it to retaliate. This is most likely due to Israels reluctance to an open war in which it would have to fight on many fronts at once and pressure from the United States. As long as it remains a one-off episode, it can be considered closed, but there is still the possibility of an outbreak because, in this new and ambiguous status quo, it is no longer clear where the red lines are.

Tehran is hiding behind the limited nature of the attack and doubts about the authorship of the attack to avoid responding immediately. Four days earlier, its president, Ebrahim Raisi, had made it clear that the slightest action by Israel would receive a painful response. And the deputy foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, that it would come within seconds.

Air defenses shot down quadcopter drones, according to Irans National Space Center spokesman Hossein Dalirian. These are unmanned, four-propeller, medium-sized drones, to which explosive charges can be added, and which Israel has used against Iranian territory in the past. The most recent, in January 2023, against a military center, also in Isfahan, in an action that U.S. official sources attributed to the Mossad, the secret service abroad. Also in 2021, in a sabotage of uranium enrichment centrifuges and, two years earlier, in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, against a stronghold of Hezbollah, Irans main allied militia.

The Brent thermometer

The markets have also sensed the desire for a clean slate. The Brent oil barrel is a great thermometer of how nervous the Middle East conflict makes the markets, because Iran is the worlds eighth largest producer and a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). On learning of the activation of air defenses in the province of Isfahan, which houses the heart of Irans nuclear program, it soared by 4.5%. After more details emerged, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that no nuclear facilities had been damaged and a senior Iranian official clarified that it did not plan to respond immediately, the rise was down 1% ($88.2).

The impression now is that both sides are back to square one with achievements to claim. Israel, two: having the last word (which usually shows who is the stronger in an action-reaction dynamic) and having fulfilled its promise to respond directly with an attack on Iran, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did when Tehran gave clear signals that it would not let the killings in Damascus pass. And Iran can present the response as a sign that Israel was afraid and brag about how cheaply it broke the unwritten rules and launched an unprecedented attack last week.

Israel killed 13 people, including three senior officers of the Revolutionary Force. Both the profile, the place (a consular building in Damascus, considered sovereign territory) and the moment (after six months of bloody invasion in Gaza) led Tehran to draw a red line and show with facts that this attack, unlike others, would not go unanswered. Last Saturday, for the first time in the history of the two countries, it launched an attack from its territory against Israel, with more than 300 drones and missiles.

In public, Israel played down reports that Tehran had warned neighboring countries and that the United States (which shot down most of the projectiles) had negotiated the scope of the response through Turkey, raising fears that the escalation could led to open war. Iran also raised the tone with unprecedented threats and Netanyahu, now silent, kept up the belligerent rhetoric, with one eye on his electorate and the other on his US ally, who had asked him for restraint in his response after the successful interception.

The message of the Iranian display of force, announced and almost choreographed as a spectacle, was not so much the damage as the ability to do it and the possession of weaponry to reach the enemy anywhere. Just like Israel this Friday. An official U.S. source in fact told ABC that the attack included not only drones, but also three missiles launched from outside Iran against the air defense radar system protecting the Natanz uranium enrichment center. It was, according to the source, very limited. In other words, a message of the capability to leave Natanz unprotected.

Israel rarely acknowledges its foreign operations, at least not immediately. But it could have rushed to show its muscle with one of the typical statements in which a high-ranking political or military official suggests responsibility, without expressly acknowledging it. Only the Minister of National Security, the ultra-right-wing Itamar Ben Gvir, has spoken out, with a one-word message (translatable as weak) reflecting his disappointment that it was not more powerful. His ministry controls the police, but he is not part of the war cabinet that makes military decisions, so it has been almost unanimously interpreted as a way to distinguish himself at a time when polls put him out of power.

Israeli government sources have criticized the message from anonymity and the leader of the opposition, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, has been particularly harsh: Never has a minister in the security cabinet done so much damage to the countrys security, its image and its international status. In an unforgivable one-word tweet, Ben Gvir has managed to mock and embarrass Israel from Tehran to Washington.

The two enemies also have other ways to respond later. The first, with more assassinations of members of the Revolutionary Guards in Syria or Lebanon or of nuclear scientists, or cyber-attacks. The second, with attacks abroad against Israeli interests or through its allied militias, mainly Hezbollah, in Lebanon. And, of course, it has the nuclear ace up its sleeve. This Thursday, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard in charge of nuclear security, Ahmad Haghtalab, dropped the possibility of reviewing the nuclear doctrine and policies to deviate from the considerations announced in the past in the face of the use of the threat of attacking nuclear centers as a pressure tool.

Nuclear arsenal

Israel is one of the few countries in the world and the only one in the Middle East with an atomic arsenal, although it is voluntarily ambiguous about its existence because it violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement. In fact, during the Iranian attack, the army gave special instructions to the population in the city of Dimona, whose nuclear power plant is considered the heart of the program.

To continue to maintain this strategic superiority (which it obtained with the help of France in the 1950s and perceives as a guarantee of its survival), the Jewish state abandons the heavy hand of sanctions and military threats, and actively boycotted the international agreement with Tehran to control its atomic program, which the United States abandoned in the Donald Trump era.

It has also done so by the use of arms. In 1981 it bombed a nuclear reactor in Osirak, in Saddam Husseins Iraq. In 2007 it destroyed an attempt at another in Syria. It is one of the few bombings abroad that he has formally recognized (11 years later). In his longest period in power (2009-2021), Netanyahu was on the verge of decreeing an attack against Irans nuclear facilities in the face of voices warning that the development of an atomic weapon was a matter of months.

Russian support

The Israeli population was also divided on the issue, aware both that Iran is a state and far more powerful than Hamas, the militia that launched the Oct. 7 attack, and that a war with a Russian-backed regional power in the midst of a schism with the West over the war in Ukraine would not pay off with the loss of some 260 soldiers, the most in half a year of war in Gaza. While the invasion of the Strip continues to enjoy solid support, 52% of respondents opposed their country responding to the Iranian attack, according to a poll released Monday by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Among the 48% who supported retaliation, more than half even if it had evolved into open conflict, is Zaki Shalom, an expert on Israeli defense policy at the Jerusalem-based Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, who laments the loss of a unique opportunity to respond on the very night of the attack to show the entire region the price of provoking Israel. I dont agree that this is going to be the new security equation with Iran. It doesnt put us in a good place as a deterrent force, he says by phone.

Israel would have been able to overcome Iranian anti-aircraft defenses in a wider attack. They are, in fact, similar to those in place in Syria since 2015, where its air force frequently bombs (most recently this very Friday) against targets linked to Tehran and has been gathering information for a decade on how to avoid them. This was recalled this Thursday by the former head of the Israeli air defense, Brigadier General in reserve Zvika Haimovich. The regime of the ayatollahs is a superpower in tactical ballistic missiles and drones, but not in air defense, based mainly on Russian systems or their local equivalents, including U.S. fighters dating from the time of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, an ally of Washington and overthrown by the Islamic revolution in 1979.

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A remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper from the 163rd Attack Wing sits in a 178th Wing hanger on Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base, Ohio, March 12, 2024. (Thomas Moeger/U.S. Army National Guard)

(Tribune News Service)  Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has voiced opposition to a move to pull units from the National Guard for inclusion in the U.S. Space Force.

The Air Force last month sent a legislative proposal to Congress that would relieve the service from obtaining governors consent before altering National Guard units, transferring 14 units with space missions within the Air National Guard into the Space Force.

DeWine wrote to President Joe Biden opposing the move.

As commander in chief of the Ohio National Guard, I retain the responsibility for these military organizations and their missions, DeWine wrote in a statement released Friday afternoon. Usurping this power would be unprecedented, and I respectfully ask that you do not do so.

Every Ohio National Guard member takes an oath not only to the United States of America, but to Ohio as well, the governor added. I honor their dual commitment by ensuring that all Ohio National Guard members can serve in the communities where they live, work, and raise their families. When called, they stand ready to deploy  anytime, anywhere.

Dubbed legislative proposal 480, the proposal would federalize Guard units, including units from the Ohio National Guard, into the Space Force and give the secretary of the Air Force discretion to move soldiers or eliminate units.

In his letter to Biden, DeWine said the proposal undermines the intent of the Militia Act of 1903 and circumvents the authority of governors.

Theres no intention to move anyone, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall told senators last week. Theres some concerns out there that I think are overblown. People will basically have stability if they transition.

DeWine emphasized what his statement called his overall support for the missions of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force and encouraged the federal government to consider alternative methods for calling on the Ohio National Guard to support these missions.

This move represents a significant federal overreach that should concern governors and federal lawmakers alike, Francis M. McGinn, president of the National Guard Association of the United States, wrote in a recent op-ed published by the website Breaking Defense. This is an attempt to bypass the longstanding authority Congress gave to governors requiring their consent before any National Guard units can be removed from their states.

The 2024 defense budget and policy bill required the Air Force to explore creating a separate National Guard component for the Space Force.

There are about 1,000 Air Guard space-focused members serving full-time and part-time in Ohio, New York, Florida, Hawaii, Colorado and other states, according to the National Guard Association of the United States.

(c)2024 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit at www.daytondailynews.com

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From left, U.S. Army Pfc. Lawrence H. Williams, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Harold A. Schafer and Seaman 1st Class James W. Holzhauer. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency announced last week that the remains of six service members from World War II and the Korean War had been accounted for.

 U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class James W. Holzhauer, 23, of Abingdon, Va., killed during World War II, was accounted for on May 18, 2018.

 U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Kenneth J. McKeeman, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., killed during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 18, 2023.

 U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Harold A. Schafer, 28, of Denver, killed during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 26, 2023.

 U.S. Army Pfc. Harry Jerele, 26, of Berkeley, Ill., who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II, was accounted for Dec. 20, 2023.

 U.S. Army Pfc. Harold D. Wilder, 19, of Pennington Gap, Va., killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Feb. 17, 2023.

 U.S. Army Pfc. Lawrence H. Williams, 22, of Norton, Kan., killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Nov. 7, 2023.

Each will be buried with full military honors.

Holzhauer

On Dec. 7, 1941, Holzhauer was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island at Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, and it quickly capsized. The attack resulted in the deaths of 429 crew members, including Holzhauer.

From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nuuanu Cemeteries on Oahu.

In September 1947, members of the American Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. Only 35 men from the Oklahoma were identified at that time. The unidentified remains were buried in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis.

Holzhauer was subsequently identified using anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis. His name is recorded in the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Holzhauer will be buried on May 20 in the Punchbowl.

Schafer

In December 1944, Schafer was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division.

After crossing the Saar River on Dec. 6, his battalion captured wooded high ground north of Dillingen, Germany, before being stopped by fierce German resistance. Over several days, his battalion occupied defensive positions on the hill and repulsed enemy counterattacks. Schafer was killed in action on Dec. 10 by enemy machine-gun fire while moving to a different fighting position. His body was not recovered because of intense fighting against heavily reinforced German forces. When American forces were ordered to withdraw from the area on Dec. 21, many casualties could not be recovered due to the intensity of the enemy fire.

Schafer was officially declared non-recoverable in November 1951.

In 2018, a DPAA historian studying unaccounted-for American soldiers lost during fighting at Dillingen determined that Schafer could potentially be associated to a set of remains designated X-4651 St. Avold. These remains had been recovered from the Dillingen area by investigators in 1946. In August 2021 the Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), exhumed the X-4651 remains from Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The remains were sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.

Schafer was identified using anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis.

His name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Lorraine American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in St. Avold, France, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Schafer will be buried in Wheat Ridge, Colo., on a date to be determined.

Wilder

In the winter of 1950, Wilder was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 11 after his unit took part in defensive actions against enemy forces north of Chochiwon, South Korea. Unofficial enemy broadcasts stated Wilder was killed in action while fighting 20 miles north of Taejon, South Korea, but his remains were never recovered or identified during or directly after the war.

In 1954, during Operation Glory, North Korea unilaterally turned over remains to the United States, including one set, designated Unknown X-5139 Operation Glory. The remains were recovered from prisoner of war camps, United Nations cemeteries and isolated burial sites. None of the remains could be identified as Wilder, and he was declared non-recoverable on Jan. 16, 1956. The remains were subsequently buried as an unknown in the Punchbowl.

In 2019, DPAA disinterred X-5139, and after a decade of scientific advances and increased historical research, DPAA was able to positively associate X-5139 to Wilder.

Wilders name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Wilder will be buried in Pennington Gap, Va., on April 28.

Williams

In August 1951, Williams was a member of Able Company, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th U.S. Army during the Korean War. Williams went for a swim in the nearby Han River outside of Chongyang, South Korea. Fellow soldiers witnessed Williams struggle against the fast-flowing currents of the river and eventually submerge. Rescue attempts were unsuccessful, and no search parties were able to locate Williams. The Army issued a finding of death due to drowning with his remains being non-recoverable on Nov. 9, 1951.

On Sept. 25, 1951, the remains of an unknown service member (designated X-1945) were recovered from the Han River nearly 40 miles downstream from where Williams was last seen. Ultimately, attempts by the American Graves Registration Service Group (AGRS) to scientifically identify X-1945 were unsuccessful and the remains were sent to Hawaii where they were buried at the Punchbowl in Honolulu.

In March 2019, DPAA disinterred Unknown X-1945 as part of Phase 2 of the Korean War Disinterment Project and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory, for analysis.

To identify the remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as chest radiograph comparisons and other circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Williams name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Williams will be buried in Denver on a date to be determined.

McKeeman and Jerele

McKeeman will be buried June 7 in the state Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Conn. Read about him here.

Jerele will be buried on Oct. 6 at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill. Read about him here.
ISTANBUL  A flotilla of ships bound for the Gaza Strip is preparing to sail from Turkey in the coming days, organizers say, on a mission aimed at breaching Israels naval blockade and highlighting the lack of aid reaching Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

The organizers, gathered under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, have participated in similar missions for years, an effort that gained worldwide attention in 2010 after an Israeli raid on a flotilla that included a Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, killed 10 people and sparked a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel.

But the flotillas well-traveled route  the Mediterranean  has gained new relevance during the current conflict as governments and relief organizations alike turn to sea deliveries to circumvent what aid groups say is Israels persistent obstruction of deliveries to Gaza over land.

The latest flotilla mission, which will include a cargo ship carrying more than 5,000 tons of aid, comes as global attention on Gazas worsening humanitarian crisis has waned, shifting to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Apparent Turkish sensitivities over whether to allow the ships to depart has caused organizers to hedge on when exactly the voyage, which was scheduled to begin Sunday, would get underway.

The regional dynamics were challenging, Ann Wright, one of the flotilla organizers, said in a phone interview from Istanbul last week, where activists planning to join the maritime convoy were gathering. The mission was also at the mercy of the port authorities in Turkey, said Wright, a retired U.S. diplomat and former Army colonel who resigned her State Department position in opposition to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The ships are ready, she said.

At a news conference Friday aboard one of the ships, Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian American human rights attorney who has joined previous flotillas to Gaza, said our governments have thus far done nothing but we call on them to start now, to uphold their own obligations under international law, to demand that Israel allow the flotilla safe passage to Gaza.

We expect that Turkey will not be bought off and we will indeed sail, she said. Anything less than this is collaborating with the illegal siege on Gaza, and we dont think that is what the Turkish government will do.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the flotillas mission. Israeli channel N12 reported Saturday that security preparations had begun, including for taking over the flotilla. One of the groups participating in the voyage  a Turkish Islamic charity organization, IHH  is designated as a terrorist group by Israel. The group has denied links to terrorism.

Israel has argued for years that the naval blockade is justified to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza  a policy that Arraf said was part of Israels hermetic closure of the territory that amounted to collective punishment of its population, and a war crime.

A report by a U.N. panel on the May 2010 Israeli raid called the naval blockade a legitimate security measure, but said that Israels boarding of the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone was excessive and unreasonable.

Since October, Israels hindrance of aid deliveries by land, as well its attacks on relief organizations, have helped fuel a humanitarian crisis that has caused northern Gaza to slide into famine, according to aid officials and human rights groups.

The killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers by Israeli forces on April 1 highlighted the dangerous environment in which relief agencies operate. In the aftermath, the Biden administration warned Israel to swiftly address civilian suffering in Gaza or risk future U.S. support.

This is a completely man-made and preventable situation, Andrea de Domenico, the head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory, said during a press briefing last week. I think there has been a lot of effort from our side and the Israeli side to some extent to increase the volume of aid that is going to the north, he said, while adding that significant obstacles remained.

In a six-day period this month, 41 percent of our requests for operations in the north have been denied, he said. For Gazas residents, every day is literally a struggle to survive.

In March, President Biden announced a plan to establish a maritime aid corridor to Gaza, shortly after the United States joined other countries in dropping relief supplies by air on the enclave. Humanitarian officials said that while any additional deliveries were welcome, they were no substitute for aid delivered by trucks.

Wright said the flotilla would include a cargo ship carrying food packages, water, ambulances and medical supplies including anesthesia. We are trying to stop the starvation, she said. Its not nearly enough. It will make a dent, she said.

Flotilla participants were conducting nonviolence training last week, in advance of the scheduled departure, she said. We hope that we can get into Gaza, Wright said. But they were preparing for the myriad ways they could be turned back.

Many of the governments in the region had participated in stymieing previous Gaza missions, including Greece, which stopped boats from departing in 2011. The United States had warned its citizens not to participate in the missions, and offered very little assistance when American activists on the flotillas were detained and then deported by Israel, she said.

If the current mission got underway, they were possibly facing an armada, she said, with U.S. warships stationed in the waters off Israel.

Mustafa Ozbek, the media coordinator for IHH, said the organizers had notified the Turkish government, the United Nations and other international institutions about the mission.

Dylan Saba, a 31-year old writer and attorney who was planning to travel with the flotilla, said he was joining in part because there is an obligation for citizens of the world to act, where governments have failed, and to act in the spirit of international law.

As a Palestinian, whose father was born in Gaza, there was a lot of symbolic value in being able to accompany this aid that we are attempting to deliver, not just to my distant family members who are living there, but all of the Palestinians of Gaza, he said.

I feel very confident that this is the right thing for me to do, he said. But I would be lying to you if I said that I was not scared.

Alon Rom in Tel Aviv contributed to this report.
A seemingly small step, a mere formality, for the U.S. House of Representatives, but a giant leap for war aid to Ukraine. After months of delays and dissenting votes, congressmen have authorized a vote this Saturday on the floor  where it will surely pass  on a bill allocating $60 billion (about 56 billion euros) for military and economic assistance to the Russian-invaded country. The passage is the result of an unusual alliance between moderate Republicans and Democrats to defeat the blockade of the group of ultra-conservative Republicans, opposed to allocating a single dollar more to Kiev.

In a highly unusual situation, more legislators from the Democratic minority, 165, voted in favor of the authorization than from the Republican majority proposing the measure, 151. The final result was 316 votes in favor to 94 against to decide on four bills: aid to Ukraine, aid to Israel, aid to allies in the Indo-Pacific and a fourth on U.S. national security measures, a mixed package that includes everything from a ban on TikTok if its Chinese parent does not put the app up for sale to an authorization to seize Russian assets.

Once submitted to a vote, these four measures are guaranteed to be approved, since they have the support of the entire Democratic caucus and the vast majority of Republicans. This alliance has unleashed the fury of the ultraconservative group, which is threatening to unleash an internal process to remove the Speaker of the House, his party colleague Mike Johnson - sponsor of these bills - for being soft, as they already did in October with his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.

Everything in this process has unfolded in an unusual way, since September when the White House submitted what had been a mere formality in Congress: a request for extraordinary funds, contained in a budget bill, to continue military and economic aid to Ukraine and enable Kiev to repel the full-scale Russian invasion launched in February 2022. The request was opposed by Republicans who were skeptical about the transparency of the management of the funds, the duration and prospects of the war, and who felt that the money should be spent on other priorities within the United States. These objections were soon joined by the demand that, before worrying about Ukraine, the immigration issue had to be resolved, given the record flood of asylum requests at the southern border.

For months, the funding request, now included in a $100 billion-plus national security bill that also included $14 billion for Israel, and various earmarks for Taiwan and Asian allies, as well as for beefing up security on the southern border, languished in the halls of Capitol Hill. Democrats and Republicans negotiated for weeks on a complex deal that combined aid to Kiev with immigration reform. The White House urged a yes, and recalled that most of those funds are invested in U.S. arms companies. Meanwhile, there were increasingly urgent appeals from Ukraine, and worsening news from the front about the availability of weapons and the ability to cope with emboldened Russian forces.

The Trump torpedo

But when the two parties were singing victory over a reform agreement in January, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke out against it with a verbal torpedo of his own: the measure was  according to him  terrible. In a matter of days, and in a spectacular political coup, his entire party was of the same opinion. Back to square one.

In February, the measure, without the border provisions and reduced to $95 billion, was finally approved in the Senate, where the Democrats have a majority. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, who had replaced McCarthy in October with the votes of the ultraconservatives, was dragging his feet. There was no chance that the bill, as it came from the Senate, could receive a yes from his chamber: in a highly polarized political climate where collaboration between the parties is almost taboo, and with a Republican party that counts its majority over the Democrats on the fingers of one hand, every vote from the hard wing is necessary. A hard wing that, moreover, controls the rules committee, the body that must give final authorization to move any bill to the floor.

Johnson, on the wing of the Ukrainian-skeptic Republicans, argued that priority should be given to voting on this years budget bills. Once these were passed, he argued that the renewal of FISA, the law that authorizes surveillance measures for counterespionage without the need for judicial authorization and which the House passed earlier this month, should be tackled.

But two weeks ago, the intelligence services gave a series of classified briefings to MPs on the war situation in Ukraine. What they told, several lawmakers in attendance have been pointing out, was devastating. Without help now, Kiev could well lose the war sooner rather than later, with grave consequences for the United States.

More air defense for Kiev

The situation in Ukraine is worse than complicated. Russia is launching missiles and drones against civilian and energy infrastructure. Civilian casualties have increased and there are cities, such as Kharkov in the east of the country, virtually in darkness. NATO allies pledged Friday to send more air defense to the Russian-invaded country, following calls by President Volodymir Zelensky and requests by the EU and NATO, which in recent days have urged their members to review their arsenals. Atlantic Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the allies have identified more Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems available. I expect announcements in the near future, Stoltenberg said after an urgent meeting with the defense ministers of the 32 NATO allies via videoconference, in which Zelenski also participated.

The Secretary General of the Alliance has reiterated that it is now a priority to send material to Ukraine, even at the cost of not complying with the minimum quantities established by NATO for allied arsenals  something that has long since ceased to prevail due to the war launched by Russia and the support for Kiev. However, it has not given details of who will send more air defense and when. The allies are finalizing their commitments, he said, reports Maria R. Sahuquillo.

Ukraine has ordered seven Patriot defense systems in an attempt to create a missile shield to repel Russian attacks. Germany has announced this week that it will send one of those it has and that it will be added to the two it had already delivered. In addition, there are countries such as Spain, Greece or the Netherlands that also have Patriot  in the case of Spain, one of its batteries is stationed in Turkey as part of a NATO mission  and other countries, such as France, have other systems. In addition, there are allies that have committed to send funds to buy air defense elements or spare parts, although this means that the material may take some time to arrive. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has already purchased half a million artillery rounds as part of an initiative to source a million from countries outside the EU to send to Ukraine, NATO has confirmed.

Irans attack on Israel, in which U.S. aircraft played an important role in protecting the allied country from Tehrans drones and missiles, completed the arguments. Last weekend, Johnson announced that he would bring the aid package to a vote in the House later this week.

To attract as many moderate skeptics as possible, and to bypass the ultraconservatives, the speaker, a man who likes to examine any problem from all possible angles, proposed to split the funding package: instead of one bill, four separate ones. The Ukrainian one has built-in measures for stricter supervision, to make it more tolerable among his bench.

Id rather send Ukraine bullets than have to send them U.S. soldiers, Johnson has argued to explain his new pro-aid stance.

However, the Speakers proposal did not have enough votes among his parliamentary group. And among the hardliners, livid by Johnsons maneuver, criticism of the leader of the House was growing, and a proposal to force his dismissal was gaining momentum.

But what was beginning to look like a thing of the past happened: a bipartisan agreement. Democrats, with an extreme interest in getting the funds through, partnered with Johnson to vote for all four bills. It was the first time such an alliance, between Democrats and a conservative Republican, had occurred in Johnsons six months in office.

In Saturdays vote, Johnson will again require the backing of Democrats. In Fridays vote, in a sign of discontent in the most conservative wing, 55 Republican deputies have spoken out against. Something that heralds dark clouds on the horizon for the Speaker of the House: three deputies have already announced that they support a motion to dismiss him.

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Sgt. Colin Arslanbas of Missouri was a reconnaissance Marine assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps)

The Marine Corps has identified the Camp Lejeune Marine killed while training Thursday night near the North Carolina coast.

Sgt. Colin Arslanbas of Missouri was a reconnaissance Marine assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the service announced in a news release Saturday.

The accident, which took place just east of Lejeune in Carteret County, remains under investigation, the statement said.

Words cannot convey our sorrow for the tragic loss of one of our MEU family members, Col. Todd Mahar, commander of the 24th MEU, said in the release. The 24th MEU family mourns the loss of an outstanding Marine and leader. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support to his family during this most difficult time.

Arslanbas enlisted on March 16, 2020, and was promoted to sergeant on April 1, the statement said. His decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

The 24th MEU is a unit built of Marine Corps air, ground and logistics forces that can deploy around the globe aboard Navy ships. The unit is part of Lejeunes II MEF.

Marines from the 24th MEU have spent recent days training with the Navys Wasp Amphibious Ready Group in the western Atlantic Ocean, including off North Carolinas coast, according to recent Marine and Navy social media posts.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that Pakistan has dispatched the 8th tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

In a post on X, he said that the aid consisted of 400 tonnes of tents, food, medicine and blankets, which would be shipped to Egypt before being delivered to Gaza by the Egyptian Red Crescent.

Pakistan remains committed to addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, the foreign minister said.

Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has reaffirmed unwavering support to the people of Palestine.

Ambassador of the State of Palestine Ahmed Jawad Amin Rabei called on the PPP chairman at Bilawal House. MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were also present.

Israels actions in Gaza have created a history of atrocities that have shamed humanity. The Pakistani nation stands united on the issue of Palestine, and our hearts beat with the Palestinians, said the PPP chairman, according to a statement issued from the Bilawal House.

Ambassador Rabei presented the PPP chairman and his sister Aseefa commemorative photos of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Yasser Arafat, as well as a photo of Al-Aqsa Mosque and a commemorative shield.

Overall, Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed 37 Palestinians and wounded 68 over the past 24 hours, according Palestinian health authorities.

Israeli strikes hit the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians are sheltering, as well as Al-Nuseirat in central Gaza, where at least five houses were destroyed, and the Al-Jabalia area in the north, health officials and Hamas media said.

In Rafah, a strike hit a house and killed a father, daughter and pregnant mother, Hamas and Palestinian media outlets said. Doctors at the Kuwaiti hospital were able to save the baby, medics said, making the baby the familys only surviving member.

Five other Palestinians were killed in a separate Israeli air strike on the city before midnight, health officials said. The Israeli military said troops were carrying out raids in central Gaza, where they were engaged in close-quarter combat with Palestinian fighters.

In Gaza, where fighting has continued despite the withdrawal of most of Israels combat forces earlier this month from southern areas, the death toll passed 34,000, Palestinian health authorities said.
Suzanne Shannon, 29, of Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin, was charged with theft

An alleged shoplifter accused of stealing more than 2,300 worth of beauty products from a Boots outlet in Dublin has been remanded in custody.

Suzanne Shannon, 29, of Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin, was charged with theft of 1,009 worth of Aimee Connolly beauty products from the premises on Lower Rathmines Road on Friday.

The mother of five was also accused of stealing various cosmetic products valued at 1,399 from the same pharmacy on February 3.

She appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Saturday when Garda Stephen Walsh said the woman replied sorry when charged.

He also told the court that following her arrest for the theft on Friday, he became aware of the previous alleged incident.

Judge Malone noted that she was not applying for bail, and Ms Shannon said, No, its for the best at the moment.

The judge noted she was unemployed and granted her legal aid.

She directed the defence solicitor to give the garda prior notice if Ms Shannon intended to move a bail application.

The accused, yet to indicate a plea, was remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday.
He is accused of operating a dog breeding business in north Belfast

This is the man accused of operating an unlicensed puppy breeding business from a small terraced house.

Joseph McWilliams faces three charges in a case dating back to August 2022.

The north Belfast man is accused of operating a dog breeding business without a licence on Upper Meadow Street.

He is further accused of keeping an American bull terrier-type dog which he caused to suffer unnecessarily.

McWilliams is also accused of failing to meet the needs of the same dog, with each charge dated August 1, 2022.

The case against him is due to be mentioned at Belfast Departmental Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Belfast City Council requires anyone who owns three or more breeding bitches, or intends to breed more than three litters of puppies a year for sale, to apply to it for a dog breeding licence.

Its website says: We regulate dog breeding establishments in Belfast to make sure they meet minimum standards of accommodation, environment, mating, whelping, behaviour, socialising and health.

Anyone convicted of unlawfully operating a dog breeding establishment can be jailed for up to six months, fined a maximum of 5,000, or face both.

The offence of failing to meet the needs of an animal carries the same maximum penalty, but a person found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal can face up to five years in jail if the case is sent to the Crown court.
Sebastian Switaj (42) who is originally from Poland was provided with a Polish interpreter in court

A man who was unhappy with the food he ordered from a local takeaway turned up at the premises with improvised petrol bombs to demonstrate his dissatisfaction.

Fermoy District Court heard that Sebastian Switaj, 42, of Rathowen, Fermoy, Co. Cork had ordered a food delivery from the Amigos takeaway in the town on August 6, 2023.

When Mr Switajs order arrived he was not happy with it and became engaged in a dispute with staff from Amigos.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Majella OSullivan told the court that Mr Switaj went to the takeaway premies with two glass containers and placed them on the counter.

The containers had lids which had holes cut into them and stuffed into the holes was cloth that had been soaked in petrol.

During the course of an argument with Mr Switaj the staff in the takeaway threw the glass containers outside.

Mr Switaj who is originally from Poland was provided with a Polish interpreter in court.

Defence solicitor Ciaran OKeeffe said that Mr Switaj had suffered heart problems and was on medication at the time of the incident.

He said that his client was previously working in a food processing plant but had been going through a difficult period.

He added that Mr Switaj did not seem to fully understand what he did was wrong.

The court was told that Mr Switaj had five previous convictions including one for assault and one for obstruction and that five months before the incident at Amigos he had received a suspended sentence for assault.

Judge Colm Roberts said: Clearly he was trying to frighten and intimidate the people in the takeaway.

"I would be very concerned about his ability to regulate himself, particularly his anger and his violent emotions.

"To be honest Im finding it difficult to find a reason why I shouldnt sent him to prison.

The judge adjourned the case until June 28 for the completion of a probation report.

He asked Mr OKeeffe to explain to his client that if he comes to the attention of gardai in the meantime he would be sent to prison.
Carl Hargaden admitted carrying out the attack on his wife who needed plastic surgery in a Galway hospital

A man who admitted slashing his wife's neck and face with a broken glass is to be sentenced at a Co Donegal court later this month.

Carl Hargaden tendered a signed plea when he appeared before Letterkenny District Court.

Hargaden admitted carrying out the attack on his wife who needed plastic surgery in a Galway hospital after the incident.

The 61-year-old, with an address at Flax Fields in Convoy, will now go before Letterkenny Circuit Court on April 23.

Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea.

Hargaden was alleged to have slashed Anna Hargadens cheek, wrist and neck with a broken glass during an incident at Flax Fields, Convoy on Sunday, January 28.

Hargaden was initially granted bail, but had it revoked just 24 hours later when he was arrested for another offence.

Hargaden is charged with assaulting Anna Hargaden causing her harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

The court previously heard that Hargaden cut the back of the womans head with the same implement while the victim also sustained injuries to her neck and jaw in the incident.

Hargaden was also charged with breaking the womans glasses and with taking her mobile phone.

During the incident, Hargaden claimed to have placed the womans mobile phone in a fridge, but the phone was later located outside the premises.

Legal aid was granted to solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher and one legal counsel was assigned.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham administered the alibi warning to Hargaden, who was brought to court by prison escort from Castlerea Prison, where he is in custody.
The recording shows three men involved in an altercation on the street in the middle of the day

A still image from the video showing the attack

These disturbing images showing a violent attack on the Main Street in Wexford are from a video that has been shared online.

The recording shows three men involved in an altercation on the street in the middle of the day.

Disturbing video show man kicked and beaten on Main Street in Wexford

In the scenes caught on camera, one man can been seen holding another on the ground. A third man kicks the man who is being held down while screaming at him.

The man who is shouting then attacks his victim with further kicks and a flurry of blows while onlookers shout at them to leave their victim alone.

Gardai said they responded to reports of a disturbance on South Main Street in Wexford on April 19 at approximately 4.30pm.

The attack happened in broad daylight

Three males were injured during the incident, gardai said.

One received medical attention at Waterford General Hospital.

Investigations ongoing.
RTE show helps loving grandma Monica finally reclaim her house after years of clutter

Monica Brady sought help from Home Rescue: The Big Fix and the show helped her sort out her crowded house

A pensioner who lost her husband to cancer a decade ago ended up sleeping on her sofa after her clutter went out of control and took over her three-bedroom house.

Monica Brady (75), who lives in Swords Co Dublin, reached out to RTEs Home Rescue: The Big Fix programme to help with what she admits turned into an unliveable home.

After Monicas husband and adult son both died from cancer within the last decade she ended up staying in her two daughters homes out of loneliness.

She gradually moved home and began accumulating so much stuff that it took over her house, even taking up her kitchen counters.

I slept on the couch for the last 10 years and I actually cant believe Im saying this, says Monica, who moved into her home in the Rivervalley area of Swords in the mid-1980s.

It was only supposed to be for a short time, but I just got into the habit. Then I couldnt get into the bedroom, so I didnt have a choice. Id look at the room and Id say sure I dont know where to start.

Monica's crowded house

Despite her age, plucky Monica is still working, in Dublins famous Savoy cinema.

Ive worked in cinema for 41 years now, she explains.

Id be in the shop all day. Thats my job, to sell popcorn, drinks, tickets, meeting the people. Its not a job, its something that you actually love doing.

I work here one to nine. I used to do full time, now Im just doing the three days. I leave at nine in the night, get the bus and head back home.

Monicas two daughters and her grandchildren regularly visit her, especially to get her homemade coddle.

But they have to bring it home with them as theres no room for them to sit in the house due to the clutter.

Designer Dee Coleman and builder Peter Finn were tasked with helping change Monicas life for the better.

Dee Coleman chats to homeowner Monica

I think with Monica, she just felt so lonely, and she had such a tough run of it because her husband died and then a few years later her son died, both of cancer, Dee tells the Sunday World.

She didnt want to be on her own in the house. It became a bit of a dumping ground, she would cook and get her stuff and run off and stay with other family members.

So the house wasnt a home any more. She had so much clutter then that she had to buy new stuff rather than trying to find what she had, so it just got worse and worse to the point where she couldnt get into the bedrooms, which is why she ended up on the sofa.

It sounds extreme, but when you are talking to her and you see it, you can absolutely understand how it happened.

Dee says her heart went out to Monica.

She is a very, very generous person, and family is everything to her, so she was always buying gifts for them, she points out.

Monica's crowded house

Ive never seen so many unopened boxes of kitchen accessories and toys, and all of them stacked up. Then she couldnt find it because of clutter and shed buy more.

It was really because she couldnt bear to be in the house on her own; it was the loneliness really which struck me.

I think an awful lot of this stems from some sort of trauma, which means that you are kind of disconnected from the house in some way.

I think thats really what happened in Monicas case, she wasnt living in the space.

She wasnt in a position to say do I need this? because she wasnt ever going to be able to find what she had originally.

It was a monster feeding itself, as she couldnt find anything so she had to buy stuff. So the more stuff she bought the worse and worse it got.

Dee appeals to people not to buy something they dont really need.

Im pretty brutal with things, if in doubt, do without, she says.

If I dont absolutely love it or absolutely need it, I dont buy it. Its just that simple, and I try and get my kids to do the same.

Even if theres a lot of clutter in my loft I can feel it. I can actually physically feel it. Im trying at the moment to only buy second hand clothes myself. Not shoes now, I draw the line at shoes.

One of the things we often see in Home Rescue is that as the week progresses and people divest themselves with what they dont need, their faces literally get lighter.

Its a physical relief when the stuff is gone. Which is kind of mad, you work so hard to get the money to buy the stuff that we dont need, then get rid of it to feel better.

Its like a quick fix, Im not feeling great, Ill buy a new pair of shoes. That they think it will make them feel better.

Even Monicas kitchen counters were overrun with stuff

Dee changed a downstairs bedroom into a diner for Monica.

Her family told me that when Monica was younger the house was almost like a drop-in centre, with the waifs and strays of the area, she says.

It was very informal and shed feed whoever came. Everybody loved her food and it was unpretentious, comfort food and coddle. It struck me this is just like a diner.

It also struck me that Monica had a sense of fun. The gamble paid off and I think she loved it.

Monica now has her own comfortable bedroom where she can relax.

Dee, a mum of twins, was headhunted by Home Rescues producers to be on the show after they were bowled over by her talent and charm.

The programme is inundated with requests to help householders transform their homes.

The family doesnt pay at all, reveals Dee.

They dont contribute anything financial to the process. They just have to be willing to allow cameras into their home at a time they are feeling quite vulnerable.

Its not easy to make that phone call and say Im overwhelmed and need help, and you dont make it unless you really need help.
With the recent escalation between Israel and Iran reportedly over, at least for now, the focus in the Middle East has returned to Gaza. In the Palestinian enclave, there is no sign of a cease-fire deal being struck any time soon. But the big question hanging over Gaza is whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will decide to invade the southern city of Rafah, as he promised to do weeks ago. Will he go through with this ground operation, even though Israels main ally, the United States, has warned against it? Will he listen to the U.N. and the humanitarian organizations that argue it is impossible to displace the 1.5 million refugees in the city?

I dont want to wait until the last second, before the Israeli invasion of Rafah, to leave, says Samir Zaqout, 58, deputy director of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, via voice messages, who, just in case, has already escaped to the middle part of Gaza. We all think that this is a war against civilians and against civilian infrastructure, not against Hamas. People think they are going to be killed or that their house is going to be destroyed, especially since Netanyahu singled out Rafah. Israel maintains that Rafah is Hamass last remaining stronghold.

The Israeli prime minister took the middle road when, with the bulk of the international community calling for restraint, he ordered on Friday a measured and controlled attack against Iran, without officially causing casualties or damaging its nuclear program. Netanyahu did so in retaliation for Tehrans attack last Sunday morning, which also left no fatalities, although it wounded a Bedouin girl. Israel was the last to strike before this return to calm and, in some way, it has left the mark of its superiority.

But on the battlefield in Gaza, Netanyahu has not achieved his objectives: ending Hamas and bringing back the more than 130 Israeli hostages still there, many of whom have dead. Like every Saturday, protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv to demonstrate against the government and call for the release of hostages

That is why the logic of what happened with Iran, when international pressure was able to stop a major attack, cannot be applied to the war in Gaza. The deadly Hamas attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 people in Israel, sparked the war in Gaza and  more than half a year later  continues to frame the decisions made by the increasingly unpopular Netanyahu.

In the Gaza Strip  where Israeli forces have killed more than 34,000 people, according to data from the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, Gazans are aware that Israels brutal offensive remains underway. Without knowing when or how the military operation announced by Netanyahu will be carried out, citizens have been fleeing Rafah, near the Egyptian border, for weeks. They have been moving to other areas of Gaza that they believe to be safer, but have come up against the reality of the conflict: jumping from one hell to another. There is no shelter and no one is safe, as the NGOs on the ground continually warn.

Constant drone of drones

This has been confirmed by Samir Zaqout, the deputy director of the Al Mezan Center, who, after living with relatives in Rafah for several months, has fled again, along with his wife. In a kind of diabolical game of ping-pong, they have headed further north. They are now settled in Az Zawayda, between Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp. There, he says, life continues to be horrible and there is permanent risk from attacks by the occupation troops. That is why he has decided  and managedto send his son Nada, 15, and his daughters, Salma, 22, and Farah, 32, to Egypt. Israeli drones hum in the background as Zaqouts records his voice note: Do you hear them? he asks.

The danger of bombings and the humanitarian crisis have made survival difficult in any area of Gaza. I spend most of my time trying to get water, says Zaqout. Municipal authorities only manage to provide Gazans with water for a short period of time, with no pressure, every 12 to 14 days. Then there are other problems  which are serious, but have become a daily occurrence  such as the lack of electricity, which, Zaqout explains, also means that fresh food, such as chicken or milk, cannot be preserved because the refrigerators do not work. Eating packaged food for so many months is killing people, he concludes, adding that food is scarce and its price has skyrocketed.

In the wake of Israeli attacks on medical infrastructure, lack of healthcare and obtaining medicines are other problems that have become part of the obstacle course for survival, as well as the increasing difficulty in obtaining cash. Although I have money, I havent had access to my bank for three months, complains the deputy director of Al Mezan. His situation, he stresses, is not as difficult as that of thousands of impoverished families in Gaza, who were suffering before the current war and depend on remittances from relatives abroad.

The only way to halt famine is through regular and sustained access and a humanitarian ceasefire, the World Food Program (WFP) warned on Thursday in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter). This organization, dependent on the U.N., says that Israel is still not allowing enough trucks with humanitarian aid into Gaza. So far this month, 392 trucks have entered with food, which is almost the same number as in March, but half the figure in January, adds the same source.

Ceasefire talks stalled

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza also seem to be stalled. The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was received on Saturday by the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish president, an Islamist like the Palestinian fundamentalist group, is not part of the main group of countries (the United States, Qatar and Egypt) mediating a deal, but he is trying to pull strings to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, the so-called Freedom Flotilla, which brings together organizations from several countries, intends to set sail from Turkey to Gaza with more than 5,000 tons of humanitarian aid. Its goal is to break the Israeli blockade. Erdogan expressed confidence that one day Israel will pay the price for the oppression it inflicts on the Palestinians and told Haniyeh that all efforts are being made to create the independent state of Palestine which is the key to regional peace and to bringing permanent peace to the region, reports Andres Mourenza.

Erdogan also asked the Hamas leader for Palestinians to unite, in reference to the failed attempts to achieve a joint government with the other political factions in Gaza and West Bank. Turkey has increased its diplomatic contacts in a bid to prevent a further escalation of tension in the Middle East, acting as an intermediary between Iran and the United States, and in meetings with neighboring countries and Hamas.

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz was quick to criticize the meeting between Erdogan and Haniyeh: Muslim Brotherhood alliance: rape, murder, desecration of corpses and the burning of babies. Erdogan, shame on you! he posted on X (formerly Twitter). Seven of Haniyehs relatives (three children and four grandchildren) were killed in an Israeli bombing in Gaza on April 10.

Hamas is considering moving its political headquarters out of Qatar, according to the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, which, according to Israeli media, could alter ceasefire talks.

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Paul Paulio OBrien, was last seen leaving his mothers home in Fairlawn Park in Finglas on Thursday, April 18 ,at 2.30pm.

Concerns are growing for a missing Dublin man who has not been seen in four days.

Paul Paulio OBrien, (52) was last seen leaving his mothers home in Fairlawn Park in Finglas on Thursday, April 18, at 2.30pm.

Mr OBrien, who lives in Ballymun with his partner, was heading in the direction of Care Choice Nursing Home on the Finglas Road.

He is described as being of medium build, approximately five feet eight inches tall and was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a black jacket and a navy body warmer when last seen.

A bag he was carrying was later discovered at Musgraves in Ballymun, however, there has been no sign of the missing man.

Paul O'Brien

A post on social media read: He is a familiar face in the Finglas south area of Fairlawn, Cloonlara, Hazelcroft and would be known by the nickname Paulio.

Im hoping somebody seen or heard of anything.

If anybody hears anything, please WhatsApp me on (089) 494 8738. Even, if you see him but dont speak to him, please message and I will come pick him up.

A concerned relative told sundayworld.com: Hes never ever done anything like this before.

Paul's family are concerned for his wellbeing, and have sought garda assistance in locating him.

If you have seen Paul or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Caio Benicio, who was hailed as a hero by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick

A Brazilian delivery driver who was hailed a hero after intervening in a knife attack in which multiple children were injured is to run for Dublin City Council.

Caio Benicio, who was hailed as a hero by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, announced on Sunday that he would be running as a Fianna Fail candidate for Dublin North Inner City.

Three children and a creche worker were injured in the attack in Parnell Square East on November 23.

Speaking at the Fianna Fail 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill, Mr Benicio said his priorities would be around road safety and immigration.
The couple met at the Stradbally festival back in 2018 and have gone every year to celebrate their anniversary

Although the line-up for Electric Picnic hasnt been announced yet, Sophie Murray revealed that she is now engaged to her long-term boyfriend who she met at the festival years ago.

Sam Donovan proposed in Australia with Sophie uploading a video of the moment with the caption: Its a yes in every lifetime.

The couple met at the Stradbally festival back in 2018 and have gone every year to celebrate their anniversary.

Ms Murray opened up about meeting the love of her life in a Get Ready with Me TikTok.

Myself and Sam bae met at Electric Picnic, well officially met, we knew each other for years, she said last year.

Now were back for our four-year anniversary in the romantic fields of Stradbally.

Myself and Sam had known each other for years but we bumped into each other four years ago at Electric Picnic, so obviously this weekends four years ago which is our anniversary.

I just thought he was so gorge, and I was like girls, we need to find Sam, I want to find Sam.

I found Sam, and the rest is history.

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Meanwhile, another influencer also announced her engagement this week.

Cork-woman Miriam Mullins told followers she was in shock following the surprise proposal by boyfriend Tiaan Heyns in South Africa.

She believed she was filming a video for her social media when her boyfriend of more than four years got down on one knee.

"Im literally still in shock that this happened, she said. "We are so happy and cant wait for the next chapter.

The influencer thanked followers for their well wishes and admitted she cannot believe that she is now engaged.

"Its just so mad what just happened, and I cannot believe it. Im shocked, I cant believe it, she said.

"Im just over the moon, myself and Tiaan are so, so happy to be engaged and moving onto the next chapter of our lives and its just mad, I never thought this day would come.
A driving expert does not believe it is easier to pass a practical driver's licence test in rural areas.

According to data released by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, pass rates in 2023 were significantly lower in Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Wellington than elsewhere in the country.

Auckland's pass rates were the worst, with just 49.2 per cent of applicants passing their restricted test and 55.7 per cent passing their full.

In Bay of Plenty, 50.9 per cent of applicants passed their restricted and 59.4 per cent passed their full, while in Wellington, pass rates were 51.9 per cent and 59.8 per cent respectively.

New Zealand's pass rates were highest in Taranaki, where 70.6 per cent of applicants passed their restricted and 77 per cent of applicants passed their full drivers licence tests.

Gisborne was the place with the second-highest percentage of restricted licence passes, at 68.2 per cent, while the West Coast had the second-highest percentage of full licence passes, at 75.9 per cent.

New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators president Mark Revill-Johnson told Checkpoint testing officers in big cities and rural towns were "very consistent" in they way they marked across the criteria.

He says if someone from Auckland was to drive to a more rural area in the hope it would increase their chances of passing, it might actually do the opposite.

"Smaller towns do tend to have these sort-of out of context traffic environments. If you're not familiar with them, you can just as easily find yourself in difficulty with one of those."

"When you're driving around in an unfamiliar area, it can put more pressure on the test candidate."

Mark says it is "hard to say" why bigger cities had lower pass marks - but says it is likely to do with the number of people taking tests "skewing" the numbers slightly rather than testing officers being more strict.

If 10 people took a test in one place and one person failed, that would be a pass rate of 90 per cent, whereas if 20 people took it and one failed, it would be 95 per cent, he says.

Mark accepts that Auckland may have a more difficult traffic environment for people taking their test, but extra congestion could actually work to their advantage, as they would be driving slower and have more time to see their surroundings.

A "big drop" in pass rates was seen when the current testing system was introduced, Mark says. It went from the high 70s and 80s to the 40s.

"That was because things were set out a lot clearer and a little less discretion was allowed to the testing officer."

But Mark says younger people taking driving lessons are doing better in the new testing system than any other age group.

He recommends people take driving lessons, saying: "We see things that parents perhaps don't see".

RNZ
A significant drop in cruise ship visits to Tauranga is predicted next season.

New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive Jacqui Lloyd attended the Seatrade cruise industry conference in Miami recently and says signs are pointing to fewer port visits next season.

Reasons for the drop in bookings include increased operating costs in New Zealand, higher port fees and regulatory fees from central government, difficulties around hull cleaning regulations, global competition, and concerns about access through the Red Sea, says Jacqui.

Its a big concern for the nation. Preliminary numbers were looking at are 150 to 200 port calls reduced for the country, thats about 54,000 passengers. The risk for some of the cruise lines is just too high.

Jacqui also cites the incident in November when Border Control denied the Pacific Adventure, en route to the Bay of Plenty, entry to the country as bad weather prevented the ships hull from being cleaned.

Despite that, she says the top executives she has met with at the cruise conference speak highly about their time in Tauranga, Rotorua, and the rest of the Bay of Plenty.

They have a wonderful relationship with the port, they enjoy the great welcomes when they arrive, the tourism operators in the area really look after the people. The passengers rate their experience highly.

Jacqui says next seasons bookings have not yet been finalised. The current season is the largest season New Zealand has ever had, and perhaps were coming back to a balance.

Oscar Nathan, general manager of Tourism Bay of Plenty and board member of the NZ Cruise Association, says the region has experienced two busy and lucrative cruise seasons since the countrys international border had reopened.

Eighty-eight cruise ship visits were currently booked at the Port of Tauranga for the 2024-25 season, Oscar says.

This is about 23 per cent lower than the 115 ships that booked to visit this season, although seven did not arrive.

Oscar expects the number of bookings will increase closer to the start of next season.

The New Zealand Cruise Association has noted theres been a significant drop in the number of port calls that are being estimated for the countrys 2024-25 season which, in turn, has impacted the number of cruise ships that we can expect to welcome into Tauranga Harbour.

On Wednesday, the Majestic Princess spent the day in Tauranga. It was the last cruise ship this season. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Tauranga remains a popular destination for passengers and most are usually highly satisfied with their onshore experiences while they are here. Thats presumably why our regions share of the cruise ship bookings, compared to other New Zealand ports, is holding steady.

He says predicting the financial impact of fewer visits was difficult as the most recent data they have available from Stats NZ is from the 2019-20 season.

That season, which was cut short by Covid, saw a $74 million contribution to the regions economy from electronic card spending.

Tourism Bay of Plenty will continue to work closely with the Port of Tauranga, cruise lines, local tourism operators, and the New Zealand Cruise Association to maximise the value and opportunities international visitors brought to the region, says Oscar.

Oscar Nathan, general manager of Tourism Bay of Plenty and board member of the NZ Cruise Association.

Tourism is a very agile sector  were used to dealing with micro and macro influences which can impact visitor trends.

Cruise ships are not the only source of international tourists to the region, says Oscar, and the organisation is consistently working to promote the Bay of Plenty to a range of international visitor markets.

Waimarino owner and director Blair Anderson says 20 per cent fewer cruise ships means they will be 20 per cent down, which will have detrimental effects on staff and turnover. But knowing ahead of time allows him to plan for that.

Blair says Waimarino deals with a lot of cruise ship visitors, especially through their glow worm kayaking excursions.

It has been hard to keep the business going in the last four years but the awesome and amazing staff have helped get them through, he says.

Waimarino Adventure Park owner Blair Anderson. Photo / Supplied.

Two other business owners spoken to by the Bay of Plenty Times are mostly unconcerned about the financial ramifications of fewer ship visits.

Fancy That gift shop owner Bill Campbell says it would not be the end of the world and while it would impact their finances it wouldnt hurt them.

Mount Water Bikes owner Gordy Lockhart says cruise ships don't generate significant revenue for the business as passengers tend to be from an older demographic.

In addition, the age-old problem of cruise ship passengers being immediately bussed out of Tauranga to Rotorua or Hobbiton very much still exists.

RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson. Photo / Andrew Warner.

RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson says the cruise ship industry provided significant value to the Rotorua visitor economy and has had a positive impact for our operators overall.

We anticipate the economic benefits will continue and were working closely with Tourism Bay of Plenty to further understand the full value cruise ship visitors provide to the Bay of Plenty region.

-Bay of Plenty Times.
Irans interest in the atomic bomb dates back to before the Islamic Revolution. During the time of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was an ally of the United States, Iran launched its first nuclear program. Almost a decade ago, the Islamic Republic made a commitment to the major world powers to curb its goals and eliminate 97% of its stockpile of enriched uranium. Today, the deal is broken, and after several years of expanding and accelerating its nuclear plans, Iran is closer than ever to possessing the bomb, although Iranian authorities deny that this is their intention. Should Tehran choose to develop the atomic bomb and assume the risks involved, its Armed Forces would probably begin to have nuclear capabilities in less than a year.

In 2015, Iran signed the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the U.S., France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Germany and the European Union. In exchange for the lifting of international sanctions that were strangling its economy, Tehran agreed not to enrich uranium above 3.65% purity, to keep its stockpile under 300 kilograms, and to submit itself to an unprecedented inspection regime. Less than three years later  when Iran was strictly complying with the rules then-U.S. president Donald Trump unilaterally broke the nuclear pact, calling it the worst deal ever. Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran and added new ones, in a bid to suffocate Irans oil industry.

After the U.S. broke the agreement, Iran no longer considered itself bound to follow the limits agreed to. It began to violate the restrictions and, shortly after, far exceeded the established limits. In 2021, it began to enrich uranium with 60% purity at the Natanz nuclear center, in Isfahan. This was the province targeted on Friday in an Israeli attack, with the Jewish state sending the message that it is willing (and able) to hit the centers of the Iranian nuclear program. Before the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran had not enriched uranium above 20%. A report from last February by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicates that Iran has more than five tons of enriched uranium, enough to manufacture at least two nuclear bombs if it reached 90% purity.

Matthew Savill, a researcher at the British think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), argues that Iran could have uranium with the necessary concentration in a matter of weeks; the question is how long it would take them to produce the necessary weaponry. Savill adds that Iran would have to develop a nuclear warhead and be able to integrate it, probably on a ballistic missile, to be able to deliver it. The RUSI expert and several Western intelligence services agree that Tehran would probably need between six months and a year to complete the process.

Although Iran is closer than ever to possessing the atomic bomb, the regime insists that it does not intend to manufacture it and, for the moment, there is no evidence to show that it has decided to take definitive steps in that direction. After Trump broke the agreement, Iran has advanced steadily in its program, building up the material to develop an atomic bomb, although without making any move  at least openly  to actually build it. Iran has become the only country that has practically everything it needs to produce an atomic bomb but has not done so.

Donald Trump showing the signed decree with which the U.S. abandoned the Iran nuclear pact, in May 2018 at the White House.

Since the Hamas attacks on October 7 and the start of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, uranium enrichment has accelerated in the Islamic Republic and the debate has intensified over whether  as some ultranationalist factions argue  the country should build the bomb. Hours before the Israeli attack last Friday, a commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard declared that the country would consider reviewing its nuclear doctrine. Tehrans fear lies mainly in the possibility that the United States and Israel would bomb its nuclear facilities if it were discovered that they were working on a secret plan to manufacture atomic weapons.

For Israel, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear bombs has been a strategic priority for decades. Both countries perceive each other as the main threats to their national security. During the years of shadow war, in which neither crossed the red line of directly attacking each other  as happened in the last week  Israel has tried to sabotage Irans atomic development, and the shadow of Mossad (Israels foreign espionage service) is behind the murder of several Iranian scientists who worked on the nuclear program. In April 2021, a cyberattack damaged the power grid at the Natanz facilities, just before it began to produce 60% enriched uranium. Israel  the only country that possesses nuclear bombs without publicly admitting it  never officially assumes responsibility for the attacks against Iranian interests, but neither does it deny it is behind them.

The Spanish-Iranian analyst Daniel Bashandeh believes that the latest events in the region may have the opposite effect to that intended by Israel and the United States. Iran could now accelerate the nuclear issue as a last resort to protect itself. The country may refocus attention on its nuclear program as a deterrent measure and to counter Israels intentions to condition the international agenda.

Technically, the nuclear pact is still in force, although even U.S. president Joe Biden described the deal as dead. Biden tried to resurrect some clauses upon arriving at the White House, but unlike during the 2015 negotiations, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prohibited any form of direct communication with Washington.

Restrictions on inspections

IAEA inspectors still have access to the atomic facilities recognized by Tehran: those in Natanz and in Fordow, an underground complex built on a mountain in the Kavir desert. But the erosion of the nuclear deal has completely limited the IAEAs ability to adequately monitor the Iranian program. The agencys workers can no longer carry out surprise inspections, access certain parts of the facilities or take inventory of the centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium.

The Iranian authorities have also removed countless cameras and sensors and vetoed access to some inspectors from hostile countries. In recent years, they have expanded their uranium enrichment centers, mainly underground, in addition to tightening their security. In the spring of 2023, satellite images showed the construction of a new fortified complex deep underground at Natanz.

The nuclear deal will definitively expire in October next year. Even if Trump does not return to the White House, the chances of the U.S. reaching a new agreement with the Islamic Republic appear remote. In the 2015 negotiations, Russia and China joined the efforts of Western powers to get Iran to abandon its nuclear goals. Now, Tehran is aware that Beijing, and especially Moscow, would block any move to impose new international sanctions on Iran in the U.N. Security Council. Some analysts argue that Irans closer relations with Russia  which it supplies drones for the war in Ukraine  has emboldened the country.

Barbara Slavin, a researcher at the Stimson Center, argues that nuclear nonproliferation experts are desperately seeking new ideas to avoid what some have called the binary choice between bombing Iran or Iran having the bomb. The analyst from the American research center emphasizes that diplomacy is the only way to contain the Iranian nuclear program. If there ever was a military solution, which I doubt, it no longer exists. Slavin believes that, after Israels very restrained attack on Friday, Iran is not going to rush to make a nuclear bomb.

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The New York Mets signed slugger J.D. Martinez to a 1-year, $12 million deal last month, but a bad back has kept the six-time All-Star from playing in the majors this season.

Martinez is reportedly getting close to suiting up for the club  but before heading to Citi Field, hell make a detour through Syracuse.
With all the recent talk about AI, data centers, and the cloud, we think it is helpful to remember that processors like GPUs and CPUs only make about 20% of the upfront cost of a server. These tend to get the most focus as the choice of processor has to be made first, and it is this decision that drives the options for everything else in the server, but they are only a piece of the total cost.

Memory is another 20%. But still well over half the cost of a server comes from much more prosaic products  printed circuit boards (PCBs), passive components, cables, power supplies, hard drives and the racks that hold them  we should add networking, which can be more than all the rest of the components, but we will save that for another time  who sells all that gear and where does the value accrue?

Editor's Note:

Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries.

There are two types of vendors here  OEMs and ODMs  we are not going to spell out the acronyms because that actually confuses the picture. Generally speaking  the OEMs own the brands and the end-customer relationships. The ODMs provide sourcing and manufacturing  the physical production and assembly of all the gear. In between the two, there is considerable overlap in areas of design and systems integration. It is important to keep in mind that the boundaries between OEMs and ODMs is fuzzy, with significant back and forth in many areas.

A bit of history. This model came to life during the 1990's as PC makers moved manufacturing from the United States to Asia. The PC brands, the OEMs, outsourced to contract manufacturers largely based in Taiwan. Those companies manufactured gear in Taiwan and later shifted heavily to China. Over time, the contract manufacturers moved up the value chain, adding design capabilities. The contract manufacturers became ODMs and then many of them spun off separate companies to sell their own branded products becoming OEMs in their own right. This model then percolated into how most high-volume electronics are produced today.

Servers moved at a slightly different pace. These offered lower volume and higher prices, so the OEMs, the brand owners, held onto design functions (and sometimes manufacturing) for much longer. For many years, the OEMs worked with Intel to design a range of servers. They then sold these to customers. While they offered various configurations, these were largely catalog systems  customers picked from the options available.

The cloud changed all of this.

Most critically, the public cloud providers (a.k.a. the hyperscalers) came to dominate the market, not only concentrating economic power but also technical competence. Over time, the hyperscalers largely cut out the OEMs, working directly with the ODMs to source the systems they designed themselves.

Today, the OEM landscape largely consists of HP, Dell and Lenovo. There are hundreds of ODMs, but the largest are all based in Taiwan and include Compal, Foxconn, Inventec, Quanta and Wistron. The companies are all very diverse with dozens of subsidiaries spread out across the supply chain. There are also a handful of other ODMs which tend to specialize in specific niches, such as the meme stock of the moment SuperMicro with their specialty in GPU servers.

How does this work in practice? Today there is a divide between the hyperscalers and essentially everyone else. Imagine a large corporation  a bank, a fast food chain, or an automaker  they may still want to own their own servers, or even data centers. They will work with the OEMs, who will offer them a catalog of systems to choose from. The OEMs will then typically act as the systems integrator  working with all the vendors to source parts, assemble the PCBs, then wire everything to together and install the software. The OEMs play an important role here as they are the ones making a lot of the purchase decisions.

By contrast, the hyperscalers operate dozens of data centers. Their business is based on massive economies of scale and if they can shave off 5% of the cost of a server that leads to hundreds of millions of dollars in savings. On top of that they have concentrated technical talent. Put simply, they can afford to hire teams to design servers optimized for their specific needs. Other large corporations do not have those teams, nor do they really need them, they are just not operating at the same scale. The hyperscalers then go directly to the ODMs who collect all the components, assemble the systems and wire them up. Here, it is the end customer who is making purchase decisions for almost all of the components.

This presents a big problem for all the component vendors. Imagine a chip vendor. They need to convince a customer to buy their chip, but the customer does not want a chip, they want a complete working system. Before they agree to any large orders, the customer will want to test out that system and make sure it runs their software well. So the chip vendor has to work with an OEM or ODM to design that system. And these designs costs money. It takes a team of 5-10 people a month or two to lay everything out, verify performance, and ensure firmware and software compatibility. Then someone has to buy components to build a few prototypes.

These costs add up quickly, easily a few hundred thousand per system and often into seven figures. So before the chip vendor can sell a single chip, they have to invest material amounts. Customers all want servers that are as close to their needs as possible, this means someone has to produce multiple versions of the server, and so the costs can balloon. All before anyone knows how well the platform sell.

This problem has gotten worse. When it was only Intel and AMD selling server CPUs, the supply chain had a constrained decision space, with well established providers. Now that there are a dozen CPU designers the combinatorics are much more daunting. Anyone looking to enter the market for AI accelerators has to contend with all these costs. And for smaller vendors, they have to be very careful how they place their bets.

Invest in support for a hot chip and the rewards can be immense, but invest in the wrong platforms and the returns are big losses. The problem is even more acute when it comes to selling to the hyperscalers. They want a lot more than a few prototypes. They have rigorous testing cycles which move from a dozen systems, to a hundred to a few thousand. They may pay for those (or not), but any company designing a chip needs a lot more volume than that to justify the costs of the test systems let alone the cost of the entire chip.

Of course, there are all sorts of initiatives to standardize much of this. The Open Compute Project's core mission is to standardize the design of servers. And while OCP has made some major contributions to the industry, we do not think anyone would describe it as a common standard. All of this is going to get more complex.

The growing diversification of data centers, from CPU-only, to heterogeneous compute is forcing all the vendors  not just the chip designers  to starting taking on some heavy risk. Many will chase every deal, others will probably fall back on old habits focusing on AMD and Intel and now Nvidia. The smart ones will take a portfolio approach to their business and monitor their choices in ways that resemble hedge fund managers or venture investors. We do not intend to be alarmist, much of this is a natural part of electronics cyclicality. Over time, the industry will find some new equilibrium, but the next few years are going to be much more chaotic.
UK children are exposed to an alarming amount of betting advertising and gambling-like information when they are online, according to a new study commissioned by GambleAware, a nonprofit supported by contributions from gaming companies.



The research indicated that children cannot distinguish between gambling items and gambling-related material, such as in-app purchases in mobile phone games, per The Guardian. Moreover, gambling commercials with cartoon visuals are popular with kids. One gambling company advertised a new online slot game with cartoon frogs on social media, blurring the boundary between gambling and amusement.



Based on these findings, GambleAware is calling for new gambling advertising regulations for UK children. GambleAware CEO Zoe Osmond stressed the need for immediate action to safeguard children from early gambling exposure, which might normalize the habit and cause difficulties later in life.

Stricter Regulation on Gambling Ads Urged

The survey, based on interviews with seven-to-25-year-olds, shows that gambling advertisements are common in online venues frequented by kids. It suggests a more comprehensive definition of gambling, including loot boxes and free slot games incorporating betting.



According to the researchers, the overlap between online gambling and gambling-like activities confuses younger children. Nicki Karet, managing director of Sherbert Research, stressed the need for clearer laws to resolve this uncertainty and prevent ads from targeting youngsters with appealing imagery and tones.



According to Gambling Commission data, the Betting and Gaming Council emphasizes age verification and reducing youth gambling ad exposure. However, requests for greater regulation, including barring minors from social casino games, remain.



In light of these developments, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport pledge to monitor online gambling advertising and regulate it to protect kids.

(Photo : Graeme Robertson/Getty Images)

An online Casino's website is pictured on the internet on July 27, 2004 in London.

Online Safeguards Reviewed; Smartphone Sales Ban Possible

With more children as young as five using the internet, Ofcom, the UK's regulatory authority, is conducting a consultation to address hazards and improve online safety, per an recent TechTimes report.



Ofcom's preemptive approach underscores rising worries over internet threats for youngsters, driving a detailed investigation of AI and automated technologies' role in protecting them.The consultation will evaluate the present and prospective uses of these technologies to identify and remove unlawful online content, notably to safeguard minors from dangerous information and to detect sexual abuse imagery.



Ofcom reports a rise in young children's online activity. Nearly three-quarters of 5- to 7-year-olds possess cell phones and use tablets for internet activities.



A large percentage of youngsters in this age range use the internet for texting, phone and video calls, and social media. This demographic uses WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and a growing amount of online gaming.



Due to the changing digital world and its influence on children's online behavior, Ofcom will hold discussions in the coming weeks to establish a strong online child safety policy.



In light of these concerns over online risks involving kids, the UK government is considering banning smartphone sales to under-16s. The proposal targets growing worries about the impact of excessive smartphone and social media use on children.



In March, 58% of UK parents want the government to ban smartphone sales to under-16s, according to Parentkind. Furthermore, over four in five parents worry about cell phones' effects on children and teens.

More common research found that 64% of respondents supported banning smartphone sales to under-16s and 20% opposed it; 72% of 2019 Tory voters and 61% of Labour supporters supported the plan.



Despite its popularity, some have criticized the smartphone ban concept. Conservatives have called the program "out of touch," emphasizing parental responsibility for children's online habits.
Tesla slashed the price of three of its five US models late Friday. Tesla lowered the costs of its Model Y, a compact SUV and the top-selling electric car in the US, and its older and more costly Models X and S.



The EV maker lowered its Model Y prices to $42,990, Model S to $72,990, and Model X to $77,990. While the Tesla Model 3 EV and Cybertruck prices remained unchanged, according to NBC News.



The strategy came after Tesla's stock price dropped below $150 per share, wiping out profits from the prior year. Due to falling sales and increased competition, the company's shares have fallen 40% this year. Low sticker prices are considered an attempt to entice consumers in a tough market.

Elon Musk's India Visit Postponed

Elon Musk noted early Saturday on X that an entry-level Tesla cost $29,490 after a federal tax credit and gas savings. Earlier this month, there were reports that the tech mogul wanted to terminate the development of the Tesla Model 2, a $25,000 compact electric vehicle project. Elon Musk refuted the speculations.



Tesla's top executive said on 'X' that he had postponed a trip to India to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to "very heavy Tesla obligations." He was optimistic about rescheduling the India visit for later this year.

On Friday, millions of Indians voted in a six-week election that will test PM Modi, who advocates Hindu nationalism, per AP News.

Voting began in the first 21 states, from the Himalayas to the Andaman Islands, with voters across the country queuing up early at polling locations. This staggered voting schedule runs until June 1, with the results published on June 4.

(Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk views the new Tesla Model Y at its unveiling in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.

Tesla Recalls Thousands of Cybertrucks

The Tesla pricing changes concluded a turbulent week after the EV firm announced a 10% worldwide employment reduction or 14,000 job cutbacks.

In addition, the company recalled about 4,000 2024 Cybertrucks due to a potential accelerator pedal fault that could cause unexpected acceleration and accidents. The Cybertruck's accelerator pedal pad may become tangled in the vehicle's interior trim, raising safety concerns, as earlier reported by TechTimes.

The NHTSA has validated the recall of 3,878 model-year 2024 Cybertrucks made between November 13, 2023, and April 4, 2024. So far, the agency has reported no safety-related collisions, injuries, or deaths.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk offered free repair to affected Cybertruck EV owners. Electric vehicle makers will replace or repair the Cybertruck accelerator pedal assembly. June should bring recall notices to affected car owners.

Despite a record 1.8 million vehicle sales last year, Tesla's first-quarter 2024 profits decreased as it built more vehicles than it shipped. Tesla's strategic move puts a question on its sales and delivery practices, especially as it releases its newest vehicle platform.

Tesla has struggled to continue rapid growth, especially when larger manufacturers have released battery-powered vehicles, according to The New York Times. Increased competition has hindered Tesla's automobile sales.

Even with market trends like the Cybertruck, Tesla's distinctive design and a high starting price of over $80,000 may limit its sales.
A woman gathers possessions to take before a homeless encampment was cleaned up in San Francisco, Aug. 29, 2023.

The most significant case in decades on homelessness has reached the Supreme Court as record numbers of people in America are without a permanent place to live.

The justices on Monday will consider a challenge to rulings from a California-based appeals court that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.

A political cross section of officials in the West and California, home to nearly one-third of the nations homeless population, argue those decisions have restricted them from common sense measures intended to keep homeless encampments from taking over public parks and sidewalks.

Advocacy groups say the decisions provide essential legal protections, especially with an increasing number of people forced to sleep outdoors as the cost of housing soars.

The case before the Supreme Court comes from Grants Pass, a small city nestled in the mountains of southern Oregon, where rents are rising and there is just one overnight shelter for adults. As a growing number of tents clustered its parks, the city banned camping and set $295 fines for people sleeping there.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely blocked the camping ban under its finding that it is unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outside when there is not adequate shelter space. Grants Pass appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing the ruling left it few good options.

It really has made it impossible for cities to address growing encampments, and theyre unsafe, unhealthy and problematic for everyone, especially those who are experiencing homelessness, said lawyer Theane Evangelis, who is representing Grants Pass.

The city is also challenging a 2018 decision, known as Martin v. Boise, that first barred camping bans when shelter space is lacking. It was issued by the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit and applies to the nine Western states in its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court declined to take up a different challenge to the ruling in 2019, before the solidification of its current conservative majority.

If the decision is overturned, advocates say it would make it easier for cities deal with homelessness by arresting and fining people rather than helping them get shelter and housing.

In Grants Pass and across America, homelessness has grown because more and more hardworking people struggle to pay rent, not because we lack ways to punish people sleeping outside, said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director for the National Homeless Law Center. Local laws prohibiting sleeping in public spaces have increased at least 50% since 2006, he said.

The case comes after homelessness in the United States grew by 12%, to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more people, according to federal data. Four in 10 people experiencing homelessness sleep outside, a federal report found.

More than 650,000 people are estimated to be homeless, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007. People of color, LGBTQ+ people and seniors are disproportionately affected, advocates said.

Two of four states with the countrys largest homeless populations, Washington and California, are in the West. Officials in cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco say they do not want to punish people simply because they are forced to sleep outside, but that cities need the power to keep growing encampments in check.

I never want to criminalize homelessness, but I want to be able to encourage people to accept services and shelter, said Thien Ho, the district attorney in Sacramento, California, where homelessness has risen sharply in recent years.

San Francisco says it has been blocked from enforcing camping regulations because the city does not have enough shelter space for its full homeless population, something it estimates would cost $1.5 billion to provide.

These encampments frequently block sidewalks, prevent employees from cleaning public thoroughfares, and create health and safety risks for both the unhoused and the public at large, lawyers for the city wrote. City workers have also encountered knives, drug dealing and belligerent people at encampments, they said.

Several cities and Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged the high court to keep some legal protections in place while reining in overreach by lower courts. The Martin v. Boise ruling allows cities to regulate and sweep encampments, but not enforce total bans in communities without enough beds in shelters.

The Justice Department also backed the idea that people shouldnt be punished for sleeping outside when they have no where else to go, but said the Grants Pass ruling should be tossed out because 9th Circuit went awry by not defining what it means to be involuntarily homeless.

Evangelis, the lawyer for Grants Pass, argues that the Biden administrations position would not solve the problem for the Oregon city. It would be impossible for cities to really address the homelessness crisis, she said.

Public encampments are not good places for people to live, said Ed Johnson, who represents people living outside in Grants Pass as director of litigation at the Oregon Law Center. But enforcement of camping bans often makes homelessness worse by requiring people to spend money on fines rather than housing or creating an arrest record that makes it harder to get an apartment. Public officials should focus instead on addressing shortages of affordable housing so people have places to live, he said.

Its frustrating when people who have all the power throw up their hands and say, theres nothing we can do, he sad. People have to go somewhere.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June.

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A memo from Washington directs NASA to establish a standard time zone for the moon.

According to the memo issued on April 2, NASA has until late 2026 to set a "Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)," a deadline that coincides the Artemis III, which will be mankind's first mission on course to land at the lunar South Pole.

Taking into account the difference in gravity between Earth and the moon, which causes lunar time to move 58.7 microseconds faster every day, this new standardization is set to make space travel more precise.

Why Is NASA Establishing a Standard Time Zone for the Moon?

Space travel is a precise endeavor. As experts at NASA put it: "Without proper and accurate measurements, none of NASA's missions could be successfully accomplished."

This new directive from the US Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) emphasizes that the new CLT will have the following features:

Traceability to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

The promising Artemis mission is not solely run by the Americans. According to the Artemis Accords, the space program currently has 36 countries signed as partners, with Uruguay being the most recent signee.

Being in sync with the Coordinated Universal Time means the US and all of its partners from around the world now have a distinct and uniform reference time to keep track of the events of the Artemis mission.

Accuracy sufficient to support precision navigation and science

CLT, taking into consideration the slight time dilation caused by the difference in gravity and removing the need to rely on a signal from Earth to reach a spacecraft and vice versa, can help spacecraft achieve more accurate timing and positioning.

TOPSHOT - A photo taken on May 13, 2019 shows a view of the moon in Cannes, southern France. - The Moon is steadily shrinking, causing wrinkling on its surface and quakes, according to an analysis of imagery captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) published Monday May 13, 2019.

Resilience to loss of contact with Earth)

Instruments and people losing contact with Earth can operate independently thanks to CLT.

Scalability to space environments beyond the Earth-moon system.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory explains (via Aljazeera): "A two-way system that sends a signal from Earth to a spacecraft, back to Earth and then to the spacecraft again would take an average of 40 minutes. Imagine if the GPS on your phone took 40 minutes to calculate your position. You might miss your turn or be several exits down the highway before it caught up with you."

If humans travel to the Red Planet [Mars], it would be better if the system was one-way, allowing the explorers to immediately determine their current position rather than waiting for that information to come back from Earth," JPL adds.

As stated in the memo, "NASA will also include consideration of Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), as described in this memorandum, as part of its annual Moon-to-Mars Architecture Concept Review cycle no later than December 31, 2024."
Social media platform X stated on Saturday that it will challenge an Australian regulator's demand to remove tweets about a Sydney bishop's stabbing.

CCTV footage showed the crowd holding the 16-year-old teenager after they arrested him on Thursday for allegedly stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a church in the capital of New South Wales, accusing Emmanuel of disrespecting Islam.

According to X's Global Government Affairs, the Australian eSafety Commissioner ordered the removal of articles about the Christian bishop's attack, per Reuters. Though it would not disclose the challenged postings, X said the regulator threatened a daily penalty of A$785,000 ($500,000) if they were not withdrawn.

X, formerly Twitter, stated that the eSafety Commissioner's request breached Australian law and that it would comply pending legal action. X said the Commissioner cannot control global content visibility on the site and would contest an "unlawful and dangerous approach" legally.

Australian Government to Scrutinize X

In response to X's announcement, a regulatory agency representative stated that the eSafety Commissioner will ensure X's compliance with Australian law. Given the scenario, the agency is considering additional regulatory steps.

In March, the eSafety Commissioner, a government agency that combats dangerous online content, sent legal warnings to social networking platforms like X to inquire about their terrorism-related content activities.

Recognized for his social media presence and global following, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has been contentious, voicing his opinions on topics such as homosexuality, COVID-19 vaccines, Islam, and Joe Biden's election.

The legal battle comes after X's recent controversy wherein Hyundai halted its advertisements on Elon Musk's social media platform due to "brand safety" concerns when the automobile maker's ads appeared alongside pro-Nazi and antisemitic comments.

Freelance journalist Nancy Levine Stearns published a screenshot of a Hyundai commercial alongside Holocaust denial and antisemitic remarks on a user's account. The Hyundai ad was featured next to a Holocaust-related post titled "Violent Event Denial," according to X's head of business operations, Joe Benarroch.

The individual who promoted Nazi ideology and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories posted the ad.

Despite claiming to be from Australia and having almost 55,000 followers under a pseudonym, antisemitic tropes in its profile led to the suspension of the account.

Elon Musk to Charge New X Users' Tweets?

Before the ban, X's sales team did not approve the Hyundai campaign. Brunswick, the advertising firm, neglected to activate the platform's Brand Safety settings, leading to the placement of advertisements alongside hazardous material, according to Benarroch. X is collaborating with Brunswick to improve ad settings and prevent recurring issues.

A photo taken on November 17, 2023 shows the logo of US online social media and social networking service X - formerly Twitter.

In a separate X development, Elon Musk announced his intentions to charge new users on X a small amount before they can post. He said that this method was the "only way" to stop the bot activity that was causing problems for the network.

As previously reported by TechTimes, the tech billionaire stressed the need to charge new customers a tiny price to avoid bot attacks. The tech mogul noted that troll farms and AI may easily bypass "Are you a bot?" security measures like CAPTCHA.

Notably, Elon Musk said the cost is transitory. After three months, new users can post for free if they respond to another user. Some see Musk's declaration as a substantial step forward in X's security and platform integrity efforts, although the deployment timing and price are unknown.
The House of Representatives on Saturday passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, does not sell its stake within a year.

This bill protects Americans and especially Americas children from the malign influence of Chinese propaganda on the app TikTok. This app is a spy balloon in Americans phones, Michael McCaul, the bills author and Texas Republican representative told in a statement.

The revised divest-or-ban legislation on TikTok was passed by a 360-58 vote, with strong support from a majority of both Republicans and Democrats. The updated TikTok bill comes as part of a broader package from House Republican speaker Mike Johnson that includes foreign aid and national security bills to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

For those unaware, the House passed a similar bill in March that required Chinas ByteDance to sell TikTok within 180 days or face a ban in the United States.

This bill was advanced on a unanimous bipartisan vote, 50-0, in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The revised legislation will now head to the Senate, which is expected to vote on the bill next week. Even U.S. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation.

If the bill becomes law, ByteDance would have nine months to sell TikTok and a possible three-month extension if a sale was in progress.

It is also likely to try to challenge the law in court, arguing that it infringes the apps millions of users of their First Amendment rights. However, such court challenges could significantly delay the timeline set out.

Extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation, said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell.

Lawmakers from Republicans and Democrats, as well as law enforcement and intelligence officials, have long expressed concerns that TikTok may present a Chinese government spying risk and pose a severe threat to U.S. national security.

Further, the Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to submit data of roughly 170 million Americans who use TikTok.

However, TikTok has repeatedly denied that the app has ever been used to share U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and will not do so if asked to.

ByteDance has strongly opposed the legislation, with the company posting a statement arguing that the House is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually, said Alex Haurek, a spokesman for the company.

If the law gets passed, this would mark the first time ever the U.S. government has used it to shut down an entire social media platform.
Volkswagen automobile plant employee Vicky Holloway celebrates as she watches the results of a UAW union vote, late Friday, April 19, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Employees at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers union Friday in a historic first test of the UAWs renewed effort to organize nonunion factories.

The union wound up getting 2,628 votes, or 73% of the ballots cast, compared with only 985 who voted no in an election run by the National Labor Relations Board.

Both sides have five business days to file objections to the election, the NLRB said. If there are none, the election will be certified and VW and the union must begin bargaining in good faith.

President Joe Biden, who backed the UAW and won its endorsement, said the unions win follows major union gains across the country including actors, port workers, Teamsters members, writers and health care workers.

Together, these union wins have helped raise wages and demonstrate once again that the middle-class built America and that unions are still building and expanding the middle class for all workers, he said in a statement late Friday.

Twice in recent years, workers at the Chattanooga plant have rejected union membership in plantwide votes. Most recently, they handed the UAW a narrow defeat in 2019 as federal prosecutors were breaking up a bribery-and-embezzlement scandal at the union.

But this time, they voted convincingly for the UAW, which is operating under new leadership directly elected by members for the first time and basking in a successful confrontation with Detroits major automakers.

The unions pugnacious new president, Shawn Fain, was elected on a platform of cleaning up after the scandal and turning more confrontational with automakers. An emboldened Fain, backed by Biden, led the union in a series of strikes last fall against Detroits automakers that resulted in lucrative new contracts.

The new contracts raised union wages by a substantial one-third, arming Fain and his organizers with enticing new offers to present to workers at Volkswagen and other companies.

Next up for a union vote are workers at Mercedes factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who will vote on UAW representation in May.

Fain said he was not surprised by the size of the unions win Friday after the two previous losses.

I think its the reality of where we are and the times that were in, he said Friday night. Workers are fed up in being left behind.

The win, he said, will help the growing unionization effort in the rest of the country.

This gives workers everywhere else the indication that its OK, Fain said. All weve heard for years is we cant win here, you cant do this in the South, and you can.

Worker Vicky Holloway of Chattanooga was among dozens of cheering workers celebrating at an electrical workers union hall near the VW plant. She said the overwhelming vote for the union came this time because her colleagues realized they could have better benefits and a voice in the workplace.

Right now we have no say, said Holloway, who has worked at the plant for 13 years and was there for the unions previous losses. Its like our opinions dont matter.

In a statement, Volkswagen thanked workers for voting and said 83.5% of the 4,300 production workers cast ballots in the election.

Six Southern governors, including Tennessees Bill Lee, warned the workers in a joint statement this week that joining the UAW could cost them their jobs and threaten the regions economic progress.

But the overwhelming win is a warning to nonunion manufacturers, said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit who studies the union.

This is going to send a powerful message to all of those companies that the UAW is knocking at the door, and if they want to remain nonunion, theyve got to step up their game, Masters said.

He expects other nonunion automakers to become more aggressive at the plants, and that anti-union politicians will step up their efforts to fight the union.

Shortly after the Detroit contracts were ratified, Volkswagen and other nonunion companies handed their workers big pay raises.

Last fall, Volkswagen raised production worker pay by 11%, lifting top base wages to $32.40 per hour, or just over $67,000 per year. VW said its pay exceeds the median household income for the Chattanooga area, which was $54,480 last May, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

But under the UAW contracts, top production workers at GM, for instance, now earn $36 an hour, or about $75,000 a year excluding benefits and profit sharing. By the end of the contract in 2028, top-scale GM workers would make over $89,000.

The VW plant will be the first the UAW has represented at a foreign-owned automaking plant in the South. It will not, however, be the first union auto assembly plant in the South. The UAW represents workers at two Ford assembly plants in Kentucky and two GM factories in Tennessee and Texas, as well as some heavy-truck manufacturing plants.

Also, more than three decades ago, the UAW was at a Volkswagen factory in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, east of Pittsburgh. VW closed the plant that made small cars in the late 1980s.

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Landslide win for pro-China leader's party in Maldives vote



Male, Maldives, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



The party of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu won control of parliament in a Sunday election landslide, results showed, with voters backing his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India.

Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) won 66 of the first 86 seats declared, according to the Elections Commission of Maldives results, already more than enough for a super-majority in the 93-member majlis, or parliament.

The vote was seen as a crucial test for Muizzu's plan to press ahead with closer economic cooperation with China, including building thousands of apartments on controversially reclaimed land.

The PNC and its allies had only eight seats in the outgoing parliament, with the lack of a majority stymieing Muizzu after his presidential election victory in September.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) -- which had previously had a super-majority of its own -- was headed for a humiliating defeat with just a dozen seats.

Muizzu, 45, had been among the first to vote Sunday, casting his ballot at a school in the capital Male -- where he was previously mayor -- and urging Maldivians to turn out in high numbers.

"All citizens should come out and exercise their right to vote as soon as possible," Muizzu told reporters.

The Maldives, a low-lying nation of some 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator, is one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rises caused by global warming.

Muizzu, a former construction minister, has promised he will beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation and building islands higher, a policy which environmentalists argue could even exacerbate flooding risks.

The Maldives is known as a top luxury holiday destination thanks to its pristine white beaches and secluded resorts.

But in recent years it has also become a geopolitical hotspot in the Indian Ocean, where global east-west shipping lanes pass the archipelago.

Muizzu won last September's presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen, freed last week after a court set aside his 11-year jail term for corruption.



- Indian troops leaving -



This month, as campaigning for the parliamentary elections was in full swing, Muizzu awarded high-profile infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies.

His administration is also in the process of sending home a garrison of 89 Indian troops who operate reconnaissance aircraft gifted by New Delhi to patrol the Maldives' vast maritime borders.

The outgoing parliament, dominated by the pro-India MDP of Muizzu's immediate predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has sought to disrupt his efforts to realign Maldivian diplomacy.

Since Muizzu came to power, lawmakers blocked three of his nominees to the cabinet and refused some of his spending proposals.

"Geopolitics is very much in the background as parties campaign for votes in Sunday's election," a senior Muizzu aide told AFP ahead of the poll, asking not to be named.

"He came to power on a promise to send back Indian troops and he is working on it. The parliament has not been cooperating with him since he came to power."

Solih was also among those voting early and expressed confidence his party would emerge victorious. There was no immediate reaction from his party to their poor showing in Sunday's vote.

Election chief Fuad Thaufeeq said after polls closed that turnout had already reached 73 percent of the 284,663 electorate when half an hour of voting remained.
Landslide win for pro-China leader's party in Maldives vote



Male, Maldives, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2024



Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's party won control of parliament in a Sunday election landslide, results showed, with voters backing his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India.

Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) had secured more than two thirds in the 93-member parliament, according to provisional results from the Elections Commission of Maldives.

The PNC had secured 66 out of 86 declared, already more than enough for a super-majority. The formal ratification of the results is expected to take a week and the new assembly is to be in office from early May.

Only three women candidates out of a total of 41 were elected, the local Mihaaru newspaper said adding that the winners were from Muizzu's PNC.

The vote was seen as a crucial test for Muizzu's plan to press ahead with closer economic cooperation with China, including building thousands of apartments on controversially reclaimed land.

The PNC and its allies had only eight seats in the outgoing parliament, with the lack of a majority stymieing Muizzu after his presidential election victory in September.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) -- which had previously had a super-majority of its own -- was headed for a humiliating defeat with just a dozen seats.

Muizzu, 45, had been among the first to vote Sunday, casting his ballot at a school in the capital Male -- where he was previously mayor -- and urging Maldivians to turn out in high numbers.

"All citizens should come out and exercise their right to vote as soon as possible," he told reporters.

The Maldives, a low-lying nation of some 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator, is one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rises caused by global warming.

Muizzu, a former construction minister, has promised he will beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation and building islands higher, a policy which environmentalists argue could even exacerbate flooding risks.

The Maldives is known as a top luxury holiday destination thanks to its pristine white beaches and secluded resorts.

But in recent years it has also become a geopolitical hotspot in the Indian Ocean, where global east-west shipping lanes pass the archipelago.

Muizzu won last September's presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen, freed last week after a court set aside his 11-year jail term for corruption.



- Indian troops leaving -



This month, as campaigning for the parliamentary elections was in full swing, Muizzu awarded high-profile infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies.

His administration is also in the process of sending home a garrison of 89 Indian troops who operate reconnaissance aircraft gifted by New Delhi to patrol the Maldives' vast maritime borders.

The outgoing parliament, dominated by the pro-India MDP of Muizzu's immediate predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has sought to disrupt his efforts to realign Maldivian diplomacy.

Since Muizzu came to power, lawmakers blocked three of his nominees to the cabinet and refused some of his spending proposals.

"Geopolitics is very much in the background as parties campaign for votes in Sunday's election," a senior Muizzu aide told AFP ahead of the poll, asking not to be named.

"He came to power on a promise to send back Indian troops and he is working on it. The parliament has not been cooperating with him since he came to power."

Solih was also among those voting early and expressed confidence his party would emerge victorious. There was no immediate reaction from his party to their poor showing in Sunday's vote.

Election chief Fuad Thaufeeq said after polls closed that turnout had already reached 73 percent of the 284,663 electorate when half an hour of voting remained.
Louisiana babies born in areas with high levels of toxic air pollution tend to have lower birthweights and are more likely to be born pre-term, according to a new study of more than 1,000 census tracts across the state.
The two men convinced him that if he started his own company, he wouldnt have to worry about being censored and his supporters would follow him to the new platform. Trump was intrigued enough to lend his name to the effort in exchange for a majority stake in the company. He didnt invest any of his own money. Wes Moss when part of The Apprentice, in 2004. Credit: Getty Images The parties drew up an agreement that authorised United Atlantic Ventures, a company set up by Moss and Litinsky, to put the plan in motion. In return, they were promised an equity stake in Trump Media. Moss and Litinsky, who were on Trump Medias board, were instrumental in negotiating the October 2021 merger agreement with Digital World, a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that had raised $US300 million in an initial public offering. SPACs raise money in an IPO in order to buy an existing company such as Trump Media, allowing the operating business to go public. In February 2022, Truth Social made its debut, quickly becoming the former presidents main online megaphone.

Things soon began to go south, not long after Trump appointed Devin Nunes, the former Republican congressman from California, as Trump Medias CEO. By that summer, Moss had resigned from the companys board; Litinsky had done so earlier. In their lawsuit, filed in Delaware Chancery Court, the two men claimed that their relationship with Trump Media had soured after Litinsky refused Trumps request to give some shares to his wife, Melania, long before the company began to trade. Trump Media has claimed in its lawsuit, filed in March in Florida state court, that Moss and Litinsky failed spectacularly at every turn. The suit blamed the men for the poor rollout of Truth Social, which was marred by technical glitches that Trump Media said had generated hostile press coverage. Trump Media also said some of the actions of Moss and Litinsky had contributed to an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission that delayed the merger. Christopher Clark, a lawyer for United Atlantic, said Trump Medias lawsuit against his clients was meritless. He said that if Trump Media had any claims against his clients, it should bring them before the Delaware court rather than in a separate lawsuit in Florida.

This month, the judge in the Delaware proceeding, Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III, questioned the rationale for filing a suit in Florida, saying he was dumbfounded. Samuel Salario, a lawyer for Trump Media, said that the companys complaint speaks for itself, and that Trump Media would prevail in court. The Apprentice contestant Andy Litinsky. Credit: Getty Images In their lawsuit, Moss and Litinsky claimed their right to 8 per cent of Trump Medias shares and the ability to sell them immediately. They alleged that Trump Media had unfairly barred their company, United Atlantic, from selling any shares for six months, just as the merger with Digital World was being completed. The timing of the action was punitive and retaliatory, Moss and Litinsky alleged. Trump Media has argued that the lockup is consistent with how other large shareholders are being treated and that, in any event, the two men forfeited their rights to those shares. The six-month lock-up imposed on United Atlantic is similar to a share-selling restriction that also applies to Trump and investors who backed Digital World before the SPAC went public in 2021.

Legal experts said it was not unusual for founders of a company that went public to become embroiled in a battle over who should get the most shares. Its all about dividing the pie but not about the fate of the pie itself, said Usha Rodrigues, a professor of corporate law at the University of Georgia School of Law. Donald Trump is still going to be in control. Its just about sorting out the pieces. Moss and Litinsky arent the only ones fighting in court over their equity stake. Patrick Orlando, the former CEO of Digital World, is also suing to get more shares of Trump Media, claiming the SPACs board wrongly cast him aside a year before the merger was completed.

Orlando was pushed out in the middle of the SEC investigation, in which regulators said early merger negotiations between Digital World and Trump Media had violated federal securities laws. The SEC did not charge him with any wrongdoing, and Digital World eventually reached an $18 million settlement with regulators. Loading Orlando and his lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. In claiming that Moss and Litinskys actions contributed to the regulatory investigation, the Trump Media lawsuit said the two men were apprehensive of how Orlando was conducting the merger talks but continued to negotiate with him anyway. The suit noted that after one meeting with Orlando in April 2021, Litinsky wrote in his notes: I get scared, is he wearing a wire?
KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2024 - 12:23 | All, World, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni shrine, viewed by some of Japan's Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism, on the occasion of its spring festival.

Kishida sent the ceremonial tree, called "masakaki," on the first day of the three-day ceremony at the Shinto religious facility in central Tokyo.

Economic revitalization minister Yoshitaka Shindo paid a visit to the shrine on Sunday morning. "I paid my respects to the spirits of those who put their heart and soul into working for the country," he told reporters.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed "deep disappointment and regret" over Kishida's offering and the visit by a minister, saying the shrine "glorifies Japan's past wars of aggression and enshrines war criminals."

In a statement, the ministry urged Japan's leaders to "squarely face history and show their humble reflection and genuine repentance through their actions."

Known as a dovish moderate within his conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Kishida is likely to once again refrain from an in-person visit, as he has done since taking power in October 2021, people close to him said.

Yasukuni has often been at the center of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea as Japan's wartime leaders, convicted as war criminals by a post-World War II international tribunal, are among the more than 2.4 million war dead honored at the shrine.

In 1978, Yasukuni added 14 Class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo, to the enshrined deities, stirring controversy at home and abroad. Tojo was executed by hanging for crimes against peace.

Past visits to Yasukuni by Japanese prime ministers, such as assassinated former leader Shinzo Abe, and lawmakers have drawn a backlash from China and South Korea, where memories of Japan's wartime actions run deep.

Japan had invaded and occupied a wide area of China by the end of the Second World War and ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Recently, Sino-Japanese ties have been frayed due in part to Beijing's increasing military assertiveness in the region and Tokyo's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea beginning in August 2023.

Relations between Tokyo and Seoul, which had deteriorated to their worst level in decades over a long-standing wartime labor compensation dispute, have improved after President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022.

In a bid to avoid irritating China, South Korea and some other Asian neighbors, recent prime ministers have sent offerings to Yasukuni at the time of its spring and fall festivals as well as the anniversary of Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.
When Fraser Thompson and his business partners asked software mogul Mike Cannon-Brookes for money to build Australias biggest solar farm and the worlds longest underwater power line to link it to Singapore, Cannon-Brookes, understandably, said their idea sounded absurd.

Batshit insane, to be exact, Thompson recalls. But the engineering checked out, the numbers added up, and before long, Cannon-Brookes, one of the nations wealthiest businessmen, agreed to become a cornerstone investor in the visionary $30 billion mega-project known as Sun Cable.

Fraser Thompson is one of three co-founders of the $30 billion Sun Cable venture, which is aiming to develop the worlds biggest solar farm in the NT and link it to Singapore via the worlds longest subsea power line. Credit: Simon Schluter

Sun Cable is an example of what Thompson refers to as a big bet on the global green energy shift  the kind of wildly ambitious, yet potentially hugely impactful project that investors pursue too few of here in Australia. But the attainable opportunity for the country could be immense if we go after more of them and strive to become a renewable energy superpower.

Thompson, a Rhodes scholar who formerly worked at McKinsey & Co before establishing a government advisory business in Singapore, points to his research with Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek. It identified a staggering $6.6 trillion of economic opportunities by 2030 from transitioning to a low-carbon green economy in the Asia-Pacific region alone.
Nicola Forrest, the billionaire co-owner of RM Williams, is giving the bush outfitters story a plot twist worthy of their interwoven belts. Until now, the legacy of charismatic founder Reginald Murray Williams, who died in 2003, has kept women in the back saddle of the 92-year-old brands history.

Inside the Outback Heritage Museum, at the Adelaide address still woven on the tug of the classic boots, the smell of leather competes with the testosterone of male-focused exhibits. But on the factory floor, the future looks different.

RM Williams board member and co-owner Nicola Forrest launching the $8 million factory expansion in Salisbury, Adelaide. Credit: Sam Roberts

An $8 million expansion launched by Forrest  in her first official media appearance since the July announcement of the separation from her mining billionaire husband Andrew, after 31 years of marriage  has created factory space for a production line dedicated to womens boots. With the introduction of styles that stop short of stretching into thigh-high territory by sticking to heritage techniques, Forrest is hoping to push womens boot sales beyond the current level of 15 per cent of sales in that category.

This is a new chapter for RM Williams, which is really exciting for Adelaide and Australia, Forrest says. What this new line is doing is enabling us to not only have specific designs for women but to create 70 new jobs.
I was reminded last week of the Russian critic Viktor Shklovskys explanation of how Tolstoy made old things seem fresh. On the subject of flogging, a punitive practice that no longer excited surprise, Tolstoy wrote: Just why precisely this stupid, savage means of causing pain and not any other  why not prick the shoulders or any part of the body with needles, squeeze the hands or the feet in a vise?

To make us feel the pain of it, to see it with new eyes, Tolstoy did two things. The first was to tell us what flogging did in an unfamiliar way. Second, he did not use the word itself, which would trigger an automatic response, encouraging his readers to coast past the passage, and give it no further thought.

Of the two stabbing events last week, only one was labelled terrorism. Credit: X/@AustralianJA

The underlying point is that, often, when we hear a word, we think we know what it is, and therefore stop listening, or at least thinking properly about what we are being told.

Late last week, a 10-year-old boy killed himself. Reading that short sentence prompts anguish, sadness and perplexity. It opens you; it provokes questions. But if people have read this news, most will have read it in slightly different words: they will have read the accurate statement that an Indigenous boy killed himself while under state care. That should prompt no less anguish, sadness or perplexity. But the truth is it will not be treated as an urgent national crisis because, to too many, that single word Indigenous will stop their thinking.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Melbourne prides itself on its coffee culture, and a deep dive into our preferred coffee orders tells a story about changing tastes and demographics. Almost uniformly across Melbourne, the most popular coffee order is a latte. The exceptions to this are East Brunswick in the inner north, where the most frequently ordered coffee is a flat white, and Doncaster East and Tyabb in the east, where a cappuccino is the top order. Grossi Florentino at the top of Melbournes CBD has been brewing coffee for Melburnians for 96 years. Restaurateur and chef Guy Grossi says coffee culture has changed a lot over that period. I remember having my first cappuccino in Lygon Street, he says. It was a much different experience going for a cup of coffee back then, it was just all about your drink, and there were a couple of pinball machines off the back of the cafe, and it wasnt very fancy or anything. Latte lovers Grossi says the experience of going for a coffee is much more sophisticated these days.

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People are not just treating it as a drink, he says. Theyre treating it as a catalyst for socialisation. Lets catch up for coffee, that sort of thing. The coffee orders at Grossi Florentino are reflective of those in the CBD more broadly, with lattes the most ordered caffeinated drink, but Grossi says hes a traditionalist and prefers an espresso or piccolo. I think cafe lattes are popular because if you use good milk as well, its not just about coffee, he says. Its also about really good, rich-tasting milk that tastes like milk is supposed to taste and holds the flavour of the coffee. Cappuccino curve Coffee preferences get more varied when you look at the second-most popular coffee order, which shows a clear divide between Melbournes inner suburbs, where the flat white is preferred, and the outer suburbs, where cappuccinos reign supreme. Data from Square, which provides technology to cafes, restaurants and coffee shops, collated by The Age, shows a cappuccino curve around Melbourne.

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The data is based on tens of millions of cups of coffee sold at businesses using Square in the greater Melbourne area. The curve where cappuccinos, with a sprinkle of chocolate on top, are the second most popular order, starts in the west in Williamstown, goes across to Sunshine West, Keilor, Roxburgh Park and Bundoora, then to Camberwell, Malvern East, Brighton and Sandringham. The cappuccino curve is reminiscent of the Red Rooster line in Sydney which bisects the city, with almost all Red Rooster fast-food stores located in Western Sydney, and the goats cheese curtain in Melbourne, with goats cheese dominating the menu of inner-city cafes. Demographer Simon Kuestenmacher, co-founder and research director at The Demographics Group, said the urban fringe for secondary coffee orders was strict cappuccino territory. That might be explained by older demographics living there, he said. These older cohorts mightve started ordering fancy coffees in the 1990s when cappuccinos were the fanciest white coffee order in town. The further out you go, the more likely you are to encounter a mugaccino (cappuccino in a mug).

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Flat white territory In contrast, in inner-city suburbs like Albert Park, South Melbourne, Footscray, North Melbourne, South Yarra, Richmond, Carlton, Fitzroy, Hawthorn and Alphington, a flat white is the second most popular order. The flat white, a single espresso shot topped up with stretched milk, also beats out cappuccinos as far north as Keilor Park, Glenroy, Reservoir and Eltham. Michael Allen owns Core Roasters in Brunswick East, the one suburb in Melbourne where a flat white is more popular than a latte. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui The inner suburbs and some relatively young growth corridors are dominated by secondary flat white orders, Kuestenmacher says. That can be explained by a relatively younger cohort living in these suburbs. They were too young during the 1990s cappuccino craze and were only introduced to coffee culture when flat whites were a thing. Brunswick East is the one suburb in Melbourne where the flat white is the premier coffee order. Michael Allen, owner of Core Roasters in Brunswick East, says his customers are well-informed and passionate about their coffee. I get a lot of different, more interesting questions from a lot of people, like they know what theyre doing a lot more, he says.

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Core Roasters sells around 250 beverages a day. Coffee costs $5.50 at the cafe and roastery housed in an old warehouse in an East Brunswick backstreet. Loading Allen puts the dominance of the flat white in the area down to the strong coffee culture. There is a higher concentration of roasteries around here, so it is a very different game, he says. Allen says residents in Brunswick East are a really interesting mix of people. Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the suburb shows what was once an industrial area is now dominated by young, highly educated residents with a median age of 33, compared to the national median of 38, and with 51 per cent tertiary educated compared to 23 per cent of the broader population. There are heaps of students and lots of, honestly, really well paid tech professionals around here as well, Allen says. Theres a heap of new apartments, then the other side of the street is a lot of people that have been here for 40 years.

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Lucy Bradlow and Bronwen Bock want to be the first politicians able to take care of the kids as the scores of other MPs bicker in Canberras Parliament House.

The childhood friends are planning to run as job-sharing MPs  working one week on and one week off, alternating trips to Canberra  by jointly nominating as the representative for the inner Melbourne seat of Higgins.

Lucy Bradlow (left) and Bronwen Bock in Central Park, Malvern, last week. Credit: Simon Schluter

But they face an uphill battle overcoming constitutional barriers to running as a duo  a novel approach that has not been replicated in any similar nation. There is also the matter of whether voters would accept their representatives being split on a conscience vote.

Bradlow and Bock argue allowing MPs to work in tandem would allow more mothers, carers and disabled people to be involved in politics.
Tanya Pliberseks appointment as environment minister sparked widespread optimism among conservation groups, most of whom list new national laws as their top priority to fix what she declared were broken environmental protections.

That was in March 2022. Last week, almost the entire conservation movement felt deep disappointment in the ministers failure to deliver on that promise.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek cant say when her nature positive plan will be completed. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Plibersek represents the socially progressive electorate of Sydney and is a senior figure in Labors green-tinged Left faction. She came to the portfolio with a reform agenda mapped out in Labors election campaign.

That pledge included setting up an Environment Protection Agency to handle development decisions and enforce regulations, national standards that would rule out damage to critical habitats, and comprehensive changes to strengthen the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act.
And what of the media campaign concocted by the couple, in which Higgins became the talent managed by her boyfriend, Sharaz? It revealed so much about our political classes. We still dont know why, shortly after theyd met, this pair decided to turn Higgins traumatic experience into a political circus. Its unclear why Sharaz didnt encourage her to take the matter to police directly, safely away from the public scrutiny which has nearly destroyed her. Perhaps the Labor friends Sharaz boasted about suggest that the real target of their campaign held an office higher than that of ex-staffer. It lifts the veil a little on a Canberra culture in which barely matriculated children conceive of themselves as miniature Mata Haris and Machiavellis.

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You could hardly blame the Labor opposition for embracing the opportunity to use the story of a rape cover up to put pressure on the government. Nor should the craven reactivity of former prime minister Scott Morrison be relativised by the eventual finding of truth. By delivering an apology from the floor of parliament for a rape that had not yet been proven, Morrison showed himself as reckless to the rule of law as Lehrmann was to Higgins consent. But then what do political operatives care about the rule of law? Show me the scheming baby staffer and Ill show you the men and women wholl mismanage our country tomorrow.

Of course, it wasnt just Morrison who was reckless to the rule of law. Some among the legal establishment have been accused of being equally casual towards this foundational principle. This case has pitted eminent jurists at odds with one another over what constitutes objectivity. Only Justice Lees diligence and transparency in running an open trial have restored some trust. If theres only one lesson for how Australia does law out of all this, it should be that open justice should be used much more widely.

The case has created a whos who of sordid society and scandal. It has also delivered more morals than a compendium of Aesops fables. But has it served Higgins? I cant shake the feeling that the most unwelcome finding which Lee has left open for us to conclude, is that at the heart of this case is a woman who has been most shamefully immolated in service of other peoples vanities. The grand moral of this tale is yet to unfold.
The Coalitions assistant multicultural spokesman Paul Scarr says parliamentarians need to inject greater empathy into the debate over Labors controversial deportation bill and consider the futures of young working people who face mandatory jail terms if it is passed.

The Queensland Liberal senator said the proposed legislation had real-world consequences for traumatised and vulnerable people in multicultural communities, and passionately urged decision-makers from all sides of politics to register the distress being caused.

You need to be very sensitive and empathetic when you are considering issues like this and make sure the voices of those communities are heard, Scarr said. I think everyone in the political system has to reflect on that. Were dealing with many communities who have been through great trauma.

Scarrs comments mark a pointed intervention in the debate between the Albanese government and the federal opposition over the bill, giving greater weight to the voices of community organisations and asylum-seeker legal groups railing against the severe measures.
The core LabHost offering was its phishing pages. These were hundreds of web pages designed to look like legitimate sites  including banks from around the world, postal services and insurance providers  which criminals used to trick victims into providing their personal information. But the services went much deeper than that. Loading More specialised tools included adversary-in-the-middle attacks, which can be used to automatically circumvent two-factor authentication, as well as detailed analytics and reports to assess the effectiveness of scam campaigns. Users were able to customise their scams with a high degree of granularity to get the exact information they were after, and LabHost also took care of everything in the back end, collecting the data entered into the web pages and collating it into databases for the customer. Like any good software-as-a-service provider, LabHost also offered live technical assistance.

How did the attacks work? Given how broad the tools were, attacks would have differed significantly. However, a common SMS phishing attack aimed at grabbing credit card numbers is a good example. LabHost had a component called LabSend that let customers manage SMS scam campaigns; you just adjusted the parameters to create your custom message, loaded up your database of numbers, and LabHost sent out the texts. You would have had to choose to impersonate one of the supported institutions, such as a bank or courier service. For this example, lets imagine were impersonating a toll road operator. The message might say: You have unpaid tolls that are now overdue. Penalties will be imposed on outstanding amounts. Please settle these amounts by making a payment here: https://roadtollexample.click/

Loading Clicking the link would take victims to a website designed by LabHost, which would likely profess to authenticate the victim by asking for a phone number, then might show a screen designed to steal identifying details (i.e. enter your full name and address). Ultimately, it would ask them to pay a small amount of money for their outstanding toll, by entering their full credit card details. After that, when the LabHost criminal customer next logged into their account, the stolen credit card number and identifying details would be neatly arranged into a database for them, along with statistics and reports of how their criminal operation was tracking. How did law enforcement stop them? In 2022, the UK Metro Police received intelligence about the company, and teamed up with law enforcement agencies and security companies around the world to investigate.

Together, they mapped LabHosts infrastructure, identified key users, analysed more than 40,000 fraudulent websites and collected details on the companys financials. In a press release, the UK Metro Police said LabHost had collected more than 1 million ($1.94 million) in payments from criminal users since it set up shop. Law enforcement agencies co-ordinated several dozen arrests, and seized the servers LabHost used to provide its products. People visiting the websites are now shown a warning that the tools are under police control, and hundreds of known LabHost customers have been contacted and told they are under criminal investigation. What happens now? LabHost was certainly not the only global phishing-as-a-service operator. But its seizure shows that it is possible to police these kinds of crimes, despite the anonymous nature of their operations.

Monash University professor Nigel Phair said the arrests could have the effect of making would-be-criminals think twice before signing up to a phishing-as-a-service provider. These types of investigations are very important, as the emergence of cybercrime-as-a-service platforms like LabHost not only proliferate, but also reduce the barriers to entry for cybercriminals, he said. This investigation also demonstrates there are plenty of cybercriminals located in Australia, making it easier for Australian police to combat this ever-growing type of crime. Trend Micro, a security company that assisted in the investigation, said the result by no means puts an end to phishing, but should have tangible benefits. [Police] have helped remove a major player in the phishing ecosystem, weakening the toolkits of malicious actors, while also spreading uncertainty among their user base, it said in a blog post.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2024 - 16:54 | All, Japan, World

A Chinese professor of Japan's Asia University has become unreachable in China since February last year after he temporarily returned to his home country, sources familiar with bilateral relations said Sunday.

Fan Yuntao, 61, was contacted by Chinese authorities before he disappeared, the sources said, adding he may have been detained. The whereabouts of Hu Shiyun, a professor at Japan's Kobe Gakuin University, also became unknown in China, the college said in March.

Their disappearances have drawn attention as China has been strengthening its efforts to safeguard national security, leading to detentions of people, including foreign nationals, on suspicion of engaging in spying activities.

Beijing's intensification of crackdowns on foreigners and Chinese people who interact with other countries is expected to deepen the existing strains in Sino-Japanese ties, already frayed by several issues such as a territorial row.

In late February 2023, Fan returned to Shanghai. Before he went missing, he told people around him that he was asked to accompany authorities for interrogation, the sources said. He has a chronic illness that requires appropriate treatment.

Fan, an expert in international law and politics, had planned to be back in Japan by April last year, but his family living there has been still unable to establish contact with him. He has been placed on leave, and another teacher has assumed responsibility for his university classes.
Cambridge: Wine produced as far north as Scotland will threaten the future of traditional grape growing regions, experts have found.

A new global map created by scientists from Frances Bordeaux and Burgundy wine provinces predicts that wine production will be forced to shift from the traditional terroir of southern Europe to the northernmost reaches of Britain.

Workers pick grapes at a vineyard in Maidstone, UK. Credit: Bloomberg

Changes in global temperatures are set to make mid-latitude regions  such as southern France, northern Spain and Italy, and the New World vineyards of southern California and the Barossa in Australia  unsuitable for production.

Areas once considered too cool and wet for viticulture, such as the north of Britain, southern Scandinavia and Americas Pacific north-west, will be the winemaking winners, according to the study.
When Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently canvassed the possibility of Australia recognising Palestinian statehood, it predictably provoked a vigorous public debate. So great was the ensuing furore that virtually nothing else Wong said, in a wide-ranging address to the National Security Colleges Securing Our Future conference, was picked up by the media.

But there was much more to Wongs speech than what she had to say about the Middle East. She addressed the many foreign policy challenges Australia faces. There is no arena in which the subtleties of emphasis  or the lack of emphasis  is more revealing than in diplomacy.

Wong gave us a glimpse of where her priorities lie, not from her words alone, but from the issues on which she chose to concentrate  and those she failed to emphasise.

One particular global challenge notable for the lack of attention it received was the Ukraine War, dealt with in a single sentence. Wongs failure to have more to say about the subject in her tour dhorizon of global issues was both revealing and symptomatic of the way in which Ukraine has slipped down the list of Australias priorities.
Bark, an American dog toy company, has recently joined forces with Talon Air, a private jet charter company, to offer luxury first-class flights tailored specifically for dogs. This unique partnership aims to put an end to the stress and discomfort experienced by pets when they have to travel in crates within the cargo hold of a plane. In these exclusive canine-focused flights, dogs no longer have to endure noisy, dark spaces without adequate food and water. Instead, on Bark Air, your furry companions are treated to the utmost comfort and care while flying high in style. As Matt Meeker, the co-founder and CEO of Bark, explained in a statement, We are excited to leverage the knowledge we have gained over the years to create an experience truly focused on dogs, which is radically different from just accepting dogs.

A Tail-Wagging Experience: Onboard Amenities for Sophisticated Pets

These first-class pet-friendly flights go beyond simply eliminating crates and cargo holds. With Bark Air, dogs receive lavish treatment fit for their human counterparts as they embark on their journey between destinations. Quality is never compromised as your beloved pooch enjoys a whole host of luxurious onboard amenities.

1. Spacious Seating Options and Cozy Beds

Dogs aboard Bark Air can relax in comfortable seats or snuggle up in plush beds designed especially for them. No cramped cages or small corners  your pampered pet will savor ample space and comfortable accommodations on this unique flight experience.

2. Fine Dining for Discerning Canine Tastes

Bark Air also provides a gourmet menu of delicious offerings catered specifically for your four-legged companion. Dogs can sip on chicken broth water, enjoy tasty treats, and even indulge in some Doggie Champagne to toast their fabulous first-class life.

3. Socialization Opportunities

During their flight, dogs have the chance to meet and socialize with other furry travelers. Under supervision, these pets can interact with each other, forming new friendships and enjoying playtime during transit. Meanwhile, pet owners can savor delectable dishes whipped up by top chefs onboard. Strong bonds between man and mans best friend are further strengthened while everyone enjoys quality care on whats bound to be a memorable journey.

Exclusive Bark Air Destinations: From NY to LA and the UK

For now, Bark Air is offering nonstop flights from New York (NY) to Los Angeles (LA) and New York (NY) to the United Kingdom (UK), priced at 5,600 to 7,500 euros. Additional routes are expected to be announced soon as demand for canine luxury travel grows. In an exhilarating act of solidarity, Matt Meeker demonstrated his commitment to improving air travel conditions for dogs by locking himself inside a crate in the cargo hold of a flying plane. This bold move was intended to highlight the distressing environment many animals face when forced to travel like this.

By offering premier aviation experiences tailored specifically for our beloved four-legged family members, Bark Air aims to change the landscape of pet travel forever. Heres a quick recap of the lavish amenities pets can look forward to onboard Bark Air:

Comfortable seating and cozy beds designed especially for dogs

Delicious gourmet menu including treats, chicken broth water, and Doggie Champagne

Opportunities to mingle and socialize with fellow canine travelers

Bark Airs dedication to the comfort and well-being of dogs during air travel represents an unprecedented shift in the industry. With private jet charter companies such as Talon Air joining forces with innovative pet-focused organizations like Bark, we are surely witnessing the dawn of a new era  one where beloved canines can finally enjoy the same level of luxury travel as their loyal human companions.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2024 - 10:34 | All, Japan, World

A Japanese peace research institute discovered in March that an additional subcritical nuclear test was added to a U.S. tally due to a change in its criteria, with a series of plutonium experiments from 2007 now being grouped together to represent a single test.

Peace Depot Inc., based in Yokohama near Tokyo, filed a request last September with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under the Freedom of Information Act to disclose the details after it was revealed last year that the number of U.S. subcritical nuclear tests had risen from a total of 32 to 33.

Jill Hruby, administrator of the NNSA, disclosed the new figure to the public at the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty's science and technology conference last June in Vienna.

The NNSA is responsible for regularly assessing the reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile in a manner consistent with the existing U.S. nuclear testing moratorium.

The NNSA explained that the series of plutonium experiments, referred to as the Thermos experiments, were eventually included in the official count of subcritical nuclear tests because the criteria defining what constituted such an experiment were broadened.

The Thermos experiments, carried out at an underground test site in Nevada between February and May of 2007, had been considered different from the subcritical experiments because they used lower quantities of plutonium and high explosives, among other reasons.

Peace Depot Special Adviser Hiromichi Umebayashi, who was in charge of the organization's investigation, pointed out that U.S. nuclear information is often classified, leading to important data sometimes not being disclosed.

"We need to keep a close eye on developments to prevent the resumption of nuclear testing," Umebayashi said.

The United States voluntarily stopped carrying out underground nuclear tests in 1992 and shifted to subcritical testing, which does not produce self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reactions.

In subcritical experiments, chemical high explosives generate massive pressures on nuclear weapons materials, such as plutonium.

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, subcritical tests were conducted in June and September of 2021, with the latest one known as Nightshade C.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two Japanese cities to have been struck with atomic bombs dropped by the United States in the final stages of World War II, have lodged their protests with the U.S. government, saying subcritical nuclear tests violate the spirit of the CTBT.
After Iran-Israel strikes,





BAGHDAD :

Blast at pro-Iran military base in Iraq rings alarm bells One person was killed, 8 were injured in the blast. US denies involvement, says no airstrikes in Iraq.

IRAQI authorities said on Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight. Militia officials had initially described the explosion at the Kalsu military base north of Babylon  a former US base that was handed over to the Iraqi military in 2011  as an airstrike, blaming it on US forces. The US Central Command denied in a statement that it had carried out any airstrikes in Iraq. The PMF in a statement Saturday afternoon described the blast as an attack but did not blame any specific party. Iraqs Security Media Cell said the countrys air defence command had not detected any drones or fighter plane in the airspace of Babylon before or during the explosion. It said one PMF member died and eight people were injured, including an Iraqi army soldier.

The PMF is a coalition of primarily Shiite, Iran-backed armed groups designated as an independent military formation within the Iraqi armed forces. In recent months, some of the PMF member groups launched attacks on US forces based in Iraq and Syria, which they said was in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Those attacks halted at the end of January after three US soldiers were killed in a strike on a base in Jordan, near the Syrian border, prompting US retaliatory strikes in Iraq. The explosion at the PMF base came a day after a suspected Israeli strike in Iran. An umbrella group of Iran-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said Saturday that it had launched a drone attack against the Israeli Red Sea town of Eilat in response to what it described as Israels violation of Iraqi sovereignty in its treacherous targeting of the Popular Mobilization Forces camps.

There were no reports in Israel of an attack on Eilat and no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Iranian Foreign Minister in New York: Ease Middle East tensions: IRANIAN Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian has come out in favour of easing tensions in the Middle East in remarks to Iranian media in New York on Saturday, following tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran. War and military tensions are of no benefit to any party in the region, and so fundamental solutions must be found, Amirabdollahian said. All sides needed to focus on a political solution, he said. Israel had to cease its war crimes in the region, Amirabdollahian said. Humanitarian aid and an exchange of hostages for prisoners in the Gaza conflict would then become possible, he said at the end of a trip to the US. While in New York, where he joined several sessions of the United Nations, Amirabdollahian emphasised that Iran would not react to attacks on military targets in Irans central Isfahan Province on Friday that have been attributed to Israel. Neither damage nor victims were caused by the small drones shot down near Isfahan, Amirabdollahian was quoted as saying.

The Foreign Minister described the attacks as an attempt by pro-Israeli media to show Israels military dominance. The small downed drones were rather like the toys that our kids play with, he is reported to have said. But he warned that Iran would respond vehemently and firmly to a real Israeli attack. Fridays attacks on Isfahan, where Iran maintains key aspects of its nuclear arms industry, have widely been seen as a response to last weekends mass attack by Iranian drones and missiles on Israeli territory. That attack was in turn seen as a response to an attack on the Iranian embassy compound on April 1, which has been attributed to Israel.
Its final: Nagpur records 54.11% polling





The staff on election duty at Tidke Vidyalaya packing the material related to voting that took place on Friday in Nagpur. The boxes of all these material were later sent to Kalamna Market Yard, where the counting will be conducted on June 4, 2024. (Pics by Anil Futane)

The Hitavada Team :





After the voting in five Parliamentary Constituencies (PC) of East Vidarbha held in the first phase of elections on Friday, the final figure of polling were revealed by the Returning Officer on Saturday. The region registered a creditable 64.05 per cent voting. From among the constituencies of Eastern Vidarbha, Chandrapur constituency fared the best with 67.57 percent voting, while Nagpur registered lowest 54.11 percent voting. n The Hitavada Team After the voting in five Parliamentary Constituencies (PC) of East Vidarbha held in the first phase of election on Friday, the final figure of polling were revealed by the Returning Officer on Saturday. The region registered a creditable 64.05 per cent voting. It took time for the final figures to come out due to rise in number of polling centres. From among the constituencies of Eastern Vidarbha, Chandrapur constituency fared the best with 67.57 percent voting, while Nagpur registered lowest 54.11 percent voting.





The five constituencies-Nagpur, Ramtek, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli-Chimur and Bhandara-Gondia went to polls in first phase on Friday. Bhandara-Gondia followed Chandrapur in voters turn out to registered 67.04 percent voting. Ramtek followed with 66.37 pc, Gadchiroli at 65.19 percent. At Gadchiroli, as polling percent in some remote areas were yet not available, the final figures will be known by Sunday. From 2004 to 2024, there is an approximate surge of 45 percent in registration of women voters. The new and young voters too were in quite a good number this time. Like earlier polls, this time also number of women voters turned up to polling centres is less than the number of men voters. In Bhandara-Gondia there are 18,27,188 total voters of which 12,24,956 exercised the right to vote with 68.23 men and 65.27% women. In Gadchiroli there are 16,17,207 total voters of which 10,54,189 cast votes. The per centage of men and women voters who voted is 65.19 and 65.18 respectively. In Chandrapur of the 18,37,906 total voters, 12,41,952 turned up to the polling centres. The total per centage of the men and women voters who cast their votes is 69.62 and 65,.41 respectively. In Nagpur 12,02,962 voters of the total 22,23,281 exercised their franchise with 56.37% men and 51.85 women turned up to the polling centres. In Ramtek, 69.28% men and 63.40% women voters exercised their right to vote of the total turn out of 1,83,485.

In Ramtek 2,76,448 voters had registered themselves. CHANDRAPUR: In all, 67.57 percent of voting was recorded under Chandrapur-Wani-Arni Lok Sabha constituency election conducted on Friday. A total of 67.57 percent voters casted their vote for the election held on April 19, 2024 from 7 am to 6 pm. Interestingly, even though the scorching heat was over 40 degrees in the district since last week, the voters performed their duty of voting with great response. According to the last Lok Sabha election 2019, a slight increased by three percent was observed 2014. The Lok Sabha elections held on Friday, 70.09 per cent voting was recorded in Rajura assembly segment, 58.43 percent in Chandrapur, Ballarpur-68.36 percent, Warora-67.73 per cent, Wani-73.24 percent and Arni-69.52 percent in the election. Chandrapur Lok Sabha Constituency has a total of 18,37,906 voters including 9,45,736 male voters, 8,92,122 female voters and 48 other voters. Out of these, 6,58,400 male voters (69.62 per cent), 5,83,541 female voters (65.41 per cent) and 11 other citizens (22.92 per cent) voted registered a total of 67.57 per cent in Chandrapur segment, informed by the district administration through a press release. GONDIA: The fate of the eighteen candidate in fray for 18th Lok Sabha was locked in the EVMs and the final polling percentage for Bhandara  Gondia Lok Sabha seat has improved and it was 67.04 % with Sakoli LAC (Legislative Assembly constituency) registering highest 71.32 % among the six LACs. Sakoli was followed by Arjuni Morgaon  70.87 %, Tumsar  67.53 %, Bhandara  66.06 %, Gondia  63.74 % and lowest was in Tirora with 62.83 % polling. The average polling was 67.04 %,notably polling held at 2133 centers of the six LACs. There were 18,27,188 registered electors and of them 12,24,956 electors cast their franchise with 6,26,057 male and 5,98,893 females voted and participated in the biggest festival of democracy.

Even as there were eighteen candidates the contest is most likely to be close and straight between NDA and Mahayuti candidate sitting MP Sunil Mendhe and MVA Congres candidate Dr.Prashant Padole. Among others BSP`s Sanjay Kumbhalkar and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi`s Sanjay Kevat were in the fray alongwith former MLa Sewak Waghaye who was in the contest as Congress rebel. The counting will be held on June 4 , after the completion of fifth phase of election in the country. Despite summer heat , youths, women and senior citizens cast their votes in good numbers. It may be noted that poll percentage till 5 pm was 56.88 % but in last one hour it gained and the final percentage recorded was 67.04 %. Leaders and supporters were claiming victories for their candidates and speculation among the people was on rife. Gadchiroli: After voting in Gadchiroli-Chimur Lok Sabha Constituency yesterday, EVM voting machine have started arriving in the strong room established in Agriculture College of Gadchiroli since last evening. EVMs in remote and sensitive areas will reach by tomorrow evening or the next day, it has been informed by the administration.

These EVM machines will remain under strict security in the strongroom until the counting process starts on June 4 next. Collector Sanjay Daine and District Superintendent of Police Nilotpal inspected the strong room security system here. At this time, they also gave necessary instructions in terms of security. Collector Daine has clarified that some polling centres in Gadchiroli district are in remote and sensitive areas, so there will be a delay in the arrival of the voting machines and also in getting the final statistics of the voting. He said that the final figures for all the constituencies will be available by late tonight. So far, the data has been obtained from Amgaon, Bramhapuri and Chimur Assembly constituencies. Accordingly, 69.24 percent voting was recorded in Amgaon Assembly Constituency, 74.41 percent in Chimur Assembly Constituency and 75.10 percent in Bramhapuri Assembly Constituency.
KDM Academy to felicitateabout 80 students today





Business Reporter :

KDM Academy Pvt. Ltd., one of the renowned names in the field of coaching, is all set to felicitatemeritorious students at a special award function on April 21. The function will be held at 11am at Sai Sabhagruh AuditoriumlocatedatShankar Nagar in the city. Over all 80 students, who got admissions in various prestigious Medical and Engineering colleges will be awarded. Addressing the press conference here on Saturday, N P Sharma, Director of the academy, said that the successfull students will give cash prizes. Our academy is an established name in Vidarbha for coaching of NEET/JEE students.

It has continuouslyproduced good results year after year for the last many years. The institute has a very good teamofdedicated,experienced, learnedandwellknownteacherswhocantakestudents from verynormallevelinsubjects to required higher level keeping studentsincomfortzone.Every teacher has a lot of patience in clearing doubts, revising requiredcornersintheirrespective subjects, he said. Regular two year course for 11th+ 12th+ JEEorNEET2026 for Xth passed students will start from May9,2024.Inaddition, the repeater batch for NEET/JEE 2025 will start from June14,2024.Repeatersbatch, for students who could not scorewellinNEET-2024exam, is starting from June 14, 2024. There is a concession in fees to the students who scored good marks. For details visit KDM Academy, Kate Galaxy, Near Dande Hospital, Ravi Nagar Square, Nagpur. (Mob.: 8983080555, 8381080444).
Like Amethi, Congs Sahabzade to lose Wayanad too, predicts Modi





NANDED :

CONGRESS has accepted its defeat even before the Lok Sabha poll results are out, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday while addressing an election rally at Nanded on Saturday. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, he said that just as the Congress leader lost from Amethi in 2019, the Congress sahabzade will lose the Wayanad Parliamentary seat this time. Campaigning for candidates of Nanded and Hingoli Lok Sabha seats, Modi accused the Congress of being a barrier in the path of development and that it cannot be trusted to work for the countrys progress. Apparently targeting former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Modi said some INDIA bloc leaders who have been members of the Lok Sabha for several years, have left the Lower House of Parliament and found a seat in the Rajya Sabha as they have no confidence to contest elections. Voters will vote for Viksit Bharat (developed India). Modi referred to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans recent remarks against Rahul Gandhi, saying, Even I cant make such comments.

The agriculture crisis and farmers problems did not arise in one day. They happened because of the Congress flawed policies. But the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is committed to work for their welfare, he said, adding that he has been fixing the problems created under Congress regimes earlier in the last 10 years. Now, we have to work even harder, he said. Congress survives on one family. But now the family cannot vote for the party candidate. For the first time, the family will have to vote for a non-Congress candidate in the constituency where they live because they dont have a candidate, Modi added. Describing the I.N.D.I.A bloc a grouping of selfish parties that have come together to protect their corrupt practices, he said the alliance has been rejected by voters in the first phase. The I.N.D.I alliance does not have a face to project to people who they can entrust countrys future to, he said.

They may claim anything, but the reality is that Congress leaders have accepted defeat even before announcement of polls, he added. Predicting an all-out fight among the I.N.D.I.A bloc members after June 4, Modi urged people to teach them a lesson in elections. The Prime Minister thanked voters for coming out in large numbers to exercise their voting right in the first phase of elections. Next 25 years will be years of Indias greatness in the world, he said. I want to congratulate and thank people, especially the first-time voters. As per the information I have received, voting has been one-sided in favour of the NDA. I thank you with a bowed head, he said. Modi urged people to step out to vote in large numbers although there is heat, farmers are busy and the wedding season is on. Soldiers always do their duty of protecting the countrys borders irrespective of any season. By voting, you are not doing anybody a favour but securing the countrys future, he said. In a sarcastic comment, Modi said he wanted to boost the morale of the opposition party workers as 0they should also encourage voters to come out to vote. On the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, he asked people to think of what fate would have befallen Sikhs who came to India from Afghanistan without CAA. (PTI)
Man claims Bishnoi gang member to execute major' plan in Mumbai; police find call to be hoax





MUMBAI :

The Mumbai Police launched a search after a caller claimed that a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang would execute a major plan here. The call was found to be a hoax, an official said on Saturday. Around midnight on Friday, the Police Control Room received a call, with the man on the other side claiming that a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang would be arriving at Dadar Railway Station. The man said the henchman of the jailed gangster would be executing a major plan, prompting the city police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) to conduct a thorough search of the Dadar station at night, the official said. The cops did not find any suspicious individual there, he said, adding that the call was labelled as a hoax.

The police are currently trying to trace the caller using the phone number, he said. Earlier, a Ghaziabad resident was arrested for allegedly booking a cab in the name of Bishnoi and sending it to Khans residence here. Accused Rohit Tyagi, who was picked up from his hometown, intended it to be a prank, an official said on Friday. On Wednesday, Tyagi allegedly booked a cab online for a journey from Galaxy Apartments, Khans residence, to the Bandra Police Station. When the cab driver reached the address, he realised that it was a prank, and lodged a complaint. Bishnoi was in the news earlier after a motorbike-borne man fired at actor Salman Khans residence in the citys upscale Bandra area last Sunday. While the alleged shooter and his accomplice were arrested, police had said they were probing the Bishnoi gangs role as a Facebook post taking responsibility for the attack, created in the name of his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, surfaced after the incident.
Role played by India appreciated at IMF, World Bank meet: Seth





By Lalit K Jha :

WASHINGTON

DURING the annual Spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank there was a widespread appreciation of the role played by India during its G-20 presidency in building consensus on a range of key global issues, a top Indian official has said. India hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi from September 9-10. The summit adopted a 37-page consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war and took several steps to ensure the stability of the global economy. There is a widespread appreciation of Indian presidency of the G-20 in building consensus on several issues, relevant for global deployment, conducted of various meetings during the presidency as well as the leaders summit, Ajay Seth, Economic Affairs Secretary told PTI on Friday on the sidelines of the annual sprint meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Due to the ongoing Lok Sabha election, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not attending the annual IMF and World Bank meetings. Instead, the Indian delegation this time is being represented by senior Government officials, including RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, and the Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth. There is the recognition that India provides practical examples of following successful development paths. There was also an appreciation that the very effective conduct of monetary policies and responsive and responsible fiscal policies is leading to maintaining its financial stability in emerging economies, including India amid global conditions, Seth said.

There are a few ideas given on sustainable finance about how the financing for climate action should be happening, he said in response to a question. On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the second meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the Brazilian Presidency was held on April 17-18.

The two sessions discussed the topics of reimagining finance for a just transition and climate goals and international financial architecture for the 21st century. During the first session, the RBI Governor shared Indias experience such as the issuance of sovereign green bonds for about USD4 billion and the introduction of a framework for regulated entities to accept green deposits. On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, the Economic Affairs Secretary also had bilateral meetings with counterparts from the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa as well as the Chair of Financial Stability. Speaking in the session on reforming the international financial architecture, the RBI Governor underscored the need for sound macroeconomic fundamentals for managing volatility in capital flows. He emphasised the need for central banks to remain focused on ensuring price and financial stability. Seth appreciated the Brazilian Presidency for developing the 2024 MDB agenda based on the 2-volume report of the G20 Independent Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs that was prepared under the Indian Presidency of the G20.
The Science Of Hatha Yoga





By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA :

A mong different types of Yoga, HathaYoga is a prominent one. The word Hatha consists of two letters- H and Th. The letter H indicates the solar energy channel of the body and Th is indicative of the lunar energy channel. According to the HathaYogic concept, there are seventy two thousand Nadis or energy channels in the human body. Out of them three Nadis or energy channels are prominent- Ida or lunar, Pingala or solar and Sushumna or harmonious state when both lunar and solar channels are synchronised. When we study modern human anatomy and physiology, we find that there are cooling and heating systems in the human body. Broadly speaking, the parasympathetic nervous system is the cooling system of the body. It is responsible for rest, digestion and relaxation.

On the other hand,the sympathetic nervous system is the heating mechanism of the body. It keeps the body in fight or flight mode. When both the systems work in perfect harmony, the body is in a state of homeostasis. Faulty functioning of these two systems causes psychosomatic diseases. If the parasympathetic nervous system is overactive, it causes depression. On the contrary, overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for stress and restlessness. Ancient seers of Yoga had propounded thatabalanced state of lunar and solar channels of the body is sine qua non for physical and mental health. Going one step further they have found that our breathing mechanism controls these energy channels in a very effective way.

The science of breath is called Swara Yoga in the Indian tradition. According to the postulates of Swara Yoga the dominance of left and right nostrils keeps on changing every 90 to 130 minutes. If this cycle is disturbed, it leads to numerous diseases. Hence, Pranayama or breathing exercise is prescribed to keep both the channels in harmony. Anuloma and Viloma Pranayama or breathing technique is the best way to balance and harmonise the cooling and heating systems of the body. Hatha and Swara Yoga suggest different types of Pranayamas or breathing exercises to correct different types of ailments. If the mood is very low and one is feeling depressed, the solar channel of the body needs to be activated. In this process, the left nostril is closed and inhalation and exhalation are done through the right nostril. By doing so heat is generated into the body and one becomes active.

On the other hand left nostril breathing is practised to activate the lunar channel of the body to calm it down. It seems that dominant right nostril breathing is associated with the sympathetic nervous system, while left nostril dominance is related to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Breath is called Prana or moving energy in Yoga. By manipulating breath , the mind is controlled and different vital functions of the body can be impacted in a positive way. Slow, rhythmic, balanced and smooth breath is the sigh of a healthy person. It is the observance of medical science also that onset of any disease first disturbes the breathing patterns of the concerned.





(The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) 
KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2024 - 09:47 | Sports, All

Although Yuzuru Hanyu has turned his back on competition, the two-time Olympic figure skating champion's desire to achieve unparalleled heights remains unwavering in his new venture as an ice show artist.

In a March interview, the 29-year-old said he would not return to competition but feels compelled to deliver skating performances at "the highest level in the world."

In February 2023, Hanyu became the first skater to perform solo at Tokyo Dome in a show attended by around 35,000 spectators.

The performance was also shown live to paying audiences in Japan and overseas at movie theaters. This past February, a show on Hanyu's first solo tour drew a standing-room-only crowd in Yokohama.

In July 2022, five months after failing to win a third straight Olympic gold medal, Hanyu left competition behind, saying that he "stopped wanting to be evaluated" in terms of points, but would seek new ways to express himself in skating exhibitions.

"I have taken all the necessary steps (in competition) to get to this point," Hanyu said, expressing no regrets about his change of direction.

With total creative control over his shows as producer and director, Hanyu is working with an array of talented collaborators. In addition to choreographer Mikiko, Hanyu has summoned top visual, music and lighting professionals.

"My mind was attached to doing things one can't imagine within the competitive framework," Hanyu said. "I feel as if the others involved are so far ahead of me. I need to evolve."

Despite his international fame, Hanyu, a native of northeastern Japan's Miyagi Prefecture, maintains strong ties with the area, which was devastated by the March 11, 2011 magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

He performed a show there in March 2023, and again last month, 13 years after the disaster, which claimed over 15,000 lives, struck Miyagi and neighboring Iwate and Fukushima prefectures, triggering a nuclear disaster.

Hanyu said his thoughts are also with the victims of the M-7.6 quake that jolted Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan on New Year's Day, leaving more than 200 dead.

"I keep skating with the wish that those people affected can put aside reality, and experience joy for a moment," he said.

Related coverage:

Figure skating icon Yuzuru Hanyu announces divorce

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KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2024 - 19:27 | All, Japan

Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopters crashed during a drill in the Pacific late Saturday, leaving at least one of the eight crew members dead, with the other seven still missing, Japan's defense minister said.

The two aircraft, which crashed in waters around 270 kilometers east of Torishima Island in the Izu Island chain during a nighttime anti-submarine drill in the area, are believed to have collided with each other, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters Sunday. The Izu Islands are located south of Tokyo.

The crash added to a series of fatal accidents including Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft in recent years, fueling public concern over the safety of their flights despite the government's efforts to sharply increase defense spending.

"We have been providing education to ensure that lessons from past incidents are not forgotten, but this kind of accident has occurred, so it is a matter of the greatest regret," Kihara said, recognizing the frequency of accidents within the SDF.

The SH-60K helicopters, each carrying four crew members, lost contact at 10:38 p.m. and 11:04 p.m., respectively, with the MSDF receiving an emergency signal at 10:39 p.m., according to the MSDF.

The emergency signal was possibly emitted from the two choppers simultaneously on the same wavelength, Kihara said.

Two flight recorders were recovered "at extremely close locations" and are now under analysis, while what appears to be rotor blade parts from the two helicopters and other aircraft debris was also found during a post-accident search, he said.

Following the accident, the MSDF suspended all training involving SH-60K helicopters, made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., and set up a panel to investigate the incident, according to Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the MSDF.

Together with another MSDF helicopter, the two crashed aircraft were conducting an exercise to detect and attack a submarine, after taking off from separate destroyers that were deployed near the incident site, Sakai told a press conference.

Sakai said no abnormality in the equipment of the two aircraft has been reported, adding that the water depth near the crash site is about 5,500 meters.

One of the choppers belonged to Komatsushima Air Base in Tokushima Prefecture, while the other was based at Omura Air Base in Nagasaki Prefecture.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, but the ministry will do its utmost to search for and rescue those who are missing, Kihara said.

With a length of 19.8 meters and a weight of 10.9 tons, the MSDF's SH-60K can carry up to four people and has its own anti-submarine system, modeled after the U.S. Navy's SH-60 chopper.

Recent deadly incidents by SDF aircraft include a crash of a UH-60JA helicopter of the Ground Self-Defense Force into the sea in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2023, resulting in the deaths of all 10 people aboard.

In January 2022, an Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jet crashed into the Sea of Japan off Ishikawa Prefecture in the central part of the country, killing two pilots.

Under its war-renouncing Constitution, Japan had long capped its annual defense budget at around 1 percent of its gross domestic product, or about 5 trillion yen ($32 billion).

But the government pledged in 2022 to almost double it to 2 percent or more in five years through March 2028, amid growing security challenges such as China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs.

Related coverage:

Japan's GSDF fails to determine cause of helicopter crash in 2023

U.S. forces resume Osprey flights in Japan amid local safety concerns

Part of Japan SDF helicopter wreckage recovered from seabed
RAMALLAH, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A general strike took place on Sunday in the West Bank in condemnation of the killing of 14 Palestinians in three-day Israeli raids in the northern part of the territory.

The strike was held to condemn the Israeli military operation in the city of Tulkarm and its Nour Shams refugee camp, Issam Bakr, coordinator of the National and Islamic Forces in Ramallah, told Xinhua. Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed Saturday that at least 14 Palestinians were killed in the raids.

Shops, markets, schools, universities, banks, public transportation, and other private businesses are closed as part of the strike called by the Fatah movement, which also issued a statement calling on Palestinians across the West Bank to join in a march condemning the atrocity.

The streets in the villages, towns, and cities of the West Bank are almost empty of cars and passers-by after transportation lines stopped, while factories and laboratories closed their doors.

The General Union of Palestinian Teachers announced that members in schools, education directorates, and the education ministry in the West Bank are participating in the strike.

Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli forces demolished the refugee camp's main streets, infrastructure, residential homes and shops after encircling it with military bulldozers.

Israeli media reported that Muhammad Jaber, commander of a local wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Tulkarm, and some other Palestinian militants were killed in a coordinated raid by Israeli forces on Thursday night in the Nour Shams refugee camp.

The Hebrew Public Radio reported that clashes broke out with militants in the camp during the operation, injuring nine Israeli soldiers.

During the operation, Israeli forces arrested eight wanted persons, seized explosive devices and tunnels, and destroyed workshops for making explosive devices in the camp, the radio reported.

Israel has killed more than 483 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Saturday. 
HOUSTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and at least 14 others were injured in a block party shooting on Saturday night in Memphis, the southern U.S. state of Tennessee, police said. 
To concretise efforts geared towards facilitating increased export by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have disclosed partnership to eliminate duplication of export process at seaports.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, who was recently named by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a member of the Implementation Committee of the National Single Window Project was in a meeting with the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the Customs Area Command,Apapa, Lagos to chart course for a seamless export processes.

The meeting aimed on infusing greater efficiency in port operations, especially around the export value chain. More importantly, the deliberations focused on the elimination of duplication of Custom export desks undertaking multiple cargo checks from the NPA-licensed Export Processing Terminals (EPT) to the port gate and within the port.

Also featured in the discussion was putting in place inter-agency modalities to ensure that 24-hour port operations, which is a necessary precondition for Port competitiveness become a reality, to which the MD/CEO NPA and the CG Customs decided to synergise advocacy to get other government agencies buy-in.

Bello-Koko urged the stakeholders to take advantage of other ports such as the Lekki Deep Seaport, and the Eastern Ports of Calabar, Warri, Rivers, and Onne Port, which in recent times have recorded tremendous growth.
Ododo's Political and Judicial Peril: Navigating Nigeria's Unusual Terrain Amid Election Tribunal Scrutiny - Wrong Timing of Egregious Acts Spells Uncertainty

In the dreary, deadly, and rough landscape of Nigerian politics, electoral violence has become an ominous specter, haunting the very essence of democracy. Orchestrated by political actors and often with the implicit backing of law enforcement agencies, this violence not only deprives citizens of their inherent right to vote but also corrodes the bedrock of democratic principles. Reports of sponsored thuggery, ballot box theft, and voter intimidation have stained the electoral fabric, casting a shadow of doubt over the credibility of Nigeria's purportedly democratic institutions. In this landscape, acts of violence reign supreme, wielding power and influence over the electoral process.

The decision to relocate the Kogi State Off-cycle Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja stands as a stark indictment of the prevailing security situation. Faced with brazen attacks on tribunal staff and the audacious theft of vital documents, the tribunal had no recourse but to seek refuge in the sanctuary of the nation's capital. This strategic move aimed to shield the proceedings from the nefarious influence of local actors and vested interests, thereby preserving a semblance of impartiality in the adjudication of electoral disputes. Amidst the chaos and turmoil, the tribunal's relocation underscores the gravity of the security threats posed by acts of violence.

Another line of violence in Kogi, epitomized by the harrowing experiences of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, now a senator, and the now-ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, offers a chilling glimpse into the pervasive culture of violence and intimidation that pervades Nigerian politics. Akpoti-Uduaghan's haunting testimonies of assassination attempts and orchestrated road blockades lay bare the stark reality of power struggles gone awry. Such egregious acts not only subvert the sanctity of the democratic process but also pose existential threats to the safety and security of political actors and ordinary citizens alike. In this environment of fear and uncertainty, the specter of violence looms large, casting a dark shadow over the democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.

The entanglement of Governor Usman Ododo in the saga surrounding Bello's dramatic escape from the attempted arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence adds yet another layer of complexity to an already convoluted narrative. With a looming tribunal case and mounting federal scrutiny, Ododo finds himself teetering on the precipice of political oblivion. The palpable discontent of the Tinubu government with both Bello and Ododo regarding this national embarrassment before the world further underscores the tenuousness of their political fortunes. Despite Ododo's purported mastery of Nigeria's intricate political and judicial machinations, his fate hangs precariously in the balance. A loss in the tribunal case could unleash a cascade of legal ramifications, exposing the fragility of Nigeria's governance framework.

The insiders and outsiders sobering indictment of Nigeria's tumultuous judiciary, where the boundaries between justice and political pragmatism blur with alarming frequency. The convergence of allegations, ranging from electoral malpractice to widespread corruption, paints a bleak tableau of legal malfeasance. In this murky milieu, Ododo's political acumen and legal savvy may prove woefully inadequate to safeguard his political tenure.

Ododo's complicity in facilitating Bello's brazen escape from the EFCC's attempted arrest at his residence raises profound questions about the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process. The government's resolute condemnation of the violence and chaos surrounding Bello's evasion, coupled with the brazen restraint of EFCC officers by thugs and police, underscores the depth of disquietude over such blatant abuses of power. This alarming display of lawlessness not only undermines public trust in Nigeria's institutions but also threatens the very foundation of democracy in the country.

In the intricate web of Nigerian politics, where power dynamics intertwine with entrenched interests and deep-seated sentiments, every move by Ododo is now fraught with peril. The unfolding saga surrounding Ododo's tenure as governor encapsulates the tumultuous nature of governance in a country where the rule of law often takes a backseat to political expediency. Ododo's decision to aid Bello in evading justice may have been born out of loyalty and gratitude, but in the unforgiving arena of Nigerian politics, such actions carry grave consequences. As the threads of loyalty and political survival intertwine, Ododo finds himself walking a tightrope, balancing between his allegiance to Bello and the demands of justice.

In a nation where impunity reigns and the wheels of justice turn at a glacial pace, Ododo's dalliance with political maneuvering may ultimately prove to be his undoing. As the legal battle over his governorship unfolds in the very capital where he orchestrated Bello's escape, the irony is palpable. Ododo's fate now hangs precariously in the balance, caught between the specter of electoral irregularities and the weight of federal might and scrutiny.

Certainly, although it is clear that Ododo was caught between trying to help his oga at the top(Bello) who used all means to get him to succeed him, Odod should have known that he operates in a country where political fortunes can change in the blink of an eye, Ododo's fate seems all but sealed. The swirling maelstrom of corruption, violence, and intrigue that characterizes Nigerian politics shows no mercy to those who dare to defy its capricious whims. As the tribunal weighs the evidence against him, Ododo stands alone against the forces arrayed against him, his political future hanging in the balance.

Ododo's journey from political nobody to embattled governor is a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of Nigerian politics. In a country where allegiances shift like the sands of the Sahara and loyalties are bought and sold with impunity, Ododo's downfall may serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of power and the capricious nature of fate. One thing remains certain: in a land where anything can happen, Ododo's political future hangs in the balance, a casualty of the very system he sought to navigate with such care.

In the midst of Nigeria's political and judicial tumult, Ododo stands at a precarious juncture, his fate hanging by a thread as the tribunal proceedings draw to a close. With the spotlight on him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces widespread skepticism, viewed as a body lacking integrity and coherence in its actions. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the question looms large: will Ododo emerge unscathed from the labyrinth of Nigerian politics and judiciary?

Challengers like Otunba Olayinka Braimoh of the Alliance Action and Muri Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) pose significant threats to Ododo's tenure. Their relentless pursuit of taking over has placed Ododo's position in jeopardy, casting doubt on his ability to retain power. As the tribunal nears its conclusion, the stakes have never been higher for Ododo, with his political survival hanging in the balance.

Complicating matters further is the specter of Abuja's anger, a potent force that could potentially derail Ododo's political ambitions. The capital's disapproval, fueled by the chaos surrounding Bello's fugitive status, adds another layer of uncertainty to Ododo's predicament. Will he navigate these treacherous waters unscathed, or will the currents of Nigerian politics sweep him away?

In this high-stakes game of political brinkmanship, only time will reveal Ododo's fate. Will he emerge victorious, defying the odds and securing his position of power? Or will he succumb to the relentless pressure of Nigerian politics, consigned to the annals of history as yet another casualty of the country's tumultuous political landscape? As the final verdict looms, the nation holds its breath, awaiting the outcome of Ododo's trial by fire.

In the end, the question remains: is Ododo doomed? In the unpredictable landscape of Nigerian politics, where the line between success and failure is razor-thin, only time will tell. But one thing is certain: as the tribunal's verdict draws near, Ododo finds himself standing on the precipice of political oblivion, his fate hanging in the balance.

In the midst of uncertainty, the looming possibility of a successor from either the Alliance Action or the Social Democratic Party casts a shadow over Ododo's tenure. Will one of these challengers unseat Ododo, ushering in a new era of leadership? Or will the tribunal's decision lead to yet another election, prolonging the political unrest in Kogi State? Amidst this turmoil, it's evident that Bello's support is out of reach for Ododo; Bello's own legal troubles render him unable to provide any assistance. As Ododo navigates these treacherous waters, he may find solace in prayer, a common refuge in a nation grappling with pervasive corruption and deceit. Yet, in Nigeria's complex socio-political landscape, challenges seem to deepen at every turn. Ododo's fate hangs in the balance as he confronts the harsh realities of governance in a country where prayers may offer hope, but the depths of corruption and dishonesty continue to plunge deeper. Oga Ododo good luck ooo. Na wa for your name self!

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. Hes a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, hes also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. Hes taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at Weldios University, Nexus International University, and Walden University. [email protected]
There is no denying the fact that the privatization of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in Nigeria, which was later transformed into the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), was necessitated by several factors, key among them is unsatisfactory performance.

It is not an exaggeration to recall that NEPA struggled with generating enough power to meet the countrys demands, leading to frequent blackouts and unreliable electricity supply, and close to the foregoing factor was that there was persistent poor transmission and distribution. This is as infrastructure for transmitting and distributing electricity was outdated and inefficient, causing further disruptions in power supply. In a similar vein, there was inefficient capacity utilization. To buttress this view, NEPAs operations were not efficient, leading to a waste of resources and an inability to provide consistent service.

In fact, there was tenacious infrastructure deficit as there was a significant lack of investment in the necessary infrastructure to support a modern and reliable electric power grid.

Worsening the challenge was that the collective economic well-being of virtually all Nigerians by each passing day was badly affected. Without any iota of exaggeration, the poor performance of NEPA was negatively impacting the economic well-being of the country, as reliable electricity was essential for economic growth.

Given the foregoing backdrop, it was incumbent on the government at the time under review to privatize NEPA as a policy tool. The reason for the privatization at the time was pressing as the retrogressive situation was seen as a way to reduce the public sectors role in the economy and to promote more efficient allocation of resources through market forces.

In fact, the expectation was that privatization would lead to improved efficiency, better management, and increased investment in the power sector, which would ultimately benefit the economy and the well-being of the Nigerian people. However, given the level of black outs which Nigerians and their businesses were been thrown into(and still been thrown into), particularly since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became Nigerian president, it will not be a misnomer to opine that the once hailed privatizationexercise has defeated its noble objective as the expected benefits have not been fully realized, particularly as thechallenges of providing optimal, affordable, and reliable access to electricity still exist to the detriment of the people and the unarguable beleaguered economy.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole in this context, the privatization of NEPA in Nigeria, given recent experiences, has become an exercise in futility. To aptly put it, the purpose of the privatization exercise has been defeated. To put it bluntly, the privatization of NEPA in Nigeria has become an exercise in futility for several reasons.

The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as it can be said that despite the unbundling of NEPA and the sale of power firms that Nigeria still faces a reliable power supply issue. With an installed capacity of 12,522 MW, the country generates only around 4,000 MW, which is insufficient for its population.

Without a doubt, the privatization was supposed to make the energy sector more efficient and attract investment. However, it has resulted in price hikes coupled with miscellaneous tariffs, and estimated billing, which have been burdensome for consumers.

To exacerbate the matter, the privatization exercise is unarguably an incomplete process. The reason for the foraging line of thinking cannot be argued against given the fact that due process in the exercise has remained vague leading to a lack of clarity and continuity in the sectors management.

In fact, at the moment, the sector has continued to suffer from weak infrastructure, poor metering, and inadequate market governance, which were problems that existed before privatization, and have paradoxically persisted and worsened, even as the process is unarguably suffering from infrastructure and management issues.

Not only that, it is crystal clear that the implementation was flawed as it is inherent with inaccurate data collection to understanding the integrity and competency of the investors that purchased the 11 Distribution Companies.

Argued from the perspective of the foregoing, it is germane to allege that the owners of the 11 DisCos in Nigeria are close to the government, and this can be justified by the fact that the Nigerian government holds a significant stake in these companies. Recently, the Federal Government transferred its 40% shareholding in the DisCos from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). This move indicates a direct involvement of the government in the ownership and management of the DisCos.

Furthermore, the governments decision to transfer these shares to MOFI, which is the investment vehicle of the Nigerian government domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Finance, suggests a consolidation of control and a closer relationship between the DisCos and the government. The involvement of high-level government officials and directives for the DisCos to implement decisions made by MOFI also point to a close connection.

In fact, this relationship is significant because it implies that the government has substantial influence over the operations and decisions of the DisCos, which are responsible for the distribution of electricity across Nigeria. Such a relationship can have implications for policy-making, regulation, and the overall performance of the electricity sector in the country.

Given the foregoing, there has been subdued public discontent. In fact, there have been several protests against the privatization, and even suggestions from the National Assembly that the government should take back control or re-privatize the power firms, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the outcomes.

In light of these issues, it is clear that the privatization of NEPA has not delivered the expected improvements in Nigerias power sector. Instead, it has left a legacy of unresolved challenges that continue to hinder the countrys economic growth and development.

Drawing inspiration from the fountain of public discontent, it is expedient to advocate in this context that the privatization of NEPA has to be reviewed.

The reason for this contextual call cannot be faulted as the privatization has been a subject of debate and calls for review.

If there is any reason to advocate for its review, it is that of the collective lackadaisical and unsatisfactory performance of the 11 DisCos allegedly sold to businessmen that are close to those in government, despite the fact that the expectation of the people from privatization was to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and ensure reliable electricity supply. However, there have been persistent complaints about the performance of the 11 DisCos, including issues with electricity distribution, billing, and customer service.

Another reason is that there have been the nagging issuearising from financial challenges which the DisCos have been confronted with. Without a doubt, the DisCos have been facing financial difficulties, which have impacted their collective ability to invest in infrastructure and maintenance. This has led to questions about their financial viability and the sustainability of the current privatization model.

Similar to the foregoing reason is regulatory oversight as there have been concerns about the adequacy of regulatory oversight and whether the regulatory framework has been effective in ensuring that the DisCos meet their obligations to consumers.

Also, the issue of tariff has been a clog in the wheel of constant power supply across the country. This is as thetariff structure has been contentious, with debates over whether it reflects the true cost of electricity and is fair to consumers. There have also been issues with tariff adjustments and subsidy removals.

Not only that, the level of engagement with stakeholders, including consumers and labor unions, have been criticized, necessitating the need for more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes. In fact, governments continued involvement, including holding a significant stake in the DisCos, raises questions about the true extent of privatization and the potential for conflicts of interest.

At this juncture, it is germane to opine that these issues suggest that a comprehensive review of the privatization process is necessary to address the shortcomings and ensure that the objectives of providing stable, reliable, and affordable electricity to Nigerians are met. Such a review could lead to reforms that might include changes in regulatory policies, restructuring of the DisCos, or revisions to the privatization agreements.
State specific crop/animal species for higher productivity in NE

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Angad Prasad, Indira Sarangthem and Daya Ram

Contd from previous issue

Although, rice is the major crop of the State and cultivated in 91 per cent of the cropped area, but only two major crop/farm component have been indicated herein to suffice the purpose of writing the article:

6.1 Rubber:

Tripura is the second largest rubber producer in India after Kerala with 72,000 hectares of land under plantation, producing 40,000 tonnes of rubber annually. Tripuras annual turnover from rubber cultivation is about Rs. 480 crore. Indias second industrial rubber park has come up in Tripuras Bodhungnagar area to boost the polymer industry. The park, a joint venture between the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation and the Rubber Board, is the second of its kind in the country after the rubber park in Keralas Irapuram. To increase the livelihood of poor people and small holders, rubber can be cultivated with tea, pineapple, banana and other crops.

Nearly 450 plants can be planted in one ha. Average yield per rubber tree is 9.52 kg. The total yield from the plantation is approximately 4284 kg (from 450 plants). Income from the plantation is Rs 2, 57,040.00. Profit generated in the 7th year of planting is (Rs, 2, 57,040  Rs. 1, 06,754.00) = Rs 1, 50,286.00. From a rubber plant, long term (25 years) continuous return can be obtained. There are less pest and disease incidences, therefore, it may be one of the best sources of livelihood in the State of Tripura.

6.2 Fisheries:

More than ninety five percent people of Tripura are fish eater. The fishery resources of Tripura are diverse in the form of ponds, lakes, mini-barrages, reservoirs, rivers etc. Generally, a minimum of Rs. 50,000 per acre (excluding the price of land) of capital investment is required to complete a pond for stocking. Despite available resources, the State has a long way to go to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production.

As per the statistics of the Department of Fisheries, Tripura, an area of 23,477 ha presently being utilized for fish production, which is insufficient to meet the demands. Importing fish of about 11,886 tons a year from other states, mainly Andhra Pradesh and even from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, indicated the large demand-supply gap. The per capita gap between fish production and consumption of 3.26 kg every year has presented a unique opportunity for the State as well as entrepreneurs to develop fish farming and improve the livelihoods of fish farmers.

Aquaculture is more women friendly and several of the activities like fertilization, feeding, marketing of fish etc. are best done and managed by women. This is an area where major changes can be brought to farming by involving and empowering women on a massive scale.

7. NAGALAND

Nagaland a state in north eastern India is bordered by the state of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, AQssam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Nagalands capital city is Kohima and its largest city is Dimapur. It has an area of 16,579 km2 with a population of 1,980,602 as per the 2011 Census of India, making it one of the smallest states of India. Viewing the agro-climatic conditions, cultural pattern and demand of the day, following two farm produce are discussed here for attracting rural youth and adopt these activities to make them as a source of livelihood:

7.1 Pig:

Animal husbandry is a tradition with the Nagas and therefore, rearing domestic animals such as cattle, mithun, pig and poultry birds play a significant role in the socio-economic development of the Nagas. The State is largely agrarian and backyard pig keeping is an integral part of Naga livelihoods and culture. Pigs account for more than 55 per cent of the total livestock population in the area and the State has the highest per capita consumption of pork in India. Pig farmers in Naga tend to use a cropping system to raise pigs. Since many producers do not have easy access to veterinary care, they rely on traditional management practices and indigenous tribal knowledge (ITK) to raise pigs.

(To be contd)


Crime against women in Manipur : A legal perspective

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Sagolsem Jasobanta (Advocate)

The problem of crimes against women in Manipur is a multi-faceted problem that requires serious legal consideration. Despite laws and regulations to protect womens rights, women in Manipur still face various forms of violence, discrimination and exploitation.

Legal framework : The legal framework for crimes against women in Manipur & India consists of various National and local laws as well as international agreements. Some of these important legal provisions include:

1. Constitution of India: The Constitution of India guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens, including equality, non- discrimination and freedom from violence. Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution are of great importance in terms of solving the problems affecting women.

2. The Indian Penal Code (IPC): The IPC contains various vital provisions criminalizing various forms of violence against women, including rape (Section 375), sexual assault (Section 354), domestic violence (Section 498A), and dowry-related offenses (Section 304B). These provisions stipulate the penalties for those who commit these crimes.

3. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence, 2005: This Law provides comprehensive legislation to regulate domestic violence against women. It defines domestic violence as a general term that includes physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse and provides legal remedies for survivors, such as protective orders, restraining orders, and financial assistance.

4. Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Popularly known as Nirbhaya Act & enacted in response to the gangrape incident in Delhi in 2012, this law brought significant changes to the IPC and other laws related to sexual offences. The definition of rape was broadened, penalties for sexual offenses increased, and new crimes such as acid attacks and stalking were introduced.

5. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: This law deals with crimes against children, including sexual offences. It provides special methods and measures to protect children who have survived violence, recognize their weaknesses, and need support.

OBSTACLES TO IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Weaknesses of Law Enforcement: Despite strong laws, law enforcement agencies in Manipur often face difficulties in implementing and enforcing them effectively. Factors such as corruption, lack of resources, inadequate education and social prejudice can hinder the investigation and prosecution of crimes against women.

2. Limited Access to Justice: Many women in Manipur, particularly those from marginalized communities or rural areas, face barriers in accessing justice due to factors such as geographical remoteness, lack of legal awareness, social stigma, etc.

3. Non-disclosure of crimes: Crimes against women in Manipur are mostly not disclosed due to fear of retaliation, social stigma and lack of trust in justice.

4. Inadequate Support Services: Despite legal provisions for support services such as shelters, counselling, and legal aid, the availability and accessibility of these services in Manipur are often limited.

MAJOR FACTORS FOR CRIME AGAINST WOMEN IN MANIPUR:

1. Patriarchal Traditions: Patriarchal attitudes perpetuate a culture of inequality where women are viewed as inferior and subjected to various forms of discrimination and violence.

2. Socio-economic inequalities: Poverty, lack of education and limited economic opportunities increase womens vulnerability in Manipur. Economic disadvantage forces many women into situations of exploitation where they cannot fight for their rights or receive compensation.

3. Conflict and militancy: Manipur has been grappling with armed and military conflict for decades, seriously affecting the safety of women in the state. The presence of armed groups, security forces and militarized environments has fuelled violence and created a culture of impunity where women are subjected to gender-based violence, abuse and violence.

4. Inadequate legal framework: Despite legal provisions aimed at protecting womens rights, imple- mentation and enforcement of the law remains inadequate in Manipur. Weak enforcement, corruption and lack of access to justice prevent survivors from seeking justice and holding perpetrators accountable. Moreover, the prevalence of customary laws and informal justice can further marginalize women and undermine their rights.

5. Cultural values and beliefs: Cultural values and beliefs deeply perpetuate gender stereotypes, limit womens freedom, and legitimize violence against them. Moral values such as marriage, chastity, and chastity put pressure on women to comply with their own desires, making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

6. Lack of awareness and education: Many women may not know their rights or fear punishment when reporting crimes to authorities.

7. Economic dependence: Economically depen- dent women may not be able to leave an abusive relationship or seek help due to fear of insecurity. Economic empowerment programs, such as access to employment and income-generating opportunities, are critical in reducing womens experiences of violence and abuse.

8. Migration and Human Trafficking: Poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and social instability contribute to womens vulnera- bility, making them vulnerable to traffickers. The absence of border control and enforcement mechanisms further exacerbates the problem of human trafficking in Manipur.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT:

1. Psychological trauma: Victims may experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health problems. The psychological scars of abuse can affect survivors self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being, leading to long-term emotional problems and difficulties coping with daily life.

2. Physical Health Effects: Survivors may be at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STDs), reproductive health problems, and other physical health problems as a result of the violence they experience.

3. Humiliation and isolation: Survivors of domestic violence often face stigma, shame, and ostracism from their families. This social violence can lead to isolation, loss of support networks, and social problem.

4. Economic impact: Survivors may lose money due to the inability to work, medical expenses, and other financial burdens related to the abuse they experienced.

5. Interference with education and employment: Survivors may drop out of school or lose their jobs due to the trauma and stigma associated with the violence they experience, perpetuating poverty and inequality.

6. Generational Impact: The impact of crimes against women in Manipur can reach future generations as children who witness or experience domestic violence may suffer long-term psychological and emotional consequences.

7. Obstruction of social cohesion : Crimes against women in Manipur can undermine community cohe- sion and trust, as fear of violence and distrust of authorities can prevent people from seeking help or reporting crimes.

8. Restrictions on development activities: Violence against women reduces womens participation in education, work and social life, devalues the state, and undermines gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.

POSSIBLE WAYS FOR REFORMATION:

1. Strengthening Law Enforcement: This could include providing specific training for gender-sensitive policing, establishing special units to investigate crimes against women, and ensuring prompt and impartial justice for survivors.

2. Raising Legal Awareness: A literacy program should be implemented to sensitize the women of Manipur about their rights and the legal remedies available to them in case of violence or discrimination. These programs may include education, community outreach, and legal aid clinics.

3. Improving access to justice: Steps should be taken to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system in Manipur, especially for marginalized women. This may include establishing legal centres in rural areas, providing free or low-cost legal aid, and ensuring that interpreters are available for women who do not speak English.

4. Strengthening Support Services: This may include increasing the number of shelters, providing comprehensive psychological support, and ensuring survivors have access to medical, counselling and rehabilitation services.

5. Promoting gender sensitization: Gender sensi-tization awareness programs should be implemented for law enforcement officers, justice officials, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders involved in the fight against crimes against women.

Bottomline: Only through sustained efforts and collective action, can we ensure that Manipurs women exercise their rights, access justice, and live free from violence and discrimination.
Military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on April 20, 2024. At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, April 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a press statement sent to Xinhua that the bodies of the 14 Palestinian killed were transferred to Tulkarm Hospital from the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp east of the city.

The statement didn't provide further details.

Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, entered the camp on Thursday, imposing a stringent siege and demolishing main streets, infrastructure, residential homes, and shops.

The sources noted that the ongoing military operation, coinciding with power outages, water cuts, and the disruption of communication and internet networks in the camp, was the most severe in years.

Sniper units were deployed on the roofs of high-rise buildings while other forces detonated several houses with guided missiles.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported clashes between the army and Palestinian gunmen, along with the sound of explosions caused by homemade explosive devices.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), announced in separate statements that their elements had engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the camp.

The Israeli public radio reported that the army, internal security agency Shin Bet, and the Israeli police killed a number of Palestinian militants in clashes during a wide-scale military operation in the refugee camp.

According to the radio, among those killed were Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja, the commander of the Tulkarm Battalion of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and another activist named Ahmed Al-Aarif.

The radio cited a military spokesman saying that during the ongoing operation, eight wanted persons were arrested, explosive devices and tunnels were seized, and workshops involved in manufacturing explosive devices within the camp were dismantled.

The West Bank has been witnessing escalating tension marked by armed confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinians in cities, villages, and camps since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 last year.

Earlier in the day, a Palestinian ambulance driver was killed by Israeli gunfire in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Israel has killed more than 460 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since the outbreak of the conflict, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. 

Military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on April 20, 2024. At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Military vehicles are seen blocking an ambulance during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on April 20, 2024. At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp, east of the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, on April 20, 2024. At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
May 3, 2023 to May 3, 2024 Racing towards one year mark

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The election dust is yet to settle down. Eleven polling stations will go for repoll today, that is April 22 and while debates and arguments can be expected on whether the number of polling stations marked for repoll is the correct reflection of the large scale election related violence on April 19, it stands that not everything went right on voting day. There should be no arguments over this for the truth is, irregularities come out in the open when only there are protests lodged and herein lies a tale, a big and telling tale. This is how the April 19, 2024 Parliamentary election in the Inner seat will be remembered down the years and this is not something to be proud about. A look at the recent and not so recent past should leave no one in doubt that this was the first time that the Parliamentary election had evoked so much interests amongst the people and it is this existing reality that should jolt everyone to the fact that the circumstances that pitch forked the LS polls to the limelight have not changed. This is a fact and in a few days time, the ongoing ethnic clash would have completed one full year. In a little less than two weeks, May 3 will come again, and the important question is how much has Manipur moved from the May 3 of 2023 to now. And what can one expect to see and experience on the day that Manipur completes one full year of ethnic violence ? Is Manipur ready to tackle any developments that may come on May 3, 2024 ? Or will it be a case of Imphal again caught on the wrong foot ? One can still remember how Manipur was caught completely unaware when the Tribal Solidarity March of May 3, 2023 totally went out of control and how armed individuals came to be part of the Solidarity March in full public view. Will Imphal be again caught unaware like it was when mobs took control and went on the rampage, torching and dismantling houses at Torbung and later at Churachandpur with the mayhem quickly spreading to Kangpokpi and Moreh ? Or will May 3, 2024 be a day to recall the genesis of the violence, salute the departed souls and look at ways to work out a resolution ? Tough to say how things will or may unfold, but one can expect reams and reams of lies to be told once again and there could be many who will be more than willing to recall the past replete with all the false narratives that did the round in the initial stage of the violence.

One year and the Government should not forget that over 60,000 people are still surviving in the different relief centres set up across the length and breadth of the State. Many are still traceless with family members still pining for the mortal remains of their missing family members so that at least the last rites may be performed. Equally important is also not to forget that the last rites of some have been performed with pangong in place of the mortal remains. It is against this reality that the April 19, 2024 Lok Sabha election was held with repolls in 11 polling stations set to follow on April 22. By the time May 3, 2024 comes, the election dust would have settled to a certain extent, but remember the last word would not have been said for the results will be known only in June. Not that anyone expects the election to come out with a magic formula to set Manipur on the path of normalcy, but the reason why the election evoked so much interest is the realisation of the people that the story of Manipur needs to be told not only inside Parliament but also outside, in fact to the whole country and the world at large. And who better than the elected representative of the people ? It was this narrative, the realisation of the need to send someone to Delhi to tell the story of Manipur that became overwhelming and this need should dictate how people vote in the remaining 11 polling stations where repoll has been scheduled. Vote with a conscience and at the same time let May 3, 2023 and the fact that the unrest has dragged on for nearly one year dictate the conscience of the voters.
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Two-times MP Babul Supriyo, who is now a state minister, has been camping in Asansol since yesterday and discussed election strategy with local TMC leaders in a meeting here today, while Shatrughan Sinha claimed that the BJP will not be able to cross the 200 mark in the general elections. Mr Supriyo, who had won back-to-back Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019 on a BJP ticket from Asansol has arrived in Asansol last evening.

He held an hours-long meeting with the top local leadership of TMC, including state panchayat minister Pradip Mazumdar, law, judiciary and labour minister Moloy Ghatak, ADDA chairman, Tapas Banerjee, Mayor of Asansol Bidhan Upadhyay, chairman of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Amar Nath Chatterjee, ADDA vice chairman, Ujjal Chatterjee, INTTUC district president, Abhijit Ghatak, among others, today. Sources said that he has been entrusted to finalise a strategy for Shatrughan Sinha with his vast experience in contesting the Lok Sabha polls. Mr Supriyo has switched over to the TMC after quitting the BJP in 2022. Mr Sinha, the sitting MP of Asansol claimed in a press conference that the BJP will not be able to cross 200 seats in the ongoing general elections.

I am unable to understand, is Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India or Campaigning Minister of India ? He claims that he works for 18 hours everyday. But I can see that he is campaigning and travelling all twenty four hours, seven days and 365 days in a year riding an aircraft and the nation has to pay Rs 8000 crores rupees from its exchequer. Mr Sinha claimed that there exists so much nepotism and corruption in BJP, which can not be compared with the parties of India alliance. The TMC star candidate campaigned in the tribal belt today.

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A 10-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) visited Sandeshkhali in North 24-Praganas district on Saturday again to probe alleged crimes against women and cases of land-grabbing in the island. The team, in two separate groups reached Sandeshkhali, one of the much-publicised political hotbeds in the state amidst the Lok Sabha (LS) elections. One group visited the local police station while the other went to Sundarikhali in the Sandeshkahli area under Bashirhat Lok Sabha constituency.

After a directive from Calcutta High Court (HC) the CBI started investigations into allegations of crimes against women and land-grabbing in Sandeshkhali, which had witnessed massive protests over these issues. The High Court directed the CBI to investigate the allegations and submit a comprehensive report. Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were attacked on 5 January by a mob when they went to Sandeshkhali to search the Akunjipara residence of now-suspended Trinamul Congress strongman and Zilla Parishad member, Shajahan Sheikh in connection with the alleged ration distribution scam case. Shahjahan and his close associates like Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra have already been arrested. Sources in Sandeshkhali area said that the CBI has received several complaints in connection with atrocities against women and landgrabbing in Sandeshkhali in its newly created email address.

The HC had directed the investigating agency to set up the dedicated email ID so that people of Sandeshkhali can lodge complaints related to crimes against women and other issues like land-grabbing including of bheris. One team of the CBI spoke to locals in areas like Natunpara, Majherpara, Patrapara and other villages to verify the complaints already lodged through the portal. Locals demanded arrests of several more miscreants who are allegedly close to Shahjahan and involved in many crimes in the entire Sandeshkhali area.The CBI has already collected some inputs in connection with Sandeshkhali incidents from the police administrations in the district.

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The CBI teams were escorted by adequate CISF personnel when the agency officials visited villages in Sandeshkhali today. On 5 January, ED officials were physically assaulted by a mob when the investigating went t raid Shahjahans residence.Shahjahan is accused of havingmasterminded the attack on the ED officials. The incident prompted the locals, including women folk, in Sandeshkhali to came out to organise strong protests against criminal activities and terror allegedly unleashed by Shahjahan and his accomplices for years in the area.
Ever since its daring and successful mission of freeing the ancestral house of Ullaskar Dutta, a firebrand revolutionary of Bengal, from the clutches of illegal occupants in the Kalikachchha district of Bangladesh a couple a years ago, Ullaskar Dutta Academy, a research group, has shot into prominence with its continuous academic and cultural activities relating to the armed revolutionaries of Bengal and giving them the recognition and respect they truly deserve. These armed revolutionaries gave their all for the sake of Indias independence, yet they have been deliberately denied a place of glory and honour in our history textbooks and other historical writings.

Ullaskar suffered immensely after being caught by the British and was sent to the Cellular jail in the intractable Andamans. His revolutionary activities were stuff that heroic sagas are made of, yet he, like many other revolutionaries, did not find a deserving place in the history books written by our post-independence historians obsessed solely with the non-violence movements and their proponents. To these historians and leaders, Bhagat Singh was a terrorist, Netaji misguided and armed revolutionaries were anarchists. The Ullaskar Dutta Academy aims to rectify this gross historical distortion by setting up an alternative narrative where the armed revolutionaries are honourably enshrined in the pantheon of true patriots who tried their hardest to free India from the slavery of British rule.

The Academy with Ullaskars name, however, has a greater mission. It aims to accentuate the Act East policy of the Government of India by the Academys goal of conflict resolution via attaining shared ground through shared history in the Indian subcontinent. The Academy, therefore, aims to precipitate the idea of oneness among various ethnicities in the Indian subcontinent and immediate neighbourhood by doing away with the misconceptions sown during colonial rule where apart from the loot of the mineral wealth and cultural genocide, a sense of immense self-pity had been infused into generations of people in the subcontinent by local collaborators of the colonial regime. To many in the Western world, India was merely a land of beggars and snake-charmers, yet glorious works and things were never mentioned so as to tarnish the image of this country.

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The aircraft industry was very much in place here by 1942; the IISc made remarkable achievements and steel production in India immensely helped the Allied war efforts in both the World Wars. Unfortunately these bright spots were intentionally overlooked, thereby creating a stereotyped and sickening narrative about our country. The history of our country remains incomplete if we overlook these illustrious things. Similarly, a true history of our freedom struggle remains genuinely defective if we aim to underestimate the role of our armed revolutionaries. Armed with this mission, the Ullaskar Dutta Academy under the leadership of Subhra Gupta, a former BBC journalist, has been organizing a host of programmes like seminars, debates and workshops in different parts of the country and abroad round the year to promote its goal.

The Academy has a pool of energetic young minds in this pursuit of decoding history and encouraging people to study history logically without bias or prejudice. Every year on 16 April, which is the birthday of Ullaskar Dutta, the Academy organises a gala event where the mission of the organisation gets vindicated. Last year on this day there was, among other programmes, a panel discussion on the topic Bengals Fight against British Colonialism from 1905 to 1920 held at Jorasanko Thakurbari where esteemed speakers aimed to resuscitate the records of sacrifice and courage by Bengals revolutionaries against British imperialists in the said period. The forum was kept out of the bounds of present-day politics. At the onset of the programme, the Academy observed a solemn remembrance of the fiery soul of Ullaskar who died an unsung death. In the discussion that followed, eminent speakers rued the fact that the true heroes of the country have been systematically banished from history books and journals to highlight the role of the leaders under whom the country suffered a Partition, genocide and mass migration.

This year the Academy chose Chandernagore as the venue for its flagship event. Chandernagore has played a key role in the liberation movement of the country. The revolutionaries of Chandernagore were in touch with other revolutionaries inside and outside the country. The local populace, particularly the students, actively participated in the movement, posing a significant threat to the British regime. Some of the more familiar patriots include Manindra Naik, Motilal Roy, Rashbehari Bose, Naren Banerjee, Shrish Ghosh and Jatindranath Mukherjee. This group used to be nicknamed the Chandernagore Gang. During the tumultuous period of the Bengal Partition, the young people of Chandernagore initiated a boycott of foreign goods under the leadership of Durgadas and picketed foreign cloth shops. Naturally, the decision of Ullaskar Academy to make this town a venue for its key programme is really appreciable.

The title of the Chandernagore Conclave 2024 was How Social Constructs and History of Conflicts in the Indian Subcontinent Shaped Anti-Colonial Armed Revolution in Bengal during the British Rule. The Academy invited a host of local schools to present a cultural extravaganza in the direction of paying homage to our neglected revolutionaries. The Academy plans to expose the false narrative of freedom struggle manufactured by a section of independent Indias historians under the direct influence of Western historians and to act seriously to wipe out the negative image and mindset imposed upon colonized countrymen about our country and her heritage. The students need to be encouraged to study the history of our freedom struggle, especially of our glorious bravehearts who mortgaged their lives in setting India free from the draconian rule of the British masters.

(The writer, a PhD In English from Calcutta University, teaches English at the Government-sponsored Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya, Shyambazar, Kolkata. He is also a freelance writer)
Kolkatans struggling to beat the heat may have to face a tougher time in the next few days. The meteorological office is anticipating hotter days ahead for the city at least till 24 April, when the day temperatures could touch 41 degree Celsius. Till 2.30 p.m. today, the city saw a maximum temperature of 40.2 degree Celsius, which was 40.8 yesterday.

The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a red warning for East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Jhargram, Bankura, Birbhum for 20 and 21 April with severe heat wave conditions an orange warning for nine districts till 24 April and a yellow alert for the remaining areas of South Bengal. The city of Kolkata has also not been spared. From yesterday, when the maximum temperature reached 40.8 degree Celsius, a departure from the normal temperature of more than 5 degrees, Kolkata also fell under the heat wave zone like the western districts of South Bengal.

The high humidity, which was above 40 per cent for most parts of the day, reaching a maximum of 70-80 per cent in the inner districts of South Bengal, is anticipated to fall in the next few days. The weather scientists are expecting the maximum relative humidity to be in the range of 75-85 per cent during the morning and minimum relative humidity in the range of 25-35 per cent during afternoon in South Bengal. The reason cited by the weather scientists is the prevailing dry westerly to north westerly wind at lower levels over the region and due to strong insolation continuously over the past few days.

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Considering the scorching heat, the weather scientists have suggested caution and extreme care for vulnerable people. Among the possible impacts, the weather department has cautioned of very high likelihood for heat related illness and possibility of heat strokes for red warning districts and increased chances of heat illness symptoms in people who are either exposed to sun for a prolonged period or doing heavy work. High health concerns for vulnerable people like infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases for all other districts and heat cramps or heat rash have also been flagged.
A woman visits the 2024 Beijing Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- On Douyin, China's most popular video-sharing platform, a program dedicated to exploring essential science books has gained millions of views and attracted nearly 90,000 loyal viewers in just two years. Every week, esteemed scientists and scholars are invited to appear on the program to share their insights on science books ranging from Euclid's "Elements" to Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" and Hawking's "A Brief History of Time."

Program planner Wu Guosheng said that his only goals were to ignite public interest in science and foster the participation of both scientists and the public.

"We do not encourage people to engage with classic science books for academic purposes, but rather to make the experience of reading about science captivating, enlightening and rewarding," said Wu, who is also dean of the Department of the History of Science at Tsinghua University. He and his team have promoted nearly 100 classic science books on social media since 2022.

In the past, the Chinese people had a preference for literary classics rather than scientific literature, and science books always received lukewarm responses. However, China today values sci-tech innovation, and there is growing enthusiasm for scientific literature.

According to data released by Beijing-based industry research company OpenBook, the science book market share has increased consistently since 2019. Despite an overall decline in book sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant surge in the popularity of books about medicine and health.

A similar trend is also evident in the popularity of children's books, which account for the largest portion of the domestic book market. Since 2021, sales of science books for young readers have surpassed those of children's literature.

A child reads a book at a book store in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 8, 2023. Students around the country enjoy a variety of activities during the summer vacation. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

The upward trend is partly attributable to the fact that increasing numbers of experts are willing to share their knowledge through books, said Wang Dapeng, a member of the China Research Institute of Science Popularization.

Tan Xianjie, a 54-year-old gynecologist, is one such contributor. He has authored a series of books and created short videos to present medical information related to women's health.

The doctor once received a thank-you flag from a woman at his hospital who was not his patient. After watching Tan's lecture on cervical cancer, she booked an examination and underwent timely surgery after being diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

The experience reminded Tan of the significance of science popularization, which he said is "both a professional duty and a social responsibility for doctors."

When he began engaging in science popularization, it was not a common practice for Chinese doctors. Hospital evaluation systems did not consider science popularization to be as important as surgery quality and patient numbers, so it could not contribute significantly to a doctor's professional reputation.

In 2016, a significant shift saw national leaders recognize the importance of science popularization, describing scientific innovation and popularization as "the wings for the realization of innovation-driven development." Subsequently, government plans were implemented to underscore the necessity of strengthening the creation of popular science works.

A Mars probe is launched on a Long March-5 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, July 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

The popularity of science literature is also being boosted by China's rapid sci-tech development. Recent advancements in biomedicine, aerospace, astronomy, artificial intelligence and information technology have sparked waves of public enthusiasm for science and injected new vitality into the publication and marketing of science books, said Xu Guoqiang, deputy editor-in-chief of the World Publishing Company.

This year, Xu's company is releasing a series of popular astronomy books that will cover fascinating topics such as the moon and Mars.

"The public needs books to have a better understanding of the country's cutting-edge scientific achievements," said Xu, citing examples such as China's successful launch of a Mars rover and its future plans for manned moon landing missions.

Xu said that the development of popular science, related publications and reading relies on the people's scientific literacy. The latest data shows that 14.1 of percent of Chinese citizens were scientifically literate in 2023, and China aims to raise that to 25 percent by 2035.

"Science popularization is a crucial means to enhance the people's scientific literacy, and, in turn, an enhancement would also contribute to the prosperity of popular science," Xu noted.

A shop assistant poses with A Brief History of Time, the bestselling book of world renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, at a bookshop in London, Britain, on March 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Stephen Chung)

Imported science books have long been highly competitive in the domestic market, with a typical example being Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time," which has never left China's top 10 list of popular science books since it was introduced to the Chinese mainland in 1992.

Famous, original Chinese popular science works include the 1960s children's book "One Hundred Thousand Whys," the biographical "Goldbach Conjecture," and the late-1970s science fiction work "Little Smarty Travels to the Future." In recent years, indigenous books on genetics and quantum physics have also gained popularity among Chinese readers.

"But the problem we are facing now is still a shortage of original science books, and a lack of science books that can enhance readers' intelligence, curiosity and inner strength," Xu said.

This opinion is shared by Wang, who suggests more incentive measures to encourage professional participation in the cause, which can be achieved through such means as funding projects.

"It may also be helpful to provide training for science writers to sharpen their writing skills," Wang added. 
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has received complaints against Trinamul Congress (TMC) candidate Mahua Moitra for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a formal complaint with the ECI regarding Ms. Moitras purported use of a government vehicle and the erection of campaign stages in restricted areas. Ms. Moitra, accompanied by party leaders, visited the district collectorate office in Krishnagar yesterday to submit her nomination papers before the district magistrate and district election officer.

However, controversy arose when it was reported that she utilised a government vehicle upon leaving the premises, an act deemed to be in violation of MCC regulations. Additionally, the BJP accused Ms. Moitra of erecting election campaign stages in Public Works Department (PWD) areas, numbering at least 10 according to their complaint. They urged prompt removal of these stages, citing breach of electoral norms. In response to these allegations, Arun Prasad, the district magistrate and district election officer, stated, We have received a complaint from ECI. Necessary explanation is being sought from the concerned parties. Based on reports, appropriate action as per the guidelines of ECI will be initiated by the district magistrate and district election officer.

Ms. Moitra visited the District Election Officer yesterday to submit her nomination. Following the filing of her papers, she emerged from the office accompanied by her party leaders and boarded a vehicle (bearing registration number WB 52BK 7500), alongside Tarannum Mir Sultana, the sabhadhipati of Nadia Zilla Parishad. The allegations against Ms. Moitra come at a crucial juncture in the electoral process, adding fuel to the already intense political climate in Krishnagar.

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Employment is an important issue. Every government tries its best to create gainful opportunities for its workforce through a slew of policy measures. As the Indian economy is expanding, more and more jobs are being created. There is, however, a difference of opinion over the pace and number of enabling economic opportunities being created across the country. India Employment Report 2024: Youth Employment, Education and Skills, recently released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Institute for Human Development (IHD), is quite bullish about our countrys prospects. It talks of our demographic dividend with our youth population being pegged at 27 per cent of the total population in 2021.

The executive summary of the report gives us an insight into the broader picture. It is, in fact, full of points worth pondering over for all stakeholders irrespective of their biases, prejudices and preferences. Though Indian intellectuals comprising enlightened elites, academic scholars and so-called role models from different fields love to speak as per their convenience since they wish to be politically correct to their constituents, the ideal situation in a country as diverse as ours would have been to muster the courage to say that fair is fair, unfair is unfair. This should have applied to our economic, political, social, financial and cultural landscapes so that we come out with better inferences for inclusive outcomes.

The report rightly observes that highly educated youths tend to more actively engage in the high-productivity sectors, primarily the tertiary sector, such as business, telecom, finance, and information technology. The skills and knowledge acquired through higher education equip these individuals with the expertise required to excel in these sectors, which contributes significantly to economic growth and development. Less-educated youths are more likely to be employed in the primary (agriculture) and secondary sectors (manufacturing and construction). Youths with technical degrees and graduate diplomas are involved more in the tertiary sector. The probability of any kind of employment is lower as education rises but higher for youths having technical education.

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Do we have enough infrastructures to impart quality technical education to our youth? Perhaps, we do not have. Therefore, there is a need to accelerate the pace of capacity building across the spectrum of higher education in the country. The report also says that even among the technically qualified youths, nearly two fifths of them engaged in vocations that did not correspond to their qualificationsDespite the considerable progress, the level of educational attainments at higher levels remains low and quality is a concern. The drop-out rates after the middle and secondary levels of education in poorer states and among marginalized groups are high. Enrolment in higher education in India, although rising, is much lower than the levels in developed as well as in middle-income countries. The quality of education continues to remain a concern. There is a significant learning deficit at school levels and in general, and the quality of education imparted by institutions of higher learning remains poor.

Talking about skills, the report rightly says that Indias skills scenario has changed significantly over the past 25 years or so. A national skills mission has been set up, and two national skills policies have been formulated to guide skills development. A Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was established in 2014, with several institutions created to work in partnership with the private sector to determine skills gaps, create courses, implement programmes and certify skills.

The report points to limited uptake of training due to factors on both the supply and demand sides, even though there is evidence of a gap between the supply and demand for skills. Second, there are spatial imbalances in the training. The creation of training capacity is low in poorer regions where the potential demographic advantage is high. Third, there are low levels of socio-economic inclusion in training programmes, despite evidence that training positively relates to education and socio-economic levels. Fourth, the overarching nature of informality makes it difficult to design training such that returns from it can be internalized by trainees. And fifth, the returns from training are inadequately remunerated in the labour market, making training socially and economically less attractive.

Talking about apprenticeship, the report claims that although there is a renewed focus on apprenticeship training, low apprenticeship enrolment against the stated targets is an issue of concern. Of around 120,000 establishments, only around 25,000 offer apprenticeships. Given the size of the youth population, it is very low. Fresh stimulus for entrepreneurship development is an important policy instrument. Although government policy stressed entrepreneurship development in the past, it only recently was singled out as a key instrument to create a fresh supply of and demand for jobs.

The National Policy for Skill and Entrepreneurship Development articulates five pillars of an ideal environment for entrepreneurship: access to funding; an entrepreneurial culture; supportive regulatory and tax regimes; educational systems that support entrepreneurial mindsets; and a coordinated approach that links the public, private and voluntary sectors. But there has hardly been satisfactory progress in most of these spheres.

Still, we do not need to be disappointed. Gaps in policy measures offer us a historic opportunity to align them with ground realities to make our journey to empower more inclusive. Since our country is going to celebrate 100 years of Independence in 2047, all stakeholders should come together to reform and transform our higher education, which is still out of the reach of the vast masses of the country. If less than 4.50 crore youth are enrolled in higher education institutions even after 75 years of freedom, then we certainly need to worry about our future prospects.

Notwithstanding Article 21A of the Constitution mandating that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine there is a pressing need to reflect and take corrective measures. Deprivation must not be allowed to become a tool of governance in any respect for peace, happiness and prosperity of the future generations.

(The writer is a senior journalist, author and columnist. The views expressed are strictly his personal.)
In a fresh revelation related to road safety and behaviour of motorists, the Delhi Traffic Police claimed that it has successfully reduced over-speeding violations in the current year so far as compared to what the situation was in the previous year.

The police said their accomplishment stands out as proof of the diligent efforts of the Delhi Traffic Police in enhancing deterrence, ensuring precise enforcement, and conducting effective public awareness campaigns related to traffic rules and road safety.

According to the citys traffic police department, statistics reveal that till April 15 this year, a total of 8,16,372 notices were issued for over-speeding violations compared to the 9,52,367 such notices in the year 2023.

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With this, the police claim a significant reduction of approximately 15 per cent in the number of prosecutions for overspeeding, as compared to the same period in 2023. It is the result of meticulous planning and implementation of measures, the Traffic Police of the national capital has brought down the over-speeding incidents on the citys busy roads.

The police have asserted that the systematic deployment of Over Speed Violation Detection (OSVD) cameras has played a pivotal role in monitoring and regulating vehicular speeds, thereby fostering safer road conditions for all commuters.

Enhanced deterrence measures have been instrumental in dissuading motorists from violating speed limits, as the visible presence of the OSVD cameras serves not only as a deterrent but also instills a sense of responsibility among drivers.

These specialised cameras accurately capture instances of over-speeding, enabling swift and precise enforcement actions against the rule breakers.

The Delhi Traffic Police also informed that the department has been actively running public awareness campaigns and initiatives to educate the citizens and motorists about the importance of compliance with the speed limits, which plays a very crucial role when it comes to the road safety aspect.

The department says the campaigns have been instrumental in fostering a culture of compliance and also helped to promote responsible driving behaviour among the people.

Reduction in over-speeding also reflects the commitment of the police to ensuring the safety of road users.

The traffic police urged motorists to prioritise everyones safety including their own while driving by adhering to the prescribed speed limits at all times.
Lauding the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the 11 agreements signed with various militant groups in the past decade to ensure lasting peace in the state.

During an election rally in the Karbi Anglong district, the chief minister emphasised the unprecedented development in infrastructure witnessed in the region over the last 10 years, particularly noting significant improvements in road connectivity within Karbi Anglong.

He attributed the achievements such as improved academic performance in HSLC results to the prevalent peace in the region since the BJP came to power.

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Furthermore, he celebrated the milestone of providing electricity connections to every village in the country after seven decades of Independence, underscoring the transformative power of each vote.

In the upcoming second phase, regions including Karimganj, Silchar, Mangaldoi, Nagaon, and Diphu are set to go to the polls.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi, other leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), carrying insulin for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, protested outside the Tihar Jail here on Sunday and raised slogans of Give insulin to Kejriwal.

Arvind Kejriwal is currently in Tihar Jail under judicial custody. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

The AAP members staged the protest outside the Tihar Jail against the BJP governments alleged failure to provide insulin to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail.

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Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi, alongside AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha and AAP chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar, led the demonstration, accompanied by other prominent leaders and activists.

Despite attempts to deliver insulin injections brought by Delhiites, jail officials refused to accept the medication, sparking outrage among protesters, the AAP said.

Atishi condemned the officials actions, accusing the BJP of endangering Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals life by withholding vital treatment. During this, AAP leaders had arrived with placards, posters and banners written in their hands, Give insulin to Arvind Kejriwal and Dont play with the life of Arvind Kejriwal.

The Delhi Cabinet Minister said the people of the national capital have sent insulin for their CM, Arvind Kejriwal.

Arvind Kejriwal has been a diabetic patient for the last 20 years. Today, his sugar level has reached above 300 and the sugar level is continuously above 300, she said.

If you consult any doctor not only in Delhi and the country, but in the world, they will tell you that if the sugar level is above 300, it cannot be reduced without taking an insulin injection.

If the sugar level above 300 cannot be controlled without insulin and the Tihar administration is refusing to give insulin, then clearly Arvind Kejriwals life is in danger, she added.

Arvind Kejriwals sugar level is continuously at a high level. This affects the kidney, liver, eyes and the nervous system. If something happens to Arvind Kejriwal, who will be responsible? If Arvind Kejriwals kidney and eyes get damaged, who will be responsible? There is definitely a deep conspiracy behind stopping Arvind Kejriwals medicines, Atishi said.

Atishi, while answering a question, said that the Delhi governments lawyer should appear in court and present the side of the Tihar jail administration, but two lawyers of the LG were personally present in the court for the Tihar administration.

Both these lawyers look after the cases of the LG. The Tihar jail administration should send its report to the Delhi government, but it is sending it to the LG. It is clear from these incidents that at present the Tihar jail administration is working completely under the LG Sahab, as per his orders. Arvind Kejriwals insulin is being stopped by the jail administration under a conspiracy, she said.

Atishi said that after so long, the Tihar administration wrote a letter to AIIMS on Saturday that they need a specialist doctor for diabetes.

It means that for so long, the Tihar administration has been lying to the court that Arvind Kejriwal is being medically monitored. Therefore, the question arises that when there is no diabetes doctor in Tihar, then who is doing the monitoring? What kind of cruelty is this of BJP. What kind of hatred does BJP have for Arvind Kejriwal that he is not being given insulin, she said.

The BJP is conspiring to put Arvind Kejriwals life in danger by stopping his insulin. Tihar administration is not giving insulin to Arvind Kejriwal at the instigation of the BJP. Therefore, the people of Delhi have sent insulin for Arvind Kejriwal and have sent a message that our Chief Ministers health should be taken care of, she said.

The jail administration refused to take the insulin medicine sent by the people of Delhi to their CM Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP said.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday condemned the attack on a college student in Palampur and raised questions on the law and order situation in the state.

During a media interaction in Mandi on Sunday, Thakur squarely criticised the Congress, asserting that the states law and order had collapsed entirely. There has been a substantial increase in incidents of hooliganism in Himachal Pradesh during the tenure of the Congress government. The recent attack on a college student with a sharp weapon has sent shockwaves across the state, he remarked.

While wishing the injured girl a speedy recovery, Thakur underscored the need to take firm action against the perpetrators.

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He highlighted a previous incident where a murder took place in front of a police control room in Shimla, and during a subsequent press conference, Youth Congress workers allegedly attempted to assault BJP leaders. He accused the police of remaining a mute spectator all this while.

In Chamba, a young man is cut into pieces and thrown into a drain and the government tries to suppress the matter, he added.

While reacting to the indecent post on Kangana Ranaut, the Leader of the Opposition said that in the election phase, Congress leaders have no issue left for campaigning. Instead of talking about development, Congress leaders are making indecent comments on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut every other day. An official of Hamirpur Youth Congress has uploaded comments and indecent photos about her. The party has submitted the complaint to the Election Commission, he said.

He added that earlier a national leader of the Congress party had made indecent remarks against Ranaut.

Thakur said, Seeing Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister for the third time, the anxiety of the Congress party leaders has increased further. Due to this confusion, Congress party leaders are making such comments every day.

Replying to a question, the former CM said that the RSS didnt need the guidance of Vikramaditya Singh. An organisation which has its own identity in the country and the world is capable of making its own decisions. He should not make such comments on such an organisation.

Thakur highlighted the dire situation in Mandi, where seven bridges were washed away in a calamity, leaving locals struggling to cross the Beas River for eight long months. We want to ask PWD Minister and Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh how many bridges have you restored? The truth is that he did not restore even a single bridge. Now people are losing their lives due to lack of bridges, he added.

I am deeply saddened to say that a couple from Mandi City met with a tragic accident while crossing the Beas River, resulting in the husbands death. After all, who is responsible for this?

He said that the Modi government allocated Rs 3,000 crore from Delhi for road constructions, a credit they falsely attribute to themselves. Those funds were provided by the BJP government. You tell us what you did, he asked.

Thakur asked why MP Pratibha Singh and Minister Vikramaditya Singh remained silent on Mandi University.

Why is Shivdham in Mandi, built at a cost of Rs 250 crore, lying in ruins today? Why has the airport work not progressed even though we have completed all the formalities? Pratibha Singh and Vikramaditya Singh will have to answer this, he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday addressed three election rallies, where he invoked the legacy of Lord Ram, advocating for the establishment of Ram Raj under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at Korba and Rajnandgaon rallies, Adityanath criticized the Congress, accusing them of covertly aligning with Naxalism and fostering corruption during their tenure.

He praised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its unwavering stance against corruption, contrasting it with the alleged malpractices of the opposition.

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At Bilaspur, he lauded the BJP as the provider of solutions. He cautioned against misguided voting, citing a series of alleged wrongdoings under Congress rule, including coal, liquor, and Public Distribution System (PDS) scams.

Addressing the rally, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma criticized the Congress contested presence in nearly 250 seats, questioning the feasibility of a Congress-led government.

Yogi Adityanath highlighted the vital role of informed voting, emphasizing its importance in steering the nation towards a brighter future under visionary leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 2550th Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvana Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam here on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti where Jain community sants gave him Vijayi Bhava blessing.

The community members also took Har Baar, Modi Ka Parivar pledge to support the Prime Minister in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They lauded the PMs efforts, ensuring Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi.

Addressing the gathering, one of the Jain community speakers said: Bhagwan Mahavir has taught us that all humans are one and Prime Minister Modi and his vision of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi is a true example of that.

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Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi urged all to follow the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, saying that the revival of those values is the demand of the time.

I am sure that the nation will continue to celebrate the values of Bhagwan Mahavir for thousands of years to comeTeaching of our Tirthankaras have gained a new relevance in the time when, globally, many countries are getting into wars, the PM said.

He further stated that today, humanity is expecting peace from India in these times of conflict. He said that this growing profile is due to its cultural image, growing capabilities, and foreign policy

Today we put forward the principles of truth and non-violence with full confidence in the global fora. We tell the world that the solution to the global problem is found in the ancient Indian culture and tradition. This is why India is making a place for itself as Vishwa Bandhu in a divided world, he added.

PM Modi also released a commemorative stamp and coin on Bhagwan Mahavir on the occasion and extended his wishes of Mahavir Jayanti to all.
Senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be repealed in the first session of Parliament itself if the INDIA bloc comes to power.

Speaking to media persons here, Chidambaram said the Congress party intends to repeal the CAA even though it is not mentioned in its manifesto. I am the chairman of the manifesto committee. I wrote every word of it. I know what we intend to do. The CAA will be repealed, not amended. We have made it clear. The CAA will be repealed in the first session of Parliament if the INDIA bloc forms the government, he asserted.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPM have been constantly lashing out at the Congress for silence of its manifesto on the CAA issue.

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The senior Congress leader said the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya should not play any role in the elections. The people wanted a Ram temple at Ayodhya, a temple has come up. That should be the end of the story. Why should the temple play a role in politics, in elections, who should rule the country? It should have no role at all, Chidambaram said.

He said the BJP is no longer a political party, but a cult. The cult worships Narendra Modi. It is a party of cult worshippers, he alleged.

Calling the 2024 Lok Sabha polls an election to save democracy, the Union former minister said if Narendra Modi were voted back to power, it would be the last true democratic election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined that India is proof that it becomes impossible to stop a nation when the feeling of self-respect awakens.

Modi, who inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav on the auspicious occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, said, The new generation believes that Indias identity is its pride.

The prime minister paid tributes with rice and flower petals to Bhagwan Mahaveers Murti and witnessed a dance drama presentation by school children on Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami titled Vartaman mein Vardhaman. He also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.

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Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said Indias strength to envision centuries and millennia and its farsighted approach have made it the longest-living civilization on earth and a haven for humanity today.

It is India which thinks not for self but for all and believes in everyone. It is India which not only talks about traditions but also policies. It is India which talks about the universe in the body, Brahma in the world, and Shiva in the living being, he said.

Modi said due to stagnation, views may turn into differences, however, discussion can lead to new vistas as well as destruction depending on the nature of the discussion. He stressed the churn of the last 75 years should lead to Amrit in this Amrit Kaal.

Teaching of our Tirthankaras has gained a new relevance in the time when, globally, many countries are getting into wars, the prime minister said. Modi recalled philosophies like Anekantavada and Syadvada that teach people to look at all the aspects and embrace the views of others too.

He said today, humanity is expecting peace from India in these times of conflict. The prime minister said this growing profile is due to its cultural image, growing capabilities, and foreign policy.

Today we put forward the principles of truth and non-violence with full confidence in the global fora. We tell the world that the solution to the global problem is found in the ancient Indian culture and tradition. This is why India is making a place for itself as Vishwa Bandhu in a divided world, PM Modi said.

He mentioned Indian initiatives like Mission LiFE for combating climate change and the vision of One Earth One Family and One Future along with a roadmap of One World-One Sun-One Grid. He said today India is leading a futuristic global initiative like the International Solar Alliance. These initiatives have not only created hope in the world but have led to change in global perception towards our culture and tradition, said the prime minister.

Speaking about the meaning of Jainism, the Prime Minister said it is the path of Jin or the victorious. He stressed that India has never attacked another nation to conquer it and instead worked to improve itself. He said great saints and sages guided India during the darkest of times which allowed the nation to find its way even though many great civilizations perished.

The prime minister emphasised the significance of the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav and noted various happy coincidences such as the initial phase of the Amrit Kaal when the nation was working towards a golden century of independence. He also noted the 75th year of the Constitution and the festival of democracy that will decide the future direction of the nation.

Modi bowed before the saints from the Jain community and conveyed his best wishes to all citizens on the auspicious occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti. The prime minister paid tributes to Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj and recalled his recent meeting with the Acharya and said his blessings were still guiding him.

Referring to the dance drama presentation by school children on Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami titled Vartaman mein Vardhaman, the prime minister said the dedication and commitment of the youth towards the values of Bhagwan Mahaveer is a sign of the nation moving forward in the right direction.

Prime Minister Modi underlined that the idea of Amrit Kaal is not merely a resolution but a spiritual inspiration that allows people to live through immortality and eternity. We are celebrating Bhagwan Mahaveers Nirvan Diwas even after 2500 years and Im sure that the nation will continue to celebrate the values of Bhagwan Mahaveer for thousands of years to come, the prime minister said.
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In Suzhou, Jiangsu province, history comes alive in every old building and winding alleyway, attracting a media buzz surrounding its success in preserving and utilizing its ancient charm.

It stands as the inaugural destination of the "Cultural Journey" program, which dedicates to showcase the preservation and flourishing of China's vibrant traditional culture.

The program features key sections like "Archaeological China", "Exploring China", "Traveling across China", "Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage in China" and "Openness in China".

It covers topics such as discovering cultural relics, protecting historic sites in cities and towns, promoting cultural tourism, safeguarding and passing down intangible cultural heritage and fostering exchanges among civilizations.

Tongli Ancient Town, Pingjiang Historic Cultural Street, and No. 32 Lane in Gusu District exemplify Suzhou's successful preservation and use of ancient buildings and historic cultural streets.

Tongli Ancient Town leads in preserving its cultural heritage by adopting a "living ancient town" model, restoring buildings to their original appearance and maintaining a vibrant community of 12,000 residents.

Pingjiang Historic Cultural Street is another success story, showcasing comprehensive protection efforts. Wang Yongfa, official from the Gusu district ancient city conservation committee, explained that Pingjiang has evolved from preserving a single street to safeguarding the entire historic district.

"After repairing the cultural buildings, we will utilize them based on their spatial characteristics, features and historical significance," Wang said. "Some cultural buildings are open to the public for free, while others serve as carriers for the development of new humanities and the economy."

In January, historical buildings in Suzhou were designated as part of the first batch of National Cultural Heritage Conservation and Utilization Demonstration Zones by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Luo Juan, deputy director of policy and regulation department at the National Cultural Heritage Administration praised Suzhou's significant efforts in revitalizing its cultural heritage buildings, attracting social and capital involvement for their renewal and transformation into art spaces and tourist attractions.

"Suzhou has pioneered a model for heritage building revitalization," Luo noted.

She highlighted efforts to bring museum artifacts to life in recent years and saw a surge in museum attendance, reaching 1.2 billion last year, matching 2019 levels. During this year's Spring Festival, visits surpassed 70 million, significantly surpassing the same period previously.

Currently, there are over 6,500 museums across the country, with over 90 percent offering free admission to the public. However, many visitors face reservation difficulties due to their popularity.

Luo commended Suzhou Museum's innovative hourly reservation system, offering a solution amid the current museum boom. "Some museums are also adopting staggered opening times to encourage off-peak bookings," she added.




TOKYO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of the country's past brutal militarism, on the occasion of its spring festival.

Kishida sent the ceremonial tree, called "masakaki," on the first day of the three-day ceremony at the war-linked shrine located in central Tokyo's Chiyoda district.

Economic revitalization minister Yoshitaka Shindo paid a visit to the controversial shrine on Sunday morning. Fukushiro Nukaga, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Hidehisa Otsuji, president of the House of Councillors, also offered "masakaki" to the shrine.

The Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II, including Hideki Tojo. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction for Japan and its neighbors.

For a long time, some Japanese politicians and members of parliament have insisted on visiting the shrine, which has been strongly opposed by many peace-loving people at home and abroad. 
In its ongoing pursuit to augment farmers income and bolster their financial well-being, the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has set an ambitious goal of procuring 60 lakh metric tonnes of wheat during the fiscal year 2024-25.

To facilitate this substantial procurement, the government aims to operate 6,500 purchasing centres throughout the state, a notable increase from the current count of 6,414 centres.

Furthermore, on the instruction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, nodal officers have been deployed to oversee the wheat procurement process. These officers, acting on the directives of the CM, are diligently assessing the on-ground arrangements for wheat procurement across various locations, officials said here on Sunday.

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Approximately 300,000 farmers have successfully enrolled in the procurement process, a testament to the transparency upheld by the Yogi administration. Presently, 2,75,759 farmers have registered across 6,414 purchasing centres, with 1,91,492 already undergoing verification.

Notably, 72,100 farmers utilised the public portal for registration, while 2,02,805 were registered through various agencies. Additionally, 854 sharecroppers have also been included in the registration process. Following directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, overseeing nodal officers have diligently submitted their reports on wheat procurement progress to the government.

Principal Secretary of Food and Logistics Alok Kumar, serving as the nodal officer for the Lucknow division, conducted on-site inspections in Sitapur and Lakhimpur. Notably, Sitapur farmers have articulated bonus demands amidst the procurement process. Sitapur has witnessed the purchase of 1,680 quintals of wheat, while Lakhimpur Kheri recorded a substantial procurement of 13,000 quintals.

Similarly, Food and Logistics Commissioner Saurabh Babu, responsible for Chitrakoot, Jhansi, and Kanpur divisions, visited Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, and Kanpur Dehat. His report highlights a daily procurement rate of 100 quintals in Mahoba, alongside bonus demands from farmers in Kanpur Dehat.

Furthermore, Food and Logistics Special Secretary Abhishek Goyal, serving as the nodal officer for the Ayodhya division, inspected Amethi and Barabanki. He noted the commencement of wheat harvesting in these regions, though it is yet to be available in the markets. Despite this, all preparations for wheat procurement have been meticulously completed, with operations poised to commence promptly upon market arrivals.

The government has acted upon the recommendations provided by nodal officers, issuing essential directives about wheat procurement. Notably, Prabhash Kumar, Special Secretary of Food and Logistics, serves as the nodal officer for the Meerut division. At the same time, Kamta Prasad Singh, Additional Commissioner of the Food and Logistics Department, Establishment, fulfils this role for the Moradabad division.

Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, Special Secretary of the Agriculture Department, oversees the Saharanpur division, and Shrikant Goswami, Managing Director of UPPCU, holds responsibility for the Jhansi division. Vineet Prakash, Special Secretary of the Nodal Agricultural Marketing Department, is assigned the Basti Division. At the same time, Narendra Prasad Pandey, Special Secretary of the Nodal Cooperative Department, manages the Agra Division.

Similarly, Vinod Kumar Singh, Managing Director of Nodal UPSS, supervises the Chitrakoot Division, with Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Additional Commissioner of Food and Logistics, undertaking responsibilities for the Bareilly Division. Additional Commissioner of the Nodal Cooperative Department, Manoj Kumar, oversees the Aligarh Division.

Each officer visited their respective districts and submitted comprehensive reports to the government. These reports facilitated the governments issuance of requisite guidelines concerning wheat procurement, ensuring alignment with operational requirements on the ground.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said violence in non-BJP-ruled states is a side effect of appeasement policies.

Yogi Adityanath attributed the riots that took place on Ram Navami and Holi in West Bengal and other states ruled by parties other than the BJP to their governments penchant for playing with the sentiments of the majority society.

Stating that vote bank politics in the name of appeasement has always given rise to such communal tension, he said, Repeated attacks on Ram Navami processions in West Bengal are a matter of concern which sends out a clear message that these people (the leaders in power) cannot provide security to even peaceful processions. Hence, the people of the country would ask what security they can expect from them for ordinary law-abiding citizens.

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Talking to the media here on Sunday, Yogi said, Elections are the best opportunity for us to give a message to the so-called secular people and parties. Give them a clear message through your vote if you play with our sentiments and support those who breach our security, then we will respond in the same way in the elections.

Before leaving for Chhattisgarh on an election tour on Sunday, Yogi said the entire country knows that it was all due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Ram Lallas arrival in Ayodhya after 500 years was possible.

Chhattisgarh is the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram and maternal home of mother Kaushalya. It is said that Chhattisgarh is the best because every follower of the Sanatan religion considers it his maternal birthplace. Everyone likes to visit his maternal home. Naturally, the people of Chhattisgarh are as excited as Uttar Pradesh, the entire country, and every follower of the Sanatan religion. Today, I will get an opportunity to communicate with the people of Chhattisgarh and convey the message of Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya to them, he said.

Yogi further said that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is going to be formed again under the leadership of Modi ji with a huge majority. There should be no doubt about this. The lies of the Opposition are also being exposed by the public, he added.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday accused the Congress of conniving with Naxalites and playing havoc with the youths future. He asserted that todays India does not bow down to Naxalism but rather destroys it.

In a blistering attack on the party during a huge rally in support of BJP candidate from the Korba Lok Sabha seat Saroj Pandey, Yogi alleged that Congresss nexus with Naxalites is not hidden from anyone. Instead of giving tablets to the youth, the Congress handed them pistols, he said.

The UP Chief Minister asserted that during its tenure, the Congress engaged in numerous scams, and did not spare even cow dung. He remarked that the party failed to ensure security and deliver good governance.

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Yogi said, I have come here carrying the message of Lord Shri Rams sacred land. This is Mata Kaushalyas maternal home and Shri Rams playground. He highlighted that after 500 years, there was tremendous enthusiasm in Chhattisgarh when Lord Ram was seated in his magnificent temple. When Lord embarked on his exile, he first sought refuge here, he added.

He further noted that it was the land of Chhattisgarh from where Lord Ram raised his voice to protect the sages, saints, and the virtuous people of society, and resolved to liberate them from demons, which was a commitment to lead India towards the Ram Rajya. Ram Rajya will be established under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, he remarked.

Yogi emphasised that over the past 10 years, the country has witnessed a transformative India that provides security and protection to its citizens. Significant development projects like highways, expressways, AIIMS, and IITs have become the hallmark of BJP governments. Moreover, theres no compromise on schemes for the welfare of the poor, he pointed out.

He said that the problems of terrorism and Naxalism have been resolved. Even if a firecracker explodes, Pakistan is ready with its explanation as it no longer wants to mess with India. It knows that if any terrorist incident happens in India, it will have to bear the consequences, he asserted.

Highlighting the development works undertaken in the country, CM Yogi said, In the Modi government, 80 crore people are being given free ration, while in Pakistan, 23 crore people are yearning for meals.

He also mentioned the achievements of various welfare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free electricity connections, Ujjwala Yojana, and other welfare schemes. Yogi also mentioned that in the next five years, three crore new houses will be made available to the poor.

CM Yogi emphasised that Congress has a history of accepting commissions, whereas PM Modi has endeavored to eliminate such practices by facilitating the opening of bank accounts for the underprivileged. He remarked that under the Congress rule, poverty-induced deaths, farmer suicides, youth migration, and concerns over the safety of daughters and businessmen were rampant.

He further noted that the first phase of elections encompassed 102 Lok Sabha seats nationwide and the resounding chorus echoing across the nation is Phir ek baar, Modi Sarkar and Abki baar, 400 paar.

Yogi said that the Congress has not spared even God; it committed a scam in the name of the Mahadev app. When we used to say that we will build the Ram Temple, Congress questioned the existence of Lord Ram even in the Supreme Court. Now they say Lord Ram belongs to everyone. This is Congresss dual character. He described BJP candidate Saroj Pandey as a bright and well-educated leader and appealed for huge voting in her favour.

Those present on the occasion included Chhattisgarh Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan, former minister Nanki Ram Kanwar, BJP state minister Vikas Mahato, Gopal Sahu, Dr Rajiv Singh, Manoj Sharma, Santoshi Diwan, Dhaneshwari Kanwar, Jogeshwar, Ashok Chawlani, and Jyoti Nand Dubey.
As the world marks mark the sombre anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, it is imperative to reflect on the legacy of this tragic chapter in human history and its profound implications for global peace and security. Thirty years have passed since the world stood by and watched as hundreds of thousands of innocent lives were brutally extinguished in a matter of weeks. The haunting images of neighbours turning against neighbours, of peacekeepers failing to intervene, and of political calculations trumping humanitarian imperatives, continue to serve as a stark reminder of the international communitys collective failure to prevent mass atrocities.

In the aftermath of Rwanda, the concept of the responsibility to protect (R2P) emerged as a beacon of hope ~ a commitment by the worlds nations to intervene, by force if necessary, to prevent genocide and other egregious crimes against humanity. Yet, despite the noble intentions behind R2P, its implementation has fallen short in the face of geopolitical realities. The Rwandan genocide was not an isolated event but a harbinger of a new era of violence and impunity. From Bosnia to Syria, from Myanmar to Ethiopia, the world has witnessed a disturbing pattern of mass killings, displacement, and humanitarian crises, often met with indecision and inaction. The failure to effectively respond to these atrocities underscores the inherent challenges of translating moral imperatives into concrete action. One of the key obstacles to the effective implementation of R2P is the inherent tension between sovereignty and intervention.

While the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states is enshrined in the UN Charter, the spectre of genocide and other grave crimes against humanity demands a re-evaluation of traditional notions of sovereignty. Attempts to reconcile these competing interests have been stymied by geopolitical rivalries and narrow national interests, as evidenced by the paralysis of the UN Security Council in the face of atrocities in Syria and elsewhere. Moreover, the limitations of international institutions and legal mechanisms have also hampered efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. While the International Court of Justice has played a crucial role in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, jurisdiction is often limited, and effectiveness dependent on the cooperation of member states.

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The recent case before the ICJ regarding the conflict in West Asia highlights the complexities of pursuing justice in an era of geopolitical divides and contested narratives. In light of these challenges, it is incumbent upon the global community to recommit itself to the principles enshrined in R2P and to seek innovative approaches to preventing mass atrocities. This requires not only political will but also sustained engagement with civil society, regional organisations, and other stakeholders. Only by working together can we hope to honour the memory of the victims of past atrocities and prevent more such crimes, As we reflect on the lessons of Rwanda, let us renew our collective resolve to build a world where the promise of never
What will be the deciding factor in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls? Social media campaigns played a significant role in the 2014 election, and Artificial Intelligence could potentially replace traditional campaigning, impacting election results. Political parties and candidates now use AI to analyse voter data. This process examines demographics, social media activity, and past voting behaviour. The AI algorithms then generate insights from this data, which can be used to develop effective campaign strategies.

AI can tailor political calls to individual voters and potentially damage the reputation of opponents. In India, the upcoming election presents a market opportunity worth Rs 500 crore as more than 50 per cent of the population uses the internet (this number may increase to 900 million by 2025). Prime Minister Modis speeches have highlighted how generative AI can influence voters on a massive scale. Both regional and national parties are gradually moving towards AI. In the past, candidates visited voters homes to campaign, sip a cup of tea and seek their votes. But now, they use social media platforms to connect with the electorate. Congress and the BJP used it successfully in last years five state elections.

Fake videos of prominent leaders and spoofs were used in campaigns for the first time. Parties like the BJP, Congress, AAP, DMK, and AIADMK use AI to communicate with their supporters. For instance, the BJP uses AI to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modis speeches into eight regional languages to connect with voters in the South. This is just one example of how AI is used in political campaigns nationwide. Campaigners use AI-generated videos to endorse candidates and spread misinformation. These videos, often deepfake videos, target the 18- 25 age group and the first-time voter, as it is a highly active social media demographic. Whatsapp is used to share these videos. For instance, one party shared a fake image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On March 16, another posted a false video of Rahul Gandhi on Instagram. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK and AIADMK parties used recordings of their deceased leaders for gathering voter support. The Communist parties also employed AI technology in their campaigns.

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One video shows Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the AIMIM party, singing Hindu devotional songs. Regional leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Naveen Patnaik, and Mamata Banerjee also use this tool. Deepfake videos, a type of AIgenerated content, will significantly impact Indias 2024 elections. They blur the line between truth and falsehood, profoundly affecting public trust and electoral integrity. The use of AI technology can help with election processes in several ways: AI can predict election outcomes; AI chatbots and virtual assistants can communicate with voters on social media, and AI can prevent election fraud and regulate political advertising campaign finance violations. The use of AI for malicious purposes is a significant concern.

With advanced AI, it has become possible to impersonate anyone, including voters or candidates, which can lead to identity theft and manipulation of the electoral process. This highlights the need for clear regulations to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. AI in political campaigns raises privacy concerns and can lead to unfair competition and misinformation. Clear regulations are needed to ensure a transparent electoral process. Governments must regulate AI use to promote fairness. The IT Minister has warned social media companies to comply with regulations. For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it is crucial that the Election Commission of India issues clear instructions to regulate AI-generated information.

These guidelines should address ethical AI use in campaigns and voter data analysis. Regulations are vital for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. They protect voters rights and provide reassurance of the processs fairness and transparency. Without these regulations, the electoral process could be compromised, leading to doubts about the legitimacy of the results. While there are concerns, its important to note that artificial Intelligence can also be a boon. Certain AIgenerated technologies can potentially revolutionise our approach to free and fair elections. Once widely adopted, it could pave the way for e-elections, a future where elections are conducted online, ensuring a more transparent and accountable electoral process.

During the Bihar elections, the Election Commission used an AIpowered system to ensure transparency and prevent manipulation. The system detected and flagged misinformation and hate speech cases, expedited the counting process and curbed hate speech during the election. This demonstrates how AI can be used effectively and instil confidence in the electorate. Presidents, prime ministers, or legislators could win or lose based mainly on the success or failure of their AI campaign. Gullible voters can be fooled easily. Technological advancements can bring about significant changes, and AI is no exception.
China is ready to work with Papua New Guinea (PNG) to build a comprehensive strategic partnership of higher level and better quality, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko, Xinhua news agency reported.

China always views and values PNGs role from a strategic perspective, Wang said, noting that PNG is the largest and most populous Pacific island country, with the most abundant natural resources in the Pacific island region.

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Located in the connecting belt between Oceania and Southeast Asia, PNG has a unique position and huge development advantages, and is fully capable of becoming a more prosperous country with more self-determination and more influence in the region and in the world, Wang said.

China has always developed its ties with PNG from a long-term perspective, Wang said, adding that the current bilateral relations is the result of the joint guidance of generations of leaders and the joint efforts of friendly people in the two countries. Both countries should inherit it, take good care of it and carry it forward.

China is ready to work with PNG to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and build a comprehensive strategic partnership of higher level and better quality, Wang said.

China will continue to treat PNG as an equal, and firmly support the country in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national unity, accelerating national revitalization and improving peoples livelihood, and playing a bigger role in regional and multilateral affairs, Wang said.

PNG is an important partner in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, Wang said, noting that the Pacific country has participated in two Belt and Road forums for international cooperation consecutively and made positive contributions.

The two countries have drawn up Belt and Road cooperation plans and established a working mechanism. Both sides need to implement them one by one and advance them in a timely manner, so as to ensure that the results of the cooperation will be tangible as soon as possible and bring benefits to the PNG people, Wang said.

China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with PNG and launch free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations as soon as possible, the Chinese foreign minister said.

China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with PNG in such areas as trade and investment, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fishery, clean energy and climate change solutions, Wang said.

China is also ready to create new highlights in its cooperation with PNG in such areas as information and communication technology, disaster prevention and reduction, and police affairs, pushing bilateral relations to higher levels, Wang said.

As a developing country, Chinas exchanges and cooperation with South Pacific island countries are aimed at supporting and helping each other and achieving common development, without any selfish geopolitical interests, the Chinese foreign minister said.

The South Pacific region should not become an arena of big power rivalry, and no country should treat the island countries as its backyard, or engage in zero-sum competition and exclusive arrangements, Wang said.

Instead, more should be done for the island countries and more benefits should be brought to their people, Wang said.

For his part, Tkachenko said China is a close friend of his country.

The leaders of the two countries have maintained close communication and established a high degree of mutual trust. Bilateral cooperation in various fields is progressing smoothly and bringing tangible benefits to people in both countries, Tkachenko said.

The PNG government has long been firm in upholding and will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, Tkachenko said, adding that the government understands and supports Chinas efforts to achieve national reunification.

PNG is committed to promoting the development of bilateral relations to achieve greater results, the Pacific island countrys foreign minister said.

PNG looks forward to strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, education, police affairs, and disaster prevention and mitigation, and further facilitating people-to-people exchanges, Tkachenko said.

He also sincerely thanked China for its selfless assistance to PNG in coping with the recent floods.

PNG believes that Chinas cooperation with South Pacific island countries has promoted regional development, thinks highly of Chinas important role and fair stance in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, Tkachenko said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, the two foreign ministers jointly attended the signing ceremony of various cooperation documents.
Four villagers were killed and two others were wounded in a landmine explosion in northeast Cambodias Mondulkiri province on Saturday, a mine clearance chief said.

Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), said the war-left landmine erupted late Saturday afternoon, about 10 km from Sre Y village in Sen Monorom town, Xinhua news agency.

According to preliminary information, four persons were pronounced dead and two others were injured in the blast, Ratana wrote on social media.

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He added that there were children among the victims.

Last month, an eight-year-old boy was killed and his two younger sisters were also seriously wounded in a landmine explosion in northwest Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province.

Cambodia is one of the worlds worst countries suffered from mines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) as the results of three decades of war and internal conflicts from the mid-1960s until 1998. An estimated 4 million to 6 million land mines and other munitions left over from the conflicts.

In a social media post on Feb. 27, Ratana said an estimated more than 4 million tonnes of aerial bombs and 27 million cluster bombs had been dropped on some 115,273 locations throughout Cambodia by more than 500,000 U.S. bombing missions between mid-1965 and 1973.

From 1979 to 2023, landmine and UXO explosions had claimed 19,822 lives and either injured or amputated 45,215 others in the Southeast Asian country, according to an official report.
Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who recently visited India with her husband Nick Jonas, is enjoying every bit of her Swiss holiday.

On Saturday, the actress took to her Instagram and dropped pictures from her recent vacation in the Crans-Montana municipality of Switzerland.

Crans-Montana is located in the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In the pictures, the actress can be seen relaxing on her holiday as she shared several pictures of the snowfall and the snowclad mountains. In the pictures, PC can be seen dressed in comfortable winterwear.

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She wrote in the caption, Oh to sojourn in Crans Montana even for a blink.. Can I please stay.

Earlier, Priyanka Chopra Jonas had shared then and now pictures on her Instagram. The actress took to her Instagram and shared two pictures.

While the 1st picture was of her after she won the Miss World title, the second picture was a recent one. The actress also poked fun at her styling from the 2000s and said that back then she was just trying to fit in.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that solving the Palestinian issue will promote stability in the Middle East region.

In an interview with Palestines official news agency WAFA, Abbas described the United States veto in denying Palestines full membership in the United Nations as disappointing, irresponsible, and unjustified, which is a blatant aggression against the rights of the Palestinian people, and a challenge to the will of the international community, Xinhua news agency reported.

The United States vetoed a draft UN resolution advocating for full membership for Palestine. Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining members of the Security Council voted in favour.

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Meanwhile, Abbas condemned the United States continued support for and weapon and fund supplies to Israel, with which, Abbas said, Israel kills our children, demolishes our homes, and opposes us in the international community, harming security and stability in the region and the world.

The president stressed that stability in the Middle East will not be achieved without a just solution to the Palestinian issue, which cannot be broken, liquidated, or subjugated.

He urged the U.S. administration to review its wrong policies, and realise that the policy of supporting Israel in its aggression against the Palestinian people will not bring security and peace to anyone.
A U.S. man who set himself on fire on Friday afternoon across the street where former U.S. President Donald Trump was undergoing a criminal trial has died on the same day, according to media reports.

Identified as Max Azzarello, the conspiracy theorist passed away in a hospital in New York City on Friday night, due to severe burns and other wounds, said reports quoting anonymous law enforcement officials, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 37-years-old man came from Florida and has been in New York City this week, prior to committing self-immolation in Collect Pond Park in Lower Manhattan.

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The criminal trial, involving Trumps falsification of business records in a bid to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, was essentially not impacted by the incident, with the jury selection finished on Friday and opening statements set for next Monday.

The trial, which is expected to last around six to eight weeks, made Trump the first former U.S. president to stand criminal trial.
A military band performs at the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Museum to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the Chinese PLA Navy in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

QINGDAO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The 19th biennial meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) opened on Sunday in the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province.

Themed "Seas of Shared Future," the four-day meeting has had over 180 navy representatives from 29 countries, including Australia, Cambodia, Chile, France, and India.

Delegates to the meeting will review activities taking place under the symposium's framework since its 18th biennial meeting, set the future agenda, and discuss and vote on issues such as the WPNS Business Charter, the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), and the unmanned system.

Foreign navy leaders will be invited to discuss the Global Security Initiative and maritime peace, maritime order based on maritime security cooperation and international laws, and global maritime governance.

Liang Wei, a senior officer with China's Naval Research Academy (NRA), said the attendance at this meeting and the ranks of participating officers from other countries are high.

"This not only demonstrates the vigor of the symposium but also reflects the influence and appeal of the Chinese navy," Liang said.

As a founding member of the WPNS, China first hosted the 14th WPNS biennial meeting in Qingdao in 2014. At the meeting, member states endorsed the CUES, a navy-to-navy template designed to reduce misunderstandings and avoid maritime accidents.

Currently, the WPNS has 23 member states and seven observing states. The symposium holds meetings and has exchange programs for young officers as well as senior and young sergeants.

Ren Xiaofeng, another senior officer with the NRA, said the symposium had helped promote communication and exchanges among different ranks of naval officers in various countries.

At this year's meeting, delegates will be invited to join tours of military and cultural contents, as well as a light show with international naval features.

This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Over the decades, the PLA Navy has developed into a strategic force consisting of five services and with both nuclear and conventional weapons, heading toward its goal of becoming a world-class navy.

The WPNS stands as a valuable platform for the world to better know about China and the Chinese navy, and for the Chinese navy to showcase itself to the world, said Zheng Hong, also a senior officer with the NRA. 
Days before several states went to the polls on April 19, Prashant Kishor, the nations leading soothsayer, forecast that the BJP, a rookie in Tamil Nadu politics, is going to stun the nation by carrying off at least 16 of the 40 seats in TN (including one in Puducherry). On the other hand, Dayanidhi Maran, speaking for the DMK, has sneered at this suggestion, describing the BJP in TN as a keyboard warrior that thinks elections can be won on social media platforms and the internet without feet on the ground.

The BJP has additionally invested heavily in Narendra Modi, believing that his numerous visits to TN will more than make up for the near absence of any interest in the BJP in the past. There is also hope in the local leadership of the TN BJP president, K. Annamalai, a 40-year-old former IPS officer who is the new kid on the block. Third, there is the BJPs alliance with the PMK, a party that claims to represent the extremely backward community of the Vanniyar, whose numbers are quite significant in the north of the state but electorally not significant. Fourth, flogging Katchatheevu, an issue resolved half a century ago. And fifth, thinking the sengol, placed by the speakers chair, will kindle Tamil pride. It doesnt. It is a symbol of Brahmin domination.

Illustration: Job P.K.

How does this face up to the ruling DMK whose alliance won 38 of the 39 seats in the state (plus Puducherry) in the 2019 Lok Sabha election? Very poorly would be the common sense response to that question. It is astonishing that any political commentator, however eminent, could believe differently now. For one thing, while the Dravidian movement took indigenous roots since more than a century ago when the Justice Party was formed, hindutva is an alien political philosophy with little or no resonance in the state. The Justice Party challenged the domination of the Congress in the 1920s. But by the 1930s, the Dravidian movement was radicalised by Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker and taken to the streets to demand equality in a society dominated by a tiny percentage of Brahmins, basing themselves on religion. Logically, therefore, the movement also became atheistic. While EVRs refusal to participate in the narrower political field enabled Rajaji to form a Congress government in 1937, once the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha received the Rajaji provincial governments backing, EVR undertook a long march from Trichy to Madras that sparked the Dravidian refusal to accept the imposition of Hindi on the state. This also sparked a parallel movement to return to the chen Tamizh (classical Tamil) of a rich cultural past, which added to the momentum of alienation from the Sanskritic and vedic propagation of an India that excluded the Dravidian Tamils, who were also racially distinct from the Aryans of the north. How can the BJP, representing the quintessence of everything the Dravidian movement rejects, turn the tables on this bastion of Dravidian assertion?

There is also the pent-up anger at other forms of BJP imposition, such as NEET and the forthcoming delimitation, which might reduce TN seats for dramatically regulating its population growth while rewarding UP, the worst performer in family planning, by increasing its seats from 80 to 140.

Moreover, atavistic vengeance on our mediaeval history, which is at the core of hindutva, is so absent from Tamil sentiment that the Dravidian movement has no bias against Muslims. As Dayanidhi says, DMK is 100 per cent for secularism. The minorities are born here. They are part of India. Hence, the Ram Mandir issue has little traction. And as for the Gujarat model and the UP double engine, Dayanidhi pertinently asks if these are so successful, Why are people from UP and Gujarat coming to Chennai to work? Good question! Round One to INDIA.

Aiyar is a former Union minister and social commentator.
G.K. Chesterton said, Every politician is emphatically a promising politician. More so in an election season, when they hunt us in packs and flood us with promises that make us forget their performance.

Parties are worse. They make a plethora of promises, and compile those into manifestos, a word that came to be dreaded ever since two 19th century Germans wrote one about a spectre that was haunting Europenot of an election, but of a revolution.

In the olden days, manifestos read like PhD theses, the opening chapter of a Thomas Hardy novel, the first page of a James Joyce book, or a statement drafted by our foreign office. Every reading left your mind foggier. And linguists say, manifesto comes from Latin manifestum which means clear!

Imaging: Deni Lal/Ai

Lets be fair. Manifestos, these days, are reader-friendly. The credit, if you ask me, should go to P.V. Narasimha Rao. The one that he drafted for the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress in 1991 read like a things-to-do list, a never-before attempt. It simply listed what the party would do in the first 100 days of government, in the first one year, in the first two years, in 1,000 days and so on. You could keep it on your desk as a checklist, and tick it every now and then.

Yet, the simple checklist carried a political visionthe roadmap for the economic reforms that its regime would unveil in the next five years.

The BJP took simplicity to the extreme in the next polls. Its 1996 manifesto promised, among other things, to add fruit juice to cold drinks, and get banks to update our passbooks!

Manifestos have since matured. The recent ones are easy-to-read documents, yet containing the political vision that a party wants to share. The challenge for us is not to comprehend the content, but the titles. The Congress calls theirs Nyay Patra; that sounds like an Odiya name, or an affidavit filed in a court of law. The BJP calls theirs Modi Ki Guarantee Sankalp Patra. You may think its a guarantee card, styled as a palm-leaf scroll, that came with your new washing machine. Pun intended.

There is no hard-and-fast rule regarding the content or titling. Parties can promise the moon, Mars or Mercury as long as they dont violate the Constitution or the model code. The BSP plays it safe. More often than not, they dont issue any manifesto, saying those are hollow promises.

Not true. Most of what governments do in the larger policy domain are things that would have been promised in manifestos. As said earlier, the reforms of the 1990s were laid out in the 1991 Congress manifesto. The Congress promised right to education in 2004, delivered it in 2009.

Some may take a few years. The BJP promised to scrap Article 370 in its 1984 manifesto; it did in 2019. It promised a UCC in 1989; delivered it in Uttarakhand in 2024.

Manifestos ought to be taken seriously. Ask the CIA. They looked foolish when A.B. Vajpayee made the bomb. They wouldnt have, if they had read the BJPs 1998 manifesto where the bomb option was mentioned in plain English.

What are parties promising this time? The BJP guarantees welfarefree health insurance to 70-year-olds, piped cooking gas, free ration for the poor for five more years, and more. The Congress offers to scrap Agnipath, make Jammu-Kashmir a state again (but no return of 370), give legal guarantee to crop prices, one-year apprenticeship to youth, Rs 1 lakh to one woman in every poor home, and more.

Not much different? Their political visions are. One guarantees regime stability; the other offers democratic liberties.

Your choice.

prasannan@theweek.in
Binod Chaudhary, 69, is an unusual man. He wears his Nepals first billionaire status very lightly. The man who took Wai Wai Noodles to the world, and came in the Forbes billionaires list in 2013, is a fitness enthusiast, avid trekker, writer and filmmaker, with 122 companies in five countries and 76 brands in the global market.

We reconnected recently at a retreat in Gangtok and, soon after, on his home turfKathmandu. The one quality that jumped out during our interactions? His focused interest in everything and everyone around him. He gave me his book, Making it Big: The Inspiring Story of Nepals First Billionaire, a chatty, highly readable account of his incredible life. It is a huge bestseller in Nepal and sells briskly in India, too. It starts with an earthquake in Chile (2010) and ends with the devastating earthquake in Nepal (2015). Sandwiched in between is his own story, engagingly written by him in Nepali and later translated into English and several other languages. He is working on his second book, which recounts the Wai Wai success story, detailing the strategy that propelled the brand to unimaginable heights. A battle cannot be won with compassion, he states, confessing candidly, My aggression has overshadowed my good qualities. This is a rare admission for a man who is mega successful and unabashedly proud of his achievements. As the chairperson of the Chaudhary Group, Binod has left the day-to-day running of his vast empire to his three sonsNirvana, Rahul and Varun.

Binod Chaudhary | Chaudharygroup.com

I remember attending Rahul and Surabhis grand wedding in Jaipur. Surabhi, Binods beautiful and capable daughter-in-law, is a Mumbai girl, while Nirvanas wife, Ashrayata, is from Nepal. The close-knit family works seamlessly and efficiently within the assigned roles.

The Chaudhary men are on the move non-stop, what with their vast and varied business interestsfrom banking, real estate, hospitality, telecom, housing, finance, hospitals and education. Aware of their family lineage, Binod says, I belong to a community with a proud history Marwaris have never received the respect they deserve. Binods grandfather, originally from Shekhawati in Rajasthan, came to Nepal as a young man of 20 and put down roots. Marwaris have a wonderful support system, which is why they succeed wherever they go, declares Binod, as he looks back on his extraordinary life, crammed with personal and professional adventures.

As a seasoned politician and member of parliament from the Nepali Congress party, Binod cites his friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while pointing out that India could have done much more for its smaller neighbour, in terms of building Nepals infrastructure. Well, the airport at Kathmandu could do with a major facelift, given the tourist traffic from India and the rest of the world.

Binod, who was introduced to Modi by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is keenly watching elections 2024 in India, and wont be surprised if an unexpected twist upsets the best calculations. His own country is going through a period of turbulence and, at the moment, his political party is on shaky grounds as the demands for a return to monarchy, reinstating the king and declaring Nepal as the worlds only Hindu kingdom, get more strident. Binod is too shrewd and powerful to allow any of this to deter his personal growth vision. His position in Nepal looks unshakeable, despite attempts to dig up old cases and vilify the family.

I want everything from life, Binod flatly states, as he rushes off for yet another meeting, a linen jacket casually slung over his arm. The brotherhood of billionaires ensures a certain comfort to the man who has survived earthquakes and more, never once losing sight of his goals. The ground beneath his feet is rock steady, as he confidently takes the Chaudhary Group to the next level.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade
Though Tehran and Tel Aviv have tried to play down Israel's alleged attack on Isfahan last week, investors are still wary about potential escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Though this along with the cues in the global markets, Brent crude oil and rupee's movement against dollar could drive the equity markets this week, one of the important factors that would dictate the Dalal Street trends will be the quarterly earnings of index heavyweights, said analysts.



Citing the feeble global cues and ongoing earnings season, Ajit Mishra SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, told PTI, "Expect volatility to remain high this week too."



HDFC Bank has recorded a 2.11 per cent surge in consolidated net profit to Rs 17,622.38 crore for the quarter ending March against Rs 17,257.87 crore in the preceding quarter.

Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, told PTI that earnings season and global trends will be under radar this week. "Index heavyweights like Hindustan Unilever, Maruti, and Bajaj Finance will announce their results. Investors would also track economic data points like manufacturing & services PMI data of the US, US Q1 GDP number, and Japan's policy statement," he added.

Echoing other analysts, Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst, Swastika Investmart Ltd, told the new agency that investors will keep an eye on earnings of Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Nestle, Bajaj Finserv, HCL Technologies and Maruti.

 with inputs from PTI
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday said the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be repealed in the first session of Parliament after the INDIA Bloc forms the government at the Centre.

Chidambaram said the intention of the Congress party is to repeal the CAA even though it is not mentioned in its manifesto. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) has been constantly lashing out at the Congress saying its manifesto fails to mention the CAA.

Talking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Chidambaram claimed it was not mentioned in the manifesto "because it became too long".

The former union minister said the 10-year-rule of the BJP has caused tremendous damage to the country as it misused the "brute majority" in Parliament.

"There is a long list of laws among which five laws will be absolutely repealed. Take it from me, I am the chairman of the manifesto committee. I wrote every word of it, I know what the intention was. The CAA will be repealed, not amended. We have made it clear," Chidambaram said.

The CAA will be repealed in the first session of Parliament in which the INDIA Bloc forms the government, he added.

Dismissing the claims of Vijayan that the Congress has not opposed the Law, Chidambaram said Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has spoken against the CAA in Parliament.

When asked whether the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration will have any impact on the elections, Chidambaram said he hopes not. "Ayodhya now has a temple. We are happy. People wanted the temple and a temple has come up. That should be the end of the story. Why should a temple in Ayodhya play a role in politics or in elections and on who should rule the country. It should have no role at all," Chidambaram said.

On the issue of national border security, the senior Congress leader alleged that the BJP government was hiding the truth from the people of the country that "thousands of square kilometres of Indian land was occupied by Chinese troops".

"That's a fact testified by the MP from Ladakh. The fact testified by the Arunachal Pradesh citizens. Therefore, to say that they have secured our borders is a complete lie," Chidambaram said.

He also lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government and said the saffron party is no longer a political party but has become a cult that worships Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Targeting the Modi government, Chidambaram said there is a "grave erosion" of freedom of speech and expression that happened in the 10 years of Modi rule, and urged the people to "restore democracy".

"The BJP constituted the manifesto in 14 days which is not titled manifesto. They called it Modi's guarantee. The BJP is no longer a political party. It has become a cult and the cult worships Narendra Modi," Chidambaram said. He claimed that "Modi ki guarantee" reminds everyone of the countries where there is cult worship. "That cult worship in India has started gaining strength and will lead to dictatorship," he said.

He alleged that there has been gross censorship of the freedom of expression under the 10-year Modi rule. "If Modi is voted back to power for a third time, he may amend the constitution... We have to restore democracy," Chidambaram said.

The Congress leader also criticised Vijayan, who has been vocal these days against the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, and asked the Left leader to look at this election as a national election, which it is. He alleged that its ally in the INDIA Bloc, the CPI(M) was fighting this election in Kerala as if it is a state election.

"And from a national point of view, who is better placed to fight the BJP and form a government in Delhi. Who is better placed to fight the BJP across India? It is obviously the Congress and not the CPI(M).

CPI(M) is literally a single state party now," Chidambaram said. He appealed to the people to vote the INDIA bloc to power in Delhi. "I am not sure if I can hold a press conference like this if Mr Modi is elected for a third time. I am not sure whether you will be free to ask any questions to BJP leaders then," he added.

Polling will be held on April 26 in Kerala for the Lok Sabha election, and the nationwide results will be declared on June 4.
Amid 'love jihad' allegations, the parents of a 23-year-old Fayaz, accused of killing Neha Hiremath inside a college campus in Karnataka's Hubballi, have apologised to the victim's family. They said their son deserved strict punishment for the crime.

Their statement comes amid a political slugfest over the 'love jihad' allegations. The incident that occurred on April 18 has also triggered widespread protests all over the state.



Neha was the daughter of a Congress councillor and a student at BVB College in Hubbali.



According to Fayaz's father Baba Saheb Subani, a school teacher, they came to know about the incident around 6 pm on Thursday and were completely shocked and shattered by his son's act. "He (Fayaz) should be punished in a way that no one dares to do such a thing in future. With folded arms, I apologise to Neha's family members. She was like my daughter," he said with teary eyes.



Subani said he was separated from Fayaz's mother for the past six years and his son would call him whenever he needed money. He last spoke to his son about three months ago.



He also recalled Neha's father calling him to inform him that Fayaz was troubling her. He said Fayaz and Neha loved each other and were in a relationship. Fayaz told me he wanted to marry her but I refused it by folding my hands. "I request the people of Karnataka to forgive me. My son has done wrong. He will be punished by the law of the land and I welcome it. My town has got a black mark because of my son. People of Munavalli (Fayaz's hometown) please forgive me. You raised us. Please forgive me," he cried with folded hands.



Fayaz's mother Mamtaz too apologised to Neha's family for her son's act. "I apologise to the people of Karnataka as well as Neha's family for what my son has done. It is a great injustice to Neha and her family. What my son has done is completely wrong and we hang our heads in shame. What he did is a big mistake and he should be given strict punishment as per the law of the land," she said.



She told reporters that her son and Neha were more than friends. They were in love and wanted to marry. Mamtaz said she came to know about their relationship a year ago. "It was Neha who made the first move and took his phone number. My son did tell me about Neha and that he was in love with her and they wanted to get married. But I had suggested that he first focus on his career," she added.


Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged the central government is conspiring to kill Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar prison. He also alleged a doctor in the prison was manipulating medical records.



Bharadwaj told presspersons, Not only in India, but many of the international media are witnessing how a central government can conspire to kill an elected chief minister. The Delhi minister said the letter of Tihar prisons DG has exposed Bharatiya Janata Party plans. The DG of Tihar jail yesterday wrote to AIIMS that we need a diabetologist. This exposed the BJP as they were saying there are all specialists and everything including insulin are available in jail, and Arvind Kejriwal is lying, ANI reported.

Bharadwaj alleged medical records are manipulated based on the recommendations of a doctor in prison and elected chief minister of Delhi is being denied Insulin.

A recent report submitted by Tihar jail authorities to Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena claimed RML Hospital doctors did not indicate any insulin requirement for Kejriwal. Kejriwal's blood sugar levels were not alarming and he was advised oral anti-diabetic drugs, read the report. The report comes in the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party's allegation that there is a plot hatched to kill Kejriwal in jail by denying him insulin.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh recently alleged there is a plot hatched to kill Kejriwal in jail by denying him insulin. "A deep conspiracy is being hatched against Arvind Kejriwal and any kind of accident can happen with him inside the jail," Singh charged.

-with inputs from agencies.
DOHA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- As rainfalls are forecasted to come back next week in the Persian Gulf region, where people are still recovering from record torrential rains and deadly flash floods, experts called for actions to prepare for and adjust to similar impacts of climate change.

Last week, a low-pressure system edging toward the Arabian Sea triggered rounds of heavy downpours in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, killing at least 25 people in the two countries.

UAE meteorologist Ali Ahmed told Xinhua that although heavy rain has eased, the lingering low-pressure system is expected to bring another round of light to moderate rainfall in the region in recent days.

Flash floods brought by two days of cloudburst since Sunday killed 21 people in Oman, according to the Oman National Committee for Emergency Management.

On Tuesday, the UAE witnessed its heaviest rainfall in 75 years. In a country typical with less than 100 mm annual rainfall records, a 24-hour rainfall of 254.8 mm was registered Tuesday at a weather station near Al-Ain in UAE's Abu Dhabi.

Videos show large airplanes moving through flooded tarmacs in Dubai International Airport, where numerous flights got canceled and delayed, affecting thousands of passengers.

Due to the subtropical dry, hot desert climate, precipitation is rare in the region. Although local authorities issued weather alerts in advance and rushed to evacuate people in affected areas, the unprecedented rain caught countless by big surprise.

Samy Ashraf, a researcher from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA), said it is how climate change can turn an expected seasonal rain event into a disaster.

Oman and UAE are among the regional countries that share the coast of the Arabian Sea, a major sea in the north Indian Ocean. Bound to the west by the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Peninsula and north by the Gulf of Oman, the Ocean produces tropical cyclones throughout the year, mainly from May to June and October to December.

This made the two countries often vulnerable to violent depression during transitional seasons, said Ali Qutb, former vice president of the EMA.

A depression is an area of low pressure associated with unsettled weather. The air within the depression rises, causing it to cool and the water vapor condenses into clouds. The rising air within a depression causes an area of low pressure at the surface. The deeper the depression, the more unsettled the weather.

Qutb added that the warming of tropical seawater due to climate change could also lead to increased tropical storms and other extreme weather events.

According to Ashraf, the harsh rain exposed the lack of adequate measures among Gulf countries to cope with such an impact, such as weak drainage systems and ill-regulated water storage capacity.

Ashraf suggested regional countries take action to boost their climate-adaptive levels, such as strengthening sanitation infrastructure, building more spillways, and enhancing drainage capacity in the long run.

Qutb called for more robust global climate governance to mitigate global warming. To this end, major industrialized countries should achieve the set carbon emission targets and cut the use of fossil fuels, said Qutb. 
While addressing a public meeting in Rajasthan's Jalore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for choosing the Rajya Sabha route to reach Parliament.

Those who cannot win elections have deserted the field and become Rajya Sabha members from Rajasthan, said Modi.

Hitting out at Congress, Modi said the party first sent a leader from South (K.C. Venugopal) to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan; then Rajasthan helped former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"Manmohan Singh was ill for a long time. But was he ever seen here in Rajasthan? Now Rajasthan has again come to Congress's help. Another Congress leader (Sonia Gandhi) has been elected from Rajasthan to the Rajya Sabha," said Modi.

Sonia Gandhi was elected a member of the Rajya Sabha unopposed in February from Rajasthan. Before that, she represented Congress stronghold Raebareli in Lok Sabha for two decades and has also represented Amethi for five years.

"Congress was in power for 60 years; once they used to win 400 seats, but today they can't even find candidates for 300 seats. They are paying the price of their wrongdoing," Modi was quoted by Hindustan Times.

"Now they have made an opportunistic alliance in the name of the INDIA bloc which got its wings clipped before it could take flight. The so-called allies are contesting against each other in the states and at least in 25% of seats," he added.

Jalore is set to go to polls in the phase 2 polling, which will be held on April 26.

While taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi on Saturday said that he will have to flee Wayanad too this time as he escaped Amethi after losing the seat in the 2019 election.

Citing health reasons, Sonia Gandhi had vacated the partys stronghold Raebareli seat. Congress is yet to field a candidate for the seat that will go to polls on May 20.

"I am proud to say that whatever I am today, I am because of you and I have always done my best to honour your trust. Now on account of health and age issues, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election," Sonia Gandhi sent a message to the people of Raebareli after announcing her decision to leave electoral politics.

While speaking at the rally in Jalore, Haryana BJP election in-charge Satish Poonia said that Congress has already lost morally because their senior party leaders are not contesting elections.

They are forming an alliance with smaller parties and they are not contesting on all 543 seats but on 230 seats... Whatever has been done since independence, has been done in these 10 years by PM Narendra Modi. Congress had not done anything during its 6-decade-long rule... BJP will win all 10 seats in Haryana, Poonia told ANI.
Tamil Nadu recorded a lower polling percentage in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to the 2019 elections. A total of 69.46 per cent of the electorate came out to cast their vote for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls held on April 19 in the state. As per the data provided by the Election Commission of India, 30 out of the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu saw a two per cent dip in voter turnout, compared to the previous general elections in the State. The voter turnout was 72.47 per cent in 2019, 73.74 per cent in 2014 and 73.02 per cent in the 2009 elections.

In Chennai - central, south and north the voter turnout had dipped by four per cent. The total electorate in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Chennai is 48.69 lakh. The turnout for all three Parliamentary constituencies of Chennai stood at 56.10 per cent - Central Chennai 53.91 per cent, South Chennai 54.27 per cent and North Chennai 60.13 per cent. In Chennai too assembly segments like Villivakkam witnessed lowest turnout while a few assembly segments like RK Nagar, Egmore and Saidapet witnessed brisk voting.



The Thoothukudi constituency recorded the maximum reduction of nearly 9.5 percentage points compared to the 2019 election; Sivaganga, Theni and Chennai Central also saw dips of around five percentage points each

According to sources, women voted in large numbers in semi-urban and rural areas. Constituencies like Dharmapuri, Kallakuruchi, Vellore, Perambalur, Karur, Salem and Villupuram saw a brisk voter turnout. There are multiple reasons for the high number of women voters turn out in these regions - the women's welfare schemes and willingness to vote. While Vellore saw a two per cent increase in voter turnout, Sivaganga, Theni, Nagapattinam (SC) and Chennai Central saw a five per cent dip in voting percentage. Thoothukudi saw a 9 percent dip.

Also there is no visible anti-incumbency against the central or state government in Tamil Nadu. Usually, when there is an anti-incumbency in Tamil Nadu, the voters come in large numbers and vote against the ruling party. Also, the poll surveys predict that the status quo - victory for NDA in Delhi and DMK in Tamil Nadu - has made the voters stay indoors.

The political parties feel that the Election Commission of India holding elections on a Friday paved the way for a long weekend. On the other hand, the electoral rolls published by the ECI had huge discrepancies. The ECI, unlike in the past years, used only Aadhar as a common authentic source to verify the electoral rolls. Earlier, the ECI used to adopt various conventional methodologies to verify electoral rolls. Incidentally, BJP state chief K Annamalai charged that the names of at least one lakh people were left out from the rolls.



Sources also say that in a few constituencies, the cash distribution was done evenly in all assembly segments by all three parties - DMK, AIADMK and the BJP. But, in certain constituencies where the parties were confident of winning or losing, they did not distribute money. In some of the urban constituencies, as per highly placed sources, Rs 1000 was distributed per vote, while it was Rs 250 to Rs 300 in most of the constituencies.



Tamil Nadu in total has 6.23 crore voters - 3.06 men, 3.17 women and 8467 trans persons. A total of 950 contestants were there in the fray in 39 constituencies in the state.


After rumours about a potential merger of Janata Dal (Secular) with BJP gained traction, former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that both parties will work together and there is no question of JD(S) getting absorbed into the saffron party.

"There is no question of merging our party with any other party. Categorically, I am telling you. There is no question. If the BJP treats us well and everything goes smoothly, there is no question of JDS being absorbed into the BJP. We will work together," the JD(S)-BJP candidate told ANI.

"I would like to tell Siddaramaiah that even if 100 Siddaramaiahs come against us, they can't do anything to our party. They can't damage it," the former CM added.

Kumaraswamy slammed Congress for saying that JD(S) should write to the Election Commission and drop the word "Secular" from their party's name. "What is the meaning of secularism? I wanted to question the Congress. Every day they are misusing the caste composition; they are using the caste composition and they wanted to get benefit from it for their party," he said, lashing out at the Congress.

"According to me, there is no meaning to secularism or communalism. For example, let's talk about DMK. They joined hands with the Centre, with both the Congress and the BJP. Whatever the reason was, they took the decision in their own interest, not for secularism or communalism," he told the agency.

On January 30, Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar slammed Kumaraswamy, saying his party was headed for a merger with BJP. "Kumaraswamy may choose to wear a saffron shawl or any other shawl, that is his party's choice. BJP is trying to find a political base in Mandya and in the process I don't know who is going to swallow whom," said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Earlier on November 12, Kumaraswamy had asserted that he has no plan to merge JD(S) with BJP.
A baby girl survived inside her mother's body although her parents and sibling perished in an Israeli attack in Gaza's Rafa, Palestinian health officials said. The infant was taken out from the womb of her dead mother through an emergency C-section, they added.

The late woman, identified as Sabreen Al-Sakani, was 30 weeks pregnant when she breathed her last. The baby reportedly is placed in an incubator at a Rafah hospital and is likely to spend the next three to four weeks at the health facility. Elaborating on the health condition of the baby, a doctor claimed that she weighed 1.4 kg and was in a stable state. Her condition is gradually improving over time, the doctors told the media.

"After that (three to four weeks) we will see about her leaving, and where this child will go, to the family, to the aunt or uncle or grandparents. Here is the biggest tragedy. Even if this child survives, she was born an orphan," a doctor was quoted as saying about the girl.

The elder sibling of the girl was identified as Malak. According to a relative Malak wished to name her baby sister Rouh, which means spirit in Arabic.

The parents of the baby girl were among the 19 victims of the latest IDF attacks in Iraq. Among the 19 victims, 13 were children from the same family who resided in two adjacent houses that were hit by Israel, Reuters said in a report.

Isreal-Gaza war

Palestinian health authorities say more than 34,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault, which began after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 253, according to Israeli tallies.

The Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli military strikes killed 48 Palestinians and wounded 79 others across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
President Mohamed Muizzus People's National Congress (PNC) party won the Maldives parliamentary election on Sunday. According to the Election Commission, PNC bagged 66 of the first 86 declared, which is more than enough for a super-majority in the 93-member parliament.

The elections remained crucial as both India and China were closely watching the polls amid diplomatic tensions with New Delhi.

Voting for the 20th People's Majlis was conducted on Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm local time. Election officials sealed the ballot boxes across the country as voting hours ended at 5:30 pm.

According to the Elections Commission (EC), a voter turnout of 72.96 per cent was recorded. A total of 284,663 people were eligible to vote.

A total of 602 ballot boxes were set up in the Maldives and three other countries for the parliamentary election. Ballot boxes were also placed in Thiruvananthapuram in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, psmnews.mv reported.

Parliamentarians will be elected to a total of 93 constituencies, with 368 candidates contesting from six parties, including Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC), the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and 130 independents.

PNC was followed by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with over 10 seats. Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) won two seats, while the Jumhooree Party (JP) got one. While Independents bagged 9 seats so far.

This election is considered crucial for Muizzu as he is seen as a pro-China politician. Ahead of the polls, the opposition parties demanded a probe and sought impeachment of the president for alleged corruption from 2018.

While casting the vote, Muizzu urged every citizen to exercise their right to vote.

"Voting is a constitutional right and responsibility afforded to every citizen. All citizens should come out and exercise their right to vote as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of eligible voters to not wait until evening and quickly attend their respective polling stations to cast ballots," he said.

Amid tensions with the Maldives, India was forced to withdraw most of its military personnel manning three aviation platforms in the country. The Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
A Fiji-born Hindu woman was blacklisted and denied services for about five months by the Uber app in Australia before the decision was reverted. 35-year-old Swastika Chandra's first name was ruled "offensive" by Uber in the light of its connection to Adolf Hitler's Nazi party. However, the company issued an apology to the woman and reinstated her account after they understood how the Sanskrit word is a common Hindu name, reports said. Here is the development in a nutshell for those interested in knowing more:



Brought up in Fiji, Swastika Chandra is a resident of Sydney, Australia. It was on an October afternoon in 2023 that she was challenged over her name by Uber.

While trying to make an order, the working mother received a pop-up from Uber that reportedly read, "Your first name is in violation and you need to change your name on the app."

However, Swastika was not willing to change her name as she was confident that the name predated the Nazis and was common among the Hindu community. "It is a very common name. I personally know four or five other girls with the same name. [...] It means good luck. It means good things for me," Mirror reported her as saying.

If the Australian government had no issues with providing her citizenship certificate, health care card, and driving licence under the name, why should Uber be offended, Swastika asked. However, as a consequence, the ride-share and food-delivery service suspended her account.

Five months later, the account suspension was lifted. Among the parties that fought for the woman's cause was Australia's The Hindu Council, and the local Jewish community along with the NSW attorney-general, Mirror said.

"There is a difference between Ms Chandra innocently using her name and the deployment of a sinister symbol," The Jewish Board of Deputies was quoted as saying by the media.

Understanding the mistake, Uber apologised and allowed Swastika to rejoin the platform. "We understand that there are different cultural nuances to names, and therefore our teams address incidents like this on a case-by-case basis to ensure we evaluate each account fairly. In this case, after reviewing Ms Chandra's request, we reinstated her access to the app. "We have apologised to Ms Chandra for the inconvenience this caused her, and we appreciate her patience as we reviewed the matter, which took longer than we hoped it would," the app reportedly said in an official statement.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed the much-delayed $61bn aid package for Ukraine, besides $26 billion in aid to Israel and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific. The bills, the result of broad bipartisan support, will now head to the Senate alongside another crucial legislation that threatens to ban the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok.

The passing of bills came after a long delay and staunch objections from the GOP. On the Ukraine aid, there were 101 Republicans and 210 Democrats who voted in favour, while one voted present. All 112 votes against it came from Republicans. The Israel bill passed 366-58, with 193 Republicans and 173 Democrats voting in favour.



The Senate is likely to consider the House-passed bill on Tuesday.



Ukraine bill

Provisions in the Ukraine bill include a total of $61 billion, which includes aid for replenishing U.S. weapons stockpiles. While $13.8 billion will be for the purchase of weapons, Ukraine will receive more than $9 billion of economic assistance in the form of forgivable loans.



President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the House for passing the foreign aid bills, with Biden saying in a statement that a bipartisan group of lawmakers voted to "send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage."



The passing of the bill came as a huge relief for Ukraine, which has been facing a huge setback amid Russian advances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been pleading for aid, including weapons and supplies, to continue defending his country.



He thanked the US lawmakers for the approval of the bills, saying they moved to keep "history on the right track." "Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it. The aid would keep the war from expanding and save thousands of lives," he added.



However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted to the passage of the bill, stating that this would lead to more damage and deaths in Ukraine. "The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime," Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.



Israel aid bill



The House passed the Israel bill which include a total of $26.4 billion to aid Israel. This includes $4 billion for the Iron Dome and Davids Sling missile defence systems. The breakdown of the bill is as follows: $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defence system, $4.4 billion to replenish defence items and services, $3.5 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems and other items through the Foreign Military Financing Program,

An amount of $9.2 billion will go towards humanitarian assistance in Gaza, including emergency food, shelter and basic services to populations suffering crises.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the US House for passing the Israel aid bill. "This demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization."



The bill faced opposition from 19 members of the House Progressive Caucus who said, "We make ourselves complicit in this tragedy" if Congress continues to supply military assistance amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.



Passing the bill can also harm Biden's prospects with several activists and leaders of prominent Muslim-American organisations expressing their anger and reiterating that "they cannot back Biden for a second term."



Tik-Tok bill



The bill will also effectively ban TikTok in the US. In March, the House had passed a bill that gave TikTok just six months to sell (separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance) or face prohibition from US app stores and internet hosting services that support it.



However, in the current bill, TikTok would have roughly nine months. The bill has now been inserted into a larger foreign aid package, which makes it much harder for lawmakers to oppose the measure.
Israel is outraged at the reported move by the United States to sanction its Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank. In a scathing post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move the "height of absurdity and a moral low."

This is the first time that the US is considering such a move. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce this, according to a report by US-based Axios.



The report, citing unnamed sources with President Joe Biden's administration, told Axios that the sanctions would ban the battalion and its members from receiving any kind of US military assistance or training. Earlier there were reports that a special State Department panel that probed the reports of alleged violations of human rights suggested that Blinken sanction multiple Israeli military and police units that operate in the West Bank.



The incidents that triggered the sanction occurred in Israel-occupied West Bank, before the October 7 Hamas attack. Though several other units were also investigated for sanctions, they remedied their behaviour since then, the report added.



Netzah Yehuda battalion



The controversial Netzah Yehuda was formed as a special unit for ultra-orthodox soldiers in the West Bank. All of its members are men and often the destination for many young radical right-wing settlers who weren't accepted into any other combat unit in the IDF.

However, the battalion came under the US radar in 2022 when reports emerged that its soldiers were involved in incidents of violence against Palestinian civilians. One such incident happened in January 2022 when



Omar Asad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American, died after being detained, handcuffed, blindfolded, and later abandoned in near-freezing conditions by soldiers of the battalion.

After this, Israel moved the battalion out of the West Bank in December 2022 to the north of the country. However, Tel Aviv never acknowledged this was due to soldiers behaviour. It has also been deployed to the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war against Hamas.



Israel's reaction



The move left Israel aghast and Netanyahu took to X to express his outrage. "The IDF must not be sanctioned!" he wrote on X. "Ive been working in recent weeks against the sanctioning of Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with the American administration.



"At a time when our soldiers are fighting terrorist monsters, the intention to issue sanctions against a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low," he added. "The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves."



Minister Benny Gantz joined the criticism, saying the infantry unit was "an integral part of the IDF" and was bound by military and international law. He added that Israel has strong and independent courts capable of dealing with alleged violations. "We have great respect for our American friends, but imposing sanctions on the unit is a dangerous precedent and sends the wrong message to our shared enemies at a time of war," Gantz said, while pledging to "take action so this decision does not pass."


KARNATAKA

WINNING KARNATAKA IS central to the BJPs plans to make deeper inroads into the south. The saffron party tasted power for the first time in south India in 2008, when B.S. Yediyurappa formed the government in Karnataka, despite falling short of a majority. While a clear majority has been evading the BJP in the assembly polls, it has broken the Congress monopoly in the state and paved the way for alternatives (coalition government). Another significant shift has been the BJP emerging as the preferred party in Parliament elections. Since 2004, when the party bagged 18 of 28 seats, the Congress has been reduced to single-digit results.

In 2019, the BJP won 25 seats with a vote share of 52 per cent. The Congress was reduced to just one seat with a vote share of 31.3 per cent, despite its alliance with the JD(S). This time, the BJP has struck an alliance with the JD(S), leaving three seats to its partner.

Last year, the Congress had dethroned the BJP in the assembly polls, winning 135 of 224 seats. The BJP lost even its traditional bastions in the North and Central Karnataka Lingayat belt, while the JD(S) was routed in the Old Mysuru Vokkaliga heartland, which had always backed the regional party. While the Lingayats were unhappy with the BJP about the ouster of Yediyurappa, the Vokkaligas chose the Congress, expecting to see fellow Vokkaliga D.K. Shivakumar as chief minister. It remains to be seen if the same caste considerations would be at play this time as Yediyurappas son B.Y. Vijayendra has been made state chief of the BJP, while Shivakumar continues to be locked in a leadership tussle with Chief Minister and Kuruba strongman Siddaramaiah. The possibility of Shivakumar replacing Siddaramaiah after the polls continues to be a talking point.

The run up to the pollsto be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7saw the Congress giving 10 seats to the kin of cabinet ministers, while the BJP dropped 15 sitting MPs. While the Congress is facing rebel threat in Kolar and Bagalkote, the BJP is facing rebellion in at least six seats, including Shivamogga, where former deputy chief minister K.S. Eshwarappa, upset over his son Kantesh being denied a ticket, is contesting as an independent.

In a surprise move, the BJP dropped firebrand hindutva leader Pratap Simha and picked Mysuru royal scion Yaduveer Wadiyar, a political novice, in Mysuru, the chief ministers home turf. To fight incumbent D.K. Suresh, younger brother of Shivakumar, in Bangalore Rural, the BJP has named prominent cardiologist Dr C.N. Manjunath, son-in-law of JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. The strategy seems to have clicked as both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are spending a lot of time and energy to ensure the victory of their candidates.

While the political discourse on Ram Temple, dynasty politics and Hindu nationalism are becoming feeble, their place is being taken by issues such as development, guarantee schemes, corruption and misuse of enforcement agencies. The state of the economy, universal basic income, capital expenditure and the north-south divide are also being talked about.

The Congress hopes that its 'five guarantees' campaign will blunt the BJP's aggressive push for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term. The five promisesfree rice to BPL families, free bus ride for women, free power up to 200 units, monthly assistance of Rs2,000 to female heads of family and unemployment benefit for fresh graduateswere the main reason for the Congresss thumping victory in the assembly polls.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly, R. Ashoka, said the Siddaramaiah government had become bankrupt because of the guarantees. In Karnataka, both debt burden and the budget size are increasing, but there is no increase in capital expenditure. But Modi is focusing on infrastructure development, he said. Interestingly, the BJP is chanting Modi ki guarantee and is holding beneficiaries conventions, which is common to both parties this elections.

Along with the five guarantees, yet another poll plank for the Congress is what it claims to be an unfair devolution of tax receipts for Karnataka. Siddaramaiah said the Modi government reduced Karnataka's share of Central funds from the common tax pool and was delaying drought relief funds for the state. Despite Karnataka's substantial contribution of Rs4,30,000 crore in tax revenue every year, we receive just about Rs50,000 crore from the Union government. He said the BJPs narrative that freebies were scuttling development work was not correct and blamed the financial troubles of the state on the step-motherly treatment by the Centre. Several non-BJP ruled states have come together to oppose the Modi government over its biased fiscal policy.

With digital revolution, all political battles are being fought first on social media. Tech-savvy war rooms sift through the political landscape for the right content that can be amplified to make campaigns effective and viral. Last month, a social media post triggered a raging political debate in water-starved Bengaluru. A photograph of devotees wading through knee-deep waters of the Cauvery at Kanakapura and a video of Cauvery waters gushing towards Tamil Nadu had irked many Bengaluru residents who were shelling out big bucks to buy water.

The post was shared by thousands of pro-BJP social media handles, blaming the Congress for appeasing its INDIA bloc partner DMK in Tamil Nadu by releasing Cauvery waters. As the post went viral, Kanakapura MLA and deputy chief minister Shivakumar had to clarify about the situation and minimise the damage. It was a video clicked by a karyakarta (worker) and we amplified the message through our leaders and workers on the ground, said Prashant Makanur, who heads the BJPs 15-member state-level social media team in Bengaluru, which is connected to 48,000 booth committees.

However, unlike in the 2019 elections, when the BJP was way ahead on social media campaigns, the Congress has emerged competitive this time. Recently, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that Karnataka was three months late in submitting its proposal for drought relief funds, Siddaramaiah took to social media and posted the timeline of drought assessment and appeals made by Karnataka to prove there had been no delay.

On social media and outside, the battle is only going to get tougher in the days to come.
Interview/ Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala chief minister

KERALA

In April 2021, as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was leading the CPI(M)s assembly poll campaign to win a second consecutive term, a spirited debate erupted in Kerala over an epithet that party workers had bestowed on him. Vijayan, they said, was the captain who successfully steered the state through crisescyclone, floods, the pandemic, and so on. Critics sneered that it was against Marxist principles to promote a cult of personality.

That Vijayan played a pivotal role in the CPI(M) retaining power in Kerala is undeniable. Now, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, too, the CPI(M) is relying on him to help the party avert the risk of losing its status as a national party. The CPI(M) needs to win at least 2 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats) from three states to retain its iconic hammer, sickle and star symbol in 2026. Hopes rest heavily on Kerala, the partys last bastion in the country.

The states electoral dynamics poses a challenge, though. The CPI(M)s primary opponent in Kerala, the Congress, is also its national alliance partner. There is a direct fight between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front in all 20 seats in the state. This means Vijayan and the LDF must strike a balance in opposing the BJP and the Congress.

In an extensive email interview with THE WEEK, Vijayan spoke about issues ranging from the CPI(M)s political strategy in and outside Kerala, Congress leader Rahul Gandhis candidature in Wayanad, and the Union governments misusing of investigative agencies. Excerpts:

Captain in action: Pinarayi Vijayan with K.K. Shailaja, former minister and the CPI(M)s candidate in Vadakara, at a campaign event in Kozhikode in March | Vidhuraj M.T.

Q/ Your party is part of a coalition that aims to bring down the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre. How do you strike a balance between criticising the Congress in Kerala and allying with it at the national level?

A/The broad platform against the RSS-led BJP is an effort to save Indias secular, democratic character. The RSS plans to declare India as Hindu Rashtra as part of its centenary celebrations next year. To prevent that, the BJP has to be kept out of power at the Centre.

The fight against the BJP is being fought under the leadership of opposition parties in the states, and the Congress is a junior partner in that fight in almost all the states. But, when it comes to Kerala, the UDF is in opposition to the LDF. They echo the same sentiments of the BJP against the LDF. As long as the Congress in Kerala continues to enable the BJP here, how can the left not criticise them?

You often speak about the role of the left parties in fighting fascist forces. How do you plan to strengthen the lefts presence nationally, especially when the CPI(M) itself is facing the risk of losing its national party status?

Workers, farmers, youth and students have all come out in protest against the misguided policies of the BJP-RSS combine over the past 10 years. It was the workers protests, under organisations such as the CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions), that prevented the Union government from privatising our ordnance factories. It was the farmers protests, in which the AIKS (All India Kisan Sabha) played a lead role, that forced the Union government to repeal the farm laws it passed. They even had to withdraw from joining the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) because of strong objections from workers and farmers. In the recently held students union elections in Jawaharlal Nehru University, the left panel which includes the SFI (Students Federation of India) trounced the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad).

All this underlines the fact that the Left and its organisations are already being strengthened at the grassroots level through their participation and leadership in the peoples movements. As far as the CPI(M) is concerned, we are really optimistic. We will be doing much better this time than in the last few elections.

Q/ Observers say a crucial question the CPI(M) has to address in Kerala is: Why vote for the CPI(M) when the Congress is the principal opposition party?

A/Throughout the country, there is an exodus to the BJP from political parties including the Congress. In fact, many of the current BJP leaders are former Congress leaders. But the left stands as a real alternative. The people are sure that we will not join hands with the BJP, no matter how much money or muscle [they show].

Also, if you look back at the first term of the United Progressive Alliance, when the left gave outside support to the Congress, there were seminal interventions that enabled the strengthening of the Indian democracy. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and the Right to Information and Right to Education Acts, were all results of such interventions under the common minimum programme that we devised. However, there were no such initiatives during UPA-II, which was not supported by the left. The people realise that the lefts presence in Parliament has to be sizeable to ensure that there is a meaningful change in Indian democracy.

As far as the people of Kerala are concerned, they have been seeing how the MPs from the UDF have been silent in Parliament on issues pertaining to Kerala. In fact, these MPs have even sided with the BJP in several instances, taking an anti-Kerala and anti-people stance. At the same time, despite a reduced strength, the left has taken principled positions in Parliament, and stood up for the rights of the state and its people. That is exactly why the people of Kerala are going to repose their faith in the LDF this time around.

Q/ Do you believe the north-south divide has widened during Modis rule?

A/Let us not belittle it as a north-south issue. It is a matter of the entire country and its federal structure. We are seeing constant attacks by the Union on the rights and powers of the states. The Union is repeatedly enacting laws on subjects under the state list in the Constitution. International agreements are being entered into on matters that affect the states, without even consulting the states or informing them. The fiscal autonomy of states is being eroded. All this is antithetical to the Constitution and its basic structure.

Q/ Rahul Gandhis candidature was cited as a major factor behind the LDF rout in 2019. Do you think Rahul Gandhi will be a non-factor in the polls this time?

A/Absolutely; he will only be evaluated based on his performance as an MP from Kerala. People in Wayanad are seriously asking questions about his presence and interventions in the Lok Sabha, especially on issues that mattered to them the most, like human-wildlife conflict, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Investigation Agency [probes] and Ayodhya. If the Congresss topmost leaders are actually keen on fighting the BJP, they would contest directly against BJP candidates. What is the message given to the public when even their topmost leaders are reluctant to do so?

Q/ Congress leaders allege that the CPI(M) has entered into a pact with the BJP in some seats.

A/Everything is yellow to the jaundiced eye. The Congress has a history of making adjustments with communal forces, right from the days of the Co-Lea-B (a tacit alliance that the Congress, the Muslim League and the BJP were said to have formed in the 1990s). Leaders who orchestrated such shameless communal alliances have themselves confirmed the existence of such an alliance. Even in this election, there are hints that such an understanding is there in some places.

Q/ You have alleged that the BJP is using Central agencies against opposition leaders. Do you fear that what happened to the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal would happen to you and the CPI(M)?

A/When authorities at the Centre are bent on misusing investigative agencies as a weapon for political retaliation without any regard for the rule of law, anything can happen.

Q/ UDF leadership seems confident that there is strong anti-incumbency against your government, and that it would help them win all 20 seats.

Anti-incumbency is against the RSS-led BJP government at the Centre, and those who aid it. The UDF will be forced to accept this reality when the people deliver their verdict.

Q/ The CPI(M) has been at the forefront of the legal fight against electoral bonds. Do you think the fact that the Congress accepted contributions through electoral bonds has weakened the INDIA blocs stance against the BJP on this issue?

A/On the issue of electoral bonds, there is no difference between the BJP and the Congress. Both have amassed funds from cronies. If the BJP secured more than Rs8,400 crore using their power at the Centre and in the states, the Congress secured more than Rs1,900 crore, despite being in power in only a handful of states.

We have all seen how Central investigative agencies going after companies has resulted in subsequent contributions to the BJP through electoral bonds. We have even seen companies that won contracts from BJP governments contributing to the BJP via electoral bonds. There is even the curious case of a company related to a BJP MP from Andhra Pradesh [buying] electoral bonds for the Congress, and securing projects from the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.

Payments for contracts are made from the public exchequer. Those who win contracts are paying a fraction of it to political parties as kickbacks. So, in essence, public money is being siphoned off by companies and political parties utilising electoral bonds. It proves the stance we have maintained right from the outset, that electoral bonds will only legalise corruption.

The lefts criticism stands vindicated with the Supreme Court verdict. It was the CPI(M) that approached the court against it and secured the verdict. When there was dilly-dallying in upholding the essence of the verdict, we approached the court again and again. Despite attempts to delay information on electoral bonds being made public before the polls, we now have details of who donated to whom, and when, and how much, and all that.

Q/You have announced that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in Kerala. Do you think CAA will be a crucial poll issue here?

A/It is definitely a crucial poll issue, not just in Kerala but across the country. A few years ago, we said electoral bonds were unconstitutional, and approached the judiciary. We were proven right. Now we are saying that the CAA is unconstitutional, and have once again approached the judiciary. We will again be proven right.

Q/ The Social Democratic Party of India, an offshoot of the banned Popular Front of India, has pledged support to the UDF. The Congress took time to declare that it did not need the support. Do you think the SDPIs backing of the UDF will be detrimental to the INDIA bloc?

A/The Congress was unable to outrightly say a firm no to the support offered by a communal outfit like the SDPI. In fact, they even welcomed it initially. If, [in spite of the fact] that SDPI members are the main accused in the murder of Congress members, [Congress leaders] were in two minds about declining the support, it is a sure sign of how low they are willing to stoop.

The left is clear in its stance. We are against communalism of all sorts, whether majoritarian or minoritarian. We have never minced words in stating that, and we never will.
File photo shows government delegations from 29 Asian and African countries attending the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, on April 18-24,1955. (Xinhua)

Today, almost seven decades after the historic Asian-African Conference, the Bandung Spirit carries on, inspiring countries in the Global South to embark on a new path of common development through win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and other platforms.

JAKARTA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- "Few cities in history have won so many hearts and minds as Bandung," the late Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, Soong Ching Ling, commented on the Indonesian city.

The historic Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, was held in the city on April 18, 1955. It marked the first time that the countries of the Global South united to oppose imperialism and colonialism in defense of their sovereign rights and a more equitable world.

Leaders and representatives of 29 Asian and African countries, which had just won independence after decades of being ruthlessly deprived by Western colonists, proposed the Bandung Spirit with "solidarity, friendship and cooperation" at the core, initiating the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation.

Today, almost seven decades after the conference, the Bandung Spirit carries on, inspiring countries in the Global South to embark on a new path of common development through win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and other platforms.

This photo taken on Feb. 4, 2023 shows a view of the Prambanan temple with the Mount Merapi in the background in Central Java, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

BIRTH OF NEW ASIA, NEW AFRICA

Situated 768 meters above sea level, Bandung has cooler year-round temperatures than most other Indonesian cities. During the Dutch colonial period, it was known as the "Paris of Java."

In 1809, to improve Java Island's defense system and facilitate the transportation of soldiers and supplies, Herman Willem Daendels, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, ordered the construction of a road stretching about 1,000 km across Java Island from west to east, which would later be renamed Asia-Africa Street.

At the opening ceremony of the Asian-African Conference, in a three-story milky white building on the side of the street, Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, appealed for awakening on behalf of the Southern countries.

"This is the first intercontinental conference of people of color in human history," noted Sukarno in his speech.

"Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one must be eradicated from the earth," he said.

"I hope that it will give evidence of the fact that we Asian and African leaders understand that Asia and Africa can prosper only when they are united, and that even the safety of the world at large cannot be safeguarded without a united Asia-Africa," he added. "I hope that this conference will give guidance to mankind, will point out to mankind the way which it must take to attain safety and peace. I hope that it will give evidence that Asia and Africa have been reborn, nay, that a New Asia and a New Africa have been born."

Then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who led a Chinese delegation to attend the conference, proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. These principles became a crucial component of the Bandung Spirit and were later accepted by the vast majority of countries worldwide as the basic norms of international relations and the basic principles of international law.

"The Bandung Conference in 1955 can be seen as a symbolic moment. At this time, the non-Western world loudly said that it must be taken seriously in world politics," wrote American historian Immanuel Wallerstein.

This photo taken on April 14, 2024 shows a ship model of the Dutch East India Company during the colonial period displayed in the Jakarta History Museum. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

"TREACHERY, BRIBERY, MASSACRE, MEANNESS"

Colonialism was the starting point of the primitive accumulation of capital in the West. European colonists who believed in white supremacy and the law of the jungle invaded Africa, the Americas and Asia, where they slaughtered and plundered wildly, causing waves of bloodshed.

In 1619, the Netherlands seized Jayakarta, the trading center on Java Island, and renamed it Batavia, which is today's Jakarta. The Dutch took Batavia as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the East and used it as a stronghold to colonize Indonesia. By the middle of the 17th century, the VOC's trade volume accounted for nearly half of the total global trade at that time.

"The history of the colonial administration of Holland is one of the most extraordinary relations of treachery, bribery, massacre, and meanness ... Wherever they set foot, devastation and depopulation followed. Banjuwangi, a province of Java, in 1750 numbered over 80,000 inhabitants, in 1811 only 18,000," wrote Karl Marx in his book "Capital."

In its nearly 200-year history, the VOC was involved in about 800 armed conflicts, large and small.

Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who twice served as Governor-General of the VOC during its early years, was known for his ruthlessness. In 1621, in order to monopolize the nutmeg trade, he ordered the massacre of most of the 15,000 residents of the Banda Islands. He was then known as the "Butcher of Banda" by the locals.

In 1830, the Dutch colonial authorities introduced the "Cultivation System," requiring locals to use 20 percent of their land to cultivate export cash crops such as indigo, coffee, and sugar. The colonial authorities expropriated so much land that the locals had almost no land to grow food crops, leading to mass starvation.

"The Dutch colonial rulers who took over these islands, like the Dutch East India Company in the past, were only interested in making money and did not care about the lives of the local people," wrote British writer Elizabeth Pisani in her book "Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation."

"They cut down the jungles of Sumatra to plant rubber trees and cocoa trees. They eradicated jungles in Java, Sulawesi and other islands to obtain coffee, tea, sugar and tobacco. They vigorously developed land to dig tin mines, gold mines and oil. For a period, the Dutch drew half of its national income from Indonesia."

During its over 300 years of colonial rule, the Dutch always played the role of predators and pursued a barbaric approach of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. This has led to the abnormal development of the Indonesian economy and has completely reduced it to a raw material supplier for the Dutch.





BAMBOO SPEARS

The West Java People's Struggle Monument is erected in northern Bandung. The monument's 17 basalt steps, 45-meter-diameter platform and eight towering bamboo-shaped stone pillars were specially designed to commemorate the day of Indonesia's independence, Aug. 17, 1945.

Mohamed Rikrik, a narrator of the monument, said that in the Sundanese culture of West Java, bamboo represents freedom. The stone pillars were built in the shape of a bamboo spear because bamboo spears were the primary weapon used by the Indonesian people to fight against the colonists.

In the first half of the 20th century, the oppressed people of Asia gradually awakened, and the Indonesians' calls for independence became increasingly louder.

In 1908, a native nationalist political society named Budi Utomo was formed. In 1912, the first political party, the Islamic Association, was established.

"A significant development is the spread of the revolutionary democratic movement to the Dutch East Indies, to Java and the other Dutch colonies, with a population of some 40 million ... the age-old despotism and tyranny of the Dutch Government now meet with resolute resistance and protest from the masses of the native population," Vladimir Lenin wrote in his article "The Awakening of Asia" in 1913.

File photo shows Indonesia's first President Sukarno arriving in Bandung to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, held on April 18-24,1955. (Xinhua)

ROOSTER CROWS BECAUSE SUN RISES

Built in 1907, the Indonesia Indictment Museum in Bandung was first used by the Dutch colonial authorities to try anti-Dutch people.

"This is where Sukarno stood for trial. In the two-day trial, Sukarno successfully defended himself," said Dede Ahmad, the museum's narrator.

In 1927, Sukarno and others formed the Indonesian National Association, later renamed the Indonesian National Party, to strive for national independence. Two years later, the Dutch colonial authorities arrested Sukarno on charges of "launching a rebellion."

During the trial, Sukarno delivered a lengthy defense speech entitled "Indonesia Accuses," enumerating the crimes of the Dutch colonists and advocating the Indonesian people's just struggle for national independence.

"In fact, the sun does not rise because the rooster crows, but the rooster crows because the sun rises! The truth is, in Indonesia as well, the national movement was born out of imperialism, which was idolized by the ruling class, and not least from the economic drainage system that has been operating in the country for centuries. Imperialism is a principal instigator and a principal criminal who incites rebellion, therefore bring imperialism to justice!" Sukarno said in his defense speech.

Sukarno's voice of justice aroused enthusiastic responses from the Indonesians and panic from the Dutch colonists. He was sentenced to four years in jail and sent to Bandung prison.

Sukarno became Indonesia's first president after independence in 1945 and successfully led the Indonesian people to defeat the Dutch colonialists' attempt to recolonize Indonesia through war.

He asserted that colonialists would not be willing to accept defeat in Asia and Africa, and newly founded countries must unite to oppose colonialism and imperialism.

In 1955, the Asian-African Conference initiated by Sukarno and others was successfully held on Asia-Africa Street, only 1 km away from the trial site where "Indonesia Accuses" was delivered. This conference symbolized the awakening and unity of the people of Asia and Africa.





MUTUAL DEVELOPMENT

"We have all witnessed the injustice of the current world economic order. We must reject trade discrimination. Downstream industrial development must not be hindered. We must continue to speak out for equal and inclusive cooperation," said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

In late August 2023, at the BRICS leaders' meeting in Johannesburg South Africa, Widodo called on countries in the Global South to unite, safeguard their rights to development, and oppose actions that hinder progress.

Bandung's Tegalluar railway station was inaugurated on Sept. 7 last year. It is one of the four stations in the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative jointly built by Indonesia and China.

The high-speed rail has shortened the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to 40 minutes, bolstering economic activities and job opportunities.

"I am very happy, and the Indonesian people are also very happy because our high-speed railway is the only one in Southeast Asia. With this infrastructure, we can lay the foundation for progress. The most important thing is, it will also enhance Indonesia's national competitiveness," Widodo said before the commercial operation of the railway.

Bambang Suryono, president of the Jakarta-based think tank Nanyang ASEAN Foundation, said that Western countries have achieved their modernization through enslaving and exploiting other countries, devastating the people of those countries.

"Through solidarity and cooperation with China, Indonesia participates in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and achieves mutual development. This proves that countries in the Global South can embark on a new development path," he added.





HAND IN HAND, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

On April 22, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech entitled "Carry Forward the Bandung Spirit for Win-win Cooperation" at the Asian-African Summit held in Indonesia.

"Sixty years ago, leaders from 29 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference, giving birth to the Bandung Spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, galvanizing the national liberation movement that swept across Asia, Africa and Latin America, and accelerating the global process of decolonization," Xi said in his speech.

"The Bandung Spirit under the new circumstances retains strong vitality. We must carry forward the Bandung Spirit by enriching it with new elements consistent with changing times, by pushing for a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation, by promoting a more just and equitable international order and system," and by building a community with a shared future for humanity so as to bring about even greater benefits to the people in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, he said.

In Bandung today, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway trains speed by, embodying the Bandung Spirit of "solidarity, friendship, and cooperation" in the new era.

Indonesian musician Andy Qiu wrote a song, "Move Forward to Realize Your Dreams," for the railway. As the lyrics go, "Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, as long as we are united, nothing is impossible." 
With under a week remaining for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the BJPs manifesto at the partys central office extension, a sleek new building opposite the multi-storey headquarters on Delhis Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.

The Congresss assessment is that if it has to win 100 seats overall, it will have to maximise its gains from the south. However, this is a double-edged sword. While surveys predict a sweep for the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu, the BJP is aiming for generational change and victory in a few seats.

The Sankalp Patra moved beyond traditional ideological promises to embrace new objectives like infrastructure development and enhanced service delivery. There were cultural promises, too, including plans to establish centres across the world in the name of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, promote the classical Tamil language, and organise Ramayan festivals globally. Notably absent was any mention of the controversial national register of citizens, though the party reiterated its commitment to implementing a uniform civil code and one nation, one poll.

Unlike the previous two Lok Sabha elections, where the focus was on north India, the hottest battle this season is in the south. Both the BJP and the Congress want to win more than 50 of the 130 seats from the region. It is an ideological battle. While the BJP accuses the Congress and its allies of insulting religious and cultural symbols, the opposition says it wants to save the Constitution and accuses the Centre of misusing investigating agencies.

To counter this, the BJP chose Ambedkars birth anniversary to release its manifesto. Prime Minister Modi has given a commitment that the Constitution is our sacred book and we will safeguard it, said BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh.

While the BJPs manifesto promises to scale up existing schemes and push for infrastructurea template that resonates more in the souththe Congress has taken a more populist route to woo the electorate. It has promised Rs1 lakh annually to all poor households, job reservation for women, an increase in health insurance to Rs25 lakh and a guarantee on minimum support price.

The battle for the south will also decide the contours of politics in years to come as many regional satraps and parties vie for a bigger piece of the national pie. They represent strong regional sentiments that both the Congress and the BJP find easier to ally with than breach.

The BJP, which won 29 seats from the south in 2019, is going all out to increase its tally in the region to reach its target of 400 seats. For this, Modi started earlyhe took Chinese president Xi Jinping to Mahabalipuram in 2019, spoke in Tamil at the United Nations, installed the Sengol in the new Parliament building, said that the Ram Mandir has architectural elements drawn from temples in the south, named the G20 venue Bharat Mandapam after the ancient Anubhava Mantapa cultural assembly of Karnataka, and also slammed the Congress governments decision to hand over the island of Kachchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974.

Southern comfort: Rahul Gandhi campaigns in Wayanad, Kerala | PTI

A few days before the elections were announced, the home ministry designated September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day. It was the day the princely state integrated into India. The message was against the Nizam rule. Incidentally, September 17 is also Modis birthday.

As for the opposition, the Congress leads the grouping and wants to double its tally from the south to 56 this time. Rahul Gandhi, the key figure for the INDIA bloc in the region, had started his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanniyakumari in September 2022 to establish an emotional connect with the people. Also, his candidature from Wayanad in Kerala is aimed at retaining the 19 of 20 seats it had won from the state in 2019.

The INDIA bloc is harping on its claim that the BJP is against federalism and that this could be the last elections if it wins brute majority.

Southern India might not decide who occupies the treasury benches, but this election would signal whether the BJP has the pan-India appeal it claims to have. For all the big-ticket decisions it has taken, the NDA government had argued that the mandate empowered it to do so.

The Congresss assessment is that if it has to win 100 seats overall, it will have to maximise its gains from the south. However, this is a double-edged sword as it could end up being seen as a party whose influence is limited to the south and one that has given up its claim on the north.

Guarding his ground: The INDIA bloc is relying on Stalins popularity to win Tamil Nadu.

Unlike the Congress, the BJP does have the tag of a north Indian party. And though is has been able to remove the label of being a Brahmin-Bania party by suturing rainbow alliances in the north, it desperately needs to expand in the south. Contrary to the narrative created by opposition parties that the BJP is a Hindi-belt party, it is already the single-largest party in south India with 29 MPs. This time our party has set a target of 50 seats from the southern states and will create history on June 4, said K. Sudhakar, former Karnataka health minister and BJP candidate from Chikkaballapur.

For the two main national parties, Karnataka is central to their numbers game. According to the Congresss internal calculations, it can increase its tally in the state from one to 12-15 as it two commandersChief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K. Shivakumarare holding fort against the BJPs onslaught and are armed with their welfarist guarantees. The Congress had won 135 of 224 seats in last years assembly elections, and hopes the Lok Sabha polls turn out the same.

The BJP, having learnt from that campaign, has dropped three of its firebrand MPsPratap Simha, Nalin Kumar Kateel and Anantkumar Hegdewho are known for their hindutva rhetoric. Hegde had remarked that the NDA needed more than 400 seats to change the Constitution. It was a statement that cost him dearly.

Also, unlike in the assembly elections, this is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP. The JD(S) is an NDA ally; it was with the Congress in 2019. A BJP-JD(S) alliance makes sense as both lost in their traditional bastionsthe BJP in north Karnataka (Lingayat belt) and JD(S) in Old Mysuru (Vokkaliga belt). To supplement Modis charisma, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa could help consolidate the numerically strong Vokkaliga and Lingayat votes.

Among all five states in the south, the gladiatorial contest is in Tamil Nadu. The DMK-led opposition alliance had won 38 of the 39 seats in 2019. On the face of it, this time it is a four-cornered contest between the INDIA bloc, the AIADMK alliance with the SDPI and DMDK, the BJP-led NDA and Seemans Naam Tamilar Katchi.

Here, the BJP has pitted nationalistic sentiment against Dravidian sub-nationalism. The party has backed its state president K. Annamalai, a former IPS officer, as he opposed both Dravidian parties and even forced a breakup with the AIADMK.

The BJPs strategy here draws from states like Punjab, and even Maharashtra, where it let go of senior partners in the alliance to increase its base in the states. In 2019, the BJP contested five seats in Tamil Nadu; this time it is doing so in 23 seats. It is Modis boldest move in a state where he started by establishing cultural links through Kashi-Tamil and Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamams to help the BJP get into Tamil minds.

While surveys predict a sweep for the INDIA bloc, the BJP is aiming for generational change and victory in a few seats. The party has taken up social engineering, as it is allied with the Pattali Makkal Katchi and factions of the AIADMK led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran and O. Panneerselvam. The party is trying to woo the Vanniyar community in the northern districts and the Thevar community in the southern ones.

On the ground, it has always been a bipolar contest between the DMK and the AIADMK. The DMK alliance, which includes the Congress, the left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Vaiko-led MDMK, is trying to whip up anti-BJP and anti-Modi sentiments. The DMK and Congress have allied for the past three elections. On April 11, Rahul bought Mysore pak and gulab jamun for Stalin, signalling the sweet equation between the two.

Our ministers and party cadres are working on the ground. We will win all 40 seats (39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry), Stalin told THE WEEK. Stalins campaign has turned the tide in the INDIA blocs favour in tough seats.

The AIADMK, though, has gone all guns blazing against the DMK and its allies, and will go into the polls with former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami as its general secretary, for the first time.

In neighbouring Telangana, wounded and out of power, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi appears to be fighting a losing battle. Its popularity has plummeted further after the arrest of K. Kavitha, former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos daughter, in the Delhi liquor scam case. This has opened up space for both the Congress and the BJP, which were restricted to three and four seats in 2019. With Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at the helm, the Congress aims to re-establish itself as the numero uno party, a status it enjoyed for a decade between 2004 and 2014 in united Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress campaign seeks to build on its fulfilled poll promises and also its decentralised administration, which was a rarity during the BRS rule. The BJP, on the other hand, is banking on Modis charisma and the Ram Mandir. Northern Telangana, where the BJP has won a considerable number of assembly seats, is turning out to be a stronghold of the party.

Across the border, Andhra Pradesh presents a contrasting picture. Both the BJP and the Congress are marginal players as they failed to win a single assembly or Lok Sabha seat in the last elections. The state and national elections are being held together, and the primary fight is between Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu. The BJP, which found it hard to counter Jagans appeal, swallowed its pride to take back Naidu. The two had split on a bitter note in 2018. With Naidu back and with Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party, the NDA could hope for additional seats from Andhra.

For the Congress, which has been on ventilator since bifurcation and is now being led by Jagans sister Y.S. Sharmila, the biggest sign of a revival would be an increase in vote share or wins in a seat or two.

This is not the case in Kerala, though. The Congress-led United Democratic Front had won 19 of 20 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, defying the national trend. Rahuls candidature from Wayanad had brought zing to the Congress campaign. Also, the mishandling of the Sabarimala women-entry issue by the Left Democratic Front government alienated many Hindu voters, and the prevailing anti-BJP sentiment led to the consolidation of minority votes. Five years later, that sentiment has ebbed. The UDF, which has fielded incumbents in most seats, holds a definite edge. It hopes that the minorities and liberal, non-partisan voters will consolidate in its favour, as it presents itself as the main bulwark against the BJP.

According to its internal surveys, the Congress expects to win all 16 seats it is contesting, but it has the Pinarayi Vijayan-led left to contend with. The left parties and the Congress are allies in other states, but not so in Kerala. The left parties are trying to defeat Rahul Gandhi and myself from Kerala, said Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Rahul Gandhi is not contesting as a new candidate. He is the sitting MP. Except for 2019, I have continuously represented Alappuzha in Parliament. Every party wants to increase its numbers in the Lok Sabha. What is the problem in that? If they are so concerned about Rahul Gandhi, they should have withdrawn their candidate and supported him. They are using his posters in Tamil Nadu. They are contesting with us in Rajasthan. If they had some sort of comradeship, they would have done that. Unnecessary blame game is not good for coordination.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) hopes that in addition to its solid cadre votes, the left fronts firm stance against ethnic violence in Manipur, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, triple talaq and the Uniform Civil Code will attract more votes from the minorities and liberals. The left parties are emphasising their stance on issues such as electoral bonds, while countering corruption allegations against their party leaders, including the chief minister. The BJP-led NDA anticipates a better performance with each passing election. In 2014, it got more than 15 per cent of votes in four constituencies; in 2019, this went up to eight. Modi asserts that the BJP would win 10 or more seats this time, but that will be a herculean task. The spotlight is on Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP has fielded actor Suresh Gopi and Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The NDA expects to expand its base to include a section of the Christian communitywhich traditionally votes UDFand the Hindu Ezhava communitywhich traditionally aligns with the left partiesthrough the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, the political wing of the Ezhava organisation SNDP.

As of now it seems Modi, with his intense campaign, has taken the lead. But the key would be the actual number of seats the BJP can add to its kitty. For the Congress and the regional parties, the high-stakes battles are personal. More seats for the Congress would add to the aura of Rahul and the satraps. The battle for the Delhi throne has begun from the south.
On April 15, four days before the polling date in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state for the eighth time in the three and a half months. Two days before Modis visit to south Tamil Nadu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a road show in Madurai. At the same time, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was campaigning in Nilgiris and Coimbatore. BJP president J.P. Nadda has held two roadshows in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry. And, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur have campaigned in Chennai.

Certain pockets in Tamil Nadu have always voted for the BJP or the candidate associated with the sangh parivar.

Nainar Nagendran, the BJPs legislative party leader and candidate from Tirunelveli, claimed there was growing acceptance for the BJP in the state. People in my constituency like Modi, he told THE WEEK. Everyone here knows about the schemes brought by the Central government. They are aware of the housing scheme, the free LPG scheme and the medical insurance scheme.

Certain pockets in the state, like the Kanniyakumari-Nagercoil-Tirunelveli belt, a few wards in Ramanathapuram and a few assembly segments like Coimbatore South have always voted for the BJP or the candidate associated with the sangh parivar. This and its alliances with the Dravidian parties (AIADMK in 1998 and DMK in 1999) had allowed the BJP to win three Lok Sabha seats in 1998 and four in 1999. It also won one seatKanniyakumariin 2014, notably without an ally.

The partys renewed outreach in Tamil Nadu began soon after it came to power at the Centre. In 2015, Shah, then party president, attended a meeting organised by the Devendra Charitable Trust. The trust claims to represent the Pallar community. The community had passed a resolution calling upon the government to declare seven SC subcastes in the state as Devendrakula Vellalars. At the meeting, Shah spoke about unifying the seven subcastes. When Modi visited a few months later, he touched upon the subject and quipped about how Devendra and Narendra rhyme. The demand was met in 2021.

Over the years, the BJP has come a long way in fine-tuning its communication with regards to the caste equations in the state, in an attempt to capture votes from the two Dravidian parties, of late the AIADMK in particular. The saffron partys main aim in the past decade was to shake off the image of being a Brahmin-dominated, Hindi heartland party and woo the backward castes. However, this strategy has not been effective. In fact, in 2019, it lost its one Lok Sabha seat in Kanniyakumari to the Congress.

Its most recent alliance-turned-rivalry with the AIADMK has its genesis in the aftermath of the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in 2016. The BJP felt that the cracks in the AIADMK could benefit it. But, the alliance ended with the AIADMK walking out of the NDA in September 2023.

Perhaps, the BJP has lacked a clearly defined long-term plan in the state. It has had three state presidents in the last decade. The first, Tamilisai Soundararajan, worked to strengthen the party at the ground level and increase its membership. Her successor, L. Murugan, attempted to use religion to connect with voters. The incumbent, K. Annamalai, has tried to place the BJP as the primary opposition to the DMK. He had a big role in the AIADMK exiting the alliance.

Under Annamalai, the BJP is going for a more comprehensive approach, while retaining the essence of its decade-long strategy. The result is a rainbow alliance, bringing together various caste outfits, O. Panneerselvams AIADMK rebel group, former AIADMK treasurer T.T.V. Dhinakarans Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, which has five seats in the current assembly. The PMK has strong backing from the Vanniyar community, which has close to 15 per cent of the votes in Tamil Nadu.

The party is also focusing on the Thevar community in the southern districts. Nagendran, who was formerly with the AIADMK and then with the AMMK, is likely to bring in more votes from the south. Panneerselvam and Dhinakaran contesting from Ramanathapuram and Theni, respectively, are also expected to bring in the Thevar votes, which traditionally go to the AIADMK. Dhinakaran asserted to THE WEEK that contrary to the common perception, the BJP has ground support in many constituencies.

Annamalai has set an ambitious target of 25 per cent vote share for the BJPit has never got more than five per cent in the state. The state president is contesting from Coimbatore. His popularity and the backing of his community, the Gounders, are positives. But, unlike the DMK and the AIADMK, the party does not have a solid infrastructure to work on the ground. However, the BJP has gone all out to support Annamalai, supplying both strategy teams and volunteers. His war room has created at least a dozen sub groups and each of these groups has a target of roping in 1,000 youngsters to amplify the BJPs message. Indeed, the AIADMK, which has a dozen MLAs in the Coimbatore-Pollachi-Tiruppur belt, is finding the going tough because of the BJPs money and new-found manpower.

An outsider to the constituency, Annamalai has tried to establish a connect by saying that he graduated from the PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. And, there is a growing acceptance for him. The youth and women in Coimbatore like him because he is frank in stating his mind. I like him, said Sangeetha Selvaraj, a 21-year-old engineering student in Coimbatore. He is an IPS officer who came to work for the people. He has an inspiring story. There is nothing wrong in voting for him. Sangeetha waited hours on the street to watch Annamalais campaign and used her phone to click photos of him atop his campaign vehicle. My opinion about Modi has changed after I saw Annamalai, she said. She is among the many young and first-time voters who prefer Modi because of Annamalai.

The state president, meanwhile, has stressed that the contest in the state was between the BJP and the DMK and that the AIADMK would not exist after the elections. Modi has to win a third term, he said, and Tamil Nadu will contribute to the BJPs numbers in Delhi.
Coastal erosion has left Pozhiyoor, a village in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram district, battered. The relentless assault of the sea over the years has ruined houses and neighbourhoods. Rosamma, 65, fears that the waves will devour her home in the next round of devastation. Once there was a kilometre of sandy beach between her home and the sea; now only 20 metres remain. The waves give her sleepless nights.

Politicians, she says, have long abandoned promises to build a groyne that could curb erosion. Why should we vote in this election? When will we have a normal life? she asks.

Disillusionment envelopes the neighbourhood as well. We will boycott polls until a groyne is built on an emergency basis to protect the coast, says a billboard erected by the civil society group Pozhiyoor Janakeeya Samithi.

The Catholic Church, which has considerable clout in the coastal belt, says it is not part of the boycott campaign. Vicar General Eugine H. Pereira, however, hinted that there has been a change in the churchs outlook on the Lok Sabha polls. The church adopted an issue-based, value-based equidistant stance in 2004, he told THE WEEK. We now embrace a right-distance stance, favouring candidates who understand and address the communitys concerns.

Any change in the voting pattern in the coastal belt would be bad news for Shashi Tharoor, who has thrice represented the constituency and is now looking for a fourth term. He is locked in a three-way fight among BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and CPI veteran Pannian Raveendran. The Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency is predominantly urban. A former diplomat, Tharoor is known as vishwapauran (global citizen) among urban middle-class voters. He also has significant support among the dominant Nair and Nadar communities in the constituency. But a decisive factor that helped him win the previous polls was votes from coastal areas, especially from Christians.

Sensing an opportunity, one of the first things that Chandrasekhar did when he began his campaign was to visit coastal areas and promise a permanent solution for erosion in villages such as Pozhiyoor. He has also overseen a slew of defections from the Congress to the BJP, including in the coastal belt. Notably, when Chandrasekhar submitted his nomination, two fishermen from Pozhiyoor were among those who donated the deposit money. He also demonstrated his election slogan Ini Karyam Nadakkum (Now things will get done)a jab at Tharoors alleged non-performanceby facilitating the visit of two scientists from the Union fisheries ministry to Pozhiyoor.

Chandrasekhars well-funded campaign has been able to create an impression that the contest is primarily between him and Tharoor. Citing Pannians campaign as not very impactful, Tharoor himself has asserted that the battle in Thiruvananthapuram is directly between the Congress and the BJP.

But, interestingly, Chandrasekhar himself insists that the fight is triangular. After submitting his nomination on April 5, he said, This constituency is witnessing a triangular fight; it remains to be seen who the principal opponent is. Chandrasekhar, it seems, recognises that the notion of a head-to-head contest between him and Tharoor could consolidate minority votes in Tharoors favour.

The BJP is yet to win a Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, but it had come second in Thiruvananthapuram in 2014 and 2019. This time, the party is also pinning its hopes on Thrissur, where actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopis eleventh-hour effort in 2019 had led to a significant surge in the BJPs vote share.

The BJP has promised that if its candidate in Thiruvananthapuram or Thrissur wins, he would be made Union minister. In Thrissur, said political observer and academic Mohan Varghese, the BJP must secure a considerable portion of Christian votes from the Congress to succeed, whereas in Thiruvananthapuram, even if it doesnt secure Christian votes outright, it still requires diverting them from the Congress to the CPI to emerge victorious.

Thrissur, too, is witnessing a tight triangular contest. The Congress has fielded K. Muraleedharan, senior leader and son of former chief minister K. Karunakaran, and the CPI has fielded former agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar.

In 2019, the female turnout in Thrissur (79.55 per cent) had exceeded the male turnout (75.92 per cent)a reason why Gopi and the BJP have been focusing on women voters, a section of whom are critical of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government. One of them is Vijayamma, a 76-year-old fortune teller at Swaraj Round in Thrissur who was hesitant about predicting the poll outcome. Vijayamma hails from a Communist family and has been a widow for 38 years. She said she was inclined to support Gopi this time because of the several wrong-doings of the LDF government, especially its failure to pay welfare pensions on time and the alleged irregularities and financial mismanagement in cooperative banks run by the party.

Gopi told THE WEEK that he had plans to establish a Sakthan brand to deliver goods from the renowned Sakthan Market in Thrissur to all seven assembly segments in the constituencya move that is likely to resonate with women voters. With Thrissur having 1.46 lakh new voters this time, the largest for any constituency in Kerala, he plans to set up a Wisdom City in Thrissur for the youth.

Gopi has tried to appeal to both Christian as well as Muslim voters. In January, he offered a golden crown to the statue of St Mary at the Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral in Thrissur. Recently, he also participated in a Ramadan fast-breaking ceremonya move that was derided by detractors as insincere. With the Citizenship (Amendment) Act emerging as a key election issue, the BJP does not expect significant support from the Muslim community in any constituency. In fact, the LDF and the Congress-led United Democratic Front are fiercely competing to win these votes, which had consolidated in favour of the UDF in 2019.

The BJP, meanwhile, appears to be capitalising on the widening rift between Christians and Muslims in the state. Several factors have contributed to this rift in recent timesconcerns about the declining Christian population, economic competition between the two communities, and allegations of love jihad and other perceived transgressions against Christians. In recent times, Christian bishops have made several controversial remarks that were seen as favouring the BJP. A Christian devotional channel headquartered in Thrissur, which gained significant viewership during the pandemic, is perceived to be supporting the BJP and spreading anti-Muslim propaganda.

Amid this proxy battle, the BJPs first significant hindutva push of the campaign season came from state party president K. Surendran, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. Surendran declared that his primary objective, if elected, would be to rename Sultan Bathery (a taluk headquarters in the constituency) as Ganapati Vattam (after the temple that was partly destroyed by Tipu Sultan and used as an armoury). Surendrans move is intended to portray the former ruler of Mysore as a religious bigot who harmed Hindus as well as Christiansa move that experts say will have implications for Rahul and the Congress beyond Kerala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally spearheaded the BJPs efforts to reach out to the Christian community in Kerala. Modi met bishops from eight Christian denominations in April 2023, but the process of wooing the community has been hindered by the Manipur riots. The BJP has been trying to reassure church leaders in Kerala, but it remains to be seen whether the efforts would yield votes.

In February, Modi asserted that the number of seats that the BJP would win in Kerala would be in the double digits. But pollsters remain sceptical about the partys odds of winning even a single seat.

The BJP has definitely made major efforts to create issues among Christian and Muslim communities, said former minister and state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala. But when issues like Manipur came up, they saw the BJPs true face. The secular people of Kerala will not fall into the BJPs trap. The Congress will stop the BJP, and Keralas secular population will once again embrace the UDF.
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) With a view to widen the market and foster adequate protection from healthcare expenses, insurance regulator IRDAI has removed the age limit of 65 years for individuals buying health insurance policies.

This marks a significant departure from the conventional constraints that limited individuals in securing comprehensive coverage.

By abolishing the maximum age restriction on purchasing health insurance plans, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) aims to foster a more inclusive and accessible healthcare ecosystem, ensuring adequate protection against unforeseen medical expenses.

As per the earlier guidelines, individuals were allowed to purchase a new insurance policy only till the age of 65. However, with the recent amendment, which has been effective from April 1, anyone, regardless of age, is eligible to buy a new health insurance policy.

In a recent gazette notification, IRDAI said, "insurers shall ensure that they offer health insurance products to cater to all age groups. Insurers may design products specifically for senior citizens, students, children, maternity, and any other group as specified by the Competent Authority."

Besides, insurers have been mandated to offer health policies to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions of any kind.

Consequently, insurers are prohibited from refusing to issue policies to individuals with severe medical conditions like cancer, heart or renal failure, and AIDS.

According to the notification, insurers are allowed to offer premium payment in instalments for the convenience of policyholders.

Travel policies can only be offered by general and health insurers, it said.

There is no limit on AYUSH treatment coverage. Treatments under systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy will receive coverage up to the sum insured without any cap, it said.

Policyholders with benefit-based policies can file multiple claims with various insurers, enhancing flexibility and options, it said.

The proposed regulation seeks to handle the complaints and claims of senior citizens via a specialised channel, ensuring a more tailored and responsive approach to their requirements, it added.
Mumbai, Apr 21 (PTI) The Bombay High Court has quashed a circular issued by Maharashtra's transport commissioner imposing certain conditions while deciding on applications for registration of vehicles under the BH series.

A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla, in its judgment on April 12, said the circular was issued without any authority and, hence, flawed and illegal.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a civil judge challenging the circular and denial of his application seeking registration of his vehicle under the BH series, which was introduced by the government of India in 2021 to facilitate convenient transfer of vehicles in different states and Union Territories.

According to Mahendra Patil, senior civil judge in the Maharashtra State Judicial Services, he submitted his official identity card, which as per the conditions is the only compliance required to be furnished.

Patil's plea said when he made enquiries, he was informed that his application was rejected as he had not complied with certain other conditions imposed under a circular issued by the transport commissioner in February 2024.

As per this circular, any government servant who wishes to seek BH series registration must, in addition to the official identity card, also furnish a certificate showing he has offices in other states, his stay at such states and his/her payment slips during the service tenure in such states.

Patil in his plea said the transport commissioner does not have any authority to issue such a circular, which is contrary to the provisions of rules framed by the Central government.

He sought that the transport commissioner's circular be quashed and an order be passed to grant his vehicle registration under the BH series.

In his plea, Patil claimed he had complied with conditions mandated in the Central Motor Vehicles (Twentieth Amendment) Rules of 2021 for registration of vehicles under the BH series.

The HC bench noted the circular issued by the transport commissioner was clearly in excess of the jurisdiction and without any authority in law.

In our considered view, the circular is flawed and illegal. The circular dated February 21, 2024 is declared to be illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional. It is hereby quashed, the HC said.

The court directed authorities to grant registration to Patil's vehicle under the BH series within one week.

The bench in its order said the central government has framed rules under the Central Motor Vehicles Act for registration of vehicles under the BH series.

The transport commissioner could not have issued such a circular in the absence of any power conferred on him under the rules to superimpose conditions on any applicant seeking registration of a vehicle under the BH series, the court said.

It was not permissible for the commissioner to impose conditions by such a circular to regulate registration of BH vehicles, which would nullify the Central Rules or create a regime which is contrary or defeat the provisions of the Central Rules, the HC said.

The transport commissioners office opposed the plea, saying the circular was merely in the nature of guidelines issued to ensure the object of the Central Rules are achieved.

If vehicles are given BH series registration without compliance of the circular then there would be loss of revenue, the transport commissioner's office further claimed.

It said even those government employees who are not normally transferred to other states are seeking benefit of the BH series.

The transport department further claimed there are several monetary benefits for vehicles with BH series registration and, hence, the number of applications seeking registration under it was increasing exponentially.
New Delhi, April 21 (PTI) From individuals interacting with data every day through the internet to multi-billion-dollar companies in the midst of a digital transformation agenda, a new book aims to help everyone in unlocking the true potential of artificial intelligence (AI) by leveraging the transformative power of data.

Written by technology entrepreneur Nitin Seth, "Mastering the Data Paradox", published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI), delves into the many paradoxes of data -- its potential for positive impact versus its overwhelming complexity.

"We are living in a transformative era where data and AI are redefining every aspect of our lives. This convergence holds immense promise, and 'Mastering the Data Paradox' provides a clear roadmap for individuals, enterprises, and nations to harness the power of data and AI to create a better future," said Seth, who is the co-founder and CEO of Incedo Inc, in a statement.

In the book, the author advocates that mastering the data paradox is necessary, and seeks to answer key questions, including 'Why and how AI powered by data can create transformational value for enterprises and individuals' and 'What principles we can learn from life and apply to data, and vice versa, as we navigate the new world of data-enriched lives'.

"Mastering the Data Paradox" has been endorsed by top industry leaders, including the likes of David Cohen, founder & owner of Simcah Management; Ashish Chand, president and CEO of Belden Inc; and Dhrupad Trivedi, CEO of A10 Networks.

"Seth's 'Mastering the Data Paradox' is loaded with common sense, wisdom and detailed expertise on all aspects of data. As we enter the age of artificial intelligence, every professional needs to understand this crucial subject," said Cohen in his praise for the book.

Seth has previously authored "Winning in the Digital Age", which has won five business book awards globally.

"Mastering the Data Paradox", priced at Rs 799, is currently available for purchase across online and offline stores.
London, Apr 21 (The Conversation) Every spring and summer, when the weather improves, the numbers of people trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe drastically increase, sometimes tripling. Distressing photos and headlines dominate front pages, and politicians stoke negative narratives about migration.

People migrate for many reasons: safety, work, education, family or adventure. Even though politicians like to divide migrants into neat categories, such as refugees and economic migrants, the messy reality is that most people moving fit into several categories at once. This makes it all the harder for governments to stop it from happening, try as they might.

Some adopt a send em back approach, like the UKs proposed Rwanda policy. Also popular is the cash for migration control approach, turning countries on the edges of Europe into, effectively, border guards. One example is the EUs recent deal with Tunisia, promising 150 million euros (128 million pounds) to boost Tunisias migration control efforts.

A refrain often heard is that the best way to address migration is to tackle the root causes  improve peoples lives in their countries of origin so that they are less likely to need or want to migrate in the first place.

This approach proposes giving aid money to poorer countries to, for example, help create local jobs and improve schools and healthcare.

This approach seems to make sense, and feels more humane and certainly less unpleasant than implementing a Rwanda-style deportation plan. But there is not much consensus on what the root causes of migration actually are, and little evidence to show that addressing them actually reduces migration.

In MIGNEX, an EU-funded research project on global migration, I worked with a team of researchers to look at what drives people to consider leaving their families and communities and move to another country. We looked at 26 communities across ten countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, using data from more than 13,000 interviews.



Tackling the root causes

People living in poorer countries experience many social and economic challenges. These are often discussed as root causes  which MIGNEX defines as widely experienced hardships that are perceived to be persistent, immediately threatening or both, and to which migration is a possible response.

But which ones are the most important drivers for people to take the enormous step of leaving home for somewhere new?

The problem in migration policymaking  which often relies on intuition and guesswork, rather than evidence  is a scatter-gun approach which lists a whole range of issues as root causes. A case in point is the European Trust Fund for Africa which funds development projects to promote resilience, economic and equal opportunities, security and development, and end human rights abuses.

Policymakers assume that addressing all of these issues will reduce peoples desire to migrate. But often, these assumptions do not hold. Through our research, we have found that reducing poverty and raising educational levels might actually increase desires to migrate, because it gives people the means to do so and broadens their horizons.

For example, having a PhD increases migration aspirations by 22 per cent, compared to those with no formal education.

Addressing other drivers  such as scarce livelihoods and a lack of good jobs  might be more effective, but even so it tends to take generations before international migration is no longer desirable.

Creating jobs also tends to be incredibly costly, for example the World Bank estimates that an investment of the equivalent of 8 million pounds in Tunisia would create, at most, 300 jobs in the trade and construction sectors, at the cost of 24,000 pounds per job.

Instead, what we have found is that addressing corruption is key to reducing peoples aspirations to migrate. People living in communities where being asked to pay a bribe for a service is a common practice are 36 per cent more likely to have strong wishes to migrate.

Corruption is not merely a nuisance but typically a symptom of deeper and less obvious societal challenges. Corruption in hospitals, schools and police forces can be signs of low pay, inadequate management and a lack of accountability.

For example, in Redeyef, a declining mining town in Tunisias desert, high levels of corruption block many qualified young people from the most desirable jobs, contributing to an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Tackling corruption, therefore, can improve lives and strengthen peoples confidence to build their futures locally, rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.



Aid and migration control

None of this evidence makes richer countries efforts to help poorer countries reduce poverty, create jobs and expand education any less necessary. These policies continue to be important in their own right, and often make a significant difference to improving peoples lives and wellbeing.

Tackling the root causes of migration is not an easy, short-term fix to prevent migration. Governments allocating aid must separate this from the issue of migration, so that this money can be channelled into what its actually meant for: addressing economic, humanitarian, political and security issues.

Meanwhile, any policy responses to manage migration must be tailored to the specific local context  peoples concerns and motivations to migrate are different everywhere. (The Conversation) PY

PY
Kyiv, Apr 21 (AP) Ukrainian and Western leaders welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the US House of Representatives, as the Kremlin claimed the passage of the bill would further ruin Ukraine and cause more deaths.

The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia's invasion.

With an overwhelming vote, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved Ukrainian flags.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without US funding, said that he was grateful for the decision of US lawmakers.

We appreciate every sign of support for our country and its independence, people and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble, he wrote on social media site X.

America has demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war. Exactly this type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations, he said.

The Ukrainian president noted that his country's warriors on the front lines would feel the benefit of the aid package.

One such warrior is infantry soldier Oleksandr, fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

For us it's so important to have this support from the US and our partners, Oleksandr told The Associated Press. He did not give his full name for security reasons.

With this we can stop them and reduce our losses. It's the first step to have the possibility to liberate our territory.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid holdup over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in the Donetsk region.

The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times, Oleksandr said. Not having enough ammunition means we can't cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.

Other Western leaders lauded the passing of the aid package.

Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the approval of aid to Ukraine expected and predictable.

The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime, Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation, Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

The whole aid package will go to the US Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately. (AP) SCY

SCY
London, Apr 21 (PTI) The Scotland Yard chief is under growing pressure on Sunday amid an antisemitism row during a pro-Palestinian protest march in London, with former UK home secretary Suella Braverman among those calling for his resignation.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, is in the firing line after Britains largest police force rendered two apologies to an antisemitism campaigner for calling him "openly Jewish". Rowley personally reiterated the forces apologies as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and UK Home Office, in charge of the citys policing, said the force was right to apologise.

I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week. Today, as with every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality," said Rowley.

But he has now been summoned to a meeting with UK Policing Minister Chris Philp, who has said he was deeply concerned by the forces handling of counter-protesters at pro-Palestinian rallies.

No one should be told their religion is provocative, nor an innocent person threatened with arrest solely because of someone elses anticipated unreasonable reaction, said Philp.

In a video on social media, Campaign Against Antisemitism chief executive Gideon Falter  wearing his Jewish yarmulke cap  is seen being told by a Met Police officer that he is worried about the reaction to his presence at the march.

"The video posted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism will further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners, which is the opposite of what any of us want, said Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist in a statement following the incident last weekend.

"The use of the term 'openly Jewish' by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. It's absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions, it was a poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise, he said.

Twist went on to highlight a trend at the demonstrations in London, in protest against the Israel-Hamas conflict, where those opposed to the main protests appear along the route to express their views.

He added: "The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

"They're also making it much more likely officers will intervene. They don't do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and keep the public  including those taking part in or opposing the protest  safe."

However, the campaigner at the centre of the row accused the force of "victim blaming" following the incident.

"Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place. In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews," said Gideon Falter.

He received the backing of Suella Braverman, who in her former role as home minister was in charge of the police force.

"I've seen too much fear and even more favouritism in the policing of pro-Palestinian protests," writes the Indian-origin ex-minister in The Daily Telegraph.

It gives me no pleasure to say this, but after such a litany of failure and a wholesale refusal to change, the Met commissioner needs to accept responsibility. And he must go, she declares.

There have been widespread protest marches and demonstrations in London, especially over weekends, since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in October last year. The Met Polices handling of these protests, which often result in several arrests, has been under the scanner as many of these gatherings get heated.

"We welcome the Met Police's apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish  or of any other race or religion  should never be seen as provocative. Anyone of any religion should be free to go about their lives and feel safe doing so," a UK Home Office spokesperson said.
Islamabad, Apr 21 (PTI) Amidst the tensions in the Middle East, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will arrive here on Monday on a three-day visit to promote bilateral ties with Pakistan, months after the two neighbours carried out tit-for-tat airstrikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on rival lands.

The Iranian President will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials as well as a large business delegation, according to a statement by Foreign Office on Sunday.

Raisi's visit from April 22 to 24 would be the first visit by any Head of State to Pakistan after the general elections in February 2024, it said.

Raisi's visit to Islamabad comes days after Israels military action in Iran's Isfahan province where there had been reports of explosions. This followed Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attacks against Israel last weekend. The tit-for-tat military actions after an alleged Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus had raised global concerns.

During the visit, President Raisi will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Sadiq. He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership.

The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts, the Foreign Office said.

They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.

Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations, the statement said.

Raisi is visiting Pakistan months after the cordial ties between the two neighbours suffered a setback when Tehran shocked Islamabad by carrying out airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts in restive Balochistan province in January. Pakistan swiftly responded by using killer drones and rockets to carry out precision military strikes against what it called terrorist hideouts in Irans Siestan-Balochistan province, killing 9 people.

However, the two sides acted fast to restrain tempers through diplomatic channels. Raisi's visit is expected to further cement their ties.
GUANGZHOU, April 21 (Xinhua) -- In 1954, Jack Perry, founder of the London Export Corporation, led a group of 48 British businessmen on a historic trade mission to Beijing.

Seventy years later, his grandson, Jack Perry Junior, as the new chairman of the 48 Group Club, which was founded by those 48 businessmen, came to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou to attend the 135th Canton Fair. This marks his first time at the fair.

"My first impression of the Canton Fair is the excitement here. I see a lot of faces here trying to learn, listen, and understand. The 48 Group Club has members from around the world, and they come here to understand what Chinese manufacturing is about," he said.

More than six decades on, the Canton Fair's attraction still remains. The ongoing session of Canton Fair, held from April 15 to May 5, has attracted approximately 149,000 purchasers from 215 countries and regions for pre-registration, marking a notable 17.4 percent increase compared to the previous session.

Marios Theodoulou, a buyer from Cyprus, is overwhelmed by the hospitality and positive energy on his first visit to the fair. "Our expectations are to bring a part of China's export to Cyprus and create a trading portal for all of these products," Theodoulou said. He also plans to establish new connections for future collaboration at the fair.

Angelo, a Brazilian buyer, plans to purchase some mechanical equipment. He said it is his first time at the fair, as he usually makes purchases in Europe. "This time I will stay in China for about 40 days, the first 15 days being at the fair, and then a month to visit companies in the country and start doing business," he said.

With a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters, the 135th Canton Fair has around 74,000 booths, and 4,300 new exhibitors, with an emphasis on high-quality development. A cross-border e-commerce pilot zone and overseas warehouse zone were set up for the first time.

Many "old friends" of the fair have witnessed the changes and improvements.

Amanbayev Gani, an official with the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, said that the scale of the Canton Fair has increased greatly over the past years. "The first time we came, there were three pavilions A, B, and C. This year I see the new pavilion D, and also new buildings around the venue. There are a lot of new brands and companies this year," he said.

Benjamin King came to the fair for the first time in 2018 as a buyer. While at the fair, he observed that more companies needed supply chain support on the ground in China, and this eventually led him to set up Kinyu SCM, a supply chain consultancy based in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, where the Canton Fair is held. The company has assisted its customers in purchasing goods from China worth over 140 million U.S. dollars over the last five years. Last year, he became an exhibitor in the trade in services section of the fair.

Over the past 10 years, Chinese merchants have become more professional in their approach, with increased knowledge of international market trends and improved negotiation skills, said Giselle Bonet, director of Pinchili China Service Limited. She believed that all businessmen should take advantage of this fair's opportunity to connect with China's best factories and suppliers.

The 135th Canton Fair has seen an intensified eagerness of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participating countries. The number of buyers from those countries has increased by 45.9 percent compared with the previous session.

Bekar Mikaberidze, founder of One Belt One Road Georgian Business House, first attended the fair in 2006. He said that the Canton Fair is not just an exhibition, but an experience that leaves a lasting impact. "From clothing and furniture to solar batteries and electric cars, the fair represents the ever-evolving landscape of global trade and technology."

Noushad Mohamed, brand manager of Ikon under UAE's Lulu Group International, a frequenter of the event, put more focus on intelligent products at the fair. "Everybody's eyes are on China, trying to find out what they are doing next in the field of AI. We have also selected a lot of products that are related to AI, like cameras and tablets. There are huge markets and opportunities," Mohamed said.

Around 64 percent of the exhibitors in the international pavilion at the fair, a platform for companies outside China, come from the BRI participating countries.

Sersim, a Turkish company mainly focusing on export, exhibited at the international pavilion. Cagri Yazar, area sales manager of the company, said that they have been at the fair for about 20 years. "Canton Fair is growing every day, contributing more to the international business environment. It's really effective for us." 
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Kyiv, Apr 21 (AP) Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the US House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the bill would further ruin Ukraine and cause more deaths.

Ukrainian leaders and analysts say the long-awaited USD 61 billion military aid package  including USD 13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons  will help slow Russia's incremental advances in the war's third year  but that more will likely be needed for Kyiv to regain the offensive.

The House swiftly approved USD 95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia's full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without US funding, said that he was grateful for the decision of US lawmakers.

Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Zelenskyy said that the aid package would send the Kremlin a powerful signal that (Ukraine) will not be the second Afghanistan.

Zelenskyy told NBC that the aid has to end up in tangible weapon systems," highlighting that Ukraine would prioritize long-range weapons and air defense. These, he said, would enable Ukraine to break the plans of Russia in an expected full-scale offensive," for which Ukrainian forces are preparing.

The aid package will go to the US Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. US President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

It still could take weeks for it to reach the front line, where it is desperately needed.

Responding to a question on the timelines for Ukraine continuing to need such aid packages, the Ukrainian president drew attention to previous delays to promised support. "It depends on when we actually get weapons on the ground, Zelenskyy told NBC.

The decision to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, we had it a year ago," he said. A year has passed. We still don't have the jets in Ukraine.

"With this we can stop (Russian troops) and reduce our losses," said infantry soldier Oleksandr. He has been fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid holdup over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk.

The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times, Oleksandr told The Associated Press. He didn't give his full name for security reasons. Not having enough ammunition means we can't cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.

In Kyiv, many welcomed the US vote as a piece of good news after a tough period that has seen Russia grind out gains along the front line, and step up attacks on Ukraine's energy system and other infrastructure.

I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event," said Kateryna Ruda, 43.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers have nothing to protect us."

"They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the center of our city, the 26-year-old said.

Other Western leaders, who have been scrambling to come up with ways to fill the gap left by stalled US military aid, also lauded the aid package.

Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

Her statement was echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it a strong signal in these times.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson, while also noting the holdup in Congress. Better late than too late. And I hope it is not too late for Ukraine, he wrote on X.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday called the approval of aid to Ukraine expected and predictable.

The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime, Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation, Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War said the logistics of getting US assistance to the front line would mean that Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilize the front.

But they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly," it said in its latest assessment of the conflict.

Olexiy Haran, professor of comparative politics at the National University of Kyiv-Mohlya Academy, said that Ukraine was grateful for aid from the US and other Western countries, but the problem is, frankly speaking, it's too late and it's not enough."

This is the third year of the war and we still don't have aviation, new aviation. We don't have enough missiles, so we cannot close the skies. Moreover, recently we didn't have even artillery shells," he said.

That's why the situation was very, very difficult and the Russians used it to start their counteroffensive, or offensive. So that's why it is so important for us. And definitely if we'd received it half a year before, we would have saved the lives of many Ukrainians, civilians included.

Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said that the aid, while welcome, can probably only help stabilize the Ukrainian position for this year and begin preparations for operations in 2025.

Predictability of funding through 2024 and into 2025 will help the Ukrainians plan the defense this year, especially if European supplies of ammunition also come through, but further planning and funds will be required for 2025, and we have a US election between now and then, he said.

On the ground, Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that its troops had taken control of the village of Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials haven't yet commented on the announcement.

One person was killed and four other people were wounded in Russian shelling in Ukrainsk on Sunday, according to the prosecutor's office in Ukraine's partially occupied Donetsk region.

In the Odesa region, four people were wounded in a missile attack, Gov. Oleh Kiper said.

Two suspects were detained Sunday after two Ukrainian soldiers killed a police officer at a checkpoint in the country's Vinnytsia region.

The soldiers opened fire on Maksym Zaretskyi, 20, in the early hours of Saturday morning after he stopped their car for a routine inspection. Zaretskyi's partner was wounded, but survived the attack.

The head of Ukraine's National Police, Ivan Vyhovsky, said Sunday that the suspects  a father and son, ages 52 and 26  were detained in Ukraine's Odesa region.(AP) RUP

RUP
New York, Apr 21 (AP) Video cameras stationed outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial caught the gruesome scene Friday of a man who lit himself on fire and the aftermath as authorities tried to rescue him.

CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC were all on the air with reporters talking about the seating of a jury when the incident happened and other news agencies, including The Associated Press, were livestreaming from outside the courthouse. The man, who distributed pamphlets before dousing himself in an accelerant and setting himself on fire, was taken to a hospital where he later died.

The incident tested how quickly the networks could react, and how they decided what would be too disturbing for their viewers to see.

With narration from Laura Coates, CNN had the most extensive view of the scene. Coates, who at first incorrectly said it was a shooting situation, then narrated as the man was visible onscreen, enveloped in flames.

You can smell burning flesh, Coates, an anchor and CNN's chief legal analyst, said as she stood at the scene with reporter Evan Perez.

The camera switched back and forth between Coates and what was happening in the park. Five minutes after the incident started, CNN posted the onscreen message Warning: Graphic Content.

Coates later said she couldn't overstate the emotional response of watching a human being engulfed in flames and to watch his body be lifted into a gurney. She described it as an emotional and unbelievably disturbing moment here.

Fox's cameras caught the scene briefly as reporter Eric Shawn talked, then the network switched to a courtroom sketch of Trump on trial.

We deeply apologize for what has happened, Shawn said.

On MSNBC, reporter Yasmin Vossoughian narrated the scene. The network showed smoke in the park, but no picture where the body was visible.

I could see the outline of his body inside the flames, Vossoughian said, which was so terrifying to see. As he went to the ground his knees hit the ground first.

The AP had a camera with an unnarrated live shot stationed outside the courthouse, shown on YouTube and APNews.com. The cameras caught an extensive view, with the man lighting himself afire and later writhing on the ground before a police officer tried to douse the flames with a jacket.

The AP later removed its live feed from its YouTube channel and replaced it with a new one because of the graphic nature of the content.

The news agency distributed carefully edited clips to its video clients  not showing the moment the man lit himself on fire, for example, said executive producer Tom Williams.

Julien Gorbach, a University of Hawaii at Manoa associate professor of journalism, said news organizations didn't face much of a dilemma about whether to show the footage because there was little for the public to gain by seeing images of a man lighting himself on fire.

The episode highlights how fast information travels and the importance of critical thinking, Gorbach said.

It outpaces our ability to a) sort out the facts, and b) do the kind of methodical, critical thinking that we need to do so that we understand the truth of what actually this incident was all about, Gorbach said.

The location of the incident may have prompted some to think the self-immolation was related to the trial.

Gorbach, who was listening to MSNBC on satellite radio when it happened, said the coverage he heard was careful to question whether there was any connection to the trial. It also raised the possibility the man may have wanted to get media attention.

News organizations can't suppress the news just so the public doesn't get confused, he said. Word would get out regardless as non-journalists post accounts online.

So it's really a test of us as a public, he said. (AP) AMS
Washington, Apr 21 (PTI) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China next week, which officials said is part of the plan of the Biden Administration to responsibly manage the US-China relationship by strengthening lines of communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation and conflict.

The China visit by Blinken comes after a series of highest-level interactions between the two countries, including the phone call between the Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, which was followed by a visit to Beijing by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and a telephone call that the Defense Secretary has had last week with his Chinese counterparts.

With stops in Shanghai and Beijing, from April 24 to 26, Blinken would be accompanied by senior officials, including Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Liz Allen, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson, and Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick.

The Secretarys visit will, of course, build on our intensive diplomacy over the past year to responsibly manage the US-China relationship by strengthening lines of communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation and conflict, a senior administration official told reporters here.

Blinkens trip will follow Biden and Xis summit meeting in Woodside, California in November, National Security Advisor Sullivans meeting with Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok in January, DHS Secretary Mayorkass meeting with MPS Minister Wang Xiaohong in Vienna in February. Blinken had met Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich in February.

We are in a different place than we were a year ago when the bilateral relationship was at a historic low point. We have set out to stabilize the bilateral relationship without sacrificing our capacity to strengthen our alliances, compete vigorously, and defend our interests. We also believe, and we have also clearly demonstrated, that responsibly managing competition does not mean we will pull back from measures to protect US national interests, the senior administration official said.

Blinken has three primary objectives for his trip to China, the official said.

First, making progress on key issues. Second, clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral, regional, and global issues. Third, responsibly managing competition, so that it does not result in miscalculation or conflict.

Weve grounded these objectives in the administrations approach to the PRC, which you have heard many times, of course, and thats namely our invest, align, and compete strategy. Weve made significant progress on each pillar of our strategy, and we believe that our doing so has strengthened our competitive position, said the official.

Weve invested in the foundations of American strength with historic legislation on infrastructure, chips and science, and clean energy. We have reinvigorated our network of alliances and partnerships, the official said.

According to the official, Blinken will also reiterate their deep concerns regarding Chinese support for Russias defence industrial base.

He will discuss the crisis in the Middle East, and of course, the Secretary will discuss challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including PRC provocations in the South China Sea, as well as the DPRKs threatening rhetoric and reckless actions. He will also discuss the crisis in Burma. The Secretary will also reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the official said.
Mumbai, Apr 21 (PTI) A book tracing the evolution of Indian currency through the ages, based on a meticulously curated collection by Indian American numismatist Dr Navin C Shah, was launched here recently.

Shah, a Maryland-based urologist who is the founder, former president, and trustee of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), was present at the launch, along with Ashok Hinduja, Chairman of Hinduja Group of Companies.



Shah told PTI that the book, "Coins of India: Circa 6th Century BC  2022 AD", explores the rich and diverse history of Indian coins, and offers a glimpse into the countrys fascinating past.





The book is about Shahs collection of over 2,600 rare coins, representing several dynasties, Mughals and British rule.



Our history has no monetary value. We have not preserved our rich and glorious cultural legacy for the new generation. No one bothers about the intrinsic value of the coins and their rule in history and culture, Shah said.



The book is a comprehensive guide to the rich history of Indian coins, describing the evolution of coinage itself and showing its significance in economic history, the evolution of Indian currency through the ages as well as the cultural and political history of the respective period, he said.



Numismatist Manish Verma, who works with the Hinduja Foundation as the curator of its antiquity collection, is the books author.



The book meticulously unravels the evolution of Indian coinage and its profound impact on the nations economic, cultural, and political fabric across the ages, Shah said.



The book contains 327 coin images and illustrations, each accompanied by insightful commentary and maps illustrating Indias numismatic journey.



Each coin showcased in the book narrates a compelling tale, from the old dynasties to the contemporary era, and serves as a timeless portal to the past that transcends the boundaries of time and space, Shah said.



The exploration of Indian coinage is a captivating odyssey through time, revealing the intricate tapestry of our civilization, he said.



Through numismatics, we embark on a journey that transcends mere currency and delves into stories of conquests, trade, and societal transformations, he said.



Hinduja said he has always admired Shahs exceptional assortment of Indian coins spanning 600 BC to 2022 AD.



Shah said the book will act as a reference manual for historians and numismatists, taking them on a captivating journey through Indian history.



Verma said coins play a crucial role as a source of historical information.



Through these coins, the diverse culture of our country is reflected. They have witnessed the rise and fall of the rulers and the victory and defeat of the state empires, Verma said.



He described Shahs coin collection, on which the book is primarily based, as truly exceptional, as it includes representative coins from all dynasties and series spanning from 600 BC to 2022 AD.



Most of the coins are in remarkable condition, and the special attraction is punch-marked coins of various Janapadas, he said.



Acquiring such a vast and diverse collection of coins would be nearly impossible for an individual, especially from a different professional background, Verma noted.



The collection provides a glimpse into the Indian coinage tradition, he said.



Shahs collection can be a standalone exhibition that will show the history and culture of India through the medium of coins, he added.



Verma said the book shows the significance of coins in the economic, cultural and political history of the respective period.



The book also dwells on the history of Indian coinage tradition, coin minting techniques, and features of Islamic coins.



Hinduja Hospital CEO Gautam Khanna and Hinduja Foundation president Paul Abraham also attended the book launch at P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre.
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Mahavir Jayanti on Sunday and said Lord Mahavir's message of peace and goodwill is an inspiration for the country in building a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

"My best wishes to all the family members of the country on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti," Modi said in a post in Hindi on 'X'.

"Lord Mahavir's message of peace, restraint and harmony are an inspiration for the country in building a 'Viksit Bharat'," he added.
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) The National Capital Region Transport Corporations (NCRTC) student outreach programme drives school students onto Namo Bharat trains in order to enhance their awareness about the regional rapid transit system (RRTS), a statement said on Sunday.

As part of this initiative, school students were invited to participate in rides aboard the state-of-the-art Namo Bharat trains.

This immersive experience not only acquainted the students with the cutting-edge technology and comfort of the Namo Bharat, but also underscored the importance of sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for the National Capital Region (NCR), it said.

This initiative has been a resounding success, with students from across the NCR actively participating in various educational activities aimed at familiarising them with the RRTS corridor. The outreach programme encompasses school visits, knowledge sessions, painting competitions, nukkad nataks (street plays), and most notably, exhilarating train rides on the Namo Bharat, the statement stated.

Recognising the pivotal role children play as ambassadors for societal initiatives, the NCRTC has made concerted efforts to engage with these school children to make the awareness program engaging and interactive. It includes a painting competition with a specific theme related to the project, it said.

They have been shown interactive videos to enhance their understandings. The children were encouraged to actively participate by sharing their understanding of the project. The session concluded with a street play that delivered key messages related to the project, it stated.

These outreach programmes served as platforms for the students to not only learn about the RRTS project but also expressed their creativity and understanding through various mediums. By fostering an environment of curiosity and participation, NCRTC aimed to instil a sense of ownership and enthusiasm among the younger generation towards embracing the Namo Bharat trains as a preferred mode of transport in the future, the statement said.

Presently, a 34-km section between Sahibabad and Modi Nagar North of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, which includes eight stations, is operational for passengers. The construction is advancing swiftly on the remaining stretches and the entire 82-km corridor is anticipated to be operational by 2025, it added.
Buldhana (Maharashtra), Apr 21 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday claimed the opposition INDI alliance will win more than 300 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.



Addressing a rally in Buldhana for Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Narendra Khedekar, Thackeray said the ruling party (BJP) will be taught a lesson by the people for calling his party "nakli" Shiv Sena.

Khedekar is pitted against Pratap Jadhav, who belongs to the Shiv Sena headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Thackeray targeted the BJP-led Central government over the GST regime and agricultural policies.





He said farmers are paying an 18 per cent GST on fertilisers.

This translates into the payment of Rs 18,000 GST for fertilisers worth Rs 1 lakh whereas under the Namo Sanman Yojana, farmers get (financial assistance of) Rs 6,000, he said.

Thackeray said the BJP claims to have finished him (politically) but still targets him every day.

"You call my party 'nakli' (duplicate) Shiv Sena, but this same Sena will show you its real strength. Is my Shiv Sena like your degree that you call nakli? The people will show you your place," he added.



Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dubbed the Uddhav Thackeray-led party a "nakli" Shiv Sena.



Thackeray alleged the Election Commission "snatched" the name (Shiv Sena) and symbol (bow and arrow) from him and handed it to "traitors", an apparent reference to Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde.

"Now, the poll panel has asked us not to say 'Jai Bhavani'.



According to Thackeray, he has received a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remove the words "Jai Bhavani" and "Hindu" from his party's new anthem, but he won't abide by it.

"Democracy is still alive and Maha Vikas Aghadi is capable of protecting it. The INDIA bloc will win more than 300 seats as per the inputs we are getting. But the fight is not easy. We have to defeat dictatorship, and you should ensure your vote doesn't go to waste," the former chief minister added.

The MVA comprises Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Congress.

Thackeray also alleged the BJP treats turncoats who join that party depending on the scale of the scam they have committed.

"Those people whom the BJP accused of (being involved) in a Rs 70,000 crore scam have been given the keys of the state treasury," he said.



PM Modi had accused NCP leader Praful Patel of having links with (drug smuggler) Iqbal Mirchi but he is now given a clean chit in the Air India case, Thackeray said.

Patel, a former Civil Aviation Minister, sided with Ajit Pawar after he split the NCP last year.

"Now, Modi is happy to be close to him (Patel). What is your real face Modi ji?" Thackeray asked.
Surat, Apr 21 (PTI) The candidature of Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani from Surat Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat was rejected on Sunday after the district returning officer prima facie found discrepancies in the signature of the proposers.

The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress' substitute candidate from Surat, was also invalidated, pushing Gujarat's principal opposition party out of the poll fray in the city.

In his order, Returning Officer Sourabh Pardhi said the four nomination forms submitted by Kumbhani and Padsala were rejected after prima facie, discrepancies were found in the signatures of the proposers, and they did not appear genuine.

The proposers, in their affidavits, stated that they had not signed the forms themselves, Pardhi's order informed.

Confirming the development, the Congress party's lawyer Babu Mangukiya said, "Nomination forms of Dinesh Kumbhani and Suresh Padsala have been rejected after the four proposers said signatures on the forms were not theirs."

Mangukiya said the next course of action will be to approach the High Court and Supreme Court.

Dinesh Jodhani, the election agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Mukesh Dalal, had objected to the nomination forms on Saturday, after which the returning officer granted time to the Congress candidate to appear before it on Sunday morning to present his case.

In his reply, Kumbhani submitted that the proposers had put their signatures in his presence, and their signatures should be examined by a handwriting expert.

They also should be cross-examined for the benefit of justice, he said.

The returning officer ordered the rejection of the nomination forms after considering the affidavits submitted by the proposers and related evidence and after ascertaining the identity of the proposers and ensuring they were not threatened or were under pressure.

Even the presence of the signatories was not found in the video footage examined at the request of the Congress candidate's lawyer, the order stated.

The BJP has fielded Mukesh Dalal from the Surat Lok Sabha constituency.

Dalal (63) is a former standing committee chairman of the BJP-ruled Surat Municipal Corporation and currently serves as the general secretary of the party's Surat city unit.

In a related development, the nominations of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Bhavnagar Lok Sabha seat, Umesh Makwana, and Congress candidate for the Amreli Lok Sabha seat, Jenny Thummar, were accepted by the respective returning officers after hearing both sides.

The BJP had raised objections to the forms of the two candidates, claiming that they had hidden some details in their affidavit submitted along with their forms.

The Congress and AAP are in alliance to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat. The Congress has fielded candidates on 24 of 26 seats, while AAP is contesting from Bhavnagar and Bharuch.
Chandigarh, Apr 21 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday slammed the Congress, alleging there was regional bias and favouritism in jobs while corruption was rampant in all spheres when the party was in power in the state.

At a poll rally in Jhajjar, he claimed the Narendra Modi government initiated many schemes in the last 10 years for the benefit of the poor and farmers, bringing smiles to their faces.

On the other hand, the Congress in its six decades in power did nothing for poverty alleviation other than raising the 'garibi hathao' slogan, he alleged.

In a veiled jibe at Rahul Gandhi, the senior BJP leader said, "Now, Congress' 'yuvraj' says that he will eradicate poverty in one stroke. Which 'Aladdin Ka Chirag' (magic lamp) has he got now?"

Asserting that the Modi government's scheme benefitted all sections of the society, Saini said that across the country there is a consensus that "Ab ki baar 400 paar". Leaders of the ruling BJP have time and again exuded confidence that the NDA would win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP alone winning 370 seats.

He asserted that the country is moving ahead rapidly on the path of progress under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Canvassing for the BJP's sitting MP from Rohtak Arvind Sharma, who in 2019 defeated the Congress' Deepender Singh Hooda, the Haryana chief minister alleged that "regionalism and 'parivarvaad' flourished in Haryana when the Congress was in power.

"There was favouritism in giving jobs while corruption was rampant," the Senior BJP leader said.

With the opposition often targeting the BJP-led government in the state over the law-and-order situation while alleging that many traders have received ransom calls, Saini said criminals will not be spared.

Targeting Deepender Hooda, the probable candidate of the Congress in Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, Saini said that during campaigning he levelled false allegations.

Deepender had recently said people in Rohtak city had informed him that dirty water was being supplied to the residents while many areas were not getting water supply for months.

"The Congress leader here makes baseless allegations. Everyone knows what they did during their time. Be it Bahadurgarh, Rohtak, Sampla or Jhajjar, our mothers and sisters had to carry a pot of water on their heads and walk for kilometres. The BJP government has ensured clean drinking water in everyone's homes," he said.

On some traders receiving ransom calls, Saini said those indulging in such acts will have to face consequences.

"We want to warn such elements. We have given directions to the police that if anyone issues a threat over the phone, immediate action should be taken. People want peace, they want development.

"I want to assure the traders that they need be scared of anything. No one needs to be scared. We know very well how to teach a lesson to such people. There is no question of sparing them and they will be dealt with firmly," Saini asserted.

Polling for all the 10 seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase of general elections on May 25.
BUJUMBURA, April 21 (Xinhua) - - A landslide Friday evening killed one child, left nearly 2,500 people homeless after destroying 497 houses and completely damaged a hydropower dam in Gitaza zone, Muhuta district in the province of Rumonge, southwest Burundi, a local administration official told Xinhua on Saturday by phone.

"The worst affected village is Gabaniro. A four-year-old child died there and no house remains standing in that village. In total 497 houses were destroyed, leaving 2,485 people homeless during the landslide," said Abdul Ntiranyibagira, the private secretary of the governor province of Rumonge, who added that those damages are still provisional.

According to him, over 500 hectares of crop fields were also destroyed in the landslide in Gabaniro village and in the neighboring villages.

"The mountain slid and descended down the river Kirasa, completely damaging the Kirasa hydropower dam that provides electricity to the town of Mutumba in the same district of Muhuta. The landslide also completely destroyed all premises that will host the new hydropower dam project of Kirasa Energy," said Ntiranyibagira.

He indicated that the homeless people have been regrouped at the Gitaza Technical School.

"For security reasons, we have told all people who resided in Gabaniro village and others nearly villages threatened by landslides to leave the area and temporarily stay at the Gitaza Technical School as we monitor the situation," said Ntiranyibagira.

He indicated that besides the village of Gabaniro, other 14 nearby villages are also threatened by landslides.

The affected area is close to the National Road number Three (RN3) connecting Burundi's commercial capital to Rumonge town, quite near the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Earlier this week, the Burundian government and the United Nations system in Burundi issued a joint statement whereby Burundian Interior Minister Martin Niteretse called fo international support to flood victims.

"Between September 2023 and April 7, 2024, more than 200,000 people have been affected by the El Nino phenomenon including 20,000 people who have become homeless,"said Niteretse, adding that 40,000 hectares of crops were swept away. He said that Lake Tanganyika has been experiencing a spectacular rise of its water level in recent month due to the El Nino phenomenon.

"To reduce the suffering of affected communities, we call on the international community to contribute for sustainable solutions to support the communities to avoid El Nino consequences and to respond to their current needs," said Niteretse. 
Lucknow, Apr 21 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday said the violence on Ram Navami in non-BJP-ruled states is the outcome of "policies of appeasement".

"Be it the violence on Ram Navami or Holi, in non-BJP-ruled states including West Bengal, it is the bad outcome of the policies of appeasement and playing with the emotions of the majority community," Yogi told PTI Videos at his residence here.

"The vote bank politics in the name of appeasement has given birth to communal tensions like this. This is a matter of concern and a message to the people of the country," he said.

Adityanath questioned the ability of the non-BJP-ruled states to ensure the security of the "sisters and daughters" when they "fail" to provide security to the peaceful processions on Ram Navami.

He appealed to the voters to send a message across with their votes to the "so-called secular people and parties" who play with "our emotions".

Adityanath, a star campaigner for the BJP, will hold a rally in Chattisgarh. He said the people of Chhattisgarh are as happy over the construction of Ram temple as the people across the country.
Kasaragod (Kerala), Apr 21 (PTI) With the crucial Lok Sabha polls just five days away in the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday intensified his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing them of attempting to cover up the progresses achieved by the state with "lies".







Modi and Gandhi have a similar voice while speaking against the southern state, he told a press conference in Kanhangadu here.

"A strange phenomenon is happening now in which the Prime Minister and the all India leader of the main opposition party are trying in unison to cover up the state (Kerala) and the progress it achieved with lies," the Chief Minister alleged.

Targeting Modi for his recent remarks against the state government, Vijayan said the Prime Minister had mentioned the other day that corruption thrives in Kerala like in Bihar.

Through the statement, the PM is insulting two states at one go, he said.

Rejecting Modi's charge, the Left leader said it is well known that Kerala is the least corrupt state in the country and the recognition in this regard was given to it by the recent India Corruption Survey jointly conducted by the Centre for Media Studies, Transparency International and Local Circles.

"Beyond that, what authentic report does the Prime Minister have to insult Kerala?" Vijayan asked.

Attacking the BJP-led union government over the poor allocations to the states, he said the distribution of funds through financial commissions is not the bounty of anyone.

He also accused Modi of putting pressure upon the financial commissions who have the constitutional rights to take independent decisions on allocations to the states.

Stating that the allocation of central funds is the constitutional right of states, he said the approach of the Centre is to interfere in the topics and criteria under the consideration of the Commission and deny Kerala the amount it deserves.

Vijayan claimed that there is a favourable wave for the LDF in the state during the ongoing campaign for Lok Sabha polls and the BJP and the Congress are worried about this.

Lok Sabha polls are scheduled on April 26 in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21 (PTI) The Congress in Kerala on Saturday lodged a complaint with the Press Council of India (PCI) against the ruling CPI(M)'s mouthpiece in the state for allegedly publishing fake news about its leaders.

The Congress alleged that the CPI(M) mouthpiece carried an article on April 18 accusing it of carrying out an obscene campaign against Left candidates.







A caricature, published along with the report, features photos of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President, Leader of Opposition in Kerala, UDF Candidate of Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, and others holding a digital device, indicating that they were spreading "extremely derogatory morphed porn videos", it alleged.





The complaint was lodged by Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan.







Alleging that the article was intended to malign and destroy the opposition leaders in Kerala, he further charged that it was "political in nature", with the goal of gaining an unfair edge in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.







The LoP, in the complaint, sought urgent action against the CPI(M) mouthpiece for publishing "extremely derogatory, indecent, and baseless news" against the Indian National Congress and its leaders by invoking Section 14 of the Press Council Act 1978.





The LoP's complaint has come in the wake of an ongoing war of words between leaders of the CPI(M) and the Congress over an alleged social media campaign against the popular LDF Lok Sabha poll candidate in Vatakara, former health minister K K Shailaja.
Aligarh, Apr 21 (PTI) Campaigning in Aligarh is subdued with major parties focusing on their core support bases. In the Muslim community, views on this Lok Sabha election seem to vary, with some seeing it as crucial for India's pluralism while others feel neglected by political parties.

Muslims are a sizeable community in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency. According to the 2011 Census, Islam is the second-most popular religion in Aligarh city, a lock-making hub in western Uttar Pradesh, with over 40 per cent of people following it.

"For me, this election is about safeguarding the Constitution, which grants me and everyone else in this country the right to equality," Shadab Khan, a 45-year-old driver at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said.

Many others in Aligarh's Muslim community echoed his sentiment.

Syed Aamir, a worker at a local eatery in the city's Shamshad market, described this election as a matter of survival for pluralism in India.

"If we don't vote now, we may lose this chance forever," Aamir said.

There is also a sense of disillusionment among some Muslim voters as well, such as Mohammad Shiraz from Aligarh's Civil Lines area who feels overlooked by political parties.

"The ruling party doesn't need our vote and the opposition assumes we have no choice but to vote for them. That is why even though the elections are just a few days away, no party worker has approached us, let alone candidates," Shiraz said, highlighting a perceived lack of engagement from political actors.

Amid all this, election campaigning in Aligarh remains relatively subdued, with candidates from major parties like the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) focusing heavily on specific demographic groups.

The BJP's incumbent MP Satish Gautam is prioritising outreach to the trader community, a traditional support base for his party, while the SP is concentrating on mobilising support from Jat villages.

"Our alliance is fighting on Hindu-Muslim unity in Aligarh, that goes without saying, but just like in exams, you concentrate more on tough subjects. We are doing the same but we carry the welfare of the Muslim community in our hearts," a Samajwadi Party functionary told PTI.

Mohammad Sajjad, a professor at AMU's history department, that in the current atmosphere of "majoritarian consolidation", minority voters often feel redundant. He felt that issues such as economic inequality and religious pluralism have been overshadowing.

"The way majoritarian consolidation has been observed for many years, the question is not about Muslim votes anymore. It is about whether Hindu voters should lean towards Hindutva or a pluralist and tolerant Hinduism. Whether they will vote based on economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, economic inequality or solely on matters of religious supremacism," he told PTI.

"This decision will ultimately be made by the majority community; the minority of 10-12 per cent does not retain such specific importance. This is something the Hindus have to decide," Sajjad added.

AMU, one of India's largest residential universities, stands as a focal point in this narrative.

According to academic experts like Dr Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, the institution embodies India's secular and pluralistic ethos but also faces the challenge of adapting to evolving democratic and societal demands.

"Muslims have never voted as a conservative block as they have been labelled to. They have not voted en-masse... but they vote for those who can best conserve and foster their culture which they have been brought up into and that is the plural culture," Ansari said.

"Even at AMU, the perception of Muslims of having conservative mindset or that they have the herd mentality is not the fact here they have been very open-minded," the associate professor at the political science department told PTI.

Professor Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi also expressed similar views, saying there is not a single Muslim here who can be termed "anti-national".

"The Muslims here would talk about their rights and doing that does not make you anti-national," he said.

Aligarh goes to poll in the second phase of elections on April 26. Khair, Baroli, Atroli, Kol and Aligarh city are assembly segments in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency.
New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) The police here on Saturday said they have busted a gang allegedly involved in manufacturing counterfeit airbags of top car models with the arrest of three accused from Central Delhi.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) Harsha Vardhan, a team of special staff raided two workshops near Mata Sundari Road where the accused were manufacturing counterfeit airbags of top car companies.

The three persons who were arrested from the workshops have been identified as Faizan (26), Mohd. Faraz and Furkan, both aged 35 years, he said.

"Twelve airbags of MG, 13 of BMW, 22 of Citroen, 23 of Nissan, 27 of Renault, 17 of Volkswagen, 20 of Mahindra, 14 of Toyota, 32 of Tata, 39 of Honda, 57 of Skoda and 66 of Hundai cars were seized from one godown," the DCP said.

At least 86 airbags of Suzuki, 12 of KIA, eight of Ford, three of Volvo, 15 airbags without a logo and 109 raw materials were seized from the other workshop, he said.

Police said a case has been registered against the accused and further interrogations were underway.
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The New York State Legislature on Friday came to an agreement with Governor Hochul on a budget for 2024-25. The budget contains several significant gains for the families of New Yorks yeshivas and other non-public schools, including major legislative priorities of Agudah.

In light of the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas last October 7th in Israel and the corresponding increase in antisemitism in the United States, security became the number one issue on the minds of both parents and school leaders. Security no longer became an option or a luxury, but a necessity. Many yeshivas have a large percentage of students on scholarships and often have to choose between educational enhancements and security upgrades. As a result, Agudah supported an effort to increase the states non-public school security program from the current $45 million. This critical initiative was led by Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi and was the primary focus of Agudahs three lobby days. Thankfully, the Legislature prioritized the safety of all students and allocated $70 million, an increase of over 50%. The budget also retains an additional allocation of $35 million in competitive grants for non-profit organizations at risk for hate crimes.

Another focus was the Mandated Services Program (MSA) which reimburses schools for services they provide at the behest of the state such as attendance taking, pupil data, testing, and similar items. Last years budget fell short of the full allocation and schools received 4% less than claims submitted and the non-public schools originally anticipated a similar shortfall for the current school year. Thankfully, the executive budget allocated over $239 million for MSA-CAP claims, which will likely make up for the two-year shortfall as well as fund all of the upcoming reimbursements. Agudath Israel thanks the Legislature for keeping the governors allocation in the final budget.

These legislative achievements are a testament to the efforts of the many grassroots supporters who visited Albany, met with legislators in the district, or sent emails to their elected officials. Agudah is also privileged to work with other nonpublic school advocates such as Teach NYS, the NYS Catholic Conference and the Jewish Education Project.

This is a budget we can be proud of, said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations, who led the Agudah advocacy efforts. Increased security funding and mandated services will benefit the students in every yeshiva and non-public school across the state. We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul, Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie and all our champions in the Legislature for recognizing and meeting the needs of the non-public school community.
JAKARTA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- "Few cities in history have won so many hearts and minds as Bandung," the late Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, Soong Ching Ling, commented on the Indonesian city.

The historic Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, was held in the city on April 18, 1955. It marked the first time that the countries of the Global South united to oppose imperialism and colonialism in defense of their sovereign rights and a more equitable world.

Leaders and representatives of 29 Asian and African countries, which had just won independence after decades of being ruthlessly deprived by Western colonists, proposed the Bandung Spirit with "solidarity, friendship and cooperation" at the core, initiating the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation.

Today, almost seven decades after the conference, the Bandung Spirit carries on, inspiring countries in the Global South to embark on a new path of common development through win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and other platforms.

BIRTH OF NEW ASIA, NEW AFRICA

Situated 768 meters above sea level, Bandung has cooler year-round temperatures than most other Indonesian cities. During the Dutch colonial period, it was known as the "Paris of Java."

In 1809, to improve Java Island's defense system and facilitate the transportation of soldiers and supplies, Herman Willem Daendels, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, ordered the construction of a road stretching about 1,000 km across Java Island from west to east, which would later be renamed Asia-Africa Street.

At the opening ceremony of the Asian-African Conference, in a three-story milky white building on the side of the street, Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, appealed for awakening on behalf of the Southern countries.

"This is the first intercontinental conference of people of color in human history," noted Sukarno in his speech.

"Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one must be eradicated from the earth," he said.

"I hope that it will give evidence of the fact that we Asian and African leaders understand that Asia and Africa can prosper only when they are united, and that even the safety of the world at large cannot be safeguarded without a united Asia-Africa," he added. "I hope that this conference will give guidance to mankind, will point out to mankind the way which it must take to attain safety and peace. I hope that it will give evidence that Asia and Africa have been reborn, nay, that a New Asia and a New Africa have been born."

Then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who led a Chinese delegation to attend the conference, proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. These principles became a crucial component of the Bandung Spirit and were later accepted by the vast majority of countries worldwide as the basic norms of international relations and the basic principles of international law.

"The Bandung Conference in 1955 can be seen as a symbolic moment. At this time, the non-Western world loudly said that it must be taken seriously in world politics," wrote American historian Immanuel Wallerstein.

"TREACHERY, BRIBERY, MASSACRE, MEANNESS"

Colonialism was the starting point of the primitive accumulation of capital in the West. European colonists who believed in white supremacy and the law of the jungle invaded Africa, the Americas and Asia, where they slaughtered and plundered wildly, causing waves of bloodshed.

In 1619, the Netherlands seized Jayakarta, the trading center on Java Island, and renamed it Batavia, which is today's Jakarta. The Dutch took Batavia as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the East and used it as a stronghold to colonize Indonesia. By the middle of the 17th century, the VOC's trade volume accounted for nearly half of the total global trade at that time.

"The history of the colonial administration of Holland is one of the most extraordinary relations of treachery, bribery, massacre, and meanness ... Wherever they set foot, devastation and depopulation followed. Banjuwangi, a province of Java, in 1750 numbered over 80,000 inhabitants, in 1811 only 18,000," wrote Karl Marx in his book "Capital."

In its nearly 200-year history, the VOC was involved in about 800 armed conflicts, large and small.

Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who twice served as Governor-General of the VOC during its early years, was known for his ruthlessness. In 1621, in order to monopolize the nutmeg trade, he ordered the massacre of most of the 15,000 residents of the Banda Islands. He was then known as the "Butcher of Banda" by the locals.

In 1830, the Dutch colonial authorities introduced the "Cultivation System," requiring locals to use 20 percent of their land to cultivate export cash crops such as indigo, coffee, and sugar. The colonial authorities expropriated so much land that the locals had almost no land to grow food crops, leading to mass starvation.

"The Dutch colonial rulers who took over these islands, like the Dutch East India Company in the past, were only interested in making money and did not care about the lives of the local people," wrote British writer Elizabeth Pisani in her book "Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation."

"They cut down the jungles of Sumatra to plant rubber trees and cocoa trees. They eradicated jungles in Java, Sulawesi and other islands to obtain coffee, tea, sugar and tobacco. They vigorously developed land to dig tin mines, gold mines and oil. For a period, the Dutch drew half of its national income from Indonesia."

During its over 300 years of colonial rule, the Dutch always played the role of predators and pursued a barbaric approach of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. This has led to the abnormal development of the Indonesian economy and has completely reduced it to a raw material supplier for the Dutch.

BAMBOO SPEARS

The West Java People's Struggle Monument is erected in northern Bandung. The monument's 17 basalt steps, 45-meter-diameter platform and eight towering bamboo-shaped stone pillars were specially designed to commemorate the day of Indonesia's independence, Aug. 17, 1945.

Mohamed Rikrik, a narrator of the monument, said that in the Sundanese culture of West Java, bamboo represents freedom. The stone pillars were built in the shape of a bamboo spear because bamboo spears were the primary weapon used by the Indonesian people to fight against the colonists.

In the first half of the 20th century, the oppressed people of Asia gradually awakened, and the Indonesians' calls for independence became increasingly louder.

In 1908, a native nationalist political society named Budi Utomo was formed. In 1912, the first political party, the Islamic Association, was established.

"A significant development is the spread of the revolutionary democratic movement to the Dutch East Indies, to Java and the other Dutch colonies, with a population of some 40 million ... the age-old despotism and tyranny of the Dutch Government now meet with resolute resistance and protest from the masses of the native population," Vladimir Lenin wrote in his article "The Awakening of Asia" in 1913.

ROOSTER CROWS BECAUSE SUN RISES

Built in 1907, the Indonesia Indictment Museum in Bandung was first used by the Dutch colonial authorities to try anti-Dutch people.

"This is where Sukarno stood for trial. In the two-day trial, Sukarno successfully defended himself," said Dede Ahmad, the museum's narrator.

In 1927, Sukarno and others formed the Indonesian National Association, later renamed the Indonesian National Party, to strive for national independence. Two years later, the Dutch colonial authorities arrested Sukarno on charges of "launching a rebellion."

During the trial, Sukarno delivered a lengthy defense speech entitled "Indonesia Accuses," enumerating the crimes of the Dutch colonists and advocating the Indonesian people's just struggle for national independence.

"In fact, the sun does not rise because the rooster crows, but the rooster crows because the sun rises! The truth is, in Indonesia as well, the national movement was born out of imperialism, which was idolized by the ruling class, and not least from the economic drainage system that has been operating in the country for centuries. Imperialism is a principal instigator and a principal criminal who incites rebellion, therefore bring imperialism to justice!" Sukarno said in his defense speech.

Sukarno's voice of justice aroused enthusiastic responses from the Indonesians and panic from the Dutch colonists. He was sentenced to four years in jail and sent to Bandung prison.

Sukarno became Indonesia's first president after independence in 1945 and successfully led the Indonesian people to defeat the Dutch colonialists' attempt to recolonize Indonesia through war.

He asserted that colonialists would not be willing to accept defeat in Asia and Africa, and newly founded countries must unite to oppose colonialism and imperialism.

In 1955, the Asian-African Conference initiated by Sukarno and others was successfully held on Asia-Africa Street, only 1 km away from the trial site where "Indonesia Accuses" was delivered. This conference symbolized the awakening and unity of the people of Asia and Africa.

MUTUAL DEVELOPMENT

"We have all witnessed the injustice of the current world economic order. We must reject trade discrimination. Downstream industrial development must not be hindered. We must continue to speak out for equal and inclusive cooperation," said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

In late August 2023, at the BRICS leaders' meeting in Johannesburg South Africa, Widodo called on countries in the Global South to unite, safeguard their rights to development, and oppose actions that hinder progress.

Bandung's Tegalluar railway station was inaugurated on Sept. 7 last year. It is one of the four stations in the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative jointly built by Indonesia and China.

The high-speed rail has shortened the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from over three hours to 40 minutes, bolstering economic activities and job opportunities.

"I am very happy, and the Indonesian people are also very happy because our high-speed railway is the only one in Southeast Asia. With this infrastructure, we can lay the foundation for progress. The most important thing is, it will also enhance Indonesia's national competitiveness," Widodo said before the commercial operation of the railway.

Bambang Suryono, president of the Jakarta-based think tank Nanyang ASEAN Foundation, said that Western countries have achieved their modernization through enslaving and exploiting other countries, devastating the people of those countries.

"Through solidarity and cooperation with China, Indonesia participates in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and achieves mutual development. This proves that countries in the Global South can embark on a new development path," he added.

HAND IN HAND, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

On April 22, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech entitled "Carry Forward the Bandung Spirit for Win-win Cooperation" at the Asian-African Summit held in Indonesia.

"Sixty years ago, leaders from 29 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference, giving birth to the Bandung Spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, galvanizing the national liberation movement that swept across Asia, Africa and Latin America, and accelerating the global process of decolonization," Xi said in his speech.

"The Bandung Spirit under the new circumstances retains strong vitality. We must carry forward the Bandung Spirit by enriching it with new elements consistent with changing times, by pushing for a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation, by promoting a more just and equitable international order and system," and by building a community with a shared future for humanity so as to bring about even greater benefits to the people in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, he said.

In Bandung today, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway trains speed by, embodying the Bandung Spirit of "solidarity, friendship, and cooperation" in the new era.

Indonesian musician Andy Qiu wrote a song, "Move Forward to Realize Your Dreams," for the railway. As the lyrics go, "Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, as long as we are united, nothing is impossible." 
President Joe Biden on Saturday signed legislation reauthorizing a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans data nearly forced the statute to lapse.

Barely missing its midnight deadline, the Senate had approved the bill by a 60-34 vote hours earlier with bipartisan support, extending for two years the program known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Biden thanked congressional leaders for their work.

In the nick of time, we are reauthorizing FISA right before it expires at midnight, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said when voting on final passage began 15 minutes before the deadline. All day long, we persisted and we persisted in trying to reach a breakthrough and in the end, we have succeeded.

U.S. officials have said the surveillance tool, first authorized in 2008 and renewed several times since then, is crucial in disrupting terrorist attacks, cyber intrusions, and foreign espionage and has also produced intelligence that the U.S. has relied on for specific operations, such as the 2022 killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

If you miss a key piece of intelligence, you may miss some event overseas or put troops in harms way, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said. You may miss a plot to harm the country here, domestically, or somewhere else. So in this particular case, theres real-life implications.

The proposal would renew the program, which permits the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country to gather foreign intelligence. The reauthorization faced a long and bumpy road to final passage Friday after months of clashes between privacy advocates and national security hawks pushed consideration of the legislation to the brink of expiration.

Though the spy program was technically set to expire at midnight, the Biden administration had said it expected its authority to collect intelligence to remain operational for at least another year, thanks to an opinion earlier this month from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which receives surveillance applications.

Still, officials had said that court approval shouldnt be a substitute for congressional authorization, especially since communications companies could cease cooperation with the government if the program is allowed to lapse.

Hours before the law was set to expire, U.S. officials were already scrambling after two major U.S. communication providers said they would stop complying with orders through the surveillance program, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations.

Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the reauthorization and reiterated how indispensable the tool is to the Justice Department.

This reauthorization of Section 702 gives the United States the authority to continue to collect foreign intelligence information about non-U.S. persons located outside the United States, while at the same time codifying important reforms the Justice Department has adopted to ensure the protection of Americans privacy and civil liberties, Garland said in a statement Saturday.

But despite the Biden administrations urging and classified briefings to senators this week on the crucial role they say the spy program plays in protecting national security, a group of progressive and conservative lawmakers who were agitating for further changes had refused to accept the version of the bill the House sent over last week.

The lawmakers had demanded that Schumer, D-N.Y., allow votes on amendments to the legislation that would seek to address what they see as civil liberty loopholes in the bill. In the end, Schumer was able to cut a deal that would allow critics to receive floor votes on their amendments in exchange for speeding up the process for passage.

The six amendments ultimately failed to garner the necessary support on the floor to be included in the final passage.

One of the major changes detractors had proposed centered around restricting the FBIs access to information about Americans through the program. Though the surveillance tool only targets non-Americans in other countries, it also collects communications of Americans when they are in contact with those targeted foreigners. Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the chamber, had been pushing a proposal that would require U.S. officials to get a warrant before accessing American communications.

If the government wants to spy on my private communications or the private communications of any American, they should be required to get approval from a judge, just as our Founding Fathers intended in writing the Constitution, Durbin said.

In the past year, U.S. officials have revealed a series of abuses and mistakes by FBI analysts in improperly querying the intelligence repository for information about Americans or others in the U.S., including a member of Congress and participants in the racial justice protests of 2020 and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

But members on both the House and Senate intelligence committees as well as the Justice Department warned requiring a warrant would severely handicap officials from quickly responding to imminent national security threats.

I think that is a risk that we cannot afford to take with the vast array of challenges our nation faces around the world, said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

(AP)
During an appearance on the Democracy Docket podcast on Friday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made some outrageous remarks. Speaking with host Marc Elias, a Democratic election lawyer and the general counsel for her 2016 presidential campaign, Clinton discussed how in her view, Trump is modeling his behavior on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Clinton described Trumps outlook as alarmingly authoritarian, suggesting he would prefer a governance style akin to Putins, involving suppression of opposition through extreme measures.

Trump was like, you know, just gaga over Putin because Putin does what Trump would like to do: Kill his opposition, imprison his opposition, drive journalists and others into exile, rule without any check or balance, Clinton said.

Thats what Trump really wants, she continued. And so we have to be very conscious of how he sees the world because, in that world, he only sees strongmen leaders. He sees Putin, he sees Xi, he sees Kim Jong-un in North Korea. Those are the people he is modeling himself after, and weve been down this road in our, you know, world history. We sure dont want to go down that again.

My view, having negotiated with Putin, and knowing one of the reasons he went after me is because he knew I would deal with him in an appropriate way, and Trump would basically do whatever he wanted, its really important to think about what could happen to our world with Trump back in the White House, Clinton told Elias in Fridays podcast.

Withdrawing us from NATO, not caring about what happens with Europe  The idea that he wants Ukraine to fail. The idea that he doesnt want us to be able to surveil our enemies. This is a very scary prospect, she said, referencing some Republican opposition to the Ukraine aid bill moving through Congress and the FISA surveillance reauthorization legislation that Trump opposed.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr, Chaplain Rabbi Moshe Rotberg members of the Lakewood Fire Department, and the Office of the Ocean County Fire Marshall remind the community to be aware of the hazards involved in a Chametz Burning experience.

Only the following sites, open Monday April 22 from 7:00 a.m. to Noon, have authorized by the Ocean County Fire Marshals Office:

Parking Lot of Jersey Shore BlueClaws Stadium; Patrick Park  1000 Vine Street; Dzio Park  New Hampshire Avenue & Locust Street; 175 Sunset Road  Khal Zichron Yaakov; Private Way and 7th Street  BMG; Clifton Avenue and 10th Street  BMG; Frank Bartolf Park  Brook Road; and Pine Park.

Be mindful of the following hazards in the Chametz Burning experience:

Only plan to burn Chametz, not anything else. Throwing garbage into the fires contributes to larger than necessary fires that increase the risk of injury.

DO NOT throw any flammable or combustible items into the fire or any bottles, both glass and plastic, because these may explode and lead to glass and metal shards being spewed into the crowd.

DO NOT throw any cans (i.e., baked beans, soups, etc.) into the fire because these may explode and lead to hot liquid being sprayed into the crowd.

DO NOT wrap your bread in silver foil because it will not burn.

Maintain a safe distance of at least 15 feet to avoid the risk of injury or exposure to flames. A sudden wind direction change can result in the fire changing direction.

Children should always remain supervised to prevent accidents or burns.

Follow the instructions from the firefighters and police officers, move away from the fire once items have been thrown in to keep the area close to the fire from overcrowding.

The Fire Department reminds everyone that unauthorized burns are illegal; however, if you must burn the Chometz on your own, only use a portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other noncombustible material. Fireplaces (i.e., fire pits, chimneys, charcoal barbecue grill, etc.) shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and shall not be placed within 15 feet of a structure (i.e.: house, shed, deck, etc.) or combustible material.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the bill would further ruin Ukraine and cause more deaths.

Ukrainian leaders and analysts say the long-awaited $61 billion military aid package  including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons  will help slow Russias incremental advances in the wars third year  but that more will likely be needed for Kyiv to regain the offensive.

The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without U.S. funding, said that he was grateful for the decision of U.S. lawmakers.

Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, Zelenskyy said that the aid package would send the Kremlin a powerful signal that (Ukraine) will not be the second Afghanistan.

Zelenskyy told NBC that the aid has to end up in tangible weapon systems, highlighting that Ukraine would prioritize long-range weapons and air defense. These, he said, would enable Ukraine to break the plans of Russia in an expected full-scale offensive, for which Ukrainian forces are preparing.

The aid package will go to the U.S. Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

It still could take weeks for it to reach the front line, where it is desperately needed.

Responding to a question on the timelines for Ukraine continuing to need such aid packages, the Ukrainian president drew attention to previous delays to promised support. It depends on when we actually get weapons on the ground, Zelenskyy told NBC.

The decision to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, we had it a year ago, he said. A year has passed. We still dont have the jets in Ukraine.

With this we can stop (Russian troops) and reduce our losses, said infantry soldier Oleksandr. He has been fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid holdup over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk.

The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times, Oleksandr told The Associated Press. He didnt give his full name for security reasons. Not having enough ammunition means we cant cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.

In Kyiv, many welcomed the U.S. vote as a piece of good news after a tough period that has seen Russia grind out gains along the front line, and step up attacks on Ukraines energy system and other infrastructure.

I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event, said Kateryna Ruda, 43.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers have nothing to protect us.

They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the center of our city, the 26-year-old said.

Other Western leaders, who have been scrambling to come up with ways to fill the gap left by stalled U.S. military aid, also lauded the aid package.

Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

Her statement was echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it a strong signal in these times.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson, while also noting the holdup in Congress. Better late than too late. And I hope it is not too late for Ukraine, he wrote on X.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday called the approval of aid to Ukraine expected and predictable.

The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime, Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation, Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War said the logistics of getting U.S. assistance to the front line would mean that Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for U.S. security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilize the front.

But they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed U.S. assistance arrives promptly, it said in its latest assessment of the conflict.

Olexiy Haran, professor of comparative politics at the National University of Kyiv-Mohlya Academy, said that Ukraine was grateful for aid from the U.S. and other Western countries, but the problem is, frankly speaking, its too late and its not enough.

This is the third year of the war and we still dont have aviation, new aviation. We dont have enough missiles, so we cannot close the skies. Moreover, recently we didnt have even artillery shells, he said.

Thats why the situation was very, very difficult and the Russians used it to start their counteroffensive, or offensive. So thats why it is so important for us. And definitely if wed received it half a year before, we would have saved the lives of many Ukrainians, civilians included.

Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said that the aid, while welcome, can probably only help stabilize the Ukrainian position for this year and begin preparations for operations in 2025.

Predictability of funding through 2024 and into 2025 will help the Ukrainians plan the defense this year, especially if European supplies of ammunition also come through, but further planning and funds will be required for 2025, and we have a U.S. election between now and then, he said.

On the ground, Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that its troops had taken control of the village of Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials havent yet commented on the announcement.

One person was killed and four other people were wounded in Russian shelling in Ukrainsk, according to the prosecutors office in Ukraines partially occupied Donetsk region.

Two suspects were detained Sunday after two Ukrainian soldiers killed a police officer at a checkpoint in the countrys Vinnytsia region.

The soldiers opened fire on Maksym Zaretskyi, 20, in the early hours of Saturday morning after he stopped their car for a routine inspection. Zaretskyis partner was wounded, but survived the attack.

The head of Ukraines National Police, Ivan Vyhovsky, said Sunday that the suspects  a father and son, ages 52 and 26  were detained in Ukraines Odesa region.

(AP)
The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias invasion.

With an overwhelming vote, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes, a strong showing as American lawmakers race to deliver a fresh round of U.S. support to the war-torn ally. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved blue-and-yellow flags of Ukraine.

This included $17 billion in defense aid to Israel, and some $9 billion providing humanitarian relief to people in Gaza as well as other war-torn regions.

The Senate is expected to pass the measure next week, sending it to Biden to sign into law.

Of the aid to Israel, some $5.2 billion will go toward replenishing and expanding Israels missile and rocket defense system; another $3.5 billion will go to purchasing advanced weapons systems; $1 billion to enhance weapons production; $4.4 billion for other defense supplies and services provided to Israel; and some $2.4 billion to US operations in the region amid the Gaza war.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago. US leaders from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell have been urging embattled Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote.

We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well, said a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked his own job to marshal the package to passage.

Biden, in a statement, thanked Johnson, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who voted to put our national security first.

I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs, the president said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he was grateful to both parties in the House and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Thank you, America! he said.

The scene in Congress was a striking display of action after months of dysfunction and stalemate fueled by Republicans, who hold the majority but are deeply split over foreign aid, particularly for Ukraine. Johnson relied on Democrats to ensure the military and humanitarian funding  the first major package for Ukraine since December 2022  won approval.

The morning opened with a somber and serious debate and an unusual sense of purpose as Republican and Democratic leaders united to urge quick approval, saying that would ensure the United States supported its allies and remained a leader on the world stage. The Houses visitor galleries were crowded with onlookers.

The eyes of the world are upon us, and history will judge what we do here and now, said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Passage through the House cleared away the biggest hurdle to Bidens funding request, first made in October as Ukraines military supplies began to run low.

The GOP-controlled House struggled for months over what to do, first demanding that any assistance for Ukraine be tied to policy changes at the U.S.-Mexico border, only to immediately reject a bipartisan Senate offer along those very lines.

Reaching an endgame has been an excruciating lift for Johnson that has tested both his resolve and his support among Republicans, with a small but growing number now openly urging his removal from the speakers office. Yet congressional leaders cast the votes as a turning point in history  an urgent sacrifice as U.S. allies are beleaguered by wars and threats from continental Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.

Sometimes when you are living history, as we are today, you dont understand the significance of the actions of the votes that we make on this House floor, of the effect that it will have down the road, said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This is a historic moment.

Opponents, particularly the hard-right Republicans from Johnsons majority, argued that the U.S. should focus on the home front, addressing domestic border security and the nations rising debt load, and they warned against spending more money, which largely flows to American defense manufacturers, to produce weaponry used overseas.

Still, Congress has seen a stream of world leaders visit in recent months, from Zelenskyy to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, all but pleading with lawmakers to approve the aid. Globally, the delay left many questioning Americas commitment to its allies.

At stake has been one of Bidens top foreign policy priorities  halting Russian President Vladimir Putins advance in Europe. After engaging in quiet talks with Johnson, the president quickly endorsed Johnsons plan, paving the way for Democrats to give their rare support to clear the procedural hurdles needed for a final vote.

We have a responsibility, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans to defend democracy wherever it is at risk, Jeffries said during the debate.

While aid for Ukraine failed to win a majority of Republicans, several dozen progressive Democrats voted against the bill aiding Israel as they demanded an end to the bombardment of Gaza that has killed thousands of civilians. A group of roughly 20 hard-right Republicans voted against every portion of the aid package, including for allies like Israel and Taiwan that have traditionally enjoyed support from the GOP.

At the same time, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has loomed large over the fight, weighing in from afar via social media statements and direct phone calls with lawmakers as he tilts the GOP to a more isolationist stance with his America First brand of politics.

Ukraines defense once enjoyed robust, bipartisan support in Congress, but as the war enters its third year, a majority of Republicans opposed further aid. Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., offered an amendment to zero out the money, but it was rejected.

The ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus has derided the legislation as the America Last foreign wars package and urged lawmakers to defy Republican leadership and oppose it because the bills did not include border security measures.

Johnsons hold on the speakers gavel has also grown more tenuous in recent days as three Republicans, led by Greene, supported a motion to vacate that can lead to a vote on removing the speaker. Egged on by far-right personalities, she is also being joined by a growing number of lawmakers including Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who is urging Johnson to voluntarily step aside.

The package included several Republican priorities that Democrats endorsed, or at least are willing to accept. Those include proposals that allow the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine; impose sanctions on Iran, Russia, China and criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl; and legislation to require the China-based owner of the popular video app TikTok to sell its stake within a year or face a ban in the United States.

Still, the all-out push to get the bills through Congress is a reflection not only of politics, but realities on the ground in Ukraine. Top lawmakers on national security committees, who are privy to classified briefings, have grown gravely concerned about the tide of the war as Russia pummels Ukrainian forces beset by a shortage of troops and ammunition.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the Senate would begin procedural votes on the package Tuesday, saying, Our allies across the world have been waiting for this moment.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, as he prepared to overcome objections from his right flank next week, said, The task before us is urgent. It is once again the Senates turn to make history.

(AP)
The Biden administration is expected to impose sanctions on the Israeli Defense Forces Netzach Yehuda battalion, accusing it of human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Axios. This unprecedented action marks the first time the U.S. has sanctioned an IDF unit.

The Netzach Yehuda battalion has been embroiled in controversy since the 2022 incident involving the death of Omar Asad. Asad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American, died after being detained by members of the battalion.

Despite relocating the battalion from the West Bank to northern Israel in December 2022, Israeli officials deny that the move was a response to misconduct.

The U.S. decision has prompted sharp criticism from Israeli leaders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his disapproval on X, emphasizing his efforts to prevent sanctions against Israeli nationals and criticizing the timing of the sanctions as Israeli soldiers confront threats. He described the sanctions as a moral low and vowed to oppose them.

The IDF must not be sanctioned! he wrote on X. Ive been working in recent weeks against the sanctioning of Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with the American administration.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz also criticized the move, stating that the Netzach Yehuda battalion adheres to military and international laws and is essential to the IDF. He argued that the sanctions set a dangerous precedent and undermine the partnership between Israel and the U.S., promising to take steps to block the sanctions.

The decision to target Netzach Yehuda was reportedly based on incidents that occurred prior to October 7, as part of an investigation that also reviewed other military and police units. While other units were not sanctioned, it was noted that they had made necessary adjustments in their conduct, according to an administration official.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced intentions to reassess relations with the United States following the U.S. veto of the Palestinian bid for full membership in the United Nations. This statement was made during an interview with the official WAFA news agency, which reported the news in Arabic but omitted it from the English translation of what it termed an exclusive interview.

Abbas expressed strong disapproval of U.S. actions, accusing America of persistently supporting what he called the occupation of Palestinian territories. He criticized the U.S. for providing Israel with military support and for opposing Palestinian interests in international venues, actions he claims undermine regional security and stability.

The United States has violated international laws and forsaken all commitments to the two-state solution and peace efforts in the region, Abbas stated. He also accused the Biden administration of failing to fulfill its promises regarding the cessation of what he alleges is Israels appropriation of Palestinian funds, which he sees as crucial for regional stability.

In his remarks, Abbas highlighted the significance of Jerusalem, emphasizing its importance to both Islam and Christianity, and declared it a red line not to be crossed, notably omitting any reference to Judaisms historical connections to the city.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Hamas is reportedly exploring options for relocating its political headquarters from Qatar, as it faces increasing pressure to reach a hostage-release agreement.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the group has engaged with officials from two Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, considering potential new bases. This development arises amid concerns that a Hamas departure could destabilize the already precarious ceasefire talks aimed at releasing hostages taken on October 7. Qatar has played a pivotal role as a mediator since hosting Hamas leaders since 2012, an arrangement supported by the United States.

Recently, tensions have escalated with calls from U.S. and Israeli officials for the Biden administration to reassess ties with Qatar over its associations with Hamas, prompting Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad al-Thani to reconsider Qatars mediating role due to criticism of its involvement.

In a rare public comment on Friday, CIA chief Bill Burns placed the blame on Hamas for the deadlocked negotiations, saying the terror group had rejected the latest proposal.

It was a deep disappointment to get a negative reaction from Hamas, Burns said at an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

Right now, its that negative reaction that really is standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need, he said.

And it breaks your heart because you can see in very human terms whats at stake here as well, he said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The US Air Force has quietly deployed a new weapon capable of destroying the electronics of Irans nuclear facilities without causing any fatalities, the Daily Mail reports.

The Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) uses high-power microwaves to render electronic devices useless, making it an ideal weapon for targeting nuclear facilities without causing collateral damage.

The missiles, built by Boeings Phantom Works, were first tested successfully in 2012 and became operational in 2019. They are fitted into an air-launched cruise missile and delivered from B-52 bombers, with a range of 700 miles and the ability to fly at low altitude. The microwave weapons emit sharp pulses of high power microwave energy, frying computer chips and disabling electronic devices.

The project has been advancing secretly since the successful test in 2012, which took down a compounds entire spectrum of electronic systems without damaging anything else. The missiles are designed to penetrate bunkers and underground facilities, making them ideal for targeting command and control centers, nuclear facilities, and other military targets.

The deployment of CHAMP missiles comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, with Israel conducting strikes in Iran in retaliation for Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile assault earlier this week. The US has warned that further attacks could plunge the Middle East further into conflict.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Wall Street Journal reveals that US President Joe Biden and security officials observed with mounting alarm as the magnitude of Irans ballistic missile assault on Israel unfolded last weekend.

A senior official remarks, This was on the high end, I think, of what we were anticipating, referring to the moment when the scope of the Iranian barrage became apparent.

An unnamed official informs the newspaper that it remained unclear until all was said and done whether Israels missile defenses and the coalition of nations involved had effectively intercepted the projectiles.

According to the report, the US had anticipated that their strategy could counter approximately 50 ballistic missiles, leading to deep concern when it became evident that over 100 had been launched.

As signs pointed to an imminent attack by Iran, a clandestine team of US military personnel was dispatched to Tel Aviv to collaborate at a missile defense operations center, the outlet discloses.

Additionally, plans were devised for Saudi and Jordanian aircraft to safeguard their airspace if required.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
LOS ANGELES, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 15 people were injured Saturday night after a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood, a popular film studio and theme park in Los Angeles County, authorities said.

Units of the Los Angeles County Fire Department were dispatched to the scene at 9:05 p.m. local time (1605 GMT), said fire officials on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, adding that 15 patients had been transported to local hospitals with minor injuries.

"There was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries," the theme park confirmed in a statement.

"We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident," the park said.

The last car of a four-car tram struck a rail when it was traveling down a hill of a parking structure, Maria Abal of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was quoted as saying by the Los Angeles Times.

Abal told the news outlet that there was an issue with the brakes. 
A reservist officer critically wounded in the Hezbollah drone and missile attack on the northern border community of Arab al-Aramshe last week has succumbed to his wounds, the military says.

He is named as Maj. (res.) Dor Zimel HYD, 27, a deputy company commander in the Etzioni Brigade, from Even Yehuda.

Another 13 soldiers and four civilians were wounded in the attack on April 17, during which Hezbollah launched two anti-tank missiles and an explosive-laden drone from Lebanon, targeting a community center in Arab al-Aramshe where soldiers were gathered.
Old luggage: You're buying the heritage of travel

A Louis Vuitton trunk made to carry a ten-inch rubber duck called Canard Willy goes under the hammer later this month with an estimated price of up to 22,000.

This one-off miniature trunk is part of a selection of 37 pieces of LV travel luggage being sold by the auction house Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, on April 30.

The British owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the luggage was a bespoke commission by LV in the 1980s.

Canard has enjoyed a luxury lifestyle - travelling supersonic on Concorde trips from London to New York and visiting 35 countries.

Other rare LV travel cases at the sale from the same private collector include a travel bar - a case that opens to reveal a silver ice bucket, ice cube tongs, a decanter and four beakers - also with a 22,000 upper estimate, plus a trunk for 12 pairs of shoes at 10,000.

Otto Billstrom, head of design at Sworders, says: 'These are not just bits of luggage but rare pieces of art. They are in outrageously good condition with truly beautiful patina - and this adds to collectable appeal. But the key reason for such high values is many are one-offs.'

For those without such deep pockets, Billstrom points to more affordable examples of LV luggage in the sale, such as a suitcase, valued at 500 to 700, small enough to squeeze into the cabin baggage allowance for a budget airline such as Ryanair.

The auctioneer also points out that the value of the luggage being sold is being boosted by the fact it comes with original receipts and covers, which he believes as much as doubles its value as a proof of authenticity.

Billstrom says: 'Although it can lose value if damaged, we expect most of the luggage to be used. There is demand from collectors in the Middle East who pack them for travel. You really make your presence known arriving with a host of Louis Vuitton suitcases at a five-star hotel.'

Julian Hardwicke, manager of the vintage luggage shop Bentleys in Knightsbridge, London, says the value of modern LV baggage has as much as tripled over the past decade alone - with the international appeal of the brand now also being 'something to be seen with.'

He says: 'The best suitcases and trunks were handmade by craftsmen who trained for years to reach a level of skill to become a professional malletier - the French term used for a luggage maker.

They cost a lot but were also expensive for their t' time when made.' You canalso bag a bargain with modern second-hand luggage from a reputable auction house.

Bentley's Fine Art Auctioneer in Cranbrook, Kent, sold an LV Alize 24 Heures travel bag with minor water marks for 350 this month. A new example ' can set you back 1,600.

Late 19th and early 20th Century luggage is also highly sought after by collectors. A key part of the appeal is the decadent and romantic sense of luxury from an era far removed from the modern world of fretting about baggage allowance as we cram on to no-frills airlines.

Billstrom says: 'You are not only buying vintage luxury but the heritage of travel from a bygone era, with luggage that may have been taken on the Orient Express or a Transatlantic cruise liner.'

A 1928 LV 35-inch trunk designed to fit under a cabin bed of an ocean liner is up for sale at Bentleys for 17,500.

The price may seem high but it might have sold for 10,000 a decade ago. Or consider an early 20th Century 11-inch LV play trunk for children. Although only valued at 800, one sold at auction in February for 5,900.

The original LV monogrammed canvas design came out in 1896 under Georges Vuitton. The pattern was a copyrighted motif aimed at putting a stop to competitors copying the luggage design.

Georges' father Louis Vuitton had revolutionised the baggage industry in 1854 when, as a 16-year-old box-making apprentice, he began making wooden cases covered with canvas that could be stacked on top of each other. It meant rich travellers could add cocktail cases, tea chests and even rubber ducks to their wardrobe collections.

Many of these suitcases were thrown out in the 1960s and 1970s as they were considered outdated junk. Yet recently their image has changed from shabby chic to desirable investments.

Hardwicke says: 'There are also great makers other than LV to consider, with French companies such as Goyard highly fashionable. You can pay 22,000 for a 1910 Goyard leather steamer trunk. But it might cost double that new.'

Or look at British luggage makers, with outfits such as Finnigans of Bond Street among those with a collectable heritage value.

A 1910 leather 24- inch suitcase by Finnigans can be purchased for 1,125, while an 18- inch dressing case costs 365 through a specialist trader such as Norfolk-based Oldfield Outfitters. Be wary of buying blind off internet trading websites such as eBay as this is where fakes abound.

If you want your luggage to rise in value you are better off storing pieces safely away rather than taking them on long trips. Keep bag interiors safe from moth damage by putting cedar balls inside as a repellent.

Hardwicke adds: 'Many of the early vintage pieces of luggage were carried around by porters and unpacked by maids. A few turns on an airport carousel might well destroy them.'

And, of course, the airline might lose your luggage.
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

M.E. writes: In November 2022, my daughter bought as a Christmas present a Virgin Experience Days four-course dining experience with wines at Craft Dining in Birmingham, costing 72.

In February 2023, I contacted the restaurant to make a booking. They were closed for refurbishment, but offered to exchange the Virgin voucher for their own, with an increased value and extended expiry date. However, when I tried to book, I found the restaurant is now closed.

Sour taste: Pods at the Craft restaurant in Birmingham

Tony Hetherington replies: This was a recipe for disaster. When you handed over your Virgin voucher, Virgin paid Craft. Legally and contractually, Virgin was off the hook.

The company running the restaurant, named Craft, inherited that responsibility, but when I started looking into this, it was hard to pin down which company this was.

I tracked down the 2022 advert, tempting you to 'Dine in style in a Michelin star-listed private pod' at Craft. The offer included a 'four-course meal with wine for two at Birmingham's Craft'. But who or what was Craft?

I found Midlands restaurant company We Are Craft Limited. It had failed to file accounts that were legally due and Companies House officials had begun proceedings to strike it off.

Was this the company behind the offer? It seemed likely. Until 2020, it was actually called Craft Dining Group.

But hang on! One of the reasons We Are Craft was in trouble was that it was owed almost 1million by a separate company called The Craft Experience Limited.

That company went into liquidation in 2022 with debts put at over 1.5million. When I found that it used to be called Craft Dining Limited, I thought this must be the company behind the restaurant.

Perhaps not, though. Because when I looked again at We Are Craft, I found it had operated an offshoot called Craft Investment Partners Limited. A

nd the offshoot was also in trouble with Companies House for failing to file details showing who owns it, due as long ago as 2022.

A check of court records found two unsatisfied county court judgments against Craft Investment Partners and one against

The Craft Experience. So many businesses with similar names, all connected to one couple, Sam and Emma Morgan. ]

But when I tried to contact them, up popped yet another of their companies - About Dining Limited - and it turned out that this one ran the Birmingham restaurant.

I was assured that you knew all along who you were dealing with, and that you were pleased to accept a new voucher that could be used in a different restaurant in a different part of the country such as their smart new restaurant in Liverpool, called 8.

You explained this was wrong. You had planned a weekend trip to Birmingham, with the restaurant outing as part of it. And neither the advertising nor the gift voucher mentioned About Dining.

Worse still, when you swapped your Virgin voucher for the restaurant's own voucher, it came from The Craft Experience Limited - Sam and Emma Morgan's company which had already collapsed into liquidation in 2022. This must have been an innocent mistake, I think.

Another innocent mistake was About Dining's claim on its Craft website: 'We have taken the decision to not reopen Craft following a refusal of planning in respect of our refurbishment.'

Birmingham City Council told me it had not received a planning application from About Dining. When pressed, About Dining admitted it never actually applied because 'we were advised it wouldn't be acceptable'. So, there was no refusal.

About Dining suggested you were unreliable and asked whether I believed what you had 'sold' me and offered unsolicited advice about there being bigger stories I should pursue.

But Virgin came to the rescue by agreeing to reverse the deal to swap its voucher for the Craft restaurant's own voucher. And the icing on the cake is that Virgin has given you a new voucher worth 110, rather than the original 72. Well done, Virgin.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
The Government left Royal Mail vulnerable to predators by delaying reforms to the postal service, senior company insiders believe.

Royal Mails owner International Distributions Services last week rejected as opportunistic a 3.1 billion takeover approach from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.

Dubbed the Czech Sphinx for his inscrutable manner, Kretinsky is already the largest shareholder in IDS with a 27 per cent stake.

Czech Sphinx: International Distributions Services last week rejected a 3.1 billion takeover approach from Daniel Kretinsky

He has until the middle of next month to table a formal offer or walk away.

If Kretinsky makes a formal bid, private investors, including Royal Mails army of posties, could play a key role in the outcome as they hold 21 per cent of the shares between them  a legacy of the companys privatisation in 2013.

Royal Mail, which faces intense competition from rival carriers, recently proposed it should be allowed to deliver second-class letters only three times a week instead of six in a bid to cut costs and save its first-class service.

The plan would lessen the burden of its so-called Universal Service Obligation, (USO) which means Royal Mail must deliver letters to addresses everywhere in the UK for the same price every day except Sunday. Bosses at the company repeatedly have lobbied ministers for the USO to be relaxed but without success.

They have raised serious concerns about the future of the service if industry watchdog Ofcom does not act swiftly to introduce reforms by April 2025.

Its remarkable that after four years of talking to the government about the USO no change has happened, a Royal Mail source said.

The delay puts us in a vulnerable spot, the insider added, referring to Kretinskys tilt.

The quicker the reforms the better, the source said.

Kretinsky, 48, has extensive energy interests, including a stake in the largest transporter of Russian gas to Europe, as well as investments in West Ham United and Sainsburys.

He is understood to have been encouraged to bid outright for Royal Mail after raising his holding above 25 per cent without causing any national security concerns in Whitehall.

However, experts say he faces much tougher scrutiny if he is to own Royal Mail outright.

Politicians and unions are opposed to Kretinskys bid to buy the 500-year-old company, which was founded during the reign of Henry VIII.

They fear another national treasure could fall into foreign hands and be broken up.

Royal Mail staff who own about six per cent of the company are certainly going to be motivated to stand up and be counted, in the event of a bid, said Amit Vedhara of shareholder group ShareSoc.

The Communications Workers Union, which represents Royal Mail workers, wants to re-nationalise the service, saying foreign ownership cannot be right.

Kretinskys offer falls just short of the 330p a share investors paid when Royal Mail floated in 2013.

The bid disenfranchises the 700,000 ordinary people who became retail shareholders at the time, said Sheryl Cuisia of campaign group The Engagement Appeal.

Its unjust that these loyal investors now face losses as another national asset risks foreign acquisition, she added.

Letter volumes have declined from a peak of 20 billion a year two decades ago to around 7 billion and are likely to drop to around 4 billion in the next five years.

Royal Mails plans, which have yet to be approved by Ofcom, would mean daily delivery routes cut by between 7,000 to 9,000 within two years, saving up to 300 million with a loss of up to 1,000 jobs. Royal Mail lost 319 million last year.

Last night a source close to Kretinsky dismissed claims that he would try and break up IDS, which also includes the profitable GLS logistics business.

Kretinskys offer was not contingent on the outcome of the USO talks and he looked forward to continuing to engage constructively with the IDS board, the source added.

Experts said other delivery groups such as Amazon or InPost could also enter the fray now that Royal Mail was effectively in play.

IDS declined to comment.
William owner 888 has set aside more than 100 million for possible legal action as bosses grapple with regulatory pressure abroad.

British gambling firms have come under scrutiny in Austria after the country's three highest courts found they had been operating illegally.

Casinos Austria, which is the state-backed gambling company, has held a monopoly since 2016 and judges ruled that other firms doing business there were breaching the law and should return any player losses.

William Hill: British gambling firms have come under scrutiny in Austria after the country's three highest courts found they had been operating illegally

It now means that some gamblers across Europe are taking action to recoup money they lost on betting websites.

In total, 888 has earmarked 116million for 'ongoing legal and regulatory matters principally in Austria and Germany', according to its recent annual report.

The provisions come at a testing time for the group. 888, which owns online brands such as 888 Poker and Mr Green, has been blighted by compliance failings and management uncertainty over the past 18 months.

This came to a head in January last year when the firm suspended VIP customer accounts in the Middle East over fears that they violated moneylaundering policies.

The saga prompted chief executive Itai Pazner to step down, leaving the business in limbo and shareholders anxious.

Standing at 84p, 888 shares have fallen by almost 50 per cent in the past five years and have fallen by 10 per cent since the start of this year alone.

The company is also facing pressure at home. The UK is pushing ahead with regulatory changes, including limiting stakes in online betting. The move is part of the

Government's gambling white paper published last year.

In a desperate bid to turn 888's fortunes around, new chief executive Per Widerstrom, an online betting veteran, has vowed to focus on key markets and drive down debt.

He will also change the company's name to Evoke, which he says will better reflect the 'mission to make life more interesting by delighting players with world-class betting and gaming experiences'.

Danni Hewson, an analyst at investment platform AJ Bell, said: 'It's not a new thing for a gambling company to change its name to something softer, less aggressive in a bid to win over potential customers and try and put past bad behaviour out of its mind.

But 888, or Evoke, can't escape the legal proceedings still dogging it in countries like Austria and Germany.'

888 said: 'The group only operates where it has a justifiable legal basis to do so. Based on the extensive advice and opinion received, we are absolutely confident in our legal and regulatory position.'

An 888 spokesperson added: 'We remain completely confident in our position under EU law to offer these services to our players from Austria, alongside many other competitors.'
Royal Mail will hold fresh talks with investors this week as a billionaire dubbed the Czech Sphinx plots another bid for the 500-year-old postal service.

The top brass at Royal Mail owner International Distribution's Service are understood to be in regular discussions about the approach from billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and have been holding talks with shareholders.

IDS will be keen to canvas the opinion of other investors ahead of any further offers.

Talks about the bid will continue this week after one of the top shareholders, Redwheel, broke cover over the weekend to oppose the offer.

This month Royal Mail rejected the 3.2billion bid  or 320p per share  from Kretinsky, who co-owns West Ham United and has a stake in Sainsbury's.

'Opportunistic': This month Royal Mail rejected a 3.2billion bid from Daniel Kretinsky

The postal service's board said the offer undervalued the company and was 'opportunistic'. But the tycoon is working on a new proposal and has until May 15 to submit a fresh bid. A deal with Kretinsky would see Royal Mail taken into foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516.

Redwheel, which is Royal Mail's third biggest shareholder, became the first investor to publicly oppose the offer.

The firm's value and income team co-head Ian Lance said: 'The possible offer of 320p per share significantly undervalues IDS and its future prospects.

'We call upon Ofcom to reflect on this offer which we regard as opportunistic.'

He added: 'We do not believe it is in the interests of the shareholders, employees or customers of Royal Mail for it to be broken up or sold off.'

Redwheel echoed Royal Mail's calls for an 'urgent' reform of the Universal Service Obligation amid a drop in letters posted. Unions oppose Kretinsky's bid, saying 'handing ownership to a foreign equity investor cannot be right'.

And any deal could be reviewed for national security risks. Ministers allowed Kretinsky to up his stake in Royal Mail when it breached the 25 per cent threshold in 2022.

But analysts have said a full takeover is likely to require clearance under the National Security & Investment Act.

Meanwhile the Chancellor last week voiced concerns over the offer, saying there were lessons to be learned from the crisis at Thames Water.

Asked about a foreign takeover of IDS, Jeremy Hunt said: 'Do I look at what's happened to some of the water companies and say that we shouldn't learn any lessons? Absolutely not.'
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is scheduled to pay a visit to Pakistan from April 22 to 24, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said on Sunday.

Raisi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Iranian foreign minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials and business delegation during the three-day visit to Pakistan, the ministry said in a statement.

The Iranian president will call on the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and other key leaders, according to the statement.

The ministry said that the two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts. 




* The Yangtze River Delta, one of China's most economically vibrant regions, has set its sights on taking the lead in promoting common prosperity.

* The delta has strengthened industrial chain collaboration as it continues to promote high-quality integrated development, showing determination to make a bigger pie for common prosperity.

* Common prosperity requires narrowing the gap between regions and between urban and rural areas.

HANGZHOU, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Yangtze River Delta, one of China's most economically vibrant regions, has set its sights on taking the lead in promoting common prosperity, with regional cooperation and local initiatives within its four provincial-level regions.

The delta, encompassing the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, as well as the Shanghai Municipality, generates nearly a quarter of China's gross domestic product (GDP), despite having just 4 percent of the country's total land area. Notably, urban-rural income gaps in the four regions of this delta are all smaller than China's average level.

This photo taken on March 20, 2024 shows tulips at the Bund area in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

In 2021, China rolled out a guideline to build Zhejiang into a demonstration zone in pursuit of common prosperity. Two years later, China called on the delta to take the lead in promoting common prosperity and to strive for major breakthroughs in the integrated development of the delta.

Common prosperity, an essential requirement of socialism and a key feature of Chinese modernization, aims to create a future in which prosperity is shared by everyone in the country.

"The essence of common prosperity is affluence and sharing, or in other words, making the pie bigger and dividing it properly," said He Wenjiong, vice president of the Institute for Common Prosperity and Development of Zhejiang University.

BIGGER PIE

The delta has strengthened industrial chain collaboration as it continues to promote high-quality integrated development, showing determination to make a bigger pie for common prosperity.

As a major new energy vehicle (NEV) production base, it produces two out of every five NEVs in China. Through industrial chain cooperation, an NEV in the delta can contain chips and software from Shanghai, a power battery from Jiangsu, and a car body from Zhejiang, before being assembled in Anhui.

Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Zhang Yiqiong, who hails from a small village in Xianju County of Zhejiang, is one of the beneficiaries of these efforts in the delta. With a childhood dream of leaving her mountainous hometown for the big city, Zhang, 33, never expected to return to work for an NEV power battery plant in her hometown.

In 2023, half of the eight production lines of the power battery project became operational. When fully operational, its annual output value will exceed 20 billion yuan (2.8 billion U.S. dollars) -- doubling the county's industrial output.

"Now I earn nearly 100,000 yuan a year, almost the same level as my earlier job," Zhang said. "The plant will create over 6,000 jobs and many young people have returned for these well-paid jobs."

The NEV plant is just one example of how an industry cluster within a four-hour drive is being built across the region.

The industrial cluster has helped Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, to become one of the fastest-developing cities in the region. It is now home to six NEV manufacturers, including BYD and Volkswagen, with the NEV industry contributing to over 60 percent of its industrial output.

This photo taken on Feb. 1, 2024 shows a NEV production line at the NIO Second Advanced Manufacturing Base in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

The rapid growth of high-tech industrial clusters has driven robust economic growth in the Yangtze River Delta. From 2018 to 2023, the region's GDP had risen to 30.51 trillion yuan from 22.1 trillion yuan.

The output value of its high-tech manufacturing contributes about 31 percent of China's total, with the integrated circuit sector accounting for 60 percent and biomedicine and artificial intelligence each contributing one-third.

NARROWING GAP

One of the priorities in promoting common prosperity is to narrow the income gap so that "everyone has a job and every family has a source of income," said Du Xuliang, head of the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

Lu Guofei, who had suffered from a leg disability for more than 20 years, was offered a job at a smart sheep farm in Changxing County of Zhejiang Province three years ago. Lu, who is in his 50s, currently earns more than 5,000 yuan a month.

The sheep farm is part of the government's "common prosperity workshop" program. As the name implies, such workshops are a response to the government's call to narrow the income gap and achieve "common prosperity for all." These workshops are mostly opened in towns and villages to provide job opportunities for the unemployed, low-income earners, and farmers who wish to earn extra income during the off-season.

More than 10,000 "common prosperity workshops" have been established in Zhejiang, employing nearly 500,000 people who earn an extra income of some 2,600 yuan on average monthly.

Workers process tea leaves at a workshop of Anding Village in Lishan Township in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

The program has been replicated in other parts of the delta. In Shanghai, some workshops help sell agricultural products from Zhejiang. In Yangzhou of Jiangsu Province, woodcarving workshops help villagers earn over 3,000 yuan a month. In Lujiang of Anhui Province, 17 workshops have been opened, employing nearly 1,000 women.

Common prosperity requires narrowing the gap between regions and between urban and rural areas, Du said.

Zhejiang has seen a narrower income gap between urban and rural residents over the past two decades, with the income ratio falling from 2.43:1 to 1.86:1 -- the lowest in the country.

The regional gap is also a major obstacle to common prosperity, which should serve as the ultimate evaluation criterion for the high-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, said Chen Jie, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

This aerial panoramic drone photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows new energy vehicles for export at a terminal of Taicang Port, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Ji Haixin/Xinhua)

Eight cities in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang have implemented a pairing assistance program since 2022 to support eight less-developed cities in northern Anhui through industrial transfer. In 2022 alone, the eight cities in Anhui received a total investment of 211.75 billion yuan from Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

A livestreaming e-commerce company from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, is helping to operate the first cross-border e-commerce industrial park in northern Anhui. Many companies there have built long-term partnerships with dealers from countries such as the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea, and now send nearly 30,000 parcels daily to customers, said Zhu Cheng, an executive with the livestreaming e-commerce company.

(Video reporters: Jin Jian, Wang Yiwen, Li Tao; video editors: Zhang Nan, Hui Peipei, Liu Yutian, Jia Xiaotong, Liu Ruoshi) 
 Flash

The opening ceremony of the Mountain Park Province  Colorful Guizhou Wind  2024 Colorful Guizhou Culture and Tourism Paris Promotion Week event was held in Paris, France on Friday.

Among the attendees were Lu Yongzheng, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee, Chen Li, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, Liu Hongge, director of the China Cultural Center in Paris and Francesco Frangialli, honorary secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization.

Lu Yongzheng emphasized in his speech the precious historical relationship between China and France, especially as 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He highlighted the increasingly close exchanges between Guizhou and France, expanding cooperation and more frequent people-to-people exchanges.

Lu also introduced Guizhou as a mountain park province, abundant in natural treasures, diverse cultures, and containing world-renowned architectural wonders such as Huangguoshu Waterfall, Libo Seven Small Arches (Xiaoqikong), Fanjing Mountain, the Yangming culture, world-class bridges, the world's largest radio telescope known as China's "eye of heaven" and more.

Despite their geographical separation, Lu said Guizhou and France share many similarities.

Both have numerous mountains and caves and are famous for their rich heritage of alcohol production. France is also a major tourist source and popular destination for Guizhou Province.

Both Frangialli and Liu Hongge delivered speeches commending the tourism promotion activities of Guizhou in France. Frangialli mentioned that "every visit to Guizhou brings me a unique experience" and said, "Dear traveler friends, I believe it is time to go or return to China or Guizhou".

Jean Bottazzi, an internationally renowned cave explorer and vice-president of the French Speleological Federation, shared his experience of more than 30 years in the scientific research of caves, and the development of cave exploration tourism in Guizhou.

"In 2007, I left my job in France to settle in Guizhou," he said. "I traveled throughout China, but Guizhou has remained my favorite land, with explorations in over 30 districts within this province alone."

Bottazzi also mentioned that Guizhou's natural resources are protected and valued, particularly through United Nations-recognized reserves and geoparks. He highlighted the enchanting allure of the mountains, the beauty of the local voices, and the joy of the dances.

Frank Desplanques, editor-in-chief of the program Rendezvous in an Unknown Land on national television channel France 2, talked about his experience filming in Guizhou for the first time in 2016 for a documentary about a Miao ethnic village.

"At every village we visited, we were greeted with extraordinary hospitality," he explained. "It was sometimes very difficult to leave because everyone wanted us to stay for a few more days.

"Not only us, but also French viewers who watched this program were captivated by the sincere smiles of the local Miao ethnic residents," he continued, adding that the journey had been "extraordinary, warm and very moving".

Photographer Gregoire de Gaule, the great nephew of the former French president Charles de Gaulle, has visited Guizhou multiple times on photography expeditions, and praised it as "a paradise for photographers with its beautiful landscapes and rich culture".

Robbie Bridgman, director of the National Geographic documentary Best of the World's Destinations: Guizhou, traveled from Australia to Paris to share his filming experience in Guizhou.

"Our expedition was nothing short of awe-inspiring," he said. "From mountains, caves, waterfalls, and ancient cities, we uncovered the hidden treasures that make Guizhou a true gem of China.

"We had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the rich history and vibrant culture of Guizhou."

At the event, the audience also enjoyed ethnic song and dance performances from Guizhou, including the song Waiting for You, which served as a friendly invitation to the French by the Miao, Dong and Shui ethnic minorities through their unique traditional styles, and a bilingual rendition of the French song L'hirondelle (swallow).

In the modern hall and gallery of the cultural center, the audience also visited an exhibition entitled Guizhou: Best of the World's Destination including photographs of the region.

This promotional week event will continue until April 26, during which there will be a photo exhibition related to the National Geographic documentary, presentations on Guizhou travel routes and products, as well as tastings of Guizhou liquor and tea.




BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China has started the mass production of carbon-14 through the use of a commercial nuclear reactor, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

The carbon-14 isotope was produced by the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, which is operated by a CNNC subsidiary, an official with the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant told Xinhua late on Saturday.

The official expected that this carbon-14 isotope output should be able to "completely meet the market demand" of China.

This will end China's near-total reliance on carbon-14 isotope imports, according to the official. 
SEOUL, April 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Sunday expressed regret over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sending a ritual offering to the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on the occasion of the shrine's spring festival.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that the South Korean government expresses its deep disappointment and regret over Japan's responsible leaders once again sending offerings to and paying respects at the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

The ministry noted that South Korea urges the Japanese leaders to squarely face history and demonstrate through action their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past history, adding that it would be an important cornerstone for the future-oriented development of South Korea-Japan relations.

The Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors. 
In this compilation we share links to EXCEPTIONAL CRIME REPORTING, word on court cases and hopeful effort to curb local violence.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Hit and run outside Kansas City church leaves pedestrian with serious injuries One individual continues to recover from serious injuries sustained from a hit-and-run collision outside a Kansas City church over the weekend.

State requests prison time for man who killed KCPD officer, K-9, pedestrian A 20-year-old Kansas man could face around 20 years in prison for a 2023 collision that took the lives of a Kansas City officer, his K-9 and a pedestrian.

Woman charged in Thursday shooting in Blue Springs that left 1 victim injured A woman has been charged in connection to a shooting that left one woman injured around 9 p.m. Thursday in Blue Springs.

Nearly $300K granted from state of Missouri to help combat Kansas City violent crime KCPD crime statistics Wednesday morning showed 42 total homicides reported so far in 2024.

Missing Kansas women were found dead. Did anti-government extremism contribute to their murders? After two women went missing, law enforcement made four arrests in Oklahoma's Cimarron and Texas counties (clockwise, from top left): Cole Twombly, Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum and Cora Twombly. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation) What should we make of "God's Misfits?"

100+ mph: More than 12K tickets issued to drivers in Kansas in 4 years More than 12,000 tickets have been issued to drivers who have been caught traveling at speeds of 100 mph or greater in the past four years as legislation is considered to make such actions a crime.

Johnson County sheriff claimed he had a warrant for his election probe. So where is it? Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe's office contradicted Sheriff Calvin Hayden's claim to have had a search warrant 'in hand' for Hayden's long-running election investigation.

Balloon release honors victims in Blue Springs homicide as police make progress Blue Springs Police say they're making progress in the search for suspects in a double homicide at Wilbur Young Park last Saturday.

'Just remember his smile': Community honors the life of 5-year-old Mari Scott Mari had just attended kindergarten round up the day that he died.

Kansas City leaders share ways to reduce violence against children In the past week, three children have been shot in Kansas City, Missouri, two of them have died.

Developing . .
Backlash against Mayor Quinton Lucas continues after a recent statement inviting NYC migrants to Kansas City.



Right now we share behind-the-scenes preview and more deets on the impending Missouri smackdown which also threatens legal KCMO residents . . . Here's the word:



"Hey TKC, here's what Mayor Q might not expect: All state funds allocated to Kansas City projects (of which there are millions) could be frozen if AG Bailey files suit against Q under Missouri's sanctuary city statute 67.307 RSMo."



This is a disaster scenario for local funding but it's not out of the question amid campaign season 2024.

Our takeaway . . .

KANSAS CITY PROPER RESIDENTS SHOULDN'T DOWNPLAY MISSOURI ANGER OVER MAYOR Q'S OPEN INVITE TO NYC MIGRANTS!!!

Right now we're dealing with a war of words . . .

However, in the VERY NEAR FUTURE the threat of legal action and political clap back could impact cash for resources that impact every day life for KCMO residents.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KSHB: Mayor Lucas responds to Missouri attorney generals comments on his migrant plan



KCTV5: Local immigrants weigh in on Mayor Quinton Lucas welcoming migrants to work



KMBC: Local organizations react to Kansas City mayor's comments on welcoming migrants

Developing . . .
In their Sunday edition, Kansas City Star management proves that they don't REALLY have any idea how to communicate with people outside of their demographic bubble.

Basically . . .

The newspaper reiterates an unpopular apology by admitting that they hired new staffers based primarily on race and not qualifications.

We can only hope that they're trolling us and that the organization isn't really so tone deaf.

From our perspective, they just insulted their new hires . . . Many of whom, actually, are talented journalists who deserve respect for their skill & work rather than their demographic identity.



Moreover . . .

Nobody asked for the Star's apology that seemed like it was a tragic publicity stunt devised by a drunken editor who would later resign after a DUI.

Moreover, the public admission of guilt was politely ignored by most people outside of news talk shows and repeating the faux pas seems like another mistake as the fortunes of this institution continue to crumble very much like the blighted building they dumped in downtown Kansas City before moving their printing operation to Iowa.

In fairness, here's their side of the story . . .



"The goal was to take that December 2020 apology acknowledging decades of failed coverage and turn it into real, measurable action . . . For the first time in the history of The Star, in the summer of 2023, we hired Black journalists into two of the top three newsroom management positions. Executive Editor Greg Farmer made the appointments with the purpose of building an experienced leadership team that reflects the diversity of all of Kansas City and can help The Star expand its reach."





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This one nearly slipped under our radar but a recent Missouri face-off is worthy of consideration this weekend.

Our main question . . .

HOSKINS/ASHCROFT SHOWDOWN JUSTIFIED OR DOES IT REVEAL WORSENING MISSOURI REPUBLICAN DIVISIONS?!?



Maybe TKC is paranoid . . . But we think it's "a bit brash" to openly bark at a dude with a VERY POWERFUL DAD who might still be able to make a few calls to even more powerful friends in the nation's capital.

Maybe (probably) State Senator Hoskins has more confidence than TKC and won't spend the next 4 years worrying about black helicopters.

Or . . . Maybe this bit of social media bravado might just be more political theater that works out for everybody?!?!?

What we know for sure is that only Richard Pryor & and the very best Kansas City Chiefs fans can successfully pull off a red blazer.



Either way . . .

We trust that cooler heads will prevail after and that this episode won't give elicit a moment of doubt in voters regarding the maturity of their elected officials . . . Check-it:



Senator Denny Hoskins, a GOP candidate running for Secretary of State, confronted current SOS Jay Ashcroft at a campaign event Friday night.



State Senator Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), a primary candidate competing for the party nomination to run for Secretary of State, took issue with something the current Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft allegedly said to his wife after delivering a stump speech at the Perry County Lincoln Day Dinner.



The response . . .



In a statement, Ashcroft's campaign denies Hoskins' accusations.



"I neither insulted his wife nor pointed at her," Ashcroft said. "Senator Hoskins' outburst is concerning but I understand how stressful a campaign can be and I'm willing to let bygones be bygones."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
MANILA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- An alliance of women in the Philippines on Sunday raised the alarm over the presence of more than 11,000 U.S. troops in the country to participate in the upcoming annual joint military drills.

More than 11,000 U.S. and 5,000 Philippine troops will participate in the joint drills, which will run from April 22 to May 10. Many U.S. troops arrived in the Philippines in March for the joint combat activities leading up to the larger Balikatan, or shoulder-to-shoulder, exercise.

Clarice Palce, secretary-general of GABRIELA, said that the women's group "raises alarm over a potential rise in violence against women, particularly prostitution and sexual abuse, in areas designated for U.S. military bases during the upcoming Balikatan exercises."

She slammed how unequal military agreements, such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, have effectively provided U.S. soldiers with a license to commit crimes and abuse Filipinos without facing accountability under Philippine law.

The Philippines and the United States signed in 1998 the VFA allowing joint Philippine-U.S. military operations. The Philippine Senate ratified the agreement in 1999, seven years after the closure of the last U.S. base on Philippine territory.

"We must not allow the United States to drag our Filipinos into its imperialist wars of aggression and to escape accountability for violating our women and trampling on our sovereignty," Palce said. 
Today we have received a decision - US assistance, which will be felt by the soldiers on the front line, as well as by cities and villages suffering from Russian terror.

This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address, Ukrinform reported.

Dear Ukrainians!

From early morning today, various regions of our country have been experiencing air alerts and Russian strikes. From the east to the south... Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk regions, Kherson and the region, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Missiles, drone strikes, artillery. There is a lot of destruction  houses, port infrastructure, and energy facilities. There are casualties and, unfortunately, fatalities. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Throughout the day, our air defense system was in action, there were responses to Russian strikes, the rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and all the services performed their duties.

But this day is still a little different. Today, we received the long-awaited decision: the American support package we've been fighting for so hard. And it is a very significant package that will be felt by both our warriors on the frontline and our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror. The U.S. House of Representatives voted today.

I thank everyone who supported our package  this is a life-saving decision. I am grateful personally to Speaker Mike Johnson, to all American hearts who, like us in Ukraine, feel that Russian evil definitely should not prevail. I hope that the package will be considered in the U.S. Senate and submitted to President Bidens desk quickly enough.

We appreciate every manifestation of support for our state and independence, for our people, and for our lives that Russia wants to bury in ruins. America has shown its leadership from the very first days of this war. And this kind of American leadership is crucial for the maintenance of an international order in the world based on rules and predictability of life for all nations. We will certainly use American support to strengthen both our nations and bring a just end to this war closer  a war that Putin must lose.

And I thank the entire Ukrainian team, everyone who works and does everything to bring this outcome closer. I thank all the representatives of our state, all our diplomats who are working to increase the support for Ukraine, all the representatives of the public sector, every volunteer, all the friends of Ukraine. I am grateful to my team. The world unites for Ukraine when Ukrainians unite for independence.

And today I would like to honor those of our people who have shown their best in the aftermath of the Russian strikes over the week  helping people, protecting lives. These are the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, our medical workers, police officers. Everyone who works on the scene after the hits. Everyone who rescues people from under the rubble, stops fires, and saves the injured. Thank you all!

I would like to mention some of them in particular... Dnipro: Denys Mikheyev, Artem Serha, Dmytro Nikolayenko  these guys are from the State Emergency Service. Vitaliy Arkhypov  an emergency doctor in the Dnipro region, Yevhen Holitsyn  an emergency feldsher. I would also like to mention the police officers: Oleksiy Bondarenko and Vitaliy Andriyanov. Thank you! Karyna Kolisnychenko  a dog handler from the Pavlohrad search and rescue unit. Thank you for every life saved.

Odesa, SES: Yuriy Sukhorukov, Vitaliy Telehus and Artem Kopechynskyi. Thank you, guys!

Chernihiv: Artem Lysenko  a firefighter, Vadym Avramenko and Maksym Zhylko  also employees of the SES in the region, as well as police officers Andriy Vovk and Bohdan Tkachuk. Thank you! I am also grateful to Natalia Nosenok, a nurse who really cares about people and helps them.

I am grateful to everyone who cares about Ukrainians, about life in our country, about their city, their community, about our entire country! And I am especially thankful to each of our warriors. To all those who destroy the Russian occupier, who hold the frontline and thus preserve Ukraine on the world map. We are doing everything to ensure that our warriors have as many opportunities as possible so that this war ends as soon as possible on our terms, Ukrainian terms.

Glory to Ukraine!
A decision should be made at the NATO level to shoot down missiles in Ukrainian airspace heading towards Poland or Romania.

Waldemar Skrzypczak, a Polish expert and ex-commander of the Land Forces, and former Deputy Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland, said this in a commentary to Ukrinform.

"NATO's narrative should be as follows: we warn Putin that any missile flying in our direction will be shot down. We say we are defending ourselves, and as part of that defense, we shoot down missiles flying in the direction of, for example, Poland or Romania, Skrzypczak said.

He explained that NATO should not say that it is helping Ukraine shoot down missiles in order to avoid engaging in a discussion with Russia about the West's alleged involvement in World War III, but rather emphasize the defense of the Alliance's territory.

According to the Polish general, a political decision on this should be made without delay at the NATO level, as it is about the collective security of the North Atlantic Alliance. In addition, this decision will also be in the interests of Ukraine.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called it a double standard that the allies helped Israel shoot down missiles and drones launched by Iran while refusing to provide similar assistance to Ukraine. He emphasized that while protecting Israel, the partner countries demonstrated that there was enough air defense equipment to intercept a significant number of Iranian missiles and UAVs, but such a demonstration was also "supposed to be a demonstration for Russia." At the same time, the president recalled that Russian aircraft and enemy missiles had repeatedly crossed the airspace of Poland and Romania, "and there was no reaction, which indicates the double standard." Zelensky noted that at that time, allied aircraft should have shot down those missiles.

On December 29, 2023, one of the Russian missiles breached Polish airspace, staying in it for about three minutes and flying almost 40 kilometers. At the time, Poland scrambled two pairs of F-16 fighter jets to protect its airspace.

Later, on March 24, a Russian missile again violated Polish airspace near the village of Ocerdow in the Lublin Voivodeship and stayed there for 39 seconds.

Although Poland's air defense forces tracked the missile's flight path, no decision was made to shoot it down.
In Moldova, passengers and staff were evacuated from the Chisinau airport building on April 21 due to an explosion threat.

This is reported by NewsMaker, according to Ukrinform.

"The Chisinau airport is currently on alert. All specialized services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are conducting on-site checks. Passengers and airport staff have been evacuated from the building," said Raisa Novitski, spokeswoman for the Moldovan Border Police.

The Electric Transport Department reported that for safety reasons, trolleybuses No. 30 are being diverted to Airport Street.

Read also: Russian officer to be tried for torturing Ukrainians in Hostomel airport freezers

The night before, passengers and employees were also evacuated from Chisinau airport after a report was received at 9:40 p.m. about alleged bombs in the airport and on one of the planes. The alarm turned out to be false.

As reported, last year a teenager was killed and more than 160 people were injured in an explosion at Tashkent Airport.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, says the only possible strategy for exiting the war is the withdrawal of Russian troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

The official reacted to Elon Musk's comment on X claiming he sees no exit strategy as regards the Russo-Ukrainian war.

"When someone of the global Influencers/persons (the same Elon Musk) stubbornly speaks about... lack of exit strategy from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, one has to marvel once again at the deficit of simple logic in the modern world... . Because a realistic, objective exit strategy is blatantly, screamingly simple. The aggressor unconditionally leaves the foreign sovereign territory and the hot phase of the war immediately ends," wrote Podolyak.

He added that Russia needs to withdraw from Ukraine, return what has been stolen, and restore the supremacy of international law.

"I perfectly understand that sometimes simple truths are extremely difficult to realize, but nevertheless I will repeat: the aggressor (Rf), which unprovoked attacked another country for the sole purpose of occupation/killing/capture, leaves the foreign territory, returns what was stolen, and restores the rule of international law. What's so difficult about that? What other exit strategy should be sought/discussed? And is it possible to build something just on injustice?" Podolyak noted.

Earlier, Musk wrote: My biggest concern is that there is no exit strategy, just a forever war where kids die in trenches from artillery or charging machine guns and snipers through minefields.
SAO PAULO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Brazil has registered 1,601 confirmed deaths from dengue so far this year, with another 2,061 deaths under investigation, the Health Ministry said Saturday.

A total of 3.53 million suspected cases of dengue have been reported nationwide, and the incidence rate of dengue fever in the South American country is currently 1,741 suspected cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of confirmed deaths is 35 percent higher than the total in 2023, which was 1,179 deaths.

According to the data updated as of Friday, women have borne the brunt of the disease, representing 55.2 percent of confirmed cases. The demographic group most significantly affected falls within the age range of 20 to 29 years old.

The government has called on the public to adhere to the country's vaccination program against the disease.

Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and can be fatal in severe cases. 
On Sunday, April 21, Pope Francis called on the world not to forget about Ukraine, which is suffering from war.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Vatican News.

II continue to watch with concern and sorrow the situation in the Middle East. I reiterate the plea not to yield to the claims of war but rather to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, which can achieve much, Pope Francis said.

He noted that every day, he prays for peace in Palestine and Israel, hoping these two peoples can soon end their suffering."

Pope Francis then recalled, as usual, the ongoing war in Ukraine. He invited the world not to forget the conflict-ridden land "which suffers so much."

As reported by Ukrinform, Pope Francis on Friday asked more than 6,000 girls and boys from the Italian National Network of Schools of Peace, which unites 137 educational institutions from 94 Italian cities, not to forget about their peers in Ukraine.

Photo: VATICAN MEDIA
People visit the 12th Iraqi International Security and Defense Exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq on April 20, 2024. The 12th International Security and Defense Exhibition in Iraq commenced on Saturday in the capital city of Baghdad. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The 12th International Security and Defense Exhibition in Iraq commenced on Saturday in the capital city of Baghdad, with the participation of 112 weapons production companies from 19 countries.

The four-day event drew together advanced equipment such as unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, cannons, armored vehicles, radars, rocket launchers, machine guns, and ground support equipment.

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi said in a speech at the opening ceremony that "Iraq seeks to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces by learning about the latest global technologies and exchanging experiences in the military-technical fields."

Mohsen al-Mandalawi, Iraq's acting parliament speaker, said in his speech that "there is a need to localize military industries by encouraging state companies and the private sector to take advantage of the great opportunities in Iraq."

"We must always remember that safe and stable countries support peace, but they must be careful to deter any threat," al-Mandalawi said, noting that there were still remnants of the terrorist Islamic State (IS) group, which were seeking opportunities to resume operations.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 

A visitor watches weapons produced by a Chinese company at the 12th Iraqi International Security and Defense Exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq on April 20, 2024. The 12th International Security and Defense Exhibition in Iraq commenced on Saturday in the capital city of Baghdad. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Visitors watch a weapon produced by a Chinese company at the 12th Iraqi International Security and Defense Exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq on April 20, 2024. The 12th International Security and Defense Exhibition in Iraq commenced on Saturday in the capital city of Baghdad. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb has strongly condemned the incident of firing on Customs Officials in Dera Ismael Khan while performing anti-smuggling duties.

The Finance Minister expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of two officials of Customs Department in the incident, said a press release issued here on Sunday.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences and unwavering support to families of the martyrs in these testing times.

The Minister also prayed for early recovery of the injured Customs officials in the incident.

He said that sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain and expressed resolve that the smugglers will be dealt with iron hands.

The Minister said that FBR and Pakistan Customs will continue their anti-smuggling operations for elimination of the menace of smuggling from the country.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has urged candidates participating in the bye-elections to ensure their polling agents collect Form 45 from the presiding officers before departing from the polling stations.

He instructed the supervising officers to ensure that Form 45 is handed over to all polling agents at polling stations.

The CEC communicated with the chief secretaries of all four provinces to obtain reports on the day-long election process, inquiring about electioneering activities. He emphasized that any laxity in ensuring the smooth conduct of the entire exercise would not be tolerated.

The CEC also reached out to regional deputy commissioners and commissioners overseeing sensitive polling station areas, instructing them to guarantee transparent elections.

Meanwhile, the CEC has sought a report from the Inspector General of Police Balochistan regarding the intrusion of armed individuals into the polling station of PB-50 Killa Abdullah and instructed for strict action against the perpetrators.

At the behest of several candidates and the The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, the Election Commission has promptly sought a report from the Provincial Election Commissioner Balochistan and Deputy Commissioner Killa Abdullah regarding the reported abduction of polling staff in constituency PB-50 Killa Abdullah.

The DC of Kila Abdullah verbally stated that no abduction of polling staff occurred. The Election Commission requested a written report from him regarding this matter, to facilitate a proper decision on the aforementioned applications.

The Chief Election Commissioner reached out to District Police Officer Narwal via phone to request a report on the death of a person near polling station PP-54, Narowal, and directed strict action against those accountable.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi will arrive here on Monday on an official visit from April 22 to 24.

During the visit, President Raisi will meet the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate and Speaker, National Assembly.

He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership.

The Iranian President will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the cabinet, senior officials as well as a large business delegation, Foreign Office Spokesperson, said in a press release on Sunday.

This will be the first visit by any Iranian head of state to Pakistan after the general elections in February 8 this year.

The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts.

They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.

Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations, it was added.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that Allama Muhammad Iqbal had dreamt of a Pakistan that would be a cradle of peace, political forbearance and brotherhood and stressed upon renewing of pledge to achieve Iqbals vision by making strenuous efforts.

He said that Allama Iqbal wanted the youth to take the country to acme of progress and development with their constructive approach.

In a message on the observance of the 86th death anniversary of Dr Muhammad Iqbal, the prime minister said that the entire nation had been praying for the high ranks of Allamas departed soul on the day and paid rich tribute to his contributions.

Dr Muhammad Iqbal, through his thoughts and teachings, had stressed the unity of Muslim Ummah. He especially focused upon youth and played an important role in getting them acquainted with the sacrifices of their forefathers, prestige and the forgotten inheritance, PM Office Media Wing, in a press release on Sunday, quoted the prime minister as saying.

The prime minister further said that Allama Iqbal taught the youth to wage consistent struggle and exhorted them to carve paths in the future through gaining knowledge, carrying out research and learning from the past glorious periods of Muslims.

Iqbals philosophy of self-hood (Khudi) was a beacon of light for all and by emulating his philosophy, the exquisite qualities of mankind could be achieved, he said, adding that not only the modern universities in the region but across the globe were also conducting research upon his philosophy and teachings.

The prime minister said, moreover, Iqbals verses and writings in Persian and urdu languages had been popular in the world.

Allama Iqbal had dreamt of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indo-Pak sub-continent which was realized by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of the Muslim League by striving day and night.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) As a part of his orientation tour to Shandong, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi paid a one-day visit to Shouguang county, renowned for being China's "vegetable capital" at the invitation of the Shouguang government.

The ambassador also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the 25th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science and Technology Expo and took a tour of the expo and visited the Pakistan pavilion.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Expo, Ambassador Hashmi praised the Expo's role in promoting global agricultural innovation and cooperation.

He commended Shouguang's leadership in the field of vegetable production, highlighting its international reputation as a center for excellence in facility vegetables.

Ambassador Hashmi also underscored the longstanding partnership between China and Pakistan, particularly in agriculture, recognizing it as a cornerstone of their bilateral relations.

He highlighted Pakistan's agrarian landscape, showcasing its substantial contributions to GDP and employment, and emphasized the country's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity through collaboration with Chinese partners.

He outlined favorable policies and conducive frameworks for collaboration, emphasizing the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships and continued growth in agricultural trade and technology.

He also highlighted the upcoming food and Agri Expo in August 2024, where China would be honored, as a platform for deeper collaboration and exchanges in the agricultural sector.

Ambassador Hashmi also extended a warm invitation to stakeholders, experts, businessmen, and investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan's agriculture sector.

During his stay in Shouguang, the ambassador had interactions with the municipal leadership during which the two sides deliberated ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Shouguang, including through investments and joint ventures, and through institutional mechanisms.

Ambassador Hashmi also visited various agricultural demonstrations bases in Shouguang.

APP/asg
Rio de Janeiro, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro is set to rally supporters in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday in defense of freedom of expression, which he says is under threat in the country, as tech tycoon Elon Musk faces a legal showdown there over claims of censorship and disinformation.

The rally is planned for 10:00 am (1300 GMT) Sunday at Rio's famed Copacabana beach.

"The whole world is aware of how threatened our freedom of expression is," the 69-year-old far-right leader said in a video posted Thursday on his social media accounts.

"Let's do our peaceful act, in defense of democracy, for our freedom, without signs or banners," he added.

Brazilian authorities are investigating whether Bolsonaro plotted an attempted coup to prevent his 2022 election opponent and current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office in January 2023.

Bolsonaro has already been barred from public office for eight years for baselessly trashing Brazil's voting system ahead of the 2022 poll.

Last month, Federal police also recommended he be charged for falsifying his Covid-19 vaccination records. He has denied all charges against him.

Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, is also under investigation in Brazil after he accused a Supreme Court justice this month of censoring social networks, calling him a "dictator" and vowing to disobey rulings to block users found to be spreading disinformation.

The judge, Alexandre de Moraes, has waged a crusade against disinformation, especially attempts by far-right supporters of Bolsonaro to discredit Brazil's voting system.

Users blocked by Moraes include figures like far-right ex-congressman Daniel Silveira, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2022 on charges of leading a movement to overthrow the Supreme Court.

Musk had vowed to reinstate blocked accounts, saying: "We will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there" but "principles matter more than profit."

He has not followed through on his threats, however, and the Brazilian office of X has said it will comply with court orders to block users spreading disinformation.

Moraes has responded to Musk's attacks by ordering fines of 100,000 reais (around $20,000) a day for any blocked account that X reactivates.

Accusing Musk of "criminal instrumentalization" of the platform, Moraes also placed the Tesla and SpaceX boss under investigation for crimes including conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Brazil is part of a growing international debate about the limits of free speech on social media, where some say allowing a free-for-all endangers democracy.

Bolsonaro's Rio rally planned for Sunday follows a Sao Paulo gathering of his supporters in February that researchers said attracted around 185,000 people.

ll/app/ag/sco/dhw
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Spain's northern Basque Country votes Sunday in a regional election that polls suggest will be won by the left-wing separatist coalition Bildu, seen as the heir of the political wing of the defunct armed separatist group ETA.

The outcome could leave Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's ruling Socialist Worker's party in the difficult position of having to decide between two key parliamentary allies.

Surveys predict a victory for EH Bildu, which groups several parties including the Basque socialist Sortu party. Bildu is seen as the heir of the political wing of ETA, the now defunct armed separatist group whose bloody campaign for an independent Basque homeland claimed 850 lives before it rejected violence in 2011.

With a large following among young people thanks to its strong stance on social issues, EH Bildu has climbed steadily in the polls and now looks set to win the most votes in Sunday's election, inching ahead of the centrist Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) that has ruled the region for almost 44 years with only a brief three-year pause.

"Before, the only party looking after Basque interests was the PNV, so everyone voted for them regardless of their political leanings," 40-year-old social worker Elena Garcia, 40, told AFP in Bilbao, saying the ETA era was now well in the past.

"But now if you are left-wing and more socially minded, you will vote for Bildu," Garcia added.

- Socialists as kingmaker -

Polls show it will be a tight race with neither party set to win an absolute majority, leaving the regional branch of the Socialist party as kingmaker.

Sanchez's Socialist-led government relies on key support from a network of regional allies, including both the PNV and Bildu, to govern, meaning the decision could cost him.

But Eurasia Group analyst Federico Santi said it was "unlikely that the result of the election would threaten the stability of (Sanchez's) government".

Until now, the PNV has governed the Basque Country in coalition with the Socialists, whose regional leader has already ruled out supporting Bildu.

The latter's leader, Arnaldo Otegi, was convicted of ETA membership but later credited with helping steer the group away from violence.

"Condemning terrorism is (Bildu's) outstanding debt to Basque society and as long as they do not do that... we will not make any type of deal with them," the Socialist candidate Eneko Andueza told public radio.

But the issue hardly came up until earlier this week when Bildu's candidate for regional leader, Pello Otxandiano, sparked a backlash after he failed to call ETA a "terrorist organisation", referring to it only as an "armed group".

"Even if Bildu wins, it will not be able to govern because no party will be willing to make an alliance with it," said Pablo Simon, a political scientist from Madrid's Carlos III University.

- A wealthy region -

Some 1.8 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots to choose the regional parliament's 75 lawmakers as polls open at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) on Sunday. Polling stations close at 8:00 pm.

With 2.2 million residents, the Basque Country has the second highest regional income per capita in Spain, after Madrid, which averages around 36,000 Euros ($38,400). Its economy accounts for 5.9 percent of Spain's gross domestic product, ranking fifth of Spain's 17 regions, Caixabank research figures indicate.

It is also the region with the lowest unemployment figure in Spain at 7.9 percent, according to Basque government figures.

The father of Basque nationalism was Sabino Arana, who set up the PNV in 1895. His ultra-Catholic, anti-Spanish ideology grew out of his vehement opposition to the thousands of Spaniards flocking to the area as a result of the industrial revolution.

ETA emerged in 1959 out of a split within the PNV's youth movement who were angered by what they saw as the party's inability to stand up to the Franco regime.

In its first recorded act of bloodshed, ETA militants shot dead a policeman on June 7, 1968 in the city of Villabona, according to Spanish interior ministry documents.
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) James Marape meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, April 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

PORT MORESBY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China will become the most trustworthy partner for Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the latter's development process, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with PNG Prime Minister James Marape.

Wang appreciated Marape's firm pursuit of a positive and friendly policy towards China, saying that the PNG prime minister was not only the sole Pacific island country leader to visit China during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also among the first to do so after the pandemic, representing the Pacific island region at the third Belt and Road Summit Forum for International Cooperation.

China and PNG have consistently offered firm support to each other on issues related to their core interests, consolidating the political foundation of bilateral ties. The two countries have also expanded and deepened their mutually beneficial cooperation, providing continuous momentum to their national development and revitalization, said Wang.

The Chinese foreign minister pointed out that PNG, with huge potential and unique advantages, is accelerating its development and revitalization, and can absolutely turn into a more prosperous, independent, and influential country.

Noting that China will become the most reliable partner in the development process of PNG, Wang said the Chinese side is ready to quicken negotiations of a free trade agreement with the PNG, as well as boost cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, finance, infrastructure for more achievements to benefit the two peoples.

For his part, Marape said China has a long history of friendly exchanges with Pacific island countries, including PNG, calling China a sincere good friend for his country.

The PNG prime minister noted that bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and China have taken deep roots, covered broad areas, and yielded fruitful results. The Chinese government, people, and enterprises have contributed to Papua New Guinea's economic and social development and improved people's well-being.

PNG will keep its promise, unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle, and stay committed to a friendly policy toward China under any circumstances, Marape said.

Seeing economic development as a primary task for developing countries, Marape noted that China's development has provided impetus for world economic growth and brought pivotal opportunities to other countries.

PNG is willing to learn from China's successful experience and push forward mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields to achieve sustainable development, Marape added.

During his visit, Wang also held talks with PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko. The two ministers also held a joint press conference. 
(@FahadShabbir)

Bamako, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) In Mali's capital Bamako, Aboubacar Pamateck runs a scarf under a trickle of water and wraps it around his head to cope with the West African nation's soaring heat.

Africa's Sahel region experienced a deadly heatwave in early April, exceptional both in terms of duration and intensity.

"I drink a lot of water and wear my turban, which I often get wet," Pamateck said. "I even avoid wearing nylon boubous. I prefer to wear small cotton boubous to avoid the heat."

From April 1 to April 5, temperatures in Mali exceeded 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) and peaked at a record 48.5C in the western city of Kayes.

A few days later, the thermometer fell back to a more familiar but still difficult 43 degrees at midday in the shade in Bamako.

Aas the sun beats down on the capital's streets, residents suffocate in airborne dust.

"It is very difficult in this heat," said a motorbike taxi driver, Ousmane Diarra. "But we have to work like this."

Ranked among the poorest countries in the world, Mali is ill-equipped to cope with heatwaves.

April's blast would not have occurred without human-induced climate change, according to a World Weather Attribution (WWA) study.

And such episodes are set to intensify because of climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, the report added.

Mali frequently suffers from electricity cuts due to run-down power stations and the heavy debt the national energy company carries -- making it hard to rely on fans or air conditioners.

"At night, I sleep on the roof with my family," Pamateck said.

"I have even bought (handheld) fans that I give to my family so that they can ventilate themselves frequently. It is necessary."

- Excess deaths -

As well as being difficult to live and work in, heatwaves are amongst the "deadliest natural disasters", according to the WWA.

A lack of data in the Sahel region made it impossible to know the exact number of deaths, the WWA said, adding there were likely hundreds, if not thousands, of other heat-related casualties.

"This year, especially in recent months, we have come across many cases of people with high fever and dehydration," Dr Ibrahim Fall, head of a medical unit in Bamako's commune three, told AFP.

"We are therefore obliged to admit them to hospital, but unfortunately there is a very high mortality rate, of up to 50 percent, due to dehydration and fever," he said.

Power cuts also complicate the treatment of patients.

In early April, Bamako's national blood transfusion centre asked medical establishments to "suspend all non-essential transfusions" because of "daily power cuts lasting more than 12 hours" a day.

Scientists estimate that a heatwave like the one that hit Mali and Burkina Faso would be 10 times more frequent than in the current climate if global warming reaches two degrees, which could happen between 2040 and 2050.
Pristina, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) Polling stations opened Sunday in four towns in Kosovo's Serb-majority north holding an extraordinary local vote on whether to oust their ethnic Albanian mayors in a territory riddled with deadly tensions.

The vote could pave the way for the election of Serbs to the mayoral posts after the appointment of the ethnic Albanians sparked violence in the Belgrade-backed region.

But by 0900 GMT, four hours after polling stations opened, only 85 out of some 45,000 eligible voters cast ballots, the Central Election Commission said (CEC).

The figures suggested a boycott of the vote that would fail if the trend continues.

For the election to be valid turnout has to be above 50 percent.

CEC spokesman Valmir Elezi urged voters to "exercise their right and vote whether or not they want to have the current mayors".

Tensions in Kosovo's troubled north have been smouldering for months, following local elections won by the ethnic Albanian mayors in April last year.

Ethnic Serbs boycotted the elections and Serb protesters later clashed with Kosovo police and NATO troops as the Albanian mayors tried to take office. Around 30 NATO peacekeepers were injured.

Led by the largest Serb and Belgrade-backed party, Serb List, thousands of citizens of North Kosovo's four municipalities signed petitions in January for the dismissal of all the current mayors in the north by a referendum.

But despite previously favouring the new vote, organising the mass collection of signatures and using the opportunity to take control of the local administration, the Serb List surprisingly called for a boycott.

"The position of Serb List is to not participate in the vote," said the head of the party, Zlatan Elek.

Although he cited a disagreement with Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leadership it remains unclear why the Srpska List decided to shun a vote which had been its target since boycotting the last election.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2024) The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved long-delayed military aid to Ukraine in a rare show of bipartisan unity, while also bolstering Israel and Taiwan defenses and threatening to ban Chinese-owned TikTok.

The four bills in the $95 billion package were overwhelmingly approved in quick succession, though they leave the future of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in some doubt as he seeks to fend off angry far-right detractors.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement the legislation would "deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and other locations... and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific."

He praised lawmakers who came together across party lines "to answer history's call."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the $61 billion earmarked for his country, saying the military and economic assistance would "save thousands and thousands of lives."

Not surprisingly, Russia took the opposite view.

"It will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime," said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, state news agency TASS reported.

The US Senate will take the bill up on Tuesday. Senate approval would then send the measure to Biden for his signature.

The bills are the product of months of acrimonious negotiations, pressure from US allies and repeated pleas for assistance from Zelensky.

The United States has been the chief military backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Congress has not approved large-scale funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half, mainly because of cross-aisle bickering.

Biden and Democratic lawmakers in Congress have been pushing for a major new weapons package for Ukraine for months.

But Republicans, influenced by the party's presidential candidate Donald Trump, have been reluctant to provide funding to Kyiv for the drawn-out conflict.

The financing of the war has become a point of contention ahead of a presidential election in November that is expected to pit Biden against Trump once again.

Johnson, after months of hesitation, finally threw his support behind the aid package for Ukraine.

"To put it bluntly, I'd rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys," Johnson said.

The handful of far-right Republicans who had threatened to engineer Johnson's ouster if he pressed the Ukraine vote appeared to back away Saturday, at least temporarily.

"I'm actually going to let my colleagues go home and hear from their constituents" about their anger over the vote, congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on CNN.

The Ukraine bill also allows Biden to confiscate and sell Russian assets and provide the money to Ukraine to finance reconstruction, a move that has been embraced by other G7 nations.

- TikTok ban? -

At Biden's request, some $8 billion under one bill would be used to counter China through investment in submarine infrastructure and boosting competition with Beijing on projects built in developing countries.

Several billion Dollars would be devoted to weapons for Taiwan, the self-ruled island that is claimed by China.

The first of the bills passed Saturday would force social media platform TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban in the United States, where it has around 170 million users.

Western officials have voiced alarm over the popularity of TikTok with young people, alleging that it is subservient to Beijing and a conduit to spread propaganda -- claims denied by the company.

TikTok sharply denounced the bill, saying it "would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the US economy annually," a TikTok spokesman said.

A total of $13 billion in military assistance has been allocated for America's historic ally Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the "much appreciated aid bill" showed strong support for Israel and "defends Western civilization."

The money will essentially be used to reinforce Israel's Iron Dome air defenses.

More than $9 billion will be earmarked to address "the dire need for humanitarian assistance for Gaza as well as other vulnerable populations around the world," the legislation says.

Officials of NATO, the European Union and Germany welcomed passage of the Ukraine bill in the House.
Apple said it had removed Meta's WhatsApp messaging app and its Threads social media app from the App Store in China to comply with orders from Chinese authorities.

The apps were removed from the store Friday after Chinese officials cited unspecified national security concerns.

Their removal comes amid elevated tensions between the U.S. and China over trade, technology and national security.

The U.S. has threatened to ban TikTok over national security concerns. But while TikTok, owned by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, is used by millions in the U.S., apps like WhatsApp and Threads are not commonly used in China.

Instead, the messaging app WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, reigns supreme.

Other Meta apps, including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger remained available for download, although use of such foreign apps is blocked in China due to its "Great Firewall" network of filters that restrict use of foreign websites such as Google and Facebook.

"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in a statement.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple said.

A spokesperson for Meta referred to "Apple for comment."

Apple, previously the world's top smartphone maker, recently lost the top spot to Korean rival Samsung Electronics. The U.S. firm has run into headwinds in China, one of its top three markets, with sales slumping after Chinese government agencies and employees of state-owned companies were ordered not to bring Apple devices to work.

Apple has been diversifying its manufacturing bases outside China.

Its CEO Tim Cook has been visiting Southeast Asia this week, traveling to Hanoi and Jakarta before wrapping up his travels in Singapore. On Friday he met with Singapore's deputy prime minister, Lawrence Wong, where they "discussed the partnership between Singapore and Apple, and Apple's continued commitment to doing business in Singapore."

Apple pledged to invest over $250 million to expand its campus in the city-state.

Earlier this week, Cook met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, pledging to increase spending on Vietnamese suppliers.

He also met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Cook later told reporters that they talked about Widodo's desire to promote manufacturing in Indonesia, and said that this was something that Apple would "look at."
The closure of Wadsworth Elementary School in 2013 was a blow to residents of the majority-Black neighborhood it served, symbolizing a city indifferent to their interests.

So when the city reopened Wadsworth last year to shelter hundreds of migrants without seeking community input, it added insult to injury. Across Chicago, Black residents are frustrated that long-standing needs are not being met while the city's newly arrived are cared for with a sense of urgency, and with their tax dollars.

"Our voices are not valued nor heard," said Genesis Young, a lifelong Chicagoan who lives near Wadsworth.

Chicago is one of several big American cities grappling with a surge of migrants. The Republican governor of Texas has been sending them by the busload to highlight his grievances with the Biden administration's immigration policy.

To manage the influx, Chicago has already spent more than $300 million of city, state and federal funds to provide housing, health care, education and more to over 38,000 mostly South American migrants who have arrived in the city since 2022, desperate for help. The speed with which these funds were marshaled has stirred widespread resentment among Black Chicagoans.

But community leaders are trying to ease racial tensions and channel the public's frustrations into agitating for the greater good.

Political reactions

The outcry over migrants in Chicago and other large Democrat-led cities is having wider implications in an election year: The Biden administration is now advocating a more restrictive approach to immigration in its negotiations with Republicans in Congress.

Since the Wadsworth building reopened as a shelter, Young has felt "extreme anxiety" because of the noise, loitering and around-the-clock police presence that came with it. More than anything, she and other neighbors say it is a reminder of problems that have been left unsolved for years, including high rates of crime, unemployment and homelessness.

"I definitely don't want to seem insensitive to them and them wanting a better life. However, if you can all of a sudden come up with all these millions of dollars to address their housing, why didn't you address the homeless issue here?" said Charlotte Jackson, the owner of a bakery and restaurant in the South Loop neighborhood.

"For so long we accepted that this is how things had to be in our communities," said Chris Jackson, who co-founded the bakery with his wife. "This migrant crisis has made many people go: 'Wait a minute, no it doesn't.' "

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declined to comment for this story.

The city received more than $200 million from the state and federal governments to help care for migrants after Johnson appealed to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden. The president will be in Chicago in August to make his reelection pitch at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Some see opportunity

Some Black Chicagoans are protesting the placement of shelters in their neighborhoods, but others aim to turn the adversity into an opportunity.

"Chicago is a microcosm to the rest of the nation," said the Reverend Janette C. Wilson, national executive director of the civil rights group PUSH for Excellence. Black communities have faced discrimination and underinvestment for decades and are justifiably frustrated, Wilson said. The attention the migrants are receiving is deserved, she added, but it's also a chance for cities to reflect on their responsibility to all underserved communities.

"There is a moral imperative to take care of everybody," Wilson said.

After nearly two years of acrimony, the city has begun to curb some accommodations for migrants  which has caused its own backlash. The city last month started evicting migrants who overstayed a 60-day limit at shelters, prompting condemnation from immigrant rights groups and from residents worried about public safety.

Marlita Ingram, a school guidance counselor who lives in the South Shore neighborhood, said she was concerned about the resources being shared "equitably" between migrants and longtime residents. But she said she also believed that "it doesn't have to be a competition" and sympathized with the nearly 6,000 migrant children now enrolled in Chicago's public schools.

As the potential for racial strife rises, some activists are pointing to history as a cautionary tale.

Hundreds of thousands of Black Southerners moved to Chicago in the early 20th century in search of greater freedoms and economic opportunities. White Chicagoans at the time accused them of receiving disproportionate resources from the city, and in 1919 tensions boiled over.

In a surge of racist attacks in cities across the U.S. that came to be known as "Red Summer," white residents burned large swaths of Chicago's Black neighborhoods and killed 38 Black people, including by lynching.

"Those white folks were, like, 'Hell, no, they're coming here, they're taking our jobs,' '' said Richard Wallace, founder of Equity and Transformation, a majority-Black community group that co-hosted a forum in March to improve dialogue between Black and Latino residents.

Echoes of past

He hears echoes of that past bigotry  intentional or not  when Black Chicagoans complain about the help being given to migrants. "How did we become like the white folks who were resisting our people coming to the city of the Chicago?" he said.

Labor and immigrant rights organizers have worked for years to tamp down divisions among working class communities. But the migrant crisis has created tensions between the city's large Mexican American community and recently arrived migrants, many of whom hail from Venezuela.

"If left unchecked, we all panic, we're all scared, we're going to retreat to our corners," said Leone Jose Bicchieri, executive director of Working Family Solidarity, a majority-Hispanic labor rights group. "The truth is that this city wouldn't work without Black and Latino people."

Black Americans' views on immigration and diversity are expansive. The Civil Rights Movement was instrumental in pushing the U.S. to adopt a more inclusive immigration policy.

About half of Black Americans say the United States' diverse population makes the country strong, including 30% who say it makes the U.S. "much stronger," according to a March poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Many leaders in Black neighborhoods in and around Chicago are trying to acknowledge the tensions without exacerbating them.

"Our church is divided on the migrant crisis," said the Reverend Chauncey Brown, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Maywood, Illinois, a majority-Black suburb of Chicago where some migrants are living in shelters.

There has been a noticeable uptick of non-English speakers in the pews, many of whom have said they are migrants in need of food and other services, Brown said. Some church members cautioned him against speaking out in support of migrants or allotting more church resources to them. But he said the Bible's teachings are clear on this issue.

"When a stranger enters your land, you are to care for them as if they are one of your own," he said.
China's ambassador to Canada has left his post and returned to China, a source familiar with the matter said Sunday, with the news emerging during a senior Canadian diplomat's visit to the Asian nation.

Further details into why Cong Peiwu, who has served since 2019, left his post were not immediately available. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China's foreign ministry said earlier that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held talks with visiting Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison and the two discussed "China-Canada relations and other issues of mutual interest and concern."

The Chinese ambassador's departure was first reported by The Globe and Mail. Cong's posting ended on April 9 and came as a surprise to some in the diplomatic corps because of its abruptness, the newspaper said, citing sources.

Relations between Ottawa and Beijing have been tense since 2018 when Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies, on a U.S. warrant. Later, Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were taken into custody by China.

China had detained the two Canadian men for more than 1,000 days in a step that was at the center of Ottawa and Washington's dispute with Beijing. The men were released in 2021 on the same day the U.S. Justice Department dropped its extradition request for Meng and she returned to China.

Beijing and Ottawa also have been at odds with each other over other issues like China's national security law in Hong Kong  which Canada has condemned  and China's alleged interference in Canadian elections, suspicions that China denies and Canadian government agencies are investigating.
A group of first- and second-grade Japanese elementary school students on Thursday chanted songs in honor of Confucius in the courtyard of the 316-year-old Taku Seibyo, a Confucian temple in the city of Taku in southwest Japan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day official visit to reaffirm ties with Beijings closest ally in Southeast Asia. His visit is the last stop on a three-nation regional swing that also took him to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

He is visiting amid foreign concerns about two big Chinese-funded projects in Cambodia  a planned canal and a naval base  that critics allege could aid Beijings strategic military interests in Southeast Asia.

China is Cambodias most important ally and benefactor, with strong influence in its economy. That is illustrated by numerous Chinese-funded projects  particularly infrastructure, including airports and roads, but also private projects such as hotels, casinos and property development. More than 40% of Cambodias $10 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

Wang is scheduled to have separate meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, now serving as president of the Senate after serving for 38 years as Cambodias head of government until he stepped down last year to be succeeded by his son. Wang was also granted a royal audience with King Norodom Sihamoni.

Hun Manet has shown no sign of deviating from his fathers pro-Beijing foreign policy. In August 2023, Wang visited Cambodia just days after Hun Sen announced he would step down as prime minister in favor of his eldest son.

Beijings support allows Cambodia to disregard Western concerns about its poor record on human and political rights, and in turn Cambodia generally supports Beijings positions on foreign policy issues such as its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Cambodia has recently reiterated its determination to go ahead with the Chinese-financed 180-kilometer (112-mile) long, $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project across four provinces in the southern part of the country to connect the capital, Phnom Penh, to the Gulf of Thailand.

The plan has raised concern from neighboring Vietnam, where some scholars speculated the 100-meter (330-foot) -wide and 5.4 meter (18-foot) -deep canal could make it easier for China to send military forces southward, close to Vietnams southern coast. There are often frosty relations between Vietnam and its massive northern neighbor China, which aggressively claims maritime territory claimed by Hanoi and in 1979 staged a brief invasion.

The United States has also weighed in on the project, appealing for transparency on the part of Cambodia's government. Wesley Holzer, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Phnom Penh, was quoted as telling VOA that the Cambodian people, along with people in neighboring countries and the broader region, would benefit from transparency on any major undertaking with potential implications for regional water management, agricultural sustainability, and security,

Hun Manet, speaking Thursday to government officials and villagers in southern Takeo province, dismissed the Vietnamese concern and vowed to push forward with the project, which he said would provide a huge benefit to Cambodia.

China also is involved with another project causing foreign concern, its Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, which the United States and some international security analysts say is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijings navy.

The Ream base initially attracted attention in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of an agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30 years' use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.

Hun Sen in response repeatedly denied there was such an agreement, pointing out that Cambodias constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil and declared that visiting ships from all nations are welcome.

The base is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. The U.S. has refused to recognize Chinas sweeping claims and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce its status as international waters.

On Dec. 7, two Chinese naval vessels became the first ships to dock at a new pier at the base, coinciding with an official visit to Cambodia by Chinas top defense official.
While this months death sentence in a multibillion-dollar Vietnamese fraud case may show the power of Hanois antigraft campaign, interviews in recent days showed continuing concerns over political impunity in Vietnam and vulnerability and corruption in the countrys poorly paid public sector.

Meanwhile, two of those interviewed expressed doubts the sentence would actually be carried out.

On April 11, Truong My Lan, the 68-year-old chairwoman of real-estate firm Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group was given the death sentence for embezzling $12.5 billion, leading to damages that have now reached $27 billion, as well as well as 20 years each for bribery and violating banking regulations. She was also ordered by the court to return $27 billion to Saigon Commercial Bank, or SCB, for taking out bad loans over 11 years.

In 2012, Lan merged three banks into SCB. Although Vietnamese law prohibits anyone from owning more than 5% of the shares of any bank, prosecutors said that through proxies and thousands of shell companies Lan indirectly owned 91.5% of SCB.

Nguyen Hong Hai, senior lecturer at VinUniversity in Hanoi, said Lan's sentence shows the government's effort to impart a public message.

"We have to put it in the context of the ongoing blazing furnace anticorruption campaign launched by the Party in 2016," Hai told VOA on April 16.

"They want to send a clear message to the public that they really want to clean up society and they are determined to combat corruption."

A 38-year-old bank clerk in Ho Chi Minh City struck a similar chord in an April 17 written message, telling VOA that the verdict helps to restore faith in financial institutions.

"Lan and her people have used the banking system to take the money for their own purposes," he wrote in Vietnamese. "A quick verdict helped to gain back people's trust."

Corruption said likely widespread

However, Zachary Abuza, Southeast Asia expert and professor at the National War College in Washington, said corruption is likely widespread in Vietnam's banking sector and despite the sentences meted out, high-level officials escaped implication.

The countrys Communist Party "definitely circled the wagons and made sure that some lower-level party officials and regulators were held responsible, but it didn't go any higher," he told VOA on April 12.

"It definitely should have gone higher," he added.

During the trial, 85 individuals were punished in addition to Lan, with sentences ranging from probation to life imprisonment. Do Thi Nhan, the head banking inspector of the State Bank of Vietnam, was given a life sentence for accepting a $5.2 million bribe to cover up SCB's wrongdoing.

Hai in Hanoi said authorities are likely implicated in Lan's corrupt business practices and more officials may be revealed.

"In any corruption case, they are somehow involved with authorities and government officials particularly when it comes to a very huge corruption case like this one that involves real estate and the banking sector," Hai said.

"Maybe more investigations will be conducted.  The authorities have not yet said that it's the end of the case," he said.

Systemic bribery

Part of the cycle of corruption that led to Lan's scam is the low pay of public sector workers, making them vulnerable to bribery, said Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

Giang told VOA on April 17 that the monthly salary for the government's top role of general secretary is approximately $1,000, mid-level officials make about $400, and those entering the public sector out of college do not make enough to live without accepting bribes or taking on side jobs.

"People who just start working for the state, they get about $150 a month," Giang said. "If you get this kind of salary you cannot survive in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City."

The government is trying to address the issue by increasing public sector salaries by 30% starting July this year. Although the move shows a "strong political will," Giang said he worries it will not be enough to stop entrenched corruption with salaries starting at such a low level.

"We have 2.5 million bureaucrats," he said. "There's a lot of people on the state payroll and basically when you have too many people and a very small cake it is impossible to give everyone the share that they wish to have."

Sentence may not be carried out

Meanwhile, it may be that Lans death sentence will not actually be carried out, even though its imposition signals a serious government attitude toward corruption.

Ha Huy Son, the director of the Ha Son Law Company in Hanoi told VOA April 11 that he expected appellate courts would commute Lans death sentence.

Lans death sentence "conveys the message that authorities are not lenient on economic crimes incurring consequential losses," he said, adding that Vietnamese courts "have made it a norm" that if embezzlement case defendants compensate more than three-fourths of the losses incurred, their sentences will be commuted.

In addition, he said. It can take up to 20 years for a death sentence to be carried out, and Lan is almost 70.

Le Quoc Quan, a dissident and lawyer living in exile in the U.S. state of Virginia predicted to VOA April 11 that Lan would not be put to death, saying that while the death sentence is needed "to placate public sentiment, which is boiling over corruption," it can "also serve as a bargaining chip to force Lan to compensate."

"Truong My Lan being alive and well is good for recovering losses. Dead Truong My Lan serves nothing," Quan said.

Le Nguyen of VOAs Vietnamese Service reported from Washington.
A new, digestible mini-robotic camera, about the size of a multivitamin pill, was demonstrated at the annual TED Conference in Vancouver. The remote-controlled device can eliminate invasive medical procedures.

With current technology, exploration of the digestive tract involves going through the highly invasive procedure of an endoscopy, in which a camera at the end of a cord is inserted down the throat and into a medicated patients stomach.

But the robotic pill, developed by Endiatx in Hayward, California, is designed to be the first motorized replacement of the procedure. A patient fasts for a day, then swallows the PillBot with lots of water. The PillBot, acting like a miniature submarine, is piloted in the body by a wireless remote control. After the exam, it then flushes out of the human body naturally.

For Dr. Vivek Kumbhari, co-founder of the company and professor of medicine and chairman of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, it is the latest step toward his goal of democratizing previously complex medicine.

If procedure-based diagnostics can be moved from a hospital to a home, "then I think we have achieved that goal," he said. The new setting would require fewer medical staff personnel and no anesthesia, producing "a safer, more comfortable approach.

Kumbhari said this technology also makes medicine more efficient, allowing people to get care earlier in the course of an illness.

For co-founder Alex Luebke, the micro-robotic pill can be transformative for rural areas around the world where there is limited access to medical facilities.

"Especially in developing countries, there is no access" to complex medical procedures, he said. "So being able to have the technology, gather all that information and provide you the solution, even in remote areas - that's the way to do it.

Luebke said if internet access is not immediately available, information from the PillBot can be transmitted later.

The duo are also utilizing artificial intelligence to provide the initial diagnosis, with a medical doctor later developing a treatment plan.

Joel Bervell is known to his million social media followers as the Medical Mythbuster and is a fourth-year medical student at Washington State University. He said the strength of this type of technology is how it can be easily used in remote and rural communities.

Many patients travel hundreds of miles, literally, for their appointment. Use of a pill that would not require a visit to a physician "would be life-changing for them.

The micro-robotic pill is undergoing trials and will soon be in front of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval, which developers expect to have in 2025. It's expected that the pill would then be widely available in 2026.

Kumbhari hopes the technology can be expanded to the bowels, vascular system, heart, liver, brain and other parts of the body. Eventually, he hopes, this will allow hospitals to be left for more urgent medical care and surgeries.
New York lawmakers are proposing rules to humanely drive down the population of rats and other rodents, eyeing contraception and a ban on glue traps as alternatives to poison or a slow, brutal death.

Politicians have long come up with creative ways to battle the rodents, but some lawmakers are now proposing city and statewide measures to do more.

In New York City, the idea to distribute rat contraceptives got fresh attention in city government Thursday following the death of an escaped zoo owl, known as Flaco, who was found dead with rat poison in his system.

City Council Member Shaun Abreu proposed an ordinance Thursday that would establish a pilot program for controlling the millions of rats lurking in subway stations and empty lots by using birth control instead of lethal chemicals. Abreu, chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, said the contraceptives also are more ethical and humane than other methods.

The contraceptive, called ContraPest, is contained in salty, fatty pellets that are scattered in rat-infested areas as bait. It works by targeting ovarian function in female rats and disrupting sperm cell production in males, The New York Times reported.

New York exterminators currently kill rats using snap and glue traps, poisons that make them bleed internally, and carbon monoxide gas that can suffocate them in burrows. Some hobbyists have even trained their dogs to hunt them.

Rashad Edwards, a film and television actor who runs pest management company Scurry Inc. in New York City with his wife, said the best method he has found when dealing with rodents is carbon monoxide.

He tries to use the most humane method possible, and carbon monoxide euthanizes the rats slowly, putting them to sleep and killing them. Edwards avoids using rat poison whenever possible because it is dangerous and torturous to the rodents, he said.

Some lawmakers in Albany are considering a statewide ban on glue boards under a bill moving through the Legislature. The traps, usually made from a slab of cardboard or plastic coated in a sticky material, can also ensnare small animals that land on its surface.

Edwards opposes a ban on sticky traps, because he uses them on other pests, such as ants, to reduce overall pesticide use. When ants get into a house, he uses sticky traps to figure out where they're most often passing by. It helps him narrow zones of pesticide use "so that you don't go spray the entire place."

"This is not a problem we can kill our way out of," said Jakob Shaw, a special project manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "It's time to embrace these more common sense and humane methods."

Two cities in California have passed bans on glue traps in recent years. On the federal level, a bill currently in committee would ban the traps nationwide.

"It ends a really inhumane practice of managing rat populations," said Jabari Brisport, the New York state senator who represents part of Brooklyn and sponsored the bill proposing the new guidelines. "There are more effective and more humane ways to deal with rats."

Every generation of New Yorkers has struggled to control rat populations. Mayor Eric Adams hired a "rat czar" last year tasked with battling the detested rodents. Last month, New York City reduced the amount of food served up to rats by mandating all businesses to put trash out in boxes.

While the war on rats has no end in sight, the exterminator Edwards said we can learn a lot from their resilience. The rodents, he said, can never be eradicated, only managed.

"They're very smart, and they're very wise," he said. "It's very inspiring but just  not in my house."
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hailed the country's armed forces for their "success" in his first public remarks since Tehran launched a massive drone and missile attack on Israel last week.



Meeting with senior Iranian military commanders Sunday, Khamenei praised the armed forces for their "success in recent events." He was referring to Irans air attack against Israel on April 13.



"The armed forces showed a good image of their abilities and power and an admirable image of the Iranian nation," Khamenei said. "They also proved the emergence of the power of the Iranian nation's determination at the international level," he added.

Israel said it intercepted 99 percent of the more than 300 drones and missiles fired at it by Tehran with the aid of the United States and other allies and that those which got through caused only minor damage.



Satellite images analyzed Saturday by The Associated Press verified Israels information.

Khamenei downplayed Irans thwarted airstrikes by Israel and its allies, saying, "The issue of the number of missiles fired or the missiles that hit the target" was "secondary.



"The main issue is the emergence of the willpower of the Iranian nation and the armed forces in the international arena," he said, according to his official website.

Irans foreign minister minimized a retaliatory strike by Israel on Iran Friday, describing the weapons that Israel used as more like childrens toys.

What happened last night was not a strike, the foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, told NCB News when he was attending a U.N. Security Council session.

They were more like toys that our children play with  not drones, he said.

The foreign minister said Iran was not planning to respond unless Israel launches a significant attack.

His comments helped to calm fears of a looming escalation in the hostilities between the two countries that could lead to an all-out war in the wider region.



Israels Friday strike, which Khamenei also minimized, was a retaliatory strike to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, which was itself in retaliation for an airstrike on the Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria on April 1.



That attack, widely blamed on Israel, levelled the Iranian consulate and killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including two generals.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Sunday, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, to "deliver additional and painful blows" on Hamas to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.



"In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages," Netanyahu said, without offering any details.

The Israeli army has said some of the hostages abducted during Hamas' October 7 attack in southern Israel were being held in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.



Later Sunday, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement, "The chief of staff has approved the next steps for the war." He did not provide specific information.

"On Passover, it will be 200 days of captivity for the hostages. ... We will fight until you return home to us," he said.

Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to unleash a military offensive on Rafah, claiming members of the terror group Hamas are holed up there. The threat comes despite calls for restraint from the international community, including from the United States  Israel's main ally.

Twenty-two people, including 18 children, were killed by Israeli strikes on Rafah overnight, officials said Sunday, as Israel vows to expand its ground offensive against Hamas militants in the city of 1.4 million people, most of them refugees.

The airstrikes killed a man, his pregnant wife and their 3-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. Doctors managed to safely deliver the baby from her dead mother's womb, the hospital said. Another, second strike killed 17 children and two women from an extended family.

Asked about the casualties in Rafah, an Israeli military spokesperson said various militant targets were struck in Gaza including military compounds, launch posts and armed people.

"Did you see one man in all of those killed?" said Saqr Abdel Aal, a Palestinian man whose family was among the dead, grieving over the body of a child in a white shroud.

"All are women and children," he said. "My entire identity has been wiped out, with my wife, children and everyone," the Reuters news agency reported.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million is sheltering after fleeing Israel's military assaults in other parts of the enclave.

Israel's latest strikes hit Gaza as U.S. lawmakers approved $26 billion in new Israeli aid, despite global criticism over the death toll in Gaza. The aid package includes $9 billion in humanitarian aid for the continuing crisis in Gaza.

The Palestinian health ministry said Sunday that in the past 24 hours, 48 Palestinians were killed, and 79 others wounded in Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip.

More than 34,000 people have been killed and nearly 77,000 wounded in Israel's assault, Palestinian health authorities say, since the beginning of the war in Gaza in October.

West Bank

Israeli soldiers opened fire and killed three Palestinians Sunday in the occupied West Bank, where violence is raging.

The Israeli military said the three Palestinians attacked Israeli soldiers in two different locations. In the first incident, at a junction near the Palestinian city of Hebron, Israeli troops were shot at by one man, while another attempted to stab them, before the military opened fire on both individuals.

A Reuters cameraman saw a body at the scene of the incident. The official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, citing local sources, said ambulance crews were prevented from reaching the site. The two victims, aged 18 and 19, were later confirmed dead.

In the second incident, at a checkpoint farther north in the West Bank, the military said a woman tried to stab soldiers who then responded with live fire. She was later confirmed dead by health authorities.

Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the Israel-Hamas war started, with Israel's frequent army raids on militant groups, rampages by Jewish settlers in Palestinian villages, and deadly Palestinian street ambushes on Israeli soldiers.

Netanyahu said Sunday he would fight sanctions being imposed on any Israeli military units for alleged rights violations in the West Bank, after media reports said Washington was planning such a step.

Axios news site reported Saturday that Washington was planning to impose sanctions on Israel's Netzah Yehuda battalion, which has operated in the occupied West Bank, although the Israeli military said it was not aware of any such measures.

US announces sanctions

On Friday, the United States announced a series of sanctions against organizations funding attacks by extremist Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank. This is the latest sign of growing U.S. frustration with the policies of Netanyahu, whose coalition government relies on settler parties.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the October Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Militants also took about 250 people as hostages. Hamas has been designated a terror group by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others.

In November, more than 100 hostages were released as part of a four-day pause in the fighting. Israel says about 130 hostages remain in captivity, but one-quarter of them are dead.



Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The Pentagon could get weapons moving to Ukraine within days once Congress passes a long-delayed aid bill. That's because it has a network of storage sites in the U.S. and Europe that hold the ammunition and air defense components that Kyiv desperately needs.

Moving fast is critical, CIA Director Bill Burns said this past week, warning that without additional aid from the U.S., Ukraine could lose the war to Russia by the end of this year.

"We would like very much to be able to rush the security assistance in the volumes we think they need to be able to be successful," Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

The House approved $61 billion in funding for the war-torn country Saturday. It still needs to clear the Senate and President Joe Bidens signature.

Once that happens, "we have a very robust logistics network that enables us to move material very quickly," Ryder told reporters this past week. "We can move within days."

Ready to go

The Pentagon has had supplies ready to go for months but hasn't moved them because it is out of money. It has spent the funding Congress previously provided to support Ukraine, sending more than $44 billion worth of weapons, maintenance, training and spare parts since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

By December, the Pentagon was $10 billion in the hole, because it is going to cost more now to replace the systems it sent to the battlefield in Ukraine.

As a result, the Pentagon's frequent aid packages for Ukraine dried up because there had been no guarantee that Congress would pass the additional funding needed to replenish the weapons the U.S. has been sending to Ukraine.

The lag in weapons deliveries has forced Ukrainian troops to spend months rationing their dwindling supply of munitions.

How US can quickly move weapons

When an aid package for Ukraine is announced, the weapons are either provided through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the military to immediately pull from its stockpiles, or through security assistance, which funds longer-term contracts with the defense industry to obtain the systems.

The presidential drawdown authority, or PDA, as it's known, has allowed the military to send billions of dollars' worth of ammunition, air defense missile launchers, tanks, vehicles and other equipment to Ukraine.

"In the past, we've seen weapons transferred via presidential drawdown authority arrive within a matter of days," said Brad Bowman, director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies center on military and political power.

Those stocks are pulled from bases or storage facilities in the U.S. or from European sites where the U.S. has surged weapons to cut down on the amount of time it will take to deliver them once the funding is approved.

Storage in US

The military has massive weapons storage facilities in the U.S. for millions of rounds of munitions of all sizes that would be ready to use in case of war.

For example, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma sprawls across more than 16,000 hectares connected by rail and has a mission to surge as many as 435 shipping containers  each able to carry 15 tons worth of munitions  if ordered by the president.

The facility is also a major storage site for one of the most used munitions on Ukraine's battlefield, 155 mm howitzer rounds.

The demand by Ukraine for that particular shell has put pressure on U.S. stockpiles and pushed the military to see where else it could get them. As a result, tens of thousands of 155 mm rounds have been shipped back from South Korea to McAlester to be retrofitted for Ukraine.

Storage in Europe

According to a U.S. military official, the U.S. would be able to send certain munitions "almost immediately" to Ukraine because storehouses exist in Europe.

Among the weapons that could go very quickly are the 155 mm rounds and other artillery, along with some air defense munitions. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss preparations not yet made public.

A host of sites across Germany, Poland and other European allies also are helping Ukraine maintain and train on systems sent to the front. For example, Germany set up a maintenance hub for Kyiv's Leopard 2 tank fleet in Poland, near the Ukrainian border.

The nearby maintenance hubs hasten the turnaround time to get needed repairs done on the Western systems.
Residents of four Serb-majority municipalities are casting their votes Sunday on removing their ethnic Albanian mayors from office following last years mayoral elections, overwhelmingly boycotted by the Serb minority.

The referendum  supported by the West  is an attempt to diffuse tensions between Kosovo and its neighboring Serbia as both countries vie to join the European Union. However, Kosovo's main ethnic Serb party, Srpska List which has close ties with Belgrade, has called to boycott Sunday's poll.

Some 46,500 residents are expected to vote in 47 polling stations, and for the mayors to step down, a majority vote is needed.

In June, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti offered to hold new elections in North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok if 20% of the electorate in the municipalities supported a petition for the polls. Residents voted in favor of the petition in January.

When Albanian mayors took up the offices last May, Kosovo Serbs clashed with security forces, including NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers, injuring 93 troops, while protesting the results.

Serbia has backed calls for the mayors to step down.

Kosovo was a former Serbian province until a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 ended a war between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo, which left some 13,000 dead, mainly ethnic Albanians, and pushed Serbian forces out. Serbia doesnt recognize Kosovos 2008 independence.

Tensions between the two countries remain high.

On Monday, Kosovo took another major step toward joining the Council of Europe  the continents foremost human rights body  amid Serbian opposition. The following day, Belgrade authorities stopped Kosovars trying to go home for nearly 20 hours at border checkpoints, saying it was for security reasons. Pristina accused Belgrade of holding (Kosovars) hostage for failing to block Kosovo's Council of Europe membership. The U.S. and E.U denounced stalling free movement between the two countries.

Earlier this month, Kosovo announced its first nationwide census since 2011 which will include surveying the ethnic Serb minority in the north. The Srpska List party has denounced the census and called for a boycott, saying it was an attempt by Kurtis government to confirm his shameful success in expelling (some 250,000) Serbs, in reference to the 1999 war.

Another point of contention was Pristina's recent decision to ban ethnic Serbs from using the Serbian currency, the dinar, widely used in Kosovo's Serbian-run institutions, including schools and hospitals.

The United States and the European Union are struggling to get the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue back on track. Talks between the two have stalled after a Kosovo police officer and three Serb gunmen were killed in a shootout after about 30 masked men opened fire on a police patrol near the Kosovo village of Banjska in September.

Brussels has warned both that refusal to compromise jeopardizes Serbia and Kosovos chances of joining the bloc. The 27-nation bloc is keen on maintaining the alignment of the Western Balkan countries  Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania  with the West as Russias war against Ukraine continues.

The six are at different stages of the accession process.
Booming sales of cold drinks at Starbucks have created a problem: growing amounts of plastic waste from the single-use cups that Frappuccinos, Refreshers, cold brews and other iced drinks are served in.

The coffee giant said Thursday that it plans to alleviate some of that waste with new disposable cups that contain up to 20% less plastic. The cups are to be rolled out to stores in the U.S. and Canada starting this month.

Amelia Landers, Starbucks' vice president of product innovation, said the Seattle-based company spent the last four years developing the new containers. Engineers tested thousands of iterations to see how much plastic they could remove while still making the cup feel sturdy.

"We feel like it's industry-leading," Landers said. "It's the best expression of a cold plastic cup."

Starbucks says Frappuccinos and other cold drinks now account for 75% of its U.S. beverage sales, up from 37% in 2013. The company estimates the new cups will keep more than 13.5 million pounds of plastic out of landfills each year. Producing the tumblers also requires less water and creates fewer carbon emissions, a leading cause of climate change, it said.

Other features

Starbucks made other changes as part of the redesign. The new cold cups feature raised dots near the bottom, so baristas  including those with impaired vision  can quickly feel with the swipe of a thumb which size cup they're holding. And the 12-ounce cup  that's the "tall" size in Starbucks lingo  is shorter and wider to accommodate the same-size lid as larger cups.

Landers said the new cups are part of a sustainability push at Starbucks. The company adopted strawless lids in 2019. Last year, it said it would accept customer-provided cups for drive-through and mobile orders in the U.S. and Canada.

The company plans to roll out a reusable cup program at thousands of stores in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by next year. Under the program, customers will pay a small deposit when they buy a hot or cold drink in a specially designed cup that can be used up to 30 times. They will get the deposit back when they return the cup to a store.

Starbucks also has tested U.S. reusable cup programs in California, Arizona and Colorado.

"Every market has their own challenges, their own requirements and customer behavior. Some are more prime for reusables, some are less prime for reusables," Landers said. "There is no one silver bullet to a sustainable cup."

Longer term, Starbucks has said it wants all of its packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. The reduced-plastic cup making its debut is a small step toward that goal: even though the cup is recyclable, it still was designed for one-time use, Landers said.

The company will continue to explore ways to make single-use cups more sustainable, she said.

"I think we will never take our foot off the gas, evaluating new ways and new methods and new technologies to go further," she said. "We're not done."

Starbucks isn't the only company rethinking plastic packaging. In some markets, McDonald's has introduced McFlurry cups without plastic lids, and salad boxes and cutlery made from renewable fiber. Late last year, Coca-Cola said it had developed a bottle made entirely from plant-based sources. Coke produced a limited-run of 900 bottles to show that the technology can be commercially scaled.
Taiwan's defense ministry said Sunday it will discuss with the United States how to use funding for the island included in a $95 billion legislative package mostly providing security assistance to Ukraine and Israel.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects those claims.

The defense ministry expressed thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the package on Saturday, saying it demonstrated the "rock solid" U.S. support for Taiwan.

The ministry added it "will coordinate the relevant budget uses with the United States through existing exchange mechanisms and work hard to strengthen combat readiness capabilities to ensure national security and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Taiwan has since 2022 complained of delays in deliveries of U.S. weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers focused on supplying Ukraine to help the country battle invading Russian forces.

Underscoring the pressure Taiwan faces from China, the ministry said Sunday morning that during the previous 24 hours 14 Chinese military aircraft had crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait.

The median line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides, which neither military crossed. But China's air force now regularly sends aircraft over it. China says it does not recognize the line's existence.

On Saturday, Taiwan's defense ministry said China had again carried out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships and warplanes around Taiwan.

China's defense ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours Sunday.

The island's armed forces are dwarfed by those of China's, especially the navy and air force.
A teacher introduces the ancient poem "Rural Life" to Chinese and American students at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin)

SHIJIAZHUANG, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A group of high school students and teachers from the United States have recently immersed themselves in a Chinese cultural learning experience during their visit to China.

Invited by Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, 32 students and eight teachers from Muscatine High School of Iowa, United States, visited the school in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, as part of their week-long study tour to Beijing, Hebei and Shanghai.

In a Chinese poetry class on Saturday, they delved into the ancient poem "Rural Life," which paints a picturesque and idyllic portrait of springtime in a Chinese village.

"Over green grass orioles fly in vernal sky, the mist intoxicates the willow trees. Back early after school, the children try to fly the kites in eastern breeze," reads the famous poem by Gao Ding from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

"We chose this poem to share with our American friends as they came to China in the springtime," said Bai Xiaofang, a teacher at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School.

During the one-hour class, the American students and teachers practiced reading the Chinese text with instruction from Chinese teachers. By the end of the session, they had successfully grasped the meaning of the poem, and many felt confident in reading it aloud.

"I've taken a Chinese class in the United States, but we've never done anything like a poem and I think it helped me learn how to pronounce a lot of different words," said Sawyer Zeck, a student of Muscatine High School.

In Muscatine High School, Chinese language is offered as a selective course among other foreign languages, according to Ryan Scott Castle, principal of Muscatine High School.

"It was something different I had never done before, and it was a great experience to have," said Zeck, speaking fondly of this poem-learning experience.

Bai, who joined the learning session, skillfully utilized body language relevant to the poem's meaning, making it easier for the students to comprehend.

Emillie Duran, a history teacher at Muscatine High School, praised Bai's teaching method as vivid and engaging. "It was beautiful, and the teacher was very animated when she explained the poem," she said.

Chinese students at the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School also assisted their American counterparts in reading and understanding the poem. They had been paired up with the American students in Beijing on Wednesday, the day the delegation arrived in China.

"My partner did a great job of explaining it a couple of days ago and it helped when the teacher talked about the poem," Zeck said.

Castle also expressed his appreciation for the poem, stating that it offered a different perspective on understanding China and Chinese culture.

"It was really good to see the ability to enjoy yourself and relax and be one with nature through this poem," he said.

On Saturday, the American guests also made dumplings and played ping pong at the school with their Chinese hosts.

Bai expressed her hope that the students would have a wonderful journey in China, take home beautiful memories, and come back to China again to experience its vivid and authentic culture once more.

The Muscatine High School delegation is part a China-initiated program that will invite 50,000 American youths to China within five years for exchanges and study. The delegation is the second batch from the school. 

American students and teachers pose for a group photo with Chinese hosts after playing ping pong at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin)

Chinese and American students prepare to read the ancient poem "Rural Life" at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin)
The United Nations on Sunday urged Sri Lanka to bridge its "accountability deficit" and ensure justice as the country commemorated the 279 victims of its worst-ever attack against civilians five years ago.



The U.N.'s top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, told a remembrance service in Colombo that there should be a "thorough and transparent investigation" to uncover those behind the Easter carnage in 2019.



Islamist bombers hit three churches and three hotels in the island's deadliest suicide attack aimed at civilians, but grieving families say they are still waiting for justice.



Among the dead were 45 foreigners, including tourists visiting the island a decade after the end of a brutal ethnic conflict that had claimed more than 100,000 lives since 1972.



"Sri Lanka suffers from a continuing accountability deficit, be it for alleged war crimes, more recent human rights violations, corruption or abuse of power, which must be addressed if the country is to move forward," Franche said.



He noted that victims were still seeking justice despite the country's Supreme Court holding the then president Maithripala Sirisena and his top officials responsible for failing to prevent the attack.



"Delivering justice for victims of these attacks should be part of addressing the systemic challenge," Franche said.



He said the U.N. Human Rights office has also called on Colombo to publish the complete findings of previous inquiries into the Easter Sunday bombings and to establish an independent investigation.



The leader of Sri Lanka's Catholic church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe's government of suppressing new evidence and protecting those behind the jihadists.



"It is clear that Islamist extremists carried out the attack, but there were other forces behind them," Ranjith said.



"We have to conclude that the current government too is trying to protect them."



He has previously alleged that military intelligence officers engineered the April 21, 2019 attack to help the political ambitions of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a retired army officer who campaigned on security. Seven months later he won the presidency.



Since coming to power, Rajapaksa had systematically protected those behind the bombings, the Cardinal said.



Rajapaksa was forced out of office in July 2022 following months of protests over an unprecedented economic crisis that caused shortages of food, fuel and medicines.



Thousands of Sri Lanka's Catholic minority staged a silent protest outside the capital after multi-faith services to bless the victims, who included more than 80 children.



Relatives carried photos of the dead and protested in the town of Negombo -- known as Sri Lanka's 'Little Rome' because of its heavy concentration of Catholics.



Military personnel armed with automatic assault rifles watched as the protesters marched to the nearby St Sebastian's church, where 114 people were killed in the coordinated suicide bombings.



Evidence tendered during a civil case brought by relatives of the victims showed that Indian intelligence officials warned Colombo of the bombings some 17 days earlier, but the authorities failed to act.



Then-president Sirisena and his officials have been ordered to pay 310 million rupees ($1 million) in compensation to victims and relatives.



But the ruling has yet to be fully implemented as Sirisena has appealed and a fresh hearing is scheduled for July.
Republican Mike Johnson came out of nowhere six months ago to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, before emerging as an ardent defender of military aid to Ukraine, which the chamber approved Saturday.

The evolution of this 52-year-old Southerner with carefully coiffed hair has been stunning.

An arch-conservative Christian from Louisiana, he shot to the top leadership position in the House in October after the unprecedented ouster of then-speaker Kevin McCarthy in a rebellion by far-right lawmakers allied with Donald Trump.

After several candidates were proposed, then discarded, Johnson's name came up  he was a virtual unknown to the American public  and with the blessing of Trump, Johnson become leader of the House and of a Republican congressional caucus at war with itself.

Johnson had for months blocked a vote on the aid desperately needed by Ukraine's army as it defends against Russian invasion forces.

But recently his tone began to soften. And then, in a head-spinning shift, Johnson last week emerged as a passionate defender of a long-delayed aid package.

That culminated in the vote Saturday in which his chamber, by a strong bipartisan majority, passed more than $60 billion of additional military and financial support for Ukraine.

Metamorphosis

What was behind Johnson's metamorphosis?

"I believe Johnson has been convinced, gradually, that America must support Ukraine in our own interests, and that the far-right Republicans demanding otherwise were simply wrong," Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, told AFP.

In December, as previously approved U.S. funding for Kyiv was drying up, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine made a last-ditch visit to Washington to plead for a new aid package.

Zelenskyy made his way through the halls of Congress accompanied by the Senate's top Democrat and Republican, both vocal supporters of President Joe Biden's request for $60 billion.

But his meeting with Johnson was held behind closed doors.

Johnson afterward said Biden was asking for "billions of additional dollars with no appropriate oversight, no clear strategy to win, and none of the answers that I think the American people are owed."

Since then, however, a series of U.S. and world figures  including British Foreign Secretary David Cameron  worked to persuade Johnson of the high stakes, with some warning that Ukraine could fall by year's end unless the U.S. aid came through.

One concession

On Monday, Johnson announced the House would, after all, take up separate bills to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and that he would support them.

Johnson did make one concession to Trump  who had demanded that aid to Ukraine be at least partly in the form of loans  making a part of the package subject to repayment.

But the debt can still be forgiven, and the aid package is almost exactly for the amount requested months ago by Biden.

What was behind Johnson's rethinking?

"He didn't want the fall of Ukraine on his hands," Sabato said.

Johnson provided further insight during a news conference Wednesday.

"To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys," he said, before adding, his voice choking with emotion, that his son is about to enter the U.S. Naval Academy.

"This is a live-fire exercise for me, as it is for so many American families," Johnson said.

It remains unclear whether some of the far-right legislators behind last year's ouster of McCarthy might work to unseat Johnson after the perceived betrayal.

The House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, struck a philosophic tone when describing Johnson's thorny choices.

"This," he said, "is a Churchill or Chamberlain moment"  referring first to the wartime British prime minister known for his steely determination and then to Churchill's predecessor, his name forever linked to a policy of appeasement.

Without quite casting himself in those terms, Johnson said he views himself as "a wartime speaker."

In a somber tone, he added, "We have to do the right thing  and history will judge us."
The U.N. World Food Program has agreed to help deliver aid for the starving civilians of Gaza once the U.S. military completes a pier for transporting the humanitarian assistance by sea, U.S. officials said Friday.

The involvement of the U.N. agency could help resolve one of the major obstacles facing the U.S.-planned project  the reluctance of aid groups to handle on-the-ground distribution of food and other badly needed goods in Gaza absent significant changes by Israel.

An Israeli military attack April 1 that killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen intensified international criticism of Israel for failing to provide security for humanitarian workers or allow adequate amounts of aid across its land borders.

President Joe Biden, himself facing criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while supporting Israel's military campaign against Hamas, announced March 8 that the U.S. military would build the temporary pier and causeway, as an alternative to the land routes.

The U.S. Agency for International Development confirmed to The Associated Press that it would partner with the WFP on delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza via the maritime corridor.

"This is a complex operation that requires coordination between many partners, and our conversations are ongoing. Throughout Gaza, the safety and security of humanitarian actors is critical to the delivery of assistance, and we continue to advocate for measures that will give humanitarians greater assurances," USAID said in its statement to the AP.

U.S. and WFP officials were working on how to deliver the aid to Palestinian civilians "in an independent, neutral, and impartial manner," the agency said.

There was no immediate comment from the WFP, and a WFP spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.

Israel promised to open more border crossings into Gaza and increase the flow of aid after its drone strikes killed the seven aid workers, who were delivering food into the Palestinian territory.

The war was sparked when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage. The Israeli offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,800 people, according to local health officials. Hundreds of U.N. and other humanitarian workers are among those killed by Israeli strikes.

International officials say famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger.

The U.S. military will be constructing whats known as a modular causeway as part of the maritime route, in hopes that handling the inspection and processing of the aid offshore will speed the distribution to Gaza's people.

Offshore, the Army will build a large floating platform where ships can unload pallets of aid. Then the aid will be transferred by Army boats to a motorized string of steel pier or causeway sections that will be anchored to the shore.

Several Army vessels and Military Sealift Command ships are already in the Mediterranean Sea, and are working to prepare and build the platform and pier.

That pier is expected to be as much as 550 meters long, with two lanes, and the Pentagon has said it could accommodate the delivery of more than 2 million meals a day for Gaza residents.

Army Col. Sam Miller, commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade, which is in charge of building the pier, said about 500 of his soldiers will participate in the mission. All together, Pentagon officials have said about 1,000 U.S. troops will be involved.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, told reporters this week that the U.S. in on track to have the system in place by the end of the month or early May. The actual construction of the pier had been on hold as U.S. and international officials hammered out agreements for the collection and distribution of the aid.

He said the U.S. has been making progress, and that Israel has agreed to provide security on the shore. The White House has made clear that there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza, so while they will be constructing elements of the pier they will not transport aid onto the shore.

U.S. Navy ships and the Army vessels will provide security for U.S. forces building the pier.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country has a chance at victory over Russia with the new armaments package for Kyivs troops that is nearing approval in the U.S. Congress and supported by President Joe Biden.

The House of Representatives, over the opposition of the right-wing flank of the narrow Republican majority in the chamber, voted Saturday for $60.8 billion in new military assistance for Ukraine, with the Senate expected to pass the measure this week and then Biden signing it.

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, I pray  which we need so much, which thousands of soldiers need so much, Zelenskyy told NBCs Meet the Press show, speaking through an interpreter.

Then we want to help get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the front line as soon as possible  not in another six months  so that they would be able to move ahead, he added.

The U.S. is Ukraines chief war-time benefactor, but with approval of additional aid stalled for months in Congress, Kyivs forces have sustained battlefield losses. The more than two-year fight against Russias invasion has virtually stalemated.

After the House voted to approve the assistance to Ukraine, Biden said, I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law, and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs.

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the European Command, told NBC earlier this month that Russia was firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces. He warned that the disparity could increase soon without more U.S. aid.

Zelenskyy said in the NBC interview, We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the front line because we have, we have casualties because we cannot reach that far. Our weapons are not that long-range.

We need [that] and air defense. Those are our priorities right now, he added.

Asked whether this aid will help Ukraine win the war or just prolong it, Zelenskyy said, It depends on when we actually get weapons on the ground. ... If we get it in half a year  well, weve had the process stalled for half a year and weve had losses in several directions. Losses in men, in equipment.

Now we have the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems, Zelenskyy said. Giving the U.S. a specific timeline of the war, well it depends how soon they get this aid. There are so many variables, so many factors.

Zelenskyy also responded to recent accounts that former President Donald Trump, if he wins back the White House in the November election, would pressure Ukraine to give up some territory to Russia in exchange for ending the war, saying, "Rumors and different hearsay, I don't believe that."

He also expressed doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin would ever agree to and abide by such a settlement, saying, "You can never trust Putin."

"The strategy of ending the war should be based not on the words which Putin says or some other people from his entourage say, but on something very specific, something very tangible in Ukraine that is independent and democratic," he said.

"Im confident that everyone is interested in that," he added. "All the political leaders, they are also interested to have Ukraine independent and sovereign and democratic. Its of interest for both the Republicans and the Democrats in the U.S.

Zelenskyy rebuffed complaints that the U.S. has sunk too much money into the war and will continue to have to do so, saying that Americans first and foremost are protecting freedom and democracy all over Europe.

The U.S. Army now does not have to fight protecting NATO countries. Ukrainians are doing that. And its only ammo that the civilized world is providing, and I think its a good decision, he said.

The Pentagon says it can quickly get more weaponry into Ukraine once Biden signs the arms package deal.

The Defense Department said it has a network of storage sites in the U.S. and Europe that would allow supplies to be sent to Ukraine within days.

"We would like very much to be able to rush the security assistance in the volumes we think they need to be able to be successful," Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country has a chance at victory over Russia with the new armaments package for Kyivs troops that is nearing approval in the U.S. Congress and supported by President Joe Biden.

The House of Representatives, over the opposition of the right-wing flank of the narrow Republican majority in the chamber, voted Saturday for $60.8 billion in new military assistance for Ukraine, with the Senate expected to pass the measure this week and then Biden signing it.

SEE ALSO:

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, I pray  which we need so much, which thousands of soldiers need so much, Zelenskyy told NBCs Meet the Press show, speaking through an interpreter.

Then we want to help get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the front line as soon as possible  not in another six months  so that they would be able to move ahead, he added.

The U.S. is Ukraines chief war-time benefactor, but with approval of additional aid stalled for months in Congress, Kyivs forces have sustained battlefield losses. The more than two-year fight against Russias invasion has virtually stalemated.

After the House voted to approve the assistance to Ukraine, Biden said, I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law, and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs.

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the European Command, told NBC earlier this month that Russia was firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces. He warned that the disparity could increase soon without more U.S. aid.

SEE ALSO:

Zelenskyy said in the NBC interview, We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the front line because we have, we have casualties because we cannot reach that far. Our weapons are not that long-range.

We need [that] and air defense. Those are our priorities right now, he added.

Asked whether this aid will help Ukraine win the war or just prolong it, Zelenskyy said, It depends on when we actually get weapons on the ground. ... If we get it in half a year  well, weve had the process stalled for half a year and weve had losses in several directions. Losses in men, in equipment.

Now we have the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems, Zelenskyy said. Giving the U.S. a specific timeline of the war, well it depends how soon they get this aid. There are so many variables, so many factors.

Zelenskyy also responded to recent accounts that former President Donald Trump, if he wins back the White House in the November election, would pressure Ukraine to give up some territory to Russia in exchange for ending the war, saying, "Rumors and different hearsay, I don't believe that."

He also expressed doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin would ever agree to and abide by such a settlement, saying, "You can never trust Putin."

"The strategy of ending the war should be based not on the words which Putin says or some other people from his entourage say, but on something very specific, something very tangible in Ukraine that is independent and democratic," he said.

"Im confident that everyone is interested in that," he added. "All the political leaders, they are also interested to have Ukraine independent and sovereign and democratic. Its of interest for both the Republicans and the Democrats in the U.S.

Zelenskyy rebuffed complaints that the U.S. has sunk too much money into the war and will continue to have to do so, saying that Americans first and foremost are protecting freedom and democracy all over Europe.

The U.S. Army now does not have to fight protecting NATO countries. Ukrainians are doing that. And its only ammo that the civilized world is providing, and I think its a good decision, he said.

The Pentagon says it can quickly get more weaponry into Ukraine once Biden signs the arms package deal.

The Defense Department said it has a network of storage sites in the U.S. and Europe that would allow supplies to be sent to Ukraine within days.

"We would like very much to be able to rush the security assistance in the volumes we think they need to be able to be successful," Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.
Over the years, micro groups comprised of a handful of individuals from the far margins of the political spectrum have come and gone, he said. They often use names that conceal their true nature as fringe and unrepresentative. Journalist and author Michael Gawenda  a former editor-in-chief of The Age  urged journalists to be clear about the group when reporting its public statements. I am not saying they shouldnt be quoted but it should be clear who they represent and that they are not a mainstream Jewish organisation, he said. In some reporting, the Jewish Council of Australia is given equivalence to the [Executive Council of Australian Jewry]. That is just nonsense. The leader of one Jewish group has written in confidence to media outlets expressing concern about how the Jewish Council of Australia is being presented. Council members have been quoted as Jewish community spokespeople by this masthead, the ABC, the Guardian and Al Jazeera.

The executive officers of the Jewish Council of Australia, human rights lawyer Sarah Schwartz, author and historian Max Kaiser and public policy expert Elizabeth Strakosch, rejected accusations that their organisations name was misleading and said the group has been transparent about its structure and aims. Schwartz said the council never claimed to be a representative body or to speak for all Jews. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Sarah Schwartz. That was really important because we take issue with the fact that so many so-called Jewish representatives claim to speak on behalf of the entire Jewish community, she said. Schwartz said the council was named, in part, to acknowledge its resonance with a historic, left-wing Australian Jewish organisation  the Jewish Council to Combat Fascism and Anti-Semitism. We are a council of experts on racism and antisemitism.

Strakosch said criticisms of the council followed an established pattern of Jewish organisations labelling anyone opposed to Israels actions as not legitimate or a self-hating Jew. The criticisms we have received  being called the Jew haters council, being told we should just go and join Hamas, being told we are antisemitic  those things are not about how we are presenting ourselves, she said. They are about the things that we say. The council describes itself as a diverse coalition of Jewish academics, lawyers, writers and teachers formed in response to the rise in racism and antisemitism. Beyond the three executive officers, the membership of the council is not publicly disclosed, although it publishes the membership of a separate advisory committee that includes publisher Louise Adler and lawyer Josh Bornstein.

Schwartz said the council received no funding and its members were unpaid. The council is in the process of registering its organisation as an incorporated, not-for-profit association. The councils purpose was made clear in its first newsletter, when it declared its support for Palestinian freedom and justice. We came together in the midst of Israels genocidal war in Gaza because of the abject failures of our so-called Jewish representative organisations to recognise the growing number of Jews who support an immediate ceasefire and Palestinian human rights, Strakosch wrote. One of the councils principal aims is to reframe the debate about antisemitism by disentangling Jewishness from the state of Israel. This idea that someone is critical of Israel or Zionism is somehow antisemitic and that legitimate criticisms of Israel are being shut down by accusations of antisemitism is one of the reasons the council was formed, Schwartz said.

More contentiously, the council appears to blame Israel  rather than Hamas or the broader pro-Palestinian movement  for the circumstances confronting Australian Jews. The actions of the Israeli state right now are certainly not making Jews in Israel any safer and they are not making Jews in Australia any safer, Kaiser said. In fact, it would do a significant amount of good in reducing antisemitism and reducing racism if there was no longer an occupation in Israel/Palestine and there was a just solution there. These arguments are not abstract. On Friday, a group of Jewish women met with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at the Caulfield South synagogue where Shabbat prayers were last year disrupted by violent clashes between pro-Palestinian activists and police. Loading They recounted examples of hatred and harassment they had experienced since the start of the war in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of an estimated 34,000 Palestinians after Hamas October 7 terror attacks in Israel.

On the same day, the Melbourne Law School building where Schwartz delivers lectures was plastered with stickers featuring a red line through Israels flag, which includes the Star of David. Australasian Union of Jewish Students president Noah Loven said pro-Palestinian activists were interrupting classes at the university and demanding that students declare their position on the war. He said it had prompted some Jewish students to withdraw from campus and study online. Former Victorian Labor MP Philip Dalidakis questioned how the public statements of the Jewish Council of Australia, which have described Israel as a rogue state and called on the Australian government to enforce sanctions against it, helped make Australia safer for Jews. Publisher Louise Adler. Credit: Eddie Jim Adler said she was impressed by the seriousness of the predominantly young scholars and lawyers who make up the council and were doing important work.

This war is not good for the Jews, she said. It is not good for Israel, it is certainly not good for the Jewish diaspora. It is a disaster and a tragedy and I wish people who are part of the Jewish establishment would come out and say that. When this initiative is described as the Jew haters council, I cant but deduce that any suggestion that theres a diversity of opinion is to be refuted. Josh Bornstein, a workplace law expert who supports strong protections for free speech and against racism, said Jewish organisations had for too long sought to suppress debate within the Jewish community about Israel, Palestine and Gaza. One of the key methods of suppressing legitimate political expression has been to deploy false accusations of antisemitism, he said. The council is determined to expose the deception that is involved when those who criticise Israels treatment of Palestinians are labelled antisemitic. Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University associate professor David Slucki described the Jewish Council of Australia as an extension of the spectrum of Jewish political thought well established in the US and Israel.

Loading I know there is a lot of strong feeling against them but if you situate them within modern Jewish history, it is not so different to have Jewish groups who have an array of political positions with regard to Jewish sovereignty and statehood. That is just part of the Jewish story. Whether the Jewish Council of Australias views about Israel reflect a tiny number or sizeable minority of Australias 100,000 Jews is open to debate. Aghion said support for Israel has never been more passionate. We are united and determined, and we stand with Israel during one of the most challenging times we have faced as a community, he said. Slucki said surveys conducted before October 7 indicated about 30 per cent of Jews in Australia did not identify as Zionists and the impact of the war in Gaza was yet to be reflected in any published studies.
Alex Naggs MRH-90 Taipan helicopter plummeted at high speed into choppy seas with the exact co-ordinates -20.40863, 148.94173. To David, these are 15 grim digits.

And by chance, when David made his own trip to the Whitsundays with 60 Minutes to see the area for himself, he took a boat owned by a company whose staff were first on the scene that disastrous night.

Others knew, such as the first responders to Defences late-night call for search and rescue assistance.

Defence wouldnt even tell David where in the Whitsundays Alexs helicopter had crashed. He wanted to at least know the nearest beach so he could visit.

David Naggs with his son Alex Naggs. Alex died in July last year.

And yet, Naggs has found frustratingly few answers as to why his son Alex died, along with three other army aviators, on July 28 last year off Lindeman Island in Queensland.

Its the secrecy that particularly upsets David Naggs. After all, Defence didnt lose a precious son. He did.

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Im told they found minimum remains. I gave a DNA sample and they had something like the size of a 20 piece that responded to my DNA, thats it, David said.

Most of the fuselage, along with the crew, had sunk 40 metres below the surface.

A ripped section of the aircrafts undercarriage still attached to the Taipans orange automatic flotation system is evidence of a high-speed catastrophe. A few other pieces of lightweight composite could be seen bobbing in the sea, but little else.

Wreckage of the Taipan helicopter, with the call sign Bushman 83, which crashed in July 2023, killing the four men on board. Credit: 60 Minutes

Never-before-seen photos taken about three hours after the crash showed their Taipan, with the call sign Bushman 83, splintered on impact.

Itll always be where I lost him, to remember him, David told 60 Minutes. Its a beautiful part of the world. But gee, its still a lonely, cold place to die, isnt it?

The weather was far from ideal. The flight path was adjusted as the Taipans flew across the Whitsunday Passage in whats called a heavy left formation, the lead aircraft flanked by one aircraft to its right and two to its left, all staggered to allow maximum visibility.

The call from Lindeman came at 10pm and the Taipans took off soon after.

They had been stationed at Proserpine awaiting the call to pick up special forces soldiers on Lindeman Island, as part of the Talisman Sabre war games exercise with the US and other international forces.

The doomed helicopter, Bushman 83, had been flying in formation with three other army Taipans at the time of the crash.

The funeral was with an empty casket  walking around with an empty box was, was something. You know, they treated it with reverence and all that, and Im thinking, But theres nothing in there, guys, and there never will be.

The mission commander in the helicopter at the rear of the formation radioed, 83, pull up, pull up, pull up but to no avail.

Bushman 83, flying second to the rear, was seen to climb suddenly, before pitching nose-down towards the water.

As the Taipans approached Lindeman, they began a series of left-hand turns to wait for final confirmation for the pick-up.

If all of those conditions were present, that would be probably about as tough as it gets, said Tim Leonard, a former squadron commander who spent 32 years in the navy and another 10 years as a Defence contractor, mostly flying helicopters including the Taipan.

Adding to the danger, the Taipans were flying at low altitude  just 61 metres from the surface of the water.

But it was hard to see anything that night. Low cloud obscured the moon and the horizon was barely visible.

Suspicion has fallen on a hi-tech helmet that the Taipan pilots were using that night.

So if the engines were operating normally, what could cause a Taipan to suddenly pitch up and then plummet nose-down in defiance of the mission commanders demands to correct course?

Its a statement of record and fact from the data that was gathered from the voice and flight data recorder that at the point of the accident, the engines were functioning normally  thats a fact, Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Simon Stuart told a parliamentary committee in February.

Defence has also revealed something else from the black box.

He was told that when Bushman 83 pitched into the sky, it reached an altitude of 356 feet  information he presumes came from the black box which was retrieved 10 days after the crash.

David Naggs has been told it all happened in a shockingly quick time  as few as three to four seconds.

The TopOwl has been used by militaries around the world for the best part of two decades. It comprises a helmet-mounted sight display that provides critical information about the aircraft, including altitude, height above ground, pitch and roll (attitude), ground speed, vertical speed and whether the aircraft is climbing or descending.

The latest software upgrade for the TopOwl, HMSD V5.10, was found to carry significant risks, according to an experienced test pilot with the Army Aviation Test and Evaluation Section (AATES).

TopOwl helmet sight similar to that used by pilots flying during the Taipan crash. Image from manufacturers website. Credit: Thales

He found that when the aircraft was in a turn, the displayed angle of bank washed out if he looked to the left or right; a 30-degree angle of bank would, for example, be represented as 23 to 25 degrees if the pilot turned his head 90 to 120 degrees either side.

In the test pilots own words, the ambiguous aircraft attitude represented an unacceptable risk to flight safety.

Even more alarmingly, the test pilot found the new software could result in controlled flight into terrain, making it a substantial risk of multiple deaths.

Greens senator David Shoebridge, who has been investigating the safety of the Taipans ever since one ditched in Jervis Bay four months before the Lindeman Island incident, said he was deeply concerned about the AATES report from June 2019.

This is the kind of report that should ground the fleet. Substantial risk of multiple deaths; if that doesnt ground the fleet, what does? Shoebridge said.

(From left) Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Phil Laycock, Corporal Alexander Naggs, Troop Commander Captain Danniel Lyon and Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent were all killed in the crash.

But Army Aviation safety experts found other serious problems with the latest version of the TopOwl.

The image intensifier  two tubes on either side of the TopOwl helmet that assist night vision  was found to degrade when looking to the side, according to an AATES report in April 2020.

And the forward-looking infrared system was reported in July 2020 as being unsafe as a primary means of detecting and avoiding obstacles, with failure during terrain flight assessed as catastrophic and probable.

Tim Leonard, the former Taipan pilot, said earlier versions of the helmet-mounted sight display had a key difference to the V5.10 update that troubled army test pilots.

In earlier versions, the aircrafts attitude  that is, the pitch and roll  could only be seen in the display when the pilot was looking forward and not when they looked to the left or right.

There have been various studies to say that presenting attitude information off-axis in a helmet-mounted display significantly increases the chances of spatial disorientation, Leonard said.

I believe the original anchoring of attitude was probably the correct methodology. Its hard enough as it is with this symbology without introducing more problems.

After receiving the AATES reports, Defence conducted its own testing, a so-called operational evaluation over 12 hours, on and off ships in both day and night sorties.

But 60 Minutes has been told these tests were conducted in relatively benign conditions.

So basically Defence tested this equipment on a sunny day and on a moonlit night, never down low and never in the situations where pilots most need them, Shoebridge said.

The reason they did that was because even the people Defence found to do the testing said well, theres no way youre going to take this below 500 feet where I cant see the horizon and were at risk, because its too bloody risky.

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Defence doesnt dispute the findings of the test pilot but says a number of mitigation measures were put in place after conducting its own tests.

Pilots were given extra training on using the TopOwl and the flight manual was updated to prohibit reliance on infrared night vision for navigation.

They were also told that when using the helmet-mounted sight display, pilots should only look forward when assessing the attitude or orientation of their aircraft, rather than to the side.

Shoebridge said this was an absurd workaround, especially when pilots were expected to make split-second decisions in tricky environments.

The idea that youd say to the pilot, Well just ignore whats happening on your heads-up display and refer to the primary instrument when theyre in conflict  it doesnt take an expert to tell you that thats a major problem, Shoebridge said.

Leonard said pilots were always taught to rely on their instruments at times of disorientation.

It becomes life-savingly critical in many cases to get onto the instruments and believe what they say, he said.

And thats what they always talk about: if you become disorientated, dont trust your own body, believe what the instruments are telling you.

Defence insiders have told 60 Minutes there was a tension between those overseeing safety and those who wanted to keep aircraft flying. This tension, they say, results in an operational bias where matters of safety risk running second.

Two days after the Lindeman Island crash, the Royal New Zealand Air Force had its own version of the Taipan back in the air.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman said the forces fleet of NH90 aircraft had not experienced any serious problems since going into service. The Royal New Zealand Air Force does not use the TopOwl helmet system.

Six weeks after the crash, the Taipans manufacturer, NH Industries, wrote to its European and Middle East customers assuring them that initial analysis of the voice and flight data recorder has not identified any information  relating to a failure, malfunction (or) defect to the NH90 type design.

David Shoebridge said bluntly: This tells you theres nothing inherently wrong with the Taipan helicopter. The issue here is all the mod cons that the Australian Defence Force whacked on it, all of these things that they kept getting reports about saying this is unsafe.

Leonard said the Taipan had been unfairly targeted by detractors in Defence who would have preferred Black Hawks in the first place.

There was a lingering dissatisfaction with that decision and people were not keen on the MRH-90 Taipan being introduced into Army Aviation, he said.

Now, subsequent to my time, I believe that those who operated the aircraft and those who flew it and those who maintained it came to love the aircraft because it is a very good aircraft.

It is a magnificent aircraft. It is a Lamborghini compared to a Holden.

But if the cause of the Taipan crash on July 28 was pilot disorientation caused by compelling albeit inaccurate or ambiguous information, its nothing short of a scandal, given the warnings issued by Defences own safety experts.

For David Naggs, theres a simple equation.

Youve got a report that says, You do this, youre gonna end up with dead people. They do it, theyve got dead people.

An image for the TopOwl helmet system from the manufacturers Youtube advertisement. Credit: YouTube

Shoebridge said Defence didnt adequately deal with the risks identified by the test pilots.

Instead they literally went opinion shopping to try and find an alternative opinion to allow them to continue to fly it, he said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles rejects this claim but says the Inspector-General Australian Defence Force inquiry into the crash would likely consider the tension between operational requirements and safety concerns.

It is important that we have systems in place which maintain safety and obviously maintain capability, Marles told 60 Minutes.

If there are tensions there, we learn and develop appropriate balances and mechanisms for balancing those tensions going forward.

Marles has vowed to get to the truth.

Clearly something went terribly wrong, he said. It is fundamentally important for the familys concern, for the Defence Force and for the nation that we actually understand what did happen here.

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Naggs said his son would never walk through the door again.

Why? How? Youve got all these people, very capable people looking after these aircraft, very capable people flying them  How the hell did this happen without a shot being fired?

Thales, the manufacturer of the TopOwl, provided a statement on Friday, which said: As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.

If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Households have yet to feel the full impact of the Reserve Banks aggressive interest rate increases as hundreds of thousands of people shift to variable mortgage rates over coming months and repayments take up a record share of Australians disposable income.

Ahead of critical inflation data that will determine if the RBA starts to ease its interest rate pain on borrowers, new analysis by the bank shows the unprecedented hit to take-home pay being felt by the nations army of mortgage holders.

A fresh mortgage cliff is facing hundreds of thousands of households as their fixed-rate mortgages revert to variable rates. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Australian home buyers overwhelmingly hold variable-rate mortgages. Research released this week by the International Monetary Fund show only borrowers in two other nations, Chile and South Africa, are less likely to have a fixed-rate loan than those in Australia.

But during the COVID-19 pandemic, as interest rates fell to record lows, there was a surge in the number of Australians taking out fixed loans of two or three years length which started to expire early last year.
Three Australians are among a group of hundreds of activists in Turkey poised to board a flotilla that seeks to break Israels long blockade of aid into Gaza.

Daniel Coward and Surya McEwen, both from NSW, and Helen OSullivan, from Queensland, were in Istanbul on Saturday, local time, preparing to attempt transporting aid into the war-torn region by sea.

A ship from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition anchors at Tuzla seaport in Istanbul on Friday. Credit: AP

Im not particularly worried about being detained abroad. My only concern is that, if we are, it happens before we are able to get the aid to the people who need it, said Coward, a signwriter from Wollongong who was recruited for the mission after becoming involved with the weekly pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney.

Coward does not have a background in humanitarian work, and said that before arriving in Turkey last week, he had never travelled abroad further than New Zealand.
CHICAGO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two children were killed and 15 others were injured after a car crashed into a children's birthday party Saturday in Berlin Township in Monroe County of the U.S. state of Michigan, 30 miles (48 km) south of Detroit.

An eight-year-old girl and five-year-old boy, who were siblings, were pronounced dead at the scene, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said at a press conference held Saturday night. First aid was issued to 15 victims. Of them, three kids and six adults were hospitalized with serious life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car, a 66-year-old female, has been in police custody for suspected drunk driving and is likely to face criminal charges.

The incident happened at around 3 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) when the suspected drunk driver drove her car through a building where a birthday party was being held. According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the vehicle landed 25 feet (7.5 meter) into the building after crashing through the north wall.

Investigators are working to identify victims. 
People aboard boats shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 21, 2024. (Xinhua)

by Naim-Ul-Karim

DHAKA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Streets in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, Sunday had fewer pedestrians than usual.

Also, work had stopped in some open-air construction sites in view of the deadly heat scorching in Dhaka where bitumen on several roads had melted in the midday heat, further evidence of the blistering temperature.

Millions of people are at risk of heat-related impacts in the country, experts have warned, linking the early onset of an intense summer to climate change.

A middle-aged woman reportedly died from heat stroke on Sunday morning. So far, four people, allegedly due to heat stroke, died in the past two days in the country.

To cope with the unbearable heat, the government has decided to keep all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institutions across the country closed from April 21 to 27.

The Bangladeshi government urged the relevant authorities to take precautionary measures to manage blistering summer heat, which touched highs of 42 degrees Celsius in parts of the country.

The heat started in early April and continues to leave the people gasping in whatever shade they find in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has already issued a "heatwave warning". "A very severe heatwave is sweeping over Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga districts as severe heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka and rest part of Khulna divisions and the district of Rajshahi," it said on Sunday.

Afroza Sultana, a meteorologist who works at the Storm Warning Centre of the BMD told Xinhua Sunday that there is a possibility of further severe to very severe heat waves later this month with maximum temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in parts of the country.

Sultana said Bangladesh's highest temperature of this summer season was recorded at 42.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore on Saturday.

In Dhaka, the temperature rose to 40 degrees Celsius Saturday, she said.

"The prevailing heat wave over several divisions including Rangpur may continue and may spread further for the next couple of days," she added, quoting the BMD's "Warning Message for Heat Wave".

Due to increasing moisture incursions, she said the discomfort may increase in the South Asian country which sits on a massive river delta.

In recent years, natural disasters like floods and heatwaves induced by extreme weather owing to climate change have caused more frequent-than-usual disasters in the country of some 165 million population.

Experts said the heatwaves would likely escalate in the coming years due to erratic rainfall and high temperatures, posing a threat to Bangladesh, one of the biggest victims of global warming.

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka experienced 40.6 degrees Celsius on April 16 last year, the highest in the capital in 58 years.

To cope with the unbearable heat, the government has decided to keep all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institutions across the country closed from April 21 to 27. 

A rickshaw puller cools down by splashing water on his face in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua)
Green Party Senator Pauline OReilly has said grants for electric vehicles should focus on people in rural areas who do not have access to regular public transport.

Senator OReilly, who is the Green Party candidate for Midlands-North West in the European elections, said she has been calling for several years for increased supports to provide transport alternatives for commuters in rural Ireland.

Senator OReilly explained why the grant should be targeted to rural areas.

To tackle climate change, we need to transition away from our dependence on fossil fuel cars and towards more environmentally-friendly alternatives. But in many areas across the Midlands and the North-West, people have no choice but to use cars because there is no regular public transport available. Rather than take a one-size-fits-all grant for the whole country, the electric vehicle grant should be targeted to areas where there is no alternative to using a car, to help people switch to cars that contribute the least amount of emissions.

The proposal was contained in a new strategy launched by the Department of Transport recently that aims to reduce car dependency and improve transport options for commuters. The report highlighted that for some people in rural Ireland, cars are the only mode of transport available and action is needed to provide alternatives.
 Flash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko attend a joint press conference after their talks in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, April 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday that he had in-depth and friendly talks with his Papua New Guinea (PNG)'s counterpart Justin Tkachenko with broad consensus reached on bilateral ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference with Tkachenko following a meeting between the two ministers.

Wang and Tkachenko unanimously believed that China and PNG should continue mutual trust and support, and unswervingly maintain and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Wang noted that since the establishment of China-PNG diplomatic relations, China has always regarded PNG as a significant partner and close friend, viewed the bilateral ties from a strategic perspective and enhanced the exchanges between the two countries on equal footing.

China firmly supports PNG in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as adopting a successful development path that suits the country's national conditions, said Wang, also appreciating PNG's adherence to the one-China principle, and backing to China's core interests and major concerns.

Wang and Tkachenko unanimously agreed to constantly focus on development, pay heed to people's welfare, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres.

Wang said that PNG was the first Pacific island country to sign the memorandum of understanding and cooperation plan on Belt and Road cooperation, and has become China's largest trading partner, investment destination and project contracting market in the region. With the joint efforts of both sides, important progress has been achieved in implementing the outcomes of Prime Minister James Marape's visit to China in October last year.

In key areas, such as disaster prevention and mitigation, information and communications, agricultural products trade, and energy, the two sides are determined to push for practical cooperation with higher quality, faster speed and better results, said Wang.

Speaking of the recent flood disasters in PNG, Wang expressed empathy for the situation, saying that China has extended emergency humanitarian aid to PNG and will send a batch of relief supplies next week.

Wang and Tkachenko also unanimously advocated that the domestic affairs of Pacific island countries should not be interfere, their right to independent development should not be denied, and the environment of peace and stability must be secured.

The Chinese foreign minister underlined that Pacific island countries have the right to pursue friendly cooperation with all development partners. China and the Pacific island countries are members of the Global South and also developing nations. It is right and proper for the two sides to help each other and deepen South-South cooperation.

China regards Pacific island countries as indispensable partners in building a community with a shared future for mankind and has always upheld the "four full respects" policy for their sovereignty and independence, will, cultural traditions and efforts to seek strength through unity when forging ties with Pacific island countries. China has provided assistance to Pacific island countries with no political strings attached or impositions, and the aid has never come as lip-service, said Wang.

The Chinese foreign minister called on the international community to pay more attention to the specific situations and legitimate concerns of the Pacific island countries, focus on issues of their greatest concern, such as climate change and improvement of people's livelihoods, and contribute solid solutions and actions for their good.

Wang stressed that non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries is a basic norm of international relations established by the United Nations Charter and a guarantee for the survival of developing countries.

As the Solomon Islands is holding a general election, Wang expressed wish for a smooth and safe process there, saying that all parties should respect the choice of the people of the Solomon Islands and refrain from interfering in their domestic affairs.

The people of Solomon Islands have the wisdom and ability to decide the future of their country, said Wang.
Israeli forces are seen near the site where two Palestinians were killed northeast of the West Bank city of Hebron on April 21, 2024. The Israeli army killed two Palestinians northeast of the city of Hebron in the West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army killed two Palestinians northeast of the city of Hebron in the West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian sources said.

"We were informed by the General Authority for Civil Affairs of the killing of two Palestinians, whose identities are not yet known, by Israeli army gunfire on the outskirts of the city of Hebron," the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a brief statement.

The Israeli army for its part said in a brief statement that its forces killed two people, namely one who tried to stab its soldiers and another who opened fire on the forces.

Israel has killed more than 483 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. 

Israeli forces are seen near the site where two Palestinians were killed northeast of the West Bank city of Hebron on April 21, 2024. The Israeli army killed two Palestinians northeast of the city of Hebron in the West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

Israeli forces are seen near the site where two Palestinians were killed northeast of the West Bank city of Hebron on April 21, 2024. The Israeli army killed two Palestinians northeast of the city of Hebron in the West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian sources said. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
Join three foreign students as they visit Tianshui, China's Gansu Province, to discover the traditional Chinese tea-drinking culture.
People conduct rescue work after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Israeli army killed 48 Palestinians and wounded 79 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 34,097 and injuries to 76,980, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense Service in the Gaza Strip, told reporters that rescuers had recovered more than 50 bodies from various places in the city of Khan Younis. The Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis on April 7, four months after launching a ground operation.

Basal said the bodies had been buried collectively by the Israeli army, adding that search operations were underway as thousands of people were still missing in Gaza.

The spokesman accused the Israeli army of "enforcing disappearance of the people in the Gaza Strip in a systematic and deliberate manner."

Israeli forces "destroyed dozens of bodies" before burying them and withdrawing, he said.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 

People mourn their relatives in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People conduct rescue work after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People conduct rescue work after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A man checks rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People check rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People gather among rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People sit among rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Two men sit among rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People gather among rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A girl looks out of a damaged building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 34,097, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Calls for inquiry into Wales public services watchdog backed by Senedd

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Apr 21st, 2024

A call by the Conservatives for an inquiry into the political impartiality of Wales public services watchdog has been backed by Senedd Members.

Sam Rowlands led a debate after the head of investigations at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales stepped down over anti-Conservative comments online.

Mr Rowlands said the ombudsmans office, which deals with complaints about councillors and public services, must be impartial and unbiased.

But he warned: Unfortunately, we now know that this simply has not been the case.

After revelations that the head of investigations had been, over a long period of time, making torrents of politically motivated, hostile, aggressive comments on social media, its clear that the ombudsman has a real problem.

Beyond belief

Mr Rowlands said non-Conservative politicians were also in the firing line with independents in Bridgend and Monmouthshire raising concerns about unfair treatment.

The Conservative MS for North Wales criticised the initial decision to appoint James Goudie KC, a barrister and former Labour council leader, to lead an investigation.

He told the chamber: Its almost beyond belief, but then you do remember we are in Labour-run Wales, where this behaviour is just par for the course.

I am pleased that eventually the individual in question has been removed from this role.

The former Conwy council leader urged the ombudsman, Michelle Morris, to reopen every investigation involving the former head of investigations.

Rot

Mr Rowlands made the case for a full and thorough investigation by a Senedd committee to understand the exact extent of how deep the rot is and restore credibility.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the finance committee, said it is essential that the ombudsman investigates independently of political interference.

The Plaid Cymru MS, who represents South Wales East, urged caution in the Senedd considering operational matters within the ombudsmans office

He said: It is not our role to monitor the day-to-day running of the office, nor should we be challenging the ombudsmans decision, as that would undermine the integrity of the office and investigations process.

However, the ombudsman is ultimately accountable to the Senedd, and it is right for us to take action when serious concerns arise.

Politically motivated

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, told the chamber the ombudsman provides an excellent service to the people of Wales in dealing with complaints about public services.

However, he argued the ombudsman is not suited to dealing with complaints about politicians as he called for the creation of an ethical standards commissioner.

The Swansea East MS warned: Many complaints are politically motivated, and the number increases as you approach local elections.

And theyre often by people standing against sitting councillors who then make complaint after complaint about them to try and muddy the water.

Gareth Davies, the Conservative MS for Vale of Clwyd, said trust in the public services ombudsman has collapsed as he argued the watchdog should be replaced.

Deeply damaging

Llyr Gruffydd, for Plaid Cymru, told MSs that recent revelations around the ombudsmans office have been deeply regrettable and damaging.

Mr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, said upholding the highest possible standards is more important than ever in an age of declining trust.

He welcomed the ombudsmans decision to rethink the appointment of Mr Goudie after the full extent of his Labour links came to light.

Mr Gruffydd criticised calls to wind down the public services ombudsman, saying: I dont think the best course of action is to rashly throw the baby out with the bath water.

He paid tribute to the ombudsmans hard-working staff who have been dragged into this unfortunate episode which has tarnished the offices reputation.

Political impartiality

Lesley Griffiths, responding for the Welsh Government, shared concerns about recent events but stressed that ministers would not advise the ombudsman on how she should respond.

Ms Griffiths, the newly appointed culture and social justice secretary, said public servants must behave with complete political impartiality in their responsibilities.

This includes not doing anything in their lives outside of work that might cause that impartiality to be called into question, she said.

The Conservative motion was agreed without objection, doing away with the need for a vote following the debate on April 17.

The Welsh Government had tabled a delete-all amendment and it is thought that Labour MSs allowed the Tory motion to pass in error.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Coleg Cambria students celebrate becoming Wrexham Tourism Ambassadors

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Apr 21st, 2024

Over thirty Coleg Cambria students are celebrating after becoming Wrexham Tourism Ambassadors.

The Wrexham Tourism Ambassador scheme is hosted online and designed to primarily support those working in the local hospitality industry gain a better knowledge of the area in which they operate, so that they can pass this on to visitors they engage with.

Since its launch last Autumn, the online Wrexham Tourism Ambassador Scheme has now amassed over 200 individuals from around Wrexham and even as far as the US as official ambassadors.

The free course is also open to any members of the public with an interest in Wrexham and has attracted worldwide interest.

Students at Coleg Cambria studying tourism and hospitality have also incorporated the online modules as part of their learning programmes and since Christmas, over 30 students and tutors have now become official ambassadors.

The successful students were recently presented with their certificates by Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Andy Williams at the Trevor Basin next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Angharad Jarvis represents Coleg Cambria on the Wrexham Tourism Partnership and supported the launch of the ambassador scheme last year.

She said; Its been a fantastic scheme to date and although Ive lived and worked in Wrexham all my life, Ive learnt a lot of information about the wider area that weve been able to pass onto our learners.

In turn, many learners have embraced the modules and the knowledge theyve gained has started to help shape their wider knowledge of Wrexham which will help them in their careers after college.

Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Andy Williams said; It was a real joy meeting the students and learning about the work and commitment that theyd put into become a tourism ambassador.

Ultimately, if were to keep moving forward as a competitive tourism destination, its the passion and skills of these learners that will be the future of our hospitality industry  so I offer them our congratulations on this achievement!

To become an ambassador participants need to undertake three initial bronze modules, with optional silver and gold modules now being live.

Gold ambassadors will be invited to an annual Mayoral presentation to celebrate their achievements.

Businesses can become official Wrexham Ambassador Businesses by helping more than 50% of their workforce achieve a bronze certificate.

You can register for the free Wrexham Tourism Ambassador scheme here.
Senedd told of two year wait for pain management appointment at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Apr 21st, 2024

Concerns around waiting times for appointments at the pain management clinic at Wrexham Maelor have been raised in the Senedd.

Mark Isherwood, Welsh Conservative MS for North Wales, last week called for a Welsh Government Statement on the pain management service in North Wales.

Mr Isherwood raised the case of a patient who has already been waiting 12 months for treatment and has now been told that the waiting time to be seen is a further two years.

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood said: I call for a statement on the pain management service in North Wales.

After the Countess of Chester Hospital told me that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was repatriating pain management services for people in north-east Flintshire to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, with a consequent explosion in waiting times, the then health Minister, Mark Drakeford, told me that it was a matter for the health board and otherwise did nothing.

Only yesterday a constituent living in Hawarden suffering with chronic pain e-mailed the team dealing with bookings for the pain management clinic at Wrexham Maelor and they informed him that he would have to wait another two years before he would get an appointment, meaning he will have to wait three years in total.

He asks what steps are you taking to hold them to account and bring about significant improvement, or do you consider a three-year wait for treatment acceptable?

I therefore put that question to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and call for a statement from that Cabinet Secretary on this matter also.

Jane Hutt MS, who is the new Trefnydd, replied that the matter would be raised with the Health Minister: In terms of the service in north-east Wales in particular provided by Betsi Cadwaladr, in terms of access to it and what will be really important to people, particularly people with chronic conditions in terms of pain management, again, I will raise this with the Cabinet Secretary and, indeed, the Cabinet Secretaries for health and also for north Wales in terms of looking at that situation.
More than four years since the UK reported its initial case of COVID-19, the virus continues to spread. Despite decreases in infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates following the recent winter surge, there are few barriers preventing a rebound of the pandemic.

The Conservative government, as with governments internationally, and with the enthusiastic backing of the Labour opposition, has eliminated all public health measures related to COVID, prioritizing economic gains for corporations over public health in a profits before life approach. Consequently, the SARS-COV-2 virus still infects tens of thousands weekly, leading to hundreds of deaths and leaving thousands suffering from the often severe long-term effects of Long COVID.

A new milestone in the policy of letting the virus run rampant was reached last week as NHS England launched its spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Compared to previous years, significantly fewer people will have access to a free jab, despite Mary Ramsay, who directs immunisations at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), admitting that COVID is still spreading widely in the population and can cause severe infection and death.

A queue of people waiting to receive a COVID vaccine in January 2024 during the winter vaccination programme, Manchester, England

Under the new rules, only people over 75 years old, or that live in a care home for older adults, or have a weakened immune system, are eligible for a free vaccine through the National Health Service. By contrast, just a few months ago the autumn 2023 immunisation campaign covered all adults aged 65 years and over, people aged 12-64 who were at risk, as well as frontline health and social care workers and staff working in care homes for older adults.

Now, everyone who is not covered by the extremely narrow criteria must pay between 99 (Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine) and 45 (Novavax non-mRNA vaccine). The vaccine requires a booster every approximately six months to keep being effective and be able to protect at all against regular new variants. Appointments are hard to get. Costs unaffordable to many, lack of availability, and above all the systematic attack on public awareness of the continued danger of the disease mean vast numbers will never be vaccinated again.

Because of the lack of widespread testing, the true picture of the spread of COVID in Britain is unknown. However, even from the inadequate data provided by the UKHSA, a damning picture emerges.

In the week ending April 18, the COVID-19 positivity rate rose for the second week in a row to 4.8 percent. While low compared to the winter and autumn peaks last year, it points to the continuous, unchecked spread of the virus in the population. This resulted in 1,202 hospitalisations, out of which 40 required ICU admission. There were also 102 deaths, mostly affecting the older, more vulnerable section of the population. Last year, the number of excess deaths compared to the years before the pandemic was 31,442, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

So far this year, there have been 4,034 registered COVID deaths with 3,305 in England, 225 in Wales, 348 in Scotland and 145 in Northern Ireland and 11 among non-residents.

The refusal to offer free vaccinations, and the resulting increase in infections will have devastating consequences for those who develop Long Covid.

Also referred to as Post COVID-19 Condition, Long Covid encompasses a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive impairments. Researchers are still investigating the precise characteristics of these persistent ailments, typically described as symptoms that continue or return 12 weeks following the initial infection. Estimates suggest that approximately 10 percent of all individuals who contract COVID-19 experience Long COVID. There are an estimated 2 million people suffering from Long COVID in Britain.

Support from the government is limited and erratic. The apathy demonstrated by authorities at all levels towards a debilitating condition that has impacted as many as 10 percent of the population is as reprehensible as the negligent approach that permitted the widespread transmission of COVID-19.

This was vividly illustrated in a study published last month by the researchers from the University of Stirling and the Universities of Oxford and York. Titled Episodic disability and adjustments for work: the rehabilitative work of returning to employment with Long Covid, it examines the complex challenges faced by individuals suffering from the condition as they attempt to return to work.

Because Long COVID is not officially classified as a disability in the UK, sufferers are not eligible for protections and benefits available under disability legislation. As such, they are left to negotiate their return to work individually with their employers, which often results in inadequate workplace accommodations and frequently forces workers into a cycle of attempted return followed by relapse. The study found that this uncertainty and the physical toll of Long COVID severely impact the personal and professional lives of workers, often leading to reduced work hours, job loss, or significant changes in their career paths.

An important aspect of millions of people who want a COVID jab now having to pay for it is that it broadens the ongoing privatisation of health care. These issues were raised in an article published by The Conversation this month by academics Liz Breen, the Professor of Health Service Operations, University of Bradford; and Jonathan Silcock, the Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice, University of Bradford. They write that the advent of paid for COVID jabs has raised concerns about both the cost and accessibility of these vital medicines. There are also worries its yet another example of how patients are increasingly bridging the gap in healthcare provision, paying out of pocket for prescription drugs or services that the NHS no longer provides or cant provide promptly.

The article explains, Since 2000, most people who want a flu jab and are not eligible for an NHS one have had to pay for a jab from a private provider. Free flu jabs are only given to those at the greatest risk of serious illness from the virus. Community pharmacies are reimbursed for administering the free NHS vaccination, but are paid directly for private vaccinations. Essentially, the same system has been introduced for the COVID vaccine.

This was part of a drive in which, Increasingly, the public is being asked to pay for services they could once access as part of the NHS for free.

While it is pinching pennies when it comes to protecting lives, the government has no issue spending money when it comes to ending them. It has spent 12 billion in economic and military aid for the far-right Ukrainian regime in the US-NATO war on Russia. This is on top of the 54.2 billion that the UK spent on the military in the 2023/24 fiscal year.

The repercussions of the policy of social murder during the pandemic are widespread across society. Exhausted by burnout and perilous working conditions, thousands of nurses and other healthcare professionals have abandoned their jobs. The existing shortage of general practitioners, worsened by the pandemic, now impacts millions of British families, and has resulted in overwhelmed hospital emergency rooms, which were already under strain from pandemic pressures. Additionally, measles, a disease once considered eradicated, is experiencing a resurgence, with 1,109 reported cases since October 1.

Workers in Britain and internationally must take heed of the ongoing dangers posed by the virus and fight for a preventive strategy against COVID-19 and other public health threats. Such a strategy must be funded by the hoarded wealth of the corporations and the super-rich, and organised democratically and scientifically, not subordinated to the demands of the capitalist labour market.
Protests erupted this past week in Tbilisi, the capital city of the country Georgia, over efforts by the ruling party to once again push through a foreign agents law. The measure, which is opposed by layers within the elite and urban upper middle class oriented towards the NATO powers, would require organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from overseas to register as foreign agents. Opponents refer to it as the Russian law, based on the fact that it shares features with a policy implemented by Moscow in 2022.

Demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

Demonstrators, whose numbers have been generally described as being in the thousands but as high as 20,000, took to the streets outside the parliament on multiple days this week. They waved EU, Ukrainian and Georgian flags, held aloft signs that read No to Russia. Yes to Europe, and yelled Slaves!, Russians! and Traitors! At Mondays protest, they cheered opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili, who appeared before them after punching in the face the leader of the political party that supports the law and starting a brawl on the floor of the parliament.

The police have responded with force, rushing protesters, jamming communications and firing tear gas. As of the latest reports, 14 people have been arrested. The Ministry of Internal Affairs declared the protests to be illegal actions and threatened to administer special measures defined by law to stop them.

Rebuffing demands that efforts to pass the bill be halted, lawmakers in the Georgian Dream (GD) party, which holds the parliamentary majority, approved the measure on Wednesday. It still has to go through another reading and be signed off by the president. Salome Zourabichvili said that she will veto the measure, which she described as a Russian strategy of destabilization. However, GD has enough votes to overturn that decision. This is their second attempt to pass the bill, after Western-backed protests in March 2023 caused them to retreat.

The passage of the foreign agents law has unleashed denunciations from the United Sates and the European Union, to which Georgia is seeking ascension. Describing it as a very concerning development, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi warned in a diplomatic statement on Wednesday that final adoption of this legislation would negatively impact Georgias progress on its EU path.

They said in a joint statement, This law is not in line with EU core norms and values. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed similar sentiments on Thursday, declaring that the US is gravely disappointed by the Kremlin-inspired law.

The US and NATO are confronting a debacle in their war against Russia in Ukraine, to which they are responding through escalation across multiple frontsin the Middle East, where Iran is being attacked by Washingtons proxy Israel, and in the Far East, where tensions with China are being whipped up. This lends an explosive character to the developments in Tbilisi, as the Caucasus emerge as another zone of conflict in what is emerging as the opening stages of World War III.

The Russia press is warning of the prospect of civil war in their southwestern neighbor, and the Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin declared Thursday that the Western reaction to the foreign agents law indicates that there are decisions by Washington and Brussels to overthrow the current Georgian government and money has already been allocated for this.

Georgia, bordered by the Black Sea to its west, Russia to its north, Turkey and Armenia to its south, and Azerbaijan to its east, is of major geostrategic significance. The country sits along an important trade route linking the Caspian to the Black Seas, making it important to the movement of energy resources and goods from Asia to global markets. It can also serve as a staging ground for interference in and attacks on Russias Muslim-majority North Caucasus. The country is in striking distance of Iran. The Georgian port of Batumi is just 445 miles as the crow flies from Moscows naval base on Crimea.

NATO, which on its website describes Georgia as one of [its] closest partners, views the south Caucasus nation as essential to its larger plans. During a March visit, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg applauded Tbilisis role in the alliances war against Russia in Ukraine and pointed to its deepening ties with Georgia in the areas of crisis management, cyber security, military engineering and secure communications.

For decades, the NATO powers have been working to draw the tiny nation, with a population of just over 3.7 million, into its orbit and keep it there. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the countrys anti-Russian Rose revolution, which, orchestrated by the US, saw a pro-Western government come to power under the cover of a movement for democracy.

Mikheil Saakashvili governed the country from 2004-2012, during which time he implemented neoliberal reforms that devastated the working class, and provoked a war with Russia in 2008. Having become the object of immense popular hatred, he fled Georgia in 2014 after facing charges related to corruption, the murder of a political opponent and the torture and rape of prisoners. Saakashvili, who was then made the governor of Odessa oblast by the far-right Ukrainian government, is now back in Georgia sitting in a prison cell.

His rule provoked a backlash within the population and led to the coming to power of the Georgian Dream party, which seeks to balance between NATO and Russia. Georgian Dream has generally blamed NATO for the war in Ukraine and warned of the dangers of a repeat of the Ukraine scenario in Georgia, at the same time that it has pursued closer political, military, and economic ties with the US and Europe.

In an expression of this desperate political maneuvering, on Wednesday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the foreign agents law by declaring that it is aimed at protecting Georgia from Ukrainianization and strengthening sovereignty and ensuring stable development of the country, which is a prerequisite for Georgias integration into the European Union. On Saturday, he indicated that GD would retract the law if the country was admitted to the EU.

In addition to seeking membership in both NATO and the EU, Georgia is tied by billions of dollars of debt to European and global lenders. Through the financing of institutes, non-profits, research networks, programs that promote international collaboration, Washington and its allies are involved in what they call building the countrys civil society. In reality, it is nothing but meddling in a foreign state with the aim of bringing to power more subservient layers.

The Georgia Fair Labor Platform (GFLP), for instance, which describes itself as an informal alliance of independent trade unions, civil society organizations and activists working to improve labor conditions for workers in Georgia, was founded by Human Rights Watch and George Soros Open Society Foundation, a global NGO with close ties to the American state. On its website, the GFLP notes that one of its main contributors, a derivative of the Open Society Foundation, is involved in the implementation of the EU ascension agreement.

In September of last year, the State Security Services announced that it had uncovered a plot by former Georgian military elites, allied with the Ukrainian government and active in that country, to seize power. In short, they determined that the US, via its CIA operatives and proxies in Kiev, was working to bring down the Georgian government.

Notably, the State Security Services description of what was being prepared bears a resemblance to what is currently happening in Georgia. They said the conspirators hoped to take advantage of a situation in which the EU would issue a negative appraisal of Georgias readiness to join its ranks. This would then create a fertile ground for civil unrest and further riots through both information networks at their disposal, as well as by artificially labeling the government as pro-Russian.

That the foreign agents law is anti-democratic and reactionary is indisputable. The foreign agent that poses the greatest threat to the Georgian ruling elite, as well those of Russia and America (the latter of which also has such laws), is the international working class. Measures that today are directed against agencies funded by Washington and Brussels will tomorrow be used against mass organizations of workers fighting to bring their class to power around the world. In a country like Georgia, where ordinary people have deep cultural ties and a shared history of struggle with the masses of the former Soviet Union, those on top no doubt have a particular awareness of what it can mean when those on the bottom raise their heads.

But there is nothing progressive or democratically minded about the pro-EU protests in Tbilisi this week. The EU is helping orchestrate Israels genocide in Gaza, while cracking down on domestic opposition to the mass slaughter. In Ukraine, the EU is backing fascists and a government that is sending millions into killing fields, rounding up draft dodgers and pressing the sick and disabled into service. The social layer drawn to the protests in Tbilisis centerwhich is filled with expensive cafes, fancy shops, and right-wing graffitiis generally well-educated, well-to-do (or aim to be) and have (or hope to get) a place in one of the foreign corporations, NGOs or other Western-backed institutions operating in Georgia.

It is notable that in a country in which the median wage is estimated to be between $350 and $390 a month, the minimum wage is $7.50 a month, 11.9 percent of male workers and 24.6 percent of female workers earn less than $131 a month; the bottom 50 percent of the population possess just 4.4 percent of personal wealth and receive 14.5 percent of all pre-tax national income, not a single slogan chanted by the crowds on Tbilisis streets this week had to do with inequality, poverty or social misery.

To the extent that ascension to the EU has, or rather had, broader support in the populationa claim that Western powers constantly make on the basis of polls they have conductedit is because people have illusions that the majority of working Georgians will achieve the living standards they think, falsely, exist for a majority of those in the EU.
People search for victims after a shipwreck in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, April 21, 2024. The death toll from a shipwreck that occurred Friday in the Central African Republic (CAR) has risen to 62, locals and authorities said on Sunday. (Str/Xinhua)

YAOUNDE, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a shipwreck that occurred Friday in the Central African Republic (CAR) has risen to 62, locals and authorities said on Sunday.

According to Maick Azoumale, a sand digger on river Mpoko where the tragedy occurred, four more bodies including three women and a child were located overnight into Sunday.

CAR Director General of Civil Protection, Thomas Dimasse, told a local media Saturday that they "were able to extract 58 bodies, lifeless. We don't know the total number of people underwater."

He confirmed the figure to Xinhua and said that more people were still missing. "About 50 relatives of the victims continue to put pressure in the hope of finding the bodies of their loved ones. We are currently working with volunteers, especially sand diggers who are helping us find the bodies of the missing," Dimasse said.

The tragedy occurred on Friday when a boat transporting more than 300 people over river Mpoko in CAR capital city of Bangui sank.

The passengers were heading to the village of Mokelo, in the commune of Bimbo, Ombella-Mpoko prefecture, for the burial of the remains of a group leader, according to witnesses. 
Standout Paris-based sales outfit Luxbox (1976) has acquired international sales rights to the debut solo feature effort from Chilean multi-hyphenate Vinko Tomicic Salinas(Durmiente),The Dog Thief (El Ladron de Perros), which bows in the international narrative competition at this years Tribeca Film Festival, running June 5-16.

The film follows an adolescent shoe shining orphan, Martin (Franklin Aro Huasco), in his quest to get closer to Mr. Novoa, a lonely tailor in town whom he believes is his father.

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After a twisted ruse is hatched to excuse his further prying, the teen winds up against a wall in a situation that could cause him to lose the nascent, yet budding, relationship.

Novoa, played by Pablo Larrain regular Alfredo Castro, last seen in El Conde, reluctantly opens-up to the youngster and the two form an undeniable bond in this drama that takes quotidian life to new heights by infusing it with boundless sentiment and the ubiquitous yearning for belonging and community that can lead to desperate and self-defeating ends.

Were extremely happy to join the journey of The Dog Thief, a film that discusses fatherhood and love and universal subjects through a local and intriguing story that happens in La Paz, Bolivia, Luxbox CEO Fiorella Moretti told Variety.

The project is produced by Salinas Chile-based Calamar Cine (Cockroach) alongside Matias de Bourguignon, Alvaro Manzano Zambrana at Bolivias Color Monster, Gabriela Maire and Edher Campos at Mexicos Zafiro Cinema, co-produced by Nadia Turincev and Omar El Kadi at Frances Easy Riders, Pavel Quevedo at Ecuadors Aguacero Cine and Francesca van der Staay with Mario Mazzarotto at Italys Movimento Film. The cast is rounded out by Teresa Ruiz, Maria Luque, Julio Cesar Altamirano and Ninon Davalos.

Were thrilled to be represented by Luxbox, a company weve always wanted to collaborate with. We were familiar with their dedication to the titles they handle, and we have always aspired to work with someone who would treat our project with the same care, attention, and affection that we poured into it, Manzano, managing partner and director at Color Monster, relayed.

With Fiorella and her team, we share a vision of what this film can bring and the significance of ensuring that Bolivian and Latin American cinema is distributed and seen in more places, he added.

The film participated in Guadalajaras Co-production Meeting and was selected at Venice Biennale College Cinema and EAVE Puentes, the Europe-Latin America film development workshop backed by the E.U. Media Program.

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Christine Baumgartner just made her first public appearance with her beau, ex-husband Kevin Costners former buddy Josh Connor. Unlike her ex-husband, who keeps his reported romance with Jewel super-private, Baumgartner is letting the world know about her new romance with this surprising public outing.

While its not a red-carpet event, Baumgartner and Connor were seen on a lunch date in Calabasas. In photos obtained by DailyMail, the two were seen smiling from ear to ear as they went out for a casual lunch and shopping trip in Calabasas.

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The two were seen in relaxed, casual wear, with Baumgartner in a white T-shirt, gold jewelry, and jeans and Connor in a black and white tracksuit.

While theyve been pictured before on their trips, this is the first time weve seen them together locally and, truly, they look so into one another.

Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner. Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection.

In details and photos obtained by DailyMail, Baumgartner and Connor started dating sometime in 2023, but the timeline is very unclear. While Costner accused her of dating his buddy right after they divorced, she denied it. But now, she and the financier are seemingly getting more and more serious, with trips galore for the two lovebirds.

Connor flew her to Hawaii on a private jet to spend Christmastime together, and they even went on a trip to New York together. A source said, Theyre together, and they have been for a while. They spent time before Christmas together in Hawaii while Kevin was presumably in Aspen with the kids. They also made a trip to New York together. She hasnt been doing much to hide whats going on from her friends.

Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner. Photo By: Dee Cercone/Everett Collection.

For those who dont know, Costner and Baumgartner were together for four years before marrying on Sept 25, 2004. They share three children together named Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. However, Baumgartner filed for divorce on May 2023, and the pair finalized their divorce within months, despite their contentious back-and-forth dominating headlines.

Since then, Baumgartner has moved on with Connor, and Costner has allegedly been with Jewel for some time now.

Before you go, click here for all the celebrity splits and divorces we never saw coming.



Kelly Clarkson Brandon Blackstock

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Water is all around us, yet it remains one of the earth's most valuable resources. When we did the research for this list, we learned that there are far more people shelling out real money for "premium water" than we ever could have imagined. It feels gauche, considering how many millions of people are suffering from water scarcity all over the world. But the fact remains that luxury water in its uber-fresh, pure, Swarovski-covered glory exists, and more people are paying for it than you may think.

And once in a while, it's fun to put on our imaginary top hats and monocles and pretend to be right there with them. If you have the cash to burn, why not put it towards a bottle of water that looks more like a centuries-old potion? Or maybe a tall, sleek glass bottle covered with Swarovski crystals is closer to your brand of "stupidly rich." Some of these luxury water brands have the stamp of approval from real-life water sommeliers. Others come from the furthest corners of the world, from the fjords of Norway to the humid jungles of Brazil to the fresh springs of Tennessee. What they all have in common is a price that far exceeds $100. It begs the question: how much would you spend on a bottle of water?

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on region.

Read more: 25 Popular Bottled Water Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Asahi Rokko No Mizu Pet Bottle: $108.31

Rokko No Mizu pet bottle water bottle split image cartoon tiger - Fine Liquids

At first glance, the Asahi Rokko No Mizu pet bottle doesn't seem like the epitome of luxury. In fact, one could argue that it's nearly indistinguishable from any other plastic water bottle from the grocery store. Except, of course, for the adorable cartoon tiger found on the pet bottle edition of the water bottle. But the cutesy cartoon doesn't really scream "rich," so what's with the extravagant price? A single bottle costs around $108.31; Rokko No Mizu is the water version of not judging a book by its cover. The water itself has a rich history that sets it apart from other water brands.

The water stored within the ordinary plastic bottles hails from the Rokko Mountains in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture. If that sounds familiar, it may be because the Kobe district in the prefecture is the source of Kobe beef, some of the world's highest-quality meat, aside from wagyu. Clearly, the region is no stranger to producing luxury foods, as the water was, at one point, one of the most costly bottles of mineral water on the market.

Mount Rokko offers stunning views, but it's as dense with history as it is with trees. The mythicism surrounding Rokko No Mizu and Mount Rokko raises the water's value: legend has it that the mineral water comes from the fountain of youth, which accounts for the abnormally high number of 100+ year-olds living in the area.

Svalbari 750 Milliliter Bottle: $117

Svalbardi water with icebergs - svalbardiiceberg/Instagram

If you had to travel thousands of miles, brave frigid temperatures, and risk polar bear encounters to obtain truly pure water, would you? Sticking to tap water sounds easier (and safer), so we're all lucky that some intrepid water lovers are willing to brave the trek for us. Thought has gone into every element of the design for Svalbari's 750-milliliter clear glass bottle of still water, from the recyclable flint glass to the stylish wooden cap that Svalbari claims comes from sustainable forests. The bottle alone is tall, sleek, and the height of minimalism. After all, the icy water within speaks for itself  and for its $105 to$117 price tag, depending on where you order it from.

Obtaining a bottle of the rare water is easier said than done, not only because it's currently sold out on Svalbari's website. It takes time, energy, and expertise to source the water, which comes from arctic glaciers in Norway. It's not unusual for Nordic countries like Norway and Iceland to source water from icebergs and glaciers, mainly because glacier water is considered to be "fine water" due to its untouched, pure origins. Svalbardi's procurement method involves an expedition to Norway's Svalbari islands. There, vessels cut through frigid fjords that are surrounded by towering mountains of ice. "It has the fresh taste of snow in air that fell before modern pollution," claims Svalbari. That is to say, this water isn't just pure  it's prehistoric.

Gaisbergwasser Edition Austria: $136

Gaisbergwasser painting on glass bottle - Gaisbergwasser/Facebook

Water is just ... water, right? Not if Gaisbergwasser has a say. What makes Gaisbergwasser's "Edition Austria" so special is the creativity and ingenuity that goes into each bottle. First of all, the bottles are designed using the vibrant artwork of Austrian artist Albert Dschulnigg. Only 200 bottles were made, and Dschulnigg added a unique touch to each and every one, ensuring that no two bottles are exactly the same. The water bottles aren't meant to be recycled but treasured as pieces of art. There's an extremely limited number of bottles available for purchase. You'll have to shell out $136 for a single bottle of Gaisberg Edition Austria, but according to the company, this may be a steal.

Gaisbergwasser claims that the artists who design the bottles sell their original works for upwards of 2,000 to 50,000. Of course, Gaisberg Edition Austria is a work of art on the inside, too. The water itself  which one could argue is the most important part  has been perfected over the years. It started out as ordinary Saltzberg Gaisberg water, which has since been refined. The company considers its water to be premium, and for good reason. Its alkaline spring water has won several gold medals for Best International Taste at the American Fine Water Society awards and is consistently certified by authorities in Salzberg. When water doubles as artwork and as an award-winning refreshment, the high price point starts to make more sense.

O Amazon Air Water: $140

O Amazon Air Water glass bottle - O Amazon Air Water

From afar, a bottle from O Amazon Air Water's Onca Pintada series looks more like premium vodka than water. With its squat neck, thick glass, and distinguished navy and gold label, the bottle would look right at home behind an upper-class bar. And yet, O Amazon Air Water is the opposite of a night on the town.

Everything from the way the water is produced to the way it's sold is the height of high-tech efficiency. Unlike other luxury water brands, O Amazon doesn't source its water from remote mountain springs or deep Icelandic glaciers. Instead, "it floats ... on the flying rivers of the Brazilian Amazonian rainforest," the bottle proclaims. The water is obtained using an Air Water Generator, a process O Amazon assures consumers is not only backed by science but environmentally friendly.

The technology used at O Amazon is backed by the belief that the cleanest water is actually invisible in the air we breathe. An Air Water Generator condenses water vapor  such as the vapor over Brazil's "flying rivers"  and turns it into pure, clean drinking water. It's no wonder a single bottle in O Amazon's Onca Pintada series costs $140. The air-to-water conversion process takes patience, time, and advanced tools, which accounts for the product's limited supply. But if you're passionate about drinking pure, clean water that's ethically sourced, then tracking down a bottle may be worth it.

APSU Origin Water: $151.75

APSU Origin water glass bottle clear - APSU Origin Water/Facebook

What's a more refreshing image than the cooling, untouched springs flowing through Patagonia? Nothing, which is exactly why the luxury water brand APSU Origin decided to bottle and sell it. APSU Origin traveled deep into the Magallanes region of Chile in order to bring this dreamlike image to life. Judging by the bottle alone, APSU Origin succeeded: the bottle looks like luxury in glass form. Its smooth, sloped neck resembles a clear, refreshing stream of water.

Appearances aside, the water itself makes the price tag, which hovers between $140 to $151.75, more understandable. The company is dedicated to extracting only the purest, highest-quality water and doing so in an environmentally sustainable way. Its water comes in at a pH of 7.3 and has an ultra-low mineral count of 46 milligrams of total dissolved solids per liter.

Populated by whales, penguins, and even a few brave tourists, Chile's Patagonian glaciers are pristine and somewhat hidden. As intimidating as they are, the glaciers contain pure water, untouched by time  until now. The water, which comes specifically from the Skyring Sound, is harvested at 4 degrees Celsius to ensure a crisp, fresh taste. The elaborate process pays off, as APSU Origin Water received two silver medals at the 2021 Fine Water Awards.

Orezza Natural Mineral Water: $155

Orezza Mineral Water in glass bottle with lemons - Orezzamineralwater_hk_macau/Instagram

Mineral water: we've all heard of it, but very few of us actually know what it is and how it differs from still or sparkling water. Well, Orezza Natural Mineral Water set out to make a name for itself. Judging by its price alone  $155 per liter, $930 for six bottles  it has succeeded. With people clamoring for a pricey bottle, we can't help but ask ourselves, what exactly makes this mineral water so special? Apparently, the region it's sourced from is as full of history as the water is with minerals.

The water is from Corsica, a Mediterranean island that is a territory of France. On its website, Orezza's water experts explain that 19th-century colonists highly sought Corsica's water due to its healing properties  namely, its alleged ability to treat malaria and anemia. As we know now, the "healing properties" weren't magical but biological.

Natural Corsican water can have an orange tinge to it, and this rusty color comes from the water's high iron content. If you're iron deficient, a glass of Corsican water from Orezza could do you some good. Sourced from a UNESCO heritage site, the slightly bubbly water derives from 70 meters under Corsica and is even the choice of Monaco's royal family.

Nevas Sparkling Water: $180

Nevas water black bottle on table - Nevaswater/Instagram

With its sleek black glass and ornate label, Nevas looks like it contains a mysterious potion, not sparkling water. In a way, "potion" is a good word for Nevas' unique sparkling water; Nevas water is the first cuvee to infiltrate the world of luxury water, "cuvee" meaning it's a blend of water from different springs. "Cuvee" can also refer to the delicate carbonation process, as Nevas Water is infused with carbonic acid. This is what gives Nevas water its distinguishable bite.

Nevas' water comes from two artesian springs in Germany, specifically, two wells that house centuries-old mineral water. The unique taste can also be attributed to the layers of rock that make up the walls, filling the water with rich concentrations of calcium. With a TDS count of 2,000, this water is considered hard and mineral-packed.

The term "cuvee" is almost exclusively used for wines, so its use to describe Nevas' sparkling water is revolutionary, indeed. Just like wine sommeliers, water sommeliers  yes, water sommeliers really do exist!  are experts at deducing why and how luxury water is considered premium, and Nevas fits the category. A single 3-liter bottle of Nevas water is priced at $180.99, and smaller variations cost upwards of $64. Nevas received a gold medal for its curated water at the 2019 Taste & Design Awards. And as if it wasn't champagne-like enough, the bottle is designed with a cork you can pop off whenever you have something to celebrate.

Bling H20: $182

Blingh20 black bottle with crystals - blingh2o/Instagram

Unlike other luxury brands on this list, it's no secret why Bling H20 boasts a hefty cost. We can barely see the price tag, what with all the dazzlingly bright Swarovski crystals. Bling H20 lives up to its name by decorating the bottle with enough eye-catching premium crystals to make anyone's head spin. The frosted glass, which comes in different shapes and colors, is the perfect canvas for the unique crystal designs, which have been redesigned in spectacular fashion over the years.

You see, Bling H20 really hit its stride in the mid-2000s, back when glamor was defined by how much your accessories sparkled. This expensive bottled water brand markets itself as "water for the stars," but don't be fooled: this H20 isn't all flash, no substance.

The "substance" itself is obtained in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Knoxville and Nashville. Bling H20 is bottled right at the source, but you won't be drinking dirty spring water. Although filtering water doesn't always make it safe to drink, Bling H20 ensures freshness by using advanced reverse osmosis processes  nine times over.

You need truly deep pockets in order to justify this extravagant water. "The Original" is sold for around $182, but a bottle called "The Ten Thousand" costs a shocking $2,700. Why the exorbitant price? The ten thousand hand-applied Swarovski crystals might have something to do with it.

Fillico Black King: $4,104

Fillico Jewelry Water with small crown topper - Farah's Couture/Facebook

Fillico's water shares similar characteristics with other high-end bottles. It originates in the legendary Rokko National Park in Japan's Kobe region, and its most eye-catching line, Fillico Jewelry Water, is decked out in delicate Swarovski crystals and topped with an ornate crown. The water is fit for royalty, which has been Fillico's main goal ever since it debuted in 2005. Fillico produces luxurious mineral water that, the brand vows, always strives for perfection.

After all, perfection is hard to avoid when you delve into Rokko National Park. The lush green forests hide natural wonders, from historic nature trails to awe-inspiring waterfalls. One of these waterfalls, Nunobiki Spring, is where Fillico bottles its famous mineral water.

One of Japan's most beloved waterfalls, Nunobiki Falls, plays an almost fantastical role in Japanese culture. It's known as one of Japan's three "divine falls," so its beauty is considered to be a gift from God himself. It's no wonder Fillico decided to source its water from such a sacred place. As a company, Fillico has aligned itself with other luxury brands, from Christian Dior to the Cannes Film Festival, which it co-sponsored in 2008. With all this in mind, it makes sense why the colorful, uniquely decorated bottles usually sell for upwards of $215. And one of the most exclusive Fillico bottles  the obsidian-colored Black King  can be found sold for up to $4,104.

Acqua Di Cristallo Tributo A Modigliani: $60,000

Holding Acqua di Cristallo in gold - Acqua di Cristallo/Facebook

As of writing, Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani is largely believed to be the most expensive water ever sold at auction. It even got the stamp of authenticity from the Guinness Book of World Recordsback in 2010. We won't leave you in suspense: Acqua di Cristallo sold for $60,000 at auction. With so much hype surrounding a singular bottle of water, the water itself had better be downright magical. And since the water is sourced from all corners of the globe, it just might be.

Combining natural spring water from Fiji and France with frigid glacier water from Iceland makes for a singularly storied drink of water. History aside, Acqua di Cristallo is the epitome of wealth: there's actual gold in the water, 5 grams of 23-carat gold, to be exact. Calling it a "bottle" feels reductive since it's more like a piece of art.

Fernando Altamiranoas designed the bottle as a tribute to the artist Amedeo Clemente Modigliani. This is where the soaring price tag starts to make sense: The one-of-a-kind 750-milliliter glass bottle is decorated with solid 24-carat gold. From afar, the bottle looks more like a golden sculpture of an ancient face than a glass of water, but that's exactly why someone once shelled out thousands of dollars to own it. There's nothing else like it.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
From a smoky salsa or hearty chile relleno to a spice-tinted stew, roasted chile peppers have a place in many different recipes. They provide dishes with earthy undertones accented by whispers of sweetness, spiciness, and tanginess. Although your grandma may seem to be able to roast chiles over an open flame on the stove, creating the perfect chile char by rotating them with her seemingly fireproof bare hands, a grandmother's cooking powers can take a lifetime to develop. In the meantime, you can quickly roast chile peppers in your air fryer.

Air fryers use rapid hot air circulation to cook food evenly, and, as importantly, quickly. Air fryers work twice as fast as conventional ovens, making them the perfect cooking method for roasting chile peppers on the fly. And since you're freeing up some precious space in your oven, you can roast a chicken, caramelize veggies, or bake a dessert while your favorite chile peppers are air-frying. Air-frying chile peppers requires less effort than stove-top roasting or backyard grilling: Simply set the temperature and timer and seal the basket shut -- et voila -- hands-free roasted chile peppers ready to eat faster than you can say poblano.

Read more: The Best Kitchen Gadgets You Can Buy

Tips For Roasting Chiles In The Air Fryer

Assortment of roasted peppers - Lauripatterson/Getty Images

Thanks to most air fryers' convenience and easy-to-navigate functions, recipes you can make in your air fryer are terrific for when you want low-maintenance cooking. However, even the simplest of recipes come with instructions; by keeping a few low-stakes tips in mind, you can make a high-quality batch of air fryer-roasted chiles.

Although oven-roasted chiles can benefit from a small coating of oil, air fryers are designed to cook foods without oil, which means you can save your favorite cooking fats for other recipes. Just wash your chiles before you start the air-frying process to remove any residual soil or other debris.

Avoid overcrowding the chiles in your air fryer to prevent uneven cooking. If you need to make a large batch of roasted chile peppers, air-fry them in batches. To prevent a mess in your air fryer, line the basket with parchment paper. Unlike aluminum foil, which foods often cling to, non-stick parchment paper allows chile peppers to slide right off. Bear in mind that parchment paper can only withstand temperatures up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit.

The roasting process for chile peppers should only take a few minutes in your air fryer. Once your chilies are blistered and browned to perfection, they're ready to be added to your favorite recipes.

Uses For Air Fryer-Roasted Chiles

Veggie flatbread with roasted peppers - hadasit/Shutterstock

Air fryer-roasted chile peppers are done in a flash, making them ideal for timely weekday meals when you just don't feel like cooking. There are many ways to put them to use while still keeping your cooking time short, sweet, and satiating.

Use air fryer roasted chile peppers as a topping for a low-effort pizza. If you're not in the mood for pizza, but still craving Italian cuisine, blend air-fried peppers with cream, herbs, and spices for a spicy, earthy pasta sauce that's ready in just a few pulses of your blender or food processor.

Soups and stews are a tried-and-true, easy-to-make meal. Simply add your freshly air-fried chiles and your favorite soup ingredients to a pot of simmering broth and you'll have a spicy, spoonable meal like tomato cauliflower soup with roasted red peppers, with minimal effort in no time.

Air fryer-roasted chiles can also elevate burgers and sandwiches, serve as the foundation of a hot sauce recipe, fill out an omelet, or support a barbecue-loving side dish featuring black beans, corn, and roasted poblanos. With this quick and customizable roasted chile hack, the culinary world becomes your oyster ... or ... your pepper!

Read the original article on Daily Meal
No body care routine is complete without the perfect cleanser. And when it comes to cleansing our skin below the neck, the two most popular options are bar soap and body wash. Both help refresh and rejuvenate our skin, but each format has its pros and cons. To help us better understand the differences and similarities between the two, we spoke with a dermatologist and cosmetic chemist. Ahead, they share everything you need to know about bar soap and body wash so you can determine which one is best for you and your skin.







Meet Our Expert

Gabrielle Nekrasas is a cosmetic chemist and the founder and CEO of Nanuvo Labs.

Dr. Hayley Goldbach, MD, FAAD, is a double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in Providence, Rhode Island.







Bar Soap vs. Body Wash: What's the Difference?

Bar soap and body wash are composed of cleaning agents, and both products aim to lift dirt and oil from the skin. However, the formulation and process of creating each are different. "Bar soap goes through a caustic process that involves heating oil and wax and adding lye," Nekrasas explains. Then, the mixture is cured for six to eight weeks, evaporating the chemical ingredients."

Liquid body wash does not require the same manufacturing process and is generally associated with being a bit milder and not as stripping as bar soap. "Body wash also contains water, so it's not as concentrated of a product," Goldbach says. Washes are also ideal for targeting certain skin types and conditions. For example, Nekarasas adds that oils, extracts, moisturizing, clarifying, or exfoliating ingredients can easily be added to body washes to target specific skin issues.

The Pros and Cons of Bar Soap

One of the biggest selling points of bar soap is that its formula is waterless. Since bar soap is void of water, it's less likely to breed bacteria (unless it is improperly stored in water), and therefore, little or no preservatives are needed in the formula. Another plus? Bar soap requires less packaging. Save for a paper sleeve or cardboard box; there is no hefty packaging or plastic required for bar soap. This makes it a more environmentally friendly option that's also easy to store.

On the flip side, one of the qualms about bar soap is that it has a higher pH. Nekrasas says bar soap has a pH between nine and ten, which can't be lowered because of the multiple steps necessary to formulate it. Washing the body with a bar soap that has a pH higher than the skin's can cause dryness for some people, especially those with sensitive skin, Goldbach notes. However, it is important to note that many of today's bar soap products contain oils and moisturizers to try to counteract this.

Beyond that, many bar soaps are notorious for leaving behind a residue. "Body soaps are known to create a sliminess or residue on both the skin and shower that some people find unpleasant," Goldbach says.

The Pros and Cons of Body Wash

Most people love the way body washes make their skin feel. They are often formulated with gentle, calming, and hydrating ingredients. Some even contain emollients and ceramides to make the skin feel soft without disrupting the skin's barrier or natural oils. "Other ingredients can be added to a body wash to boost skin health," Goldbach adds.

Compared to bar soap, body washes are a bit more hygienic since they are housed in tubes or bottles. This ensures that the formula does not come into contact with water or other elements and potentially grow bacteria. Unlike bar soap, the pH of a body wash can also be tailored during formulation and manufacturing. A body washes pH level is often closer to that of the skin, which is why Goldbach says body washes benefit those with very dry skin.



One of the drawbacks of liquid body washes is that there's no way around using plastic packaging. Even though many brands use recycled packaging (or make their packaging recyclable), it still adds waste to the environment. Another point of differentiation is that body washes require preservatives to prevent them from growing mold, which Goldbach says may make it less ideal if you are looking for more of a "clean" product.

When to Use Bar Soap or Body Wash

If your skin is sensitive or easily irritated, you may be more inclined to use bar soap. Goldbach says that bar soaps are typically void of potentially irritating ingredients, so there's less risk of an allergy.

If your skin is incredibly dry or you notice that it feels tight, scaly, rough, or itchy, a body wash may better suit your needs. Liquid body washes tend to be more moisturizing and calming on the skin. They are often the go-to option for people with chronic conditions like eczema or acne since they can be formulated with potent, active ingredients to help mitigate the issue. "A lot of the body wash choices today are formulated to be as mild and gentle as your skin needs," Nekaras shares.

Ingredients to Look for and Avoid

Almost all skin types can benefit from body washes and bar soaps made with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and oils such as avocado, argan, and coconut. These ingredients help lock in moisture, allowing you to cleanse your skin without disrupting its barrier function. If you want to slough away dead skin, look for gentle formulas with exfoliating ingredients like lactic or salicylic acid.

Whether you're using bar soap or body wash, if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to avoid formulas with fragrance. "Companies don't have to disclose what chemicals they use for this purpose, which can trigger an allergy or reaction," Goldbach says. Triclosan, an antimicrobial, is another ingredient she says to avoid, as it is an irritant and may pose health risks. Although it is no longer allowed in over-the-counter soaps in the United States, you can still find it in some international products and industrial-type soaps. She says you'll also want to steer clear of products with harsh antibacterials. This ingredient can reduce the number of healthy bacteria on your skin and leave it feeling stripped.



The Final Takeaway

Bar soap and body wash are two powerful body care products that cleanse and refresh our skin. While they serve the same purpose, they differ in format and formulation. According to our experts, there are times when one may be better suited than the other. For instance, if you have super sensitive skin, a bar soap may be the best option, as it is often composed of fewer ingredients and is typically void of irritants. If you're looking for a more targeted formula (for dryness or exfoliation, for example), you may want to reach for a body wash, as many contain tailored active ingredients. Ultimately, deciding between a bar soap and body wash depends on your skin type, concerns, and personal preferences.

Read the original article on Byrdie.
Tourists from the UK are always welcome in Greece, locals tell The Telegraph - Getty/E+

While anti-tourist protests have become a feature in many of our favourite holiday destinations  particularly in Spain  Britons hoping for a warm welcome this summer should look no further than Greece.

The country, in which Ive lived for 15 years, is known for its filoxenia (love of the stranger), but Brits have long been treated especially well  ever since, exactly 200 years ago, O Vyronas (better known as Lord Byron) died of malaria in Missolonghi while waiting to join the struggle to liberate Greece from the Ottoman Turks. Not even the long-running spat over Elgins Marbles, nor the long shadow cast by Churchills decision to turn on the Greek partisans in 1944, seem able to dent the centuries-old affection that links the two nations.

Its incredible how Greece adopted and still respects Byron so much, says Georgios Papadopoulos, whose family is from near Missolonghi. Few other countries can boast such a respected national hero who is not of their own nationality. It is one of the reasons why we still love the British today.

Lord Byron fell in love with Greece on his firts trip to the country in 1809 - Universal Images/Getty

Like many of todays travellers, Byron fell in love on his first trip to Greece in 1809, not only with Teresa Makri, the so-called Maid of Athens, but with the Greeks themselves, whose customs and traditions he greatly admired. His death sparked a wave of philhellenism around the world, helping ensure Britain a special place in Greek hearts. In an 1862 referendum, nearly 40 years after the death of Byron, 95 per cent of Greeks even voted in favour of installing Queen Victorias second son Prince Alfred as their monarch, after a revolt deposed Bavarian King Otto.

The bond was cemented in the Second World War, when Britain was one of Greeces closest allies. Even today, if you enter a traditional kafenion and mention Patrick Leigh Fermor, the SOE officer who hid in the highlands of Crete as he helped to organise the Greek resistance, youll probably be invited to toast the British war heros memory with a punch-packing tumbler of raki.

British war hero Patrick Leigh Fermor is still toasted in Greece - Hulton Archive/Getty

True, the UKs reputation has been tarnished somewhat in recent years by booze-fuelled antics in places like Malia and Kavos, but Brit-bashing in Greece is still rare.

British tourists are still quite popular here, and since the Covid pandemic locals actually value the British even more, says English teacher Enid Monica-Robinson from Loughborough, who lives on Skiathos, a ferry-hop from Mamma Mia! island Skopelos.

It was telling that, even as other countries were imposing strict rules on British visitors during the dark days of the pandemic, Greece kept the door open to UK arrivals.

Furthermore, Greeks, many of whom hankered for Grexit after a no vote in the 2015 bailout referendum was ignored, generally sympathise with Britains collective decision to leave the EU. Wages were reduced to nothing during our economic crisis and pensions were slashed by more than half  even though it was often grandparents who had to support their entire family because there was so much unemployment, says Manolis Papadakis, who works in a bar in Heraklion. We were very angry, so we understood why Britain wanted Brexit.

Last year, some 4.5 million UK tourists flocked to swim from Greek beaches and sup Mythos beer in its tavernas. However, while demonstrations are becoming regular occurrences in Mallorca and the Canary Islands, protests against tourists are almost unheard of in Greece. Even during the so-called Beach Towels Movement last year, when locals protested about beaches being swamped by sunbeds, Greeks praised British tourists for their support. British visitors realise that we are committed to safeguarding our islands authentic character and contributing to its sustainable future, said Nicolas Stephanou, a member of the Paros Citizens Movement for Free Beaches.

'Even in Santorini and other over-touristed hotspots it's rare to hear a bad word said against the British,' says Eleni Balatsas - Digital Vision/Getty

A far cry from recent events in Tenerife and Amsterdam, where Britons have been vociferously told to go home and stay away, Greece is even offering 25,000 free holidays to those whose stays were cut short by the wildfires in Rhodes last year  more than half of whom were British. We want travellers to return to the island to enjoy its natural beauty, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said while launching Rodos Week, a scheme which grants vouchers of up to 500 (430) to visitors affected by the blaze.

Even in Santorini and other over-touristed hotspots its rare to hear a bad word said against the British, says teacher Eleni Balatsas, who lives in Piraeus. Shunning a certain group of people who have contributed so much to our economy is not a good idea  its actually an ungrateful thing to do.

Georgios Kaloutsakis, who owns luxury resort Abaton Island on Crete, agrees. Greeks cherish the profound admiration the British hold for our culture and civilization, he said. Today, the bond is reinforced by King Charless affection for Greece, as evidenced by his Greek Flag ties, which have sparked tremendous enthusiasm within the Greek media. This mutual appreciation fosters a deep and enduring friendship between our nations.

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A visitor views an exhibit at a major exhibition of Chinese cultural relics from China's Bronze Age in San Francisco, California, the United States, April 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

"It's incredible to see all these artifacts from 2,500 years ago. It's a great opportunity to unify the two nations through art," John Maa, a resident of San Francisco, told Xinhua. "We're so grateful about this exhibition."

by Xinhua writers Tan Jingjing, Wu Xiaoling, Gao Shan

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- From stately phoenixes, writhing serpents and horned spirits to fleshy jades, sonorous bells and swathes of wispy silk, the cultural relics from China's Bronze Age thrilled visitors at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

A major new exhibition of Chinese cultural relics was unveiled in the museum on Friday. Titled "Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China's Bronze Age," the exhibition showcases more than 260 pieces or sets of artifacts from ancient Chinese Zeng and Chu kingdoms during the multistate Zhou Dynasty, a period known for its cultural diversity and the birth of great philosophers like Confucius.

"There are so many intricate details in the works -- how intricate it is and how complicated, how complex the manufacturing was. It really makes you respect the ancient people," Jason Tse, a San Francisco local, told Xinhua at the museum.

The artifacts, which include jade, bronze, gold, lacquer and textile works, bring to life the distinguished Bronze Age that flourished 3,000 years ago along the Yangzi River, a cradle of Chinese civilization.

This is the largest exhibition of cultural property China has ever organized in the United States in recent years. Many of the artifacts have never been exhibited outside China before.

People visit a major exhibition of Chinese cultural relics from China's Bronze Age in San Francisco, California, the United States, April 19, 2024. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua)

"The artworks on display are stunning, and our community is so lucky to be the first in the United States to experience the sophistication, the beauty, and the splendor of China's Bronze Age," said Mayor of San Francisco London Breed in a congratulatory letter to the event.

Among the most prominent artifacts are a giant bronze wine cooler, a jade pendant carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, and embroidered silk clothes.

"Phoenix elements are prominent in Chu culture, while in Western culture, the phoenix is seen as an auspicious bird. By using the phoenix as the theme of the exhibition, we hope to evoke an artistic and aesthetic resonance among Chinese and Western audiences," said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the Hubei Provincial Museum.

The artifacts have been collected from museums in five cities in Hubei Province in China.

"Supported by in-depth academic research and the latest archaeological findings, the exhibition showcases the continuity, unity, peace, inclusiveness and innovativeness of Chinese civilization," said Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Li Qun at the exhibition's opening ceremony.

"Featuring authentic artifacts from China's Bronze Age, this exhibit will allow visitors to appreciate China's rich history as they peer into the fascinating cultures of the Zeng and Chu states. In doing so, the exhibit will strengthen this museum's role as a community hub for residents of Asian ancestry in California," said Governor of California Gavin Newsom in a letter.

A visitor views exhibits at a major exhibition of Chinese cultural relics from China's Bronze Age in San Francisco, California, the United States, April 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The exhibition has offered visitors an opportunity to feast on Chinese culture.

"The Chinese culture has a lot of beauty to it," said Natalia, a seventh grader at Hillcrest Middle School in San Francisco. "It has a sense of serenity and beauty. And the artifacts that have been discovered show how rich and powerful, and how gorgeous the artifacts were."

"It's incredible to see all these artifacts from 2,500 years ago. It's a great opportunity to unify the two nations through art," John Maa, a resident of San Francisco, told Xinhua. "We're so grateful about this exhibition."

"Sometimes there can be a gap between how Americans and Chinese see each other," Tse told Xinhua, adding that he hoped the exhibition would help visitors better understand Chinese culture.

The exhibition runs until July 22 and is organized by the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and the Hubei Provincial Museum in China.
The university that students choose to attend for a four-year degree is one of the most important choices they will make.

It is a decision that will not only impact their education and career prospects, but also their character and identity.

This is especially true for members of certain faiths who find themselves at odds with the default culture found on many college campuses.

For students of the Roman Catholic faith and non-Catholics alike, a four-year degree at a Catholic university is a possibility. Many of these universities have policies and campus cultures that are highly influenced by Church teachings, while boasting impressive academic records and a range of extracurricular activities.

AMERICA'S TOP CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

While college enrollment overall has declined by 3% since 2010, as noted by the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment at many Catholic universities is thriving.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

While this list is not inclusive, read on to learn about some notable Catholic universities in the United States, followed by a bulleted list of others.

A young man prays on the Catholic holy day of Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 22, 2023. Members of faith-based groups may feel hard-pressed to find a college campus that aligns with their values and principles. That may be one reason why enrollment at many Catholic universities is on the rise, as overall college enrollment is declining in the U.S.

Providence, Rhode Island

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $60,848

Providence College was founded in 1917 by Dominican friars, and to this day, Dominican friars and sisters serve as professors, administrators, chaplains and counselors. The colleges mission is steeped in its Dominican identity, which seeks, according to the school's website, "understanding not only for its own sake, but because we believe that the truth informs us about our place in the world and orients us towards that good life which all men and women desire."

COLLEGE KIDS ARE HUNGRY FOR CHRISTIANITY ON CAMPUS, PEPPERDINE LEADER SAYS: CENTRAL' TO SCHOOL LIFE

Providence College was U.S. News and World Reports top ranked university in the northern U.S. region for 2024.

Northfield, Massachusetts, and Santa Paula, California

Tuition and fees (2024-2025): $41,400

With two campuses to choose from  a historic New England setting in the Connecticut River Valley and a sunny California campus less than an hour away from Pacific beaches  Thomas Aquinas College says it offers "one program, two coasts."

Thomas Aquinas College was founded in 1971 and had a unique curriculum focused on the classics. "In lieu of textbooks and lectures, this colleges students would study only original works  the great books of Western civilization," and learn from these works in small classes that emphasize the Socratic method of discussion.

A rainbow appears after a rainstorm above Thomas Aquinas College near Santa Paula in Southern California.

Washington, D.C.

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $53,040

Founded and sponsored by Americas bishops with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States. It opened in 1889 as a graduate and research center, and began accepting undergraduates in 1904.

Its location in the nations capital city is a major component of the universitys DNA. The campus is located in northeast Washington, D.C., and is a short metro ride to the National Mall, Smithsonian museums and the U.S. Capitol.

Front Royal, Virginia

Tuition and fees (2024-2025): $43,850

Located just outside the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, Christendom College offers a liberal arts education with study abroad opportunities in Rome and Donegal, Ireland.

A strong emphasis is placed on adhering to Catholic teaching at Christendom, with faculty making voluntary oaths of fidelity to the Catholic Magisterium each year. According to the colleges website, "Christendom College fully embraces and implements Pope Saint John Paul IIs Apostolic Exhortation on Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae," which is the Churchs constitution or set of norms for Catholic institutions of higher education.

Steubenville, Ohio

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $42,395

The Franciscan University of Steubenville was founded in 1946 by members of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, who had previously established St. Francis College in Pennsylvania.

The university is dedicated to helping students "grow in wisdom and understanding" while also acquiring the skills to accomplish a God-given purpose in this world, and to offer "a solid liberal arts education and helping you discover the truth about God, man, and the created world."

Ave Maria, Florida

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $46,717

Ave Maria University was founded by entrepreneur and businessman Tom S. Monaghan, the founder of Dominos Pizza. His dream was to "restore Catholic higher education amid an age of secularism, progressivism and even doctrinal divergence in Catholic institutions."

Ave Maria University was established in 2003, becoming the first new Catholic university since 1963. It has a tight-knit campus community in sunny Southwest Florida, with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio.

The distinctly shaped Catholic Church is seen here at Ave Maria University, which is located about 30 miles east of Naples, Florida.

Atchison, Kansas

Tuition and fees (2024-2025): $35,350

Set on the bank of the Missouri River, Benedictine College is committed to the "beliefs and natural principles that form the framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and it is committed further to those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition," according to its website.

The college is sponsored by the monks of St. Benedicts Abbey and the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, and presents itself as the inheritor of the Benedictine Orders 1,500-year tradition.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY BECOMES SAFE HAVEN FOR JEWISH STUDENTS ESCAPING ANTISEMITISM

Benedictine College ranked No. 8 on the 2024 U.S. News and World Report list of top colleges in the Midwest region and is recognized for its strong Catholic identity by the Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide, which highlights colleges and universities with a strong Catholic identity.

Irving, Texas

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $53,930

The University of Dallas is dedicated to a core curriculum rooted in the history and teachings of Western civilization, which offers students "an opportunity to inquire into the fundamental aspects of being and our relationship with God, nature and our fellow human beings," as its website states.

The university has its main campus in Irving, Texas, as well as a satellite campus in the historic Due Santi, about an hour southeast of Rome. Students have a chance to study at the Rome campus during their sophomore year.

Bismarck, North Dakota

Tuition and fees (2023-2024): $19,084

The University of Mary was founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, who first came to the Dakota Territory in 1878 to minister to the local community. Service remains a key virtue for the university, and its mission is to educate and form "servant leaders with moral courage, global understanding, and commitment to the common good," as stated on its website.

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The school opened as a college for nursing and education degrees, but expanded its undergraduate programs and became a university in 1986.

The impressive Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is located on the campus of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Escondido, California

Tuition and fees (one academic year, or three quarts): $28,500

John Paul the Great Catholic University was founded in 2003. It was established after its founding president, Derry Connolly, PhD, was inspired by the Catholic culture on campus while visiting Franciscan University.

John Paul the Great Catholic University focuses on serving artists and innovators.

Its website states, "We seek to create culture by bringing together storytellers, artists, designers, leaders, and entrepreneurs in the pursuit of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness."

The curriculum is centered on a year-round quarter system, in which students can expect to earn a bachelors degree in three years. John Paul the Great aims to prepare students to gain real-world experience in their chosen industry, "with a focus on hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio preparation."

Boston College

University of Dayton

University of Portland

DePaul University

University of St. Thomas

St. Catherine University

St. Bonaventure University

Saint Louis University

Georgetown University

University of Notre Dame

University of Portland

Villanova University

Loyola Marymount University

College of Saint Mary

Belmont Abbey College

College of the Holy Cross

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.





Original article source: Catholic universities across the US offer students a religious higher education
Slim Chickens has been around for over 20 years, but if you're not familiar with it, it's about time you get acquainted. While there were only a few locations for many years, this fast casual chicken chain is exploding on the national scene now. So, you're probably curious to know more about the history of this chicken restaurant and what sets it apart from all the other chicken restaurants taking over the U.S.

The chain got its start in a college town in Northwest Arkansas in the early 2000s. From the beginning, the plan was to do a chicken restaurant the right way. While many of the menu items are ones you'll see elsewhere, there are outliers, too. The more you read, the more you'll realize what makes this place stand out. It has a lot of things going for it, and there's even a way to get free chicken from Slim Chickens so you can give it a try if you're feeling curious.

Read more: Ranking Fast Food Fried Chicken Sandwiches From Worst To First

Slim Chickens Was Dreamed Up By High School Kids And Developed In A Garage

original Slim Chickens menu and founders - Slim Chickens / Facebook

Starting Slim Chickens called for a strong concept, a lot of time, and hard work. The guys who dreamed up Slim Chickens, Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, were still in high school when they got the idea for the restaurant. They both lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the time.

It wasn't until they were both out of college and had some restaurant and retail experience under their belts that Smart and Gordon moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to finally get their idea off the ground. It took months of testing potential products and recipes in a residential garage before they landed on exactly which ones they wanted to use. They'd fry up products in turkey fryers, and friends would come by to test everything, critique the foods, and help decide what to ultimately sell at the restaurant. The menu hasn't changed much from the decisions that came out of their garage testing back then.

They opened their first location on North College Avenue in Fayetteville in an abandoned Sake Express restaurant building on February 17, 2003. The original color scheme was yellow, purple, and green like a Mardi Gras parade. Even the hat-wearing chicken mascot gave off Mardi Gras vibes. The new restaurant was an immediate hit, with people telling their friends and coming back for more soon after their first visits.

It Has A Contemporary Southern Delta Feel

guitars on wall in Fayetteville Slim Chickens - Amy Bell/Mashed

Slim Chickens' founders grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the Mississippi Delta region. It's an area steeped in Southern culture, Southern rock, and blues music influences from nearby Memphis (a few hours away) and Mississippi, where co-founder Greg Smart went to college. Northwest Arkansas, where the first Slim Chickens restaurant opened, is about three hours from Little Rock and doesn't embody the Southern Delta culture at all. However, the founders still wanted a contemporary Southern Delta feel. The company sums up the vibe on its LinkedIn profile: "Our roots run deep in the Delta where the food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open."

Blues music plays in both the restaurant and on Slim Chickens' commercials. For years, its restaurants tuned into a blues satellite radio station, but now they have a better mix of songs since they've started using Ambiance Radio to provide the music. Instead of employees being subjected to the same 300-song playlist daily, they hear a mix of blues and Southern rock that changes based on the time of day or season.

The chain's bird mascot and art have a blues feel, too. The modern version of the mascot wears a fedora and overalls and holds a guitar under its beak. The inside wall art often features a mural depicting a guitar and images appropriate to the location. The chain's flagship location on Wedington Drive in Fayetteville has real guitars on the wall.

It's Thriving And Growing Quickly

Slim Chickens ribbon cutting - McPherson Chamber of Commerce / Facebook

Slim Chickens is one of the fastest-growing chicken restaurant chains, so don't be surprised if you see more popping up wherever you travel. As recently as 2015, Slim Chickens had only 23 locations. However, that number is changing quickly.

According to QSR, the total number of Slim Chickens restaurants grew 70% between 2020 and 2023, with 53 new locations opening in 2023 alone, bringing the total number of locations around the world to 250. The average sales that each location earned in 2023 was over $3.8 million -- 13.6% more than in 2022, according to QSR. In 2024, the chain plans to open 70 more restaurants and has another 1,200 or so additional new locations in some level of development. If all goes as planned, that would bring the total number to over 1,500 locations sometime during the mid-2020s.

As of 2024, nearly every state in the continental U.S. is either already saturated with locations or is in the process of opening Slim Chickens. You can find the most restaurants in Texas (31) and Arkansas (27). There aren't locations or agreements in West Virginia, Delaware, New York, or any of the states north of New York yet. There aren't any in California either, but the chain isn't planning to target the Golden State. However, you can find 11 Slim Chickens in the U.K. and one inside the Kuwait International Airport.

Slim Chickens Has A Creative Chicken Fast Casual Menu

Slim Chickens Valentine's Day chicken & waffles - Slim Chickens / Facebook

One reason the founders created Slim Chickens was to improve upon the chicken restaurant concept. Places like Zaxby's and Raising Cane's already existed when Slim Chickens came on scene, but its founders envisioned a better menu with better chicken.

Slim Chickens uses high-quality chicken in its menu offerings. All the chicken products come from fresh, all-natural chicken that has never been frozen. Part of the secret behind how good its chicken tastes is the buttermilk batter and proprietary breading. The other part of the secret is options that don't always show up on other chicken restaurant menus.

Slim Chickens has both normal chicken restaurant fare as well as items you're less likely to find at other chicken chains. Like other places, there are chicken tenders, wings, craft sandwiches, wraps, and a salad on the menu. You can even order your tenders grilled. There are half a dozen sandwich and wrap flavors from which to choose. Meals feature sides, like garlicky Texas toast, dipping sauces, and a medium drink. There are even meals that are half wings and half tenders. Some of the more interesting items to get you in the door include chicken and waffles and two varieties of Mac Bowls. You can order the regular bowl with mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and shredded cheese or get the Buffalo Tender Mac Bowl, which takes the regular version and adds a sprinkling of two sauces, fried onions, and fresh green onions.

Slim Chickens Has An Impressive Sides Menu

chicken tender meals with sides - Amy Bell/Mashed

If you're looking for a place with more than just fries as a side, Slim Chickens is an excellent choice. Having a robust sides menu is also great news for vegetarians so they're not stuck with ordinary options.

Lots of sides at Slim Chickens are Southern comfort foods worth trying. In addition to the typical choices such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, fries, and a side salad, Slim Chickens has some tasty but different sides, including an interesting version of potato salad, fried mushrooms, fried pickles, fried okra, and Texas toast. Because waffles are on the menu, there's even an option to get a side of butter or syrup, but we won't judge if you order them for something other than your waffles.

There are a couple of things you need to know about the sides. Slim Chickens has a crave-worthy style of potato salad that we've experienced often in Northwest Arkansas restaurants. It uses ranch dressing for creaminess and gets added flavor from crumbled bacon and fresh green onions. It may end up being your new favorite potato salad once you try it. Another thing to note is that the fried mushrooms are great, but they don't hold up as well over time as some of the other sides. So, for best results, you'll want to order them to eat in the restaurant or nosh on them in the car on the way home if you get them to go.

It Offers An Excellent Variety Of Great Sauces

Slim Chickens tenders fries and sauces - Slim Chickens / Facebook

We've found that some chicken restaurants have just-okay chicken and rely on their signature sauces to make their chicken taste better. However, the chicken itself at Slim Chickens has a lot of flavor. So, while you don't need the sauces to make the chicken taste good, the sauces enhance the overall Slim Chickens experience. Some sauces come in a meal. However, you can order extras -- $0.39 for one, $1.99 for five, $3.99 for 10, or $7.19 for 20.

One distinction at Slim Chickens is that all 17 sauces are made in-house rather than in a factory somewhere. So, you can taste the difference in quality since the chain uses fresh ingredients. Slim Sauce is the chain's signature sauce. A while back, an employee leaked the recipe for this sweet sauce, which reportedly contains mayo, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, paprika, pepper, vinegar, lime juice, butter, and salt.

There are plenty of sauces beyond the house specialty. There are some standards like ranch and honey mustard. It has several types of barbecue sauce, including a smokey-tasting standard one, honey BBQ, Korean BBQ, and spicy BBQ. Other spicy sauces include sweet red chili, cayenne ranch, mango habanero, Buffalo, hot, inferno, and sriracha garlic. You can also get blue cheese and garlic Parmesan sauces. Another dipping option is gravy, which comes warm. Plus, there are a variety of salad dressings (beyond ranch), including balsamic vinaigrette, lite Italian, and raspberry walnut vinaigrette.

It Has Interesting Desserts, Some Of Which Come In A Jar

Slim Chickens desserts advertisements - Amy Bell/Mashed

It's not unheard of for customers to visit Slim Chickens just for dessert. One of the options you won't find at too many other restaurants is the Jar Desserts. Brownies are another option. Plus, some locations have shakes.

In a 2023 podcast called "Get Real with Chris & Mark" that featured Maryland franchise owner Darrin Atlas, cohost Chris Hill said the Jar Desserts are "beautiful, and people rave about them" (via YouTube). They come layered with ingredients like brownies, pudding, whipped cream, or cheesecake and are made or baked by the morning crew daily. Even the strawberries are fresh, not frozen or canned. You can take the jars home with you, and they're reusable. Some flavors you might find include birthday cheesecake, Oreo cheesecake, chocolate brownie pudding, and pumpkin pie (during the fall). You can also get a chocolate chip brownie all by itself.

Slim Chickens is also test-driving the idea of including shakes on its menu. Currently, they're available for a limited time and not at every location. Chocolate and vanilla are some of the standard flavors, but you can also get Oreo and salted caramel. Plus, you may find a special featured flavor like red velvet Oreo. When we visited the flagship location, we were able to try a Reese's shake.

Some Of Its Nutritional Content May Blindside You

Mac Bowls - Slim Chickens / Facebook

It's not likely that you'll go to a fried chicken restaurant thinking everything is super healthy. However, the nutritional content of some Slim Chickens menu items may be more surprising than others.

One thing to consider is possible allergens. The chain uses soybean oil and batters its chicken with flour and buttermilk. It also uses monosodium glutamate (MSG) in some items. Besides dairy, wheat, and soy, other allergens you might encounter include eggs, fish, tree nuts, and peanuts.

Some menu items are a little less healthy than others, so you might want to take note before placing your order. For example, the Chicken Club Sandwich has 747 calories and 42 grams of fat. However, it's the Smokey Cheddar Wrap With Grilled Tenders that has the most sodium among the sandwiches and wraps (1,860 milligrams). We noticed that the grilled tender items tend to have more sodium than the corresponding fried tender items. Some of the regular-sized sides may also surprise you. The fried pickles and fried mushrooms both have 476 calories, and the fried pickles have 32 grams of fat and 3,086 milligrams of sodium. A Buffalo Tender Mac Bowl is probably the most surprising menu item with 1,402 calories, 73 grams of fat (31 of which are saturated), and 4,791 milligrams of sodium. And if you have a Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Jar Dessert, it's 802 calories with 48 grams of fat (22 of which are saturated).

Slim Chickens Does A Lot Of In-Store Fundraising

Slim Chickens Children's Miracle Network fundraiser flyer - Slim Chickens / Facebook

Slim Chickens says that it likes to give back to the community through partnering "with national charitable organizations, helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to community events, and doing everything we can to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work." If you are at Slim Chickens during a community fundraiser, 15% of what you pay for your order goes to help fund the organization as long as you mention the fundraiser.

All sorts of organizations partner with Slim Chickens for fundraising events. Schools often have special nights where friends and family make a concerted effort to eat at a particular Slim Chickens location to help raise money for school needs. Even groups like sororities and bigger organizations like United Way and Children's Miracle Network take advantage of special fundraising nights.

If you come in to support a specific fundraiser or you see a sign outside talking about a specific fundraiser that night, you must mention the fundraiser before you order. Otherwise, you'll fill your stomach but not fill the coffers of the organization that needs your help.

It's Tech-Savvy

Slim Chickens drive-through menu - Bria Jazlynn / Facebook

As Slim Chickens has grown from a handful of restaurants to a whole army of restaurants across the U.S. and around the world, it became obvious that more of its operations needed to be streamlined with tech. Being able to manage the operations of so many locations from afar has been one thing that's made it even possible to grow as much as the chain has in the past few years.

Slim Chickens started getting away from the idea of a static menu board in 2014. Now it can make instant menu changes in all of its locations across the globe as necessary. This cloud-based tech is especially useful to promote menu items that are more popular during certain times of the day or to promote limited-time-only offerings. The last time we visited, an employee was out taking orders on a tablet instead of making customers interact with the menu board. The company is also working on an AI drive-through experience. Kiosk ordering is available in some locations. Plus, you can order online or through its app.

Slim Chickens also uses software behind the scenes to help streamline its operations. For example, it uses cloud-based ArrowStream software to help optimize its supply chain system and Olo software products to assist with marketing efforts, manage call-in orders, and do much more.

Getting Food At Slim Chickens Might Take A Bit Of A Wait

Slim Chickens drive through - Slim Chickens / Facebook

Slim Chickens doesn't fry up a lot of chicken and let it sit under a heating lamp waiting for people to order it like some chains do. Since the chicken is served hot and fresh right out of the fryer, you should expect to have to wait a little while for your food. The fast casual chain does about half its business through its drive-through, and we always see lines.

Some people have complained about wait times in the drive-through, but we found them to be reasonable when we timed them. The car we timed in the drive-through at the flagship location took 408 seconds to order and drive away with their food around noon on a Friday. According to QSR, 408 seconds is slower than the average total wait time in 2023 for eight of the fastest fast food drive-throughs. However, it's faster than the average wait time at a McDonald's or Chick-fil-A drive-through. Of course, the wait time might be different based on your location or the time of day, but it wasn't as bad as we initially thought based on social media chatter. For example, one customer on Reddit talked about not even getting to order in 30 minutes when there were only seven cars in line waiting. So, it's not always perfect.

There's A Way To Get Free Chicken At Slim Chickens

free chicken sandwich app screen - Amy Bell/Mashed

We saw a rumor floating around the web that said it was possible to get a free chicken sandwich from Slim Chickens. So, we decided to investigate and see if we could get one for ourselves. We were thrilled to find that it worked. It turns out that there's not only a legitimate way to get a free sandwich, but Slim Chickens also occasionally gives away free chicken for a whole year.

We found that getting a free sandwich was easy. All you have to do to get started is download the app and create a login. You then need to verify your email address. After verification, you'll immediately get another email that promises a reward for a Cayenne Ranch Chicken Sandwich within 12 hours of creating your account. Our reward showed up almost exactly three hours later. Other people have reported getting it in as little as two hours. You'll get an email when it's ready. The reward shows up in the app's inbox, under the "redeemables" tab. Then, you can use the code to redeem it during an online, app, or in-person order any time within 90 days.

We've also found some advertisements from different years about downloading the app or following social media accounts for a chance to win free Slim Chickens for a year. So, keep your eyes open if you like the idea of lots and lots of free chicken.

Read the original article on Mashed
Powerful women often find themselves in unlikely places. As just one example, Kahlua liqueur, the well-known Mexican coffee liquor brand, wouldn't be where it is today without the help of Maria del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma.

One of three children, Sesma was raised by her widowed mother on a low-income farm in Mexico near the Arizona border. In the late 1950s, Sesma's mother moved the family to Mexico City so Sesma could earn her accounting degree. While studying at National Autonomous University of Mexico, she took a job at Kahlua, then a small start-up company, and often worked herself to the bone. By 1960, after graduating as the first woman to achieve high grades in NAUM's accounting program, she began working full-time at Kahlua and, within two years, became the general manager and manager of operations.

While Sesma was at Kahlua's helm, the management team gradually became entirely women, and the media eventually dubbed them "the Kahlua ladies." (The company, however, was still overseen by men, including Jules Berman, an American who bought it in the early '60s.) Although the Kahlua ladies only lasted a short time, Sesma's impact on women's opportunities at the company helped establish its reputation. "Women are not automatically accepted, but they will be once they show they are capable," Sesma told The Los Angeles Times in 1990. Throughout her career (and while running multiple factories), she helped expand the brand's global presence and developed working relationships with key coffee suppliers.

Read more: Popular Vodka Brands Ranked From Worst To Best

Maria Del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma Ran A Tight Ship At Kahlua

Kahlua espresso martinis - Kahlua

By 1990, Maria del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma had become the ultimate boss at Kahlua. No batch of the liqueur could leave the building until someone placed a shot glass of it on her desk for a final taste test. To advise production, she would usually arrive early in the morning and stay until late in the evening. She was also a hands-on manager who threw plenty of company parties: For major holidays, she gifted each employee a bottle of Kahlua and a hand-picked poem. But Sesma wasn't just the businesswoman behind the liqueur in your favorite espresso martini cocktail recipe  she was also a philanthropist. In addition to caring for her employees, she donated to charities that aided young girls in developing their professional skills.

Although the Kahlua brand was created by a group of men in 1936, its stardom arguably wouldn't have been possible without Sesma's influence. The brand claims that Kahlua has been the number-one coffee liqueur sold globally since the 1980s, and according to Statista, it sells about 2 million cases worldwide per year. While little is known about Sesma's life today, feel free to give her  and her monumental leadership at Kahlua  a toast the next time you sip a white Russian.

Read the original article on Mashed
I am grateful to Connor Giffin for the recent story in the Courier Journal titled Kentucky losing famers and farmland at a rapid clip  at what cost? It is a sad story. Extremely sad because the story is being told 20 years after the end of The Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative and 50 years after my father and others first sought to bring attention to what was happening to rural Kentucky. The article called attention to Henbit as a harbinger of spring. What those purple fields are is a sign of bad land use.

It is important to make a distinction between The Burley Tobacco Program and the tobacco industry. For many years before the Program started, farmers in Kentucky were taking their chances every year when they took their crop to be sold. My grandfather, John Berry, Sr., remembered his father coming home from the sale of his 1906 tobacco crop with nothing to show for a years work. He never forgot seeing farmers leave the warehouses in tears. He would tell us years later that he thought then, If I can do something about this, I will.

The Burley Tobacco Program showed the industry the way

After receiving a law degree he came home to Henry County to farm, practice law, and devote his life to advocating for small farmers. He was the principal author of the New Deal agricultural legislation that dealt with tobacco  The Burley Tobacco Program. It brought stability to thousands of small farmers in Kentucky. The members of the co-op agreed to limits (allotments) in return for a support price based on parity. (Over production and resulting low prices is the singular cruelty of industrial agriculture.) The tobacco industry hated the Program because it required them to pay farmers fairly.

It is important to say that I am not advocating for the return of tobacco. I am speaking for the principles of the Program. I am speaking for something between the farmer and the marketplace. I am answering Tom Vilsacks question in Mr. Giffins article. Is there a better way?

The Wolf Trace subdivision borders Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm in northeast Jefferson County. The farm is under a conservation easement held by River Fields and the Kentucky Heritage Council, protecting it from development in perpetuity.

Who is he asking after 12 years as Secretary of Agriculture?

If he is asking me then here it is: The USDA should abandon its cheap food policy that has been its idea, along with its idea, as reported in The Courier Journal in 1967, that the countrys biggest farm problem was a surplus of farmers. The tragedy reported in this article has had such causes.

First, the tornado. Then, the invasive plants. How can Cherokee Park bloom again?

It is a shame to have to quote old news but to make sense of where we are now, we must understand something about what got us here. And there has been no repudiation of these policies. What has happened to rural Kentucky, and rural America, has been destruction by design. It has not been inevitable. The system has been raw materials sold at the lowest possible price into the corporate economy: coal, timber, food, with destruction left behind.

Tobacco was the economic backstop for diversified farming

Farms passed from generation to generation along with knowledge of how to farm. This democratic program allowed the possibility that farmers could move from farm tenancy to ownership. The lived memory of what the Program meant to rural Kentucky and the stories I grew up with has shaped my life and the work of The Berry Center. We have used the Program as a model for Our Home Place Meat, an initiative that insures young farmers in Henry County a fair price for their well-raised cattle.

We are making good farming pay a fair wage. We are making perennial agriculture profitable. We are working on an economy that will support farmers who have farmed all their lives and give new farmers an economic foundation on which to begin. To build a population of good farmers will be a monumental task. But our past gives us the pattern we need.

Mary Berry

The urban/rural divide may be the most ruinous in our country. For over 30 years a good deal of work has gone into an attempt to connect Louisville with surrounding farmland. What we have to show for that work are farm markets and CSAs. We need entrepreneurial efforts to be supported, but this kind of agriculture doesnt create a large enough market for farmers statewide and requires access to urban markets.

We need a local food system. We need to reconnect what never should have been disconnected. We must see that the most secure food supply for Louisville would come from the countryside closest to it and for it to be dependable there must be an infrastructure to support it.

We, along with our, distributors, What Chefs Want and processors, Trackside Butcher Shoppe, have done this with Our Home Place Meat.

Mary Berry is an 8th generation rural Kentuckian, farmer and Executive Director of The Berry Center in New Castle, KY.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky is losing farms, but it can save them. Old model shows how
We made a freaky discovery while cleaning the toilet in our 700-year-old home

UK couple Rory and Tracy Vorster realized every child's worst nightmare after discovering a "monster" underneath the toilet of their 700-year-old home.

There was a monster in the bathroom.

A UK couple realized every childs worst nightmare after discovering a gothic gargoyle behind the toilet of their 700-year-old home.

I couldnt believe it. I shouted up to my wife and said Ive found a thing, cybersecurity worker Rory Vorster, 41, told South West News Service while recounting the imp-ressive find.

Accompanying photos show the stone imp, which has a hole for the mouth and a demonic face like something thatd adorn the door of Draculas castle.

The gargoyle in the bathroom. Tom Maddick / SWNS

A lot of people implied [it was evidence of] a cult, said Tracy Vorster, 40. Tom Maddick / SWNS

He and his wife Tracy, 40, a salon owner, had made the grotesque discovery earlier in April, over a month after moving into the 12-room domicile, which is located in Vicars Court, Lincoln.

The area is reportedly owned by Lincoln Cathedral and is believed to be the abode of a former vicar.

Due to the mansions size and their recent move, the couple hadnt had a chance to explore their home thoroughly until then.

In fact, the special discovery happened by accident after Rory reportedly begrudgingly went to clean the bathroom at his wifes behest.

While scrubbing the commode, the father-of-three happened upon the ghoulish-looking sprite underneath a wooden panel above the throne  like an ancient version of the elf on a shelf gag.

Hoping to get to the bottom of the toilet goblin, he and his wife asked the legions on social media. Many declared that the sculpture was evidence of cult activity, Tracy claimed.

They eventually learned from experts at Lincoln Cathedral that the carved visage was actually part of a drainage system dating back to the 14th century.

The Survey of Ancient Houses in Lincoln vol. II first described the medieval relic as a grotesque mask which forms the drain.

I couldnt believe it. I shouted up to my wife and said Ive found a thing, cybersecurity worker Rory Vorster, 41, told South West News Service while recounting the freaky find. Tom Maddick / SWNS

The house was reportedly 700 years old. Tom Maddick / SWNS

It would have been for a vicar, said Tracy, who found it slightly suspicious that the artifact was concealed.

Not entirely sure why they decided to cover it up, she pondered. It was well documented, but not that many people around here know it.

Her husband suspected that the previous occupant had known about the bathroom gremlin as theyd lived there for 20 years.

The house is so interesting, so I was almost expecting it to be honest, said Tracy. Tom Maddick / SWNS

Rory believes that this is only the tip of the artifact iceberg.

The whole of the house has kind of a hollow walling, so we immediately thought there could be more, in fact were almost certain now, he declared.

Unfortunately, many of these treasures will likely stay buried; The couple cant just pull down the wall as they dont own the house, reasoned Tracy, who says shes just grateful to have exhumed the gargoyle.

My plans for it are to just enjoy it because of how interesting it is, she said. I have a desire to upkeep it.

In fact, the Brit finds it hilarious that the Indiana Jones-evoking discovery happened because she forced her husband to clean the toilet.

It all came about from our spat about not cleaning the bathroom, she said. Had it not been for him he wouldnt have found it.
Arasin Hughes, Main Street Ravenna executive director, teams with Ravenna High School seniors Addison Ribelin, 17, and Michael Myers, 18, on the upcoming Jojo Festival in Ravenna.

Ravenna will play host to a festival this week that will celebrate the jojo  the breaded, deep-fried potato wedge with a strong connection to Northeast Ohio.

The Ravenna Jo-Jo Festival will run 4 to 8 p.m. Friday on the Ravenna Courthouse Lawn. The event will include about 10 food vendors, many selling jojos, plus potato-centered activities for all ages.

The event is being sponsored by the civics class at Ravenna High School and Main Street Ravenna.

Jason "JJ" Marinin, a student in the program, came up with the idea for the festival, drawing inspiration from the Potato Festival in nearby Mantua and the Pickle Festival in Akron.

"I came up with the jojo festival because I saw that every major city has their own food festival, like a wing fest or a pickle fest," Marinin said. "A few months ago, my family and I went to the Akron Pickle Fest, and that was really fun to go to and see."

That experience, Marinin said, made him think of jojos and how widely known they are in Northeast Ohio. Jojos, he said, are "what people call 'potato wedges,' but when we say it, no one knows what we're talking about."

"I think it fits really well with our community," he said "The process has been really fun and informative ... I'm super excited to see it really come together and see people come and have fun with their families. Seeing people talk about it outside is also very cool, and is a nice feeling seeing people appreciate it as much as I do."

"Outside of Northeast Ohio, they don't even call them jo-jos," added Addison Ribelin, one of the students serving as an "intern" at Main Street Ravenna to finalize last-minute details for the event. "They call them potato wedges, and that's not the same thing."

Unlike potato wedges, jojos are breaded, often in the same spiced flour that's on chicken, and deep fried. They are typically sold alongside chicken in Northeast Ohio, but the name elicits puzzled looks in many other parts of the country. Alfred Ajamie and Walter Abood, founders of Fiesta Pizza and Chicken, take credit for introducing jojos to the Akron area in the 1960s.

Arasin Hughes, director of Main Street Ravenna, said a Facebook event elicited interest from former Northeast Ohio residents.

April 26 was selected because the school year is coming to a close for the high school seniors planning it. Ribelin noted that Ravenna High School's prom is the day after the festival.

"We thought having it on Friday would allow people to dismiss right from school and come right to the festival," she said.

Michael Myers, another student intern, said activities will include a dunk tank, which contestants can deploy by throwing potatoes. Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority is sponsoring the tank.

Other activities include potato sack races and potato art.

Entertainers include Ravenna native Kendall Chalkwater and DJ Krooze and the Krew Way Experience.

Student Ryan Hall said a lot of work went into the planning, and he was grateful for Hughes and teacher Matt Wunderle for guiding the group.

"I can imagine hundreds of people, going around the different restaurants, getting jojos and enjoying it," he said. "People have fun with sack races, painting pumpkins, listening to music and dunking people. I believe that this event would be a huge success and hope itll have people come around Ravenna more often to eat and shop. "

Hughes said this is the first time Main Street has partnered with the high school to plan an event.

"I'm really excited about it, and I hope we can continue the partnership and bring other fun things to the community," she said.

Reporter Diane Smith, who grew up in the neighborhood of Fiesta Pizza and Chicken and considers jojos to be the perfect food, can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna High seniors plan Jojo Festival for Friday
This Passover, it's essential to remove our shoes. This is why

Passover begins at sundown on Monday and celebrates the exodus of ancient Jews from Egypt, a transition from slavery to freedom. Celebrated annually, the holiday starts with two Seder nights recounting the story of the miracles of the exodus and runs through April 30. The story of the exodus begins with an interesting encounter between G-d and Moses at a burning bush where G-d opens His first ever direct conversation with man by saying Remove your shoes from your feet for the ground you stand upon is holy" (Exodus 3:5). Out of all of the things G-d could have said, why did He choose to start with the removal of footwear?

This act of removing shoes carries immense symbolism. It signifies shedding the ordinary, stepping into sacred space, and preparing for a divine encounter. By instructing Moses to remove his shoes, God initiates a profound relationship with Moses and sets in motion the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.

But why this emphasis on footwear? Shoes, in their essence, represent human ingenuity and adaptation. They elevate us from the earth, providing comfort and protection. However, in the presence of the divine, the act of removing one's shoes signifies vulnerability and humility. It is a stripping away of layers, both physical and metaphorical, to connect more authentically with the divine.

Daniel Rothner poses by an empty chair in his Teaneck home, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Rothner and his family will keep an empty chair at their table during their Passover seder in honor of those who remain kidnapped since October 7.

This ritual of shoe removal reverberates throughout Jewish tradition. It is mirrored in the practices of priests serving in the temple and observed on the holiest of days, Yom Kippur and on solemn occasions like the Mourning period after the passing of a close relative and Tisha B'Av, the annual fast day where Jews commemorate the destruction of the Holy Temples. These moments underscore the acknowledgment of human frailty and the quest for spiritual closeness.

Passover, at its core, encapsulates the journey from enslavement to redemption. The Israelites, oppressed in Egypt, needed to recognize their plight and seek divine intervention. Their cry for liberation marked the beginning of their transformation  a testament to the power of acknowledging vulnerability as a precursor to growth and renewal.

In our modern lives, the Passover narrative holds timeless lessons. It challenges us to confront our limitations honestly and embrace humility as a pathway to personal evolution. By shedding the metaphorical shoes of pride and ego, we open ourselves to the prospect of change and redemption.

As we commemorate Passover annually, retelling the story becomes a call to introspection. We are encouraged to examine our own lives, identify areas of constraint and aspire toward newfound freedom. Through humility, we pave the way for spiritual liberation, mirroring the transformative journey of the ancient Israelites.

The symbolic resonance of footwear extends beyond religious narratives into everyday life and cultural expressions. The saying "filling someone else's shoes" conveys the weight of assuming a respected role or legacy. It underscores the notion of stepping into unfamiliar territory, embodying the qualities and responsibilities of those who came before.

Literature, too, abounds with shoe-related symbolism. From fairy tales like Cinderella, where a lost slipper signifies transformation and destiny, to classic works like "To Kill a Mockingbird," where shoes symbolize empathy and understanding ("You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it").

Rabbi Benny Berlin

In historical speeches, footwear metaphors evoke empathy and solidarity. The famous phrase "walk a mile in someone's shoes" underscores the importance of empathy and understanding. It speaks to the notion that true comprehension requires immersion and perspective-taking  a sentiment echoed in religious teachings about removing shoes to approach the divine.

The symbolic significance of footwear runs deep in human consciousness, intertwining with narratives of liberation, empathy, and personal growth. From the ancient rituals of Passover to modern-day idioms and literary motifs, shoes serve as potent symbols of transformation and connection. Through the act of shedding our metaphorical shoes  our defenses and pretensions  we invite humility and embark on a journey toward redemption, echoing the timeless lessons of Passover.

Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center located in Long Beach, New York. For more information, visit bachlongbeach.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passover shoe removal tradition is essential
Quincy chef is up-and-coming star in the culinary world. Here's how he reached that status

QUINCY  Spots on Plate Magazines Chefs to Watch and Bon Appetits Best New Restaurants. A victory on the Food Networks cooking competition Chopped. A nomination for the prestigious James Beard Awards.

These recent accolades have put Quincy chef Laurence Louie on the map as an up-and-coming star and someone to keep an eye on in the culinary world.

Louie opened Rubato, a Hong Kong-style cafe on Hancock Street in North Quincy, less than two years ago. But he has been putting in the work for more than a decade.

"It seems like we're the new kids on the block, but we've been at this for 10 years," he said in a recent interview at the restaurant. "It's happened pretty organically, and it's great to be here and be part of the conversation."

Professional chef wasnt always the plan

Louie, 37, grew up in Brookline, but spent a lot of time in Quincy, since his mother owned a Cantonese bakery in North Quincy for more than two decades. His restaurant Rubato is now located where Contempo once stood. His mother was born in Hong Kong and his father is Chinese American.

After earning a masters degree in American studies from UMass-Boston, Louie worked as the director of a youth program in Bostons Chinatown neighborhood for several years.

"I loved my job, but I wanted to see what other options were out there and what my heart would guide me to," he said.

Quincy chef Laurence Louie, owner of Rubato in North Quincy, shown on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, was recently featured on the Food Network show "Chopped."

So he spent a year in Southern China as part of a soul-searching trip of sorts, where he learned Mandarin and worked as an apprentice at a noodle restaurant. He said it was there that he rediscovered a connection to the food of his heritage and realized his passion for cooking for others.

He also met his now-wife, Rary Ratsifa, who was born in Madagascar and grew up in Switzerland, while in Guangzhou. The couple, who lives in Quincy, welcomed their first child, a son named Ivo, at the of March.

Upon returning to the States, he decided to test his culinary skills as a full-time professional cook. He said he sent out dozens of applications, and landed a job working at Oleana, the Mediterranean restaurant of James Beard Award winner Ana Sortun. He said he did some "really good cooking," and started to learn the ins and outs of a professional kitchen.

But at the same time, he and Ratsifa were ready to settle down and be together. She was living in London at the time, so he agreed to move abroad. He landed a job working for acclaimed Chef Selin Kiazim, eventually becoming the head chef of her now-closed Turkish restaurant, Oklava. There he worked long, grueling hours and learned the discipline and efficiency needed to run a large commercial kitchen.

"I got my butt kicked in the best way," he said of his four years working at Oklava.

Pandemic changes trajectory of his career

Louie actually had plans in the works to open his own restaurant in London. A sit-down, full-service restaurant. He hadn't quite broken ground, but investors were lined up when the pandemic hit and the plans fell through, which he called "devastating."

He said that forced him and Ratsifa to pause and think about where they really wanted to settle down.

"It was like, 'Do we want to raise kids in London? Are we going to have British-accent babies?'" he said with a chuckle.

At the same time, his mother was winding down from her decades of owning Contempo. While she had floated the idea of him taking over the space in the past  and he had hinted he wasn't really interested  she brought it up again.

This time, he said the 900-square-foot counter-service space had a new appeal given the state of sit-down dining during the pandemic. After some discussion, he and Ratsifa decided to make the move to Quincy and open Rubato in late summer 2022.

It was a fast hit and sold out without two hours.

"It was a good problem to have," he said.

Ratsifa, who works for the tech company Bazaarvoice, popped into Rubato during the interview. She describes Louie as "extremely ambitious" and generous with his time and food. She said he works hard at whatever he does, whether it's opening a new restaurant or maintaining an international long-distance relationship.

"He gives the same intensity where ever he goes, and it reflects today," she said.

For example, the couple described Louie intensely preparing for his appearance on the Food Networks cooking competition "Chopped"  from making spreadsheets of the ingredients used in prior episodes, to studying the kitchen set up and utensils provided to contestants. They even had friends provide mystery boxes for him to practice, without disclosing he was going to be on the show.

"We don't leave anything up to luck," said Ratsifa, who co-owns Rubato. "I think we're letting luck happen to us when it's there, but it's 100% work on the back end."

Rubato serves Hong King comfort food with a twist

The menu at Rubato includes classics like steamed char siu baos, congee and house-milled soy milk to more modern offerings like sandwiches on bolo bao buns, which are a staple in Hong Kong cafes. They also serve youtiao, which is like a fried dough stick and was one of Contempos most popular items.

Among the most popular items are the fried chicken bolo sandwich and Nutella-filled Hong Kong french toast. Open until 4 p.m., the menu has several dozen items and is considered "daytime" food. On a busy weekend day, Louie said they serve about 100 chicken sandwiches.

Inside, the 900-square-foot restaurant has forest green wall tiles with fluorescent window shades that add a hue of green. A high-top counter runs along the length of the restaurant with stools for those looking to eat there. The restaurant has a total 10 employees, including seven who work there full-time. Rubato also offers catering, though it's not a huge part of the business.

It's located in the the heart of North Quincy, surrounded by other restaurants and storefronts where there is a lot of foot traffic and many other Asian-owned businesses.

The typical sit-down restaurant isn't necessarily his dream anymore

While the natural next question is about his plans for another restaurant, Louie said he'd love to expand to more locations, but keep with the to-go, casual-seating style.

"The dream was to have a sit-down, full-service restaurant, but since opening Rubato, I've fallen in love with counter service," Louie said. "Before the pandemic, the assumption was good food comes with more expensive pricing and full-service experience, but I think that's changed."

For now, he said his focus is on strengthening Rubato.

"Right now my priority is strengthening the operations of this location and making sure we're not jumping at opportunities that aren't the best," Louie said. "Rubato is what got us here, and what we know we do well, and I want to keep fortifying that right now and see where it goes."

Louie said his priorities are serving good food that is accessible for people, paying employees a good wage and offering 40-hour work weeks, all things he said are easier to achieve with counter service. Rubato closes at 4 p.m., giving staff time with their families  something that is typically rare in the restaurant business.

"At the root of it, it's my ideal restaurant down the street," he said. "It's quick. It's affordable. It's delicious and it's things that I feel connected to as a Chinese American kid."

As a restaurant owner, Louie said he taps into the same things that drew him into community organizing.

"It's a way to share something in a meaningful way," he said. "It's like a relationship. You're coming in and we're cooking for you, and that's a beautiful thing."

Cooking isn't his only passion

Louie said he enjoys cooking for friends and family, and especially loved cooking for his wife during her pregnancy.

"For me, it's a love language," he said.

Asked the list of ingredients he always has on hand, Louie said: soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, sugar and Shaoxing wine.

But he rarely cooks for himself. If he's on his own for dinner, he said he will opt for takeout or something quick, like noodles and frozen dumplings.

Since opening the restaurant, Louie said he hasn't had much time for hobbies. But in his before life, he said he enjoyed Warhammer 40,000, a tabletop game with elaborate rules and miniature figurines that players hand paint.

"It's super nerdy," he said. "It's in the same caste of nerdiness as Dungeons and Dragons and Magic."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Laurence Louie, owner of Quincy's Rubato, earning culinary accolades
Cheese lovers, get ready to meet the appetizer of your dreams. If gooey stringy mozzarella sticks are your jam, wait until you meet the deliciousness that is saganaki. Greek saganaki delivers satisfying bites of cheese that have been coated, fried, and topped with a squeeze of lemon, eaten alongside classic dishes like Greek salad and crusty bread. The cheesy appetizer is served hot, so cutting into it yields an oozy, melting middle that can set the pace for the rest of the meal.

The name saganaki references the name of the small heavy frying pan traditionally used to make this dish. Visit a Greek restaurant in America to order the cheesy meze starter, which may arrive at the table aflame -- a dramatic effect credited to Chicago's Parthenon restaurant in the 1960s. While exclaiming "Opa!," waitstaff would douse the dish with alcohol before setting it ablaze, and also ring shepherds' bells for added flair. Both dish and performance were popular among customers and lines formed outside, with the restaurant serving glasses of ouzo to those waiting their turn. Though the fired-up plates are less likely to be spotted in Greece, the dish itself is frequently shared a little less flamboyantly among friends or family at restaurants and taverns from Athens to the islands.

Read more: The 20 Best Olive Oils For Cooking

A Perfect Storm Of Taste, Presentation, And Texture

saganaki on plate with lemon - Esin Deniz/Shutterstock

One of the best parts of saganaki is that you don't need much prep work to sink your teeth into the cheesy starter. In under ten minutes, you'll have an impressive-looking dish dressed up with your choices of honey, a sprinkling of herbs, or fig jam, bringing a bit of Mediterranean flavor into your home.

Choosing the right cheese to fry up or pan sear is key when preparing saganaki, however. Too soft, and the cheese will melt all over your pan; too firm, and you won't be able to tuck into this appetizer easily. Greeks reach for local cheeses that deliver gentle nuttiness, like graviera or kefalotyri. For the perfect presentation, mildly firm cheeses like kefalograviera or kasseri offer the right thickness and consistency that hold form when fried. While it may take some hunting to find one of these authentic Greek cheeses to prepare the dish, you could use tangy halloumi, paneer, or feta as substitutes. The flavor will be different, but you'll have a solid hunk of cheese to fry.

If you want to get fancy for your next dinner party, flambee the saganaki for your friends. Flaming presentations are a bit of a magic trick, as the cheese is prepared beforehand then placed onto a pan or plate to be torched, by lighting alcohol poured around it. If this sounds like too much work, saganaki will hold its own without pyrotechnics, as the drool-worthy dish commands attention simply from being so tasty.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
Dried chiles are a powerhouse ingredient that should be stored in your kitchen at all times. Their intense, spicy flavor and mouth-watering savory aroma make them popular in cuisines around the world, being used in dishes ranging from chile-lime sweet potato tacos to smoky chipotle lamb loin chops. Unfortunately, while freshly dried chiles of all types pack quite a punch, that heat tends to subside as they age. So, it is important to preserve your chiles for peak performance so they last as long as possible and maintain their quality.

The first step you should take to correctly store your chiles is to place them into an airtight container. Beyond this, the two greatest enemies to a chile's freshness are heat and light, which can cause the flavor compounds in the peppers to degrade and cause mold to thrive. To prevent exposure to these elements, the chiles should be kept in a cool, dark space like a pantry. Additionally, you can go the extra mile by making sure your containers are entirely opaque and do not let in stray light. When stored correctly, dried chiles can last for one to two years at room temperature before beginning to decline in quality.

Read more: What Happens If You Accidentally Eat Mold?

How To Tell If Chiles Have Gone Bad

spoiled old dried chile peppers - Vladyslav Horoshevych/Shutterstock

Chiles can be considered past their prime when they have lost their scent and have taken on a fragile, papery texture. While dried chiles are more likely to simply dull in taste over time than to expire outright, it is still a possibility that you should be mindful of. Even if you have taken care to store the peppers properly, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of spoilage to prevent yourself from consuming harmful pathogens that might make you sick. Be sure to examine the chiles with your senses of sight and smell. If they show traits such as a slimy texture, an unpleasant odor, a significant change in color, or visible mold growth, you can assume they have gone bad. In these cases, it is best to throw out the chiles.

If you need to extend the shelf life of your dried chiles even more, you can do so easily by freezing them. All you need to do is portion them out into airtight bags or containers and then place them into the freezer. The ultra-cold and dark environment is perfect for slowing their expiration and retaining their flavor, especially when the containers are sealed tightly to protect against freezer burn. When stored this way, dried chiles can last for up to one year although it's best to use them within six months.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
CANBERRA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities have arrested four U.S. citizens in connection with an alleged cocaine smuggling syndicate.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Sunday announced the arrest of four alleged international drug smugglers -- a 55-year-old male and three women aged 22, 24 and 35 all from the United States -- after 30 kg of cocaine was found in luggage on a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne earlier in April.

The AFP said the women arrived in Melbourne with the cocaine on April 12, where police intercepted them following a tip from U.S. authorities.

A fourth woman, aged 41, was arrested in Los Angeles after allegedly trying to board the flight with another 10 kg of cocaine concealed in her luggage.

The 55-year-old man, who has been accused of planning and supervising the syndicate, arrived in Melbourne on a separate flight from Los Angeles earlier on the same day and was arrested on April 16.

AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said the 30 kg of cocaine had an estimated street value of nearly 10 million Australian dollars (6.4 million U.S. dollars).

"This had the potential to facilitate 30,000 individual street deals and cause tens of millions of dollars in harm to the Australian community," she said in a statement.

"These arrests send a strong warning to drug couriers attempting to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia -- no matter how you try and move your drugs, the AFP, together with our international, Commonwealth and state law enforcement partners will be waiting for you."

All four who were arrested in Melbourne have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The man was charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine and the women with one count each of possessing a commercial quantity of cocaine.

If convicted, all four will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. 
Aunt Chloe was in the Womens Army Corps during World War II. She was very short, in fact, shorter than regulations allowed. An early feminist, she demanded to be enlisted, pointing out that she could serve  and did. With blocks attached to the clutch, brakes and accelerators of Army Jeeps, because she couldnt reach the pedals, she drove officers around bases in Michigan and Indiana as well as working in those post offices. After the war, she lived with her parents in their small house.

Aunt Chloe taught me which forks, spoons and knives to use at dinner. She took me to movies and bought 45 rpm records to play on her new record player after I nearly wore out the Chopin record that came with it.

Susan Keezer

She always wore dark red nail polish. On Saturday night, she would apply one coat then another every night until Friday night when she would take it all off.

Her oldest brother and family lived in Cleveland, Ohio. On rare occasions, he and his family would drive to Michigan for a visit or our families would drive to Cleveland.

One summer, Aunt Chloe asked me if I would like to visit Uncle Ted and Aunt Mary. I hardly knew them but any trip with Aunt Chloe would be quite wonderful.

Aunt Chloe picked me up and then told me we were not driving to Cleveland but flying. Flying? Me? On an airplane?

When we got to Willow Run Airport, we walked out to the airplane and up steps to board. We flew on Capitol Airlines. I remember looking out the window and watching the ground disappearing below us.

What I do not remember is anything of the visit. I just remember the magic of being in that noisy large metal tube with its small windows, sitting next to my wonderful Aunt Chloe  this fine aunt who opened so many doors and windows to the world for me. She gave me music and ideas.

How I loved her.

One year, just before my birthday, she packed me into her car and said we were going to Detroit. I was seven years old and only knew that Detroit was a lot bigger than Ypsilanti.

It took over an hour to drive there and when we finally parked her car, we were right in downtown Detroit with its tall buildings.

Where are we going?

I am taking you shopping at J.L. Hudsons, replied Aunt Chloe. Hudsons meant nothing to me, nor did shopping. My mother was an excellent seamstress and made all of my dresses.

I want to buy you a new outfit.

We walked into this huge store, and I am sure my mouth fell open at the sight of all the wonderful bright lights, shiny counters, lovely saleswomen and customers. Shoppers brushed past me and the sweetness of their cologne drifted behind them as they walked. I was entranced.

We walked down several aisles then Aunt Chloe told me we needed to take the elevator to the childrens department. Elevator? I didn't know a small room could move up and down in a building.

When we emerged from the elevator, I looked around and saw nothing but childrens clothing everywhere. Boys pants and coats, suits and pajamas. We kept walking until we came to the girls department. Aunt Chloe started pushing hangars back and forth until she found a suit. It had a pale blue skirt and a pink and blue plaid jacket.

What do you think about this?

It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I love it.

Good, she said and took it to a counter and paid for it.

Then she bought me a blouse, black patent leather shoes, white stockings and underwear.

Ah, you need a purse and hat.

By then it was lunchtime. Having lunch in Hudsons was just as much fun as having all these new clothes.

Aunt Chloe never married. She had a male friend with whom she traveled frequently  to the consternation of her heavily starched stern mother.

How lucky I was to have her in my life. I had other aunts but she was special. When I had daughters, she loved them as well. They too were invited to spend the night with her on weekends.

I see surrogate aunts around town  hats off to you! I know you are treating some little girl to trips to movies or the circus. Perhaps you are buying them something special or taking them to art classes.

Bless you  you are needed.

 Susan Keezer lives in Adrian. Send your good news to her at lenaweesmiles@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Susan Keezer: Sometimes the best people aren't literal family
In Need of a Vacation? Consider a Getaway to the Maldives



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Located smack in the middle of the Indian Ocean and a solid 8,760 miles from New York City, the Maldives are the ideal vacation destination for anyone who wants to truly feel transported to the middle of nowhere. The small south Asian country is comprised of a chain of 26 atolls, each with stunning 365-views of limitless blue sea. Best known for its resorts featuring over-water bungalows, the country has long been one of the leading luxury destinations for travelers, including Sophia Richie Grainge, Sophie Turner, and Madonna. Below, the best places to eat, stay, drink and things to see in The Maldives.

What to See

Hanifaru Bay

For the intrepid travelers among us, the Maldives offers plenty of adventurous outdoor activities, including the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays and whale sharks. For the best and most environmentally ethical experience, go with a licensed tour guide to Hanifaru Bay, a Marine Protected Area that lets you swim with these gentle giants without any risk to their habitat or wellbeing.

SO/ Wellness Camp

When youre ready to unwind from all the snorkeling and wakeboarding, a spa like the Wellness Camp at SO/ Maldives is the perfect alternative. The camp features bespoke massages and facials alongside other wellness-centered activities like sound healing and a hammam.

Banana Reef

If youre looking to spot more undersea wildlife, head to Banana Reef in the North Male Atoll for some of the countrys best snorkeling. There, you can spot live coral reefs inhabited by dozens of varieties of fish, including barracudas, reef sharks, and moray eels.

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Oran Sandal

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Where to Eat

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Mark's Camera

You cant go to the Maldives without experiencing an undersea restaurant, and Ithaa is the nations most famous. Located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Islandthe favorite Maldivian resort of the Kardashiansyou can dine on fish while among the fish (assuming that doesnt freak you out).

Hadaba

JONATHAN ZIZZO

If youre craving food from the Middle East North Africa region while on your dream trip to the Maldives, Hadaba has got you covered. The Levantine-heavy menu features mezze like hummus and spiced lamb ribs alongside main dishes like tagine and kofta.

Guduguda

Courtesy Bishop Arts District

For authentic Maldivian cuisine, head to Guduguda at The Standard Hotel, where fresh fish, curries, and coconut dishes reign supreme. Guests can enjoy their meal in the traditional Maldivian way, at low-top tables atop cushions.

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Where to Drink

Lazuli Beach Club

Rose Minutaglio

This neon-lit beach club, which hosts DJ sets and a weekly beach barbecue, brings the vibe of summer parties in the south of France to the Maldives. During the day, you can enjoy a pina colada poolside, and at night you can cozy up in a booth with an Aperol spritz to watch the stars.

Beru Bar

Babou's

When youre ready to go out out, head to the club at Beru Bar, also at The Standard, where you can party with what is apparently the largest disco ball in the Maldives. Unfortunately its only open until 12 A.M., but thats island life.



Coco Bar

Courtesy French Room

For a relaxing sunset beverage, Coco Bar is the perfect location. Grab some apps on the al fresco deck and watch the sun go down, or nab two over-water pool chairs for a bit of swimming and day drinking.

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Where to Stay

SO/ Maldives

Courtesy Rosewood Mansion

SO/ Maldives, which officially opened at the end of 2023, is one of the countrys newestand bestresorts. Fusing French flair with Maldivian hospitality, the chic five-star resort is accessible by speedboat from the airport in Male, making it one of the most convenient locations on this list. The stunning over-water villas feature private pools, endless views of the Indian Ocean, and a staircase that leads directly into the water.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Courtesy Hotel Swexan

Offering a myriad of nearby activities and a whopping 11 restaurants on property, you will never get bored (or hungry) at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The resort also boasts an in-house marine biologist, who protects and oversees the coral nurseries near the island.

Soneva Jani

Courtesy Adolphus

If its good enough for Stanley Tucci and Gwyneth Paltrow, its good enough for us. Soneva Jani is an A-lister favorite, and for good reason: Upon check in, youll be introduced to your private butler, and given the opportunity to partake in dozens of wellness activities, like cryotherapy and Ayurvedic massage.

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Beauty Picks

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This lightweight sunscreen leaves no white cast, nor does it make darker skin tones look dull and gray. Containing antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, including silver ear mushroom extract, which holds 500 times its weight in waterthis formula will leave you moisturized and protected while you lay on the beach.

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Ive Never Seen Rivers As Clear And Blue As They Are In TexasHere's Why

After moving to Texas, I realized the waters here are of a different, prettier kind.

Getty Images/Grexsys

When I first moved to Texas, of course I was struck by the natural beauty of the state, in all of its varied regions and topographies, from beaches to mountains to desert lands to rolling hills. However, something that I noticed especially as the renowned scorching temperatures showed their worst was just how much people love Texas riversfloating down them, kayaking, or simply taking a dip to stave off the heat. Even more so, I discovered that Texas rivers werent quite like the ones Id seen or floated down before. They were, surprisingly, gorgeous. Blue-green, clear, and refreshing cold.

As a Georgia native who has lived in other states as well, clear, blue waters are not nearly considered the norm for rivers. Brown and murky come to mind, actually. And while the gulf waters of Texas beaches might not be known for being necessarily the clearest or bluestto put it mildlyI came to realize that Texans dont seem to mind, because they have plenty of other options for water-based respite. Primarily, the beautiful lakes, rivers, and swimming holes that abound.

Texas riversat the very least, in my region of Central Texas and Hill Countryhave always seemed to be in a beloved class all their own. As it turns out, those beautiful, blue-green, clear waters are indeed unique. Heres how they differ, and where to find them.

Why Makes Texas River Waters Clear and Blue?

Brown V. Cannon III

Actually, it can come down to a few different factors that affect the color and clarity of river waters, but generally it can be attributed to two main reasons.

Limestone

Most prominently in Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, clearer, bluer waters can sometimes be attributed to the abundance of natural deposits and quarries of limestone that are native to the area. Limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, which breaks down into small crystals that mix into the water, reflecting sunlight for a beautiful blue color.

Natural springs

Within some Texas rivers and swimming holes, there are spring-fed waters that keep to an ideal cool-to-cold temperature year-round, as well as maintain a pale blue or green hue that you can see through, often right to the bottom. The water comes from underground sources that are filtered and purified as they travel through layers of rock and soil, resulting in a more clean, clear water. The bottom can also at times be limestone, not squishy mud, which again contributes to the unique coloring.

Where To Find The Best Rivers

Robbie Caponetto

While more naturally blessed overall on average, Texas rivers are not all perfectly clear or blue. However, youll find many options, particularly in Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, to behold the phenomenon and take advantage of it with swimming, tubing, or kayaking. Below are some of Texans favorites for enjoying.

Related: The Best Tubing Rivers In Texas To Float When Its Hot Outside

Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River is easily the most well-known tubing river in the entire Lone Star State. The 230-mile river runs from Central Texas all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The most popular stretches to float are in the Texas Hill Country, especially near New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Guadalupe River State Park offer four miles of river frontage.

Blanco River

This idyllic river is not as packed with people or flowing quite as rapidly as the Guadalupe, offering a more quiet spring-fed respite to float down. Its pretty shallow along most of the way, which can vary depending on rainfall.

Frio River

One of the most beautiful places to float, the Frio River is cool and calm. Youre able to enter from Garner State Park, which is located more remotely in Texas Hill Country near Concan around an hour-and-half drive from San Antonio.

Comal River

The spring-fed Comal River moseys through New Braunfels until eventually reaching the Guadalupe River. You can expect the water to be between 70 and 72 degrees year-round, and the floating stretch is just under three miles.

San Marcos River

This Hill Country river is another extremely popular place to float, particularly for the college kids at Texas State University in San Marcos. This spring-fed river is a tributary of the Guadalupe, which means it boasts cool temperatures year-round.



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Read the original article on Southern Living.
Delphi Monument is one of the many sites to see in Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

I'm from Athens, and I've seen plenty of tourists make mistakes while traveling to Greece.

Pace yourself if you're planning on staying out at the bars and clubs all night.

It's worth it to do some research on smaller islands and local cuisine before your trip.

Thanks to its ancient ruins, picturesque beaches, and incredible food, Greece is one of the top tourist destinations. In 2023, over 32 million people visited.

I was born in Athens and currently split my years living between the US and Greece, so I've spent plenty of time in the beautiful European country.

Here are 10 things I think tourists should know before visiting.

Theres so much more to see in Greece than the popular islands.

The Paxoi islands have some stunning views. Joanna Kalafatis

It seems like everyone visits Mykonos, Santorini, and maybe Paros, but Greece has over 220 inhabitable islands. Plus, most of them are more budget-friendly than the popular spots.

I recommend looking into places like Kimolos, Astypalaia, Paxoi (also known as Paxos and Paxi), or Folegandros.

The Greek mainland is also beautiful. There's a lot to see there, from UNESCO sites at Delphi and Meteora and the turquoise waters of the Peloponnese to the stunning mountains and villages of Epirus.

Athens is more than the Acropolis.

I love finding new things to do and see in Athens. Joanna Kalafatis

Athens has great nightlife, restaurants, museums, and cool neighborhoods like Plaka, Exarcheia, Psyrri, and Pangrati.

Tourists who just swing by to check the Acropolis off their list are missing out. I've always found it to be one of the liveliest cities in the world.

You dont need to tip 20%.

Tipping culture is a little different in Greece than in America. Joanna Kalafatis

Greek servers generally rely on hourly wages, so there isn't the same tipping culture as the US.

I normally just round up the bill or leave a couple of Euros on the table as a tip  unless I had exceptional service or dined at a more formal (and tourist-oriented) restaurant.

Pace yourself when drinking alcohol.

The bars and clubs stay open really late in parts of Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

A lot of travelers take advantage of Greece's lax attitude toward alcohol restrictions. Coupled with the fact that Greek bars and clubs close pretty late (like 4 a.m. late), some tourists get sloppy.

Locals usually intersperse drinks with food and water so they can last the whole night, and I recommend tourists do the same.

Slow down and take Sundays off.

The slow pace of life is one of the most relaxing parts of visiting Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

Greeks have a pretty relaxed relationship with time  people often arrive late and stores may open half an hour after they said they would.

Service in Greece can seem slow to people from more fast-paced places, especially on the quieter islands. A lot of stores and supermarkets are also closed on Sundays, even in Athens.

I know this can be annoying at times, but I recommend just enjoying the slower pace of life.

Dont try to visit too many islands on one trip.

I recommend spending at least two days on each island you visit. Joanna Kalafatis

So many people ask me if they can fit four or five islands into a seven-day trip, and I never recommend it. Take your time and enjoy each destination for at least a couple of days.

Half the joy of the Greek islands is getting to destress. If you're hopping from ferry to ferry and running around to cover the highlights, you'll miss out on the best parts of the country.

Be sensitive about natural disasters.

Like other places around the world, there has been an increase in wildfires in Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

I never thought I'd have to say this, but I have seen multiple tourists in the last few years posting about how "pretty" the skies or sunsets are thanks to the glow from raging wildfires.

At a time when a lot of Greek people are wondering if their houses are still standing or their loved ones have gotten to safety, it's a pretty insensitive thing to do.

Don't skip out on experiencing a traditional taverna.

Tavernas serve long, family-style meals. Joanna Kalafatis

Athens and other popular Greek destinations now have a lot of upscale restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. But make sure to eat in a traditional taverna at least once.

A taverna is a casual restaurant with family-style dining. Diners can spend hours in them chatting with friends while sharing food paired with some great wine or ouzo (a Greek aperitif).

Greek food is more than just gyros.

I highly recommend eating fresh seafood in Greece. Joanna Kalafatis

Well-known dishes like gyros and souvlaki are truly delicious, but Greek cuisine is so much more than that.

For example, a lot of Greeks start their day with a tiropita (cheese pie) and freddo coffee. Each region also has local specialties that I recommend inquiring about.

In tavernas, popular menu items include calamari, octopus, all kinds of fish, grilled and fried cheeses (like saganaki and halloumi), and side dishes like fava.

Learn a few local words.

You don't have to be fluent in Greek, but it's nice to know the language a little bit. Joanna Kalafatis

Most younger Greek people understand English, but you may run into problems communicating with older people  especially in more rural areas.

Even if a local person can understand you, I think it's nice to learn a few simple words and phrases like "good morning," "thank you," and "how are you?"

It's nice when tourists make a little bit of an effort.

Read the original article on Business Insider
115 combat clashes took place at front line in Ukraine in one day  Ukrainian General Staff

The Ukrainian Defence Forces have repelled 115 attacks by Russian troops in the combat zone over the past day.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 21 April

Details: Over the past day, 115 combat clashes took place at the front line.

In total, the Russians launched 15 missile strikes and 63 airstrikes and fired 109 times from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.

Over the past day, settlements in Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson oblasts came under Russian airstrikes.

More than 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians maintained their military presence in the border areas, conducted sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to vulnerable areas, and increased the density of minefields along the state border.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians, supported by aircraft, attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Stelmakhivka (Luhansk Oblast).

On the Lyman front, the Russians attacked the positions of Ukraines Defence Forces 10 times near Terny (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian troops repelled 28 attacks near Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast); Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Klishchiivka, Ivanivske and Novyi (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 attacks near Semenivka, Novokalynove, Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Umanske, Yasnobrodivka, Nevelske and Oleksandropil (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraines defence forces are continuing to hold the Russians back in and around Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodiane and Urozhaine (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by aircraft, tried to break through the Ukrainian defences 25 times.

On the Orikhiv front, the Russians, supported by aircraft, attacked Ukrainian defenders' positions near Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) four times.

On the Kherson front, the Russians made three unsuccessful attacks on Ukrainian troops' positions over the past day.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force struck eight areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated.

Units of Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one command post, two areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated, one ammunition storage point, one air defence system and one cluster of Russian weapons and military equipment.

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Fifteen people were injured when a tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood on Saturday night, according to authorities.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department shared on social media that it responded to the theme park just after 9 p.m. for reports of a crash.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

A tram tour was in progress on the Universal Studios Hollywood back lot, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. The tram had just passed the Jurassic Park Cars and was making a turn to head northbound on Avenue M. Due to unknown reasons, while negotiating the turn onto Avenue M, the last car of the tram collided with a metal guardrail on the right side of the roadway causing it to tilt and eject multiple passengers from the tram.

Fifteen passengers were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment and evaluations with minor to moderate injuries, the statement added. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Alcohol and drugs are not considered to be a factor in this crash.

A spokesperson with Universal Studios Hollywood shared in a statement to THR Saturday night, There was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries, confirmed by the LA County Fire Dept. We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident.

Late Sunday afternoon, a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson shared an updated statement: Saturday night on the Studio Tour, a tram collided with a guardrail while making a left turn. Our thoughts continue to be with the guests who were involved, and we are thankful that based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor. We are working closely with public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, as we continue our review of the incident and safety remains a top priority. We have resumed Studio Tour operations with a modified route and are reinforcing our operational and safety protocols.

Universal Studios tour is one of the theme parks most popular attractions, taking riders on a one-hour backlot tour to see behind the scenes where some of Hollywoods most memorable films and television shows were filmed. Some of the movie sets featured in the tour are Jaws and Jordan Peeles Nope.

On Thursday, Universal Studios Hollywood was also set to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the ride with a special backlot experience, however, the event has been canceled due to the crash, THR has learned. The in-park activities celebrating the anniversary will continue to take place from April 26 through Aug. 11.

April 21, 11:41 a.m.: Updated with statement from Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

April 21, 5:25 p.m.: Updated with new statement from Universal Studios Hollywood.

April 23, 1:50 p.m.: Updated with 60th-anniversary event cancellation.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
15 Taken To Hospital After Tram Crash At Universal Studios Hollywood  Update

Fifteen people have been taken to hospital with injuries following a tram crash at Universal Studios Hollywood Saturday evening.

UPDATE, 2:30 PM SUNDAY: Deputies responded to the lower parking lot of Universal Studios Hollywood regarding a tour tram collision. The collision caused several passengers to fall out of the vehicle.

More from Deadline

LA County Fire treated people on-scene and several were transported via ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

California Highway Patrol responded to the location to take a collision report. The cause of the accident is still under investigation and there is no further information at this time.

The BBC reports that Los Angeles County Fire department sent units to the theme park at 2100 local time, and that patients were being treated for minor injuries. The authority reported on the incident on its social media account.

TRAM ACCIDENT | FS51 | 3900 Lankershim Blvd #StudioCity | #LACoFD at 9:05 units were dispatched to a tram accident where 15 patients were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries. CHP will be the lead investigatory agency for all further inquiries. #StudioIC  L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) April 21, 2024

The BBC quotes the LA Times report that a four-car tram crashed, with police reporting that the last car hit a rail as it travelled down one of the hills within the compound, after an unspecified issue with the vehicles braking system.

It adds that California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident in the theme park, which was added to the Universal Studios lot in 1964.

Key attractions at the park include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a studio tour ride. The BBC has contacted Universal Studios for comment.

This incident comes three weeks after it was announced that Universal is shaking things up to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of its iconic Hollywood Studio Tour.

Chief among the attractions is the return of original red and white candy-striped Glamor Trams. While Universal now runs all-electric vehicles, guests will have the opportunity to get a look at some of the classic cars and take a photo in front of an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram.

Best of Deadline

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A 16-year-old boy in Australia died after being attacked by a large crocodile in the Torres Strait, authorities say.

The incident occurred off the waters of Saibai Island, a relatively-remote island of around 500 people, on Thursday morning. While Saibai Island is geographically close to Papua New Guinea, it is part of the Australian state of Queensland, and is around 560 miles north of the city of Cairns.

According to the Brisbane Times, the victim was swimming with a 13-year-old boy before he was killed. The pair had been using a dinghy when its engine suddenly stopped working properly, and the teenagers decided to brave the waters and swim to shore.

Queensland Polices Far North District Senior Sergeant Greg Giles told journalists that the 16-year-old vanished after the boys went into waist-deep water. The boat breakdown happened around a third of a mile away from land.

FLORIDA ALLIGATOR CAUGHT DEVOURING 'INVASIVE' PYTHON AT EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

Boats in the harbor on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait.

"Unfortunately the older boys body was located in the mangroves," Giles explained. "We are working with the coroner to identify that person."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to the police spokesman, the 13-year-old boy did not see a crocodile before the 16-year-old went missing.

"Hes pretty shaken up as you could imagine," Giles said, according to the Brisbane Times.

"He was very close to the other boy when he went missing so no doubt it would have affected him."

A Queensland Police wildlife officer confirmed that the victim's injuries were consistent with a crocodile attack. Authorities believe the reptile that killed the teenager was nearly four yards long.

MAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER CROCODILE BITE IN FLORIDA'S EVERGLADES

A general view of Saibai Island on March 26, 2021 in Saibai Island, Australia.

"Injuries sustained are consistent with a large crocodile in the vicinity of 3.5 metres in size, possibly slightly larger," officer Simon Booth explained.

Local residents have asked authorities to find the crocodile that killed the boy.

"Wildlife officers will survey the waters off Saibai Island by helicopter this afternoon in an attempt to locate the crocodile involved," a Department of Environment, Science and Innovation statement obtained by the Brisbane Times read.

"The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild. "[DESI] extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island."

A general view of Saibai Island on March 26, 2021 in Saibai Island, Australia.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Queensland Police Service for comment, but did not immediately hear back.





Original article source: 16-year-old boy killed by crocodile after boat breaks down: police
UPDATE, April 22: Memphis Police say: 17-year-old male (deceased), 22-year-old male (deceased), 19-year-old male, 21-year-old male, 23-year-old male, 29-year-old male, 16-year-old female, 20-year-old female, and 20-year-old female.

**

UPDATE: Officers have located an additional shooting victim who is currently in non-critical condition.

MPD has confirmed that all of the hospitalized victims are in stable condition.

On Sunday, the City of Memphis and Mayor Paul Young issued the following statement about the shooting:

This morning, we are one community united by grief. We are all Orange Mound this morning. There are no words that can adequately express the pain we are all feeling over this most recent act of senseless violence  where guns were brazenly brought to a park filled with young people, familie, and children. And there are no words to describe the frustration of having to use the qualifier most recent when speaking of the violence in our community. This must stop. The violence must end. For the future of our city, we have to solve the problem together. Mayor Paul A. Young, City of Memphis

In hopes of receiving more information about the shooting, the reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible has been increased to $15,000.

If you have any information regarding these, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

*********

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police say eight people were shot during a block party at Orange Mound Park Saturday evening.

Memphis Police responded to the park on Carnes Avenue near Mound Street at 7:19 p.m.

Police say officers found five victims on the scene. Two were pronounced dead, while three others reportedly went to nearby hospitals in critical condition.

According to police, other victims arrived at local hospitals by private vehicles. Memphis Police say one victim remains in critical condition and one victim has been released from the hospital.

Memphis Police originally reported that 16 people were shot but later stated that there were a total of eight victims. Police believe the error occurred because some victims were reported to investigators several times.

Downtown shooting injures two juveniles, one in critical condition







Interim Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said between 200-300 people were attending a block party at the park. Davis, who was joined by Memphis Mayor Paul Young, said the party was happening without a permit.

Davis says police are working to find the suspects involved. She says police know of at least two suspects who opened fire during the block party.

She asked that anyone with video of the shooting send the video to Memphis Police. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
19-year-old killed in car accident in Valley Center; other driver arrested for DUI

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 19-year-old is dead and a man is in custody facing DUI charges after a car accident in North County Friday night.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Valley Center Road and West Tribal Road in the unincorporated City of Valley Center Friday night just before 8:20 p.m.

Driver flees after fatal hit-and-run crash in Spring Valley: CHP

According to CHP, a 19-year-old Hispanic man from Valley Center was driving a white Toyota Camry in the eastbound lane of West Tribal Road, while a 34-year-old Hispanic man from Ranchita was driving a white Ford Expedition in the southbound lane of Valley Center Road when the two vehicles collided at the intersection.

CHP and paramedics responded to the accident. The 19-year-old driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene.

Second arrest made in fatal Linda Vista shooting

According to CHP, the driver of the Ford Expedition, identified as Fernando Porras Abrego, was not injured, and was booked into the Vista Detention Facility where he faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence (DUI).

The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing at this time.

San Diego ranks third in state with most motorcycle fatalities: CHP

CHP reports the identity of the 19-year-old killed in the accident will be released through the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the accident can call the Oceanside Area CHP office at 760-643-3400.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
People gather among the rubble in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on April 18, 2024. (Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pledged to intensify the military crackdown on Hamas.

In a video address, Netanyahu threatened action "in the coming days," without elaborating on the time and place.

"We will strike it with additional painful blows -- and this will happen soon," he said.

He said that in the next few days, Israel "will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory."

Netanyahu has previously stated that the Israeli military will initiate a ground assault on Rafah, despite international calls to refrain from such action due to the expected toll it would exact on more than 1 million civilians seeking shelter in Gaza's southern city.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Two Californian robbery suspects are in custody are they crashed into an LVMPD vehicle after a police chase in the central Las Vegas valley, Metro police said.

On Saturday around 6 p.m., Metro officers responded to the area of Maryland Parkway and Rochelle Avenue after a vehicle that was involved in a robbery earlier in the day in California was spotted, police said.

Officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle then fled, resulting in a police chase, according to LVMPD.

During the chase, the suspects ran a stop sign and crashed into a marked patrol vehicle that was entering the area to assist.

Both of the suspects fled from the vehicle and were later taken into custody. The men were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries, police said.

The officers involved were also taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for injuries, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Two young children were killed and more than a dozen people were injured Saturday when a car drove into a building where a birthday party was being held just south of Detroit, police said.

A 66-year-old woman crashed her vehicle into the Swan Boat Club in Newport, Mich., at about 3 p.m., the Monroe County Sheriffs Department said. The vehicle careened about 25 feet inside the building, striking 15 people, including multiple children.

An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother were killed at the scene, which police described as extremely chaotic and emotional. Nine people were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries, including three children.

The status of the victims was not immediately clear.

The woman was charged with driving while intoxicated and was taken into custody, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)  Police in Memphis, Tennessee, say eight people were shot, two fatally, during a block party Saturday evening.

Memphis Police responded to Orange Mound Park shortly after 7 p.m., Interim Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said during a press conference.

According to Davis, two men were pronounced dead at the scene and six others were injured. At least one victim has already been released from the hospital and one remains in critical condition.

The conditions of the other victims were not immediately available Sunday morning.

Davis said between 200 and 300 people were attending a block party, which did not appear to have a permit, at Orange Mound Park.

Authorities are still investigating, but Davis said police are aware of at least two suspects who opened fire during the block party.

She asked that anyone with video of the shooting send the video to Memphis Police. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH.

In light of recent events, we stand together to denounce these senseless acts of violence, Davis said.

Memphis Police originally reported that 16 people were shot but later stated that there were a total of eight victims. Police believe the error occurred because some victims were reported to investigators several times.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
2 dead after stolen car crashes while being pursued by Bradford deputies, state trooper

Two people are dead after Bradford County deputies chased a stolen car that crashed in Alachua County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said it happened early Saturday morning. The pursuit began on U.S. 301 and then the stolen Honda CRV exited onto State Road 24 traveling west, FHP said.

A state trooper joined Bradford County deputies in the pursuit after the Bradford County Sheriffs Office asked for assistance. The trooper observed that some of the people in the Honda were wearing black ski masks.

FHP said in a news release the trooper made intentional contact with the Honda, which caused it to slow down.

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At that time, FHP said the trooper used the break in speed to perform a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) on the fleeing Honda to stop the threat created by the fleeing suspect.

The Honda then rolled over before making contact with a cement pole on State Road 24 in Alachua County, FHP said.

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FHP said one of the four people in the car died in the crash. The other three people were taken to the hospital, where one of them later died.

The identities of the people involved in the crash have not been released.

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BELLEVUE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Two people, including a firefighter, were sent to the hospital after a fire broke out at a home in Bellevue Sunday morning.

According to officials, crews were sent to the 100 block of Rolling River Court shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 to respond to a residential fire.

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Upon arrival, fire personnel reported flames could be seen coming from the home.

According to the Nashville Fire Department, one person was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated for burns.

A firefighter was also taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated for burns that were sustained to their hands and feet, officials said. However, the injuries did not appear to be severe.

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Personnel had to take a defensive stance because the homes roof collapsed, NFD said. Crews have since been pulled out of the home for their safety.

Fire investigators are on scene to determine what may have led to the blaze. No other information was immediately released.

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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A suspected drunken driver killed two young siblings and injured over a dozen people when she drove into a birthday party at a boat club in Michigan on Saturday afternoon, according to the Monroe County Police Department.

At around 3 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene after a 66-year-old woman crashed 25 feet into the building where the party was being held, states the county's sheriff department in a press release posted to Facebook.

The brother, 5, and sister, 8, were attending a birthday party at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County, which is about 30 miles south of Detroit, according to the release.

The siblings were pronounced dead at the scene, states the sheriff's department.

Fifteen adults and children were injured, the release said. Of those 15, six adults and three children were transported to hospitals in the area by helicopter or ambulance with life-threatening injuries.

USA TODAY contacted the sheriff's department but has not heard back yet.

Flowers were left at the scene April 21, 2024, where a driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a childs birthday party in Newport.

Who is the driver in the Michigan crash?

The woman, whose identity has not been confirmed, was taken into custody for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, the release said, adding that she is currently being held at the Monroe County Jail.

"Additional criminal charges will likely be brought against the driver as the investigation proceeds," the release said.

GoFundMe organized for family

Diane Harrington, who said she is the aunt of the siblings, created a GoFundMe to raise money and give the two children a "proper funeral and burial service."

According to the fundraiser, the siblings' mother and older brother were in critical condition at the time it was created.

So far, it has raised around $52,000 of its $100,000 goal. Money left over after funeral expenses will go to the family to help with housing and medical expenses, the GoFundMe page said.

"Yesterday during this tragic event the lives of two young children ... were lost," states a post from the boat club where the party was held. In another, it said it would remain closed until Sunday following the tragedy.

USA TODAY contacted the boat club, but it declined to comment.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan birthday party crash leaves 2 children dead, 15 hurt
Irony being inherently ironic, it would be easy to dismiss as delusional or harebrained any argument to the effect that Donald Trumps totalistically execrable behavior over time may have had positive effects on the American public. But let us not blind ourselves to the validity of this counterintuitive notion. By the same token, let us concede that Trump speaks and acts in many ways like other segments of the larger political class  only more extremely, dogmatically and unceasingly. While his hard-wired true believers may see him as a political and ideological Man on Horseback, to those outside his insular, tribal cohort, he is an apocalyptic horseman worthy only of scorn.

Here are 20 examples of how Trump may have benefited America, or at least where Trumpian maleficence, malfeasance and malpractice have alerted us anew or reawakened us to ideas and practices we once cherished but perhaps have grown complacent about. (In some instances, we may find upon reflection that Americas founders left us holding the bag in the face of the regnant tyranny Trump represents today.) In this newfound knowing, the reasoned and reasonable among us may have unwittingly benefited in this Era of Trump.

1. Voting. The late Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, longtime president of the University of Notre Dame, characterized voting as a civic sacrament, a rite conferring divine grace on those who fulfill their obligation as citizens to register their choices for public office. Too many of us, let us admit, have come to take voting for granted as a free good that costs nothing, whether we exercise it or not. Thus do we account for Americas consistently low voter turnout rates over time. Trump has weaponized votes, voting and the electoral process in every conceivable way: by manipulating and attempting to negate vote counts; suppressing and disenfranchising voters; shamelessly perpetuating the Big Lie that his 2020 election loss was rigged and stolen; and, most recently, threatening blood in the streets if he loses in 2024. If this hasnt reminded us of the sanctity of the vote, nothing will.

2. Rule of law. Where-ever law ends, tyranny begins, wrote John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government. This received truth, carved into the wall of the Department of Justice building, prefigured John Adams later claim that ours is a government of laws, not of men, one of two expressions of an unofficial American democratic credo  the other being that no man is above the law. As with voting, Trump has weaponized the law in every imaginable way: by circumventing it, using it to coerce and punish others, delaying and obstructing its application, discrediting it and slow-rolling it with claims of immunity and due process. By thumbing his nose at this time-honored precept, Trump has exposed our idealistic self-delusion in the face of the reality of wealth and power.

3. A free press. The press is the eyes, the ears and the voice of the people. Without a free press, said Justice Felix Frankfurter, there can be no free society. It is through the press that most of us get the information that, in theory, enables us to hold public officials accountable and gives the lie to the cynical observation once voiced by historian Henry Adams: Practical politics consists in ignoring facts. This is the good news, where it occurs. The bad news is that the press can be manipulated and discredited, as Trump has done unrelentingly, and it can let itself be a vehicle for bias, distortion and propaganda, as some elements of the press have chosen to do, whether in support of or in opposition to Trump. So it is that we dare not lose sight of Alexis de Tocquevilles trenchant observation nearly two centuries ago: To get the inestimable good that freedom of the press assures, one must know how to submit to the inevitable evil it gives rise to. Where Trump goes, the press follows, sheep-like, elevating itself to new investigatory heights while, at the same time, dragging itself down to new propagandistic lows.

4. Popular sovereignty. Ultimately, at least ostensibly, democracy vests final authority for governance in the people themselves. Its an ideal, to be sure, but one worthy of continuing pursuit, especially in the face of contradictory reality. Note We the People in the preamble to the Constitution, legitimate governments deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed in the Declaration of Independence and government of the people, by the people, for the people in the Gettysburg Address. Of course, even Americas founders included elitists like Alexander Hamilton, who argued that we need the selfless rich and wellborn (like him) to check the unsteadiness of the turbulent and changing masses (like the rest of us), who cant distinguish right from wrong. Trump, his populist appeals notwithstanding, has reminded us in uncountable ways how much he represents arrogant elitism.

5. Checks and balances. Americas founders generally viewed power concentrated in the same hands as the very definition of tyranny. So they bequeathed us the separation of powers and the associated checks and balances ideally expected to counter such despotism. As Justice Louis Brandeis once observed: The doctrine of the separation of powers was adopted by the Convention of 1787, not to promote efficiency but to preclude the exercise of arbitrary power. The purpose was not to avoid friction but, by means of the inevitable friction incident to the distribution of the governmental powers among three departments, to save the people from autocracy. That was the ideal. It assumed that well-intentioned human beings, occupying public office for the common good, would fulfill their institutional responsibilities in accord with the founders design. Trump, the quintessential divider and conqueror, has led the way in falsifying that idealistic assumption, institutional loyalty consistently giving way to party and ideological loyalties. The result has been a resounding affirmation of George Washingtons cynical but telling assessment of political parties in his Farewell Address: Let me . . . warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally. . . . [The spirit of party] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.

6. Majority rule. Ours is a society diverse by nature and a polity pluralistic by choice: E pluribus unum (Out of many, one). Our efforts to find a comfortable medium between consensus and compromise  to forge unity from disunity  are guided in principle by majority rule: the many over the few. As presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison observed in 1888: The bottom principle . . . of our structure of government is the principle of control by the majority. Everything else about our government is appendage, it is ornamentation. Americas founders were appropriately deferential to this foundational principle, but they were also sorely concerned about majority tyranny riding roughshod over minority well-being. Thomas Jefferson noted in his first inaugural address: Though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable. . . . The minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression. Under Trump, abetted by his acolytes in Congress, the founders fears of majority tyranny have given way to a new reality of minority tyranny in which a small band of strident true believers aligned with Trump has effectively and persistently run government into an entropic state of dysfunctional misrule. This state of affairs, though obvious to all, has thus far eluded cure (or even rational diagnosis).

7. Civilian control of the military. It is an article of generally unquestioned faith that civilian control of the military is fundamental to a healthy democracy. It was at the heart of Abraham Lincolns relief of Gen. George McClellan, Harry Trumans relief of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and, arguably, Barack Obamas relief of Gen. Stanley McChrystal. At root, it is about the mutuality of political neutrality: the militarys obligation to be apolitical and the concomitant obligation of civilian officials not to politicize the military. That is the ostensible basis for mutual trust and respect among the parties to the social contract. Because Trump has regularly disparaged those in uniform who died in combat as losers and suckers, badmouthed his generals and sought to misuse the military for all manner of missions, from border security to domestic crowd suppression, we are prompted to ask, more pointedly than ever, whether long-standing prohibitions against dissent and disobedience by those in uniform ought still to prevail if he again becomes commander in chief.

8. The presidential oath. Ordinarily, most of us might consider the presidents constitutional oath of office (Article II, Section 1) to be a matter of little more than ritualistic import. Not so where Donald Trump is concerned. Consider the words: I . . . will to the best of my Ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Making the presidents commitment to the Constitution contingent on his ability (and, by implication, his will or intention) represents a potentially meaningless obligation, especially in light of Trumps mammoth inabilities on so many fronts. The president also swears (Article II, Section 3) to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed (presumably as they were intended to be carried out). Given Trumps unyielding efforts to circumvent and undermine the law in countless ways, this provision provides woefully little cause for confidence. Consider Trumps excessive use of executive actions (894 of them) in lieu of laws and his unhesitating practice of pulling out of treaties, which are, as stipulated in the Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2), the supreme law of the land.

9. Federalism. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution specifies that The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people, while Article IV, Section 4 guarantees every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government. Thus, just as the founders expected horizontal checks and balances at the national level, they also bowed to the imperative for vertical checks and balances between the states and the national government. This balance between the National and State governments, said Alexander Hamilton, ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights, they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits by a certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them. Currently, there are 27 Republican governors and 23 Republican trifectas, where the Republican Party holds the governorship and a majority in both houses of the state legislature. Republicans control almost 55% of all state legislative seats nationally and hold a majority in 56 chambers. As with checks and balances at the national level, there are increasingly ample opportunities for Republican governors and legislators sympathetic to Trump to collude with him on matters worthy of more robust tension between state and national governments, such as abortion, voting integrity or the federalization of National Guard units.

10. Civil liberties. Calvin Coolidge, not otherwise known for penetrating rhetoric, once observed: Men speak of natural rights, but I challenge any one to show where in nature any rights existed or were recognized until there was established for their declaration and protection a duly promulgated body of corresponding laws. This statement, a counterpoise to the natural-rights thinking of most of Americas founders, could pass as a reflection of Trumpian thinking yesterday, today and tomorrow. Trump, the lawgiver, the dispenser of rights, has made abundantly clear that, under a second Trump regime, we will have to fight to keep the civil liberties we regard as sacred. Free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, due process, unreasonable search and seizure, and habeas corpus, in particular, will all be up for grabs  especially for immigrants, people of color, those who are LGBTQ, environmentalists, the liberal media and even Democrats. Gone may be the days when we could accept the view once propounded by Justice Hugo Black as a given: It is my belief that there are absolutes in our Bill of Rights, and that they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant, and meant their prohibitions to be absolute.

11. Impeachment. Thanks to a twice-impeached Donald Trump, we have come to know more about impeachment than we ever wanted to. Over the course of the countrys history, it has rightly been a rare political, pseudo-judicial act, reserved for only the highest of crimes and misdemeanors (well, except for the case of Bill Clinton). Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution specifies that The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. Trumps two impeachments  the first for his strong-arming of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig dirt on the Bidens; the second for his role in instigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill  both resulted in acquittals by the Senate. This lent more than a modicum of weight to the observation once made by Thomas Jefferson: Experience has already shown that the impeachment the Constitution has provided is not even a scarecrow. Beyond that, though, with the now-dismissed impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the now-stalled House inquiry of Joe Biden, impeachment has now been degraded from a matter of the utmost consequence to a hyper-politicized clown show that could become a routine occurrence.

12. Immigration. Have we in this country forgotten the fact that we are a nation of immigrants? The United States is home to more international migrants than any other country, and more than the next four countries  Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Kingdom. Asked whether they think immigration is a good thing or a bad thing for our country today, roughly 70 percent of respondents to opinion polls have repeatedly said its a good thing. Yet we give every evidence of having grown numb to the incessant, mean-spirited anti-immigrant harangues of Donald Trump. He has openly expressed his contempt for subhuman vermin from s**thole countries poisoning the blood of our country. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me read the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. We would be fully justified, were we not so casually indifferent, in repeating the question Eleanor Roosevelt posed over 85 years ago: What has happened to us in this country? If we study our own history, we find that we have always been ready to receive the unfortunate from other countries, and though this may seem a generous gesture on our part, we have profited a thousandfold by what they have brought us.

13. Judicial review. It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is. These famous words of Chief Justice John Marshall in the landmark 1803 Marbury v. Madison case established the principle and practice of judicial review. This would have continued to be a normative good if not for Trumps wholesale politicization of the judiciary through 274 federal judicial nominees, including three to the Supreme Court. Ideally, judicial nominees would be considered on the basis of meritocratic principles, especially since they serve lifetime appointments, largely unaccountable and with no realistic fear of being ousted from office. But in reality, ideological purity and political loyalty have become the overriding desiderata of the day. Certainly they were for Trump, abetted by loyalists in the Senate who forsook their institutional obligations, and we have been left to live with the consequences (e.g., the Dobbs v. Jackson decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and the foot dragging of Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon in the federal classified documents case against Trump). Jefferson warned us of the dangers of judges having the final call: To consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. But the late, great Justice Robert Jackson spoke with characteristic wisdom when he stated in a later opinion: We are not final because we are infallible, but we are infallible only because we are final. Fallibility becomes the order of the day when those in judicial robes forsake their institutional duty to rule objectively in favor of political and ideological loyalties.

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14. Professionalism in public service. Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations specifies for all who serve in government the basic obligation of public service: Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gain. In contrast to the conditional presidential oath of office, all civil service and military professionals swear unconditionally to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. These are the individuals whose loyalty, by design, is to the Constitution, not to an individual or an office. Trump, who demands nothing less than unconditional loyalty to himself alone, has inveighed vehemently and regularly against these disloyal members of the so-called deep state: Either the deep state destroys America or we destroy the deep state, he has said. His ill-concealed plan, accordingly, is to force as many of these public servants as possible out of government. It is a sad commentary that, currently, fewer than two in 10 Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always (1%) or most of the time (15%). This is among the lowest measures of public trust in the federal government in nearly seven decades of polling. There is every reason to doubt that such diminished trust is aimed at or the product of the work of public service professionals. Point the finger instead at the politicians the people elect. How little has changed since Tocqueville penned his 1835 masterwork, Democracy in America: On my arrival in the United States I was struck by the degree of ability among the governed and the lack of it among the governing.

15. Civic engagement and civic virtue. Who would have thought that Trumps antics and shenanigans would have the effect of energizing the civil society in this country  both those who oppose Trump and those who support him  that serves as the mediating mechanism between the public and private spheres of American life? In the words of one authoritative observer: Many consider the Donald Trump presidency a detriment to the values of human rights and the international order. But there is a silver lining: Civil society engagement and interest in politics has increased exponentially. It was Jefferson who believed so fervently in the existence of a natural aristocracy  an aristocratic class born not of wealth or heritage but of virtue and talent. Elsewhere, he would say or imply that the virtue he espoused, civic virtue, required and reflected an educated electorate: I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves: and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is, not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power. It somehow seems only logical that when Trump pontificates arrogantly, as he invariably does  Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it; I am the only one that can save this nation; I'm the only one that matters in setting U.S. foreign policy; I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me  the natural reaction of the civically literate in our midst is active civic engagement.

16. "Emoluments." Article II, Section 1 and Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution prohibit the president in particular and public officials in general from receiving any emolument from domestic or foreign sources while in office. Emoluments, in constitutional law, are any perquisite, advantage, or profit arising from the possession of an office. Numerous suits for emoluments violations were filed against Trump during his stay in office, all of which were ignored by the courts. On Jan. 4, 2024, the Democratic side of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee issued a 156-page report, White House for Sale, showing that 20 governments, including China and Saudi Arabia, paid at least $7.8 million during Trump's presidency to Trump business entities, principally hotels. In almost every sense, starting with his refusal to divest his business interests while in office, Trump flouted these constitutional provisions and thereby set a new standard for unchecked presidential profiteering. As Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland notes in the foreword to the White House for Sale report: We dont have the laws in place to deal with a president who is willing to brazenly convert the presidency into a business for self-enrichment and wealth maximization with the collusive participation of foreign states. No other president had ever come close before to trying a rip-off like this simply based on vacuuming up foreign government money, which was the cardinal presidential offense and betrayal in the eyes of the Founders.

17. The 14th and 25th Amendments. Before there was Donald Trump, who among us had even the remotest clue what the 14th and 25th amendments to the Constitution were all about? Now, aside from what we have witnessed first-hand, we have statements from at least two dozen former Trump officials that he is demonstrably unfit for office. This complements polling results showing that roughly 60% of Americans share that view. Add to this the fact that three states, having officially ruled him an insurrectionist, have sought to remove him from their ballots. So, there is plenty of reason for us to pay attention to these two previously obscure amendments. The 14th Amendment was enacted in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War. Section 3 bars from public office government officials who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to the countrys enemies. The 25th Amendment, enacted in 1967, deals with presidential succession and disability. Section 4 provides for the removal of the president from office when the vice president and the heads of the executive departments collectively communicate to the Congress that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Both amendments, having been the subject of serious scrutiny and debate during Trumps time in office, open avenues of recourse and redress that are henceforth unlikely to escape notice in the face of another Trump-like presidential figure. Only two sticking points stand in the way: in the case of the 14th, proof of intent or conduct; in the case of the 25th, the courage to overcome supplicancy.

18. Electoral College. Donald Trump ascended to the presidency, let us recall, on the basis not of the popular vote, but of the electoral count. Then, of course, the subsequent manipulation of electors represented probably the central feature of Trumps failed attempt to change the results of his 2020 election loss. Those two facts should endow any caring individual with a critical skepticism of the wisdom, or unwisdom, of Americas founders in establishing the Electoral College in the first place. The Electoral College idea was nothing more elegant or thoughtful than a compromise between the founders who thought the president should be elected by the Congress and those who favored the popular vote. Jefferson and Hamilton, betes noires on so many issues, framed the debate. From Hamilton the elitist, in Federalist 68: The process of election [by the Electoral College] affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. From Jefferson the populist, much later: I have ever considered the constitutional mode of election . . . as the most dangerous blot on our constitution, and one which some unlucky chance will some day hit. The 2024 election will test again whether this inelegant compromise by the founders stands up to the assertion once made by Attorney General Ramsey Clark: Most faults are not in our Constitution, but in ourselves.

19. Fake news and disinformation. The Oxford Dictionaries made post-truth the word of the year in 2016, thus officially anointing it a bona fide thing where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. Trump, more than any other single individual in recent memory, has single-handedly made post-truth discourse the defining element of our times. He viciously lambasts information he doesnt like as fake, while flooding the zone with misinformation and disinformation he concocts to manage his image. Trumps standard of truth and truth-telling owes much to Adolf Hitlers conception of the Big Lie: The bigger the lie and the more often it is repeated, the more likely the simple-minded masses are to accept it as true. The 30,573 false or misleading claims Trump made as president, according to the Washington Post, attest to his belief that lying is the perfectly acceptable norm. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular, he has said. I call it truthful hyperbole. Its an innocent form of exaggeration, and a very effective form of promotion. To have been exposed to Trump  and those who mirror his methods  is to leave forever unanswered the question of whether honesty and politics can coexist.

20. Presidential pardons. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the president unfettered, unilateral Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. Every president has issued them, many in the hundreds, some in the thousands. Obama granted 1,927, Lyndon Johnson 1,187, Dwight Eisenhower 1,157, Harry Truman 2,044 and Franklin D. Roosevelt 3,687. Trump, by comparison, granted only 237, but they included all manner of conspirators, obstructionists, robbers, murderers, drug and arms traffickers, tax evaders, money launderers and embezzlers, including Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn. Now, though, in typical Trumpian fashion, he has upped the ante to new levels by raising the question of an eventual self-pardon, and threatening to pardon the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrectionists. Little wonder that George Mason, largely alone among our founders in this regard, was moved to observe in 1788: The President ought not to have the power of pardoning, because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some future day, that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. If he has the power of granting pardons before indictment, or conviction, may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection?

Donald Trump owns all of the foregoing issues, along with their troubling consequences. Let us admit, though, that he isnt the sole proprietor. Plenty of others before him and alongside him have made unhealthy mortgage payments and engaged in limited partnerships to undermine democracy. But he is the principal developer, whose maladroitness and misbehavior have alerted all who pay attention to the singular danger he alone represents. Just as the era of Joseph McCarthy came to bear the ignominious label of McCarthyism, so too, months and years hence, may the era of Trump come to be known as Trumpism, its defining characteristics including narcissism, arrogance, hatefulness, ignorance, intolerance and greed.

So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, said Aldous Huxley with surpassing insight, Caesars and Napoleons will duly rise and make them miserable.
FILE - Randal Worcester departs from the Crawford County, Ark., Justice Center in Van Buren, Ark., Aug. 22, 2022. A second former Arkansas law enforcement officer has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of the man he repeatedly punched during a violent arrest in 2022 that was caught on video and shared widely. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  A second former Arkansas law enforcement officer has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a man he repeatedly punched during a violent arrest in 2022 that was caught on video and shared widely.

Former Crawford County sheriff's deputy Levi White changed his plea during a hearing in federal court on Friday, according to court documents. White pleaded guilty to a felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law during the Aug. 21, 2022, arrest of Randal Worcester outside a convenience store.

White and another former deputy, Zackary King, were charged by federal prosecutors last year for the arrest. A bystander used a cellphone to record the arrest in the small town of Mulberry, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, near the border with Oklahoma. King on Monday pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

A third officer caught in the video, Mulberry Police Officer Thell Riddle, was not charged in the federal case. King and White were fired by the Crawford County sheriff. The video depicted King and White striking Worcester as Riddle held him down. White also slammed Worcester's head onto the pavement.

A trial had been scheduled next month for White and King before the two changed their pleas. Sentencing hearings will be held later. White faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Police have said Worcester was being questioned for threatening a clerk at a convenience store in the nearby small town of Alma when he tackled one of the deputies and punched him in the head before the arrest. Worcester is set to go to trial in July on charges related to the arrest, including resisting arrest and second-degree battery.

Worcester filed a lawsuit in 2022 against the three officers, the city of Mulberry and Crawford County over the arrest. But that case has been put on hold while the criminal cases related to the arrest are ongoing.
3 people taken to hospitals after North Texas building explodes; cause unknown

Three people were taken to hospitals after a building exploded on Saturday in Pilot Point, the Pilot Point Fire Department announced in a social media post.

Around 12:20 p.m. Saturday, the Pilot Point Fire Department was dispatched to an explosion in the 8000 block of East FM 455.

Pilot Point is about 57 miles north of Fort Worth.

When units arrived at the scene, they found a building that had severe structural damage from an apparent explosion, the post says.

Three people were found with varying degrees of burns, according to the post.

The Aubrey, Sanger, and Denton Fire Departments assisted with transporting patients to local burn/trauma centers.

The Denton County Fire Marshals Office was called in to investigate the cause of the explosion. The cause has not yet been determined, and there is an ongoing investigation.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Four people were hospitalized, including two firefighters, after a Saturday morning fire at a residence on Jewett Avenue, Buffalo Fire officials announced.

Officials said the blaze began around 4 a.m. on the first floor of 294 Jewett Ave., which was occupied at the time. One resident was able to make it out safely, while another was rescued by firefighters from the porch roof.

Both residents were transported to ECMC to be treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries. The two firefighters were also taken to ECMC for treatment, according to officials.

Officials said the fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to the residence, and the Red Cross is assisting four adults. The blazes cause remains under investigation.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
4 hurt in Saturday night crash outside of Loris that damaged utility pole

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Four people were hospitalized Saturday night following a one-vehicle crash outside on Highway 348 outside of Loris, Horry County Fire Rescue said.

Crews were dispatched just before midnight to the area of West Bear Grass Road due a wreck with entrapment involving a utility pole.

No further information was immediately provided. The crash remains under investigation.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area as crews work to fix the pole.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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Several hundred people gathered at an empty lot between two tiny strip malls along County Line Road in Chaparral, New Mexico, for a 420 celebration.

GT 420 Music Fest, organized by James and Christina Perez, owners of GT Dispensary in Chaparral, featured an all-day lineup of bands in English and Spanish and finished with an appearance by California hip-hop rap artist Lil Rob.

More: When is Earth Day 2024? Here's how to celebrate the day in El Paso

Hip-hop and rap artist Lil Rob entertain spectators on Saturday at the GT 420 Music Fest in Chaparral, New Mexico.

Though one myth has it that 420, 4/20 or 4:20 originates from a police code for marijuana, the true story is that a group of teenagers in 1970s California used 4:20 to allude to the time when they would meet after school to smoke. The term spread after it was used on a flyer distributed at a Grateful Dead concert in the early 90s, USA TODAY reported. Now, April 20 is known worldwide as a day to celebrate all things cannabis-related.

The dispensary owners wanted to give back to the community, so they decided to organize the free family-friendly event, they said.

James Perez, organizer of the GT 420 Music Fest in Chaparral, N.M., speaks to the crowd of spectators on April 20, 2024. The free event was organized by James and his wife, Christina Perez, owner of GT Dispensary, because they want to educate the public on the myriad uses of cannabis.

The introduction of New Mexico's cannabis industry to El Paso has facilitated easy access to legal cannabis, and dispensaries consistently attract a significant share of their customers from nearby El Paso.

James Perez uses it for medicinal purposes, but in the past, he had to travel from Chaparral to Las Cruces or Sunland Park to buy it. He and his wife decided to open their own dispensary in 2022 to provide marijuana for their community.

James Perez said that he and his wife want to prove that cannabis is far more useful than the popular stereotype of its recreational use might suggest.

Vintage cars are part of the show as spectators enjoy music, food, and cannabis-themed merchandise at the GT 420 Music Fest in Chaparral, New Mexico, on Saturday, April 20.

Cannabis is a blessing because its medication, Perez said. We have customers in wheelchairs, customers with cancer. It can do so much for the body. Id love for people to see it as medication.

El Paso law enforcement, however, continues to enforce Texas marijuana laws. Both the city of El Paso and El Paso County have created programs to issue citations for people caught with low-level possession of marijuana. The citations can carry a hefty $500 fine.

Spectators enjoy music, food, and cannabis-themed merchandise at the GT 420 Music Fest in Chaparral, New Mexico.

Hip-hop rap artist Lil Rob performs at the GT 420 Music Fest on Saturday, April 20, in Chaparral, New Mexico.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 420 fest draws crowds for cannabis celebration in New Mexico
Pro-abortion rights demonstrators rally in Scottsdale, Ariz., after the state Supreme Court ruled a 160-year-old abortion ban was enforceable in the state. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)

In his entertaining 2019 book, How to Become a Federal Criminal, the criminal defense attorney Mike Chase offers dozens of examples of inane or outdated laws that somehow have remained in force over the decades, at least technically.

For instance, did you know that unless you are an actor playing a postal worker, it is a federal crime to dress up as a mail carrier? Or to paint your vehicle to look like a postal truck? Its also a federal crime to reuse a postage stamp. Or clog a toilet in a national forest.

And the problem of so-called zombie laws isnt just a federal one. States also have outdated laws. Rarely do their dumb prohibitions rise from the dead to wreak havoc on our lives.

But its happening now with a vengeance.

And we have our current ultraconservative, ultrareligious U.S. Supreme Court majority to thank for this dispiriting state of affairs.

In 2022, the new-but-definitely-not-improved Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of reproductive rights in its disastrous 2022 Dobbs ruling, enabling the resuscitation of laws and court decisions that would strip Americans of all kinds of reproductive rights, including possibly, as weve recently seen, the right to conceive children outside the uterus.

Read more: Abcarian: Never forget  Nicole Brown Simpson's murder redefined our understanding of domestic violence

As never before, women in this country are being traumatized by retrograde forces determined to impose their specific religious views on everyone else. The goal, as always, is to force women to bear children they dont wish to have by elevating the rights of embryos and fetuses above those of living, breathing adult human beings.

Exhibit A, of course, is the 19th century, long-dormant Arizona antiabortion law, which was revived recently by that states Supreme Court. The law, which outlaws abortion even in the case of rape or incest, was enacted in 1864. It became moot in 1973, but now, the federal right to abortion, as they say, is no longer operative.

Earlier this month, the Republican-dominated Arizona House refused to even consider the question of whether to overturn the states antiquated law, prompting cries of Shame! from Democrats on the floor. Last week, however, two Republicans joined Democrats in the Arizona Senate to vote to bring the proposed repeal to a vote; the House is still blocking it.

Radical legislators protected a Civil War-era total abortion ban that jails doctors, strips women of our bodily autonomy and puts our lives at risk, said Arizona's Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Read more: Abcarian: Why would a rape survivor endorse Donald Trump?

Which brings us to the Comstock Act, an 1873 federal law that banned anything related to contraception or abortion (or pornography or even love letters that described sex acts) from being transported through the U.S. mails. It came as no surprise to me that Mike Chase begins his compendium of silly federal laws with a mention of this law.

Currently, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Food and Drug Administration overstepped its authority by allowing abortion medications to be sent through the mail. The drug at issue, mifepristone, is part of a two-drug regimen that is not only extremely safe but accounts for more than half of all abortions in America.

The man who inspired the law, Anthony Comstock, was born in 1844. He was a crusading Christian moralist of the fire-and-brimstone variety who fought on the Union side during the Civil War. After the war, he moved to New York City and was appalled by what he saw: prostitution, pornography, advertisements for contraception and abortifacients, which he believed promoted lust and lewdness.

Read more: Abcarian: Bravo to France for enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution  a worldwide first

He founded the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, which functioned as a kind of morality police. The society, which finally bit the dust in 1950, opposed Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sangers efforts to promote birth control, and also, not incidentally, successfully fought to ban James Joyces masterpiece Ulysses, which it considered obscene.

So how are abortion foes trying to breathe new life into the Comstock Act today?

In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, the FDA loosened restrictions on abortion medications and declared that they could be sent to patients by mail, instead of requiring them to obtain them in person. The agency's mifepristone approval and its delivery mechanism, said a group of physicians who oppose abortion, went beyond the FDA's authority. The Supreme Court is not reviewing the claim that the mailed drugs violate the Comstock Act, but the law is hovering in the background.

Even if the Supreme Court rejects the argument that the FDA should not have loosened its restrictions on mifepristone, which would wreak havoc on drug companies, its quite possible that a new administration hostile to abortion rights could find a way to enforce the Comstock Act anyway.

Read more: Abcarian: How the Alabama IVF ruling unmasks the hypocrisy of antiabortion zealots

That could effectively make abortion impossible to access even in places like Minnesota, which has affirmatively protected a womans right to choose by passing reproductive freedom laws, wrote Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota recently in the New York Times. California could be vulnerable as well.

If a president were willing to reanimate the Comstock Act, some have speculated, it could be used not just to outlaw abortion, but to ban birth control, condoms and even sex toys in the mail. Do not for one moment believe that is not the goal of some of the fiercest antiabortion advocates.

What is the opposite of back to the future?

Forward to the past?

Seems to be where we are heading these days.

@robinkabcarian





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Military and humanitarian aid could be on its way to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan within weeks after the U.S. House took a series of overwhelmingly bipartisan votes Saturday to approve $95 billion in emergency assistance  and the Senate appeared poised to agree.

The approval in a rare weekend session ended months of deadlock. House GOP leaders struggled with whether they should block or provide aid amid ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine as well as mounting concerns about Chinas approach to Taiwan.

The decision to debate aid to Ukraine, and pass the bill with a majority of the yes votes coming from Democrats, presents a risk to Speaker Mike Johnsons leadership role in the party, amid rising anger from far-right party members.

The three bills  as well as a measure to ban the popular app TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it  now go to the Senate as one package, where leaders hope to vote on the legislation as soon as Tuesday.

President Joe Biden, who sent a supplemental spending request to Congress asking for the aid six months ago, is expected to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.

House lawmakers supported $60.84 billion in additional assistance for Ukraine on a 311-112 vote, while cheering and waving small Ukrainian flags on the floor. One lawmaker voted present.

Members voted 366-58 to approve the $26.38 billion Israel and humanitarian assistance bill.

The $8.12 billion funding bill for the Indo-Pacific received backing on a 385-34 vote. One lawmaker voted present.

The 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act that includes the TikTok bill passed following a 360-58 vote.

The three emergency spending bills will provide significant boosts in funding for the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which will use that money to help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as other allies.

From Ohio, only Republican U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson voted against the Israel and Gaza humanitarian assistance bill. The Ukraine bill was opposed by Davidson and fellow Ohio Republican U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson and Jim Jordan. All other Ohio U.S. House representatives supported it.

Ronald Reagan cited repeatedly

Far-right Republicans railed against the bills, and the decision by Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to hold a floor vote, while their colleagues in both parties said the funding would help protect democracies around the world, aid refugees fleeing war and bolster Americas defense industrial base.

GOP lawmakers repeatedly referenced former President Ronald Reagans peace through strength foreign policy strategy, choosing the partys long-held standard-bearer over the isolationism championed by other leaders.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said the last few years have produced echoes of a dark time in world history that began nearly a century ago.

In the 1930s, evil regimes bent on aggression, domination and even genocide took their first steps down a dark road that would eventually lead to world war, Cole said. Tragically, the democratic West turned inward then; standing idly by while fascist regimes began to take aggressive actions against their weaker neighbors.

There was time then to put a stop to aggression, Cole added. If only we had had the fortitude and the wherewithal to stand firmly on the side of freedom.

Actions today by China with respect to Taiwan, Irans aggression toward Israel and Russias invasion of Ukraine stand as a modern threat to democracy, leaving a choice for the United States and other democracies, Cole said.

Peace through strength cannot be delivered through appeasement, Cole said. We cannot wish our way to national security and we cannot thrust our heads into the sand while aggressive nations threaten their neighbors.

U.S. defense of democracy

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said the emergency spending bills provided an opportunity for Congress to signal to the world that the United States defends democracies.

We have a moment today to say No to tyranny, DeLauro said. We have a moment to take back the moral high ground for the United States and say, We do not walk away from an ally. We do not walk away from freedom. We do not walk away from human rights. We do not walk away from democracy. That is not the United States of America.

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is leading an effort to remove Johnson as speaker through a motion to vacate that so far has attracted two more backers, argued during debate that Congress should enact new border security and immigration policy instead of foreign aid.

The federal government continues to fund the military industrial complex and this is a business model that requires Congress to continue to vote for money, to continue to fund foreign wars, Greene said.

And this is a business model the American people do not support, Greene added. They dont support a business model built on blood and murder and war in foreign countries, while this very government does nothing to secure our border.

Biden wrote in a statement released after the vote that the bills would deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world; and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

It comes at a moment of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia, Biden wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the House for passing the assistance in a social media post.

Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it, Zelenskyy wrote. The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger.

How the Ukraine aid would be spent

Nearly $48 billion of the $60.84 billion total for the Ukraine aid bill would go to the U.S. Defense Department to provide weapons and supplies for Ukraines military, to replenish stockpiles of weapons and other equipment sent to Ukraine and to bolster U.S. Armed Forces European Commands operations.

The U.S. State Department would receive nearly $9.5 billion in forgivable economic loans to dispense, $7.8 billion to send Ukraine defense equipment and $2 billion for security assistance.

The U.S. Energy Department would get $149 million to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine, according to a summary of the bill.

Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations spending panel, said that lawmakers had the choice to turn our heads away, and hope to appease this great evil, or we can stand with our allies and confront this nefarious scourge.

History has taught us that appeasement does not work and it was attempted not that long ago, Diaz-Balart said.

The Ukraine bill, he said, requires a clear strategy from the administration that defines and prioritizes U.S. national security interests and categorized the economic aid as a forgivable loan for the first time.

Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the Ukraine Caucus, gave an impassioned speech advocating the United States as a defender of democracy around the world, rejecting calls from some lawmakers to stop support for Ukraines defense against Russias invasion.

For those who may naively think America can sit on the sidelines and seek isolation, please know this old adage  If you take no interest in foreign affairs, foreign affairs will find you, Kaptur said.

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, an Alabama Republican, urged support for aid to Ukraine, saying that China, North Korea and Iran are eagerly aiding and abetting (Russian President Vladimir) Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine, because they know a Russian victory there will seriously undercut American credibility and deterrence and leave our allies exposed.

I fear Putin will use victory in Ukraine as a springboard to invade Eastern Europe, Rogers said. We cant let that happen.

House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to reject amendments from Republican Reps. Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Greene and Kat Cammack of Florida.

Spartzs proposal would have removed several sections from the bill. Greenes would have zeroed out all the funding levels in the bill. And Cammacks would have removed all non-military funding in the bill, like economic aid.

Funding for Israel

The $26.38 billion Israel aid bill would direct $13 billion of that to the U.S. Defense Department to provide that country with funding for the Iron Dome, Davids Sling and Iron Beam defense systems.

An additional $9.15 billion would go to the U.S. State Department for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and other vulnerable populations with an additional $3.6 billion for security assistance to Israel, according to a summary.

Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she has visited Israel three times since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which killed more than 1,200 people and took hundreds hostage. Her visits bolstered her support for emergency spending for that country, she said.

It is incomprehensible that the Israeli hostages captured on Simchat Torah are still in Hamas captivity as we approach Passover, she said. I rise to finally provide long overdue aid to our ally Israel as she fights to defend herself against threats on multiple fronts.

Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan rebuked how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted the war in Gaza, saying that widespread bombings are a collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza.

Pocan said that Netanyahus decisions not to accept a two-state solution, his refusal to listen to U.S. warnings against invading Rafah and his decision to strike Iran after the White House urged against it, all mean that Netanyahu should no longer be trusted with offensive weapons.

Enough is enough, Pocan said. I support the people of Israel, who dont want bombs raining on them from extremists in Gaza, and the hostages must be released. I also support the Palestinians, who deserve human rights and dignity.

The deaths of 35,000 people so far in Gaza, a figure provided by health authorities in Gaza, and the possibility that thousands more civilians will die from starvation and disease is unacceptable, he said.

We are better than that, so is Israel. Im not sure Netanyahu is, Pocan said. And thats why I cant vote to provide him with more unconditional offensive weapons today.

Indo-Pacific assistance

The $8.12 billion bill for the Indo-Pacific would divvy up the funding to several entities, with $5.6 billion going to the U.S. Defense Department for integrated deterrence and the submarine industrial base.

The U.S. State Department would receive $2 billion in foreign military financing for allies in the region, according to a summary.

California Republican Rep. Young Kim spoke in support of providing additional support for Taiwan, saying that if Chinese leader Xi Jinping is successful in his ambitions to take Taiwan, it will directly hurt our economy, our national security and our leadership globally.

We need our allies and partners to trust us and our adversaries to respect us, Kim said. This is about freedom versus authoritarianism. This is about maintaining a world order that is safe for future generations. History will judge this institution and our country based on how we vote today.

Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer said the House was finally doing the right thing by approving the bills.

Today moral courage and sound strategic thinking finally defeat the partisan cynicism and the political calculation of a small minority of this body who have held our national interest hostage, Beyer said.

TikTok divestment

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, a 184-page bill, bundles together numerous measures, including language that would ban the social media app TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it amid national security concerns about that government having access to Americans data.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, ranking member on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said during debate that section of the bill wasnt about eliminating Americans access to TikTok, but forcing its parent company to sell the site.

Its not really about TikTok, its about ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok and is indisputably controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, Krishnamoorthi said, noting this bill extends the time for divestment from six months to one year.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said forcing the sale of TikTok would protect American children from the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

It is a modern day Trojan horse of the CCP, used to surveil and exploit Americas personal information, McCaul said.

That bill also includes the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, or Repo Act, that would allow the United States to confiscate Russian sovereign assets that have been frozen in the United States and transfer them to assist in Ukraines reconstruction efforts, according to a summary.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Aid to Ukraine, Israel overwhelmingly approved by U.S. House in bipartisan vote appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Military and humanitarian aid could be on its way to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan within weeks after the U.S. House took a series of overwhelmingly bipartisan votes Saturday to approve $95 billion in emergency assistance  and the Senate appeared poised to agree.

The approval in a rare weekend session ended months of deadlock. House GOP leaders struggled with whether they should block or provide aid amid ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine as well as mounting concerns about Chinas approach to Taiwan.

The decision to debate aid to Ukraine, and pass the bill with a majority of the yes votes coming from Democrats, presents a risk to Speaker Mike Johnsons leadership role in the party, amid rising anger from far-right party members.

The three bills  as well as a measure to ban the popular app TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it  now go to the Senate as one package, where leaders hope to vote on the legislation as soon as Tuesday.

President Joe Biden, who sent a supplemental spending request to Congress asking for the aid six months ago, is expected to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.

House lawmakers supported $60.84 billion in additional assistance for Ukraine on a 311-112 vote, while cheering and waving small Ukrainian flags on the floor. One lawmaker voted present.

Members voted 366-58 to approve the $26.38 billion Israel and humanitarian assistance bill.

The $8.12 billion funding bill for the Indo-Pacific received backing on a 385-34 vote. One lawmaker voted present.

The 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act that includes the TikTok bill passed following a 360-58 vote.

The three emergency spending bills will provide significant boosts in funding for the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which will use that money to help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as other allies.

Maines two representatives, Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, supported each of the bills except Pingree was among the 37 House Democrats who did not vote for aid to Israel. In a statement, Pingree said that while she has long supported Israels capacity to defend itself, after clear violations of international law in Gaza and escalating regional instability spurred by the attack on Irans consulate, we cannot continue to send unchecked offensive capabilities to [Israel Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahus government.

Ronald Reagan cited repeatedly

Far-right Republicans railed against the bills, and the decision by Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to hold a floor vote, while their colleagues in both parties said the funding would help protect democracies around the world, aid refugees fleeing war and bolster Americas defense industrial base.

GOP lawmakers repeatedly referenced former President Ronald Reagans peace through strength foreign policy strategy, choosing the partys long-held standard-bearer over the isolationism championed by other leaders.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, said the last few years have produced echoes of a dark time in world history that began nearly a century ago.

In the 1930s, evil regimes bent on aggression, domination and even genocide took their first steps down a dark road that would eventually lead to world war, Cole said. Tragically, the democratic West turned inward then; standing idly by while fascist regimes began to take aggressive actions against their weaker neighbors.

There was time then to put a stop to aggression, Cole added. If only we had had the fortitude and the wherewithal to stand firmly on the side of freedom.

Actions today by China with respect to Taiwan, Irans aggression toward Israel and Russias invasion of Ukraine stand as a modern threat to democracy, leaving a choice for the United States and other democracies, Cole said.

Peace through strength cannot be delivered through appeasement, Cole said. We cannot wish our way to national security and we cannot thrust our heads into the sand while aggressive nations threaten their neighbors.

U.S. defense of democracy

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said the emergency spending bills provided an opportunity for Congress to signal to the world that the United States defends democracies.

We have a moment today to say No to tyranny, DeLauro said. We have a moment to take back the moral high ground for the United States and say, We do not walk away from an ally. We do not walk away from freedom. We do not walk away from human rights. We do not walk away from democracy. That is not the United States of America.

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is leading an effort to remove Johnson as speaker through a motion to vacate that so far has attracted two more backers, argued during debate that Congress should enact new border security and immigration policy instead of foreign aid.

The federal government continues to fund the military industrial complex and this is a business model that requires Congress to continue to vote for money, to continue to fund foreign wars, Greene said.

And this is a business model the American people do not support, Greene added. They dont support a business model built on blood and murder and war in foreign countries, while this very government does nothing to secure our border.

Biden wrote in a statement released after the vote that the bills would deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world; and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

It comes at a moment of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia, Biden wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the House for passing the assistance in a social media post.

Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it, Zelenskyy wrote. The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger.

How the Ukraine aid would be spent

Nearly $48 billion of the $60.84 billion total for the Ukraine aid bill would go to the U.S. Defense Department to provide weapons and supplies for Ukraines military, to replenish stockpiles of weapons and other equipment sent to Ukraine and to bolster U.S. Armed Forces European Commands operations.

The U.S. State Department would receive nearly $9.5 billion in forgivable economic loans to dispense, $7.8 billion to send Ukraine defense equipment and $2 billion for security assistance.

The U.S. Energy Department would get $149 million to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine, according to a summary of the bill.

Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations spending panel, said that lawmakers had the choice to turn our heads away, and hope to appease this great evil, or we can stand with our allies and confront this nefarious scourge.

History has taught us that appeasement does not work and it was attempted not that long ago, Diaz-Balart said.

The Ukraine bill, he said, requires a clear strategy from the administration that defines and prioritizes U.S. national security interests and categorized the economic aid as a forgivable loan for the first time.

Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the Ukraine Caucus, gave an impassioned speech advocating the United States as a defender of democracy around the world, rejecting calls from some lawmakers to stop support for Ukraines defense against Russias invasion.

For those who may naively think America can sit on the sidelines and seek isolation, please know this old adage  If you take no interest in foreign affairs, foreign affairs will find you, Kaptur said.

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, an Alabama Republican, urged support for aid to Ukraine, saying that China, North Korea and Iran are eagerly aiding and abetting (Russian President Vladimir) Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine, because they know a Russian victory there will seriously undercut American credibility and deterrence and leave our allies exposed.

I fear Putin will use victory in Ukraine as a springboard to invade Eastern Europe, Rogers said. We cant let that happen.

House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to reject amendments from Republican Reps. Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Greene and Kat Cammack of Florida.

Spartzs proposal would have removed several sections from the bill. Greenes would have zeroed out all the funding levels in the bill. And Cammacks would have removed all non-military funding in the bill, like economic aid.

Funding for Israel

The $26.38 billion Israel aid bill would direct $13 billion of that to the U.S. Defense Department to provide that country with funding for the Iron Dome, Davids Sling and Iron Beam defense systems.

An additional $9.15 billion would go to the U.S. State Department for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and other vulnerable populations with an additional $3.6 billion for security assistance to Israel, according to a summary.

Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she has visited Israel three times since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which killed more than 1,200 people and took hundreds hostage. Her visits bolstered her support for emergency spending for that country, she said.

It is incomprehensible that the Israeli hostages captured on Simchat Torah are still in Hamas captivity as we approach Passover, she said. I rise to finally provide long overdue aid to our ally Israel as she fights to defend herself against threats on multiple fronts.

Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan rebuked how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted the war in Gaza, saying that widespread bombings are a collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza.

Pocan said that Netanyahus decisions not to accept a two-state solution, his refusal to listen to U.S. warnings against invading Rafah and his decision to strike Iran after the White House urged against it, all mean that Netanyahu should no longer be trusted with offensive weapons.

Enough is enough, Pocan said. I support the people of Israel, who dont want bombs raining on them from extremists in Gaza, and the hostages must be released. I also support the Palestinians, who deserve human rights and dignity.

The deaths of 35,000 people so far in Gaza, a figure provided by health authorities in Gaza, and the possibility that thousands more civilians will die from starvation and disease is unacceptable, he said.

We are better than that, so is Israel. Im not sure Netanyahu is, Pocan said. And thats why I cant vote to provide him with more unconditional offensive weapons today.

Indo-Pacific assistance

The $8.12 billion bill for the Indo-Pacific would divvy up the funding to several entities, with $5.6 billion going to the U.S. Defense Department for integrated deterrence and the submarine industrial base.

The U.S. State Department would receive $2 billion in foreign military financing for allies in the region, according to a summary.

California Republican Rep. Young Kim spoke in support of providing additional support for Taiwan, saying that if Chinese leader Xi Jinping is successful in his ambitions to take Taiwan, it will directly hurt our economy, our national security and our leadership globally.

We need our allies and partners to trust us and our adversaries to respect us, Kim said. This is about freedom versus authoritarianism. This is about maintaining a world order that is safe for future generations. History will judge this institution and our country based on how we vote today.

Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer said the House was finally doing the right thing by approving the bills.

Today moral courage and sound strategic thinking finally defeat the partisan cynicism and the political calculation of a small minority of this body who have held our national interest hostage, Beyer said.

TikTok divestment

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, a 184-page bill, bundles together numerous measures, including language that would ban the social media app TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it amid national security concerns about that government having access to Americans data.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, ranking member on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said during debate that section of the bill wasnt about eliminating Americans access to TikTok, but forcing its parent company to sell the site.

Its not really about TikTok, its about ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok and is indisputably controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, Krishnamoorthi said, noting this bill extends the time for divestment from six months to one year.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said forcing the sale of TikTok would protect American children from the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

It is a modern day Trojan horse of the CCP, used to surveil and exploit Americas personal information, McCaul said.

That bill also includes the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, or Repo Act, that would allow the United States to confiscate Russian sovereign assets that have been frozen in the United States and transfer them to assist in Ukraines reconstruction efforts, according to a summary.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Aid to Ukraine, Israel overwhelmingly approved by U.S. House in bipartisan vote appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  In this weeks Big Country Politics, Aileen Bunting, a candidate for Place 1 on the Abilene Independent School Districts school board, discusses her experience in the district and shares her plans if elected.

Bunting was born and raised in Abilene. She attended AISD and has been working in the mortgage industry for the past 12 years, currently working as a mortgage lender at Prime Lending. She is married to a teacher at Premier High School and is the mother of two middle school-aged children and a 3-year-old.

It would be a disservice if I didnt do it another term: Derek Hood seeks reelection for Abilene ISD school board

For her, serving on the school board is a way to continue her journey in helping others.

Everyday goal is what can I do to help others. Thats just how Ive always been raised to help somebody else. For me, the biggest calling Ive had is to try to be on the board; I feel that we have a lot of issues at hand, and I think, for myself, that its important to know that Im able to bring to action things that we need to do to help us succeed within the district. I feel that not everybody sees the district in the light that I see it, Bunting shared. One of the biggest reasons is not just to help my kids, but all of the other classmates that are within the district.

This is the first time Bunting is running for a local office position, although she is currently serving on the Clack Middle School PTO board and the Professional Women in Building board. Bunting has stated that she thinks the district needs improvement.

A lot of things do concern me within the district. I feel that currently, we have a great group of leaders. But I do think that there are things that we can do to help our students, teachers, administrators, and staff be everything that they can be and achieve everything that they need to achieve, Bunting said. My latest concern, though, is what we just saw on the news regarding a local bus stop. I know that can get a little touchy, but I feel like its important that we dont let things like that slip by. So one of my questions is, what can we do to prevent something like this from happening? How periodically are we checking into our current bus stops and making sure that our children are safe and that we put our kids first and their safety first and foremost?

Bunting shared on her Facebook page five things she would like to implement, including bridging the communication gap between parents/guardians in the district.

I recently saw a new posting on social media with the board meeting about how they actually announced on the school page that its open to the public and everybody can come, including the date and time. But before that, I hadnt seen much of that type of announcement, Bunting said. For me, bridging that communication gap, since I am a parent of curring AISD students, would be more informational materials, more handouts, more fliers, utilizing the remind messaging app that we already use. But yes, using social media as a platform to have our announcements and more day-to-day activities of whats going on within our district.

We cant sit back and idly let education run adrift: Blair Schroeder seeks election to AISD School Board

Diversifying the current school board and teacher workforce is among the top five priorities on her page. Bunting explained that one of the largest topics of discussion at board meetings has been the teacher-to-student ratio for minority students.

So one of the things that theyve mentioned is how we know that thats an issue, and we have extra stipends for trying to get more teachers, trying to get everybody to come to apply for our district and work for our district that is minorities. But for me, since I like asking those questions, I want to know what exactly else we are doing to try to further our minorities. Are we going back through applications that were submitted for qualified teachers? Are we going through more interview processes? These are a lot of questions that Im sure are already being discussed, but I just want to know more, Bunting shared.

She added that she is very concerned about the C rating the district received.

This started declining after the pandemic, like a lot of things. But I feel like were now taking those appropriate steps to get back to an A rating. One of the goals that the board just approved was the North Star Goal, which is saying 85% of the students will have an A or B rating. For me, its like, what do they need? What do our administrators need from the board to get it to achieve this goal? Whether its tools, extra material, what they need to get there, and making sure that they know that they have the full support is very important to me, Bunting said.

TEA Ratings: Abilene ISD drops letter grade, ties for lowest-rated school district in Region 14

Bunting is running against incumbent Derek Hood and candidate Dr. Taylor Tidmore. She stated that her desire to serve the public is what sets her apart from her competitors.

Whats going to differentiate me from them is that I feel that I have that heart and that need for public service, Bunting shared. The worst thing you can do is not try, and for me, its a little more personal. I say this for myself; for example, when I go to my kids middle school campuses, Im greeted by Mama Bunting and Auntie Aileen with hugs. Im asking how their day is going. Ill walk through the hallways, and Ill say hi to the kids. Its not just my kids; my kids are not the main reason for this. I consider all the student body, all of the kids, as one. I feel that we need to see that authenticity, that genuine connection with the kids, and make them feel that they are heard, they are seen, and just being that positive role model for them. As I sit here, I just cant help but wonder what kids are looking up and saying, like she is really going for it. That is awesome. That, to me, is inspirational. And that does volumes.

Its vital that we have the perspective of parents of currents: Dr. Taylor Tidmore shares vision if elected to AISD School Board

This is Buntings message to the Abilene community:

This is my home; I was born and raised here I actually started off in the early childhood educational field with my initial college courses, and so thats always been something that has led me to be involved with the kids, being involved with our community, and giving back to our community I think that at the end of the day, giving back to our communities is the most important and keeping our kids front of the line. And, of course, our teachers, our staff, our administrators, just making sure that they know that theyre the reason why were here. That is always going to be the boards mission statement: helping the student body help the district achieve everything it can. I feel that its important to have a chance on me and actually get to know me. As always, if anybody ever has any questions, they want to get to know me, they want to meet with me; my lines are always open. I have that open communication, and Im never going to just stand somebody up like thats not something that I agree with you about.

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Ambulance driver killed while aiding Palestinians injured in attack by Israeli settlers in the West Bank

An ambulance driver from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society was killed while transporting Palestinians injured in an attack by settlers in the West Bank on Saturday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.

The 50-year-old driver, Mohammed Awad Allah Mohammed Musa, was killed when the ambulance was hit by gunfire, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) told CNN. Israeli settlers fired the shots, it said.

In a separate incident the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) detained another ambulance crew at the entrance of the Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarm, West Bank, the PRCS reported.

In pictures shared by the organization, the ambulance crew is seen siting inside an IDF vehicle while surrounded by IDF soldiers. PRCS says the crew was detained and interrogated while trying to carry out humanitarian work.

CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment.

IDF soldiers detain an ambulance crew at the entrance of the Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarm, West Bank. The ambulance crew is seen siting inside an IDF vehicle while surrounded by soldiers. - Palestinian Red Crescent Society

Earlier on Saturday, the IDF said security forces had killed 10 terrorists in an ongoing operation at the Nur Shams refugee camp, just East of Tulkarm, in the occupied West Bank.

It said in a statement that IDF and Israel Border Police forces are continuing extensive counterterrorism activity in the area of Nur Shams. Thus far, the security forces eliminated 10 terrorists during encounters, apprehended eight wanted suspects, exposed explosive devices and routes, and conducted searches in structures.

It said eight IDF soldiers and one Border Force officer were lightly or moderately injured.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health condemned both the detention of the ambulance crew and the deliberate killing of an ambulance driveron Saturday evening, while he was performing his humanitarian duty in transporting (people with) injuries from settler gunfire near the town of Al-Sawiya, south of Nablus.

The ministry said in a statement that it urgently calls on international health organizations, human rights institutions, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to urgently act to curb the escalating practices of the occupation and settlers against treatment centers and medical crews, and to allow them to perform their humanitarian duty.

The targeting of medics, ambulances, treatment centers, medical staff, obstructing their movement, and preventing them from reaching the wounded, constitutes a blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law and international norms and treaties, the ministry said.

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FIRST ON FOX  The United States needs to maintain its global focus and efforts to stymie the growing cooperation and ambition of "axis of evil states," according to historian and journalist Andrew Roberts, Baron Roberts of Belgravia. Roberts sits in the British House of Lords.

"When it comes to the axis of evil states, frankly, its not the worst thing in the world to have a forever war, especially if you will not actually fight," Roberts, a biographer of several British leaders, including Winston Churchill, told Fox News Digital. "It can be done for an amount which is a really very impressive return on investment."

Roberts, along with retired Gen. David Petraeus, wrote "Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine," an assessment of U.S. foreign conflict involvement examined through the lens of successful strategic leadership. Roberts is currently working on new chapters for the paperback release, which will focus on the war in Gaza and Chinese President Xi Jinpings ambitions for Taiwan.

He argued that the United States, as a global superpower, can and should "walk and chew gum"  so to speak  and that American isolationism would prove "a profoundly dangerous force not just for the rest of the world but for America as well, ultimately."

HOUSE PASSES $60B UKRAINE AID BILL AS GOP REBELS THREATEN TO OUST JOHNSON

China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Iran's Ali Khamenei

"If the United States decides to essentially shrug off the responsibility of a great global superpower that youve been really since the Great White Fleet circumnavigated the world in 1909, a long time ago now one can understand that any titan gets weary," Roberts said. "However, if you were to embrace isolationism, the ultimate response would be from the alliance of anti-democratic nations that we are seeing is working closer and closer ultimately it will rebound terribly on you."

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The desire for an "America First" policy has grown stronger as the U.S. faces down two significant conflicts  first from Russia, now in its third year of invading Ukraine, and from the bubbling tension between Iran and Israel.

Some Republicans particularly have opposed the continued funding of Ukraine without a clear plan as to how the conflict could end, raising fears of another "forever war" like those the U.S. maintained in the Middle East over the past two decades.

House Republicans have worked to condition aid for Ukraine, which has surpassed $113 billion as of March 2024. Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va., called for any funding to Ukraine to be balanced out by spending cuts elsewhere and for it to be paired with U.S. border policy changes. The House finally passed the $60 billion funding bill for Ukraine on Saturday.

TRUMP DEMANDS EUROPE COUGH UP MORE CASH FOR UKRAINE, SAYS WAR WITH RUSSIA WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED ON HIS WATCH

"We cannot continue to borrow and spend money we dont have for wars overseas while failing to protect Americans from the Biden border invasion here at home," Good told Fox News Digital earlier this month. "At a bare minimum, any package for military aid to Ukraine should be fully offset and must include H.R. 2 with performance metrics to secure our own border."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss additional aid from Congress.

Roberts argued that the U.S., as a "great superpower some might argue the only superpower" can protect both itself and support allies in a conflict that has proven an "extremely impressive" return on investment.

"The Ukrainians have taken out well over half of the Russian tank fleet," Roberts noted. "Now, at any stage in American post-war history, if you offer the president that deal, he'd have snapped it up."

"You've got a $825 billion per annum defense budget to spend, [and] less than a 10th of that, take out your opponent's tank fleet, essentially  at least, over half of it  is an amazing return on investment," he added.

'NOTHING MORE BACKWARDS' THAN US FUNDING UKRAINE BORDER SECURITY BUT NOT OUR OWN, CONSERVATIVES SAY

"After 20 years of the forever war in Afghanistan before Biden's, in my view, outrageous scuttle from that country, you'd got it down to the situation where no Americans had died for 18 months, and the whole American cost of this conflict was down to about 20 to $25 billion a year," he said. "That's an amazing thing, to be able to keep the Taliban out of power."

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a D-30 howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on March 21, 2023.

However, Roberts stressed that there should remain limits to the U.S. ambitions overseas, dismissing the idea that Washington should seek Russian regime change as "not our duty, not our job, not our responsibility, and certainly not a very sensible thing."

"The obvious reason is that it would just stoke anti-Western nationalism in Russia," he explained. "No, they can do those things themselves, and I think the point at which they might do that is, as has happened so often in history, when Russian aggression has been shown not to succeed."

Roberts lamented, though, that Russia has made strides in Ukraines easternmost territories, with a breakthrough on the front and potentially bigger gains to come "if the West doesnt help Ukraine more."

Indeed, more and more analysts and commentators have grown increasingly dismal about Ukraines potential successes: The BBC, Politico EU and other outlets in the last week have run articles discussing why and how Ukraine could face defeat this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any victory hinges on continued funding from allies to keep pace with Russia.

Roberts suggested that such doomsday prophecies may prove premature, stressing that "theres no such thing as inevitability in history."

"So many times in history, you've seen one thing about to happen and then the opposite happens," Roberts mused. "These breakthroughs the Russians are having in certain theaters not major ones so far, but they are fighting with a shell advantage, and that's because the United States and Europe are not providing the shells."

"It's certainly not inevitable that either the Ukrainians win or lose that war unless, of course, we stopped providing them with the wherewithal to continue to fight," he warned. "It's them that are putting up in the blood, huge amounts of it, but simply because Russia is a bigger country does not mean that it's automatically going to win: If that was the case, you'd have won in Vietnam."

Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.





Original article source: America First foreign policy profoundly dangerous,' invites multi-front war, eminent historian warns
DHAKA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh signed a 71 million U.S. dollar loan agreement to improve flood control, irrigation, and water resources management in rural communities in Gopalganj and Madaripur districts to strengthen their preparedness and resilience to the effects of climate change.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance, and Edimon Ginting, country director of ADB in Bangladesh, signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony at ERD in Dhaka Saturday.

"This project reflects ADB's renewed commitment to help Bangladesh tackle climate change challenges through improved flood control, irrigation, and water resources management," said Ginting.

"Building on our previous successful projects in this area, the new project will further boost economic growth and productivity, increase incomes and sustainable livelihoods, especially for women and vulnerable groups, and reduce poverty in rural areas of southwest Bangladesh," Ginting added.

The Climate-Resilient Integrated Southwest Project for Water Resources Management is expected to benefit more than 600,000 people, introduce climate-resilient flood control, drainage, and irrigation measures, and reduce saline intrusion.

The project will develop and enhance integrated water management plans, and construct training centers for water management organizations and other community infrastructure.

The project will promote participatory water resource management to foster local ownership and ensure sustainability. 
The Inner Circle opened its annual charity show in Manhattan Saturday with a touching tribute to Conor Skelding, an esteemed member of The Posts Sunday team who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer almost exactly a year ago.

The entire audience inside the Ziegfeld Ballroom sang Amazing Grace in unison as images of Skelding and late Fox News Radio anchor Matt Napolitano were broadcasted across the room before launching into the yearly comic roast of the mayor, the media and political figures.

Former NY Post reporter Conor Skelding died from pancreatic cancer last year. Michalik Funeral Home

I could not think of a better way to honor my husband on the anniversary of his death. Its extremely heartwarming to see his dear colleagues pay tribute to him and his talent, Skeldings widow, Lizzy Trelstad, told The Post.

I love him deeply, and miss him dearly.

The Inner Circle kicked off the solemn montage by listing off Skeldings many accomplishments, starting with his 2014 graduation from Columbia University with majors in English and American studies.

He had also been editor of the Blue and White, the Ivy Leagues undergraduate magazine.

Education was prized by Conor as a graduate of Columbia University, from which he entered into a career of journalism, Inner Circle President James Ford said.

Reporting at Politico, ReOrg Research and then at the New York Post. He married his longtime girlfriend and fiancee, Lizzie, just weeks before his passing.

The Inner Circle kicked off the solemn montage by listing off Skeldings many accomplishments, starting with his 2014 graduation from Columbia University with majors in English and American studies. Michalik Funeral Home

In addition to listing Skeldings myriad of journalistic accomplishments, the Inner Circle made sure to include his success as the groups youngest member.

During his time in the sketch comedy group, Skelding made a name for himself posing as a dancing (former Ohio Gov. John) Kasich and as Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Ford said.

And he proved that in portraying Justin Trudeau, he had a much better sense of humor, and better singing voice than the Canadian Prime Minister, the president continued.

The montage then cut to a hilarious video of Skelding singing to Canadas national anthem: O Canada, Trump made us great again!

The Inner Circle also paid tribute to Fox News Radio ancho Matt Napolitano, who died in December due to complications from lupus.

Thats when the audience turned on their phone flashlights and waved them in the air as they sang the popular funeral hymn.

Skeldings myriad journalistic accomplishments were included in the Inner Circles list of successes as the groups youngest member. Craig McCarthy, City Hall Bureau Chief, New York Post

Thats what Im talking about! Those lyrics also transpose into Stairway to Heaven and House of the Rising Sun. Im totally serious. Think about it. Try it sometime, Ford joked.

We love you Conor and Matt! he continued before transitioning the show into the parody spectacle it has grown famous as.

Mayor Eric Adams was among the many to take the stage Saturday night, and took the opportunity to poke jabs at the Big Apples newspapers.

He even targeted The Post, which he dubbed his favorite hometown paper.

A lot of people have criticized them with sensationalism or sensationalized crime  What the hell? Thats my job! he croaked.
Anti-Israel activists at Yale University in Connecticut set up a "liberation zone" in solidarity with Columbia University in New York City on Saturday.

This comes after protesters at Columbia University were heard shouting pro-Hamas slogans, resulting in more than a hundred arrests as they set up an encampment on campus Thursday that continued into Friday.

Protesters at Yale were also seen setting up an encampment, laying down a banner that read, "Liberated Zone."

The video starts out with students holding the banner and placing it on the ground in front of several students. Surrounding the students are other banners that read "Stop Investing in Genocide," "Jews for Ceasefire Now," "Yale is Complicit," and "Stop the Genocide."

ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS HEARD SHOUTING WE ARE HAMAS, LONG LIVE HAMAS AMID COLUMBIA U DEMONSTRATIONS

The video also shows a woman and man banging on drums before the man stands up and begins playing a horn.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Another shot captured protesters marching across campus while holding signs and chanting their demands.

"Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation," they chanted.

MORE WILD ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS DESCEND ON COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LAWN VOWING TO HOLD THIS LINE

"Down, down with genocide. Free, free, free Palestine," the protesters continued, as they held signs reading "shame "and "Free Palestine."

Tents were put up in a communal area, and beyond the tents people could hear chants.

Then, a Jewish man was seen speaking with a man wearing a shirt that read, "F- -k Hamas."

JEWISH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT TOLD TO KILL YOURSELF DURING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST: REPORT

The man wearing the shirt attempted to record the protest while walking among the protesters, but they began to hound him by blocking his view and shoving flags and umbrellas in his face.

Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson, who has been studying the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement for about 15 years, told Fox News Digital the protests at Ivy League universities like Columbia and Yale are reminiscent of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. During the movement, protesters raised issues with economic inequality, corporate greed and how money influenced politics, while setting up an encampment in Zuccotti Park in the financial district in New York City.

"Its kind of a different topic here, but its really the same topic. I mean, its an anti-capitalist movement. Its about the movement. Its a tear down our society movement," Jacobson said. "I think its essentially a similar phenomenon which has been directed toward Israel as the object of their hate, instead of Wall Street or instead of something else."

CORNELL UNIVERSITY SLAMMED FOR WINDOW DRESSING STATEMENT AFTER ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS

While protesters at Yale established a "Liberated Zone" it really did not mean they were liberated from anything because they still rely on the system to provide water, food and other things, he said.

Jacobson also said he thinks the protests are the result of 20 plus years of "gross dehumanization" of Israeli Jews on campuses, through the BDS movement as well as through radical faculty members found on most campuses across the U.S., particularly at Columbia.

While covering the BDS movement, Jacobson found the boycott was just a tactic. He said he never understood how it was just a tactic at first, but then it clicked.

JEWISH STUDENTS AT VANDERBILT DETAIL ANTI-ISRAEL SENTIMENT ON CAMPUS, SHARE MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT FREE SPEECH

Yale protesters setup an encampment to boycott the occupation of Gaza by Israel.

"They don't really care if you boycott Chablis in the dining hall. They don't really care about those things," Jacobson said. "What they care about is having the entire campus spend 3 or 4 months debating how evil Israel is, and if they lose the vote, they declare victory anyway."

Ultimately, he said the anti-capitalist movement focuses on Israel, which results in the dehumanization of Jews because Jews support Israel.

With that, though, there are other factors feeding into the protests, according to the Cornell law professor.

There could be a psychological aspect affecting students because they are told they have to go deeply into debt to attend elite colleges, only to find out their dreams were crushed by a system that lured them into taking on enormous debt.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BIDEN'S LATEST ATTEMPT AT STUDENT LOAN CANCELLATION

Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate along NYPD police lines outside of Columbia Universitys campus in New York City on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Multiple students were arrested as officers cleared an encampment on the campus lawn.

Then there are those who did not take on debt but cannot find a solid career path.

"I think theres a bunch of different things going on, and Israel and Jews are the convenient scapegoat, as historically has been the case," Jacobson said.

Nearly 500 students were seen protesting at Columbia University on Saturday night, just two days after tensions reached a breaking point when the New York City Police Department arrested 108 people who refused to leave an encampment created on the main lawn.

The daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Isra Hirsi, was also arrested during the protest on Thursday. According to sources, Hirsi was taken into custody, put into flex cuffs or zip ties and will face trespassing charges.

Earlier that day, Hirsi said she was suspended from Barnard College, located near Columbia, for "standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide."

The Columbia Spectator, a student newspaper, reported, "While suspended Columbia students may remain in their individual rooms in their residence halls, suspended Barnard students have been evicted from their college housing."

Social media posts also show several New York City council members arriving to check out the ongoing protest.

While protests continue at Columbia, Jacobson said a BDS referendum was sent to the Cornell University student body for a vote, though the results were not immediately known to the faculty.

Still, movements like those seen at Columbia, Yale and several other campuses across the U.S. are, as Jacobson said, "dead end movements."

"I dont think theres really a future for them because theyre built around tearing things down," he said. "They have no positive agenda. Their agenda is to tear things down, and I think what people need to understand is that these protesters, who ostensibly are anti-Israel, are also anti-American.

"Its almost a complete overlap between the anti-Israel, anti-American and anti-capitalist protesters," he added. "Thats what this movement is about. Its not just about the war in Gaza."

Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson, Louis Casiano, Alexis McAdams and CB Cotton contributed to this report.





Original article source: Anti-Israel Yale protesters joining Columbia students in 'tear down our society' Ivy League movement: Law prof
President Joe Biden warned on Sunday of an "alarming surge of Antisemitism" in a statement tied to the approaching Jewish holiday of Passover but with clear reference to highly charged student protests at Columbia University.

"Silence is complicity," Biden's statement read. "Even in recent days, weve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant Antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous  and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country."

The president's statement was formally to mark the religious holiday that begins on Monday. But it was notable for its unambiguous political overtones.

"My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad," said Biden at one point.

The statement came just hours after the White House put out a statement of its own, in which it condemned calls for violence and "physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community" on Columbia's campus. Earlier in the day a prominent rabbi at the school urged Jewish students to leave the campus for the sake of their safety amid heated protests.

While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America," White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement, after video emerged on social media over the weekend that appeared to show pro-Palestinian activists telling Jewish students, "The 7th of October is going to be every day for you," in reference to the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel last fall.



"Echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms," Bates added.

CNN reported Sunday that Rabbi Elie Buechler, a rabbi at Columbia, confirmed that he sent a message to 300 Jewish students suggesting they leave campus for their own safety and not come back. The Hillel organization for Columbia and Barnard rejected that advice in an X post, despite acknowledging it was "a time of genuine discomfort and even fear for many of us on campus.

Concern over the protests caught the attention of several members of Congress, including Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) who on Sunday offered to walk with Jewish students on campus.

I will be coming to Columbia University to walk with the Jewish students. If the University wont protect them, Congress will!, Moskowitz, who is Jewish, posted on X on Sunday.

Moskowitzs offer, and the warning from Buechler, came a day before the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Moskowitz wasnt alone. Former New York Rep. George Santos, a Republican, made a similar offer minutes later.

Im stepping up to go escort Jewish students to and from class in [safety] at @Columbia! Whos with me? Lets show our support and push back on evil!, Santos posted.

On the campaign trail, Santos described himself as a Jewish descendent of Holocaust refugees who fled to Brazil before walking back the claim (I never claimed to be Jewish I said I was Jew-ish, he told the New York Post.) The New York Republican was expelled from Congress in December after an explosive House Ethics Committee report found significant evidence he had broken the law.

Protests have roiled Columbias campus since last week, and came to head when New York Police Department officers swarmed the campus Thursday and arrested over 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters as thousands of others shouted for them to stop.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik authorized the arrests, calling the move a decision that I hoped would never be necessary.

The encampment of students on the Manhattan campus severely disrupts campus life, and creates a harassing and intimidating environment for many of our students, Shafik wrote in a university-wide email following the arrests.

Biden, in his statement, noted that the holiday of Passover was coming at a particularly difficult time for Jews still processing what took place on Oct. 7. He pledged that fighting antisemitism would continue to be an administration priority.

"My Administration will continue to speak out and aggressively implement the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism," said Biden, "putting the full force of the federal government behind protecting the Jewish community.
Arizona state House Speaker Ben Toma (R) is facing a reckoning as he tries to navigate the fallout from Arizonas Supreme Court decision enforcing an 1864 abortion ban.

Since the decision last week, Toma has twice helped block House Democrats efforts to repeal the ban on procedural grounds.

Toma is facing pressure from national Republicans, including former President Trump and Kari Lake, who want to see the Civil War-era ban repealed, which would result in the reinstatement of a 15-week ban passed in 2022.

But Toma is also running for Congress in a crowded Republican primary, where voters and anti-abortion groups are not likely to reward him for compromising in favor of a less restrictive abortion ban.

Like many other conservatives across the country, Toma and the Republicans in Arizonas Legislature have long believed abortion is immoral and should be banned. Yet, the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has showcased how the issue can be a nuanced one for Republicans and Democrats alike.

Last year, Toma defended the 1864 law in an amicus brief to the state Supreme Court.

But those beliefs are now running into the political reality that there is no safe position for Republicans to take on abortion. The backlash against the territorial ban could upend conservative majorities in the state and hurt Trumps campaign in the crucial swing state.

Abortion is a very complicated topic. It is ethically morally complex. I understand that we have deeply held beliefs. And I would ask everyone in this chamber to respect the fact that some of us believe that abortion is in fact the murder of children, Toma said on the Arizona House floor Wednesday as he voted to block Democrats from bringing the repeal bill to the floor.

Toma maintains theres no rush to vote on a repeal because no bill can take effect until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns for the year. Lawmakers still have unfinished business, including passing a budget, so adjournment is not imminent.

Arizona became the latest battleground state over abortion access when the state Supreme Court upheld a Civil War-era law that bans nearly all abortions in the state except in instances to save the life of the mother. The law also imposes jail time for physicians who perform abortions.

One day before the ruling, Trump tried to neutralize the issue by saying states are making their own policies on abortion.

But after the Arizona courts ruling, the former president tried to temper his seeming endorsement for letting states decide. He told reporters the ruling went too far and suggested it will be straightened out.

Senate hopeful Lake, a Trump ally, also opposed the ruling and was personally lobbying Arizona lawmakers to repeal the law.

Despite the pressure, Toma has helped block two attempts at allowing the state House to consider repealing the 1864 law. On the most recent attempt, only one Republican, state Rep. Matt Gress (R), voted alongside Democrats.

On the state Senate side, two Republicans voted alongside Democrats to waive the rules and allow legislation that would repeal the 1864 law to proceed.

Toma signaled the effort wouldnt go anywhere in the lower chamber in an interview with Axios earlier this week.

State Rep. David Cook (R) said he thinks there are enough Republicans in the House who will support a repeal bill as soon as next week when the Legislature meets again, even if Toma continues to oppose it.

He told The Hill theres been no official whip message from GOP leaders.

This decision has been the hardest to navigate through in my entire eight years at the Legislature, Cook said. Come Wednesday, I firmly believe that the repeal bill is going to hit on the board and get voted on in the House.

GOP strategists who know Toma said they expect him to stay the course and continue to oppose repealing the 1864 law.

For him, this is playing out OK. As long as [members dont override him], hes fine with it. And if he gets rolled, well, Ben Toma is looking good because he is doing everything he can to keep the territorial law in place, which is probably what the Republican primary voters in his district want, said Arizona-based Republican strategist Barrett Marson.

Kirk Adams, a former GOP Arizona House Speaker, said Toma is trying to navigate competing personal and political crosswinds.

While Toma may benefit from opposing a repeal of the pre-statehood ban in a congressional GOP primary for a Republican-leaning seat, keeping it in place may cost state Republicans the majority. Both chambers of the Arizona Legislature have a one-seat GOP majority.

This is the precise dilemma of running in a congressional primary and being Speaker because these two interests collide, Adams explained. Theres no doubt about it that not repealing this law puts the majority at stake, at risk, right, and that will hurt those members in those swing districts.

Stan Barnes, a Republican consultant who previously served in Arizonas state Senate, said even the most ardent anti-abortion legislators will have to compromise if they want some kind of abortion restrictions.

Pro-life people can see if we enter the election with the 1864 law and 24 weeks on the ballot, 24 weeks will win, Barnes said, referring to a likely ballot measure that would protect abortion up to the point of viability.

The pro-life movement is having a moment, but what good is it if it lasts six months?

As Republicans weigh their options, a leaked slideshow presentation circulated among Republican state lawmakers this week proposed offering a counter referendum to the ballot measure Democrats are likely to get on the November ballot this year, which would enshrine abortion protections into the state constitution.

If both chambers of the Legislature can pass the same language, it would automatically get on the ballot in November.

Cook said the Republican caucus is making progress on a potential path forward, and he would support a referendum banning abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the mothers life.

But its hard to get the votes put together. Because we do have people that will not vote on anything, he said.

Arizona political consultant Max Fose said political self-interest usually wins out. But he noted that continued opposition to repeal even in the face of a national outcry can be a way for Toma to tout his steadfast anti-abortion credentials.

Tomas in a pickle thats also an opportunity for him politically. This is a way for Toma to stand out with the Republican primary with voters who are  more than likely 1,000 percent pro-life, said Fose, a longtime campaign worker for the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz).

But thats a competing interest with what Donald Trump and Kari Lake want, for this to not be a driving force for Democrats in the general election.

Some members of the GOP argue abortion isnt as easily negotiable as other issues might be.

Former Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), who previously served as assistant majority leader in the state Senate before being elected to Congress, said Toma is following his conscience, not the primary politics.

Theres so many things  I mean, immigration, you name it, theres so many things that people can negotiate on, Salmon said. But life with some, if that is an intensely, deep-felt moral issue with you, its not something that you just use as a throwaway card. Its not political like Kari Lake and Trump are making it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The request by an association of Carmelite nuns to oversee a monastery in Arlington amounts to a hostile takeover and the Vatican allowed it without the knowledge or input from the sisters, the Arlington Carmel said Saturday.

In a statement published on their website, the nuns of the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity said that the president of the National Association of Christ the King, Mother Marie of the Incarnation, and anyone associated with her and Bishop Michael Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth are not welcome on the monastery property.

Their statement comes two days after the Vatican informed the nuns that the association would direct day to day operations of the monastery while Olson would oversee other matters, including the election of the leadership. His authority remains intact.

In August 2023, the nuns rejected the bishops authority over his investigation into reports their prioress broke her chastity vow with a priest.

The nuns wrote that accepting the takeover would endanger the integrity of the monastery, threaten the vocations of individual nuns and the liturgical and spiritual life as well as the material assets of the monastery.

In response, the diocese said in a statement that the Holy See has acted toward healing the Arlington Carmel and the nuns in the community and not simply the former prioress and her former councilors.

The most recent statement of the Arlington Carmels former leadership is sad and troubling because it manifests a skewed and selective misunderstanding of the nature of the Catholic Church and of the charism of the monastic life. It is a slap at the nuns who are their sisters in the Carmelite order, the statement read. It is an apparent rejection of the ministry of the Holy Sees Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

The sisters accused Olson of publishing the documents from the Vatican on the dioceses website Thursday without notifying the monastery. The nuns said they received photo copies of two of the documents later in the day.

The nuns said they have not received a response to several recourses sent to the Vatican appealing decisions that Olson made when he was acting as pontifical commissary of the monastery. Olson dismissed the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes from the order after he investigated reports that she violated her chastity vows with a priest. The nuns said that they received a letter from the Vatican in February promising the responses.

The nuns called the April 18 letters perplexing since the recourses are not usually preempted.

The statement also described how the nuns have wanted a Latin Mass, which they said Olson has opposed. Pope Francis has restricted the celebration of the Latin Mass.

The nuns also said they fully accept without reserve that Pope Francis is the Pope and enjoys full papal authority and that Olson is the legitimate, current Bishop of Fort Worth with all of the authority that this office confers.

But the nuns still reject Olsons authority over them.

in line with our own rights, for reasons of conscience, for the good of our souls and to protect the integrity of our life and vocations, in these extraordinary circumstances, we have had to withdraw our cooperation in respect of the unjust exercise of any authority over us by the current Bishop of Fort Worth. Let it be said clearly  to borrow a phrase  that authority without integrity is no authority at all.

The nuns said they are open to conversation with a higher authority to address their concerns.

We are not things to be traded or given away in back-room deals, but women vowed to the exclusive love and service of Almighty God, whose integrity is to be respected and protected for the good of their souls and for the good of the Church.
Crowd members stand and join with the Tabernacle Choir during a song at the Conference Center for General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 6, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

In Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton explains that madness is not a lack of rationality, as we typically think, but more often an excess of it. He uses the example of a man who believes that everyone is conspiring against him. For every argument you might make against his being the object of some vast plot, the madman will have a response that is perfectly consistent within his theory about the world. You might point out how the store clerk didnt know who he was and, therefore, could not be conspiring against him, but he would only say the clerk was just pretending not to know him, as one would do if they were conspiring.

The problem, Chesterton points out, is not with the consistency of his arguments, but with the smallness of a world that could be so easily explained. Reason, in this sense, is not a way of making connections about the world, but a way of fitting everything in the world into one explanation.

I admit that your explanation explains a great deal, Chesterton writes of the madman, but what a great deal it leaves out! Are there no other stories in the world but yours; and are all men busy with your business?

I find myself wondering the same thing as I look at recent coverage and commentary about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints latest general conference.

Earlier this month, The Associated Press published a news report on general conference titled Latter-day Saint leader addresses congregants without a word on racial or LGBTQ+ issues. A major news outlet distilled ten hours of addresses on a variety of topics by dozens of church leaders from around the world into they didnt talk about race or sexuality.

It may come as a surprise to some that general conference is about addressing a global audience with a wide variety of concerns and cultural backgrounds. Many congregations outside of the U.S. have little need for constantly revisiting certain issues more relevant in the United States, than, say, the Philippines. In truth, the church has addressed both race and sexuality quite thoroughly in recent years. Theyve even gone a step further than many of the loudest voices and worked toward productive solutions. The church has been involved, for example, in ongoing collaborations with the NAACP, donating scholarships, educational opportunities and engaging in joint humanitarian efforts. The church also supported the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, federal legislation which aimed to secure rights both for sexual minorities and religious institutions.

This kind of reporting from The Associated Press seems to reflect less about the purported subject  Latter-day Saint general conference  and more about the medias obsession with certain social issues at the expense of a broad curiosity. A global church cannot afford to likewise limit the subjects it addresses, or shift from its primary focus, which is preaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I used to love checking social media during general conference, as it allowed me to see friends reactions to talks in real time. The last few sessions, however, I noticed an uptick in online voices that were not interested in the messages per se, but only in how a message might relate to their particular corner of the culture war and how it could be leveraged to advance their particular brand within that corner.

I tried to ignore it, but eventually I found I was unintentionally listening to conference with my own expectations centered around hot-button political and social issues. This April, I tried to avoid social media altogether so that I could experience the talks without various pet priorities vying to influence how to interpret these messages.

According to Chesterton, the problem with these obsessions is not that you cant use them to explain a large number of things.

We can, indeed, explain some things in terms of a victims and oppressors paradigm or anti-wokeness or race or sexuality or gender or economics or Big Pharma. The problem is that it does not explain them in a large way. In other words, the only way to make your thing explain everything is by leaving a lot out.

And what gets left out when it comes to religious faith?

The April general conference addresses included first-hand accounts of healings and divine intervention, in-depth discussions about the nature and purpose of Latter-day Saint temple work, detailed counsel about how to find joy and peace amidst lifes greatest difficulties, and apostolic witnesses of Gods reality and interest in each of our lives.

Elder Shayne M. Bowen, a General Authority Seventy, recounted how his grandfather raised his mother from the dead. Many years later, when Elder Bowens own daughter was found not breathing, her face the color of a purple plum, after being pinned underneath a van, he gave her a priesthood blessing and she began to breathe again.

Primary General President Susan H. Porter shared how God revealed to her that her father had accepted the gospel, even after his death. Five days after he died, I received a sacred feeling of joy. Heavenly Father let me know through His Spirit that my father wanted to receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ! She was later sealed to him in the temple.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reflected upon the loss of his wife of 60 years, which was followed by his own prolonged stay in intensive care. Though understandably grieving, he found himself filled with happiness doubled by wonder and testified that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them 

Those who are called to speak spend months preparing. During this time, they are also engaged in full-time church service among diverse congregations across the world. The journalists and social media personalities  who spend somewhat less time engaged with the full range of issues affecting a global religious organization  seem to only spend a few minutes or hours sizing up their talks.

Its unsurprising, then, that many of them are missing important messages being conveyed at general conference: that God knows and cares about every person, and that we can enjoy deeply meaningful connections to Him and one another for eternity.

These messages are delivered by men and women who are cheerful despite challenges and optimistic as they engage with the worlds difficulties, who model fulfilling lives and relationships, and who express the utmost confidence in the ability of every individual to find similar confidence and purpose.

One thinks this might have been of interest to many people, yet The Associated Press conference coverage focused exclusively on a few politically charged questions of race, gender and sexuality.

When we obsess over a handful of highly contentious social or political issues, many things which unite humanity get left out. There are expansive, beautiful, hopeful ways of understanding our lives and the world around us, but they dont exist within the tiny basket of narratives that often divide the world into factions and tribes.

When so many lack connection, meaning and unity today, this should concern more than just Latter-day Saints.
Authorities seeking public help to locate missing 16-year-old in Southern California

The Arcadia Police Department is asking for the publics help to locate a missing teenager.

Authorities say 16-year-old Bobbijo Short, who is also known as Brianna Campbell, hasnt been seen since Saturday morning.

She was last seen leaving the Sun Motel, which is located at 10918 Figueroa St. in South Los Angeles on the morning of April 19.

Short is described as a white female standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds. She has brown hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing a black top with black pants.

No further details have been provided.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Short is asked to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5123.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
MADRID, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Through classes where he applies theatre techniques and cultural activities, Modesto Corderi, who teaches Chinese in a northwestern Spanish city, intends to send a message with passion that learning Chinese "opens doors."

"When it comes to teaching the language, we try to make it very practical so people can see that studying Chinese opens doors," Corderi, a professor at the Public Language School in the city of Coruna, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

To mark the United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, he was invited by UN headquarters to give a virtual conference on the use of theater to teach Chinese as a foreign language for adults.

Corderi, who graduated from Beijing Language and Culture University, emphasized that theater helps students "to memorize, practice, have fun and use the language."

At the beginner level, for example, he plays what he calls "the airport game," where students become occasional travelers, while at more advanced levels, the classroom is transformed into a casting in a Chinese Didi's ride-sharing service or even for a movie.

"By giving them a role, the students talk a lot more," said Corderi.

Corderi's way of teaching emerged in 2007 in Beijing, when a friend took him to see a comedy theater in hutongs or traditional alleys in the Chinese capital.

"There I discovered a Chinese theater company that improvised games based on suggestions from the audience and I thought it would be a good resource for teaching languages," he recalled.

As for his students, he joked, "it's a fruit salad," from teenagers to retired people in their 70s, and all of them, he added, are "enthusiastic" with the visa-free policy applied by China on a trial basis for ordinary passport holders from Spain and other European countries.

"They are already thinking about going to China, and we have made presentations in classes about various Chinese regions. I think the number of visits will increase, in fact it is already increasing. I hope it continues and that we also open our hands here," he said.

He himself is planning to go for a week or two this summer to visit "a lot of friends there that I haven't seen in a while." 
Gaza baby pulled alive from womb of mother who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Rafah

Gaza baby pulled alive from womb of mother who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Rafah

By Mohammad Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi

RAFAH, Gaza Strip/CAIRO (Reuters) -A baby girl was delivered from the womb of a Palestinian killed along with her husband and daughter by an Israeli attack in the Gaza city of Rafah, where 19 people died overnight in intensified strikes, Palestinian health officials said.

The dead, killed in hits on two houses, included 13 children from one family, they said.

The baby, weighing 1.4 kg (3.09 lb)and delivered in an emergency C-section, was stable and improving gradually, said Mohammed Salama, a doctor caring for her.

Her mother, Sabreen Al-Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

The baby was placed in an incubator in a Rafah hospital alongside another infant, with the words "The baby of the martyr Sabreen Al-Sakani" written on tape across her chest.

Sakani's young daughter Malak, who was killed in the strike, had wanted to name her new sister Rouh, meaning spirit in Arabic, said her uncle Rami Al-Sheikh. "The little girl Malak was happy that her sister was coming to the world," he said.

The baby would stay in hospital for three to four weeks, said Salama, the doctor. "After that we will see about her leaving, and where this child will go, to the family, to the aunt or uncle or grandparents. Here is the biggest tragedy. Even if this child survives, she was born an orphan," he said.

The 13 children were killed in a strike on the second home, belonging to the Abdel Aal family, according to Palestinian health officials. Two women were also killed in that strike.

Asked about the casualties in Rafah, an Israeli military spokesperson said various militant targets were struck in Gaza including military compounds, launch posts and armed people.

"Did you see one man in all of those killed?" said Saqr Abdel Aal, a Palestinian man whose family were among the dead, grieving over the body of a child in a white shroud.

"All are women and children," he said. "My entire identity has been wiped out, with my wife, children and everyone."

Mohammad al-Behairi said his daughter and grandchild were still under the rubble. "It's a feeling of sadness, depression, we have nothing left in this life to cry for, what feeling shall we have? When you lose your children, when you lose the closest of your loved ones, how will your feeling be?" he said.

'WE ARE TRAPPED'

Over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people have crowded into Rafah, seeking shelter from the Israeli offensive that has laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip over the last six months.

Israel is threatening a ground offensive into the area, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said fighters from the militant group Hamas must be eliminated to ensure Israel's victory in the war.

President Joe Biden has urged Israel not to launch a large-scale offensive in Rafah to avoid more Palestinian civilian casualties.

Palestinian health authorities say more than 34,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault, which began after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 253, according to Israeli tallies.

The Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli military strikes killed 48 Palestinians and wounded 79 others across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.

The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said teams recovered 60 bodies from the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern of the enclave, weeks after Israeli army forces retreated from the medical complex. That raised to 210 the number of bodies it had dug out from the hospital yards since April 12.

The service said in a statement there were still around 2,000 missing persons under the rubble in Khan Younis and 1,000 in the central areas of the Gaza Strip, whose bodies could not be extracted because of a lack of heavy equipment and machinery

for rubble removal.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

In the larger of the two Palestinian territories, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Israel said its soldiers opened fire at three Palestinians who attacked them and the Palestinian health ministry said all three had died. Violence has flared in the West Bank in recent days.

(Reporting by Mohammad Salem in Rafah, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo;Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom Perry;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry)
Security forces stand guard as red paint is seen at the entrance to the BBC building in London while supporters of Palestine stage a protest to condemn the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

My dear Danny  First, let me thank you for your generous comments about me in your opinion piece in The Telegraph. I dont think Ive ever been involved in a public dispute more courteous!

There are clear points of disagreement between us, though. As a former top executive in the BBC, youve written a series of articles in this paper maintaining that the BBCs reporting of the crisis since the Hamas attacks of October 7, has failed in its duty of impartiality, balance and accuracy. I strongly disagree.

Im not a BBC boss  Im a reporter who, among other things, has a lot of experience of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. So Im not giving you the official, corporate response, but the view of someone who knows what its like to report from the ground as well as to sit in a studio, broadcasting live.

Yes, there have been mistakes; in all the thousands of broadcasting hours the BBC has devoted to the Gaza crisis since 7 October, itd be amazing if there werent. There was the snap judgement of a correspondent who speculated that Israel had launched the missile which hit Gazas al-Ahli Arab Hospital and the suggestion by a BBC presenter to a former Israeli prime minister that the Israeli forces were happy to kill children. Plus there was the interview with Lord Cameron, when Nick Robinson said Israel attacks and murders tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians.

It was obvious Nick was quoting the view that many British people  a majority, according to polls  hold about Israels operations in Gaza. If hed used the same words about Hamas, I dont suppose anyone would have raised an eyebrow. Did you see the interview on one BBC programme when a leading Hamas figure was asked how he could justify killing people as they sleep? He tore off his mic and stormed out of the studio. I didnt hear any complaints about the BBCs lack of impartiality then.

Weve made mistakes on the other side too, and in fact slightly more people think the BBC is actively pro-Israel than anti-Israel. We cant be both, can we? As for the country as a whole, audience research shows that a big majority of viewers and listeners think the BBC is by far the most trusted provider of impartial coverage of the war in Gaza.

Which brings me to the key problem I have with your criticisms. I suspect that, rather than wanting the BBC to be impartial and balanced as between Israel, Hamas, and Iran, you actually want the BBC to side with Israel: to accept without question the huge disparity between the numbers of Israeli and Palestinian deaths (something like 25 Gazans for every Israeli killed on 7 October). Hamas is brutal as well as corrupt. But the wholesale destruction of Gaza, the uprooting of its people and the hunger they have endured arent things that we can just ignore in our broadcasts.

I came in for a lot of criticism last October, when I explained why the BBC doesnt describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Downing St attacked me. So did Israels President, Isaac Herzog  which was particularly sad, since I used to know his father Chaim, also President of Israel, who, being Irish originally, liked to talk to me about comparisons between the Palestinian issue and Northern Ireland. He, at least, fully understood when I explained why we didnt call either the PLO or the IRA terrorists.

As you know, some politicians and some newspapers are much given to attacking the BBCs credibility. Your criticisms have a particular force, given your former BBC job. A sizeable proportion of British Jews now apparently believe the BBC is biased against Israel. These articles of yours must have encouraged that view.

I promise you, the BBC puts huge effort into staying impartial. When I broadcast about Gaza, or anything else, on my programme Unspun World on BBC Two, my scripts are checked for accuracy and balance by three different people. Thats usual in the BBC. Live broadcasting is different, and impossible to vet beforehand; but every BBC person who goes on a live news programme knows the critical importance of playing it straight. Our overriding aim is that every one of our 440 million viewers, listeners and readers around the world should know they can believe us and trust us. And of course this includes the Jewish community in Britain.

Im really sorry that you believe we fail in this, but my colleagues and I genuinely do our utmost to be entirely balanced and honest. Exactly as we did when you were in charge of BBC One.

John Simpson is the BBCs world affairs editor. He presents Unspun World on BBC Two, which starts a new season next month

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

Today: Partly cloudy, high 54

Tonight: Mostly clear, low 37

Monday: Mostly sunny, high 64 (44)

Tuesday: Rain showers, high 66 (47)

Wednesday: Stray Shower, high 57 (36)

Thursday: Mainly sunny, high 61 (40)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

After a frosty morning for some, all of us will be highs returning to the mid 50s. This is still close to 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. Skies will start off mostly cloudy, but more sunshine will peek through as the day goes on. Winds will also be calm as a cold northerly air flow continues to move into central Ohio.

Another frost advisory will go into effect from 1 am  9am Monday. Overnight clouds will clear up once again, but temperatures will not drop as much. Lows will fall into the mid30s. A few areas will still see the chance for some patchy frost. Conditions tonight going into tomorrow morning will be mainly quiet weather wise. Monday will start off beautiful.

The upcoming work week will start relatively quiet. Rain showers will move across the area Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning. The showers will come along with a cold front when the rain arrives. There will be a brief midweek drop in temperatures, but a rebound will be on the way by next weekend. Friday will bring additional rain shower chances. More rain and a few thunderstorms will move through on Saturday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Biden administration could announce sanctions against an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank before the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led terrorists, according to reports.

Axios reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken could announce the sanctions against IDF battalion "Netzah Yehuda" within days, marking the first time the U.S. will have placed sanctions on military units operated by Israel.

If sanctions are imposed, the battalion and its members would no longer receive any type of training or assistance from the U.S. military, sources reportedly told the publication.

The U.S. is prohibited under the Leahy Law, from providing any sort of foreign aid or defense department training to countries responsible for alleged human rights violations based on credible information.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN FOLLOWING ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL: THE PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the 67th Session of the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs at Vienna International Center, in Vienna, Austria, on March 15, 2024.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department and White House but did not immediately hear back.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

While speaking to reporters on Friday, Blinken was asked about Israels violations of human rights in the West Bank and recommendations made by his department to cut military aid to certain Israeli units.

Blinken started by saying the Leahy Law was important and applied across the board.

BIDEN SILENT AFTER BEING PRESSED ABOUT IRANIAN STRIKE AGAINST ISRAEL: 'WHAT NOW?'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) in Tel Aviv, Israel on Nov. 3, 2023.

"When were doing these investigations, these inquiries, its something that takes time, that has to be done very carefully both in collecting the facts and analyzing them  and thats exactly what weve done," he said. "And I think its fair to say that youll see results very soon. Ive made determinations; you can expect to see them in the days ahead."

On Friday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on an ally of Israels national security minister and two entities that raised money for Israeli men who allegedly committed settler violence. The new sanctions came in addition to others placed on five settlers and two unauthorized outposts earlier this year. The increased sanctions also show growing frustration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the U.S.

Fridays sanctions will reportedly freeze U.S. assets held by those targeted while also barring Americans from dealing with them.

HOUSE TEES UP 17 BILLS RELATED TO IRAN/ISRAEL FOR THIS WEEK

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 7, 2024.

Right-wing members of Netanyahus governing coalition that is pushing to expand Jewish settlements along with the annexation of the West Bank are reportedly upset with the Biden administration for making moves against the Israeli settlers.

Also adding fuel to the fire is the tension between Israel and Washington caused by the latter urging Israel to restrain themselves from attacking Iran.

One of the individuals sanctioned by the U.S. was Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of the right-wing group Lehava. The group does not support Jewish assimilation with non-Jews and has about 5,000 members.

RADICAL IRANIAN PROVINCE HIT BY ISRAEL HIGHLIGHTS REGIME'S WEAKNESS

"Under Gopsteins leadership, Lehava and its members have been involved in acts or threats of violence against Palestinians, often targeting sensitive or volatile areas," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement obtained by Reuters.

Miller warned that additional steps would be taken if Israel does not act to prevent extremist attacks as violence continues to escalate in the West Bank.

The European Union also agreed to impose sanctions against Lehava and other groups.

HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES $26 BILLION AID TO ISRAEL, GAZA AS TENSIONS WITH IRAN ESCALATE

But the U.S. is not just targeting Israel. In fact, last week, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced sanctions would be placed against Iran after its regime attacked Israel last Saturday.

The sanctions were announced as Republicans criticized the Biden administration for not being tough enough on Iran, pointing to a waiver extended by the White House in November 2023 that released $10 billion of previously escrowed funds to Iran.

Sullivan said that the actions the U.S. is taking will "continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Irans military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviors."

"Over the last three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit trade, horrific human rights abuses, and support for proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah," the statement added.

"The pressure will continue. We will not hesitate to continue to take action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions."

Fox News Digital's Andrea Vacchiano and Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Biden admin sanctions Israel national security minister ally, reportedly weighs expanding to IDF unit
President Biden, joined by other members of his administration, on Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School Massacre and attempted bombing.

On April 20, 1999, two twelfth-grade students murdered 12 students and one teacher on April, and injured over 20 people, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in Colorado.

Biden expressed his sympathy in a Saturday statement memorializing the victims, and in posts on social media.

Today marks 25 years since 13 innocent lives were taken at Columbine High School, President Biden wrote on the social media site X.

Is his statement, Biden noted that Columbine, which at the time was the deadliest shooting at a K-12 school, has been followed by hundreds of other mass school shootings.

Since Columbine, over 400 school shootings  from Newtown to Parkland to Uvalde  have exposed over 370,000 students to the horrors of gun violence. Students across the country now learn how to duck and cover before they learn how to read and write, he wrote.

Biden said while he has signed into law the most significant gun safety reform in nearly three decades, Congress must do more.

We need universal background checks, a national red flag law, and we must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, he added.

Vice President Harris echoed Bidens call for change.

After expressing sympathy for the families and survivors of Columbine, Harris touted the work she and Biden have done to tighten up gun legislation.

25 years after the massacre at Columbine High School, @POTUS and I have taken historic action to close the gun show loophole and ensure fewer guns are sold without background checks, she wrote on X. Now, Congress must save lives and pass universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

During a Saturday press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration continues to pray for the victims of gun violence.

As the president said, this is not normal, and it must end, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Bill Gates and his sisters Kristianne and Libby are all involved in philanthropic work

Brian Ach/Getty Kristianne Gates Blake, Bill Gates Sr. and Bill Gates are seen during the The Lasker Awards 2013 on September 20, 2013 in New York City.

Bill Gates grew up with two siblings, his sisters Kristianne and Libby, in a home that was encouraging but valued competition.

The Gates family lived in Seattle, where their late dad Bill Gates Sr. worked as an attorney while their late mom Mary Maxwell Gates was a businesswoman who served on the boards of several organizations and academic institutions during her life.

The three Gates siblings were raised on frequent game nights, playing board games, cards and ping-pong, according to a 2009 Wall Street Journal profile on the family, and followed traditions like Sunday dinners and matching pajamas during Christmas.

It helped establish a home that led to all three kids finding success in their lives and careers, which Bill attributed to their parents.

My sisters, Kristi and Libby, and I are very lucky to have been raised by our mom and dad. They gave us constant encouragement and were always patient with us, Bill wrote on his blog while remembering their dad after he died in 2020.

Here's everything to know about Bill Gates sisters  Kristianne and Libby  and their familial relationship.

Theyre both married with children

Bill Gates Instagram Bill Gates with his father Bill Gates Sr., and sisters Kristianne and Libby.

Kristianne, born in 1954, and Libby, born in 1964, are both private, keeping most details of their lives and their families out of the public eye. Though there isnt much information about their relationships, Kristianne and Libby are married and use their husbands last names.

Kristianne, who also goes by Kristi, is married to John Blake with whom she shares two children.

Libby is now married to Nick MacPhee, a former Microsoft Executive, and she was previously married to Doug Armintrout, with whom she had three children, according to The Seattle Times.

Kristianne is a certified public accountant

Andy Cheung/Getty Bill Gates and sister Kristianne Gates watch the Semifinals singles match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Victoria Azarenka during day 11 of the 2023 Australian Open on January 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

Kristianne graduated from the University of Washington in 1975 and worked at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, where she eventually served as a partner.

She started her own firm in 1987 after she grew tired of working at a big company, which she told the Spokane-Review in 1996, had meant she had to move away from Seattle. After discussions with her husband, who had previously lived in Spokane, Washington, the couple decided to make the move there.

It was totally a lifestyle decision, Kristianne told the outlet of making the move and starting her own practice, Kristianne Gates Blake, PS., in Spokane.

Libby works as a therapist in Seattle

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Libby Gates Armintrout speaks at the dedication ceremony of the United Way Worldwide Mary M. Gates Learning Center in Alexandria, Virginia on Oct. 13, 2010.

Libby still resides in Seattle where she works as a therapist for Seattle Family Support.

According to her bio on the website, Libby leads Seattle Family Supports The Daring Way program that follows the work of Dr. Brene Brown.

Through the program, Libby facilitates highly experiential groups where she focuses on developing shame resilience skills and developing a courage practice that transforms the way we live, love, parent and lead according to her bio.

I approach life and my profession with an enthusiasm for growth and wholehearted living, she wrote.

They held roles at the University of Washington like their parents

Kristianne and Libby directly followed in their parents footsteps by joining the Board of Regents at the University of Washington. The Gates family has a deep history with the school, where Bill Sr. and Mary met and Kristianne later also attended.

Mary was the first to serve on the Board of Regents in 1975, with her tenure lasting 18 years before her death in 1994. Bill Sr. joined in 1997 and stayed on for 15 years. Kristianne joined her dad on the board in 2006 and served until 2018, while Libby served from 2019 through 2023.

Libby stepped down in 2023, ending a streak of Gates family members on the board that started with their mom in 1975, with only a brief interruption in the 90s after Mary died.

Theyre involved in philanthropic work

Bill Gates Instagram Bill Gates with his father Bill Gates Sr., and his sisters Kristianne and Libby.

Kristianne and Libby are involved in philanthropic work, taking after their late parents in supporting causes like education and serving as board members for various organizations.

They're definitely daughters of their mother, said their late dad in 2004 as he outlined the causes they were involved in. It's a list of things that you could almost just cut and paste from Mary's resume.

Kristianne has served on the boards of YMCA Retirement Fund, Saint George's School, YMCA of the Inland Empire, Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior League of Spokane, UW Medicine and the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

In addition, she has been on the board of United Way of Spokane County, the local chapter of the national non-profit organization her mom worked with during her life. United Way, according to the organization's website works to improve "education, economic mobility and health."

Libby has also served on the boards of Seattle Childrens Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Seattle Foundation and the UW Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center. Shes been involved with the boards at Santa Clara University and Lakeside School as well.

"I'm trying to model myself after my mother's life," Libby, who was 30 when her mom died, told The Seattle Times in 1997.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this week with a fresh threat regarding Beijings support for Russia, as the House greenlit a new $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.

A senior State Department official previewed Blinkens upcoming April 24-26 trip to China in a call with reporters on Friday, describing how he will meet with senior PRC officials in both Shanghai and Beijing.

"I dont have anything specific to announce to you today, but Ill just underscore that as youve seen us demonstrate over the past many weeks and months, were committed to taking the steps necessary to defend our national interests, and were prepared to take steps when we believe necessary against firms that are taking steps in contravention to our interests and in ways that  as weve indicated here  severely undermine security in both Ukraine and Europe," the senior State Department official said. "And I think weve demonstrated our willingness to do so regarding firms from a number of countries, not just China. And at any rate, again, I think this will be a key issue of discussion while were in Beijing."

BIDEN ADMIN SANCTIONS ISRAEL NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER ALLY, REPORTEDLY WEIGHS EXPANDING TO IDF UNIT

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a press conference at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting.

With his G7 foreign ministerial counterparts, Blinken on Friday discussed concern "about the transfers to Russia from businesses in the PRC of a range of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production," the official said. "The concern there is that through Chinese support, Russia has largely reconstituted its defense industrial base, which has an impact not just on the battlefield in Ukraine but poses a larger threat, we believe, to broader European security."

Blinken and other U.S. diplomats will express those concerns to China and "our intent to have China curtail that support," which is starting to pose "a threat to European security," the official said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The State Department could not immediately confirm whether Blinken will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The senior State Department official did confirm to reporters that Blinken is expected to meet with his counterpart, Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British, French, Canadian, Italian, Japanese and German officials attend the G7 meeting on Capri island, on April 18, 2024.

HOUSE PASSES $60B UKRAINE AID BILL AS GOP REBELS THREATEN TO OUST JOHNSON

In Shanghai and Beijing, the secretary will focus "on implementing the leaders commitments in San Francisco to advance cooperation on issues such as counternarcotics, bolster mil-mil communication, and establish talks on artificial intelligence risks and safety," the senior State Department official said.

The State Department outlined three goals for Blinkens trip: "making progress on key issues," "clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral, regional, and global issues" and third, "responsibly managing competition" so "that it does not result in miscalculation or conflict."

Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, speaks during a news conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Blinken is expected to "raise clearly and candidly our concerns on issues ranging from human rights, unfair economic and trade practices, to the global economic consequences of PRC industrial over-capacity."

The official said the secretary "will also reiterate our deep concerns regarding the PRCs support for Russias defense industrial base," "discuss the crisis in the Middle East" and "challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including PRC provocations in the South China Sea, as well as the DPRKs threatening rhetoric and reckless actions."

Blinken will "discuss the crisis in Burma" and "will also reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," the official told reporters.

At the G7 summit last week, Blinken outlined the type of aid China is sending to Russia.

"When it comes to Russias defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China," Blinken told reporters in Capri, Italy. "We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade. Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it cant on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War."





Original article source: Blinken returns to China with warning over Russian military aid
Public lands in the Montana Mountains provide access to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Nevada. (Bureau of Land Management photo)

The Bureau of Land Management will publish a final rule soon allowing the nations public lands to be leased for environmental protection, a Thursday news release from the Interior Department said.

The rule, which both proponents and detractors say marks a shift in the agencys focus toward conservation, directs land managers at the agency to identify landscapes in need of restoration and to create plans to fill those needs.

It also creates two new types of leases focused on protecting natural areas. The BLM already leases parcels of land for extractive industries including energy development, mining and livestock grazing.

The rule is likely to set off a conflict in Congress, where Republicans immediately on Thursday renewed their criticism of President Joe Bidens conservation policies.

In a deviation from the March 2023 draft rule that proposed a new category of conservation leases, the final rule will allow two new types of leases: restoration and mitigation.

Restoration leases will be a tool for investment in the health of our public lands an agency fact sheet reads. Lessees would be empowered to work to restore lands, including those impacted by other uses.

Similarly, mitigation leases would be a tool to offset the impacts of other BLM land uses. The agency said an example could be a solar power company that has a facility on BLM land may receive a mitigation lease to restore nearby habitat to mitigate the impact of its development.

The rule is in line with BLMs multiple-use mandate that requires balancing energy development, mining, recreation and other uses on the nations public lands, the agency said.

As stewards of Americas public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

Todays final rule helps restore balance to our public lands as we continue using the best-available science to restore habitats, guide strategic and responsible development, and sustain our public lands for generations to come.

BLM released a 178-page preliminary version of the rule Thursday, saying a substantially similar version would be published as a final rule in the coming days.

Congressional fight ahead

The rule has met with polarized reaction since the draft proposal was released in March 2023.

Reaction to the final rule from across the political spectrum began arriving within minutes of the announcement Thursday.

Conservation groups and environmental advocates cheered the rule for prioritizing conservation, while Republicans worried it would restrict other types of uses on public lands.

The Mountain Pact, a coalition of local leaders from Western states, released a statement praising the rule.

The BLMs Public Lands Rule highlights the need for the agency to work with local communities to focus on the conservation of land, water, and wildlife to ensure communities can protect future access to federal public lands while combating the growing impacts of climate change, Patrice Horstman, the chair of the Coconino County, Arizona, Board of Supervisors, said in the statement.

David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, said in a written statement the rule gives BLM new tools to restore and conserve degraded lands, while supporting robust local economies. The rule will help the agency identify intact landscapes that wildlife depend on for survival, which will ensure that they thrive for decades to come.

Democrats in Congress also applauded the measure.

Colorados Diana DeGette, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Climate, called the move a significant accomplishment for land conservation and wildlife protection.

I am proud that BLM and the Biden Administration are continuing to lead in defending our natural world, she said in a statement.

Pledge to repeal

But Republicans pledged to undo it.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, promised he and North Dakotas senior Republican senator would challenge the rule with a resolution under the Congressional Review Act. The law allows lawmakers to try to repeal executive branch rulemaking.

The people of Wyoming depend on access to public lands for their livelihoods  including energy and mineral production, grazing, and recreation, Barrasso said in a statement With this rule, President Biden is allowing federal bureaucrats to destroy our way of life. Senator John Hoeven and I will introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal this outrageous rule.

The closely divided U.S. Senate has approved Congressional Review Act resolutions on environmental and agricultural issues in which rural-state Democrats or those in tough reelection races, such as centrist West Virginian Joe Manchin III, Ohios Sherrod Brown or Jon Tester of Montana, align with Republicans.

Republicans on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill, sponsored by Utah Republican John Curtis, last year to block the rule from taking effect. The legislation has not received a vote from the full House.

This rule from the Biden Administration undermines the very people who rely on our federal lands for ranching, grazing, recreation, and beyond, Curtis said in a Thursday release.

House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas said Thursday he would do everything in (his) power to get Curtis bill through the House.

The post BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Furious with PG&E

PG&E customers were billed for a TV promo campaign, (sacbee.com, April 14)

Every time I saw these ads, my blood boiled. The utility could have opted for above-ground insulation and an update of its antiquated infrastructure to achieve excellent utility wildfire mitigation in a fraction of the time needed to complete its planned undergrounding and at a fraction of the cost.

The notion that the public should foot the bill for propaganda intended to convince viewers that PG&Es undergrounding plans are purely altruistic is ludicrous. One need only consider the utilitys sordid history of putting profit over people and its record $2.2 billion earnings last year to recognize these ads were rubbish, meant to con and not inform. I would be laughing at the absurdity of it all except my blood is busy boiling so much that my brain might explode.

Jennifer Normoyle

Hillsborough

California deserves better

PG&E customers were billed for a TV promo campaign, (sacbee.com, April 14)

PG&E has record profits, yet it raised its electricity rates in January. PG&E customers are now being billed for ads touting their underground work. This corporation is a convicted felon.

Their incompetence has killed California residents time and time again. They blew up San Bruno and burned Santa Rosa and Napa. The California Public Utilities Commission doesnt regulate them, it enables them. California deserves better than this.

PG&E serves their shareholders, and California businesses and residents suffer.

Michael Scott Bloom

Auburn

Opinion

Rally behind CA farmworkers

California radio ads aim to dissuade farmworker organizing, (sacbee.com, April 15)

Farmworkers make the world go round and still the fight to combat unfair labor practices

continues. There has been a spread of misinformation among farmworkers that have made the fight seem impossible to attain fair working conditions. The spread of misinformation is causing a lot of discouragement among our farmworking community in the attempt to unionize and attain better working conditions.

There is also a sense of farmworkers feeling discouraged from participating in the union

elections we worked so hard to establish last year, with a 335-mile journey to have the farmworker union election bill passed.

Helping combat the spread of misinformation allows us to give a voice to those who are so often minimized. Its time we advocate for our farmworkers and rally behind them. Our farmworker communities that keep our nation running should finally be appreciated for all their hard work and treated fairly in their workplace.

Ariana Sandoval

Hollister

Greater accountability

CA audit cites uncertainty about homelessness spending, (sacbee.com, April 9)

Among the findings of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee was that only two of the five state-funded plans to address homelessness had enough data to determine whether they were effective. The three others lacked sufficient data for the auditor to determine their cost-effectiveness.

Though billions have been spent on homelessness, the state is not doing enough to evaluate how that money is being spent. The sheer amounts wasted when so many are suffering should give pause to all state residents, including those of us in Sacramento who have been asking for greater accountability from local officials.

Bill Motmans

Sacramento

Ban plastic bags once and for all

CA lawmakers introduce bills to ban all plastic grocery bags, (sacbee.com, Feb. 12)

If youve lived in California long enough, you might have thought that we put an end to single-use plastic pollution with a 2014 bill (Senate Bill 270). Maybe you even remember the statewide referendum on the issue. Unfortunately, plastics companies have exploited the language of the bill to mass produce thicker plastic bags, technically classified as reusable, while exponentially increasing plastic waste. In fact, in 2021, Californians threw away over 230,000 tons of plastic bags.

Its clear this is a problem and something that the people of California have already agreed to address. Luckily, Sens. Benjamin Allen, D-Santa Monica, and Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, are working on Senate Bill 1053 to permanently ban plastic carryout bags from all California grocery stores.

Neha Suri

Roseville

False climate solution

California climate program could raise gas prices 50 cents, (sacbee.com, Feb. 23)

All Californians should be alarmed by House Resolution 7609, the Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act, recently introduced by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield. The bill would permit facilities generating renewable energy from forest biomass to participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Burning wood for energy pollutes more than burning coal. The production of wood pellets used in the incinerators also pollutes. Consider, too, the consequences of lost forest carbon during the extraction of the wood to be burnt and the harmful impacts on forest ecosystems.

Wood pellet production and biomass incineration are not green, and it takes decades to recapture the carbon lost by the logging and then burning of trees. Garamendis constituents in the East Bay should let him know what a bad idea his bill is. We need clean electricity from wind and solar, not more false climate solutions.

John W. Armstrong

Rocklin
 Flash

At least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation for the third consecutive day in the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a press statement sent to Xinhua that the bodies of the 14 Palestinian killed were transferred to Tulkarm Hospital from the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp east of the city.

The statement didn't provide further details.

Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, entered the camp on Thursday, imposing a stringent siege and demolishing main streets, infrastructure, residential homes, and shops.

The sources noted that the ongoing military operation, coinciding with power outages, water cuts, and the disruption of communication and internet networks in the camp, was the most severe in years.

Sniper units were deployed on the roofs of high-rise buildings while other forces detonated several houses with guided missiles.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported clashes between the army and Palestinian gunmen, along with the sound of explosions caused by homemade explosive devices.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), announced in separate statements that their elements had engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the camp.

The Israeli public radio reported that the army, internal security agency Shin Bet, and the Israeli police killed a number of Palestinian militants in clashes during a wide-scale military operation in the refugee camp.

According to the radio, among those killed were Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja, the commander of the Tulkarm Battalion of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and another activist named Ahmed Al-Aarif.

The radio cited a military spokesman saying that during the ongoing operation, eight wanted persons were arrested, explosive devices and tunnels were seized, and workshops involved in manufacturing explosive devices within the camp were dismantled.

The West Bank has been witnessing escalating tension marked by armed confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinians in cities, villages, and camps since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 last year.

Earlier in the day, a Palestinian ambulance driver was killed by Israeli gunfire in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Israel has killed more than 460 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since the outbreak of the conflict, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.




A woman attends an event named "Evolution of Chinese Characters" in London, Britain, April 20, 2024. A special exhibition of Chinese characters was launched here on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese Language Day of the United Nations (UN). (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A special exhibition of Chinese characters was launched here on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese Language Day of the United Nations (UN).

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the event, minister Yang Xiaoguang of the Chinese Embassy in Britain said that both China and Britain should jointly promote mutual understanding and contribute more positive energy to promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Yang added that since the establishment of the ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and Britain 52 years ago, although the relationship has witnessed ups and downs, the overarching trend has been one of progress, resulting in tangible benefits for both peoples.

In her speech, British sinologist Frances Wood said that language and characters serve as significant barriers to mutual understanding between the two peoples, noting that exhibitions like this offer a chance for people in Britain to enhance their understanding of a culture that highly values calligraphy, and shed light on the modern advancements in character printing.

While viewing the exhibition, Michael Larsen, master of the Worshipful Livery Company of the World Traders of the City of London, highlighted the importance of maintaining an open mind and continuous learning, noting exhibitions such as this one facilitate mutual learning between the two nations.

Cheng Xunchang, one of the exhibition curators and a PhD graduate specializing in typography design at the University of Reading, said that by showcasing evidence of printing technology development, the exhibition allows the public to gain valuable insight into how modern printing technology has influenced Chinese characters. 

British sinologist Frances Wood speaks at an event named "Evolution of Chinese Characters" in London, Britain, April 20, 2024. A special exhibition of Chinese characters was launched here on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese Language Day of the United Nations (UN).(Xinhua/Li Ying)

A man attends an event named "Evolution of Chinese Characters" in London, Britain, April 20, 2024. A special exhibition of Chinese characters was launched here on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese Language Day of the United Nations (UN). (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A woman learns Chinese calligraphy at an event named "Evolution of Chinese Characters" in London, Britain, April 20, 2024. A special exhibition of Chinese characters was launched here on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese Language Day of the United Nations (UN). (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Bloomberg: Blinken to warn Beijing over support for Russia in upcoming trip to China

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will warn Beijing that the U.S. and its allies are "united in their opposition" to China's support for Russia's war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on April 20, citing an unnamed U.S. official.

Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow during the war, increasing economic cooperation and disrupting Western attempts at isolating Russia.

Expanded trade with China has played a key role in allowing Moscow to keep its economy running and ramp up its military industry despite Western economic pressure.

The U.S. has repeatedly warned China against providing Russia with lethal military aid and urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war.

Blinken said on April 19 that China is the "primary contributor" to Russia's military-industrial complex, and cautioned that China cannot maintain good relations with the West while simultaneously supporting Russia's war effort.

"China can't have it both ways. It can't afford that," he said at a press conference.

The unnamed U.S. official told Bloomberg that Blinken will deliver the warning in person on his trip to Beijing and Shanghai on April 24-26, and "spell out the implications for European security" should China's support for Russia continue.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said earlier in April that there would be "significant consequences" if Chinese companies aid Russia's war effort.

China has insisted that its alliance with Russia is normal and that it has not supported either Ukraine or Russia with weapons throughout the full-scale war.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Western criticism in a press conference in April, claiming that the partnership between Beijing and Moscow constituted "normal cooperation."

Read also: Scholz says he asked Xi to put pressure on Russia to end invasion

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Sunday applauded the Houses bipartisan approval of foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, arguing the vote sends a message to the world.

So, were building and this measure, strongly bipartisan, I think sends a message to the world, Blumenthal said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. The foreign minister of Lithuania yesterday, said, Good to have you back, America.'

I think America is back on offense and this sign that we can come together in a bipartisan way for our national security and send a message to Vladimir Putin, to Xi, to the dictators of the worldtoo soon to be popping your champagne corks, America is going to defend democracy, he continued.

Blumenthal was responding to the Houses weekend passage of a massive foreign aid bill, which followed months of stalemate and division among lawmakers.

The package  passed in four separate votes  includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific and a package of other national security measures, including a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The package now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass it in the middle of the week.

In commending the House vote, Blumenthal touted Americas defense and support of its allies.

Were [Americas] the strongest, greatest country in the history of the world. We can produce the kind of artillery shells, the long-range artillery, the attack guns that are necessary, Blumenthal said, adding later, And we also can enforce sanctions and seize and sell Russian assets to provide more resources to Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro praised Elon Musk as a free-speech advocate, in his latest effort to build opposition to the countrys Supreme Court as his legal troubles mount.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Bolsonaro and his supporters painted the court as overzealous and anti-democratic at a rally in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday as they railed against Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing investigations into Bolsonaro and the spread of disinformation.

Musk, the owner of the social-media platform X, pledged earlier this month to defy the court and reinstate user accounts that had been banned as part of its efforts to combat the spread of fake news online. The company later said it would continue to comply.

Read more: Brazils Top Justice Opens Criminal Inquiry Against Elon Musk

Bolsonaro and Musk contend the court is overstepping its authority in a way thats undermining free speech. The court argues that battling online disinformation is crucial to democracy.

Musk is a man that had the courage to show with some evidence, and with more to come, where our democracy was heading, and how much freedom we have already lost, Bolsonaro told supporters. I respectfully ask for a round of applause for Elon Musk.

Right-wing deputy and Bolsonaro supporter Gustavo Gayer spoke in English during the demonstration, calling out Musk. I will speak in English because I am certain that Musk is watching what is happening here right now, Gayer said.

The demonstration, much like a February rally that drew hundreds of thousands of supporters to the streets of Sao Paulo, also aimed to blunt momentum behind an investigation into allegations that Bolsonaro planned a coup attempt after his 2022 election defeat, said Silas Malafaia, a prominent evangelical pastor who helped organize the event. During Sundays rally, Malafaia continued to claim that Judge Moraes is a threat to democracy.

Read More: Bolsonaro Targeted as Police Ensnares Alleged Coup Plotters

The probe into the alleged coup plot is one of several major legal investigations facing the right-wing former leader. Police have targeted dozens of his allies as part of investigations into the events of Jan. 8, 2023, when thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed major government buildings in the nations capital in response to his election loss. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing.

Read More: Musk Meets His Match in Brazils Fake News-Fighting Top Court

The event served as an opportunity for Bolsonaro to re-energize his right-wing base ahead of October municipal elections in which his Liberal Party wants to continue building on its recent success. Along with its allies, the party is targeting 1,000 victories in mayoral races  roughly 20% of those up for grabs  as it seeks to set the stage for a 2026 challenge to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

If something bad happens to me, dont lose hope, keep on fighting, Bolsonaro said.

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Mr Johnson authorised payments of 100,000 to bereaved partners of victims when he was prime minister - Geoff Pugh

Victims of the infected blood scandal are being denied justice by continued delays to compensation, Boris Johnson has warned.

The former prime minister said that justice delayed is justice denied as he called for payments to be resolved swiftly over the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.

During the 1970s and 80s thousands, including children, were given disease-ridden products from America and were infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

As many as 30,000 people who were treated for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were infected, and more than 3,000 have died.

Infected products came from US prisoners, sex workers and drug addicts, who were paid to give their blood to the manufacturers of a product called Factor VIII.

The Infected Blood Inquiry, which is due to publish its final report on May 20, made its most recent report on compensation on April 5 last year, recommending interim payments of 100,000 to affected individuals.

Interim payments were made to victims and spouses in 2022 but the 2023 report expanded this to also include children and parents of victims. The Government was given a deadline of the end of 2023 to make these payments.

It is thought around 2,000 people have yet to receive the interim payments they are owed under the reports recommendations. Almost 100 people who were infected with hepatitis and HIV are believed to have died since the latest report.

Justice delayed is justice denied

Yesterday, Mr Johnson joined calls for compensation to be paid out urgently to those affected by the scandal for which no organisation or individual has been held to account.

I am pleased that the Government has already accepted the case for compensation, and this matter should be resolved swiftly, building on the interim measures already put in place, he said. The process of delivering justice for the victims of this tragedy and their families has been too long, and justice delayed is justice denied.

Mr Johnson signed off payments of 100,000 to bereaved partners while Prime Minister in 2022 but other relatives have received nothing.

His concerns were backed by Tainted Blood, the biggest campaign group representing victims, which said that a body to compensate victims needed to be set up urgently and fairly, as proposed more than a year ago by Sir Brian Langstaff, the chairman of the inquiry.

The group said this needs to happen in the first half of this year. Andy Evans, the chairman of Tainted Blood, said: Many of our 1800 members have waited for decades since their diagnosis or that of loved ones to get justice, and far too many have died waiting.

Having refused to act for so long, the Government is now trying to backtrack on proposals passed by the House of Commons in its latest amendments in the Lords.

The IBI report is expected to be damning of Government inaction and cover-up over the years. We need a full and honest apology from the Government and proper compensation to bring closure to so many who have suffered.

Backing from six party leaders

Over the weekend, more than 180 politicians including Mr Johnson backed a campaign in the Sunday Times for justice for victims and their families. The politicians  including Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester and six leaders of Westminster parties  have called for lump sums and support for victims.

They have also asked for bereaved parents to be made eligible for compensation, overseen by a judge-led independent body, and an official apology.

Victims have also received the backing of Alan Bates, the campaigner who pushed for justice for wronged sub-postmasters affected by the Post Office IT scandal. He told the Sunday Times: As with the Horizon scandal, the victims of this tragedy have already waited long enough for justice.

A government spokesman said: This was an appalling tragedy, and our thoughts remain with all those impacted. We are clear that justice needs to be delivered for the victims and have already accepted the moral case for compensation.

This covers a set of extremely complex issues, and it is right we fully consider the needs of the community and the far-reaching impact that this scandal has had on their lives.

The government will provide an update to Parliament on next steps through an oral statement within 25 sitting days of the inquirys final report being published.

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Boston cannabis dispensary opens its doors on 4/20, adds to growing industry

On the unofficial holiday of 4/20, another dispensary opened its doors to new customers  part of the booming statewide cannabis industry.

Rebelle on Albany Street in Boston is the first dispensary to open in the South End neighborhood. The company produces its own marijuana products while also selling other brands as well.

Guillermo Erazo, assistant general manager of the store, told Boston 25 that their natural products focus on general wellness.

We produce our own product, said Erazo. We cultivate our own flower. We cultivate our own edibles and concentrates as well too.

Rebelle is now one of more than a dozen dispensaries across Boston that sell recreational marijuana.

Recreational marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts in 2016. The cannabis control commission reported roughly $1.5 billion in sales in 2023 as the industry grows statewide.

Erazo added, We have a lot of consumers who came down that are more happy that its recreational, that we open up doors for consumers to get it the correct way.

The growing industry is also opening new doors for local businesses.

Sam Burgess of Bootstrap Compost in Everett held a pop-up at the South End dispensary, saying his company can create a more sustainable marijuana industry.

We can actually compost green material after the harvesting, said Burgess. We can create bioplastics and whatnot for better packaging. So, I think theres a lot of room for improvement.

While dozens trickled into the store, Erazo told Boston 25 he hopes cannabis will soon be totally destigmatized.

Citing some benefits, Erazo finished, Lupis, muscle relaxation, or an increase in appetite too.

Since retail stores opened in 2018, the cannabis control commission has reported roughly $6 billion in sales.

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Sam Houston needed a miracle. Thousands of troops were charging into Texas from Mexico, threatening all that Texas settlers had built and all that they attempted to defend. Heartbreaking defeats at the Alamo and Goliad had severely damaged the army and morale. Now on the run in the spring of 1836, the hopes of Texas lay with him.

Mexico was in the midst of its own civil war by 1835, with the Texas Revolution being just a part of it. Government after government had been overthrown in a series of upheavals as one faction after another tried to lay claim to the country. In fact, the nations of Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador had initially been a part of Mexico when it won its independence from Spain in 1821. After yet another revolution in 1823, those nations split away. At this point, states across Mexico rose in rebellion against the latest government in Mexico City.

Texas settlers had risen up as well and declared their independence on March 2, 1836. Sam Houston, a hero from the War of 1812 and former governor of Tennessee, had been chosen to command the Texas Army. While he accepted the command without hesitation, Houston realized that in spite of the fighting spirit of the troops, they were outmanned and outgunned.

Ken Bridges

Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the current president of Mexico, had gathered thousands of troops and swore that Texas troops would receive no quarter or mercy. As defeats mounted, Houston pulled back toward East Texas to assemble his army and prepare for a final stand. He wrote his troops on April 7, The victims of the Alamo and the names of those who were murdered at Goliad, call for cool, deliberate vengeance. Strict order, discipline, and subordination will insure us the victory. By April 19, they arrived at Buffalo Bayou near the San Jacinto River in what is now Harris County with Santa Anna arriving the next day.

On the afternoon of April 21, while Santa Anna and his troops rested, Houston took his 800 troops and charged at the Mexican force of nearly 1,450. Houston himself was shot in the ankle, but the army quickly overwhelmed Santa Annas forces, taking very light casualties.

In one glorious moment, Houston and the Texas Army triumphed over Santa Anna. The battle was a rout. About 630 of Santa Annas troops died and 730 taken prisoner. In the chaos of the battle, many Mexican troops had fled the scene, and Santa Anna himself seemed to have slipped away as well. Houston ordered that his troops redouble their efforts to find him, for if he managed to escape and redirect his remaining forces, the battle at San Jacinto would have been for nothing.

The next day, Santa Anna was found, disguised as a private and hiding among his troops. His own troops had given him away by loudly addressing him as El Presidente. He was brought before Houston where he formally surrendered his army.

Houstons victory secured the independence of Texas from Mexico. Within months, a jubilant Texas public elected Houston as the first elected president of the Republic of Texas with 79% of the vote. Harrisburg was incorporated as the City of Houston in 1837, named in his honor. Though Houston had won the great victory he needed, many new and complex challenges still faced Texas.

The importance of the Battle of San Jacinto and the role of Sam Houston was never lost in the imagination of the Texas public. The State of Texas officially purchased the battle site in the 1890s, while a 570-foot obelisk was completed in 1939 in memory of the battle.

Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Bridges: Sam Houston carried hopes of Texas into final stand, triumph
The siblings' mom and older brother, who were also at the party, are still in critical condition, their aunt said

Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP A vehicle crashed into Swan Creek Boat Club in Michigan on April 20

A pair of siblings are dead and at least 15 people are injured after an intoxicated driver crashed a vehicle into a boat club where a childs birthday party was being held.

In a press conference following the incident, which occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, April 20, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said that the driver was a 66-year-old woman who will not be identified at this time.

Officials were dispatched to the crash around 3 p.m. local time after the drivers vehicle struck Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan, Goodnough said.

The woman had crashed her vehicle into the building and entered about 25 feet inside, where a young childs birthday party was being held, the sheriff said.

Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP Officials respond to the April 20 crash at Swan Creek Boat Club

At the time of the press conference, there were 15 total victims, both adults and children, the sheriff said. Two victims, who were siblings, were pronounced dead at the scene.

They were later identified as 8-year-old Lana and 5-year-old Zayn by a GoFundMe posted by their aunt, Diane Harrington.

The siblings mom, Mariah, and older brother, Jayden, also suffered injuries at the birthday party, and are still in critical condition, per the fundraiser.

After first responders arrived, three children and six were adults transported to local hospitals by ambulance and helicopters with serious, life-threatening injuries, the sheriff said. The rest were transported via private vehicles.

Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP Helicopters transported victims of the April 20 Swan Creek Boat Club crash to nearby hospitals

According to Goodnough, first responders described the initial scene of the crash as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident.

When asked about the demeanor of the driver following the crash, the sheriff said, As to her mental state, I dont want to get into that, though he did note that she cooperated with authorities.

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The sheriff also said that the driver may have visited Verna's Tavern, a bar located about three miles away from the boat club, prior to the crash.

He said officials shut the business down and are in the process of executing a search warrant as to information for the business conducted.

The woman was taken into police custody and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, Goodnough said. He added that additional criminal charges will likely be brought against the driver as the investigation proceeds.

Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP Police responded to the April 20 crash at Swan Creek Boat Club

"At this time, investigators are continuing to process evidence at the scene, identify victims, interview witnesses and reunite family members, he said.

After the crash, Swan Creek Boat Club announced in a Facebook post that the club will be closed on Sunday, April 21.

There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion, the post read. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.

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Read the original article on People.
The Buckeye Imagination Museum received awards from the Ohio Museums Association including Institution of the Year for outstanding accomplishments in the field.

Buckeye Imagination Museum was nominated for its accomplishments in museum design and community collaboration.

Fred Boll, Buckeye Imagination Museum executive director, cited the cooperation and communication with other OMA members as a guide in the museum's development and growth.

"I look at the accomplishments that these institutions are doing and learn from them," Boll said.

The Buckeye Imagination Museum has earned awards from the Ohio Museums Association.

Buckeye Imagination Museum was won Best Community Collaboration/Partnership for Optimist Park. This award recognizes innovative partnerships within communities or among other museums. The Mansfield Noon Optimists Club members raised funds to build the neighborhood park to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary.

April Monroy, museum front desk manager, said, "The Optimist Park has been a wonderful addition to the museum. Many families use both before and after coming to play in the museum. We really enjoy seeing neighborhood kids come to play too."

The new site of the museum at 175 W. Third St. opened in 2022 and features dozens of displays including an airport, an ice cream stand, pizza parlor and car wash on the spacious first floor.

The children's museum has a large parking lot adjacent to the Renaissance Theatre.

The initial museum, the Little Buckeye Children's Museum, was located on West Fourth Street near the Richland Carrousel Park.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

X (formerly Twitter): @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Buckeye Imagination Museum in Mansfield OH lauded for design, more
Bundestag representative admits that recently-approved US military aid for Ukraine could be last one

Anton Hofreiter, head of the European Committee in the Bundestag, does not not rule out the possibility that the assistance package approved for Ukraine by the US House of Representatives on Saturday could be the last one.

Source: Hofreiter in a comment to Funke media group, writes n-tv, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Perhaps this is the last US aid package for a very long time  or even the last one at all."

Details: The politician noted that American support for Ukraine has become too uncertain, given the long deadlock around the approval of the aid package.

"We Europeans have to do much more for Ukraine," he said.

Previously:

On Saturday 21 April, the US House of Representatives approved a vital bill to provide Ukraine with military aid. 311 members of the lower house of US Congress voted in favour of the bill, while 112 voted against it.

The bill will now be submitted to the Senate as an amendment to the Senate bill on foreign aid, HR.815, which was passed in February. This should simplify the procedure for approving the package in the Senate.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that US senators will come out of recess to vote on aid to Ukraine on Tuesday 23 April.

US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the approved aid bill.

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Local people practice Chinese calligraphy in Oslo, capital of Norway, on April 20, 2024. A series of activities have been held in Norway to celebrate the United Nations Chinese Language Day, attracting a large number of participants. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

OSLO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A series of activities have been held in Norway to celebrate the United Nations Chinese Language Day, attracting a large number of participants.

Rigmor Johnsen, a leading member of a Norwegian Tai Chi association and former cultural attache at the Norwegian Embassy in China, led a Tai Chi sword performance at a "Chinese Language Day" event organized by the Chinese Embassy on Saturday.

Johnsen told Xinhua that Norwegian people's interest in Chinese culture and history has been increasing.

Yuan Jun, principal of a local Chinese school, also noted an uptick in both enrollment and language proficiency among students in the school.

At the event, more than 300 participants immersed themselves in Chinese culture demonstrated via traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, Chinese chess, among others.

Another event, the Chinese Film Festival, which opened on April 14, has attracted thousands to watch Chinese films including "One and Only," "Love Never Ends," "The Wandering Earth II," and "Lighting Up the Stars."

The themes of the Chinese films range from myths, legends and science fiction to the lives of ordinary people, which are expected to help Norwegians learn about the various dimensions of Chinese society.

Sigmund Jaang, a Norwegian music producer, spoke highly of the festival, hoping for enhanced cultural exchanges between Norway and China to deepen mutual understanding. 

Local people practice Chinese chess in Oslo, capital of Norway, on April 20, 2024. A series of activities have been held in Norway to celebrate the United Nations Chinese Language Day, attracting a large number of participants. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

Local people practice Chinese painting in Oslo, capital of Norway, on April 20, 2024. A series of activities have been held in Norway to celebrate the United Nations Chinese Language Day, attracting a large number of participants. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)
Santa Monica city officials last week approved a multimillion-dollar apartment unit for the homeless just days after the release of an audit which found California could not account for the $24 billion it spent on the states burgeoning homeless crisis.

The 122-unit building for the homeless will include a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, along with ground floor retail and residential and commercial parking spaces.

A design concept available on the city's website shows that the multi-apartment unit will cost more than $123 million, for a cost of just over $1 million each for the 122 apartments. A second design concept would have cost even more, north of $200 million for 196 units.

"Moving forward in bringing affordable and permanent supportive housing to city-owned land is a key step in our strategy to fulfill our Housing Element requirements," Mayor Phil Brock said. "I look forward to the next steps and ultimately seeing families move into these new homes and thrive."

The measure was approved days after the release of an audit which indicated the state had spent around $24 billion between 2018 and 2023 to tackle homelessness  but did not consistently track whether the huge outlay of public money did anything to actually improve the problem.

LA MAYOR PLEADS FOR WEALTHY TO HELP BUY HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS: UNPRECEDENTED PARTNERSHIP'

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Sunrise view of Santa Monica Pier and Ferris Wheel with Neon Lights at day's break, California.

The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), the agency responsible for coordinating agencies and allocating resources for the homelessness programs blamed local governments for the problem, saying these municipalities must be held more accountable.

Fox News Digital reached out to Santa Monica officials questioning how the city will ensure funds are spent efficiently in light of the audits findings.

Homeless encampments line the streets in Oakland, California on Friday, March 15, 2024. The city remains plagued by homelessness as nearby businesses close their doors due to safety concerns.

A city spokesperson said the state  like many other places  "is experiencing a housing and homelessness crisis, and all cities across the state are required to adopt a Housing Element that includes affordable housing."

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

"Santa Monica has dedicated several city-owned sites for affordable projects, a key strategy to lower costs to develop this needed housing and meet the mandates in the council-approved Housing Element," the spokesperson said. "The city is following this strategy with council recently approving the agreement to move forward with developments on three city-owned sites along Euclid Avenue."





Original article source: California city OK's $1M per unit homeless housing project after audit found state wasted billions on crisis
Maybe Im going out on a limb here, but the hapless House Republicans have finally achieved something big: an end to tit-for-tat impeachments.

Of course, thats the opposite of the achievement they promised two years ago, ahead of the midterm elections that gave them control of the House. Back then, some chest-beaters were vowing to impeach President Biden as well as members of his Cabinet, starting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the administrations border security czar, and sweeping up Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray (a Donald Trump holdover, by the way), Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Lord knows who else.

They managed, just, to impeach Mayorkas on their second attempt  more on that later. But all in all, theyve failed spectacularly. Fortunately.

And though Republicans wont say so, their humiliation has all but exorcised the zeal to abuse one of the Houses most solemn powers under the Constitution: its ability to charge executive or judicial branch officials with high Crimes and Misdemeanors, intending for the Senate to try the alleged offender and boot them from office.

The latest and hopefully final blow to the impeachment follies was delivered Wednesday. Two months after House Republicans made Mayorkas the first Cabinet member to be impeached in nearly 150 years, they finally sent the patently political charges to the Democratic-controlled Senate, which took just three hours to dismiss them. The Senate found that the two charges  that he willfully and systemically refused to comply with Federal immigration laws and breached the public trust  didnt clear the Constitutions high bar.

So much for the buildup from the House Republicans chief impeachment manager, Rep. Mark Green. Get the popcorn, the Tennessean told party donors last year. "Its going to be fun.

What makes the collapse of the Mayorkas prosecution all the more deflating for House Republicans is the fact that theyd pressed the matter as it became clear that the air was sputtering out of their main effort, impeaching Biden.

With Mayorkas, at least they gave dear leader Trump and the partys MAGA base something. But now theyre essentially 0 for 2.

House Republicans have all but folded the Big Top on the Biden impeachment circus. Many months after opening an inquiry oddly based on nothing more than to-be-determined charges, Republicans have no hard evidence of an impeachable offense by the president. Their supposed star witness was indicted for lying to the FBI. Other witnesses have undercut any case against the president. And, consequently, they dont have enough Republican support to proceed.

The clownish lead investigator, House Oversight Committee chair and Fox News regular Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, last month told donors in a fundraising letter  notice a pattern here, Republican leaders playing to monied interests?  that instead of seeking Bidens impeachment, hell send a criminal referral (again, crimes TBD) to the Justice Department. The hope is that the department is about to come under new management  by a reelected Trump, Mr. "I am your retribution himself  that will welcome the allegations.

As the Biden impeachment effort foundered, the Mayorkas impeachment took center stage, doubling as Republicans platform to stoke voters anger about migrant surges at the border. It proceeded even as the secretary spent untold hours at his day job, negotiating with senators of both parties to reach agreement on the most conservative immigration bill in decades, with billions for security  only to have hard-line Republicans in Congress kill the deal at Trumps bidding. The hard-liners said the quiet part out loud: They wanted to deprive Biden of a win and keep the border debate alive as a campaign issue.

Just more evidence that the Biden and Mayorkas impeachment crusades have been purely political exercises.

Both Senate and House Republicans are harrumphing that Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York, and his fellow Senate Democrats, set a terrible precedent by dumping the impeachment case against Mayorkas without a full trial.

Schumer and Co. set a precedent all right, but a good one: The Senate need not take seriously any articles of impeachment based on policy spats and politics rather than high crimes or misdemeanors.

Constitutional scholars across the spectrum and even a few Republican lawmakers had joined Democrats in denigrating the charges against Mayorkas. Its about as trivial as an impeachment can get, Michael Gerhardt, author of The Law of Presidential Impeachment, told Politico. The case was designed to put President Bidens immigration policies on trial, he added. Thats what an election is for.

Exactly. But MAGA Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio said Democrats will come to regret dismissing the Mayorkas impeachment articles, when a Republican-run Senate someday does the same to impeachment articles from a Democratic-majority House. Thats a danger, but not one that worries me. Democrats take governing too earnestly to impeach a Republican on such overtly political grounds as those against Mayorkas.

Take, for example, Democrats most recent impeachment resolution, the one against Trump after Jan. 6, 2021, for inciting violence against the Government of the United States. If tit-for-tatting Republicans opt in the future to trash impeachment articles covering actions as grave as that, they can answer to history, as those who voted to acquit Trump back then already are. (And by the way, back then 45 Republican senators also voted to dismiss the Jan. 6 counts against Trump without a Senate trial.)

Republicans rely on a false premise when they allege, as Comer has , that Democrats cheapened impeachment when they impeached Donald Trump twice. Both Trump impeachments, including the first one for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden before the 2020 election, easily cover the sort of misconduct the Founders had in mind, Im confident. Never mind that Senate Republicans let the former president off the hook each time.

The two well-deserved Trump impeachments are so different from Mayorkas and the Biden attempt they shouldnt even be called tit for tat. Theyre apples and oranges. And sour grapes.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Editors Note: Jack Becker is the editor of Caprock Chronicles and is a Librarian Emeritus from Texas Tech University. He can be reached at jack.becker@ttu.edu. Todays article about treasure in Blanco Canyon is the second of a two-part series by frequent contributor Chuck Lanehart, Lubbock attorney and award-winning Western history writer.

In 1990, archeologist Don Blakeslee set out to find evidence of Francisco Coronados route through the Llano Estacado. He obtained a Wichita State University grant, and in 1991 obtained a grant from the Herrington foundation, which funded fieldwork in 1992-93. Participants included noted archeologists Waldo and Mildred Wedel from the Smithsonian Institute and Jack Hughes from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University).

Coronado's Camp at Blanco Canyon. Painting by William K. Hartmann.

I concluded Coronados campsites lay on the eastern side of the Llano Estacado between about Quitaque and Yellowhouse Canyon, said Blakeslee. In part of my research, I visited Floydada, and Nancy (Marble) asked Jimmy (Owens) to give me a tour of Blanco Canyon. At the end of it, Jimmy said that if the camp was in that canyon, he would find it. About a year later, he had found a possible Coronado artifact, and by the time I got to visit, he had a second one, of copper, which clinched the deal.

Owens had found copper crossbow boltheads (arrowheads) which fit the pattern of those confirmed from Coronado's earlier encampment near present-day Albuquerque.

Then, on Labor Day weekend in 1994, Owens showed Blakeslee and Jay Blainemetal artifact expertthe contents of his junk box, and Jay spotted an ancient Spanish horseshoe nail. When Jimmy told us he had found it a mile or so down the canyon two years before, our faces showed some disbelief, so the next morning he went to the spot and came back with another crossbow bolthead. That spot turned out to be a part of the main camp.

Francisco Coronado. Painting by Billy Hathorn.

Archeological excavation at the site took place again in 1995, utilizing Wichita State University students. Owens assisted, and Blakeslee said the group enjoyed plenty of West Texas hospitality from the locals.

A few pottery remnants characteristic of Coronado-era New Mexico pueblos were unearthed, though opinions differ about whether Blanco Canyon was the site of the notorious hail storm which destroyed all of the armys crockery. Blakeslee believes the hail storm campsite is nearby in another canyon.

But there is no question the area was a campground for Coronados army. Hundreds of artifacts were unearthed, including many more copper crossbow boltheads, coins, jewelry, horse gear and other odds and ends. Someone discovered two copper aglets (metal tubes which fit tightly around each end of a shoelace). By researching Coronados records, Blakeslees crew identified the owner of the aglets as the captain of the infantry unit.

Jimmy Owens, who used his metal detector to find many Coronado artifacts in Blanco Canyon.

Blakeslee directed the survey of an area he suspected was occupied by harquebusiers (carbine-armed cavalry) and found three 53 caliber musket balls. Three 53 caliber pieces is what the Spaniards used (along with a larger ball) in what is called a buck-and-ball load, Blakeslee explained.

The archeologists cleared mesquite from a swath 20 meters wide and 200 meters long and mapped the campsite. It yielded two main concentrations of Spanish material that turned out to be two sides of a triangle, Blakeslee said. Then once we figured out that the infantry units were in a line at the upstream end, we were able to determine that the high-ranking horsemen occupied the other end. That led us to find the corner at the downstream end and to see that there was a line of material heading toward the infantry line. He directed a metal-detector search of the area, which turned up a Spanish nail that had been hammered into mesquite, evidence it was used to tether a horse.

The Blanco Canyon area which yielded the historic Coronado relics was soon named the Jimmy Owens Site in his honor. Jimmy died, age 47, in 1998.

The Owens Site is situated southeast of Floydada in one of the steeper, more entrenched ravines that run through the area. The site is on private land and cannot be accessed without permission. Blakeslee is not interested in further archeological digs in Blanco Canyon related to the Coronado expedition and would prefer to leave the site intact.

Horseshoe nails from Coronado's camp in Blanco Canyon.

So, what is the archeological significance of the Blanco Canyon campsite, other than to prove Coronado slept here? Blakeslee says the site serves to understand Coronados route through the Staked Plains. Some people thought he was north, and others south. Having the exact route allows us to make sense of what was written in some of the (Coronado expedition) documents and passages that otherwise were obscure.

Coronado continued northward from Blanco Canyon to the banks of the Arkansas River in Kansas, where the explorer found only small communities of naked people living in grass huts. His quest to find the Seven Cities of Cibola and great wealth was a dismal failure.

Chuck Lanehart

The conquistador soon ended his expedition and returned to Mexico, disgraced. Departing with little impact on the Llano Estacado, Coronado left behind the treasures of Blanco Canyon, the only physical evidence of his Texas travels.

Many of Blanco Canyons Spanish treasures, including the gauntlet, remain on display at the Floyd County Historical Museum in Floydada.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Caprock Chronicles: The historic treasures of Blanco Canyon, part two
My year of casual sex: I set out to be fearless in the bedroom  but what actually happened will horrify you

Kitty Ruskin details her harrowing experiences in her newly-released tome, "Ten Men: A Year of Casual Sex," which she hopes will serve as a wake-up call about the realities faced by young women in age where many males are addicted to violent pornography.

A British woman is speaking out about the dangers of casual sex, saying her romps with random men often ended in assault.

Kitty Ruskin details her harrowing experiences in her newly-released tome, Ten Men: A Year of Casual Sex, which she hopes will serve as a wake-up call about the realities faced by young women in an age where many males are addicted to violent pornography.

Women are tired of shouldering all this fear and trauma, Ruskin writes in the book, excerpted in the Daily Mail, revealing that she was raped by two different men while trying to be liberated and fearless in her sexual pursuits.

Kitty Ruskin details her harrowing experiences in her newly-released tome, Ten Men: A Year of Casual Sex, which she hopes will serve as a wake-up call about the realities faced by young women in age where many males are addicted to violent pornography. Instagram/kittyruskin

At the outset of 2019, when she was aged in her mid-20s, Ruskin made a resolution to stop being so precious about who she had sex with, believing she needed to make up for lost time after losing her virginity at 22.

I decided to have sex with as many people as I wanted to, she wrote, revealing she aspired to be like the empowered, promiscuous publicist Samantha Jones from Sex and The City.

No more guilt. No more self-loathing. No more self-limitation. I was liberated and fearless. I was Samantha.

Ruskin details her harrowing experience in her forthcoming tome, Ten Men: A Year of Casual Sex, which she hopes will serve as a wake-up call about realities faced by women where many males are addicted to violent pornography. Instagram/kittyruskin

Ruskins first date in 2019 was with a male model.

Although they had instant chemistry, the journalist decided to wait until after their second date to have sex with him.

She writes that she was startled when she found his bedroom contained bondage equipment which he proceeded to use on her without prior discussion.

Uncomfortable with the experience, Ruskin decided not to pursue anything more with the model  but her second fling with a PhD student went similarly awry.

After their first time having sex, the man attempted to convert Ruskin to a religion he was founding, making her feel as if he she had been used.

I decided to have sex with as many people as I wanted to, she wrote, revealing she aspired to be like the empowered, promiscuous publicist Samantha Jones from Sex and the City. Instagram/kittyruskin

Still, she agreed to another date, which ended with him choking her without consent.

It probably only lasted a couple of seconds, but they felt agonizingly slow, she painfully recalls in her book. I couldnt breathe, and my feet werent quite on the floor.

The experience left her fragmented and nauseous and confused.

But Ruskins worst encounters were still ahead of her.

One night while out at a bar with pals, the journalist blacked out after just three drinks, making her believe one of her beverages had been spiked.

Ruskin is a journalist currently living and working in London. Instagram/kittyruskin

When she regained consciousness, Ruskin was in the back of a cab with a man she didnt know.

He took her to his house and although she was far too drunk to consent he had unprotected sex with her.

Ruskin later realized that the experience was rape.

My mind was slow to accept that my body had been raped because of self-defense, she declared. After something traumatic happens, you dont want to acknowledge that its happened. You dont feel ready to face it, or capable of admitting it.

Still, determined to be empowered, the writer continued with her resolution.

I liked the idea of having sex with someone who cared about me; someone who had regard for my feelings, she writes in the book, saying she perused dating apps in the hopes of meeting more serious suitors. Instagram/kittyruskin

I liked the idea of having sex with someone who cared about me; someone who had regard for my feelings, she writes in the book, saying she perused dating apps in the hopes of meeting more serious suitors.

Perhaps sex within a relationship would leave me feeling more satisfied, more empowered.

That was not to be the case.

After going home with another man she met on one app, Ruskin said he aggressively forced her to have sex without a condom, despite her instance that he wear protection.

He didnt stop, Ruskin writes, saying the second rape in one year brought an almost unbearable weight of grief.

Ruskin was diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD in the wake of her assaults. Instagram/kittyruskin

Elsewhere, Ruskin revealed that she was both ghosted and love bombed by different men, leaving her confused and ill at ease.

She was later diagnosed with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ultimately, Ruskins year of sexual liberation left her broken up and disheveled  convinced that violence was synonymous with sex

She decided to go public with her story to highlight how common sexual violence is for young women, and hopes her experiences will help spark change.

Men: lets take the problem of rape culture off the back burner, Ruskin writes. Lets pull it down from the shelf and look at it, even though doing so might make you feel uncomfortable. Guilty, even.

It may make you feel uneasy, but women are tired of shouldering all this fear and trauma.

If you need support, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 1-800-656-4673. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Changing Planet: Restoring Our Reefs (BBC One) highlighted the damage that humans are doing to the environment. It showcased the brilliant efforts of scientists from around the world  many of them British  to restore and conserve the planets precious resources.

Both of those things registered with me during the course of the programme, but I have to admit that my first thought was: theres Steve Backshall on his holidays again. I know its not really a holiday. The man is working. Its just that Backshalls job never takes him to an industrial estate in south London (that job fell in this episode to poor old Liz Bonnin).

He opened the show in the Maldives, walking along a beach of white sand with a gorgeous turquoise sea lapping at his feet, wearing his nice linen shirt. Then he showed us a coral reef, which involved a spot of scuba diving. If the key to happiness at work is doing what you love, then Backshall has hit the jackpot.

This is the second instalment in what the BBC has billed, for reasons not apparent, as the most ambitious environmental series it has ever made. It will cover the same subjects over seven years, returning to see what progress has been achieved. The work on coral reefs is certainly ingenious.

In the Maldives, scientists have discovered that coral larvae  baby animals, as Backshall reminded us  are attracted to the sounds of fish on a reef. By playing audio recordings from a barren reef, larvae can be encouraged to set up home there. And the larvae in this case were harvested in a lab through IVF techniques, then taken out on the water by a little AI-powered boat.

The experts behind all of this came together in what one described as a bit of a Live Aid for the coral reef. Back in Britain, on an industrial estate in Cornwall this time, Bonnin visited a group of friends who set up a business building artificial reefs. They started with a cement mixer bought for 120 on eBay. The results looked fantastic  one reef was already home to 160 species. Who needs a trip to the Maldives when such a great coral reef story is on our doorstep?

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
So, who is this Charlie Kirk character?

Kirk, born on October 14, 1993, is an American conservative political activist and media figure. He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and oversees its various extensions, including Turning Point Action and Students for Trump. Kirk has also authored four books.

I recently discovered Charlie Kirk via TikTok. The first few videos from his account intrigued me. He talked about what a sham college is these days, which I agree with whole-heartedly.

In my opinion, the education system in the US has been on the decline more than ever over the last decade. In a lot of his videos Kirk pulls out stats; talking about the national graduation rate being ~59%. He also highlights that more than half of college graduates end up in jobs that do not require a degree ten years after completing their education.

We can all somewhat agree that job listings these days are ridiculous, am I right?? Some corporations ask for a Masters Degree and umpteen years of experience, while only offering $12 per hour as a starting rate, and that is beyond insane. Worth all those student loans? I don't think so...

I personally went directly into the workforce instead of attending college, accumulating debt, and wasting time in a classroom. One of the best decisions Ive ever made!

So, I was really excited to find this seemingly like-minded person, (Charlie Kirk), online speaking so candidly about the subject of education, especially with young people on his platforms.

Charlie Kirk: Jesus Saved My Life

Then, I came across another of Kirks videos explaining how Jesus saved his life. Damn, here we gothis is where we differ.

Im not religious whatsoever. At least not in the traditional sense. If Im anything, Id say Im spiritual, but I dont believe in anyones Sky Daddy and I think organized religion is also a complete sham; one of the major downfalls of our society.

Im a sinner. Gave my life to Christ. Most important decision Ive ever made. Kirk expressed to someone asking if he was a Christian.

Hey, to each their own, right? But, this take from Kirk really threw me for a loopIn my mind I thought, How could someone be so spot on with education and at the same time be so delusional? But okay, some smart people believe in something bigger, right? Not going to completely rule his views out at this point. Although...kind of. I tried to keep an open mind.

Kirk was asked if he thought the bible was real. Yes, I believe the Bible is true. He was asked why. His response was, Well, I could give you the technical answer, which is that theres never been an archeological discovery that has contradicted the truth of the Bible. And then of course, the wisdom. Theres not a truth of the Bible that if you apply it to your life your life does not improve dramatically.

Okay dudeyou lost me. Let's take a gander at what the "good book" says:

"1 Timothy 2:12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet."

Perfect segue into Kirks next stance

More Women Need To Get Married At A Younger Age

Okay, at this point I believe that Charlie Kirk is out there, but heres where I lost any and all respect for the man. In another of Kirks videos he states, The biggest thing is this: more younger women need to get married at a younger age and start having kids. The single woman issue is one of the biggest issues facing a civilization.

EXCUSE ME??

He continued, We have more single women in their early 30s that are the most depressed, suicidal, anxious, and lonely in Americas history because theres a biological clock thats going off and they realize that theyre not going to be able to have kids, that theyre not as desirable in the dating market or in the dating pool and so they start to lash out on the rest of society by voting democrat.

TikTok | Charlie Kirk

Is this not the most archaic and antiquated sexism youve ever heard?? My mind was completely BLOWN.

Just get married early. Reject the siren song of modernity and have lots of kids. Being a partner at a local law firm actually isnt that big of a deal. Having three kids is a really big deal and will make you happier and its okay to be a stay at home mom. In fact, we need a lot of stay at home moms and a lot of women want to be stay at home moms and we have miserable women because weve been shuffling them into a corporate wasteland. When in reality, a lot of them dont find a lot of passion or fulfillment in that line of work. And who can blame them?

This is some of the most disgusting rhetoric Ive ever heard. Hes basically saying that a womans only purpose is to procreate and if she doesnt shell be miserable and of no use to society.

Having three kids is a really big deal and will make you happier - Says WHO??

How about you mind your own business, Kirk? I have zero children by choice and I absolutely love my life. I know I would be miserable if I had children. This personal decision does not make me of less value, anxious, or suicidal. That's reckless information and I wish you had the competence to realize that.

Childfree And Happy AF

Siren song of modernity?? Please, this is 2024. Lets all take a page from TikToker Arielle Lorre's book who very proudly admits that she is childfree by choice.

She very vocally talks about being 38 and not wanting kids. She goes on to state how interesting it is that this concept is so hard for some people to understand. She knows that she doesn't want children, just like how she knows "the sky is blue." I'm with you 100%, sister!

Women do not have a predetermined destiny. We are not undesirable and lashing out because of some  biological clock bullsh-t.

Some women feel they were born to be mothers, and relish in that lifestyle. If thats you - I applaud you. IF that was YOUR choice.

However, I think its completely irresponsible for Charlie Kirk to be preaching such blatant nonsense to women, some of which Im sure are very impressionable given the demographic of his audience.

Dont even get me started on his abortion stance

I honestly feel bad for his wife and daughter.
Chicago police officer killed in Gage Park had spoken just last year at memorial for fellow officer

CHICAGO  When his friend and fellow Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso was fatally shot in the line of duty last year, Luis Huesca called him one of those guys that actually deserved this star in a remembrance video. Huesca tapped a badge pinned to his lapel, etched with the slain officers number 7649: He was very proud to wear this star.

Just over a year since Vasquez Lassos killing, the Chicago Police Department is mourning Huescas death after he was shot and killed while heading home from his shift early Sunday morning, two days shy of his 31st birthday.

A statement from Mayor Brandon Johnson said Huesca was a member of the 5th District Priority Response Team. He was off-duty but in uniform when he was shot in the Gage Park neighborhood just before 3 a.m. Officers had responded to a gunshot detection alert in the 5500 block of South Kedzie Avenue and discovered Huesca with gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of West 56th Street.

Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a news conference Sunday morning that Huesca was shot multiple times before he was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center. His vehicle was stolen at the scene.

Snelling said Huesca had been with CPD for six years. A procession carried Huescas body to the Cook County medical examiners office Sunday morning.

I met with Officer Huescas mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss, Johnson said. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis fellow officers and community.

While cars pulled into supermarkets and strip malls on a bustling Kedzie Avenue on Sunday afternoon, red and yellow tape cordoned off several blocks of brick homes just around the corner on tree-lined 56th Street.

Police and detectives gathered at the scene, marking spots on the ground and gathering evidence in plastic bags. As neighbors streamed out of church services, groups stopped to look at the caution tape and ask what had happened.

Miguel Torres Cruz said in Spanish that he has lived in Gage Park for two years.

I didnt hear anything at all last night, I slept through it, Torres Cruz said. I go out late at night for tacos a lot, and Im safe. Theres never anything like this here. No even robbing, no assaults, nothing.

Maria Jose, another Gage Park resident, was waiting in line at a bank near the scene of the shooting Sunday morning when she heard the news.

The caution tape goes down two or three blocks, she said in Spanish. Its usually so tranquil around here. I feel scared.

According to Chicago Tribune reports, Huesca is the third Chicago police officer to be shot and the first fatally this year. On Jan. 8, a veteran policeman was shot in the leg during an exchange of gunfire with a burglary suspect in the Gold Coast neighborhood. On March 21, an officer was shot by a civilian who was also critically wounded during an investigatory stop in Humboldt Park.

Last year, Vasquez Lasso, 32, was shot responding to a domestic incident in Gage Park in March. In May 2023, Officer Areanah Preston, 24, who was assigned to the Calumet District station, was shot as she returned home after a night shift.

CPD said investigators are still looking for a suspect.

_____
China Braces for Worst as It Becomes Punching Bag in US Election

(Bloomberg) -- With Beijing already becoming a top target in the US election campaign, President Xi Jinpings government is resisting any move that could backfire on the worlds second-largest economy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinas restraint was on display last week after President Joe Biden blasted Beijing as xenophobic and vowed to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum exports, during a campaign stop in a swing state where rust-belt jobs are on the line.

On the same day, Washington opened a probe into its rivals shipbuilding sector, causing stocks of Chinese firms in that industry to tumble. Congress also fast-tracked efforts to force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd., by bundling the decision into an aid bill that passed Saturday.

Chinas response to all this has been relatively muted. In a largely symbolic measure, Beijing imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on propionic acid, an export market worth $7 million to America last year, according to customs data. Officials brushed off the shipping probe as being about domestic politics, and deflected criticism of their immigration policies, asking if Biden was really talking about the US.

After a meeting between Xi and Biden in November the Chinese understood that US-China relations would not be perfect, but was an improvement relative to last year, said Zhu Junwei, a former researcher in the Peoples Liberation Army who is now director of American research at Grandview Institution, a Beijing think tank. China is learning to be more practical, more pragmatic  to compartmentalize different areas.

Chinese policymakers already battling a protracted property crisis and weak demand at home have scant incentive to escalate tensions. Beijing is relying on the buoyant American consumer as it leans on exports to hit its annual growth goal of about 5%.

Another reason for moderation: The latest US measures have minimal immediate impact. China sells little of the targeted metals to the US, and the shipbuilding probe will take time. The Senate still needs to approve the TikTok bill, and the company could file an injunction if Biden signs the proposal.

Senior White House officials are seeking to keep communication lines open to maintain guardrails on the relationship. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in China this week, where he will spell out how Chinese companies support for Russias war machine is impacting European security, according to a senior US official.

His trip comes on the heels of Treasury Chief Janet Yellens visit to Beijing earlier this month, and the first phone call between Chinas new defense minister and his US counterpart.

While Beijing might be able to dismiss largely symbolic tariffs, the prospect of TikTok being acquired by an American entity does appear to be worrying China. Behind the scenes, Chinese embassy workers are quietly meeting congressional staff to lobby against the bill, Politico reported Wednesday.

The Chinese government has signaled it wont allow a forced sale of the app with 170 million American users, which US national security officials say China could use to manipulate the election. The popular video-sharing platform says its committed to protecting the integrity of such votes.

Another option is that Beijing uses domestic measures it had passed to control technology exports and foreign acquisitions to curtail any sale by stripping out TikToks algorithms, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Reciprocity is a key feature of Chinese trade and foreign policy making, said Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of international relations at Shanghais East China Normal University, adding that Beijing is also aware of the hawkish nature of the US election cycle.

Bidens challenger Donald Trump has pledged to impose 60% tariffs on imports from China if he clinches a second term. A trade war resurfacing in 2025 is one of the biggest risks to China, according to Larry Hu, chief China economist at Macquarie Group Ltd. But thats unlikely to happen this year.

Still, not all the tension is down to election posturing. Over the past four years, Biden has blacklisted more Chinese entities than any other American president, as he pushed US allies to join his campaign to kneecap Beijings access to high-tech chips over national security concerns.

The Biden administration argues its curbs on cutting-edge semiconductors fall under a small yard, high fence strategy, but national security concerns risk hobbling trade in other areas. While the petition from union workers against Chinese shipbuilders mainly focuses on claims of unfair subsidies, it also has a national security element woven into the request.

I do not think there is a policy that would be viewed as too harsh on China from Washingtons perspective, said Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation. China certainly wants to limit damage this year.

Exemplifying how industry is rallying to take advantage of the hawkish election season, the largest US airlines asked Biden to halt approvals of new flights to America by Chinese operators earlier this month, citing Beijings anti-competitive policies.

Xis backing of President Vladimir Putin allows his nations planes to take shorter routes over Russia, whereas American carriers are excluded from doing so by unilateral sanctions the US imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Its unclear how Biden will respond to that request. But what is plain is the US-China relationship is now in a more precarious position, according to Sun Yun, director of the China Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center.

Even when Washington aims to stabilize ties, competition is still the overarching theme, she said. Given the election year, things will not be easy.

--With assistance from Dan Murtaugh, Jing Li, Siuming Ho, James Mayger and Hallie Gu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
China's new ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu speaks during a news conference for a small group of reporters at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa

By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - Chinese ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, who has served since 2019, has left his post and returned to China, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday, with the news emerging during a senior Canadian diplomat's visit to the Asian nation.

Further details into why he left his post were not immediately available. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China's foreign ministry said earlier that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held talks with visiting Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison and the two discussed "China-Canada relations and other issues of mutual interest and concern."

The Chinese ambassador's departure was first reported by the Globe and Mail. Cong's posting ended on April 9 and came as a surprise to some in the diplomatic corps because of its abruptness, the newspaper said, citing sources.

Relations between Ottawa and Beijing have been tense since 2018 when Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies, on a U.S. warrant. Later, Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were taken into custody by China.

China had detained the two Canadian men for more than 1,000 days in a step that was at the center of Ottawa and Washington's dispute with Beijing. The men were released in 2021 on the same day the U.S. Justice Department dropped its extradition request for Meng and she returned to China.

Beijing and Ottawa have also been at odds with each other over other issues like China's national security law in Hong Kong which Canada has condemned and China's alleged interference in Canadian elections, suspicions that China denies and Canadian government agencies are probing.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Josie Kao)
China's scenarios for invading Taiwan could be altered following Iran's failed attack on Israel, report says

China is likely analyzing Iran's failed attack on Israel to prepare for a possible invasion of Taiwan.

Experts believe China will focus on how Israel and its allies thwarted the attack, a report said.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have heightened in recent years.

China will analyze the failed Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel in order to better prepare for an invasion of Taiwan, experts believe.

Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles in a direct attack on Israel last week, but Israel and its allies were able to shoot down most of the munitions.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, told The Telegraph that China would likely look at the incident to work out how it could get past the technology and the alliance that foiled the attack.

"They will be picking apart what transpired, not just in the way in which the Iranians attacked but also how we responded  the Israelis and the coalition that supported them," he said.

"The kill rate for the drones and the missiles was extremely high, almost perfect. The walk-away for the PLA [People's Liberation Army] will be that the Americans and their allies have the technology to significantly blunt an attack," he added.

Chinese President Xi Jingping. Reuters

Much like Israel, Taipei expects to be able to rely on US support in the event of an attack from China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory.

A vote in the US House of Representatives on Saturday, which saw almost $61 billion in aid for Ukraine approved by the US House, also confirmed that around $8 billion would go toward security in the Indo-Pacific region, including to Taiwan.

However, Hammond-Chambers did not believe the pro-Taiwan alliance was operating as smoothly as in the case of Israel.

"The Jordanians, the Brits, the States and the Israelis all worked together to negate the Iranian attack. To what extent do we have that in place in North Asia?" Hammond-Chambers said, per The Telegraph.

"It's coming but I've not seen that yet  that common operating platform that allows for seamless interoperability," he added.

It follows a warning from former commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence Mike Studeman, in which he said Beijing appeared to be on the "march to war."

In an article for War on the Rocks, Studeman wrote: "The war machine of the People's Liberation Army continues to modernize at a sprint in every area."

"In 2020, Xi accelerated significant military milestones from 2035 to 2027 because he wanted China's military to modernize faster and give him Taiwan options earlier," he added.

Tensions have risen between China and Taiwan since the island's Democratic Progressive Party, which favors independence from China, won a third consecutive term in Taiwan's 2024 presidential elections.

In August 2022, following then-speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, tensions reached near-boiling point as China began military exercises over the island, including "live-fire drills."

In April 2023, China again launched military drills around the island after then-president Tsai Ing-wen visited the US.

At the time, China described the drills as a "stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces."

Read the original article on Business Insider
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, greets with Cambodia's Foreign Minister, SOK Chenda Sophea, right, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, April 21, 2024. Wang Yi, arrived Cambodia to mark his 3 days official visit (21-23 April) Cambodia to reaffirm his country's commitment and to boost the already firmly tied to southeast Asian country, twice visited in the last eight months. (AKP via AP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day official visit to reaffirm ties with Beijings closest ally in Southeast Asia. His visit is the last stop on a three-nation regional swing that also took him to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

He is visiting amid foreign concerns about two big Chinese-funded projects in Cambodia  a planned canal and a naval base  that critics allege could aid Beijings strategic military interests in Southeast Asia.

China is Cambodias most important ally and benefactor, with strong influence in its economy. That is illustrated by numerous Chinese-funded projects  particularly infrastructure, including airports and roads, but also private projects such as hotels, casinos and property development. More than 40% of Cambodias $10 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

Wang is scheduled to have separate meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, now serving as president of the Senate after serving for 38 years as Cambodias head of government until he stepped down last year to be succeeded by his son. Wang was also granted a royal audience with King Norodom Sihamoni.

Hun Manet has shown no sign of deviating from his fathers pro-Beijing foreign policy. In August 2023, Wang visited Cambodia just days after Hun Sen announced he would step down as prime minister in favor of his eldest son.

Beijings support allows Cambodia to disregard Western concerns about its poor record on human and political rights, and in turn Cambodia generally supports Beijings positions on foreign policy issues such as its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Cambodia has recently reiterated its determination to go ahead with the Chinese-financed 180-kilometer (112-mile) long, $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project across four provinces in the southern part of the country to connect the capital, Phnom Penh, to the Gulf of Thailand.

The plan has raised concern from neighboring Vietnam, where some scholars speculated the 100-meter (330-foot) -wide and 5.4 meter (18-foot) -deep canal could make it easier for China to send military forces southward, close to Vietnams southern coast. There are often frosty relations between Vietnam and its massive northern neighbor China, which aggressively claims maritime territory claimed by Hanoi and in 1979 staged a brief invasion.

The United States has also weighed in on the project, appealing for transparency on the part of Cambodia's government. Wesley Holzer, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Phnom Penh, was quoted as telling the Voice of America that the Cambodian people, along with people in neighboring countries and the broader region, would benefit from transparency on any major undertaking with potential implications for regional water management, agricultural sustainability, and security,

Hun Manet, speaking Thursday to government officials and villagers in southern Takeo province, dismissed the Vietnamese concern and vowed to push forward with the project, which he said would provide a huge benefit to Cambodia.

China also is involved with another project causing foreign concern, its Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand , which the United States and some international security analysts say is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijings navy.

The Ream base initially attracted attention in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of an agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30 years' use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.

Hun Sen in response repeatedly denied there was such an agreement, pointing out that Cambodias constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil and declaring that visiting ships from all nations are welcome.

The base is situated on the Gulf of Thailand, adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. The U.S. has refused to recognize Chinas sweeping claims and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce its status as international waters.

On Dec. 7, two Chinese naval vessels became the first ships to dock at a new pier at the base, coinciding with an official visit to Cambodia by Chinas top defense official.
Passengers and staff were evacuated from the Chisinau International Airport in Moldova's capital on April 21 due to an explosion threat.

"The Chisinau airport is currently on alert. All services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are conducting on-site checks. Passengers and airport staff have been evacuated from the building," Raisa Novitski, spokeswoman for the Moldovan Border Police, was quoted as saying by Ukrinform news agency.

For safety precautions, trolleybus route No. 30 was redirected to Airport Street, according to the country's Electric Transport Department.

The officials provided no further information.

A night before, passengers and staff evacuated from Chisinau airport following a 9:40 p.m. report of alleged bombs on-site and on one of the planes. The alarm turned out to be false.

Amid concerns of potential destabilization by Russia, the United States is strengthening collaboration with the Moldovan government, Ned Price, deputy to the U.S. representative to the U.N., told a Kyiv Independent reporter on April 11.

Tensions between Moscow and Chisinau have been mounting since February 2022 amid fears that the war may spill into Moldova via Transnistria, a Moldovan territory occupied by Russian troops since the early 1990s.

Read also: Ambassador: EU to provide lethal aid to Moldova

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A years-long debate on whether or not to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus from Schenley Park has returned to Allegheny County courts.

According to the Associated Press, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America filed a lawsuit in October 2020 after the Pittsburgh Art Commission voted to remove the statue from the park. The decision was supported by Pittsburghs then-mayor, Bill Peduto.

That lawsuit alleged that the city could not override a city council ordinance that approved the installation of the statue in 1955. The city countered the argument by saying the legislation was more akin to accepting a gift and that no council action to rescind it was needed, the AP reported.

After both sides failed to find a resolution for two years, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John McVay Jr. dismissed the ISDAs complaint because the statue was in a park that was owned by the city.

Two years later, the debate was sparked again after the Commonwealth Court wrote Friday that McVay erred in concluding that the groups claims are barred in their entirety, rejecting what it called the idea that claims of violations of the citys charter, code and ordinance were irrelevant procedural quibbles, the Associated Press reports.

The statue was covered up after the ruling in 2020.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A train derailed Saturday evening on the tracks between the cities of Wyoming and Lockland.

A Wyoming city alert, sent out via text message at 8:55 p.m., announced the derailment occurred between Wyoming and Cooper avenues. Wyoming said it was evacuating 500 feet from the tracks, which separate Wyoming from Lockland. The evacuation order was lifted at 10:22 p.m.

Lockland Assistant Fire Chief Josh Blum said people near the tracks were being asked to shelter in place, and downtown Lockland remained crowded.

Blum said there had been no injuries and no evidence of any hazardous leaks from the three derailed cars. The derailment had damaged the tracks and CSX officials had been called in.

In a statement, CSX spokesman Bryan Tucker said one of the three railcars spilled some plastic pellets. A text alert from Wyoming said the plastic pellets are called "Hop Flake," which is nonflammable.

Two tank cars also derailed, but nothing was leaking. The cause of the incident is under investigation, Tucker added in the statement.

Emergency personnel respond to a train derailment in Wyoming on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

"CSX appreciates the quick response of Hamilton County first responders," Tucker said. "Safety is our highest priority as we deploy our teams to develop a recovery plan and work to completely restore the area."

The stuck train stretched for at least a mile, with all crossings blocked between Wyoming and Lockland, as well as in Cincinnati's Hartwell neighborhood.

In a 10:28 p.m. text alert, Wyoming officials said, "CSX is on site and will handle cleanup, they hope to have the tracks open and site cleared in the next 12 hours."

The Enquirer will update this story when more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Train has derailed between Wyoming, Cooper avenues
When President Joe Bidens administration last week announced the award of $2 million to help reconnect Chicago neighborhoods torn apart by massive expressway construction since the 1950s and 60s, my first reaction was, Its about time.

That was followed by a question: How are they going to do it?

Two million dollars doesnt sound like much in this age of trillion-dollar budgets. But, as I was reminded, this is a planning grant, aimed at studying how the goal of reconnecting fragmented neighborhoods might best be achieved.

As legendary Chicago architect and urban planner Daniel H. Burnham famously said, Make no little plans. I think even he would be impressed with the size of what the Biden White House has in mind.

Since the 1960s, I have seen issues of community reconnection grow out of decades-long issues of social disconnection, usually tied closely to troubled dynamics of race and ethnicity. When the expressways envisioned by Burnhams 1909 Plan of Chicago finally were built, under President Dwight Eisenhowers federal highway program, the reception was mixed along with some peoples motives.

Few would argue that Burnham, who envisioned a roadway system radiating from the citys center to far-off city neighborhoods and beyond, correctly grasped the growing need for swift transportation between the city and suburbs.

But less happily, thousands of people were displaced, by the expressway construction which, like other aspects of that eras urban renewal programs, forced thousands of families to move away from their familiar friends and neighborhoods. And, in the fashion of tired but hardly irrelevant Chicago stereotypes, expressway construction attracted hustling ward bosses and other well-connected schemers, to buy up properties along the expressway routes and sell for handsome profits.

But more important to many African Americans, among others, in those years was the impact of race. Containing the Negro was unspoken city policy, wrote the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko in Boss, his definitive biography of Mayor Richard J. Daley.

On the South Side, for example, the Dan Ryan Expressway separated Bronzeville from Bridgeport, Daleys home ward. The Dan Ryan, for instance, was shifted several blocks during the planning stage to make it one of the ghettos walls, Royko wrote. Only coincidence, said the mayors defenders, at least in public.

Intentional or not, expressways had the effect in Chicago and other cities of walling off neighbors and communities in a way that causes isolation, discrimination and a stunting of economic growth. Heres how Chicagos grant application to the Biden administration, titled Reconnecting Chicagos West Side Communities, phrases the issue: The Eisenhower Expressway has divided neighborhoods on Chicagos West Side since its construction in the 1950s.

More than 13,000 residences, 400 businesses and 9 acres of historic Columbus Park in Chicagos Austin neighborhood were demolished, the application says.

Chicago wasnt the only big city in the U.S. to ignore the pernicious effects on residents and neighborhoods in undertaking massive projects. Robert Moses, the New York urban planner regarded as one of the most powerful and influential people in the nations largest city, took no back seat to Richard J. Daley. Moses left a legacy of many big projects, including major bridges and tunnels, tearing down thousands of housing units in his path.

Like Chicagoans, New Yorkers learned the hard way that they were losing more than housing. They were also losing the soul of communities suddenly fragmented and displaced. One of his most prominent critics was journalist and activist Jane Jacobs, whose book The Death and Life of Great American Cities argued that urban renewal and slum clearance did not respect the needs of city dwellers.

She advocated preserving the village-like neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, where she lived  and which was once threatened by Moses plans until Jacobs and others stopped the bulldozers.

What the Biden administration seems to be saying is that, over time, that which was done badly can be undone. Calling the program a key component of the administrations commitment to advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities, the White House said when the program was launched, the Biden-Harris Administration aims to rectify the damage done by past transportation projects and drive economic growth in communities in every corner of the country.

In the planning phase, the administration is seeking ideas and proposals from local people who are in the best positions to know the challenges ahead at the government and community level. Obviously, these efforts are at an early stage.

We can only hope they turn into something meaningful. Increasingly, urban planners seem to be seeing things Jacobs way, and Im glad. Major public works are important, no doubt. But what we gain shouldnt obscure what we lose. The displaced communities  and people  arent just collateral damage.
DENVER (KDVR)  The State of Colorado is auctioning cannabis-themed license plates to benefit the states Disability Funding Committee.

The committee launched the auction on 4/20 offering the rights to 10 official cannabis-themed state license plates.

Is it legal to consume recreational marijuana in public in Colorado?

The state started the annual auction in 2021. Last year, license plates with the phrases DANK and MJ sold for $600 and $520, respectively. Since the auction began, it has generated over $96,000.

This year, the state is offering license plates with phrases like COHEMP, 420, REEFER, and GRASS.

Proceeds from the auction go toward funding for grants to support disability application assistance and innovative programs designed to benefit people with disabilities, the committee said.

Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera describes the auction as a meaningful way to celebrate Colorados cannabis industry while making an impact in the lives of others.

Here is a list of the license plate configurations up for auction this year:

420

710

COHEMP

EXTRACT

GRASS

HASHISH

HILIFE

KIND

NUGGET

REEFER

New pilot program to provide cannabis businesses with experts

How to participate in the auction

Drivers can bid on the right to own and use any of the listed configurations on their Colorado license plate. Or, the winner can keep the rights to use the configuration at a later date.

The buyer can use the configurations on their plate design of choice with a fee, otherwise, the plate comes on the standard white and green plate.

Additionally, the buyer has the right to resell the configuration through the Colorado Disability Funding Committee in the future.

The buyer is responsible for paying all associated fees, including the standard registration fees, a personalized plate fee, and any additional fees for a designer background.

Those interested can bid for the cannabis-themed license plates online. The bid starts at $420, and the auction opened at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20. The bidding window closes next Saturday at 4:20 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
NEW YORK  As pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University continue their protest against the war in Gaza, the schools Orthodox Jewish rabbi sent a message to hundreds of Jewish students urging them to stay home to ensure their own safety.

Rabbi Elie Beuchler sent out a warning to more than 290 Jewish students via WhatsApp, CNNs Jake Tapper reported on his social media feeds Sunday morning.

The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy, Beuchler wrote. It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.

On X.com, Tapper said Beuchler told him he sent the message in response, he says, to just horrific videos of protesters on campus calling for Jews to be killed, just off-campus Jews being yelled at to go back to Poland,' text messages Im getting constantly from Jewish students about how unsafe they feel.'

The New York Daily News has reached out to Beuchler for comment.

Protests have continued in defiance of university President Minouche Shafiks decision to call in the NYPD to clear a campus encampment and arrest more than 100 demonstrators Thursday.

Shafiks decision has met with intense criticism, with the Columbia and Barnard chapters of the American Association of University Professors saying in a statement Friday, We have lost confidence in our president and administration, and we pledge to fight to reclaim our university.

On Friday, a group of 97 Jewish students said they felt threatened by the protests surrounding the campus gates and asked the school administration to let them attend classes virtually.

_____
As pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University continue their protest against the war in Gaza, the schools Orthodox Jewish rabbi sent a message to hundreds of Jewish students urging them to stay home to ensure their own safety.

The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy, Rabbi Elie Beuchler wrote in a warning sent out to more than 290 students via WhatsApp.

It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible ad remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.

On X.com, CNNs Jake Tapper said Beuchler told him he sent the message in response, he says, to just horrific videos of protesters on campus calling for Jews to be killed, just off campus Jews being yelled at to go back to Poland,' text messages Im getting constantly from Jewish students about how unsafe they feel.'

Beuchler on Sunday confirmed he sent the message, adding, With Passover preparations and students to attend to, at this time I will not be taking any press inquiries.

The NYPD did not provide statistics on the number of antisemitic or anti-Muslim hate crimes reported to police in connection with the protests at Columbia, instead responding to the request with city-wide hate crime statistics between Jan. 1 and April 14.

Antisemitic hate crimes across the city rose from 66 to 96 so far this year compared to the same period last year. Anti-Muslim hate crimes rose from one to nine.

We do not believe that Jewish students should leave @Columbia, Columbia/Barnard Hillel, a group that supports Jewish students, posted on X.com. We do believe that the university and the city need to do more to ensure the safety of our students.

Protests have continued in defiance of university President Minouche Shafiks decision to call in the NYPD to clear a campus encampment and arrest more than 100 demonstrators Thursday.

Shafiks decision has met with intense criticism, with the Columbia and Barnard chapters of the American Association of University Professors saying in a statement Friday, We have lost confidence in our president and administration, and we pledge to fight to reclaim our university.

In a series of X.com posts Sunday, independent reporters showed videos of a new Gaza solidarity encampment being built on campus.

On Friday, a group of 97 Jewish students said they felt threatened by the protests surrounding the campus gates and asked the school administration to let them attend classes virtually.

One video posted on YouTube Wednesday shows a woman wearing a Keffiyeh cursing and screaming We are all Hamas! at pro-Israeli counter-protesters off-campus, while a woman wearing an Israeli flag as a cape asks a police officer, Why dont you arrest these people? and yells back, You fing terrorist lunatics!

Another video, posted to X.com Friday, shows two men on 116th Street, also off-campus, screaming Never forget the 7th of October, referring to the Hamas sneak attack on Israel that led to the siege of Gaza, and vowing that the attack would happen 10,000 times.

In a statement Sunday, Columbia referred to student safety as its number one priority.

Columbia students have the right to protest, but they are not allowed to disrupt campus life or harass and intimidate fellow students and members of our community, the statement reads. We are acting on concerns we are hearing from our Jewish students and are providing additional support and resources to ensure that our community remains safe.

_____
The Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College sent a message recommending Jewish students leave campus and go home as anti-Israel agitators have continued an "encampment" on campus and participants were caught on camera espousing full-on support for terrorism and supporting violence toward Jewish students.

In a WhatsApp message sent to hundreds before the start of Passover, Rabbi Elie Buechler, director of OU-LJIC at Columbia/Barnard, told students to leave "as soon as possible" until the situation improves, noting that "what we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic."

"The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy," Buechler wrote. "It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved."

STEFANIK ACCUSES COLUMBIA PRESIDENT OF 'PRO-TERRORIST' PROFESSOR 'COVER-UP,' WARNS OF POTENTIAL FELONY

Anti-Israel agitators are shown outside Columbia University in New York City on April 20, 2024.

The rabbi added, "It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school."

House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Sunday demanded Columbia University President Dr. Nemat "Minouche" Shafik to "immediately resign" given how Columbias leadership "has clearly lost control of its campus" within the last 24 hours, "putting Jewish students safety at risk."

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Stefanik said Columbia leaderships hours of preparation for their testimony before the House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing last week "clearly was an attempt to cover up for their abject failure to enforce their own campus rules and protect Jewish students on campus."

Despite Shafik allowing the New York Police Department on campus the day after her testimony before Congress, where lawmakers grilled her about the lack of consequences for antisemitism at the Ivy League school, the more than 100 people arrested and suspended from the university on Thursday have since been released from custody.

The anti-Israel encampment on the locked campus has remained as police officers look on from across the gates.

Video circulating online appear to pass the threshold of simply supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement or human rights pleas for Palestinians in Gaza, as speakers described the Columbia encampment as a "training ground" for "fighters" and have praised the Oct. 7 attacks, when Hamas militants slaughtered nearly 1,200 Jews and took over 240 hostages.



Beyond "Free, Free Palestine," demonstrators chants have included "Al-Qassam you make us proud, kill another soldier now!" "We say justice, you say how. Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!" and "Hamas we love you. We support your rockets too!"

Anti-Israel protesters are shown outside Columbia University on April 20, 2024.

One anti-Israel agitator was seen holding a sign reading, "Al-Qasams (sic) next targets," and pointing toward a group of Jewish students who were singing while waving the Israeli flag. The Al-Qassam Brigade is the military wing of Hamas.

Another video showed demonstrators shouting at Jewish students leaving campus, "Go back to Europe" and "All you do is colonize."

Ben Shapiro, host of "The Ben Shapiro Show" podcast and a frequent speaker on campuses around the country, decried how universities "have spent literally years telling conservatives on campus to shut up  that they might microaggress [the] sensibilities of far-left students by saying that boys cant be girls and the like."

"Theyve spent those same years coddling radical leftists who actively undermine the actual functioning of the universities. Columbias latest protests werent designed to be peaceful. They were designed to intimidate and harass," Shapiro said. He described how the latest protests featured pro-Hamas activists cheering Oct. 7, pledging a new Oct. 7 "every day" and screaming, "Were all Hamas."

"Columbia has no obligation to coddle terror supporters who harass students and obstruct the functioning of the university," Shapiro said. "Columbia spent months doing so after October 7. Theres already a lawsuit alleging that Jewish and Israeli students have been physically assaulted, spat at, threatened and subjected to relentless intimidation and vilification."

Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor at Columbia who went viral in October for calling out the schools inaction on antisemitism, demanded that the National Guard be brought in if the NYPD cannot take action.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS EXCORIATE ILHAN OMAR SUGGESTING COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PROTESTS NOT 'ANTI-JEWISH'

"[Shafik] needs to open the gates of the university. And NYPD needs to come in and disperse the crowd and arrest everyone who refuses. And keep them in jail. And if the NYPD cannot do this, then we need the National Guard," Davidai told Fox News Digital. "With all the fraught history the National Guard has had on U.S. campuses, if Columbia can't keep the Jewish students safe, and if the police [can't] continue to keep the Jewish students safe, then the National Guard must, because this is a civil rights issue. This is not about the war in Israel. This is a Jewish civil rights issue."

A view of the banners and Palestinian flags as anti-Israel agitators resume demonstrations at Columbia University on April 19, 2024.

"This is a hostile takeover of the university," he added. "It's a showdown of support for Hamas on one hand and Western civilization on the other hand.  The showdown is happening on Columbia's campus."

At the congressional hearing Wednesday, House Republicans grilled Shafik on what consequences Columbia professors Joseph Massad, Katherine Franke and Mohamed Abdou faced for celebrating Oct. 7. The university president vowed Abdou would never work at Columbia again but gave unclear testimony on whether Massad was reprimanded by his dean about his comments or was removed as the chair of a committee.

"Professor Joseph Massad described Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel as a resistance offensive designed to fight racism toward the Palestinians," Shapiro told Fox News Digital. "Professor Katherine Franke said, All Israeli students who served in the IDF are dangerous and shouldnt be on campus. Professor Mohamed Abdou posted on social media on Oct. 11, Im with Hamas & Hezbollah & Islamic Jihad. Its too bad that Columbia decided to bend over backwards to accommodate its pro-Hamas radicals until now."

HOUSE REPUBLICANS GRILL COLUMBIA PRESIDENT OVER EMPLOYMENT OF PROF WHO CALLED OCT 7 HAMAS ATTACK AWESOME

Davidai said the demonstrations at Columbia "have never been about human rights."

"From the very first moment, these protests were about justifying rape as a means to a goal," he said, referencing the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack. "That is not about human rights."

Anti-Israel agitators demonstrate at Columbia University on April 19, 2024.





Original article source: Columbia rabbi tells Jewish students to leave campus, warns that school, NYPD 'cannot guarantee your safety'
San Francisco Mayor London Breed poses for a photo at Shanghai Wild Animal Park in east China's Shanghai, April 21, 2024. The U.S. city of San Francisco will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Shanghai in culture, tourism, innovation, and other areas, further consolidating the sister-city relationship with Shanghai, San Francisco Mayor London Breed has said.(Xinhua/Chen Jie)

SHANGHAI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. city of San Francisco will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Shanghai in culture, tourism, innovation, and other areas, further consolidating the sister-city relationship with Shanghai, San Francisco Mayor London Breed has said.

Breed made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua on Saturday at the Shanghai-San Francisco Sister City Business Forum, which she attended during her visit to China.

San Francisco and Shanghai established a sister-city relationship in 1980, one of the earliest friendly relations between cities of the two countries.

"San Francisco and Shanghai are very diverse cities," said Breed, adding that both cities believe in innovation, urbanization, opportunity, and "ways to grow and develop where it is responsible for the planet and for the next generation."

Breed said the two cities will expand their collaboration in innovation, student exchange, and the cultural domain, among other areas. She also expressed the hope that more flights will be added and more opportunities created for people to travel between the two cities, as both are famous tourist destinations.

"We're going to renew our commitment around business growth and development," she noted.

The mayor said it was exciting to witness the development of electric vehicles and related infrastructure during her visit to China, adding that electrification plays a critical role in combating climate change.

She also shared her view on artificial intelligence (AI), as San Francisco is home to some globally leading AI companies. "I do think that we can learn from one another in terms of this new technology, more importantly, how to be responsible with the technology and what it means for future generations."

Shanghai is the last stop of Breed's visit to China. "It has definitely been a great trip," said the mayor, highlighting the prospect of San Francisco receiving giant pandas from China.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Francisco Zoo signed a Letter of Intent on International Cooperation of Giant Panda Conservation in Beijing on Friday. The two sides will make various preparations before a pair of giant pandas are sent to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025.

"We are so excited about that. People in San Francisco are already talking about it," added Breed. 
NEW YORK -- Columbia University switched to remote learning Monday, as pro-Palestinian protests entered their sixth day on the school's campus in New York City.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik announced classes would be held virtually "to deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps." The university initially said it would offer a remote learning option, but then made it mandatory.

"Faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so; essential personnel should report to work according to university policy," the president's statement continued. "Our preference is that students who do not live on campus will not come to campus."

It's a move criticized by some students and professors.

"I'm a Jewish Israeli professor. I teach at Columbia. It's my right to be on campus and the university is denying my entrance to the university," Shai Davidai said.

Chopper 2 flew over the campus Monday morning and spotted the return of an encampment of tents on the school's grounds.

A tent encampment at Columbia University on April 22, 2024. / Credit: CBS2

Last week, Shafik asked the NYPD to come onto the grounds and remove a previous encampment. More than 100 people were arrested.

At a news conference Monday, members of the NYPD said the campus is private property and -- barring an emergency that requires an immediate response -- police are, therefore, limited in how they can respond, and can do so only if asked.

NYPD officials explained that even if they want to do more to police campus property, they must show restraint.

"What we can and can't do is different than what we can do on public street," NYPD Deputy Commissioner Michael Gerber said. "If someone, for example, is being attacked we're gonna go into Columbia University as we would do a private home to protect that person."

"The only NYPD assistance they asked is for us to patrol the outside the outer perimeter of the school," NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said.

Barricades remained in place outside the school gates Monday, and CBS New York learned additional security guards would be on patrol, along with enhanced ID checks at entrances.

Shafik said she wants to sit down, talk and even "argue" to come up with a compromise to the tensions on campus, adding a group of deans and administrators will help facilitate those conversations in the coming days.

Meanwhile, New York City and state leaders are speaking out against anti-Jewish rhetoric, with Passover set to start at sundown.

Responding to the protests, Mayor Eric Adams told CBS News on Monday there is no place for hate in New York City.

"This country holds dear the right to voice one's opinion, but that voicing of opinion, I don't believe personally, should call out the level of hate that we're seeing and the level of threats that we're seeing," Adams said.

The mayor said there are no credible threats in New York at this time, but the city remains on high alert. He said his office will be meeting with colleges and universities in the city to explain how to engage and work with the NYPD to make sure that the demonstrations remain safe.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Columbia's campus Monday morning to meet with leadership and discuss the recent demonstrations. She met with Shafik, law enforcement and students, she said.

"Right now, there are many students not feeling safe on campus," Hochul said. "Students are scared. They're afraid to walk on campus. They don't deserve that. They deserve to be in an environment that's free from discrimination, as required by state human rights laws."

Hochul added she had once been a student protester, herself, but "I've never seen a level of protest that's so person-to-person, that's so visceral."

"This is our lives, this is our safety. A lot of Jewish students have gone home for Passover, there aren't so many in there right now. Jewish students are petrified," one student said Monday morning.

A counter protest outside the campus gates was largely peaceful Monday but there was at least one heated exchange.

"Ninety-five percent of Jewish people are Zionist. So if you don't want to be part of the Jewish tribe, you have the right to do so. But you are not the spokesperson of the Jewish people, these -- all of them here -- are," one person said.

"I'm not a spokesperson of the Jewish people, I'm a spokesperson for what I believe in, OK? And I'm not comfortable," the other person replied.

"They want the larger community to consider what is happening in the Mideast. They want their voices to be heard," one man said of the afternoon demonstrations.

Actor Michael Rapaport made clear his position on the war and next steps.

"Happy Passover to everybody," he said. "Agenda number one is free our hostages. Do not be afraid of being Jewish, especially in New York City."

Antisemitism and safety concerns

The protests erupted Wednesday, as Shafik testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about antisemitism on college campuses. The hearing lasted several hours, and many Columbia students watched to see Shafik's commitment to their safety.

In light of the protests, the White House released a statement denouncing antisemitism.

"While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous -- they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America. And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms," Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said.

Hochul also took to the social media platform to reiterate the right to peaceful assembly, but said threats of violence against Jewish students will not be tolerated.

"The First Amendment protects the right to protest but students also have a right to learn in an environment free from harassment or violence. At Columbia or on any campus, threatening Jewish students with violence or glorifying the terror of Oct. 7 is antisemitism," Hochul said.

Monday morning, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he was no longer comfortable supporting Columbia "until corrective action is taken."

On Sunday, Rep. Elise Stefanik called on Shafik to resign.

"While Columbia's failed leadership spent hundreds of hours preparing for this week's Congressional hearing, it clearly was an attempt to cover up for their abject failure to enforce their own campus rules and protect Jewish students on campus," Stefanik said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Over the past few months and especially the last 24 hours, Columbia's leadership has clearly lost control of its campus putting Jewish students' safety at risk. It is crystal clear that Columbia University -- previously a beacon of academic excellence founded by Alexander Hamilton -- needs new leadership. President Shafik must immediately resign. And the Columbia Board must appoint a President who will protect Jewish students and enforce school policies."

Jewish students say they're living in fear; Rabbi tells them to stay home



Jewish students on campus say they've been living in constant fear since the protests began, as they believe many of the chants are antisemitic.

That, in part, prompted a rabbi associated with Columbia's Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on campus to say he is recommending Jewish students remain home amid the protests on campus.

However, after that message was sent to students, Campus Hillel issued a contrasting statement on X, saying it does not believe Jewish students should leave campus, adding, "We do believe that the university and the city need to do more to ensure the safety of our students."

A different rabbi, Yehuda Drizin, of the university's Chabad, decided to deliver matzo to students celebrating Passover.

"This is a formative moment and none of them deserve to be in this. This is outrageous. It's insane, but at the same time, what I'm seeing, the students step up and confidently come to the Seder and eat the matzah and say we're strong and we're proud and we're not fearful. That's the reaction I'm seeing and it's amazing," Drizin said. "Sometimes it takes, at moments, just the individual walking with faith and confidence through whatever is in their way in their face. Eventually, it splits open and they make it through."

Protests continue over the weekend

More than 100 people have been arrested since the pro-Palestinian demonstrations began last week both on and near the campus in Upper Manhattan.

Protesters started occupying the South Lawn on Wednesday, setting up a makeshift encampment made of tents. They have been critical of Columbia's response to the Israel-Hamas war and are calling on the university to divest from Israel.

"We are demanding total financial transparency. This is something most schools, many schools, state schools, all provide just transparency about where ethic investments are coming from, what they're investing in," said one student, named Sarah, who was protesting inside the encampment.

"It was disturbing to see Columbia call the cops on students," she added. "They're putting their professions, physical and mental well being on the line in support of a cause that they know is just, which is Palestinian freedom in our lifetime."

School administrators warned students to leave the encampment by Wednesday night or face suspension. The NYPD took more than 100 people into custody Thursday, after Shafik said the demonstration violated safety policies.

Columbia said in a statement, "Students do not have permission to set up tents on the lawn. Those who do are in violation of long-standing University policy and will be identified and subjected to disciplinary action."

On Saturday, a large group of protesters gathered outside the university gates, while students returned to the main lawn on campus. Four more people were arrested and released with summonses, according to NYPD.

Students camped out in tents, socializing, and chanting things like "Resistance is glorious." Those inside the encampment said the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were heard outside the gates of the school were not student-affiliated.

Meanwhile, students at other colleges, MIT and Emerson College in Boston, held rallies in solidarity with Columbia students. In Washington, the House passed a $95 billion foreign aid package Saturday that includes funds for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Encampment pops up at The New School

A group of students at The New School also set up tents inside the Union Square campus.

About a dozen students took over the school's University Center on West 12th Street on Sunday, setting up tents and making signs reading "Gaza Solidarity Encampment."

In an online post, the group said it is standing in solidarity with protesters at Columbia.

The New School said its president will meet with student groups on Monday to consider their requests for financial transparency of the university's investments.

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Columbia University student demonstrator taken away on stretcher as anti-Israel protests rage on

A student was taken away on a stretcher during the ongoing protests at Columbia University on Saturday.

A woman was taken away on a stretcher during as some 200 anti-Israel protesters continued demonstrations at Columbia University on Saturday, photos show.

Columbia University EMS responded to a call from the grass field on campus and provided medical treatment to a student, a university spokesperson told The Post. It was not clear what the students condition was.

Several student protesters held up black umbrellas and tarpaulin to block her from sight.

A student was taken away from the protests on a stretcher on Saturday.

Two days after more than 100 students were arrested when the NYPD raided the tent encampment on the Ivy League campus, roughly 200 demonstrators were still going strong on Saturday, chanting, holding signs and waving Palestinian flags.

At least three people were arrested, the NYPD confirmed. Two were cuffed for disorderly conduct and a third was slapped with a summonses for a sound reproduction device.

Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation, they yelled through the locked campus gate on W. 115th and Broadway.

We want justice, you say how? Stop arming Israel now! another group chanted.

The students are demanding the university divest from Israel.

We demand that Columbia sever academic ties with Israeli universities and we demand that Columbia stop censoring and intimidating students who are standing up and advocating for Palestinian liberation, one student yelled through the gate to the crowd that had gathered on the other side outside of campus.

Over 100 students were arrested at Columbia University on Thursday night.

A line of police officers in riot helmets watched on. A handful of Israel supporters stood across Broadway  including one who was doused with fake blood for engaging with the pro-Palestinian students.

Avi Lichtschein, 37, of Manhattan was walking his dog when the group surrounded him and shouted, We dont want no Zionists here!

He looked toward the NYPD for help after being sprayed with what he said was ketchup, but remained on the street for another minute to talk with the protesters until they finally chased him away.

Im a proud Zionist, Lichtschein told The Post. Im very surprised that this kind of hatred exists in any capacity in 2024.

NYPD officers surround protesters near Columbia University Saturday evening. William Miller

At least three people were arrested, the NYPD confirmed. Two were cuffed for disorderly conduct and a third was slapped with a summonses for a sound reproduction device. William Miller

Its difficult for me to understand that there are two sides when on one side its gentle and peace. We dont have these kind of rallies, he continued.

I thought college kids are supposed to be going to keggers and having fun. This hate shouldnt exist in any capacity.

Another pro-Israel bystander Ross Glick, 50, told The Post his grandparents were Holocaust survivors. The Upper East Side resident grew up in the Midwest during the first intifada but said this is more concerning.

Theres no doubt that theres a lot of innocent people dying in Gaza but to call it a genocide.What about the 6,000 Muslims that were gassed by Assad? Glick said.

If you dont like it go to Gaza, he said about the protesters.

The protesters, he said, dont want a peaceful solution.

Students continued to occupy the lawn area at the Ivy League school on Saturday..

You dont hear them talk about peace or co-existence. [Its] death to Israel, he said.

Nerdeen Kiswani, who leads the condemned Within Our Lifetime group, gave an impassioned speech to the crowd after apparently getting married tonight.

These universities have come to represent the oppression that they have always fostered. Before they denied this genocide, they gentrified Harlem! Kiswani shouted.

They continue to place themselves on the wrong side of history, she added about Columbia.

New York City council members Shahana Hanif, Alexa Aviles, Sandy Nurse and Tiffany Caban all stopped by earlier in the afternoon to visit the demonstration. The Post has reached out to each of their offices for comment.

Numerous protesters who were not associated with Columbia swarmed campus earlier in the day  including actress Susan Sarandon and a former CUNY professor who once threatened a Post reporter with a machete.

A Columbia spokesperson noted that while the tent encampment has been dismantled, the school anticipates demonstrations to continue as they have since October.

There are rules in place regarding the time, place and manner of protests on campus that it will continue to enforce, the spokesperson said.

Columbia University and Barnard College faculty slammed Thursdays arrests and demanded that their records be expunged.

The American Association of University Professors at the sister schools issued a statement following a mass emergency meeting of faculty on Friday.

The students are demanding the university divest from Israel. William Miller

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Administrations suspension of students engaged in peaceful protest and their arrest by the New York City Police Department, according to the statement provided to The Post.

They said Columbia has an absolute obligation to protect students freedom of speech.

We demand that all Barnard College and Columbia University suspensions and charges be dismissed immediately and expunged from the students records, and that all rights and privileges be restored to them immediately, the faculty said.

They also demanded that no students face any disciplinary action for protesting without due process and that no police officers be allowed on campus without serious consultation with the Executive Committee of the University Senate.
This column appears every other week in Fosters Daily Democrat and the Tuskegee News. This week Guy Trammell, an African American man from Tuskegee, Ala., and Amy Miller, a white woman from South Berwick, Maine, write about the Electoral College.

By Amy Miller

How well do we understand the Electoral College? How many electors does each state get and why? Do we know whether this number represents a states population?

The answers to these questions and a myriad others lay the foundation for arguments percolating in political circles as one state after another is voting to join together to basically get rid of the Electoral College.

Maine legislators recently voted to join 16 other states that pledged to give their electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the national popular vote. The goal and the effect of this National Popular Vote Compact will be to ensure the nations president is elected by popular vote.

Among the basic arguments, opponents say the Compact flies in the face of the U.S. Constitution and reduces the power of states to decide and run elections since all of a states votes would go to the winner of the national popular vote, even if that state voted differently.

Supporters note that in the current system, we have presidents taking office without the support of the majority of Americans. And they point out that candidates tend to campaign in only a handful of swing states that thus end up deciding who wins.

For instance, in 2000, George W. Bush won the presidency without the popular vote. Four years later he won the popular vote by more than 3 million votes, but would have lost the election if 59,393 voters in Ohio were convinced to change their mind. With the help of computers, campaigns get better and better at finely tuning data to figure out where to focus money and time. On the other hand, Donald Trump won the 2016 election but lost the national vote by 2.8 million votes.

For the Compact to work, states with a combined total of 270 Electoral College votes  the number needed to win an election - have to sign on. So far states with a total of 205 votes have signed on. With 270 signing on, the popular vote getter is guaranteed the presidency.

For those of us who are not students of elections and electoral politics, it can be difficult to make sense of the rationale for any particular system. We can be swayed by talk of minority rights, or states rights. Or we may be convinced that one-person, one-vote is the way to go. In Maine, which has four electoral votes, legislators decided to join the compact by the slim margin of 73 to 72. By the time this is printed, Gov. Janet Mills will have signed the act into law or let it lapse. Many of us will hold the point of view of the people, party or podcaster we trust. And all of us will be hoping the right decision was made.

Note: Gov. Mills allowed the bill to become law without her signature.

By Guy Trammell Jr.

Established on Sept. 6, 1787, the Electoral College now consists of 538 electors: three for the District of Columbia; 435 based on each states seats in the House of Representatives; and 100 - two for every state - based on the Senate. Alabama has seven House members and two senators, giving Alabama nine electors.

Electoral College critics existed from its very beginning. In 1802, one of its authors, Alexander Hamilton, unhappy about how it was being used, joined others in drafting a revision, one of more than 700 attempts to repair or abolish it.

Guy Trammell Jr. and Amy Miller

Many states are now enacting laws giving the popular vote precedence, placing emphasis on each individuals vote. In 2023, 65% of Americans preferred the popular vote over the Electoral College.

One criticism is that states arent penalized for low voter turnout or for disenfranchising its citizenry. A state gets its assigned number of votes and influence regardless of voter participation.

Horatio Seymour and Ulysses S. Grants 1868 presidential election saw so much Southern violence that in 1871 Congress held the Ku Klux Klan Hearings, 500 witnesses describing the terror. Tuskegees Assistant Marshal William Dougherty testified: I think the shooting of [James H.] Alston, burning of colored schoolhouses, threats of discharge from employment, intimidation, murders and lynching, prevented Negroes from voting, and frightened them so they would not vote.

So how are Alabama electors votes determined? The presidential candidate winning Alabamas popular vote gets all nine electors, who are expected to vote for that candidate. The Electoral College convenes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. It takes 270 electoral votes to win. However, there have been faithless electors who change their vote or do not vote.

In 2016, Donald Trump won 306 electors but received only 304 electoral votes, while Hillary Clinton won 232 electors but received 227 electoral votes. If no one achieves 270 votes, the selection goes to the House of Representatives, where each state gets one vote to elect the president. The majority party in each states delegation decides which candidate gets the states vote.

Alabama Gov. George C. Wallaces 1968 presidential campaign wasnt waged to win, but to steal electors and offer them to other candidates in exchange for ending federal desegregation. This motivated the government to work on ending the Electoral College, but it was saved by the Senate.

Five presidential candidates won the popular vote but lost the election: 1824, Andrew Jackson (most popular votes) vs. John Quincy Adams (winner); 1876, Samuel J. Tilden (most popular votes) vs. Rutherford B. Hayes (winner); 1888, Grover Cleveland (most popular votes) vs. Benjamin Harrison (winner); 2000, Al Gore (most popular votes) vs. George W. Bush (winner); 2016, Hillary Clinton (most popular votes) vs. Donald Trump (winner). Tuskegees Black state legislator, James H. Alston, attended Grants 1869 inauguration with Mr. Berry, John Carroway (both of Mobile), Mr. Jones and Mr. Gregory. Upon their return to Alabama, all were murdered except Alston. Alabama didnt tolerate liberty regardless of the president.

Amy and Guy can be reached at colorusconnected@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Maine joins movement to do away with Electoral College
Back row: John Turner, city attorney; Monte Falls, city manager; Tammy Bursick, city clerk; Tracey Zudans, city council member; John Cotugno, mayor; Linda Moore, vice mayor; John Carroll, city council member; and Taylor Dingle, city council member. Front row: Jade Alexander, Brenda Sposato, Kwasi Banks, Kevin Breazeale, Leonard Hamker, Jonathan Orozco, Tony Zorbaugh from The Source; and Police Chief David Currey.

VERO BEACH  The city of Vero Beach has partnered with The Sources Community Works program since June 2023. To witness the success, visit downtown and see how the group has cleaned up the area through hard work and pride.

Mayor John Cotugno, with the Vero Beach City Council, recognized two graduating members of the program at the March 26 meeting.

"It is with great pride to introduce Kwasi Banks and Kevin Breazeale who have made a difference in our downtown district," Cotugno said.

Both men are moving on from the program with positive results.

Banks suffered personal losses but continued working with Community Works, maintaining a positive attitude and a smile. He was always ready and willing to work. He recently graduated from the program and landed permanent work at a local car wash.

Breazeale, who had a brain injury and suffers from short-term memory loss, finds it difficult to find employment. While working with Community Works and meeting a volunteer from The Source, he was offered housing and employment in Minnesota and will start his new life in the Midwest this month.

The Sources program has led to success for the workers and the partnership with The City of Vero Beach.

Concluding his remarks, Cotugno offered thanks all in attendance  especially those members whose lives are changing for the better.

The Source is a Christian social outreach ministry that empowered communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995.

Founded in Indian River County, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through core programs that include Dining with Dignity, a culinary employability training program; Dignity Catering; and Dignity Food Trucks; Dignity Buses, mobile overnight emergency shelters sleeping nearly 40 nightly; and Dignity Village, 18 affordable housing units, as well as a myriad of programs and services that instill a sense of community.

For more information on The Source and the Community Works program, visit www.iamthesource.org or call 772-564-0202.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Community Works graduates recognized at Vero Beach City Council meeting
Congress gets closer to forcing TikTok to be sold or face US ban: What's next

The $95 billion foreign aid package that passed the House on Saturday included legislation to force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

If the measure becomes law and if that sale then doesn't occur within a year, the app would be banned in the U.S. amid widespread data-sharing and foreign influence fears -- which TikTok says are baseless.

So, what's next for the push to divest or ban the hugely popular social media platform in the U.S.?

The future in the Senate and beyond

The Senate plans to take up the foreign aid package this week, starting Tuesday, putting it on track for final passage by midweek.

The campaign to force TikTok to be divested or be banned has earned broad bipartisan support, with lawmakers echoing worries that TikTok could harvest Americans' user data for Beijing -- or be used as a vehicle to spread Chinese propaganda.

House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed an earlier version of the sell-or-ban bill that passed the House in March, saying it "demonstrates Congress' opposition to Communist China's attempts to spy on and manipulate Americans, and signals our resolve to deter our enemies."

Some supporters of divestment also note that China already restricts hugely popular American platforms like YouTube in their country.

TikTok has defended its data management at length, saying U.S. user traffic flows through a third party within the U.S., along with additional oversight protections.

PHOTO: The TikTok logo is displayed outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, Calif., on March 16, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

ByteDance is "not owned or controlled by any government or state entity," TikTok says, though skeptics believe ByteDance could hypothetically be forced under Chinese law to comply with the government there.

While there are some critics on Capitol Hill of the push against TikTok, the divestment-or-ban legislation continues to gain steam, and the White House said President Joe Biden would sign the earlier version of the bill.

High-profile Democrats like Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell of Washington have now signaled support for the TikTok provision, too.

Cantwell was an obstacle to the House's previous bill to force a sale or ban of TikTok, which passed in March and then stalled in the Senate. But she's since come around, saying last week that House Republicans earned her support by amending their legislation to extend the deadline for when ByteDance would be required to sell the app from six months to a year after the law were to go into effect.

The TikTok measure could still be stripped out of the foreign aid legislation in the Senate, but that would require the entire package to be sent back to the House for another vote -- at the same time that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have stressed urgency for acting on the additional money for Ukraine and Israel.

The app is working to "educate lawmakers," a source told ABC News. The company has mounted aggressive efforts to sway lawmakers to their position, but it's unclear what their strategy is now.

In a statement, TikTok slammed the renewed efforts behind divestment. "It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually," the platform said.

TikTok would likely sue to block the divestment legislation from going into effect at the end of the one-year sale window.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat from California, didn't support the legislation in the House and predicted Sunday on ABC News' "This Week" that "I don't think it's going to pass First Amendment scrutiny [by the courts] because I think there are less restrictive alternatives."

PHOTO: A man carries a Free TikTok sign in front of the courthouse where the hush-money trial of Donald Trump got underway April 15, 2024, in New York. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

What would China do?

In March, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao indicated officials would seek to block any transfer of the app's technology, saying the country would "firmly oppose" a forced sale.

Of perhaps the greatest concern is the app's algorithm, seen as essential to its popularity in surfacing viral video content.

Users are already familiar with the algorithm's success, even if they don't realize that's what allows the app to feed users a never-ending stream of videos related to their interests. Selling TikTok without that technology would be like selling a car without an engine.

What are TikTokers saying?

Many TikTokers say they oppose the legislation, which could upend their digital media careers and businesses, and they are making their voices heard. A group of about 50 held a demonstration in front of the Capitol while the House voted on the package on Saturday.

A group of 30-plus creators also recently signed an open letter to President Joe Biden warning him that taking action against the app would be a "serious error" that could be "alienating young voters" in this election year.

Another group of TikTok creators are planning to rally outside the Capitol on Tuesday.

Congress gets closer to forcing TikTok to be sold or face US ban: What's next originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ALBANY, New York  New York Democrats hoping to drive turnout to critical House races in November are focused on a state-level Equal Rights Amendment that will, in part, ask voters to protect abortion rights.

Republicans are responding with a provocative opposition campaign that warns equal rights could upend society through a litany of unintended consequences  an echo of the 1970s battle that tanked the federal ERA.

Opponents claim the amendment could open the door to minors buying alcohol. They say it would allow children to receive gender-affirming care without parental approval. They even say it could protect sexual predators.

Lets take a moment and ask ourselves some questions about what it means to be able to discriminate based on things like age, says the website of Protect Kids NY, a group that will soon be ramping up its efforts against the ERA.

Should statutory rape laws that protect against sex with minors be weakened?

The messaging strategy underway in New York is emblematic of the national moment: Republicans are anxious to steer clear of the abortion debate after anti-abortion rights groups lost all seven ballot measures that have taken place since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, most recently in Ohio. Former President Donald Trump earlier this month vowed to let states decide the issue if reelected.

Democrats, who have been stressing the need for abortion protections since the courts ruling, are aiming to make further inroads in November. Florida is among a dozen states set to have abortion-protection measures on the ballot in November.

The stakes are high in New York: The amendment is being viewed as a way to motivate voters in a presidential election year when five battleground House races could swing who controls the chamber in January.

We've seen how a lot of these swing-district Republicans, no matter what they might say, they regularly and routinely vote to strip rights away from women, to strip rights away from LGBT people, to strip our bodily autonomy, charged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Bronx Democrat.



The Republicans tactic is to develop an ad campaign to warn voters about other equal rights measures in the amendment  and to combat a $20 million effort by Democrats to promote the abortion component.

Abortion is a settled issue in New York, state GOP Chair Ed Cox argued, so voters shouldnt be moved by the Democrats efforts.

That was $15 million wasted by the Hochul campaign trying to make that the issue, he said, referencing the governors attempts to make abortion a main issue in a race Gov. Kathy Hochul narrowly won in 2022.

Language in the ERA protecting rights like gender expression could scare away voters.

To have a minor have a sex change without parental consent  thats really shocking, Cox said. Issues like that are issues that I think may in the end be more important than the abortion issue.

Thats the gist of opponents arguments: Protecting more rights could create an avalanche of unforeseen changes to state laws.

Upon first reading, whos against equal rights? asked Protect Kids Executive Director Greg Garvey. Nobody.

But, he said, the real-life ramifications of a poorly written, one-size fits all bill could threaten laws prohibiting sales to minors and imposing stiff penalties for elder abuse.

Democrats said the constitutional change would do nothing like that and accused Republicans and anti-abortion groups of using scare tactics to rile up voters. Conservatives are trying to deflect attention away from abortion rights  an issue that is popular with New York voters, Democrats said.

Public opinion polls show that the majority of New Yorkers, regardless of their party, believe in abortion rights for people, and they dont believe government should be inserting themselves into the health care decisions between women and their medical caretakers, said state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat and the amendments architect.



Republicans strategy of focusing on potential impacts of an Equal Rights Amendment  even implausible ones  has worked before. A state-level ERA brought before New York voters in 1975 was defeated after opponents argued that banning discrimination based on sex would mandate unisex toilets.

The surprise defeat in 58 of the states 62 counties derailed the national effort to add the ERA to the federal constitution, then just four states shy of ratification.

Still, the new measure could leave swing-district Republicans in a difficult position. If they oppose it, they would be criticized for not supporting abortion rights; if they back it, they could face pushback from their own party.

To that point, first-term Hudson Valley Rep. Marc Molinaro took a muted approach when asked Wednesday about the amendment.

We've heard from proponents that some of the push to get the amendment out to the public is political. Theyve said it themselves, he said. But my comment is simply: The voters of New York should make their decision. They should vote as they see fit. And I leave the outcome to the people that I serve.

Asked how he would vote, he simply laughed and walked away down a Capitol hallway.

After decades on the back burner, the concept of a state-level ERA began to reemerge in the run-up to New Yorks 2017 referendum on whether there should be a constitutional convention.

Supporters hoped to add a variety of new protected classes to language in the state constitution that currently bans discrimination based on race, color, creed or religion, adding categories like sex and age.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe, Democrats reframed the messaging around the amendment to focus on one of the dozen potential new protected classes: pregnancy. It also prohibits discriminating against pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

Theyre making it the center of a $20 million campaign this November to frame New Yorks elections on the question of abortion.

The NY ERA ballot measure is a historic opportunity for New Yorkers to protect their rights and reproductive freedoms in the state constitution, guaranteeing that New Yorkers, not the government, control their own lives, bodies and futures, the efforts organizers, New Yorkers for Equal Rights, said in a memo earlier this month to supporters.

The amendments critics want to avoid making the debate solely about reproductive choice and hope their effort can drive conservative voters to the polls in a state with twice as many Democrats as Republicans.

And, they argued, the abortion piece wont actually affect the states laws on the subject. New York already has among the strongest abortion-rights laws in the nation.

New York has the most liberal policies in the country, Garvey said. The idea that suddenly these laws are going anywhere is surely political theater. This is a GOTV ploy by the governor.

Assemblymember Marjorie Byrnes, a western New York Republican, is launching a legal battle to get the amendment tossed off the ballot. She is arguing that it was improperly rushed through by Democratic majorities eager to make a political point.



Her suit is based on constitutional language that says the Legislature needs to give the state attorney general 20 days to review amendments before voting on them.

It was introduced and voted on on the same day in both houses, Byrnes said. In order to amend the constitution, the majority violated the constitution.

Both Byrnes and the Protect Kids campaign say their efforts arent driven by Republican political interests.

Garvey, a former staffer for ex-Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, promised it will be multi-partisan because it affects people whether theyre liberal, conservative, purple, [or] blue. But there are clearly signs of an appeal to the right  the group was promoted at the state Conservative Partys convention in February.

The group does not yet have a spending target, and it remains to be seen whether they will come anywhere close to matching the tens of millions of dollars Democrats plan to spend.

Plus, the likelihood that anybody would win the types of legal victories that Protect Kids is warning might be slim.

There are several cases, like one from the Louisiana Supreme Court that found that a ban on age discrimination doesnt let kids buy alcohol, that indicate that courts allow for reasonable limitations on age groups even in states with equal protection language.

But the Louisiana decision was preceded by judges temporarily striking down drinking age laws. The critics of New Yorks broad amendment say that dozens of lawsuits on different subjects could lead to even more conflicting decisions and confusion.

It would open up Pandoras Box and clog the courts forever, Garvey said.

State Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar similarly dismissed Democratic claims that warning about unlikely consequences was simple fearmongering.

I dont think its far-fetched to believe that certain things the state is encouraging and supporting now, relating particularly to the transgender issue, would end up in the state constitution, Kassar said.

Democrats dont believe that Byrnes lawsuit stands much of a chance by the time it reaches the Democratic-dominated Court of Appeals, New Yorks highest court. And theyre confident that abortion is a winning issue for their party in a state where questions on the subject tend to poll by margins around 57 percent to 35 percent.

But theyre not surprised that its a subject that opponents dont want to debate.

That is data-driven for all parties. If youre Republican, you believe in abortion rights; if youre Catholic, you believe in abortion rights, Krueger said. Why would anybody try to challenge that from a political perspective?

Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
Cops responding to gunfire find one of their own fatally shot, Chicago police say

Police responding to gunfire found one of their own fatally shot on Chicagos south side, Illinois officials say.

The Chicago Police Department received a gunshot detection alert at 2:53 a.m. Sunday, April 21, according to a news release from the department.

Officers went to investigate and while searching the area, they found an off-duty Chicago police officer with gunshot wounds in the Gage Park neighborhood, the release said. He was taken to a hospital but died due to his injuries.

Today, that officer was a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city, Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news briefing shared by WLS.

The officer, identified as 30-year-old Luis M. Huesca, had been with the department for six years, officials told the station. Huesca was on his way home after his shift ended.

So far, no arrests have been made and police have not said what could have motivated the killing, though Huescas vehicle was missing from the scene, police told WFLD.

He was still in uniform but wearing something on top to cover it, police told the station. An investigation is underway.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said his office stands with the Chicago Police Department as they mourn the loss of an officer and search for whoever is responsible.

I met with Officer Huescas mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have my full support as they deal with this unspeakable loss, Johnson said on X, formerly Twitter. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis fellow officers and community.

15-year-old fatally shoots cousin trying to take him home from party, Tennessee cops say

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The Marine Corps has identified a Marine who died during a training exercise Thursday evening in North Carolina.

Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, died in a training accident near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, the II Marine Expeditionary Force announced in a press release posted Saturday.

The accident, which occurred in Carteret County, North Carolina, is under investigation, according to the release.

Words cannot convey our sorrow for the tragic loss of one of our MEU family members, Col. Todd Mahar, 24th MEU commanding officer, said in the release. The 24th MEU family mourns the loss of an outstanding Marine and leader. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support to his family during this most difficult time.

Marine dies during North Carolina training incident

From Missouri, Arslanbas enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 16, 2020. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant earlier in April, the release said. His decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is conducting its composite unit training exercise through mid-May. The exercise practices various scenarios ahead of the units next overseas deployment.

This past week the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ran offshore drills with helicopters, MV-22 Ospreys and landing craft, air cushion well deck operations with the amphibious assault ship Wasp, part of the amphibious ready group.

Military Times reporter Todd South contributed to this story.
A man and woman are facing charges after a woman was stabbed at Point State Park Friday night.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Woman stabbed in the neck at Point State Park; 2 people in custody

Cody Linders-Heck, 22, and Janelle Moore, 20, are both being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail. Court documents say they pose a threat to the community.

According to criminal complaints, Janelle Moore told police that a man wearing all-black clothing, and a mask, who was about 5 feet 11 inches tall and had a tattoo under his right eye had cut the victims neck and dragged her on the ground.

Police found a man who matched the description near the parks entrance. The man was identified as Cody Linders-Heck. The victim confirmed that Linders-Heck was the attacker after he was detained by police.

Officers then received information that the victim told them Janelle Moore had also been one of the attackers. Police took her into custody for questioning.

The criminal complaint says that Linders-Heck told police that his fiancee, Janelle Moore, told him she wanted him to kill the victim because she had been setting them up. He also told police it had been Moores idea to attack the victim in the park.

Police say the victim told them that Linders-Heck was dragging her by the skirt toward the river after the initial assault. Moore allegedly told him to stop and then told the victim that if she told anyone what had happened they would finish the job. Linders-Heck also told police a similar story.

Moore told police she had no idea Linders-Heck was going to attack the victim and said that she did not plan the attack, court documents say.

She faces conspiracy aggravated assault charges and Linders-Heck faces aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy charges.

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Many Americans dream of retiring in Europe, though not everyone can pull it off. For those who cant, one solution is to find a place that has a European vibe without actually being in Europe.

Check Out: 8 Tips to Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy

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Plenty of U.S. cities have a European flavor  including major urban centers like Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. While those cities might not be ideal for retirees because of their high costs of living, you can find more affordable options.

Here are 16 of the best places to retire in the U.S. that feel like Europe based on insights by Travel + Leisure and The Parking Spot.

skiserge1 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston combines all the charm of a European vacation with the hospitality of the South, according to The Parking Spot. The coastal port city is very walkable and features cobblestone streets, historic old homes, numerous cultural venues and some of the best food in the world.

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Helen, Georgia

Helen is located along the Chattahoochee River in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known as Little Bavaria because of its distinct German vibe. Retirees will find plenty of shopping choices as well as numerous outdoor activities.

Read More: 9 American Travel Brands to Stay Away From

Ianm35 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hermann, Missouri

Herman is located in an area known as the Missouri Rhineland because of its geographical resemblance to the German region. The town itself hosts events such as the Wurst Fest and Oktoberfest. Five city blocks are still dedicated to traditional German architecture, including the Deutschheim State Historic Site.

Shutterstock.com

Holland, Michigan

Because of its name, Holland aims to conjure up images of the Netherlands through its Dutch Village and the DeZwaan Windmill, which The Parking Spot calls the only authentic, working, Dutch windmill in the United States. Holland is also known for its annual Tulip Time Festival.

kerher / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth was redesigned in the 1960s to look German and is a dead ringer for a Bavarian mountain village, according to Travel + Leisure. In addition to Oktoberfest celebrations and the Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworths location in the Cascades gives it a truly alpine feel.

Check This: 7 Cheap, Beautiful Places for a Winter Vacation

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Montpelier, Vermont

Travel + Leisure likens the nations smallest state capital to a French countryside village thanks to its farmers markets, quaint shops, green hills and smattering of traditional European architecture. Montpeliers name itself is a nod to the strong friendship early European settlers had with France.

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Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easys French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carre, might be the most European place in the country because of its design, French and Spanish architecture and deeply embedded French culture. That culture includes French street names, French-inspired cuisine and Francocentric holiday celebrations such as Mardi Gras and Bastille Day.

Daniel Hanscom / Getty Images

Newport, Rhode Island

Newports swank mansions, sailing culture and Cliff Walk could make any visitor feel like theyve made their way to the French Riviera, Travel + Leisure noted. Retirees might find prices high in certain areas, but because Newport is not a big city you can live in adjacent areas and still have easy access to all the amenities.

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sihuo0860371 / iStock.com

New Ulm, Minnesota

New Ulms population is more than 50% German American, according to Travel + Leisure, and the city boasts a brewery (founded by a German immigrant) that ranks as one of the countrys oldest. New Ulm is also home to a glockenspiel, which adds to the German vibe.

ElaineMcDonald / Getty Images

Pella, Iowa

As The Parking Spot noted, Pellls tagline is A Touch of Holland. The towns culture and architecture have numerous Western Europe influences, including brightly colored buildings, a windmill and a centrally located canal.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One of the most important cities in Colonial America also boasts a European feel thanks to features such as Elfreths Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street in the U.S. Youll see elements of Greek revival architecture at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while City Hall is influenced by French Second Empire architecture.

Learn Next: 9 Things the Rich Never Buy During the Holidays

tusharkoley / Shutterstock.com

Portland, Oregon

The main European influences in Portland are a world-renowned craft beer culture and an emphasis on eco-friendly urban transport in the form of around 400 miles of bike lanes as of 2019. You will also find world-renowned cuisine and a bohemian vibe.

Bill Perry / Shutterstock.com

Santa Barbara, California

This Instagram-ready coastal community has been called the American Riviera because of the resemblance its beaches have to the French coastline. Spanish influences are even bigger here thanks to Old Mission Santa Barbara, where youll find numerous white stucco and red-tiled rooftops.

HaizhanZheng / iStock.com

Solvang, California

Solvang is a little slice of Denmark in sunny California, thanks to the Danish architecture, restaurants and shops that permeate the city. It is also home to Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, which rotates a broad collection of foreign bikes monthly.

Read This: 9 Things the Rich Always Buy During the Holidays

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustines main claim to fame is being the oldest city in the U.S., having been founded by Spanish explorers in 1565  42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Today youll still see plenty of Spanish architecture and influences, including the Castillo de San Marcos and the colonial Spanish quarter.

littleny / iStock.com

Tarpon Springs, Florida

Here is another Florida city with a European vibe, only in Tarpon Springs that vibe is Greek rather than Spanish. The city has a large Greek American population, which means youll find plenty of Greek food and culture along with a Greek village and sponge docks.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 16 Best Places To Retire in the US That Feel Like Europe
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Dozens of first responders were called out to fight a two-alarm fire at an Antioch hotel Saturday night, according to officials.

Metro Nashville dispatch said the two-alarm fire was reported from the Super 8 hotel in the 1100 block of Bell Road on Saturday, April 20.

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The Nashville Fire Departments active incidents dataset showed more than 30 units were dispatched to a high-rise fire in that area between 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

(Source: Nashville Fire Department)

(Source: Nashville Fire Department)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

A department spokesperson told News 2 initial reports were of smoke coming from one of the rooms at the hotel. At the time, the caller reportedly didnt believe anyone was in the room, but crews will work to verify that.

According to NFD, there are no reports of injuries, but multiple units were damaged by the fire. There is no word on how many people may be displaced, but Red Cross has been notified in order to provide resources to those affected by the blaze.

A guest at the Super 8 told News 2 the hotel is shutting down and refunding the guests.

Suspected burglar facing charges after being shot by Shreeve Lane homeowner, Metro police say

At 10:45 p.m., the department posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that personnel had extinguished the fire.

Fire investigators are reportedly at the scene to determine the manner and cause of the blaze.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
On April 19, Dave Reichert, Republican candidate for Governor, withdrew his name from consideration in the Washington State GOP convention endorsement vote.

In the past 24 hours, it has become clear that some in the Washington State Republican Party are in such disarray that theyre considering making no endorsement for governor, Reichert said in an X post.

In the past 24 hours, it has become clear that some in the Washington State Republican Party are in such disarray that theyre considering making no endorsement for governor. This, after they continually changed rules, broke rules, and twisted the process to accomplish their  Dave Reichert For Governor (@reichert4gov) April 19, 2024

Although Reichert pulled out from the endorsement vote Friday, he has committed to continue his candidacy for Governor.

On April 20, Semi Bird ultimately received the Washington State GOP endorsement.

This is a developing story and will be updated.




Following a conversation with Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that Ukraine needs the Russian army to suffer losses every single day.

Source: President Zelenskyys video address on 21 April

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has just delivered a report on the hottest spots on the front line. Chasiv Yar and other key fronts in Donetsk Oblast, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, as well as the Kupiansk front in Kharkiv Oblast. Our positions, our results []

The Commander-in-Chief also reported today on several [Russian] targets in the occupied territory that have been struck [by Ukrainian forces]; [we discussed] the operations that have already been carried out and those that are currently being planned. The Russian army has to suffer losses every day, and every day of Russian losses brings us closer to the much-needed peace."

Details: Zelenskyy said he had also spoken to Defence Minister Rustem Umierov. Among other things, they discussed Ukraines air defence.

"We are doing everything we can, talking to all our partners to enhance the protection of the skies [over Ukraine] by increasing the quantity and quality of air defence systems our soldiers have at their disposal. Every leader and every country that is assisting us with this is a real life-saver," Zelenskyy stressed.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city would launch a pop-up permit program Monday in order to help fill vacant storefronts in Downtown D.C.

The Pop-Up Permitting (PUP) pilot program will enable customers to secure a streamlined Certificate of Occupancy for temporary use of a previously vacant building, according to a press release from the Mayors Office.

This will allow people to avoid going through the traditional permitting process.

Residents evacuated, road closed for DC fire

Bowser will announce the program at 11 a.m. at a currently vacant store in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District.

Officials said that the storefront will be transformed this July for Capital Fringe. Capital Fringe is an annual community-driven arts festival that celebrates cultural democracy, access to art and artistic expression.

The PUP program is part of Bowsers $2.5 million budget to support pop-up and short-term retail in vacant Downtown spaces.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said they arrested a teenager in connection to a robbery at a CVS in the Navy Yard neighborhood, but are still looking for several more suspects.

A group of people entered a CVS in the 1100 block of New Jersey Ave. SE at about 8:45 p.m. on April 16. When they were confronted by a security guard, one of the suspects threw a bottle but missed.

On Saturday, MPD arrested a 16-year-old boy from Southeast D.C. and charged him with Burglary Two, Theft and Assault on a Police Officer.

Video shows Navy Yard CVS being ransacked; customers call for change

Additional suspects can be seen below:

Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it arrested a man for threatening a woman in the Navy Yard neighborhood on Saturday morning.

MPD said a woman was walking near the intersection of 4th and Tingey Streets SE at about 11:37 a.m. when a man approached her. He started threatening her while holding a knife.

Multiple displaced by Rockville apartment fire

Witnesses intervened and the suspect fled. The woman was not hurt in the incident.

Officers later found the man and arrested him. Robert Cohn, 47, of Southeast D.C. was charged with Felony Threats.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it is looking for a suspect in a sexual assault that happened Thursday night in Northwest D.C.

MPD said that the suspect sexually assaulted someone in a grocery store in the 5500 block of Connecticut Ave. NW at about 8:22 p.m. The suspect then fled the scene.

DC police arrest teen for Navy Yard CVS theft; search for more suspects

A photo of the suspect can be seen below:

(Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

Anyone who can identify this suspect or has information about the assault is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Deadly crash in Central Tacoma has residents worried about safety of intersection

Deadly crash in Central Tacoma has residents worried about safety of intersection

A deadly crash in Tacoma overnight. Now one man is dead, and Tacoma police say another man will be facing vehicular homicide charges.

The crash happened just after 12:15 am at 6th Ave and South Alder in Central Tacoma, with one car t-boning another. Neighbors say its the third significant crash here in about half a year.

As for the latest crash, yellow markings from investigators show the path the victims car took  stopping only after it hit Bento Teriyaki and Sushi, leaving scratches marks in the brick. A man in the red Toyota sedan died.

There were people running from like blocks away to come help, said Immanuel Satterwhite, who heard the crash and called 911.

People say the crash was so loud it woke them up.

Sumit, who lives nearby, said the impact had him thinking something had struck his home.

Hearing too much bad sound and Im coming running, Sumit said. He said he saw people from a nearby smoke shop helping pull someone out of a gray Hyundai. It turns out that was the suspects vehicle.

But the victim in the red Toyota could not be saved.

Other guy there, he already died, Sumit said.

The family who owns Bento Teriyaki and Sushi says they arrived Saturday morning to find the aftermath. The owner said she spoke limited English and had KIRO 7 speak with her granddaughter, Loveleen.

The glass and the car parts that were just scattered around here, Loveleen said. The car hit the wall of the restaurant that leads into the kitchen but only left superficial damage.

She said shes grateful the damage wasnt worse, but she is thinking about the victim.

I just wish they wouldve been able to survive the crash, Loveleen said.

Deadly crash in Tacoma at 6th and S. Alder.



Police say the gray Hyundai (not reported stolen) ran a red light... and T-boned the red Toyota.



Investigators believe the passenger in the victim's car died.



Suspect will be charged with veh. homicide after he's out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/VDZRkEjz3k  Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) April 20, 2024

As for this intersection  KIRO 7 covered another deadly crash about a half block on October 29. The victims car ended up near 6th and South Cedar Street. In that case, it was a single-car crash.

Everybody coming too fast, only this area I dont know why, Sumit said. He and Satterwhite said there was also a previous crash two weeks before that one.

Neighbors say there are plenty of lights - and even officers patrolling  but the recent crashes have them concerned.

This is 6th Ave. - one of the busiest streets, Satterwhite said. People just gotta be more responsible, definitely, he said.

The suspect  and the driver of the victims car  are in the hospital. Tacoma police say as soon as the suspect is well enough to be taken to jail, he will be booked for investigation of vehicular homicide.
In this week's "It's Debatable" segment, Rick Rosen and Charles Moster look at the court case National Rifle Association (NRA) v. Vullo and debate: Does the First Amendment permit adverse regulatory action against advocacy organizations because of their political views? Rosen retired as a professor from the Texas Tech University School of Law and is a retired U.S. Army colonel. Moster is founder of the Moster Law Firm based in Lubbock with seven offices including Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

Rosen - 1

Banks and insurance companies may refuse to provide financial services and coverage to the NRA because they disagree with its gun-rights advocacy. They are private actors not subject to the First Amendment. But ifas the Supreme Court held over 60 years agothe government through coercion, persuasion, or intimidation deliberately sets out to prevent these private actors from providing services to suppress such advocacy, it violates the First Amendment. This is the central issue in NRA v. Vullo, a case currently before the Supreme Court.

Rick Rosen

New Yorks Department of Financial Services (DFS) regulates and oversees all banks and insurance companies doing business in the state. The NRA alleged that because of their animus to gun-rights advocacy, DFS and former Governor Andrew Cuomo carried out a campaign to chill the political speech of the NRA by leveraging state power to punish financial institutions that maintain business arrangements with the NRA.

While serving as DFS Superintendent, Maria Vullo issued press releases, regulatory guidance, and investigations and penalties against insurance companies and financial institutions doing business with the NRA. At the same time, Vullos boss, then-Governor Cuomo, directed DFS to urge insurers and bankers statewide to determine whether any relationship they may have with the NRA or similar organizations sends the wrong message to their clients and their communities. Cuomo later stated: The NRA is an extremist organization. I urge companies in New York State to revisit any ties they have to the NRA and consider their reputations, and responsibility to the public. Because of fear of regulatory hostility in New York, NRAs insurance companies revoked their coverage and banks withdrew bids for the NRAs business.

The NRA sued both Cuomo and Vullo, and the district court sustained its First Amendment claim. Despite its obligation to accept as true all factual allegations of the NRAs complaint, the court of appeals reversed the district court, finding that the NRAs complaint did not plead the requisite coercive conduct to support its First Amendment claim.

The court of appeals decision is flatly incorrect. First, Supreme Court precedent does not require that a state use coercion to stifle free speechallegations of persuasion or intimidation are sufficient. As an ACLU amicus brief stated: If true, [the NRAs] allegations represent a blatant violation of the First Amendment. [P]ublic officials  cannot abuse their regulatory authority to retaliate against disfavored advocacy organizations and to impose burdens on those organizations ability to conduct lawful business.

Second, the insurance companies that withdrew NRAs coverage did so because of the fear of adverse regulatory action. And according to the Financial and Business Law Scholars amicus brief: The reality of banking and insurance regulation is that firms frequently feel that they risk sanction if they do not comply with nominally non-binding guidance.

Consequently, the Supreme Court should reverse the court of appeals decision and allow the case to proceed, permitting the NRA to prove its allegations.

Moster - 1

Moster

This case should never have found its way to the Supreme Court. Rick picks up the NRA gauntlet framing the issue as central to upholding First Amendment freedoms, but as the State of NY succinctly stated, The decision below did nothing of the sort.

Contrary to the allegations of the NRA, Cuomo  the former Governor of NY and Superintendent Vullo, did not engage in any actions which constituted coercion, persuasion, or intimidation. The subject conduct related to the horrific mass shootings at a high school in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, which resulted in the murder of 17 students. In his capacity as Governor, Cuomo grieved the loss and issued a press release that he had directed the DFS (NY Dept. of Financial Services) to urge insurance companies, NY State charted banks, and other financial services companies licensed in NY to review any relationships they may have with the NRA and other similar organizations.

In accordance with Mr. Cuomos sentiments, DFS issued two guidance memos entitled Guidance on Risk Management Relating to the NRA and Similar Gun Promotion Organizations. However, neither the Governors statements nor guidance memos directed any instrumentality of the state if NY to apply governmental pressure on the NRA or deprive these private entities the right to exercise constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.

This critical distinction is set forth in the brief filed by the State of NY before the Supreme Court, Neither the guidance memoranda nor Respondents quote in Governor Cuomos press release ordered or directed any regulated entity to take any action. They did not invoke any law or regulation that any regulated entity risked violating if it did not sever ties with the Petitioner. They did not threaten that the DFS would take any action against any entity for severing those ties. And indeed, DFS took no such action.

So, there you have it in a nutshell. The State of NY did absolutely nothing wrong and most definitely did not intimidate or coerce the NRA in any way. Accordingly, the appellate court was correct in dismissing the NRAs frivolous claim.

Moreover, Rick fails to address the critical ruling of the appellate court which justified its decision to kick out the NRAs lawsuit, i.e., the State of NY was shielded by the privilege of qualified immunity for issuing public statements in this case. Qualified immunity gives government officials the breathing room to make reasonable, even if mistaken, judgments and protects all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law. Malley v. Briggs 475 U.S. 335 (1986). Such is an independent basis for dismissing the NRA lawsuit which had nothing to do with alleged First Amendment violations.

The Supreme Court should never have agreed to review the proper and correct determination of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the NRAs lawsuit. Such unwarranted review is once again proof positive that we have a run away interventionist court that seeks to perpetuate its agenda of securing judge-made law. That is NOT what our Founding Fathers intended.

That is precisely what is going on here notwithstanding the clever attempt to frame the issue as invoking First Amendment rights.

The Supreme Court must adhere to the rule of law and rule in favor of the State of NY.

Rosen - 2

Charles and the Second Circuit are incorrect. All the NRA needed to survive a motion to dismiss its complaint was to state sufficient facts allowing the court to draw a reasonable inference that the defendants are liable for the misconduct alleged. Importantly, the court must accept as true the factual allegations of NRAs complaint and construe the allegations in the light most favorable to the NRA. The

NRA certainly pleaded sufficient factual allegations that Cuomo and Vullo wielded their powers to stifle NRAs free speech.

First, Charles cannot deny that both Cuomo and Vullo made it clear in public statements that they wanted banks and insurance companies to cease doing business with the NRA, claiming that the NRAs gun-rights advocacy created reputational risks by sending the wrong messagematters of concern to state regulators.

Second, the NRA alleged that the regulatory agency suggested to the regulated parties that they could reduce their exposure to fines and penalties if they stopped doing business with the NRA, and that Vullo made an example of regulated parties who did business with them by increasing the parties exposure to fines and penalties.

Third, the insurance companies and banks perceived the defendants actions as unambiguous pressure, coercion, and threats. Because of the defendants actions, banks and insurance companies dismantled their relationship with the NRA, fearing losing their New York licenses if they continued business as usual.

Charles asserts that the Supreme Court should have never taken the case; however, the Second Circuits decision conflicted with the 1953 Supreme Courts ruling in Bantam Books v. Sullivan and with a 2015 decision of another court of appealsquintessential grounds for granting Supreme Court review. He also states that the defendants are entitled to a qualified immunity from the lawsuit. Perhaps that may be true, but it is irrelevant at this stage of the litigation. Moreover, the test for qualified immunity is whether a public official violated clearly established law. In this case, the Supreme Court clearly established the law in Bantam Books; that is, government cannot use private parties to punish speech the government disfavors.

Finally, the fact the ALCU represents the NRA speaks volumes: while the NRAs gun-rights position may be an anathema to the ACLU, it represents the NRA because of the First Amendment issues at stake. Specifically, Maria Vullo threatened to use her regulatory power over banks and insurance companies to coerce them into denying basic financial services to the NRA . Vullos threats were expressly based on her disagreement with the NRAs advocacy. And they worked.

Moster  2

Rick starts out his argument by stating that Charles and the Second Circuit are incorrect.

First, I truly want to thank Rick for including me in such distinguished company. That aside, the NY Federal Appeals Court got it right in this case and the NRA claims should have been dismissed.

It was within the discretion of the court to conclude that the statements made did not rise to the level of constraining First Amendment Speech. Critically, as pointed out repeatedly in the brief filed by the State of NY, Cuomo and Vullo did not order the banks and insurance companies to do anything  and that is the critical issue.

Rick refers to a bevy of nebulous effects such as reputational risks which sent the wrong message." Talk about an imprecise measure of damages. I would wager that most lawyers and, in particular, non-lawyers, would see this phrase for exactly what it is which is hogwash  to use a printable term. The Second Circuit had every right to see through this vacuous fact pattern and determine that there was a legal basis for dismissal.

Moreover, the Court properly determined that the doctrine of qualified immunity applied thus barring the NRA claims altogether. Rick partially concedes this point referring to my argument as follows: He also states that the defendants are entitled to a qualified immunity from the lawsuit. Perhaps that may be true, but it is irrelevant at this stage of the litigation.

I am afraid not. There is nothing irrelevant to a finding of qualified immunity as this would bar any action to be asserted against Cuomo and Vullo  and thats precisely what the Second Circuit Court of Appeals concluded in dismissing this frivolous claim along with the facts underlying the alleged adverse effect on First Amendment rights.

Although I have taken issue with the Supreme Court on many issues in the column, this is not one of them. They got it right.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: It's Debatable: Exploring National Rifle Association v. Vullo
In this article, we will take a look at the 20 countries with the largest rural population in the world. If you want to skip our discussion on the rural economy trends, you can go directly to the 5 Countries with the Largest Rural Population in the World.

According to the UN, the world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with over half of the population now living in cities. This trend is expected to continue, with around 2.5 billion more people projected to be added to urban residents by 2050 due to rural-urban migration and overall population increase. Much of this growth will be concentrated in Asia and Africa, particularly in India, China, and Nigeria. Consequently, the world's rural population percentage will decline.

By definition, rural areas are vast open areas of land that have few homes and people. Rural areas are dominated by agriculture, with many residents working on farms or ranches. Small communities like hamlets, villages, and towns dot these regions. The majority of the worlds impoverished population resides in rural regions, with the majority sustaining themselves through farming. Improving agricultural productivity is important for tackling poverty. Furthermore, agricultural productivity growth is the key to driving changes in economic structure. You can check out the

20 Countries With the Highest Agricultural Population Density here.

Agricultural technology, such as drones, is increasingly being adopted in rural farming practices. It is expected that the agricultural drone market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.1% on average from 2023 to 2032. The promotion of precision agriculture shall be a major driving force behind the growth in this market. However, government regulations can have a negative impact on the market for agricultural drones. Major companies that are currently operating in this market space include AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), and AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (NYSE:UAVS). As these companies innovate and adapt to the evolving agricultural landscape, they play a significant role in shaping the future of rural economies worldwide.

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) is a major supplier of drones, especially for military and security. However, it is now moving into the agricultural market also with a solid product called Quantix. The company donated good quantities of its drones to the agricultural departments of 35 US universities. This move shows the companys commitment to research and innovation, as well as its willingness to invest in the field of precision agriculture.

AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), a well-regarded agricultural machinery company, is also investing in the field of agricultural drones. It recently launched a new brand, PTx, as a part of its precision agriculture product portfolio.

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (NYSE:UAVS) is another leading name when it comes to drones, sensors, and associated software solutions for customers globally. Recently, the Greek Ministry of Agriculture awarded a tender to ALVO, the company's exclusive Value Added Reseller (VAR). The contract includes the purchase and deployment of 50 AgEagle RedEdge-P multispectral cameras mounted on drones for monitoring various agricultural activities.

20 Countries with the Largest Rural Population in the World

Photo by onur ozkardes on Unsplash

Our Methodology

We have shortlisted 20 countries with the largest rural population in the world using estimates from the World Bank. The classifications provided by each country's national statistical offices have been followed in defining rural populations. The countries have been ranked in ascending order of the rural population estimates as of 2022.

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Let's begin our list of the rural population by country.

20 Countries with the Largest Rural Population in the World

20. Sudan

Rural Population: 30,020,115

Sudan, a Northeast African country, has a young and largely rural population. Over two-thirds of Sudanese live in rural areas, and a significant portion (62%) are younger than 25. This trend is reflected in the country's high population growth rate of 2.5% per year. Agriculture is the backbone of rural Sudan, providing sustenance for most of the rural population (around two-thirds) and contributing significantly to the country's GDP.

19. Afghanistan

Rural Population: 30,181,937

Afghanistan, a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, is characterized by its rural population and agricultural economy. With 71% of its population living in rural areas and 5% practicing nomadic pastoralism, Afghanistan's economy relies heavily on agriculture and animal husbandry. Subsistence farming and livestock farming are the mainstays of Afghanistan's GDP. The country has amongst the highest fertility rates in Asia, contributing to its population density of 65 people per square kilometer.

18. Thailand

Rural Population: 33,777,188

Thailand, a Southeast Asian country, retains a strong rural character despite urbanization. Wet rice cultivation remains the primary agricultural activity, and many Thais choose village life even in modern times. Settlement types in the country vary geographically. Northeastern villages cluster on high ground near rice fields, while the north features hill settlements similar to the northeast's nucleated villages. However, poverty is more prevalent in rural areas, with 79% of the poor residing in agricultural households.

17. Uganda

Rural Population: 34,889,566

Uganda, a landlocked East African country, has a largely rural population. Over three-quarters (73.84%) of Ugandans live in rural areas, contributing to a high national fertility rate and a population growth exceeding the global average. Agriculture is the cornerstone of Uganda's economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce (two-thirds) and driving roughly half of the country's export earnings. This focus on improving agricultural productivity has sustained growth in rural Uganda.

16. Russia

Rural Population: 35,877,495

Russia, the world's largest country, stretches across Eastern Europe and North Asia. Despite its vast size, a significant portion of its population, around 36.8 million people, resides in rural areas. Agriculture is the lifeblood of these communities, with wheat, barley, maize, and other grains like rye, oats, and rice being the main food crops. Forage production, which provides food for livestock, is another important branch of Russia's agricultural sector.

15. Myanmar

Rural Population: 36,965,999

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country. Myanmars rural population was recorded at 36,965,999 in 2022, marking a 0.23% increase from the previous year. Myanmar's rural areas are home to around 70% of the country's 54 million inhabitants. These communities rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, with crop production, fisheries, and livestock farming being the mainstays of their income. Around 51% of the country's total labor force lives in rural areas.

14. Kenya

Rural Population: 38,358,435

Kenya is an East African country with a predominantly rural population. Over 75% of Kenyas population lives in rural areas, where around half of the population faces poverty. Maize is one of Kenya's staple foods. It is cultivated on around 90% of Kenyan farms. Kenya is among the top 15 countries with the largest rural population in the world.

13. Tanzania

Rural Population: 41,471,864

Tanzania is a country located in East Africa. Around 63.32% of the country's population is rural. Agriculture is a dominant force in Tanzania, employing around 65.3% of the country's households. Crop farming is the most widespread activity in the country, practiced by 65% of agricultural households. The remaining 33% combine crop cultivation with livestock keeping.

12. Congo, Democratic Republic

Rural Population: 52,636,799

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a predominantly rural landscape. Scattered villages dot the countryside, housing more than half of the Congolese population. The agriculture sector employs over 60% of Congos workforce. Sugarcane and tobacco are the major crops grown. Palm kernels, cacao, and coffee are also cultivated in reasonable amounts, as are rice, bananas, and cotton. Cattle ranching is also practiced in rural Congo.

11. United States

Rural Population: 56,378,923

Rural America is home to about 1 in 5 residents, or around 17.9% of the country's total population. Agriculture forms the backbone of these communities, driving the economies of many rural areas. Corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and hay are the major players, accounting for around 90% of harvested land in the United States.

10. Philippines

Rural Population: 60,117,263

The Philippines' rural population was recorded at over 60 million in 2022. Given the country's mountainous terrain and tropical climate, subsistence farming and fishing are among the primary sources of livelihood for rural communities. The Philippines is at the tenth position on our list of countries with the largest rural population in the world.

9. Vietnam

Rural Population: 60,123,739

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country. Around 66% of Vietnams population lives in rural areas across the country. Roughly 30 million people in this country hover near the poverty line. This economic vulnerability disproportionately affects ethnic minority groups, who make up a larger share of the poor and extremely poor. Almost 70% of the rural Vietnamese population is dependent on agriculture as its source of livelihood, with rice being the staple crop cultivated.

8. Egypt, Arab Republic

Rural Population: 63,300,985

Around 56% of the Egypt's population is rural. The country's agricultural sector provides 55% of the total population with livelihoods and directly employs 30% of the workforce. This sector is a major contributor to the Egyptian economy, responsible for 15-20% of the GDP.

7. Ethiopia

Rural Population: 95,420,799

Ethiopia, situated in the Horn of Africa, is a landlocked country in East Africa. The majority of Ethiopia's population resides in rural areas, accounting for nearly 80% of the total population. Almost 67% of Ethiopians practice agriculture, mainly in the form of subsistence and rain-fed farming and livestock production.

6. Nigeria

Rural Population: 101,575,770

Nigeria is a West African country. The rural population makes up 46.48% of the country's total population. Maize and yam are among the major crops farmed in Nigeria, where a significant 70% of households are involved in crop production.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries with the Largest Rural Population in the World. Suggested articles:

Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with the Largest Rural Population in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Deceased protester who lit himself on fire outside Trump hush money trial once worked for Democrat congressman

Deceased protester who lit himself on fire outside Trump hush money trial once worked for Democrat congressman

Maxwell Azzarello, the man who died after setting himself on fire while former President Trump's hush money trial was taking place, once worked for the Democrat congressman who flipped Rep. George Santos's seat blue, according to online records.

Rep. Tom Suozzi currently represents Nassau County and parts of Queens, having taken office earlier this February. He also served as a congressman from 2017 to 2023, before the disgraced Santos briefly took his seat.

Azzarello's LinkedIn page states that he briefly worked as an Operations Director for Friends of Tom Suozzi from August 2013 to November 2013. The Florida resident, 37, died on Friday night due to severe burns after self-immolating inside Collect Pond Park near the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse.

FLORIDA MAN SET HIMSELF ON FIRE NEAR NYC COURTHOUSE HOLDING TRUMP TRIAL

Max Azzarello worked on Suozzi's campaign for Nassau County Executive in 2013, according to LinkedIn.

At around 1:30 p.m., Azzarello took multiple pamphlets out of his backpack and threw them in the air, before pouring a flammable liquid on his body and setting himself on fire. The pamphlets included an online link to his Substack page and discussed conspiracy theories.

A New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesman told Fox News Digital that Azzarello was pronounced dead at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, around 9 hours after he self-immolated.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The decedent worked for Suozzi when the candidate was running for Nassau County Executive in 2013. Azzarello's LinkedIn profile says that he "lead various projects such as preparing the candidate for debates, organizing commercial shoots, planning logistics for campaign rallies, and completing interest group questionnaires."

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL: MEET THE JURORS WHO WILL HEAR BRAGG'S CASE AGAINST THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Max Azzarello protests outside of the Manhattan courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway on April 18, 2024 in New York City.

Azzarello's job responsibilities also involved developing social media content and drafting press releases, plus updating Suozzi's events calendar. In a statement to the New York Post, Suozzi confirmed that he remembered the protester and somberly wished his family the best.

"Max Azzarello worked on my campaign for Nassau County Executive in 2013 as part of the field staff," Suozzi said.

"Even though I havent seen or talked to Max since then I recall him being very kind, smart and hardworking. It is tragic that he has succumbed to his injuries and I am keeping Max and his family in my prayers."

Then-incumbent Democratic New York Rep. Tom Suozzi debates in the race for governor at the studios of WNBC4-TV June 16, 2022 in New York City.

Fox News Digital reached out to Suozzi's office for a statement, but did not hear back.

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and Landon Mion contributed to this report.





Original article source: Deceased protester who lit himself on fire outside Trump hush money trial once worked for Democrat congressman
Delegates at the Washington State GOP convention in Spokane shout down party officials after the announcement that they would not be endorsing a gubernatorial candidate.

Following the Washington state GOP endorsement of Semi Bird on Saturday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert referred to the inner-workings of the party as deceitful and deceptive.

On Friday, both Reichert and fellow Republican Semi Bird were disqualified from receiving the GOP endorsement: Bird for not disclosing a misdemeanor charge for grand larceny in 1993, and Reichert as a result of a disparity in the vetting of the governor candidates.

Attendees immediately pushed back on the move, overriding the partys decision, and on Saturday Bird took home a 72% vote to endorse him as governor.

Reichert did not attend the convention, although he did travel from his home in Chelan Thursday to Spokane with the intention of attending, he told McClatchy.

He noted that there was an anticipation that the convention would turn chaotic by a few that have taken over the party, influencing his decision to not attend, and said that at every corner rules would change to nominate Bird.

Rules mean a lot to me, Reichert said. It makes no sense to participate in a system that has flaws. I hoped for a fair and honest process and those hopes were dashed.

Reichert referred to the process as deceitful and deceptive, and said he agreed with other assessments that the convention was a clown show.

But Washington GOP Chairman Jim Walsh pushed back on the idea that the processes at the convention over the weekend were deceptive and deceitful, and insisted that the party didnt break any rules.

I might have been a little heavier with the gavel the first day but its my inclination to try to give people some leeway and some grace, said Walsh.

Walsh said he thinks some of the confusion Friday came from attendees not being able to hear motions made by others on the floor.

He also acknowledged the GOPs decision to change the vetting rules for candidates: They must disclose past transgressions, but anything older than 15 years does not prevent them from getting an endorsement. Birds multiple reported transgressions occurred about three decades ago.

GOP officials changed the rules to 15 years as a practical matter for the vetting process, he said, but there was a catchall question for candidates to disclose anything from their past in the questionnaire. Bird did not disclose the larceny charge, it was first reported by The Seattle Times Wednesday.

Since Birds announcement in late 2022 that he would run for the office, his candidacy has been called into question several times.

In February, the Tri-City Herald first reported that Bird was arrested for felony gun theft after misplacing a law enforcement-issued revolver twice.

Birds other known transgressions were also recently outlined in a website sponsored by opposition to his campaign, including a 2018 judgment against his construction company for deficiencies and defects that remained unpaid until November 2023 and liens totaling nearly $30,000 in unpaid child support.

Bird was also recalled from the Richland School District in 2023.

He acknowledged those incidents Saturday, referring to them as sins of his past.

Bird pushed back on the idea that rules were changed to benefit him, and instead believes democracy was had.

It was done fairly, Bird said.

While there were some hiccups Friday, Bird referred to them as positive conflict.

Despite Birds endorsement, Reichert will still be on the August primary ballot for voters to decide who they want as a Republican leader.

Currently, Reichert is outpacing Bird in endorsements and fundraising efforts. Bird has raised nearly $436,000 so far, while Reichert has raised more than $2.5 million.
As Joe Biden launched his Pennsylvania push campaign, he encountered a familiar set of unwanted visitors.

Outside his speech in Philadelphia on Thursday were two dozen activists holding signs with messages including Stop the massacre of Palestine and From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. The same protesters are present almost every day outside the White House. They sometimes demonstrate outside Congress and also at the Israeli embassy in Washington DC.

Less than seven months before polling day in this years election, there is a serious chance that Mr Bidens policy on the war in Gaza could lose him the presidency.

The pro-Palestine movement has attracted many of the young liberals and Arab-Americans that Mr Biden relied on  as voters, campaigners and organisers  to deliver his victory in 2020.

Already, those who oppose his pro-Israeli stance on the war have made their displeasure known. In the Democratic primary in Michigan last month, more than 13 per cent of voters refused to vote for him, instead writing the word uncommitted on their ballot papers.

The protest vote will not stop him winning the Democratic nomination, which he has already secured. But the campaigners are hoping to show how many votes he could lose in November if he does not satisfy them by then.

On Tuesday, in Pennsylvania, protesters are hoping to make their biggest mark on the campaign yet. On Mr Bidens visit to the state this week, he was also met by uncommitted campaigners in Pittsburgh and Scranton, his home town.

Seventy miles from Philadelphia lies the city of Bethlehem. It is about three times larger than the little town in the West Bank that bears the same name, and is known by locals for its history of steel production, rather than an association with Christ.

There, The Telegraph met Raya Abdelaal, 30. Ms Abdelaal is a veteran protester and local organiser of the uncommitted campaign, based in nearby Nazareth.

Raya Abdelaal from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She is calling for Mr Biden to declare support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza - Joe Lamberti

She and her colleagues are calling for Mr Biden to declare support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and to stop selling weapons to Israel. If he refuses, they will abstain in November and hope to deny him a victory in the presidential race.

A lot of us are Democrats that voted for Biden in the previous election, she said.

We thought his stance would be progressive and would align with our values, only to recently find out that he has been completely unsupportive about whats happening in Palestine.

This is like a signal to be like, Hey  pay attention. Were going to write in uncommitted.

These are the votes that could get him a win in Pennsylvania, because we are a swing state. Its costing him a great deal at this point.

She said Israel was a colonist project designed to aid the United States in having ties with the Middle East and claims that the US support for the creation of a Jewish state was an anti-Semitic move because they didnt want the Jewish people to come here.

She said Mr Biden was brainwashed into support for Israel, and that the US hoped to exploit oil reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ms Abdelaal is familiar with the criticism of mainstream Democrats  that if she refuses to support Mr Biden, she runs the risk of handing the keys to the White House to Donald Trump.

I personally dont feel like its our responsibility to save [Mr Bidens] presidency, she said.

He did that himself, with the actions that he put forth when he decided not to call for a ceasefire early on, and when he decided to fund Israel with arms.

Those were his actions that led him to this loss and I wouldnt blame the people for that.

Ms Abdelaal said she is not a supporter of Hamas, but believes armed resistance is justified against Israeli soldiers in Gaza.

What are the Palestinian people supposed to do? she said. What is the solution if tomorrow Canada came here and occupied the United States? Would we judge the United States for resisting?

Mr Biden has consistently stated and demonstrated his support for Israel, including by providing US military support for the countrys defence against a missile and drone attack by Iran on April 13.

He has been a lifelong supporter of a Jewish state in the Middle East  a policy position he says he inherited from his father, who he said had a preoccupation with the Holocaust.

Although Mr Biden has criticised Benjamin Netanyahus planned Rafah offensive in the south of Gaza and implored him not to retaliate against Irans air strikes, he has repeatedly described the USs support for Israel as ironclad.

However, the Presidents own voters are split on the issue. Earlier this month, 22 per cent of Democrats said that they were more sympathetic toward Palestinians in the conflict, while 16 percent said they were more sympathetic toward Israelis. The largest group, of 44 per cent, said they sympathise with both groups.

Pro-Palestinian protesters outside President Joe Biden's campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania - Kyle Mazza/Anadolu

Voters under the age of 30 and Arab-Americans, both of whom are core Democrat constituencies, are much more likely to be critical of Mr Bidens stance on the war.

Clearly, I think this is doing him some damage, said Matt Duss, Executive Vice President at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC.

Theres a sense in which the Palestinian issue is not just an issue with foreign policy  its an issue of social and racial justice.

One can agree or disagree with that, but I do think that is a reality, especially for young progressive Democrats, not just Palestinians and Arab Americans.

Mr Duss said that the Biden campaign could also suffer from a lack of support on the ground from students and young liberals who historically do much of the partys shoe leather campaigning for free.

This is a constituency that the party depends on for volunteer work, for phone banking, for door knocking, and for a whole bunch of other things that it needs to do to maximise turnout, he said. Thats where I think this could hurt the president and could hurt the party, and they dont really appreciate that.

After Tuesdays Democratic primary in Pennsylvania, all eyes will be on the uncommitted vote to see if it could spell doom for the President in November. In 2020, he won the state by a margin of 80,000 votes  just 1.2 per cent of the total.

Meanwhile, the pro-Palestinian campaigners hope that the result will be a wake-up call for the White House.

I dont believe that these types of presidents and these types of elected officials are going to be able to sustain their campaigns moving forwards, said Ms Abdelaal.

We have to have an eruption, right? There has to be some sort of dramatic push. We will suffer a little bit for a greater value later on.

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As Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stared down the gravest threat yet to his reign over the House GOP, he turned to the one Republican who could potentially save him: Donald Trump.

Flanked by the former president at a Mar-a-Lago press conference on April 12, Johnson sought to send a message to his detractorsparticularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)that Trump stood by him.

In response, Trump tossed him a lifeline.

I stand with the speaker, Trump said when asked about the threat Johnson faces.

Nine days later, Johnsons future is murkier than ever. Hes confronting a full-scale GOP revolt over his push to pass a sweeping Ukraine aid package. Three GOP lawmakers, led by Greene, are already backing a motion to vacate the speakershipthe same tool used to boot Kevin McCarthy in Octoberand they could force a vote on his fate at any time.

Mike Johnson Came to Ukraines Aid. Will Democrats Come to His?

Johnsons detractors were only emboldened on Saturday. After months of dithering, the speaker finally put Ukraine aid on the floor. And while it passed, it narrowly failed to get a majority of Republicans to back itwith 112 Republicans voting against the bill, and 101 voting in favor of it.

I do not support Mike Johnson, Greene told reporters on Saturday after the vote. Hes already a lame duck. If we had the vote today in our conference, he would not be speaker.

While Trump noted that the motion to vacate has already been used this Congressfurther calling the current threat of another motion to vacate unfortunategeneral commentary on the procedural mechanism might not be enough to save the speaker.

Johnson, whos long been a loyal Trump soldier, needs his help now more than ever. But theres a brutal truth for Johnson thats becoming increasingly clear: Trump isnt coming to his rescue.

That was the takeaway of two close sources in the former presidents orbit, and its becoming clearer by the minute that, if anyone is going to save Johnson, its Democrats.

There were a few of us that were still going to bat for him and defending him, a source close to Trump told The Daily Beast. I dont know a single person that will defend him after this complete and stunning surrender. Were obviously not going to get everything we want with a slim majority in the House. But theres not a single thing he can point to in these bills that resembles a Republican win. He got nothing. He got rolled.

Another Trump source was just as clear: the former president isnt going to lift another finger.

Johnson has already gotten everything he should expect to get from Trump, a Trumpworld source told The Daily Beast. Its not Trumps job to save his ass because he cant manage his caucus.

While its always possible Trump changes his mind and more aggressively tries to help Johnson, few in Trumps orbit seem inclined to nudge the former president to bail him outparticularly when Trump is facing his own problems with the start of his criminal trial.

Outside a bodega in Manhattan on Tuesday during a trial break, Trump took a more ominous tone when asked about Johnsons situation. Well, well see what happens with that, he said. I think hes a very good person.

Former President Donald Trump listens as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Several Trump-aligned sources suggested the former presidents trial is a complicating factor for any plans to involve himself in Capitol Hill drama. Stuck in Manhattan court four days per week, Trump is having enough difficulty attempting to figure out how to sustain his own presidential campaign, without sticking his neck out for a speaker who just put Ukraine aid on the House floor for a vote.

Some Trump allies in Congress think he should stay far away, focus on his campaign when hes not attending his trial, and let the House figure itself out.

I personally think the president should just be focused on what hes doing and not even be getting caught up with that mess, one GOP lawmaker close to Trump told The Daily Beast.

Steve Bannon, a former senior adviser to Trump, expressed a similar sentiment, noting that Trump has his hands full in NYC.

The influential MAGA pundit told The Daily Beast that Trumps legion of lawmakers would take care of the rest.

We are heading it up with those patriots in the House, Bannon told The Daily Beast. Johnson is [a] dead man walking.

Notably, even when Trump supported Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, he still declined to criticize Greene for bringing the motion to remove the speaker. And he certainly didnt call on Greene, one of his closest and most loyal allies, to back down.

But this internecine fighting within the conference isnt exactly between moderates and hardline conservatives; its really between hardline conservatives and Johnsona staunch Trump ally and a hardline conservative in his own right.

Trump has been a critical force behind Johnsons rise. When the House GOP was divided in October after ditching McCarthy, Trump endorsed Johnsons bid for the speakership at a critical time. After several Republicans tried and failed to win over the GOP conference, Trumps endorsement of Johnson put a swift end to the drama.

MTG Literally Curses Mike Johnsons Speakership After Ukraine Vote

Of course, Johnson has been staunchly loyal to Trump since the two of them were both first elected in 2016. When Trump refused to concede the 2020 election, Johnson spearheaded legal efforts in Congress to legitimize his false claims of a stolen election. He famously organized Republicans to sign onto an amicus brief in support of a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate Joe Bidens victory.

But for Trump, self-preservation is everything. Few issues currently animate the MAGA base like aid to Ukraine, and the former president strives to never cross his base.

On Thursday, Trump complained on Truth Social about the prospect of Congress sending military aid to Ukraine, revisiting old arguments that European nations need to pay more, though he notably stopped short of saying he opposed the foreign aid bill.

Representatives for Trump and Johnson did not respond to requests for comment.

While some in the conference continue to turn against Johnson, some members believe Trump should save Johnson for the sake of the Republican Party.

My hope is that he would step in and would say something and tell these people to quiet down, another Republican lawmaker told The Daily Beast.

In public, Johnson often makes a point to mention how frequently he speaks with Trump. But he usually declines to delve into the specifics of what they talk about.

Mike Johnson Is Gambling His Speakership on Ukraine. He May Lose.

The speakers trip to Mar-a-Lago last week was designed to show unity between himself and the presumptive Republican nominee, a senior GOP leadership aide told The Daily Beast. The subject of their joint press conferenceelection integritywas notable in how clearly it showed Johnsons willingness to entertain Trumps conspiracies of a stolen 2020 election in order to remain in his good graces.

The duo introduced legislation that would ban people who are not U.S. citizens from voting in electionsan offense that has already been illegal for decades.

While that was a moment of solidarity, it already seems to have faded with the push to pass foreign aidsomething Republican voters are split on, but is loudly opposed by much of the MAGA base.

How bad is this garbage bill? Chuck Schumer is bragging about how House GOP Leadership is completely folding and giving Dems exactly what they want, Donald Trump Jr. said in a post on X.

While the former presidentand his soncould certainly exacerbate problems for Johnson, the speaker already seems to be counting on Democrats to save him from a GOP motion to vacate the chair.

A handful of Democrats have already indicated they will support Johnson if Greene triggers the motion to vacate.

Even former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) tipped her hand that the Democratic Caucus might bail out Johnson.

The institution really needs to be respected, Pelosi told The Daily Beast on Saturday. And if people are doing something wrong, then the chair should be vacated, but if its a difference of opinion, thats democracy.

Johnson seems to have embraced some tranquility about the whole matter. He said this week that he doesnt live his life worrying about the motion to vacate, and he was at peace putting Ukraine aid on the floor. He said he was simply doing what he believed was right.

History judges us for what we do, Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. This is a critical time right now in the world state. I can make a selfish decision and do something that is different, but Im doing here what I believe to be the right thing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Driver involved in crash that killed five in Fayette County had drugs in his system

The Fayette County coroner said the driver of a vehicle that was involved in a crash that killed five people had drugs in his system.

The coroner said that the toxicology report on Harold Nibert, 55, showed positive results for cocaine use at the time of the crash.

Nibert was driving the vehicle that crossed the double yellow line on Route 40 near New Meador Run Drive and hit a tractor-trailer head-on in Wharton Township on March 26.

He and the four other people in the vehicle, including a 7-month-old baby, were killed in the crash.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 5 people, including infant, killed in Fayette County crash

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Community members call for changes on Fayette County road after crash that killed 5 people

All of the victims were from Deleware, Ohio.

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BERLIN TWP.  Police investigated and a community mourned Sunday, the morning after a car crashed into a boat club building where a birthday party was being held, killing two young siblings  ages 5 and 8  and injuring more than a dozen other people.

A 66-year-old woman, whose name was not released, was driving the vehicle that crashed and was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony, and taken to the Monroe County Jail, authorities said. More criminal charges are expected, police said.

In addition, authorities said Vernas Tavern in Newport, where the driver of the car may have been just before the crash, had been shut down and was under investigation. The bar was back in operation late Sunday morning when a Free Press reporter and a photographer stopped by.

The Swan Boat Club  where the party was being held at 6332 Brancheau Road, about 30 minutes southwest of Detroit  posted on Facebook it would be closed Sunday, the result of the "terrible accident" with many injuries and much damage.

Flowers were left at a scene on Sunday, April 21, 2024, where an alleged drunken driver smashed through a wall at the Swan Boat Club during a childs birthday party in Newport on Saturday.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnoughs voice quivered as he spoke to news media.

He appeared to hold back tears as he read a statement that described the scene after the car went through a wall at about 3 p.m. Saturday. It was, he said, "extremely chaotic and with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident."

Goodnough said 15 people, including adults, were injured.

The vehicle, he said, slammed into the north wall, moving fast enough to go about 25 feet into the building until it stopped. A doorbell cam video posted online shows what appears to be an SUV speeding toward the boat club, go out of view blocked by a stand of trees, and then a cloud of dust suddenly coming from offscreen. People can then be seen rushing out of the building.

Multiple agencies scrambled to reach the scene and try to provide aid.

During the news conference, those listening let out an audible  and heartbreaking  gasp as the sheriff identified the dead children as brother and sister. The 5-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister never had a chance to even get medical treatment. First responders pronounced them dead at the scene.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for the family, linked on the boat club's website, says the children's mother and older brother were also injured and remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The sheriff said that nine people, three of them children, were driven by ambulances and airlifted by two medical helicopters to area hospitals. As of late Saturday, they were facing serious, life-threatening injuries. Several other people, the sheriff added, were rushed away by nonemergency vehicles.

At the end of the news conference, the sheriff, in response to a reporters question, confirmed that the suspect may have been at Vernas Tavern in Newport.

"We went in, we shut the business down," Goodnough added when pressed whether the tavern would be facing police scrutiny. "We are in the process of executing a search warrant for information as to the business conducted at that day."

A sign for the eatery describes it as "Home of the -pound Verna Burger" and a place for "good times & great friends since 1938."

The Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, where two children were killed and multiple other people were injured Saturday afternoon when a car drove through a building where a birthday party was being held, according to police.

After the crash, Goodnough said, investigators were working at the scene to process evidence, identify victims, interview witnesses and reunite family members separated in the sudden chaos of the deadly and tragic crash.

In a sad twist, the area where the tragedy unfolded has long been a place to enjoy life.

The boat club, which was started in the 1940s as a place for boating enthusiasts on Swan Creek to meet to play cards, have a beer and kickback, mostly during the hot summer months, has faced its share good and bad times over the years. It is just off Lake Erie.

The club, in its early years thrived, its website suggested.

Police and emergency service personnel are on the scene of a fatal car crash to render aid to the injured at the Swan Boat Club on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The club history boasted of hosting "great regattas," "snow mobile races" and "famous chicken dinners," which it still offers. At one time, the club noted, its membership included Michigans Gov. G. Mennen (Soapy) Williams.

In the '70s, the website said its membership dropped to less than 50 members. But since then, the club  which now also offers dockage for more than 125 member boats up to 40 feet long  said its numbers have rebounded and was sound and prosperous with a card-carrying membership of over 250!"

Names of the crash victims were not released.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fatal crash, suspected DUI into birthday party shatters Monroe County
Education officials estimate that every day in Kansas, about 1,000 drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus as it picks up or drops off children.

"When a student gets on or off the bus that, we consider that the most dangerous time," said Keith Dreiling, the bus safety director at the Kansas State Department of Education. "Because if they're on the bus, they're protected inside the bus, but as soon as they exit the bus, this is when we're going to have issues."

But with the Legislature not acting on a proposal to help law enforcement crack down on violators of the state stop arm law, the Kansas State Board of Education is pursuing a regulatory change in an attempt to make it safer when loading and unloading a bus.

A school bus puts on its flashers and stop sign out during a pickup Wednesday morning in East Topeka.

Legislator: House speaker canceled hearing on a school bus safety bill

In September 2020, 7-year-old Cecilia Graf was killed on her way to school in Abilene. The Dickinson County sheriff said Graf was crossing the street to board her bus, which was stopped with lights flashing, when a 15-year-old high school student hit the girl.

In the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers considered House Bill 2154 to allow cameras on school buses to be used by law enforcement to issue $250 civil penalties to drivers who illegally pass a stopped bus. Educators and law enforcement testified in support, while no one opposed it.

"We do not have any provisions in state law right now that allow for civil penalties to be assessed off of video cameras," said Rep. Scott Hill, R-Abilene. "Other states do that. Kansas has never started doing it."

The bill made it out of committee but never got a vote in the full House. Then in 2022, it again made it out of committee but didn't get a vote in the House.

Hill reintroduced the idea in 2023 with House Bill 2251. It didn't get a hearing last year or this year, and it's now dead because it didn't advance by a legislative deadline.

More: Cameras could be watching you run a school bus stop sign, under proposed Kansas House bill

"I had a hearing scheduled on it, and the hearing got canceled," Hill told the state board in March. "It's taken me a little while to figure out exactly what is going on."

What he found out is "the biggest thing comes back to an invasion of people's privacy, and people are nervous about that."

Hill said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, decided to cancel the hearing. A spokesperson for Hawkins didn't respond to a request for comment.

"They're not comfortable establishing civil penalties. They need to watch a few more of these videos of people going by buses," Hill said, referring to videos of drivers illegally passing school buses. "A thousand times in a day is shocking."

Hill promised to reintroduce the bill next year, if he wins reelection this fall. In the meantime, Hill suggested that maybe schools could put cameras on buses and then publish videos on Facebook to publicly shame violators.

"I don't know whether this is possible, but in many cases, people being embarrassed on social media might be a stronger deterrent than the $250 that you just pay and it goes away," Hill said. "Maybe there's something we can do. We need to make a bigger deal of this before another child gets hit."

Can state board regulatory change make bus stops safer?

Mercedes Holford, a bus driver for Kansas Central Bus Service, checks over her equipment Wednesday morning prior to picking up students along her route.

With the Legislature not moving on the camera bill, the state board of education hopes that changing regulations on bus routes and pickup and drop-off areas will mitigate the dangers that children face.

Earlier this month, the board received a proposed amendment to school bus safety regulations. That sets the board up to potentially vote next month on whether to proceed with the formal regulation adoption process.

Scott Gordon, general counsel for the Kansas State Department of Education, said the change would add a requirement that the local transportation supervisor shall, when practical, "avoid establishing stops that would require students to cross any roadway."

That change would make it so buses, if they aren't already, would stop on the same side of the road as where they pick up or drop off the students.

"It mirrors the guidance that we already provide to school districts," Gordon said. "This merely makes it a bit stronger by putting it specifically in regulation."

State board member Jim Porter, R-Fredonia, described it as making sure the bus is stopping in the safest place.

The regulation change would attempt to make a difference in an area that schools can control, but it would not address driver behavior.

"It seems like what we need to be doing is addressing the driver, the adult, the people that are behind the wheel of the car," said state board member Michelle Dombrosky, R-Olathe.

How often are drivers illegally passing stopped school buses in Kansas?

Zytaya Bush, left, gives her son, 11-year-old son Zae Morgan-Bush a high-five Wednesday morning after he got onto the school bus heading to State Street Elementary at the intersection of S.E. 40th and Quincy streets.

"The most dangerous time for students is when they get on and off the bus," said Dreiling, the bus safety director.

That's in large part due to drivers not stopping for the stop arm.

Every year, the Education Department collects data on school bus stop arm violations. The data is collected on a single day by participating schools.

During the April 2023 survey, 2,857 buses from 223 participating Kansas school districts reported 676 stop arm violations.

That was down from the recent high of 1,040 stop arm violations in 2019, but that year also had far more buses participating and reporting violations.

The 2023 count included 18 cases where drivers passed on the right side of the bus.

"Twenty-eight years as a state trooper I enforced stop arm violations," Dreiling said. "However, until I took this job, I had no idea that we had vehicles passing school buses on the right side."

In 2022, the single-day survey recorded 46 times that drivers passed on the right side of a stopped bus.

"It just scares us half to death that something really bad (could happen), because that's where all the kids are normally before they board the bus," Dreiling said.

New numbers are not yet available for the 2024 survey, which was conducted Wednesday.

Education officials watch videos of stop arm violations

Kansas State Board of Education members watched this video of a pickup truck illegally passing a Shawnee Heights school bus as it stopped on S.E. 29th Street near S.E. Croco Road on Sept. 13, 2023.

At its March and April meets, the state board watched several videos of stop arm violations.

Dreiling showed a video from Minnesota where a semi passed on the shoulder to the right as a bus stopped outside a house. He said a judge sentenced the truck driver to a year in jail.

"This is a really, really serious subject," said Hill, the representative from Abilene. "And when you saw that video of the semi blowing by, you realize that that was within a few inches of taking somebody's life."

In Kansas, similar bus videos can't be used to fine or prosecute drivers because state law generally requires law enforcement to personally observe a violation. But buses can still record videos.

At the April meeting, Dreiling showed a Sept. 13, 2023, video from Shawnee Heights USD 450 where a bus stops on S.E. 29th Street just west of S.E. Croco Road.

A Ford F-150 then passes the bus as the driver is stopping, its lights already activated but the stop arm not quite outstretched yet. Then, more vehicles continue to pass going in the opposite direction.

In that area, S.E. 29th Street has four lanes of travel plus a turning lane. In that situation, under Kansas law, it is illegal for either side of the road to pass a stopped school bus.

This illustration by the Kansas State Department of Education shows that it is illegal for drivers in either direction to pass a stopped school bus on a four-lane road with a turn lane.

An Aug. 25, 2023, video from Southeast of Saline USD 306 shows a pickup initially stop for the bus with its stop arm out and lights flashing. After about five seconds, the driver proceeds to pass anyway.

"He gets tired of waiting, or whatever," Dreiling said.

Dreiling also showed three videos from Easton USD 449.

One was a Nov. 14, 2023, video in Easton shows children coming out of a house, about to cross a two-lane highway to get on a school bus. Then, a pickup passes two school buses  which was illegal because at least one school bus had its stop arm out and because the highway had a double yellow line.

Leavenworth County sheriff's deputy Justin Green, who is the Easton school resource officer, has found a way to issue citations to violators in some cases. He said the county attorney allows the citations, "As long as I have my body camera on and I get an admission of guilt."

In that November case, Green used the videos to find out who the driver was, called him while recording with his body camera and the driver admitted to breaking the law.

"His excuse was he was about to run out of gas, so that's why he passed," Green said.

He issued three citations to that driver, one for each of the buses he passed and one for passing in a no-passing zone.

"Eventually, they're going to get smart to it and stop admitting guilt," Green said.

'It says stop for a reason'

Edgar Arroyo, a trainer at Kansas Central Bus Service, on Wednesday morning looks over the fleet at 200 S.E. 21st St. as drivers prepare to depart on their routes.

"We always tell the schools the safety of the student is the most important thing," Dreiling said. "They're transporting our most important resource we have out there, a special cargo, our kids. That's why we always remind them, it's always about the kids and the safety of the kids riding the bus."

Edgar Arroyo, a school bus driver and trainer at Kansas Central Bus Service, told The Capital-Journal that "part of our training is to always make sure that students are OK and there's no threat around them before they load."

As a driver whose Sheldon Head Start route has several stops on Gage and Fairlawn, "I do see that often" where traffic illegally passes his stopped school bus. He likes the idea of a law allowing cameras on buses to allow police to fine violators.

"That'd be awesome," he said. "Because that way, we know that there's something backing us up, and in case something happens."

He also thinks state regulatory changes to bus routes and loading zones could be effective, especially if it would mean picking up and dropping off kids closer to their home.

Zytaya Bush takes her son, Zae Morgan-Bush, 11, to the school bus as it comes to a stop Wednesday morning at the intersection of S.E. 40th and Quincy streets.

Zytaya Bush, who walked with her son to a southeast Topeka bus stop, also like the camera idea.

"I think that the traffic cameras will be a great idea for the safety of the kids, the bus and everyone around," Bush said. "Because when cars do not stop when the buses are stopping, it creates a safety hazard."

"I've seen cars pass by buses, I have seen it when the stop sign is out," Bush added, urging drivers who are in a rush to instead leave earlier. "It says stop for reason."

Evert Nelson, of The Topeka Capital-Journal, contributed reporting.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas won't pass camera bill for drivers passing stopped school buses
Two young children were killed in Monroe County, Michigan, on Saturday afternoon when a suspected drunk driver plowed into a childs birthday party at a local boat club, authorities say.

The 66-year-old driver, who has not been identified, was booked into police custody and faces charges of operating while intoxicated, causing death, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said at an evening press conference.

Goodnough appeared to struggle to keep composed as he announced the carnage found at the scene of the Swan Boat Club, where a young childs birthday party was being held.

Fifteen people, including adults and children, were given first aid at the scene, with nine of those people later being transported to hospitals for serious, life-threatening injuries, he said.

Unfortunately, in tragedy, two of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. This includes an 8-year-old female and a 5-year-old male, who are siblings, Goodnough said, to audible gasps from reporters attending the press conference.

First responders described the scene as extremely chaotic with a high level of emotions.

There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion, the Swan Boat Club said in a statement. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ry Thounry packs up her tent on the Main Street overpass above the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles while sanitation crews move in to clean the homeless encampment. A federal judge said that city crews have illegally seized and destroyed the property of homeless people during cleanups. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

For homeless people, the only place to store their belongings is on the ground or inside a tent. When city workers clean up a sidewalk and take those belongings and destroy them, the effect is devastating. People have lost their tents, clean clothes, personal records, IDs, medications and more, according to a lawsuit accusing the city of Los Angeles of illegal seizure and destruction of property.

Janet Garcia, one of the eight plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles along with pro-bono counsel, who works as a house cleaner, lost her cleaning supplies when L.A. Sanitation workers seized and destroyed her belongings while she stepped away briefly to go to the bathroom and get ready for work, the lawsuit says. The seizure, one of several, made it difficult for her to keep working.

Read more: Editorial: Here's how Los Angeles can help prevent people from falling into homelessness

Plaintiff Pete Diocson, Jr., a homeless man in Harbor City, had his dogs wire kennel seized and discarded because sanitation workers and Los Angeles Police Department officers told him it was a bulky item, according to the lawsuit. (Diocson has since died and his estate replaces him in the suit.) And plaintiff Marquis Ashley said his cart was seized as he was using it to move his belongings out of a cleanup area.

Its disturbing enough that people lost their possessions in clean-ups. Its unconscionable that city officials lied to justify some of those seizures in documentation for the court in the lawsuit.

Read more: L.A.'s right-left divide on solving homelessness

U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer wrote in an order in the case February that the city of Los Angeles had altered, modified, and created documents to support its litigation position. Fischer said the city had also repeatedly failed to produce legitimately requested documents. Earlier this month she ordered the city to tell the independent forensic examiner where the rest of the documents could be located.

Cleanups of homeless encampments are supposed to be documented. In some cases, the examiner found descriptions of items seized had been changed in the documents from bulky items to health hazards or contaminated. Thats a significant change, because early in the case Fischer ruled that the law allowing the city to take and discard peoples belongings because they were categorized as bulky items was unconstitutional. So if the citys records showed they had picked up items only because they were bulky, some of the plaintiffs would have made their case on that alone.

Read more: Opinion: I've covered California's homeless since before the word was used. This is what I learned

City officials didnt even deny they had changed records. They said they were just going back and correcting errors  sometimes years after cleanups.

Fischer didnt buy it, calling their explanations for changes unconvincing to say the least and noted that the Citys credibility has been damaged significantly. When the city contended that it was overwhelmed by the number of encampment cleanups while it was also producing documents and data for the court, Fischer tartly wrote, Producing the documents without alteration and declining to create documents would have been less overwhelming. 

Read more: Not every life is a 'success story.' Some land in homelessness. But everyone deserves dignity

When the forensic examination is finished, Fischer warned she would consider sanctions on the city. Good. There must be consequences for illegally seizing and destroying the property of people who are already so marginalized they are forced to live on the street.

The seizures in the lawsuit all took place in 2018 and 2019, years before Karen Bass became mayor in December 2022. But she is the mayor who will deal with any sanctions. And it is the office of the current city attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, that responded to the evidence of altered documents with the excuses that Fischer scoffed at  although Bass has no control over that office. We hope that she's already instructed city workers to focus more on cleaning than snatching people's belongings and destroying them. For example, the city could do more trash pickups so that homeless people could dispose of their actual trash.

There are about 46,000 homeless people in the city of Los Angeles  and more than 32,000 of them live outside on sidewalks, under overpasses and in vehicles. That's a lot of possessions in tents and outside tents. As fraught as street cleanups are, doctoring some documents to raise the chances of winning a lawsuit is inexcusable and outrageous.

No one is suggesting that the city be blocked from cleanups or confiscating items that truly constitute a public health hazard. Cleanups where advance notice is given properly and clearly can be useful. But until the city has enough housing for people living in those encampments, they must respect their rights not to have their already fragile lives upended by cleanups.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) needs no introduction. The Warren Buffett-managed conglomerate has a stellar track record of growing value for its shareholders. It can make a great long-term investment.

Here are three reasons investors should buy Berkshire Hathaway stock hand over fist right now.

Similarly strong returns with less volatility

Berkshire Hathaway isn't the fastest-growing company in the world. However, it still has a knack for delivering strong returns for its investors. Here's how Buffett's company compares to the S&P 500 in recent years:

Timeframe Berkshire Hathaway S&P 500 One year 23.1% 22.4% Three years 47% 25.5% Five years 90.4% 87.5% Ten years 214.4% 223.8%

Data source: Ycharts. Data as of April 19, 2024.

As that table shows, Berkshire Hathaway has roughly met or exceeded the S&P 500's total return in each of the last one-, three-, five-, and 10-year periods. While the returns outside of the past three years haven't been truly market-smashing, the company has largely kept pace with the broader market's strong showing over the past decade.

However, what's worth pointing out is that Berkshire has delivered similarly strong returns compared to the broader market with less volatility as measured by beta:

BRK.B Beta (1Y) Chart

BRK.B Beta (1Y) data by YCharts

With an average beta of less than 0.9, Berkshire Hathaway has been about 10% less volatile than the S&P 500 (1.0 beta). That means if the S&P 500 plunges 10%, Berkshire's stock would likely fall by less than 9%. That lower volatility can be important for investors who want to earn market returns with less risk in the form of volatility.

A strong and diversified portfolio of businesses

In many ways, Berkshire Hathaway is a high-quality investment fund. The company has a large portfolio of wholly owned businesses and an investment portfolio of publicly traded stocks.

The company's operating businesses are:

Insurance and reinsurance : This segment features GEICO, a collection of independently managed insurers, and reinsurance businesses like General Re.

Railroad business : Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Utilities and energy businesses : The company owns a large diversified energy company (Berkshire Hathaway Energy) and Pilot Travel Centers.

Other segments: Berkshire owns a variety of manufacturing, service, and retail businesses.

In addition, the company holds an extensive portfolio of publicly traded stocks, led by:

Apple : It held roughly $150 billion of the technology stock (41.2% of its investment portfolio).

Bank of America : Berkshire owned over $38 billion of the bank stock (10.5%).

American Express : Buffett's company owned nearly $35 billion of the credit card company's shares (9.6%).

Coco-Cola : It owned almost $24 billion of the beverage stock (6.6%).

Chevron: Berkshire held over $20 billion of the oil stock (5.5%).

Story continues

Berkshire's investment portfolio held over $364 billion in shares of publicly traded companies, with meaningful exposure to the technology, financial, and oil industries.

The company focuses on owning and investing in high-quality companies in sectors it believes will grow shareholder value over the long term. It historically invests in businesses that grow their earnings at above-average rates. They use that cash flow to grow the business and return money to shareholders.

A massive cash war chest

Berkshire's operating companies supply it with retained earnings, while its investment portfolio provides it with dividend income. These dual sources give Berkshire a growing stream of free cash flow. That money has been piling up on its balance sheet in recent years.

The company has a massive cash position, reaching a record $168 billion at the end of last year. That was up from $157 billion at the end of the third quarter and well above the $150 billion level Buffett has said is difficult to justify keeping on the balance sheet (and the roughly $35 billion analysts believe it requires to operate its insurance businesses). The company currently invests most of that money into T-bills that generate interest income.

Warren Buffett and his team can use its cash position to create shareholder value. They can buy new operating companies, invest in publicly traded stocks, and repurchase Berkshire's shares when they trade at a compelling valuation. Many analysts speculate that Buffett is waiting for a meaningful market downturn so that he can find compelling opportunities to deploy his cash by acquiring strong operating businesses at a better price. In the meantime, Buffett and company are selectively deploying cash into buying stocks (the company has been adding to its oil stock position and Japanese trading houses in the past year) and repurchasing Berkshire's shares.

Market returns with less risk (and compelling upside)

Berkshire Hathaway has historically been a great investment. Now looks like as good a time to buy as any. Berkshire should deliver returns as good as the S&P 500, if not better, with less volatility because of its focus on owning high-quality operating companies and publicly traded stocks. Meanwhile, it offers compelling upside potential following the next downturn because that could provide Berkshire with the opportunity to put more of its massive cash position to work. These factors make Berkshire a no-brainer stock to buy right now.

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3 Reasons to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock Like There's No Tomorrow was originally published by The Motley Fool
Mississippi voters approved the magnolia state flag in 2020 to replace a Confederate-themed flag state lawmakers retired earlier that year as part of the national reckoning over racial injustice. (Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press )

American democracy is far younger than is often supposed. It is younger than the current president, younger than the man most likely to challenge him in November and younger than most United States senators.

True democracy, in which everyone born or naturalized in the U.S. can vote to elect their leaders and representatives, did not immediately follow independence, the Civil War or the womens suffrage movement. The right to vote was on the books yet out of reach for millions of Americans until at least 1964, when it emerged amid a trio of crucial decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, a hard-fought Civil Rights Act, and the courage of heroes and martyrs registering Black voters in Mississippi in what was known as Freedom Summer.

Read more: Editorial: Mississippi, finish what you started. End Confederate Heritage Month

Mississippi was the great American battleground of freedom and democracy in the 20th century, and it remains central in the struggle to define the meanings of those terms. Mississippians to their credit have created museums and monuments to their forebears who worked to end the Jim Crow laws that imposed racial segregation and restricted Black voting power.

It is the state where Emmett Till was lynched for supposedly offending a white woman, Medgar Evers was assassinated for trying to end segregation, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were murdered for trying to register Black voters, James Meredith integrated the University of Mississippi and later was shot during a solo March Against Fear. (Meredith survived and continued his work. He is now 90.)

And its where the governor this year  and almost every year for the last three decades  designated April as Confederate Heritage Month.

Read more: Editorial: One year after George Floyd's murder, has the 'reckoning' begun?

Mississippi does indeed have a heritage worthy of celebration. But its not the heritage of secession, which was a straightforward effort to promote slavery, as set forth in the states declaration of independence from the union. Protecting the practice of slavery was to Confederate Mississippi a defense of Western values.

Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery, Confederate-era Mississippi leaders proclaimed, the greatest material interest of the world. ... These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization.

Read more: Editorial: Republicans' ominous strategy to thwart criminal justice reform  and democracy

Remembering the mistakes of the past could provide some useful context to the news of today, such as the Mississippi Legislatures rejection last week of a bill to finally erase the 1890 law, targeting Black people, listing crimes that resulted in permanent loss of voting rights. It could help explain the law that took effect this year to create a state-run court, with judges appointed by the majority-white Legislature, with jurisdiction over much of Jackson, where the majority-Black population lost its power to elect its judges and prosecutors.

But Confederate Heritage Month does more than merely remember the wrong part of the past. It honors and sustains it.

Better to honor Mississippians such as Fannie Lou Hamer, who fought to get the Democratic Party to seat a delegation at the 1964 convention that did not exclude the states large Black population.

Read more: Editorial: Another court decision weakens the Voting Rights Act. Will the Supreme Court right this wrong?

Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, Hamer asked, where our lives be threatened daily because we want to live as decent human beings?

In 1994, 30 years after Freedom Summer, Mississippi and several other former Confederate states  Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas  began setting aside April to remember their secessionist and racist legacies. Another 30 years later and we are still fighting battles over voting rights and democracy.

Read more: Editorial: Senate Republicans won't even consider voting rights. The filibuster must go

California was a union state, and people here like to distinguish themselves from their Southern counterparts. So its useful to remember that in 1964, as people were battling for the right to vote in Mississippi, Californians repealed the Rumford Fair Housing Act so they could continue to deny housing to buyers or renters based on their race.

We tell ourselves weve moved on, but the legacy of such discriminatory policies remains. Of the tens of thousands of people living on our streets, a disproportionate number are Black.

Read more: Court upholds voting act

Mississippi, by contrast, does not appear to have a large homelessness problem, although that's probably because its extreme poverty keeps housing costs low.

In 2020, as the nation moved from COVID to George Floyd protests and from lockdown to racial reckoning, Mississippi retired its Confederate-oriented flag and adopted a new one featuring a magnolia. It was a symbolic but important step into the future.

Were still struggling, though  in Mississippi and across the country  trying to decide whether to keep moving forward or take a giant step into the racist past.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE PHOTO: A police officer walks next to an entrance of the Egyptian Museum in Egypt's capital of Cairo

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt welcomed home a 3,400-year-old statue depicting the head of King Ramses II after it was stolen and smuggled out of the country more than three decades ago, the country's antiquities ministry said on Sunday.

The statue is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo but not on display. The artefact will be restored, the ministry said in a statement.

The statue was stolen from the Ramses II temple in the ancient city of Abydos in Southern Egypt more than three decades ago. The exact date is not known, but Shaaban Abdel Gawad, who heads Egypt's antiquities repatriation department, said the piece is estimated to have been stolen in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Egyptian authorities spotted the artefact when it was offered for sale in an exhibition in London in 2013. It moved to several other countries before reaching Switzerland, according to the antiquities ministry.

"This head is part of a group of statues depicting King Ramses II seated alongside a number of Egyptian deities," Abdel Gawad said.

Ramses II is one of ancient Egypt's most powerful pharaohs. Also known as Ramses the Great, he was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and ruled from 1279 to 1213 B.C.

Egypt collaborated with Swiss authorities to establish its rightful ownership. Switzerland handed over the statue to the Egyptian embassy in Bern last year, but it was only recently that Egypt brought the artefact home.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on Friday that a serial offender was sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2020 murder of his girlfriend at a Tempe motel.

Gary Lenall Cox, aged 60, received a sentence for first-degree murder in the "violent" killing of his girlfriend at the Super 8 motel near Rural Road and Apache Boulevard, as reported by the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. Cox committed this act less than four months after being released from prison for the murder of his wife in 2001, stated Mitchells office in a press release issued on Friday.

Tempe police discovered the victims naked body on the floor of a motel room during a wellness check on the afternoon of Aug. 7, 2020. Officers were alerted after Coxs relative called to report that he told his brother his girlfriend was dead and he would be returning to prison.

The Medical Examiners Office found that Coxs girlfriend had sustained various injuries, including bruises around her chest and neck, roughly 20 rib fractures and extensive bleeding in all regions of her brain.

During an investigation, police discovered evidence that Cox had attempted to clean the crime scene, including empty bleach bottles, and blood stains on the rooms sink, tub, and towels. Officers also found evidence that Cox cleaned his girlfriends wounds.

On February 13 of this year, Cox was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and tampering with physical evidence, Mitchells office wrote. In addition to a life sentence for first-degree murder, the County Attorneys Office announced that Coxs official sentencing included...

28 years for kidnapping

4.5 years for tampering with physical evidence

3.5 years for possession or use of a narcotic drug from a different criminal case

These crimes are the essence of evil, and they were committed by a person who is a grave threat to the community, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release. He will spend a very long time in prison, which is precisely where he belongs.

The Maricopa County Attorneys Office wrote that before the victim met Cox, she was described as a friendly person who would talk to her neighbors at the motel, where she was placed by a social services agency. After she met Cox and he moved in with her, however, the victims behavior totally shifted. She would rarely leave her room, and Cox would do all the talking, Mitchells office stated.

Coxs brother said he noticed the victim had a black eye on a video call, even though she hadnt had one when hed visited the couple a few days earlier, according to prosecutors.

Prior to his girlfriends killing, Cox had been released from prison just months before in April 2020 after serving an 18-year sentence for manslaughter, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Madeline Nguyen is a breaking news reporter for The Republic. Reach her at Madeline.Nguyen@gannett.com or 480-619-0285. Follow her on X @madelineynguyen.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Repeat killer Gary Cox sentenced to life for girlfriend's Tempe murder
Estonia, Sweden and Czechia urge Europe not to relax after US vote on aid to Ukraine

Some European leaders have used the US vote on aid to Ukraine to urge Europe not to be complacent and not to lose momentum in stepping up efforts to produce arms and ammunition.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas welcomed the House of Representatives' vote on the Ukraine aid bill, noting that helping Ukraine is the best way to protect ourselves.

"Hope this vote encourages all allies to look through their warehouses and do more," Kallas tweeted.

"But now is also the time to remember that the EU now have to increase our own production of armaments, ammunition and supplies to aid Ukraine on a long term basis," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom tweeted.

"Tonights vote shows the necessity of this. We have to do our own homework as well," he added.

His Czech counterpart, Jan Lipavsky, echoed this sentiment, saying: "But Europe must do more too. Our hesitation and indecision in effectively supporting Ukraine just motivate the Kremlin to further aggression that costs more lives."

A decisive test for Europe will take place on Monday when 27 EU foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg to plan future military assistance to Kyiv. It is planned that Ukraine's foreign and defence ministers will join the discussion remotely.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that before the weekend, European NATO allies had vowed to increase supplies of ready-made air defence systems to Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the leading official behind the latest push to send additional air defence systems to Kyiv, welcomed the US legislative move.

"This is a day of optimism for Ukraine + European security," Baerbock tweeted.

Background:

On Saturday (20 April), the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a bill on foreign aid for Ukraine. A total of 311 members of the lower house of the US Congress voted in favour of the bill, while 112 voted against it.

The draft law was promised to be submitted to the Senate as an amendment to the Senate Foreign Assistance Bill HR.815, passed in February. This should simplify the procedure for approving the package in the Senate.

The leader of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, said that the Senate would vote on the bill on Tuesday, 23 April.

US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the approved aid bill into law.

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EU calls US Congress' decision on aid to Ukraine "a clear signal to Kremlin"

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, have welcomed the decision of the US House of Representatives to pass a bill to provide around US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Source: von der Leyen and Michel on Twitter

Quote from von der Leyen: "I welcome the overwhelming positive vote by the US House of Representatives.

Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

Now, we are asking the US Senate to vote as quickly as possible as lives are at stake."

Quote from Michel: "I welcome the vote of the US House of Representatives approving the  long overdue  crucial USD 60 billion aid package for Ukraine.

This sends a clear message to the Kremlin: Those who believe in freedom and UN charter will continue to support Ukraine and its people."

Background:

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to provide about US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine.

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A Ukrainian serviceman from anti-drone mobile air defence unit fires a Browning machine gun at his position during combat in Chernihiv region

A Ukrainian serviceman from anti-drone mobile air defence unit fires a Browning machine gun at his position during combat in Chernihiv region

By Andrew Gray

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -European Union ministers said on Monday they were looking urgently at how to provide more air defences to Ukraine but they stopped short of concrete pledges of the Patriot systems that Kyiv values most.

Since Kyiv began a push for more Patriots in recent weeks, Germany has been the only EU country to pledge an extra battery.

Other European countries including Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden also have Patriot systems.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed frustration at the lack of additional pledges, saying he was trying to "make everybody understand and be aware" of the need to do more to help Kyiv.

"I don't have Patriots in Brussels, the Patriots are in the capitals. And it's up to them to take the decisions," Borrell said after the meeting.

With Russia having stepped up air attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure and cities, EU governments are under pressure to supply more protective systems to Kyiv.

The EU ministers said the U.S. House of Representatives vote to approve a $60 billion Ukraine package on Saturday should not lead to any complacency on their part.

But countries that have U.S.-made Patriots - which Ukraine already uses and values highly for their ability to shoot down fast-moving ballistic missiles - were non-committal on Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week that Ukraine needs at least seven Patriot or other high-end air defence systems to counter Russian air strikes.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after the EU ministers' meeting on Monday that Kyiv is in talks with individual allies on the supply of four Patriot batteries.

"Negotiations are underway between us and the relevant countries and the USA", Kuleba told the national broadcaster, without naming the countries.

Officials say it is hard to part with Patriots as they are an integral part of national defences.

Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Stockholm had already agreed to give air defence weapons, including the RBS 70 portable system.

Asked if Sweden would also provide Patriots, he said: "I don't exclude that possibility but right now we're focused on a financial contribution but also possibly (more) RBS 70 because that could alleviate some of the pressure on the Patriots."

Greece has long resisted sending larger-scale defence systems or jets to Ukraine, mainly because of its own tensions with Turkey, although it has sent arms and ammunition.

Asked if Greece was planning to send S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said in Athens: "There won't be any move that would even minimally endanger the country's deterrent capability or air defence."

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the so-called Ramstein group of countries that supply military aid to Ukraine would meet at the end of the week. That meeting would provide another opportunity for governments to announce pledges.

(Additional reporting by Bart H. Meijer, Tassilo Hummel, Sabine Siebold, Inti Landauro, Lefteris Papadimas and Renee Maltezou, Oleksander Kozhukhar and Lidia Kelly; Writing by Adrew Gray and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis)
The board of Admiral Group plc (LON:ADM) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 7th of June, with investors receiving 0.52 per share. The dividend yield is 3.8% based on this payment, which is a little bit low compared to the other companies in the industry.

View our latest analysis for Admiral Group

Admiral Group's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions

It would be nice for the yield to be higher, but we should also check if higher levels of dividend payment would be sustainable. Prior to this announcement, Admiral Group's dividend was only 66% of earnings, however it was paying out 152% of free cash flows. This signals that the company is more focused on returning cash flow to shareholders, but it could mean that the dividend is exposed to cuts in the future.

Over the next year, EPS is forecast to expand by 67.5%. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 59% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.

Dividend Volatility

Although the company has a long dividend history, it has been cut at least once in the last 10 years. Since 2014, the dividend has gone from 0.703 total annually to 1.03. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.9% a year over that time. Modest growth in the dividend is good to see, but we think this is offset by historical cuts to the payments. It is hard to live on a dividend income if the company's earnings are not consistent.

The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share is growing, which could point to a growing dividend in the future. Over the past five years, it looks as though Admiral Group's EPS has declined at around 3.9% a year. If the company is making less over time, it naturally follows that it will also have to pay out less in dividends. It's not all bad news though, as the earnings are predicted to rise over the next 12 months - we would just be a bit cautious until this can turn into a longer term trend.

Admiral Group's Dividend Doesn't Look Sustainable

In summary, while it's good to see that the dividend hasn't been cut, we are a bit cautious about Admiral Group's payments, as there could be some issues with sustaining them into the future. While the low payout ratio is a redeeming feature, this is offset by the minimal cash to cover the payments. We would probably look elsewhere for an income investment.

It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Admiral Group that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Navy, told the Liga media outlet on April 21 that the navy had struck a ship in occupied Sevastopol and confirmed that it was the Kommuna, a salvage ship. The extent of the damage to the ship is unclear at the time of this publication.

Earlier in the day, the Russian proxy official Mikhail Razvozhayev claimed an anti-ship missile had been "repelled" in occupied Sevastopol and that "fragments caused a small fire, which was quickly extinguished.

Unverified video posted to social media appeared to show a Russian naval vessel on fire and local media reported the Crimea bridge had been closed.

The Kommuna was launched in 1915 and is the oldest ship still in service in the Russian Navy.

Sevastopol is home to Russias Black Sea Fleet and is frequently targeted by Ukrainian missile and sea drone strikes.

Pletenchuk said on March 30 that Russia had withdrawn nearly all its major ships from ports in occupied Crimea following successful Ukrainian strikes.

To prevent further Ukrainian drone strikes on the Black Sea fleet, Russian forces in occupied Crimea are constructing barriers at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay, the partisan group Atesh reported on March 27.

Russia is also trying to strengthen the defense of its Novorossiysk port, where Moscow had begun redeploying its Black Sea fleet from Sevastopol last year, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its daily update on March 31.

Read also: Opinion: Whats left of Russias Black Sea Fleet?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
On the afternoon of 21 April, an air-raid warning was issued in southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram; Defence Forces of Ukraines South on Telegram

Details: The Defence Forces stated that there was a threat of ballistic missile attacks coming from Crimea.

The media and locals reported explosions in Odesa.

Updated: The Ukrainian military subsequently reported that the Russians used ballistic missiles to attack the city's transport and the logistics facilities of the Odesa port infrastructure.

However, they did not indicate whether there was a strike, merely stating that "a blast wave and missile debris damaged private houses".

Three men and one woman were among the four victims of the missile strike, the authorities said.

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Political organizers chat during a break at the 2024 Arena Summit in Atlanta. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

More than 400 left-leaning campaign managers, political staffers, fundraisers, organizers and data managers came to Atlanta over the weekend to update their skills ahead of the 2024 Joe Biden-Donald Trump presidential rematch.

We start from the premise that it takes great candidates to win elections, but candidates cant win on their own, said Lauren Baer, managing partner of Arena, an organization dedicated to training Democratic campaign staff. They need qualified, well-trained teams behind them, and teams that represent the diversity of the districts where theyre running and the diversity of the Democratic coalition.

Arena includes a PAC and a 501(c)(4) organization, a type of nonprofit that can endorse candidates and causes. Baer said theyve trained 7,000 campaign staffers since 2019, mostly women and people of color. They also work to place the trainees on competitive races around the country, from the presidential to significant local races. The training event, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, was the organizations first in-person Georgia event, and thats not happenstance.

You will see all of this work on display in Georgia, Baer said. We think that Georgia is going to be an absolutely critical state in 2024, that the pathway to the presidency runs straight through the heart of Georgia. But we also recognize that it is incredibly important for long-term power building, and although we have seen top-of-the-ticket victories in Georgia over the last several years, theres still significant work that needs to be done farther down the ballot in order to build the kind of political infrastructure that is needed to win, and to win over the long run.

On Thursday, hundreds gathered in downtown Atlantas Loudermilk Conference Center, some wearing shirts with their candidates logos or left-wing slogans. They attended seminars on topics like fundraising, data management and organizing.

Data Analysis

Among them was Christian Goree, a local campaign organizer who said he wanted to pick up campaign tech tips.

I do field organizing, and so I want to sharpen my skills when it comes to the data and technology and become more tech-savvy, and that way I can be a better organizer, he said.

Goree said hes working with Norcross Democratic state Rep. Marvin Lim, who faces fellow Democrat Jorge Granados in the May 21 primary but doesnt have a Republican challenger. Goree said he hopes to bone up on his skills and network to help him pick up work after the primary.

Thats when individuals start focusing on building their team more because then they know theyre going all the way to November, and so Im hoping that I can actually lock in some jobs for the rest of the year.

Its a struggling job, but as long as youre doing it for the right cause, he added with a smile. I tell anyone who wants to get into political work, find something that you can stick with all the way, because sometimes youre going to be working from campaign to campaign. You dont want to do that.

Goree followed along on a laptop as Santiago Martinez, a data campaign strategist who runs Arenas data and analytics, stood on stage next to a projection of a color-coded spreadsheet. Martinez talked the trainees through using it to plug in demographic information from their candidates district to help decide how to allocate resources toward registering new voters, persuading swing voters or getting out the vote.

This is where the Pathway to Victory comes into play, in helping us figure out, all right, for the different ways that we might engage voters, what are the things we need to be focused on? Should it be all registration? Should it be some registration and turnout? Should it be all persuasion? This is where theres art and science.

Arena trainers Santiago Martinez and Jess Weldon welcome the crowd to the 2024 Arena Summit in Atlanta. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

On their laptops and phones, trainees followed along with population numbers, expected turnout and historic amount of Democratic support as the variables in electoral equations  if you register X new voters from a given demographic, who have a historic turnout rate of Y, your candidate can expect Z new votes.

The datas not going to be perfect. That means any predictions we make based off of our data arent going to be perfect either, Martinez added. So if youre like, I just need to get to the 50,000 voters its going to take to win, to get to 50% plus one, it might be higher, it might be lower. What I want us to focus in on is like, what do we actually need to do to change the outcome? So the win numbers not going to tell us how we get there. Whats the process of, if the election were held today, what would get us to a win?

Building Blocks of Organizing

During another session on political organizing, trainer Jessica Angima delivered a lesson including differences between electoral organization and advocacy organization.

The latter requires building lasting relationships within a community, while the former typically focuses on burning through all resources as efficiently as possible so you have next to nothing left after Election Day.

But a good electoral organizer should also think long-term, Angima said.

For any campaign, I think we have to ensure that were engaging authentically in this community, so we cant just, you know, parachute into a place, think that we understand and know how to organize it as people, and then leave, she told the Recorder after the session. We really, as a progressive party, need to be organizing for the long term. And part of that is organizing with the way the electorate is changing and not treating those marginalized groups as a monolith, so taking the time to understand where a specific group meets, how a specific group organizes or communicates and ensuring that we are talking to people on the ground who are invested, who are going to be there and building up their skills.

Left-wing activists in Georgia have complained in recent elections that national groups and the Democratic Party seem to be interested in Georgia only around election time and only around Atlanta.

As attendees mingled during a break, Jenn Simmons, an activist with more than 15 years of experience in Georgia politics, said shes hopeful that could be changing.

This is the first room in 15 years that not only looks like this, but has the funding for Democrats and progressives, she said. I look around this room and Im telling you that we have been breaking our backs to get this kind of influence and buy-in from the sponsors.

Baer said Arena is working with a long list of local groups, including Georgia Democrats, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, the Asian American Advocacy Fund, Emerge Georgia, Black Voters Matter, the Georgia Working Families Party, and the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition Action Fund to create lasting Democratic infrastructure.

Republicans spend about four times as much as Democrats in the development of their talent pipeline, she said. Their largest talent pipeline organization is larger than the top 10 Democratic organizations combined, and so when I say that there are gaps in Georgia, what I mean is that there are incredible organizations on the ground doing really, really significant work in their communities, whove already had incredible successes in the past, but need to get their people trained and upscaled in order to ensure success going into November and well into the future. And so what we are able to provide as a national training organization working in collaboration with these state partners, we believe will help to deliver the state for Biden in the fall.

With just under 200 days to go until the Nov. 5 election, the Real Clear Politics polling average puts Trump at a slim lead in Georgia, 49.7% to 45.5% in a two-way race, a 4.2% advantage. When independent candidates Robert Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein are included, the spread increases to 6%, with Trump polling at 43.3%, Biden at 37.3% and the rest in the single digits.

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The post Eying Georgias November election and beyond, Dems Atlanta conference schools operatives appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Under the searing New Delhi sun, more than a dozen of Indias top opposition leaders joined hands in a rare show of unity imploring voters to save democracy.

Standing before thousands of supporters at the citys historic and politically important Ramlila Maidan, the March 31 rally marked the oppositions strongest attempt yet to sway voters against electing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a third straight term.

The consequence of continued Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule, they say, would be the erosion of the very foundation upon which modern India was built: democracy.

This election is for saving democracy and we must fight united, main opposition party Indian National Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told the crowds, who were waving the party flag of orange, white and green. There is no level playing field in this election.

It echoed a similar rally more than 40 years earlier on the same spot, when opposition leaders fired up huge crowds to help change the course of the 1977 election  ending the 10-year rule of Indias powerful third prime minister and political scion Indira Gandhi.

Gandhi had imposed a state of emergency, jailed key opposition leaders and curtailed civil freedoms. To some, Indias future was perched on a needle point between autocracy and democracy. She lost the election and, in the eyes of many, Indias democracy was saved.

To many supporters in the crowd three weeks ago, India is now at a similar crossroads with this high-stakes election deciding which path the country follows.

Our democracy is being murdered, India is becoming a dictatorship, Hazari Lal Rajput, a resident from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, told CNN at the Ramlila Maidan.

Supporters of India's opposition party, Indian National Congress, during an election rally in Puducherry on April 15, 2024 - R. Satish Babu/AFP/Getty Images

Democracy under threat?

Unless there is a major upset, Modis BJP is set to win its third straight five-year term thanks to his potent, populist mix of economic empowerment and Hindu nationalism.

According to 2023 Pew research, about eight in 10 Indian adults have a favorable view of Modi, including 55% who have a very favorable view. Such levels of popularity for a two-term incumbent prime minister defy all modern conventions, both in India and throughout much of the democratic world.

But Indias opposition leaders accuse Modis right-wing government of becoming an electoral autocracy by attempting to rig the vote, weaponizing state agencies to stifle, attack and arrest opposition politicians, and undermining democratic principles ahead of elections, which began on April 19 and run until June 1, with results counted on June 4.

They also warn Modis brand of Hindu nationalism is uncorking dangerous religious divides in a country with a long and tragic history of sectarian bloodletting.

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Modi and the BJP have denied political interference, with one senior party leader saying it was a process of law to take appropriate action against corruption.

To counter the BJP, the opposition has formed a 27-member bloc  the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA.

But so far that alliance has proved lackluster, observers say. It has been beset by ideological differences, has seen a host of defections to the BJP and, even with the election in full swing, has yet to even name a prime ministerial candidate.

What kind of a democracy can you have if you dont have a vibrant opposition, a robust opposition that can question the government? asks Arati Jerath, an independent political commentator and journalist.

Thats why its not really a question of whether Modi wins or not, its a question of keeping the opposition alive to fight another day so that democracy in India survives.

Scorched earth

Among those leading the charge for the opposition alliance is Rahul Gandhi, longtime face of the Congress and the latest member of his family to bid for power.

He is the son of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. His grandmother Indira was Indias first female leader, and his great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, was the countrys founding prime minister.

If the BJP wins these fixed elections and changes the constitution, the country will be on fire. Remember this, Rahul Gandhi told the crowd in Delhi last month.

The BJP and its allies are gunning for a supermajority of more than two-thirds of the seats in Indias parliament, the Lok Sabha. A rising fear among critics is that this would give the BJP the power to change Indias constitution, which is rooted in the democratic principles of justice, liberty, equality and  crucially  secularism.

The BJP has repeatedly denied it has plans to change the constitution.

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during a press conference in New Delhi on March 25, 2023. - Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images

When I say that I have big plans, no one should be scared. I dont take decisions to scare or run over anyone, I take decisions for the wholesome development of the nation, Modi said in an interview with Indian news agency ANI earlier this week.

But the party has already begun publicly pulling Indias government away from its secular foundation and leading BJP figures have openly advocated for the country to be declared a Hindu nation.

There shouldnt be politics on the basis of religion in any country, they should talk about real issues. Until peoples financial situation improves, there wont be any social reform, said voter Mohammad Irfan at the opposition rally in Delhi.

Opposition parties have found themselves facing a slew of legal and financial challenges in the run-up to this years election.

Gandhis Congress  the largest party in the INDIA alliance  has accused the BJP of tax terrorism and crippling its ability to campaign after its accounts were frozen by the tax department, leaving it unable to use some $20 million in funds. It has also been landed with a $218 million tax bill.

Then came the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister and head of the popular Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Kejriwals detention on graft allegations came after the announcement of the general election last month, sparking protests in the capital. Analysts say its the first time in post-independence history that an Indian chief minister has governed from behind bars.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks during a protest against alleged attacks on federalism by the federal government, in New Delhi, India, on February 8, 2024. - Altaf Qadri/AP

Kejriwal has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated. He is just one of several prominent members of the opposition, including three other senior AAP leaders, that have also been arrested or investigated by state agencies in moves decried as political by their parties.

I think there are very serious concerns about how free and fair the elections are going to be in India this time around, said Atishi, Delhi minister of education for the AAP, who goes by one name.

Reports have emerged of opposition party members being coerced into joining the BJP with the threat of arrest, while they were under investigation by state agencies. Other reports suggest politicians have had their probes dropped after switching sides.

Atishi said she was also approached to switch to the BJP. Either you join the ruling party, and then the cases are closed or put into cold storage or if you dont, like the Aam Aadmi Party leaders, then the cases go ahead and youre arrested and put into jail, she said, without specifically naming who approached her.

CNN cannot independently confirm the incidents and has reached out to the BJP for comment.

In his interview with ANI, Modi denied any sliding of democracy under his rule and emphasized the independence of the Election Commission and state agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, saying political leaders make up just 3% of cases.

Shouldnt we let the ED work independently when it is supposed to do so? he said. I am convinced that corruption has destroyed the country. We should fight against corruption with our full strength.

Analyst Jerath said a BJP-led campaign to weaken the opposition was part of Modis scorched earth policy.

Just wipe out whatever comes in your way so that this juggernaut can move on without any kind of challenge, without any obstruction, she said.

Gandhi not a contender

Modi is enduringly popular, analysts say, appealing to both the poor and the affluent, especially among much of the roughly 80% of Indias population who are Hindu.

During his 10 years in power, he has launched a raft of welfare policies including free food handouts, housing, cheap gas cylinders for women and infrastructure projects.

India is also the worlds fastest-growing major economy and Modis presence on the world stage  including hosting the G20  has cemented the country as a modern global power, along with a history-making moon landing.

Author Christophe Jaffrelot told CNN Modi makes people feel proud again of being Indian.

There is a sense in India, a constant sense, of vulnerability, a lack of self-esteem. So to be recognized as a great power in spite of everything, (that) is attributed to him, he said.

That does not mean there arent key issues the opposition could rally around, analysts say, including the BJPs failure to increase education opportunities or improve health infrastructure  especially following the coronavirus pandemic, which hit India especially hard.

Youth unemployment also remains a huge problem, close to 50% among 20-to-24-year-olds.

But the INDIA alliance has failed to capitalize on these weak spots, Jerath said.

They havent been able to weave together a cohesive kind of campaign, come up with a catchy slogan that will fire the imagination of the voting public, she said.

Congress leader Gandhi is one of the few opposition figures considered to have the kind of star power and name recognition to stand against Modi.

But though he may have the name, Gandhi lacks leadership skills, some analysts say.

Rasheed Kidwai, journalist and author of 24 Akbar Road, a history of the Congress party, said its a winner-takes-all election and there is no silver medal in politics.

The problem with INDIA alliance is there is nobody who has that kind of hunger, who has that kind of personal(ity), who has that kind of inner sense of belonging or ownership to go in this election. Rahul is doing it but is not a contender, he said.

Gandhi recently completed a 6,713-kilometer (4,200-mile) walk across the country, starting in the violence-hit northeastern state of Manipur, to raise issues of poverty, unemployment, diversity and democracy with voters.

Despite these efforts, the BJP has dominated the campaign narrative.

A key gauge of opposition strength will be in those parts of India where the BJP has historically failed to make inroads.

Supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) participate in an election campaign rally on Hill Cart Road in Siliguri, India, on April 16, 2024. - Diptendu Dutta/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Regional opposition heavyweights, such as the West Bengal chief minister and All India Trinamool Congress head Mamata Banerjee and the souths Tamil Nadu chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, will be vying to block a BJP takeover in their respective states.

But the only other major national party is the Congress, which has been the main opposition since 2014.

Congress governed the country for much of the 77 years since independence, and while it was once a powerful political force with its legacy rooted in the formation of modern India, it now finds itself in the doldrums, dogged by infighting and accusations of corruption within the party.

In the Congress, the best and brightest are not fighting the election, Kidwai said.

Analysts say that during a decade in opposition, Congress has failed to rebuild its organization and political machinery to effectively take on the BJP.

The Congress organization has decayed and almost died over the years, particularly in north India, and particularly in Uttar Pradesh, which is the largest, most populous state, Jerath said.

There was a time after independence, and for many years after independence, that they used to say that you would find a Congress flag in every single village in India, she said. Thats no longer true.

Still, there is optimism from some.

The AAPs Atishi said that despite repeated attacks against her party, it has been able to defeat the BJP in Delhi again and again.

Democracy becoming an autocracy  That is what we are fighting against, she said. I think that the people of India have always voted very sensibly, and we hope that they do so this time.

CNNs Kunal Sehgal, Aishwarya S. Iyer and Anna Coren contributed reporting.

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Claim:

Former President Donald Trump has not attended any of his children's high school or college graduation ceremonies, as of April 2024.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

Trump has been present at each of his children's high school and college graduations, according to contemporaneous reports and the recollections of other attendees.

Former President Donald Trump's attendance at his children's graduation ceremonies became a hot-button political issue in the early days of his New York criminal fraud trial in April 2024. That's because the former president falsely claimed the judge had informed him he would not be able to attend his son Barron's high school graduation.

Trump's assertion resulted another widespread  but false  claim, captured in "copypasta," that Trump never attended any of his other children's graduations. Most of the copy-and-pasted text made the claim about only high school events:

In '96 Don Jr graduated from the Hill School. His Father didn't attend graduation. In '00 Ivanka graduated from Choate. Trump didn't attend graduation. In '02 Eric graduated. Trump didn't attend graduation. In '12, Tiffany graduated from Viewpoint School. Trump didn't attend

Other variations of the claim included college graduations, as well.

These claims were false. They are contradicted by reports that appeared in print at the time of the graduations, by the published recollections of former students and by the memoirs of Trump family members.

An extensive search by Snopes provides documented evidence of Trump attending all of his children's high school and college graduations, with the possible exception of Donald Trump Jr.'s 1996 high school graduation.

In that case, however, Donald Trump  who may have been busy with an event celebrating the launch of Trump's World's Fair Casino  did visit his son's school during his final semester, before his graduation, to give a Career Day talk. In her memoir, Trump's first wife, Ivana, wrote about school events that "my rule was that someone  me, Donald, the nannies, my parents, or a combination  had to be at every one."

Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Trump Jr. attended a private Pennsylvania boarding school named The Hill School and graduated in May 1996. Snopes has yet to identify any reporting placing the elder Trump at the graduation ceremony, but a widely syndicated May 1996 column critical of him shows that he was a speaker for the school's Career Day that spring:

A quarterly newspaper called Hill Ties, is mostly devoted to Career Day '96, and quotes from the keynote address, delivered by "Mr. Donald Trump, father of Don '96." On its first page, the newspaper took what it apparently considered the most worthwhile (for it quoted no other) passage from the speech: "I think I know a little something about life," said Trump, who inherited a reported $7-million from his father and went onward and upward from there. "You can't give up," Trump continued. "You are going to have times when you feel there's no light at the end of the tunnel. I had times like that and I had a choice: I could sit in the corner with my thumb in my mouth, or I could fight. My advice to you is: Punch like hell and don't take no for an answer."

Donald Trump Jr. graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in May 2000. Donald Trump's attendance was noted by the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Donald Trump, ex-wife Ivana, their kids Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric plus six others limoed to Old City's Novelty for Sunday brunch after Junior's graduation from Dad's alma mater, the Wharton School. Donald the Lesser picked Bruce Cooper's new joint because he liked hanging out there.

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump went to The Choate School for high school  a private boarding school in Connecticut. A Choate student news publication from 2016 recalled Donald Trump's attendance at her graduation ceremony, citing classmate Stephen Farrell:

The only time I saw Donald Trump on campus was at graduation with his security guard. He conveyed the exact same image he does now as a presidential candidate, of importance and self-satisfaction.

Ivanka Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in May 2004. The Philadelphia Daily News reported on Donald Trump's attendance at this graduation:

Wharton grad/former model Ivanka Trump will be leaving her apartment at the Left Bank for one that her father, Donald, bought her a few months back. The Donald and ex-wife Ivana attended a Wharton ceremony Sunday at which their daughter got her degree. The proud parents also took in Penn's commencement Monday at Franklin Field.

Eric Trump

Like Don Jr., Eric Trump attended The Hill School, graduating in 2002. Trump's attendance at this graduation ceremony was described in 2017 in a City & State New York report about Eric Trump's life:

When Donald and Ivana dropped him off in 1997, as knowing parents whispered and giggled at the celebrity sighting, Donald Trump asked Eric's 13-year-old roommate, "Are you going to take care of my boy?" Students recall he wouldn't return to Hill until Eric's graduation day in 2002, an event his mother missed, apparently for the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix, a student recalled and news reports suggest.

Eric Trump went to Georgetown University, graduating in 2006. Trump attended this ceremony as well, according to a wire report published in a variety of newspapers:

Flash! Eric Trump (yes, those Trumps) graduated Saturday from Georgetown University with (what else?) a business degree, and the extended clan turned out en masse for the festivities: proud pop Donald and wife Melania, mom Ivana, older brother Donald Jr. and his bride Vanessa, and sis Ivanka.

Tiffany Trump

Tiffany Trump attended the private Viewpoint School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2012. In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece published in November 2016, a classmate recalled Trump's attendance at the graduation:

Dear Donald, I'm sure you don't remember me. You sat in the third row of my high school graduation wearing a loud salmon pink tie. Your daughter Tiffany and I had spent six years together at Viewpoint School, a small bastion of privilege nestled alongside Mulholland Highway. As you watched the ceremony, you probably didn't think it was even possible that an undocumented student would be receiving the same prestigious diploma as your daughter.

Tiffany Trump also graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving her degree in May 2016. Her graduation, occurring during her father's 2016 presidential run, was covered widely by the press, including this report from Yahoo News:

Donald Trump's youngest daughter is officially a college graduate. Tiffany Trump, whose mother is Marla Maples, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania on Sunday.  Ivanka shared a photo of the siblings on Instagram with the caption: "So proud of my beautiful and brilliant sister @tiffanytrump on her graduation today. We all love you very much." In addition to Ivanka, Tiffany's mother, Marla Maples, was in attendance, as well as the presidential candidate, his current wife, Melania, and their son, Barron.

Because Donald Trump's presence is documented at all but one of his children's graduation ceremonies, we rate claims that he did not attend any such ceremonies as "False."

Sources:

Cornejo, Diana Delgado. "Opinion: To Donald Trump, from the Undocumented Immigrant Who Graduated alongside Your Daughter." Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2016, https://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-undocumented-donald-trump-tiffany-20161108-story.html.

"Flash! Eric Trump." Democrat and Chronicle, 24 May 2006, p. 2. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-flash-eric-trump/145548553/.

Hagan-Brown '18, Amy. "Choate Dad Runs for President." The Choate News, 8 Apr. 2016, https://thechoatenews.choate.edu/2016/04/08/choate-dad-runs-for-president/.

"Ivanka Headin' Back To New York." Philadelphia Daily News, 19 May 2004, p. 39. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-ivanka-headin-b/145547724/.

"Locally Connected." The Philadelphia Inquirer, 23 May 2000, p. 42. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-locally-connec/145479490/.

"So Rich, yet Still so Clueless." Tampa Bay Times, 5 May 1996, p. 105. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-so-rich-yet-still-so-cl/145602295/.

"The President's Son: How Eric Became a Trump." City & State NY, 29 Sept. 2017, https://www.cityandstateny.com/personality/2017/09/the-presidents-son-how-eric-became-a-trump/181794/.

"Tiffany Trump Wore Ivanka Trump Flats at Her College Graduation." Yahoo Life, 16 May 2016, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tiffany-trump-wore-ivanka-trump-flats-to-her-173354396.html.

Trump, Ivana. Raising Trump. Simon and Schuster, 2017.

"Trump World's Fair Open." Press of Atlantic City, 15 May 1996, p. 29. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-trump-worlds-fai/145602688/.

Updates:

UPDATE [April 22, 2024]: This fact check was updated with information placing Trump at Donald Trump Jr.'s 1996 graduation.
Failure to hit Israel with missiles does not matter, Irans supreme leader says

Irans supreme leader Ayatolloh Ali Khameni has hailed the attack on Israel as a success even as he acknowledged few missiles hit their targets.

How many missiles were launched and how many of them hit their target is not the primary question, Khamenei said. What really matters is that Iran demonstrated its willpower during that operation.

Iran fired more than 350 drones and missiles at Israel last weekend in an unprecedented attack from its own soil.

The Israel Defense Forces, along with a US-led coalition, including the UK, Jordan and France, intercepted almost all of the projectiles in a joint operation spanning several hours across the Middle East.

Meeting with commanders of Irans armed forces, Irans ageing dictator said: The armed forcess recent achievements have created a sense of splendour and magnificence about Islamic Iran in the eyes of the world and among international observers.

Khamenei called upon military leaders to learn enemy tactics and ceaselessly pursue military innovation, according to state-run media.

The regime has spoken in a united voice about the success of the operation, not acknowledging its failings.

Retaliation for bombing

Iran said the strikes on April 13 were retaliation for Israels suspected deadly bombing of its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, which killed a senior Quds Force commander and multiple Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel.

On Friday night, an Israeli strike targeted an Iranian air force base near Isfahan, taking out key aerial defences protecting Irans nuclear sites. Israel has not commented on the attack.

The IRGC thanked the public for its support after the bombardment of Israel, even as several journalists were arrested for voicing concern over its consequences.

We humbly appreciate and are grateful for your magnificent support and backing for the IRGC in punishing the Zionist enemy during these historic everlasting days, it said.

Iran and Israel appeared to have stepped back from the brink of a broader conflict following Fridays attack, which Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iranian foreign minister, appeared to downplay to US media on Saturday.

Speaking to NBC News, he dismissed it as no attack and said the weapons used were at the level of toys, adding that if there was no new adventure by Israel then Iran will have no response.

04:08 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended

Todays live coverage has ended. Here is a roundup of the days main events:

Gazan health workers discovered the bodies of at least 50 people allegedly killed and buried by Israeli forces at a hospital in Khan Younis.

Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to fight any attempt to impose sanctions on Israeli military units, after media reported that the US was poised to sanction an IDF battalion for alleged human rights violations.

Irans supreme leader said that Tehrans failure to hit Israel with missiles does not matter.

The US House of Representatives passed a major security assistance package to US allies, which includes $26 billion for Israel.

The Israeli military concluded a 50-hour West Bank raid, in which heavy fighting and 14 Palestinian deaths were reported.

03:52 PM BST

50 bodies uncovered at Khan Younis hospital, Gaza authorities say

The bodies of at least 50 people killed and buried by Israeli forces have been discovered at a hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, Gazas civil defence agency has said.

In a statement, the agency said the remains were discovered in the courtyard of the Nasser Medical Complex.

There are mass graves dug by the Israeli occupation  we were shocked by the presence of bodies of 50 martyrs in one of the pits yesterday, a spokesman said.

The Israeli military said it was checking the reports.

Israeli forces withdrew from Khan Younis on April 8 after months of fierce fighting in the area.

03:35 PM BST

Netanyahu says he will fight any sanctions against IDF units

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has vowed to fight any attempt to impose sanctions on Israeli military units.

The move comes after media reported that the US was poised to take action against Israels Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations.

If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)  I will fight it with all my strength, Mr Netanyahu said in a statement

The IDF said the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit made up of ultra-Orthodox fighters, operates according to the principles of international law.

If confirmed, Joe Bidens White House would ban the Netzah Yehuda battalion from receiving US military supplies or training.

Read the full report by Melanie Swan here.

03:02 PM BST

Watch: IDF releases footage of West Bank refugee camp raid that reportedly killed at least 12 Palestinians

The IDF says it has wrapped up a 50-hour-long operation in the West Bank's Nur Shams refugee camp, adjacent to Tulkarem.



Amid the raid, troops killed 14 gunmen in clashes, detained 15 wanted Palestinians, discovered and destroyed dozens of explosives, and captured weapons, pic.twitter.com/CBx9wqZ2Jx  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 21, 2024

02:53 PM BST

IDF says it is unaware of US plans to sanction Netzah Yehuda battalion

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said it is unaware of US plans to sanction one of its combat battalions, amid reports that Washington is poised to take action over alleged abuses of Palestinians.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit composed of hard-Right and ultra-Orthodox recruits, has faced allegations of violating Palestinian human rights in the occupied West Bank.

The IDF said the battalion is an active combat unit that operates according to the principles of international law.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said sanctioning the unit would be the height of absurdity and a moral low.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said on Friday that he will soon reveal the results of an investigation using the Leahy Law, which prohibits military assistance to foreign security forces that violate human rights.

02:27 PM BST

Pictured: Downed Iranian ballistic missile near the Red Sea in Israel

A photojournalist looks at part of an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile that fell near the Dead Sea in Israel on April 13 - AP

02:13 PM BST

Watch: Israeli fighter jets strike Hezbollah in Lebanon

02:02 PM BST

Israel charges sister of Hamas leader with inciting terrorism

Israel has charged the sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with inciting terrorism after she allegedly praised the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.

According to the indictment, in the days after Hamas Oct 7 rampage across southern Israel, Haniyeh sent messages to dozens of contacts, including her brother, that praised the cross-border assault and called for further slaughter.

One of her messages reportedly include the line: Oh God, count them and kill them and dont leave any of them, Oh God.

Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, 57, lives in the southern Israeli town of Tel Sheva. Her brother is based in Qatar, along with other senior Hamas officials.

01:51 PM BST

Pictured: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads prayers with Iranian military commanders

Iran's supreme leader leads prayers with Iranian military commanders - AFP

01:10 PM BST

Hamas condemns US support package for Israel

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a Hamas spokesman, has condemned the approval by the US House of Representatives of a security assistance package for US allies that includes $26 billion for Israel.

Abu Rudeineh said the package would give Israel the green light to expand the scope of war to other countries in the region.

The $95 billion legislative package was passed on Saturday and is intended to provide security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Israels share of the support includes $5.2 billion for spending on air defences, $1 billion for the production of artillery, as well as billions of dollars for other weapons systems and for US military operations undertaken in the region in response to recent attacks.

The package also includes $9 billion for humanitarian assistance, some of which would help Gaza residents.

12:48 PM BST

Watch: At least a dozen Palestinians killed in Israeli West Bank raid

12:25 PM BST

Irans supreme leader urges armed forces to learn the enemys tactics

Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has urged Tehrans military to ceaselessly pursue military innovation and learn the enemys tactics, Irans state-run news agency announced on Sunday.

The move came as Khamenei thanked the Iranian armed forces for their operations against Israel, the agency added.

Iran attacked Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles on April 13 in what it said was retaliation for Israels suspected attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1.

On Friday, Israel was reported to have responded by attacking an Iranian air force installation in central Iran in what a US official described as a limited strike.

12:12 PM BST

Iranian president to visit Pakistan

Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president, will make an official visit to Pakistan from Monday to Wednesday, Pakistans ministry of foreign affairs said.

The visit will see the two Muslim countries try to mend ties after they exchanged tit-for-tat missile strikes in January.

In a statement, the foreign affairs ministry said Raisi will meet Pakistans president and prime minister, the chairman of the senate and speaker of the national assembly.

They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism, the statement added.

11:40 AM BST

Israeli politician urges government to disband notorious IDF unit

An Israeli politician has urged the Israeli government to disband a notorious Israel Defence Forces (IDF) battalion, amid reports that the US is preparing to sanction the unit.

The Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which is mainly composed of hard-Right and ultra-Orthodox recruits, has a history of alleged abuses against Palestinians.

Merav Michaeli, the Israeli Labor Party leader, said the expected sanctions are an acknowledgment of the reality and an understanding that Israels conduct in the territories cannot continue.

The violent and corrupt conduct of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion and those around it has been known for years, and nothing has been done to stop it, she added.

11:16 AM BST

Pictured: Israelis gather around downed Iranian ballistic missile

People gather around a component from an intercepted ballistic missile that fell near the Dead Sea in Israel on April 14

11:02 AM BST

Hamas-run health ministry raises Gaza death toll to 34,097

At least 34,097 Palestinians have been killed and 76,980 injured in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, Gazas Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday.

48 Palestinians were killed and 79 others injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.

The figures cannot be verified by The Telegraph. The UKs statistics watchdog has recently announced it is to examine whether casualty data provided by the Gaza health ministry can be relied upon  you can read the full report by Camilla Tominey here.

10:42 AM BST

Israel strikes on Rafah kill 18 people, including 14 children, health officials say

Overnight Israeli strikes on southern Gaza city of Rafah killed 18 people, including 14 children, health officials said on Sunday.

The first strike killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child, according to a local hospital that received the bodies. The woman was pregnant, and the doctors managed to save the baby, the hospital said.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million has sought refuge from Israeli bombardment elsewhere.

Israel is understood to have planned ground operations in the Rafah area, despite US warnings that it would not support such an offensive.

10:26 AM BST

US House passes billions in aid for Israel

The US House of Representatives has passed a major security assistance package to US allies, which includes $26 billion for Israel.

Of the $26 billion, $5.2 billion is reversed for spending on air defences, $1 billion for the production of artillery, as well as billions of dollars for other weapons systems and for US military operations undertaken in the region in response to recent attacks.

The package also includes $9 billion for humanitarian assistance, some of which would help Gaza residents.

The US is also considering a separate proposal of more than $1 billion in weapons deals for Israel, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate outside the Capitol in Washington as the House prepared to vote on approval of $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies - J. Scott Applewhite/AP

10:10 AM BST

14 Palestinians killed during Israeli West Bank raid as violence flares

Israeli forces killed at least 14 Palestinians during a raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

The raid began in the early hours of Friday morning, when bursts of gunfire were heard as Israeli military vehicles massed for an assault.

Clashes between Israeli troops and armed fighters continued well into Saturday, according to reports.

Residents said that there is no electricity in the area and food is running short, but nobody is being allowed to enter or leave.

The Israeli military said a number of militants were killed or arrested during the raid, and at least four soldiers were wounded in exchanges of fire.

The Nur Shams refugee camp is located near the flashpoint city of Tulkarm  home to the Tulkarem Brigades, an umbrella organisation composed of several armed Palestinian groups with different political affiliations.

People transport the body of a Palestinian who was killed in an Israeli raid at Nur Shams camp - Ali Sawafta/REUTERS

10:03 AM BST

Watch: Israeli fighter jets strike Hezbollah in Lebanon

            .



              .

  ,       >> pic.twitter.com/duHBzSWCJQ     (@idfonline) April 21, 2024

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Family devastated after couples ashes stolen on the way to Southern California memorial

Loved ones are devastated after thieves broke into a car and stole the ashes of a beloved couple in Southern California.

Robert Gallagher took a flight from Ohio and landed at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday morning.

Gallagher was carrying precious cargo with him  the ashes of his beloved friends and couple, Leslie and David Hunt.

Its a good love story which is one of the reasons Im here, Gallagher said.

Leslie and David were married for 25 years and lived in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. They owned a local restaurant together and shared a lifetime of love and commitment.

David and Leslie were the most wonderful couple, Gallagher said.

Leslie and David Hunt seen in a photo provided by family.

Leslie and David Hunt seen in a photo provided by family.

The rear window of Robert Gallaghers car was smashed in by thieves on April 19, 2024. (Robert Gallagher)

Leslie Hunts ashes are housed in a similar white rectangular box such as this one with her name and Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home printed on the label. (KTLA)

The Dennys restaurant near LAX where David and Leslie Hunts ashes were stolen on April 19, 2024 by thieves smashing car windows. (KTLA)

Leslie Hunt seen in a photo provided by family members.

David Gallagher speaks to KTLA on April 20, 2024 as he searches for his beloved friend Leslie Hunts ashes. (KTLA)

The restaurant David and Leslie Hunt ran together in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio called Hunts Bar & Grill. (Hunt Family)

The label of David Hunts ashes shows his full name and Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home. (KTLA)

Leslie and David Hunt seen in a photo provided by family.

Leslie and David Hunt seen in a photo provided by family.

The couples immense love for each other was boundless and their legacy lives on even after their death. David passed away in 2016 and Leslie passed away in December 2023.

Leslies last wishes were for her and Davids ashes to be reunited in her hometown of Huntington Beach. A memorial was scheduled for Saturday, April 20.

She wanted to be buried in her family plot here in Huntington Beach, Gallagher said.

Gallagher took great care to honor Leslies wishes when he flew the couples ashes from Ohio to Southern California.

After landing at LAX, Gallagher stopped to eat at a nearby Dennys restaurant located on the 5700 block of Manchester Avenue before heading to the cemetery.

As he walked back to his car, his heart suddenly sank.

I came out to the car in the parking lot and the window was broken, Gallagher recalled.

The rear window was completely shattered and all the belongings inside, including David and Leslies ashes, were gone.

Gallagher flagged down a police car for help but was told he would need to file a police report online. With the help of a friend, he was able to access a computer and file the report.

Then on Saturday morning, when all hope felt lost, he suddenly received some good news.

Someone at an animal kennel in Rowland Heights noticed a strange-looking box labeled with Davids name and an Ohio funeral home.

The funeral home in Ohio called us so we immediately drove there and we were able to at least collect David, Gallagher said.

However, Leslies ashes still remain missing.

Her ashes are stored in a white rectangular box labeled with her name and the Ohio funeral home, called Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home.

Loved ones are devastated at the loss and remain desperate to find Leslies ashes so she can be reunited with her husband.

Please, if anyone would see this around or know of this information  theres no value to it other than the importance to a family and many close friends of theirs back home where were from. So if that could be returned, we would greatly appreciate it, Gallagher said.

Along with the couples ashes, thieves also stole Gallaghers computer bags, family photos and items for Leslies memorial.

Anyone who may have spotted the box with Leslies ashes or has additional information on the case can call Gallagher at 330-714-7237 or the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home at 330-928-2147.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LUCEDALE, Miss. (WKRG)  Family, friends, and law enforcement are still looking for a missing man who hasnt been seen for three weeks. Jason Craft was last seen on March 30th at his home in Lucedale.

It really breaks my heart. And for my sons sake, his nephew. I would love for them to be able to see him again and to get him the help that he needs, said Jason Crafts sister Shelby Rayborn. I spoke with her at her home in Baldwin County Sunday morning.

Even if he is not still out there. We need to know for his daughters sake, for my parents. So for my own sake, just to have that closure, it is so important to know that, you know, either he is okay or that he is not. We need to know either way, said Rayborn. Family members say this has happened before. The last time Jason Craft went missing, he was found two weeks later in Mobile. Right now, they dont know where he could be.

Photos of Jason Craft (George County Sheriffs Office).

He went off on foot and we have no idea which direction he went if he went into the woods, if he went down the highway toward the casinos, we dont know. We havent had any actual sightings that would point us in a direction of where he went, said Rayborn.

Authorities say Craft was last seen at his home on Pleasant Hill Church Road in Lucedale on March 30th. The George County Sheriffs Office says theyve been looking for him and posted about the case on April 2nd and again this past Thursday. They say he has a mental illness that affects his judgment and can lead to depression. Crafts disappearance leaves unanswered questions for his family including his 9-year-old daughter.

I would want to say that I love him so much and I hope he comes home. Its crazy without him, said daughter Ellie Craft. They hope more attention brings more leads and prompts people to search the wide, rural areas he may have roamed to.

We also ask that anyone in the Basin and Barton area of Lucedale, Mississippi, search through properties, security cameras, trail cameras, and anything that may point to a clue that Jason had been there, said Shelby Rayborn.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The Black Legion targeted men for membership. The unsuspecting recruit was approached by other members, usually friends, and asked to attend an innocent event, like a baseball game or to go hunting, with them. Once the recruit and the members arrived at the designated location, other Black Legion members showed up and a terrifying initial ritual commenced. The recruit was forced to kneel, surrounded by Black Legion members, a loaded gun was held to his head, and he was forced to swear a loyalty oath under penalty of death. At its conclusion, he was given a bullet to remind him what would happen to him or his loved ones if he didnt follow Black Legion commands.

More: When fascism came to Lenawee: The lost cause and the Ku Klux Klan

More: When fascism came to Lenawee: The Klan in Lenawee

More: When fascism came to Lenawee: The Black Legion: Night Riders

Thomas Heinrich was one of these recruits. In 1935, he met with Lenawee County Prosecutor LaVon Kuney and told him about a planned meeting in a field near Ogden Station on Aug. 19. Heinrich had been forced under duress to undergo the Black Legions initiation ritual earlier, and he, like many farmers in the region who found themselves involved against their wishes and wanted out, complained to law enforcement, usually to no avail. Not so with Prosecutor Kuney, who immediately arranged for Michigan State Police from the Blissfield post to provide surveillance (Stanton, Terror in the City of Champions, 2016).

Pam Taylor

The MSP trailed cars leaving this meeting and pulled over a car from Detroit, in which they found guns, a dagger, hooded gowns, and a notebook with a treasure trove of information. They arrested three Black Legion members, a couple of whom were later convicted of murder or other crimes. The Telegram covered these events Aug. 20-23, and the hearing before Justice Franklin J. Russell on Aug. 28. The Black Legion members were represented after their arrest by Harry Z. Marx, the attorney for the Black Legions political arm in Michigan (the Wolverine Republican League), and others including Bert Effinger, the regional leader of the Black Legion. They came to Adrian to appeal to Lenawee County to release the prisoners, claiming the weapons were all in fun, just part of a harmless ceremonial ritual, that their objective was to protect the U.S. Constitution, but Kuney refused.

Unfortunately, on Aug. 28, Justice Russell dropped all charges on a technicality and released the three Black Legion members (Adrian Daily Telegram and Times archives).

Thats not where the story ends, not by a long shot. FBI records show that the information and evidence gathered from the Ogden Station incident played a major part in bringing down the entire Black Legion organization and resulted in prison sentences for other crimes for the members arrested here. The Telegram, showing remarkable courage, continued to print AP articles about the Black Legion.

Thomas Heinrich and LaVon Kuney were heroes who, at great risk to their and their families safety and lives, did the right thing for democracy. Theres more to their stories, part of which is that some family members still live right here in Lenawee, but Ill leave the telling of all that to them.

Heres the thing. The white Christian nationalist movement, while its been expanded to include Catholics as friendlies and to target women and men who dont fit their Dominionist role models and LGBTQ people and those who support reproductive rights as enemies, still has its roots and goals in the old Lost Cause and Klan movements. There are still those who proclaim America First or America is a Christian nation, riling up an army of fake Christian patriots who use the same talking points and have the same goals as the Klan and the Black Legion of the past, whether its coming from the Federalist Society, John Birch Society libertarians, the courts or church pulpits.

Remember the claims of Klan advocate and Adrian resident B.F. Searight in Part 1 of this series (LTE, Adrian Daily Telegram, Feb. 4, 1924).

Could it happen here?

 Pam Taylor is a retired Lenawee County teacher and an environmental activist. She can be reached at ptaylor001@msn.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: When fascism came to Lenawee: Local heroes
Charlie Burrows wants to return to Australia every year for the winter sun - David Rose

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Charlie Burrows, 47, and wife Anna have lived in Cambridge happily for the past 16 years, but increasingly they find themselves dreaming of a life in the sun.

I was born in Australia. My family moved over there in the 1960s, so its somewhere I have a lot of nostalgia for. I have an Australian passport so moving there, at least for part of the year, is definitely a possibility, said Mr Burrows.

Mr Burrows works in technology, while his wife is the founder of her own company, Cherry Hinton Accounting. Their jobs are intense and recently the couple have been drawing up plans to semi-retire in 10 years time, taking off to Australia every year for some winter sun.

But there are a number of questions they want answered so they can make their dream a reality. The first is whether they are taking the right steps to grow their pension so they can enjoy life by the pool. Charlie has a pension worth around 140,000, 30pc of which is invested in the stock market, 58pc in cash, and the rest in bonds and property funds. He contributes about 10,000 a year.

The second question is what to do with their rental property in London. The 425,000 two-bed flat generates an income of 1,300 per month, and it could also be a home for their children once they graduate, so there are strong arguments for keeping it.

But, says Mr Burrows, it will become difficult to manage renting it out if we do move abroad for part of the year. I wonder if we should eventually sell and invest that money elsewhere.

Ideally, Mr Burrows and his wife would also be debt-free by the time they are semi-retired. They are in the lucky position of almost owning both their properties outright. They have just 35,000 outstanding on their Cambridge home, with their 3pc mortgage deal ending in 2025, and a 5,000 mortgage on their London flat.

We have 23,000 in savings which could be used to pay off the debt, but perhaps it would be better to invest this money, said Mr Burrows.

His wife Anna is also considering opening a small self-administered pension scheme or Ssas through her limited company, and wants some advice on the pros and cons of doing so.

Olly Cheng, associate director at Saunderson House, says:

With a current pension pot of around 140,000 and expected contributions of 10,000 per year, the growth rate of the pension over the next 10 years will be crucial to determine what income they would be able to draw in retirement.

If we assume 3pc growth each year, they would have a final pot of 284,000, while a growth rate of 6pc per annum would generate a pot of around 351,000, which is a very significant difference.

Story continues

This raises some big questions about how their pension should be invested. Over a 10-year period, investing a higher proportion of pension assets in equities would be likely to provide a higher rate of return (although this isnt guaranteed), and therefore could be a good way of trying to increase their pension income in retirement.

The current asset allocation, with over half the pension held in cash, is quite cautious, and should definitely be reviewed to see if it is appropriate. However, it is important to understand that more equity exposure, and the higher volatility that comes with it, isnt right for everyone, and so it would be best to speak to an adviser and have an in-depth conversation about risk before making any changes.

Assuming a 4pc rate of drawdown, a pension of 351,000 would give an annual income of around 14,000, although if they retire at age 57, they may want to take a slightly higher amount in the first 10 years before their state pensions come into payment. Cashflow forecasting could help with understating the pros and cons of this approach.

Based on todays rates, a higher annual income could potentially be obtained by purchasing an annuity. However, on the basis that they may need a higher income for the first 10 years of retirement to bridge the gap before their state pensions, Id be cautious about this option.

It would also mean less money left to their eventual beneficiaries.

Finally, using a small self-administered pension scheme is a major decision and one to take professional advice on.

The advantages include: the ability to buy commercial property and potentially lease it back to your company; the opportunity to invest in your company by buying an equity stake; and the ability to loan money to the company.

However, all of these investment strategies do tie your retirement plans in very closely with your business, and there is a real possibility of getting to retirement age and finding that these assets cant be liquidated, so please proceed with caution.

Holly Tomlinson, financial planner at Quilter, says:

When considering whether to clear your mortgages, it is important to first explore whether there would be any fees payable if you opted to do so. Many mortgages will have an early repayment charge, which will be a percentage of what you still owe on your mortgage agreement, so given the relatively short amount of time left on your fixed term deals it may be worth waiting until the end of them to clear the mortgages to help avoid these exit penalties.

If there are no exit charges payable, check where your cash is being held to see whether it is earning more than the 3pc interest you are currently paying on the mortgage.

If it is, it may be worth leaving the cash where it is and paying off the lump sum when the mortgage deals come to an end.

For your buy-to-let property, the first port of call would be to have a conversation with your children about the options you have available to you regarding the flat. Though they are still relatively young, you may be able to come to a decision as a family which could help discount one or other of the options, and help you make a more confident decision.

If you opt to sell the flat to alleviate the pressures that come with managing it and to allow you to freely spend the winter months in Australia, it is important to remember that capital gains tax will be applicable when selling.

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Six easy (and completely legal) ways to avoid capital gains tax

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However, it is likely that a tax efficient wrapper could be utilised to invest the funds, which would be able to provide you with a similar, if not better return than the rental income. Assuming you are currently paying basic-rate tax on the rental income, by investing this money in a more tax-efficient solution such as pensions and Isas you may be able to reduce your tax liability while also providing yourselves with a better future income when you look to semi-retire.

Based on investing 425,000 into a moderate fund for 10 years, assuming roughly 4pc growth, you would have a fund value of around 520,000. This equates to around 30,500 of annual income paid via an annuity until death.

Simplifying your investments by potentially selling the flat, clearing the mortgages on both of your properties at the end of the fixed rate term or sooner if you will not incur a fee, and reinvesting in tax efficient wrappers such as pensions and Isas will be a good place to start to ensure you are well placed to semi-retire when you are ready to.

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Lamia remembers when her family members started getting threatening text messages from members of the Shiite militia in their region of Iraq. Her father, who worked as a translator for the U.S. military, got them first  before he was killed, in 2006.

Lamia, who is being identified by a pseudonym because shes concerned for her safety, eventually started to get the same kinds of messages. The militias patience with her was running out, they told her.

She knew she needed to leave Iraq, and in June 2016, her refugee application to the U.S. was approved. The problem: Her husbands application was still pending. But Lamia was afraid of what could happen to her and her two children, so they left for the U.S., and hoped her husband would shortly follow.

I had hoped that I and the rest of my family would all be resettled in the U.S. and have a new and comfortable life where we can be safe, she told HuffPost.

Once in Charlottesville, Virginia, Lamia quickly began building a new life. She enrolled her children in the local public school system while she attended a job training program.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, Lamias husband received a bullet in the mail as a warning from the local militia. He was still married to Lamia, a woman whose family had betrayed them, and he was not safe.

I was afraid he would receive the same fate as my father, Lamia said.

Lamia traveled to Iraq with her two children the next month, in July 2017. She wanted her children to see her husband, even if for the last time.

She never expected that she would still be in Iraq almost eight years later  long enough for her to have a third child there  because of the U.S. immigration system.

More than 3 million refugees have been resettled in the U.S since the passage of the 1980 Refugee Act. But it can take years for refugees to solidify their case and be granted residency, and the governments refugee admission program has long suffered from backlogs and delays due. Severe cuts to the programs budget under President Donald Trump made these problems even worse.

Even after being resettled, refugees face a litany of challenges, including language barriers, reduced access to housing and economic opportunities and the challenge of obtaining citizenship. They also endure yearslong delays and difficult decisions  decisions that, as in Lamias case, can put their lives in danger.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship website, refugees are allowed to travel back to countries they initially fled from. But they are required to have a pre-approved travel document, which serves a similar purpose to a U.S. passport for refugees, in order to be readmitted to the U.S.

Lamia was in a rush to see her husband before he was harmed, her lawyer told HuffPost, and she believed shed be able to get the travel permits later on, so she left without initially applying for one. But after she arrived in Iraq, the Shiite militia found out shed returned and began threatening her again.

U.S. officials didnt respond to her until January 2023, according to a formal complaint she filed in federal court last month against USCIS and the State Department  more than five years after she first submitted it.

By then, the militias threats had escalated. At one point, militia members beat her with weapons at a pharmacy.

Ultimately, the government denied her travel document but approved permits for her two children. That forced Lamia, whod since had another child in Iraq, to make a bleak choice: break up her family and send her eldest two children to the U.S. alone or stay together as a family, in a country where their lives were in danger.

A USCIS spokesperson told HuffPost that the agency does not comment individual cases or on pending litigation. The spokesperson said its agency policy to adjudicate requests for immigration benefits fairly, humanely, and efficiently on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet established eligibility criteria required under applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Lamias lawyers at the International Refugees Assistance Project argue that none of this should have been necessary. They say that refugees should be readmitted through the same protections granted through that 1980 Refugee Act  the law under which Lamias entry was approved in the first place, which does not specify the need for travel documents.

The U.S. governments unlawful requirement that our client secure a refugee travel document to return to the United States has left her and her children stranded in Iraq under threat from the very militias she thought they had already escaped, said Kate Meyer, an attorney at IRAP. The United States needs to honor its commitment to welcoming those fleeing persecution and provide lasting protection.

We are asking the court to stop the government from applying its unlawful refugee travel document policy to our client so that this refugee family can return to safety in the United States together, she added.

But time is running out. The childrens approval to return to the U.S. expires next month. If they dont get on a plane before then, they will not be able to submit a new application and will forfeit their ability to return as refugees.

Meanwhile, Lamia says, the militia has threatened to hurt her husband unless he stays away from her. They rarely see one another. Lamia doesnt leave her home, and her children no longer attend school.

Lamia said she has developed asthma and constantly experiences dizziness, which she believes is caused by stress. Her mental health has deteriorated rapidly.

I honestly regret it all, she said. My children blame me and they know they are unsafe. I just want to come back.

Related...
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) slammed the stupidity of not legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, arguing other states, especially those surrounding the Keystone State, have already done so.

Lets make it legal, Fetterman told Fox News Digital on Friday. I mean, its not complicated. Other states have done that. All the states surrounded by Pennsylvania are  and the stupidity of not legalizing marijuana.

And now, its just so straightforward, he continued. And right now, were doing this interview in Washington, D.C. and right now I could leave, go buy marijuana legally and the world isnt spun off its axis, its not anarchy and thats really the truth about it.

Fetterman emphasized that marijuana should be safe, pure, taxed and available, but not be available to those younger than 21.

I would rather have it come from a safe pure place and then Ive been very clear, it should not be any younger than 21 just like alcohol, he said. Young brains can be impacted [by] marijuana and we want to maintain that it should be 21. Any adult should be allowed to do that legally without any criminal pullback.

The Pennsylvania senator said he has directly encouraged President Biden to liberalize marijuana.

Recreationally, marijuana in small amounts can be used by adults in 24 states, not including D.C., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Biden on Saturday urged all governors to pardon previous state offenses for simple possession of marijuana.

No one should be in a federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, and no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Biden said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fire on Dover Street in Somerville draws large firefighter response

A fire at a home in Somerville Saturday drew a large response from firefighters.

A large crowd of firefighters and trucks battled a blaze at a multi-story home on Dover Street after 10:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Firefighters could be seen battling hotspots around 11:00 p.m.

Boston 25 News is working to learn if anyone was hurt in the fire.

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
Firefighters respond to fire at apartment complex in Miami Twp.

Firefighters are on scene of an apartment fire in Miami Township.

Fire crews are currently responding to the fire at an apartment complex on Cobblegate Drive near Alex-Bell Road.

The Miami Valley Fire District is asking people to avoid the area.

News Center 7 is working to learn more and we will continue updating this story.

10:45Crews are on scene of a Structure Fire on Cobblegate Dr. near Alex-Bell. Avoid the area Posted by Miami Valley Fire District on Sunday, April 21, 2024
First Democrat publicly says he would vote to save Mike Johnson's job since massive aid push passes

Progressive Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. said he would support House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., if the lower chamber ultimately votes on whether to remove him from his job after passing foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

On Saturday, months-awaited foreign aid bills passed in the House. But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. and other House Republicans have threatened to move what's known as a motion to vacate against the speaker for advancing the aid bills and working with Democrats on other issues.

Khanna told ABCs This Week Sunday that he gives Johnson credit for passing foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. He said he would vote to table a motion to vacate him, which essentially stalls legislation in Congress.

Im a progressive Democrat, and I think you would have a few progressive Democrats doing that, and I disagree with Speaker Johnson on many issues, said Khanna. But he did the right thing here and he deserves to keep his job until the end of this term.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., has been the representative for California's 17th district since 2017.

More: Voters are frustrated with Biden over Gaza. Can Ro Khanna steer them back?

Johnson may have to rely on Democrats to keep him in power if Greene and her supporters can garner enough GOP support for the push.

Many hard-right lawmakers have criticized Johnson for not tying border and immigration policy changes to the foreign aid bills. That legislation had been delayed for months, as Johnson vowed to address a long-looming government shutdown before providing foreign aid.

Johnson ultimately broke the assistance bills into pieces to allow GOP representatives to pick and choose which bills to support. They included three bills that allocate $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, as well as a fourth bill that could effectively ban TikTok, the popular video-based social media app, nationwide.

While all bills passed on a bipartisan basis and by wide margins, the majority of Republicans, 112, voted against aid to Ukraine.

Not all Republicans oppose Johnsons move, however; Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, called the speaker a profile in courage during an interview with ABC on Sunday.

I'm so proud with the speaker Mike Johnson. He went through a transformation, said McCaul, who said he will be supporting Johnson if he has to fight for his job. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself.

McCaul added that support from Democrats for the speaker shows that the House is in a bipartisan era, though the chamber has been largely divided in recent memory.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna says he'd vote to save Mike Johnson's job
A search is underway after a fisherman vanished in Maryland, leaving behind an unmanned boat with the engines still running, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

State officials contacted the Coast Guard after someone reported finding a 21-foot boat with no one on board in the area of Anchor Marina, the Coast Guard said in an April 21 news release.

The engines were on and a phone and fishing gear were on board the boat, officials said.

The missing man is 27-year-old David Rambo, of Wilmington, Delaware, officials said. He was wearing jeans and a maroon shirt when he was last seen, at about 11 p.m., and was reported to have been fishing in the area of the mouth of North East Creek.

The Coast Guard is searching by boat and helicopter. State troopers, Department of Natural Resources officers and local police and firefighters are also assisting in the search.

Anchor Marina is in North East and a roughly 50-mile drive northeast of Baltimore.

Anyone with information about the missing man is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 410-576-2693.

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Im looking at what will save us money and lives and let us experience safety, not just the performance of safety.

Im looking at what will save us money and lives and let us experience safety, not just the performance of safety. Photograph: Courtesy Flojaune Cofer for Sacramento Mayor

In an election year in which Californias races have the potential to be among the most consequential in the US, one of the most fascinating contests is shaping up somewhere unexpected: Sacramento.

The leading candidate to replace the citys mayor is a progressive public health expert running for elected office for the first time. Flojaune Cofer has pledged to reject corporate donations, cut police budgets in favor of workers trained to deal with issues such as mental health and tackle the citys spiraling homelessness crisis.

Related: Revealed: how companies made $100m clearing California homeless camps

Cofer, a 41-year-old epidemiologist who would be the first Black woman elected as Sacramento mayor, won the most votes of any candidate in last months primary with an almost 8% lead over her closest competitor.

Her rise comes as political commentators have argued Californians, disheartened by crime, are growing frustrated with progressive policies. In March, the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the citys status as a longtime liberal bastion is no more after voters approved a controversial measure that will require welfare recipients to be screened for drugs.

Sacramento has struggled with many of the same issues as San Francisco and Los Angeles from a growing unhoused population and unaffordable housing to downtowns that have struggled to rebound after the pandemic. Cofers vision for the city, which she hopes will one day serve as a model for dealing with the most pressing problems of the era, has appealed to voters, particularly those in lower-income neighborhoods.

I just feel we are so close to being able to do something powerful, she said in a recent interview. We dont have to live in a city where people dont have their basic needs met. This can be a city thats affordable, prosperous, innovative, thats connected.



Cofer, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, moved to Sacramento 20 years ago for a public health fellowship and decided to make her home in the city after finding a deep-rooted sense of community. It reminded me a lot of Pittsburgh, with the tight neighborhoods and rivers flowing through it and being a midsize city in a state with larger cities that often get more of the attention, she said.

This can be a city thats affordable, prosperous, innovative, thats connected Flojaune Cofer

She worked for the states public health department before becoming a senior public policy director for a public health non-profit. In recent years, Cofer served on several city committees and was a visible presence in Sacramento politics before she decided to run for office.

She faced a crowded field with well-known and high-profile candidates, including two former state lawmakers, vying for the role and arguing they were best equipped to address the problems ailing the city.

Sacramento has changed considerably in recent years with the redevelopment of its downtown, growing population and a seemingly ever worsening housing shortage.

Homelessness has been the defining issue in city politics in recent years. The capital is in the midst of a growing emergency as the number of unhoused residents climbed almost 70% from 2019 to 2022.

At least 9,278 people in the county are estimated to be without a home, the majority of whom sleep outdoors or in vehicles. Encampments have developed on levees, near schools and next to busy roads, while advocates have said the city has failed to create meaningful solutions to match the scale of the massive problem.

I think one of the things that were already in agreement on is that what were doing right now is not working, she said. The crisis is affecting everyone in the community, she said, from unhoused people who say they are being harassed and targeted without receiving the support they need to business owners who say people dont want to go downtown.

It seems like we are insistent upon trying to do things expediently that dont work and that make the problem worse Flojaune Cofer

The city can create change if we do right by the people who are experiencing homelessness, and we actually make sure people have a place to go, instead of just moving them block to block without a clear destination, and we make sure that they have the facilities and things that they need, like showers and bathrooms, she said.

Theres data to show us that these things can work. Instead, it seems like we are insistent upon trying to do things expediently that dont work and that make the problem worse.

Cofer has backed greater protections for renters as well as managed encampments. She has also advocated cutting $70m from the police budget and redirecting that funding to hire trained workers who can respond to calls about mental health and homelessness while police prioritize violent crime.

She wants to invest in programs from non-profits and community groups that have a track record of reducing violence in the city  pointing to the citys investment in similar initiatives that led to a two-year period with zero youth homicides before that funding was cut.

Thats the kind of thing that you can feel in a community when youre not worried about being shot, when your young people arent worried about it, when nobody is in the active stage of grieving and hanging up RIP banners on their high schools, she said.

Im looking at what will save us money, what will save us lives, and will allow us all to be able to experience safety, not just the performance of safety.



Despite the so-called backlash against progressive policies in other parts of the state, Cofers message appears to have won over voters across the city. Her campaign knocked on 30,000 doors, she said, and she engages directly with voters on Twitter, even those who are frequently critical of her.

She saw support from all income levels, but particularly in the lowest-income neighborhoods in the city, according to an analysis from the Sacramento Bee.

When we invite people into the conversation, they see things differently and theyre hopeful in a different way Flojaune Cofer

Our message resonates, Cofer said. Were talking about people who have largely not felt seen, heard and represented. When we change the narrative, invite people into the conversation, they see things differently and theyre hopeful in a different way and theyre reaching out in a different way.

She was endorsed by the Sacramento Bees editorial board, which described her agenda as [in] some ways fiscally conservative and in other ways socially and economically progressive.

She has the most potential to dramatically transform the Sacramento political landscape in the next four years, and that landscape desperately needs transformation, the board wrote.

In November, Sacramento voters will choose between Cofer and Kevin McCarty, a Democratic state lawmaker. Some political analysts have argued Cofer faces long odds with votes no longer divided among multiple candidates, but Cofer remains hopeful about her candidacy and the progressive movement in the city.

Sacramento is in a different position than some of the other places where we havent actually had an opportunity to try these progressive ideas out here, she said. We have the benefit of having watched what did and did not work in places in the Bay Area and southern California and to really learn from that.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A 57-year-old Florida man was arrested and charged on Friday for molesting a child, according to the Putnam County Sheriffs Office.

Murrel Dempsey Liverman Jr., who worked as a firefighter paramedic in Marion County, was arrested after he showed up at the sheriffs office for what he thought was a follow-up on his application to work as a reserve member.

Bodies discovered in wooded area near missing Florida womans car

The sheriffs office said bringing Liverman in for an interview was the safest way to arrest him.

The investigation began when an anonymous tip was made to the state hotline regarding the abuse between Liverman and the victim, whom he knew. The victim told officials that the abuse began roughly a year ago and that Liverman had put his hand down their pants several times when adults werent around.

Liverman was arrested and taken to the Putnam County Jail on a $250,000 bond. He was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12.

This remains an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Florida Keys pastor who fled the state after being accused of sexually battering a teen congregant has been deemed a flight risk and will remain jailed, a judge ordered Saturday.

Judge James Morgan ruled Monte Lavelle Chitty, 62, will be held in the Monroe County Detention Center with no bond, meaning he will not be allowed to go home before his trial. According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office jail website, Chitty was previously given a $1.4 million bond.

Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield petitioned Morgan to revoke Chittys bond after Chitty fled to Texas and was arrested there earlier this month.

Because of my real concern for the safety of the community, not to mention he is now a proven flight risk, I asked the judge for pre-trial detention with no bond, and he granted it today, Mansfield told the Miami Herald.

Chitty was first arrested in early March for allegedly giving a 15-year-old girl, who was part of his congregation, alcohol and then molesting her.

READ MORE: Florida Keys pastor accused of sexually abusing girl at his church

Running away from court

The day Chitty molested the young teen, he called the Monroe County Sheriffs Office to forewarn them that someone was about to accuse him of doing something, and he wanted to get out in front of it, the sheriffs office said.

He went on to say a young girl at his church had been drinking and passed out on the churchs library couch. He told them he helped her lie down but didnt touch her, the sheriffs office said.

Deputies were already well aware of those accusations as they were told by an anonymous caller they overheard the teen tell an adult she had been raped. The sheriffs office was trying to find the girl when Chittys call came in.

The next day, March 4, Chitty was arrested and charged with sexual battery of a child between the ages of 12 and 18, lewd and lascivious behavior and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

On March 25, he was released from jail after members of his congregation paid his $75,000 bond. Shortly after, he packed up his things and left for Texas before his first court appearance in the Florida Keys.

READ MORE: Florida Keys pastor accused of sexually battering teen arrested in Texas

A warrant was issued for his arrest. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and the Woodsville Police Department found him in Woodsville, Texas, where his adult son lives.

He was extradited back to a jailhouse in the Florida Keys, where he will remain for the duration of his trial.
Today we are in a social and economic climate like none ever experienced before. Our priorities and needs are changing day by day and sometimes hour by hour. At Archway Homes, we realize that the upheaval in our lives may be leading us to make decisions we might not have considered last month or even last week. Archway Homes can help sellers who want or need to sell a home without going through the often drawn out and sometimes painful traditional selling process.

Real estate investors Jon and Stacy Bichelmeyer, owners of Archway Homes, buy homes in any condition. They have been buying and selling properties in the greater Kansas City area for over 20 years. They strive to make the difficult process of selling a home as stress-free as possible. With more years of experience than the majority of home buyers, Archway is in a strong position to weather the pandemic storm and continue to help those wanting to sell properties. They wrote the book on it. Literally! Home to Home Local Edition  Kansas City Metro outlines the steps homeowners can take to sell their home.

We have been buying and selling homes for over 20 years. Weve seen some great times, we lived through the real estate crash in 2008-2010 and have come through the other side. We plan to be working with sellers during these uncertain times and after the world and economy is back on its feet again, said Jon. I know people are being cautious and careful and think there is no way to sell their home, but we are using smart technology and every health precaution to be able to proceed through these crazy days.

Sellers may have homes under contract, but due to market uncertainty or other situations arent able to get the property sold. The ability to sell quickly to an established and reputable company has been the perfect solution for numerous homeowners all over the Kansas City area. Dani M. recently sold a house to Archway after long-term tenants moved out, leaving the house in rough shape. She was not able to do the necessary repairs herself due to many pets living in the house for years, aggravating her allergies.

We had heard about Archway and contacted Jon. The price he offered was fair for the amount of work that was needed, and it met our needs, she said. Jon was very patient and relaxed, even when there was an issue with the title. He let us leave the tenants trash in the garage. It was a smooth and easy process.

For many homeowners, the Bichelmeyers close ties to the community stood out as being very important. A third-generation real estate investor with roots in the Kansas City community for over 40 years, his extensive experience really makes a difference. Ive been buying houses, fixing them up and selling to homeowners in the metro area for over 20 years, he said. We started doing this long before HGTV inspired the new investors in town.

Jon said, Not every company is as personally invested here as I am. My sellers know that Ive been investing in our community my entire adult life and I continue to do so. I stand by my word. No one deal is more important than my name and reputation. We work hard to make sure its a win-win for both parties.

To that Stacy added, Thats why we tell people, with us, selling your house As Is never felt this good!

Archway Homes features a no-obligation offer process. The first step is to call the office at 913-599-5000 to schedule an appointment. Jon will then walk through the home and can provide an offer price within 24 hours. Archway Homes can pay cash and close in as fast as three days. However, some sellers need the opposite approach, needing a delayed closing several months away. They may need time to find their next home, or they are building a home and need time for it to be completed. Coordinating closing schedules in a traditional sale can be challenging. Archway Homes sets a closing date that will meet the sellers needs.

For more information about selling your home quickly for cash, call Jon Bichelmeyer at 913-599-5000 or visit Archway Homes website at archwaypropertieskc.com to fill out an online form or to get a free copy of our book Home to Home Local Edition  Kansas City Metro, Kansas and Missouri, call our office.

Archway Homes

Location: 15301 W. 87th St. Parkway, Suite B35 in the UMB Bank building

Contact: Jon Bichelmeyer at 913-599-5000 or jon@archwayhomesinc.com

Website: archwaypropertieskc.com
Following the UAWs wins against the Detroit Three, TN Volkswagen workers vote to join the union

People celebrate at a United Auto Workers vote watch party on April 19, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With over 51% of workers voting yes, the UAW won the right to form a union at the plant. (Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

After the United Auto Workers (UAW) won big contracts last year resulting from its stand-up strike against the Detroit Three  Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis  President Shawn Fain vowed that the union would take that momentum into organizing foreign auto companies in the U.S.

On Friday night, the UAW scored its first victory with Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voting to join the UAW, the National Labor Relations Board confirmed.

That marks the first time that southern autoworkers outside of the Detroit Three have won an organizing drive. According to the union, the vote was 73% in favor and 27% against.

This election is big, said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department at Volkswagen. People in high places told us good things cant happen here in Chattanooga. They told us this isnt the time to stand up, this isnt the place. But we did stand up and we won. This is the time; this is the place. Southern workers are ready to stand up and win a better life.

President Joe Biden, who walked a Michigan picket line in September in support of the UAW strike against the Detroit Three, sent out his congratulation Friday night for the historic vote.

I was proud to stand alongside auto workers in their successful fight for record contracts, and I am proud to stand with auto workers now as they successfully organize at Volkswagen, Biden said.

Across the country, union members have logged major wins and large raises, including auto workers, actors, port workers, Teamsters, writers, warehouse and health care workers, and more. Together, these union wins have helped raise wages and demonstrate once again that the middle-class built America and that unions are still building and expanding the middle class for all workers.

However, six Republican governors  Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kay Ivey of Alabama, Brian Kemp of Georgia, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, Henry McMaster of South Carolina, and Greg Abbott of Texas  wrote a letter opposing the union drive.

The reality is companies have choices when it comes to where to invest and bring jobs and opportunity. We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states. Unionization would certainly put our states jobs in jeopardy, the letter said.

Biden, who is seeking reelection this year and likely faces former President Donald Trump, blasted the GOP governors for attempting to influence workers votes by falsely claiming that a successful vote would jeopardize jobs in their states.

Nothing to fear

Let me be clear to the Republican governors that tried to undermine this vote: There is nothing to fear from American workers using their voice and their legal right to form a union if they so choose. In fact, the growing strength of unions over the last year has gone hand-in-hand with record small business and jobs growth alongside the longest stretch of low unemployment in more than 50 years. I will continue to stand with American workers and stand against Republicans effort to weaken workers voice, Biden continued.

The UAW said that 5,000 workers at Mercedes-Benz in Vance, Alabama, will vote to join the UAW on May 13 to 17. Following the Detroit Three strike, more than 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed union cards in recent months, with public campaigns launched at Mercedes, Volkswagen, Hyundai in Montgomery, Alabama, and Toyota in Troy, Missouri. Workers at more than two dozen other facilities are actively organizing, the union said.

We saw the big contract that UAW workers won at the Big Three and that got everybody talking, said Zachary Costello, a trainer in VWs proficiency room. You see the pay, the benefits, the rights UAW members have on the job, and you see how that would change your life. Thats why we voted overwhelmingly for the union. Once people see the difference a union makes, theres no way to stop them.

The UAW had unsuccessfully tried in 2014 and 2019 to unionize the Chattanooga plant.

This gives workers everywhere else the indication that its OK, Fain said. All weve heard for years is we cant win here; you cant do this in the South, and you can.

The post Following the UAWs wins against the Detroit Three, TN Volkswagen workers vote to join the union appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Former Jacksonville officer accused of sexual activity with teen now facing federal charge

A former Jacksonville police officer is now facing a federal charge for sexual activity with a 17-year-old.

Action News Jax told you in March when Josue Garriga III was arrested in Clay County on five felony counts, including sexual activity with a minor.

On Friday, he appeared in federal court on a charge of using a cell phone or computer to coerce a minor for sexual activity.

The criminal complaint against Garriga details his WhatsApp messages to the victim, whom he met at church in September. According to the complaint, the victim told authorities Garriga knew she was a minor.

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Garriga went to the victims house late at night on several occasions and visited her at a coffee shop on March 6, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

While in his vehicle outside the coffee shop, Garriga allegedly grabbed the childs hand, put her hand down his pants, and requested the child perform oral sex on him.

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When the child refused, authorities say Garriga asked the child to kiss his private area and would not let the child leave until the child did so.

Garriga has resigned from the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Alerts Issued for Our Region

FROST ADVISORY for Wyoming and McDowell counties tonight from 1 AM to 9 AM. With temperatures dropping into the low 30s, frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Bring them inside or cover them up, as they could be damaged or killed if left uncovered.

Tonight features a slow clearing trend of cloud cover, with the biggest headline being our risk for frost. Temperatures area-wide will drip down into the low 30s, with sheltered spots and the mountains dropping into the 20s. This will create a substantial risk for frost, which is why a frost advisory has been issued for our western counties tonight. Many counties in our region are still not quite in the growing season yet, hence why more frost advisories are not issued. Regardless, if you have planted anything yet, it would be a good idea to either bring those plants inside or cover them up! By dawn, skies will be mostly clear.

Monday will start on a very cold note, so the kiddos will want the jackets with temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s heading off to school in the morning. We will see a big rebound in temperature though despite a northwest breeze, with high temperatures rebounding to the mid and upper 50s. Thats still cool compared to normal for this time of year, but at least well have plenty of sunshine for our Earth Day!

Tuesday sees our wind shift from coming from the northwest to coming out of the southwest, and that will warm us up nicely to around normal for this time of year, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Skies will begin to increase in cloud cover toward dinnertime as high pressure moves away from the region and a cold front approaches from the west. With warm temperatures, breezy conditions and low humidity expected, there will likely be an increased fire risk on Tuesday. Thankfully rain showers will arrives Tuesday night as our cold front moves in.

Wednesday begins on a wet note, with scattered showers around, as our cold front crosses. However, as the day goes by, well see conditions become drier, as our cold front exits and high pressure begins to scoot in. High temperatures will be in cooler in the low 60s.

How Cold is Too Cold? Spring Planting Guide

Thursday looks great! After another cold and potentially frosty start with low temperatures in the mid 30s, we will see plenty of sunshine with high pressure in control. Temperatures will jump nearly 30 degrees during the day, with high temperatures in the low to mid 60s.

Friday will be dry for most of the day, with mostly sunny skies to start. Well see a southwest breeze kick in as our next storm system approaches. A warm front will push through on Friday afternoon, which will give us the chance for a couple of isolated showers late as high temperatures push toward 70 degrees.

Saturday brings a weak cold front through the region, but that wont be the end of our shower chances, as an unsettled pattern sets in. Despite the front crossing, its still a mild day on tap, with high temperatures in the low 70s and our steadiest rains during the morning hours. Rain will become more scattered as we head into the afternoon.

Sunday provides the risk for a few isolated to widely scattered showers but we should see plenty of dry time. Its a warm day on tap for the two Virginias, as high temperatures spurt into the mid 70s.

Tick season is here: Heres how to protect yourself and your pets

Looking ahead, weve got a bit more of an unsettled pattern taking shape. Monday features the risk for a few isolated showers but its very warm! Well see highs near 80 on Monday. Weve reached 80 degrees once so far in April  perhaps we can do it again! Showers look likely with a low pressure system nearby Tuesday with highs in the low 70s. We look pretty dry Wednesday with a shower or two possible late in the day with another system nearby as highs jump into the mid 70s.

Help us with our growing community of weather photos with #weathertogether. Head to our website and search for the Weather together tab and upload your photos of weather going on around our region.

We are in spring forest fire season in West Virginia  this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM through May 31st. Low humidity values during the daytime, along with breezier and warmer conditions will at times increase the fire threat, hence the burn ban during most of the daytime. Follow all regulations or be faced with potential consequences, such as fines! In Virginia, the spring fire season continues through April 30th  dont burn before 4 PM.

TONIGHT

Clearing skies. Frosty! Lows in the low 30s.

MONDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid to upper 50s.

TUESDAY

Partly cloudy. Isolated showers late. Highs in the mid to upper 60s.

WEDNESDAY

Showers likely, especially early. Highs in the low 60s.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs in the low 60s. Frost possible in the morning.

FRIDAY

Mostly sunny. Increasing clouds late. Highs near 70.

SATURDAY

Showers likely, especially early. Highs near 70.

SUNDAY

Isolated showers. Highs in the mid 70s.

MONDAY

Partly sunny. Highs near 80.

TUESDAY

Showers likely. Highs in the 70s.

WEDNESDAY

Partly sunny. Highs in the 70s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Gainesville man arrested in 1988 cold case for murder of California woman

A California man was arrested in Gainesville, Ga. in connection with the 1988 murder of a 30-year-old woman.

On Sept. 18, 1988, police in Santa Maria, Calif. responded to a motel where Ofelia Sandoval had been murdered.

Detectives with the Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau took over the investigation. Eventually, the investigation grew cold but remained open.

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Over the last few years, detectives continued to work on the case and issued an arrest warrant for Aloysius Winthrop James, who was a Santa Maria, California resident at the time of the murder.

On April 16, 2024, detectives with assistance from the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office, San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office, Gainesville Police Department, Hall County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team, and the FBI Task Force of Gainesville conducted an arrest warrant at James home in Gainesville.

James was booked into the Hall County Jail for murder and is being held without bail.

Detectives are negotiating the extradition process to bring James back to Santa Barbara County.

Detectives believe there may be other unreported crimes and additional victims related to James involving threats, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and other crimes.

If you have any additional information regarding James involvement in this or any other violent or sexual crimes, please contact Santa Maria Police Department Detective Nate Craven at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1610 or ncraven@cityofsantamaria.org.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
SACRAMENTO, California  Gavin Newsom is doubling down on his campaign to blister red states over abortion access, unveiling a new TV ad set to air in Alabama Monday where lawmakers are trying to criminalize people who help minors travel out-of-state for reproductive care.

The Democratic California governor on Sunday also announced planned legislation of his own to make it easier for neighboring Arizonans to get abortions in the Golden State following the recent state Supreme Court decision there.

Newsoms latest ad, which debuted Sunday on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki, is aimed at a proposed bill in Alabama that would make it a crime for people who help minors get an abortion without informing a parent or guardian. Its part of a multistate campaign Newsom is paying for through his Campaign for Democracy PAC, focused on so-called abortion travel bans and rolled out in late February, nearly two years after he first chided his own party for being on defense on the issue.

Newsoms ad follows his release of a similar spot aimed at Tennessee, where state lawmakers are moving to outlaw transporting a minor for an abortion. That ad showed a distressed young woman handcuffed to a hospital gurney and pleading for help. The Alabama ad, called Fugitive, is another dramatic rendering of what could happen if adults are punished for helping minors seek an abortion across state lines.

It features two women driving a mile out from the state border when they are pulled over by law enforcement. The narrator says Trump Republicans want to criminalize young Alabama women who travel for reproductive care. The officer then asks the driver to step out of the vehicle and take a pregnancy test.

Several red-state officials, including in Oklahoma and Idaho, have moved to impose legal penalties and fines for transporting people seeking abortions over state lines. Newsom, who also has run abortion-related TV spots and billboards and is pushing to make California a legal sanctuary for abortions, has said the conditions in red states are much more pernicious than they even appear.

As the White House and Democrats keep the pressure on the GOP in swing- and purple states, his ads are part of a state-by-state campaign that includes ways for minority Democrats there to take action against the legislation in the red swathes of the country.

Newsom was early in imploring Democrats to push back on legal incursions into abortion rights, but its since become a campaign pillar for his party. Vice President Kamala Harris has made it a signature issue in the Biden-Harris reelection effort, and President Joe Biden will deliver an abortion-focused speech Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, seeking to capitalize on the states looming six-week ban that will soon go into effect.



Florida voters will also have a chance to protect abortion access in November with a ballot measure.

Newsoms ad comes weeks after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law. And it is set to air Monday, just days after the Arizona Supreme Courts recent decision to uphold an 1864 ban on abortion in that state. In response to the ruling in Arizona, Newsoms office on Sunday unveiled the proposal to offer Arizona abortion providers an expedited way to get licensed in California.

California already has seen an uptick in abortion care from Arizona-based patients and is bracing for more people to travel there.

Running ads outside Californias borders has become a familiar move by the California governor, a regular consumer of Fox News content who has fought with Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, both Republicans, to bolster his national profile.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, Newsom rented billboards in several Republican-led states. Later, he skipped TV ads for his own cakewalk reelection and instead spent millions on spots for 2022s Proposition 1, a measure that enshrined the right to abortion and contraceptives in Californias constitution.

Newsom last year led a network of Democratic governors in 20 states to strengthen abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Courts courts Dobbs decision. Still, California has struggled to increase access to abortion within its own borders, and opening up treatment opportunities for Arizona doctors could relieve some of the pressure.
Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to make it easier for Arizonans to receive abortions in California, an announcement he made on the same day he debuted a new political advertisement that draws attention to Republican policies in Alabama.

Newsoms latest efforts continue his attempts to denounce conservative campaigns trying to hinder reproductive rights and showcase California as the national haven for abortion services. His announcement to help Arizonans comes in direct response to that states Supreme Court decision recently to uphold a 160-year-old abortion ban.

The ban would only allow abortions deemed medically necessary to save the life of a pregnant patient. It has not yet taken effect.

Arizona AG (Attorney General) Kris Mayes identified a need to expedite the ability for Arizona abortion providers to continue to provide care to Arizonans as a way to support patients in their state seeking abortion care in California, Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards wrote in an email statement. We are responding to this call and will have more details to share in the coming days.

The governors office said it is working closely with the California Legislative Womens Caucus, but did not share more information on the specifics of the legislation or how quickly he expects it to be introduced.

We need to start focusing on making the kind of progress thats needed..to provide access to women and girls that are fleeing the state of Arizona, Newsom said in an interview with MSNBCs Jen Psaki that was broadcast on Sunday.

The interview debuted Newsoms new political advertisement, in which two young women drive toward the Alabama state line and are stopped by a police officer who asks the driver to take a pregnancy test.

Alabamas abortion ban has no exceptions for rape or incest.



Now, Republicans are trying to criminalize young womens travel to receive abortion care.



We cannot let them get away with this. pic.twitter.com/gHbYJYlEXk  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 21, 2024

Not enough attention has been placed on the fact that were not just criminalizing womens access to reproductive care in certain states, now were criminalizing their travel, Newsom told Psaki.

The ad campaign will begin Monday in Alabama, which has one of the nations strictest abortion bans. The state outlaws the procedure at all pregnancy stages, with no exceptions for rape and incest.

These advertisements also mirror previous attempts by Newsom to harness the issue of abortion access.

Nearly two years ago, Newsoms re-election campaign paid for billboards in Texas, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Oklahoma to promote Californias new abortion access website, abortion.ca.gov. The website provides resources for people seeking abortions to help them understand the procedure, find providers and receive financial assistance.
General Staff: Russia has lost 459,530 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 459,530 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on April 20.

This number includes 950 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 7,229 tanks, 13,896 armored fighting vehicles, 15,785 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,719 artillery systems, 1,046 multiple launch rocket systems, 767 air defense systems, 348 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 9,379 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Read also: Mediazona confirms identities of over 50,400 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine

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Petr Bystron, of the AfD, allegedly took cash from the manager of a Russian propaganda network - ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty

A German politician has been filmed taking large sums of cash from a Kremlin-supporting broadcaster, Czech intelligence has claimed.

Petr Bystron, who is standing for Alternative for Germany (AfD) at European parliamentary elections in June, allegedly received 20,000 (17,000) in cash from the manager of a Russian propaganda network while sitting in a parked car, recordings indicate.

Mr Bystron, who also sits on the Bundestags foreign affairs committee, has previously denied allegations of taking Russian money as a defamation campaign.

The Security Information Service (BIS), the Czech Republics domestic intelligence agency, now says Mr Bystron met with Artem Marchevsky, who allegedly managed a Kremlin-backed propaganda front called Voice of Europe, at least three times in the past six months.

It said it had filmed him receiving packets of unidentifiable objects twice while being driven around with Mr Marchevsky.

A Czech MP who heard the recordings said Mr Bystron can later be heard rustling and counting cash while sitting in a parked car in Prague. The money was allegedly intended to fund new employees in the European Parliament.

The Czech government last month took down Voice of Europes website and imposed a travel ban and an assets freeze on its owner, the exiled Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, after a BIS investigation concluded it was being used as a front to pay pro-Russian politicians to peddle Kremlin propaganda.

It also sanctioned Mr Marchevsky, a close associate of Mr Medvedchuk, who it described as running the day-to-day affairs of the organisation.

Mr Medvedchuk is godfather to one of Vladimir Putins daughters. He was arrested in Ukraine soon after the Russian invasion and later exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war. He is currently believed to be in Russia.

Reuters said it was not able to reach Medvedchuk or Marchevsky for comment on the sanctions.

BIS has said it thinks the operation handed out at least half a million euros to pro-Russian politicians across Europe. Their investigation has triggered police raids in the Czech Republic, Poland and other European countries.

The Munich public prosecutors office has started preliminary investigations against Mr Bystron for possible bribery of elected officials.

Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister, warned that the aim was to help pro-Russian politicians into the European Parliament.

Mr Bystron told Germanys DPA news agency: This is just an attempt to keep the campaign against the AfD in the media until the EU elections.

The FBI in March questioned Maximilian Krah, the leader of AfDs faction in the European Parliament, over suspicions of taking money from Kremlin agents, Der Spiegel reported last week. Mr Krah confirmed he had been interviewed but denied being financed by Russia.

Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, the AfD's joint leaders, said 'the board must assume the innocence of Mr Bystron' - Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, the AfDs joint leaders, called on Czech intelligence to make their evidence accessible and said that at the current point, the board must assume the innocence of Mr Bystron.

The leadership had previously called on Mr Bystron to explain himself to them.

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Decommissioned power plants in Germany and Lithuania are being examined to see if parts can be salvaged and sent to Kyiv in order to repair and restore Ukrainian energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes.

Ukrainian specialists are already in Lithuania looking for parts and Germany recently offered to open up theirs for examination, Ukraines Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on national TV on April 21.

Moscow has recently intensified its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, destroying several thermal power plants across the country, including the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

In March, attacks reportedly damaged or completely destroyed 80% of the thermal generating capacity of DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company.

Halushchenko said that manufacturing the necessary equipment to get power plants working from scratch would be impossible to accomplish before this winter.

That's why I emphasize to my colleagues and partners that we need to get the most of whats already available. It can be new or used, but even if it needs certain repairs, we will do that so that it is operable as early as this winter to accordingly increase (generation capacity), he added.

Its hoped that this weekends passing of a crucial U.S. aid bill for Ukraine will prevent further damage to energy infrastructure.

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said that the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant was destroyed because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs 25 Patriots to protect the entire country from Russian attacks.

After Kyiv ramped up the calls on allies to receive more air defense systems, Germany launched a new initiative to secure more critically needed air defenses for Ukraine, the Tagesschau outlet reported, citing spokespeople of Germany's defense and foreign ministries.

Read also: UK allocates over $180 million to bolster Ukraines energy sector

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Mississippi River, shown here at Davenport, Iowa, transports 3.5 billion to 4 billion pounds of nitrogen a year south to the Gulf of Mexico, forming an expansive dead zone that suffocates shrimp and fish. (Photo by Keith Schneider/The New Lede)

VENICE, Louisiana  Kindra Arnesen is a 46-year-old commercial fishing boat operator who has spent most of her life among the pelicans and bayous of southern Louisiana, near the juncture where the 2,350-mile-long Mississippi River ends at the Gulf of Mexico.

Clark Porter is a 62-year-old farmer who lives in north-central Iowa where he spends part of his day working as an environmental specialist for the state and the other part raising corn and soybeans on hundreds of acres that his family has owned for over a century.

Though theyve never met, and live 1,100 miles apart, Arnesen and Porter share a troubling kinship  both of their communities are tied to a deepening water pollution crisis that is fouling the environment and putting public health in peril across multiple U.S. states.

Kindra Arnesen is a Gulf fisher in Louisiana. (Photo by David Arnesen)

Arnesens home lies near an oxygen-depleted expanse of the northern Gulf known as the dead zone, where dying algae blooms triggered by contaminants flowing out of the Mississippi River choke off oxygen, suffocating shrimp and other marine life.

Porters farm is positioned at the center of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, where streams and other surface waters saturated with farm wastes flood into the big river, and contaminated groundwater permeates drinking water wells. Cancer incidence in Iowa is among the nations highest, and is rising.

The culprit at the center of it all is a colossal tide of fertilizer and animal manure that runs off fields in Iowa and other farm states to find its way into the Mississippi River. The same agricultural pollution problems are plaguing other iconic U.S. waterways, including Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.

U.S. farmers use more fertilizer and spread more manure than in most other countries, accounting for roughly 10% of global fertilizer use, behind China and India. But while the nutrients contained in animal manure and fertilizer are known to nourish crop growth, the resulting nitrogen and phosphorous that end up in waterways are known to create severe health problems for people.

A grand government plan to address the problem has cost taxpayers billions of dollars with minimal results so far, and nowhere is the problem more pronounced than in the Mississippi River Basin.

The reasons for the persistent pollution problem are multi-fold, including strong industry opposition to regulations to control the farm contaminants, and a perverse system in which some government programs incentivize farming practices that add to the pollution even as other government programs try to induce farmers to reduce the pollution.

Youre talking about systemic dysfunction, said Matt Liebman, professor emeritus of agronomy and sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University.

An extraordinary task

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called nutrient pollution the single greatest challenge to our nations water quality, and acknowledges that much of the nutrient pollution flowing into the northern Gulf originates on agricultural land. For nearly 30 years the agency has led a task force that includes tribal leaders and officials from 12 states working together to try to impede fertilizer and manure from running off cropland at the center of the country.

The task force has set a goal of reducing the five-year average extent of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf to less than 2,000 square miles by 2035. To meet that goal, the task force has been trying to cut total nitrogen and phosphorous loads in the water 20% by 2025 and 48% by 2035.

Key to the effort is a suite of voluntary conservation practices promoted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at reducing the pollution, including idling land, not tilling before planting, using cover crops to protect the soil, and building retention ponds and wetlands to collect and absorb nitrogen. Farmers are also encouraged to plant nitrogen-absorbing vegetation in buffer strips along streams. The USDA said in 2015 that the conservation programs were making headway, but in 2022 reported that efforts to reduce flows of nitrogen and phosphorus off farmland were showing negligible results.

The EPA did not respond to a request for an interview. The USDA said in an email message that in separate reports in 2017 and 2022, agency researchers documented some promising trends nationally for reducing nutrient losses, such as increases in cover crop use, increased use of advanced technologies such as use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers and use of variable rate fertilizer application technologies, and a slight increase in soil testing. However, the key finding was that there was a national decline in nutrient management over a decade resulting in an increased loss of subsurface nitrogen and soluble phosphorus loss.

The U.S. has spent more than $30 billion since 1997 on efforts to clean up the Mississippi Basin, but in a 2023 progress report to Congress the EPA said much more work is needed. Reducing nutrient loads is an extraordinary task, the EPA report states. Attempts to intercept, treat, or otherwise address nutrients after they are mobilized on the landscape are complex, difficult, and often costly.

Last summer, the oxygen-depleted Gulf hypoxic zone measured roughly 3,000 square miles, which was smaller than in previous years. But experts said that was mostly due to a deep drought in the Midwest that reduced the rivers flow into the Gulf. In 2021, after a wet spring and summer, the Gulfs hypoxic zone was close to 6,000 square miles.

And despite government efforts, nutrient loads to the Gulf in 2020 tallied roughly 3.7 billion pounds of nitrogen and 452 million pounds of phosphorous from what the government calls the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB), the task force said in its report. That was up from total MARB nutrient loads to the Gulf in 2017, which were approximately 3.3 billion pounds of nitrogen and 314 million pounds of phosphorus, according to the 2019 task force progress report.

More nitrogen is coming off the fields, said R. Eugene Turner, professor emeritus of oceanography and coastal sciences at Louisiana State University and an expert on the Gulf hypoxic zone. On average the load and the concentrations of nitrogen in the river are not coming down.

The primary cause is more nitrogen pouring off the land from the big upper Mississippi River Basin farm states. From 2010 to 2022, for instance, the average annual amount of nitrogen leaving farmland in Iowa was 666 million pounds. That was 14% more nitrogen than from 1980-1996, according to state data.

In Minnesota, state authorities found nitrogen in major rivers, including the Mississippi increased from 21% to 55% over the past 20 years, according to a summary report in 2020.

Silvia Secchi, a professor and natural resource economist at the University of Iowa, agreed. Government agencies tell you they are spending all this money, therefore they must be doing something right. But if you look at water quality data, at whats really happening, its getting worse, not better.

We have a tremendous amount of nutrients that pollute all the waters here, and end up killing fish and damaging the environment downstream, Secchi said.

Like a jigsaw puzzle

Theres a reason federal and state agencies count so heavily on conservation practices to cure nutrient pollution. In field trials conducted by agricultural universities, and where farmers apply them over a period of years, they really work. The use of cover crops, which are planted not to be harvested but to provide a protective layer over soil, have been found to significantly reduce nutrient runoff. Planting vegetation in drainage ditches, installing sediment retention ponds, and building wetlands are also known to be effective.

Jerry Stoefen, a farmer from New Liberty, Iowa concerned about nutrient pollution reads results of a nitrate test strip that shows nitrate concentrations in Rock Creek behind his house at 20 parts per million, or 20 times natural background levels. Nitrate, a toxic pollutant, forms when nitrogen mixes with oxygen. (Photo by Keith Schneider/The New Lede)

Two of the largest conservation programs are the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), both administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Last year, the USDA spent $400 million in CSP and EQIP payments in the six biggest Mississippi River Basin farm states  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Its a portion of the roughly $2 billion that the federal and state governments annually spend on conservation programs in the Mississippi Basin, according to Michael Happ, a researcher at the Minneapolis-based Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy

But farmers in those six states  the basins largest source of nitrogen  applied CSP and EQIP practices to fewer than 3 million acres, according to federal data. Thats less than 3% of the 119 million acres of cropland in those states.

Sociologists who study why producers arent flocking to be paid to improve soil, conserve water, reduce runoff, and lower expenses, say the biggest impediments are the substantial changes required in how they farm. And their fear of losing productivity and revenue.

As a specialist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture who counsels farmers on best management practices, Porter explains it this way: Its perceived risk. Fear and worry about the effects on their drainage and their bottom line, and on yields. Its a different system of farming than the one theyre using.

Clark Porter, farmer and environmental specialist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, prepares a nitrogen reducing buffer zone. (Photo by Keith Schneider/The New Lede)

Porter says his Iowa farm is an example of how effective changing farm practices can be in improving water quality. He started planting cover crops in 2011 on 550 acres to reduce erosion, build soil health, and keep excess nitrogen fertilizer in the ground. He constructed buffer zones in low-lying areas to prevent nitrogen from draining into streams. He retired 13 acres and raised a fertilizer-free meadow. The cost has been paid by state and federal grants.

As his diligence and techniques took hold over a decade, the farms soil fertility improved and the amount of fertilizer he spread diminished, as did the level of toxic nutrients leaving his land. Samples of water draining from his farm showed nitrogen concentrations of 1 to 2 parts per million, equivalent to natural background levels.

Its a little like a jigsaw puzzle, said Porter. Its a systemic solution with multiple layers of best management practices that you fit together based on your topography, your soil types. Its all available. It can work.

Porter is trying to convince other farmers in his state to follow in his footsteps. Im getting yields that Im happy with. Im not spending as much money on the front end, he said. I feel better about the effects on my neighbors and people downstream.

Not like it is now

One big reason many farmers have not been eager to embrace changes that lead to cleaner water is simply because they have not had to.

The federal Clean Water Act enacted in 1972 provided the EPA and states powerful authority to limit chemicals and contaminants from being discharged into U.S. waterways through a point source, defined as pipes and manmade ditches. The law does not consider flows from irrigated croplands or stormwater discharges as point sources.

At the time in the early 1970s, the implications of waiving oversight of farm pollution was not thoroughly evaluated. U.S. agriculture largely consisted of smaller, lower-polluting, mixed crop and livestock farms that grazed animals in manure-absorbing pastures.

But carving farms out of the Clean Water Acts reach has since proved to be a significant factor in worsening water quality. Had the farm sector been held accountable for its waste, it would have been compelled to keep fertilizer and manure spread on fields out of surface and groundwater. That, in turn, would have kept farms operating at a scale that brought environmental costs in line with revenue.

Another barrier to any meaningful reduction in nutrient pollution is the action by Congress to incentivize farmers to plant corn, a crop that when conventionally grown requires large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. U.S. farmers grow more corn each year than they can sell, driven by government incentives  a practice that enriches companies selling corn seed and the chemicals used to grow corn  but results in range of harmful environmental injuries, including fouling waterways.

The scale of the problem dwarfs the level of response, unless you change the design of the dominant crop and livestock production systems, said ISUs Liebman.

When it was first identified in the 1950s, what scientists now call the Northern Gulf Hypoxia Zone was seen as a small biological curiosity. But in the 1980s, as researchers gained greater understanding of the peril to marine life, they started mapping the size of the toxic zone, documenting its ominous growth. Congress passed the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act in 1998 to address pollution in U.S. coastal waters by pinpointing sources of nutrient contamination and their environmental consequences, and working to slash the pollution.

Now, more than two decades later, the money and time seems largely wasted, at least to Arnesen, who sees the deadly toll the toxic tide takes on marine life in her work operating a fishing boat.

I started fishing offshore in the Northern Gulf of Mexico 25 years ago, she said in an interview. We caught everything. Not like it is now. Algae blooms cause massive fish kills. Were seeing it all over the northern Gulf. Its affecting the overall ecology of the system. It also affects me as a human being. We consume water out of the river. I try not to think about it. It scares me.

Correction: This story has been updated to replace a photo of a farmer spraying herbicide.

This report was originally published by The New Lede and is part of an ongoing series looking at how agricultural policies are affecting human and environmental health.

The post Its getting worse  U.S. failing to stem tide of harmful farm pollutants appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
 Flash

A prompt admission of Palestine into the United Nations is a move to rectify prolonged historical injustice, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Port Moresby on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a press conference with his Papua New Guinea counterpart Justin Tkatchenko.

The United Nations should work to play its due role in responding to global challenges, and the UN Security Council should do its duty to maintain international peace and security, Wang said, noting that the international community has profound dissatisfaction and disappointment at the United States over its sole veto recently to deny Palestine's full UN membership.

An early full UN membership for Palestine is a move to rectify prolonged historical injustice, Wang stressed, adding that this is an international obligation due to be fulfilled by each UN member state.

However, the United States once again openly stands opposite to international morality, and to the international community, leaving one more very dishonorable record in history, the Chinese foreign minister noted.

A full UN membership for Palestine should not come as a result of Israel-Palestine negotiations, but as an equal precondition granted to Palestine for negotiations, serving as a key step towards realizing the two-state solution, Wang pointed out.

It is not that conditions are not ripe for Palestine to fully become a UN member state, but that justice remains long overdue, Wang said, noting that the United States should act to show its claimed support for the two-state solution.




The last bank in the Isles of Scilly shut its doors two years ago  leaving locals without a branch for the first time in 70 years - Dale Cherry

Is your local bank branch closing? Use our postcode checker to find out

Almost two banks close in Britain every day. Since January 2015, 5,934 branches have shut, according to consumer group Which?  at a rate of 54 per month. If the closures continue at the same pace, we will be left bankless within a decade.

One part of Britain is already living in this dystopia.

Robert Francis is standing outside the derelict and deserted Lloyds Bank building in Hugh Street, St Marys  the largest of five inhabited islands which make up the Isles of Scilly.

Lloyds shut its doors for good almost two years ago to the day, leaving Scilly without a bank for the first time in at least 70 years.

Rust now streaks across the walls of the 19th century Grade I-listed building. The paint is peeling on the once-grand pillars at its entrance and, last month, the building had to be cordoned off after slate tiles from the roof came loose and threatened to rain down on passers-by.

Robert Francis is angered by the derelict and deserted Lloyds Bank building in St Mary's - Dale Cherry

Local politician Francis, who is chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, is seething. Its a blot on our public realm, he says. We are trying to make the place look lovely and they are an absolute eyesore. They left it in a disgusting state.

Its not just Lloyds that has upped sticks. A few hundred yards away lies the empty Barclays building, the first of the two banks to abandon the isolated community when it closed in 2018.

A 240 journey to visit the bank

If any of the 2,100 islanders want to visit their bank in-person they need to cross the sea. They can do this by either flying to Lands End airport and then paying for a shuttle bus service  or in the summer months, they can take a direct two-hour and 45 minutes ferry.

However, because of the timings of the ferry, islanders have to pay for a nights accommodation in Penzance before getting the next one back the following morning.

If an islander wanted to visit their nearest bank next Monday, even for just a 30-minute appointment, it would take more than five hours and cost at least 142.

The journey begins at St Marys airport at 7.50am; the airline recommends arriving one hour before departure. Flying in a 17-seater plane, it takes 20 minutes to fly to Lands End, touching down at 9.10am. Savvy customers can pre-book a bus transfer which aims to arrive within 15 minutes of the planes arrival

Its then a 20-minute drive to Penzance train station and from there an eight-minute walk to either Barclays or Lloyds, arriving just before 10am  if all goes to plan.

The next bus back to the airport is at 11am, allowing you to take the 12.20pm flight back to Scilly, landing at St Marys for 12.40. If you lived on St Marys, the most inhabited of the islands, you could be home by 1pm.

Story continues

This all assumes there are no delays, which is a common occurrence. Transport to the islands is disrupted up to a third of the year, with poor visibility often delaying flights and high winds cancelling ferries.

Lloyds and Barclays have both defended their closures, pointing to a dwindling customer base which used the branches and the increasing number of people using online and mobile banking.

Lloyds said 71pc of islanders used other ways to do their personal banking and branch transactions fell by 47pc between 2016 and 2020. Barclays said 73pc of its Scilly customers were using alternative methods to bank, and that nationally 98pc of customer interactions are now carried out digitally.

There is no community banking hub in Scilly, and residents can only go to the Post Office for simple tasks such as depositing money. Both Barclays and Lloyds sent representatives to the islands for a short period after closing their banks, but difficulty finding staff and making the journey meant both have since stopped.

Avril Mumford, an 82-year-old resident, says: Going to the Post Office is just not the same as going to the bank. Im not asking for a bank manager, but even if they just had a representative here to help people. Even if it was just once a month, it would be something.

But while simple tasks such as checking your bank balance have become easier by the advent of mobile banking, often when islanders need to visit their bank, it is because they have no other option. Scilly has a disproportionately high number of small business owners, whose banking tasks often need to be carried out in-person.

Avril Mumford, 82, says that 'going to the Post Office is just not the same as going to the bank' - Dale Cherry

Frances Grottick, who is vice-chairman of the Council, recently paid close to 200 to visit the mainland and visit her bank. I wanted to add somebody as a signatory on to an account... you cant do that online, you have to attend in-person which means going to Penzance, or for some islanders as far as Truro, which is obviously a considerable expense.

Joe Babcock paid even more money  it cost him 240 in airfares to get to his local bank. Thats money you dont really need to spend, he says. Babcock, who owns Guiding Star, a passenger boat which ferries tourists between the different islands, recently had to travel to Penzance to change his business address.

We can go to the Post Office to deposit money, and some of our business has gone online anyway, but I had to go on a special trip to change my business address. You couldnt do that online in the same way that you could do with a personal bank, Babcock says.

It cost Joe Babcock 240 in airfares to get to his local branch - Dale Cherry

Tim Guthrie spent weeks dealing with Lloyds over the phone in the summer of 2022 after receiving an unexpected letter saying that his two business accounts were to be shut down.

He manages almost 60 different holiday lets for owners and used his two accounts to hold the funds before they were paid out to owners after the guest had completed their stay. While his accounts were still eventually closed, he believes the issue could have been dealt with had the bank manager still been in place.

He has since had to set up 56 bank accounts, one for each property, to resolve the problem; otherwise, he says he would have had to close his business, making eight members of staff redundant.

Guthrie, who has been banking with Lloyds for almost 50 years, says: Eighteen months Ive been doing that. Its absolutely bonkers, but the amount of work and the amount of grief, its shortened my life by God knows how long, my blood pressure was through the ceiling.

A spokesman for Lloyds said: We aim to ensure we provide our business customers with the appropriate product to meet their needs in line with Money Laundering Regulations. While these requirements have meant some changes for customers with Undesignated Client Accounts, were confident that the alternative options available will be suitable for the vast majority of account holders.

There is a big social implication

Guthries anger is made worse by the fact that despite no longer being able to see his local branch manager, or having any local representative from the bank who understands his business, he is still paying Lloyds the same amount for his business accounts.

Council chairman Robert Francis, who owns the Star Castle Hotel, in St Marys agrees with Guthrie.

I know people call it progress but its not progress really. It might suit the banks to operate in this kind of way, but it certainly does not suit the end consumer.

Tim Guthrie was forced to deal with Lloyds in Penzance over the phone after the bank said his two business accounts would be shut down - Dale Cherry

Both banks appear in rude health, Barclays had a pre-tax profit of 6.6bn last year, while Lloydss stood at 7.5bn. The most recent figures for the Isles of Scilly show its GDP was just 63m in 2021.

Francis says: If you are running a business over here like we are, we are obviously taking a lot more money in our main season and the winter costs us a lot of money but you cant pick and choose. It seems to me Lloyds is picking and choosing.

At the end of the day theyve got to say this is where we make our money, however in order to run a bank that is actually going to work for its customers and not just work for commercial purposes, we have to take a hit with these other expenses.

Weve got an ageing population here as well. Some of them are pretty savvy [with online banking], some of them dont want to go anywhere near it and yet they still need financial guidance and help.

They need to understand their retirement and have discussions about their money and what they can do. If you cant get on the internet and you cant get any local support, its very difficult for them and their mental health to sort it out.

Youve got to have family or other people who can do it for them and not everybody has that. Some people are living alone, some people just dont have the support. There is a big social implication to this.

The population of Scilly fell by 6.8pc between 2011 and 2021, according to census data, despite the wider South West region increasing by 7.8pc. Between the two censuses, the average age of islanders increased by four years from 46 to 50, and more than a quarter of the population are now retired.

After almost 40 years running Scillys oldest newsagents, Mumford is about to join them and take her well-earned retirement.

Last month, her husband Clive died. Rather than visiting her local Lloyds branch, a bank she joined at the age of four, she was forced to speak to call centres to help close her husbands accounts.

Normally you could pop into the bank and do it there but I had to do it by telephone and you have to wait quite a long time before you get through. In the past, you could have gone into the bank and had it explained to you because I didnt know what the procedure was.

She adds: I can do banking online but there are some elderly people who cant, they wouldnt know where to start. I run a corner shop and people like to have a chat, they like to talk to somebody, they dont really want to do it all online.

It hit home how vulnerable we are

Back in the Council chambers, vice-chairman Grottick recalls how Lloyds broke the news to the local politicians it was closing Scillys last remaining bank in 2022.

They set up a Microsoft Teams meeting when they realised they were going to take away our last bank.

We sat there and four people with very long titles sat around a table and one of them was the customer facilitation relationship manager and she said What can we do to help?, I replied: Dont close the bank.

The conversation got a bit stilted because it seemed only at that point did they realise what they were doing to a small isolated community.

Frances Grottick says the loss of the community's last bank 'hit home' and 'showed how vulnerable we are' - Dale Cherry

Famed for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters loved by thousands of holidaymakers each summer, the locals are crying out for help to make sure Scilly remains a viable place to live all year round.

Grottick says: We arent looking for handouts, we want to look after ourselves, but we need help and something like the loss of our last bank [hit] home just how vulnerable we are and just how much support we need.

Francis says: I may be short-sighted but I dont think so, Ive been in business all my life. I know from my hotel business how much value there is in word of mouth and goodwill. Nearly all our guests return and they tell everyone else, and that is the backbone of our business  and it cant be much different with a bank.

He adds: If there was serious goodwill generated by a bank they would actually benefit from that far more than they are possibly imagining.

A spokesman for Lloyds Bank said: We made the decision to close our St Marys branch in 2022 as customers were choosing to bank in different ways and using the branch less often. The local Post Office on Hugh Street offers everyday banking, customers can also manage their money online, through our mobile app or by calling us.

A Barclays spokesman said: As visits to branches continue to fall and customers increasingly bank online, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers. In 2018, the majority of our branch customers in the Isles of Scilly used alternative methods to bank, which led to a decline in branch use prior to closure.

Where levels of demand dont support a branch, customers can use our digital services be it online or via the Barclays app. We also support access to cash with our cashback without purchase service, 24-hour deposit-taking ATMs and by working alongside the Post Office and Cash Access UK.

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Ghana finance minister expects memorandum of understanding with bilateral lenders in May

By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ghana's Finance Minister expects a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the country's bilateral creditors in May on a restructuring deal, he said on Sunday.

The MoU, once signed, would cement a deal to restructure $5.4 billion of loans with its official creditors, including China and France, agreed in January.

The restructuring is a milestone in Ghana's quest for debt relief as it charts its way out of the worst economic crisis in a generation and should unlock further tranches of its $3 billion programme with the IMF.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Mohammed Amin Adam also said he was confident the International Monetary Fund's executive board will approve in June the review of its staff-level agreement.

(Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Barbara Lewis)
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) called a faction of his Republican Party colleagues some real scumbags in a Sunday appearance on CNNs State of the Union, delivering a rant so intense it appeared to shock the shows host, Dana Bash.

The vicious words came in defense of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), whos facing ouster threats from some of the GOPs most far-right members, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ), for successfully shepherding through a bill allocating $95 billion in military aid to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

He also took issue with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), whose inter-party beefs and headline-grabbing sex scandal has distracted from the chambers day-to-day duties.

Its my absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags, Gonzales said. Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties. Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around in white hoods at night. Now theyre walking around with white hoods in the daytime.

Republican Congressman Gonzales: I serve with some real scumbags. Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties. pic.twitter.com/rPlSsvPH6k  Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) April 21, 2024

With a look of bewilderment, Bash responded, Wow, OK. She then clarified to viewers that federal authorities decided to not pursue charges against Gaetz.

What you just said at the top of this discussion was intense, she added.

The evisceration came out of seemingly nowhere, as Gonzales, a Navy veteran who represents a portion of San Antonio and Uvalde, has in the past refrained from bashing his party, despite withstanding heavy criticism from his colleagues for supporting federal gun-safety legislation. Hes otherwise been a steadfast repeater of Republican talking points since he joined Congress in 2021.

The congressman was clearly peeved on Sunday, however, saying hes tired off the partys fringe politicizing at every opportunity, suggesting the continued drama surrounding the House speakership is getting in the way of governing.

Members are tired, he said. Were exhausted. It has been a brutal Congress. But were also dug in and, for some reason, these fringe people think as if they have the high groundthey do not.

Mansplaining GOP Rep Thinks Its Time to Get Off the Abortion Issue

Gonzales fingered his colleagues as bullies and said that, to defeat them, you bloody their nose, and thats where were at.

The lawmaker added that Johnson has governed in an honorable way and that he believes hell survive a push to vacate if it comes to that point.

Gonzales appearance drew the attention of many on the right. Gaetz posted to X that Gonzales went on an unhinged outburst while he was laundering lies on CNN. He urged voters to back his GOP primary opponent, Brandon Herrera.

Herrera also commented on the appearance, saying his opponent is in a death spiral.

My failure of a Congressman @TonyGonzales4TX went on CNN this morning calling @mattgaetz and @RepBobGood Klansmen, and me a known neo-Nazi.



This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen.



He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans wont listen anymore. pic.twitter.com/Wal5m3NclP  Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) April 21, 2024

This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen, he posted. He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans wont listen anymore.

Even the disgraced former lawmaker George Santos got in on the bashing, writing that Gonzales used to lobby me hard core for some kind of amnesty push he was planning.

Tony is at best an occasional Republican and doesnt stand for anything conservative, Santos wrote.

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GOP Lawmakers Oppose the Abortion Pill and Plan B. They Hardly Understand Either.

Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion and womens reproductive issues have been politically painful thorns in the GOPs side.

Time and again, the issue has invigorated Democrats and independents to come out against Republicans at the polls, which has, in turn, motivated GOP operatives to stress the need to soften the anti-abortion messaging and policies that Republicans have promoted for years.

Former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway has urged the party to promote birth control access. The head of the Senate GOP campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), pleaded with Republican candidates to explicitly embrace In Vitro Fertilization. Even former President Donald Trumpthe architect of the fall of Roenotably avoided committing to a national abortion ban just a few weeks ago.

But if you ask Republican lawmakers about specific abortion policiessuch as access to mifepristone, commonly known as the abortion pillyoull find plenty of GOP lawmakers who arent just backing down; theyre doubling down.

This GOP Rep.s Anti-Abortion Stances Keep Vanishing From Her Website

When The Daily Beast interviewed Republicans about mifepristone in the Capitol complex this week, it became clear that GOP lawmakers may have missed the memo about softening their rhetoricor maybe even any memo at all about the abortion drug.

I think its dangerous, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) said of mifepristone. Some of these things are really dangerous from what I understand. Unfortunately, Ive never had to face that in preventing my kids or the grandkids, but I dont know.

To me, it sounds like its dangerous, he added.

The notion that mifepristone is dangerous was a common talking point among Republican lawmakers when The Daily Beast asked about the drug, though plenty of Republicans also admitted they didnt know much about the abortion drug that can end a pregnancy up to 10 weeks of gestation.

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)a member of the committee with jurisdiction over health carewas initially one of the Republicans who told The Daily Beast he was not really familiar with that.

But once The Daily Beast clarified that mifepristone was the so-called abortion pill, Allen claimed the FDA rushed through this process to make this thing available.

One of the problems weve gotand this is from the physician communitysaying that thats a very dangerous drug, Allen said. It has to be very carefully and timely administered.

You dont want to kill people with this, he added.

Experts strongly dispute the idea that mifepristone presents a significant danger to users. Dr. Dan Grossmanan expert on contraception and abortion who is also a professor at University of California, San Franciscotold The Daily Beast that mifepristone is a very safe medication.

Death risk after taking mifepristone for a medication abortion is exceedingly rare, Grossman said, noting that the death rate from taking mifepristone is much lower than the death rate for childbirth.

Its also safer than other medications, Grossman added, noting he didnt think Republicans have a problem with drugs like Viagra and other erectile dysfunction treatments, which have a higher rate of deaths associated with use.

The GOP Hopes Contraception Can Solve Its Abortion Problem

Still, mifepristone is, in fact, the subject of a heated national debate that went all the way to the Supreme Court last month. Last year, Fifth Circuit Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk sided with anti-abortion groups trying to revoke mifepristones Food and Drug Administration approval, which allows for over-the-counter prescriptions and delivery by mail.

The Republican Study Committeeone of the largest House GOP caucuses that includes an eclectic cross-section of moderate and conservative lawmakershas endorsed taking mifepristone regulation even further. In its annual budget proposal, the committee included a ban on chemical abortions, which would prohibit mifepristone and a drug often taken in a two-part regimen, Misoprostol.

Plenty of Republicans are skeptical of emergency contraception, and even more are supportive of banning mifepristone and other abortion medications outright. But vulnerable moderates in the GOP do appear more attuned to the political realities at hand.

Centrist Republicans tanked a House spending bill, in part, over concerns with language that would have undone mifepristones FDA approval. But even those Republicans who led that effort seem less than familiar with what mifepristone is.

Although he was a leader on keeping mifepristone FDA-approved, Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) has repeatedly seemed to refer to the drug as over-the-counter birth control. Asked whether he considers mifepristone to be birth control, his office didnt directly answer the question, but Molinaro did make a distinction between contraception and mifepristone in a statement.

I care about the difficult choice women have to make, said I would reject a national abortion ban, and kept my word, Molinaro said in the statement. Its why Im also leading the charge to protect access to IVF, contraception, and mifepristone.

Even members who are the public face of such a ban arent eager to talk about it. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN)the lead sponsor of the Republican Study Committee chemical abortion bandidnt want to discuss his proposal with The Daily Beast earlier this week, referring us to his staff for an official statement.

Republican Study Committee member Rep. Dan Meuser (D-PA) admitted he didnt know much about mifepristone, but his message about women would have made the most shrewd GOP strategists proud.

I want to honestly be really honest with you, I dont know enough about it. I would not be supportive of [banning] something that is currently legal and used in a legal manner that women find necessary, Meuser said. Look Im pro-life, but I trust women.

Although many GOP lawmakers were uninformed or wary of talking about birth control or mifepristone, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC)a leading conservativewasnt one of them.

When The Daily Beast asked Norman about a ban for the drug, he was emphatic.

Yeah, I am definitely for that, he said.

But its not just mifepristone that some Republicans are targeting. When The Daily Beast asked some lawmakers about the morning-after pill, also commonly known as Plan B, they expressed reservations.

The morning-after pill is an abortifacient, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) told The Daily Beast outside the Capitol this week, referring to a term used for things that will cause a miscarriage. Thats a medical fact. You call it whatever you want. Thats what it is.

Over 60,000 board-certified doctors disagree. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintains that emergency contraception does not induce an abortion, let alone a miscarriage. Instead, these experts say, the morning-after pill just prevents a pregnancy from occurring in the first place. The Food and Drug Administration agrees, specifying in 2022 that Plan B blocks fertilization and does not stop a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb.

Harris is a doctor himself, with a medical degree from John Hopkins University. But to argue his point, he leaned on a different credential: He took Latin in high school.

Go back and see where the word comes from, abortifacient, Harris said. (The word combines abortionabortus in Latin, meaning miscarriagewith the Latin facere, to make or do.)

Its what they are. We can have a disagreement whether or not thats right or not, Harris said. But scientifically, you say yes, it actually is. I dont know why youd argue with that.

Harris is hardly the only Republican lawmaker with this hardline position. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)known as one of the fiercest anti-abortion advocates in the Housesimilarly called the morning-after pill an abortifacient in 2013, before he was elected to Congress.

Johnsons office didnt respond to a question from The Daily Beast about whether he maintains that view, but its notable that, given the increased scrutiny as the most powerful Republican lawmaker in the country, he has yet to publicly clarify his position.

Like most Republicans, he may be hoping he doesnt have to.

Continuing with the conversation we had with Rep. Kellythe Pennsylvania Republican who told The Daily Beast that mifepristone was dangeroushe also expressed reluctance with Plan-B.

Regarding that emergency contraception, Kelly suggested there were things you can do ahead of time.

Its really up to couples, isnt it? When people tell me, We just werent expecting it. I say, You understood the possibility of that, right? Kelly said. I mean, unless youve never had any talks with mom or dad.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former President Trump may be handing a golden ticket to whomever he picks as his running mate for November, and the Republicans jockeying for his favor know it.

If Trump wins a second term, his running mate could be best positioned to be the GOPs presidential candidate in 2028.

Instead of the usual eight-year wait a vice presidential pick would face, Trumps selection this time would become an overnight favorite to be the GOP nominee in four years.

To the extent that whoever he picks as vice president could be the presumptive front-runner four years from now, its a bigger deal than normal, said Alex Conant, who worked on Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) 2016 presidential campaign.

The vice presidential pick could also be seen as the heir apparent for the MAGA movement, which has all but completely taken over the GOP under Trump.

Allies to the ex-president and Republican strategists say Trump is not focused on setting up an heir apparent. Hes instead looking for a vice presidential candidate who will be loyal  perhaps the most important factor to Trump in picking any help  and someone who will help him win defeat President Biden in November.

But everyone involved in the jockeying knows the special importance of this years decision.

Were seeing a lot of younger Republicans clamoring for the role because they see this as not only being as vice president but as positioning for 2028, Conant said.

One of the Republicans who is on Trumps radar as a potential running mate is Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who pursued an unsuccessful White House bid before suspending it last November and becoming a prominent surrogate for the former president.

Scott, who is 58 and the lone Black Republican in the Senate, long has been considered by GOP strategists as a candidate for higher office in part because of his strong fundraising numbers and compelling personal story.

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), another staunch Trump ally who has been the subject of VP speculation, is only 39 and is considered a potential future face of the party. Vance told Fox News earlier this month he has not spoken to Trump about the possibility of joining the ticket, but he would help however I can.

Other candidates who have emerged and been spoken about as future faces of the party include Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who is 45; Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), 39; Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), 41; and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), 51.

Strategists and Republican insiders were careful to downplay how much influencing the 2028 race will factor into Trumps decision this year.

Trump will prioritize loyalty over votes. His team may be thinking about 2028, but his pick in 2024 will be about who best reflects on him, said Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor who initially backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) but has since urged the party to unite behind Trump.

A lot of people close to Trump are saying that hell choose someone who will help him govern, but I am not convinced its any more strategic than loyalty, Eberhart added. There are a lot of people with opinions about who Trump should choose as VP, but the ultimate decider is going to be Trump. And his top priority is how that person reflects on Trump.

Trump and his team have largely kept the details of his vice presidential search under wraps, aside from the former president periodically disclosing someone is on his growing short list of candidates.

The former president is likely to wait to announce his selection until closer to the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin July 15.

Then-candidate Trump did not announce Mike Pence as his running mate in 2016 until mid-July, just days before the convention.

One Trump ally said the former president is a master at stagecraft who is likely to use the intrigue around his pick of running mate to his advantage for as long as possible.

The Trump ally pointed to the frequent fundraising emails the Trump campaign sends out teasing a VP selection to draw in donors and to the media coverage generated each time Trump names a possible candidate.

I think hes going to use this to his full advantage, the Trump ally told The Hill. And the best use of it is to make it, as of right now, closer to the convention and keep people on their toes for as long as possible.

The parlor game around who Trump will pick as his running mate  and how it might affect the hierarchy of Republican politics in the years to come  is somewhat reminiscent of the 2020 Democratic cycle when then-candidate Joe Biden spoke about being a bridge candidate to the next generation of leaders.

At the time, it seemed uncertain whether Biden would run for a second term, and his pick as vice president, Kamala Harris, was seen as a potential candidate as soon as 2024.

Instead, Biden decided to run again, and Harriss polling numbers have faltered a bit, leaving some Democrats uncertain about her strength as a presidential contender.

Still, theres little doubt Harris will be a candidate in 2028, no matter what happens in November.

The situation for Republicans scrambling to be Trumps pick is different in that they would certainly become favorites to be the GOP presidential nominee in four years if Trump wins in November.

Yet the prospective running mates may also want to approach the future with some trepidation. Pences relationship with Trump fell apart in the waning days of the Trump presidency, when the GOP vice president would not back Trumps efforts to overturn the election.

Pences break with Trump ultimately cost him in the GOP primary, when he found himself running against his former boss.

Those fighting to be the second banana on this years GOP ticket will be hoping for a much better fate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When I was carrying my youngest son, I had to rush to the emergency room as I experienced critical, preterm bleeding. I was shocked when the doctor dismissed my concerns and told me that a little spotting was normal. Luckily, both my son and I were completely healthy when I gave birth  but that wasnt the case with my daughter, Ariel.

I delivered Ariel six weeks early after multiple hospital stays, and her birth resulted in an undetected tear in my uterus. At the time, I was once again told that the pain I was feeling was normal. However, I later received a blood transfusion, one that was made possible only because my mother was with me at the hospital and had to witness the harrowing scene of me seizing up and starting to bleed out on my bed. As if almost dying in the hospital wasnt enough, hospital staff left a scar on Ariels left foot after taking a sample of her blood. When I asked a nurse about the scar, she responded with a statement I couldnt make up myself: Black babies have thicker skin on their heels.

Unfortunately, Im not alone in my experience. Black women are often dismissed, just like I was, when they have concerns about their health. The effects of that kind of disregard can be deadly, and its no surprise that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Even with these fatal outcomes, however, extreme Republicans from Kansas to Washington, D.C., are hell-bent on worsening this health care crisis.

Kansas is one of 10 states that have yet to expand Medicaid under the historic Affordable Care Act, even though the majority of Kansans support expansion. Mere weeks ago, Republicans in the Legislature  yet again  refused to move a bill that would finally expand Medicaid out of committee. Their refusal disproportionately affects Black women, and especially Black mothers, who saw the highest increase in the maternal mortality rate across all demographic groups in 2021.

Donald Trump has normalized extremism and has set the precedent that our freedoms arent guaranteed. When he was in office, he sabotaged Medicaid expansion across the country, proposed cuts to Medicaid and has promised that hell totally kill the Affordable Care Act if elected to a second term  which would rip insurance coverage from more than 3 million Black Americans. And lets not forget: Trump appointed the three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, creating a reproductive health crisis. In fact, 68% of OB-GYNs say the fall of Roe has worsened their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies. Black women are losing their lives at a disproportionate rate because of it.

Kansans enshrined abortion rights into our state constitution in 2022, but the threat to reproductive freedom in the Sunflower State is still present. Our legislative Republicans continue to introduce new anti-abortion rights measures that would invade womens privacy and discourage them from seeking the care they deserve. Furthermore, we must remember that depending on the outcome of Novembers election, a federal ban on abortion will be on the table that would overrule the will of Kansas voters. Black women, who are already suffering because of Republicans cruelty, would experience even worse health outcomes and die at an even higher rate than they do now.

Luckily, our current leaders in the White House are delivering for Black women everywhere. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have allowed states to expand Medicaid postpartum coverage and have strengthened the Affordable Care Acts protections. They launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, where new and expecting moms can connect with professional counselors, and are working to diversify the maternal health workforce so Black womens concerns are no longer pushed to the side. Every single day, the Biden-Harris administration is fulfilling its promise to reduce the disparities in Black maternal health care.

Ariel is now a medical student about to embark on her clinical rotations. As a student, shes done hours of research on maternal outcomes for Black women. That research, paired with the story about her birth, has scared her so much that shes afraid to ever get pregnant or give birth. I know that so many Black women across America have that same fear, and thats why we must elect leaders who care about changing the future of Black maternal health for the better. In November, I implore Kansans to reelect President Biden, Vice President Harris and Democrats down the ticket. The lives of Black women in Kansas and across the nation depend on it.

Jeanna Repass is chair of the Kansas Democratic Party. She lives in Overland Park.
The fledgling lab-grown meat industry is being dragged kicking and screaming into the culture wars.

GOP politicians in four states have passed or are considering bans on "cell-cultured" food products.

But industry insiders say their products, while disruptive, aren't meant to be political.

Move over, electric vehicles and gas stoves: A new product is taking center stage in the culture wars.

In recent months, Republican politicians have taken aim at lab-grown meat  also called "cell-cultured" or "cultivated" proteins  seeking to criminalize its production and distribution before the companies creating the products can get to market.

And with the industry in its infancy, the GOP lawmakers are trying to strangle it in its crib by manufacturing a philosophical wedge to keep consumers away.

"They blame agriculture for global warming. I know the legislature is doing a bill to try to protect our meat  You need meat, OK? We're gonna have meat in Florida," Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a February press conference announcing an investment in rural broadband access, where he also vocalized his support of SB1084, a proposed law in Florida to ban cultured meat.

"We're not going to have fake meat; that doesn't work," DeSantis continued. "So we're gonna make sure to do it right. But there's a whole ideological agenda that's coming after a lot of important parts of our society."

Despite DeSantis' insistence that cultured meats are a cultural issue, the manufacturers certainly don't see it that way.

"There's nothing about cultivated meat that is a conservative or a liberal thing," said Josh Tetrick, CEO of GOOD Meat  a cultivated meat company with the largest market share of the global industry so far. "It has nothing to do with either party."

The world's first lab-grown beef burger, created by a team led by Mark Post, a medical physiologist at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. David Parry/Reuters

SB1084 passed both houses of the state legislature and was submitted for review by the governor on March 6. A spokesperson for DeSantis told Business Insider the governor "will review the legislation in its final form once it is delivered to our office" and pointed to his February remarks about the statewide ban on cell-cultured proteins.

Meanwhile, across the country, part of a bill introduced by Arizona state Rep. David Marshall reads, "Cattle are one of the five foundational pillars that have driven Arizona's economy since territorial days," adding that "this legislation is necessary to protect Arizona's sovereign interests, history, economy, and food heritage."

Other red-state politicians are also responding to the threat to their red meat, including Alabama State Sen. Jack Williams and Tennessee State Rep. Bud Hulsey, who have supported or proposed legislation to ban cultivated meat in their states.

Representatives for Marshall, Williams, and Hulsey did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

An FDA official told Business Insider that manufacturers must ensure foods meet all applicable federal requirements from the FDA and USDA before entering the US market. So far, only a handful of lab-grown meats have met these requirements.

"The FDA continues to support innovation in food technologies, resulting in more choices for consumers in the marketplace while also prioritizing the safety of food produced through both new and traditional methods," the official said, adding the agency "did not have any questions about the safety of the cell-cultivated food produced using the process evaluated by FDA."

They're 'using cultivated meat as a cudgel  and it's just silly'

While the fledgling business of cultured meats has the potential to reduce the need to slaughter animals for protein, diminish the environmental impact of factory farming, and disrupt the livestock industry as we know it, insiders working on bringing the lab-grown products to market say the innovations are anything but political.

Their relative market share to meat industry giants like Cargill and Foster Farms and production capacity also remains far too small to represent any kind of threat to traditional livestock farming, industry insiders told Business Insider.

But that hasn't stopped lawmakers from targeting the industry, much to the dismay of those trying to bring their products to market.

"The past century of US prosperity has been driven by free market policies, and it's disappointing to see legislators move against what has driven the US to be the largest economy on the planet," George Peppou, CEO of Vow, which sells its cultivated meat product in Singapore, told BI. "Let the market decide with their own wallets, not legislators."

A dish made with Good Meat's cultivated chicken is displayed at the Eat Just office in Alameda, California. The US Department of Agriculture authorized two California-based companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, to sell chicken grown from cells in a lab. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

"There's no question there's an attempt to create this right-left division using cultivated meat as a cudgel  and it's just silly," said Tetrick, whose GOOD Meat has sold less than 5,000 pounds of its cultivated chicken protein since it received approval to sell in Singapore in 2020.

"We find it pretty hypocritical because, in a lot of these states, there's a beating of the chest about free market capitalism and the American way," he said. "But in the middle of beating their chests, they're saying, 'except when it comes to something that would potentially harm an industry that I rely on for donations.'"

According to OpenSecrets, Greener Pastures, a poultry farming company, donated $100,000 to DeSantis in 2022, just one major donation out of the $1,700,118 the governor received from various agricultural businesses that year.

Alabama Sen. Williams, whose bill, which passed in February, makes it a Class C felony to manufacture, sell, or distribute cultivated meat in his state, accepted $11,000 worth of agribusiness donations in 2022, including $2,500 from the poultry and egg industry, the political donation watchdog found.

Representatives for DeSantis and Williams did not say whether their campaign backers from the farming industry influenced their perspectives on banning lab-grown meats.

A nugget made from lab-grown chicken meat is seen during a media presentation in Singapore, the first country to allow the sale of meat created without slaughtering any animals. Photo by NICHOLAS YEO/AFP via Getty Images

GOOD Meat received USDA approval to sell its product in the United States in June 2023 and is one of just two companies creating cultured meat to receive the green light thus far. Representatives for the other company, Upside Foods, declined to comment for this article.

Tetrick told BI the bans are just a stumbling block for companies like his as they grow. "And we think they'll get struck down anyway," he said.

While it can be frustrating to navigate individual states attempting to negate a federal agency's approval, some in the industry think the attempts to ban their products are a sign they're doing something right.

"If you put energy into banning something that doesn't even exist on the market, this is amazing  it means that it's going to be huge," Roman Laus, founder and CEO of Mewery, a Czech food tech startup working on developing cultured pork that does not yet have approval in the US, told BI.

"But I would say it's a political decision, and politicians should basically not interfere with the food safety business; they should let the customers decide what they want to eat," he added. "If the USDA and FDA approve these kinds of foods, I would say this is the highest authority in the whole country, and their word should be followed."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested that he wants to end transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from expressing their gender while teaching in the state.

At a speech delivered Friday at the Young Conservatives of Texas convention, Abbott described a report of a high school teacher who wore feminine clothing rather than clothing that matched their gender assigned at birth. Abbott said this teacher was a man who would go to school dressed as a woman in a dress, high heels, and makeup and declared that he wants to end that type of behavior in the state.

Texas Observer reporter Steven Monacelli was at the speech and captured Abbotts remarks on audio:

Just up the street from where we are right now is Lewisville, Texas. In Lewisville, Texas, in the high school, recently  as in just a month ago  they had a high school teacher who was a man who would go to school dressed as a woman in a dress, high heels, and makeup. Now, what do you think is going through the mind of the students thats in that classroom? Are they focusing on the subject that this person is trying to teach? I dont know. What I do know are these two things: One is this person, a man, dressing as a woman, in a public high school in the state of Texas, hes trying to normalize the concept that this type of behavior is OK. This type of behavior is not OK, and this is the type of behavior that we want to make sure we end in the state of Texas.

Because of a Supreme Court decision, Bostock v. Clayton County, LGBTQ individuals are a protected class under federal law that bars discrimination in the workplace. Earlier this month, a federal judge temporarily blocked a Florida law that prevented a transgender teacher from using pronouns that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. This case stems from the states Dont Say Gay law that has been successfully challenged in other courts under the First Amendment, striking down provisions that attempted to censor teachers from mentioning LGBTQ individuals on school grounds and prohibited them from displaying family photos if they were in an LGBTQ relationship.

This time, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in his decision to temporarily block the law, the State of Florida declares that it has the absolute authority to redefine your identity if you choose to teach in a public school. So, the question before this Court is whether the First Amendment permits the State to dictate, without limitation, how public-school teachers refer to themselves when communicating to students. The answer is a thunderous no.

Monacelli noted that after Abbotts remarks, a number of conservative politicians in Texas came out in support of a ban on teachers dressing in ways that do not line up with their gender assigned at birth. They include Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi, Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain (who tweeted, Perverts should not be teachers, falsely equating trans individuals with perversion), Republican state Rep. Brent Money, and State Republican Executive Committee committeeman Rolando Garcia.

In Texas, Abbott has declared an assault on trans youth rights. In June of last year, he signed legislation that banned trans youth from accessing transition-related care such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers. Two months later the American Academy of Pediatrics reiterated its support for youth having access to gender-related treatments. Similar laws across the country have forced families with trans children to leave their states in order to access treatment.

LGBTQ rights groups, including PFLAG and the American Civil Liberties Union, have filed lawsuits challenging the Texas law.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday slammed Sen. JD Vances (R-Ohio) firm opposition to giving more aid to Ukraine, challenging the Ohio Republican to take a trip to the war-torn country before he speaks on the issue.

Vance, in an op-ed for The New York Times last week, argued that even if Congress passes another aid package for Ukraine, it will not change the course of a war Vance believes Ukraine cannot win.

He rejected President Biden and Democrats claims that the GOP is preventing Ukraine from defeating Russia, writing, Ukraines challenge is not the GOP; its math. Ukraine needs more soldiers than it can field. And it needs more materiel than the United States can provide.

Asked on Fox News Sunday about Vances comments regarding manpower, Graham said, That is garbage.

Go  I just got back, I was there two weeks ago. They changed their conscription laws. They have all the manpower they need. They need the weapons, he continued. Its one thing to talk about Ukraine over here; its another thing to go.

I challenge JD Vance to go to Ukraine and get a briefing from the Ukrainian military and talk to the Ukrainian people. Then tell me what you think, he added.

Graham is one of the most vocal GOP supporters of Ukraine, repeatedly warning of the long-term ramifications of a win for Russia in Europe and other parts of the West. This has put Graham in a tricky position within his conference as some from the right flank insist on stopping further funds from going to Kyiv.

Vance is among those who are against additional Ukraine aid, arguing lawmakers should be focused on putting funding toward the U.S. southern border.

Well, if you want American military members to stay out of the fight with Russia, help Ukraine. If they go into a NATO nation, Russia, were in a fight, Graham added. So, with all due respect to Senator Vance, hes wrong. We were told, within four days, Kyiv would fall.

The Senate is preparing to take up the Houses foreign aid bill, which passed Saturday in a bipartisan vote after months of stalemate. It includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific. It also includes a package of other national security measures, among those a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The Senate is expected to pass the legislation in the middle of next week.

The Hill reached out to Vances office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday stressed the urgency of support to Ukraine, warning Russian President Vladimir Putin will not stop, even if successful in Russias war with Kyiv.

Heres what I will tell you. If you give Putin Ukraine, he will not stop, Graham said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. This is not about containing NATO, and if you give him Ukraine, there goes Taiwan, because Chinas watching to see what we do.

Graham, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, was discussing the Senates two-year reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Acts (FISA) warrantless surveillance program. The legislation extends the governments ability to spy on foreigners located abroad for another two years. The process has faced some scrutiny from privacy hawks as it also sweeps up communications of Americans they are in contact with.

I want to know what theyre talking about over there before they kill us here. And if you shut this thing down, youve turned the war into a crime, Graham said. Were not fighting our crime, were finding a bunch of people who would kill all of us if they could get here. So, when you intercept information from a foreigner overseas talking about America, I want to know what theyre talking about.

Grahams remarks regarding the threats of foreign adversaries and Putin come one day after the House passed a massive foreign aid bill, ending months of stalemate and division among lawmakers.

The package  passed in four separate votes  includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific and a package of other national security measures, including a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The package now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass the package in the middle of the week.

The Ukrainian military, with our help, has killed about 50 percent of the combat power of the Russians, Graham said Sunday. This is the year [of] more. Theyre going to have more weapons, but we also want them to have new weapons.

So, this idea, Give up on Ukraine, makes the world safer  if you pull the plug on Ukraine because you dont have enough capability, there goes Taiwan. Ukrainians are fighting like tigers, he continued. So this idea that we cant help Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan at the same time, I reject that. I reject it totally.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Sunday said her motion to vacate the Speakership is coming no matter what House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) decides to do, while also dodging questions about an alternative plan if he is booted.

Mike Johnsons Speakership is over. He needs to do the right thing to resign and allow us to move forward in a controlled process, and if he doesnt do so, he will be vacated, she said Sunday on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures.

Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo then asked if Greene plans to move forward with her motion to vacate, which she introduced last month. She has not yet brought the vote to the House floor or indicated what might prompt her to do so.

Its coming regardless of what Mike Johnson decides to do. And we have three more Republicans joining us for a special election coming up very soon. So, people need to know this can happen, Greene responded.

Greene took the first step toward ousting Johnson after the House passed a spending package to avert a partial government shutdown just hours before the deadline. The package had votes from both sides of the aisle but came under scrutiny by House conservatives.

At the time, Greene called the motion basically a warning, but tensions were further inflamed in recent weeks after Johnson supported stand-alone aid to Ukraine, despite previously insisting aid for Kyiv needs to be linked with security measures for the U.S. southern border.

[Johnson] has completely betrayed Republican voters all over the country, and he is absolutely working for the Democrats, pipe-passing, the Biden administrations agenda, Greene said Sunday. So, this is a Speakership that is completely overwhelmed. Its only Mike Johnson, is the one that tried to hang on to it and is in complete denial.

Last week, Johnson called the ouster threat absurd and maintained that he would not resign. His remarks came shortly after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) emerged as the first Republican to publicly back Greenes motion. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) publicly backed the motion last week.

Bartiromo asked Greene for her response to the critics who claim she is creating chaos for the GOP conference, to which she said, Those that are calling this drama are the very people that are responsible for the drama that the American people are having to live through every single day.

Those on the left, those on the right, the uni party thats in control of our government are the ones that have inflicted the American people with nearly $35 trillion in debt, ripped our border wide open, she said.

Bartiromo followed this up by asking Greene for her alternative plan should Johnson be booted.

Our plan is this: We have to give the American people a reason to trust us and fight for us. The American people are supporting President Trump to be the next president of the United States because theyve seen him in action. He fought against the Democrat agenda. He put America first. They desperately want him to lead this country again because they trust him, and they know he will do that, Greene responded.

Bartiromo then told Greene she did not give a plan for the Speakers role, before asking her about the timing for the motion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hires

Pam Buoy

Pam Buoy has joined the staff at i.h.s. salon also known as Indian Hills Styling Salon, 5642 SW 29th St. in Barrington Village Shopping Center. She is a graduate of the former Trousdale Barber College in Shawnee, Oklahoma, with 34 years of experience and was previously employed at Super Cuts. Buoy specializes in straight razor shaves, scalp massages, conditioning treatments, facial waxing and haircutting for men, women and children. She has attended additional training and specializes in razor cutting techniques. Buoy also offers perming, coloring and highlighting services.

The city of Topeka announced the appointment of Ben Hart as its interim chief financial officer, effective April 16. With over 25 years of experience in the public sector, Hart brings extensive expertise to the role. As a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant, he serves as a director with Baker Tilly and previously held key positions in resource management for large municipalities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Harts dedication to public service is evident through his active involvement in the Kansas and Missouri Society of CPAs, where he contributes to the governmental accounting committee and the Government Financial Officers Association at both national and local levels. Interim city manager Richard U. Nienstedt said, Mr. Harts experience and dedication to public service will serve Topeka well as the city transitions into new leadership with the next city manager. Harts tenure will continue until a permanent replacement is found.

Topeka-area hirings, promotions, retirements and other announcements can be emailed to iyb@cjonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: It's Your Business has i.h.s. salon and city of Topeka
GREENWOOD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Greenwood police said they arrested a sex offender on Friday after he allegedly trespassed onto Greenwood school grounds, according to a Facebook post.

Scott Nell, 51 (Courtesy: Sebastian County Jail)

Police said Scott Nell, 51, a Level 3 sex offender, was arrested on four counts of registered offender prohibited from entering upon school campus, according to his booking.

GPD said a school resource officer was made aware that Nell was trespassing on school property. After reviewing surveillance footage, GPD said they found Nell was illegally on school grounds.

Three arrested in connection to Fayetteville drug bust

In conjunction with our School Resource Officers, School Security Officers, & School Administration we will contact the parents/guardians of any students that may have unintentionally come into contact with the suspect, GPD said in the post.

Greenwood police did not mention which school was impacted.

Nell is being held in the Sebastian County Jail on a $10,000 bond and has a court date set for April 24.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Schools without cafeterias. Without auditoriums. Without playgrounds.

This is the daily experience for far too many children in Worcester. Nearly 900 of our elementary school students attend schools built before 1900. Sixteen of our 45 schools were constructed before World War II.

Rep. Mary Keefe

Though the city and Worcester Public Schools have made some gains in school building improvement in the last decade, we have a long way to go. Considerable external funding is needed to address the many issues in our schools. Relative to their more affluent suburban counterparts, large urban districts like Worcester are responsible for many more schools to educate the greater number of children enrolled.

Like many urban districts in Massachusetts, our schools severely lack the infrastructure expected for 21st-century learning. With a host of deferred maintenance issues and constrained financial resources to address these needs, the city and the district cannot face these challenges alone.

School facilities impact student outcomes. As noted in the Worcester Regional Research Bureau report "Building for our Future," investments in basic aspects of health and safety  air quality, temperature control, lighting  are positively related to student achievement.

Recent research by MassINC emphasizes the importance of schools as hubs of neighborhood development. Combining strong, community-informed programming with key infrastructure improvements advances neighborhood development and cohesion and boosts property values.

Upgrades that foster the use of technology, student collaboration and other critical skills also enhance learning outcomes. Unlike our contiguous higher-wealth communities, our city struggles to keep current with these needs. And yet our young peoples aspirations are no different from their peers in neighboring communities.

The citys $1 million investment of surplus tax revenue for building maintenance in 2023 demonstrates its willingness to seek novel solutions amid limited resources. The district also prioritized a commitment to facilities improvement in its new five-year strategic plan through the creation of a facilities master plan.

Critical to the state of our schools is the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the quasi-public agency responsible for distributing state funds for K-12 school facilities projects. The authority has been instrumental in assisting Worcester's initiative to rebuild its high schools and address other urgent repair needs. Worcester and the authority have successfully partnered on 34 projects between 2011 and 2022.

Massachusetts is one of nine states that fund school capital projects primarily with state dollars. Responsible for funding school construction and large-scale maintenance in the commonwealths 401 public school districts, the Massachusetts School Building Authority receives many more requests than it can fund.

Since it was established in 2004, the authority has not undergone a major review or revision of its policies and procedures. Given the significant changes in the construction landscape and expectations for teaching and learning  the aftereffects of the pandemic, increased need for green and climate-aware infrastructure, school security concerns, new technology needs and soaring construction costs  we are well past the time for such a review.

Also complicating the improvement of existing schools is the so-called 30% rule, which requires that buildings with upgrades totaling more than 30% of their assessed value must be made fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This inhibits the improvements of public structures in areas with low property wealth, where a major repair or upgrade can quickly exceed the propertys assessed value. These two critical needs  sound, updated buildings and ADA compliance  should not be in conflict.

If Worcesters students and their peers in other Gateway Cities and lower-wealth rural communities are to have educational opportunities comparable to those in higher wealth communities, we must make changes to the Massachusetts School Building Authority and consider other policies that will support and accelerate school construction and upgrade. Specifically, the commonwealth, through the legislative process or other rulemaking, should:

Blend funding from multiple sources in a single process.

Make 100% of the building costs (e.g., site preparation and acquisition) reimbursable.

Expand eligibility for accelerated repair beyond windows, roofs and boilers to include energy-conscious projects.

Amend the so-called 30% rule by changing the trigger from assessed value to replacement value.

Prioritize the states neediest school buildings for enhanced repair or replacement over the next 10 years from a dedicated, noncompetitive fund.

Urgent improvements are needed to ensure our children learn in buildings adequate for 21st-century education. Under the current policy conditions, it will be decades before our schools needs can be met.

Our children cannot wait. The time to address this issue was yesterday.

Mary Keefe is state representative from the 15th Worcester District. Jennifer Davis Carey is executive director of the Worcester Education Collaborative.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Rep. Mary Keefe on revising policies to upgrade Worcester schools
Recent news stories reporting that 400 of the migrants and refugees to Massachusetts who have received work permits are currently employed is surprising and, at the same time, not surprising at all.

Our organization, Thrive Support & Advocacy, is a small but growing nonprofit provider of services to individuals with developmental disabilities, including residential and day-support programs, in Middlesex and Worcester counties.

Sean Rose

We now employ 14 people who have been living at a temporary family shelter nearby, with 10 more referred and awaiting onboarding. In total, they will comprise about one-third of our direct support staff. If we had the capacity  in terms of both interpreters and resources  we would absolutely hire more, because their dedication far outweighs the onboarding challenges that result from their speaking a different language.

Businesses across the commonwealth have been lamenting workforce shortages for years. Our human-services sector in particular has been grappling with an ongoing workforce crisis that was further exacerbated by the pandemic.

A recent member workforce survey from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, in which we participated, puts the overall statewide job vacancy rate among community-based providers of intellectual and developmental disabilities services at 24%.

This is why it is surprising that only 400 or so of these work-ready newcomers have found jobs.

The people we have hired were among the first group of new arrivals to gain work permits, back in December. It took us eight weeks to onboard our first cohort of six women from Haiti due to language barriers and slow background checks.

Using lessons learned, patience and creativity, our second cohort of new employees was onboarded in four weeks, including background checks and completion of required trainings. This is approaching the average onboarding time for typical workers in our industry.

Theres no question that Massachusetts needs more workers, and these newcomers want jobs. Here are some tips on how to make it work:

Be creative: Language is the primary barrier to employment for many of the refugees coming into Massachusetts. We utilized current staff who speak Haitian Creole and contracted with a third person as a translator, and our new employees started on the overnight shift, during which there would be a lessened need for communication.

Be resourceful: Human services in Massachusetts is highly regulated, and people providing direct care to individuals with complex needs are required to pass a series of background checks and training certifications to work in our industry. The certification tests, such CPR and first aid, are only available in English and require real-time interpretation, demonstration and translation for participating individuals.

Be collaborative: The resettlement agencies and providers working with the people living in the shelters are invaluable for navigating the state system. Our partners at the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance help with paperwork, translation, transportation, English classes and so much more. We also see opportunities for working with other human services providers to reduce the overall costs of onboarding new staff.

Be persistent: When onboarding our first cohort of new hires, getting timely results for background checks was challenging. With persistence and support from our state partners, including Sen. Robyn Kennedy and Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Assistant Secretary Ken Brown, we are working to remove these barriers and obtain faster results.

Our new employees are eager and hardworking people who show up on time for every shift. They are knowledgeable and kind  and grateful for the opportunity.

We hope that other employers  especially in our sector, which has been struggling with a double-digit job vacancy rate for more than a decade  will see the tremendous upside of working with these people seeking a new start in America. In so doing, they will solve a piece of the workforce puzzle while these new workers build a better life for their families.

Sean Rose is president and CEO and Stacey Forrest is the COO at Thrive Support & Advocacy in Marlborough and Worcester.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Sean Rose on getting Mass. migrants into workforce
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

Guy Running From Police Sends Himself Through The Windshield

Its amazing how quickly people go from aggressively trying to ditch the cops, putting countless other lives at danger, to helpless victims. Thats exactly what happened with this guy who fled from Little Rock police in Arkansas at high speeds until he hit another car head-on and was ejected partway through the windshield. As the old saying goes, he met the consequences of his actions and didnt like them one bit.

Learn how police thinking they were busting Camaro thieves has led to the threat of a lawsuit.

While fleeing from police on the freeway, this genius thought it would be great to keep going the ludicrous speed he was without cross traffic after exiting. He probably thought he could lose the police by exiting and then entering the freeway again, a dumb trick weve seen used over and over without any effect.

Instead, he hits another car head-on, pulverizing the front ends of both vehicles and sending himself halfway through the windshield. As police exit their vehicles and approach, you can see the guy is a bloody mess. He complains about having trouble breathing and that his legs are crushed as everyone waits for medics to arrive on scene.

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He also keeps moving around even though officers rightly point out that hes cutting himself more on the windshields shattered glass. The guy is obviously in shock but its hard to feel too sorry for him considering he was the one who was speeding, driving recklessly, and didnt put on a seatbelt.

Even worse, the woman who was driving the car this guy hit head-on at a high speed was pretty bad off herself with deep lacerations and other serious injuries. She didnt do anything wrong, was just going about her day, when suddenly she was in a world of pain.

Firefighters had to cut the suspect out of the car, finally freeing him so he could get medical treatment. From there, hes hopefully held accountable for his actions. We do know he was hit with a list of charges, including for not using a seatbelt.

Story continues

This is a graphic video, so dont watch it in front of your kids or if you cant stand the sight of blood.

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Nikki Haley welcomed her husband back to the United States after he completed his deployment with the South Carolina National Guard.

That moment when you finally take a breathIts been a long year but even longer without each other. Thankful for Michaels safe return and the end of a year long prayer, Haley wrote on social media platform X.

Maj. Michael Haley, the husband of the former GOP presidential candidate, served as a staff officer with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in the Horn of Africa during his deployment. Haleys social media post also included photos of her and her children hugging her husband and holding a Welcome Back Dad sign.

Haley wished her husband farewell during a ceremony at The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, in June 2023. His deployment came during the height of her GOP presidential run before she dropped out of the race last month.

Michael Haley, her husband of 27 years, had been a familiar face on the campaign trail in Haleys previous runs for political office. His absence on the campaign trail this year prompted former President Trump to mock Haley for not having her husband by her side  despite him being deployed.

Wheres her husband? Trump said at one of his rallies. Oh, hes away, hes away. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband? Where is he? Hes gone.

Trump faced widespread criticism for his remarks about Michael, including from Haley, who said at the time that someone who continually disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no business being commander in chief.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Palestinians take what is left of their belongings from their destroyed house following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday on April 20, 2024. An Israeli attack on Ridwan family house, leaving many injured and at least 9 dead including 6 children and tow women, Medical sources said. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

April 21 (UPI) -- Hamas, the Palestinian militia that controls Gaza, blasted the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday after the legislature passed a massive aid package that includes tens of billions of dollars for Israel.

The U.S. House passed the bill Saturday as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., drew on Democratic support to push the $95 billion aid plan, which also includes funds for Ukraine and Taiwan. Johnson split the package into four bills, each of which easily passed the lower chamber.

"We consider this step a confirmation of the official American complicity and partnership in the war of extermination waged by the fascist occupation army against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," Hamas said in an English-language statement.

Israeli forces have killed 34,097 people in Gaza since October 7, the Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday. Another 76,980 people have been injured by Israeli troops in what Hamas called the "systematic destruction of cities and residential neighborhoods and all civil facilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

"The administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, bear political, legal, and moral responsibility for alleged war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people as it claimed that U.S. support for Israel violates international law, Hamas said.

Palestinians take what is left of their belongings from their destroyed house following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday on April 20, 2024. An Israeli attack on Ridwan family house, leaving many injured and at least 9 dead including 6 children and tow women, Medical sources said. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

Hamas revealed Sunday that an alleged mass grave was discovered in the Nasser Medical Complex that contains hundreds of bodies of different ages who "were executed in cold blood and buried" by Israeli troops within the hospital's courtyards.

"This, in addition to the many mass graves that were found, especially in hospital courtyards, reaffirms the extent of the crimes and atrocities committed by the Zionist occupation army and raises questions about the fate of thousands of Palestinians who are still missing after the fascist occupation army withdrew from areas in the Gaza Strip," Hamas said."

Palestinians mourns relatives killed in Israeli bombing at Al-najar Hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday on April 20, 2024. An Israeli attack on Ridwan family house, leaving many injured and at least 9 dead including 6 children and tow women, Medical sources said. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

The horrific crimes committed by this criminal army and the mass killings of defenseless civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, in hospitals, shelters and displacement centers, tents, and residential neighborhoods would not have been possible without unlimited political and military support and the cover that the administration of US President Biden gives."
More than two years ago, four friends watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine.

We had to do something, said Susan Mathison.

And thats when Mathison, along with Alex Ray, Steve Rand and Lisa Mure founded Common Man for Ukraine -- an aid group specifically targeted to children.

And we reached out to the rotary clubs in Poland and Ukraine and assembled a volunteer group of about a hundred truck drivers, Mathison said, They take the food from Poland into Ukraine every two weeks.

So far, the group has delivered more than two million pounds of food to children in Ukraine -- made possible by $3.5 million in donations from Americans.

These are the kids who are going to build Ukraine someday, Mathison said. We want them to know that they are loved and cared for.

Ukrainians overall may have gotten that feeling Saturday when the U.S. Congress approved a Ukrainian aid package worth $61 billion. That money had been held up for months.

Mathison watched the vote from Ukraine during the ninth trip shes made there thus far.

And we cheered and the Ukrainians around us were so relieved and happy, she said. Its not going to solve the problem, its not going to end the war tomorrow. But its a step in the right direction.

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The first-ever criminal trial of a current or former U.S. president is underway in Manhattan, renewing questions over what a potential conviction would mean for former President Trump as he campaigns for the White House.

A conviction in the New York case, where Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, wouldnt bar him from the presidential race, but it still could roil his 2024 bid and open up the possibility that this years GOP nominee is a convicted felon.

If he happens to be convicted on 34 counts, that takes its toll even on someone like Donald Trump, who seems to be that Teflon candidate, said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and a mediator for the District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jury selection for the historic trial  the first of Trumps four criminal cases to reach a jury  happened this week in Manhattan, where the court narrowed down hundreds of New Yorkers to 12 jurors and six alternates who will consider the former presidents fate.

The case relates to the 2016 election, when Trump won his first term in office. Trumps then-fixer, Michael Cohen, made a $130,000 payment during the 2016 cycle to porn actor Stormy Daniels, aimed at silencing her allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump roughly a decade earlier. Trump, who denies the affair, reimbursed Cohen, and his company logged those as legal expenses. The Manhattan district attorney argues that was unlawful.

Legally, the former president  who has clinched the delegates he needs for the Republican nomination  would still be able to run for federal office even if the jury decides to convict him in the hush money case, experts say.

And politically, as Trump continues to cast his legal woes as politically motivated, the trial and ultimate verdict isnt likely to change the minds of 2024 voters already firmly in his camp. Trump argues hes done nothing wrong in this and his other cases.

Hes the only person in America who could probably be charged in four different cases and have his popularity among his base go up, because the base is already convinced that hes affected, that hes being targeted, Saltzburg said.

Still, a conviction would brand him a felon  and that could turn off some key voters, including independents and some law-and-order Republicans.

If he emerges from the trial a convicted felon  I dont think that thats going to play well with the independent voters, even though they may not be a huge population, Saltzburg said. People will hesitate, I think, before they vote for a convicted felon.

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll found an increasing share of independent voters think the hush money case involves a serious crime  51 percent of all voters in the poll said Trump should not be allowed to serve again if convicted in that case, a figure that included 16 percent of Republicans.

A poll released earlier this year from Bloomberg and Morning Consult also found that 53 percent of voters in key swing states would refuse to vote for Trump if he were convicted of a crime, and that number ticked up to 55 percent if he were sentenced to prison.

Were in an unprecedented time in American politics, Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett said. Courtroom trials are colliding with the campaign trail.

People who hate Trump think he did this and throw the book at him, no one is above the law, Bartlett said. People that love Trump believe that he should not be charged, hes being persecuted. You will continue to see that play out and deepen and engage and enrage on both sides of the aisle. Those in the middle, we will see what happens.

At the same time, the Yahoo News/YouGov poll found that fewer voters considered the hush money case as serious when compared to the other three crimes of which Trumps been accused.

Trump was indicted last year on federal criminal charges related to mishandling classified materials after the end of his White House tenure, and again over alleged efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. In a Georgia case, he and other defendants have been charged with conspiring to overturn his 2020 loss in the state.

Theres also one key complication of a conviction that could embarrass Trump in his home state: He might not be able to cast a 2024 ballot in Florida.

It would be ironic if he wasnt able to vote, said Tamara Lave, a former public defender and a law professor at the University of Miami in the Sunshine State. But you can just imagine how he would parlay that into, you know, I cant vote, so vote for me.

Half a year out from Election Day, Trump will have to be in court four days a week for as long as the trial runs, forcing his campaign to make the most of weekend events, virtual appearances and the trials widespread media coverage to boost Trump in the White House race. President Biden, on the other hand, is free to hit the campaign trail.

The incumbent absolutely needs to take advantage of what is happening, said Lave  but Biden will also have to walk a careful line as his rival cries witch hunt.

An acquittal in New York, noted Saltzburg, could leave people discounting Trumps other cases, giving him a bigger boost in the 2024 race.

It may be some time before the Manhattan jury makes a decision. The trial is expected to last several weeks, and theres room for legal complications and delays along the way. Its also a dice roll on how long the jury deliberates  and in the case of a conviction, the judge would have to decide on sentencing.

Democrats hope a long-running trial takes the wind out of Trumps sails and gives Biden the chance to shore up support on the campaign trail.

Prison time is a sentencing possibility if the jury decides to convict, though experts suggest it would be an unlikely sentence for the judge to go for in this case. If it happens, it still wouldnt bar Trump from running in 2024, but it would further hamper his efforts to get back to the White House.

It is certainly true that being convicted or even being in prison doesnt prevent you from running for president or even from being elected, said Ilya Somin, professor of law at George Mason University and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. Assuming the office, though, would be a difficult situation if the president were in prison.

Largely, experts are predicting the hush money case wraps up before Election Day, and some say its not out of the question that another one of Trumps criminal indictments moves toward a jury before November.

The charges Trump faces are also noteworthy in that theyre all in some way tied to his behavior as a politician, noted Will Thomas, a business law professor at the University of Michigan, with the hush money case dating back to his 2016 run and the classified documents case reaching into his time post-Oval Office.

Its almost hard to step back and realize just how unprecedented these circumstances are, Thomas said. Weve never had a president indicted before, sitting or former. Now, we have a president whos facing not one but four criminal indictments, and we have the prospect of him being convicted in maybe one and possibly two before he actually has a chance to take office, if he were elected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Long before Russia invaded Ukraine and years before Vladimir Putin established his iron hold on the Russian Federation, scores of Christians from the Texas Panhandle made multiple trips to that part of the world to help people who had little access to the word of God.

From 1992 to 2008, teams of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, pastors, lawyers, business people and others traveled to Belarus, which is surrounded by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, to provide medical and other aid and to preach about Jesus Christ.

Director of the nonprofit group formed to facilitate the efforts was Bill Duncan, then of Amarillo, whose new book, A Warriors Walk, describes the birth, precarious life and eventual forced end of the remarkable ministry. Duncan now lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Bill Duncan's new book is titled A Warriors Walk.

The memoir, subtitled, The Life and Journey of Colonel Billy R. Duncan, and edited by Amarillo minister and writer Gene Shelburne, also recounts the distinguished Marine Corps career of a man who served in Korea and Vietnam as well as representing his country in the Soviet Union before that Communist state collapsed. His experience with eastern bloc officials, including some in the KGB spy organization, helped pave the way for the success of the CIS Church Development Foundation.

The immediate successor to the Soviet Union in 1991 was the Commonwealth of Independent States. Duncan, Stan Coffey, then pastor of Amarillos San Jacinto Baptist Church (now the Church at Quail Creek), Roy Wheeler, then senior minister of Paramount Terrace Christian Church (now Hillside Christian Church), Jim Smith, then pastor of St. Stephen Methodist Church, and others formed the CIS Church Development Foundation in 1992 after Coffey had been invited to lead a Christian crusade in Minsk, Belarus.

With the monumental change in governance in Russia and the other eastern European nations, the local ministers saw an opening for Christianity that had been closed by the Soviets since 1917. Nowhere on earth is there a greater open door to preach the Gospel, Coffey told potential volunteers. Following the death of Marxist ideology and atheism, we see a new opportunity to spread the word of Jesus Christ.

Bill Duncan

About 90 people from several denominations participated in the first crusade. Upon their return, Duncan and other leaders created The Vision for Belarus and evaluated the needs of churches, medical and educational facilities, hospitals, orphanages, pension or retirement homes, childrens training camps, local media, existing trade unions, and other areas of the social fabric of the new republic.

The plan was to start in the million-population Minsk and grow into other cities. Because of Duncans experience as a Marine and as a civilian government contractor, he believed God put on his heart to use his contacts and take a top-down approach. With CIS in the foundations title, the group was able to get bureaucratic approval for events and visits that would have been impossible under the Soviets.

The Amarillo-based group delivered Bibles and prescription medicines and preached on the streets and in churches. But with some local officials still holding long-held restrictive attitudes, not everything was smooth. In fact, Duncan, his Russian interpreter and a pastor from Trinity Church in Amarillo spent a night in a Russian prison.

Mike Haynes

After the three took a side trip to deliver Bibles and antibiotics to Ukraine in September 1992, they were stopped at their Moscow hotel because their passports didnt show a visit to Ukraine. The Russian officials suspected the lack of a Ukraine stamp meant they had been conducting treasonous activities.

Because Duncan and the prison warden both held the rank of colonel, Duncan decided to take a bold approach and demand their release as American citizens. After a tense discussion, the warden relented and fined them $38. Duncan had $30 in his pocket, and the pastor had $8.

God showed himself as our Provider and our Protector that day, Duncan wrote.

For more than 15 years, the mission trips continued with activities that included visits to churches, prisons and hospitals. Duncan estimated that a million people were reached, 2.4 million Bibles were distributed and 139 churches, including home churches, were started.

Roy Wheeler, along with his interpreter, Luda, was one of those who preached in churches and theaters. Some services lasted for hours with eager audiences standing the entire time. Duncan recalled a frigid rally in 1993 in an unheated theater. Wheelers luggage had been lost, and in freezing temperatures, he preached while wearing a donated jacket and mittens. The group took advantage of his misfortune and posted billboards that said, Come see the American speak. He is unequipped for our winter and unseasonably cold!

Duncan said the persuasiveness of Wheeler and Luda created a big response to the message, and Wheeler made 10 trips to Belarus in the following years.

It all ground to a stop as a result of the 2002 Religion Law that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko  still in power in 2024  put into effect requiring state approval for churches or religious organizations to meet. The Amarillo group managed to continue but with more caution. In 2008, however, the U.S. State Department instructed Duncan not to continue taking groups to Belarus on tourist visas as had been the practice. Duncan realized that the new restrictions could be dangerous, and the CIS Church Development Foundation was dissolved.

In his book, the veteran Marine and Christian missionary asks, Will the seeds that we planted continue to grow? His answer: Yes!  We still hear comments from a pastor or a fellow-believer over there. God is still alive and moving inside Belarus.

Mike Haynes taught journalism at Amarillo College from 1991 to 2016 and has written for the Faith section since 1997. He can be reached at haynescolumn@gmail.com. Go to www.haynescolumn.blogspot.com for other recent columns.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Haynes: Book recounts Amarillo-based group's ministry in Belarus
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Champion Iron is AU$7.20 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Champion Iron's AU$6.65 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The CA$8.38 analyst price target for CIA is 16% more than our estimate of fair value

Does the April share price for Champion Iron Limited (ASX:CIA) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Champion Iron

The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (CA$, Millions) CA$199.9m CA$244.4m CA$213.8m CA$390.2m CA$385.6m CA$290.5m CA$239.7m CA$211.9m CA$196.1m CA$187.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Est @ -17.48% Est @ -11.59% Est @ -7.47% Est @ -4.58% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% CA$185 CA$210 CA$170 CA$288 CA$263 CA$184 CA$141 CA$115 CA$98.7 CA$87.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$1.7b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CA$187m (1 + 2.2%)  (7.9% 2.2%) = CA$3.3b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$3.3b ( 1 + 7.9%)10= CA$1.5b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CA$3.3b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$6.7, the company appears about fair value at a 7.6% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Champion Iron as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.253. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Champion Iron

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Australian market.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Champion Iron, we've compiled three important items you should further research:

Risks: Be aware that Champion Iron is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Future Earnings: How does CIA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ASX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Longtime Lake Township resident and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. engineer Eric Nshimiye stands accused of lying on his immigration application by hiding crimes he allegedly committed 30 years ago during the Rwandan genocide.

Specifically he is accused of rape, murder and lying under oath in defense of Jean Leonard Tegana, a Rwandan friend accused of similar crimes. He and his friend were both medical students at the National University of Rwanda in Butare, Rwanda, at the time.

These are horrific crimes, but I believe Eric is innocent. As a Pacifica Radio reporter and contributing editor to Black Agenda Report, I have covered many similar cases over the past 15 years, and I know a witch hunt when I see one.

Ann Garrison

The most high-profile case is that of Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda, whom the Rwandan government kidnapped in 2020 while he was boarding a flight from Dubai bound for Burundi. Rusesabagina was released in 2023, thanks to an international lobbying campaign inspired by his status as the hero of Hotel Rwanda.

Another witch hunt was that of Dr. Leopold Munyakazi, a gentle scholar who speaks six languages. Dr. Munyakazi was teaching at Marylands Goucher College when he gave a lecture at the University of Delaware in which he characterized the Rwandan genocide as in fact a civil war for political power. He also called it fratricide rather than genocide because Rwandans are, he said, one people who speak the same language, eat the same food, and share the same culture.

The First Amendment protected his speech here, but any such dissident interpretation of Rwandas 1994 tragedy is a legally codified and enforced speech crime  genocide ideology  in Rwanda.

After Dr. Munyakazi gave this lecture, the Rwandan government accused him of genocide crime, and a federal U.S. court accused him of hiding his guilt on his immigration application, just as they later accused Jean Leonard Teganya and Eric Nshimiye.

Dr. Munyakazi was convicted, then deported to Rwanda to stand trial for genocide crime, which he was acquitted of on appeal. However, he was then sentenced to nine years for his speech at the University of Delaware, and another five years were added for his speech inside prison.

Eric will be tried on the merits of the case, meaning on the specific accusations against him, but both his friends and neighbors and the wider world should understand their political context, as revealed in a recent Human Rights Watch report titled Join Us or Die: Rwandas Extraterritorial Repression. Much of the report is summarized in a shorter release titled Rwanda: Global Playbook of Abuse to Silence Critics. The latter begins with three bullet points:

Rwandan authorities and their proxies are using violence, judicial mechanisms, and intimidation to try to silence criticism from Rwandans living around the world.

Rwandans living abroad practice self-censorship, refrain from political activism, and live in fear of traveling, being attacked, or seeing their relatives in Rwanda targeted.

Rwandas partners should open their eyes to the consequences of three decades of impunity for the ruling party, see this wide-reaching repression for what it is, and demand that it stop.

It goes on to describe a global ecosystem of repression, aimed not only to muzzle dissenting voices but also to scare off potential critics.

The Rwandan government, it says, has sought to use global police cooperation, including Interpol Red Notices, judicial mechanisms, and extradition requests to seek deportations of critics or dissidents back to Rwanda.

If Eric is convicted, he will face prison time in the U.S. for immigration fraud. Then, upon his release, he will face deportation to Rwanda to stand trial for genocide crime and most likely be imprisoned for decades, if not for life.

What was Erics real crime? I have no doubt that, in the eyes of the totalitarian, globally repressive Rwandan government, his crime was testifying on behalf of his friend, Jean Leonard Teganya. Burundian American Lazare Kobagaya was similarly charged after testifying on behalf of a Rwandan pastor in Finland, as Canton Repository reporter Tim Botos explained in his in-depth report on Erics case.

Erics employer, Goodyear, issued a statement which said, Goodyear is deeply troubled to learn of the recent charges brought against one of our associates and is fully cooperating with authorities. One of the civic associations that Eric has been active with, the volunteer mentoring organization MentorStark, similarly expressed shock and stated that MentorStark condemns the acts reflected in the charges and, like everyone, will await the results of the Justice Departments legal proceedings. Our thoughts and concerns are with the victims still recovering from these atrocities.

I hope that Goodyear, MentorStark, and Erics American friends and neighbors will take time to read the Human Rights Watch report and/or its shorter version, and keep Eric and his family in their thoughts and concerns as well.

Ann Garrison, an independent journalist from Albany, California, is a contributing editor at Black Agenda Report and a contributor to The Grayzone, Pacifica Radio, and other outlets.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Eric Nshimiye is innocent of Rwandan genocide, Ann Garrison writes
UPDATE, 4:30 P.M.: Tobias Braaten, 25, who was reported missing after going for a hike on the Fernwood Trail in Layton Saturday, has been found safe, according to the Davis County Sheriffs Office.

He has a few scratches and was very hungry and happy to accept a sandwich and a phone to call family, but otherwise in good spirits. Tobias took a wrong turn and found himself three canyons away from the Fernwood Trailhead. We appreciate all the help! the sheriffs office posted on social media.

No further information is available at this time.

ORIGINAL POST: DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man is missing after having gone on a hike in Davis County Saturday, causing authorities to initiate a search, according to the Davis County Sheriffs Office.

Tobias Braaten, 25, was reported as an overdue hiker Saturday night, officials said.

Kevin Bacon returns to Payson High on prom night for 40th anniversary of Footloose

Courtesy of Davis County Sheriffs Office

Braaten had reportedly gone out on the Fernwood Trail in Layton  authorities are asking hikers who were on the trail between Friday evening and Saturday evening to call Davis County Dispatch at 801-451-4150 if they had any sightings of him.

At this time, the Davis County Sheriffs Office has asked for assistance from other search and rescue teams in the effort to find Braaten. Volunteers are not needed at this time due to conditions in the area.

Weve been asked if there is a need for volunteers. Conditions at higher elevation in this area are challenging and dangerous. We have asked for assistance from other SAR teams in the area and do not need additional volunteers. Thank you, the sheriffs office stated on social media.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said Sunday that the United States is in a moral crisis amid political divisions in the country.

But the overall sense is, sometimes weve become too much spectators watching whats happening to ourselves. And that one of the things Dante said is that The lowest place in Hell are for those people in a moral crisis who remain neutral or remain silent,' she said on NBCs Meet the Press.

We are in a moral crisis right now, and I always feel so positive about what history can teach us, because weve lived through really hard times before. And these are hard times, however, and it wont get better unless we act, unless we take seriously our citizen responsibilities and use the qualities of character that we need to bring into politics, she added.

Goodwin has written numerous biographies about former presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. She has been on a media tour to promote her new book, An Unfinished Love Story, which details her and her husbands personal history with the 1960s.

Welker noted that Goodwin has compared the current state of politics to the expansion of slavery and the Civil War during the 1850s. Goodwin explained that there are two parallels she sees right now when compared to the Civil War era, including the division of the media and worries that there would not be a peaceful transition of power.

She said she is worried that a peaceful transition of power wont happen after the next presidential election.

I am concerned that it may not happen, but I somehow think if the majority of the people come out who have different values from that and they vote, voting is absolutely essential, she said.

And I just hope they feel that this election could turn on them, and the uncommitted people and the undecided people have to come out and vote, and we have to just take the results of the election. That doesnt mean we know how its going to happen, but if the overwhelming majority vote, then somehow maybe it wont be as close as we think it is going to be. And then well have a clear-cut choice, she added later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Timberline Lodge, the historic Oregon hotel featured in Stanley Kubricks The Shining reopened to guests on Sunday, just days after a fire erupted and forced an evacuation.

Fire officials in Clackamas County said the fire broke out sometime before 9:30 p.m. Thursday in an attic of the Timberline, a historic Mount Hood hotel that served as the exterior for the Overlook Hotel in Kubricks 1980 thriller.

Just after 11 p.m., a Clackamas Fire spokesperson confirmed to Nexstars KOIN that no one was injured, and that the fire had been contained to the attic and the roof. Around that time, the department also confirmed on X that the blaze was declared to be under control. Roughly a half hour later, the fire was out, a spokesperson for the lodge told KOIN.

The fire caused little damage, according to officials.

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

Clackamas Fire crews battle a 3-alarm fire at Timberline Lodge. April 18, 2024 (courtesy Clackamas Fire).

There are challenges ahead, but we are through the worst of it, Timberlines John Burton told Nexstars KOIN, adding the emergency response was nothing short of remarkable.

Timberline was able to offer breakfast Sunday morning, and staff was dispatched to help guests get around the repairs and the water remediation.

In addition to The Shining, Timberlines film repertoire includes 1960s All the Young Men, 1973s Lost Horizon, and 1993s Hear No Evil, according to IMDb. The 2019 film Doctor Sleep, which is based on Stephen Kings sequel to The Shining, also used the hotel for exterior shots.

Kerry Tymchuk, the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, called Timberline Lodge a jewel of the Northwest.

It was built through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) launched by President Franklin Roosevelt to help the country emerge from the Depression.

This was in the height of the Depression, 25% unemployment rates across the country, Tymchuk told KOIN. Most of the time they werent trained carpenters or trained craftsmen. They were just ordinary citizens out of work and they were put back to work to do massive projects across the country, including this jewel of the Northwest, the Timberline Lodge.

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Its dedication brought the first notoriety to the lodge and another generation of people learned about it through a film.

Franklin, the president, and Eleanor, the first lady, came out to Oregon to dedicate the lodge in 1937, on the same trip they dedicated the Bonneville Dam, Tymchuk said. And then it was a star of the Jack Nicholson movie, The Shining, in 1980. That added to its fame and added a lot of tourists going up there to see where the movie was filmed.

The interior also has a story.

The interior decorating, which again, was largely done by WPA and CCC, and Tymchuk explained. They also had an arts project where artists were provided money and a stipend to do work. And much of the art inside Timberline was done by the Federal Arts Project. Its a timeless classic.

Timberline became a national historic landmark in 1977.

Its a classic, historic building that, almost 100 years later, tells the story of the Depression, what America went through and how America came out of the Depression, he said.

An investigation into what caused the fire was launched, but hotel officials say it is suspected fireplace embers ignited the roof.

Michael Bartiromo and KOINs Danny Peterson contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The historic Timberline Lodge reopened to guests, snowboarders and skiers on Sunday just days after a fire erupted that forced an evacuation, causing damage to the attic.

Timberlines John Burton told KOIN 6 News the reopening is already off to a great start.

Its a beautiful day up here, he said. Blue skies, no wind, the ski area is open, the hotel is back open in parts. So its looking fantastic.

Crews respond to 2-alarm fire in Overlook neighborhood: officials

Although the Cascade Dining Room began offering breakfast Sunday morning, staff are still helping guests get around the repairs and the water remediation. According to Burton, there are also other issues to address, including cataloging and restoration of the lodges historic art pieces and repairing the gaping hole in the north side roof.

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

Timberline Lodge reopened on Apr. 21, 2024 after fire damaged the attic just days before. (Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service)

There are crews, as we speak, up there, dealing with that. he added. Theres an army of people. Were dehumidifying, just tons of cleaning and all that kind of stuff.

Nonetheless, Burton acknowledged the quick turnaround time from the fire to the reopening was, in significant part, due to the first responders who arrived within 25 minutes of the call. Furthermore, five different fire stations from Hoodland, Clackamas, Estacada, Portland and Gresham all responded to the scene, in addition to crews from the U.S. Forest Service. Then staff started working around the clock to clean up, make assessments and inspections and above all, make sure it was safe for guests to return to the hotel.

Once news of the fire reached internationally, Burton cited the noteworthy flow of support, stretching from Europe to Australia.

Jurys decision lays groundwork for Oswego Lake opening up to the public

Weve been reminded of this tremendous amount of outpouring from around the globe, literally on peoples affinity and love for Timberline, he said. And its been overwhelming and its not lost on us.

Despite the road ahead regarding repairs, Burton remains optimistic that the whole of Timberline Lodge will fully open soon enough.

Were through the worst of it, he added. But there are some challenges ahead. But were going to get there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
When Isra Hirsi joined several of her Barnard College and Columbia University peers in the pro-Palestinian campus protest known as the Gaza encampment, she had no idea she would end up suspended, homeless, and left without food within a matter of days.

In an interview with Teen Vogues Lex McMenamin, the Barnard juniorwho is the daughter of outspoken Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN)recounted the violence with which the college reacted to student activism, detailing the arrest and subsequent sanctions she faced. Hirsi and two of her Barnard College classmates were the first of over 100 students to be suspended following the protest, which Columbia President Minouche Shafik authorized the NYPD to shut down.

Early Thursday morning, just over 24 hours into the encampment, Hirsi and the hundred-plus other protesters were crammed into a corrections bus and sent downtown to 1 Police Plaza, a process that took up the entire day.

Google Fires 28 Employees Who Protested Israel Contract

We had so many people who were born female in our group that they didnt have enough space for us. It was a very slow process in getting everybody into the cells, Hirsi said.

I was zip-tied for about seven hours and wasnt released for about eight, she continued, estimating that it was between 9 and 9:30 p.m. by the time she got outthirteen hours after she had been arrested.

But when she returned to campus, she found only more barriers.

Hirsi knew that when she was suspended, it meant she no longer had access to her housing in the on-campus dorms. That meant she had also lost access to all of her possessionsand didnt know where she would find housing that night.

I was a little bit frantic, like, where am I going to sleep? Where am I gonna go? And also all of my shit is thrown in a random lot. Its pretty horrible, she said. I don't know when I can go home, and I dont know if I ever will be able to.

Columbia Students Allegedly Sprayed With Putrid Chemical at Pro-Palestine Rally

To make matters worse, Hirsi also lost access to the dining hall as a result of her suspension, where she had been getting the majority of her meals. She said she appealed to the administration for help but was ultimately left to fend for herself.

I sent them an email like, Hey, I rely on campus for my meals, I rely on my dining plan, and they were like, Oh, you can come pick up a prepackaged bag of food, a full 48 hours after I was suspended. There was no food support, no nothing, she said.

The Daily Beasts requests for comment to Barnard College were not immediately returned.

Hirsi also criticized Barnards president, Laura Rosenbury, for the colleges violence against its own students, and drew a sharp contrast to the actions taken by Columbias president, Shafik. Whereas Shafik was on the congressional stage and being actively harassed about her response to the protest, Hirsi said, Rosenbury had the opportunity to react less harshly.

Republicans Grill Columbia Leaders on Antisemitism at Fiery Hearing

I think it's really on a school-by-school basis, and Barnard has decided to take a very egregious stand against us, Hirsi said.

The protest, which was attended by big-name participants like the actress Susan Sarandon, fanned the flames of an already heated debate over free speech and hate speech on college campuses. Columbias lead rabbi advised Jewish students to stay home because of the antisemitic actions of some protesters, while others have argued that deploying the NYPD to shut down a peaceful protest is an affront to the First Amendment.

Still, Hirsi thinks media frenzy over Columbia detracts from the real issue: the amount of human suffering in Gaza. Expressing gratitude that others have paid attention to the severity of our campus repression, Hirsi urged others to keep their eyes on the Strip.

The whole point of the encampment was to shed light on Columbia's complicity in genocide and to focus back on the folks in Gaza, she said.

Israeli Strikes on Rafah Kill Nearly 20 PeopleMostly Kids

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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These Horry County cities among top for UFO sightings in US. One declared a hotspot

The Myrtle Beach area has long been on the radar as a top spot for UFO sightings.

Over the years, thousands have reported some unidentified flying objects along the Grand Strand.

Its the only place I can call a UFO hotspot, Peter Davenport, director of the National UFO Reporting Center, said about Myrtle Beach.

The reporting center, founded in 1974, collects and documents reports of unusual and possibly UFO-related events back to 1939.

Myrtle Beach is among three Horry County cities with the most UFO sightings in the United States, according to TruePeopleSearch Insights. This online site offers searches for people and subjects. The site reported the top 10 cities with the most UFO sightings per 100,000 people. The list was developed based on an in-depth analysis of the National UFO Reporting Centers database dating between 1910 and 2014 in the U.S. and Canada.

Surfside Beach was ranked No. 3 with 671 sightings per 100,000 people, Myrtle Beach at No. 6 with 507 per 100,000 residents, and North Myrtle Beach at 380 sightings per 100,000 people.

The site pointed out in its analysis that there is no way to definitively separate the hoaxes from the actual UFO sightings.

The National UFO Reporting Center lists 2,249 reports of UFO sightings from South Carolina. The most recent sightings in Horry County were Jan. 11, 2024, in Surfside Beach and Jan. 29, 2024, in Myrtle Beach.

In 2013, the reporting of UFOs from the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach areas was so numerous that Davenport wrote an article about it, he said. Davenport said the reporting center would hear reports of red, yellow, and orange fireballs.

(If you) look at the data for South Carolina, you can see all the reports from Horry County, he said.

The reports of witnesses sightings describe what they saw, which often includes the objects shape, how far in the sky it is and how fast it was going.

One sighting in Surfside Beach reported an object in the sky over the ocean that had an aura or haze around it. Another sighting in Myrtle Beach described an amber orange fireball that was moving fast in the night sky.

Some times there are explanations for the sightings. Davenport said there have been numerous sightings of Starlink satellites, which are low-orbit satellites launched by SpaceX to provide broadband internet across the globe. And since the Myrtle Beach area has frequent military flights and training exercises nearby, some of the sightings could also be attributed to those.

Davenport doesnt know why the Myrtle Beach area has become a hotspot for UFO sightings.

I hesitate to conjecture, Davenport said.

Lights seen out over the ocean may be lights associated with fishing boats, but when they rise up to a 45-degree angle, You cant describe that to a fishing boat, Davenport said. I dont know what those orbs are.
The House advanced its aid package. What does that mean for the future of TikTok?

Last month, the House passed legislation that would force ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, to sell the popular app or be banned in the U.S.

The bill was then flipped over to the Senate side, where it has an unclear future.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made waves when he merged an adjusted measure with the $95 billion foreign aid package which easily passed in the lower chamber on Saturday.

The measure related to TikTok, tied with the foreign aid package, has a different language than the previous one, which cleared the lower chamber in March.

The new measure one would extend ByteDances timeline to sell TikTok, bumping it up from six months to a year, an adjustment that compelled Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to support the bill in the upper chamber. The House passed foreign aid as a four-point bill, but it is being delivered to the Senate as one measure.

What does the future of TikTok look like now?

Why do lawmakers want to ban TikTok

TikTok has faced backlash on Capitol Hill over its ties to China. Supporters of the measure have argued banning TikTok would prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from having access to American user data that could be utilized for spying.

TikTok has pushed back by saying it was not asked to provide the data to the CPP.

TikTok was also scrutinized over its algorithm recommending sensitive videos and critics have accused it of being a national security threat, especially ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

What happens next?

The measure for banning TikTok now heads to the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the lower chamber will take up the foreign aid bill on Tuesday.

President Biden has voiced his support for the overall measure, which includes the possibility of banning the app, and said he would sign a bill that could ultimately ban TikTok if it made it to his desk.

How would the ban work

The legislation would forbid the Google Play Store or App Store from updating or distributing TikTok.

However, in the past, people have found ways to circumvent similar bans, including by changing location or utilizing VPNs, notes USAToday.

When would the ban go into effect?

The ban would go into effect if ByteDance decides not to divest within the allotted time frame.

The extended period to sell TikTok went up from 180 days to 270 days with the recent legislation. There could also be a 90-day extension added if the permission is granted by Biden.

If the ban takes place, it will likely face legal challenges from supporters and TikTok itself, which could lengthen the timeframe.

TikTok and its users have successfully fought back against the ban on the state level.

What this means for the future of TikTok

Someone else could potentially buy TikTok if its owners decide to sell, if a ban is enacted.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Shark Tank investor Kevin OLeary are among those who have expressed interest.

Do Americans want TikTok banned

Almost half of the participants in the March CNBC All-America Economic poll said TikTok should be sold to a non-Chinese firm or be banned.

The poll found 60 percent of Republicans support a ban or a sale, while 40 percent of Democrats said the same.

Younger Americans are less in favor of the ban. The CNBC poll discovered that 48 percent of 18-to 34-year-olds oppose a ban.

Around 50 percent of Americans support a ban, according to a Pew Research Center survey released in March. That is 28 percent higher than those who said they are not in favor of a ban.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House approves $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, much to the chagrin of Russia

The U.S. House of Representatives approved $61 billion of military aid for Ukraine to help in its defense against Russia, after months of stalling. Billions were also allocated to allies like Israel and Taiwan.

In a bipartisan vote, 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans opted to support Ukraine, while a majority of GOP members, 112 Republicans, voted against it. This came about following Republican speaker Mike Johnsons push for a series of bills, in the face of opposition from his own party members of whom do not want to send any more money to Ukraines defense.

The House erupted into applause when the Ukraine bill passed, with the chair, Marc Molinaro of New York, admonishing members not to wave Ukrainian flags, The Guardian reported.

On Tuesday, the Senate will begin considering the House-passed bill, leaning on preliminary votes that afternoon. The final passage will be confirmed next week and be ready for President Biden to sign.

Ukraine has been struggling with ammunition and air defense shortages while Russia bore down with its advantage in firepower, all while Congress deliberated. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had recently claimed that his country will lose the war, without U.S. assistance.

Right after the bill passed, Ukraines president took to X to make a statement expressing his gratitude and personally thanking Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.

The Kremlin, responding to the news with anger, warns that it will lead to the "deaths of even more Ukrainians." With Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia's security council, issuing a statement obtained from Newsweek saying, "I cannot, with all sincerity, not wish the United States to plunge into a new civil war as quickly as possible."
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  In a Saturday session, the House of Representatives approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, approving funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Peace is achieved through strength. And this is what this bill is about, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said.

The package also has sanctions on Iran, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and a ban on TikTok if its China-based owner doesnt sell the app.

This app is a spy balloon in Americans phones, McCaul said.

Members of both parties praised the emergency assistance as a way to fight bad actors and support allies.

This is about freedom vs. authoritarianism, Rep. Young Kim (R- Calif.) said.

The largest chunk of funding goes to Ukraine, with about $61 billion in military assistance to fight Russias invasion.

I fear that if you choose the Putin route, you will have blood on your hands, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said.

While a handful of hard-right conservatives spoke against Ukraine aid, they did not trigger a motion to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson over the vote.

Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene instead voiced her opposition on the floor.

We should be funding to build up our weapons and ammunition not to send it over to foreign countries to kill foreign people, Greene said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the aid.

We would rather send bullets to the conflict overseas than our own boys, our troops, Johnson said.

Johnson said hes not concerned about efforts to oust him as speaker.

You do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may, Johnson said.

The legislation next heads to the Senate, where Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he plans to hold a vote as early as Tuesday.

President Joe Biden said in a statement he would sign the package into law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

This week, Orlando Business Journal honors the regions top family-owned and married couple-owned businesses, as ranked by 2023 local revenue.

The top businesses combined for $1.91 billion in local revenue and employed 5,604 people in the area. The list ranks businesses from sectors including construction, hospitality, staffing and advertising.

Read: Maitland issues a boil water notice for the city

The top-five family-owned and married couple-owned businesses for 2024 in Central Florida are:

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

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The House voted 366-58 on Saturday to approve $14.3 billion in additional U.S. aid to Israel, one of four bills legislators voted on to provide $95 billion aid to U.S. allies and related military and humanitarian programs. Thirty-seven Democrats and 21 Republicans, largely representing the far-left and -right flanks of the parties, opposed the Israel funding.



Saturdays vote is the clearest barometer of where support for Israel stands in the House six months after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and as Israels military operations against Hamas in Gaza have prompted an unprecedented level of condemnation of Israel from progressive Democrats. It also comes at a time of growing isolationism among Republicans, spearheaded by former President Donald Trump.



Asked what message the vote on Israel sent, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told Jewish Insider, It showed where the body was. That was an important part of this package because there was no route for Israel to get funding unless it was included in this, so that was really important.



On the Democratic side, Reps. Becca Balint (D-VT), Don Beyer (D-VA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (R-IN), Greg Casar (D-TX), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-WA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Al Green (D-TX), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Mark Takano (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) voted against the bill.



As a sign of the extent to which Democratic support for Israel has waned since the start of the war, just eight Democrats opposed funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system in 2021, although that bill did not include offensive weapons.



On the Republican side, Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Bob Good (R-VA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Cory MIlls (R-FL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Scott Perry (R-PA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Chip Roy (R-TX), Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Ryan Zinke (D-MT) voted no.



Fourteen Republicans had voted earlier this year against Israel funding without spending cuts.



Conservatives, particularly those affiliated with the Freedom Caucus, have for months expressed opposition to additional aid to Israel not tied to other government funding cuts. Republicans have also been frustrated by the foreign aid bill in general, objecting to humanitarian aid to Palestinians, a lack of border security policy, aid to Ukraine and Johnsons work with Democrats to pass the legislation.



Johnson forcefully pushed back against arguments from some in his party that the humanitarian aid was effectively a giveaway to Hamas, noting it includes a ban on funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and strict oversight provisions for aid.



Overall, the vote showed that strong majorities of both parties still support Israel, but this many votes against Israel would have been unlikely prior to Oct. 7.



The Israel portion of the bill also included $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other theaters, support for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and $400 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding.



After the vote, Ocasio-Cortez, Castro, Velazquez, Doggett, Jayapal, Khanna, Balint, Casar, Takano, McGovern, Barbara Lee, Blumenauer, Chu, Johnson, Casron, Watson Coleman, Garcia, Jackson and Tokuda released a joint statement released a statement insisting they believe strongly in Israels right to self-defense and are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel but oppose offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere.



They also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being willing to sacrifice the hostages.



The House also passed an aid bill for Ukraine by a 310-112-1 vote, with 112 Republicans opposing and one voting present; an aid bill for Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific priorities by a 385-34 vote, with 34 Republicans opposing and Tlaib voting present; and a national security policy bill including new Iran sanctions and legislation to force the sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent company by a 360-58 vote, with 25 Republicans and 33 Democrats opposing.



It voted 249-167, with 43 Democratic yes votes, to approve an amendment to the fourth bill, which requires a report to Congress on sanctioned Iranian assets and U.S. sanctions waivers; Democratic leadership had been urging a no vote on the amendment.



Speaking to Jewish Insider before the vote, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) referenced a pro-Palestinian protest happening outside the Capitol building.



The chant I heard outside as I was driving by them was, Brick by brick, wall by wall, Zionism will fall, Schneider said. Theyre not calling for peace and calling for two peoples who belong to the same land living together and building a future together. Theyre calling for the destruction of Israel and murder of the Jewish people. So I know which side Im on.



Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC) noted that colleagues who voted against the Israel bill would also be voting against humanitarian aid and funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, available to any religious institution thats considered high risk.



I hope they will also remember that this is a battle of the free world against terrorists and autocrats, and our adversaries are watching us, Manning continued.



Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) framed the vote as a question of standing up for democratic values.



This is an incredibly important moment for us to make sure that we can stand up for democracies, stand against terror, and make sure that we can provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance, she said. We all just need to stand together and push back against tyranny. Thats whats at stake here.



The foreign aid package, which now advances to the Senate as a single bill, has required a virtually unprecedented degree of Democratic support at every stage to advance over opposition from the far right.



Seventeen of the 56 Democrats who signed onto a recent letter calling for the U.S. to suspend aid to Israel and condition any future aid ultimately ended up voting for the Israel package: Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Alma Adams (D-NC), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA).



Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), who also signed the letter, did not vote due a medical emergency, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) cannot vote.



An attempt by Greene, Gosar and Massie to oust Johnson from the speakership over the Ukraine vote could come to fruition in the coming days, though Greene said she would wait until after the recess. Its not clear yet how many other lawmakers will support the effort, but a growing number of Democrats are signaling they intend to bail out Johnson given his cooperation on the foreign aid bill.



Whether thats a stable and sustainable solution for the House speaker, who saidearlier this week he was willing to risk his speakership to do the right thing and advance aid, remains to be seen.





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A House Republican let out a series of attacks over the weekend against his partys far-right scumbags as some of his colleagues try to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the latest example of the GOPs increasing division in Congress.

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales voted on Saturday to pass a long-awaited foreign aid package meant to help assist Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in their military efforts against Russia, Hamas and China, respectively.

The four-part $95 billion package was a rare show of bipartisanship, despite Republicans to the right of Johnson pressuring him to avoid a vote on Ukraine aid. Last week, Democrats came to the rescue and moved to bolster Johnsons push to bring Ukraine aid to the floor for a vote  a bipartisan legislative success for the speaker that drew the ire of his partys more extreme lawmakers.

Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has threatened to oust Johnson from speakership, an effort that gained more support after Fridays vote to advance the aid package. Republicans have filed a motion to vacate rule against Johnson, where all it takes is one lawmaker to initiate a vote to remove the speaker  a move that was used by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to kick out former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October.

Republican Rep. slams hardliners in his own party: 'The way you take care of a bully is you bloody their nose.'@RepTonyGonzales, @JamalSimmons, @KBeds and @ScottJenningsKY join @DanaBashCNN to discuss the threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. pic.twitter.com/IDbCimn03K  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 21, 2024

He will survive. Look, the House is a rough and rowdy place, but Mike Johnson is going to be just fine, Gonzales said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. I served 20 years in the military, its my absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags.

Gonzales specifically went after Gaetz, who was accused of having sex with and trafficking minors. The Texas Republican alleged on CNN that the Florida lawmaker paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties, echoing similar accusations made by McCarthy.

In 2020, the Justice Department opened a sex-trafficking probe into the allegations against Gaetz. The department decided last year against prosecuting the lawmaker, who denies any wrongdoing. But the GOP-led House Ethics Committee has since launched its own investigation into allegations that Gaetz was involved in sex trafficking and potential lobbying violations.

Elsewhere during his CNN appearance, Gonzales pointed out that Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), who leads the far-right House Freedom Caucus, had endorsed Brandon Herrera, an extremist YouTuber and Gonzalezs primary opponent. Herrera, who calls himself The AK Guy, will face Gonzalez in a May 28 runoff.

Pulling no punches, Gonzales said that his opponent is a known neo-Nazi.

These people used to walk around with white hoods at night, he said. Now they are walking around with white hoods in the daytime.

On Sunday, Gaetz responded to Gonzales on X, formerly Twitter, calling the Texas lawmaker occasionally-Republican and encouraging Gonzales constituents to vote for Herrera in the runoff.

Now hes laundering lies on CNN, Gaetz said. Unhinged Outbursts is one of the final phases a politician goes through prior to defeat.

Related...
On Saturday, hundreds of people ran in honor of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper killed by a drunk driver.

The 15th Annual Takeoff Race remembers Trooper Kenton Iwaniec. The Westmoreland County native was 24 when he was killed by a drunk driver while on the way home from the Avondale Barracks in Chester County.

Runners gathered at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe to take part in one of several races and raise money to buy breathalyzers for police through the Trooper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Foundation.

Trooper Iwaniecs sister tells Channel 11 that this race is a way to continue his legacy.

He loved being here and serving others, so we want to continue his legacy and [are] trying to make our communities a safer place to be, Acacia Houck said.

Organizers tell us the proceeds from the race allowed them to distribute 100 breathalyzers and place an order for 50 more units.

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Hungarian PM believes West is "one step away from sending troops to Ukraine"

Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, says the West is one step away from deploying troops in Ukraine, but Budapest does not want a war.

Source: Orban on his Facebook page, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Orban complained about the militarist sentiment that he says prevails in Europes policy.

"European leaders have dived deep into the war, they are treating the war like their own war and are waging it as their own war," Orban noted, adding that initially the West was only going to supply Ukraine with helmets, but it then moved on to imposing harsh sanctions, supplying military aircraft, and sending billions of euros.

More details: Orban stated that world wars are never called world wars right away.

Quote: "Money, money, weapons [are being supplied  ed.], but the situation is not improving; in fact its getting worse. We are one step away from the West sending troops to Ukraine. This is a whirlpool of war which could drag Europe down to the depths. Brussels is playing with fire.

We Hungarians know what war is. Weve had enough of it. I am convinced that we must stay away from this war. This is not our war. We dont want war, and we dont want Hungary to become the plaything of great powers again. So we must advocate for peace  at home, in Brussels, in Washington, at the UN and in NATO."

Notably, the word "war" was used 17 times in this short post, and "world war" was used three times.

Background: Earlier this week, during a speech at an event in Budapest, Orban accused European leaders of using "war logic" amid Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He has made a number of controversial statements about Ukraine, calling it a "protectorate" of the West.

Orban also repeated his proposition that Ukraine should be a "buffer zone" between Russia and NATO countries.

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West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho, closed its labor and delivery unit on April 1 for financial and staffing reasons. A former OBGYN who worked at West Valley for decades said the states abortion laws made it difficult to fill vacant OB positions. (Kelcie Moseley-Morris/States Newsroom)

A hospital in a rural area outside of Idahos capital city of Boise closed its labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care units April 1, citing declining birth rates and staffing issues.

West Valley Medical Center is the third facility to close its maternity services in Idaho since the state enacted a near-total abortion ban in August 2022. The county where the medical center is located had more than 3,300 births in 2022, and West Valley sees about 45,000 outpatient visitors in a year. The entire medical center has 112 beds.

The law subjects physicians to two to five years in prison, fines and the loss of their medical license for providing an abortion, even in emergency situations, at least until the U.S. Supreme Court makes a definitive ruling on the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Acts application in Idaho. Oral arguments in that case will take place April 24.

A February report by a coalition of Idaho physicians found the state lost 22% of practicing OB-GYNs since the ban took effect, and 55% of maternal-fetal medicine specialists. The first closure happened in Sandpoint, at Bonner General Hospital in March 2023. The hospital cited the political climate along with staffing issues in its announcement as the reason for closure.

West Valley did not specifically call out the abortion ban or other politics as a reason for closure, but Dr. Ted Colwell, who worked there full time for many years and as a retiree until the April 1 closure, told States Newsroom he thinks it was a factor. Colwell describes himself as pro-life, but he is concerned about the state of medical care in Idaho.

His responses to questions have been edited for clarity and conciseness.

States Newsroom: Whats your experience with West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell?

Dr. Ted Colwell: I moved here from a residency training and started practicing in 1982 at what was then called the Caldwell Womens Clinic, which started in 1969. I was the fourth physician in the group, and Ive been basically in that practice for 36 years, though it has gone through different names and changes of staff. West Valley was always owned by HCA Healthcare, and we had a general OB practice. Someone asked me how many deliveries Ive done over the years, and its around 7,000.

Dr. Ted Colwell (Courtesy of Ted Colwell)

SN: When did you retire?

Colwell: I retired in 2016. Because our group is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, they needed someone to take on the role of reading ultrasounds for the clinic, so Ive been doing that since I retired but thats mostly from home.

SN: What was it like when you were told about the closure?

Colwell: I knew we were struggling, but when the announcement came, I was shocked. Caldwell is kind of a funny hospital in a sense that its kind of rural, but we had excellent maternity services and neonatal intensive care there. The hospital serves not only Caldwell, but a lot of the surrounding areas, so its not a small rural hospital, its a small regional hospital. St. Lukes and Saint Alphonsus (the two major hospital systems in the state) have spread their hospitals west at the same time, so in a way West Valley became surrounded, but that being said, we still have a very loyal patient population. Im just sorry that something couldnt be done to keep the services going at West Valley. I think they tried everything they could.

SN: What do you know about the staffing issues that led in part to the closure?

Colwell: Ive been sort of involved with some of the recruitment efforts and interviewing of some of the potential candidates. Last year, we had five potential candidates, and due to various situations, all five decided to go elsewhere. Idaho used to be a state that attracted OBs for the outdoors, for the family values, the recreation  its a good place to live. But I think the overturn of Roe v. Wade had an impact, even though Idaho wasnt known for large numbers of abortions. I know abortions happened here, and some physicians provided them, but the vast majority of the physicians I knew over the years did not do elective terminations. It didnt really become an issue for me until this whole issue with the hospital came to a head.

People are going to suffer under this law, and it makes me mad that politicians get in the way of evidence-based medicine. I think they should not make it a criminal offense to take good care of women who need medical care and treatment.

 Dr. Ted Colwell

What I heard from others was that those who were interviewed in the last year expressed concerns regarding the legal climate and concerns of prosecution, which led them to not take our offer of employment. These concerns were from those that were relatively fresh out of training. I, on the other hand, wouldnt care about that, and would do the right thing for the patient regardless. I guess that comes with 40-plus years of experience.

SN: Why do you think closing the labor and delivery unit is cause for concern?

Colwell: I feel that women and mothers bring families to the hospital, children and husbands, and when you lose that, theres a risk of losing a lot of services at the hospital. People will be starting to drift off to other facilities further away to get their care. And when you come to the emergency room, if youve got a condition where its gynecological and theres no one in the hospital who can take care of it, to me it puts the hospital in a bad situation. If a patient halfway through their pregnancy is told, Youre going to have to find somebody else, first of all, can they find somebody else? And two, can the other clinics who are still active absorb these patients? Its going to put stress on the whole system.

SN: You described yourself as pro-life. Tell me what the difference is for you when it comes to this kind of medical care.

Colwell: There comes a time when you have to make a medical decision for the life of the mother. Its taking care of patients. People are going to suffer under this law, and it makes me mad that politicians get in the way of evidence-based medicine. I think they should not make it a criminal offense to take good care of women who need medical care and treatment.

SN: What else do you want to add about the current landscape of maternity care in Idaho?

Colwell: I wish the legislators that push these laws through would think about the consequences of their actions. I think they kind of shoot from the hip, is my feeling, and theyre trying to make a statement, and I have not seen a real push (from organizations) to educate the legislators as to what the heck theyre doing. Why dont you consult with the people that are involved? I mean, my gosh.

I hope West Valley can survive this. And it probably will. But its going to affect a lot of people in the meantime.

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Incinerated ash arriving in Shrewsbury from Saugus: Why and what does it mean?

Since April 1, trash incinerated in Saugus has been trucked into Shrewsbury.

SHREWSBURY  Judy Vedder didnt know it was happening.

Vedder, a longtime Shrewsbury resident, didnt realize that trash incinerated in Saugus is being trucked into Shrewsbury. It started April 1.

The development raises questions  why is this happening, who allowed it and what does it mean for residents, especially their health.

While Vedder has lived in Shrewsbury for over 30 years, including 20 years as a Town Meeting member and nine years on the towns finance committee, she had no idea ash from Saugus, 50 miles away, was being trucked into her town.

"My impression was we only take ash from the Millbury plant into our landfill. Im not aware that we're allowed to take ash from other plants.

The Millbury plant Vedder mentioned is owned by WIN Waste Innovations.

Since the 1980s, Shrewsbury and WIN have had a contract that sends the towns trash to WINs waste-to-energy incinerator in Millbury. Ash is the result, and WIN's trucks take it back to Shrewsbury, where WIN operates the landfill at 620 Hartford Turnpike. Shrewsbury owns the land the landfill sits on.

Actually, it's called a monofill because it takes only incinerated ash. WIN pays Shrewsbury roughly $1.5 million annually to deposit ash there.

WIN did not respond to a question of how much it pays Shrewsbury to deposit additional ash from Saugus. Documents supplied by Shrewsbury Town Manager Kevin Mizikar did not state if any payments are made to Shrewsbury for its receipt of ash from Saugus.

Why is Saugus' ash coming to Shrewsbury?

In a nutshell, WINs Saugus monofill is running out of room, based on state regulatory requirements. So it's trucking half of the ash generated to Shrewsbury in order to keep the Saugus monofill going.

That averages out to six truck trips daily, dumping approximately 4,500 tons of ash monthly, according to WIN. In 2023, before the influx from Saugus, WIN trucked roughly 308,000 tons of ash and other residuals to Shrewsbury from a variety of sources, including the Millbury incinerator.

Can WIN do this?

WIN received approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection to use part of the Saugus monofill as a staging area to transport ash to other licensed facilities. The DEP said its approval is not needed to make the transport. The only requirement, according to the DEP, is a 14-day advance notice given to state environmental officials and the Saugus Board of Health before shipping waste off-site.

Its not the first time WIN has trucked ash from Saugus to Shrewsbury. From January to April 2018 WIN transported all of its ash from Saugus to Shrewsbury. That happened during a permitting process to modify the Saugus monofill.

Is there toxic risk to Shrewsbury?

The state Department of Environmental Protection noted in an April 2018 letter to WIN that detectable concentrations of metals in the combined ash at the Saugus landfill consistently reported below EPA hazardous levels. As a result, the ash is defined as nonhazardous solid waste and can be disposed in a landfill.

WIN noted that before its arrival in Shrewsbury, the ash is processed through an advanced screening system to extract recyclable ferrous and nonferrous metal. In other words, metals containing and lacking iron. Third-party consultants and laboratories conduct robust environmental testing, according to WIN, with results regularly submitted to the state DEP and the Shrewsbury Board of Health.

Diane Jones thinks ash trucked to Shrewsbury from Saugus could have negative environmental impacts. Jones has lived in Shrewsbury for 35 years, sits on the towns conservation commission and worries that ash from Saugus could cause Shrewsbury's monofill to fill up faster.

If it happens, Jones said more solid waste could be trucked to landfills outside Massachusetts. That would be a terrible result, said Jones, because those landfills will bear the brunt of solid-waste-producing methane that contributes to global warming and sludge that contains toxins.

It becomes a problem elsewhere, and it can be really toxic for other people, said Jones.

Mizikar noted Shrewsbury's monofill is expected to reach capacity by 2032. The estimate is based on information provided by WIN, said Mizikar.

Vedder also worries that shipments from Saugus will fill up Shrewsburys monofill at a quicker pace. However, her concern isn't environmental, it's financial. If the local monofill taps out, it means no more $1.5 million annual payments from WIN.

Thats concerning to me as a taxpayer. It will shorten the life of our towns revenue stream," said Vedder

How long will this last?

It's unclear how long WIN will ship ash from Saugus to Shrewsbury.

WIN said in an email that it needs approval from the state to operate its Saugus landfill beyond its current permitted capacity. The limit is based on height, topping out at 50 feet above median sea level.

If some Saugus residents had their way, the monofill and adjacent incinerator plant, also owned by WIN, would already be gone. They claim it's an environmental hazard that risks the community's health.

They also cite a consent order executed in 1989 by the state DEP and Resco, the predecessor company to WIN, to bring Rescos ash management and disposal requirements into compliance with Massachusetts solid waste handling and disposal regulations.

The consent order indicated the landfill was to close by Dec. 31, 1996. However, the order has been amended 11 times by the state DEP. Many of the amendments were based on design changes made by Resco/WIN to show available landfill capacity. The amendments also include payments by the company to protect the Rumney Marsh, a sensitive environmental area where the landfill is located.

Critical environmental concern

The state designated the Saugus landfill an area of critical environmental concern and previously said the landfill's expansion would not comply with environmental regulations.

In a November 2021 DEP letter to state Rep. Jeffrey Turco, D-Winthrop, then-DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg said the landfill failed to meet the necessary site suitability criteria to allow for expansion within the area of critical environmental concern. As a result, it would not receive a positive site suitability determination.

"Without a positive site suitability determination from MassDEP, a proposal to amend the facility's site assignment to allow for vertical expansion would not advance to the Saugus Board of Health for consideration," the letter reads.

A March DEP 2023 letter to Turco and state Rep. Jessica Giannino, D-Revere, from then-DEP acting Commissioner Gary Moran supported Suuberg's earlier determination.

Saugus vote: What does it mean?

Meanwhile, the Saugus Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 to support a host community agreement brought forth by WIN. It would allow WIN to continue using the landfill in exchange for the company paying $20 million in economic benefits to the town, along with investments to lessen environmental impacts.

Debra Panetta, chairwoman of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, said that vote was only done to ensure the town got something out of WIN in case the DEP gave WIN another extension to keep the monofill open.

Selectman have no authority to decide a host community agreement, said Panetta, noting the only person who does is Town Manager Scott Crabtree. According to Panetta, Crabtree won't sign the agreement at this time. A call and email to Crabtree that requested comment was not returned.

Panetta also claimed WIN is only interested in saving money because it's cheaper to dump ash from the company's incinerator in Saugus instead of trucking the material to Shrewsbury.

"We want to see the landfill closed as soon as possible, it's that simple," said Panetta.

WIN sees it differently. "We strongly believe the best financial and environmental option for the town, the state and our company is to continue to manage the ash onsite and keep additional trucks off our roadways," said Mary Urban, WIN's senior director of communications and community, in a an email. "We are hoping the shipping of ash is temporary as we continue to work toward a signed HCA with the Town of Saugus."

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Incinerated ash arriving in Shrewsbury from Saugus concerns residents
Iran is one of the top 10 nations for heritage, home to dazzling sites such as the Persian city of Persepolis - E+

Irans budget to preserve its ancient heritage amounts to a paltry 161 per site and 3,000 per building, a minister has complained.

Ali Darabi, the deputy minister for cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, said that the countrys historical sites risk falling into total disrepair in the middle of a profound economic crisis.

The fact that all this historical greatness and cultural heritage should be preserved and restored with this minimal budget is beyond me, Mr Darabi said.

Unesco ranks Iran as one of the top 10 nations for heritage, home to dazzling sites such as the Persian city of Persepolis.

The ministers remarks came amid fresh scrutiny of Tehrans spending on missiles and proxy terror groups in its war with Israel, following a massive barrage launched by the country last week.

In December, a US intelligence report cited Iran as the worlds number one sponsor of terror groups, while a third of the population lives below the poverty line.

Last year, Tehran put up for sale some of some of the countrys most ancient historical treasures in an online auction as it battles with state debt and crippling sanctions over its nuclear programme.

At the time, Mohammad Gharipour, one of Irans leading architectural historians, said the plan was extremely worrisome and appears to have been hastily made. He said the lack of research behind the plan was alarming.

Rayen Castle was among the most significant buildings on the list, an adobe castle in Kerman province believed to be 1,000 years old, and with much older foundations dating to pre-Islamic times.

The country residence of Nasereddin Mirza, a Qajar prince, was also put up for sale following its confiscation during the Islamic revolution of 1979.

Bringing in foreign archaeologists to collaborate on major projects is also a challenge for Tehran, with its policy of hostage diplomacy making it a no-go zone for most travellers.

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Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meets with the family of one of the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Tehran

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei thanked the country's armed forces for their attack this month on Israel, saying the country had demonstrated its power regardless of how many targets were hit, Iran's official news agency reported on Sunday.

In its first ever direct attack on Israel, Iran sent a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones on April 13 in what it said was retaliation for Israel's suspected deadly strike on its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1.

Most of the missiles and drones were shot down by Israel and its allies and the attack caused modest damage in Israel.

"How many missiles were launched and how many of them hit their target is not the primary question, what really matters is that Iran demonstrated its power during that operation," Khamenei said on Sunday.

Early on Friday, explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan in what sources said was an Israeli attack. Tehran played down the incident and said it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

"In the recent operation, the armed forces managed to minimise costs and maximise gains," Khamenei added, urging military officials to "ceaselessly pursue military innovation and learn the enemy's tactics".

(Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Barbara Lewis and Frances Kerry)
Despite fierce protests from society, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi wants to maintain strict police checks on women for headscarf offences.

"Respecting the headscarf is not only a religious, but also a political and legal obligation for Iranian women," said Raisi on Sunday. There is therefore "no doubt whatsoever" that checks must continue to be carried out consistently, the ultra-conservative cleric said, according to the presidential office's website.

Since the beginning of the new Persian year on March 20, police and moral guardians have once again stepped up their crackdown on headscarf violations. Videos on social media show that there have even been clashes between women and moral guards during some checks.

The death of the young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022 sparked nationwide protests against the Islamic regime and its dress code. Amini had been detained by the moral guards because of an allegedly ill-fitting headscarf. A few days later, she died at the police station, allegedly as a result of police violence.

In solidarity with the young Kurdish woman, more and more Iranian women have since ignored the compulsory headscarf. Islamic circles in Iran have also criticized the strict police controls. They are convinced that women cannot be turned into pious and devout Muslims through violence.
Owning a car can be expensive, especially if youre on a fixed retirement income. According to AAA, the average yearly cost of owning a new vehicle is about $9,282, or nearly $774 a month. And while owning a used ca5r generally costs less, thats still a hefty chunk of change to be putting toward transportation costs.

Read: Retirement 2024: These Are the 10 Worst Places To Retire in Florida

Learn: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Money, of course, isnt the only reason why owning a car might not be the best option for retirees. Some people simply dont want to drive after theyve retired. Others might have impaired vision or other health issues that make it harder to drive, or to drive under certain conditions.

Whatever the case may be, there is good news. Several places in America offer excellent public transportation for people without a car. If youre thinking about retiring and want to do without the hassle of owning a private vehicle, here are some places to check out.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area has a diverse public transportation system that makes it easy to get around without a vehicle. Along with this, the city has several programs  like the Transit Assistance Program  to help low-income individuals pay for public transit.

Metro Transit offers bus and light rail services, connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul with their suburbs, said John Stevenson, CFF, and a retirement expert for Annuity. This region often ranks favorably in terms of affordability compared to other major metropolitan areas. Housing costs can be relatively lower compared to coastal cities, and Minnesota does not tax Social Security benefits.

Beyond the extensive public transit system, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area also offers a lower cost of living compared to other major cities. The city also has a number of recreational activities, parks, and a strong healthcare infrastructure for retirees to enjoy.

Shop: 7 Things You Must Buy at Costco While on a Retirement Budget

Portland, Oregon

When it comes to public transportation, Portland ranks as one of the top cities to live. It might not be the cheapest option in terms of overall cost of living, but you can still cut costs by getting rid of your car.

Portland also has the TriMet system, which offers buses, light rail, and commuter rail. These all connect the major parts of the city. TriMet even allows you to plan your trip and track your ride from the comfort of your phone or computer.

Story continues

Besides TriMet, Portland also has several other public transportation options. One is the Aerial Tram, which people frequently use to commute around the city. The tram also provides great views of the surrounding city.

Theres also the Portland Streetcar. This service goes throughout other parts of the city, offering additional coverage to those who need it. All of these options make it easy to commute, run errands, or even just stay active without a car.

Seattle

Another city with an extensive public transit system is Seattle, Washington. Even if you live outside of the city limits, such as in areas like Kent or Everett, you can still get around fairly easily without a car. This can also help keep other costs  like housing  low since they tend to be cheaper outside the city hub.

King County Metro Transit operates buses and the Link light rail, offering efficient transportation options within the city and to nearby suburbs, said Stevenson. Washington State also has no state income taxes so if you are looking for a higher net take home in retirement, consider Seattle, Washington.

There are also other public transportation options available. For example, you can take a train or ferry to various other locations around the area and even throughout the state.

New York City

New York City consists of several boroughs, including Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Throughout the entire area, there are quite a few public transportation options. This includes the subway, buses and, of course, rideshare services. Theres even a railway service to Staten Island.

Many of the public transportation systems in NYC use OMNY, which allows you to tap your smart device or special card to pay the fare. This cuts out the hassle of having to carry around exact change whenever you want to go anywhere.

In NYCs epicenter, Manhattan, only 18% of households own a personal vehicle. This is a stark comparison to the rest of the country, where 92% of American households have cars, said Michael Shapot, licensed associate real estate broker with Keller Williams.

Everything is more expensive here, from the cost of garaging and insuring a car, to gasoline, to housing, to groceries, to income taxes, Shapot added. But the value of what you get in Manhattan is priceless and unmatched anywhere else.

San Francisco

For more active retirees, San Francisco is another city with great public transportation. Its also good for those who enjoy walking or biking everywhere.

With its cable cars, buses, and BART system, San Francisco makes it a breeze to get around without a car, said Cam Dowski, a real estate investor and the CEO of WeBuyHousesChicago.

For example, San Franciscos Muni system is a network of buses, historic streetcars, cable cars, and light rail metro trains that make it easy to get around the city. Their website makes it even easier to learn about the different routes and stops, as well as plan out your trip in advance.

Other Cities To Consider

Most of the top cities for public transportation are also some of the most highly-populated metropolitan areas, like Manhattan, San Francisco, and Boston, said Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant. Other options include Philadelphia, Chicago, and Baltimore.

These areas also happen to be more expensive than others, which could be an issue for retirees looking to save money. The good news is that there are less expensive cities with good public transportation systems as well.

There are definitely some other cities out there that arent quite as expensive while still offering decent public transportation, said Nally. Cities like Buffalo, Milwaukee, and St. Louis all fit the bill. Being able to take advantage of public transportation can be a great cost-cutter for retirees, making it easier to live on a fixed income.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Cut Car Expenses in Retirement: 5 Cities With the Best Public Transportation for Retirees
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with with politicians, the Iranian government, and military officials in Tehran. -/Iranian Supreme leader's Office/dpa

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has praised the Iranian armed forces in the highest terms following their attacks on Israel.

"The armed forces have not only demonstrated their power, but also safeguarded the international reputation and national pride of the country and its people," he said on Sunday.

It was of secondary importance how many missiles had been fired or whether they had reached their targets, he added: The important thing is that the armed forces remain ready to stand up to the country's enemies.

Iran attacked Israel with more than 300 missiles and drones on April 13. Israel and its allies intercepted 99% of the missiles, which according to Israeli military figures carried 60 tons of explosives.

The major Iranian attack was preceded by a missile attack on an Iranian embassy building in the Syrian capital Damascus. Two Iranian generals and other military personnel were killed in the attack. The attack was attributed to Israel.

It is Israel's long-standing practice not to comment publicly on reports of operations abroad.

Khamenei did not comment on the limited military strike on Iran that Israel carried out on Friday, according to media reports.

In the Iranian constitution, the 85-year-old cleric is the country's head of state. He has the final say in all strategic matters.
TechCrunch

Starship is ready to fly again  and for the first time, SpaceX is going to try to bring the booster back to the launch site to catch it with a pair of oversized "chopsticks." SpaceX will launch the mammoth Starship on Sunday in a launch window that opens at 5 AM PST (7 AM local time) from the companys Starbase site in southeast Texas. This flight, which will be the fifth in the Starship development program, is coming a little sooner than expected: the Federal Aviation Administration had previously said that it did not anticipate issuing a modified launch license for this test before late November.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's State Attorney on Sunday indicted the sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on charges of incitement and showing solidarity with a terror group, after she allegedly praised Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that sparked the six-month old war in Gaza.

Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, 57, lives in the southern Israeli town of Tel Sheva. Her brother is based in Qatar, as are other officials from Hamas, the Islamist group that rules the Gaza Strip.

Haniyeh has been held in custody since her arrest on April 1, Israel's justice ministry said. There was no immediate comment from her lawyer.

According to the indictment, in the days after Hamas' Oct. 7 killing spree in southern Israel, Haniyeh sent messages to dozens of contacts, including to her brother, praising the cross-border assault and calling for further "slaughter".

One of her messages mentioned in the indictment includes the line: "Oh God, count them and kill them and don't leave any of them, Oh God."

Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners in the Oct. 7 attack, sparking the war, in which Gaza's health authority says more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
An Israeli pays tribute to a wall of photos of people killed and kidnapped on Oct 7 - REUTERS

Israel has complained that the UNs interim report on whether its workers took part in the Hamas massacre of Oct 7 only contains cosmetic changes to the groups structure, according to a letter seen by The Telegraph.

In the letter, Amir Weissbrod, Israels deputy director general for UN and international organisations division, expressed concern about the findings of a UN-appointed review group, which is investigating allegations against United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the branch of the group that works in Gaza.

The report is due to be published on Monday.

Mr Weissbrod, wrote that the interim report has positive and accurate observations about UNRWAs fundamental flaws. He said that it fails to suggest concrete and realistic solutions to violations of neutrality, incitement in UNRWA schools, and Hamas use of its facilities.

Instead, Israel claims, the review groups recommendations focus on minor cosmetic changes and reforms in the structure of the organisation, [such as] adding budget and personnel resources to guarantee UNRWAs neutrality, conducting training for employees, increasing dialogue with donors and adding internal audits.

The review group was established in early February following the suspension of 12 UNRWA workers whom Israel accused of taking part in the Oct 7 massacre. One staff member was caught on surveillance camera kidnapping an Israeli man in Kibbutz Beeri on that day.

Israel has since provided what it says is more evidence of 2,135 UNRWA workers ties to terrorist groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, as well as details of Hamas tunnels under UNRWAs main HQ in Gaza. The accusations and dismissal of UNRWA staff led to a number of countries freezing funds to the agency, including the UK, which is among the top donors.

When approached for comment, an UNRWA spokesman said they could not respond until the investigations had concluded.

Mr Weissbrods letter was sent to Catherine Colonna, the review groups chairman, after results of their interim report revealed what Israel called major gaps between diagnosis and the conclusions.

The Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (Impact-se), the only NGO invited to testify and provide evidence to the review group, provided a 245-page dossier of what it says is evidence of institutional hate-teaching in UNRWA textbooks in Gaza.

Glorification of jihad

The Telegraph has seen the dossier, which provided evidence ranging from glorification of jihad, terror and anti-Semitism, to teaching children that Israel doesnt exist. It also claims UNRWA textbooks state that zionists control the media, money and politics, that martyrs fighting infidels will go to paradise, and that jihad to protect the homeland is encouraged.

The dossier also included evidence of UNRWA school events celebrating the Oct 7 massacre and UNRWA teachers and staff applauding the attack on social media.

Most of the examples of violations of neutrality in textbooks have already been published in recent years but some havent, including an incident on Dec 10 last year at UNRWA Qalqilya basic school for boys, where a grade 5 student cites from the poem I am a Palestinian child that incites violence against Zionists and promotes martyrdom.

I despise the people of Zion, to Hell with those damned people, it read.

Lets sharpen our piercing swords and fight every accursed [Zionist], and I love death and seek it are among the verses in the poem, according to IMPACT-se.

Marcus Sheff, Impact-ses chief executive, said: The devastating evidence presented by Impact-se on institutional hate-teaching in UNRWA textbooks and schools would convince any fair-minded investigative panel of the agencys unacceptable complicity in terror.

Should the UNs internal review fail to reach this conclusion, an independent, external investigation must immediately be set up to ensure that UNRWA no longer continues in its role.

Israel has publicly called on UNRWA to be dissolved, but other nations have defended the agency, saying its work with Palestinian civilians is vital, as most rely on its help.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal in February, a US intelligence assessment concluded that some UNRWA staff members took part in Oct 7, but that it cant verify Israels accusations that more than 2,000 workers have links to terror groups.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights, one of the NGOs participating in the review groups investigation, declined to comment when The Telegraph reached out for comment.

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FILE - Mourners carry the body of Omar Assad, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Jiljiliya, north of Ramallah, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Israeli leaders on Sunday, April 21, 2024, harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military. The unit came under heavy American criticism in 2022 after the elderly Palestinian-American man was found dead shortly after he was detained at a West Bank checkpoint. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli leaders on Sunday harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military.

The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and would further strain relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israels war in Gaza.

While U.S. officials declined to identify the unit expected to be sanctioned, Israeli leaders and local media identified it as Netzah Yehuda  an infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate ultra-Orthodox men into the military. Many religious men receive exemptions from what is supposed to be compulsory service.

Israeli leaders condemned the anticipated decision as unfair, especially at a time when Israel is at war, and vowed to oppose it.

If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF, I will fight it with all my might, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Netzah Yehuda, or Judea Forever, has historically been based in the occupied West Bank and some of its members have been linked to abuses against Palestinians. It makes up just a small part of Israels military presence in the territory.

The unit came under heavy American criticism in 2022 after an elderly Palestinian-American man was found dead shortly after he was detained at a West Bank checkpoint.

A Palestinian autopsy said Omar Assad, 78, had underlying health conditions, but had suffered a heart attack caused by external violence.

It said doctors found bruises on his head, redness on his wrists from being bound and bleeding in his eyelids from being tightly blindfolded. A military investigation said that Israeli soldiers assumed that Assad was asleep when they cut off the cables binding his hands. They didnt offer medical help when they saw that he was unresponsive and left the scene without checking to see if he was alive.

Assad had lived in the U.S. for four decades. After an outcry from the U.S. government, the Israeli military said the incident was a grave and unfortunate event, resulting from moral failure and poor decision-making on the part of the soldiers. It said one officer was reprimanded and two other officers reassigned to non-commanding roles, over the incident.

But the army decided against criminal prosecution, saying military investigators could not directly link their actions to the death of the U.S. citizen.

Human rights groups long have argued that Israel rarely holds soldiers accountable for the deaths of Palestinians.

Investigators said soldiers were forced to restrain Assad because of his aggressive resistance. Assads family has expressed skepticism that the behavior of an ailing 78-year-old could justify such harsh treatment.

Amid the uproar with the U.S., Israel moved Netzah Yehuda out of the West Bank in late 2022 and reassigned it to northern Israel. The battalion was moved to the southern border with Gaza after Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the ongoing war.

In a statement Sunday, the army said its Netzah Yehuda soldiers are currently participating in the war effort in the Gaza Strip.

The battalion is professionally and bravely conducting operations in accordance to the IDF Code of Ethics and with full commitment to international law, it said. It said that if the unit is sanctioned, its consequences will be reviewed.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that he had made a decision on reviews of allegations that several Israeli military units had violated conditions for receiving U.S. assistance outlined in the so-called Leahy Law and that they would soon be made public.

The White House declined to comment and referred to Blinken's comments from Friday.

Benny Gantz, a former military chief, defense minister and current member of Israels War Cabinet, said in a statement that he spoke Sunday evening with Blinken and told him the expected decision is a mistake because it would harm Israel's international legitimacy during wartime and because Israel's judicial system is strong and independent.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, another member of the War Cabinet, said he delivered a similar message to the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, and planned on talking to Blinken as well in hopes of blocking the expected decision. He said punishing the unit could cast a shadow over the entire Israeli military. That's not the way to behave with partners and friends, he said.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the situation said the U.S. announcement could come as soon as Monday.

The officials said about five Israeli units were investigated and all but one had been found to have taken action to remedy the violations. The Leahy Law, named for former Sen. Patrick Leahy, bars U.S. aid from going to foreign military units that have committed human rights abuses.

A reservist in the Netzah Yehuda unit, Sgt. Maj. Nadav Nissim Miranda, said the Assad death was an unfortunate incident but also an aberration. He told Channel 12 TV that targeting the battalion would hurt efforts to encourage religious men to enlist.

But Yesh Din, an Israeli legal advocacy group, said the case was not isolated. It said one out of every five soldiers convicted of harming Palestinians or their property since 2010 comes from Netzah Yehuda, making it the unit with the highest conviction rate for such cases.

The U.S. review was launched before the Hamas war and not connected to recent Israeli actions inside Gaza or the West Bank  which has experienced a dramatic spike in deadly violence since the Gaza war erupted. The U.S. has also recently imposed sanctions against violent settlers.

Gadi Shamni, a retired general who once served as the militarys commander over the West Bank, said a main problem with the unit is that it was traditionally assigned exclusively to the West Bank. Violence between troops and Palestinians and settlers and Palestinians has surged there in recent years. In contrast, he said other units regularly rotate in and out of the volatile area.

He said the exposure to nonstop friction and violence had caused a level of tiredness among the troops. Nonetheless, he said it was a stereotype to punish the entire unit and it would have been better to target specific individuals or commanders.

But Ori Givati, the director of advocacy at Breaking the Silence, an Israeli group of former combat soldiers critical of Israels occupation, said the problems run much deeper than any particular unit.

He said abuses of power by soldiers toward Palestinians are systematic and the lack of repercussions for wrongdoings are fueling incidents like the death of Assad.

Israeli hard-liners blasted the expected U.S. decision. Israels ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said the U.S. crossed a red line, and Tally Gotliv, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, accused the U.S. of antisemitism.

But even the head of the opposition, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, rejected the move.

He said the anticipated sanctions are a mistake and we must act to cancel them. He noted that the source of the problem is not at the military level but at the political level.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has warned against the development of nuclear weapons by Iran.

In an interview with German mass-circulation Bild newspaper and other media of the Axel Springer publishing group in his official residence in Jerusalem, Herzog said: "Clearly the greatest threat to stability in the world is Iran's desire for the bomb."

In view of this danger, he appealed to the free world to act together and "to fight if necessary." He warned against a policy of appeasement towards Iran.

Without referring to the attack on military targets in Iran on Friday, which was attributed to Israel, Herzog assured that his country was acting "responsibly" and striving for peace and stability. In the "chess game of world politics," it is often a matter of "acting responsibly and with restraint."

"This is what we have done throughout the crisis," Herzog said.

Israel has not yet commented publicly on the strike. "I think the best thing would be for it to remain unclear to everyone," Herzog said.

Iran is also playing down the attack near Isfahan. According to media reports, it was a retaliatory strike in response to Iran's massive missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend, which was preceded by a missile attack on the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus. Two Iranian generals and other employees were killed in the attack. This attack was attributed to Israel.

According to Bild, the Israeli head of state was sceptical about more sanctions on Iran: "In the end, we should not be fools or naive."

Iran is working tirelessly against Western civilization and striving for more influence in the region, Herzog said. It is spreading terror and hatred all over the world, Herzog was quoted as saying. "We should be very aware of this."

He pointed out that thousands of innocent civilians had been killed by Iranian drones in Ukraine.

Herzog called on the Europeans to finally wake up to the "real threat to stability in the world" posed by the "evil empire" led by Iran. It must be fought with the existing NATO coalition, Bild quoted the Israeli president as saying.
Relatives mourn over the body of a Palestinian man, draped in the Islamic Jihad militant group flags, during his funeral in the Nur Shams refugee camp, near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Sunday, April 21, 2024. The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service said 14 bodies have been recovered from the Nur Shams urban refugee camp since an Israeli military operation began in the area Thursday night. The Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed the deaths of three members. Another killed was a 15-year-old boy. The Israeli army said its forces killed 10 militants in the camp and surrounding areas while eight suspects were arrested. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight killed 22 people, including 18 children, health officials said Sunday, as the United States was on track to approve billions of dollars of additional military aid to Israel, its close ally.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has sought refuge from fighting elsewhere. It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive against the Hamas militant group to the city on the border with Egypt despite calls for restraint, including from the U.S.

In the coming days, we will increase the political and military pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to bring back our hostages and achieve victory. We will land more and painful blows on Hamas  soon," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He didn't give details.

The first Israeli strike in Rafah killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. The woman was pregnant and the doctors saved the baby, the hospital said. The second strike killed 17 children and two women from an extended family.

These children were sleeping. What did they do? What was their fault? asked one relative, Umm Kareem. Mohammed al-Beheiri said that his daughter, Rasha, and her six children, the youngest 18 months old, were among those killed. A woman and three children were still under the rubble.

The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, at least two-thirds of them children and women. It has devastated Gaza's two largest cities and left a swath of destruction. Around 80% of the territory's population have fled to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.

The $26 billion aid package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday includes around $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine. The U.S. Senate could pass the package as soon as Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

The conflict, now in its seventh month, has sparked regional unrest pitting Israel and the U.S. against Iran and allied militant groups across the Middle East. Israel and Iran traded fire directly this month, raising fears of all-out war.

Tensions have also spiked in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli troops killed two Palestinians who the military says attacked a checkpoint with a knife and a gun near the southern West Bank town of Hebron early Sunday. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that the two killed were 18 and 19, from the same family. No Israeli forces were wounded, the army said.

Later, the military said its forces shot dead a 43-year-old Palestinian woman after she tried to stab a soldier in the northern West Bank near Bekaot settlement.

The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service said that it had recovered 14 bodies from an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp in the West Bank that began late Thursday. Those killed include three militants from the Islamic Jihad group and a 15-year-old boy. The military said it killed 14 militants and arrested eight suspects. Ten Israeli soldiers and one border police officer were wounded.

In a separate incident in the West Bank, an Israeli man was wounded in an explosion on Sunday, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. A video circulating online shows a man approaching a Palestinian flag planted in a field. When he kicks it, it appears to trigger an explosive device.

At least 469 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most have been killed during Israeli military raids or in violent protests.

The war was sparked by an unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which Hamas and other militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to call for a new election to replace Netanyahu and a deal with Hamas to release the hostages. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are returned.

The war has killed at least 34,097 Palestinians and wounded another 76,980, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry doesn't differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. It says the real toll is likely higher as many bodies are stuck beneath the rubble or in areas that medics can't reach.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militants fight in dense, residential neighborhoods. The military rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children. The military says it has killed more than 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence.

___

Samy Magdy reported from Cairo. Jack Jeffery contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight killed 18 people, mostly children, as U.S. lawmakers advanced an aid package that would send millions of dollars to Israel.

Officials at the Kuwaiti Hospital said the first Israeli strike killed a man, his wife, and their 3-year-old child, The Associated Press reported. The wife was pregnant, but doctors managed to save the baby, according to the news service.

A second Israeli strike killed 13 children and two women, the AP reported, citing hospital records. The AP noted that all who were killed in the second strike were members of the same family.

Gaza has been subjected to nearly daily Israeli strikes since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate the militant group as Israel continues to target the militants in Gaza.

President Biden has been warning Israel for months against invading Rafah, where more than 1 million civilians are estimated to be seeking refuge at Israels direction. He told Netanyahu in February that a Rafah invasion should not proceed without a plan.

Netanyahu said earlier this month that a date has been set for an invasion into Rafah.

More than 34,000 Palestinians have now died in the war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Many world leaders and humanitarian aid groups have called for a ceasefire as those living in Gaza continue to face dire conditions.

The House approved a massive foreign aid package on Saturday after months of holdup in the lower chamber.

The package, which has now been sent to the Senate for approval, provides roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza and elsewhere, and $8 billion for Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Anti-Israel agitators on Columbia Universitys campus have "crossed the line" and become a terrorist organization amid ongoing protests at the Ivy League school, a professor told Fox News Digital.

"Yesterday, what we saw is that the pro-terrorist student organizations have crossed the line to being an actual terror organization," business professor Shai Davidai told Fox Digital.

Davidai cited video footage from Saturday as a breaking point for when protesters "crossed the line." One demonstrator was seen holding a sign reading, "Al-Qasams (sic)next targets," while pointing at a group of Jewish students who were singing and waving Israels flag. Al-Qassam is the military wing of the terrorist organization Hamas.

Hundreds of protesters were seen on Columbias campus again Saturday, with social media videos showing them releasing red smoke while chanting in front of the Columbia East Gate.

COLUMBIA RABBI TELLS JEWISH STUDENTS TO LEAVE CAMPUS, WARNS THAT SCHOOL, NYPD 'CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY'

Anti-Israel students demonstrate on Columbia Universitys campus in New York City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

"Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation," they yelled through the locked campus gate.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The protesters also shouted and chanted, "Al-Qassam you make us proud, kill another soldier now," "We say justice, you say how. Burn Tel Aviv to the ground" and "Hamas we love you. We support your rockets, too."

The protests, which follow war breaking out in Israel on Oct. 7, focus on demands from students and protesters that Columbia completely divest from Israel.

Among the chants the anti-Israel demonstrators yelled was "Hamas we love you. We support your rockets, too."

"We demand that Columbia sever academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Columbia stop censoring and intimidating students who are standing up and advocating for Palestinian liberation," one protester yelled last week, the New York Post reported.

Davidai pinned blame for the antisemitism on campus to the administration and faculty, which he says encouraged the protesters after they failed to take any action on campus antisemitism since war broke out in Israel.

COLUMBIA STUDENT RECOUNTS HAVING FRONT-ROW SEAT TO THE MADNESS OF ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS

"All the faculty that were named in the congressional hearing, and more, are not just egging them on, not just cheering them on, but they have been repeatedly showing up in the illegal encampment of terrorists and telling them to keep going and encouraging them to fight until the end, no matter what. And finally, they are being encouraged by the administration, who did a big show on Thursday of bringing in the NYPD, arrested 108 students for trespassing, and like a turnstile, brought them back on campus," he said.

Banners and Palestinian flags are seen as anti-Israel student protesters resume demonstrations at Columbia University on the third day of "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" after mass arrests by the New York Police Department on April 19, 2024.

Davidai compared the protests and antisemitism to a fire, arguing that "student mobs that are being brainwashed are the burning material," while the "administration that has done absolutely nothing for six freaking months" serves as the oxygen that feeds the fire, and the "the pro-Hamas professors are the arsonists."

At least three people were arrested Saturday, according to the New York Post, including for disorderly conduct. Another person was seen being carried out on a stretcher by EMS and treated for an unknown issue.

"We want justice, you say how? Stop arming Israel now," the protesters chanted Saturday.

STEFANIK ACCUSES COLUMBIA PRESIDENT OF 'PRO-TERRORIST' PROFESSOR 'COVER-UP,' WARNS OF POTENTIAL FELONY

The protest Saturday comes after more than 100 protesters were arrested on Thursday, when police raided a tent encampment they set up dubbed the "Gaza Solidarity encampment" and "liberated zone." Democrat Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omars daughter was among those arrested on Thursday after she said earlier that day she was suspended from Barnard College for "standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide," Fox Digital previously reported.

The Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University told students in a message to leave campus "as soon as possible" until the situation improves.

Davidai also took issue with New York politicians who have remained silent on the protests, pointing specifically to Democrat Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as "shameful."

"And Chuck Schumer, who's the senator of New York, has said absolutely nothing. And Gillibrand has said absolutely nothing. And these people are shameful. They are shameful. And I hope to see them go, not because I don't believe in their liberal values, but I don't believe in their morals. You cannot just say things and let the Jewish students fend for themselves. And last night, and this morning, and for the past four days, and for the past six months, we have seen the Jewish students fending for themselves," Davidai said.

"And it's time not just for the NYPD but for the National Guard. Gov. [Kathy] Hochul has to come in and say something," he added.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS EXCORIATE ILHAN OMAR SUGGESTING COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PROTESTS NOT 'ANTI-JEWISH'

New York native and Jewish influencer Lizzy Savetsky told Fox that the protests are "deeply troubling," considering that New York City is home to the worlds largest Jewish community outside of Israel, and echoed Davidai that more local leaders need to step up and take action on the protests.

NYPD officers patrol as protesters demonstrate outside of Columbia Universitys campus in New York City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

"Columbia's violent protests contrast sharply with our city's values of diversity and mutual respect," she said. "As a Jewish activist in NYC, I stand with students facing threats and discrimination on campus. Columbia must prioritize the safety of all students and ensure that access to education is protected. With the alarming rise in antisemitic attacks across our city, state and local officials must urgently step up to protect the Jewish community at Columbia and combat these terrorist supporters in our streets."

SUSAN SARANDON JOINS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MONTHS AFTER BEING DROPPED BY TALENT AGENCY

Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has been publicly condemning U.S. campus antisemitism for months, called for Columbia President Minouche Shafik to "immediately resign" last week and for the school to appoint an individual "who will protect Jewish students and enforce school policies."

Barnard College, Columbia University student Yola Ashkenazie told Fox News Digital on Sunday that the environment on campus is "scary, dangerous and untenable" and that protesters have crossed a line and become "violent."

"On Saturday night, student protesters proudly chanted for the death of Jewish and Israeli students. They did so by chanting in support of Hamas military wing and called on them to strike Israeli cities and pro-Israel students at Columbia. As a university that prides itself on critical thinking, I've seen a complete loss of it this week," she said.

"Jewish students are unable to be on campus right now. Prohibiting us from receiving the education that we work so hard to be able to obtain is unacceptable, and university administration must do everything they can to ensure that we can resume our studies as soon as possible," Ashkenazi said.

Columbia alum Sheila Nazarian, a plastic surgeon originally from Iran, told Fox Digital that shes stopped donating to the school over campus antisemitism, and she said its time for the National Guard to respond to campus while the administration must expel students who take part in the protests.

ANTI-ISRAEL YALE PROTESTERS JOINING COLUMBIA STUDENTS IN 'TEAR DOWN OUR SOCIETY' IVY LEAGUE MOVEMENT: LAW PROF

"Having studied in the classrooms of Columbia University, I've always valued the institution's dedication to intellectual diversity and open discourse," she said. "However, the recent events unfolding on campus, with anti-Israel protests and inflammatory rhetoric, are deeply troubling. As an alumna, I believe it's crucial for Columbia to uphold its principles of inclusivity while safeguarding the rights of all students, including those of Jewish descent. Columbia has stopped receiving donations from many alumni, including me, since they failed to stop the student body from passing a BDS resolution. They will continue to not receive a penny from me in donations until this antisemitism problem is cleaned up."

"Jewish students are unable to be on campus right now," one student said.

"It's imperative for the university administration to start taking definitive steps to address and condemn any form of discrimination or hostility targeting Jewish students. Call in the National Guard. Stop taking money from foreign bad actors. Fire terrorist sympathizers on staff. Expel terrorist students. These are all adults. And they must be held accountable," she added.

ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS HEARD SHOUTING WE ARE HAMAS, LONG LIVE HAMAS AMID COLUMBIA U DEMONSTRATIONS

Fox News Digital reached out to the school for comment on the reactions to the protests but did not immediately receive replies.

"We demand that Columbia sever academic ties with Israeli universities, and we demand that Columbia stop censoring and intimidating students who are standing up and advocating for Palestinian liberation," one protester reportedly yelled last week.

This weekend, the Orthodox rabbi at Columbia University and Barnard College told students in a message to leave campus "as soon as possible" until the situation improves, noting that "what we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic."

"The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy," Rabbi Elie Buechler wrote. "It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved."

Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.





Original article source: Ivy League anti-Israel agitators' protests spiral into 'actual terror organization,' professor warns
The founding of a nation usually begins with a leader who aggregates political interests. In our nation, this interest aggregation process materialized among the colonies with the First and Second Continental Congresses of 1774 and 1775. The leader was Peyton Randolph of Virginia. Some consider him to be the first president of the United States. After the British threatened to hang him for treason, his security detail referred to him as the father of your country. Who was this little-known hero of the American nation?

Peyton Randolph (herein Peyton) was born at Tazewell Hall in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Sept. 10, 1721. His father was Sir John Randolph, a lawyer, a Speaker of the House of Burgesses (the colonys legislature), and a wealthy man, who was the only native Virginian to be knighted by the King of England (1732). He died in 1737, leaving his library to Peyton, hoping he will betake himself to the study of law. (When Peyton died, Thomas Jefferson bought his library, which is currently in the Library of Congress).

James W. Pfister

Peyton fulfilled his fathers wishes. After attending the College of William & Mary, Peyton traveled to England to study law at the London Inns of Court, the Middle Temple, in 1739. He became a barrister, the highest level of English legal practice, on Feb. 10, 1743, thus spending about four years in London studying law.

Upon his return home, he was made Virginias attorney general on May 7, 1744. He was an elite English gentleman, not an American revolutionary. An adherent of the British Constitution that emerged from the revolution of 1688 (the era of John Locke) and a political practitioner in the Court Whig mold of Sir Robert Walpole, Randolphs moderating effect at key moments in the imperial crisis checked the extremes to which radicals such as Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee would otherwise lead the colony. (The American Revolution Institute: Peyton Randolph). As Speaker of the House of Burgesses and later as president of the Continental Congress, Peyton was able to keep the radicals in check.

As attorney general, Peyton protected the colonys interests and resolved governmental disputes, often between the royal governor and the Burgesses. In the 1750s, there was the Lieutenant Gov. Robert Dinwiddie affair, where the latter charged a fee for sealing new land patents. Peyton appeared to be in a tender situation representing the royal governor but arguing the Burgesses case in London. He worked it out in the end, retaining his position as Attorney General.

In 1764, the Stamp Act became an issue. Peyton wrote an Address of Remonstrance to the King arguing against the act. He strongly opposed Patrick Henrys approach of using strident language in his Stamp Act Resolves as being counterproductive. It was conservatives versus radicals. In 1766, there were two candidates for Speaker of the Burgesses: Peyton and Richard Bland, the latter favored by radicals Henry and Lee. On Nov. 6, 1766, Peyton was elected Speaker by a substantial majority, and his conservative brother, John Randolph, became attorney general. The conservatives won.

Peyton was a successful politician, being elected as leader in every major assembly in which he sat. Most important in history was the First Continental Congress of Sept. 5-Oct. 22, 1774, meeting in Philadelphia. John Adams, who met Peyton there, described him as a large well looking man. Peyton was unanimously elected president of that national Congress. He would again be unanimously elected president of the Second Congress on May 10, 1775, but had to resign the presidency 14 days later due to poor health. He would die from a stroke on Oct. 22, 1775, just eight months before the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Peyton was a transitional man, evolving in his life from being the English Kings attorney in Virginia to being president of the national Continental Congress, the father of your country. By contrast, his brother, John, a loyalist attorney, in 1775 left Virginia to spend the remainder of his life in London. Peytons conservative nationalism as a lawyer, I believe, had an impact on the Declaration: It was a legal document of due process, showing with precision the reasons for the separation and, as his young friend Jefferson wrote, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind.

 James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: James Pfister: Peyton Randolph, the original founding father
Jamie McLeod-Skinner on campaign relaunch for Oregons 5th congressional district

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Attorney, engineer and politician Jamie McLeod-Skinner has been here before. She narrowly lost her bid for Oregons 5th congressional district in 2022 to Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

A graduate of Cornell Universitys engineering school, McLeod-Skinner also has a law degree from the University of Oregon.

Returning to Eye on Northwest Politics, McLeod-Skinner, who has run for other offices including Secretary of State, discusses why she continues on the campaign trail.

A native of central Oregon  which is now a big part of District 5 as of 2020 re-districting  she also voices what she believes in the most major issue in her district going into the election.

McLeod-Skinner then discusses the steps she must take before she can face off against Chavez-DeRemer in November. This involves first defeating Janelle Bynum  another formidable candidate in the democratic May primary  who also received the endorsement from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee instead of McLeod-Skinner.

Additionally, since Chavez-DeRemer has made it a point to say that shes signed on to bipartisan initiatives, McLeod-Skinner discloses whether this would make her tougher to beat in the race.

Furthermore, she discusses her stance on supporting Joe Biden for re-election and how a progressive such as her can make actionable change in a sharply-divided congress.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
JK Rowling has accused one of the Green ministers in Humza Yousafs government of being a fundamentalist after he rubbished the Cass review into gender identity services for children.

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, said there were far too many criticisms of it for him to accept it as a valid scientific document.

Despite author Dr Hilary Cass being one of the UKs most eminent paediatricians, he said serious evidence had not been considered and was specifically excluded from her review.

Mr Harvie also said he wanted to be really, really clear that a decision last week to suspend the use of puberty blockers in Scotland in the wake of the review was made by clinicians and not ministers.

However, his attempt to distance the Scottish government from the move had previously been undermined by Neil Gray, the SNP health secretary, who said it was the right decision.

Highlighting Mr Harvies comments, Rowling tweeted: No objective truth or scientific fact will shake a fundamentalist. Theres literally no limit to the nonsense theyll speak, the lies theyll tell or the derision theyll brave rather than question the faith around which theyve organised their lives.

Michelle Thomson, an SNP MP, said Mr Harvies response was unbelievable. She said: It is, in effect, a form of science denialism. Thats heading towards the world of Trump.

Nobody who had read and understood the report could not agree it was entirely evidence-based and scientific from someone who is extremely well regarded as a leading academic and paediatrician in their field.

Green response

She added: The Greens need to decide that within their role in the Scottish government they either respond to evidence  even if they dont agree or are disappointed or dismayed by its findings  or they dont. If they dont, I cant see how it wont call into question the Bute House agreement. I dont think that we should continue in partnership with the Greens.

Meghan Gallacher, the Scottish Tory deputy leader, said: Patrick Harvies dismissiveness towards the Cass Review further emphasises that he is not fit to be in government.

Instead of accepting its recommendations, he is still trying to undermine the review. Both the SNP and the Greens have buried their heads in the sand by saying it is solely a matter for clinicians rather than doing the right thing and offering support to protect our vulnerable, young people.

Michael Foran, an equality law expert and public law lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said: Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens spreading misinformation about the Cass Report and stoking a culture war by refusing to deny or condemn his colleague Ross Greers description of it as a transphobic conservative report. This is irresponsible and dangerous.

Mr Harvie was asked repeatedly on BBC Scotlands Sunday Show whether he considered the Cass review to be a valid scientific document.

He said: Ive seen far too many criticisms of it so far to be able to say that.

There will be a ministerial statement next week about what happens next and I want to be really, really clear that the decision made last week was not a government decision.

It was made by individual clinicians, and if they need more evidence that it is best practice around the world, and has been the case for a long time till it can continue, then we need to work with them to make sure that our evidence is there.

His comments come ahead of a ministerial statement on the review this week, and after another Scottish Green MSP described the report as a transphobic, conservative document.

Dr Cass found that the evidence for allowing young people and children to change gender was built on weak foundations and that there was no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of treatments such as puberty blockers that are given to children.

She could also not rule out that they could contribute to psychological or physical problems in later life, including infertility.

This prompted the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow to announce that it would also no longer prescribe gender affirming hormones to new patients aged under 18.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
How Johnson came to embrace Ukraine aid and defy his right flank

Watch Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju at 8 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. ET on Speaker Johnson and the tension in the House GOP.

The day after Iran attacked Israel, House Speaker Mike Johnson was on the phone with a man who suddenly held the keys to his legislative agenda and potentially his own future: House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

In a phone call that has not been previously reported, Johnson said he was ready to act on foreign aid, even though that would enrage Republicans who did not support additional assistance to Ukraine and could potentially cost him his job, a source familiar with the conversation told CNN.

Jeffries pressed Johnson on how many Republicans he could deliver to support the aid for Ukraine, knowing House Democrats would have to bring the rest, the source added.

But when Johnson returned to Washington, DC, on Monday plotting his path forward, he was faced with an onslaught of attacks from many of his GOP colleagues.

The Louisiana Republican quickly began hearing an earful from hardline conservatives, coming to realize his risky gambit of holding separate votes on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan  and later tying those bills together in one package without including conservative demands over stricter border policies  could trigger a snap vote to remove him as speaker.

On Tuesday, Johnson sat in his office as members streamed in to voice their complaints and level their demands. By nighttime, he was wrestling how to proceed. Feeling the weight of his future and knowing history was watching him, Johnson, a devout Christian, turned to prayer.

He was torn between trying to save his job and do the right thing, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, a top Ukraine advocate who was with Johnson the night before the legislation was released, told CNN. He prayed over it.

Johnson ultimately emerged Wednesday firm in his convictions that he was on the right path to make the most consequential decision of his political career by moving ahead with billions of dollars in foreign aid. The decision culminated in a tense scene on the House floor as Republican members traded insults and the speaker navigated his warring factions.

Kick rocks, tubby, Rep. Derrick Van Orden said to Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican trying to derail Johnsons plans.

In a message to his colleagues ahead of the release of legislative text, Johnson acknowledged the significant member feedback and discussion. And publicly, Johnson  who came into the job somewhat accidentally after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in October  was even more blunt.

My philosophy is do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. If I operated out of fear over motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job. Look, history judges us for what we do. This is a critical time right now, Johnson said Wednesday.

I can make a selfish decision and do something that is different, but Im doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing aid to Ukraine right now is critically important, the speaker added.

The $95 billion aid package, which has the backing of President Joe Biden, ultimately passed Saturday with the support of 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans. It now heads to the Senate, which is expected to give final approval this week.

Despite the bipartisan vote, Johnson admonished Democrats who waved Ukrainian flags on the House floor after the bills passage.

We should only wave one flag on the House floor. And I think we know which flag that is, Johnson said.

Democratic lawmakers wave Ukrainian flags after the House passed the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. - House TV

The speakers embrace of Ukraine aid represents a remarkable evolution for Johnson, who voted against funding for the country as a rank-and-file member. But almost immediately after securing the speakers gavel, sources say he began to hear directly from critical Republican national security voices  including Donald Trumps former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who impressed upon him the urgent need to approve assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion.

In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lobbied the speaker directly. Within minutes of the House approving a new military aid package for Ukraine on Saturday, Zelensky offered his thanks to US lawmakers, and in particular to Johnson for his decision that keeps history on the right track.

And more recently, Johnson received a key intelligence briefing from CIA Director Bill Burns, who painted a picture of the dire situation on the battlefield in Ukraine and the global consequences of inaction, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. The briefing left a lasting impression, and Johnson became increasingly convinced the fate of Western democracy was on his shoulders, sources close to him said.

Another factor that sources say weighed heavily on his decision-making: Johnsons oldest son was recently accepted into the Naval Academy.

To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys. My son is going to begin in the Naval Academy this fall. This is a live-fire exercise for me as it is so many American families, Johnson told reporters. This is not a game, this is not a joke.

If Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and her supporters make good on their threat to force a vote on ousting him as speaker, Johnson will almost certainly need to rely on Democrats to bail him out. Johnson maintains that he has not asked any Democrats for their help, but senior Republicans believe they will be able to count on support across the aisle to swiftly kill any motion to vacate the speakers chair  a feeling that may have bolstered Johnsons confidence in pressing ahead with his plans.

It is still unclear whether Democrats will throw him a lifeline. But they have expressed a willingness to save Johnson, especially after he defied his right flank to move ahead with a foreign aid package that closely resembles a Senate-passed version.

Well have to have the conversation before the House caucus. But first things first, we still have to get the national security bills over the finish line, Jeffries told reporters Friday.

Johnson drags his feet

Johnson did not come to his decision on how to handle foreign aid quickly.

In one of his first acts as speaker, Johnson put on the floor a bill that provided $14.3 billion in aid for Israel. The measure went nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate because it did not include money for Ukraine and would have enacted funding cuts to the Internal Revenue Service.

He remained resistant to moving on Ukraine funding, letting the Senate-passed foreign aid package sit idle for months  even when Biden and the other three top congressional leaders, including Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, pressured him to act in a tense Oval Office meeting in February.

Slow, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said when asked how Johnson handled Ukraine aid. It should have been done months ago; should have just put the Senate bill on the floor. It would have gotten 300 votes.

Many Republicans believe Johnson could have arrived at his position of supporting Ukraine aid much sooner, as the bipartisan support was inevitable.

We have walked through broken glass to get a result, all of which could have been done before Christmas, but were bringing it out until nearly summer, GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina told CNN. That is an active choice that I disagree with.

Part of Johnsons reluctance: Trump, who has been critical of Ukraine aid and has the power to make or break any legislation  and his own speakership. In recent weeks, allies counseled Johnson to keep the former president in the loop on his potential foreign aid plans.

So Johnson trekked down to Mar-a-Lago last week for an unrelated news conference, at Johnsons behest, where Trump expressed support not only for structuring some Ukraine aid as a loan but also for Johnsons speakership.

I stand by the speaker, Trump said at the joint news conference.

The next day, Israel was attacked by Iranian missiles, fueling a new sense of urgency for Congress to act. Johnson knew he could no longer put off a decision, vowing over the weekend to put some form of Israel aid on the floor. But he was still wrestling with how to proceed.

The only way to stop a bully is to push back harder

When Johnson finally announced his plans and the legislative text became public on Wednesday, he was facing an all-out revolt from his right flank.

Its tough to defend him right now, said Arizona Rep. Eli Crane, one of the GOP members who voted to depose McCarthy.

Hardliners were furious that aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan would be voted on separately but ultimately merged into a single package to be sent to the Senate. A separate vote on a border security bill, meant to placate conservatives, was also met with swift opposition.

I dont defend the performance of the speaker. I dont defend the actions that have been taken.  I think this is a terrible mistake, said GOP Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, who also supported McCarthys ouster, adding that Johnson has failed us.

Meanwhile, moderate Republicans were lobbying Johnson to raise the threshold required to trigger a motion to vacate the speakers chair to make it harder for any single member to use, essentially neutralizing the threat from Greene.

Johnson, a self-described wartime speaker, walked into a meeting with center-right Republicans who showed him overwhelming support, giving him multiple standing ovations.

I think he needed it, a GOP lawmaker in the closed-door meeting told CNN. He certainly said that.

But news of Johnson weighing a rule change on the motion to vacate sparked a fury on his right.

Thursday morning, Johnson found himself essentially pinned against the wall of the House floor as he was swarmed by right-wing lawmakers pressing him for assurances that he would not change the rules on the motion to vacate and making last-ditch efforts to change his course on foreign aid.

In one particularly bizarre moment, as the intense huddle was taking place, Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas stood at the microphones at the front of the chamber for a floor speech and began citing the Pledge of Allegiance. Johnson and the group of hardliners stopped their conversation, turned to the American flag at the front of the room, put their hands over their hearts, and recited the pledge along with Green, according to a GOP member who witnessed the moment. They then turned back around and resumed arguing.

The huddle grew so heated, that at one point, Van Orden  a Johnson ally who decided to step in and provide backup for the speaker  told Gaetz to kick rocks, tubby.

Im a retired Navy Seal, and Navy Seals only go places with a swim buddy, and the speaker didnt have a swim buddy, Van Orden told CNN, recounting the exchange. So he didnt ask me to come over there. I went and was his swim buddy.

Matt Gaetz is a bully, Chip Roys a bully, Bob Goods a bully, and the only way to stop a bully is to push back harder, the Wisconsin Republican added.

Gaetz told reporters Van Orden was acting unhinged and called him not particularly intelligent.

Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks to reporters at the Capitol on April 18, 2024. - Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

But Democrats, too, were leery of rules changes to make it harder to kick out the speaker, according to multiple congressional sources. Jeffries had been supportive of making other rules changes to empower Democrats  something Republicans opposed. It was clear Johnson couldnt get a deal with Democrats or the votes to change the threshold to call for such a vote.

Hours later, Johnson announced he would not move ahead with changing the motion to vacate tool, declaring there was not enough support in the House.

Democrats to the rescue

Late Thursday night, Democrats joined Republicans to deliver the votes needed to move the foreign aid package out of the House Rules Committee and onto the floor, a rare bipartisan move and something a minority party has never done in recent history.

That bipartisan spirit carried into Friday, when Democrats again crossed party lines to help Republicans clear another key legislative hurdle on the House floor.

But then Greenes effort to oust Johnson grew by one, with GOP Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona announcing shortly after the vote that he was co-sponsoring the motion to vacate, becoming the third member to do so.

Still, Johnsons foreign aid plan sailed over the finish line Saturday, leaning heavily on Democratic support  with less than half of the Republican conference voting for aid for Ukraine. Johnson has relied on a bipartisan coalition to pass every bill that has become law under his watch, and Democrats will likely be needed for other must-pass bills this year  and potentially, to save Johnsons speakership.

Johnson has forcefully defended his plans, arguing his foreign aid package is a better product than the Senate-passed version, which some Republicans had been threatening to join with Democrats in forcing a floor vote on if the speaker didnt act.

I know there are critics of the legislation. I understand that. It is not a perfect piece of legislation. Were not ensured that in a time of divided government and in a time where there are lots of different opinions, Johnson said after the bills passed Saturday. But theres no question whatsoever that the House has made many strong improvements to the Senate bill, and the product that weve sent over there is much better.

Veteran GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma also argued Johnsons dependence on Democrats is the reality of governing in a razor-thin majority.

This place is probably operating right now more like the founders thought it would, Cole told reporters.

But even if Johnson keeps his job, some hardliners are warning its politically untenable if he is propped up by Democrats.

Theres probably a clear consensus that next Congress, he wont be speaker, said Rep. Warren Davidson, a Freedom Caucus member from Ohio.

CNNs Haley Talbot and Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

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Inside the Garfield Park field houses cavernous basement, Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city officials spoke bullishly about their mission to tackle Chicagos crime.

Titled the Peoples Plan for Community Safety, the strategy outlined by the progressive mayor last Wednesday evening at a community working group event encompassed his signature mantra of investing in people rather than relying on traditional law enforcement.

It is critical that we engage with the victims as well as the perpetrators of violence to reach true safety, Johnson said. As we prove the effectiveness of our plan, we will grow this work in phases and continue to roll out so that every community in Chicago is safe.

A year after he took office, however, Johnsons plan is still in its early stages, and crime remains a stubborn scourge across the city. And his move away from investing more in policing to address the problem has further enflamed opponents who have long distrusted his approach.

In the West Side field house, the reality of Chicagos violent streets was reflected in participants grim tone as they set about brainstorming how to make the mayors plans reality.

Stephen Robinson, executive director of Northwest Austin Council and a former professor at Daley College, recalled a drug dealer from nearby Hamlin Avenue who enrolled in one of his classes after getting released from federal prison. That bright young man was getting an A in my class by midterm, Robinson said, but then disappeared. Robinson thinks he went back behind bars.

The Peoples Plan is aimed at reaching men just like Robinsons former student  adults of high promise, as Johnsons office likes to say. Its first step was picking 10 blocks in four neighborhoods on the South and West sides to flood with resources, everything from cleaning up vacant lots to partnering with anti-violence organizations to support troubled youth.

The people that are most severely impacted by the cycle of harm and the places that have been historically disinvested in and are well overdue for revitalization, Johnson said at a March event unveiling the blocks that would get the extra attention.

In total, the mayors 2024 budget allocates $100 million toward anti-violence programs, a strategy his predecessor Lori Lightfoot first latched onto and that Johnson seeks to multiply.

However, while Johnson blames violence on the lack of job opportunities, disengagement  from school or access to alternate pathways to careers, disengagement from housing, the scarcity of law enforcement solutions in the Peoples Plan has angered critics like Ald. Anthony Napolitano, a former Chicago police officer who represents the Far Northwest Side 41st Ward where many cops reside.

The goal for this administration and current City Council leadership is to find more than one way to defund the police. Their goal is to take more of the police budget and reallocate it to social workers and nonprofits, Napolitano told the Tribune about Johnsons Peoples Plan. Their goal is to fund more nonprofits, who in the end will help them come election time.

But Garien Gatewood, Johnsons deputy mayor of community safety, said the administration is holding those nonprofits accountable for producing results. He said his team is in the midst of conducting an assessment of all community anti-violence organizations funded by the city and how effective they are, though he did not elaborate on the standards for success.

We can do both/and. We can both address those root causes by providing support for folks, and also hold people accountable, Gatewood said in a phone interview. Weve consistently asked our police departments to do too much.  There has not been an actual plan until now to help alleviate some of those pressures from law enforcement. So I think a big piece of that is that shared accountability.

The four neighborhoods and 10 city blocks that will see the first wave of investments under the Peoples Plan are:

Englewood: 59th to 63rd streets between Racine and Morgan, Garfield Boulevard to 59th between Racine and Morgan;

West Garfield Park: Madison to Lexington between Kenton and Kolmar, Adams to the Eisenhower between Keeler and Pulaski, Jackson to Harrison between Pulaski and Hamlin;

Austin: Madison to Adams between Laramie and Lavergne, West End to Madison between Laramie and Lavergne; and

Little Village: 26th to 27th between Kildare and Pulaski, 27th to 28th between Kildare and Pulaski.

Johnsons team chose the locations based on several metrics: number of shootings, past school closures, unemployment rates, health determinants and other signs of disinvestment. In each of those four neighborhoods, a community organization will receive $250,000 to implement Johnsons goal of targeting people-based and place-based approaches to revitalization.

Gregory Matthews, a community engagement manager with the Chicago Community Safety Coordination Center, stood with Johnson last month when he unveiled the areas to receive investment.

As someone tasked with informing the administration on the needs of the Garfield Park community, Matthews said revitalization begins with speaking frankly to youth involved in gang or drug activity about a critical subject: money, or how they can change the bag. Meeting them with legitimate alternatives is a crucial pillar of the Peoples Plan, he said.

These are not bad people. Theyre kids in a weird situation because theyve been raised to glorify something that 90% of society thinks is atrocious, Matthews said. So how do you get their culture to change? Well, the one thing that we have in common with the conversation is money.

While the Johnson administration is eager to invest in youth jobs and more, many of the most ambitious initiatives under the Peoples Plan have yet to debut, such as an expanded guaranteed basic income program or a citywide certification program to professionalize and educate victim advocates. The mayors commitment to reopen the shuttered mental health clinics, starting with two sites this year, also remains in its planning stages; a report from a task force is expected in May.

The Peace Book  an activist-backed proposal to prop up a structure of youth peacekeepers to mediate conflicts in violent neighborhoods  remains pending in City Council but will pilot 100 such roles this year as part of the citys One Summer Chicago youth jobs program, which Johnson has expanded this year by 4,000 jobs, to a total of 28,000. The administration has also identified 275 unkempt vacant lots in the four neighborhoods chosen under the Peoples Plan and cleaned up 49 of them as of this month.

The mayor has argued he is moving expediently to implement his vision, and that his focus on engaging and investing in community groups is unprecedented.

I know that theres an urgent moment now. But real talk, yall, we were not having these conversations four years ago, Johnson said in March when asked about the pace. So like, I feel the energy of wanting more, because Im with it.  But I also see the work that is following it. And its following it, I believe, relatively quickly considering its been less than a year.

Johnson took office last May as the city was winding down from a historic crime spike in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest over the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd. In 2021, Chicago recorded 800 homicides, the highest since the mid-1990s.

Since then, Chicago has seen modest improvements, ending last year with homicides down 13% from 2022. But robberies increased 23%, while car thefts spiked 37%, and overall crimes remained at a far higher level than pre-2020 levels.

So far in 2024, homicides are down 9% compared to this point in time last year, while robbery statistics have not significantly shifted and motor vehicle thefts are down 25%.

Southeast Side Ald. Peter Chico, on leave from his job as a Chicago police officer while he represents the 10th Ward in the City Council, is among those who dont think the pace is the problem, but rather the mayors neglect of more traditional answers to crime.

Chico agrees with Johnson that we cant arrest our way out of the issues we have. But until the surfeit of complaints from his ward over lagging 911 police response times improves, he said, the law enforcement component must not be neglected.

We can do both simultaneously: addressing the root causes of crime and still dealing with the response times on the street level policing. We just have to do a better job of getting to these calls in a more timely manner, Chico said, citing constituent complaints about 911 response times. I dont think were there. I think its gonna be a long time before we ever get there. Thats why we have to invest and look at policing on the street.

Johnsons previous interim CPD Superintendent Fred Waller, now a deputy director in the department, said at last weeks Peoples Plan event that community organizations should be seen as first responders, too.

He said beginning last year, the department piloted a shooting notification partnership between police districts and nonprofit antiviolence groups in districts 3, 4 and 15. Around the end of last year, that expanded to districts 5, 9 and 10, and districts 11, 6 and 7 will be next.

The connection between CVI (community violence intervention) and CPD at one time was tenuous, Waller said. People have always been skeptical. Ive always been a person who I kind of say what Im feeling. Ive never been a person thats gonna pour syrup over (expletive) and tell you its pancakes, right?  So CPD along with CVI, were keeping our hard hats on. Weve got a long way to go. But the success has been seen as proven.

Johnsons continued use of Waller, a self-styled old school veteran of CPD, in a way reflects the mayors own evolution from once embracing the defund the police movement in 2020 to becoming City Halls chief executive, with control over the nations second-largest police department.

In other ways, the coalition Johnson has assembled harkens back to his original ethos of focusing on the root causes of crime. Matthews, the community engagement manager who stood with Johnson at his March news conference, told the Tribune he believes that the presence of police  the most powerful gang in the city  instills a lack of agency in Black youth, when what they need is opportunity.

We all know that law enforcement doesnt work. Law enforcement and more enforcement is like digging a hole in dirt, Matthews said. The more you dig, the more the dirt is going to fall back into the hole.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
Keller voter guide for May 4 election: City Council and School Board candidates

Keller School District, Trustee Place 6

Adrienne Sullivan

Age as of May 4, 2024: 42

Campaign website: https://adriennesullivanforkellerisd.com/

Occupation: Engineer

Education: Bachelors, Human Factors

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

No

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Previous Board Member for the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas.

Founded KPIE, Keller Partnership for Inclusive Education to provide a method for parents to collaborate with the school district on improving Special Education services

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Campaign finance report available here: https://www.kellerisd.net/domain/106

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

Retaining quality educators by making sure staff is heard and supported

Improve communication between parents, staff, and the KISD School Board, including increased fiscal transparency

School funding - we need to advocate at the Texas Legislature for increased public education funding and against vouchers

Charles Randklev

Age as of May 4, 2024: 47

Campaign website: https://www.vote4drcharles.com

Occupation: Husband, Dad, Scientist and Educator

Education: Ph.D in biology

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

I currently serve on the Keller ISD Board of Trustees

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Mason and member of the Keller Lions Club

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

My wife and three kids are my biggest supporters and contributors

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

The economy, the broken system for school funding, and Texass antiquated recapture formula, known as Robin Hood, where local property tax dollars are removed from local school districts and handed to the state are our biggest challenges.

Keller School District, Trustee Place 7

Dixie Davis

Age as of May 4, 2024: 37

Campaign website: dixieforkisd.com

Occupation: Parent, Digital Communications

Education: University of Texas at Austin

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

no

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Ive served as a member of my HOAs finance and bylaws committees, vice-president of my former neighborhood association, board member of the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County, poll worker, mentor with Communities in Schools, and school volunteer. Ive advocated for public schools at the state level, testifying before senators in defense of teachers and I helped organize a rally at the Texas Capitol in support of public education and against vouchers.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Ann Potts, Andrew Sternke, Randy Campbell

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

KISD faces a historic budget crisis. Were losing teachers, counselors, librarians, and more because our state leaders refuse to fully fund public schools and our school board failed to plan ahead. We cant wait for the state to bail out public schools. We must maximize the resources currently available to us to secure our students futures.

Our current board considered no public input when deciding behind closed doors which educator positions to cut, causing confusion and rumors to spread. This is not the first time the board has ignored parent and community opinions. We must involve stakeholders when making major district decisions by bringing back our community committees.

Miscommunication and a lack of proactive leadership allowed an extend-stay motel to begin construction beside Basswood Elem. The board needs more representation from the Fort Worth side of KISD and a better working relationship with the City of Fort Worth to prevent a mistake like this from happening again.

DaLana Barsanti

Did not respond to candidate questionnaire.

Heather Washington

Age as of May 4, 2024: 52

Campaign website: www.heatherforkisd.com

Occupation: Retired

Education: 4-year college degree from University of Louisiana - Lafayette

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

No

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Keller ISD, BSA Scout Troops 1910 and 1920, Keller 4-H, and PTA

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Donna and Tom Cobb, Leslie and Courtney Oliver, Kristen Mitchell

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

Clarification, please.

Keller City Council, Place 2

Zane J. Kupper

Age as of May 4, 2024: 36

Campaign website: kupper4keller.com

Occupation: Producer

Education: BA in Anthropology, SUNY New Paltz (2009), AA w/ High Honors in Korean Language and Culture, DLIFLC (2015), 6 Level Korean Language Program, Yonsei University (2017), Masters in Business for Veterans Cohort VII, USC (2020)

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

N/A

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Keller Citizens Academy, 2 x Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals (MOVSM)

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Just me.

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

1. Strengthen Water Infrastructure: Identify the cost of replacing and strengthening our water and wastewater lines and find ways to raise funds (bonds, Federal Assistance, etc.).

2. Make Keller Pro-Business: We need a clear direction and vision of what the city will look like in 10 years, and we must invest in personnel and/or processes to streamline opening and expanding a business in Keller.

3. Promote Plurality of Thought: Keller City Council is currently comprised entirely of Conservatives. We need someone to represent alternative and non-partisan viewpoints. Im Independent and vote my conscience (no party line, no partisan allegiance).

Frank Roszell

Age as of May 4, 2024: 83

Campaign website: Facebook

Occupation: Commercial Developer and Real Estate Broker

Education: Bachelor of Science - Master Business Administration

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

House of Representatives United States Congress and Keller City Council.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

Founder Keller Breakfast Club, Founding member EMS-ISD Education Foundation, President of Saginaw Area Chamber of Commerce.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

None - Completely independent

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

Enhance the quality of life for Keller senior citizens aged 55 and up. Give seniors a representative voice in the decision-making for the City of Keller. Protect their right to fully utilize facilities specifically designed for seniors. Take proactive measures to address the growing population of seniors.

With the influx of illegals on our border, our first responders specifically, Police Department should be equipped and staffed to maintain the safety standards currently enjoyed in the city of Keller. We should anticipate the possibility of crime increase potential and take proactive measures to prevent it from happening.

Traffic congestion continually grows in Keller. Stop light synchronization is a must and any new development must not increase traffic congestion. Traffic increase will not happen if new development is planned properly.

Greg Will

Age as of May 4, 2024: 42

Campaign website: https://www.gregwill.com/

Occupation: Disaster Case Manager - U.S. Small Business Admin.

Education: Juris Doctor (Law) - Texas A&M; Bachelors (Political Science) - UT Arlington; Associates (Criminal Justice) - Community College of the Air Force

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

Yes, I ran for Keller City Council in 2019.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

I am currently serving my appointed third term on the Keller Planning & Zoning Commission. I am a graduate of both the Keller Citizens Academy and the Citizens Police Academy.

Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Keller Rotary Club, represent my precinct in the Tarrant County Republican Party Executive Committee, and serve as Vice Chair of the Keller Republican Club.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Ross McMullin ($500); Paul Alvarado ($500); and Matt Krause ($500)

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

(1) As sales-tax revenue continues to flatten due to economic pressures. My top issue is maintaining a budget that provides the first-tier services and amenities residents expect, without increasing the tax burden. (2) Recruiting vibrant economic development. Keller residents over and over have stated they want new dining options and experiential businesses in Keller. As P&Z Commissioner, I have supported many exciting restaurant and retail developments coming to Keller. My vision for economic growth extends to cultivating an environment where entrepreneurs can flourish, create jobs, and enhance our community. (3) Supporting our Police and Fire personnel. As an Air Force veteran and former military police officer, I understand the sacrifices made by our first responders. Public safety is essential to responsible growth and Kellers reputation as Texas most family-friendly city. I am committed to ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to keep our community safe.

Robert Slattery

Age as of May 4, 2024: 45

Campaign website: www.VoteRobert.com

Occupation: Real Estate Investor

Education: Trade Schools and Some College

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)

No

Please list highlights of your civic involvement:

I am a husband, father, and small business owner who is very active in my local church and participate in many city-sponsored activities. Civic duty is the responsibility of all citizens, and I have chosen to step up and get involved in city politics as a way to give back to my adopted hometown.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

My campaign has been self-funded.

What are the 3 biggest issues in this race?

In my campaign for Keller City Council, my priorities are:

1) Keeping property taxes low while ensuring fair compensation for essential personnel - our firefighters, police officers, and city staff.

2) Prioritizing development and redevelopment aligned with our communitys values and economic vitality. Collaborating with citizens and local business owners, I will work to curate a positive vision for Kellers growth in the years to come, preserving our unique character while fostering sustainable development opportunities.

3) Standing firm against the creep of crime and drugs to maintain safety and security for the citizens of Keller.

Through transparent communication channels, including email, social media, and video updates, I will ensure accountability and engage citizens in shaping Kellers future.
From the ages of 6 to 18, I ended each Wednesday night by attending Bible service at Wilson Ave. Church of Christ in Tullahoma, TN, my hometown. At around 5:30 pm, I would be picked up by the churchs red and gray colored van and transported to services without fail.

When I was 18, we had a guest speaker preach to our congregation of about 30 that night. The preacher had a particular message that he wanted to get across.

The problem nowadays is that there are interracial families, single mother families same-sex families. The problem is that we have gone away from normal, he told the crowd.

His inclusion of interracial families stunned me, as I am a biracial person. What exactly is normal? I thought to myself.

Opinion

I left that night, and many nights after that, feeling alone, as if I didnt have a place in the church.

From that point on, I realized that my faith was going to look different than most who subscribe to mainstream Christianity. For me faith was doing Tai Chi on the front lawn of Lipscomb University, the conservative Christian institution that I attended. I would practice after a long day of school and feel connected to my body and spirit.

As much as I learned and grew into my faith during my years in the church, those moments of loneliness stuck with me and eventually, drove a wedge between me and the church. Many other former and current Christians my age and older have been dealt the same wedge.

A study from Lifeway Research, a division of the Southern Baptist Convention, showed that in 2019, 4,500 Protestant churches closed and just 3,000 new congregations were established.

Further, according to a 2021 poll by Gallup, only 47% of Americans now identify with a church, synagogue or mosque  a significant drop from 70% in 2000.

Talking recently with the pastor of my church home, with whom Ive established a father-son-like relationship, he gave me the surprising news that the church of my youth has closed its doors. I was shocked to learn that the place of worship where I got my faith and gained a sense of community was not operating anymore. He told me that the church attendance numbers were down and the membership was getting older so they sold the building.

Through my personal experience, this trend is part of a larger story about how certain people who claim Christianity force their convictions onto others.

Rise of Christian Nationalism

Surely, there are myriad reasons for the decline in membership and church closings. But we cant ignore the rise of unapologetic bigotry that has camouflaged itself within organized religion.

I worry that some of the closings are related to the growing frustration of younger generations, fueled by a rise of Christian nationalism.

This is the belief that the American way of life is synonymous with Christianity and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. These beliefs have reached beyond the church pews in profound ways.

Two years ago, a conservative Christian-led pro-life movement finally saw the end of Roe v. Wade, which led to the removal of abortion rights in several states in the country.

When former President Donald Trump feels emboldened to sell a $60 God Bless the USA Bible, it highlights a movement that has encouraged a theocracy. The more the line between church and politics gets blurred, the more concerned we should be.

Faith over hate

The church that I once called home might have closed its doors, but the lessons Ive learned, both welcomed and forced, still influence me today.

I remember being taught by Jesus parables that a human being should be loved first, not judged or ridiculed. But I also remember the time I was told that my identity as a biracial person was seen as a sin.

The current political climate sees leaders like Trump seeking to financially profit from the Bible by selling a version of Christianity that is solely meant for propaganda and personal profit. The hatred that makes someone believe someone is unfaithful and morally corrupt based on who they love is the main energy behind this Christian conservative moment in politics.

Faith is separate from hate, but right now the structure of this version of Christianity is built on fear-mongering. Its hard for people to see the difference. If we are to move forward, Christians must see how this hatred is affecting not just their community but the entire country as a whole.

Faith is not one-size-fits-all. Its molded by that persons lived experience. To state that one is a Christian is to accept that and respond to differences with love, the greatest gift of all.
Kidnapping suspect arrested after leading deputies on chase in Dawson County: Officials

A kidnapping suspect who led deputies on a chase was arrested.

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According to Dawson County deputies, the incident occurred Saturday evening.

The sheriffs office states that a Forsyth County kidnapping suspect led deputies on a chase before being boxed in on Cowart Road near Kelly Bridge Road.

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The suspect, whose age and identity were not released, faces several charges in Dawson County before being taken to Forsyth County.

Officials state the victim is safe.

We extend our gratitude to the dedicated deputies from DCSO, Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance in resolving this situation, the sheriffs office wrote.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
King Charles Attends Church on What Would Have Been Queen Elizabeths 98th Birthday

The King and his wife, Queen Camilla, were seen leaving church in Scotland on April 21

Paul Campbell/PA Images via Getty King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, for a Sunday church service

King Charles and Queen Camilla are spending time in Scotland on what would have been Queen Elizabeth 98th birthday.

On April 21, the royal couple were photographed leaving a church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral Castle in Scotland. King Charles, 75, drove himself and his wife, 76, as they waved and smiled at onlookers while departing.

This year marks the late Queen's second posthumous birthday following her death in September 2022 at age 96. And following their attendance at church, the royal couple will likely spend the day celebrating her in private.

Grant Harrold, who from from 2004 to 2011 served on the couple's staff, said there will be reflections, tributes and toasts in honor of the late Queen, but added that the family "won't publicly do anything."

"Privately, I have no doubt they'll raise a toast to her in the evening. I'm sure the day will very much be spent reflecting on the late Queen," Harrold told Slingo

"I can almost guarantee that if you were to go to Windsor Castle that day, it's very likely there'll be some flowers on the tomb that have been sent by the family members," he added. "Sometimes on royal anniversaries, flowers are sent to royal graves. It's very possible there will be flowers on the tombstone."



Related: King Charles Made His Peace with Queen Elizabeths Death After Hour at Her Bedside, Says Biographer

Paul Campbell/PA Images via Getty King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, following a Sunday church service

For the royal couple, the church outing on the late monarch's birthday was one of a string of more public appearances the King has made since he announced his cancer diagnosis in February.

The announcement came weeks after King Charles underwent a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January, during which a separate issue of concern was noted, the palace said in a statement. (They clarified that the monarch did not have prostate cancer and noted that the type of cancer the King has will not be disclosed to the public)

He then began "a schedule of regular treatments" and postponed most public-facing duties, following medical advice.

Related: Liz Truss Recalls Meeting Queen Elizabeth 2 Days Before Her Death: 'No Idea...Things Were So Imminent'

He made his first public appearance following the diagnosis at Easter when he attended a church service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla and other royal family members.

Following the service, the King did a surprise walkabout, shaking hands and greeting members of the public who were gathered outside.

HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Queen Elizabeth II stands beside Britain's Prince Charles and waves to the public as she appears on Buckingham Palace balcony at the end of the Platinum Pageant in London on June 5, 2022

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

On April 18, King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen out in London again as they left Clarence House, their royal residence, and were once again waving and smiling at onlookers as they drove away.

Queen Camilla herself recently to a break from public duties for the Easter holiday and for a celebration of her 19th wedding anniversary with the King on April 9.

She resumed her royal duties on April 16 as she welcomed a group of young representatives from Changemakers, a youth group offshoot of SafeLives, a national charity that fights to end domestic abuse, to Buckingham Palace.

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Dangerous small boat crossings undermine our border security, fuel soaring profits for criminal smuggler gangs, add to the chaos in our asylum system, and put lives at risk. We need urgent action to stop this perilous criminal trade and to strengthen Britains borders.

But the extortionately expensive and failing Rwanda scheme, which only covers 1% of those arriving in the UK, is making things worse by distracting Ministers from the serious work that must be done. Its time for a new approach.

The Rwanda scheme was announced two years ago this month. Since then more Home Secretaries than asylum seekers have been sent to Kigali. While the astronomical costs have gone up, the promised size of the scheme has gone down, and the chaos has got worse.

Half a billion pounds of British taxpayers money is being sent to Rwanda for just 300 asylum seekers to go, costing an eye-watering 2 million per person.

It would cost less to put someone up for a year in the Paris Ritz, or take a trip into space on the Virgin Galactic. Ministers claim it will save money here at home but the opposite is true. The policy only covers 1% of asylum seekers and there is no plan for the other 99% who will now join a permanent costly backlog, with the taxpayer footing the bill.

Little wonder that so few people believe the Rwanda plan will work. The current Home Secretary, James Cleverly, reportedly described the scheme as batshit before he took up post . His predecessor Suella Braverman says the policy is just a token flight before an election which wont work. Even Rishi Sunak tried to cancel the scheme when he was Chancellor. This entire policy is just an extortionate electioneering press release, it isnt a serious plan for Government.

Trying to run the country like this is damaging. It has bust the Home Office budget and left Ministers ignoring military advice as they insist that Afghan interpreters who helped our armed forces should still be included in the Rwanda scheme.

When lives are at risk in the Channel, this obsession with the Rwanda gimmick is distracting everyone from the serious policies we need to tackle the problem.

Labours plan is practical. We would put the Rwanda money into strengthening our border security instead. That means new counter-terror style powers, new international intelligence sharing agreements and new cross-border police working with European partners to smash the criminal gang networks and stop the boats reaching the French coast in the first place.

We would clear the asylum backlog with a new fast track system for safe countries, end asylum hotel use, and set up a major new Returns and Enforcement Unit to swiftly return those with no right to be in the UK. Returns have dropped by nearly 50% since the Conservatives took office, undermining the credibility of the entire system. We have to restore order to the border.

But instead of these common sense plans, this week the Government will pass its new Rwanda law and then immediately write another 50m cheque to the Kigali Government. It will be the third new Conservative law on Channel crossings in two years, each one introduced with a fanfare of promises, each one fizzling out into failure.

Most people in Britain want to see strong border security, and a properly controlled and managed asylum system so the UK does our bit to help those fleeing persecution and conflict, but so those who have no right to be here are swiftly returned. Under the Conservatives we have none of those things  they have broken the asylum system, bust the Home Office budget and badly undermined Britains borders.

We cant carry on like this. Instead of the gimmicks, its time we got a proper grip, and thats what Labour will do.

Yvette Cooper is Shadow Home Secretary of the United Kingdom

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As you might know, Pod Point Group Holdings Plc (LON:PODP) recently reported its full-year numbers. It was a pretty bad result overall; while revenues were in line with expectations at UK64m, statutory losses exploded to UK0.54 per share. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. So we gathered the latest post-earnings forecasts to see what estimates suggest is in store for next year.

Check out our latest analysis for Pod Point Group Holdings

After the latest results, the consensus from Pod Point Group Holdings' four analysts is for revenues of UK61.2m in 2024, which would reflect a perceptible 4.1% decline in revenue compared to the last year of performance. Losses are predicted to fall substantially, shrinking 62% to UK0.21. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of UK60.9m and losses of UK0.20 per share in 2024.

As a result, it's unexpected to see that the consensus price target fell 20% to UK0.40, with the analysts seemingly becoming more concerned about ongoing losses, despite making no major changes to their forecasts. Fixating on a single price target can be unwise though, since the consensus target is effectively the average of analyst price targets. As a result, some investors like to look at the range of estimates to see if there are any diverging opinions on the company's valuation. The most optimistic Pod Point Group Holdings analyst has a price target of UK0.60 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK0.30. This is a fairly broad spread of estimates, suggesting that analysts are forecasting a wide range of possible outcomes for the business.

Of course, another way to look at these forecasts is to place them into context against the industry itself. These estimates imply that revenue is expected to slow, with a forecast annualised decline of 4.1% by the end of 2024. This indicates a significant reduction from annual growth of 23% over the last five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in the same industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 19% annually for the foreseeable future. It's pretty clear that Pod Point Group Holdings' revenues are expected to perform substantially worse than the wider industry.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that the analysts reconfirmed their loss per share estimates for next year. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target fell measurably, with the analysts seemingly not reassured by the latest results, leading to a lower estimate of Pod Point Group Holdings' future valuation.

Story continues

With that said, the long-term trajectory of the company's earnings is a lot more important than next year. We have estimates - from multiple Pod Point Group Holdings analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Pod Point Group Holdings that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Residents in the Lone Mountain community said they are taking action to demonstrate the height of a proposed religious temple and said they are not full of hot airneither is their balloon.

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple.

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. (Rebecca Leiba)

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. (KLAS)

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. (KLAS)

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. (KLAS)

The seven-foot, white, helium balloon assembled by Jon Dorsey, owner of Mr. Balloon, was purchased by an unnamed Lone Mountain resident to illustrate the height of 216 feet, the current maximum height of a proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. (KLAS)

Matt Deloe, a Lone Mountain resident, helped tie the ropes of the balloon to two cinderblocks sitting in the public right of way adjacent to the lot.

Deloe turned to Dorsey and asked whether the balloon would be safe as they prepared for liftoff.

Jon before we put this thing up, Deloe said. Is there any risk of me asphyxiating myself?

Dorsey laughed as he continued to fill the balloon with helium and replied the large balloon was completely safe and could withstand winds up to 15 mph.

If this were any bigger, Dorsey said. Id get a ride to Utah.

Highest Concerns

Around 15 members of the community walked over to the launch site from the nearby Great Northwest Country Fest to inspect the balloon which is indicative of the proposed LDS temples height.

We as the neighbors are trying to battle against this project, Matt Hackley, a Lone Mountain resident, said. It does not fit the neighborhood.

Matt Deloe, a Lone Mountain resident (KLAS)



Residents have voiced concern over the proposed LDS temples footprint and height along with the chance of sidewalks, storm drains and streetlights which might come with the development.

It does not fit along within the guidelines of what the rest of the neighborhood has to follow, Hackley said. Our homes are asked to be 35 feet maximum, and the LDS community is asking for their temple to be 216 feet.

The guidelines that outline the height requirement are from the Interlocal Agreement, a document which could possibly limit the project.

A new City of Las Vegas staff report has suggested the proposed LDS temple does not conflict with the requirements of the Interlocal Agreement.

The Interlocal Agreement is explicit in its position on amending a jurisdictions comprehensive plan or rezoning of properties to commercial or industrial uses, staff wrote in the report. However, it is silent regarding amending the General Plan or rezoning to allow civic uses such as government facilities, schools and religious facilities.

Bud Stoddard, stake president of the Las Vegas Lone Mountain Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told 8 News Now during a previous report he has heard from the community but the ability to change the height of the temple is not up to him.

During a previous interview with 8 News Now Stoddard also said he believes the 3,000 members he represents are in favor of the proposed temple.

The two parcels owned by the LDS church total 20 acres, and plans indicate the building will be as high as 216 feet, with no plans for an angel Moroni.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  It came as a shock when Emma McNally, a Las Vegas high school student, heard the voicemail on her phone from a non-profit foundation representative.

I was like oh my gosh, she said. I ran to my parents room and was like, I won the scholarship.

McNally and nine other Las Vegas high school seniors were the recipients of the People Over Profit Foundation Scholarship program, hosted by Silver State Schools Credit Union.

Each recipient received a $2,000 scholarship with the opportunity of renewal for up to four years to be used towards higher education according to Scott Arkills, president and CEO of the SSSCU.

Its fantastic, Arkills said. Its our way of helping out higher education efforts of the students and I think you will see this morph into an even higher amount in the future.

Scott Arkills, president and CEO of the SSSCU (KLAS)

During the recipient announcements, each student was asked to come forward and listen to a review of their academic and community achievements.

The achievements of Hudson Lile, a scholarship recipient, were outlined by SSSCU representatives who recognized his efforts in school and dedication towards flight school training on becoming a pilot.

Another student Christian Harnum, a Shadow Ridge High School senior, was recognized for his high GPA and other accolades.

Harnum said he was astonished when he learned he was a recipient following a phone call from a SSSCU representative.

I was speechless, he said. I facetimed [my parents] and called them and they were pretty excited.

Ten Las Vegas valley high school seniors were the recipients for the People Over Profit Foundation Scholarship program, hosted by the Silver State Schools Credit Union. (KLAS)

Ten Las Vegas valley high school seniors were the recipients for the People Over Profit Foundation Scholarship program, hosted by the Silver State Schools Credit Union. (KLAS)

Ten Las Vegas valley high school seniors were the recipients for the People Over Profit Foundation Scholarship program, hosted by the Silver State Schools Credit Union. (KLAS)

Following his graduation from Shadow Ridge High School Harnum said he will be studying nursing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Do you like surfing, a SSSCU representative asked Harnum.

Yes, Harnum said.

The credit union has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships to graduating Nevada high school seniors since 1989.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Larae and Michael DiCamillo love their backyard where their family comes to spend time, but now they are concerned a proposed gas station might end visits from their grandchildren.

On April 10 the Enterprise Township Advisory Board met to review a series of requests for the area including a proposal for a strip mall near Blue Diamond and Durango roads.

The advisory board discussed two items for the proposed development: four pads for a commercial complex, and one pad for a gas station.

Michael DiCamillo (KLAS)

Anthony Celeste, a partner at Kaempfer Crowell, spoke in advocation of the applicant for the property during the meeting.

This is an application that started in 2018 with a zone change, Celeste said. It was modified in 2020 which is why now you see [the gas station] for a second extension for time.

The traffic study, drainage study and off-site permits for the strip mall have been submitted and approved, according to Celeste.

We are close to getting our final building permits, he said. We would appreciate staffs recommendation on approval for these applications.

Following Celestes remarks, Larae and Michael DiCamillo rose to speak in opposition of the gas station which would sit 40 feet away from their backyard.

I beg you please, Larae said. Dont let them put a gas station there.

Larae DiCamillo (KLAS)

The DiCamillos highlighted their concerns about the health of their family who could be possibly exposed to lingering fumes from the gas station or idling cars just feet from their backyard.

Following public comment remarks, the Enterprise Township Advisory Board noted this was the third time an extension has been requested for the commercial development.

Tiffany Hesser, county liaison, noted the gas station was separated as a different item to be voted on.

There are two items you have the opportunity to up or down, she said. I dont think as they are presented here, they are inextricably linked.

On Apr. 10 the Enterprise Township Advisory Board met to review a series of requests for the area including a proposal for a strip mall near Blue Diamond Road and Durango. (KLAS)

On Apr. 10 the Enterprise Township Advisory Board met to review a series of requests for the area including a proposal for a strip mall near Blue Diamond Road and Durango. (KLAS)

On Apr. 10 the Enterprise Township Advisory Board met to review a series of requests for the area including a proposal for a strip mall near Blue Diamond Road and Durango. (KLAS)

On Apr. 10 the Enterprise Township Advisory Board met to review a series of requests for the area including a proposal for a strip mall near Blue Diamond Road and Durango. The advisory board discussed two items for the proposed development: four pads for a commercial complex, and one pad for a gas station. (KLAS)

After a short discussion the Enterprise Township Advisory Board voted unanimously for the commercial developments permits but voted unanimously against the gas stations time extension.

The vote now goes to the Clark County Commission on May 8 which will see the recommendation for denial for the gas station.

An advisory board member said he hopes this will indicate the communitys thoughts on the proposal.

Thank you so much, Larae said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A documented Latin King gang member was arrested Saturday after authorities said he made threats to shoot a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who went too fast passing his vehicle.

FHP Trooper Minaya was conducting speed enforcement on the Howard Frankland Bridge around 11:30 a.m. when he spotted a speeding motorcycle and attempted a traffic stop.

Teens killed in St. Pete murder-suicide during drug-fueled hangout, deputies say

Shortly after the trooper stopped the biker, FHP dispatch received a complaint by James Keister, 43, a convicted felon and documented Latin King gang member, who said Trooper Minaya was going too fast passing his vehicle.

According to an arrest report, Keister told dispatchers he would shoot the trooper if he saw him again. While on the phone, the 43-year-old identified himself and asked to speak with a supervisor.

FHP Sergeant Sulaiman advised Keister that threatening a trooper was a misdemeanor offense and that he could go to jail. Keister then told the Sergeant that if hes going to jail then he will shoo the trooper and both go to jail.

Great Wolf Lodge releases new details, photos of first-ever Florida resort

Keister was in a Mr. Rooter Plumbing truck, which had GPS tracking when he made the call, allowing troopers to track down his location.

Troopers found the work truck at Williams Park Boat Ramp on U.S. 41/Riverview Dr., but Keister was not inside the vehicle. He was found approaching the truck between other bystander vehicles.

When FHP saw Keister, he complied with the troopers commands and was arrested for possession of a concealed handcuff key, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and two counts of threat of death or serious bodily harm of specified personnel.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
For years, Amazon has struggled to defend its corporate image, as press reports alleged that its delivery drivers peed in bottles, its warehouse workers endured crushing demands, and its aggressive tactics decimated margins for its own retail partners.

In a decidedly unauthorized depiction of the retail giant, The Everything War: Amazons Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power, Wall Street Journal reporter Dana Mattioli examines the history of the e-commerce giant and its effect on the American economy.

Amazon former CEO Jeff Bezos rise was extensively chronicled in Bloomberg reporter Brad Stones 2013 book The Everything Store. Bezos life has also evolved considerably since Stones biography came out: He stepped down as Amazons CEO, got divorced, and joined the party circuit with his fiancee, former television reporter Lauren Sanchez.

Mattioli wrote in her preface that she wanted to focus on those who have been harmed by the company. Below are a few brief highlights from the new book:

During the Trump administration, Sanchez drew inspiration from an unlikely source.

At a party in 2020, Mattioli writes, Sanchez approached Trump adviser Kellyanne Conwayinventor of the much-derided notion of alternative factsand asked for guidance about dealing with media scrutiny.

Youve had a lot thrown at you. How do you handle it? Sanchez asked. Bezos relationship with Sanchez had by then become front-page news across the globe.

Conway opted for flattery, Mattioli reports. Please, have you looked in the mirror? People are jealous of you, she said. I would say theyre jealous because youre dating him, she added, referring to Bezos. (The Amazon founder had a testy relationship with Trump in part because of negative coverage about the president in Bezos paper, The Washington Post.)

But on that evening, the bad blood seemed not to matter. Conway offered to accompany Sanchez for a slow jog around the neighborhood, Mattioli writes, adding, It was a gesture of goodwill, knowing how seriously Sanchez took exercise.

Kellyanne Conway Win McNamee/Getty

As Amazons leader, Bezos wasnt just an office nerd.

During a conference in 2016, Bezos joined other business leaders on a trek in the wilderness, which drew inspiration from the television show Running Wild with Bear Grylls. The group learned how to survive in the woods, made their own stretchers, and ate earthworms together, Mattioli reports. Even Bezos downed one of the worms.

At the end of their faux walkabout, the billionaire hopped into a Cadillac Escalade and departed for the hotel. The rest of the attendees wondered how they would get home. Suddenly, the booming sound of helicopters provided the answer. Bezos, Mattioli notes, was averse to flying by chopper at the time, since he had been in a helicopter crash years earlier. (Assuming hes now changed his mind, Sanchez, a licensed helicopter pilot, can ferry him around.)

Amazon has aggressively tried to seize market share from its competitorsand its own retailers.

According to Mattioli, Amazons corporate cultureculling low performers, setting huge growth targets, and demanding that workers adopt a killer instinctpushed some workers to break the rules.

In a 2015 incident described in the book, the company hired a staffer from Trader Joes, who didnt realize she was being recruited to help compete with her former employer. Members of the new hires team relentlessly pushed her to share proprietary data, Mattioli writes. The worker ultimately shared some information about top-performing products at Trader Joes, but she declined to reveal the grocers margins even after she was allegedly pushed to tears. Amazon later fired some of the workers involved in the incident, the book recalls.

An Amazon spokesperson insisted to The Daily Beast that There is nothing in our culture or way of operating that makes this emblematicespecially when you consider that this was against policy. He added that the company does not condone the misuse of proprietary confidential information.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos declined to speak to Mattioli, beyond some feedback he routed through Amazons public relations team. But she says she spoke with more than 600 people, just three of whom were supplied by the company for interviews. That includes 17 current or former members of the companys senior leadership team, who spoke without the companys knowledge, and five current or former board members.

Prior to getting the book deal, I had written a series of investigations into the companys business practices. One of those investigations was the basis for Jeff Bezos having to testify to Congress for the first time in his career, so I had a really great base of sources from the jump, Mattioli told The Daily Beast.

Jeff Bezos testifies before Congress on July 29, 2020. Graeme Jennings/AFP via Getty

The reporting process was sometimes dramatic, she recalled. In one instance, a new source asked to meet me on a corner in Midtown Manhattan so that they could give me something in person. When I went to the location I was handed a manila envelope with the printed-out screenshots of a suicide note that an Amazon employee had sent before jumping off of the roof a few years back, she said. (The employee survived.)

At the time of the incident, Mattioli continued, Amazon had deleted the email from everyones inboxes, but my source had them for me and that helped build out that scene in the book.

In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said the message was deleted because it contained defamatory and inflammatory language directed at other people on the team, and we felt that it was important to protect their safety at the same time we were working to support this employee, his family, and his team.

As for the book in general, the spokesperson said, Amazons success is the result of continually innovating for consumers and small businesses over three decades to make their lives better and easier every day. The facts show Amazon has made shopping easier and more convenient for customers, spurred lower prices, enabled millions of successful small businesses, and significantly increased competition in retail.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A small tractor clears water from a business as floodwaters block a street in Barre, Vt., in July 2023. Heavy flooding last year devastated many Vermont communities. Now, state lawmakers are backing a climate Superfund bill that would force fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change-caused damages based on their emissions. Charles Krupa/The Associated Press

A fast-emerging field of climate research is helping scientists pinpoint just how many dollars from a natural disaster can be tied to the historic emissions of individual oil companies  analysis that is the centerpiece of new state efforts to make fossil fuel companies pay billions for floods, wildfires and heat waves.

When a flood or wildfire hits, researchers in attribution science run computer models to help determine whether the disaster was caused or intensified by climate change.

As those models become more precise, other scientists are working to measure how specific companies, such as Exxon Mobil or Shell, have contributed to climate change through their historic greenhouse gas emissions.

This is a growing field, and its a game changer for addressing climate change, said Delta Merner, the lead scientist for the Science Hub for Climate Litigation at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a climate-focused research and advocacy nonprofit. It has a role to play in litigation and in policy, because it gives us that precision.

For the first time, some state lawmakers are trying to turn that advanced modeling into policy. Under their proposals, state agencies would use attribution science to tally up the damages caused by climate change and identify the companies responsible. Then, they would send each company a bill for its portion of the destruction, from heat waves to hurricanes.

This science is evolving rapidly, said Anthony Iarrapino, a Vermont-based attorney and lobbyist for the Conservation Law Foundation who has been a leading advocate for attribution-based policy. This is something that couldnt have been done 10 years ago. [Lawmakers] are benefiting from this shift in focus among some of the most talented scientists we have out there.

Lawmakers in Vermont and four other blue states have proposed climate Superfund bills, which would create funds to pay for recovery from climate disasters and preparation for sea level rise and other adaptation measures.

Oil and coal companies would pay into those funds based on the percentage of emissions theyve caused over a set period. The legislations name references the 1980 federal Superfund law that forces polluters to pay for the cleanup of toxic waste sites.

States climate proposals come after years of lawsuits by state attorneys general against many of those same companies. They claim the companies knew years ago that fossil fuel use was causing climate change, but misled the public about that danger. While the courtroom fights are far from resolved, some advocates think its time for lawmakers to get involved.

There have been a lot of lawsuits trying to get these companies to pay for some damages, and the industrys message has been, This is a task for legislatures, not the courts, said Justin Flagg, director of environmental policy for New York state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat. We are taking up that invitation.

Oil industry groups object to the methodologies used by attribution scientists. Industry leaders say lawmakers are acting out of frustration that the lawsuits have been slow to progress.

The science isnt proven, said Mandi Risko, a spokesperson for Energy In Depth, a research and public outreach project of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, a trade group. [The state bills] are throwing spaghetti at a wall. Whats gonna stick?

Oil companies also assert that climate Superfund bills, if enacted, would force the penalized companies to raise gas prices on consumers in those states.

A legislative push

The push for climate Superfund legislation began with a federal bill in 2021, backed by U.S. Senate Democrats, that failed to pass. Lawmakers in a handful of states introduced their own proposals in the following years. Now, Vermont could soon become the first to enact a law.

Vermonts measure would task the state treasurer with calculating the costs of needed climate adaptation work, as well as the damage inflicted by previous disasters such as last summers devastating floods.

The program would collect money from companies that emitted more than 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide around the world from 1995 to the present day. Those companies with a certain threshold of business activity in Vermont would be charged according to their percentage of global emissions.

We can with some degree of certainty say how much worse these storms are [due to climate change], said Democratic state Sen. Anne Watson, the bills sponsor. That really is the foundation for us to bring a dollar value into a piece of legislation like this.

Environmental advocates say the bill is a pioneering attempt to use the latest science for accountability.

This is one of the first instances of climate attribution science being at the center of legislation, said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, an environmental nonprofit. That reflects the maturity of this field.

Walsh said the measure, if passed, is expected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars. The bill was approved by the Senate earlier this month in a 26-3 vote, and a House version has been co-sponsored by a majority of that chambers members. Republican Gov. Phil Scott has not said whether he would sign it into law, but he has said he would prefer to see larger states go first.

Exxon Mobil deferred an interview request to the trade group American Petroleum Institute. The institute did not grant an interview with Stateline, but pointed to the comments it filed with Vermont lawmakers last month. The group said its members lawfully extracted fossil fuels to meet economic demand and should not be punished for that after the fact. The letter also questioned states authority to impose payments for emissions that were generated overseas.

Meanwhile, New York lawmakers are currently negotiating a budget that could include a climate Superfund policy. A measure that passed the Senate at the end of last year would seek to collect $75 billion over 25 years to pay for the damages of climate change.

Its not intended to be punitive, its intended to pay for our needs, said Flagg, the New York Senate staffer. Its going to be a lot of money, and $75 billion is only a small portion of that.

The proposal applied to companies with a presence in New York responsible for more than 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide between 2000 and 2018.

In Massachusetts, Democratic state Rep. Steve Owens introduced a similar bill last year. While the measure failed to advance, Owens said lawmakers are becoming familiar with the concept.

Is this fraud that we can litigate or something that we can legislate? he asked. That question was not settled in time for this session. Were going to keep working to get people used to the idea.

Lawmakers in California and Maryland also have introduced climate Superfund bills this session.

Challenges ahead

If legislatures in Vermont and elsewhere pass climate Superfund bills, the state officials who carry them out are expected to rely heavily on researcher Richard Heedes Carbon Majors project, which has tallied the historic emissions of 108 fossil fuel producers using public data.

We know enough to attribute temperature response, sea level rise, build a reasonable case and apportion responsibility among the major fossil fuel producers, said Heede, whose project is part of the Climate Accountability Institute, a Colorado-based nonprofit research group that has received funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. But that hasnt been tested in court.

Heede said that more than 70% of carbon emissions from fossil fuels can be linked to just over 100 companies, but noted that many large emitters, such as Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia, are owned by international governments that are unlikely to face accountability from U.S. state governments.

Last year, a study looking at temperature and water vapor data found that much of the area burned by wildfires in the West over the past several decades was tied to emissions produced by the largest fossil fuel and cement companies. That research by the Union of Concerned Scientists Merner and others was published in Environmental Research Letters. Similar research, looking at storms and heat waves, can show how much of an events intensity and economic damage can be pinned on climate change.

Backers of the state bills say they expect strong legal challenges from oil companies if their proposals become law. Pat Parenteau, an emeritus professor of environmental law at Vermont Law School, has supported states climate lawsuits, but cautioned that climate Superfund bills will likely face similar legal delays if enacted.

The companies are gonna litigate the hell out of it, he said. Throw something more at them, but dont for a minute think theres something magical about it.

He urged Vermont to wait for bigger states, such as New York, to pass the first climate Superfund bills and face the ensuing legal onslaught.

Advocates acknowledged the bill will face legal challenges, but said thats not a reason to pause their efforts.

Vermont is already paying through the nose for the climate crisis, Walsh said. The sooner we pass a law like this, the sooner we could actually see these companies be held financially accountable.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Lawmakers hope to use this emerging climate science to charge oil companies for disasters appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
At least 2 injured in party boat stabbing near New York City pier

At least 2 injured in party boat stabbing near New York City pier

At least two people were stabbed Saturday during a dispute on a party boat in New York City, authorities said.

Police responded to Pier 4 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park just after 5:05 p.m. after authorities received a 911 call about an assault with a knife, the New York Police Department told Fox News Digital.

MAN WHO SET HIMSELF ON FIRE NEAR NYC COURTHOUSE HOLDING TRUMP TRIAL PRONOUNCED DEAD

An NYPD officer at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where several people were stabbed Saturday.

A 32-year-old man was stabbed once in the torso and another man, 40, sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest and stomach. A 28-year-old man was hit in the head with a bottle, police told Fox News Digital.

All three were conscious and taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Authorities said the assault began during a verbal dispute.

No arrests have been made. A witness said there was a big crowd on the boat.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"There were just fights. Fights, stabbings. Everybody was just trying to get out," Kevaun Whitely said.

Two women stand near where the stabbings occurred.

The 27-year-old Brooklyn resident said he and his brother eventually went to a safe part of the vessel and waited for things to die down.

"We went somewhere safe. Waited until everything calmed right down and we just got off," he said.

The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a manufacturing hub. The site was built from 1918 to 1919 and served as the largest military supply base in the United States through World War II, according to its website.

A group of people sat on large rocks at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on Saturday.

The party boat stabbings came hours after a man with a knife was shot and killed by police in Queens.

A large ship seen at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.

The man was shot by officers after he refused commands to drop the weapon and tenor Tasers didn't work, authorities said.





Original article source: At least 2 injured in party boat stabbing near New York City pier
At least 2 killed, 6 others wounded in Memphis block party shooting

At least 2 people were killed and six others were injured when gunfire erupted Saturday night during a block party in Memphis, Tennessee, authorities said.

In a late-night briefing, interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis said the shooting was reported at 7:19 p.m. local time at Orange Mound Park in southeast Memphis.

Officers arrived to find five people with gunshot wounds, Davis said. Two men died at the scene. Although police initially said there were as many as 11 other gunshot victims, they later revised that number to six other victims.

The shooting occurred during a block party with an estimated 200 to 300 people in attendance, the police chief reported.

At least 2 suspects are being sought.

"We believe there are at least two individuals that fired weapons during this incident," Davis told reporters.

The circumstances that precipitated the shooting were unclear.

Police did not immediately name the two deceased victims, and the conditions of the injured patients were not provided.

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Energean (LON:ENOG) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$1.42b (up 93% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$184.9m (up by US$167.7m from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 13% (up from 2.3% in FY 2022). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: US$1.04 (up from US$0.097 in FY 2022).

ENOG Production

Combined production

Oil equivalent production: 44.731 MMboe (15.038 MMboe in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Energean Revenues and Earnings Miss Expectations

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 3.7%. Earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst estimates by 34%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Israel segment contributing a total revenue of US$939.8m (66% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth US$759.5m amounted to 54% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The most substantial expense, totaling US$364.8m were related to Non-Operating costs. This indicates that a significant portion of the company's costs is related to non-core activities. Explore how ENOG's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 13% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 1.3% decline forecast for the Oil and Gas industry in the United Kingdom.

Performance of the British Oil and Gas industry.

The company's shares are down 3.4% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Be aware that Energean is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis and 1 of those is a bit unpleasant...

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Donald Trump has been forced to scale back spending on his campaign as legal fees eat up three-quarters of the cash brought in by a key fundraising group.

The former president, whose hush money trial will begin hearing evidence in New York on Monday, is directing roughly the same amount of money to his legal troubles as he is to convincing voters ahead of Novembers election.

Figures released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) revealed that Save America, one of the political action committees that funds Mr Trumps campaign, spent nearly $3.7 million on legal-related expenses in March. That amounted to nearly three in every four dollars it raised.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign spent the same amount, $3.7 million, on getting out the vote last month, the figures showed.

That left the presumptive Republican nominee far behind Joe Biden, who spent $29.2 million on his campaign in March, including a barrage of media buys in swing states.

The figures will concern Republican leaders, as Mr Trumps ability to campaign in person will be limited over the next six to eight weeks, as he is forced to attend court in New York every day except Wednesday.

It comes as polls show that Mr Biden has cut Mr Trumps lead significantly since February, with the New York Times showing him just one point behind, compared to five at the beginning of the year.

Mr Trump emphasised the impact the New York court case would have on his campaign in his latest fundraising email on Sunday. In just 24 hours Ill be back in Bidens corrupt court to fight for my freedom  and yours, supporters were told as they were asked to chip in what they could.

The biggest impact is that it is keeping him in the news for something bad and preventing him from doing normal campaign stuff, said Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

Biden was in Pennsylvania, which is the swing state of swing states for days.

It has to be terrible and frustrating for [Mr Trump]. He looks miserable and is bored out of his mind. He is realising this is his life for the next month or so.

Apart from lambasting the trial when he arrives at court, the former president has reached out to voters with visits to fast-food restaurants, where startled customers have been given a close-up view of the presumptive presidential nominee.

Last week, Mr Trump descended on a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta and bought a round of 30 milkshakes for startled diners.

These pit stops, in which Mr Trump signed autographs, have gone viral and have been seen by millions of voters on social media.



Joe Biden speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Philadelphia - Getty/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

Details from the FEC filings show that Mr Trumps political committees have spent $16.7 million on legal fees this year, with more than $50 million from Trump-supporting Maga Inc, which was earmarked for campaigning, being transferred to help Save America meet the legal bills.

The impact of the Trump cash crunch will also be felt by Republican candidates with the Republican National Committee prioritising Save America  now used exclusively for legal fees  ahead of the needs of candidates in congressional races.

Spending by the respective campaigns in recent months has illustrated the extent of Mr Trumps difficulties.

His team spent $6 million on media advertising since the beginning of the year, compared with $45.2 million by the Biden team.

While Trump campaign spending has slowed down, Bidens has increased sharply with, for example, $6.9 million being poured into a text-messaging blitz.

Evidence from former fixer

Mr Trump will be the centre of media attention on Monday with the start of the hush money trial, investigating allegations he falsified business records to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Much will hinge on the evidence from Mr Trumps former fixer, Michael Cohen, who was jailed for his part in the alleged scheme to pay off Ms Daniels.

The 77-year-old former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges.

Alan Dershowitz, who defended Trump in his impeachment trial, said that the 12 jurors selected for the case did not bode well for the former president.

This is a bad jury for Donald Trump, he said, arguing that the best hes likely to do is a hung jury.

I think its too much of a New York Times, TikTok jury. This is maybe the best you can do with a New York jury pool, but its not a good jury for Donald Trump.

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Letters to the Editor: Discouraged by Biden and Trump? Toughen up and vote

Then-President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden participate in their first debate on Sept. 29, 2020. (Morry Gash / Associated Press)

To the editor: Our voting choices may be "bleak" for some who feel the candidates do not fully represent or excite them. But what is more bleak is voter apathy, especially now in our current state of political upheaval? ("Biden and Trumps main challenge? The apathetic voters who could decide the election," April 4)

The ship of state is on fire, and we have people refusing to be part of the bucket brigade. Lives are at stake. But they don't like the captain, they complain that there are no fire hoses, and why should they have to use buckets? Or they think others will get the job done.

They deliberately forfeit their right to vote. Forfeit a freedom. They neglect, as privileged citizens of the United States, to participate in its governance.

What part of "we the people" do they not understand? This country is our responsibility to keep, to make better. We've always had to fight for it.

Darrell Petry, Huntington Beach

..

To the editor: I am not at all apathetic about the coming election. I do not expect my presidential choice to be perfect  that is unreasonable and impossible.

When I mark my ballot, I will be voting for perhaps the next Supreme Court justice and other federal judges the president will appoint.

I will be expressing my particular view on voting rights, reproductive rights, climate change, healthcare, taxes and Ukraine. I have strong views on all those subjects, which will affect Americans for years to come.

No, I am not apathetic  rather, just the opposite.

I will also be voting for a senator and a representative who best reflect my views. The presidency is not the only important office on the ballot.

Vote!

Ruth Silveira, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: As an 85-year-old registered independent who has never missed casting a vote for president since I was 21, I found your article on the lack of voter enthusiasm in 2024 to be spot-on.

Over the years, at times a candidate's intellect, character, charisma or stand on specific issues has influenced my vote. At other times a party's platform or its social or economic philosophy is the decisive factor in determining my selection at the ballot box.

More often than not, however, I wonder why neither party can do better in picking a nominee, and I wind up voting not for the lesser of two evils, but the least of two "lessers."

This time, however, I am genuinely concerned that a vote for Trump would be a vote not for the lesser of two evils, but a vote for the evil of two lessers.

Marshall Barth, Encino

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  State officials said the Illinois capitol complex was placed on lockdown on Sunday following a bomb threat.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias relayed the incident on social media. State Police reported a bomb threat outside the Springfield capitol, leading Secretary of State Police to issue a lockdown and sweep for explosive devices.

Budzinski lobbies on Capitol Hill about recognizing 1908 Springfield Race Riot site

The capitol was reopened just before 2 p.m. after the threat was deemed not credible.

We will provide more information as it becomes available, Giannoulias said.

This marks the third time this year that the state capitol has faced serious threats. In early January, several state capitols across the country received bomb threats, including Illinois. Just last month, a threat also caused the capitol to go on lockdown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Although farming was king in Iowa due to the good soil, small towns flourished throughout the state because of two other enterprises: coal mining and the railroads.

According to "The History of Dallas County," published by the Union Historical Company in 1879, the first school in Des Moines Township was taught in the house of Martin Tucker in 1850. The teacher, Dr. Plumly, had 10 pupils in attendance. Two years later, a log cabin school was built near Xenia. It was built without a nail or board and the roof was riveted clapboards held in place with weight poles. The door, floor, seats, and writing desks were made of puncheon. Later, a new school was built in section 4. The Green sisters  Ruth, Edna and Verna  attended this school. Edna shares that she helped carry water from a nearby well, and all the students drank from the same rusty dipper. This school was closed and torn down around 1946.

With the discovery of coal in the area and the subsequent establishment of mining towns, it is no surprise that the number of schools rose dramatically in the township. Miners brought their families, and just like those that settled on farms in the area, they too wanted their children to have an education. The Milwaukee Railroad made the decision in the 1880s to connect Marion, Iowa to Council Bluffs. This led to the establishment of small communities of railroad workers along the proposed route in the towns of Xenia and Colton (which later became Woodward).

A photo of Xenia School in Dallas County's Des Moines Township.

One example was Center School, which was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s to accommodate the children who lived in the mining camps of Philda and Scandia. Later, Valley School was built in section 3. It had two rooms and was built for the children from those same mining camps. It closed around 1944 and was torn down.

Snyder School was the school for children in the area of Dallas Mine. This school included one building with two classrooms and another building with one classroom. This school probably closed about the time the Dallas Mine closed.

Moran School was built in 1920 to accommodate children who lived in Moran. The building was sold to Alva Gossik of Madrid for use as a home.

Students at Oak Grove School pose for a photo in the 1890s.

Prior to 1885, Beulah School District was part of Prairie Independent School District. On May 5, 1885, a sale was held and funds belonging to the Prairie School District were divided between Beaver, Comer, and Beulah School Districts. There were two Beaver Schools  East Beaver School in Section 28 and West Beaver School in Section 32.

In 1885, the original Beulah School was built in the southeast corner of Section 18. "Through the Years," the 1983 Woodward Centennial book, stated, "With the increase in size due to the coal mine in Moran, in 1918 the Beulah School was enlarged and made into a two room school. It continued to serve the needs of the district until 1955 when, with the consent of those concerned, the school was closed and the children were included in the Woodward school district. The building was sold to Rudy Harlock who moved it and remodeled it into a home. The bell was purchased by the Catholic Church in Woodward."

A group is seeking information about the names and locations of schools in Des Moines Township.

In an ongoing effort to preserve the history of our township schools, we are seeking details on the names and locations of the other schools in Des Moines Township. If you have any information about these schools, such as their location or stories of students who attended them, our group would like to hear from you. Please contact Myrna Griffith at wpldirector@minburncomm.net, Deanette Snyder at deanettesnyder@gmail.com, or Sue Leslie at densueles@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: A look at one-room schools in Dallas County's Des Moines Township
Lorry traffic at the checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border has slowed down due to a system failure at the Polish Customs Office.

Source: the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Quote: "Lorry traffic at the checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border has slowed down.

There was a system failure at the Polish Customs Office. In the light of that, the registration of the transport, transferring cargoes to Poland, will not be conducted in customs terms."

The usual passage of lorries will resume at about 8:00 on 22 April."

Details: At that, the traffic of passenger cars and buses will be conducted as usual.



Background:

On 18 April, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Polish farmers to stop blocking the border with Ukraine, emphasising that Ukraine was in a tough situation.

On 20 April, the movement of Ukrainian lorries at the Shehyni-Medyka and Krakovets-Korczowa checkpoints on the border with Poland resumed.

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Louisiana man arrested after attempting to run over deputies with patrol car

Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating an officer involved shooting after a man attempted to run over deputies Saturday, April 20.

According to the sheriff's office, at approximately 2 p.m. deputies responded to a call regarding harassing phone calls in the 3100 block of Jamerson Road in Haughton. Upon arrival, deputies encounter Lorison Johnson, 39, who was armed with a knife.

The deputies attempted to arrest Johnson, when he jumped into their patrol vehicle and attempted to run over the deputies. Two of the deputies discharged their duty weapons during the incident, causing Johnson to crash the vehicle.

Johnson sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body and was transported to Ochsner LSU Health with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to the sheriff's office, a deputy sustained an injury to the lower leg and was treated at a nearby hospital.

Johnson is being charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, one count of Simple Burglary, Resisting an Officer, Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle, Resistingan Officer with Force/Violence and one count of Improper Telephone Communication.

According to the sheriff's office, the investigation is in the early stages with more charges pending.

More: Suspect arrested in Caddo Parish double homicide

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier man arrested, shot after attempting to run over deputies with patrol car
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A former Madison County School System employee was arrested following a traffic stop Saturday night.

According to the Madison County Sheriffs Office (MCSO), deputies pulled over a vehicle for a moving violation near Highway 72 and Shields Road around 11:45 p.m.

They took my boy: Mother searching for answers just days after son was killed

The driver was identified as 26-year-old Makayla Ann Anderton. MCSO says that a 15-year-old was also inside the vehicle.

Deputies then contacted the Major Crimes Unit of the Madison County Sheriffs Office to respond to the scene.

After further investigation, detectives concluded that Anderton was a Madison County School System employee and that the minor was a student within the same school district.

Anderton was arrested for numerous sex crimes against the teenager, according to the sheriffs department. MCSO says that the sexual assaults took place over the last two months.

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Anderton began speaking with the 15-year-old, and the conversations later became sexual. She and the teen then exchanged multiple photographs, videos, and explicit text messages.

MCSO says that Anderton also met with the teen several times and engaged in various sex acts.

Major Crimes detectives arrested Anderton and booked her into the Madison County Jail on a $16,000 bond. She was charged with the following:

School Employee Distributing Obscene Material to a Student

2nd-degree Statutory Rape

2nd-degree Sodomy

School Employee Engaged in a Sex Act or Deviant Sexual Intercourse with a Student Under the Age of 19 Years

Madison County School System issued the following statement:

At this time, we are actively working with the Madison County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) to determine the facts in the case and the charges brought against this individual. MCSS will fully cooperate with detectives as they investigate this situation. The Madison County School System will confirm that the individual arrested was an MCSS employee at the time of the arrest. Their status is pending review and action by the Madison County Board of Education. The person in question was hired earlier this month following a background check conducted by the Alabama State Department of Education. As the MCSO investigation continues, the Madison County School System will defer all investigative questions to law enforcement and prosecutors. Madison County School System

Suspect in Huntsville shooting on Tuesday arrested for attempted murder

As of Sunday evening, Anderton is no longer employed with the Madison County School System.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who believes they know or are the victim of a similar assault should call the MCSO Major Crimes Unit at (256) 533-8820.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Matthew Cavanaugh/EPA / Shutterstock.com

Warren Buffetts investment portfolio, managed by Berkshire Hathaway, is a treasure trove of insight for investors worldwide. With Buffetts track record of success and his reputation as the Oracle of Omaha, analyzing Berkshires holdings offers valuable lessons and potential opportunities for investors. Heres an overview of all 45 stocks in Warren Buffetts portfolio.

Check Out: 401(k) Growth Potential: Ways to Double Your Savings in 10 Years

Read Next: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

First, well start the following eight core investments that comprise more than 84% of Berkshires $370.6 billion of invested assets, as of Feb. 2024:

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

Core Investments:

Apple (AAPL) Bank of America (BAC) American Express (AXP) Coca-Cola (KO) Chevron (CVX) Occidental Petroleum (OXY) Kraft Heinz (KHC) Moodys (MCO)

Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger believed that diversification is necessary only if you dont know what youre doing. [Diversification] makes very little sense for those who know what theyre doing, says Buffet.

The above eight core investment picks demonstrate Buffets philosophy of concentrated investing in recognizable brands and resilient business models.

Apple, with its innovative products and unrivaled brand loyalty, holds the largest share of Berkshires investments. Its dominance in the technology sector aligns with Buffetts preference for companies with wide economic dominance.

Additionally, other popular companies like Coca-Cola and American Express have been pillars in Berkshires holdings for decades. Their consistent performance and entrenched market positions demonstrate Buffetts fondness for long-term value creation.

Buffetts positions on energy stocks Chevron and Occidental Petroleum highlight his forward-thinking approach to market trends. Considering energys relative insignificance in its portfolio historically, these investments reflect Berkshires expectation for the spot price of crude oil to remain inflated.

Additional Holdings:

Mitsubishi (MSBHF) Itochu (ITOCY) Mitsui (MITSY) DaVita (DVA) Citigroup (C) VeriSign (VRSN) Kroger (KR) Sumitomo (SSUMY) Visa (V) Marubeni (MARUY) BYD (BYDDY) Mastercard (MA) Capital One Financial (COF) Amazon (AMZN) Liberty Sirius XM Series C (LSXMK) Snowflake (SNOW) Aon (AON) Charter Communications (CHTR) Nu Holdings (NUBD) Ally Financial (ALLY) T-Mobile  TMUS Paramount Global (PARA) Liberty Sirius XM Series A (LSXMA) HP (HPQ) Liberty Formula One Series C (FWONA) Floor & Decor Holdings (FND) Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) Liberty Live Series C (LLYVA) Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI) Liberty Live Series A (LLYAA) NVR (NVR) Lennar Class B (LEN.B) Diageo (DEO) Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) Liberty Latin America Series A (LILAK) Atlanta Braves Holdings Series C (BATRK) Liberty Latin America Series C (LILAC)

Story continues

Buffetts portfolio includes smaller holdings including both popular brands and lesser-known companies. They represent opportunities identified by Buffett as bets in emerging sectors along with some positions holding the potential to move up as core investments.

Learn More: If You Bought $1K of Elon Musks Favorite Crypto 5 Years Ago, Heres How Much You Would Have Now

With nearly 20% annualized return over close to six decades, Warren Buffetts investment portfolio offers a wealth of knowledge for investors. While not every pick may align with individual investment goals, analyzing Buffetts holdings can provide valuable insights and inspiration for constructing a well-rounded investment portfolio.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres Every Stock in Warren Buffetts Portfolio: What To Know About All 45 Picks
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A suspected trespasser at an Oregon City Jiffy Lube now faces numerous charges after allegedly trying to stab a police officer who tried to take him into custody.

The Jiffy Lube called in the trespassing incident Saturday morning, and then called again when the same man, later identified as Adonai Gabriel-Escamilla, came back shortly before 1 p.m., Oregon City police said in a release.

Heavy police presence in Portlands Montavilla neighborhood

It was then he showed a knife and tried to stab an officer before running away and into a local business with customers inside, officials said. As police tried to close traffic in the area, Gabriel-Escamilla dropped the knife, was arrested and then taken to a hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

Authorities said the 23-year-old will eventually be booked into the Clackamas County Jail for multiple charges, including attempted aggravated murder of a police office.

The investigation is active and ongoing, Anyone with information is asked to call Oregon City police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  North Las Vegas police arrested a man early Sunday morning after a fight involving a pickaxe turned into a barricade, according to NLVPD.

On Saturday around 10 p.m., North Las Vegas police responded to the 1100 block of Stone River Drive near Civic Center Drive and Carey Avenue after reports of a fight between neighbors. During the fight, one of the neighbors armed himself with a pickaxe, police said.

When officers arrived, the armed neighbor went inside his home and refused to come outside and speak with officers.

North Las Vegas police said due to the prior fight and the neighbor arming himself with the pickaxe, the NLVPD Detective Bureau and SWAT team responded to the barricade.

Around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, the neighbor, identified as 51-year-old Efrain Chavarin, came outside and was taken into custody.

51-year-old Efrain Chavarin (NLVPD)

Chavarin was taken to the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center where he was booked on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstructing an investigation, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
(CANON CITY, Colo.)  On Saturday, April 20, around 2 p.m. The Canon City Police Department (CCPD) posted to their Facebook page about an active situation on the 1000 block of Allison Avenue in Canon City, Colorado.

CCPD initially asked people to avoid the area and then later posted an update, explaining the situation. A call had come in about an assault, and CCPD went to investigate. They encountered Kolton Larkin, age 34, of Colorado Springs, and after a brief barricade situation Larkin was taken to Fremont County jail.

Larkin is being held on charges of 2nd-degree assault and Domestic Violence, said CCPD.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Man asked to leave Atlanta lounge, comes back to start shootout with security: APD

Atlanta police are investigating a shooting that left a 26-year-old man injured.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Sunday, just before 2 a.m., officers were called to the Monaco Hookah Lounge on Trinity Avenue in southwest Atlanta regarding a person shot.

When police arrived, they found a man who sustained a gunshot wound.

TRENDING STORIES:

Atlanta investigators learned the man was reportedly asked to leave the lounge but came back with a gun and fired shots into the building.

APD said security at the lounge then shot back, hitting the suspect.

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The 26-year-old was stable before being taken to the hospital and placed in custody. His identity was not released.

The investigation is ongoing.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Man convicted in killing of two Dartmouth professors is set to be released on parole

James Parker, a man who has spent more than half his life in prison for his role in the killing of Dartmouth College professors Half and Susanne Zantop in 2001, has been granted parole.

Parker was just 16 when he and his 17-year-old friend Robert Tulloch fatally stabbed the two married professors, after planning for months to rob and kill people before fleeing to Australia.

Parker, who is now 39, pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to second degree murder in 2004, court documents show. He was sentenced to 25 years, with credit for the 410 days he had already served. The earliest he could be released is May 22, 2024.

As part of his parole agreement, Parker is forbidden from any contact with the Zantop family and is required to engage in mental health treatment as clinically indicated, WMUR reported.

At his parole hearing, Parker described the killing of the two professors as unimaginably horrible. I know theres not an amount of time or things that I can do to change it or alleviate any pain that Ive caused, he said.

Since being incarcerated, Ive learned quite a bit about myself and about what it actually means to be part of the world, part of the community, he said.

At the time of the crime, Parker and Tulloch were bored with their home in Chelsea, Vermont and decided they wanted to go away and eventually settled on Australia, court documents showed. Although they originally discussed legal ways of getting the money to fund their trip, they eventually decided to rob random homeowners and then kill them so there wouldnt be any witnesses.

The two went to several strangers homes, saying they were conducting a survey, in failed attempts to choose targets for their crime. On January 27, 2001, after first knocking on the door of a home in Hannover, New Hampshire, where no one was home, they approached the Zantop home next door because it looked expensive, court documents showed. Half Zantop was a professor in the Earth Science Department at Dartmouth College, while Susanne Zantop was chair of the German Studies Department.

The Zantops invited Parker and Tulloch in, where they conducted their fake survey. Tulloch attacked Half Zantop, stabbing him in the chest. Parker then slit Susanne Zantops throat. The two teenagers then took Half Zantops wallet and fled.

Police used fingerprints on knife sheathes the two left at the Zantops home as well as blood, on knives found at Tullochs home and on Tullochs boots, to link them to the crime.

Parkers attorney, Cathy Green, told CNN in a statement her client has fully accepted responsibility for his actions, and remains deeply remorseful.

The motion to suspend Parkers sentence notes his dedication to rehabilitation during his incarceration. While serving his sentence, he completed high school and college and obtained a masters degree, according to court documents. He also volunteered in many capacities in the prison where he has made an extraordinary commitment to doing good and helping others.

Additionally, he organized a job fair for other inmates, underwent mental health counseling, painted murals throughout the prison and worked to bring theater programming to the prison.

Court documents show Parker filed a previous motion to suspend his sentence in 2019 but withdrew it after finding out the Zantops daughters objected.

At the parole hearing, a victim advocate represented the Zantop family requested an order be put in place forbidding Parker from having contact with the family, which was granted, according to WMUR.

CNN has reached out to the Zantop family for comment.

Tulloch, now 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and received a sentence of life in prison without parole. A re-sentencing hearing is being planned for July, WMUR reported, due to a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which said a mandatory life sentence for someone under the age of 18 is cruel and unusual punishment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (PIX11)  A man died shortly after being arrested in Toms River, New Jersey Friday, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Authorities with the Toms River Police Department and Ocean County Sheriffs Office tried to arrest the man around 1 p.m. at a gas station on Route 37 near West End Avenue, according to the Attorney Generals office.

New Jersey friends split $1 million lottery winnings

The man told officers he was having a medical episode from inside his parked vehicle, at which point police arrested him and provide[d] medical attention on-scene, according to Platkins office.

The man, whose identity was not yet released, was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead just over an hour later, authorities said.

Police were initially engaging the man for outstanding warrants, according to the Attorney General.

The Attorney Generals office opened an investigation into the death, as is customary for any in-custody death.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Man dies after being shot in Tampa, deputies say

Man dies after being shot in Tampa, deputies say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office reported another deadly shooting in the city of Tampa Sunday morning.

Deputies said they responded to a shooting on West Paris Street at 12:33 a.m.

1 dead in shooting at Tampa gentlemens club

When they arrived, the found a man who was shot in the lower body. He died after being taken to a hospital, the sheriffs office said.

At this time, no arrests have been reported. However, the sheriffs office believes there is no threat to the public.

This is one of two shootings reported in the city. The other, unrelated shooting took place at a gentlemens club in the Tampa Police Departments jurisdiction.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
NEVADA  Iowa farmers told a federal trade leader this weekend that the agency should block the $3.6 billion sale of the Iowa Fertilizer Co. to Koch Industries, saying it will further consolidate the industry and drive prices higher.

Several of the roughly 100 Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri residents attending the Iowa Farmers Union listening session Saturday told Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission chair, that consolidation within the agriculture industry  from fertilizer to seed to farm chemicals  is squeezing already slim profits from their operations.

Iowa lawmakers and residents have criticized the sale, which received about $545 million in local, state and federal economic development incentives and tax benefits a dozen years ago to encourage the southeast Iowa plant's construction.

Iowa state Reps. Elinor Levin, Megan Srinivas and J.D. Scholten join Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission chair, Aaron Lehman, the Iowa Farmers Union board president, and Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union board, Saturday in Nevada.

Iowa invested about a half billion dollars in this plant, and at the time, the stated goal was to provide more competition within the fertilizer industry," specifically because of Koch Industries' dominance, said Aaron Lehman, the Iowa Farmers Union board president.

The sale is a "huge step back for competition," he said.

OCI Global, the Dutch parent of the Iowa Fertilizer Co., announced in December that its selling the Wever plant to Koch Fertilizer, a company owned by Koch Industries, pending regulatory approval. Farmers told Khan that it's just the latest in a series of mergers that have limited the companies they can buy farm supplies and equipment from and those they sell crops and livestock to.

Nationally, four companies account for 75% of the supply of nitrogen, a key fertilizer component, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which announced in 2022 it would invest $500 million to expand fertilizer production.

The move was part of President Joe Biden's plan to drive competition across several industries.

More: In Iowa fertilizer plant purchase by Koch, farmers and consumers lose

Fed trade chief is noncommittal; Koch is confident purchase will proceed

While declining to say what action the Federal Trade Commission is taking, Khan said the agency can investigate proposed mergers like OCI Global and Koch's to understand if theyre going to eliminate competition in any way thats going to harm farmers, harm communities or harm customers."

If we conclude that it will, then we can file a lawsuit ... go to court and try to convince the judge that this deal is illegal. And then it's ultimately up to the court," Khan said.

On Saturday, a Koch Industries spokesman said in a statement that the Kansas-based company is confident the FTC will allow the purchase to proceed after concluding its analysis. Koch is committed to operating and growing production at the Wever facility, the spokesman said, adding that the purchase builds on a $2 billion investment in North America to increase production and improve safety and consumer access.

Story continues

In Nevada, LaVon Griffieon, a central Iowa farmer, told Khan her family must negotiate prices with giants like Bayer, a St. Louis seed and chemical company; Deere & Co., the Moline, Illinois, farm equipment manufacturer; and Nutrien, the Canadian fertilizer company.

Farmers' ability to pay seems to drive prices, Griffieon and others said, not demand and production costs. Every time crop prices go up, their prices go up, said Griffieon, who farms about 1,100 acres with her family north of Ankeny.

The squeeze makes it hard for her family to build wealth for future farm generations, she said. For example, her family recently bought new tractor tires, which cost $20,000. Thats close to what my parents paid for 80 acres in 1964, Griffieon said.

We have land to get our sons started farming. But we really can't provide them with much more, she said.

Then-Gov. Terry Branstad chats with guests on April 19, 2017, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the $3 billion Iowa Fertilizer Co. plant in Wever.

Farmer says U.S. capitalism is losing its competitive markets

David Weaver, who farms near Perry, said hes lived in about 20 different countries, and he appreciates the competitive markets of the U.S. Being a farmer here, in a capitalistic industry, is wonderful. But we are losing it on a very daily, yearly, annual basis, said Weaver, adding that his local ag retailer buys Iowa Fertilizers products because it's "competitive, even traveling over halfway across the state.

Lehman, the Farmers Union president, read a letter from a member who said he paid 50% more for fertilizers in 2023 than in 2021 as commodity prices rose. 2023 was the most expensive crop farmers put in the ground, wrote the Farmers Union member, whose name wasn't provided because he feared retaliation for criticizing the industry.

I should also mention that shopping for a better price for fertilizer does not exist. When we call different distributors, the price is almost always the same, read Lehman, noting that prices have since declined as corn and soybean prices have tumbled in recent months.

Farmers who run an independent ag cooperative in Edina, Missouri, said the Iowa Fertilizer Co.s opening in 2017 cut costs for its members.

This is bigger than Iowa, said Derek England, a Northeast Missouri Cooperative Service board member. Before Iowa Fertilizer Co. opened, the cooperative could purchase fertilizer from Koch and CF Industries, another large fertilizer provider, which has a plant near Sioux City.

This spring, England said, the Iowa Fertilizer nitrogen was $70 a ton cheaper than from CF Industries. Koch doesnt often provide pricing, he said, but when it does, it's typically close to CF Industries' costs. That makes the planned Iowa Fertilizer sale to Koch quite worrisome, England said.

Scott Henry, who farms with his family near Nevada, said federal officials should consider that Koch is a U.S. company while OCI Global is Egyptian. While based in Amsterdam, the company was originally based in Egypt.

"I do want to continue to support American companies, regardless" of their political beliefs, said Henry, whose family gave Khan a farm tour.

The Iowa Fertilizer Co. factory in Wever is shown in 2018.

Koch brothers have been Republican mega donors

Koch operates a plant in Fort Dodge, which employs about 85 people and underwent a $140 million expansion.

Charles Koch, the company's board chairman, and the late David Koch, have been mega donors to Republican candidates and issues.

Harold Beach, another Northeast Missouri coop board member, said the meeting Saturday is window dressing.

You already know what to do, Beach said. I'd encourage you to be fearless and courageous and do the right thing.

Khan told farmers that Biden is focused on creating fair markets after huge waves of mergers and acquisitions.

All too often, we hear  our markets are not working for people, for regular people, she said.

Even with products that consumers want, your success in the marketplace is not a function of how well you're able to compete," but a function of how a handful of giants are choosing to exercise their power, said Khan, who told reporters she heard from farmers that they're worried about losing competition after the state invested heavily in creating it.

Fertilizer plant received over a half-billion dollars in subsidies

In 2012, OCI received about $112 million in state incentives, about $130 million in local property tax exemptions and an estimated $300 million in tax benefits through the sale of Midwest disaster bonds.

Iowa ag groups supported the project, saying it would lower Midwest nitrogen fertilizer costs for corn and other crops.

The project, which created 260 permanent jobs and 3,500 construction jobs, was one of the largest private sector construction projects in Iowa's history and the first world-scale, greenfield nitrogen fertilizer plant built in the United States in more than 25 years, OCI said.

Iowa Reps. J.D. Scholten, Elinor Levin and Megan Srinivas, all Democrats who attended Saturday's event, were among about 30 other Iowa House Democrats who sent letters to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justices Antitrust Division and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, asking them to investigate the sale.

OCI said it sold the plant to significantly reduce the companys debt, unlock value for shareholders and enable it to continue building lower-carbon ammonia and green methanol platforms. Its projects include a blue ammonia project in Texas.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Farmers tell feds to block Iowa Fertilizer Co. sale to Koch Industries
CANTON, Ohio (WJW)  An investigation is underway after a man reportedly died while in Canton police custody Thursday evening.

Police were initially called to the 1700 block of Sherrick Road South East around 8:15 p.m. for reports of a single-car crash in the area. Upon arrival they saw an unoccupied vehicle and a power pole down in the road.

Devastated: Family of 3 narrowly escapes arson in Cleveland, 2 pets dead

With the help of witnesses, police were able to locate the driver of the vehicle who had headed to the Amvets Post down the road.

Police said 53-year-old Frank Tyson of East Canton was at first not cooperative with them.

Shortly after securing him in handcuffs, officers recognized that Tyson had become unresponsive, the department said in a statement.

Tyson was given CPR and Narcan, according to police, and medics rushed him to Aultman Hospital. He was declared dead at 9:18 p.m.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is handling an independent investigation and two of the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, Canton police said.

DeWine pushes for new Ohio seat belt law  what it would mean for drivers

Canton Mayor William Sherer II released a statement saying he sent his condolences to the Tyson family.

Incidents like these are always difficult and challenging for a community, he said in the statement. The City of Canton has my word that this office will be transparent with them when difficult times arise. I have full faith in the leadership of Chief John Gabbard as we navigate these waters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Man Who Earned College Degree While Incarcerated Gets Accepted to Law School Months After Release

Benard McKinley was sentenced to prison at age 19 for a gang-related murder

Monika Wnuk Benard McKinley

A man who was previously sentenced to 100 years in prison is now heading to law school to earn his degree as a free man.

Benard McKinley was arrested for a gang-related murder at age 16 and then sentenced years later at age 19 to serve his time at a maximum security prison, according to ABC News.

After seeing how his legal fees were affecting his family, McKinley, now 39, obtained his General Educational Development diploma (GED) and then opted to continue his education in an effort to learn the law so he could represent himself in court, the outlet said.

"I promised myself before I got out of that bus that no matter what the outcome was that, you know, I was just going to try to do better for myself," McKinley told ABC News. "I knew that I wanted to better myself, and I did that."

Monika Wnuk Benard McKinley and his classmates

Related: Texas Girl Born in Jail Heading to Harvard After Graduating at the Top of Her Class

McKinley eventually became a part of Northwestern's Prison Education Program (PEP), which program director Jennifer Lackey told ABC News is the only program in the United States that will grant bachelor's degrees to incarcerated individuals from one of the top 10 universities in the nation.

During his time in prison, McKinley took the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and later applied to law school.

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His sentence was eventually reduced from 100 years to 25 years, and he was released in December 2023, per ABC News.

McKinley is now set to join the Northwestern Law School class of 2027 when he starts learning at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago later this fall, the outlet said, adding that he is the first graduate of PEP to be accepted into any law school. (Northwestern, per The Guardian, has a 4% acceptance rate.)



Getty Images Graduation cap and diploma (stock image)

Related: 24-Year-Old Student Who Collected Garbage to Pay for College Is Admitted to Harvard Law School

Just months ago, I was still behind prison bars, and not knowing exactly how the future of going to law school would turn out. So to be home and know Im going to law school  is an amazing feeling, McKinley told The Guardian.

He added, "It feels amazing. Im definitely a positive role model for the future generation and my family. So you know, I have a job to do."

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Read the original article on People.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man was ejected and killed after his pickup truck rolled near Enterprise in southern Utah late Saturday night, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

Just before 12 a.m., a male driver was heading northbound on SR-18 near mile post 40.5 in Washington County, according to Cpl. Quincey Breur, UHP.

Kevin Bacon returns to Payson High on prom night for 40th anniversary of Footloose

The driver veered off the road to the right, overcorrected to the left, and went across the southbound lanes before exiting the opposite side of the road, Breur said.

The mans pickup reportedly rolled, causing him to be ejected from the truck.

The individual was pronounced dead on scene, Breur said.

Details on what caused the incident, as well as the identity of the victim, have not been released at this time.

No further information is currently available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  A 42-year-old man was killed on the east side of Cleveland Friday night, police confirmed.

Cleveland police were called to the 4300 block of Friendly Court just north of Quincy Avenue following a shooting, where they found a man dead.

Devastated: Family of 3 narrowly escapes arson in Cleveland, 2 pets dead

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office identified the victim as Piankhi Bruce from North Ridgeville. It was not confirmed how he died.

Those who may have information are asked to call Cleveland police directly at 216-623-5464

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100.

LOGAN, Utah (ABC4)  On April 15, a man from Logan pleaded guilty to the crime of sexual assault after his arrest in February, according to a guilty plea filed with the First Judicial District Court.

Jarek Lindholm, 21, was initially arrested on February 21 on several first-degree felony charges, according to arrest documents. Lindholm pleaded guilty to second-degree felony sexual assault, which carries a punishment of one to 15 years in prison, according to court documents.

PREVIOUS STORY: Police say man rapes woman by convincing her hes possessed, threatening fake wife and child

As part of the guilty plea, Lindholm acknowledged that he committed sexual assault and admitted to intentionally touching the victim without her consent.

According to arrest documents, the victim told officers that Jarek has said that he accessed another dimension and sometimes gets possessed.

The victim told police that Lindholm threatened to physically harm his wife and adopted daughter if the victim did not have sex with him, according to arrest documents. Lindholm later admitted to police that he does not have a wife or a daughter.

The victim told police she had never met Lindholms wife or daughter, but she had communicated with them via text using the same number as Lindholms. At some point, she also spoke with Lindholms wife over the phone.

On the day the incident occurred, the victim said she was contacted by Lindholm, who claimed to be under the control of leviathan. Lindholm reportedly told the victim he would harm his wife if the victim did not pick him up, and also said he would do sexual things to the victim.

After the incident, the victim was instructed to take Lindholm to a restaurant, and on the way there, he came back and asked why he was in her vehicle, documents said.

After officials executed a search warrant at Lindholms residence and he was arrested, he admitted his wife and daughter did not exist and that he had posed as them before. Lindholm also told police he could not remember the three hours that his body was taken over.

Lindholms search history from the day before the incident revealed inquiries related to rape kits and law enforcement questioning during rape investigations, as well as searches for attorneys in the area the next day, arrest documents said.

If you or someone you know needs help related to mental health, call the SAMHSAs National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or the Utah hotline at 866-903-3787.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Update 11:08 a.m. April 21: The suspect in the shooting was found, shot and killed by Boise police Sunday. Find that story here. And the deputy who was shot died, the Ada County Sheriffs Office announced Sunday.

An Ada County sheriffs deputy was shot and injured Saturday night during a traffic stop on the Boise Bench, and a manhunt is underway for the suspect, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Just before 9 p.m. Saturday, the unidentified deputy stopped a vehicle near the area of Overland Road and North Raymond Street, when a person inside the vehicle shot the deputy at some point during the stop, according to a news release from the Sheriffs Office.

A nearby citizen witnessed the shooting, called 911 and performed CPR on the deputy, who was then taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, the Sheriffs Office said. The deputys condition was not released at the time.

Lauren Montague, a spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office, told the Idaho Statesman by phone that the deputy was alone during the traffic stop.

A Statesman reporter observed dozens of law enforcement vehicles, including from the Boise Police Department, near the intersection of West Overland Road and South Roosevelt Street.

The suspect, who hasnt been publicly identified, is considered armed and dangerous, according to the Sheriffs Office. Police located the suspects vehicle and active searches are underway.

We ask residents to lock their doors and call dispatch if they see anything suspicious, the Sheriffs Office said.

While on the way to assist the injured deputy, another Ada County sheriffs deputy was involved in a two-vehicle crash that also included a utility pole near South Meridian and East Amity roads, according to the release. That deputy was also transported to Saint Alphonsus and their condition was not released.

Montague declined to say whether anyone else was injured in the crash and said that shell update the public once the Sheriffs Office has more information.
Mary Trump mocks her uncle for appearing to fall sleep in hush money court

Trump's estranged niece swiped the former president after it was reported he fell asleep in court.

Mary Trump joked that she feared "narcolepsy ran in the family."

Opening remarks for Trump's hush money trial are set to begin Monday.

Donald Trump's estranged niece, Mary Trump, swiped the former president after it was reported he fell asleep in court, saying she's concerned narcolepsy runs in the family.

According to a The New York Times report Monday, the Republican presidential candidate "appeared to nod off a few times. His mouth going slack and his head drooping onto his chest" during the first day of his New York hush money trial.

Speaking on her uncle's apparent drowsiness on SiriusXM on Wednesday, Mary Trump joked, "I'm a little worried that narcolepsy runs in the family."

Narcolepsy is a condition where the brain struggles to control sleep-wake cycles, leading sufferers to feel drowsy throughout much of the day.

Mary Trump said she believes "we can't underestimate the extent of the depth of the narcissistic injury he's suffering" as a result of the hush money trial, which enters its second week on Monday.

President Joe Biden's campaign moved quickly to exploit the reports of Trump dozing off, dubbing the former president "Sleepy Don." Trump had as long insulted Biden as "Sleepy Joe."

He was also taunted on social media with hashtags including #DonSnorleone.

"It's a moment that, unconsciously, he's probably been dreading for the last five and a half decades," Mary Trump said of the trial in New York.

"Part of him was probably always terrified that it was going to come, but also, he probably never believed it would because he always gets away with everything. And here we are. And trust me, he understands how serious this is," she said.

Mary Trump has been a longtime and fervent critic of her renowned relative. In a Business Insider interview in 2021, she said, "He is a fascist. But he probably doesn't know what fascist means."

The jury for Trump's hush money trial was selected this week, with opening remarks expected on Monday. The former president faces allegations he falsified 34 business records to cover up a $130,000 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election.

Donald Trump at the defense table in his Manhattan hush money trial with attorney Emil Bove. Reuters/Jane Rosenberg

On Saturday, Trump took to social media to express his anger against the judge and the circumstances of the trial.

"THIS SCAM 'RUSHED' TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN A 95% DEMOCRAT AREA IS A PLANNED AND COORDINATED WITCH HUNT," he wrote in block caps in one of several Truth Social posts Saturday morning. "IT IS BEING PRESIDED OVER BY POSSIBLY THE MOST CONFLICTED JUDGE IN JUDICIAL HISTORY, WHO MUST BE REMOVED FROM THIS HOAX IMMEDIATELY."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Democrat Maryland elected official scolded a reporter Friday for asking about the transgender identity of a teenager accused of planning to commit a school shooting.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was responding to a question about Andrea Ye, who goes by Alex, when he became visibly frustrated. Ye, 18, is accused of plotting to commit a mass shooting at Thomas Wootton High School and his former elementary school.

He talked about the alleged plan in a 129-page manifesto. During a Friday news conference, Elrich was asked about the alleged hesitance of officials to reveal Ye's transgender identity.

MARYLAND TEEN ALLEGEDLY PLOTTED SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN 129-PAGE MANIFESTO WITH TRANSGENDER MAIN CHARACTER

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich lashed out at a reported who asked about the trans identity of Andres Ye, who is accused of plotting to commit a shooting at a high school and elementary school.

"What is the reluctance of the county to admit that this individual was transgender?" the reporter asked. "This is the fourth time that weve seen this happen, very recently," referring to some mass shootings conducted by suspects who identified as transgender.

"Because its not a lede," Elrich replied. "You know, how do you publicize every time somebody gets murdered that its a white Christian male, whos heterosexual? No, you dont, you dont. Are these the only crimes that get committed? You never publish somebodys sexual orientation when you talk about them."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Why you focus on them being transgender is beyond me. It is not a news story. It is not a crime to be transgender and I'm sorry you feel that way," he added.

The reporter responded as Elrich walked away from the podium: "That's not what I said."

Ye was arrested Wednesday and is charged with making threats of mass violence. He allegedly wrote that he wanted to become a serial killer instead of a mass murderer because serial killers are romanticized. Ye wanted to shoot up an elementary school because "little kids make easier targets," authorities said Thursday.

A tipster alerted authorities to his writings and an investigation was launched by local and state law enforcement.





Original article source: Maryland Democrat official snaps at question about alleged, would-be school shooter's transgender identity
Two of the canceled NYPD academy classes are back on, Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday afternoon.

The new rookies from the July and October classes are expected to add 1,200 to the dwindling ranks of the police department, which has struggled to recruit new officers and retain seasoned cops over the last few years.

I always say that public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity. By driving down crime, we have saved lives and laid the foundation for economic recovery, but we want to keep that going and we wont do anything to risk all our progress, said Hizzoner

Mayor Adams, seen here with NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, has announced the restoration of two cadet classes. Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

Today, I am proud to announce that, thanks to our strong fiscal management that has stabilized the city budget and our fiscal outlook, we are funding two additional police classes this year in the upcoming Executive Budget.

The mayors budget, which is set to be unveiled as early as Tuesday, is not expected to include funding for a full slate of four police classes.

Currently, the NYPD has 33,695 uniformed officers, just over 1,300 fewer than the budgeted headcount. Gregory P. Mango

But Adams maintained Saturday that the city is on pace to bring the NYPD uniformed staffing levels up to 35,000, for the first time since the mass exodus started during COVID.

Currently, the NYPD has 33,695 uniformed officers, just over 1,300 fewer than the budgeted headcount.

The Adams administration called off five classes to train new recruits as part of multiple rounds of budget cuts to offset the cost of the migrant crisis, which has the city on the hook for nearly $10 billion through next year.

Earlier this year, though, higher-than-expected revenue has led the administration to roll back a series of cuts, including one of this fiscal years police classes and more than $500 million in educational cuts next year.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) praised Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for the passage of the massive foreign aid package in the House over the weekend.

McCaul, who has long pushed for additional aid to Ukraine, said Johnson has his support after the House passed the foreign aid package on Saturday. Johnson has faced some pushback from some conservative members of his party for allowing a vote on additional aid to Ukraine on the House floor, potentially putting his job in jeopardy.

I tell you what, hes got my support  the stock in Mike Johnsons gone way up. I think the respect for him has gone way up because he did the right thing, irrespective of his job. That garnered a lot of respect. And also from the Democrat side, he said on ABCs This Week.

McCaul said Johnson went through a transformation on getting the foreign aid package to the House floor. A package to approve additional aid to Ukraine, Israel and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region had been held up for months in the House due to GOP opposition to the legislation.

I think he tried to do what the, you know, say the Freedom Caucus wanted him to do. It wasnt going to work in the Senate or the White House. At the end of the day, we were running out of time. Ukraines getting ready to fall, McCaul said.

I think the briefings that he got in the classified space, the advice he got from people like me and [Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio)], House Intelligence, Armed Services, I think talking to world leaders, he became the man that went from a district in Louisiana to the Speaker of the United States, to also someone who had to look at the entire world and had to carry the burden of that and make the right decision, he added.

The package, which has now been sent to the Senate for approval, would provide roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza and elsewhere, and $8 billion for Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
 Flash

Financial support is crucial for advancing biodiversity conservation, which is a critical part of global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals including climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and water and food security, according to experts.

"Biodiversity financing determines the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation," said Zhu Li, director of the Conservation Program at the Paulson Institute, during a recent interview about the upcoming Paulson Prize for sustainablity on Thursday in Beijing.

Zhu stressed that resource mobilization is one of the main tasks in protecting biological diversity and that governments are the main source of funding for biodiversity protection. China's contributions now account for about 57% of total funding, playing a pivotal role in this field, according to statistics.

China also plays an active role in domestic biodiversity protection, with government funds accounting for more than 90% of the total investment in preventing biodiversity loss. A report on China's biodiversity financing, released by the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center in partnership with the Paulson Institute, revealed that from 2011 to 2020, China's core financial investment in biodiversity protection totaled approximately 2.16 trillion yuan ($298.33 billion), accounting for approximately 0.24-0.29% of GDP. This level of investment is comparable to that of Canada, France, Spain, and the U.K., which invested approximately 0.3% of their GDP in biodiversity protection from 2008 to 2017.

Despite China's significant investment in biodiversity protection, experts say that global funding for biodiversity conservation still falls short. "The current annual gap between expenditure and demand for biodiversity is about $700 billion," said Jerry Yu, chief representative of the China office and managing director of the Paulson Institute. He called for private sector participation to promote continuous innovation and change in this field and urged tightened international cooperation to boost biodiversity protection.

In recent years, various market-based biodiversity financing mechanisms have emerged, such as payments for ecosystem services, green bonds, biodiversity impact offsets, and even the emerging biodiversity credit market. "In the long run, only by developing and promoting diversified biodiversity financing mechanisms can we effectively fill the funding gap we face in biodiversity conservation," noted Zhu Li, director of the Conservation Program at the Paulson Institute.

Dr. Zhu Da, China country director of The Nature Conservancy, echoed Zhu Li's opinion, stressing that biodiversity protection is a group effort encompassing all sectors of society, including institutions, enterprises, and governments.

He emphasized that each party has its own responsibilities in biodiversity conservation. Governments should shoulder more managing responsibilities, the public should participate in protection efforts, and scientific research institutions should focus on cutting-edge scientific research, he added.
The turbulent rollout of a new federal financial aid application could mean thousands of low-income students miss out on college this fall.

But one person feels especially perturbed by the botched implementation of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Lamar Alexander  former governor of Tennessee, U.S. education secretary and Republican leader of the Senate education committee  thought the FAFSA Simplification Act would be his legacy.

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He was so bound up with the quest to streamline the process that he became known for unfurling the 108-question paper form at press conferences.

Former Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Republican, chaired the Senate education committee from 2015 until he retired in 2020. (Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images)

There are not many things that happen in Washington, D.C., that really improve the lives of 20 million American families every year, he told The 74 last week. This did, and once they implement it properly, it will be a great relief to these families.

Related

Ed Dept. Holds Week of Action on Financial Aid, Months After Bungled Rollout

But the string of delays and errors mean that three months after the rollout, some high school seniors still dont know if theyll be able to afford college.

Im very disappointed with it, he said. If they spent more time figuring out how to implement FAFSA and less time forgiving student loans, they might have done better.

Alexander, 83, served as governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987 and then as president of the University of Tennessee until President George H. W. Bush appointed him as education secretary. But he said it wasnt until he was in the Senate that he understood how much of a barrier the form was to some students getting into and completing college.

In a brief interview, Alexander discussed how he would have handled the rollout differently, his ongoing work advocating for higher education in Tennessee and writing his political memoirs.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The 74: For readers who dont know the history, why was simplifying the FAFSA so important to you?

Lamar Alexander: In 2005, the third year I was a senator, a group of college presidents from Tennessee came to see me and explained that the complexity of the 108-question form was the single biggest obstacle to low-income students going to college. It was difficult to fill out and many low-income students needed to get their grandmothers tax returns. Maybe she didnt have them or didnt want to give them. They talked about the verification process, which means that if you made a mistake on the form you might lose your Pell Grant in the middle of your first semester. I was too junior at that time to do much about it, but 10 years later when I became the ranking Republican on the education committee I got busy on it.

As time went on, Gov. Bill Haslam in Tennessee signed a law offering two years of free tuition for community colleges. Filling out the FAFSA was the single biggest obstacle to two years of free tuition for Tennesseans going to college. When I had a hearing on it  I can still remember the day  we had witnesses from many different points of view, and I asked four witnesses to write a letter each explaining what they would do. They looked at each other and said, We dont have to write four letters. We can write one. We all agree.

Did your frustration with the process begin when you were a university president?

I didnt pay that much attention. I didnt really see the size of the problem. I didnt know it affected 20 million families every year. What people forget is you have to fill this out every year, and its easy to make a mistake. That means its easy to lose your scholarship.

Former Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee, was known for working across the aisle on the education committee with ranking Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

How much have you paid attention to the chaos that has unfolded over the past few months?

I hear about it first hand  the problems its causing right now with admissions officers who are having a hard time telling families how much financial aid theyll receive and families who are having a hard time deciding what school they can attend. Im hearing a lot about it, not so much from the news.

Theres really no excuse for it. The problem is not the law. The law was thoroughly vetted.

If you were still leading the department, how do you think you would have handled the implementation?

If McDonalds has a new hamburger, they dont roll it out to the whole country. They test it in a few markets, sometimes for a long time. This is too important to 20 million families just to throw a big mess out to them. That would have been the wise thing to do, to say, OK, were going to gradually begin to implement this, and were going to test it and make sure it works. And then within a year or two more, well make it available to all 20 million families.

Im very disappointed with it. If they spent more time figuring out how to implement FAFSA and less time forgiving student loans, they might have done better.

Related

74 Interview: Sen. Lamar Alexander on Finally Fixing College Financial Aid Form, Being Ready to Advise Bidens Ed Secretary Pick and $900B Relief Bill

Do you miss being in the U.S. Senate?

I miss my friends, but I had 18 years. Thats long enough, and Ive moved on to other things.

When I was in the Senate, I would tell people, Its hard to get here. Its hard to stay here, and while youre here you might as well try to accomplish something. And you cant accomplish anything in the Senate unless you get 60 votes. I learned how to count in the Maryville City Schools. So you have to work across the aisle if you want to get a result. Theres no reason to run if all you want to do is make a speech. You can do that at home.

Retired U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander was a featured speaker at the recent Inaugural Baker School Gala at the University of Tennessee Knoxvilles Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. (University of Tennessee Knoxvilles Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs)

How are you spending your time now?

Im on the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust. Number two, Im helping the University of Tennessee create the Howard Baker School of Public Policy, which was just officially dedicated. And number three, Im helping Maryville College, in my hometown, create a new science center. It will have an environmental education program, which fits. Were right in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, which is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Ive gotten drawn back into higher education without trying.

Im also writing a memoir. Im about finished with that. I kept a diary, so there are lots of interesting stories, interesting people, lots of things that I got to work on that didnt make much news  like fixing FAFSA  but helped a lot of people.
Through open-source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 50,471 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Since Mediazona's last update in late March, the names of 1,190 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties.

The journalists specify that the actual figures are likely considerably higher since the information they have verified so far comes from public sources, including obituaries, posts by relatives, regional media news, and local authorities' reports. The media outlets estimated the true figure likely surpasses 100,000.

Mediazone also adds that their Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) analyst teams tracking military equipment losses have observed significant depletion in Russia's inventory of tanks, APCs, BMPs, and artillery in recent weeks.

Since Russia began its all-out war against Ukraine, over 3,300 officers, with 390 holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or higher, have been killed in combat in Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed in February 2024 that 180,000 Russians had been killed in the war. He added that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers were also killed. Zelensky said that the exact number is unknown, and it would only be possible to find out once the territories occupied by Russia were liberated.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: First Russian Tu-22M3 bomber downed, strikes in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast kill 8

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Former first lady has been plugging her new self-titled memoir, using her husbands presidential campaign as a springboard (AFP via Getty Images)

Melania Trump has returned to the campaign trail to support Donald Trumps 2024 bid to win back the White House, in an understated at-home event in stark contrast to her husbands loud, bombastic style.

On Saturday night (20 April), the former first lady hosted a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans at her Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.

The group describes itself as the nations largest Republican organisation dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives and allies in support of limited government, strong national defence, free markets, low taxes, personal responsibility, and individual liberty.

Ms Trump has long-running ties to the collective and was presented with an award at its 2021 gala dinner at Mar-a-Lago while Mr Trump himself addressed its 2022 gathering at the club.

According to Politico, the events host committee includes Republican donors Saul Fox and Amanda Schumacher and Richard Grenell  who served as the 45th presidents ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence  as well as Elizabeth Ailes and Deborah Magowan, the widows of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes and San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan respectively.

Mr Grenell, the first openly gay member of a presidential cabinet, posted pictures of the event to his Instagram account, describing Ms Trump as an American treasure and electric.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were few details available about the Mar-a-Lago event bar Mr Grenells post and a tweet from Ms Trump that said little specific about the group, its goals, or the Trump campaign.

She wrote: As we look toward the future and the challenges that lie ahead, we must come together around the principles of liberty, justice, and patriotism. By uniting in our common goals, we can create a brighter and more promising future for all.

Attendee Bill White posted on X: Last night we attended a sold out event at Mar a Lago raising well in excess of $1 million for @LogCabinGOP. Our great former and future First Lady Melania Trump was our featured guest of honor. Mrs. @MELANIATRUMP joined our dear friend former acting DNI/Ambassador @RicGrenell to announce the launch of the single most important and unprecedented gay and lesbian voter outreach initiative of any Republican presidential nominee in US political history.

As we look toward the future and the challenges that lie ahead, we must come together around the principles of liberty, justice, and patriotism. By uniting in our common goals, we can create a brighter and more promising future for all. https://t.co/Vbyt8yor8X pic.twitter.com/Kj4fZPKDaw  MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) April 21, 2024

As Ms Trump charmed the crowd at Mar-a-Lago, the former president meanwhile was scheduled to attend a rally in North Carolina but had to pull out at the last minute due to poor weather conditions. Instead, he sent an audio message to attendees.

Ahead of her event on Saturday, Ms Trump gave a rare interview to Fox News Digital urging the country to unite as the 2024 campaign heats up and her husband faces his hush money trial in New York.

We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American, Ms Trump said. Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles, and ultimately establishes our American way.

She added that when America succeeds, it blossoms into a magnificent place where everyone can practice their beliefs, share new ideas, and express individualism  this is when we are our best.

Last night we attended a sold out event at Mar a Lago raising well in excess of $1 million for @LogCabinGOP. Our great former and future First Lady Melania Trump was our featured guest of honor. Mrs. @MELANIATRUMP joined our dear friend former acting DNI/Ambassador @RicGrenell to pic.twitter.com/6ZRUrLciRT  Bill White (@BillWhiteUSA) April 21, 2024

In his remarks to Fox News ahead of the Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, Mr Grenell said: If you work hard and have a little bit of luck and Gods grace, you can do anything you want in America regardless of your skin colour, socio-economic situation, or sexual orientation. We want what every American wants, to be treated equally not differently.

He added that the Republicans have become increasingly welcoming of gay conservatives over the last 20 years.

But we made the most progress when Donald Trump and Melania Trump moved into the White House, he claimed. Gays and lesbians are no longer reflexively leftist.

The former first lady shies away from the spotlight and is rarely seen in public. She is not expected to attend court in support of her husband.

Ms Trump had been almost entirely absent from Mr Trumps campaign events until earlier this month.

She was spotted on Easter Sunday after lunch with their son Barron. On 6 April, she attended a fundraiser with Mr Trump at the Palm Beach home of hedge fund manager John Paulson, which the former president claimed raked in $50m. She also appeared beside Mr Trump in March to vote in the Florida primary.

Shes a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. At the appropriate time  shell be out there, Mr Trump told NBCs Meet the Press in September.

Asked what she would be working on if she became first lady again, Ms Trump told Fox News Digital: The safety and well-being of American families remains my top priority.

She added that its essential we provide the highest level of care to our next generation, to ensure they not only thrive but reach their full potential.

In private comments, she has called Mr Trumps hush money trial a disgrace and said its comparable to election interference according to The New York Times.
Melania's a no-show Monday, but her presence at Trump's hush money trial could be 'powerful,' legal experts say

Opening statements in Donald Trump's first criminal trial began on Monday.

The former president's family has not attended jury selection.

But their presence, especially Melania's, could have a powerful impact, legal experts say.

Donald Trump enters his first criminal trial every day flanked by lawyers, court officers, Secret Service members, and political advisors.

But not his wife and children.

Melania Trump and the former president's children have not attended this past week as seven men and five women were chosen as jurors for his historic Manhattan hush-money trial.

And while it's not uncommon for family members of defendants to sit out the slogging jury-selection process, legal experts say their presence  especially that of Melania Trump  could have a strong positive impact on jurors.

Opening statements in the trial got underway on Monday and Melania Trump, nor any of Trump's other family members for that matter, did not show up in court.

Trump ignored a shouted question from a reporter on Monday morning asking him where Melania Trump was before he headed into the 15th-floor courtroom. Instead, Trump took the opportunity to bash the case against him as a political "witch hunt."

"I'm here instead of being able to be in Pennsylvania and Georgia, and lots of other places campaigning, and it's very unfair," Trump told reporters in the courtroom hallway.

Former President Donald Trump speaks alongside his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, during a rare joint appearance as they arrived to vote in Florida's primary election. Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images

'No question that Melania is the most important'

Mark Bederow, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor for the Manhattan district attorney's office, told Business Insider, "There's no question that Melania is the most important family member to be there."

Bederow explained that Melania Trump's courtroom support could be "potentially very powerful" given the salacious nature of the hush-money case against Trump.

Making Trump at least look like a wholesome, beloved husband and father might help him.

"Certainly, if Melania were there supporting him, that potentially sends a message that 'I support him, I'm OK, I believe, perhaps, this didn't happen,'" Bederow said. "I think that can only have a positive impact on the jury."

This is especially important in a trial where the words "porn actress" and "extra-marital affair" will be lobbed at Trump by prosecutors.

Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney's office say Trump falsified 34 business records to disguise a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The payment to buy Daniels' silence over an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with a married Trump was part of an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 election, according to prosecutors.

Jill Huntley Taylor, a jury consultant, told BI that the presence of Trump's family will likely magnify the jurors' other impressions of the case.

If the jurors are inclined to side with Trump, thinking the case is lousy, then they'd understand why his family didn't show up, she said. If they side against Trump, they might wonder why none of his family members are supporting him.

"Trump doesn't want to be there," Huntley Taylor said. "I could see jurors, if they're favoring him thinking, 'Well, he's not going to make his family be there.' And I can see jurors who are not favoring him thinking, 'Well, wouldn't your family want to support you in this while you're on trial?'"

Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds news clippings as he speaks to the press in the court hallway. JABIN BOTSFORD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

His family  or lack thereof

Courtrooms are, by design, "sensory deprivation tanks," joked Julia Vitullo-Martin, a criminal justice consultant and former director for the Citizens Jury Project, an initiative of the Vera Institute of Justice.

So when there's downtime in the courtroom, jurors, who don't have their electronics, have little else to do but study the defendant and whoever is with them.

"So you look around, and you assess the defendant's demeanor, his clothes, his family  or his lack thereof," Vitullo-Martin said.

Jurors have sworn they will judge Trump's case solely on the evidence. But their observations of the defendant  and any family present  will influence their eventual verdict, she said.

"They're human beings," she said of jurors.

"And defense attorneys have always known this, which is why they are so conscious of how their client is coming across to the jury."

'Kind of the elephant in the room'

Whether family shows up for Trump should not matter to the jury, but Bederow said it's only natural for jurors to wonder why Melania Trump or any other family member might not show their solidarity in the courtroom for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

"It's not evidence of anything, and it's not the kind of thing they're supposed to consider, but I think it's kind of the elephant in the room," Bederow said.

Even in criminal trials with more dire stakes  and where defendants have been accused of far worse  it's common for family members to attend and show support.

Fallen cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried had watched his parents in the front row of the gallery for every day of his monthlong trial. Even Ghislaine Maxwell, who trafficked girls to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for sex and sexually abused them herself, had two sisters and a brother attending her trial nearly every day.

In this courtroom sketch, former President Donald Trump is surrounded by his attorneys, court security and Secret Service seated behind him, during jury selection in his New York criminal trial on April 16, 2024. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Melania Trump did not show up for her husband's past Manhattan trials

But Melania Trump has been a no-show in Trump's other three Manhattan trials, all of which he lost, and at a cost of more than $600 million in judgments against him.

The former First Lady also did not attend either Trump's first or his second E. Jean Carroll federal defamation trials, in April, 2023 and in January of this year.

She was also a no-show at last year's civil fraud trial.

Trump himself stayed away entirely from the first Carroll trial, at which a jury found him liable for sexual assault.

These absences likely do not make jurors' hearts grow fonder, according to legal experts.

"A defendant's demeanor and appearance in front of a jury is critically important, from the very start of jury selection through the return of a verdict," Justin Danilewitz, a former federal prosecutor told BI.

Former President Donald Trump appears alongside his attorneys at Manhattan criminal court during jury selection in his hush-money trial on April 18, 2024. Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP

Danilewitz added, "And although a defendant cannot, of course, communicate directly with a jury, perceptive jurors will note the courtroom surroundings and the support of family a defendant may have."

Former Brooklyn prosecutor Arthur Aidala echoed those remarks.

"Typically, you want family members there to show the jury that the defendant has a lot of support," he said.

Aidala, a criminal defense attorney who has represented Rudy Giuliani and Harvey Weinstein, agreed Melania Trump's presence at the trial would be "key" but noted that he did not believe the attendance of family would have much of an impact in this case.

"It's not the kind of case where sympathy matters. Usually family matters when you want the sympathy of the jury for the defendant. That's not the case here," Aidala said. "People know Trump. Family will not change their opinion."

Danilewitz, a current white-collar partner at the law firm Saul Ewing, said Trump's defense team may have a different strategy in mind when it comes to Melania Trump.

"Ordinarily, in a case like this, the appearance of a spouse may well send an important signal of support," said Danielwitz. "But the defense strategy here is likely to signal that this trial is not worth the time of the defendant, and even less the time of his close family."

"Attending could suggest a level of importance the defense does not want to give the case," he said.

Instead of family, Trump has been surrounded in court by lawyers and support staff.

They include his four main criminal defense lawyers in the case  Todd Blanche, Susan Necheles, Emil Bove, and Gedalia Stern  and a rotating cast of political aides working for his 2024 presidential campaign, including Steven Cheung, Jason Miller, Margo Martin, and Natalie Harp.

On Friday, they were joined by Clifford Robert, one of Trump's family's lawyers in the New York attorney general's civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization last year.

Former President Donald Trump. Pool/Getty Images

Melania Trump is portrayed as the 'mistreated wife' in the hush-money case

They spend a lot of time together, but they're not the wife and kids.

Melania Trump "is the mistreated wife in this narrative that the DA is saying," Bederow said, explaining, "If she's not there, jurors may take note of that. Certainly the media will."

Given that the prosecution's narrative includes Trump having an affair, Trump's lawyers may have deemed it wiser to keep Melania Trump away, according to Huntley Taylor, the jury consultant.

"It seems like you would have to really think twice about whether you want to put her through that," she said.

The presence of Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, at her father's criminal trial could also be impactful, but the appearance of his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. likely wouldn't matter, according to Bederow.

"Let's be honest, if Donald Jr. and Eric Trump showed up, is that going to make it any better? No. Probably, if anything, it potentially makes it worse," said Bederow. "But it's a different story with Melania and Ivanka."

"People who are inclined not to like Donald Trump probably view the sons in the same way just because they're very vocal defenders of their father, which is natural and expected," Bederow continued. "But they're also very involved in the political game and the media game that surrounds everything involving Trump."

Melania Trump has privately called the charges against her husband "a disgrace," even though she was initially furious at him when news of the alleged affair broke in 2018, according to the New York Times.

If Trump's family does decide to show up to support Trump in court during the trial, they might want to wear sweaters. The temperature in the courtroom is very cold.

This story was originally published on April 21 and has been updated.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Methodist split

Regarding United Methodists come to Charlotte to weigh a milestone measure on LGBTQ acceptance, (April 16 Opinion):

As a member of the United Methodist Church for over 30 years, I am troubled and confused that our denomination is split over LGBTQ rights and acceptance. A church opting to choose whom it deems compatible simply disregards the central article of faith in Christian teaching  accept one another (Romans 15:7). Refusing to accept anyone walking through open church doors is the epitome of arrogance and hypocrisy.

As my late grandmother used to say, There is nothing less God-like than those who reject others in the name of God.

Patricia Claiborne, Charlotte

UNC and DEI

A UNC System committee voted Wednesday in favor of gutting DEI efforts system-wide without faculty or student input. By doing so  and I paraphrase the opening of the Lone Ranger  they returned us to those thrilling days of yesteryear, those years of racism, bigotry, homophobia and no gender equality. Students will work in a culturally diverse world and need to be exposed to other cultures and ideas to grow as individuals. If not, universities become indoctrination centers of white superiority. By such steps dies North Carolinas outstanding university system  by a thousand cuts.

Augie Beasley, Charlotte

Biden and debt

Another $7.4 billion of student loan debt canceled under President Biden for $153 billion total. This, after the Supreme Court struck down his 2022 plan. I and many others worked hard to pay for our education and that of our children. When we took out loans we made sure we could pay them back. We took responsibility. Biden is taking money from hard-working Americans who make good decisions and giving it to those whove made bad ones. I have a hard time understanding his reasoning. Is it to buy votes? If so, I can assure him this is one of many reasons I wont be voting for him.

Jim Shuback, Charlotte

Trump comments

The presidential election reflects many differences of opinion regarding how the country should be run. Thats what makes elections.

But we should also consider what Donald Trump has said about Hillary Clinton. In 2016, he said anyone who cant protect classified information better than she did should not be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. And, he said anyone who pleads the Fifth Amendment, is either guilty or has something to hide. Trump has pleaded the Fifth more than 450 times.

Do these comments only apply to those who oppose him, or should they apply to Trump as well? Something to consider when you enter the voting booth in November.

Bruce Wynocker, Denver

Womens rights

Overturning Roe v. Wade has made abortion a states rights issue. Wasnt slavery a states rights issue? Howd that turn out?

Sounds like we need a constitutional amendment protecting our rights. Oh, wait. We couldnt even get the Equal Rights Amendment passed.

Cmon, women! Lets stop letting men tell us what we can and cant do.

Linda J. Brooks, Charlotte

Higher ground

Thank you for the inspirational article about Higher Grounds coffee shop, established through the collaboration of Myers Park United Methodist Church and Manolo Betancur of Manolos Bakery.

Two takeaways from this article: 1. The commitment to achieve the higher ground brings Jesus Beatitudes to life in Charlotte; 2. To those who fear the other, reflect on the work of Manolo, an immigrant, who commits himself and his treasure to the Charlotte community and beyond.

Our community has no better example to achieve the higher ground.

Martha Hadaway, Charlotte

Gaston mine

I hope the proposed lithium mine in Gaston County will be heavily monitored for destruction of the land.

If youve ever seen countries like the Congo, with miles and miles of complete destruction due to digging for minerals for EV batteries, you know that you do not want that in Gaston County.

Dick Meyer, Charlotte
A small boat migrant who tried to sexually assault a drunk student in an alleyway has been jailed for more than five years.

Merwais Nasiri, 25, who had been housed in a hotel in Exeter by the Home Office, spotted a 20-year-old woman sitting opposite a nightclub semi-conscious with her head in her arms.

Nasiri, originally from Afghanistan, stayed with her for an hour and a quarter, even pretending to help her when a street pastor came to check on the womans welfare.

He then waited and carried her into an alley before moving a large commercial bin to block the entrance.

In a victim impact statement, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: [The incident] has left me feeling violated and abused. There is no excuse for what he did to me. The effect will stay with me for a long time.

She continued: I felt dirty and disgusted when I saw the alley. When I saw the way he tried to conceal me in the alley I was mortified.

The victim was rescued by two bouncers who were alerted by a worker at a nearby takeaway who had spotted Nasiri abducting her.

They moved the bin and found Nasiri on top of the woman.

CCTV footage showed him with his arm around her, holding her up, and trying to move her twice before he succeeded in manhandling her into the alley.

Earlier footage showed him prowling the city centre looking for potentially vulnerable women.

One thing on your mind

The doorman made a citizens arrest before he had a chance to carry out a sexual assault but the kidnap has had a massive effect on the victim, who has struggled to complete her university studies and abandoned her original plans for her career because she feels insecure. She has now moved back home.

The woman had no memory of what had happened to her but was traumatised when she foundout and had to undergo medical checks at a sexual assault clinic, which she found absolutely horrible, intrusive and unpleasant.

Judge Stephen Climie praised the courage of the victim and told Nasiri: This case is not about you. It is about a young woman of 20 who gave evidence before this court, which demonstrated not just intelligence and composure but extraordinary dignity.

Nasiri denied kidnap and intent to commit asexual assault but was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court following a trial in January.

Daniel Pawson-Pounds, defending, argued there was nothing to suggest Nasiri planned to rape the woman and neither had their clothing undone when the door staff intervened.

But the judge continued: She had been drinking and required assistance but that was the last thing on your mind. Having watched the CCTV, the one thing on your mind during that hour and a quarter was sexual activity.

He was jailed for five and a half years with a four year extended licence and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

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Johnson vowed not to allow Ukraine aid to come to a vote until demands for measures to protect America's southern border were met - JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

My philosophy, Mike Johnson told reporters before introducing a $61 billion Ukraine aid package to the House of Representatives, is do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may.

If I operated out of fear over motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job.

The bill has passed, the chips have fallen, and Mr Johnson may not be in that job for much longer.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the vehemently anti-Ukraine representative from Georgia, has already accused Mr Johnson of treachery and threatened to lead a motion to oust him.

She has yet to act on the threat, but with 112 Republicans  a narrow majority of their representatives  voting against the bill, Mr Johnson could only survive with Democrat support.

Mr Johnson knew Saturdays vote would anger the America First wing of the Republican party where he made his political home and which installed him as speaker in the first place.

He was torn between trying to save his job and [doing] the right thing, Michael McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs chairman, told CNN. He prayed over it.

That personal dilemma likely explains months of delay that undoubtedly cost Ukrainian lives and has helped Russia make battlefield gains.

As a rank and file member of the House of Representatives he joined Right-wing colleagues in opposing Ukraine aid.

And shortly after becoming House speaker in October he vowed not to allow Ukraine aid to come to a vote until his partys demands for harsh measures to protect Americas southern border were met.

He stuck to that decision even after Voldymyr Zelensky personally explained the desperation of the situation at a meeting in Washington in December.

Painstaking negotiations

In February Republicans rejected a painstakingly negotiated deal to take account of those concerns after Donald Trump criticised it.

The consensus among well-connected observers, including top officials in allied governments, was that Donald Trump had ordered and bullied Republicans to block aid for his own political ends.

But Mr Johnson, who had been present in classified intelligence briefings, was privately coming to terms with the gravity of the situation.

All of a sudden hes realising that the world depends on this, Mr. McCaul told The New York Times.

The key meeting appears to have come in the Oval Office in February, when Bill Burns, the head of the CIA, made clear that failure to pass aid could doom Ukraine.

A firm Christian, he was struck by stories of the devastation unleashed by Russia.

Conversations with Mr Zelensky, who phoned Mr Johnson again in March to urge to explain why a quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital, also appear to have made an impression.

I really do believe the intel, and the briefings that weve gotten, Mr Johnson said when a reporter asked him on Wednesday why he was suddenly willing to risk his job.

I believe that Xi, and Vladimir Putin, and Iran really are an Axis of Evil, I think they are in coordination on this. I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed, I think he might go to the Balkans next, I think he might have a showdown with Poland or one of our Nato allies.

There was also, he admitted, a personal consideration. One of his sons is due to enrol in the US naval academy this Autumn.

This is a live-fire exercise for me, as it is for so many American families, Johnson told reporters. This is not a game, this is not a joke.

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Gelato vendors in Milan believe the municipality has declared war on retailers - Elena Aquila/Pacific Press/Alamy Live News

Ice-cream sellers in Milan have reacted furiously to a plan to restrict sales after midnight in an effort to address noise complaints.

The city council is considering a ban on the sale of take-away food, alcohol and other drinks from 12.30am on weekdays and 1.30am on weekends.

If approved the ban would take effect in May and affect 12 popular nightlife areas in Milan, including Navigli and Arco della Pace.

Officials said it follows a barrage of noise complaints from residents.

But Marco Barbieri, secretary-general of the Milan branch of the Italian retailers association, Confcommercio, said the proposed law was an attack on a traditional summer treat  the family gelato  and would be unacceptable for consumers and ice-cream sellers.

In the summer months the average temperature in Milan is 30 degrees, so families eat late, then take a stroll and have a gelato, Mr Barbieri told The Telegraph. If I buy a gelato or a slice of pizza one minute after the deadline, I run the risk of being fined.

The Confcommercio represents more than 10,000 restaurants, bars, pizzerias and gelaterias in Milan. Mr Barbieri said 80 per cent of them are in the areas targeted by the proposed law.

Im not against the concept but this is bad for business and bad for our citizens as well, he said.

Giuseppe Sala, the mayor of Milan, said the council administration was reacting to the needs of locals kept up at night.

I would ask Barbieri to come to my office for a few hours because I have hundreds of reports from residents asking to be able to sleep better at night, the mayor told Italian media.

Not a whim

I have to address this issue, it is not a whim but a need for so many. We are not changing the rules of the universe but introducing slight limits, so lets move forward.

A council spokesman told The Telegraph on Sunday that the latest proposal was still only under consideration.

A previous attempt to restrict the hours for ice-cream consumption was dropped by the council after an outcry.

In 2013, the council was forced to back down amid what the Italian media called the battle of the cones, a campaign in which dozens of people took part in a sit-in called Occupy Gelato to express their opposition to banning sales after midnight.

Meanwhile, city councillors in Rome are also looking at measures to restrict the sale of alcohol and take-away food to manage late night chaos and reduce the rubbish that has to be collected on the streets every morning in inner city nightlife districts like Trastevere.

If it was up to me I would ban the sale of take-away alcohol throughout the centre, Lorenza Bonaccorsi, president of Romes I Municipality, told the Italian daily, Il Messaggero.

Viviana Di Capua, who heads a residents association in the heart of Rome, said: The situation is out of control and we need to stop it.

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A military court convicted a Navy sailor based in Japan on Friday for attempted espionage.

Chief Petty Officer Bryce Pedicini, a fire controlman, was charged with eight espionage-related counts in February for allegedly providing documents to an employee of a foreign government between November 2022 and May 2023.

After a seven-day trial, he was found guilty of attempted espionage, failure to obey a lawful order and attempted violation of a lawful general order, according to a statement from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

This guilty verdict holds Mr. Pedicini to account for his betrayal of his country and fellow service members, NCIS Director Omar Lopez said in a statement. Adversaries of the United States are unrelenting in their attempts to degrade our military superiority.

Nevertheless, the American public should be confident knowing that NCIS will also not relent in our mission to deter, disrupt, and defeat the ongoing threat from foreign intelligence entities. Although the overwhelming majority of Department of the Navy service members are honorable and faithful public servants, NCIS stands ready to expose those who are not, Lopez said.

NCIS said that its investigation revealed Pedicini delivered classified and national defense information to an employee of a foreign government starting in November 2022. The service said Pedicini had reason to believe it would be harmful to the United States or advantageous to the foreign nation.

Its not clear what foreign nation NCIS said he was engaging with.

The service said Pedicini, formerly assigned to the USS Higgins, operated under the guise of writing research papers to deliver the information.

NCIS detained him on May 19, 2023. His sentencing from a military judge will be on May 7.

The Hill has reached out to the Navys Judge Advocate General for comment from Pedicinis attorney.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Minnesota would tax farmers $0.40 per ton of fertilizer to help test and clean up thousands of private wells contaminated with agricultural runoff under a bill that cleared the House's main agricultural committee.

The proposed tax is smaller than earlier versions that had called for charging up to $0.99 per ton in the first year and escalating after that. It comes amid demands from the EPA that state pollution regulators and the Minnesota Health Department do more to prevent nitrate pollution in eight southeastern counties and to immediately provide clean drinking water to an estimated 9,000 people who may need a new source of water.

If farmers aren't required to pay for cleaning up a problem that largely is caused by fertilizer, there will be no incentive to change, said state Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, who first proposed the tax.

"It's not too much to ask for some responsibility," Hansen said. "We're going to spend millions of dollars this year of public money for cleanup costs. The people who use the product that sometimes causes the pollution need to pay for some of that cost."

The tax was opposed by Republican members of the committee. It has not moved forward in the Senate, which, like the House, is DFL-controlled.

Lawmakers have been debating how to pay for the nitrate cleanup and emergency water provisions for several months.

The proposed tax would redirect an existing $0.40 per ton tax on fertilizer that funds a state research program that aims to help increase crop yields. The fee raises about $1.2 million annually and is set to expire next year. The House proposal would replace the research tax and send the money instead to cleanup work.

The Senate has proposed extending the research tax as it is for another 10 years.

State Rep. Steven Jacob, R-Altura, said the House proposal amounts to a raid on the research program.

"This is a disingenuous attempt to hijack the fund and use it somewhere else," he said.

The EPA ordered the state on Nov. 3 to take several steps to address nitrate contamination found in private wells in Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, Houston and Winona counties.

The problem dates back decades. Nitrate is a chemical that is dangerous in high concentrations, and the porous geography of southeastern Minnesota makes wells particularly vulnerable to it. About 90% of the nitrate in southeastern Minnesota's water comes from fertilizers spread on croplands, a state study found in 2013.

Despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars over decades on studies, stakeholder meetings, incentives and educational and voluntary programs, the state has made almost no progress in reducing nitrate pollution.

Minnesota promised the EPA in December that it would act quickly to help residents with dangerous levels of nitrate in their wells. But four months after the promises, Minnesota has yet to deliver clean drinking water to the people most in danger.

Whether or not the tax passes, the Senate and the House plan to spend between $2 million and $3 million over the next year to start testing wells and provide impacted homes with either bottled water or reverse osmosis filtering systems. But early estimates from state agencies show costs could climb as high as $7 million, depending on how much contamination is found.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday for bringing foreign aid legislation to his chambers floor, characterizing the move as a profile in courage.

I am so proud of the speaker, Mike Johnson, the Texas Republican, who has been a staunch supporter of passing additional foreign aid, said on ABCs This Week. He went through a transformation. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and thats what he did. He said, At the end of the day, Im going to be on the right side of history irrespective of my job.

Aid to Israel, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific escaped months of congressional gridlock Saturday when the House passed a $95 billion foreign aid package in four separate bills, which will be compiled into one amendment and sent to the Senate for a Tuesday vote. The vote to advance the key aid legislation came as bipartisan pressure on Johnson to pass support for allies abroad mounted, while his far-right allies floated an effort to strip him of his gavel.

A small group of hardline Republicans, led by firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have rallied behind an effort to oust Johnson from House leadership, criticizing the Louisiana Republican for relying on Democrats to pass foreign aid, among other priorities. McCaul, who was with Johnson the night before the foreign aid legislation was released, recounted to CNN that the House leader  a devout Christian  prayed as he grappled with the political consequences of doing the right thing by bringing the package to the chambers floor.

We were running out of time  Ukraine is getting ready to fall, McCaul said Sunday. He became the man that went from a district in Louisiana to the speaker of the United States to also someone who had to look at the entire world and had to carry the burden of that and make the right decision.

McCaul contended a majority of House Republicans voted against supplemental aid to Ukraine because the conference bought into this notion that its an either-or proposition between supporting the US southern border and Ukraine.

The eyes of the world are watching, and our adversaries are watching, and history is watching  and thats what I kept telling my colleagues: Do you want to be a Chamberlain or a Churchill? he questioned, an analogy McCaul has repeatedly employed in debates over continuing to provide aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Even with Johnsons victorious passage of these aid bills, the House could be plunged into chaos once again if the far-right wing of his party manages to oust him from the speakership.

Asked if he believes Johnsons job is in jeopardy following the successful vote, McCaul argued stock in Mike Johnson has gone way up and that the speaker has garnered a lot of respect from both sides of the aisle.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who represents a district along the southern border, also on Sunday applauded Johnsons role in passing the legislation.

Were at a point where were just trying to govern, and thats what Mike Johnson has done, governed in an honorable way, Gonzales told CNNs Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union.

Gonzales  who voted Saturday to pass aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan  expressed confidence that Johnson will survive the threats to his speakership, saying, The House is a rough and rowdy place, but Mike Johnson is going to be just fine.

Former President Donald Trump has voiced strong opposition to Ukraine aid in the past, arguing that the US should not grant foreign aid unless it is a loan and indicating that he would encourage Russian aggression against any NATO member country that doesnt pay enough. But Trump has not commented publicly about the package the House passed on Saturday and has previously expressed support for Johnsons speakership.

What (Trump) wants is for a lifeline to be given to Ukraine, McCaul contended, so that when he gets into office  he can then negotiate and save it.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldovan opposition parties denouncing pro-European President Maia Sandu's drive to secure European Union membership said on Sunday they were forming an electoral bloc in an announcement delivered in Moscow.

The groups dubbed their alliance Victorie (Victory), formed around fugitive pro-Russian business magnate Ilan Shor, sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for mass fraud in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania.

Also prominent in the group gearing up for a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership were leaders of the pro-Russian Gagauzia region, populated mainly by ethnic Turks.

"We are proposing a new path for Moldova. The idea of the EU is a mere phantom that is destructive for our citizens and for the country," Shor told a gathering in a Moscow hotel in comments reported by the Moldovan news outlet newsmaker.md.

"Our task is to show people alternatives that have worked over time."

That, Shor said, meant renewing damaged links to Russia and to regional organisations led by Russia.

Yevgenia Gutul, the leader, or bashkan, of Gagauzia, said the group aimed to "defend Moldova's independence, keep our country from being pulled into military operations...and restore friendly ties with Russia".

Gutul has visited Russia twice in the past two months and sought help from Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin against Moldova's central government.

Moldova's Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spinu said the group had consciously been formed "right next to the Kremlin".

"The entire country has seen these traitors to the nation in Moscow," Spinu wrote on Facebook.

Sandu has denounced Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as wayward drones or missiles land inside its territory.

She has singled out Russia and corruption as the biggest threats to her country and has called an October referendum on joining the EU to be held alongside a presidential election.

Shor, who lives in Israel, was sentenced last year in connection with Moldova's "theft of the century" in which $1 billion disappeared from the banking system in 2014. Moldovan authorities have long requested his extradition.

A political party bearing his name was banned, though a new party associated with him has enough support to enter parliament, according to opinion polls.

In the Oct. 20 election, Sandu will face former president and Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon, who urged voters last week to boycott the simultaneous EU referendum on grounds the president was using it to win re-election. Polls credit Sandu with 35.1% first-round support to 15.8% for Dodon.

Dodon and Communist Party leader Vladimir Voronin, another ex-president, share common cause with Shor in opposing the referendum. But they have shown few signs of acting in concert.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Editing by Ron Popeski and Josie Kao)
As police continue to find the dismembered body parts of a 19-year-old Wisconsin college student, her mother is speaking out about her killing.

I never expected this to pull up on my front door, Sheena Scarbrough, the mother of Sade Carleena Robinson, told host Nancy Grace on Wednesdays episode of her Crime Stories podcast. This isnt normal. This is a 2024 Jeffrey Dahmer.

Scarbrough said she last spoke to her daughter on Easter Sunday when she visited family. The next day, April 1, Robinson went on a first date with 31-year-old Maxwell Anderson at a Milwaukee bar where hed previously worked, according to a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost.

Wisconsin college student Sade Robinson, 19, is thought to have been killed and dismembered after meeting with someone at a local bar. GoFundMe

Robinson was reported missing by a friend on April 2, after not returning any calls or showing up to work, the complaint said. That same day, authorities found her car engulfed in flames, but were able to retrieve clothes she was wearing the night of her disappearance and remnants of her iPhone. They also found what they believed to be Robinsons severed leg.

On April 4, law enforcement officers raided Andersons home and found blood on his bedding and the walls of his home, leading towards his basement. Anderson was arrested on suspicion of killing Robinson and mutilating her body.

In the interview with Grace, Scarbrough said she needs the person responsible for her daughters death to be held accountable for the crime. She said she plans to advocate for other missing young women of color.

I need justice for Sade. There have been many Black and brown girls that have been gone missing in Milwaukee for a moment and all of them are gonna be held accountable now, Scarbrough said.

According to data by Columbia University, Black women in the U.S. are six times more likely to be murdered than their white peers. The research found that the greatest disparity in homicide rates was in Wisconsin in 2019-2020, when Black women were 20 times more likely to be murdered than white women.

Since Andersons arrest, authorities have continued to find more of Robinsons body parts strewn throughout Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday they had located a torso and arm on a beach along Lake Michigan that they believe belonged to Robinson.

They messed with the wrong family, Scarbrough said. Were gonna call all of them out, and were gonna speak for the whole community, cause Im not about to sit down, and Im not about to sit still on this one.

Related...
More organic herbs recalled by Miami company because they might have salmonella

The recall of a Miami area companys Colombian organic herbs linked to a salmonella outbreak has expanded from just Trader Joes stores across the country to a Midwestern grocery chain.

Dorals Infinite Herbs said 96 2-ounce packs and 24 4-ounce packs of Melissas Organic Basil sold at Dierbergs stores between February 10-20 should be thrown out or returned to the Dierbergs for a full refund.

Herbs made by Miamis Infinite Herbs and sold as Melissas Organic Basil has been recalled.

Wednesday, as the FDA and CDC announced a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to Infinite Herbs Fresh Organic Basil, Trader Joes announced a 29-state recall of the herbs. Thursday, Infinite Herbs said that basil, sold from Feb. 1 through April 6, also went to Massachusetts via two Fruit Center Marketplace stores.

READ MORE: Salmonella outbreak causes Trader Joes to recall a Miami firms herbs in 29 states

For questions about either recall, call 305-599-9255, extension 148, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, or email customer_service@infiniteherbs.com.

Salmonella outbreak update

As of Fridays CDC update, the outbreak reached 12 people in seven states and had hospitalized one person.

Annually, salmonella infects nearly 1.35 million people. That usually means stomachaches, fever and diarrhea for four to seven days. The diarrhea can be bloody and sometimes will lead to hospitalization. Salmonellas rarely fatal, although it does kill 420 people in the United States each year.

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More rain in the forecast? SLO County in for week of overcast skies, chance of showers

Last weekends heavy rain pushed precipitation totals well above average for this rainfall season (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024) throughout the Central Coast.

Rocky Butte, near Hearst Castle, has recorded 71.4 inches or 178% of normal this season. At the Paso Robles Airport, 18.2 inches of rain has fallen, or 141%of average, while the Santa Maria Airport has seen 17.3 inches, or 133% of the average. The Santa Barbara Municipal Airport has recorded an astounding 25.2 inches. Typically, the airport sees about 16 inches. Much like Santa Barbara, Cal Poly  home of climatology for San Luis Obispo since 1869  has recorded 25.3 inches or 110% of normal.

This marks the second year in a row that the Central Coast has seen above-average rainfall, which leads to the question, have there ever been three consecutive years of above-average rainfall. The answer is yes.

Since 1869, the rainfall records at Cal Poly have recorded six occurrences of three or four straight years of above-average rainfall. This occurred last during the 1994 through 1997 rainfall seasons, which saw four years of above-average rainfall, and again in 1972 through 1974 and 1939 through 1942, on a seemingly 20- to 30-year cycle.

The Climate Prediction Center forecasts that a transition from El Nino to ENSO-neutral is likely by June 2024, with the increasing odds of La Nina developing by August 2024.

The majority of the time, a La Nina condition produces below-average rainfall along the Central Coast. However, after an El Nino cycle with two consecutive years of above-normal rainfall, a La Nina condition has produced below-average rainfall the following year for the Central Coast since 1950.

This weeks weather forecast: On Saturday, persistent northwesterly winds along the California coastline will allow the marine layer with pockets of fog and mist to develop in the coastal valleys and along the beaches. The low stratus clouds will clear from the coastal valleys during the late morning, but many beaches will remain overcast for most of the day. The inland valleys will warm up to the 80s under clear skies.

High pressure over California will produce Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds on Sunday morning. This offshore flow will produce clear skies and warm temperatures throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, reaching the 80s in the inland valleys (Paso Robles) and high 70s in the coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo) and along the beaches. The coastal regions will cool during the afternoon as fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly winds develop, except the southerly-facing beaches of Cayucos, Avila Beach and Shell Beach, which will remain warm.

A trough of low pressure will develop along the California coastline on Monday through Tuesday, creating persistent gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) northwesterly winds. This, in turn, will allow the low marine clouds to develop along the coastline and many of the coastal valleys during the night and morning. The beaches will remain mostly overcast with areas of mist and fog.

A weak cold front will move through Central California on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with a deep marine layer. It will be followed by fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly winds and clearing skies on Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.

A late-season low-pressure system is forecast through the region on Friday with increasing clouds, scattered rain showers and the chance of thunderstorms. In this systems wake, strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds and clearing skies are forecast later Friday into next Saturday. Strong to gale-force northwesterly winds are expected for most of next week.

S urf report

A 6- to 8-foot northwesterly (295-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 11-second period) is forecast on Saturday through Sunday.

A 4- to 6-foot northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 12-second period) is forecast on Monday through Tuesday, becoming a 3- to 5-foot northwesterly sea and swell (with a 5- to 10-second period) on Wednesday into Thursday.

This northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) sea and swell will increase to 8- to 10-feet (with a 5- to 9-second period) Friday into next Saturday.

Combined with this northwesterly sea and swell, will be 1- to 2-foot southern hemisphere (215-degree deep-water) swell (with a 15- to 17-second period) on Sunday through Wednesday.

Seawater temperatures: Seawater temperatures will range between 53 and 55 degrees through Thursday, decreasing to 52 and 54 degrees on Friday through next Saturday.

This weeks temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 48, 81 48, 75 48, 65 46, 65 44, 66 47, 63 45, 70 47, 73

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 53, 79 53, 70 53, 65 51, 65 49, 65 48, 61 46, 67 52, 70

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.
Motorcyclist dead after being hit by SUV in Dickson County, THP says

DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Charges are pending against an SUV driver accused of rear-ending a motorcycle in Dickson County Saturday.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a 2000 Toyota 4Runner and a 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle were traveling north along Highway 46 South on Saturday, April 20.

Suspicious package near Nashville church prompts road closure on Ewing Drive

In the 2600 block of the highway, the Toyota reportedly rear-ended the Kawasaki, which came to final rest in the southbound travel lane after impact.

Officials initially reported the motorcyclist  identified as 31-year-old William Trotter was injured in the crash. However, on Monday, April 22, THP reported Trotter had died.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Meanwhile, the driver of the SUV  described by THP as a 25-year-old Tennessee man  was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the incident. However, charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, according to authorities.

No additional details have been released about the crash.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
ROME, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The funeral for fallen Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen was held Saturday morning, April 20, at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome.

The hardest call hell ever have to make: SPD officer calls parents of fallen hero

Words of Remembrance were given by his family members, including his father, Paul, his mother, Michelle and his sister, ShelliAnn.

No matter what I asked, he did it, ShelliAnn said. And he was the best, and I shouldnt be an only child. I love you brother

Jensens friends on the police force, Officer Grant Prudhomme and Officer Forrest Gilbert, also delivered Words of Remembrance.

Mourners even gathered outside the packed church to watch a livestream of the funeral. Law enforcement officers from across New York State and even Chicago came to pay their respects.

After the funeral, Jensen was buried in a private ceremony.

Officer Jensen was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, April 14, along with fallen Onondaga County Sheriffs Lieutenant Michael Hoosock.

Photos from the funeral can be seen below:



























For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Mark Menzies is alleged to have used 14,000 of political donations to fund his private medical expenses - Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament

Mark Menzies has announced he is stepping down as an MP following claims he misused campaign funds and demanded cash from a party aide to pay a ransom.

The MP for Fylde, who has already lost the Tory whip, is alleged to have used 14,000 of political donations to fund his private medical expenses.

He was also said to have phoned Katie Fieldhouse, his 78-year-old former campaign manager, at 3.15am last December to ask for money to pay bad people who had locked him up, claiming he needed 5,000  which later rose to 6,500  as a matter of life and death.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Menzies said: It has been an enormous privilege representing the people of Fylde since 2010, but due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election.

This has been a very difficult week for me and I request that my familys privacy is respected.

The statement implies that Mr Menzies will sit as an independent MP until the next election, meaning Rishi Sunak will not have to face another potentially tricky by-election.

Behaviour falls below standards expected

Meanwhile, the Tories said they had completed their investigation into the matter and cannot conclude that there has been a misuse of Conservative Party funds.

But the party does believe there has been a pattern of behaviour that falls below the standards expected of MPs and individuals looking after donations to local campaign funds which lie outside the direct jurisdiction of the Conservative Party.

It also said it would be reviewing whether Mr Menzies actions had potentially breached the Nolan Principles of Public Life.

It follows reports that Tory activists in Fylde had been advised not to hand out leaflets with Mr Menzies face on. He had been facing calls from Conservative Party members in the area to step down as an MP, with some describing his behaviour as disappointing and concerning.

On Friday, Lancashire Police said it had launched a review into the matter after receiving a complaint from the Labour Party.

Ministers sat on their hands

The Tories have also faced questions over their handling of the case, with Labour claiming the party sat on their hands for more than three months after finding out about the claims, while the Liberal Democrats called for the Prime Ministers independent adviser on ministers interests to investigate the management of the row.

Mr Menzies has represented the Lancashire constituency of Fylde since 2010, where he holds a majority of around 17,000.

A former climate change minister, he relinquished the Tory whip last week after the allegations about his behaviour  which he has strongly disputed  first emerged in The Times. He has also been suspended from his unpaid role as a Government trade envoy to Colombia.

A Tory spokesman said: The Conservative Party has now completed its investigation into whether there was a misuse of Conservative Party funds.

The money in question that was sent to Mark Menzies MP was signed off by the two signatories of Fylde Westminster Group. This body sits outside of the remit of both the Conservative Party and Fylde Conservative Association. Therefore we cannot conclude that there has been a misuse of Conservative Party funds.

However, we do believe that there has been a pattern of behaviour that falls below the standards expected of MPs and individuals looking after donations to local campaign funds which lie outside the direct jurisdiction of the Conservative Party.

We will therefore be commencing with retraining individuals across the party on how to manage these accounts which fall outside of the remit of the Conservative Party and are introducing a whistleblowing helpline.

Furthermore, whilst outside of the initial scope of this investigation, there has also been a recommendation that the actions of the MP in question have also potentially breached the Nolan Principles of Public Life. This is due to the nature of the allegations made, but also the repetitive nature of these separate allegations. These will be reviewed by the Conservative Partys member governance team.

We will of course share any information with the police if they believe it would be helpful to any investigation they decide to undertake. Suggestions the Party has not been seriously examining this matter are demonstrably false as we have worked to protect the identities of all those involved whilst the facts could be established.

Mr Menzies previously said in a statement: I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations.

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American billionaire Elon Musk has expressed concern about the lack of exit strategy for the war in Ukraine. In response, Mykhailo Podoliak, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has noted that a "realistic" strategy would be the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

Source: Musk and Podoliak on X (Twitter)

Quote from Musk: "My biggest concern is that there is no exit strategy, just a forever war where kids die in trenches from artillery or charging machine guns and snipers through minefields."

Details: Podoliak commented that after posts like these from global influencers, "one has to marvel once again at the deficit of simple logic in the modern world".

Quote from Podoliak: "Because a realistic, objective "exit strategy" is blatantly, screamingly simple. The aggressor (Russia) unconditionally leaves the foreign sovereign territory and the hot phase of the war immediately ends. I perfectly understand that sometimes simple truths are extremely difficult to realise, but nevertheless I will repeat: the aggressor (Russia), which unprovoked attacked another country for the sole purpose of occupation/killing/capture, leaves the foreign territory, returns what was stolen, and restores the rule of international law.

What's so difficult about that? What other exit strategy should be sought/discussed? And is it possible to build something just on injustice?"

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Key Insights

Singapore Technologies Engineering to hold its Annual General Meeting on 26th of April

Total pay for CEO Vincent Chong includes S$1.17m salary

The overall pay is 47% below the industry average

Singapore Technologies Engineering's total shareholder return over the past three years was 12% while its EPS grew by 3.9% over the past three years

Shareholders will probably not be disappointed by the robust results at Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX:S63) recently and they will be keeping this in mind as they go into the AGM on 26th of April. The focus will probably be on the future strategic initiatives that the board and management will put in place to improve the business rather than executive remuneration when they cast their votes on company resolutions. In our analysis below, we discuss why we think the CEO compensation looks acceptable and the case for a raise.

Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Technologies Engineering

Comparing Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd's CEO Compensation With The Industry

At the time of writing, our data shows that Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd has a market capitalization of S$12b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of S$3.9m for the year to December 2023. That's a notable decrease of 26% on last year. While this analysis focuses on total compensation, it's worth acknowledging that the salary portion is lower, valued at S$1.2m.

On examining similar-sized companies in the Singapore Aerospace & Defense industry with market capitalizations between S$5.4b and S$16b, we discovered that the median CEO total compensation of that group was S$7.4m. That is to say, Vincent Chong is paid under the industry median. Furthermore, Vincent Chong directly owns S$18m worth of shares in the company, implying that they are deeply invested in the company's success.

Component 2023 2022 Proportion (2023) Salary S$1.2m S$1.1m 30% Other S$2.8m S$4.3m 70% Total Compensation S$3.9m S$5.4m 100%

On an industry level, roughly 83% of total compensation represents salary and 17% is other remuneration. In Singapore Technologies Engineering's case, non-salary compensation represents a greater slice of total remuneration, in comparison to the broader industry. It's important to note that a slant towards non-salary compensation suggests that total pay is tied to the company's performance.

A Look at Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd's Growth Numbers

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd's earnings per share (EPS) grew 3.9% per year over the last three years. Its revenue is up 12% over the last year.

We would argue that the modest growth in revenue is a notable positive. And, while modest, the EPS growth is noticeable. So while performance isn't amazing, we think it really does seem quite respectable. Historical performance can sometimes be a good indicator on what's coming up next but if you want to peer into the company's future you might be interested in this free visualization of analyst forecasts.

Has Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd Been A Good Investment?

With a total shareholder return of 12% over three years, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd shareholders would, in general, be reasonably content. But they probably don't want to see the CEO paid more than is normal for companies around the same size.

In Summary...

Overall, the company hasn't done too poorly performance-wise, but we would like to see some improvement. If it manages to keep up the current streak, CEO remuneration could well be one of shareholders' least concerns. Rather, investors would more likely want to engage on discussions related to key strategic initiatives and future growth opportunities for the company and set their longer-term expectations.

CEO compensation is a crucial aspect to keep your eyes on but investors also need to keep their eyes open for other issues related to business performance. We did our research and spotted 2 warning signs for Singapore Technologies Engineering that investors should look into moving forward.

Important note: Singapore Technologies Engineering is an exciting stock, but we understand investors may be looking for an unencumbered balance sheet and blockbuster returns. You might find something better in this list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
WASHINGTON  "Outraged," "point of no return" and "absolute disaster" are how some Muslim American organizers have described their reactions to an aid package for Israel that is making its way through Congress for President Joe Biden to sign into law.

Many Muslim Americans were already furious with the Biden administration over its handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with activists organizing Democrats to vote uncommitted" rather than support the president in some state primaries this year.

For several activists and leaders of prominent Muslim American organizations, Biden's support for $26 billion in aid for Israel reaffirms their view about November's election: They cannot back Biden for a second term.

Ahead of the House's vote to pass the aid package to Israel on Saturday, Muslim American organizations urged voters to contact members of Congress to demand they vote against the aid. It ultimately passed 366-58, with 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans voting against the aid and seven members absent.

If Biden signs an Israel aid package, as he intends to, "that heartless decision could mark the point of no return for what remains of the White Houses relationship with the American Muslim community and other Americans opposed to the genocide in Gaza," said Council on American-Islamic Relations' government affairs director Robert McCaw in a statement.

The administration is already at its lowest point in its relationship with the American Muslim community, McCaw said.

For others, its too late.

The rift between the president and Muslim American voters is unlikely to be repaired "unless the president can undo what has been done for the past six months" in Gaza, said Osama Abu Irshaid, the executive director for Americans for Justice in Palestine Action.

Abu Irshaid, who lives in Virginia, cast a ballot for Biden in 2020 but is not planning to vote for Biden nor former President Donald Trump in November, he said.

More than 33,000 people in Gaza have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Gazan health ministry. About 1,200 people in Israel were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, according to the Israeli government, and more than 240 people were taken hostage. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, though it is unclear how many are alive.

The aid package, which now heads to the Senate for likely passage next week, would mark a significant boost of U.S. support for Israel, though the U.S. has already sent weapons to the country since the start of its war with Hamas. Democratic lawmakers have been increasingly critical of arms support to Israel as well. Earlier this month, more than three dozen members of Congress  including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.  signed a letter asking the White House to "reconsider your recent decision to authorize the transfer of a new arms package to Israel."

Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is among the lawmakers who voted against the Israel aid Friday. She said that she and her colleagues were working to "make sure that we don't send more weapons" to Israel as part of the aid package.

"Just because we authorize it doesn't mean it has to be sent immediately," she said.

Biden praised the House's passage in a statement after the vote, urging the Senate to "quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law."

"This package will deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world; and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific," the president said in the statement.

In a close election, anger at Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war could be key in swing states that the president won in 2020 by a slim margin.

Biden flipped Michigan, which has a sizable Arab American population, winning the state by about 154,000 votes in 2020. In 2016, Trump won the state by about 11,000 votes. But during the 2024 presidential primary, more than 100,000 Michiganders cast ballots for uncommitted, many as an act of protest.

But the relatively tiny proportion of uncommitted delegates  just 0.008% of the Democratic delegates awarded so far  points to uncertainty about the movement's impact on the November general election. While Biden has more than 3,000 delegates, only 26 have been designated "uncommitted."

Biden also flipped Arizona in 2020 by a tight margin, beating Trump by just over 10,000 votes.

Ahmed Ewaisha, the chairman of the Arizona Muslim Alliance, said he was "very excited" about Biden in 2020. Now, he serves as the co-chair of the Abandon Biden campaign in the crucial swing state. Ewaisha said he's "definitely concerned" about Trump, adding that he "would never, ever support Trump at all."

Still, he said he wanted to vote against Biden as punishment for the president's policies toward Israel and Gaza.

In a statement, a Biden campaign official said that the President believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans.

He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East, the official continued. Hes working tirelessly to that end.

Separately, a White House official pointed to the administrations numerous meetings with state, local and interfaith leaders, as well as outreach to Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities.

Biden administration officials have also traveled to Michigan and Illinois to meet with Arab American and Muslim community leaders.

White House officials have had more than 100 conversations with leaders at the local and state level concerning the conflict and humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, the official said.

Ayah Ziyadeh, the advocacy director for Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, said she voted for Biden in 2020 and tried "to convince everybody to vote for him."

Now, her organization is working alongside other groups on an American Muslim election task force, which she said will guide how she votes in November. The task force recommendations are expected in a month or two, she said.

When criticizing Biden's response to the war, she said that she doesn't know "that anything can change my views because I've had to watch six months of genocide against my people."

As the war progressed, Biden has increasingly sharpened his rhetoric against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military's tactics.

After an Israeli air strike killed aid workers in Gaza, Biden said he was "outraged and heartbroken" and argued that "Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians" and aid workers.

Similarly, Biden expressed support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's public rebuke of Netanyahu.

The New York Democrat roundly criticized Israel's prime minister and called for new elections in the country. Later, Biden said that Schumer "made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans."

While several Muslim American organizations are critical of Biden's policies toward Israel, organizers are contemplating how their November votes could impact Trump's prospects for regaining the Oval Office.

In the early days of his 2016 campaign, Trump released a policy plan calling for "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." In October of last year, he called for expanding travel bans from several Muslim-majority countries and barring potential refugees from Gaza from entering the U.S.

However, several Muslim American organizers say that the onus is on Biden to regain their votes to avoid handing the election to the former president.

"We don't think it's on us. It's on Biden," Abu Irshaid said. "If our votes and the votes of people who support the Palestinian human rights are so important, then Biden should be listening."

Activist Linda Sarsour echoed his sentiments, arguing that "trying to explain that Joe Biden is better right now during a genocide is not a talking point that lands within our communities."

Sarsour is the executive director of the Muslim grassroots organization MPower Change and an organizer for the campaign to vote uncommitted to protest Biden. She said she voted for the president in 2020.

"There is no community in this country that knows that Donald Trump is worse than we know him," she said, referring to the travel ban on Muslim-majority countries.

Salam Al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, voted for Biden in 2020 "because I really care about our democracy. I saw what Trump was doing."

He said he has not yet decided how he will vote in November. His organization has not decided whether to make an endorsement for the presidential election, adding that some feel that "it's not worth endorsing anyone."

"My concern is that you have a candidate for president who cannot do any more public events for fear of protest, who will not be able to galvanize his own party because it is fractured and is not listening to his own base in his own party," Al-Marayati said.

Biden continues to do public events, although he has faced anti-war protesters interrupting his speeches. At an event in March, he conceded that pro-Palestinian protesters who interrupted his remarks "have a point."

"We need to get a lot more care into Gaza," he said after the protesters, who called for care in Gaza, were escorted out.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Biden is facing heavy pushback from Muslim voters and organizations after the House passed $26 billion in funding for Israel with his blessing Saturday.

The bill also includes funding for Ukraine and Taiwan, and Biden said he would sign it as soon as it reaches his desk. U.S. Islamic organizers have been attacking Biden's administration for months over its continued support for Israel, and some say Biden signing this latest legislation would be the last straw.

"That heartless decision could mark the point of no return for what remains of the White Houses relationship with the American Muslim community and other Americans opposed to the genocide in Gaza," Council on American-Islamic Relations' government affairs director Robert McCaw told NBC News.

"The administration is already at its lowest point in its relationship with the American Muslim community," he added.

TENSIONS ERUPT ON HOUSE FLOOR AS CONSERVATIVES CONFRONT JOHNSON ON $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN

President Biden is facing heavy pushback from Muslim voters and organizations after the House passed $26 billion in funding for Israel with his blessing Saturday.

CAIR National described the aid as a "blank check" allowing the Israeli government to purchase the "offensive weapons it has used to slaughter at least 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

DEMS SAVE JOHNSON'S $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN FROM GOP REBEL BLOCKADE

"Giving Netanyahu this blank check after all of the war crimes his government has committed would make our nation fully complicit in the Gaza genocide and likely mark a breaking point for what remains of Biden's relationship with not only American Muslims, but many other Americans of all backgrounds opposed to the genocide," CAIR wrote in a statement.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal compared continued support for Israel to the Iraq war. (Getty Images)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., also criticized the bill during an appearance on MSNBC, comparing continued support for Israel to the Iraq war. Like CAIR, she noted that the Israel bill made no distinction between funding for defensive and offensive weapons.

RASHIDA TLAIB CALLS ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU GENOCIDAL MANIAC, TAKES SHOT AT FELLOW DEMS WHO BACK HIM

"We cannot continue to watch the carnage that is happening in Gaza and have the U.S. military assistance be a part of that carnage," she said. "This is sort of an Iraq war moment. This is a moment where I think the public is not with us."

The anger comes as Muslim voters in key swing states like Michigan were already threatening to abandon Biden's re-election effort.

Muslim and Arab American community leaders refused to meet with Biden's campaign director in late January. Arab Americans living in Michigan have traditionally been reliable Democrats, with Biden carrying over 75% of the vote in the Arab-majority city of Dearborn in 2020.

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Michigan is essentially a must-win state for Biden come Election Day. He carried the state by just over 150,000 votes against former President Trump in 2020. The Arab and Muslim communities in the state number roughly 300,000, meaning a significant drop in support could swing the pendulum toward Republicans.





Original article source: Muslim voters outraged with Biden after House passes $26 billion Israel aid with his blessing
Soon after reports emerged that a number of staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were accused of taking part in the October 7 attack, Britain  along with many other Western nations  rightly suspended payments to the body. Senior Tory MPs are now urging the Foreign Secretary not to restore UK funding to the agency, arguing it would be a disgrace to do so.

They are right. The accusations of participation were not a bolt from the blue. The links between Hamas and the UNRWA are deep and well documented. Even in this current conflict, UNRWA has quoted Hamas figures on Palestinian casualties without caveat. In February, the Israel Defense Forces said it had found a terrorist data centre running partly under the agencys headquarters. Israels defence minister has said that more than 1,400 of UNRWAs 13,000 workers in Gaza are members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

But the problem with the agency goes deeper. It is becoming an insurmountable barrier to a peaceful solution. The 706 schools UNRWA operates have frequently fuelled an ideology defined by the rejection of Israel and helped radicalise generations of young Palestinians. A recent report compiled by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education uncovered geography textbooks with no mention of Israel, showing Palestine in its place. An Islamic studies book describes the goals of jihad as terrorising the enemy and achieving martyrdom.

For too long, naive foreign donors have supported UNRWA despite it actively working against the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians. The agencys very existence, 75 years after it was created to provide temporary relief, maintains the corrupting idea that refugee status is hereditary. Anyone who was once or is descended from a Palestinian refugee is a refugee forever, unlike refugees of any other nationality, who lose that status once they become citizens of another country. This implies that every Palestinian has a right to return and reside in Israel.

So long as UNRWA exists, therefore, a two-state solution is impossible. It is no longer just a humanitarian agency, but a political tool used to threaten Israels security. The West must replace UNRWA with another body which can provide the relief it was designed to. Lord Cameron should listen to his colleagues.

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SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI)  The driest place in North America had a lake big enough to kayak in this past winter, and NASA has released data on how big the rare lake actually got.

Late last year, a rare lake, dubbed Lake Manly, began forming in the Badwater Basin area of Californias Death Valley.

You might think with no drain to the sea that Death Valley would always have a lake, park ranger Abby Wines said in a February press release from the National Park Service. But this is an extremely rare event. Normally, the amount of water flowing in is much less than the evaporation rate.

Torrential rains in California make way for rare lake in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, which normally averages about two inches of rain per year, received 4.9 inches between late 2023 and early 2024, with the surrounding mountains receiving greater amounts of rain, the National Park Service reports. Hurricane Hilary in August and the atmospheric river storms in early February were the biggest rain contributors in Death Valley.

NASAs U.S.-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which launched in December 2022 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in central California, found that water depths in the temporary lake ranged from about 3 feet to less than 1.5 feet over the course of about six weeks.

The SWOT satellite also found that right after a series of storms in early February, the temporary lake was about 6 miles long and 3 miles wide.

Water depths in Death Valleys temporary lake ranged between about 3 feet (or 1 meter, shown in dark blue) to less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters, light yellow) from February through early March. By measuring water levels from space, SWOT enabled research to calculate the depth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

To estimate the depth of the lake, NASA researchers used water level data collected by SWOT and subtracted corresponding U.S. Geological Survey land elevation information for Badwater Basin.

This is a really cool example of how SWOT can track how unique lake systems work, said Tamlin Pavelsky, the NASA freshwater science lead for SWOT and a hydrologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Californias Death Valley reaches 128 degrees

The shallow lake was open to kayaking for a short time, but has since closed to all boating after the water levels dropped, the National Park Service said in an update Friday. Lake Manly has been evaporating and is now only a few inches deep. Its only accessible over rough, uneven salt and mud with no trail available.

Some of the surrounding salt flats were also damaged by people dragging watercraft to Lake Manly.

Did California really have a super bloom this spring? An expert weighs in

Visitors to Death Valley and Lake Manly are allowed to walk in the water but the National Park Service asks that people do not walk in muddy areas where they will leave footprints as they can last for years.

The National Park Service noted there are also wildflowers blooming in Death Valley National Park, with the best places to view them being Panamint Valley and east of Furnace Creek on CA-127 and NV-373.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI)  The driest place in North America had a lake big enough to kayak in this past winter, and NASA has released data on how big the rare lake actually got.

Late last year, a rare lake, dubbed Lake Manly, began forming in the Badwater Basin area of Californias Death Valley.

You might think with no drain to the sea that Death Valley would always have a lake, park ranger Abby Wines said in a February press release from the National Park Service. But this is an extremely rare event. Normally, the amount of water flowing in is much less than the evaporation rate.

Torrential rains in California make way for rare lake in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, which normally averages about two inches of rain per year, received 4.9 inches between late 2023 and early 2024, with the surrounding mountains receiving greater amounts of rain, the National Park Service reports. Hurricane Hilary in August and the atmospheric river storms in early February were the biggest rain contributors in Death Valley.

NASAs U.S.-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which launched in December 2022 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in central California, found that water depths in the temporary lake ranged from about 3 feet to less than 1.5 feet over the course of about six weeks.

The SWOT satellite also found that right after a series of storms in early February, the temporary lake was about 6 miles long and 3 miles wide.

Water depths in Death Valleys temporary lake ranged between about 3 feet (or 1 meter, shown in dark blue) to less than 1.5 feet (0.5 meters, light yellow) from February through early March. By measuring water levels from space, SWOT enabled research to calculate the depth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

To estimate the depth of the lake, NASA researchers used water level data collected by SWOT and subtracted corresponding U.S. Geological Survey land elevation information for Badwater Basin.

This is a really cool example of how SWOT can track how unique lake systems work, said Tamlin Pavelsky, the NASA freshwater science lead for SWOT and a hydrologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Californias Death Valley reaches 128 degrees

The shallow lake was open to kayaking for a short time, but has since closed to all boating after the water levels dropped, the National Park Service said in an update Friday. Lake Manly has been evaporating and is now only a few inches deep. Its only accessible over rough, uneven salt and mud with no trail available.

Some of the surrounding salt flats were also damaged by people dragging watercraft to Lake Manly.

Did California really have a super bloom this spring? An expert weighs in

Visitors to Death Valley and Lake Manly are allowed to walk in the water but the National Park Service asks that people do not walk in muddy areas where they will leave footprints as they can last for years.

The National Park Service noted there are also wildflowers blooming in Death Valley National Park, with the best places to view them being Panamint Valley and east of Furnace Creek on CA-127 and NV-373.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
NATO Secretary General welcomes US approval of Ukraine aid bill: it means more security for Europe and America

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the approval of the Ukraine aid bill by the US House of Representatives.

Source: Jens Stoltenberg on Twitter (X), European Pravda reports.

Quote: "I welcome that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a major new package of aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America," Stoltenberg wrote.

I welcome that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a major new package of aid to #Ukraine. Ukraine is using the weapons provided by #NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America.  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) April 20, 2024

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved a vital bill on foreign aid for Ukraine. 311 members of the House of Representatives voted in favour of the bill, while 112 voted against it.

The draft law was promised to be submitted to the Senate as an amendment to the Senate Foreign Assistance Bill HR.815, which was passed in February. This should simplify the procedure for approving the package in the Senate.

Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, said that the Senate would vote on the bill on Tuesday, 23 April.

US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the approved aid bill.

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks in a Press conference following the virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers. -/NATO/dpa

The US House of Representatives approval - after months of wrangling - of a nearly $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine has not come too late, but the delay has had real consequences, NATO's chief said on Sunday.

"The Ukrainians are now four months being outgunned," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told US broadcaster MSNBC.

"The Russians have had much more ammunition. And Ukraine has been forced to ration their ammunition," Stoltenberg said. "But it's not too late. The Ukrainians have demonstrated enormous skill in defending their country."

On Saturday, after months of deadlock, the House approved the multibillion-dollar aid package by an overwhelming bipartisan majority. It includes urgently needed arms supplies for defence against Russia. The necessary Senate approval is considered certain and is expected in the middle of the week. US President Joe Biden, a strong supporter of the bill, must then sign it into law.

Stoltenberg emphasized that there are still no plans for a NATO combat presence in Ukraine. However, NATO partners have the right to help Ukraine. This does not make NATO a party to the conflict.

"But of course several NATO allies have men and women in uniform at the embassies, giving advice," said Stoltenberg when asked about a Politico report on the deployment of additional US military advisors. The report said the US was considering sending additional advisers to its embassy in Kiev. These advisers would not take part in combat operations, but would advise and support the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian military, the report said.
NC immigration bill pits sheriffs against the Constitution. What will they do? | Opinion

One of the great illusions in politics is that the Republican Party always supports law enforcement.

If that were true, Republicans wouldnt encourage the proliferation of guns, former President Donald Trumps supporters wouldnt attack U.S. Capitol Police officers, and the GOP wouldnt be about to give its presidential nomination to a man facing charges in four criminal cases.

And in North Carolina, Republicans wouldnt be trying to force sheriffs to ignore the Constitution and compromise public safety. But thats where the alleged law-and-order party is going as the General Assembly prepares to open its short session Wednesday.

For the fourth time in five years, Republican state lawmakers will try to pass a law requiring sheriffs to hold for up to 48 hours arrested people who may be in the U.S. illegally. The detention would provide a window for agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE, to take the detainees into federal custody for possible deportation.

The proposed ICE cooperation requirement  twice vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper and stalled in the state Senate last session  is likely to become law this time. Republicans have a veto-proof majority and cracking down on migrants is a red-meat issue for Republicans in an election year.

Iliana Santillan, executive director of the Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo, said, Once again, our immigrant communities are being used as pawns for political and electoral gains by our representatives who should be working to protect us.

Sheriffs in smaller counties support the proposed law, House Bill 10, but those in the states largest counties dont. When similar legislation was considered last year, 11 sheriffs signed a letter opposing it. They say the proposed law would add costs to local taxpayers, expose sheriffs offices to lawsuits and make it harder to solve crimes.

Beyond all that, the proposed law is redundant. State law already requires sheriffs to alert ICE when they arrest someone who may be in the U.S. illegally. The issue is whether sheriffs should continue to hold people who have made bail or are otherwise eligible for release.

When a person is arrested and we determine that we dont know the citizenship, we contact ICE and they send a detainer, said Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden. But the law says we cant hold them after they have met all the criteria for being released.

McFadden added, Can you hold this guy? Under whose authority? You are going to force us to house these people  not arrest these people  house them.

Nonetheless, McFadden said, If this becomes law, we will follow the law.

Passing a state law forcing sheriffs to hold people who are eligible for release wont resolve the constitutional issue. It will, however, pass the costs of holding detainees on to county taxpayers and could expose the sheriffs to lawsuits. McFadden said his office recently paid $80,000 in legal fees contesting such a lawsuit.

Beyond raising constitutional questions, the proposed law will do the opposite of what its backers claim about how it will improve public safety. Making sheriffs an extension of ICE will weaken the ability of sheriffs to respond to crimes. If migrants think interaction with a sheriff will expose them or their family members to deportation, they are unlikely to report crimes or help with arrests and prosecutions.

Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said, I want to make our communities safer, but HB 10 will make us less safe by fomenting distrust in local law enforcement, he said in a statement. No one should fear interacting with the Wake County Sheriffs Office because of their federal immigration status.

The fourth time will likely be a charm for this ill-conceived legislation. It will help Republicans reelection efforts, but  as the sheriffs of North Carolinas largest counties make clear  it will hurt law enforcement.

Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com
NC shooting suspect arrested in Rowan County after days on the run: PD

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WGHP)  A man who allegedly fired multiple shots at an Archdale business and fled the scene this week was arrested on Friday night, according to the Archdale Police Department.

According to police, Joshua Blaine Arquette, 36, went into Carolina Container on Tuesday morning and fired multiple shots before leaving the scene in a stolen white Ford F-350. No one was hurt, but the shooting did leave behind property damage.

Winston-Salem man charged with murder after stabbing death, police say

The F-450 was later found abandoned near Thompson Heath Road, near where Arquette allegedly stole another truck, a silver 2004 Nissan Titan.

Just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office found the stolen 2004 Nissan Titan abandoned in the middle of the street on the 500 block of Corriher Grange Road.

He was arrested in Rowan County by the Kannapolis Police Department at 8:53 p.m. Arquette was arrested at the Oyo Hotel on 3100 Cloverleaf Parkway.

Shots fired

Tuesday morning, Archdale Dispatch confirmed that there was an active investigation in the area of Comanche Drive/Cheyenne Drive area of Archdale with officers on the scene

According to police, a man, later identified as Arquette fired multiple shots at Carolina Container before leaving the scene in a white truck. Officers responded to the scene at about 9:07 a.m.

Police have not released any information regarding a possible motive.

After the shooting

Randolph County deputies believed they found the getaway truck at 11 a.m. when investigators discovered a white Ford F-450, which had been stolen out of Davidson County, abandoned in a field off of Thompson Heath Road.

At 10:43 a.m., reports started coming in claiming that there was an armed person  believed to be Arquette  in the area of Beckerdite Road and Thompson Heath Road in Sophia. Multiple callers said a man carrying firearms was knocking on doors and asking to use a phone, as well as going through vehicles.

Shortly after, a silver 2004 Nissan Titan truck with a diamond plate toolbox was stolen from Thompson Heath Road, and a caller reported that a silver Nissan truck matching the description was speeding on Beckerdire Road at U.S. 311 and may have taken I-74 south toward I-85.

The Rowan County Sheriffs Office says deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on the 500 block of Corriher Grange Road at about 8:59 p.m. on Tuesday. At the scene, investigators found an unoccupied 2004 Nissan Titan parked in the middle of the road. Deputies ran the plate and learned that the truck had been linked to Arquette. The truck was towed and secured.

Charges

Archdale police have pending charges against Arquette for felony possession of a firearm by a felon, felony discharging a weapon into an occupied property, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor injury to personal property and misdemeanor discharging a firearm in the city.

Randolph County Sheriffs Office charged Arquette with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony larceny of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor injury to real property.

Davidson County Sheriffs Office has pending charges against Arquette for two counts felony larceny of a firearm, felony larceny of a motor vehicle and felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

Schools on lockdown

Randolph County Schools said that, on Tuesday, Wheatmore Middle School was placed on full lockdown from 9:22 a.m. to 9:28 a.m. and then was directly moved to modified lockdown from 9:28 a.m. to 9:54 a.m.

New Market Elementary was placed on modified lockdown from 11:05 a.m. until 1:10 p.m.

The following schools were placed on modified lockdown from around 11:30 a.m. to just after 1 p.m.:

Level Cross Elementary

Randleman Elementary

Trindale Elementary

Trinity Elementary

Archdale Elementary

Hopewell Elementary

John Lawrence Elementary

Trinity Middle

Wheatmore Middle

Randleman Middle

Wheatmore High

Trinity High

Randleman High

This action was taken due to safety concerns in the community. With each lockdown event, a telephone message was sent to the parents of students at each affected school, Randolph County Schools said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A North Carolina high schooler has been charged with assault after allegedly being caught on camera slapping a teacher during a profanity-filled exchange.

The incident involving the unidentified juvenile occurred at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem on April 15, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) said on Facebook. Video posted online shows the student standing over a teacher who is seated before striking her in the face.

"Do you think that affected me in any way?" the teacher can be heard asking.

"Want me to hit you again?" the student says, while stepping up and repeating the question.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA COMMITTEE SCRAPS DEI GOALS, ROLES IN DRAMATIC POLICY SHIFT

The assault caught on video took place at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on April 15, 2024.

"I don't want it," the teacher says, before she is struck again. The hit is so hard that her glasses fly off her face while the teenager continues his profanity-filled rant.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Ain't nobody even coming. You got slapped," the student says. "B----, go back to teaching."

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SUSPENDED OVER USING THE TERM 'ILLEGAL ALIEN': REPORT

Police outside the school where a teacher was attacked by a student last week in North Carolina.

The school's principal, Noel Keener, told parents in a message that the student would face disciplinary action in addition to criminal charges for "inappropriate and unsettling" behavior, according to local TV station WGHP.

Neither the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools spokesperson nor the superintendent responded to a Fox News Digital inquiry about what happened, but Superintendent Tricia McManus told WGHP that the student's "behavior will not be tolerated" and her focus was on making sure the "teacher is taken care of and has the support needed to navigate through the lasting effects of this incident."

The superintendent also plans to recommend expulsion from the school district in a hearing separate from the legal ones.

Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill spoke at a press conference last week about the assault at the school.

"All of us should be outraged when those who educate us can be assaulted," FCSO Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough Jr. said in his department's release. "We are praying for wholeness for those students who witnessed this and the educator involved."

The student faces one charge of communicating threats and two charges of misdemeanor assault. The sheriff's office says no additional information will be released since he is a juvenile.

Former teachers at the school told WFMY-TV they were not surprised after seeing the now-viral video of the assault circulating online, adding that behavioral problems at the school took a turn for the worse when students returned to the classroom following COVID-19 closures.





Original article source: NC student charged with assault after allegedly slapping teacher in viral video
This 'hot mess' of an entrepreneur hasnt kept up with his taxes  has $130,000 in business and personal debt

After six years of running his own venture, Avi from Philadelphia admits he doesnt even know if his business is profitable or how much he owes in taxes for the past two years.

In an episode of The Ramsey Show, he described to host Dave Ramsey how he made the critical error of mixing his business and personal expenses for several years, which has left his finances in a tangled web.

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Dude, youre a hot mess, Dave Ramsey laughed.

Avis situation highlights the challenges business owners face when they operate solo and dont have the financial skills needed to succeed.

Risk of tax consequences

Around a third of small business owners try to manage their own bookkeeping, according to a survey by Quickbooks Live Bookkeeping.

Unfortunately, without professional accounting some of these business owners expose themselves to scrutiny from regulators. Mixing personal and business expenses can raise red flags for the Internal Revenue Service, and inconsistencies in filing can trigger an audit.

Avis risk of consequences is heightened by the fact that he has fallen behind on filing his tax returns for the past two years. Ramsey was shocked at the negligence.

"Not filing federal income tax returns is a criminal offense, he insisted. You need to get that part of your life cleaned up immediately.

His tax liability isnt the only mystery. Avi is also unsure if his business is profitable and whether it generates enough revenue to sustain his familys lifestyle.

Read more: 'Baby boomers bust': Robert Kiyosaki warns that older Americans will get crushed in the 'biggest bubble in history'  3 shockproof assets for instant insurance now

Mixing business and personal

Avi believes his business might be operating at a loss. However, he isnt sure if thats the case because he tends to pay himself from the business whenever he needs cash and hasnt managed to keep his business and personal accounts separate until recently.

Nevertheless, the growing mountain of debt on both his business and personal accounts has convinced him his business revenue is falling short.

Story continues

Im accruing debt, thats my problem, he said.

Avi estimates he has $50,000 in credit card debt and roughly $80,000 in business loans. If he finds he owes taxes after filing his debt burden could increase.

Ramsey believes Avi is flirting with financial disaster.

Its freaking amazing that youve survived as long as you have, he said.

Thirty-four percent of small businesses were concerned about debt payments in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Banks Small Business Credit Survey.

To avoid bankruptcy, Ramsey recommended Avi enter panic mode and file his missing tax returns as soon as possible, as well as separate spending between personal and business accounts.

Never again pay anything personal out of that [business] account the rest of your life, Ramsey said.

With a clearer picture of the business profitability, Avi can decide whether his best option is to expand the business or abandon it altogether in favor of a full-time job thats more lucrative.

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Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe  you may want to do the same in 2024

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SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI)  A North Carolina family is trying to find Marine Corporal Charles Alex Benfield, who has reportedly disappeared from Southern Californias Camp Pendleton.

Were all worried. This isnt normal behavior for Alex, just to leave and not to have any contact with anyone, especially my mom, Sarah Lazo, Benfields sister, told sister station KSWB/KUSI.

Alex was in downtown San Diego earlier this month when he was detained for public intoxication. He was later released from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center on Sunday, April 14.

Lazo explains what the front desk there relayed to authorities.

He was saying how he was scared, he was going to lose his rank because they had to meet that following morning at 8 a.m., which he had obviously missed. He said he needed to find his phone, so he was going to go search for that, she said.

SEE PHOTOS: Storm damage and outages reported in Lancaster, York counties

A communications director with the Marines told KSWB/KUSI in a statement that Benfied, a field artillery cannoneer assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit did not report for duty the morning of April 15 following weekend liberty in the San Diego area.

The 15th MEU is aware that Cpl. Benfield was detained by San Diego police [on] April 14 and released later that day, the statement continued, adding that Marines from Benfields unit then searched for him in downtown San Diego.

The safety and accountability of our Marines and sailors is a top priority. The 15th MEU has requested the assistance of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and will continue to attempt to locate Cpl. Benfield to ensure his wellbeing.

According to Benfields Facebook page, he is from Gastonia and graduated from Hunter Huss High School.

Benfields family says because Alex is on active duty and NCIS is investigating, San Diego police cannot declare him a missing person, but thats not stopping them from sharing their own missing persons posters on social media.

I can understand him being scared to show up after missing a meet, but to completely fall off the face of the earth basically is unlike him at all, Lazo said.

Will TikTok be banned?: What to know after House advances aid package

Benfield loved his job, according to his family, and just reenlisted for four more years with the Marines this past fall, so they cant accept that he would choose to abandon his duties.

Lazo says Benfields phone is dead, but last pinged at the San Diego Police Department. His financial activity is also raising more questions.

We were able to find out that his bank has been cleared out. There was no money left in it. There were several big amounts of money taken out at different ATMs, Lazo said.

The family has tried calling hospitals, hotels, and even the medical examiner. The NCIS is asking anyone with information to submit tips online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Netanyahu says Israel to inflict more 'painful blows" on Hamas soon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, said Israel will soon deliver more painful attacks to the Palestinian Islamist Hamas group in Gaza.

In a Sunday video address, Netanyahu announced "further painful blows" against Hamas, saying "this will happen shortly."

Israel has been announcing a military operation in the town of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt for some time, despite warnings from its allies.

The Passover holiday begins on Monday evening.

In negotiations for a ceasefire in return for the release of further hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Hamas has recently hardened its position, Netanyahu explained.

"Instead of deviating from its radical positions, Hamas is now building on the division among us, emboldened by the pressure exerted on the Israeli government," said Netanyahu.

"In the coming days, we will increase military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas, because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory," the prime minister said. Hamas has so far rejected all mediation proposals, he said.

As a condition for the release of further hostages, Hamas is demanding a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli troops, the return of internally displaced people to their homes, a lifting of the blockade and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hamas have been negotiating indirectly for months about a ceasefire and the release of further hostages who were kidnapped in the Hamas massacre on October 7.

Until a few weeks ago, Israel had assumed that just under 100 of the 130 remaining hostages were still alive. However, it is now feared that significantly more of them may already be dead.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere. Here, the Democrat and wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom talk with people in Florida in 2023. (Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune via AP)

In Gov. Gavin Newsom's new political advertisement, two anxious young women in an SUV drive toward the Alabama state line.

The passenger says she thinks they're going to make it, before a siren blares and the flashing lights of a police car appear in the rearview mirror.

"Miss," a police officer who approaches the window says to the panicked driver, "Im gonna need you to step out of the vehicle and take a pregnancy test."

The fictional video is the latest in a series of visceral advertisements the California governor has aired in other states to call out a conservative campaign to walk back reproductive rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion two years ago.

Newsom's "Campaign for Democracy" will air the ad on broadcast networks and digital channels in Montgomery, Ala., for two weeks beginning on Monday, according to Lindsey Cobia, a senior advisor to Newsom. The governor is seeking to draw attention to attempts by Republican leaders to make it more difficult for residents of states with abortion bans to travel to other states for reproductive care.

Read more: Newsom unveils multistate ad campaign to fight abortion travel restrictions in red states

"Not enough attention has been placed on the fact that we're not just criminalizing women's access to reproductive care in certain states, now we're criminalizing their travel," Newsom said from a Sacramento Planned Parenthood clinic in an interview with MSNBC's Jen Psaki that aired Sunday, calling escalating Republican backed anti-abortion policies "sickening."

The governor also is working with state lawmakers on a bill that would temporarily allow Arizona providers to provide abortion care to Arizona patients in California.

Newsom called abortion rights the "moral issue" of our time and called former President Donald Trump "a liar"  warning that if the Republican is elected in November, he will approve a national abortion ban despite recently saying he would leave it up to states as he navigates how the issue could affect him at the polls.

"They're not just talking about rights regression in states, they're talking about the nationalization of rights being regressed... everybody watching knows that if Donald Trump becomes president of the United States again, he will sign a national abortion ban, period, full stop," Newsom said on MSNBC. "He's the one that's responsible for the conditions that persist today."

Newsom's office is coordinating the legislation with Arizona's Gov. Katie Hobbs and Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes, Democrats who denounced a recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that upheld an 1864 abortion ban. The ban, which has yet to take effect, allows only abortions that are medically necessary to save the life of a pregnant patient.

"Arizona Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes identified a need to expedite the ability for Arizona abortion providers to continue to provide care to Arizonans as a way to support patients in their state seeking abortion care in California," Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, said in a statement. "We are responding to this call and will have more details to share in the coming days.

California voters approved an amendment to the state constitution in 2022 that protects access to abortion up until the point that a doctor believes the fetus can survive on its own. Doctors are allowed to perform abortions at any stage if a pregnancy poses a risk to the health of the pregnant person.

Since Roe vs. Wade was overturned, Newsom and state lawmakers have increased funding for people from out of state who seek abortions, and have cast the state as a safe haven for abortion services. The proposed legislation to make it easier for Arizona doctors to see patients in California is in response to an anticipated influx of patients from that state in light of the abortion ban.

Read more: California saw a surge in abortions after Dobbs. Providers are bracing for more

Democrats are seizing on the issue of abortion, which could offer a political advantage in a crucial election year.

President Biden is campaigning for reelection in part on restoring the protections in Roe vs. Wade, and is blaming Trump for a wave of antiabortion policies.

Trump has taken credit for nominating conservative justices who helped overturn abortion rights in 2022.

Democrats nationally used Alabama as a lightning rod for the dangers of a Trump presidency earlier this spring after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in a lawsuit that embryos may be considered children  a move that temporarily halted in vitro fertilization services in the state. Republican leaders quickly reversed course and passed a bill to protect IVF, a process that usually involves the destruction of some embryos.

Alabama bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with no exception for pregnancies arising from rape. State Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall said last year that he could criminally prosecute people in Alabama who help women obtain abortions elsewhere  a claim the U.S. Justice Department has refuted.

"They want to deny access not just to reproductive care, but the future of women and girls  their life, their self determination," Newsom said. "How can women support Donald Trump for election this November?"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEOSHO, Mo.  Two men are facing charges after a burglary call in Newton County on Friday.

Jefferson Molina, 36, and Edgar Samuel Aldena-Reyes, 22, are both charged with 2nd-degree burglary and property damage.

Jefferson Molina, 36.

Edgar Samuel Aldena-Reyes, 22.

Theyre being held in the Newton County Jail  without bond.

The Newton County Sheriffs Office says on Friday  their deputies were dispatched to an address on Kayla Lane  due to a burglary alarm going off.

A homeowner told deputies he saw an individual on his front porch  through his surveillance camera.

When officers with the Neosho Police Department arrived  they found Molina and Reyes hiding in a wooded area  near the residence.

FOUR STATES CRIME

Authorities say thats when they took off on foot  then forced their way into a second home on nearby Baxter Street  with a mother and child inside at the time.

Police say one of the suspects began swinging a metal object at the resident  before they both took off on foot  again.

A short time later  they were eventually captured by authorities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
A New Jersey middle school teacher has been charged days after she was publicly accused of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old female student  sparking outrage and bomb threats at the school.

Reached by phone Saturday, suspended Marlboro Memorial Middle School teacher Jenna Sciabica, 38, refused to discuss her charge with The Post.

She is charged with one count of harassment.

In a statement, her attorney, Mitchell Ansell, called the allegations outrageous and defamatory, and said Sciabica vigorously denies any wrongdoing.

The alleged victims mother addressed the Marlboro Board of Education during its Tuesday meeting, according to video seen by The Post, and dubbed Sciabica a predator who sexually abused her daughter inside the school.

Jenna Sciabica plans to plead not guilty. Linkedin Jenna Sciabica

The board, the woman alleged, failed to prevent the atrocity that happened down that hallway to her daughter.

The alleged incident occurred March 13, and the girls mother claims the crime was witnessed by another staffer, and caught by the schools security cameras.

The mother blasted the board, saying her daughter had to return to her alleged assailants classroom after the incident, where she had more torment.

She also chided the board for not firing Sciabica, whose charge follows a month-long investigation by local police.

According to LinkedIn, Sciabica has worked in the district since 2008.

Ansell said his client has been dedicated to the education of students for over 15 years and has never had any prior allegations and/or accusations filed against her and has an exemplary record.

The lawyers statement contends Jenna and the student in question have known each other for 3 years, and that Jenna has a very close relationship with this students family, even going as far as having been invited into their home on numerous occasions.

Sciabicas attorney said shes known the alleged victim for three years. instagram @jenna0685

Sciabica plans to plead not guilty to the charge, he added.

There was absolutely nothing illegal, improper or immoral about the interaction between Jenna and this student on March 13, 2024, the statement claims. Sadly, as a result of these false and baseless accusations, Jenna and her family have been the victim of bomb and death threats.

Ansell expects Sciabica will be fully exonerated at trial.

On Thursday, someone called the school and said there was a bomb at the middle school. A search of the building turned up nothing. Another bomb threat was phoned in on Friday.

School officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.
There are no dangerous Fresno intersections  just distracted drivers on their phones | Opinion

Put down the phone and drive

On April 15, The Bee ran an article for the most dangerous intersection in Fresno. Lets get real about this: Any intersection is dangerous when the driver is more concerned with their phone than controlling their car.

Its not how many traffic lights or about the placement. Its about being responsible about operating their 3,000-pound car.

I do not know the answer for the problem, and I am sure our elected officials dont, either. We can start by enforcing current laws related to the operation of a car. Or use common sense and get off your phone and drive like a responsible adult.

It is also much easier to blame the intersection or the design of that particular intersection. Case in point: Friant and Shepherd. Get off your phone and drive. Problem solved.

Just simply drive within the speed limit and be responsible.

Duane Opie, Fresno

Driving dangers, part II

In answer to The Bees question about the most dangerous intersections in Fresno: Anyone of them at any given time because its not the intersection. Its the driver who feels their time is more important than your life.

Every store, bank, place of business in Fresno has security cameras. But not the most dangerous areas in Fresno, Fresno streets and intersections. Go figure.

Bill Dixon, Fresno

California is definitely a communist state

Communist California is a wildly wrong depiction by Robert Summa is a wildly wrong explanation of Californias pell mell flight into communism.

A most notable recent example of this runaway train wreck is the $20 hourly minimum wage fiat for fast food workers passed by Californias Democrat legislators and signed by Democrat Gov. Newsom.

Opinion

The theory of equal outcome over equal opportunity is a main tenant of communism. Taking away the opportunity of the states young new workers to acquire job experience and giving those jobs to people who are self-indulgent and uninspired towards self-improvement by advancing their skills and improving their lot in life on their own merit is a road to societal failure.

What working class will be ordered raised or lowered? A government that dictates a citizens worth and position in society is a communist government.

Earl Barnett, Visalia

Israel vs. Palestine

Its tough to accept that 76 years ago, Palestinians lost the war they initiated against Jews, who had barely succeeded in the re-founding of a modest state in their ancestral homeland.

From 1881-1947, waves of immigration brought about 400,000 Jews to Palestine, as it was then called. Jews established a community there complete with cultural and social infrastructure. In late 1947 the UN voted for partition of the land into two states, one for Jews and one for Arabs. The Jews accepted the terms without objection. The Palestinians, however, chose violence, vowing that rivers of blood would flow, rather than accept the indignity of having Jews as neighbors.

Palestinian Arabs have repeated this pattern over the decades. With every war Palestinians start and lose, they fail to accept loss, parading their grievances and making demands.

After 76 years, generations of Palestinian Arabs maintain their refugee status because establishing a Palestinian state would mean recognizing Israel. They want Israel gone, from the river to the sea.

Its tough to lose, but if (Layla) Darwish and others bothered to face history and practice self-reflection, we might be on the way to a resolution of some of the worlds oldest problems.

Rachel Youdelman, Clovis

Back-scratching politics is no good

Why is it OK for our district attorney, Lisa Smittcamp, to endorse any candidate for re-election to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors? In this past primary on March 5, billboards were prominently displayed in District 2, Steve Brandaus district, with her image endorsing him for re-election.

The board determines her departments budget and her salary. It is a clear financial conflict of interest for any department head to endorse any board candidate.

As I read recently, just because an action is legal, doesnt mean its ethical.

We need to elect representatives and DAs who dont engage in you scratch my back and Ill scratch yours politics.

Nancy Schultz, Fresno

Trying to get a medical appointment

Just received an e-mail from Kaiser (hospital) telling me I cant have appointment with ear doctor because they have no appointments open. Called in and spoke to a very nice lady who confirmed the e-mail.

At first she told me to call the office and report the problem. I feel bad because my first response was to lash out at her. I just felt like I shouldnt have to do that.

After I put myself back in order, I was recalling the article in todays Bee about the possible reopening of the Madera hospital. Then anger built up again.

First of all Kaiser is giving free medical to illegals now (no premiums and no co-pays). With this, plus the closing of the Madera hospital (which is mainly government funded, such as Medicare, meaning you and I funded). Now with all the influx of people having to go to Kaiser I cannot make an appointment. If I do get an appointment it is three months down the road.

Im not a mathematician, but you cant run a business with no money coming in. Gov. Newsom should be held accountable for the $100 billion surplus he had the last two years. That money could have opened many hospitals. Now we are billions of dollars in debt.

If this continues all of our hospitals are in jeopardy of closing. Remember the saying, You cant rob Peter to pay Paul.

Joyce Reed, Clovis
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) slammed the New York hush money case brought against former President Trump as ridiculous on Sunday.

Its the way that Democrats are fighting these days using the judicial system and activist judges to do so, Noem said on CNNs State of the Union. My hope is that the people and the jury will do what is right and hear the evidence and see clearly that this is an unprecedented trial, but its unprecedented in how ridiculous it is.

Noem, a staunch ally of the former president, also said that prosecutors should have brought the case against Trump years ago instead of in the midst of an election season. Trump will be spending the majority of the next few weeks in a Manhattan court room after the hush money trial kicked off last week.

I think its a little ridiculous that theyve waited years to bring these types of charges against Donald Trump. You know, if they wanted to make these kinds of charges against him, they should have done it two years ago, when this happened. To do it conveniently during a presidential election when hes campaigning to return to the White House, I think, proves that this is all politically motivated, she said.

Her comments echo familiar remarks made by Trump and his allies, who have suggested Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) case against the former president should have been brought earlier if it was not politically motivated. Noem has also been floated as a potential running mate to Trump as he seeks a second term in the White House.

The former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to reimbursements Trump made to his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged affair.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) sided with former President Trump on the abortion issue Sunday, saying that the laws should be determined by the state.

CNNs Dana Bash asked Noem on State of the Union if she supported Trumps stance on abortion laws being up to the states, noting that Noem cosponsored legislation that would ban abortion on the federal level when she was in the House. Noem explained that her position on abortion laws changed once Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

The environment changed when Roe v. Wade was overturned. That returned the power back to the States, which is appropriate, and Donald Trump is exactly right. Every states laws will look different based on what the people in those states want to be their law when it comes to abortion, Noem said.

And we should be focusing on these women that are in crisis and theyre in unprecedented situations, and they need help and support and all the information that they can possibly have. So, my states laws may look different than whats going on in California or Arizona or New York and I think thats entirely appropriate, she added.

Trump said earlier this month that he believed states should decide their own laws on abortion, breaking from several members of his party who believe abortion should be banned at the federal level. Trump has also said he would not sign a federal abortion ban.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Noem said doctors who perform abortions will be targeted for prosecution in her state after a new trigger law went into effect following the Supreme Court decision. South Dakotas ban prohibits all abortions except to preserve the life of a pregnant person.

I may be pro-life but that doesnt necessarily mean that Im a dictator and that I get to decide that. Donald Trump recognizes the constitutional authority of the states and I love that. I love that we have somebody running for president who actually follows our Constitution and recognizes on this issue, that having that decision made at the state level is the appropriate decision, she said on CNN.

When pressed further on whether she believes South Dakota law on abortion goes too far, Noem said that its what the people of her state want. The abortion ban in the state does not allow for exceptions for rape or incest cases.

But I think that our law today is what South Dakota wants, and theyll continue to have that debate, and Ill continue to follow through on my role, which is to make sure the will of the people is enforced she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Congress should pass a Farm Bill that supports American farmers, not corporations and foreign interests, Missouri farmer Darvin Bentlage writes.

Most of you have seen recent stories on European farmers organizing for better prices by blocking highways and business districts with their tractors. Older farmers might remember the 1979 Tractorcade by American farmers demanding parity, meaning farmers should get paid the cost of production (what it costs to raise a crop) plus a living wage.

That protest in 1979 drew attention to the problem but did little to alleviate it. What followed was the '80s Farm Crisis culminating in 1985, known as the year of farm foreclosures. Subsequent Farm Bills did little to protect farmers ability to get paid a living wage and simply exist, as they abandoned the last remaining vestige of supply management programs, leaving farmers at the mercy of volatile commodity markets and years of low prices.

Farm Bills from the '80s to the present day have failed in many aspects to stabilize commodity markets and have forced taxpayers to shoulder the cost with safety net programs designed to benefit corporate agribusiness, factory farms and processing industries. Lobbyists wrote these Farm Bills to protect and enhance the interests of their clients, multinational corporations.

The recent release of the 2022 Census of Agriculture (which comes out every five years) revealed the negative consequences of bad Farm Bills. For the first time in history, the U.S. has less than 2 million farms. The U.S. lost over 140,000 farms and over 150,000 cattle operations from 2018-2022. Missouri alone lost 10,000 cattle operations (from 53,497 to 43,543). In the last 15 years, 20,000 Missouri cattle farmers have gone out of business.

As the agriculture industry becomes more concentrated and corporatized, the loss of family farms has accelerated. From livestock production, where four corporations control 85% of the U.S. beef industry and four corporations control over 70% of U.S. pork production, to grain production where 75% of seeds are controlled by four companies, our current corporate centralized system has left small and medium farms struggling to survive in the U.S. and around the world.

Most of the Farm Bill talk in ag media and on Capitol Hill is calling for a virtual copy of the 2018 Farm Bill, which, for commodity crops, is essentially a taxpayer-supported insurance bill, where farmers have to choose (read gamble) between two different crop insurance programs, Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). You choose wrong, you might lose the farm.

Instead, Farm Bills should work to make it a real free market system, for the benefit of producers, consumers and our environment. Farm Bills need to address the oversupply and consistent low prices in commodity markets by bringing back a supply management system for grain with a farmer-owned grain reserve. Farm Bills need to stop the ability of the four beef packers to use forward contracts to distort the cattle prices below the true value of our cattle. Farm Bills should bring back mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for meat, so consumers can know where their food comes from. Farm Bills need to stop literally funding the industrialization, corporate and now foreign takeover of the U.S. livestock industry. Theres a start.

Story continues

Congress is dragging their feet yet again, and one thing we know: Waiting until the last minute to adopt a Farm Bill will lead to a continuation of lousy farm and food policies and accelerate the loss of farms even faster than the last five years.

Darvin Bentlage is a Missouri farmer and member of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Farm Bill should support small and medium farmers, not corporations
Supporters of the opposition 'Serbia Against Violence' (SPN) coalition gather in front of St. Marko church, in Belgrade

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Most Serbs in volatile north Kosovo boycotted a local referendum on Sunday on whether to remove ethnic Albanian mayors in four municipalities whose appointment led to violence last year, the country's election commission said.

Kosovo is predominantly ethnic Albanian but around 50,000 Serbs in the north reject Pristina's government and see Belgrade as their capital. A former Serbian province, Kosovo declared independence in 2008 a decade after a guerrilla uprising.

By around midday, less then 100 out of around 46,000 registered Serb voters had cast ballots in all four predominantly Serb municipalities - Northern Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, the commission said. Polls opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and were scheduled to close at 7 p.m.

Last September the Pristina government agreed to annul local elections in Kosovo's north and hold new ones, bowing to Western patrons' pressure after local Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote in April 2023.

But Pristina's plan for a pre-election referendum asking whether the four mayors should be dismissed was rejected by the leading local Srpska Lista (Serbian List) party, saying the mayors should have simply resigned before a vote.

The Srpska Lista said the referendum's integrity was undermined by a campaign of pressure and intimidation of local Serbs by the Kosovo government, accusations Pristina denied.

It further said the referendum was not part of an initial deal between Pristina, Belgrade and international mediators aimed at resolving the standoff over governance in north Kosovo.

Srpska Lista also urged local Serbs to boycott the mayoral by-elections, stoking tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.

Serbia, backed by allies Russia, China as well as five European Union member states, has never recognised Kosovo's statehood.

The spat over the four mayoralties escalated in late 2022 after Serbs quit all official posts, including police and local administrations amid a dispute over Pristina's decision to introduce Kosovo car number plates for local Serbs.

Belgrade and Pristina have spent years in mediated talks to normalise their relations but progress has been slow and marred by flare-ups of violence between north Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo police and, occasionally, NATO peacekeepers.

Regular local elections in the rest of Kosovo are scheduled for October 2025.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; editing by Mark Heinrich)
'It's not only a loss, it's an injustice:' Ryan Gainer laid to rest in Apple Valley

Family members, friends and the community said their final farewells to Ryan Gainer as the 15-year-old boy was laid to rest in Apple Valley on Saturday.

Mourners filled the Burning Bush Church in Victorville to pay their respects to the teen and his family, many wearing messages supporting autism awareness.

Gainer was fatally shot by two San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies during an encounter at his family's Apple Valley home on March 9. The teen, who had autism, was in the midst of a mental health crisis when the deputies responded to a call for help, according to officials and family members. Gainer was shot as he charged toward one of the deputies with a garden hoe.

William Roper, right, shares memories of his cousin during a memorial service for Ryan Gainer, 15, of Apple Valley at the Burning Bush Church in Victorville on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

His parents shared their devastation at his loss, as well as happy memories of a promising young man.

"The proudest moment for me was telling others that you are my son," father Norman Gainer said. "Your memory fills my heart with warmth and love. Losing you was the hardest thing, but I am grateful for the time we had. You were a blessing that brightened my life."

Ryan Gainer's mother, Sharon Gainer, recalled spending time together each morning.

"My heart is broken and shattered," she said. "You were a blessing to me and I am thankful and grateful for the years that God has allowed you to bless my life. I truly love you, my one and only son."

Anaya Avery, center-left, and Amaya Avery, center-right, sit along with Ryan Gainers family as they watch the final burial on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley.

Who was Ryan Gainer?

Ryan was born in Barstow, according to family. He was adopted by his parents when he was a toddler.

He attended Sitting Bull Academy from kindergarten through eighth grade and was a sophomore at Apple Valley High School at the time of his death.

Ryan loved science and math, his family said, and dreamed of becoming a mechanical engineer. He also enjoyed running and hoped to one day run track for the University of Oregon.

In addition to his parents, Ryan is survived by seven siblings and a grandmother, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

William Roper said his "baby cousin" was more like a brother to him and recalled countless hours spent together, "watching him grow up... growing taller than me, getting faster than me."

"That's my baby cousin. He's still my baby cousin," he said. "I just want to say thank you all. We love you. Thank you for coming to support."

Amaya Avery, center, stands with flowers as they finish the burial of Ryan Gainer on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley.

Aavyn Alaniz said Ryan was her first friend when she transferred to Sitting Bull Academy in the fourth grade.

"He was so friendly. Everybody was his friend. Everybody knew who he was and all he did was spread love and friendship. He made such a big impact," she said through tears.

"(He was) just a kind soul," the friend said. "Ryan deserves justice. We all know he did not deserve for this to happen to him and we'll continue to spread his positivity."

Another friend, Natali Mendoza, said Ryan was "the sweetest soul" she'd ever met.

"Hopefully, we'll get justice for Ryan," she said. "May his name live on."

For the past two years, Ryan spent a great deal of time mentoring children at the Millionaire Mind Kids robotics program, organization founder Delores Williams said.

A wreath floral arrangement for Ryan Gainer is placed close to his gravesite during his burial on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley.

"Ryan is a sweet soul that stole the hearts of everyone he met at the Millionaire Mind Kids Center," she said. "Ryan gave us so much of himself, so much to the little kids he served and taught."

"Ryan was a master chess player. He took time to teach the little ones  4, 5 and 6  how to master chess," Williams recalled.

"He was a mathematician. I just want you to know who Ryan was, and how he helped transform our community," she continued. "Ryan was an asset to our community... Ryan helped to transform lives of little ones who continue to look up to him."

Williams promised to fight for societal change in his honor.

"No one should lose their life because their brain works just a little bit differently," she said. "The family should have been surrounded by wraparound services and support services. Our commitment to you families is we are going to make sure those wraparound services come to the High Desert."

Rev. Al Sharpton delivers a video address during a memorial service for Ryan Gainer, 15, of Apple Valley at the Burning Bush Church in Victorville on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Fighting for justice

In a video message, National Action Network President and famed civil rights advocate Rev. Al Sharpton extended his condolences and prayers to the Gainer family.

"It's not only a loss, it's an injustice," he said. "It outraged me."

"We intend to be working with the local people right there in your city for justice," the reverend said. "The National Action Network and myself stand with the Gainer family, stand with their attorneys and stand for justice in any way we can."

"Let this funeral be that of mourning the loss, but committing to fighting for justice," Sharpton said.

Following the memorial service, Ryan was laid to rest at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley. Through a video recording, family members shared a message from Ryan, himself.

"Make sure you have a great day," he said in the recording. "Be the spark and make sure to spread kindness."

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Ryan Gainer laid to rest in Apple Valley
American history is defined as a contest by those who believe in equality and those who dont.

Having just read "The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story," now I know why white racists want it banned. Nikole Hannah-Joness Pulitzer-Prize-winning collection of essays, stories and poems by numerous authors, clearly exposes how American racism has created the injustices of slavery, segregation, discrimination and continued mistreatment of Blacks. The 1619 Project is an unmitigated damning indictment of Americas racist past and present. Every American, including high school students, should read The 1619 Project. It details what racists have done and continue to do.

The United States of America is once again at a dangerous crossroads in our historic struggle between the political descendants of enslavers and those who uphold the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Don Bergman

Most Americans are not racists, as attested by the election of President Barack Obama, but racists are a significantly powerful minority. Despite Trumps words to the contrary, his actions as president and a businessman make him a racist.

In 2016, with the help of the Electoral College, and by the Supreme Courts continuing gutting of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Trump was elected with a minority of the popular vote. The pro-Trump Supreme Court just assisted Trump by granting him de facto amnesty for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, by keeping his name on the ballot. Thus, nullifying section 3 of the 14th Amendment of our U.S. Constitution.

Republicans, including Bill Huizenga, who supports Trump's re-election, refused to remove Trump from office because of his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. With Trumps racists now in total control of the Republican Party, racists are poised to re-elect Donald Trump, who continues to espouse white christian nationalist fascist positions, even saying he wants to be a dictator.

Racists now blame Black people for dividing the nation, saying they already have equality. Racists accuse those who support diversity, equity and inclusion as being racists as an excuse to shut down DEI efforts.

Refusing to treat Blacks and whites as equals, racists have always been with us. They are attempting to spread their fascist-like tendencies to the whole nation. These tendencies are found in Republican-controlled states from Ohio to Florida and Texas that continue to disenfranchise Black voters. Racists supported slavery, segregation and todays discrimination. Racists have been quite willing to use violence and even a civil war to maintain white over Black. Todays racists are no different, calling for violence to overturn an election, and even a new civil war, if necessary, to end our democracy based on equality.

This is fascism.

The current Republican majority in the House of Representatives  who do nothing to improve life for Americans  is controlled by representatives many of whom supported Trumps attempted coup by refusing to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. This Republican group of election-deniers has elected one of their own as speaker of the House, Texas Rep. Mike Johnson, who is second in line for the presidency. Johnson states that his positions are based on a literal interpretation of the Bible, with our Constitution subservient to it.

Note: The Bible supports slavery.

After the 2020 election, Johnson actively solicited help to keep Trump in office.

Trump is an amoral narcissist. What will prevent him from selling top secrets? Trump cares only about himself, ME! as he named himself recently, certainly not us or the U.S.

It is not Trump who really scares me; it is the 73,559,030 cult-like followers, including Huizenga, who voted to re-elect him in 2020, even after we witnessed four years of a narcissistic want-to-be-dictator. It is obvious that Trumps racist cult continues to support him even after Jan. 6, 2021, and even after he has bragged about abusing women, slept with porn stars, been found liable for sexual abuse, engaged in business fraud, and been indicted on numerous other crimes.

Your vote in November will, once again, decide between those who support equality for all Americans and those who oppose it. If Trump and his racist/fascist supporters win, America will no longer be a place where freedom rings for us all.

 Don Bergman resides in Holland.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Now I know why
Editor's note: This article was updated April 23 to reflect a correction in the affiliation of Joni Arends. Arends is a member of Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety.

Nuclear waste managers could not financially justify proposed changes in how the materials are handled for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Repository, during a public hearing Wednesday in Carlsbad.

Attendees at the meeting sought cost-benefit information for two permit modification requests (PMRs) the U.S. Department of Energy planned to submit to the State of New Mexico, but officials with the DOEs Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) and WIPP operations contractor Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) did not include that information in the presentation nor were able to provide it when asked.

The meeting was held on two PMRs: one to allow WIPP to use four new types of shielded containers to emplace higher-level, remoted handled (RH) waste as lower-level contact handled (CH) waste, and another to allow the DOE to reduce the number of required audits at three facilities that ship the least waste to WIPP.

More: Los Alamos decontaminating nuclear waste. Could it save space at repository near Carlsbad?

Transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste is sent from across the country to the WIPP site for disposal in a 2,000-foot-deep underground salt deposit, mostly made up of clothing, equipment and other materials irradiated during federal nuclear activities.

(left to right) Martine Navarrete with the Department of Energy and Rick Chavez and Ashley Waldram with Salado Isolation Mining Contractors present at a public hearing, April 17, 2024 at the Skeen Whitlock Building in Carlsbad.

Most of it comes from Idaho National Laboratory, Savannah River Site in South Carolina and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the DOE proposed a policy it said would help the agency focus its oversight on the higher-shipment facilities.

Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory near San Francisco and Sandia National Laboratories were some of the lowest-shipping sites, and Michael Gerle with the CBFO said during the meeting that cost savings would be made by reducing travel expenses required to audit these sites every year.

More: Court blocks proposed Holtec International nuclear waste site in New Mexico

When you send someone goes out for audits on those sites, the cost savings would be you dont send eight people to Lawrence Livermore every single year, Gerle said. We could focus our resources on other areas where we perceive there to be more need.

But when pressed by attendees, DOE officials could not give an exact dollar amount that would be saved for that PMR or the one to permit additional shielded containers for RH waste disposal, as opposed to the old method of emplacing cannisters in boreholes on the walls of the repository, which wasnt used since 2014, Chavez said.

I dont have cost data. I dont have any of that. I dont know, said Rick Chavez, an official with SIMCO.

More: WIPP's elevator encounters additional problems

Without that information, attendees  many frequent critics of the WIPP project  said they could not understand the DOEs rationale for the changes, not provide adequate public comments by the June 1 deadline.

Carlsbad resident Norbert Rempe said the DOE should report on how it would save public dollars, should the New Mexico Environment Department accept the proposals.

It would greatly help if you could give us an idea, youre going to save taxpayer money. Any sort of statement of such is completely useless without a quantification, Rempe said. Give us some idea of how much good this does for the taxpayer.

Carlsbad resident Norbert Rempe addresses a group of officials from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant during a public hearing, April 17, 2024 in Carlsbad.

More: Feds lose appeal of vacated license for nuclear waste storage site in Permian Basin

Initially, the PMR allowed the DOE to consider auditing any site every three years instead of annually, but Gerle said the agency pulled back after receiving feedback to first try every other year at the chosen sites. He said the graded approach works it may be used for other waste-generating facilities in the future.

Its better than doing audits at every one of those sites every year. It gives us some efficiency. Not as much as we initially thought, but it gives some efficiently, Chavez said. Well still go through the criteria of if those three sites need to be audited every other year.

Joni Arends with Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety said the DOE should also include analysis of the impact the new containers will have on climate change, as they will be made of steel and lead and be left underground containing the waste as its buried by collapsing salt.

More: 'State consent' on nuclear stripped from Senate bill

Ive been told today theres no cost analysis, theres not climate change analysis in using the shielded containers instead of the boreholes, Arends said. Every time with have these meetings we find out more about money being spent without the publics consent and no justification.

Chavez said the use of the additional containers would give WIPP more options in handling RH waste as it could increase shipments of such waste in the future.

Any way we can deplete the inventory of waste is significant. This is another option, Chavez said. We still plan to use cannisters and borehole emplacement. This is another option were providing to the generator sites.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: WIPP officials look to alter nuke waste permit at site near Carlsbad
Lawmakers in Albany passed a $237 billion state budget Saturday, including an extension of Mayor Eric Adams oversight of New York City schools.

The state spending plan, the largest in New Yorks history, includes a massive housing package, improved pension benefits, crackdowns on illicit pot shops and retail theft and a deal to extend mayoral control of schools for two years.

The extension comes with some caveats for Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams scored a partial win from Albanys budget, securing a 2-year extension of mayoral control. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

Hizzoner will have to prove any additional state funds for education go to city schools  and arent used to plug budgetary holes elsewhere.

For the next two years, New Yorkers can expect mayoral accountability to include a funded and actionable plan to reduce class sizes, state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens), the upper chambers head on New York City schools said in a statement.

This two year extension grants the mayor the accountability hes been asking for, and we are pleased to note our agreement includes a significant commitment to expanding the NYC capital plan by $2 billion in order to provide our school kids a sound, basic education and reduce class sizes.

Adams hailed the budget deal.

With the inclusion of mayoral accountability in the state budget, our administration has now secured every single one of our legislative priorities in the budget. Every. Single. One, he said Saturday night.

The United Federation of Teachers, the powerful union representing many Big Apple educators, pushed the accountability piece in a bid to force the city to comply with a state law mandating class sizes.

The deal also adds a new 24th member of the Panel for Educationial Policy who will act as chair of the body.

The mayor will have to pick the chair from three candidates one selected by the state Assembly, one by the state Senate and one by the state schools chancellor.

Lawmakers had initially declared Hochuls request to give Adams a two-year extension of mayoral control as dead, before it was revived at the eleventh hour. AP

Lawmakers hope having a member with more independence on the PEP would give the panel more bite.

Principles of good governance dictate that control of NYC schools not be based on the actions of any one particular mayor, Liu added.

The Governor and the Mayor deserve immense credit for brokering a deal that extends the best governance structure for New York Citys public school students. Mayoral accountability gives parents a voice  all while delivering better results than any alternative, Crystal McQueen-Taylor, Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY, said in a statement.

The extension of mayoral control comes with some caveats. James Messerschmidt

Most lawmakers, including allies of Adams, thought mayoral control had no chance of passing in the budget.

Hochul revived the measure a little over a week ago, just before announcing a preliminary handshake agreement.

Liu was critical of what he called an eleventh hour effort by Hochul to shove the mayoral control measure into the budget.

The budget also includes tweaks to how benefits under the Tier 6 pension system for public employees are calculated.

Pensioners will now get benefits based on the average of the last three years of service, instead of the last five.

Critics have blasted the change, arguing it will cost taxpayers $4 billion over the next few decades, with a cost to New York City of over $160 million next year.

The public employee unions have said their ultimate goal is to make taxpayers pay for their members to retire with full pensions at age 55 and to limit or end employee retirement contributions, which would cost New York over $100 billion. Taxpayers should be deeply alarmed that their elected officials have taken the first step to surrendering to these demands. Ken Girardin, Research Director at the Empire Center for Public Policy wrote in a statement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the budget this weekend.
The city's Department of Education's plan to install remote door-locking systems in all public schools is well behind schedule because of poor planning, according to critics. However, a pilot program kicking the project off was a success at PS 28 in Queens, which got first crack at the new tech after its jiu-jitsu-trained principal had to wrestle an unhinged intruder to the ground.

The city Department of Educations plan to install remote door-locking systems in all public schools is well behind schedule  and critics say poor planning is to blame.

The DOE last year awarded Long Island-based Symbrant Technologies a $42.6 million contract to develop and install locking systems with cameras, intercoms and buzzers at the main entrances of more than 1,300 school buildings  with the citys 700 elementary schools to be completed by spring 2024.

Less than 200 schools were completed as of last month, sources told The Post, as workers initially struggled to ensure first responders could still get in during emergencies.

DOE security chief Mark Rampersant, second from right, has come under fire from some critics who say the DOE would have been better off buying and installing existing door-locking systems.

While that issue was resolved, others soon popped up  and many of the already-installed systems, which resemble video doorbells, are experiencing serious kinks, the sources added. They include doors that wont unlock unless opened manually, communication systems which switch from English to other languages on their own, and an inability to rotate outside cameras up and down to view visitors who might be too short or too tall.

The contract was amended and extended to Oct. 29 and will pay Symbrant another $7.3 million for the servicing and repair of DOE security systems, according to records reviewed by The Post.

However, DOE confirmed it recently replaced Symbrant with NTT DATA, adding it is on pace to complete the work at elementary schools by this summer and other schools by end of this year. The DOE said 329 schools had the new systems as of Friday, and an additional 95 jobs at other schools are in progress.

Mayor Eric Adams budgeted $78 million for the overall project, and DOE said the switch to NTT wouldnt lead to additional costs to taxpayers.

The DOEs push to install automatic door locks was fueled by the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead. Getty Images

However, critics remain skeptical.

We were supposed to have ours by the end of December, but they finished it last month  and it doesnt even work properly, which is the real kicker, fumed a Brooklyn principal, adding his school safety agents still have to open and lock the doors manually because the automatic-lock button malfunctions.

DOE security chief Mark Rampersant and other agency honchos should have simply purchased existing door-locking equipment and other tech for city schools rather than hire Symbrant to build a new system from scratch, said another source.

Theyre trying to set this up on the fly and build the technology on the fly, he said. It makes no sense, and its causing problems.

City officials began to seriously consider automatically bolting the main entryways after a May 2022 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killed 19 students and two teachers.

Robert Quintana, principal of PS 28 in Queens, wrestled a school intruder to the floor. Courtesy of PS 28

The door-locking system was first rolled out as a successful pilot program at PS 28 in Queens, in response to a crazed intruder barging into the elementary schools open front door in September 2022. The unarmed, but combative, intruder initially fought off a school safety agency, but the schools jiu-jitsu-trained principal Robert Quintana ultimately wrestled him to the ground.

Matthew Crescio, a member of Community Education Council for District 24 in Queens, said he pushed for the citywide door-locking systems after the incident at PS 28 and is unhappy with the progress.

We were promised implementation within a year, he said. The lack of completion of this project makes me and other parents lose faith in NYC Schools.

Queens Councilman Robert Holden ripped the project delays, saying our kids and school staff cant wait. instagram/bobholdennyc/

Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) also ripped the delays, saying the school security upgrades were needed yesterday!

The DOE needs to cut through the bureaucracy and act with urgency, he said. Our kids and school staff cant wait.

Symbrant did not return messages, but DOE spokesperson Jenna Lyle said a dedicated help desk has been set up to assist schools when issues pop up with the new tech and assistance is provided within 24 hours.

The Safer Access initiative is a clear example of how we are listening to our families and continuing to take steps to prioritize student safety and parent peace of mind, Lyle said.
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A New York City correction officer was arrested and charged with assault and harassment after an incident with her coworker, according to the NYPD.

Antoinette Basden, 34, was arrested in Queens 115th Precinct, which covers Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst, around 8:20 p.m., police said. Police said Basden was in a dispute with a coworker before her arrest.

Man dies after arrest in Toms River, NJ: Attorney General

The incident happened while Basden was on duty, but she was off duty when she was arrested, police said. Basden has worked with the department since 2015, city records show.

Basden was suspended without pay after the altercation with another uniformed staff member, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Correction.

This article was edited to reflect updated information from the police.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NYC schools Chancellor Banks accuses Brooklyn parent leader of violating state laws over Israel-Hamas walkout, could face ban

Maud Maron at left; Tajh Sutton at right; inset of Palestine walkout materials, center

City schools Chancellor David Banks this week sharply reprimanded the Brooklyn parent council that promoted a citywide student walkout to protest the Israel-Hamas war for failing to effectively conduct business, The Post has learned.

Banks accused Community Education Council 14 President Tajh Sutton of violating multiple state laws including one that could get her permanently banned from serving on any citywide board.

It appears that the Council under your leadership and direction is only selectively representing the districts parent community, blocking attendance and participation at its meetings on questionable grounds, and not responding to or addressing parent concerns, Banks charged in a three-page letter to Sutton.

It appears that the Council under your leadership and direction is only selectively representing the districts parent community, Chancellor Banks wrote in a letter to Sutton. William Farrington

Schools Chancellor David Banks sent CEC 14 President Tajh Sutton a three-page long letter this week accusing the board of failing to effectively conduct business. tajhsutton.com

CEC 14 has been blasted for blocking Jewish parents from its meetings and on social media.

Sutton allegedly organized in support of Brooklyn Arbor Elementary School paraprofessional James Parra following backlash over his vocal pro-Palestine views, according to DOE records. In social media posts, Parra called Israel a racist and terrorist state and defended using the term Zionist pig.

Banks said Suttons actions were highly inappropriate, and have no connection to CEC duties.

At CEC 14s meeting on Thursday  which remained virtual despite orders to comply with state law requiring in-person meetings  Parra went on a rant, calling District 14 Superintendent David Cintron a spineless coward.

And you know what? Fk it. Free Palestine forever and always, Parra added. From the river to the sea. Fk it.

Sutton immediately responded: We love you, James. You are the best of this district.

CEC 14 provided shared protest materials like this social media post ahead of a pro-Palestinian student walkout in November. Instagram @cecd14

On Wednesday, Sutton also got slapped with a notice that found her guilty of violating Chancellors Regulation D-210, which prohibits harassment and discrimination, for her promotion of a pro-Palestine student walkout in November.

Sutton has three days to notify the equity compliance officer if she wishes to participate in conciliation, which lets respondents be heard before a final action is taken, according to DOE spokesman Nathaniel Styer.

When we receive D-210 complaints against parent leaders we take those complaints seriously, Styer said.

The Community Education Council in District 14 has been criticized for taking public political stances. X @council_14

The chancellor has the power to suspend or remove members.

Also slapped with a negative D-210 ruling this week was Maud Maron, a member of Community Education Council in District 2, which stretches from Lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side.

The DOE ordered her to cease engaging in conduct involving derogatory or offensive comments about any New York City Public School student.

Maud Maron, a member of Manhattans Community Education Council in District 2, also received a negative D-210 ruling this week. Stefan Jeremiah

Officials told Maron the violation stemmed from her comments to The Post about an anonymous student editorial widely criticized as antisemitic in Stuyvesant High Schools newspaper, The Spectator.

The byline should read coward instead of anonymous,' she was quoted as saying about the February piece, adding that the op-ed exhibited ignorance and Jew hatred.

The Spectators editors later issued corrections to the editorial.

Maron remains the subject of another pending complaint that she made disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ community in a private chat group.

There is no such thing as trans kids there is no such thing as transition i.e. changing your sex, she was quoted as saying in The 74, an education news site. The comments generated outrage.

I stand by my comments, Maron said Friday. I should be able to speak in a private chat or the public square without repercussions from the DOE.

The moves come on the eve of Banks testifying next month at a Congressional hearing on antisemitism in schools and colleges.
Can this ocean-based carbon plant help save the world? Some scientists are raising red flags

Editors Note: CNN Films Blue Carbon: Natures Hidden Power takes viewers from the mangroves of Vietnam to the salt marshes of France to investigate a powerful new ally in the battle to slow climate change. It premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, April 21.

On a slice of the ocean front in west Singapore, a startup is building a plant to turn carbon dioxide from air and seawater into the same material as seashells, in a process that will also produce green hydrogen  a much-hyped clean fuel.

The cluster of low-slung buildings starting to take shape in Tuas will become the worlds largest ocean-based carbon dioxide removal plant when completed later this year, according to Equatic, the startup behind it that was spun out of the University of California at Los Angeles.

The idea is that the plant will pull water from the ocean, zap it with an electric current and run air through it to produce a series of chemical reactions to trap and store carbon dioxide as minerals, which can be put back in the sea or used on land.

Its a compelling vision of a potential solution in the face of a worsening climate crisis that has fueled unprecedented heat and devastating extreme weather. Efforts to rein in global heating remain hugely off track, and many scientists are now warning that, in addition to rapidly reducing fossil fuels, the world will also need to remove carbon pollution humans have already pumped into the atmosphere.

This Singapore plant is one example of a slew of recent projects that are looking to the oceans, which already absorb almost 30% of humanitys planet-heating pollution, as a tool to do this. Other projects include sprinkling iron particles into the ocean to stimulate CO2-absorbing phytoplankton, sinking seaweed into the depths to lock up carbon and spraying particles into marine clouds to reflect away some of the suns energy.

But carbon-removal projects are controversial, criticized for being expensive, unproven at scale and a distraction from policies to cut fossil fuels. And when they involve the oceans  complex ecosystems already under huge strain from global warming  criticisms can get even louder.

There are big knowledge gaps when it comes to ocean geoengineering generally, said Jean-Pierre Gatusso, an ocean scientist at the Sorbonne University in France. I am very concerned with the fact that science lags behind the industry, he told CNN.

How it works

Equatics technology, which has been tested in small pilot projects in LA and Singapore, requires three main ingredients: seawater, rocks and electricity.

It works like this: The plant pumps in seawater and runs an electric current through it, separating it into four components: two liquids, one acid and one alkaline, and two gases, hydrogen and oxygen.

The acidic water will be mixed with crushed rocks to get the pH back to the same levels as seawater and then sent back into the ocean.

Fans will pump air through the alkaline stream, which causes carbon dioxide to form solid calcium carbonate, the material from which seashells are formed, which will look like a fine sand, as well as dissolved bicarbonate.

A sample of carbon removed from the ocean in the solid form of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide from UCLA's SeaChange program -- now known as Equatic -- in 2023. - Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

The solid and dissolved minerals, which Equatic says can lock up carbon for at least 10,000 years, will be returned to the ocean or used on land. The seawater will also be sent back into the sea, ready to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

None of the processing happens out in the open ocean, said Gaurav Sant, an Equatic founder and professor of sustainability at UCLA, this is important because it allows you to measure everything that youre doing perfectly. This includes the electricity the plant uses as well as the amount of carbon locked away.

The $20 million facility will be fully operational by the end of the year and able to remove 3,650 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, said Edward Sanders, chief operating officer of Equatic, which has partnered with Singapores National Water Agency to construct the plant. That amount is equivalent to taking roughly 870 average passenger cars off the road.

The ambition is to scale up to 100,000 metric tons of CO2 removal a year by the end of 2026, and from there to millions of metric tons over the next few decades, Sanders told CNN. The plant can be replicated pretty much anywhere, he said, stacked up in modules like lego blocks.

Gaurav Sant at the carbon removal project site at the Port of Los Angeles in 2023. - Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

As the plant scales up, they will need to make sure there arent negative impacts, Sant told CNN. Theres a big difference whether you do this on a scale of one ton, versus a million tons, versus a billion tons. You need to measure, you need to monitor, you need to adapt.

The upfront costs are high but the company says it plans to make money by selling carbon credits to polluters to offset their pollution, as well as selling the hydrogen produced during the process.

Equatic has already signed a deal with Boeing to sell it 2,100 metric tons of hydrogen, which it plans to use to create green fuel, and to fund the removal of 62,000 metric tons of CO2.

Fragile oceans

For some critics, however, the risks far outweigh the benefits.

Lili Fuhr, the director of the fossil economy program at the Center for International Environmental Law, criticized the use of speculative technology at a time when climate change is already killing our oceans.

Processing vast amounts of seawater could kill marine life, Fuhr told CNN. We already know that power plants kill fish larvae and other marine life. Equatic would process much more seawater per plant than a power plant, she told CNN, And thousands of such plants would be needed to make any meaningful impact on the global climate.

The impacts would need to be closely monitored, said James Niffenegger, a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, who wrote a report on ocean carbon removal. The artificial movement of water at this scale is going to be massive, he told CNN.

The process could also potentially disrupt the delicate balance of ocean chemistry, Niffenegger said. While there is plenty of research into the negative impacts of ocean acidification, there is much less on what might happen if the ocean becomes more alkaline.

There are indications the impacts may be low, he added, but were not going to be able to understand the potential of this solution until we start actually deploying this kind of thing.

Rendering of the Equatic's plant. It will remove just under 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, with the aim of scaling up to 100,000 metric tons a year by the end of 2026. - Equatic

Then there are the energy requirements  as the world moves away from fossil fuels, the demand for clean energy is increasing exponentially. Moving seawater would require vast amounts of renewable energy that would be better used to displace fossil fuels in the first place, Fuhr said.

Its a point echoed by Gatusso, who said justice must be considered when precious electricity is used to remove carbon rather than providing it to populations in need.

Equatic said it filters the seawater to ensure marine life does not enter the system, and that water discharged back into the ocean will have the same composition as normal seawater and will comply with Singapores environmental guidelines.

The company also said the production of hydrogen, which could be used to power the process, means its overall energy use is lower than other carbon removal methods.

Equatics project encapsulates a broader debate among those who fear rushing into geoengineering could unleash untold damage on ecosystems, versus those who believe the climate crisis is so acute this technology must be an option.

Its clear which side Equatic is on.

Inaction is not a climate strategy, said UCLAs Sant, adding that its vital to be able to make decisions with uncertainty. If were serious about mitigating the trajectory of climate change, Sant said, we need to be willing to move, and move quickly at scale.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
CHICAGO  The Chicago Police Department said a police officer was shot to death while heading home from his shift early Sunday morning.

A statement from Mayor Brandon Johnson identified the officer as Luis M. Huesca of the 5th District Priority Response Team. He was off-duty but in uniform when he was shot in the Gage Park neighborhood just before 3 a.m. Officers had responded to a gunshot detection alert in the 5500 block of South Kedzie and discovered Huesca with gunshot wounds in the 3100 block of West 56th Street.

Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a press conference Sunday morning that Huesca was shot multiple times before he was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center. His vehicle was stolen on the scene.

Snelling said Huesca was just two days shy of his 31st birthday and had served with CPD for six years. A procession carried Huescas body to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office Sunday morning.

I met with Officer Huescas mother and uncle this morning and assured them that they have the full support of my administration as they deal with this unspeakable loss, Johnson said. Our city is grieving, and our condolences go out to their entire family as well as Luis fellow officers and community.

CPD said investigators are still looking for a suspect.

_____
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad fair value estimate is RM2.48

Current share price of RM1.78 suggests Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad is potentially 28% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 35% higher than Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad's analyst price target of RM1.84

Does the April share price for Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad (KLSE:KERJAYA) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad

The Model

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM109.0m RM140.1m RM169.5m RM196.2m RM220.0m RM241.0m RM259.6m RM276.4m RM291.9m RM306.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Est @ 28.51% Est @ 21.02% Est @ 15.77% Est @ 12.10% Est @ 9.53% Est @ 7.74% Est @ 6.48% Est @ 5.60% Est @ 4.98% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM99.1 RM116 RM127 RM134 RM136 RM136 RM133 RM129 RM123 RM118

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM1.3b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM306m (1 + 3.5%)  (10% 3.5%) = RM4.9b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM4.9b ( 1 + 10%)10= RM1.9b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM3.1b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.8, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 28% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.023. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Construction market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad, we've put together three fundamental factors you should further examine:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Kerjaya Prospek Group Berhad you should know about. Future Earnings: How does KERJAYA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Its official: Andrew Warren is running. Now, does he have a chance?

At Tampas Martin Luther King Jr. Parade last year  a must-attend event for local pols  here came Suzy Lopez, Hillsboroughs state attorney, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after he booted Andrew Warren from the job in a political firestorm.

As Lopez handed out beads and waved to paradegoers, Warren was greeting crowds and posing for pictures just down the parade route. Warren, who was fighting his ouster in the courts, wore a T-shirt declaring himself Hillsborough State Attorney. Lopezs claim to the office was spelled out across her sun visor.

Now its official: Warren declared Tuesday he will try to wrest the job back from Lopez in the November election. Both candidates will claim to be the rightful officeholder for the position each wants to keep.

Warren, who previously announced he would not run, said he changed his mind after a recent favorable federal appeals court ruling.

Already the candidates are taking aim.

She walks into that building every day, pretending to be the acting state attorney, said Warren. Thats a slap in the face to the voters of Hillsborough County and an attack on the rule of law.

And from the Lopez campaigns senior strategist Ryan Smith: Warren is soft on crime and more concerned about experimenting with the law than upholding it.

Contrasting criminal justice visions

In his five years in office, Democrat Warren embraced alternatives to prosecution and enacted policies aimed at improving fairness in the justice system, correcting practices that burden the poor and guarding against prosecutorial mistakes.

Republican Lopez espouses a more traditional approach of tough prosecution. That includes pursuing cases for both major and minor crimes, seeking harsher consequences for criminals and stronger support of law enforcement.

Warrens philosophy made him a champion of progressives and caught the attention of the conservative Republican governor, who accused him of refusing to enforce the law.

Lopez, meanwhile, enjoys robust support from police, though she has received skepticism from the local African American community, among others. One of her first acts was to rescind a policy Warren enacted that discouraged prosecuting cases arising from police bicycle and pedestrian stops, a practice linked to racial disparities.

She got a chilled response when she spoke in March to the local NAACP, as first reported by WTSP-Channel 10.

You dont understand how law enforcement treats us, Yvette Lewis, president of the Hillsborough chapter, said at the meeting.

Lewis later told the Tampa Bay Times she was troubled that Lopez seemed to defer to law enforcement in making decisions.

We need someone to look at a case with two open eyes and not one, Lewis said. We all want to live in safe communities.

Tough on crime will no doubt resonate with many voters. Tom Gaitens, a Republican state committee person in Hillsborough, said now is a wonderful time to be the law-and-order candidate.

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a Democrat, said law enforcement is firmly in Suzys corner, and that will matter in this election.

Still, Warren is not unaware of the importance of a top prosecutor having an anti-crime attitude. The first bullet point on his campaign announcement touts a reduction in crime while he was in office.

I made promises and I kept those promises, he said.

Lopez has money. Warren has work to do.

Lopez, running since November, has both money and support.

As of this month, her campaign fundraising tally stands at almost a half-million dollars. Her supporters include Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister and former Tampa police Chief Brian Dugan, along with numerous prominent local lawyers.

But will that support translate to votes?

The people that know the players the best in races like this oftentimes are the worst ones to ask about whos going to win, said Tampa attorney Paul Sisco, who is supporting Lopez. Because we know what lawyers think and its such a small percentage of the Hillsborough vote. Youre far better off asking the folks on tractors in Plant City than the guys at the courthouse.

Buckhorn predicts voters in differing camps: the partisan camp that is going to vote Democrat or Republican; those that are so offended by how DeSantis removed Warren they will vote for him, and some of those may be Republicans; and those who think Suzy Lopez is doing a better job, he said.

He said its all about voter turnout, with issues including marijuana and abortion on the ballot expected to drive voters to the polls.

Notably, Warrens announcement includes a mention of a womans right to choose.

Will big money come in?

Immediately after he declared his candidacy Tuesday, Warren posted social media messages asking for donations through ActBlue, a national Democrat fundraising platform.

As a political newcomer in 2016, much of his financial backing came from outside Hillsborough County. Rumors circulated of support from billionaire philanthropist George Soros, who was known to have given to other progressive prosecutor candidates nationwide. Warren acknowledged in a 2020 interview that some of the money he received from the state Democratic party may have originated from Soros, but said he had little insight about that.

He had more local support when he won reelection over Republican Mike Perotti.

In an interview with the Times this week, Warren didnt elaborate on where he might draw financial help.

I think theres no doubt theres going to be national money in this race  people who dont like (DeSantis) will be bringing money in, said Mark Proctor, a local Republican campaign consultant who works on judicial races. On the other side, pro-DeSantis, there may be some money coming in.

Proctor predicted local lawyers supporting Lopez might now give money to Warren as well.

I think (Warrens) got an awful lot of support, said former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman, a Democrat.

Ione Townsend, chairperson of the Hillsborough Democratic Party, said Warrens late entry into the race may put him at a financial disadvantage. But she suspects his suspension may bolster the support he gets.

My sense is that this story did go national to some extent, she said. He worked in Washington. So I think that there will be some money coming from his connections from outside.

But I think the majority will come from Hillsborough County, she said.

Democrats hold a slight advantage over Republicans in Hillsborough in their number of registered voters. The years that Warren was in office saw the countys elections trending toward Democrats. That changed in 2022 when DeSantis handily won Hillsborough County in his race for reelection, with several local Republican candidates riding his coattails to victory. Now hes projecting Hillsborough will soon swing Republican.

Another factor that could influence the campaign is that Warren has an opponent in the Democratic primary: first-time candidate Elizabeth Martinez Strauss, a Tampa attorney and Democrat who got in the race when Warrens plans were uncertain. Strauss has said she will remain a candidate unless the courts reinstate Warren by Fridays qualifying deadline  an unlikely prospect.

DeSantis removal of Warren raised strong opinions

Prominent Tampa attorney Ralph Fernandez said he sent Warrens defense fund $10,000 the day after DeSantis suspended him.

I have known Suzy Lopez decades and she is a wonderful person, Fernandez said via email. But the rule of law governs and I proudly support Andrew and will help him regain his seat as the rightful choice of the people. My sign is up, my fundraising has started.

At Lopezs campaign kickoff last year, she told the crowd DeSantis had made one of the boldest moves in Florida political history by suspending Warren and appointing her.

From the crowd came a whistle. Well done! someone shouted.

How we got here

It all started in August 2022 with the governors surprise suspension of the twice-elected state attorney and former federal prosecutor. DeSantis pointed to statements Warren signed with other leaders around the nation pledging not to prosecute cases involving abortion or transgender health care. He also cited Warrens policies that discouraged prosecution of some low-level crimes.

DeSantis replaced him with Lopez, a longtime Tampa prosecutor and political ally.

Warren sued DeSantis in federal court, saying the suspension violated his free speech rights. He called it a political stunt by a governor then readying for a presidential run. A judge largely sided with Warren, but concluded he didnt have authority to restore him to office.

Warren appealed. In January, with the case still pending, he announced he wouldnt run for reelection because, he said, DeSantis would likely suspend him again if he won. Two days later, the appeals court ruled in Warrens favor, ordering the judge to reconsider the case  including the part about not having the power to put him back in office.

With the election qualifying deadline looming and the possibility of reinstatement, Warren announced he would indeed challenge Lopez.

The case has not been sent back to the judge for reconsideration. But it raises the possibility that Warren could be put back in office to serve out whatever is left of his term before the November election.

The race, Proctor predicted, is going to be fascinating.
This is not tolerant Paris, says official after French jogger spits at Moroccan influencer

Officials in Paris have scrambled to reassure visitors that their city does not condone misogyny or racism, after footage of an apparent racist attack on a Moroccan influencer went viral.

Fatima Saidi, 22, said a jogger spat on her hijab, in an apparent hate crime while she was wandering around the 7th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower with a friend on Wednesday.

In one of several videos of the incident, she catches up with the grey-haired Frenchman whom she says was responsible.

When she aims her camera phone in his direction, he spits a second time and gives her the finger, before running in the opposite direction and mumbling something inaudible under his breath.

I dont want him to get away with this. Im filled with rage, Im filled with impotence, Ms Saidi said in one of the videos.

Since it was posted on Thursday, one of the videos has been viewed 4.6 million times on TikTok alone.

It was Ms Saidis first trip to Paris from Spain, where she lives. She vowed not to let the man get away with his act of aggression, which she characterised as both racist and misogynist.

She said in the video: He doesnt know that he messed with the wrong girl. Im actually going to go report him now.

Against the spirit of tolerance

The incident drew reaction from Emmanuel Gregoire, one of the citys deputy mayors, who condemned the incident as both an attack against the Muslim religion and against women and said it was against the spirit of tolerance and openness which characterises Paris.

It was only the latest viral video from a foreign visitor to force French officials into damage control, months before the country hosts the Olympics, the biggest international event of the year.

In January, an American influencers TikTok video, France Made Me Cry, also went viral. Angela filmed herself in tears, complaining that her experience travelling solo in Lyon was isolating and that locals made her feel stupid for not knowing the culture and language.

A Beijing-born content creator from San Francisco who calls herself RealPhDFoodie on TikTok, she advised solo travellers against visiting Lyon.

This prompted the citys tourism office to extend a public invitation to arrange a new visit through them.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
One killed, another wounded in overnight shooting at Arlington club, police say

One man is dead and another wounded after a shooting early Sunday outside a gentlemans club, Arlington police said.

Police are investigating whether the accused shooter used self-defense.

Officers were sent to the 2700 block of Majesty Drive in Arlington, south of Interstate 30 and east of Texas 360, around 1:13 a.m. Sunday after reports of a shooting, according to a news release from Arlington police. There, they found a 30-year-old man and a 40-year-old man lying on the ground.

The 30-year-old was dead at the scene and the 40-year-old was wounded and is expected to survive, according to police. The suspected shooter remained at the scene and was detained by officers.

A gun was found near the 40-year-old.

Officers found the man who shot the other two men knew at least one of them, according to the release. After speaking with witnesses, investigators believe the 40-year-old victim knew the suspect and had previous conflicts with him. As the two were arguing in the parking lot outside the club, a third man got involved.

Shortly after, shots were fired, police wrote in the release.

The 30-year-old man who died was identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office as Abel Alberto Rodriguez, of Addison.

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Based on witness accounts and where the firearm was found, investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the shooting was done in self-defense, according to the release.

Arlington police spoke with the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office and no charges have yet been filed. The suspected shooter was not arrested.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.
One dead after driver crashes into unoccupied patrol car in Kane County chase

KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  One person is dead after a car chase ended in a crash with an unoccupied patrol car in Kane County on Saturday, according to the Dept. of Public Safety.

Police began the pursuit in Iron County, according to DPS. The chase continued to Highway 89 in Kane County, involving officers from multiple agencies.

Woman arrested, two teens airlifted after St. George scooter crash

During the chase, police successfully used tire spikes on the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 89 and SR-14.

The suspect reportedly continued driving south on Highway 89, where a Kane County Sheriffs Deputy had pulled to the side of the road to deploy another set of spikes.

The driver then crashed into the deputys unoccupied vehicle, according to DPS.

That individual died at the scene of the crash, officials said. The identity of the deceased has not been released at this time.

The incident is being investigated by the Iron, Garfield, Beaver and Kane County Protocol Team.

No further information is currently available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
JORDAN TOWNSHIP, LYCOMING COUNTY One woman is dead after a fatal fire in Lycoming County on Saturday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police say crews from Unityville, Millville, and Lairdsville responded to the 4000 block of State Route 239 just after 9:30 a.m. for a reported structure fire.

When on the scene, first responders said they believed someone was still inside the home but were unable to get inside due to the extent of the fire and the conditions of the home.

State police say a woman in her 70s was found deceased inside the residence.

Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals could not determine the cause of the fire, but it is believed that a wood stove may have contributed to it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Were only one week into the first criminal trial of Donald Trump, yet he and his MAGA allies are already intervening to identify and drive off the jury anyone they think could pose a risk to the former president.

At Fox News, host Jesse Watters has launched attacks on the jurors, saying at one point that any juror who says they can be unbiased in the case is a liar, and citing Trumps legal team as having uncovered potential jurors who were undercover activists. Trump himself quickly amplified Watters remarks (and as Lawrence ODonnell noted, partially altering Watters quote) on Truth Social  an action that risks violating Judge Juan Merchans gag order prohibiting attacks on jurors, potential witnesses and other people related to the case. A prosecutor in the case reportedly called his remark disturbing while saying that Trump did, in fact, violate the gag order.

None of this has stopped Watters, who continued attacking the jury Thursday evening after it was fully seated. Steve Bannon, set to face trial himself later in the year before Merchan over the We Build The Wall scheme, cited Watters remarks as a reason that Trumps team should move for an immediate mistrial.

Watters has gone further than merely making general complaints about jurors; his efforts may have contributed to a juror leaving the trial entirely. On Wednesday, Watters called out juror number 2, describing extensive details about her work and personal life. By the next morning, the juror noted in court, her friends and family seemingly had figured out she was a member of the jury, and she withdrew from the trial as a result.

Even as the prosecution accused Trump of violating the gag order, the former president continues to use his Truth Social platform as a conduit for these attacks. That generates more attention  at least within the right-wing bubble  for the platform, and encourages more MAGA personalities to suggest people invest their money in the platform, even though its fundamentals as a business are less than great. (Meanwhile, the platform notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it is giving shareholders advice on how to avoid having their stock loaned to short sellers.)

Well before the trial began, this Trump/MAGA feedback loop was pushing smears and attacks on Merchans family. And weve seen a full-on MAGA media meltdown about the trial supposedly being political persecution.

On the one hand, a lot of this information has been circulating online because of the public interest in the case  classic tabloid journalism. To that extent, Merchan has taken action to protect the jurors. And yes, its certainly inappropriate for the press covering a trial to essentially dox someone on the jury.

But the core issue here is that Trump and his media allies dont believe that they should have to be subject to the same legal system as the rest of us. Instead, theres a clear and concerted effort by MAGA forces to use media pressure to give Trump more preferential treatment, and to drive off any juror they believe poses a risk to Trump. Thats why Fox Corp. personality Clay Travis is happy to publicly urge the former presidents supporters to do everything you can to get on the jury and acquit Trump, regardless of the evidence at hand.

This coordinated attempt to use chaos to undermine public confidence in Trumps trial should be understood as part and parcel of Trump and his supporters attack on democracy  and their media allies are fully on board.

The banal truth is that the jury system is foundational to democracy; while not every court decision is perfectly just, no one is above the law. And when charged, defendants including Trump have a right to face a jury of their peers, which the system works to ensure is fair by providing tools to defendants and lawyers.

This is a historic trial, but not one that the legal system itself cannot handle. Look no further about what else happened after juror 2 was excused to confirm that: Another juror was excused after the prosecution raised questions about the credibility of his answers. Thats the system working.

At the heart of what Watters and Bannon are saying is that Trump deserves special treatment because of his political following. Without getting into the minutiae of jury selection in New York state, their claims are preposterous. Democracy  both at the polls and in the courtroom  is about ensuring fairness by giving citizens the right to participate in the process. We knew after Jan. 6 that Trump and his MAGA media allies disregarded the votes of people they disliked. We now know they oppose their right to participate in court, as well.

Even worse, this is a harbinger for the election. When Trumps team starts throwing around wild election claims like four years ago, theres no indication that anyone in the conservative media will get in the way  even Fox News, after its record settlement over claims about voting machines in the 2020 election.

So, buckle up: The Trump/MAGA media feedback loop is just getting started. There will be a lot more chaos to come, both in court and for the country.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
On a sunny January morning, in the windowless office of a nondescript government building, Jose Franco Gonzalez was sworn in as a United States citizen. There is not a lot of good news in immigration these days, with President Biden doubling down on proposals that would gut remaining asylum protections and former President Trump threatening mass deportations . But Francos story is a reminder that a better immigration system remains possible. His experience points toward a path for getting there.

Fourteen years ago, I met Franco in another windowless room. That room, less than a mile from where he would one day naturalize, was in an immigration jail. At the time, Franco had been imprisoned for nearly four and a half years after a judge found him incompetent to move forward in removal proceedings. I was a young lawyer providing free legal orientations at the jail. But Franco couldnt sign up to attend; he couldnt write his name. Instead, an immigration officer alerted me to his case.

At our first meeting, Francos skin was pale, nearly translucent, from years behind bars. He was almost nonverbal. Although 29 years old, because of a lifelong intellectual disability, he had the mental capacity of a young child, by some measures as young as 2 years old. We sat for nearly an hour together that day. I tried to draw out what information I could about his story: The arrest that landed him there? A rock thrown in a neighborhood fight led to a criminal sentence, after which federal authorities took him to an immigration jail. Who was his family? A tight clan of his parents and 12 siblings, most of whom were permanent residents and U.S. citizens. What was his legal status? He did not yet have papers, although his brother had filed a petition on his behalf years before. What was it that he hoped for? To get out and eat carnitas.

At the time, Franco was among hundreds, if not thousands, of people with serious mental disabilities detained in immigration custody, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch and the ACLU. Yet immigration authorities had no system for identifying people with such disabilities, and immigration courts had no process for providing them legal representation. Unlike in criminal cases, in which defendants have a right to an attorney, most people are forced to represent themselves in immigration courts against a trained government attorney.

Most individuals in Francos position were pushed through the system and deported without any recognition of their unique needs. In his case, an immigration judge recognized she couldnt provide a fair hearing because of his disability. But instead of appointing him counsel or ordering his release, she simply closed his case and sent him back to his jail cell, where he sat  without seeing a judge  for four and a half years. Francos immigration incarceration lasted nearly five times the length of his criminal sentence, cost more than $250,000 in taxpayer money, and wreaked immeasurable harm on a man who could not recall his birthday, much less understand what had happened to him.

After I met with Franco and his family, who desperately wanted him home, immigration authorities still refused to release him. Instead, they restarted his removal proceedings. We sued. That lawsuit, filed in March 2010, led to Francos immediate release. He has since thrived  living with his family again in Orange County and participating daily in a community-based program that helps adults with developmental disabilities learn vocational and social skills.

The suit also eventually led to a groundbreaking decision that established a right to legal representation for immigrants with serious mental disabilities in immigration custody who are found incompetent to represent themselves. Although the courts 2013 decision applied only in California, Washington and Arizona, in its wake the federal government rolled out a nationwide legal representation program . To date, more than 2,500 people throughout the country have received counsel through the National Qualified Representative Program.

As a new generation of advocates emerges, I am always startled to find how many begin their careers as self-described Franco attorneys. Indeed, among the few bright spots of the Senate border security bill that failed in February was a provision that would codify in the immigration statute the right to appointed counsel for those deemed incompetent (albeit with many of the Franco courts protections watered down).

No system is perfect, and this one is no exception. There remain significant gaps in screening and identification, competency assessments are often done by judges without the aid of professional mental health evaluations, and people still languish in immigration custody for months or longer as their cases wind through the system. And, to our collective shame, the right to legal representation has not been extended to any other groups in immigration proceedings, including children . Still, there is no question that Francos namesake litigation not only changed the course of his own life, but also created a sea change in an immigration system that often feels impossible to move toward justice.

The next positive changes may be harder to win in the courtroom, and almost certainly wont come from the halls of this Congress. But the Biden administration has the power to make good on its promise of a more humane immigration system, including by extending the National Qualified Representative Program to other groups, among them children and families. No court order or act of Congress is required to do so, just political will. And, of course, dollars: Diverting from the nearly $3 billion spent annually on immigration detention is a good place to start.

States and localities can also play a crucial role in expanding legal representation as well as other protections in the face of federal gridlock. And immigrant organizing , especially among youth, will continue to break open new paths for change. As we head into another election cycle in which the demonization of immigrants and the failures of our current system take center stage, Franco  now a U.S. citizen  is living proof that a better immigration system is possible.

Talia Inlender is deputy director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A playful and beloved ostrich named Karen has died after eating keys belonging to an employee at a Kansas zoo, officials say.

Karen, a vibrant and beloved ostrich, tragically succumbed to complications arising from consuming a foreign object, the Topeka Zoo said in an April 19 Facebook post.

Karen was a relatively new addition, having joined the zoo a little more than a year ago, in March 2023, the zoo said. Despite this, she quickly made an impression on staff and visitors.

Karen was known for her water loving habits, like swimming in the pool, playing in the sprinkler, and, best of all, being our dancing queen! officials said. Zoo guests and staff alike formed deep connections with her, captivated by her playful antics.

Karens untimely passing comes after she swallowed a set of keys, the zoo said. The bird was inside her exhibit when she reached past a fence, snatched the keys and immediately swallowed them.

The zoo consulted with experts about surgical and non-surgical options to help Karen, but these efforts were unsuccessful.

We are devastated by the loss of Karen, Fawn Moser, Interim Director of the Topeka Zoo, said. She was not just an animal; she was a beloved member of our community. Our thoughts are with our dedicated animal care team, who formed deep bonds with Karen during her time with us.

Following Karens death, the zoo will be strengthening safety measures for its animals, officials said.

The circumstances surrounding Karens passing serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of vigilance and care in maintaining the safety of our animal inhabitants, staff said.

Many commenters offered condolences to the zoos staff, and thanked them for being open about Karens cause of death.

The Topeka Zoo extends its deepest gratitude to the community for their outpouring of support during this difficult time, officials said.

Topeka is a roughly 60-mile drive west of Kansas City.

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The Metropolitan Police in London face accusations that they capitulated to radical pro-Hamas activists last weekend by threatening to arrest a British Jew because his presence was deemed provocative to a mob of anti-Israel protesters.

A shocking video published by the British Campaign Against Antisemitism from the pro-Hamas and anti-Israel march shows a Metropolitan Police officer ordering Gideon Falter, the CEO of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, not to cross a street because of his "openly Jewish" appearance. Falter was returning from a Saturday synagogue service and was wearing a kippah, or skullcap.

The London cop even threatened Falter with arrest. He accused Falter of "a breach of peace with all these other people." Falter was with five other people, some of whom were also wearing skullcaps.

LONDON IS THE WORLDS MOST ANTISEMITIC CITY, SAYS ISRAELI MINISTER

Falter told Fox News Digital, "What happened to me was a disgrace. Imagine what it felt like to be told by police officers that being quite openly Jewish would antagonize people, and so I must leave the area on pain of arrest."

Critics have argued that the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, is incapable of imposing order on the streets of London and there are now growing calls for his dismissal.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The time has come for Sir Mark Rowley to go. He must resign or be removed by the mayor of London and the Home secretary," Falter said.

Falter continued, "Nearly a week after the incident, Sir Marks assistant commissioner issued a statement calling my presence provocative and saying that by making public what had happened, I had put a dent in the confidence of many Jewish Londoners.'"

Falter said, "The ensuing outrage forced the Met to apologize yet again. This time, it was for their appalling, abject victim blaming, which had come from the top and showed that after six months, Sir Marks Met still does not get it and is not about to improve unless there is a change of leadership."



Falter continued, "What happened to me was the inevitable conclusion of six months of inertia and contextualizing crimes away by a Met that has curtailed the rights of law-abiding Londoners in order to appease mobs rife with anti-Jewish racists and terrorist sympathizers."

PRINCE WILLIAM DENOUNCES ANTISEMITISM AMID SOARING RATES OF ABUSE AT LONDON SYNAGOGUE

Rowley told Fox News Digital, "Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city in which everyone feels safe. We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel. Some of our actions have increased this concern. I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week. Today, as with every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality."

In a Sunday article published in the Times of London, Falter wrote, "The march came towards us and after a few minutes the crowd got thicker, people stopping and shouting abuse at us: Disgusting, lock them up, Nazis, scum, There were people there, right there, who were expressing as loudly as they could how much they hated me for looking Jewish, and not a single person was saying: You shouldnt do that, or I disapprove."

Falter wrote that the Metropolitan Police have created a "no-go zone" for Jews in central London, adding it is now a "police-enforced Jew-free zone."

Falter told Fox News Digital that Rowleys "failure to curtail the marches by using his powers under the Public Order Act 1986 has made it impossible to bring them under control and police them properly. As a direct result of that failure, countless antisemitic hate crimes and terrorism offenses have been perpetrated in broad daylight on our streets during marches, and those responsible have walked free as his vastly outnumbered officers are powerless to intervene and some frontline officers have even been hospitalized."

LONDON POLICE OFFICER SPARKS OUTRAGE AFTER SUGGESTING SWASTIKAS SHOULD BE 'TAKEN INTO CONTEXT' TO JEWISH WOMAN

The former British home secretary, Suella Braverman, who previously urged the police to ban the pro-Hamas marches, called for Rowleys resignation in a Sunday Telegraph article. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired the outspoken Braverman after her calls for the need to rein in the mass antisemitic spectacles unfolding in London.

She wrote in the Sunday Telegraph, "Either this is gross incompetence, or its a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way."

Braverman continued, "If the marches are so peaceful, why was an openly Jewish man stopped from walking near them? Despite the apology and then the apology for the apology, the truth is chilling. Over the past six months, weve seen failure after failure by the Met."

She said, "If the Met commissioner is incapable of or unwilling to ensure that his officers enforce the law, and [London Mayor] Sadiq Khan is happy with the soft approach to the hate marches, then the prime minister needs to get a grip."

Fox News Digital reported last month that Israels minister tasked with combating antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, termed London the "worlds most antisemitic city."

UN NEWSLETTER EXPOSED FOR SHARING WAYS TO PROTEST IN US AGAINST ISRAEL ON TAX DAY

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the associate dean of the LA-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, told Fox News Digital that Londons "Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has made numerous positive statements against antisemitism, has contributed to an environment where British Jewish taxpayers are viewed as more of a threat to public order than pro-Hamas campaigners."

Cooper, an international expert on antisemitism, added that the persecution of Falter "reflects the failure at the top from the police department and mayor." He urged the mayor and the police to "talk less, and act decisively before it is too late."

A spokesperson for Khan told Fox News Digital last month, "The mayor speaks with members of the Jewish community regularly, and despite their ongoing and real concerns, most dont agree with the extent of the language used by the minister The mayor continues to reiterate that with tensions running high, all Londoners have to be conscious of the language we use and how our actions make others feel  not inflaming divisions, but bringing communities together."

The British Home Office  the equivalent of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security  said, "We welcome the Mets apology, and recognize the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish  or of any other race or religion  should never be seen as provocative."





Original article source: Outrage at pro-Hamas protest as London cop threatens man with arrest for 'openly Jewish' appearance
Attorney General Kris Kobach sent a letter to Bank of America demanding it stop de-banking individuals and organizations because of their political or religious stances.

De-banking refers to banks limiting financial services for people or firms if theyre perceived to be in financial, legal, regulatory or reputational risk to the bank.

Kobach said BOA discriminates against groups for political or religious reasons, pointing to its denial of services for organizations that work in firearms, fossil fuels, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement contractors, and private prisons. He also pointed to BOA cancelling existing accounts with conservative accounts.

Your discriminatory behavior is a serious threat to free speech and religious freedom, is potentially illegal, and is causing political and regulatory backlash. Your bank needs to be transparent with and assure us, its shareholders, and others that it will not continue to de-bank customers for their speech or religious exercise, Kobach wrote.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach made several demands of Bank of America in a letter co-signed by 14 other attorneys general.

BOA denied Kobach's charges, saying that religious beliefs aren't a factor in any account-closing decision.

"We are proud to provide banking services to non-profit organizations affiliated with diverse faith communities throughout the United States," a BOA spokesperson told the Capital-Journal.

Who got 'de-banked?'

Kobach highlighted the cancelation of services for two Christian organizations that train ministers to serve and evangelize in developing countries.

In 2020, BOA informed Timothy Two Project International that it canceled their account after nine years. In 2023, Memphis-based Indigenous Advance  which collaborates with Ugandan ministries to provide goods and services to impoverished Ugandans  also got notice that their accounts were being canceled. The services of a church that donated to Indigenous Advance also were canceled.

In both instances, BOA told the organizations that they were operating a business type that theyve chosen not to service, and for Indigenous Advance that it doesnt align with the banks risk tolerance. In later statements, BOA said Indigenous Advance was collecting debt and operating outside of the United States, which is against its policies.

"Our U.S. division that serves small businesses doesnt offer banking services to organizations that provide debt collection services for a variety of risk-related considerations and doesnt serve small businesses operating outside the United States," the BOA spokesperson said.

Kobach called the cancelling of Indigenous Advance particularly troubling, because a year before a different financial institution, JP Morgan Chase, refused to provide services for Sam Brownbacks National Committee for Religious Freedom unless it disclosed donor information.

Story continues

Sam Brownback, former ambassador at-large to the U.S. office of international religious freedom and 46th governor of Kansas, saw his organization's banking service with JP Morgan Chase terminated.

Is de-banking illegal?

The letter says that BOAs cancelling accounts of religious institutions could run afoul of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, which bars religious discrimination in credit applications and home loans. There are also state-level fair-lending laws that de-banking could violate.

Financial institutions set the stage for politicized de-banking by adopting vague and subjective reputational risk policies and prohibitions on hate that are susceptible to abuse, Kobach wrote.

Kobach cites an 8% score from the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index to support the anti-conservative bias present in BOAs policies. That metric is created by executives at the conservative think-tank Alliance Defending Freedom and doesnt assign a single company a score higher than 50%. BOAs score is just two points lower than that of Fox News, the largest conservative news outlet in the country.

Kobach also singled out DEI trainings that encourage employees to be woke at work as ways conservatives could be excluded from BOA services.

These examples, and the de-banking stories above, strongly suggest that Bank of America is not just occasionally canceling groups under questionable circumstances. Instead, it appears to be systematically punishing religious and political views with which it disagrees, Kobach wrote.

Demands from Kobach and others

Kobach and the 14 other AGs demanded that BOA provide them with a written report about their account cancellation policies, participate in the aforementioned Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index, support shareholder proposals protecting religious and political diversity, and update their terms of service to state they dont discriminate on the basis of religious or political views or speech.

Though there are laws protecting religious groups from discrimination, they dont extend to political beliefs. But across the aisle there are politicians that also have raised concerns about de-banking.

In February, U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley sent letters to the four largest U.S. banks asking them to prevent discrimination against de-banking targeting Muslim Americans.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Bank of America is discriminating against conservatives: Kris Kobach
PA girl chastises school board for not heeding warning about student with hit list before gruesome attack

PA girl chastises school board for not heeding warning about student with hit list before gruesome attack

A Pennsylvania girl spoke at a school board meeting and described witnessing a 13-year-old student brutally assault a classmate with a Stanley cup in their school cafeteria last week, saying that she had warned the school of the students alleged "hit list" hours before the bloody attack.

The student addressed the school board during a public comment section of the North Penn School District meeting on Thursday, a day after a student allegedly came up behind the 12-year-old victim in the cafeteria of Pennbrook Middle School and repeatedly hit her on the head with the metal cup.

"I dont get how you couldnt have stopped it," the child said. "It was five hours from when I told you it was going to happen and when it happened. It was five full hours. I dont get how you couldnt have stopped it."

She said she spoke to a counselor about the accused students alleged "hit list," on which she said she was also included, but said she was told, "Dont worry, its not going to happen; we have it under control."

MICHIGAN GRANDMOTHER HELPED HER GRANDDAUGHTER BEAT UP ANOTHER STUDENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BATHROOM: OFFICIALS

"But clearly you didnt," she told the school board.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Surveillance video of the incident viewed by FOX29 Philadelphia showed the 12-year-old victims head bleeding. She was taken to a hospital after the alleged assault with serious injuries.

The student went on to describe to the school board how students began "screaming and running" when the incident unfolded.

She said she heard "these terrible loud bangs of the Stanley bouncing off her [classmate's] head" and saw the accused student grab the victim's hair and begin "hitting her against the table."

JUDGE DISMISSES 2 FELONY CHARGES AGAINST ALLEGED WOULD-BE MINNESOTA COLLEGE SHOOTER

The child described how there was "blood going everywhere," an image that she cannot stop thinking about.

"And we had to watch them take her out with blood dripping down her face," she told the school board. "And I will never forget that. Laying in bed last night I just kept repeating it in my head."

A student at Pennbrook Middle School could face charges following an alleged unprovoked attack on a classmate last week.

Both students and parents who spoke during the meeting questioned why students were kept in the cafeteria for 28 minutes and watched the blood get cleaned up from the tables and floor.

"We shouldnt have had to sit there and just watch them clean up her blood with the mop," the student said. "Watch her repeatedly yelling that Im going to murder you, and just hitting her with the Stanley."

Students and parents questioned the school board during a meeting on Thursday about why the school appeared not to act after warnings leading up to the alleged attack.

School officials sent a note to parents on Wednesday night, saying that resources would be available to students who witnessed the incident and the principal planned to meet with the students Thursday to discuss the incident.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Despite parents questioning the school board officials about the latest incident, prior incidents and security measures at the school, North Penn School Board Director Christian Fusco said the district is unable to comment at this time because of "everyones due process rights and the law."





Original article source: PA girl chastises school board for not heeding warning about student with hit list before gruesome attack
South Carolina residents could soon lose access to adult websites. Specifically, Pornhub.

Lawmakers intentions to protect children online from pornography and social media sites could have unintended consequences, such as blocking adult access, and raising several legal issues. But with only three weeks left in the 2024 session, questions remain relating to the legislation, how it would work, and if it would be challenged.

H. 3424, a bill that would require adult websites to ensure their users are over the age of 18 with third-party verification sites, has been coupled in a Senate committee with a law requiring parental consent for anyone under 18 to be on social media. Both have passed the House.

The issue starts with the national conversation surrounding childrens safety online. In South Carolina, multiple bills have been proposed to restrict content, one even to stop AI generated images such as deepfakes.

Across the aisle, there is a great concern that children are exposed to a high degree of unregulated information, whether it be accidentally or intentionally. The question is where, and when, the government should step in, but also, how would these proposed rules even work?

Pornography restrictions have passed in seven states, including North Carolina and Texas, that require adult sites containing pornography or inappropriate material to use third-party identifiers to ensure the users are over 18-years of age.

However, in each of these states, sites like Pornhub cease to be allow access once the law passed. Pornhub gets more global users than Amazon or Netflix. In Utah, Mississippi and Virginia, users who visit the site are greeted with a safe-for-work video of Cherie DeVille (a porn actor), clothed, explaining the sites decision to pull out of the state.

In other states, the website doesnt show at all. If the bill passes, it is unclear if South Carolina could have the same outcome, but even before this occurs, lawmakers are concerned that the bill itself raises serious legal ramifications.

Legal challenges: Privacy and first amendment protection

Only one of 124 members of the House made a case against the bill Jan. 31 on the floor. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, said he was absolutely not OK that a parent in South Carolina could not consent for their minor to be able to access pornographic material.

As a parent, if my child is 17-years-old, I have the ability, if my child wants to serve this country and choose to be willing to die at 17 for freedom, I can consent to them joining the armed forces, but you mean to tell me as a parent, I cant consent to saying, hey son, rather than you run around out here trying to be promiscuous in the streets, running the risk of getting someone pregnant, running the risk of getting an STD or whatever it may be, I cant consent under this to letting you watch porn at home. I have a problem with that, Bamberg said.

Bamberg did, however, bring up a point that would later be contested in Senate committees among testimonial from legal experts and First Amendment organizations surrounding the bill.

Whether you are 16, 18, 22, 37 or 60 years old, if you want to access a pornographic site, you would have to go through the verification system. It applies to everyone.

This sparked the question; who then knows youre using one of these sites?

All of these verification methods, not a single one of the them is controlled by the state of South Carolina, Bamberg said on the House floor.

Greg Gonzalez, legislative counsel for FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), said people often forget that in order to identify age, you have to actually identify an individual. This forces people to do away with their anonymity online. In the bill, digital ID is brought up as a solution.

Thats certainly a difficult proposition for any company to do, Gonzalez said. The threat of peoples anonymity being leaked online is a huge concern.

Gonzalez said there are multiple examples where people assume their data is safe and then it is leaked. Some agencies have more security than others. Gonzalez also said he had heard of concerns from those in the technology industry surrounding the fact that it is possible to get around age verification systems.

Data leaks are present in the U.S. when it comes to withholding an individuals information. There were 2116 reported US data breaches and leaks in the first nine months of 2023, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).

Ken Moffit, a legal counsel who came to speak with Senate members about the pornography bill, said pornography is protected speech under the First Amendment. While there is room to restrict children from seeing it, the age verification piece poses restrictions to their First Amendment rights, he said.

The idea is that the age verification could place a chilling effect on adults in their ability or their desire to access pornography, Moffit said. So in that respect, it could restricts access, or it provides a chilling effect on someone who is allowed to access this material.

Moffit clarified that it would be a state approved app as the third-party identifier to be used, as what is written in the bill. The state would simultaneously be providing an access point to pornography, he said, but also potentially collecting data on who is using it, he added.

With First Amendment and protected speech issues, the government must have a compelling interest, which protecting children is, but the law must be the least restrictive as possible, Moffit said.

There are a lot of states that have passed something similar to this, or have some sort of age verification process thats similar, Moffit said. I wanted to make sure that the subcommittee knew that moving forward with this, it does implicate the First Amendment. It could be something that is struck down today.

Despite the concerns, lawmakers across the board in both the House and Senate agreed the legislation was worth pushing for.

This issue is very complex, Sen. Sean Bennett, R-Dorchester, said Thursday in the Senate subcommittee. People in this room recognize that my default position is typically less government interference and regulations the better, but those values, those beliefs have been challenged in the world that we live in today.

Sometimes, in my opinion, we pass legislation with an effort to conform with existing case law and making sure its constitutional. In other cases where the constitutional law is uncertain or in flux, the only way you bring certainty to it is by passing legislation that is then challenged in courts, Tom Davis said Thursday in the full committee. In my opinion, we ought not be deterred by the fact that it might be challenged, or certainly will be challenged. But again, I think thats part of our role as a legislature, is to make policy decisions, and then let the federal courts do their role in applying the constitution to it.

The pornography bill passed out of the Senate full committee and will be moving to the floor for discussion. The social media bill is still in subcommittee.
New parking fees are being charged at a parking lot across from Multnomah Falls that often causes congestion by a company that is using the revenue to fund free shuttles to the popular site.

The company behind new parking fees for a notoriously busy lot across from Multnomah Falls said their plan will make the Columbia River Gorge safer, even as visitors complain and federal officials are reviewing its legality.

Last week Sasquatch Shuttles, which provides rides and tours in the gorge, installed payment machines that require up to $20 per space in the lot along the historic highway that often overflows on busy days. The company leases the parking lot from owners Union Pacific Railroad.

The new fees brought immediate anger from hikers and visitors, who previously parked for free. It also brought questions from the U.S. Forest Service and Multnomah County, which said the payment machines had not been permitted and placed the move under review.

Its just the latest saga in the gorges waterfall corridor, which in recent years has seen multiple attempts to address the gridlock that often unfolds on spring weekends and summer days at one of Oregons most popular attractions.

Realted Columbia Gorge highway timed-entry waterfall corridor permits wont return in 2023

The parking lot for Multnomah Falls off Interstate 84 remains unchanged  its free now with a $2 timed entry permit in place May 24 to Sept. 2. The parking lot in question is the one between the I-84 lot and the falls.

Sasquatch Shuttles says theyre offering a better way forward

The co-owner of Sasquatch Shuttles is Kent Krumpschmidt, a former deputy for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office who worked in the gorge before starting the business.

He said the new payments at the Multnomah lot are designed to reduce congestion and encourage visitors to park just up the road at the larger Bridal Veil Falls parking lot. That parking lot costs $5 and includes a free shuttle to Multnomah Falls.

Right now, the congestion in front of Multnomah Falls is a major safety risk  its so packed that ambulances cant get through and people are just stuck in their cars, Krumpschmidt said. Were trying to reduce that by actually doing something. Our free shuttle from Bridal Veil will allow more people to visit Multnomah Falls than before and in a much better way. No more waiting for parking spots or in traffic congestion. Were not making a killing off this and are reinvesting it into our service and employees.

Those who chose to park in the small Multnomah Falls lot would pay $20 on peak days, but that price would be smaller during quieter time periods. They would not be required to get a $2 timed entry permit.

Krumpschmidt, who said the company employs 25, said it patrols both of its parking lots to reduce car break ins.

We believe this is a better long-term solution, he said. The way it is now is not sustainable.

Forest Service reviewing legality

The Forest Service, which manages the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, said the new payment machines were under review. They have not been permitted and this type of action typically requires approval, deputy forest supervisor Nick Granum said.

He stressed the Forest Service was not involved and the company could be asked to take the pay machines down.

He said both the Forest Service and Multnomah County were reviewing it, and expect to have a decision soon.

Its a novel situation, Granum said. We want everyone to be safe and reduce congestion, but it is an activity in a scenic area that does require a permit, and they dont have one.

Krumpschmidt disagreed, saying that according to his lawyers, the way the law reads, we believe our payment machines dont require a permit.

He also said they had been in conversation with the Forest Service for over a year on the machines and is trying to keep everything above board.

Explore Oregon Podcast: The ballad of beloved Oneonta Gorge, closed since 2017

Hikers not happy

The discovery of the new parking fees brought a buzzsaw of anger and confusion on social media.

Multiple hikers called it a money grab and complained about the complications of additional parking fees and permits in the area.

Matt Wastradowski, who has written guidebooks featuring the Columbia Gorge, said he had mixed feelings.

On one hand, this might reduce or eliminate the mileslong bottlenecks that develop there, he said. On the other hand, visitors are now paying a private vendor $20 to park in a lot that was previously free to the public. Its a tough situation with some pretty strong feelings.

Krumpschmidt said his company would "pivot as needed and is open to comments," he said.

"I understand how people feel  it used to be free. But thing change and this area is way too populated. We live here in the gorge and we're trying to reduce congestion at an inexpensive cost, that's really our biggest goal."

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Hikers angry over parking fees in Columbia gorge near Multnomah Falls
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson showed political courage that is rare in Washington and notable legislative skill for an inexperienced leader in forcing a long-delayed $60 billion aid bill for Ukraine through the House of Representatives on Saturday.

Johnson put his own job in extreme peril to stand up for a democratic nation victimized by an unprovoked invasion by Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and to bolster Americas leadership of the West. His actions could save thousands of Ukrainian lives, even if Russias determination to win a bloody war in which it is targeting civilians shows no sign of fading.

Johnsons support for the bill followed a period of self-examination and a political evolution that is also unusual in the hyperpolarized Capitol. One of his senior colleagues in the House said the transformation involved prayer by the devout Louisiana hardline conservative, who expressed a wish to be on the right side of history.

Johnsons piloting of the bill through the House, after months of bitter infighting that split the GOP, saw him side with the diminished internationalist Ronald Reagan wing of his party while turning his back on the America First faction where he previously made his political home.

Johnson argued that without the United States continuing its arms and ammunition lifeline to Ukraine, Russia could score a victory that would prompt it to march deeper into Europe, drawing the US into another world war. He said a failure to act would bolster the emerging de facto axis of totalitarianism between Russia, Iran and China. Two other bills that Johnson shepherded through the House in a rare Saturday session will also send new aid to Israel and Taiwan, reinforcing other vital US national security goals in two other world hot spots. Johnsons decisions also preserved and prolonged the central planks of President Joe Bidens foreign policy less than seven months before he seeks reelection. Classified briefings by US covert agencies appear to have played a major role in his shift in thinking  another factor likely to anger Make America Great Again Republicans who view the intelligence community as a deep state that targets ex-President Donald Trump.

But Johnson argued the international situation is so grave that the House had no choice, warning that Russia, China and Iran are a global threat to our prosperity and our security. Their advance threatens the free world, and it demands American leadership. (If) we turn our backs right now, the consequences could be devastating.

Praise from Zelensky, but Johnson has severed his ties with MAGA Republicans

The significance of the remarkable events on a charged floor of the House was underscored by a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had spent months warning he could lose the war if US help already worth tens of billions of dollars dried up. I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track, he wrote on his Telegram channel. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it.

CNNs Frederik Pleitgen reported from Ukraine on Saturday that US aid could quickly start funneling into the country  assuming the Senate signs off on the bill, as expected. Zelenskys forces especially need anti-aircraft missiles and new air defense systems to counter growing Russian air superiority and an expanding assault on civilian and energy infrastructure targets. Ukrainian soldiers fighting in grim trench warfare conditions have meanwhile been rationing bullets and artillery. The House vote will also offer a vitally needed boost of morale as the vicious war has turned against Ukraine in recent months.

Johnsons actions, however, represented a flagrant challenge to the populist base of the Republican Party, which is adamantly against more Ukraine aid; hews closer to Putin than Zelensky; and views Americas traditional leadership of the West as propping up globalist policies antithetical to US interests. This seam of opinion is hugely influential in the GOP and has been harnessed over the years by Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. And 112 Republicans  a majority of the conference  voted against the Ukraine bill. Millions of Americans share the ex-presidents worldview that Americas allies  who pleaded with Johnson not to abandon Ukraine  are freeloading off its defense umbrellas and that the US should take a much narrower view of its international obligations. They dont believe that Ukraine is Americas fight and warn that standing up to Russia could lead to World War III.

Johnson is also increasingly vulnerable: In passing the Ukraine bill, he repudiated the demand of right-wing Republicans to use the aid as leverage to force the Biden administration to introduce hardline policies at the US-Mexico border. In this, however, he was undercut by his own side. The president had previously agreed to many of the GOPs demands in the most conservative immigration bill in years  but Trumps allies in the House killed the measure, apparently to deprive Biden of a win on an issue that the ex-president sees as his path back to the White House. That move  which deprived Johnsons tiny majority of a significant policy win  taken together with the use of Democratic votes to pass Saturdays Ukraine measure reflects the utter disarray in a Republican Party that is at war with itself. The optics turned even more perilous for Johnson when Democrats waved Ukrainian flags on the House floor, creating a scene that is already going viral among conservatives on social media and that the speaker was quick to condemn.

Johnsons position is still far from safe

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vehement opponent of funding Ukraines war effort, warned after the vote that Johnson was a lame duck, though she did not trigger the vote on ousting him that she had threatened in an attempt to thwart the Ukraine bill. Greene slammed Johnson for funding what she called Americas murder industry by supporting foreign wars and warned, Its unbelievable. Im thankful that America gets to see who this man is.

The Georgia hardliner is one of at least three Republicans who have said they will support a move to oust Johnson  whose majority is so slim he cannot afford to lose any Republicans on a party-line vote and would likely need the support of Democrats to remain speaker.

Greene predicted fury among grassroots Republicans as lawmakers return home for a short recess after Johnson also worked to pass vital spending bills that funded the government  in what Greene says is a betrayal of GOP voters. She may be correct in her analysis, and a slow buildup of pressure may represent Johnsons biggest vulnerability.

Still, there were also signs even among Republicans disappointed with Johnson of no appetite for another debacle that would likely unfold in seeking a new speaker so close to elections. If Johnson has correctly read the mood of those members, he may survive in a display of political dexterity that few observers expected to see after he was elevated to the speakership from the backbenches in October as almost the last resort after better-known figures failed to amass a majority after Speaker Kevin McCarthys ouster. But his chances of staying in his post if the GOP wins in November still seem slim. Nevertheless, in passing aid to Israel and Ukraine, Johnson may have provided a service to vulnerable freshmen Republicans in swing districts whose victories in the 2022 midterms paved the way to their partys control of the House. One of their number, Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York, told CNNs Manu Raju that after speaking with his constituents, It is clear to me that there are moments in time where we must do the right thing, and today we did that.

Questions over Trumps role

One intriguing question Saturday was the position of Trump  a longtime antagonist of Zelensky and mentor of Greene, whose pressure on Kyiv to investigate Biden caused Trumps first impeachment. Johnson traveled to Mar-a-Lago to see Trump recently and bolstered the ex-presidents false claims of election fraud in an apparent bid to shore up his own position. The ex-president, who has long genuflected to Putin, stayed on the sidelines of the Ukraine debate. It remains unclear whether he was seeking to preserve his options in the event he is the next commander in chief and wants to follow through with his vow to end the war in Ukraine. Or perhaps Trump was preoccupied with his own political goals  and his first criminal trial ahead of opening arguments on Monday.

With the GOP in uproar following Saturdays vote, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say whether his party will back Johnson if Greene and her allies seek to unseat him with a maneuver known as a motion to vacate. Even if Democrats save Johnson as payback for the passage of the aid bills  a key Biden priority  a long-term effort to keep him in office seems unlikely. The speaker may be the most conservative person to hold the job in modern US history, and many Democrats disdain his efforts to promote Trumps election-fraud falsehoods. And any Republican speaker propped up by Democrats might hemorrhage support among GOP lawmakers and be forced to resign.

There was, however, grudging support among some Democrats for the speaker. Rep Mike Quigley, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, was asked whether he had new respect for Johnson. I guess I do, the Illinois Democrat said. The old adage is Its never too late to do the right thing. We tested that, Quigley added. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised both Johnson and Jeffries, saying, I know it was a difficult road, but the House is on the right side of history for approving this bill.

Americas enemies, including Putin, had been betting that US political divisions  exacerbated by past Russian election interference  would mean that the US would be unable to protect its traditional interests on the world stage. But Johnson put those assumptions on hold, even if the long-term prospects for continued US support for Ukraine and traditional leadership of the West look dim if Trump wins in November.

But House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, a Texas Republican who previously revealed Johnson had prayed for guidance, said the speaker showed true leadership. He said, I want to be on the right side of history. And I think he will be. And again, I think putting the nation above himself, its a real profile in courage, what he did.

As the debate over Ukraine aid peaked, McCaul had drawn analogies between the US posture toward Putin and Britains appeasement of Nazi Germany under one prime minister and the stalwart resistance of his successor. As we deliberate on this vote, you have to ask yourself this question: Am I Chamberlain or Churchill? he said.

The accidental speaker makes an unlikely Churchill, but on Saturday he proved to be a far more daring and substantial figure than many of his Republican and Democratic critics previously believed.

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Pentagon chief says Ukraine aid package contributes to US security

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has welcomed the House of Representatives' adoption of a package of bills containing aid for Ukraine, saying it makes "America more secure".

Source: Pentagon website, citing Austin

Quote: "I welcome the passage of the critical national security supplemental, which will help the Department of Defense support Ukraine and Israel, bolster security in the Indo-Pacific, and stand firm with our Allies and partners around the world."

"This legislation will make America more secure and save lives."

Details: Austin noted that this legislation is a significant investment in America's future, as it directs about US$50 billion to the US defence industry, creates jobs in more than 30 US states, and bolsters its long-term security.

Quote: "We have seen yet again that the troubles of our times will only worsen without strong, steady U.S. leadership to advance our core security interests.

The world is still watching.

Lives are still on the line. America's long-term security is still at stake.

We must never give our friends, our rivals, or our foes any reason to doubt America's resolve."

Background: The US House of Representatives approved a bill to provide about US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine.

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Pentagon says US may send additional military advisers to Ukraine

The US is considering sending extra military advisers to the embassy in Kyiv, showcasing the latest manifestation of US support for Ukraine as Russia is seemingly gaining momentum in the "two-year conflict".

Source: Politico, citing Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder and US officials

Quote: "Throughout this conflict, the DOD [Department of Defense] has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country, as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisers to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy."

Details: Ryder said the advisers will not engage in combat missions but rather advise and support the Ukrainian government and military.

The ODC "performs a variety of advisory and support missions (non-combat), and while it is staffed exclusively by DOD personnel, it is embedded within the US Embassy, under Chief of Mission authority like the rest of the Embassy," Ryder added.

The Pentagon has not indicated a specific number of personnel "for operational security and force protection reasons".

The additional contingent would support logistics and oversight of the weapons the US is sending to Ukraine, as noted by four US officials and a person familiar with the plans, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

The new US contingent will also assist the Ukrainian military in weapons maintenance.

The Politico sources added that the number of additional US military personnel deployed to Ukraine will reach up to 60.

The Politico source said one of the military advisers' tasks will involve helping Ukrainians plan the maintenance of sophisticated equipment provided by the US, as the fighting is expected to escalate in the summer.

They will also support the relatively small contingent at the US Embassy in Kyiv and coordinate new arms shipments when a supplemental bill in Congress becomes law, allowing more weapons and equipment to be provided to Ukraine.

Background: The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to provide about US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine.

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Edsaul Mendoza now faces a prison sentence of up to 40 years

Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, File The scene of the shooting in Philadelphia on March 1, 2022

Former Philadelphia cop Edsaul Mendoza has pleaded guilty to murder in the death of 12-year-old Thomas "TJ" Siderio.

Mendoza pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime as part of a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, according to WPVI-TV, NBC10 Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

[We] agreed that if he pled to third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime, we would move to dismiss the remaining charges, Chief Prosecutor Clarke Beljean told NBC10 Philadelphia.

Mendozas attorney Charles Gibbs did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment, though he told NBC 10 Philadelphia that he was not in a position to give a statement at this time."

Related: Family of Idaho Murders Victim Kaylee Goncalves Reacts to Bryan Kohbergers 'Stargazing' Alibi

Mendoza was initially charged with first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges in Siderios shooting, which occurred in March 2022.

According to authorities, the boy fired a shot with a gun toward an unmarked police car before running away, per WPVI-TV and NBC 10 Philadelphia. Prosecutors said Mendoza chased down Siderio, and the preteen tossed the gun he was carrying and got on the ground.

Prosecutors say Siderio had been on the ground unarmed when Mendoza shot him in the back at relatively close range, per the outlets.

Beljean noted that when they wrote up their plea deal, they gathered input from Siderios family on the charges. We absolutely called in T.J.s parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles and invited whoever wanted to come in to speak with us. We took their input very seriously, the prosecutor said during a press conference, per NBC 10 Philadelphia.

Related: Arm and Torso Found on Lake Michigan Shore Thought to Belong to Milwaukee Teen Killed on First Date

However, some of the family members disagreed with the third-degree murder charge in the plea deal. Siderios aunt Joanne Payne told WPVI-TV: "It's heartbreaking, it's earth-shattering, it's devastating. They got it wrong. He should be held to a higher standard than you and I. We cannot stand over a child on a city street and shoot them. TJ was on the ground, face down, unarmed. The threat was eliminated."

Following Mendozas guilty plea, the Citizens Police Oversight Commission said in a statement that it hopes this will signal the close of a painful chapter his family and the community has experienced.

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.

This case demonstrates the essential need for rigorous oversight and reform in law enforcement, the statement continued. We commend the efforts of the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office and all parties involved in bringing this case to a just resolution.

Mendoza could spend anywhere from 7 to 40 years in prison, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.



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Read the original article on People.
You don't find a lot of politicians that are knowledgeable about cameras  other than the power they wield. In fact, for this very reason, many politicians do their best to stay away from cameras whenever possible.

So it was with some surprise that I discovered, while taking a photograph of former opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, that the controversial politician recognized the camera I was using. And it was a niche one, too: the Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C.

"Is that a Hasselblad?" asked the former leader of the Labour party, as I perched nervously in front of him. "I don't get photographed with a Hasselblad very often!"

If you don't know who Jeremy Corbyn is, in many ways he is to Britain's politics what Bernie Sanders is to America's. On this particular night, I had the opportunity to take his portrait during a poetry evening in Bristol, England.

Corbyn was doing a tour of his new book, Poetry for the Many, an anthology collated with British trade unionist Len McCluskey, and featuring contributions from the likes of filmmaker Ken Loach and satirist Alexei Sayle.

The evening was a colorful one. The politician was joined on stage by writer and performer Kat Lyons, who holds the position of Bristol City Poet, along with poet and champion battle rapper Danny Carlo Pandolfi.

Jeremy Corbyn, photographed by James Artaius

They read some moving poetry from the likes of Edwin Mur and Juana Ines de la Cruz, and Corbyn told anecdotes like the time he and Tony Benn spent hours chatting to Nelson Mandela after the press covering the event had got bored and gone home.

After the event had concluded, a line quickly formed that wrapped around the lobby of the venue and led up two flights of stairs and all the way back to the auditorium  a line that I was almost at the very end of.

I hadn't gone in a press capacity, so I would have to wait patiently with all the hopeful book signees if I wanted to get a shot. And wait I did, for almost an hour, as the affable politician signed every book and posed for every selfie that was requested.

By the time I got to him, I could tell he was tired. As much as he had spent the evening reading and discussing his love for Shelly and Keats, he had also been fielding personal and political questions from the audience. He had been discussing the conflict in Israel, and a refugee who was on hunger strike (and so depleted that he was wheelchair-bound) had come to show his support.

In short, he would have been well within his right to decline my request for a photograph. But he didn't; one look at the Hasselblad and a huge smile crossed his face, and he was truly excited to sit while I fiddled with my exposure and rocked the XCD 90V's focus ring back and forth.

The image isn't going to win any awards. It won't appear on any book covers or in any magazines. But the wry smile on the face of one of the country's most renowned political figures, chuffed to be having his photograph taken with a very niche camera, will always make this a special picture for me.

Take a look at the best Hasselblad cameras, which are among the best medium format cameras available  and the XCD 90V is one of the best lenses for portraits.
SEVEN CORNERS, Va. (DC News Now)  Police said that several lanes were closed after a car crashed into a utility pole on Route 50 at Wayne Road on Sunday.

In a post just after 8:40 a.m., the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said that live wires fell into the roadway after the crash.

Only one car was involved in the crash. FCPD said that the driver of the car was taken to the hospital. That driver was expected to survive.

Baltimore County fire crews respond to house fire, explosion

(Image courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department)

(Image courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department)

Both directions of Route 50 were closed for some time, but as of 11 a.m., FCPD said that traffic was moving in both directions. Some lanes did remain closed for crews to continue working on line repairs.

Some Fairfax County residents reported power outages around the time of the crash.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
An iconic southern fast-food chain plans to open its first North Carolina store this summer.

Krystal restaurant announced that its foray into the Tar Heel state will be a location inside a Circle K convenience store in Wilson, according to Business Wire.

The Tennessee-founded chain operates 179 locations in nine other states, the majority of which are in Georgia and Tennessee, according to the companys website.

Here's what to know about the popular chain and the potential for a Fayetteville location.

What is Krystal?

Krystal was founded in 1932 by business partners Rody Davenport Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill. It started in a single 10 by 25-foot building in Chatanooga, Tennessee. The name is meant to evoke a sense of cleanliness, according to the company website.

The first order placed at the restaurant was for six Krystal burgers and a cup of coffee, totaling 35 cents. Since then, the chain has sold over 10 billion of its signature square slider burgers, which some have compared to Kansasfounded burger chain White Castle.

Krystal burgers are served on a steamed bun and topped with diced onions, mustard and a slice of dill pickle. Make it a cheese Krystal by adding a slice of American.

Related: Fayetteville is nuts about this jerky shop's candy apples. What makes them so delicious?

Over the years, household names like Elvis Presley and Ronald Reagan have ordered Krystal burgers. In 2007, world-renowned competitive eater Joey Chestnut broke a world record by eating 103 Krystal burgers in 8 minutes.

Theres more to the menu than just sliders. Krystal serves breakfast, chicken sliders, fries, loaded tater tots, milkshakes and glazed doughnuts.

Many of the locations are open 24/7.

Krystal fast-food restaurant is slated to open its first North Carolina location inside a Circle K convenience store this summer.

What are the plans for the Wilson Krystal?

The Wilson location is expected to "debut the brand's new C-store design" inside of a Circle K convenience store, according to Business Wire.

What about a Krystal in Fayetteville?

With the first North Carolina location slated to open this summer, Fayetteville could emerge as a potential prospect for a future Krystal.

If the restaurant continues to collaborate with Circle K convenience stores, the Fayetteville market would be ripe with opportunity. The city is already home to 20 Circle K stores, with at least one more under construction.

'It'll be a beautiful place': NC farmer plans Ramsey Street country store in Fayetteville

Many Krystal locations are along interstates and busy commercial corridors. Fayettevilles proximity to Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 401 and its high-traffic areas like Skibo Road and around Cross Creek Mall, Ramsey Street and Restaurant Row along McPherson Church Road could make it an attractive option for Krystal.

Story continues

Despite the possible draws of the Ville, Krystal stans shouldn't get their hopes up just yet. The burger chain has not indicated any plans to expand to Fayetteville.

Where is the closest Krystal to Fayetteville?

Until the Wilson restaurant opens, the closet Krystal is nearly a four-hour drive from Fayettevilles city center, located in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: With Krystal expanding to NC this summer, could Fayetteville be next?
A beloved Pittsburgh ice cream shop is getting ready to close its doors.

Dave and Andys Homemade Ice Cream took to social media to announce that it will be closing after 40 years of business.

The store is located on Atwood Street in Oakland.

The post said that Andy is retiring.

We would like to thank our friends, families, past and present employees and most of all our loyal, loving customers. You are what made 40 years possible. We will cherish all the wonderful memories and friendships that have been made over the years, Dave and Andys Homemade Ice Cream said.

Channel 11 dropped by the shop on Tuesday, and customers were lined up all the way down the street.

One couple waited nearly an hour, and said it was well worth it!

We just had to come, have one more date, get their ice cream and soak in the memories, said Jaye Sobieski.

Anyone who wishes to enjoy a final scoop and wish Andy a happy retirement is encouraged to visit the business on its last day, April 28.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

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Pittsburgh police are investigating an incident of antisemitic graffiti in the city.

A police spokesperson confirms to Channel 11 that the department is investigating after an antisemitic phrase was spray painted on the ground beside a We Stand with Israel sign in the citys Central North Side neighborhood.

Public work crews washed away the graffiti first thing Monday morning to the relief of the homeowner  a Jewish woman, who asked that we not identify her or reveal her address to protect her family.

It was early Sunday morning when her security camera captured the suspect in action, putting graphic pictures of the war in Gaza on her front door, then spray-painting in red a slogan used by the Nazis in Germany on her sidewalk.

She told Channel 11 this was the fourth time that her house was targeted this month.

Two other times her flag was defaced, and another time it was thrown in the trash.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, antisemitic acts against Jews have significantly increased.

The incident has been reported to the FBI.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey posted the following on social media:

I am dedicated to building a city that is safe, welcoming, and thriving for everyone who calls Pittsburgh home, and that means coming together to reject antisemitism and all forms of hate.

The FBI sent Channel 11 the following statement:

The FBI can neither confirm nor deny the existence of any investigation related to the incident in question.

We are aware of it, however, and we remain in touch with our local law enforcement and community partners to provide assistance if needed or appropriate.

The FBI takes threats of a religious nature directed against individuals, communities, and institutions very seriously. We remain vigilant in our efforts to detect and assess possible threats.

We encourage the public to promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities to law enforcement immediately by calling 911, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

2 children dead, 15 people hurt after vehicle crashes into birthday party at boat club Teen dead after shooting at playground in McKees Rocks Stephanie Sparks, former college golf star, host of Big Break reality show, dead at 50 VIDEO: Teen dead after shooting at playground in McKees Rocks DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Poland, Lithuania, and other NATO members, including the U.S., began military exercises around the Suwalki Gap in Lithuania on April 21.

The Suwalki Gap is a thin 65-kilometer (40 miles) strip of land on the Polish-Lithuanian border between Belarus and Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad. It has been historically considered to be a potential flashpoint of military conflict between Russia and NATO.

The exercise was jointly planned in 2022 by the Polish and Lithuanian militaries and involves at least 1,500 troops and hundreds of pieces of equipment, the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT said.

The specifics of the exercises remain largely classified. LRT reported, citing the Lithuanian military, that the main goal is to test the joint defenses in the Suwalki Gap area.

It is running concurrently with a similar U.S.-led military exercise in Lithuania, dubbed Saber Strike, which began on April 19.

Tensions in the Suwalki Gap area have risen since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting NATO forces to conduct regular military exercises and improve their collective defensive capabilities.

Read also: Poll: About 70% of Lithuanians consider Russia threat to national security

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Rick Prior, chairman of the Met federation, called for police to have more authority to stamp out anti-Semitism - PAUL GROVER

Rank-and-file police are calling for more robust policing of the pro-Palestine demonstrations that have taken place every weekend for the past six months.

Following criticism of an officer who threatened to arrest an openly Jewish man during a protest, the local police federation has intervened to demand greater powers to root out anti-Semitism on the marches.

Its new chairman called on Scotland Yard to make a commitment to the Jewish community to protect them from intimidation.

Gideon Falter was threatened with arrest for being 'openly Jewish' - TOM BOWLES

The call will put further pressure on Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, to crack down on the demonstrations, which have led to claims central London has become a no-go zone for Jews during weekend rallies.

Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the man threatened with arrest, has called on the Met commissioner to quit. Mr Falter, who was wearing a skullcap, was prevented from crossing a pro-Gaza march last Saturday and told by police his presence was causing a breach of the peace.

Sir Mark Rowley has faced repeated calls to resign in the aftermath of last Saturday's incident - ELLIOTT FRANKS

Writing in The Telegraph, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, has also demanded Sir Marks resignation.

Rick Prior, the new chairman of the Metropolitan Police federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said police needed more authority to stamp out any anti-Semitism in the first place that would have removed the threat Mr Falter faced.

Mr Prior told The Telegraph: The officer was clumsy in his use of terminology but he had the best interests of Gideon Falter at heart. The officer didnt want him walking into a potentially hostile group and risk his safety and the safety of officers who might have then needed to intervene.

Mr Prior added: A more robust policing of these protests would be beneficial. We need to make a commitment to the Jewish community to root out anti-Semitism on these marches.

Mr Prior also defended the officer and said his members were under huge pressure, with leave cancelled on a regular basis while boroughs were being stripped of patrol officers to instead man the protests.

Mr Prior said: Its unfair to criticise the officer. These protest marches are putting a huge strain on officers. Every weekend they are having their leave cancelled while their normal job patrolling their local boroughs is just not getting done.

The pro-Palestine marches have become a regular occurrence in the capital in the wake of the Oct 7 massacre of Israelis by Hamas terrorists and the military response by Israel which has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Police still searching for leads after man shot dead in a Monte Carlo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A mans murder that occurred outside of a South Linden home remains unsolved three years later.

According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, Yahieness Jamaal Dixon was found shot while sitting inside a gold Monte Carlo on April 18, 2021. Police believe the shooting took place on the south side of the 1300 block of East 25th Avenue.

One injured in shooting at north Columbus auto shop

Officers responded to reports of a shooting in an alley behind East 25th Avenue, where they found Dixon. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

The family of Jamaal Dixon is partnering with Crime Stoppers and offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Current and former politicians react to the passing of former Governor, Senator, and Congressman David Pryor Saturday at the Pulaski County Democratic Convention.

I first saw it on social media just before I had eaten breakfast or anything, and I read it twice, Former State Senator Joyce Elliott said.

David Pryor has been impacting the lives of many in politics for over a century now, and many of his fellow politicians spoke out Saturday about his impact on their lives.

Growing up in Camden, Elliott says people used to forget about Southwest Arkansas until Pryor came along and made people proud of it.

There was not a time that I called him or encountered him that he didnt act as if I was the person in the world of that time; he was that kind of person, Elliott said.

Current and former Arkansas politicians, colleagues respond to the death of David Pryor

Elliott said people were proud of Southwest Arkansas because of how Pryor made constituents feel and the heart he poured into the community.

I always remember he was just the most thoughtful person about things that affected peoples lives who were different from him, but he didnt miss it simply because you know he was somebody who was different from some of the people he was representing, Elliott said.

One of those lives he affected was Ashley Hudsons.

I was getting a masters in the political science department, and he was frequently there giving his time and his experience to all of us students; he was always available to us and always very kind to us, answering all of our questions, Hudson, State Representative District 75 said.

Hudson said she and other graduate students at the University of Arkansas were awe-struck by what she said is a political giant.

Senator Pryor was always referred to as one of our most beloved politicians here in Arkansas, and there was a reason for that, Hudson said. He was kind, he was smart, he cared about the state, he loved Arkansas, and he loves the people in it.

David Pryor, former Arkansas governor, U.S. congressman and senator, dies at 89

Hudson said that Pryor was the reason she ran for office, which is why today is so hard for her and many others.

Hudson shared one last message, a message to the Pryor family.

We know that they have wonderful, incredible memories to hold onto even though they have lost the Senator Pryor, but we are so grateful as a state for all that he gave to us and all that his memory will give to us, too, and I hope that his memory will be a blessing to them, Hudson said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Border Patrol officers detain two men in El Paso in late March. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal)

EL PASO, TEXAS  In this border city, the word invasion is particularly fraught.

Former President Donald Trump has long used it to characterize the flow of migrants to the southwestern border, recent surges of which have severely taxed the resources of the United States and Mexico. Recently, Trump also has called undocumented immigrants not human and animals who are poisoning the blood of the United States.

Increasingly, some of Trumps fellow Republicans are mimicking the rhetoric. In Ohios recent GOP Senate primary, all three candidates  state Sen. Matt Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and eventual nominee Bernie Moreno  peppered their messages with the notion of a border invasion.

And in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the legislature last year produced a law giving state law enforcement the right to detain people it suspects of being in the U.S. without documents  and to expel them if they are. Power to enforce immigration law rests with the federal government, but Abbott and his allies claim they have a constitutional right to expel migrants because Texas is being invaded.

Such claims might be legally dubious, but they serve a political purpose, some experts said. If the overheated rhetoric results in violence, so much the better as far as some of the people using it are concerned, the thinking goes.

Not only do alarmist claims of an invasion amp up the fear and the ardor of supporters, the threats posed by the most extreme among them drive their targets and non-supporters into the shadows, said Lindsay Schubiner, who studies violent speech and movements at the Western States Center, an anti-extremism group.

Theres a reason why violence is a part of bigoted movements, and part of it is that they create a chilling effect on communities, Schubiner said recently. They create a ton of fear and push people out of the life of their community and they have an effect on the people who are directly targeted and on their families and on entire communities. The impacts are so enormous.

Hitting home

Those impacts have certainly been felt here in El Paso.

In a May 2019 rally, Trump asked a Florida audience what should be done about undocumented migrants crossing the border. When a member of the audience yelled shoot them, Trump laughed and treated it as a joke.

Three months later, Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white man from a wealthy Dallas suburb, drove 650 miles to a Walmart just north of that border. He cased the cavernous store and reassured himself that there were plenty of Hispanic-looking people among the thousands in the store, ABC News reported just after the shooting occurred.

Then Crusius went back to his car, retrieved an AK-47 and opened fire in the parking lot and then inside the store, killing 23 and injuring 22 others.

A late-March Saturday in the Walmart where 23 people, most of whom were Hispanic, were killed on Aug. 3, 2019. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal)

The Walmart seemed bustling on a recent Saturday, but it wasnt hard to imagine the sudden terror in 2019 as routine shopping flipped into chaotic violence.

One witness, far along in her pregnancy, told the news organization El Paso Matters how she hid in the bank inside the store where she worked, trying to protect her child. She described the lingering gunsmoke after the shooting stopped and how, as police escorted her from the building, they told her to try not to look at the bodies sprawled in bloody pools on the floor.

Its hardly surprising that some who were there and victims loved ones have told therapists that nearly five years later theyre still afraid to get out much in the community.

In a manifesto posted just before the massacre, Crusius claimed that hed been deeply alarmed about Hispanic immigration since before Trump came on the scene.

Crusius was only 16 when the former president descended an escalator at Trump Tower and announced his candidacy, saying that Mexico was sending rapists and drug dealers. And before that fatal trip to the border, Crusius had posted a number of tweets praising Trumps border policies. Many contained the hashtag #BuildtheWall.

The rhetoric of invasion featured prominently in Crusius manifesto.

A memorial to the 23 murdered in a 2019 massacre in the parking lot of an El Paso Walmart where the shooting started. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal)

This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas, it said. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by an invasion.

Words and consequences

In the wake of the shooting, lawyers for Crusius said it was due to their clients mental illness. But thats too pat  and it lets too many others off the hook, said Beto ORourke, who has represented El Paso in Congress and on city council.

It wasnt just a crazy guy with a gun who murdered a bunch of innocent people, ORourke said in a recent interview. It was someone who was listening to the president (Trump) of the United States who described immigrants as an invasion, as animals, as an infestation, as a threat to the people of this country; who listened to (Texas Gov. Abbott), who said, Texans, you have to defend yourselves, you have to take matters into your own hands.

ORourke invoked the concept of stochastic terrorism. It posits that some public figures demonize a group in a way that doesnt directly command followers to do violence, but motivates them to attack the target of the rhetoric just the same.

The idea is a stochastic terrorist  a Donald Trump, a Greg Abbott  they dont tell someone Go kill these people, ORourke said. But they say these people are animals, they are invading. Its like that scene out of medieval English history  Who will rid me of this troublesome priest? The king didnt order his soldiers to kill the bishop, but essentially he gave them permission to do that.

In January, Abbott suggested hed have undocumented migrants shot if he didnt the federal government wouldnt prosecute him for it. His office didnt respond to questions for this story.

For his part, Trump has denied that his statements have led to violence. But a 2020 ABC News investigation found 54 criminal cases in which his name was invoked in the commission of violent acts.

Similarly, great replacement theory rhetoric promoted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has been linked to three other mass shootings since 2018  including a racist 2022 massacre at a Buffalo supermarket that killed 10. According to many versions of that conspiracy theory, shadowy Jewish people are behind an effort to replace the dominant white majority with a Black and Brown horde.

Neo Nazi marchers were referring to the conspiracy in 2017 as they marched in Charlottesville, Va., chanting You will not replace us, and Jews will not replace us. A Hitler admirer  James Alex Fields of Northwest Ohio  plowed his car into a group of counterdemonstraters, killing one. Trump responded by saying there were very fine people on both sides of the violent demonstration.

Military emergency?

People who study speech that gets people hurt say the claims it makes are commonly false. Critics say claims of an invasion at the southern border are false as well.

As ORourke was talking in late March, he was sitting on his porch, which overlooks the border from a perennially peaceful neighborhood just across it. El Paso has long been one of the safest large cities in the United States.

A group of migrants east of town had rushed past Texas National Guard troops just east of town a few days earlier. But many appeared to be trying to get around Guard personnel Abbott had sent to the border so they could seek asylum from the Border Patrol.

Many experts say spiking numbers of migrants and related incidents dont meet the constitutional definition of invasion on which Abbott is hanging his hat as he claims the power to interpose state law enforcement and have it decide who is and is not in Texas legally. To do that, Abbott would have to show that Texas is being invaded militarily, Frank O. Bowman wrote in Just Security, an online forum for experts in law, security, and foreign policy.

The Paso del Norte Bridge in El Paso. The inscription on the Mexican mountain in the background urges people to read the Bible. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal)

In temporarily blocking Texas Senate Bill 4  the legislation that became law giving Texas the power to enforce immigration law  U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra agreed.

Contemporary definitions of invasion and actually invaded as well as common usage of the term in the late Eighteenth Century predominantly referred to an invasion as a hostile and organized military force, too powerful to be dealt with by ordinary judicial proceedings, Ezra wrote in his Feb. 29 ruling.

This Court could not locate a single contemporaneous use of the term to refer to surges in unauthorized foreign immigration. The text and structure of the State War Clause imply that invasion was to be used sparingly for temporary, exigent, and dangerous circumstances. Put simply, the overwhelming textual and historical evidence does not support Texass understanding of the State War Clause.

State Sen. Cesar Blanco is a Democrat whose district includes El Paso and several rural border counties. He said that while some constituents are having serious problems with the surge in migration, its not an invasion, and talking about it like it is only makes solutions more elusive.

As someone who has served in the military, when you look at what invasion means, its one country invading another with force, Blanco said. These are just people. Weve heard invasion so much from national leaders. Weve seen it on Twitter. We hear it on the news. Its part of many peoples perception of whats happening.

Feeding fear

The Dangerous Speech Project studies what kinds of speech spur violence between groups and it seeks ways to combat them. The group argues that scary speech  such as falsely claiming a border invasion  can be even more dangerous than spewing hatred.

Frightening messages may also spread even more widely and quickly than purely hateful ones, since many people share them without malevolent intentions, or even the desire to incite violence, the group says on its website. They feel genuine fear.

And that, said Schubiner of the Western States Center, serves the ends of the most extreme purveyors of dangerous speech.

Thats why we call it anti-democracy, she said. The goal of the white-nationalist movement is to create an all-white nation in the United States. That requires pushing people out. That requires violence.

Schubiner added that if politicians continue to use fear-inducing speech about migrants and the southern border, it wont be a matter of if another extremist will murder innocents, but when.

We have seen again and again the spread of conspiracy theories like the great replacement theory, anti-immigrant rhetoric, invasion rhetoric and other forms of overt bigotry that dehumanize people, she said. It sometimes explicitly calls for violence, or on the other hand normalizes it. You shouldnt be surprised when that leads to violence. Its happened before and, sadly, its likely to happen again.

Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and Twitter.

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The United States is contemplating the deployment of additional military advisers to the embassy in Kyiv as Russia appears to be gaining momentum on the front lines.

These advisers would not serve in combat capacities but instead provide guidance and assistance to the Ukrainian government and military, according to Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

"Throughout this conflict, the DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisers to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy," Ryder said in a statement to Politico, adding that "personnel are subject to the same travel restrictions as all embassy employees."

Ryder refrained from disclosing specific personnel numbers "for operational security and force protection reasons."

According to four U.S. officials and an individual familiar with the plans, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, the additional troops will primarily support logistics and oversight efforts for the weapons being sent to Ukraine. Additionally, they will assist the Ukrainian military with weapons maintenance, as outlined by one of the U.S. officials and the individual familiar with the plans.

On April 20, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a key foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies after months of political infighting and a deteriorating situation on the battlefield. The aid package provides $60.84 billion to assist Ukraine.

The Senate is set to begin considering the House-passed bill on April 23 before it will be sent to President Joe Biden for signing.

A small number of U.S. troops have already been deployed in short rotations attached to the embassy in Kyiv, according to two U.S. officials Politico interviewed. The second official described the numbers of personnel as "onesies and twosies."

It was unclear how many additional U.S. troops would ultimately be sent to Ukraine, but two of the U.S. officials said the number would be up to 60.

Read also: Zelensky: Ukraine could sign bilateral security agreements with US, Nordic, Baltic states in near future

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SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Members of the Surfside Beach Fire Department made a sweet gesture on Saturday night after a service call.

Crews were dispatched to the Sugar Kingdom candy store at 111 U.S. 17 Business around 10 p.m., arriving to a light smoke haze blamed on a faulty refrigeration unit motor.

After shutting off the power and using a ventilation fan to clear out the store, Horry County Fire Rescue and Surfside Beach fire fighters helped workers move ice cream to freezers to limit product loss.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
MetaHomes takes center stage by Announcing Free Listings on its online Real Estate Marketplace Amid Soaring Demand from Record Influx of Travelers to UAE (Photo: AETOSWire)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the last couple of decades, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a beacon of innovation, prosperity, and opportunity, drawing millions of people from around the globe. Renowned for its world-class attractions, vibrant lifestyle, robust economic benefits, and progressive governmental initiatives, the UAE stands as a shining example of modernity and growth in the Middle East and beyond.

One of the key indicators of the UAE's thriving tourism sector is the staggering number of visitors it welcomes every year. From January-February, 2024 alone, the country played host to over 3.67 million visitors as per Dubai Government Tourism Department, a testament to its enduring appeal as a global travel hub.

Against this backdrop of prosperity and promise, MetaHomes, one of the leading online global real estate platform, facilitates comprehensive real estate solutions, including buying, selling, renting, and holiday homes. The platform leverages cutting-edge technology, including Artificial intelligence (AI), Virtual reality (VR), and Internet of things (IoT) solutions, to redefine industry standards and offer a seamless real estate experience.

MetaHomes made a noteworthy announcement not to impose fees or contractual obligations on its customers, granting them the freedom to post properties on its platform for FREE. The announcement of free listings underscores MetaHomes' commitment to democratizing access to the real estate market, leveling the playing field for individuals and businesses alike.

This groundbreaking limited time initiative eliminates upfront costs, providing property owners with an equal opportunity to showcase their properties to a vast and diverse audience. The platform opens its doors to property owners of all backgrounds, offering a chance to display a wide range of accommodations, including homestays, hotels, vacation homes, and apartment rentals, without incurring any listing expenses or contractual bindings.

In a statement, the CEO, Jerry Wu, expressed optimism about the company's role in shaping the future of real estate in the UAE and beyond. Focusing on innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction, MetaHomes endeavors to create a seamless and rewarding real estate experience for all stakeholders. With a vision that transcends borders and boundaries, MetaHomes aspires to be the catalyst for positive change in the real estate industry, ushering in a new era of technological accessibility, and opportunity for all.

Story continues

Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240420818884/en/

Contacts

Zohaib Pervaiz

zohaib@metahomes.net
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said Chicago is prepared to host the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August, despite concerns about massive protests against the Biden administrations response to the Israel-Hamas war.

The convention will descend upon the Windy City from Aug. 19 to 22 to officially name President Biden as the partys presidential nominee. Protesters are expected to launch mass opposition to Bidens reaction to the war in Gaza, continuing calls for the president to back a full cease-fire.

Pritzker downplayed critics concerns in a CNN State of the Union interview with Dana Bash on Sunday.

Just understand that Joe Biden is fighting for peace in the Middle East, is fighting to end the hostilities between Israel and Gaza, and make sure that were providing humanitarian aid there, he said. When you think about the protests, its Joe Biden thats standing for peace, and a lasting peace at that, and its the Republicans that, frankly, would stoke the flames of war in the Middle East.

Pritzker noted that protest groups calling for a cease-fire shut down an interstate outside of Chicagos OHare Airport last week as part of a national movement, and that Chicago Police quickly escorted the groups off the roadway faster than other protests in the country.

Our Chicago Police Department was able to get those folks off the highway faster than any other city in the United States. And theyre prepared for the Democratic Convention, he said.

Look, we believe in free speech, and were going to allow people to protest and say whatever it is they want to say, he continued. But the reality is, were also going to make sure that people have ingress and egress and that theyre safe in our state.

The growing unrest against war has raised parallels with the 1968 Democratic Convention, also in Chicago, which was marred by protests against the Vietnam War and derailed by violent policing efforts.

Pritzker instead turned his attention to the citys 1996 convention.

1996 was also a year of a Chicago convention. And it was a terrific convention. Its one of the best conventions, he said. And I have been to every one since I was able to vote. It was one of the best conventions in my lifetime. So, I think were going to see something more like that.

And, of course, we  in the Democratic Party, we support peoples right to protest and have their voices heard, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pritzker touts marijuana legalization on 4/20 while campaigning for Biden in Grand Rapids

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker highlighted the marijuana industry while campaigning for President Joe Bidens reelection campaign in Grand Rapids on Saturday.

I wanted to come up here on 4/20, because we, too, legalized cannabis in the state of Illinois, and I know thats been a boon to not only state revenues but also to business and job creation in the state of Michigan, said Pritzker, a Democrat.

In a post on X, Pritzker quipped, To be blunt: were proud to have sparked a new industry when we legalized adult-use cannabis.

Pritzker, who was joined by state Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), said the legalization of recreational marijuana is just one of several Democratic accomplishments in Michigan since 2018.

You all have turned a state that was  lets face it, a red state  into a purple state, and now a blue state, Pritzker said. There are so many other states in the country that should be following Michigans lead.

But that took work, Pritzker said, encouraging people to sign up as volunteers and go knock doors for the campaign.

Its like the eighth grade dance, for me, anyway. Sometimes you have to knock on three or four doors before you get somebody you can really talk to, Pritzker said. Because youre willing to do that, youre going to have somebody to dance with. Youre going to bring them to the dance.

Biden, who spent much of last week barnstorming Pennsylvania, will also be putting in the work to defend the blue wall, Pritzker said, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Those states voted for Trump in 2016 but flipped to Biden in 2020.

Democrats need to win the blue wall states. Its vitally important, and Joe Biden knows it, Pritzker said. One of the reasons were having the Democratic National Convention here in the Midwest is because he recognizes how important this is.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), left, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), left, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, right, speak at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Michigan sits in the middle. If we dont win Michigan, we cant win the presidency. And if we dont win Michigan, this country is going to go backwards, Pritzker said.

Pritzker leads a strong fundraising coalition in his campaign to land the convention, which is being held in Chicago from Aug. 19 through Aug. 22.

Pritzker, a potential future presidential candidate, is a billionaire who previously donated to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers reelection campaign in 2022. Whitmer is also considered a top White House hopeful.

Pritzker praised Whitmer as one of the nations greatest governors Saturday, but joked that it seems like she has it easy because there is so much love and affection for her  and sometimes I feel like I have to fight for every bit.

While independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy gained ballot access in Michigan this week, Pritzker said he is not overly concerned about the possibility that he will act as a spoiler candidate for Biden.

Theres only one candidate on the ballot who can win and beat Donald Trump, and thats Joe Biden, Pritzker said. I dont think having ballot access for Robert Kennedy is going to change the fact that people are going to go into the voting booths and know that theyre throwing away their vote if they vote Robert Kennedy, and that if they vote for Joe Biden theyre assuring that were not going to have Donald Trump as president.

Still, Pritzker noted some voters concern that both major party nominees are the two oldest presidential candidates in American history.

People sometimes say Joe Bidens old. But Donald Trump has proven that you can be old and not learn anything, Pritzker said. You can be old without having learned, throughout the course of your life, empathy for people across the United States. And that is Joe Biden; he wears empathy on his sleeve.

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Summer Lee is getting used to this.

The freshman congresswoman from Western Pennsylvania ousted regional political royalty on her way to the state House in 2018, then overcame millions in outside spending, nearly all of it from pro-Israel groups, to win the Democratic nomination and her seat in Congress two years ago. This time out, in her first House reelection bid, Republican megadonor Jeffrey Yass is bankrolling a super PAC attacking Lee and boosting her primary challenger, Edgewood Councilmember Bhavini Patel.

In an interview, Lee told CNN she had been bracing for this moment since her last run and trusted that her consistency, as a candidate and on the major issues, would see her through to another term.

I put out there who I am because I am a very honest politician, Lee said. Im not obfuscating, Im not obscuring parts of me. Im not hiding one hand when I campaign. Im telling people precisely what my values are.

Lee is, indeed, widely considered the prohibitive favorite in Tuesdays Democratic primary. In addition to left-wing groups and leaders, such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who will campaign with her this weekend, Lee has the support of both commonwealth senators, Bob Casey, whos also up for reelection this year, and John Fetterman. Her top local allies include Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, a friend who, like Lee, won her first race in 2018 for the state legislature against a well-known incumbent. The first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, Lee has also cultivated a working relationship with the White House  President Joe Biden made a point of shouting her out last week during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh.

But the race for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvanias 12th District is as notable for the people and groups that are largely sitting it out as those more deeply involved.

In 2022, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, along with Democratic Majority for Israel, spent remarkable sums  for a primary in a safe blue district  attempting to block Lees path to what was an open seat. This time around, despite AIPAC and DMFI both promising to invest heavily in defeating candidates they deem insufficiently pro-Israel, the groups have been absent from the districts airwaves.

Their decision to effectively skip the contest, which many progressives expected to be a priority for pro-Israel groups, has frustrated some moderates upset by Lees position on Israels war in Gaza. (She called early on for a ceasefire and supports conditioning US military aid to Israel.) But pro-Israel political groups, according to multiple sources familiar with their thinking, ultimately backed off over concerns about Patels low profile and Lees strong polling. Lees support for most of Bidens domestic agenda and willingness to occasionally work across party lines also played a role, they said, along with a grudging acknowledgement that she has proven sensitive to some of their concerns.

Shes been forced to make some compromises. Certainly not as many as we would like, but some compromises with the pro-Israel community, one pro-Israel strategist told CNN, noting Lee canceled an appearance at a fundraiser for the Council on American-Islamic Relations amid criticism of other scheduled speakers.

Asked about their decision to stay on the sidelines in Pennsylvania, AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann did not specifically address the campaign in the 12th, though he promised robust involvement in other races. A United Democracy Project spokesperson declined to comment.

We are already involved in several races, and we will be engaged in additional campaigns where we can have the greatest impact, Wittmann said. By the end of this election year, the voice of the pro-Israel movement will definitely be heard.

The issue has particular resonance, though, in the Pittsburgh area, home to both a large Jewish community and the countrys deadliest antisemitic attack, when a gunman in 2018 killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue. Those anxieties spiked again after Hamas brutal October 7 raid into Israel. Patel criticized Lees immediate response to the attack, accusing her opponent of going AWOL.

You know what I would be doing after October 7? I wouldve come straight back home; I wouldve been present in my community, Patel said. There were rallies and visuals that were organized here at home. She was nowhere to be found.

Lee called that claim an intentional mischaracterization of her work.

Theres a difference between campaigning and being actually present. And the reality is that shes campaigning right now, Lee said of Patel. The assertion that we werent present or that we did not do our due diligence to earnestly represent them is a mischaracterization. And she knows that weve done that.

Mark Mellman, the founder of Democratic Majority for Israel, which spent big against Lee alongside AIPAC two years ago, doubled down on his past criticism, but also acknowledged Lees strength as a candidate.

Summer Lees always been a very talented politician, but she has clearly demonstrated herself to be opposed to a strong US-Israel relationship, Mellman told CNN. Theres no question about that either.

Despite some of the usual suspects choosing not to spend, Patels campaign, which kicked off days before Hamas October 7 attack, has not struggled for cash. She raised more than $300,000 in the last quarter of 2023  a decent figure for such a little-known candidate. Lee pulled in roughly $1 million over the same period and nearly $2.3 million for the cycle. Patels overall reported haul is about $600,000, though she entered the race with a shorter runway.

Both candidates are also enjoying significant air cover from outside groups  though the sources of those funds are very different. A coalition of progressive groups  led by the Working Families Party, along with Emgage PAC and Justice Democrats  have put more than $600,000 into the race on Lees behalf. Patels outside support has largely come from one very rich and, in most Democratic circles, unpopular individual: Yass, the GOP billionaire with close ties to former and potentially future President Donald Trump.

The Pennsylvania-based co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, Yass has already spent millions this election cycle. But his support for a Democrat, Patel, has garnered the most attention  at least for now  in large part because he effectively uses Moderate PAC, which has invested more than $600,000 in opposing Lee, to press his interests.

This being a D +8 district, we saw the potential for a Republican to come steal the seat, Moderate PAC President Ty Strong told CNN. So our calculus was trying to get a more moderate Democrat, that represents the district, in that seat before we lose the seat. And before she does any more things that go against the wishes and the outlook of the people she represents.

Patel has denounced Yass and Trump. In an interview with CNN, she insisted she has never sought Yass support and, ultimately, believes it has benefited Lee.

I have zero control over outside spending in this race, Patel said. And I think any sort of conversation that takes away from my opponents voting record and her inability to actually represent the values of this region, I think, again, is just deflecting.

Patels campaign enjoys a decent amount of local Democratic support, though none with the ability to make headlines  or provoke liberal anger  like Yass, whose involvement also soured some pro-Israel groups on the race.

To go in as a well-known, right-wing Republican billionaire with a personal PAC and try and affect this race, frankly, taints everybody who might be interested in helping Patel and defeating Summer Lee, the pro-Israel strategist said.

Asked why he thought the pro-Israel groups were not joining his cause, Strong, the Moderate PAC leader, said Patels lack of name recognition and internal polling numbers scared a lot of people away, particularly those who did not want to give (Lee) another feather in the cap.

If someone had more name recognition or was a staffer in the White House or had a little bit more of a history in the Democratic Party, if there was a picture of Patel standing next to Joe Biden, I think she wouldve gotten a lot farther, Strong said of the challenger, adding that the PAC was still able to move the needle by criticizing Lees record and offering an alternative.

Lee and her supporters view the story differently  and often argue that, even without spending big, the specter of AIPACs involvement can change the fundamentals of a campaign.

Whether or not AIPAC or someone like them gets in your race, its destabilizing, Lee said. It makes candidates think differently about how theyre going to run and who theyre serving, whose values theyre going to represent.

In the final days of the race, Lees campaign and its allies are trying to steer the focus to her performance on Capitol Hill, most notably the significant federal funds shes helped bring to the district.

Progressives are often accused of having these lofty values that they cant actualize. And I think Summer, along with the rest of The Squad, has proven in this first race that they can do exactly that, said Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi. A billion dollars in (to the district) in one Congress is an insane amount of money, and its actually being delivered to the people and communities who need it.

Progressive leaders and other Lee allies are also keen to argue that, come November, it is Lee supporters Biden needs to turn out in big numbers to defeat Trump in this crucial, potentially decisive, battleground state.

President Biden needs to win Summer Lee voters. He needs to win progressives, Andrabi said. And Western Pennsylvania is a progressive stronghold now.

Patel, for her part, argues that Lee is poised to be a drag on Biden in the general election. She pointed to what she described as Lees performative obstructionism in the House, where Lee has occasionally bucked Democratic leadership, and the congresswomans support for an uncommitted primary write-in campaign led by progressives critical of the administrations handling of Israels war in Gaza  hoping to send a message to Biden that their votes should not be taken for granted.

When you look at the bigger picture and the alternative is Donald Trump, thats incredibly dangerous because our basic freedoms depend on getting President Biden reelected, Patel said of Lees alliance with the uncommitted movement. If you claim to care about reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, labor rights, then that means that you have to unequivocally be behind Biden because there is no other alternative to that.

Moderate PAC echoed those criticisms in a recent television ad, which claimed that Lee is opposing President Biden and, in a reprise of the 2022 campaign, highlighted a years-old tweet criticizing then-candidate Biden.

For her part, Lee insists she is confident the attacks will fall flat.

Were hearing (in the ads) from a very vocal minority, she said, and we are representing a very resolute majority.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a video conference with the heads of the government, regions, special services and law enforcement agencies on measures taken after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert complex. -/Kremlin/dpa

The widow of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has warned of the unpredictability of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the possibility that he might use nuclear weapons at some point cannot be ruled out.

"We don't know what to expect from him," Yulia Navalnaya told dpa. "He probably would do it."

She compared the question to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying she had not expected Putin to attack back then, given the strong ties between the two countries. "But he decided to do it. He frightens people, keeps them in fear. Nobody knows what Putin is going to do next."

Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after illegally occupying Crimea in 2014.

Navalnaya said she was not sure whether Putin really has a "strong strategy."

The Navalnys were the most prominent opposition activists in Russia for many years.

Navalny, a long-standing and staunch opponent of Putin, died in a prison camp in the Arctic Circle in Siberia on February 16. It has not been independently established whether the 47-year-old died naturally, as his death certificate says. However, his supporters say he was murdered.

Navalnaya also commented on the recent arrests of several suspected Russian spies in Europe, saying these are a further sign that Putin has long been waging war in the heart of Europe, using all means necessary.

"Putin did not just start, he has been doing this all along. He starts wars, he kills his opponents," she said, adding that their presence comes as no surprise to her. "I always assumed that there were many Russian spies in Europe: Russian spies, thats obvious."
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a video conference with the heads of the government, regions, special services and law enforcement agencies on measures taken after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert complex. -/Kremlin/dpa

The widow of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has warned of the unpredictability of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the possibility that he might use nuclear weapons at some point cannot be ruled out.

"We don't know what to expect from him," Yulia Navalnaya told dpa. "He probably would do it."

She compared the question to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying she had not expected Putin to attack back then, given the strong ties between the two countries. "But he decided to do it. He frightens people, keeps them in fear. Nobody knows what Putin is going to do next."

Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after illegally occupying Crimea in 2014.

Navalnaya said she was not sure whether Putin really has a "strong strategy."

The Navalnys were the most prominent opposition activists in Russia for many years.

Navalny, a long-standing and staunch opponent of Putin, died in a prison camp in the Arctic Circle in Siberia on February 16. It has not been independently established whether the 47-year-old died naturally, as his death certificate says. However, his supporters say he was murdered.

Navalnaya also commented on the recent arrests of several suspected Russian spies in Europe, saying these are a further sign that Putin has long been waging war in the heart of Europe, using all means necessary.

"Putin did not just start, he has been doing this all along. He starts wars, he kills his opponents," she said, adding that their presence comes as no surprise to her. "I always assumed that there were many Russian spies in Europe: Russian spies, thats obvious."

Earlier this week, two German-Russian dual nationals were detained in Bavaria for allegedly scouting targets for possible acts of sabotage in Germany for Moscow. Both are now in custody.

In Poland, the security agencies arrested a man who allegedly sought to help Russian military intelligence plan an assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Navalnaya said it was a pity that Europe failed to recognize the danger presented by Moscow sooner, saying if the issue had been raised sooner and more frequently, some wars and some murders might have been prevented.

She reiterated her determination to fight Putin and called for the strongest possible support from the West, during the interview at the Tegernsee, a lake in the Bavarian Alps to the south of Munich.

Navalnaya herself is not afraid, she said, despite living with a certain degree of risk, a risk that will grow if she does a good job, she added.

But, she says, she dreams of returning to Russia one day. "I want to live in Russia. My children dream of returning to Russia. I want to go to my husband's grave. It's very important to me. And I hope that I can do that very, very soon. I dream of going there as soon as possible."

On Friday, Navalnaya received the German Freedom Prize of the Media, which is awarded annually at the Ludwig Erhard Summit, a leading forum that gathers top representatives from politics and business.

Navalnaya says she does not currently see a solution to the Ukraine conflict. "The whole world is trying to find a way to solve this problem," she said, adding that no one has found a solution.

She said there would be "no simple solution," though she hopes for reconciliation between Russians and Ukrainians. "But Putin has put both countries in a situation where it will be very difficult to build up relations."

She was unable to say when Russia's opposition to Putin might one day be able to destabilize the president. "I really hope and I believe that it will happen much earlier than we all expect." Nobody knows when and why this might happen, though, she said.

But many people are tired of the war. "They are not supporting it but they are very afraid to say it out loud because it could land them in prison that same day."

She said she hopes the Russian people will not support further mobilizations of soldiers. "If the government tries to mobilize more and more people for the war, resistance to it will increase."

Navalnaya also emphasized that Russia is not Putin. "There are many anti-war activists and anti-Putin activists," she said. "They need to hear the support from the West."
Editors Note: Follow developments on the situation at Columbia University here.

Columbia University is facing a full-blown crisis heading into Passover as a rabbi linked to the Ivy League school urged Jewish students to stay home and tense confrontations on campus sparked condemnation from the White House and New York officials.

The atmosphere is so charged that Columbia officials announced students can attend classes and even possibly take exams virtually starting Monday  the first day of Passover, a major Jewish holiday set to begin in the evening.

Tensions at Columbia, and many universities, have been high ever since the October 7 terror attack on Israel by Hamas. However, the situation at Columbia escalated in recent days after university officials testified before Congress last week about antisemitism on campus and pro-Palestinian protests on and near campus surged.

The latest crisis has opened Columbia President Minouche Shafik up to new attacks from her critics, with Republican US Rep. Elise Stefanik demanding she step down immediately because school leadership has clearly lost control of its campus.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chair of the House Education Committee, sent a letter on Sunday to university leaders warning them of consequences if they do not rein in protests on campus.

Columbias continued failure to restore order and safety promptly to campus constitutes a major breach of the Universitys Title VI obligations, upon which federal financial assistance is contingent, and which must immediately be rectified, Foxx wrote.

Underscoring concerns about student safety, Rabbi Elie Buechler, a rabbi associated with Columbia Universitys Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, confirmed to CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday that he sent a WhatsApp message to a group of about 300 mostly Orthodox Jewish students strongly recommending they return home and remain there.

In his message, Buechler wrote that recent events at the university have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety.

It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved, the message reads.

White House condemns calls for violence against Jews

The situation at Columbia has even drawn the attention of the White House, joining local leaders in urging calm.

While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement shared with CNN on Sunday. The statement did not include examples of those incidents.

President Joe Biden similarly said Sunday, Even in recent days, weve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. T his blatant antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous  and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.

In response, organizers of the protest  Columbia University Apartheid Divest and Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine  said in a statement, We have been peaceful, and distanced themselves from non-student protestors who have gathered outside the campus, calling them inflammatory individuals who do not represent us.

We firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry and stand vigilant against non-students attempting to disrupt the solidarity being forged among students  Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, Black and pro-Palestinian classmates and colleagues who represent the full diversity of our country, the activists statement continued.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on X that threatening Jewish students with violence is antisemitism. The First Amendment protects the right to protest but students also have a right to learn in an environment free from harassment or violence, the Democratic governor said.

In a statement, New York Mayor Eric Adams said the citys police department has an increased presence of officers in the area around Columbias campus to protect students and all New Yorkers on nearby public streets.

The Democratic mayor said he was horrified and disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus.

Discomfort and fear

In a Sunday statement to CNN, a university spokesperson said the safety of Columbias community is our number one priority.

The statement added, We are acting on concerns we are hearing from our Jewish student s and are providing additional support and resources to ensure that our community remains safe.

While Buechler called for Jewish students to stay home, the campus Hillel said in a Sunday post on X that they do not believe that Jewish students should leave the campus.

This is a time of genuine discomfort and even fear for many of us on campus, the Hillel said in a statement. Columbia University and the City of New York must do more to protect students. We call on the University Administration to act immediately in restoring calm to campus. The City must ensure that students can walk up and down Broadway and Amsterdam without fear of harassment.

Throughout Passover, there will be a police presence at the Kraft Center, a Jewish cultural center shared by Columbia and Barnard, and campus public safety will provide walking escorts to and from the building starting Monday, according to an email from Brian Cohen, the centers executive director.

Chabad, a Jewish organization the University, said on Facebook theyve hired additional security to protect students during Passover. They said they were horrified by what we witnessed last night on and near Columbias campus, but still planned to host Passover celebrations on campus.

The rabbi sent the message after videos circulated showing a man outside the university saying, Never forget the seventh of October, and that will happen not one more time, not five more times, not 10 more times, not 100 more times, not 1,000 more times, but 10,000 times!

A video taken on the universitys campus Saturday night also shows a small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanting, F**k Israel. Israel is a b*tch, while waving the Palestinian flag.

In addition to the student protests on campus, groups of protesters have also gathered outside the campus gates. Its unclear from the video whether the person yelling is affiliated with the university.

Columbia University Apartheid Divest addressed the unassociated incidents in an Instagram story, writing that their priority is the safety of all, which includes not antagonizing counter protestors or escalating situations unnecessarily.

The encampment began the same day Columbias president, Minouche Shafik, testified before Congress about antisemitism on campus.

Speaking with CNN, one Jewish Columbia student highlighted the hazards risked by the students protesting as well as interfaith prayers and a Seder service at the encampment.

Columbia students organizing in solidarity with Palestine  including Jewish students  have faced harassment, doxxing, and now arrest by the NYPD. These are the main threats to the safety of Jewish Columbia students, Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a PhD student, told CNN.

On the other hand, student protesters have led interfaith joint prayers for several days now, and Passover Seder will be held at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment tomorrow, he went on. Saying that student protesters are a threat to Jewish students is a dangerous smear.

Another student, Noah Lederman, told CNN he was terrified, angry, upset, and horrified that the university failed to take action. Lederman said he had been accosted in early February and had asked the university for remote learning options. Whats happening on campus is blatantly antisemitic, he added.

Students will be permitted to attend classes virtually due to the ongoing demonstrations, a university spokesperson told CNN on Sunday.

Gaza Solidarity Encampment enters its fifth day

Sunday marked a fifth day of demonstrations at the prestigious school, with students camping out overnight on the schools lawns.

Columbias Campus Rabbi Yonah Hain shared a statement with CNN saying the universitys Center for Jewish Student Life is and will remain open and is welcoming students.

On Thursday, the universitys president requested the NYPD remove student protestors, leading to the arrest of over 100 people. The students that were arrested were peaceful, offered no resistance whatsoever and were saying what they wanted to say in a peaceful manner, said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.

CNN has reached out to Columbia University and the universitys Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing for more information on their investments and for comment on the protest organizers allegations.

The encampment was jointly organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest  a student-led coalition of more than 100 organizations  Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace, to protest what they describe as the universitys continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and military occupation of Palestine, according to a news release from Columbia University Apartheid Divest.

The protests come as the death toll of Israels war in Gaza has continued to rise. At least 34,097 Palestinians have been killed and 76,980 injured since October, according to the enclaves health ministry. Israel launched ongoing attacks after a Hamas attack on October 7 killed more than 1,200 people.

The demonstrations  and the suspension and arrests of students involved  have inspired solidarity rallies at other universities, including Yale, Harvard, the University of North Carolina, and Boston University.

Allegations of violence have also appeared at some of these other demonstrations.

A Yale sophomore, Sahar Tartak, says another student assaulted her with a Palestinian flag Saturday while she was documenting a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus. Video of the incident from Tartak shows a student passing by while holding a Palestinian flag before the person filming exclaims, Ow, ow!

Yales Office of Public Affairs said in a statement, The Yale Police Department is investigating a report of an assault that occurred during a protest on Beinecke Plaza. The university does not tolerate violence, threats, harassment, or intimidation of members of our community, and is providing support to a student who made the report.

In a statement, Yale Jews for Ceasefire called the action unacceptable.

Last night, a counter-protester said she was poked in the eye with a flag. Such an action, whether or not it was intentional, is unacceptable. We are fundamentally committed to maintaining a non-violent and welcoming protest environment in which all community members can make their voices heard, the group said in a statement.

In January, the International Court of Justice found that Israel was plausibly violating laws on genocide in its war on Gaza and ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide.

In response, Israel rejected what it called the grossly distorted accusation of genocide leveled against it by South Africa over its military action in Gaza, telling the United Nations top court the case was an attempt to pervert the meaning of the term.

One Columbia law school student, Elijah Emery, who is Jewish, told CNN Sunday that the right of peaceful protest is paramount.

Im personally extremely disturbed by the use of the police to disrupt the encampment, he said. It was a mistake by the university. It made me more supportive of the encampment and what it represents about free speech.

He contrasted the pretty peaceful environment on campus with the more energized demonstrations outside campus, referencing deeply disheartening incidents that took place Saturday night outside campus by people Emery said were not affiliated with the university. He added that some more observant Jewish friends of his had experienced harassment but that Jewish students should feel safe on campus.

Especially during the day, Im never really worried about anything getting out of hand, he said.

CNNs Sarah Dewberry, Sam Fossum, Caroll Alvarado, Paradise Afshar and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.

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The president of Columbia University in New York moved all classes online on Monday in an attempt to calm students after a weekend of pro-Palestine protests.

Baroness Shafik, a former Whitehall mandarin and deputy governor of the Bank of England, has intervened in a bitter campus row that has left Jewish students fearing for their safety.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators erected dozens of tents on the universitys lawn last week, demanding that Columbia support a ceasefire in Gaza and divest from Israeli funds.

Lady Shafik called in police to deal with the protest after some students were filmed shouting anti-Semitic abuse, and officers made more than 100 arrests.

Footage taken last week shows a pro-Palestine demonstrator holding a sign near a Jewish counter-protest that said Al-Qassams Next Targets, a reference to the armed wing of Hamas.

In another incident, Jewish students were told to go back to Poland. Some chants of pro-Palestine protesters expressed open support for Hamass terror attack on Israel on Oct 7.

Baroness Shafik, the president of Columbia University, called in police to deal with the pro-Palestine protest and officers made more than 100 arrests - Anadolu

On Monday, Lady Shafik called for a reset on campus in an attempt to bring the tensions under control, moving all classes online.

She said there had been much debate about whether or not we should use the police on campus, and that she was happy to engage in those discussions, but that it was important to take the heat out of the protests.

There have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behaviour on our campus, she said, adding that the decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days.

These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia, who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas, she said. We need a reset.

The announcement came after Elie Buechler, a rabbi, urged Jewish students to go home and protect themselves from the protesters.

It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved, he said in a text message.

It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school.

Pro-Israel counter-demonstrators at the university - STEFAN JEREMIAH/AP

A group of university dons have convened a crisis group to resolve the tensions. The protesters claim they were unfairly targeted by police, and that their demonstration was peaceful.

The demonstrators drew the attention of the White House on Sunday evening, as Joe Biden issued a statement indirectly condemning their protest.

In a statement to mark the start of Passover, Mr Biden warned of an alarming surge of anti-Semitism, arguing that silence is complicity.

Even in recent days, weve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews, he said. This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous  and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.

Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, visited the campus on Monday to convene a meeting between City Hall, Baroness Shafik and the NYPD on the need to fight anti-Semitism and protect public safety.

The protests have prompted safety concerns for Jewish students - Anadolu

Lady Shafik, who has become one of the most high-profile university academics in the US, graduated from the London School of Economics and Oxford University in the 1980s, before rising to prominence at the World Bank and becoming the deputy governor of the Bank of England in 2014.

She also served as the permanent secretary of the now-defunct department for international development, and was awarded a damehood and a life peerage in 2015 and 2020, respectively.

She became the president of Columbia in July 2023 and holds dual British and American citizenship.

Her tenure at Columbia has been dominated by fierce debates on campus about the war in Gaza and the limits of free speech on campus.

A day after the Hamas attack, in which about 1,200 people were murdered, a coalition of 24 student groups at Harvard University released an open letter blaming Israel for the attack and expressing no sympathy for the victims.

In December, the presidents of Harvard, UPenn and MIT  three of Americas top Ivy League universities  were criticised by Congress after refusing to say that calling for the genocide of Jews constituted harassment.

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When employees leave businesses, some managers carry a "don't let the door hit you on the way out" mentality.

But research shows other managers are abandoning that notion and instead continuing to network with their former employees  which can, at times, be mutually beneficial even after their departure.

It is a mindset shift of thinking differently about when people leave and maintaining those relationships, and even to the point of potentially celebrating employee exits because there can be value in continuing those relationships after people leave, said Erin Makarius, Ph.D., Management Department chair and associate management professor at the University of Akron.

Erin Makarius, Ph.D., Management Department chair and associate management professor at the University of Akron

Makarius and Alison Dachner, Ph.D., associate management professor at John Carroll University, write about boomerangs, or returning former employees, as well as ex-employees who can become customers or vendors or provide referrals.

Since 2021, Makarius and Dachner have published four articles, two of which have other co-authors, in four separate publications on what they call the alumni-organization relationship.

Alison Dachner, Ph.D., associate management professor at John Carroll University

By alumni, they mean employees who have left organizations.

A lot of companies just start with a LinkedIn network or something  it's just this way to keep track of their alumni and manage that process a little bit more, Makarius said. One of the values we found in doing that is because if companies aren't doing it, alumni are doing it themselves in some cases. So, theres this opportunity that could be lost if the companys not the one managing that relationship.

Local corporate 'alumna' returns

Tiffiney Channell left her employer in March 2023 and returned that October, less than seven months later.

Channell was working for staffing agency Great Work Employment for nearly four years before her departure from there. She started as staffing supervisor in June 2019 and was branch manager of the business's Canton office when she left last March.

But when an opportunity arose for Channell to work remotely in the medical field as a credentialing coordinator, she said she took the leap.

"At the time there was a lot of buzz around working from home and I thought this would be a good move," Channell said via email. "However, I quickly learned that remote work was not the best choice for me. I truly enjoy interacting with my colleagues and meeting/working in person. I didnt realize how motivating it is to have other people to work with until I didnt have it."

Tiffiney Channell left as an employee of Great Work in March 2023 and returned in October of that year.

When Channell returned to Great Work in October, it was as an Akron-based corporate office manager.

Great Work focuses on employing hundreds of temp workers at a time. The agency also has 25 full-time staff members between its seven Northeast Ohio offices to provide temp services, and Channell is one of them.

Company President Tia Ramlow said that in 2023, Great Work probably had the most resignations out of any year in its 32-year history.

"I think that was just a trend across the country where people decided that they were going to move on for whatever reason," Ramlow said. "And we've had multiple; [but] we keep lines of communication."

Ramlow said many of the agency's employees have had the mindset that "the grass is greener" in another job, and that doesn't always turn out to be the case.

Tia Ramlow, GreatWork Employment president, discusses elements of GreatWork on Feb. 22.

She said it appears more employers are opening up to the idea of bringing back former employees who left in good standing  and not trying to talk employees into staying when they resign, which can backfire.

"I think the employers are saying, 'You know what? We're not going to counter, we're not going to do all these things to try to keep them,' because if someone's in their brain that they have to move on, it's usually better that they do," Ramlow said. "But sometimes they do realize that what they had was good. To bring them back, you're not retraining them, and that's a plus for us."

As Channell continues her career at Great Work, she offered up some words of advice for career success: "Define your career goal and go after it," "take initiative" and "never burn a bridge."

Local law firm works to understand employees' reasons for leaving

Multiple employees who have left Northeast Ohio law firm Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs have returned or joined one of the firm's clients as in-house counsel, said Caytie Matti, Buckingham's director of human resources and talent success.

Attorneys, a legal assistant and a paralegal are among the people who left and came back to Buckingham, which has offices in Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Matti said.

Buckingham hosts exit interviews to learn more about employees' decisions to leave.

"One of them lasted two hours, to be honest," Matti said. "And I'll just sit and listen as long as somebody wants to talk, to tell me about their experience and what they think could be different or better."

Buckingham also hosts stay interviews for associate attorneys and non-equity partners with questions about what could be improved, she said.

Most of the employees the firm has hired over the past five years have stayed, she said.

When employees leave Buckingham, Matti said, "we try to do all we can to make the transition smooth for them."

In situations where successful Buckingham lawyers have gone on to work directly for the firm's clients, she said both sides have maintained positive relationships and open lines of communication.

"That's probably why the companies wanted them, because they were great attorneys here [and they thought] that they would be great as in-house counsel," Matti said.

Major coffee chain expands alumni network

Another company aiming to take a cordial approach to employee offboarding is Starbucks, which has 10 stores in Akron and 23 in Summit County. Anyone who formerly worked for the coffee chain, including in roles such as a barista, shift supervisor or store or district manager, can register to join the coffee chains alumni network.

More than 43,000 ex-Starbucks employees  or as the company calls them, partners  have joined the Starbucks Alumni Community since its 2021 founding, said Vida Killian, director of the community. Those alums have various career roles at many institutions; Killian listed, for example, nurses and educators and CEOs and nonprofits and students.

Even if employees were fired or laid off, she said, they can join the network.

The main upside of the alumni network for Starbucks is brand ambassadorship and advocacy, Killian said.

The benefit to former employees, she said, is a community that supports their careers and allows them to network with others who have moved from Starbucks into new career roles. The community has hosted events online, including on LinkedIn, and in person.

I think what's really interesting right now is if you look at LinkedIn and people's profiles and summaries, they will say, 'ex-Starbucks, ex-Google, ex-Amazon, ex-Microsoft,' whatever it is, as a personal branding. And there's a reputation that goes along with that, Killian said. And I find that really fascinating as a personal branding aspect, and that is a company opportunity to say, 'If you're proud that you worked for us, what can we do to continue that relationship at some level?'

Alumni members can also nominate nonprofits to receive Neighborhood Grants from The Starbucks Foundation that range from $1,000 to $10,000. The foundation has issued $255,000 in grants to 233 nonprofits across 39 states because of alumni nominations, Killian said.

Starbucks launched its Neighborhood Grants program in 2019 and has awarded $15 million via 10,000 grants to organizations in U.S. and Canadian communities, according to the company's website.

The program has been going on for years, and last year, we extended it to include alumni, Killian said. So, its one example of stay connected to the company, continue to give back to your community, which is something we believe in.

Killian said retail and food companies shouldnt be the only kinds of businesses creating alumni networks and maintaining positive relationships with exiting employees.

I think it is time for all companies to think of, What's the value of their employee life cycle beyond the onboarding to offboarding window? Killian said.

A message for businesses: 'That person's still in your ecosystem'

One of Makarius and Dachners most recent academic papers on worker offboarding and alumni looks at how organizations approaches to employee exits and communication with ex-employees influences those professionals attitudes. Then, they write, those attitudes unfold into actions that can serve businesses  or not.

The researchers write in the paper that an employee left one organization "on bad terms and was so bitter months later that they wrote a horrible warning email to an incoming job candidate, potentially sabotaging the organizations search."

That person's still in your ecosystem, and social media and technology make it such that they're not far away even if theyre away, Dachner said.

The researchers, alongside Rhett Brymer, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati management assistant professor, published that paper, You Say Goodbye, and I Say Hello: The AlumniOrganization Relationship and Post-Separation Value, in the Academy of Management Review in August 2023.

Some managers have found that former employees working as clients and bringing in customers have served their organizations better than they did when they were employees, Dachner said.

When former employees transition into client or customer roles, Dachner said it can be a "better-as-friends" situation, using a term associated with romantic breakups.

And you may miss out on opportunities, if you're not managing it, that you could have people who would have been better as friends, Makarius added. But without continuing the relationship with them, you don't see the value in that relationship.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Research highlights benefits of managers keeping ties with ex-employees
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 08: The statue of Robert E. Lee is lowered from its plinth at Robert E. Lee Memorial during its removal on September 8, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. The statue has towered over Monument Avenue since 1890. - Photo: Amr Alfiky, National Geographic-Pool (Getty Images)

Black History is filled with heroes, but it also has its fair share of villains. From Robert E. Lee to David Duke, here are the most terrifying men and women from throughout Black history.



Jefferson Davis

circa 1849: American politician and President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis (1808 - 1889) - Photo: Hulton Archive (Getty Images)

Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis is an obvious candidate for this list. Aside from fighting to preserve the system of chattel slavery, Davis personally enslaved over 100 Black people on his plantation. Davis believed in the fundamental inferiority of Black people, telling the Senate in 1860, that slavery was a form of civil government for those who by their nature are not fit to govern themselves.

Robert E. Lee

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - August 18, 2017: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Sign underneath staue of Conferderate General Robert E. Lee that reads HEATHER HEYER PARK on August 18, 2017 in Charlottesville. On August 12, 2017, a car was deliberately driven into a crowd of people who had been peacefully protesting the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing one and injuring 28. T - Photo: Bill Tompkins (Getty Images)

This one is kind of a no-brainer. Robert E. Lee was a confederate general during the civil war, who fought for the enslavement of Black Americans. Theres not really anything else you have to say about the man to justify his inclusion on this list.



Dr J. Marion Sims

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: In front of a small crowd of activists and media, city workers remove a statue of J. Marion Sims, a surgeon and medical pioneer in the field of gynecology, from its perch on the edge of Central Park on April 17, 2018 in Harlem, New York. Community activists had been lobbying the city for years to remove the statue because Sims practiced medical experiments on slave women without anesthesia. - Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis (Getty Images)

Although Dr J. Marion Sims is often credited as the father of gynecology, he conducted horrific experiments on enslaved women without anesthesia. These women were not able to consent to his procedures.



Mrs. J.E. Andrews

Original Caption) October 9, 1956 - Fort Worth, Texas: Mrs. E.T. Holden and Mrs. Peggy Richard picket the Calvary Assembly of God church. After the Pastor, Reverend W.T. Miller, sold the building to a Negro congregation. The church is located in the racially tense Morningside addition. White residents expressed fears that Negro families would move into the area. - Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Unlike, Robert E. Lee, this is a name you probably dont know. Mrs. J.E. Andrews was President of the Womens National Association for the Preservation of the White Race, Georgia in the 1930s. She fought against anti-lynching efforts and said the NAACP was trying to destroy the pure white race.



Roy Bryant & J.W. Milam

(Original Caption) Mrs. Bryant Gives Wolf Whistle Account. Sumner, Mississippi: Carolyn Bryant and her husband, Roy, consult with defense attorney Sidney Carlton at the courthouse in Sumner where Roy and his half brother, J.W. Milam, are on trial for the wolf whistle kidnap murder of Emmett Louis Till, 14 year old Chicago Negro. Mrs. Bryant testified today that a Negro man caught her around the waist and asked her for a date - Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Roy Bryant & J.W. Milam kidnapped, tortured, and killed 14 year-old Emmett Till in 1955. Despite, significant evidence of their guilt, the two men were acquitted by an all-white jury. They died without facing any consequences for killing a child.



Carolyn Bryant Donham

Carolyn Bryant and Juanita Milam (1927-2014), the wives of Roy Bryant and John William Milam, who stand accused of the kidnap and murder of Emmett Till, sitting in their husbands lawyers office across the street from the courthouse, reading newspaper accounts of the trial at Sumner courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, September 1955. Black teenager Emmett Till was alleged to have whistled at Carolyn Bryant. ( - Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Carolyn Bryant Donham, wife of Roy Bryant, is another obvious addition to the list. Bryant Donham testified at her husband his brothers trial that Emmett Till, 14, had assaulted her and whistled at her. Bryant Donhams accusation not only set off the events of Tills murder, it also helped Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam escape accountability. A Duke University historian later said that she had told him that she lied about the assault and that he made sexual advances towards her. She died in 2023.

Senator Strom Thurmond

U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (Republican - South Carolina). - Photo: U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (Republican - South Carolina). (Getty Images)

South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond was an outspoken segregationist. Thurmond strongly opposed civil rights legislation to the point where he led a 24-hour filibuster to block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Thurmond spent 48 years in the Senate. He never renounced his racist views and he died in 2003 at 100 years old.



Eugene Bull Connor

(Original Caption) 5/10/1963-Birmingham, AL-Birmingham public safety commissioner Eugene Bull Connor (C) appears at a press conference announcing a bi-racial agreement to end racial strife in the city. - Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Eugene Bull Connor might not be a household name in the modern-era, but he certainly earned his spot on our list of boogie men. Connor was an ardent segregationist, who served as commissioner of public safety in Birmingham, Alabama during the civil rights era. Connor enforced segregation in what Martin Luther King Jr. called the most segregated city in America. with an iron fist, using hoses, dogs, and batons to beat demonstrators.

George Wallace

Alabama governor George C. Wallace promises segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever during his 1963 inaugural address. In June of 1963, Wallace blocked the door to a University of Alabama building to prevent the court-ordered enrollment of two black students, until federal marshals forced him to step aside. He quickly became a symbol of resistance to integration. In later years, Wallace publicly claimed remorse for his actions, stating that he had never been a racist at heart. - Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Former Alabama Governor and failed-Presidential candidate George Wallace undeniably earned his spot on this list. Wallace became a symbol for the segregationist movement vowing, segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.



Ronald Reagan

US President Ronald W. Reagan speaking at a fundraiser for Senate Candidate Linda Chavezs campaign. - Photo: Dirck Halstead (Getty Images)

We cant have a list of folks whose actions have haunted Black Americans without a shout-out to former President Ronald Reagan. Its easy to start with the overt racism, i.e. that time Reagan called a U.N. delegation from Africa monkeys, or his creation/exploitation of the welfare queen stereotype. But, we cant talk Reagan without talking Reaganomics  his trickle down economic policy, which many scholars consider disastrous for Black Americans.

Donald Trump

Former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump applauds at the end of a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, on December 19, 2023. An appeals court in Colorado on December 19, 2023 ruled Donald Trump cannot appear on the states presidential primary ballot because of his involvement in the attack on the Capitol in January 2021. - Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI (Getty Images)

Although it may seem like Donald Trump made a total 360 when he started running for President, that couldnt be further from the truth. In 1973, the Justice Department sued Trump Management, Trump, and his father for illegally discriminating against Black renters. And in 1989, Trump took out an advertisement calling for the deaths of five Black and Latino children who were wrongfully accused of raping a central park jogger. Trump has never apologized for calling for their deaths.

David Duke

A protester holds up a sign reading, David Duke Nazi of the 90's, interrupting David Dukes speech during a campaign rally. - Photo: Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis (Getty Images)

This ardent white supremacist is still a menace to this day. David Duke, former grand wizard of the modern Ku Klux Klan and a former Louisiana State Rep., is arguably the most recognizable right-wing hate figure in the United States. Duke has endorsed several Republican political candidates, including former President Donald Trump.

Justice Clarence Thomas

Clarence Thomas, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, listens during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. - Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg (Getty Images)

We dont even have to get into the modern-era to explain this choice. In 1991, Anita Hill, a Black attorney and future esteemed Brandeis University law professor, accused Justice Clarence Thomas of sexually harassing her while he was her supervisor. (He denied the allegations). In the subsequent years, Justice Thomas has repeatedly voted to overturn major civil rights victories, including huge swaths of the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action in higher education.

Donald Trump Pt. 2

US President Donald Trump listens to officials during a roundtable discussion on community safety, at Mary D. Bradford High School in in Kenosha, Wisconsin on September 1, 2020. - Trump said Tuesday on a visit to protest-hit Kenosha, Wisconsin that recent anti-police demonstrations in the city were acts of domestic terror committed by violent mobs. These are not acts of peaceful protest but really domestic terror, Trump said, describing multiple nights of angry demonstrations last week after a white police officer in Kenosha shot a black man in the back at close range. - Photo: MANDEL NGAN / AFP (Getty Images)

Yes, Donald Trump is making a second appearance on this list. In 2011, Donald Trump became the main spokesperson for the birther movement  a racist conspiracy theory claiming that former President Barack Obama was not a U.S. Citizen. Trump spent years perpetuating this lie, which helped him grow a significant base of Republican support. It wasnt until 2016, that Trump finally backed-away from his claims that the first Black president was born in Kenya. While in office, Trump defended said that there were very fine people on both sides during a neo-Nazi rally in Virginia. (Theres plenty more to say about Trump, but that would be its own list).

Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck, conservative political commentator and radio host, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, US, on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. The Conservative Political Action Conference launched in 1974 brings together conservative organizations, elected leaders, and activists. - Photo: Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Getty Images)

Conservative radio host Glenn Beck is an obvious choice for numerous reasons, Fun fact: he compared Paula Deen getting called out for saying the N-word to critiques of Martin Luther King Jr. is definitely one of them.

Candace Owens

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 03: Candace Owens and Jack Posobiec are seen on set of Candace on May 03, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The show will air on May 03, 2022. - Photo: Jason Davis (Getty Images)

Obviously, we cant have Stacey Dash on this list without Candace Owens. Owens has spent years putting down Black Americans, demonizing Black culture, calling Black Lives Matter activists terrorists, and saying that Black people who care about systemic racism are stuck in the past and pretending to be oppressed.





Ann Coulter

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Elisha Krauss, mayor Glenn Jacobs, Tomi Lahren and Ann Coulter speak onstage during the 2019 Politicon at Music City Center on October 26, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. - Photo: Jason Kempin (Getty Images)

Ann Coulter is a bit of a blast from the past, which makes her perfect for this list. Coulter has defended white supremacist groups, and implied that racism in the U.S. is more or less extinct.



Tucker Carlson

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 20: Tucker Carlson speaks during RiskOn360! GlobalSuccess Conference at Ahern Hotel and Convention Center on November 20, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Image: Ian Maule/ (Getty Images)

Tucker Carlson may have lost his primetime spot on Fox News, but that doesnt mean hes off our radar. Carlson has a bunch of reasons to be on this list, but his promotion of the racist and dangerous Great Replacement theory, is a top contender.

Richard Spencer

ALEXANDRIA, VA - AUGUST 14: White nationalist Richard Spencer speaks to select media in his office space on August 14, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia. Spencer, head of the National Policy Institute and self-described creator of the term alt-right, announced his intention to speak at rallies at Texas A&M University and the University of Florida in September. Spencer attended this past weekends violent protests at the University of Virginia that left at least three people dead and dozens injured. ( - Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)

Richard Spencer is a neo-Nazi and an avowed White Supremacist with a Southern Poverty Law Center rap sheet a mile long.



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Susie Garza displays a city-provided debit card she receives monthly through a trial program in Stockton, California, in 2019. That year, Stockton launched a basic income experiment that has set off a major expansion of such programs across the country. Research has shown basic income programs can boost employment and health, but GOP lawmakers in some states are pushing back on the concept of free cash. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo)

South Dakota state Sen. John Wiik likes to think of himself as a lookout of sorts  keeping an eye on new laws, programs and ideas brewing across the states.

I dont bring a ton of legislation, said Wiik, a Republican. The main thing I like to do is try and stay ahead of trends and try and prevent bad things from coming into our state.

This session, that meant sponsoring successful legislation banning cities or counties from creating basic income programs, which provide direct, regular cash payments to low-income residents to help alleviate poverty.

While Wiik isnt aware of any local governments publicly floating the idea in South Dakota, he describes such programs as bureaucrats trying to hand out checks to make sure that your party registration matches whoever signed the checks for the rest of your life.

The economic gut punch of the pandemic and related assistance efforts such as the expanded child tax credit popularized the idea of directly handing cash to people in need. Advocates say the programs can be administered more efficiently than traditional government assistance programs, and research suggests they increase not only financial stability but also mental and physical health.

Still, Wiik and other Republicans argue handing out no-strings-attached cash disincentivizes work  and having fewer workers available is especially worrisome in a state with the nations second-lowest unemployment rate.

South Dakota is among at least six states where GOP officials have looked to ban basic income programs.

The basic income concept has been around for decades, but a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California, set off a major expansion. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month with no strings attached for two years. Independent researchers found the program improved financial stability and health, but concluded that the pandemic dampened those effects.

GOP lawmakers like Wiik fear that even experimental programs could set a dangerous precedent.

What did Ronald Reagan say, The closest thing to eternal life on this planet is a government program? Wiik said. So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, its going to be really hard to take that away.

The debate over basic income programs is likely to intensify as blue state lawmakers seek to expand pilot programs. Minnesota, for example, could become the nations first to fund a statewide program. But elected officials in red states are working to thwart such efforts  not only by fighting statewide efforts but also by preventing local communities from starting their own basic income programs.

Democratic governors in Arizona and Wisconsin recently vetoed Republican legislation banning basic income programs.

Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County to block a pilot program that would provide $500 per month to 1,900 low-income people in the states largest county, home to Houston.

Paxton, a Republican, argued the program is illegal because it violates a state constitutional provision that says local governments cannot grant public money to individuals.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, a Democrat, called Paxtons move nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.

Meanwhile, several blue states are pushing to expand these programs.

Washington state lawmakers debated a statewide basic income bill during this years short session. And Minnesota lawmakers are debating whether to spend $100 million to roll out one of the nations first statewide pilot programs.

Were definitely seeing that shift from pilot to policy, said Sukhi Samra, the director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which formed after the Stockton experiment.

So far, that organization has helped launch about 60 pilot programs across the country that will provide $250 million in unconditional aid, she said.

This is an effective policy that helps our families, and this can radically change the way that we address poverty in this country.

 Sukhi Samra, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income director

Despite pushback in some states, Samra said recent polling commissioned by the group shows broad support of basic income programs. And the programs have shown success in supplementing  not replacing  social safety net programs, she said.

The extra cash gives recipients freedom of choice. People can fix a flat tire, cover school supplies or celebrate a childs birthday for the first time.

Theres no social safety net program that allows you to do that. she said.   This is an effective policy that helps our families, and this can radically change the way that we address poverty in this country.

Basic income experiments

The proliferation of basic income projects has been closely studied by researchers.

Though many feared that free cash would dissuade people from working, that hasnt been the case, said Sara Kimberlin, the executive director and senior research scholar at Stanford Universitys Center on Poverty and Inequality.

Stanfords Basic Income Lab has tracked more than 150 basic income pilots across the country. Generally, those offer $500 or $1,000 per month over a short period.

There isnt anywhere in the United States where you can live off of $500 a month, she said. At the same time, $500 a month really makes a tremendous difference for someone who is living really close to the edge.

Kimberlin said the research on basic income programs has so far been promising, though its unclear how long the benefits may persist once programs conclude. Still, she said, plenty of research shows how critical economic stability in childhood is to stability in adulthood  something both the basic income programs and the pandemic-era child tax credit can address.

Over the past five years, basic income experiments have varied across the country.

Last year, California launched the nations first state-funded pilot programs targeting former foster youth.

In Colorado, the Denver Basic Income Project aimed to help homeless individuals. After early successes, the Denver City Council awarded funding late last year to extend that program, which provides up to $1,000 per month to hundreds of participants.

A 2021 pilot launched in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provided $500 a month over 18 months to 130 single caregivers. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found the Cambridge program increased employment, the ability to cover a $400 emergency expense, and food and housing security among participants.

Children in participating families were more likely to enroll in Advanced Placement courses, earned higher grades and had reduced absenteeism.

It was really reaffirming to hear that when families are not stressed out, they are able to actually do much better, said Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation, which worked on the project.

Pradhan said basic income programs are part of a national trend in trust-based philanthropy, which empowers individuals rather than imposing top-down solutions to fight poverty.

There is something that I think it does to peoples sense of empowerment, a sense of agency, the freedom that you feel, she said. I think that theres some very important aspects of humanity that are built into these programs.

While the pilot concluded, the Cambridge City Council committed $22 million in federal pandemic aid toward a second round of funding. Now, nearly 2,000 families earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty level are receiving $500 monthly payments, said Sumbul Siddiqui, a city council member.

Siddiqui, a Democrat, pushed for the original pilot when she was mayor during the pandemic. While she said the program has proven successful, its unclear whether the city can find a sustainable source of funding to keep it going long term.

States look to expand pilots

Tomas Vargas Jr. was among the 125 people who benefited from the Stockton, California, basic income program that launched in 2019.

At the time, he heard plenty of criticism from people who said beneficiaries would blow their funds on drugs and alcohol or quit their jobs.

Off of $500 a month, which amazed me, said Vargas, who worked part time at UPS.

Tomas Vargas Jr. is pictured with his wife and two children

Tomas Vargas Jr. was among the 125 people who participated in the 2019 basic income experiment in Stockton, Calif. Vargas, pictured here with his family, said the $500 a month allowed him to be a better father and take off time to pursue a better career. (Courtesy of Tomas Vargas Jr.)

But he said the cash gave him breathing room. He had felt stuck at his job, but the extra money gave him the freedom to take time off to interview for better jobs.

Unlike other social service programs like food stamps, he didnt have to worry about losing out if his income went up incrementally. The cash allowed him to be a better father, he said, as well as improved his confidence and mental health.

The experience prompted him to get into the nonprofit sector. Financially stable, he now works at Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.

The person I was five years ago is not the person that I am now, he said.

Washington state Sen. Claire Wilson, a Democrat, said basic income is a proactive way to disrupt the status quo maintained by other anti-poverty efforts.

I have a belief that our systems in our country have never been put in place to get people out of them, she said. They kept people right where they are.

Wilson chairs the Human Services Committee, which considered a basic income bill this session that would have created a pilot program to offer 7,500 people a monthly amount equivalent to the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in their area.

The basic income bill didnt progress during Washingtons short legislative session this year, but Wilson said lawmakers would reconsider the idea next year. While she champions the concept, she said theres a lot of work to be done convincing skeptics.

In Minnesota, where lawmakers are considering a $100 million statewide basic income pilot program, some Republicans balked at the concept of free cash and its cost to taxpayers.

Just the cost alone should be a concern, Republican state Rep. Jon Koznick said during a committee meeting this month.

State Rep. Athena Hollins, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, acknowledged the hefty request, but said backers would support a scaled-down version and thought it was really important to get this conversation started.

Much of the conversation in committee centered on local programs in cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, a Democrat, told lawmakers the citys 2020 pilot saw groundbreaking results.

After scraping by for years, some families were able to put money into savings for the first time, he said. Families experienced less anxiety and depression. And the pilot disproved the disparaging tropes from critics about people living in poverty, the mayor said.

Carter told lawmakers that the complex issue of economic insecurity demands statewide solutions.

I am well aware that the policy were proposing today is a departure from what were all used to, he said. In fact, thats one of my favorite things about it.

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The post Red states fight growing efforts to give basic income cash to residents appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A registered sex offender pleaded guilty to child pornography charges this week, admitting to possessing images of child torture and mutilation.

Jeremiah Morrison, 38, pleaded guilty Friday to distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography, and transporting obscene matter.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth L. Parker, Morrison was previously convicted twice for crimes against children, including in 2012 for filming an 11-year-old child under a bathroom stall at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Central Ohio man who used Snapchat to obtain child pornography pleads guilty

In June of 2023, members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant of Morrisons cell phone, where detectives allegedly found approximately 3,000 images and 900 videos of child sexual abuse material, containing children under one year up to six years of age. Investigators said they also discovered images and videos depicting torture, mutilation, and dead children.

Morrison was arrested in September 2023 and has remained in custody since.

A sentencing date for Morrison has not been scheduled. He could face 15 years to life in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Rep. Cory Mills (FL-07) legislation to rename the main post office at 109 Live Oaks Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida, in honor of Colonel Joseph Kittinger, a former Command Pilot in the U.S. Air Force and Altamonte Springs resident, has passed out of the House Oversight Committee and can now be brought to the House Floor.

Im honored my legislation to commemorate a hero here in Floridas Seventh has passed the House Oversight Committee markup, said Rep. Mills. Colonel Kittingers service as a Command Pilot, including time spent as a POW, as well as his dedication to aerospace research, exemplify his bravery and commitment to our nation. I have no doubt Colonel Kittingers numerous achievements will inspire aviators and members of our community for generations to come. I look forward to seeing this bill come to the House floor in the near future.

I had the privilege of knowing Col. Joe Kittinger for many years, and it was a great honor for me to be a part of his selection to Seminole Countys Veteran of the Year in 2020, said Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari. Naming this post office, in some ways, honors all our veterans and thanks them for their service. Col. Kittinger embodies the best of Seminole Countys legacy of veterans who sacrificed so much for our country.

The bill is now brought to the House Floor to be voted on later.

Read: 2 people found dead after shooting, deputies say

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Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) on Sunday suggested the Houses bipartisan passage of a massive foreign aid bill this week could fare well for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is facing an ouster threat from at least three members of his GOP conference.

When asked on NewsNations The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt if he and other Democrats would help save Johnson from a motion to vacate, Ivey kept his cards close to his chest while nodding to the progress made on Saturday.

Well, I think well have to see, he answered. But I thought that  Saturday was a good day. Especially with respect to Speaker Johnson working with Democratic leader [Rep.] Hakeem Jeffries [D-N.Y.]. The week before that, you had [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act], which was another bipartisan piece of legislation that was extremely important to get done.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced a motion to vacate Johnsons Speakership last month over his handling of Ukraine aid and government spending. Tensions heated up last week after Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) said they would back the motion.

The threat of the ouster remains unclear as Greene has yet to force it to the floor for a vote or laid out what might prompt her to do so.

The House on Saturday passed a foreign aid package that includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and global humanitarian aid, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific and a package of other national security measures, including a possible ban on the TikTok app.

So, we may have hit a point where were able to get things done if we work together on a bipartisan basis going forward, Ivey continued. And almost everything  important thats gotten done in this Congress, whether its keeping the government open or paying up the United States debts  its all been done on a bipartisan basis. Democrats are willing to work with him, and I think he showed that he worked with us, so that could be good.

The foreign aid bill will now head to the Senate, which is expected to vote on it later this week.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

This story was updated at 5:57 p.m. on April 22.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Jam-e Jam daily newspaper featuring an illustrated image of Iranian surface-to-surface missiles on its front page on Palestine Square in downtown Tehran. Israel on 14 April hailed its air defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran, saying the systems thwarted 99% of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched toward its territory. Rouzbeh Fouladi/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Iran is in contact with the United States in order to resume nuclear negotiations, according to media reports.

Under the headline "Saving the agreement in the midst of a war crisis," the daily newspaper Shargh cited informed sources in a report as saying that the Iranian UN mission in New York is coordinating the talks.

According to Shargh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri is no longer leading the negotiations, but Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian confirmed on Saturday that talks on the nuclear agreement had also been held during his stay in New York but he did not provide any further details, including whether the talks were held with US representatives or not.

However, he did say that Iran was interested in a "diplomatic solution" to the conflicts in the Middle East.

According to commentators, the leadership in Tehran wants to use the recent military conflict with arch-enemy Israel as leverage to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement, negotiated under former US president Barack Obama's administration. In return for a de-escalation demanded by the West, there will be new nuclear negotiations. The aim is to lift the sanctions that are paralysing Iran.

The planned visit to Tehran by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is also being categorized in the same context.

Israel carried out a retaliatory attack on Iran's Isfahan province on Friday, according to media reports. Isfahan is not only home to the Natanz nuclear facility, where Iran enriches uranium, but also to the Shahid Babaei Air Base.

Britain's BBC reported on the basis of analysed satellite images that a central part of the S-300 air-defence system at the base had been hit in the attack. An Iranian army spokesman denied that and said there had been no damage to the nuclear facility or the air base.

Israel's limited military strike followed an attack by Iran on Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles on April 13. This followed the death of two Iranian generals in an attack on an embassy building in the Syrian capital Damascus. This attack was attributed to Israel.

It is a long-standing practice of Israel not to comment publicly on reports of foreign missions.

Following the JCPOA nuclear deal of 2015 and the lifting of sanctions, the ailing Iranian economy experienced a brief upturn. Oil exports in particular, the country's main source of income, returned to relative normality.

However, since the US withdrew from the deal in 2018 - under then-president Donald Trump - and new sanctions were imposed, the oil-rich country has been mired in the worst financial crisis in its history. The national currency, the rial, has lost more than 60% in value since then.
Republican lashes out at Matt Gaetz by branding him a 'scumbag' and repeating sex and drug claims

A Republican member of the House of Representatives went off against two of his colleagues on Sunday after a tense weekend in Congress led to the passage of military assistance to Ukraine.

Tony Gonzales of Texas was speaking to CNN when he was asked whether Speaker Mike Johnson would survive a motion to vacate his title being led by several lawmakers on the far right win of his party.

He will survive, Mr Gonzales said, before launching into his tirade: Look, I work with some real scumbags.

"Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties," Mr Gonzales said. "Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around in white hoods at night. Now they're walking around with white hoods in the daytime."

His reference to Mr Gaetz relates to unproven allegations about the Florida congressmans behaviour that have run rampant as the House pursues an Ethics Committee investigation into the matter. Mr Gaetz has strenuously and repeatedly denied wrongdoing; the Department of Justice, having looked into the matter, declined to bring charges against him. The agency did charge an associate of Mr Gaetzs with sex trafficking as a result of the probe  that associate is now spending 11 years behind bars after pleading guilty.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), "I've served with some real scumbags. Matt Gaetz paid minors to have sex with him. Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-nazi. These people used to walk around with white hoods at night. Now they're walking around with white hoods in the daytime." pic.twitter.com/5s8TAvdYGi  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 21, 2024

Mr Gonzales is far from the only Republican member to spread these allegations about Mr Gaetz. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently did so during a talk at Georgetown University  Mr Gaetz is credited with leading the effort to oust the former speaker last fall.

"I'll give you the truth why I'm not speaker," Kevin McCarthy said. "It's because one person, a member of Congress ... he slept with a 17-year-old."

The accusation flung at Mr Goods feet refers to the House Freedom Caucus chairs endorsement of Brandon Herrera, Mr Gonzaless Republican primary opponent in the 2024 cycle. Mr Herrera, a YouTuber, is a rightwing influencer who has made jokes with overt Nazi imagery, including one where he referred to a German-manufactured rifle as a ghetto blaster.

Mr Herrera responded on Twitter: This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen. He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans wont listen anymore.

Mr Good and Mr Gaetz have not reponded to their colleagues tirade. The Independent has reached out to their offices for comment.

The House held a rare whirwind weekend session on Saturday and oversaw the passage of four bills tied to foreign policy and military assistance. Three main pieces of the legislation included military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The Ukraine portion of the bills was valued around $60. 8bn; some of that will go toward rebuilding US stockpiles, while billions more will help Kyiv purchase new air defence systems, munitions and other supplies.

Mr Gaetz and a number of conservative Republicans have come out against further military assistance to Ukraine, which for various reasons they argue is US invovlement in an unwinnable war. That faction failed to tank the legislation on Saturday, though the Republican speaker was forced to rely on Democratic votes to see the Ukraine bill pass.

Whats in the full foreign aid package passed by the House:

Three pieces of legislation that were part of the national security supplemental passed by the Senate, as well as one piece of sidecar legislation dealing with Russia/Iran sanctions, passed the House on Saturday. Combined, they will provide tens of billions of dollars in security and military assistance to US allies in three regions.

Ukraine

The Ukraine portion of the bill is the largest. $60.8bn is earmarked for Ukraine in the bills passed on Saturday, with much being targeted to resupply vital air defences for the Ukrainian military. A Republican amendment to strip all non-defence spending from the bill failed.

Of the defence spending in the bill, $23bn is set aside to replenish US stockpiles drawn down by the effort to supply Ukraine, while another $11bn would support current US operations in eastern Europe. Nearly $14bn was targeted to help Ukraine purchase advanced weapon and defence systems.

A relatively smaller amount, $26m, was supplied to provide oversight efforts to ensure that US contributions to Ukraine are being disbursed correctly and fairly.

Israel

Much of the $26.38bn Israel bill is centred around restocking Israeli munitions required for its defences as well as the siege of Gaza, where Israel is attempting to wipe out Hamas militants. $4bn is included for resupplying the Iron Dome defensive grid, and $1.2bn is include for the so-called Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system used to take out drones and missiles.

$3.5bn is set aside to help Israel procure weapon systems, while nearly $7bn is marked for restocking US supplies and funding operations in the region.

Indo-Pacific

One last segment of the foreign aid package deals with Taiwan and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Philippines. This smaller ($8.12bn) bill sets aside $3.3bn for the construction of submarine port infrastructure around the Indo-Pacific and includes roughly $4bn in assistance to Taiwan and regional military partners of the US. Just over a half billion is also provided to directly strengthen US military assets in the region.
Late last year, Republican central committees across Missouri chose to adopt a vetting process for candidates who choose to file as Republicans in county races. But their goal of keeping those off the ballot who either do not go through vetting or fail the vetting process is proving more challenging than expected.

Almost 300 candidates in Missouri for county, state and federal seats have been vetted. Despite this, in Christian County, two Republican county candidates currently remain on the ballot ahead of the August primary election despite one failing the vetting process and the other not taking part in the process.

In Vernon County, a lawsuit has been filed against the county clerk for allowing Republican candidates who have been denied by the central committee onto the ballot.

The vetting process was developed by the Republican Association of Central Committees for Missouri, or REPACCMO. The nonprofit organization was created in October by Cyndia Haggard, the chair of the Vernon County Republican Central Committee, who now leads the organization.

The goal of the vetting process is to ensure those running as Republicans will govern in line with party principles. The REPACCMO website lists numerous county candidates who have passed vetting and statewide and federal candidates who have volunteered to be vetted and have passed.

The vetting process is proctored and includes an "objective review" of each candidate's background, a 25-question multiple choice "values survey" based on the state and national party platform and requires candidates to sign a statement pledging their allegiance to both the state and federal Republican Party platforms and constitutions. Incumbents and those who have held office in the past have their voting records reviewed. Survey questions are not shared with central committees that are considering or have already adopted the vetting process.

Local Republicans raise concerns about the vetting process

Don Carriker, chairman of the Christian County Republican Central Committee and REPACCMO survey administrator, said most people who have gone through the process have successfully passed  meaning they received at least 70% on the values survey. He said the results fall on a bell-curve, with no one scoring a 100% and the mean falling at 84%. He said only about five, of the roughly 300, have failed to meet the 70% threshold.

Carriker says the vetting process is essential to ensure candidates are genuine in their values and not simply running as Republicans to garner votes in red counties. With the vetting process, the candidate simply must be a majority Republican and pass the test with 70%, even if there are some issues or topics where their thoughts may differ from the Republican platform. He said central committee members and candidates should also be vetted, though there are not enforcement "teeth" to that practice as filing for those seats do not require fees.

"That's all we're trying to do is just keep out the few rats that are trying to get into the tent that don't belong in the tent," he said. "That's the most important thing to understand is that this isn't playing favorites."

Some Republicans have raised concerns about the vetting process because they feel that the party platform in its current state is imperfect. Rep. Darin Chappell, R-Rogersville, agrees with the premise of vetting and passed the vetting process himself, but disagrees with pledging loyalty to an ever-changing party platform, when alterations are sure to be made in future election cycles.

Rep. Darin Chappell, R-Rogersville, speaks to attendees at the GOP Lincoln Day event at the Oasis Convention Center on March 9, 2024.

Where I get wound up a little bit is when they want to say that you have to sign a pledge to the platform or that you have to agree that if you don't legislate according to the platform, then you're not eligible to run as a Republican the next time around, Chappell said.

The party platform is subject to review every four years, meaning that even if a candidate agreed with the platform when first elected, it wouldnt necessarily be the same platform if they ran for office again.

I'm fine with vetting. I think it should happen, I really do, Chappell said. The problem comes when they want to insert into the platform itself, not just guidelines, but expectations and corresponding punishments if those expectations are not met.

During the Greene County Republican caucus in March, local Republicans proposed amendments to the party platform. The only amendment to be struck down was one that would have required candidates to be vetted in order to run as a Republican.

Danette Proctor, chair of the Greene County Republican Central Committee, said that voters have different needs in diverse areas across the state, and even across Greene County, which includes both urban and rural districts.

"How you could pick one small committee to vet for people in all those areas, that's not possible," she said. "My position is vetting should be left up to the people, and we have the vetting date in the August primary."

Danette Proctor is the chair of the Greene County Republican Party.

Proctor went on to say that the voters should be informed about the candidates on the ballot, but that their decisions shouldn't be limited by the arbitrary choices of a vetting process designed by people who don't live in their voting area and understand their unique needs.

"Now everyone needs to study those candidates and find out, 'Hey, do they represent the area? Are they voting like I want them to vote or can I feel comfortable if they're brand new that they'll vote the way we want them in our district?" Proctor said.

Appealing vetting results

Those who fail the vetting process can go through an appeal and interview with the central committee to clarify some of their answers to the questions, which could then approve them to run as Republicans through a secret ballot vote in closed session. Although one candidate failed both the initial vetting process and the interview follow-up, he is still listed on the Christian County Clerk's list of candidates on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

Brent Young, Republican candidate for Christian County West Commissioner, has spent 32 years working at the county, and the past few years working directly under the current commission. A Christian County native, Young said he has gotten to know the west side of the county over the years and has been asked several times to run for the seat.

He said the vetting process being overseen by Carriker, who has ties to the county, was a conflict of interest. After being told he did not pass the vetting survey, he said he was not allowed to see his score or the questions he got wrong, though Carriker said they went over the questions verbally to allow Young to explain his answers.

"I've got a list of people I have campaigned for in the past and supported, that's all Republican," Young said. "I've got nothing to prove, I'm nothing but Republican, so that's what's puzzling."

At the appeal hearing, he brought with him a former Republican commissioner who vouched for him and explained his previous ties with several Republican candidates, including volunteering with the Christian County central committee in the past. Yet, the central committee asked questions about what he'd do as a commissioner and ultimately did not let him through as vetted.

"The original purpose of this, what I was told, was to keep Democrats from running," Young said. "As it's going along ... it's not that you're a Democrat. It's not that you're a Republican, but you got to be Republican enough."

He said the questions were based on the party platform and the answers, five options per question, were written similarly, in a way that was confusing and could be misleading. Carriker noted each choice is given one to five points depending on how closely it aligns with the platform. Although Young said he understands the intentions of the process, he said any person could study the state platform and take the survey and pass it.

Chappell raised similar concerns that, even though some lawmakers may pass the vetting process initially, their actions once elected may not reflect conservative beliefs. Candidates who have not previously held office dont have a voting record to take into consideration, which is a factor considered in vetting candidates running for reelection.

There are people who come up here (to Jefferson City) who have been labeled as conservative through this lackluster vetting process, and they get up here and, shazam, they're not conservative at all, Chappell said.

State Sen. Bill Eigel, a gubernatorial candidate who has been an outspoken supporter of the vetting process, feels that candidate vetting is important for sorting out true Republicans from those just looking to win elections in a state with a pervasive Republican supermajority.

Missouri State Senator Bill Eigel speaks at a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol Building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

We've seen a lot of Republicans deviating from what they said they would do in campaign season once they got down to Jefferson City, and so the idea of a vetting process, regardless of where it's coming from, is actually a very natural continuation of the discussion of a party that's been in power for a period of time and now is looking for purity, Eigel said.

While Young said he appreciates the goal of the vetting process, he also noted that it makes more sense for state-level candidates rather than county candidates who are bound by actions set by state statute and where party affiliations can only do so much. In his eyes, it could also be improved if any conflicts of interests, whether perceived or real, are avoided.

"I would like to see the committee focus on state level that actually creates laws and creates policies and bills, if they want to do something really helpful," he said. "The intention is good, I understand that. I just don't know if they're going about it the right way to be effective."

County clerks face uncertainty, legal challenges

Christian County Clerk Paula Brumfield said she, and other clerks in similar positions around the state, accepted the filing fees for candidates regardless of whether they were vetted or not, because of their interpretation of state statute.

"I still do the same process, I follow the state statute of the law when it comes to candidate filing," she said. "But the vetting is not a requirement to sign up for a position."

The state statute in question is RSMo. 115.357, which sets guidelines for filing fees. It states, "each candidate for federal, state or county office shall, before filing his or her declaration of candidacy, pay to the treasurer of the state or county committee of the political party upon whose ticket he or she seeks nomination." It also notes that these fees may be submitted to the official accepting declarations of candidacy, in this case the county clerk, who then forwards the fees to the political party county committee.

Central committees that have adopted the vetting process have noted that they will not accept the filing fees from unvetted candidates or those who did not pass the vetting process. Brumfield said she had forwarded the filing fees to the Christian County Republican Central Committee and was awaiting return of those from candidates who did not vet. Carriker said those fees were never accepted.

"We're still in limbo at the moment," Brumfield said. "It's all new ... It's a learning experience, because it's never happened before."

More: New entries double the candidates seeking GOP nomination for Missouri secretary of state

Similarly, this is what the lawsuit filed against Vernon County Clerk Adrienne Lee is also trying to establish, where those filing fees were returned to the clerk for unvetted candidates. The petition was filed in Vernon County Circuit Court in March.

The central committee is being represented by Mark McCloskey, an attorney who attracted national attention after he and his wife pointed guns at protestors from the front yard of their home in St. Louis in 2020.

Vernon County Circuit Judge Gayle Crane issued a preliminary order in mandamus Monday, April 8, asking Lee to remove eight of the total 14 Republican candidates from the ballot whose fees were not accepted by the central committee. The county has until April 23 to file a response. If the judge's decision stands and the clerk removes the eight candidates, two county seats will not have any candidates on the ballot and leave the sheriff, assessor and southern commissioner ballots with only one candidate each. Four of the people subject to removal are incumbents.

Proctor, the chair of the Greene County Republican Central Committee, is concerned about the long-term implications that removing these unvetted candidates from the ballot could have on the future of the Republican party.

"It could destroy our party. It literally could. I mean, (the judge) is pulling incumbents off, and then she's pulling new people off," Proctor said. "Our party is full of all types of different people representing different areas, and it's dangerous to me, vetting is."

Carriker said Christian County may also file suit but will wait to see the result of the situation in Vernon County.

Could vetting keep out members of hate groups?

Some proponents of candidate vetting argue that the process would have prevented Darrell Leon McClanahan III from filing to run for Missouri governor this year. The Missouri Republican Party filed a lawsuit in March to remove McClanahan from the ballot after his ties to the Ku Klux Klan were revealed on social media.

McClanahan, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, was seen in photographs with KKK members performing a Nazi salute in front of a burning cross. He was offered an "honorary one-year membership" with the group, according to court documents referenced in USA Today reporting, although further documents state that he pursued no further role or activities with the group.

State Sen. Eigel feels that instituting candidate vetting in order to run as a Republican would have prevented McClanahan from appearing on the ballot for Missouri governor.

I think that this vetting process absolutely could have avoided the situation where we have an individual that doesn't represent the Republican brand at all, at the top of the ballot for the gubernatorial primary election, Eigel said. I think that's a real black eye for the Republican Party.

He went on to say that vetting might have thinned the candidate list in several Republican primary elections.

Not only do I think that Mr. McClanahan would not qualify under the vetting process, I know for a fact that several of the Republicans running for statewide election right now would not qualify, Eigel said.

But Carriker wasn't so sure that vetting would've kept McClanahan out. He said, as long as a candidate is "majority Republican," they would pass the vetting process which currently does not account for group affiliations or social media activity, because the goal was to make it as objective as possible with the first time around of vetting.

"They're denying this person from running as a Republican even though his beliefs may be totally in line with the Republican Party except for he's racist," Carriker said, noting that the state party's denial of McClanahan was them vetting "willy nilly" while REPACCMO takes an objective approach to vetting.

More: Want to run as a Republican in Christian County? You'll have to prove yourself first

While REPACCMO would like to see the vetting process adopted state-wide, the Missouri Republican Party has been critical of the practice, warning of legality questions and the potential for lawsuits. Carriker noted candidates would not be kept off the ballot, they would simply not be allowed to run as Republicans, but could still file as Democrats or independents.

"I feel it's a very dangerous precedent that you're setting by saying, 'Well, we just don't like this part about you, so we're not gonna let you run,'" Carriker said. "That's where we are different than what the party is doing outright subjectively. They're saying, we are subjectively looking at this person saying, we don't want to associate with you, and yet they're getting mad at us."

He said he believes just as the state party has the right to not allow candidates to associate with them, the county committees have the right to do the same through the vetting process.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Republican vetting process sets stage for lawsuits, uncertainty
A voter is identified before he casts his vote at a polling station in North Mitrovica, Kosovo Sunday, April 21, 2024. Residents of four Serb-majority municipalities are casting their votes Sunday in a referendum to decide whether to remove their ethnic Albanian mayors from office following last years mayoral elections, overwhelmingly boycotted by the Serb minority. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Residents of four Serb-majority municipalities on Sunday overwhelmingly boycotted a vote on removing their ethnic Albanian mayors from office following last years mayoral elections.

The referendum  supported by the West  was an attempt to diffuse tensions between Kosovo and neighboring Serbia as both countries vie to join the European Union. However, Kosovo's main ethnic Serb party, Srpska Lista, or Serbian List, which has close ties with Belgrade, had called for a boycott of Sunday's poll.

Only 253 out of 46,556 registered voters cast their ballots in all four municipalities. For the mayors to be ousted, a majority vote is needed. No ballots at all were cast in one of the municipalities, Zvecan, according to results after voting ended at 1700 GMT (1 p.m. EDT).

That is why we note that the citizens initiative to oust the mayors of the municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and North Mitrovica has failed, said Kreshnik Radoniqi, head of the Central Election Commission, which is in charge of the process.

In June, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti offered to hold new elections in North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok if 20% of the electorate in the municipalities supported a petition for the polls. Residents voted in favor of the petition in January.

When ethnic Albanian mayors took up the offices last May, Kosovo Serbs clashed with security forces, including NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers, injuring 93 troops, while protesting the results.

Serbia has backed calls for the mayors to step down.

Local and EU observers monitored the process.

The result leaves the same tense status quo in northern Kosovo and its EU-facilitated negotiations to normalize ties with neighboring Serbia. No developments are expected in the months ahead.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani accused Belgrade of exerting pressure on Serbs in Kosovo to boycott the referendum.

Once again Serbia interfered illegally in the election process of another country. Once again (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic has not kept his word given to international partners (not to interfere), Osmani said.

Srpska Lista acknowledged that it wanted to replace these fake mayors in our municipalities, but we didnt want to play games directed by the regime in Pristina. The party accused Kurti's government of exerting pressure on ethnic Serbs in the north with its police presence.

Kosovo was a former Serbian province until a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 ended a war between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo, which left about 13,000 dead, mainly ethnic Albanians, and pushed Serbian forces out. Serbia doesnt recognize Kosovos 2008 independence.

Tensions between the two countries remain high.

On Monday, Kosovo took another major step toward joining the Council of Europe  the continents foremost human rights body  amid Serbian opposition. The following day, Belgrade authorities stopped Kosovars trying to go home for nearly 20 hours at border checkpoints, saying it was for security reasons. Pristina accused Belgrade of holding (Kosovars) hostage for failing to block Kosovo's Council of Europe membership. The U.S. and EU denounced stalling free movement between the two countries.

Earlier this month, Kosovo announced its first nationwide census since 2011, which will include surveying the ethnic Serb minority in the north. The Srpska List party has denounced the census and called for a boycott, saying it was an attempt by Kurtis government to confirm his shameful success in expelling (some 250,000) Serbs, in reference to the 1999 war.

Another point of contention was Pristina's recent decision to ban ethnic Serbs from using the Serbian currency, the dinar, widely used in Kosovo's Serbian-run institutions, including schools and hospitals.

The United States and the EU are struggling to get the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue back on track. Talks between the two have stalled after a Kosovo police officer and three Serb gunmen were killed in a shootout after about 30 masked men opened fire on a police patrol near the Kosovo village of Banjska in September.

Brussels has warned both that refusal to compromise jeopardizes Serbia and Kosovos chances of joining the bloc. The 27-nation bloc is keen on maintaining the alignment of the Western Balkan countries  Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania  with the West as Russias war against Ukraine continues. The six are at different stages of the accession process.

___

Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.

___

Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini
Looking at Citigroup Inc.'s (NYSE:C ) insider transactions over the last year, we can see that insiders were net sellers. That is, there were more number of shares sold by insiders than there were purchased.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

See our latest analysis for Citigroup

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Citigroup

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by the Head of Markets, Andrew Morton, for US$1.1m worth of shares, at about US$40.66 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to take some cash off the table, even below the current price of US$59.14. As a general rule we consider it to be discouraging when insiders are selling below the current price, because it suggests they were happy with a lower valuation. While insider selling is not a positive sign, we can't be sure if it does mean insiders think the shares are fully valued, so it's only a weak sign. We note that the biggest single sale was only 6.4% of Andrew Morton's holding. Andrew Morton was the only individual insider to sell shares in the last twelve months.

The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Citigroup insiders own about US$232m worth of shares (which is 0.2% of the company). Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Citigroup Insiders?

The fact that there have been no Citigroup insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. While we feel good about high insider ownership of Citigroup, we can't say the same about the selling of shares. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Citigroup you should know about.

Story continues

Of course Citigroup may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Residents in part of Finley were told to leave their homes and businesses immediately Sunday afternoon as black smoke billowed over the neighborhood downwind of a fire at Lineage Logistics.

Sunday evening the fire at the 525,000-square-foot frozen food warehouse was expected to burn through the night. The fire was not contained by 9 p.m.

Parts of the building had collapsed on itself.

Washington state fire assistance was authorized to support local firefighters about 6 p.m. at the request of District 1 Fire Chief Lonnie Click.

Early in the afternoon Jenna Kochenauer, spokesperson for Benton Fire District 1, said in a social media video that blowing embers were spreading and starting fires in pallets and natural vegetation nearby.

Several brush fires had started, including some later in the afternoon ignited by whirlwinds of flame and ash that were created by intense rising heat and the wind.

Grass, brush and trees burned and homes were threatened, according to the state Fire Marshals Office.

By 4 p.m. about half of the Lineage Logistics cold storage facility was heavily damaged.

The fire started around 5:15 a.m. Sunday in a freezer at the Lineage Logistics cold storage facility at 224905 E. Bowles Road, east of Kennewick, Kochenauer said.

All workers evacuated when an alarm sounded and sprinklers activated.

The cold storage warehouse was full of items such as frozen vegetables on plastic pallets, she said. Hundreds of wood pallets were stored on the backside of the building.

About 1 p.m. the fire had extended into the roof, and by 4 p.m. half of the facility was heavily damaged, Kochenauer said. A fire wall separates sections of the building.

The cause of the fire was not determined on Sunday.

As the wind picked up Sunday afternoon, firefighters switched from working to extinguish the fire to working to keep it from spreading.

The evacuation area was south of East Bowles Road between roughly Piert Road near the Columbia River west to near Finley Road.

The American Red Cross opened an evacuation center at 7202 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, early Sunday evening but the evacuation order was lifted about 6 p.m.

The Red Cross estimated that about 65 people in 25 houses had been told to evacuate.

Just before 5 p.m., people to the south of the evacuation area also were told to shelter in place through the night if they had respiratory issues due to the heavy smoke from the fire. The shelter-in-place recommendation was for areas south of Game Farm Road to Chemical Drive.

The evacuation area in Finley is outlined in red.

Benton County Sheriffs Office said roads in the area had been closed. They included Piert Road from Lechelt Road to Bowles Road and Bowles Road from Lechelt Road to Finley Road.

People were urged to stay away for their own safety due to unpredictable fire whirlwinds and not to fly drones in the area as aerial trucks were being used.

As of about 4 p.m., no planes or helicopters were being used, but aerial firefighting remained a possibility, Kochenauer said.

Benton County Fire District 1 crews fought the fire initially, and crews from other Benton County districts, plus Franklin County and Walla Walla County districts, and Richland, Pasco and Kennewick firefighters were assisting Sunday afternoon. Hanford site firefighters also were there.

Weve brought in as much help as we possibly can, Kochenauer said.

Water tender trucks were hauling water to the fire from Eastgate Elementary in Kennewick and the Finley schools.

The clouds of black smoke from the cold storage facility could be seen from miles away by mid-afternoon. The smoke was visible to the north at Connell and to the south across the Oregon state line.

Flames were coming from the roof of Lineage Logistics in Finley east of Kennewick, Wash., Sunday afternoon.

Benton County Sheriffs Office said roads in the area had been closed. They included Piert Road from Lechelt Road to Bowles Road and Bowles Road from Lechelt Road to Finley Road.

Plumes of smoke from a fire at the Lineage Logistics warehouse near the Columbia River in Finley and natural cover fires that started as embers spread could be seen for miles on Sunday afternoon.

The plume from a freezer warehouse fire in Finley can be seen from a backyard several miles away.

Crews from Benton County Fire District 1 began battling a fire at a freezer warehouse in Finley at about 5 a.m. on Sunday.
FORT LAUDERDALE  A controversial plan to remove the tree-lined median on Las Olas to make way for wider sidewalks has some wondering why the city wants to mess with the iconic look of one of Fort Lauderdales most famous streets.

On Sunday, critics of the plan gathered for a Save the Trees rally at Tunnel Top Plaza right on Las Olas.

Chris Nelson, the Fort Lauderdale activist who organized the rally, said he wants to bring attention to what some are calling a crazy plan expected to cost millions of dollars.

When you Google Fort Lauderdale, whats the first thing that comes up? Nelson asked the crowd. Las Olas. What makes it iconic? These beautiful olive trees.

Under a long-planned redesign expected to cost at least $167 million, the trees would disappear and so would the landscaped median just east of Federal Highway.

Today, four blocks of olive trees line Las Olas. The trees  16 in all  were planted decades ago, standing in all their glory in medians that start at Federal Highway and end just west of Southeast 11 Avenue.

Commissioner Warren Sturman, who represents the neighborhood, told the crowd hes hoping he can help save the trees.

Instead of taking out the median, Sturman said hed rather sacrifice the on-street parking along Las Olas. That would allow Fort Lauderdale to widen the sidewalks by 20 feet, making plenty of room for both sidewalk dining and folks out for a stroll.

Downtown resident John Gangne loves the idea.

If you take away the parking, you save the trees, he said. Theyre beautiful, all lit up at night.

The rally spawned interest from people walking by, including Ricky Irizarry and his friends, tourists from Puerto Rico in town for a concert.

Irizarry was stunned to hear the city wanted to cut down the trees and take away the tree-lined median.

We like the trees, he said. Dont cut them, please.

Jim Lewis, a mayoral candidate challenging Mayor Dean Trantalis in the Nov. 5 election, showed up at the rally to share his plan.

I want to keep it just the way it is, he said. Its beautiful the way it is. Dont change a thing. Thats my plan.

Ted Inserra, a community activist challenging Sturman in the District 4 commission race, was also at the rally to speak his mind.

Las Olas is an iconic street in Fort Lauderdale, he said. To make it look like any other street would change that iconic look. You see Las Olas and you know its Fort Lauderdale.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
Richard Dawkins, probably the worlds most prominent atheist, stirred up social media recently by signaling a change in his typically hostile stance against all religion. In a March 31 interview by Rachel Johnson on the British channel LBC, he revealed that he now identifies as a cultural Christian. He then explained what that means:

Im not a believer, but there is a distinction between being a believing Christian and a cultural Christian.  I love hymns and Christmas carols and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos, and I feel that we are a Christian country in that sense.

But his declaration came as he opposed another religion whose growing visibility in the West disturbed Dawkins. It was, unsurprisingly, Islam. He was slightly horrified to see that Oxford Street in London was promoting Ramadan, the Islamic month for fasting, instead of Easter. If I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, Id choose Christianity every single time, Dawkins added, only to claim that the former is a fundamentally decent religion, in a way that I think Islam is not.

In return, some public Muslim voices slammed Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and author of the 2006 book The God Delusion, for Islamophobia. Among them was the well-known journalist Mehdi Hasan, who, in another interview on LBC, criticized Dawkins remarks as a case of normalization of bigotry towards Islam. Rizwaan Sabir, a scholar at Liverpool John Moores University, also made a similar point: Turns out the anti-religion dude isnt anti-religion. Hes just anti-Muslim.

As a Muslim, I also found Dawkins comment on Islam all too biased and ill-informed. But I would still welcome his shy appreciation of religionany religion, even if it is not mineand see it as his first step toward recovering from his own delusions about the God delusion.

That first step may be too small for many believersincluding genuine Christians, some of whom dismissed Dawkins mere cultural Christianity as a matter of principle. But for a staunch atheist like him, it actually is a significant step. For decades, both Dawkins and his fellow New Atheists, including the late Christopher Hitchens, kept telling us that religion poisons everything. Dawkins infamously defined religious faith as a virus, from which children should be protected and of which the patients, meaning believers, should be cured.

Beneath all these diatribes against religion lay the atheists own belief: that once traditional religion disappears, humanity would rejoice in rationality and flourish in harmony. It was the same old utopia that John Lennon popularized in his 1971 classic, Imagine: that once there is no religion, all people would be living life in peace.

The empirical reality has shown, however, that the disappearance of traditional religion often does not lead to an earthly heaven of science, reason, and deliberation. Humans just find other things to fight over: the glorious revolution that should be exported, the precious homeland that should be expanded, or the mighty empire that should be restored. Meanwhile, as the late Father Richard Neuhaus once aptly observed, the vacuum from traditional religion is filled by ersatz religion, a novelty that may come with its own passion and the zeal of its newfound converts.

In the 20th century in which Lennon wrote his song, such ersatz religions included fascism, communism, and many cases of murderous nationalism, which wreaked more havoc on humanity than any older violent religious episodes, such as crusades or jihads, had ever done. In this century, things have not gone that badat least so farbut it seems to be no accident that the increasingly secular West, especially America, is finding itself in the midst of fierce battles between new political faiths: a race-and-gender-obsessed wokeism on the left and a conspiracy-obsessed cultish populism on the right. Both are similarly eager for domination and conquest and similarly intolerant of heresy and dissent. This new America without God, as Shadi Hamid observes, is proving to be not a home of rational politics, drained of faiths inflaming passions. Instead, those inflaming passions are channeled to politics, which is getting more intense, bitter, and fanatic.

Could Richard Dawkins be observing these facts as well and learning some lessons? Telegraph columnist Madeline Grant seems to think so. Christianitys decline has unleashed terrible new gods, she recently wrote, which shows that new Atheism was mistaken in its diagnosis of what would follow religions decline. Dawkins, if he is really a man of good old-fashioned scientific observation, may finally be facing this reality. He may be joining, in other words, the ranks of more nuanced atheists in modern history who appreciated the social functions of religion without believing in it.

That would be a good step for Dawkins, as I noted, as well as other new atheists. But another step is much needed, both for new atheists and for many conservatives in the West who believe there is a simple dichotomy when it comes to liberty: that there is a good religion and a bad one. The former being Christianity, the latter being Islam.

This dichotomy is simple and misleading for two main reasons.

The first is that it is often based on a caricature of Islam created by a collection of the most disturbing elements of the contemporary Muslim world. This cherry-picked Islam is defined by the Taliban, ISIS, Hamas, or the Iranian regime, which represent only the darkest extremes in a much more diverse and often brighter part of the world. From Bosnia-Herzegovina to Indonesia, hundreds of millions of Muslims happily live in fairly free societies, where women wear what they choose, piety is at peace with pluralism, and minorities live without fear. Quite a few Muslims are in fact only cultural Muslimsjust as Dawkins in his newfound cultural Christianityand they too have a place in that infinitely complex world of Islam that is often wrongfully depicted as an austere monolith.

Secondly, there are indeed major problems in mainstream Islamic teachings today regarding human rights and liberties. They include severe punishments for apostasy and blasphemy, legal inequalities for women or non-Muslims, institutions of morality police, and religious justifications of political violence.

But, alas, Christianity had traditions of religious violence and coercion for more than a millenniumfrom torture chambers of the Inquisition to heretics burned at the stake, from sectarian violence to antisemitic pogroms. In fact, just a few centuries ago, Christendom was the bastion of religious oppression, while the Islamic world offered freedom. Hence when Sephardic Jews were expelled from Catholic Spain in the 15th century, many of them found haven in the Ottoman Empire, the very seat of the Islamic caliphate. Hence when Protestants and Catholics were slaughtering each other in the 16th century, French philosopher Jean Bodin was admiring the great emperour of the Turks, which permitteth every man to live according to his conscience.

Today, the scene is of course quite different: Minorities escape from the lands of Islam to the West, not the other way around, and it is the latter civilization where every person can live according to his conscience. But this is because latter-day Christianity has made its peace with the best political idea ever devised: liberalism. It was neither an easy nor a quick transformation. (It may not be even permanent, as there are Christians todaysuch as the Catholic integralistswho seriously want to turn the tide and go back to the good old days of medieval theocracy.) In the meantime, things got only worse in the Islamic world, where traditional pluralism was overshadowed by both new eruptions of religious fundamentalism, and ersatz religions of its own, such as xenophobic nationalism or Arab socialism.

In other words, it is not that Christianity is more decent than Islam, as Dawkins believes. He is just observing Christianity at its most liberal and relaxed stage, and while observing Islam at one of its most illiberal and anxious ones. But these tendencies within religions are not carved in stone. Freedoms are certainly delayed in the Middle East, as historian Timur Kuran rightly points out, but they are not necessarily denied.

Surely, it would be a major step for the Islamic civilization to finally liberalize. For many people, it may even be too major of a step to imagine that this is even possible. But thinking anew is what keeps the world going forward.

And if Dawkins can begin thinking anew about religion, all of us can.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
Hundreds evacuated from historic New Hampshire performance center mid-concert due to raging fire

Hundreds of concert-goers had to be evacuated from a historic New Hampshire performance center after a fire spread from nearby businesses and threatened to engulf the venue Saturday night.

Members of Plymouth Fire Rescue responded to Main Street around 9:10 p.m. for a fire at the former Peppercorn Natural Food Store and Downtown Pizza. Around 450 patrons at the Flying Monkey Performance Center for a concert had to be rushed out of the building.

Neither of the engulfed buildings were occupied at the time of the fire.

One Plymouth firefighter suffered a shoulder injury and was taken to Speare Memorial Hospital.

Containing the fire proved to be a challenge due to the proximity of the buildings, as well as the fact that one building had multiple ceilings, and roof structures that had to be accessed. As the fire progressed in these void spaces, fire personnel were evacuated from the building and a defensive operation ensued, Plymouth Fire Rescue said in a press release.

The Flying Monkey hosted a show by Foreigners Journey featuring special guest Constantine Maroulis, according to the Flying Monkeys calendar.

Crews from Ashland, Bristol, Campton-Thornton, Waterville Valley, Holderness, New Hampton, Bridgewater, Hebron, Center Harbor, Meredith, Tilton-Northfield, Sanbornton, Rumney, Warren, Wentworth, and Woodstock also responded to the fire. The Lincoln FD, Stewarts Ambulance Service and Canann FD provided coverage.

Although the venue was lucky enough to only suffer minor smoke damage, the building will be closed for a days to clean up.

We are so proud of our Flying Monkey staff who noticed the fire next door and took quick action to calmly and safely evacuate everyone from our building. They put guest and staff safety first and have our utmost respect for their heroic efforts, The Flying Monkey wrote on Facebook. Unfortunately, some of the Monkeys neighbors have suffered tragic losses, and Main Street in Plymouth will look different for some time. We will support them in their efforts to recover.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Plymouth Fire-Rescue and the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office.

The fire companies are to be commended for holding this fire to the two buildings involved. The Manager of the Flying Monkey is also to be commended for discovering the fire, activating the fire alarm system at that location and notifying 911. Plymouth Fire Chief Tom Morrison said in a statement.

The Flying Monkey has been at the heart of historic Plymouth, New Hampshire since it opened as the New Plymouth Theater back in the 1920s as a vaudeville and silent film theatre, the buildings website reads. After years of closure and falling into disrepair, The Common Man family in New Hampshire purchased and carefully renovated the theater in 2010, re-launching it as The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Kamala Harris hadnt even started building up to her ending when the crowd in Las Vegas  more fired up than any poll would suggest  started chanting, Four more years! But she made sure everyone heard the line shes come up with: Trump abortion bans.

And not one pro-Palestinian protester interrupted her that day, or, for that matter, over her four-day campaign swing West.

The vice president is clearly feeling energized these days. She is more engaged. She is looser. Aides say she was the one who pushed to explicitly call out former President Donald Trump as responsible for every rollback in abortion rights, and she is clearly feeding on the old prosecutorial rush of tearing apart the oppositions argument.

In a conference room in the back of a campaign office in a Las Vegas strip mall, Harris said she is finding the last few months, on the attack and able to zero in on the contrast with Trump, very liberating.

You cant forget that for the first probably year and a half, we were landlocked. It was basically me and Joe and a Zoom screen, she told CNN, in an exclusive interview at the end of the multiday campaign swing, built in part around getting her to battlegrounds Arizona and Nevada, and around what staff has found to be helpful downtime back home in Los Angeles cooking Sunday dinner. Being out and being able to just have real conversations and not soundbites in an interview  it is liberating.

No one in the vice presidents orbit, including Harris herself, needs to be reminded how the disappointment and disenchantment from her first years on the job still hang over her, or how odd it is that some voters say in interviews with CNN and outside focus groups they are inclined toward Biden but are turned off by Harris.

CNNs conversations with two dozen aides to the vice president, the reelection campaign and other top Democrats also show the paradox that even the most Biden-centric aides have been forced to grudgingly admit: There is another swath of voters turned off by the president  and their internal data shows Harris will be critical to getting them if Biden wants to win a second term.

After years of being shunted to politically toxic and fruitless parts of the administration portfolio, such as overseeing migration negotiations with Central American leaders, or clearly junior varsity ones like chairing the National Space Council, these days are so full of plum assignments for Harris that her trip to Arizona was originally supposed to be to promote the latest round of student loan debt cancellation  only to get quickly changed when the state Supreme Court ruled that Arizona must adhere to its 1864 abortion ban.

She has been front and center on so many of the most politically potent issues right now, said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who was a top aide to Harris for years before becoming the Biden reelection campaign manager, calling these new opportunities to speak to the coalitions we know she already has a deep affinity to, but on issues that are top of mind for those voters.

As a former prosecutor, she can prosecute the case on so much, Rodriguez said.

It means getting to talk about gun control and reaching out to younger voters like the gym full of high schoolers in Vegas who cheered even more loudly for her than they did when Marvel actress Xochitl Gomez took the stage first. (Shes killing it! an excited 15-year-old in a Barbie-pink denim jacket exclaimed after pushing up to take a photo with Harris as Aretha Franklins Respect played on the speakers.)

While Biden talks about threats to democracy, Harris talks about freedom under assault  a way of thinking that she said feels rooted in her life and in the lives of the voters she is after. Its the stories she used to tell about being taken to civil rights protests when she was in her stroller. Its showing up at the Cow Palace in San Francisco when she was district attorney to join the chants to close the gun show loophole  as Biden did earlier this month in a new action to crack down on buyers at gun shows avoiding background checks.

I grew up the child of parents who fought for civil rights and freedoms, she said, so this really does cut at the core for me around whats important about our country and whats at stake in the country.

More often these days, shes invoking the prosecutor for president framing that defined her own presidential campaign more than four years ago. She likes facts, she says. She likes using them to show she is right and has been right all along about what she says Trump is after.

The prosecutor approach is really about just deconstructing an issue, she said. Its presenting and reminding folks about the empirical evidence that shows us exactly how we arrived at this point.  He cant hide from this stuff.

Just before coming on stage in Arizona, Harris and a few aides scrambled to add in a line to go right at what Trump had said minutes before  that the US Supreme Courts Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade is working the way it is supposed to.

Heres what a second Trump term looks like: More bans, more suffering and less freedom, she told those gathered in Tucson, warning a national abortion ban and restrictions on abortion medications loom.

Shame! Shame! Shame! the crowd started chanting.

By that evening, at a $1.5 million fundraiser in Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlanes tree-filled living room in a Beverly Hills house with a 360-degree view of Los Angeles, and then in front of a luncheon for Black women in power the next day, she had started building that into a pursed lip, lowered voice Trump impression of her own, mocking the former president as saying, Well, you know, the states will do what they want to do.

During her own run for president, Harris was often derided as having no core and just chasing situational politics. By the end of the swing through Nevada, she was the one coming at Trump for being a weathervane on even the most fundamental issues of belief and politics.

Its not as though he has any real explanation. Theres a lot of what hes doing that is just to suggest that he took a different tact, she said of Trumps shifting arguments about whether and when to have abortion bans. Theres a lot of benefit to being unburdened by ideology.

A clearer mission

Harris small staff has struggled since her inauguration to keep up with a scrutiny no previous vice president has faced, so even with the significantly stepped-up travel schedule these days, they have been grateful for help from new campaign hires in fielding press requests or just handling event logistics.

For the candidate herself, the shift has been more existential.

Bidens personality fit the unstructured ambiguity of the modern vice presidency. He could be the presidential adviser, or the chummy cheerleader schmoozing hours after the conversations were scheduled to end.

Not Harris. She likes a plan. She thrives with a goal. Left to her own, people who know her and were sometimes involved say she often let a small circle of friends and advisers into her head, getting into agonizing spirals of what else she should be doing, but also why she wasnt doing more, but also what would happen if she did try to do more.

Three years of telling Harris she was supposed to establish herself led to more stress over what that could mean more than any actual progress.

It took me way longer than two years how to figure out how to be a good United States senator, and her job is a lot harder than mine, said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a longtime leader on the gun safety movement who has often talked about how engaged he has found Harris to be. Theres no doubt shes better at the job today than she was in Year 1.

Running for vice president has the definition that being vice president lacks. Its tactics, strategy, a target, a goal. Given a mission, aides have found Harris to be an extremely effective performance player, whether pressuring interest group leaders dragging their feet to support Biden or helping deliver the battlegrounds where she is shining more.

What business do we need to accomplish? is a line Harris tends to use and that staff have learned to use themselves to prod her.

With Harris hyperaware of the filters she believes go over her every word and move, aides know better than to use the phrase attack dog in a planning meeting with her. She wont risk being seen as an angry Black woman. She wont be the traditional running mate all-purpose battering ram.

At her first event in Las Vegas last week, Harris asked students to raise their hands if they were ever in an active shooter drill; dozens of hands went up. She told them about the blood stains on the floor and abandoned valentines still strewn around the preserved Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School she toured in Parkland, Florida, last month, and about a student from another school who confided that she didnt like going to fifth period because there was no closet in that room to hide in.

Harris has a way of telling stories like these that spark audible reactions of shock and outrage from the crowd. She did it there, and again an hour later while talking about abortion, decrying how having no exception for rape is immoral, resulting in a survivor of violence to their body  that they dont have the right to determine what happens to their body next.

Theres a certain level of authority that comes with having a uterus and being a woman, said New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, praising how Harris has been leading the charge for the administration on reproductive rights.

They have the potential to tell a really interesting story and vision that connects with younger people, but theres a long way to go from here to there, said John Della Volpe, a pollster who specializes in younger voters and is not affiliated with the reelection campaign. She can translate that in a more emotional and evocative way that resonates with young people.

For Harris, its at least the feeling, for the first time in a long time, of standing up and standing out on her own. These days, Trump campaign aides dont talk much about her, despite past Republicans attempts to make her a liability for Biden. But shes eager to take on whoever Trump picks as his own running mate.

I am ready, she threw down, for whoever has the, fill in the blank, to do it.

Biden rivalries still bubble

For all the efforts, the campaign and Harris own staff still arent quite sure what people make of her. In the last few months, they invested in asking voters about her, including having the Democratic National Committee pay for focus groups in Milwaukee run by an operative who has long worked for her.

The bad news: Several people said Harris rubs them the wrong way, in all the ways that are familiar from criticism of her. A few specifically cited her laugh  a frequent target of Republican operatives who flood clips of it on social media, which defenders say plays into sexism.

The good news, as described to CNN by several people familiar with the findings: People said they would much rather hear from Harris than Biden on abortion, guns, student loans and Gaza.

Multiple people asked said they didnt think Harris had been treated well. They questioned whether Biden actually likes her.

Harris has internalized skepticism about campaign data  I give polls only so much credit, she said in the interview  but around her, the responses were validation of years of grumbling that Biden should have been better setting up his heir apparent, and that perhaps they are now both in danger of paying the price.

Yet the rivalry still bubbles up. Some Biden aides greeted the findings with frustration, annoyed by the suggestion that the president will need to lean on her more. Questions about where Harris is more resonant immediately lead Biden aides to stress that they are complementary components of the campaign, and that the president, not her, is the one who can do things like go to Pittsburgh to propose new tariffs on Chinese steel.

Harris has integrated so much into the work of the administration that Air Force Two sat on the tarmac for an hour recently, delaying a campaign-geared trip to North Carolina as she listened in on Bidens call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which she has done without public announcement throughout the Israel-Hamas war.

But in a March speech in Alabama, Harris called for an immediate ceasefire, waited for applause, and only then added, for at least the next six weeks to get the Israeli hostages out of Gaza. West Wing aides fumed both at the noticeable pause  even though the position was the same as Bidens  and at hearing that Harris aides had alerted reporters ahead of time that they should watch the speech.

Likewise, when CNN reported in February that Harris had been holding private meetings with top Democratic officials to discuss campaign strategy, top Biden aides spread word to several who attended that they had not realized these were happening.

Theres so many ways in which they are able to complement one another and speak to our core audiences from different perspectives that reinforce who we are as a campaign and as an administration at this unique moment in time, said Rodriguez, the Biden campaign manager.

The solution for Harris, aides believe, is exposure. Though many leading Democrats think shed have a hard path to a future presidential nomination, aides believe they can at least boost her numbers by getting her out more.

But the day job still gets in the way. A long-anticipated appearance on Jimmy Kimmels late-night show was postponed last week, according to people familiar, rather than risking a setback to being taken seriously by laughing it up on a comedy show in the midst of a crisis.

With under 200 days until the election, they are not sure when she will get back.

Shes already scripted some bits, though.

When MacFarlane asked her at the fundraiser who her favorite Trump is, she knew the question was coming. No purposeful pause this time.

Alec Baldwin, she shot back.

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Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast targeted 20 settlements and injured one person over the last day, officials said on April 21.

In a post on Telegram, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, said 12 private houses had been damaged as well as an educational institution, a restaurant and a gas pipeline.

The gas leak has been blocked, there are no more fires or threats, he added.

Kherson comes under daily attack from Russian forces, including regular artillery strikes launched from the occupied east bank of the city.

On April 19, an 80-year-old woman was struck and killed while walking in the streets.

Elsewhere, Russian forces struck 13 communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast in 54 separate attacks throughout the day, the regional administration reported on April 20.

At least 283 explosions were reported in Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours.

Read also: Russian attack on Kherson kills 80-year-old woman

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Russian forces struck four communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast in seven separate attacks throughout the day, the regional administration reported on April 21. At least 36 explosions were reported in Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours.

The communities of Myropillia, Seredyna-Buda, Bilopillia, and Krasnopillia were targeted. Local officials did not report any casualties or damages to civilian infrastructure.

The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, drones, and mortar shelling.

The town of Bilopillia, with a pre-war population of about 16,000 residents, experienced the most attacks, with 15 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located eight kilometers south and 25 kilometers west of the Ukraine-Russian border.

Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months.

On April 20, Russian forces struck 13 communities in Sumy Oblast in 54 separate attacks. A civilian was injured in the Khotin community following Russia's artillery shelling.

Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experiencing multiple attacks per day.

Read also: Ukraines obsolete S-200 missile systems reportedly back on track to hit Russian targets

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Russia says US support for Ukraine will end as humiliating fiasco like Vietnam and Afghanistan

The Kremlin warned that American support for Ukraine could turn into a decade-long folly, urging the U.S. to not oppose its invasion of the country as Congress appears set to pass a $60 billion aid package.

The aid deal comes after months of negotiations, with support for Ukraine wavering among American conservatives as the Russian military gains ground after two years of fighting.

Washingtons deeper and deeper immersion in the hybrid war against Russia will turn into a loud and humiliating fiasco for United States such as Vietnam and Afghanistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, Reuters reported.

The House passed a broad foreign aid spending bill on Saturday that includes funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan for a total of $95 billion. The Senate is expected to easily pass the measure, which President Biden supports.

Ukrainian leaders and American military experts, including CIA Director William Burns, have urged Congress to fund Ukraine aid for months, given gains by the Russian military. Burns warned last week that Ukrainian soldiers are running out of arms and could not defend against Russia alone.

With the boost that would come from military assistance both practically and psychologically  Ukrainians are entirely capable of holding their own through 2024 and puncturing Putins arrogant view that time is on his side, Burns said Thursday.

Without supplemental assistance, this picture is a lot more dire, and there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, he continued. Or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.

The U.S. and NATO allies have refused to send their own troops to Ukraine, the fundamental difference between the conflict and those in Vietnam and Afghanistan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russia wants to capture Chasiv Yar by Victory Day, but Im counting on us to withstand it  Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy in an interview with NBC News on Sunday. Screenshot: the Presidents Office

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the Russians are planning to capture Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast by 9 May (Victory Day, a Russian holiday that commemorates the Soviet victory in WWII), but he is counting on Ukraine being able to repel the Russians and disrupt Russia's plans for a full-scale offensive in June.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with NBC News, the full version of which has been posted by the Presidents press service

Quote: "Russia wants to mobilise 300,000 soldiers by 1 June, and we are preparing for this. Russia expects to occupy Chasiv Yar in the eastern part of Ukraine by 9 May.

I was recently in the region and spoke to the soldiers. The soldiers dont have enough equipment to combat the Russian reconnaissance drones that fully adjust Russian artillery fire, and they also lack artillery shells.

I am counting on us being able to withstand them, that the weapons I mentioned will arrive in time and we will be able to repel the enemy. And then destroy Russia's plans for a full-scale counteroffensive in June."

Background:

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said on 14 April that the Russian military leadership had set its troops the task of capturing Chasiv Yar by 9 May.

On 3 April, Zelenskyy stated that Russia is preparing to mobilise an additional 300,000 servicemen by 1 June.

He later added that Russia will need around a month to train the 300,000 people it expects to be able to mobilise, and that he has not ruled out that even more people might eventually be mobilised.

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Key Insights

The projected fair value for Nova Eye Medical is AU$0.40 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of AU$0.25 suggests Nova Eye Medical is potentially 37% undervalued

How far off is Nova Eye Medical Limited (ASX:EYE) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Nova Eye Medical

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) -AU$8.40m -AU$2.10m AU$1.20m AU$1.93m AU$2.77m AU$3.63m AU$4.44m AU$5.16m AU$5.78m AU$6.30m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 60.97% Est @ 43.33% Est @ 30.98% Est @ 22.33% Est @ 16.28% Est @ 12.04% Est @ 9.08% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.4% -AU$7.9 -AU$1.9 AU$1.0 AU$1.5 AU$2.0 AU$2.5 AU$2.9 AU$3.1 AU$3.3 AU$3.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$10.0m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$6.3m (1 + 2.2%)  (6.4% 2.2%) = AU$151m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$151m ( 1 + 6.4%)10= AU$81m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is AU$91m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$0.3, the company appears quite good value at a 37% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Nova Eye Medical as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.925. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Nova Eye Medical

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Forecast to reduce losses next year.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Has less than 3 years of cash runway based on current free cash flow.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Nova Eye Medical, we've put together three relevant items you should further research:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Nova Eye Medical we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for EYE's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv the evening of April 21, injuring at least one civilian, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

A 19-year-old Kharkiv resident sustained shrapnel injuries in his legs and is currently hospitalized in moderate condition, Syniehubov said.

No other casualties have been reported. The details of the attack are still being investigated and emergency workers are on site.

The Air Force announced a missile threat in Kharkiv Oblast shortly after 8 p.m. local time on April 21. Terekhov said at 8:52 p.m. that explosions were heard on the outskirts of the city.

Russia recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, using missiles, glide bombs, and drones to destroy energy infrastructure and kill civilians. At the end of March, Russia destroyed all the electrical substations in Kharkiv, leaving Ukraine's second-largest city without a stable power supply.

Read also: Kharkiv at risk of becoming second Aleppo, mayor says

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Russian forces targeted multiple communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 21, injuring a woman in the Nikopol district, Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

A 47-year-old woman in the Nikopol district sustained mine-blast injuries and is currently being treated in the hospital, Lysak said.

The Russian military launched five kamikaze drones and fired artillery at the Nikopol, Chervonohryhorivka, Marhanets, and Pokrovsk communities on April 21, damaging five homes, an administrative building, and eight outbuildings.

No other casualties were reported.

Nikopol, situated on the banks of the dried-up Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of Russian attacks.

Read also: Ukraine aid bill finally passes the House  what happens next?

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Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) with heavy artillery late on the evening of 20 April and on the night of 20-21 April.

Source: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: The Russians used two attack drones of various modifications in addition to launching three artillery bombardments.

The district centre and Myrove and Chervonohryhorivka hromadas came under Russian fire. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.].

A five-storey building, five private houses, two outbuildings and greenhouses have been damaged.

There were no civilian casualties.

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The Russians have brought another round of Russian propaganda to schools in the occupied territory of Luhansk Oblast  dictionaries with terms related to "the protection of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, culture and historical memory".

Source: Artem Lysohor, Head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: Lysohor explained that from now on, teachers are forced to teach children terms from the Dictionary of Basic Terms Related to the State Policy on the Protection of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values, Culture and Historical Memory.

"According to the 'Ministry of Enlightenment', it [the dictionary  ed.] contains the most important terms, which should communicate to the future generation the current meaning of the expressions 'foreign agent', 'civic identity', 'Russian Cossacks', 'threat to national security', etc.," Lysohor said.

The official noted that the Russians, therefore, seek to install narratives portraying those fighting against the Kremlin's occupation regime as the enemies of the children in the occupied part of Luhansk Oblast.

Background: Earlier, reports indicated that the Russians had taken 17 children with disabilities from the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast to Moscow Oblast  allegedly for rehabilitation. Under the pretext of the need for medical care, the children were forced to obtain Russian citizenship.

Last year, the Russians also planned to bring 10,000 Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts to Moscow and St Petersburg for an "educational tour".

In addition, since 1 September 2023, Russians have added military training courses to the school curriculum in temporarily occupied Crimea.

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Russians claim their ship was attacked in Crimea, fire occurred  video

Russian media and Telegram channels reported explosions in the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea on the morning of 21 April. The Russians later claimed that a ship had been attacked by a missile.

Source: ChP Sevastopol Telegram channel; Telegram-based news outlet Astra; Krymskii Veter (Crimean Wind) Telegram channel; Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian-appointed "governor of Sevastopol"

Details: Reports online indicate that the Crimean Bridge has been closed to traffic, and explosions have been heard in Sevastopol Bay. People say they are seeing "a lot of smoke".

Russian occupying authorities have issued a missile warning in Crimea.

Followers of the Telegram channels report that fire engines are rushing to the north of Sevastopol.

They are likely heading towards Sukharna Bay or Hollandiia Bay.

The occupying authorities have not yet commented on the matter.

Updated: Razvozhayev later claimed that "the military repelled an anti-ship missile attack on one of the ships".

A fire was supposedly caused by falling shrapnel and has been extinguished.

Videos of smoke rising from amidst the ships have been posted online.

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Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that the Russians may intensify their attacks using a window before the arrival of new US security assistance to Ukraine.

Source: ISW

Details: On 20 April, the US House of Representatives passed a supplemental appropriations bill that would provide about US$60 billion in aid to Ukraine.

The bill now needs to be approved by the Senate and signed by the president before the aid can be delivered.

These requirements, as well as the logistics of getting US aid to the frontline in Ukraine, are likely to mean that the aid will not start to have an impact on the battlefield for several weeks.

"The frontline situation will therefore likely continue to deteriorate in that time, particularly if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited window before the arrival of new US aid," the report says.

The analysts note that Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks as they await US security assistance to allow Ukraine to stabilise the front. However, the Ukrainian troops are likely to be able to halt the current Russian offensive if renewed US aid arrives quickly.

The report adds: "The threat of an operationally significant Russian advance in the coming weeks remains, although the Ukrainian command may have more latitude to take short-term risks with dwindling supplies to prevent such an advance once it knows that more materiel will be arriving soon."

Experts suggest that the Russians are likely to intensify offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks to take advantage of the closing window due to Ukrainian materiel constraints.

In addition, Russian troops are continuing and, in some areas, have intensified offensive operations, likely to take advantage of abnormally dry spring conditions and the ongoing shortage of Ukrainian supplies before the arrival of promised Western security assistance.

At the same time, experts point out that Russian troops have achieved only tactical successes over the past six months of a deteriorating situation in Ukraine and are unlikely to achieve a breakthrough that would make the front line collapse.

However, the Russians could still make operationally significant gains in the coming weeks, favouring areas where Ukrainian defences appear relatively fragile, such as west of Avdiivka, or areas where Russian troops are within reach of operationally significant targets, such as near Chasiv Yar.

By June 2024, Ukraine is likely to be in a much better operational position, despite delays in the arrival of US security assistance to the front, and the Russian military command is likely to consider making significant changes to the large-scale offensive it plans to launch in June, although it may still go ahead as planned.

In recent months, due to uncertainty over the resumption of US assistance to Ukraine, ISW has considered a very wide range of outcomes, from the most favourable to the most dangerous.

The ISW will likely narrow this range in the coming months as the security implications of Western assistance to Ukraine become clearer and the Kremlin decides how to respond.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 20 April:

The US House of Representatives passed a supplemental appropriations bill on 20 April, providing for roughly US$60 billion of assistance to Ukraine. The bill must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the president before aid can begin to flow.

These requirements and the logistics of transporting US materiel to the frontline in Ukraine will likely mean that new US assistance will not begin to affect the situation on the front line for several weeks. The frontline situation will therefore likely continue to deteriorate in that time, particularly if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited window before the arrival of new US aid.

Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilise the front, but they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive, assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly.

Russian forces will likely intensify ongoing offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks in order to exploit the closing window of Ukrainian materiel constraints.

Ukraine will likely be in a significantly improved operational position by June 2024 regardless of delays in the arrival of US security assistance to the frontline, and the Russian military command will likely consider significant changes to the large-scale offensive operation that it is expected to launch in June, although it may still proceed as planned.

The likely resumption of US security assistance to Ukraine is a critical turning point in the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin, the West, and Ukraine still have additional decisions to make that will determine the character and outcome of the fighting.

Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against several energy infrastructure facilities and a fuel storage facility within Russia on the night of 19 to 20 April.

The Kremlin appears to be censoring demands for an investigation into the reported murder of a former Donetsk People Republic (DNR) serviceman amid a wider trend of the Kremlin coopting or otherwise censoring DNR-affiliated voices within the Russian information space.

Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut) and northwest of Avdiivka, and Ukrainian forces recently made confirmed advances south of Kreminna.

Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that Russian forces are using US-made 203mm artillery ammunition that Russia may have received from Iran.

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Photo: Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces, on Telegram

UK intelligence has analysed the situation around Chasiv Yar, which is being attacked by Russian occupation forces.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 21 April, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Quoting Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, UK Defence Intelligence said that Russia would like to capture Chasiv Yar by 9 May, when Moscow celebrates the Victory Day in World War II. Syrskyi stated that Chasiv Yar is just a step on the way to the larger city of Kramatorsk.

UK analysts also mentioned the 18 April statement by the commander of the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group (OSG) that Russian forces were launching 20-30 glide bombs a day.

Quote: "These are likely discharged by Russian Su-25 aircraft operating close to the line of contact and Su-34 operating at a stand-off distance using glide bombs. This is a concerted aerial bombardment and is a tactic repeated from the Avdiivka campaign," the review says.

UK intelligence noted that Chasiv Yar is well defended and located on high ground.

"Russian ground forces have made only slow progress in the area," the review says.

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Can the Russian military can be reformed to better achieve Putin's revanchist aims?

Yes, but the drastic changes will not be easy, an expert on Russia's military says.

"The appearance of success may be more important than truly making progress," she argues.

Whatever the outcome of the Ukraine war, one thing seems certain: the Russian military needs drastic changes.

A country recently thought to be a top military power, with the jets, tanks and warships to match, has been forced to slog it out in conventional battle with a country a fifth its size and has suffered an estimated 500,000 casualties without victory in sight after two years. What few innovations the Kremlin has made, such as using convicts as suicide infantry, are dubious and ad hoc at best.

The question is whether the Russian military can actually change in the near-future, which would impact the current war in Ukraine and the wider grasp for conquest under Russian President Vladimir Putin. Armies tend to be conservative institutions that resist change, particularly in Russia's armed forces that date back to Tsarist and Soviet times and are rife with corruption and abuse. Yet Russia's enemies can't complacently assume that Moscow's military will always be stuck in a rut, warns a US expert.

"The Russian military is capable of reform, especially of a structural nature," wrote researcher Katherine Kjellstrom Elgin in a report for the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank in Washington, D.C. "That does not mean, however, that reform will be easy. Indeed, Russia's tendency to seek top-down structural reforms matched with enduring characteristics of the Russian military suggest that a transformation of the Russian military will be difficult."

"The Russian military is unlikely to substantially reform in the short- to medium-term," predicted Elgin, who believes "it is unlikely that its future force will be drastically different in character from the Russian military that exists today."

Russian National Guard Service cadets march in Moscow during rehearsal for the 2023 Victory Day military parade. Contributor/Getty Images

It's not that Russia can't adapt to failure. Reforms occurred after the Crimean War of 1853-1856, yet the Soviet military was able to adapt quickly enough to transform the disaster of 1941  when Nazi German troops reached the outskirts of Moscow  into the triumph of 1945. Today, Russia has displayed skill in waging drone and electronic warfare in Ukraine.

But these are small innovations compared to the agile, NATO-style army that some Western experts claimed Russia had created before the Ukraine war Putin ordered in 2022. "Instead, the early stages of the Russian invasion exposed low morale, brittle logistics, overly centralized command and control, deficiencies in equipment, rampant corruption, and an overreliance on esoteric doctrine, revealing that the reform efforts that began in 2008 had failed to fully deliver on many of their core objectives," Elgin pointed out.

Historically, when the Russian military does change, it tends to be top-down reforms such as reorganizing military districts or modernizing equipment, rather than low-level tactics, Elgin wrote. Even when leaders order reforms, change is blocked by "military culture that does not encourage authority, a lack of talented and empowered middle management, inaccurate information, and a lack of flexibility to adjust course."

The system also encourages pleasing superiors and "conveying the appearance of success may be more important than truly making progress." To be fair, such complaints about style over substance are not unheard of in the US or other militaries. But this problem is especially acute in Russia's highest echelons, where apparatchiks stifle the feedback and criticism needed to identify what's hampering its systems and operations, including the Ukraine war.

This doesn't rule out the unlikely possibility that Russia can change the overall culture of its military. However, according to Elgin, this can only happen if two conditions are met: high-level and sustained political support and adequate resources are made available.

Given that observers so misjudged Russian military capabilities prior to the Ukraine war, how can the West accurately determine whether reforms are occurring? One sign is whether top Russian leaders only make an occasional speech about military improvement, or whether they continually address the issue.

Another is the grievances and recommendations voiced by younger officers fresh from the battlefields of Ukraine and which officers are being promoted or ignored. And despite Russia's authoritarian crackdown on dissent, voices outside the military are a good indicator. "These voices could emerge from military blogs, the intelligence services, or private military companies," Elgin wrote.

However, it is also important to study not just Russian officers, but also how ordinary soldiers are trained, Elgin told Business Insider. "What are they teaching in military schools? How are troops being trained on a daily basis? In other words, how are reforms being rolled out not just at the top levels, but how are they affecting the experience of every service member?"

Reform doesn't necessarily translate into battlefield performance. Despite reforms instituted after the Crimean War, the Russian army still suffered from command control and other flaws in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. "It is possible to successfully achieve the goals you set out in a reform program, but to reform in ways that do not result in success on the battlefield," Elgin said.

Any reforms today might only create a military with a new look but old problems. "It may have new equipment, new formations, and potentially new doctrine," said Elgin. "but its enduring weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and tendencies are likely to remain the same. And this is something that NATO, Ukraine, and others can prepare for and take advantage of."

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
What precipitated the genocide?

On 6 April 1994, a plane carrying Rwanda's president, Juvenal Habyarimana, as well as his counterpart Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi, was shot down as it prepared to land in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. Within 30 minutes of the crash, roadblocks had been set up around the city to check identity cards (which listed people's ethnicity), and to kill those of Tutsi ethnicity on the spot.

To this day, it's not clear who shot down the plane. While many accused Tutsi rebels of killing the two leaders, who were both of Hutu ethnicity, some evidence suggests that Hutu extremists planned the attack as a catalyst for a genocide that had been planned long before. President Habyarimana had recently signed a compromise peace deal with Tutsi rebels, following fighting between 1990 and 1993, which had infuriated Hutu extremists.

Why were there tensions between the two groups?

Rwanda had historically been divided into three distinct ethnic, or caste, groups: Hutus, making up the vast majority; Tutsis, around 15% of the population; and the Twa, less than 1%. The Tutsis held the positions of power and tended to occupy higher social strata; they were cattle herders, soldiers and administrators, whereas Hutus were historically farmers. These castes were formalised under Belgian colonial rule. In 1959, shortly before independence, the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchy, and massacred Tutsis, tens of thousands of whom fled to neighbouring countries  including Uganda. There, a group of Tutsis formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a rebel group that fought a civil war against the Rwandan army from 1990 on. This increased anti-Tutsi feeling in Rwanda, particularly in the ruling MRND party, which was rooted in "Hutu Power" ideology.

How did the genocide unfold?

Horrifyingly fast. Over the course of about 100 days from 6 April, around 800,000 people were killed, mostly Tutsis, as well as moderate Hutus and Twa. One in ten Rwandans  and 70% of the Tutsi population  died. The MRND's paramilitary youth wing, the Interahamwe (meaning those who work or fight together), was turned into a militia to carry out a carefully planned slaughter. Government-controlled radio stations spewed out propaganda, calling on Rwandans to kill the "cockroaches", and the Hutus who gave them sanctuary. The names of prominent people to be killed were read out on the radio. Leaders in the south, which had a large Tutsi population, initially resisted, but were either killed or forced to comply.

Hutu husbands murdered their own Tutsi wives; teachers killed pupils; priests and nuns killed those who came to churches to take shelter. The killers were incentivised to murder with the promise of food, livestock, money and rape, and were often told they could keep the land or property of those they killed. Most victims were hacked to death with machetes.

How did other countries respond?

The UN had a peacekeeping force in Rwanda, but on 7 April ten Belgian soldiers sent to guard the prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana were murdered (as was she). The leader of the UN force, Romeo Dallaire, asked for extra troops in order to stop the killings. The UN Security Council refused. Instead, UN troop numbers were reduced from 2,548 to 270.

In 1999, a UN report found that the UN and its member states had failed Rwanda deplorably in 1994, ignoring evidence a genocide was planned, and refusing to act once it was under way. France, as a close ally of the government, has been accused of actively supporting, and providing arms for, the genocidaires; and of helping them to escape Rwanda.

How did the genocide end?

The RPF's rebel army, which was well organised and backed by Uganda, responded to the genocide by launching an offensive against the Rwandan armed forces. By 4 July, the RPF, led by Paul Kagame, had taken Kigali. On 19 July 1994, a government of national unity was established in Rwanda, with Pasteur Bizimungu, a Hutu, appointed president, and Kagame, a Tutsi, vice-president (Kagame soon emerged as the de facto leader).

Over two million Hutus fled to neighbouring countries  mostly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire), as well as Tanzania and Burundi  for fear of retaliatory attacks. Many such attacks did take place. (At Kibeho, a Hutu displaced-persons camp in Rwanda, the RPF killed 4,000 people in one day in April 1995.) Conflicts between Rwandan-backed forces and Hutu refugees in eastern Zaire precipitated a major conflict.

Were the perpetrators brought to justice?

In 1994, the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Sitting in the Tanzanian city of Arusha, the tribunal indicted 93 of those in power at the time. It convicted 62, including Theoneste Bagosora, the officer regarded as the architect of the genocide. Rwanda's national courts tried lower-level figures; 22 were shot by firing squad. But the vast majority of alleged killers were tried in gacaca (grass) courts, a form of customary local justice designed to encourage reconciliation (although the lack of formal procedures meant that critics see them as show trials). Between 2005 and 2012, 12,000 gacaca courts tried 1.9 million genocide cases.

What is the situation now?

Kagame has continued to rule, with an increasingly iron grip. He won the last election in 2017 with 98.8% of the vote, and opponents are often imprisoned, and some meet unexplained deaths. The RPF is a one-party state, but it is one that has made Rwanda one of the most stable and safe countries in Africa  and has brought economic growth of around 8% per year. Ethnic self-identification is officially banned, and the genocide is not often spoken about, outside of official remembrance ceremonies.
SC police investigating after York County deputies in shooting outside Rock Hill

South Carolina police are investigating a shooting involving York County deputies near Rock Hill on Sunday morning.

The shooting happened after deputies went to Ellis Pond Drive for a domestic violence incident, according to social media postings from the York County Sheriffs Office.

No deputies were hurt, the sheriffs office said. No other information about the shooting has been released.

NOTICE: Deputies are on Ellis Pond Dr. Rock Hill for an officer involved shooting. The incident was reference to a domestic violence incident. All deputies are physically ok. SLED has been notified to investigate. More details to come. #YCSONews pic.twitter.com/dV2z9nA2zX  York County Sheriff (@YCSO_SC) April 21, 2024

Deputies alerted the public through social media to police presence in the residential area after 3:30 a.m. Law enforcement remained through the morning.

Efforts to reach a sheriffs office spokesman Sunday morning were unsuccessful.

The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division is investigating, spokesperson Renee Wunderlich confirmed to The Herald on Sunday morning. The sheriffs office called SLED to conduct an external investigation because of the officer involved shooting, Wunderlich said.

The area is close to the eastern city limits of Rock Hill. Lt. Michael Chavis, spokesman for the Rock Hill Police Department, said he has not been advised that Rock Hill police were involved.

The shooting involving a York County deputy is the second since March.

On March 3 a man was killed by a deputy after barricading himself in a car near York, SLED said after the March shooting.

Check back for updates on this developing story.
The simplest way to benefit from a rising market is to buy an index fund. When you buy individual stocks, you can make higher profits, but you also face the risk of under-performance. Investors in AEW UK REIT plc (LON:AEWU) have tasted that bitter downside in the last year, as the share price dropped 15%. That contrasts poorly with the market decline of 2.4%. Longer term shareholders haven't suffered as badly, since the stock is down a comparatively less painful 11% in three years. Furthermore, it's down 13% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

Check out our latest analysis for AEW UK REIT

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

AEW UK REIT fell to a loss making position during the year. Some investors no doubt dumped the stock as a result. We hope for shareholders' sake that the company becomes profitable again soon.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of AEW UK REIT, it has a TSR of -7.9% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

AEW UK REIT shareholders are down 7.9% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 2.4%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 6% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with AEW UK REIT , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
In October, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation bestowed its prestigious Profile in Courage Award on a bipartisan group of five female state senators from South Carolina who took a stand against a near-total abortion ban. Now, theyre facing political blowback, including three who face challengers in the June 11 S.C. primary.

I was eager to watch the award ceremony online because I wanted to understand how despite their party differences  three Sister Senators are Republican, one a Democrat, one an independent  they joined together to block colleagues from passing a bill that would have essentially banned abortions in the state.

Amy Lefkof

Republican Penry Gustafson was the first Sister Senator to step up to the award podium. She spoke of the courage it took to cast what a male senator warned her was a career-ending vote. She shared how a lifetime of struggles provided her with courageous moral capital. Yet, when Gustafson spoke about the very lives of the babies lost to abortion, I was taken aback. She was not my familiar brand of pro-choice feminist.

My jaw continued to drop when Republican Sen. Sandy Senn proclaimed that all the Sister Senators were pro-life  with differing opinions as to what that meant. Senns next sentence persuaded me not to write her off, but to view her as an ally: We want mothers to have their babies, but it is going to be up to them because only they know their particular circumstances, and we will not judge.

In The Persuaders, author Anand Giridharadas discusses circles of influence theory  a guide for navigating coalitions and alliances of the imperfect without blowing it all up. The Sister Senators might not share the same worldview on every issue, but as long as they agree about womens and girls empowerment  the right to make decisions about their bodies  thats enough common ground to build and keep a coalition.

Although the Sister Senators had been able to hold off a total abortion ban, Senn explained that to have held off the six-week ban would have required two more reasonable women. Senn laid out the only solution  elect more women who support reproductive rights. Her rationale: When there is an imbalance of power in any circumstance, it needs to be corrected because only then will people negotiate and not dominate.

Senn admonished fellow legislators: Those who vote in lock-step with their party base every time, they are voting safely; they are not voting with the courage of conviction.

Arent we all better off when people reflect and form their own opinions now and then, informed by their own values and life experiences?

When abortion became a legislative issue, Republican state Sen. Katrina Shealy, who was first elected in 2012 as the only female among South Carolinas 46 senators, felt it was time to stand up and tell the legislature to stand down. She was censured by her countys Republican Party for her position on the states abortion bill. Shealy is upfront: Social issues have never been a strong leading part of my political party, unless they were fighting against them.

Shealy rattles off statistics demonstrating why South Carolina has some of the worst maternal health in the country: We have 46 counties and 15 of those counties have no OB-GYNs. She describes South Carolinas care of children after birth as abysmal.

No matter their differences, Shealy asserts that the Sister Senators, including independent Sen. Mia McLeod and Democratic Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, share the belief that women deserve to have the best health and the right to privacy over our own bodies.

June primary challenges loom for the three Republican Sister Senators. Make no mistake, each one has a conservative record that clearly shows them in the mainstream of the Republican Party, except on abortion. Yet at the awards ceremony Senn noted that fellow Republicans accuse her of not being Republican enough. To that, she replied by quoting John F. Kennedy: Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer.

The right answer is to support all the Sister Senators.

Amy Lefkof is a board member of Project 50, a national organization that helps state-based groups get pro-choice candidates elected and holds them accountable for supporting reproductive rights. She lives in Charlotte, N.C.






Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks in front of the Hannover Congress Centrum before the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe in the Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC). Michael Matthey/dpa

In a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again warned against an escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

Netanyahu informed Scholz about the situation in the region during the conversation on Sunday, according to the German government's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit. "The chancellor emphasized that the aim now is to avoid an escalation and a regional conflagration," Hebestreit said.

Scholz also explained the decision of the heads of state and prime ministers at the European Council to impose further sanctions on Iran.

Scholz confirmed that the German government would continue to coordinate closely with its partners in the Group of Seven (G7) and in the European Union.

In response to the major Iranian attack on its soil last weekend, Israel launched a counter-attack on military targets in Iran on Friday, according to media reports. However, Iran is playing down the attack as a sign of a possible de-escalation. Israel is also not commenting on it.

Iran's massive missile and drone attack on Israel was preceded by a missile attack on the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus, in which two Iranian generals and other employees were killed. This attack was attributed to Israel.
All eyes in Washington D.C. on Monday as the Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments and soon issue a decision regarding homelessness encampment bans that went into effect across the country  including here in our area.

The debate will determine whether local governments will be able to enforce those bans or not, amidst an increasing number of unhoused Americans.

According to the Homeless Services Network, the number of unsheltered people in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties was 426 in 2022, and jumped to 587 in 2023.

Read: Forest officials warn parts of U.S., including Central Florida, at high risk of wildfires

The debate comes to the national spotlight after a homeless encampment ban was enacted in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Two federal courts put the measure on hold after finding it cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to ticket people with no alternative to survive.

Right now, at least three cities in Central Florida - Orlando, Altamonte Springs, and DeLand - have measures in place that ban people from sleeping in public spaces, but that could change depending on what the Supreme Court decides.

Read: 2 people found dead after shooting, deputies say

Back in March, Governor Ron DeSantis also signed a new law making it illegal for people to camp out on streets, sidewalks, and parks encouraging them to move to state-approved sites with homeless services. Just to criminalize homelessness isnt going to take care of the homeless problem. What it will do is it will use up our law enforcement doing that instead of what their job actually is, said Matthews Hope CEO Scott Billue.

The landmark decision will be the most critical ruling addressing homelessness in decades and is expected to influence how every city in the country deals with the issue. The debate is the first item on the SCOTUS agenda for Monday.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
April 21 (UPI) -- Seattle police have released video of an officer-involved shooting that occurred during a sting operation to arrest a 67-year-old man who arranged to meet two minor females at an area hotel.

The suspect, a 67-year-old man, arrived at a DoubleTree Suites hotel in Tukwila at around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday thinking he was meeting two girls, ages 7 and 11, the Seattle Police Department said.

The police shared graphic bodycam footage showing the man arriving at the hotel wearing a jacket and carrying a bag. When the suspect knocked on the door, he was confronted by Seattle police officers waiting to arrest him.

As police opened the door, the suspect pulled a gun and one officer tried to wrest the weapon away from the suspect, video shows.

The gun went off during the struggle, and hit one of the officers' legs, before another officer shot the suspect twice, incapacitating him.

Three officers fired more than a dozen rounds into the man as he lay on the ground. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Another hotel guest told KING 5 that he barricaded himself in the hotel kitchen when he heard the gunfire.

"I heard a loud pop, I assumed it might have been maintenance. Seconds later, another pop and after that, a rapid succession of gunfire," Erik Wehrmeister said.

"I turned around and saw someone shooting downward into the floor, and that's when I made a run for the kitchen into the corridor and barricaded in one of the offices."

There were no additional injuries reported.

Internet crimes against children increased 67% from 2022 to 2023, according to Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz.

"For our officers, these situations are dangerous, unpredictable, and can escalate rapidly," he said.

The officers in the sting operation were assigned to the Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children unit.
Republican candidate for governor Semi Bird has won the endorsement of the GOP state convention on Saturday.

Leading candidate Dave Reichert withdrew from the process on Friday amid chaos and disarray on the conventions first day.

Bird said he was unfazed by it all.

I think the story that people are trying to put out about me is some kind of tainted and tarnished, failed me, Bird told KXLY-TV. I think people are seeing just the opposite.

After failing to agree on an endorsement, the convention concluded that they would not have an endorsement for governor. Originally, it had said that Bird was not qualified due to a conviction on fraud charges in a credit application.

Bird had used his fathers name and social security number. Bird admitted 100% guilt.

However, after debate, the group agreed to move forward and endorsed Bird.

The disarray has led to the leading gubernatorial candidate, Dave Reichert, stating in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, to withdraw his name form endorsement consideration.

In the past 24 hours, it has become clear that some in the Washington State Republican Party are in such disarray that theyre considering making no endorsement for governor. This, after they continually changed rules, broke rules, and twisted the process to accomplish their desired outcome. Im not here to fix the party but to fix our broken state. Given these deceptive and dishonest events, Im withdrawing my name for consideration for the gubernatorial endorsement through this convention process.

Meanwhile, the GOP says infighting is just part of the process.

"The 2024 WAGOP State Convention, is a REAL convention. Unscripted and unpredictable," says WAGOP Chairman Jim Walsh. "Its the voice of the delegates. They are in charge. They set the Rules. They amend the Rules. Our goal is to win in November.https://t.co/KEjmxGOroO via  Washington State GOP (@WAGOP) April 20, 2024
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on Sunday said he cannot guarantee anything when asked if the U.S. would continue to support Ukraine if former President Trump wins reelection in November.

Asked on CBS Newss Face the Nation whether he can guarantee the U.S. will stay with Ukraine should Trump return to the White House, Sullivan said, Well, listen, I cant guarantee anything, but its actually good that  President Zelensky mentioned Afghanistan because  this gets lost too much.

Sullivan was referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys comments earlier Sunday on NBC News, where he said the Houses recently passed funding for Ukraine will send a signal that it will not be a second Afghanistan and the United States will stay with Ukraine.

I think we got to look at how we got to the situation of Ukraine. I believe strongly that the weakness coming out of the Biden White House, they cut defense spending, you know  every year in terms of the presidents budget, Sullivan continued. Their energy policies exude weakness, and the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan emboldened [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to undertake the invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate is expected to take up a massive foreign aid bill passed by the House over the weekend that will allocate about $61 billion to Ukraine, along with funds for Israel and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. The bill also includes a package of other national security measures, including a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The bill followed months of warnings from the Biden administration that Ukraine will struggle against Russian forces without any supplemental aid passed by Congress. The aid was left in limbo for more than a year amid sharp divisions among lawmakers.

Ahead of the weekend vote, former President Trump questioned why European nations were not providing more aid for Ukraine, without directly weighing in on the House package.

A tracker by the Institute for the World Economy shows that total European aid for Ukraine has actually overtaken U.S. assistance, though much of that is in the form of financial and humanitarian aid. The U.S. has provided significantly more military aid to Kyiv, per the tracker.

Trump has expressed hesitation about the U.S. providing aid to Ukraine in recent months, arguing support for the country is not a vital American interest. However, during a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, the former president suggested an openness to Republicans approving aid for Ukraine in the form of a loan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) blasted the House for passing foreign aid bills, arguing Congress is spending money that we dont have and that the U.S. should be focusing on securing its own borders instead.

Were gonna further mortgage and plunder our childrens future, over $100 billion, Johnson said during his Saturday morning appearance on NewsNation. We spend close to $900 billion on defense, but every time theres some kind of defense action seems like we need to do a supplemental.

I think the point that most of us have been making, most Americans believe that we ought to secure our own border before we spend over $100 billion that we dont have under our childrens future on helping other people secure their borders, he said.

Johnsons remarks on NewsNation Live came just hours before the lower chamber officially approved a $95 billion foreign aid package after months of intense debate. The foreign aid package includes around $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and other war-torn zones and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. It also includes other national security measures, including a potential ban on TikTok.

While Johnson said there is a great deal of sympathy for both Ukrainians defending their country against Russias invasion and Israels right to defend itself, he expressed concern about not being able to debate the aid in the Senate.

Were not going to get a chance to debate that, were not going to be able to get a chance to debate the humanitarian aid thats going to flow to Hamas, Johnson said.

Johnson said he is concerned about what is happening to people in Ukraine, but also added that theres no way that Russias President Vladimir Putin will lose the war.

My point on Ukraine has always been not always but certainly over the last year since this thing has turned into a bloody stalemate, a proxy war between the West and Russia, Johnson said.

So just throwing out $60 billion of fueling the flames of that bloody stalemate doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me, he added later.

The Wisconsin senator concluded that he would not support the package when the upper chamber takes it up.

So theres an awful lot that is bad in these bills, just the way its being cobbled together here, Im not gonna support it, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The United States could begin transferring long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine "by the end of the week," pending White House approval of the military aid package recently passed in the House of Representatives, U.S. Senator Mark Warner told CBS News in an interview published April 21.

After months of delays and political infighting, the House on April 20 approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Senate is expected to advance the bill in the coming days, whereupon U.S. President Joe Biden will sign it into law.

Warner, a Democrat, said that shipments that include long-range missile systems could be ready to go within days.

"I hope once the President signs ... making sure Congress does its job that these materials will be in transit by the end of the week," Warner said.

The U.S. first delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in October 2023, following months of deliberation. The package included only the older models with a range of 165 kilometers. Newer variants of ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers and have so far not been provided to Ukraine.

In late February, NBC News reported that the White House is ready to provide Kyiv with longer-range ATACMS missile variants if Congress approves a new funding package.

Warner said that the ATACMS are part of the new aid package and are ready to ship.

"The ATACMS  I believe the administration was prepared over the last couple of months to prepare or to provide ATACMS. It is written into this legislation," he said.

The long-awaited passage of additional U.S. military aid comes as Ukraine faces deteriorating battlefield conditions and severe shortages of air defense systems and artillery.

"It should have happened six months ago," Warner said of the new aid package.

"The next best time is right now, this week."

Warner praised the Ukrainian military for its achievements despite these obstacles, and said U.S. aid to Ukraine has proved well worth the financial investment.

"Now and the last two years, with less than 3% of our defense budget, two years running, with the Ukrainians have eliminated 87% of the Russians pre existing ground forces, 63% of their tanks, 32% of their armored personnel carriers, without a single American soldier lost, because of the courage of the Ukrainians, and the equipment they've received from us, and from our European allies," he said.

Long-range missile systems have long been a top priority for Kyiv, though some Western governments have held back on providing the weapons due to fears of escalation with Russia.

Read also: Ukraine aid bill finally passes the House  what happens next?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Residents in four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo cast their votes on Sunday on removing their ethnic Albanian mayors from office.

The referendum, endorsed by Western nations, aims to alleviate tensions between Kosovo and neighbouring Serbia, both aspiring for European Union membership.

How UN resolution commemorating 1995's Srebrenica massacre is igniting tensions? https://t.co/99k4FgkOj8 pic.twitter.com/mzPXJNwdQk  euronews (@euronews) April 13, 2024

Serbia endorses calls for mayors' resignation

The main ethnic Serb party in Kosovo, Srpska List, which maintains close ties with Belgrade, has urged a boycott of the vote.

An estimated 46,500 residents are anticipated to participate in 47 polling stations, with a majority vote required for the mayors to step down.

In June, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti proposed new elections in North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok if 20 per cent of the municipalities' electorates supported a petition for the polls. Residents voted in favour of the petition in January.

Upon the assumption of office by Albanian mayors last May, Kosovo Serbs clashed with security forces, including NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers, resulting in injuries to 93 troops amid protests against the election results.

Kosovo, formerly a Serbian province, saw a shift in status following a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999, which ended a conflict between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists.

The aftermath of the war, which claimed around 13,000 lives, predominantly Albanian, led to Serbian forces withdrawing. Serbia still does not acknowledge Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence.

Serbia - Kosovo Tensions

Recently, Kosovo took strides towards joining the Council of Europe, despite Serbian opposition. However, Belgrade's authorities delayed Kosovars' travel home for almost 20 hours at border checkpoints, citing security concerns.

Pristina condemned this action, accusing Belgrade of holding Kosovars hostage due to its objection to Kosovo's Council of Europe membership. The U.S. and E.U. decried the obstruction of free movement between the two nations.

In another development, Kosovo announced its first nationwide census since 2011, encompassing the ethnic Serb minority in the north.

Sarajevo marks the 32nd anniversary of the city's siege during the Bosnian war. https://t.co/OTSR1hwC7V pic.twitter.com/WYPSkq0wLl  euronews (@euronews) April 6, 2024

The Srpska List party opposed the census, alleging it was a ploy by Kurti's government to highlight its purported success in expelling some 250,000 Serbs during the 1999 conflict.

Pristina's recent decision to prohibit ethnic Serbs from using the Serbian currency, the dinar, in Kosovo's Serbian-run institutions, including schools and hospitals, has further escalated tensions.

Efforts by the United States and the European Union to revive the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue face challenges.

Talks halted following a deadly shootout in September, where a Kosovo police officer and three Serb gunmen were killed. Brussels has cautioned that the refusal to compromise jeopardizes Serbia and Kosovo's EU accession prospects.

Amid Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the EU aims to maintain Western Balkan countries' alignment with the West, including Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania, all at various stages of the accession process.
Severe thunderstorms swept through our area on Saturday evening, bringing an abrupt end to the summer-like weather.

MORE: Downed tree caused by storm damages womans roof, car in west Charlotte

In York County, the storms resulted in various sizes of hail, fallen trees blocking roads, and property damage.

RELATED COVERAGE: Man escapes to safety after wind knocks tree down onto home

Trent Faris, the Public Information Officer for the York County Sheriffs Office, shared multiple photos of the large hail on X, formerly Twitter. Some hailstones were almost the same size as quarters.

Just before 6 p.m. Saturday, Duke Energy reported the severe weather had left more than 4,000 customers without power. While linemen were out trying to repair the damage and restore electricity, the utility didnt expect it to be restored until Sunday morning.

With down trees also could have down power lines. Duke energy reports 4,800+ people without power in York County. Dont touch or try to move down power lines. #YCSONews #yocowx pic.twitter.com/S9c9nC7s61  York County Sheriff (@YCSO_SC) April 20, 2024

Neighbors said there is only one word to describe the storm: Catastrophic.

It sounded like a train eating aluminum with an AK-47 shooting up the house, Rosa McClinton said. Thats the way it sounds.

Nothing like this in my 54 years, Nicole Broaddus said. I mean nothing, and Ive been all over the world.

A gas station on Highway 72 was twisted by the winds on Saturday.

Hail the size of golf balls pelted York County residents on Saturday.

Flooding on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

The storm blew in the windows of a store on Highway 72.

A gas station on Highway 72 was twisted by the winds on Saturday.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

A tree fell into this home in Rock Hill.

Wind gusts over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

A tree knocked into a power line, catching fire.

Winds over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

Hail littered the ground in Rock Hill.

Hail littered the ground in Rock Hill.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

Wind gusts over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

In Chester County, a Channel 9 viewer sent in a video of large bolts of lightning illuminating the dark sky.

Residents in Lancaster County also experienced large hail during Saturdays weather. In the picture below, you can see the strength of the storms caused some trees to start falling over onto the road.

In Rock Hill, neighbors in the Roddey Park neighborhood have started picking up the pieces.

Its devastating, to be honest with you, Rodney McCray said, adding, Our house was in impacted -- a window shattered. My wifes car totaled from the hail damage. Its crazy.

McCray said his wife and kids were driving home when they got caught in the middle of the storm.

She said it sounded like gunshots. It was extremely loud, he said. And she thought the way it was coming down was actually going to come through the windshield.

Another Roddey Park resident shared a photo on X, formerly Twitter, showing heavy damage to the siding of a home.

Courtesy of: @EvaJunee on X

On Sunday, Reporter Ken Lemon, visited the home of a Lancaster County sheriffs deputy off Lige Street in Rock Hill, where a large tree caused extensive damage to years of renovations.

Ive lived in Rock Hill for 10 years and have been working on this house for eight years, resident Phil Hoskins said. We just about had our own little dream place.

Luckily, Carpenter and the other resident in the home were out to dinner when the severe weather hit.

Nicole Broaddus said she took cover in the bathroom. When the storm finally rolled out, she walked outside.

Saw the trampoline in the woods. The fence is gone. And we go out front and just see all this ice and just a sheet of white, she said Monday.

Severe Weather Center 9 reported wind gusts were faster than 60 mph, bringing down dozens of massive trees.

It was really just eerie, just seeing all the trees come down, Chuck Taylor said. Youd never think anything like that from where you live.

Neighbors said while the damage is massive, it can be fixed.

I just thank God that we made it through the storm, Rodney McCray said.

Neighbors told Channel 9s Almiya White they already reached out to their insurance companies to assess the damage. But even without their input, neighbors believe itll take months to repair and clean up the mess left behind.

(WATCH BELOW: Storms bring flooding, wind, tornado threats to Charlotte region)
(KRON)  The San Francisco Police Department arrested a San Francisco man for possession of child pornography on Thursday.

The San Francisco Police Department Special Victims Unit Internet Crime Against Children (ICAC) discovered evidence that a 43-year-old man, Peter Sherman, was in possession of child pornography in Jan. 2024.

SMCSO looking for assailant who brandished weapon, robbed victim

An arrest warrant was obtained for Sherman. SFPD Special Victims Unit served a search warrant on the 600 block of Geary. Police said additional evidence was seized in the search.

Sherman was booked into San Francisco County Jail for three counts of possession of child pornography.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
UPDATE 4/21 2:27 P.M.  On April 21, the aunt of the girl who went missing on Friday reported that the girl had been found.

ORIGINAL STORY: She is loved: Family of missing Midvale girl shares message for her

MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4)  The family of Aaliyah  the 13-year-old girl who was missing out of Midvale since Friday  spoke out and had a message for her.

I want her personally to know that she is loved and that we are wanting to welcome her home, Brigetta Utai, Aaliyahs aunt, told ABC4.com.

LEARN MORE: What should you do if someone goes missing?

Brigetta said the last time the family was in contact with Aaliyah was around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, when she was dropped off at school in Sandy.

Less than 30 minutes later, Brigetta said security cameras at the school captured Aaliyah leaving the campus and crossing the street.

For her to just fall off the face of the earth is just not normal, Brigetta said.

Brigetta said none of the neighbors cameras picked up Aaliyah, but she was last seen right before 1 p.m., walking past her grandmas house. Brigetta said there is no evidence of Aaliyah entering the home.

Theres so many dead-ends and so many unknowns, Brigetta said. Its just not fair to be so unaware of whats going on with her right now.

Brigetta said the family learned through Aaliyahs friends that another person may have been involved, but Brigetta pointed out that that has not yet been confirmed. Brigetta also said Aaliyah tends to be a homebody, but gets along with a lot of people.

The family doesnt know if a second person was involved by vehicle, and said Aaliyahs mother has reached out to the Utah Transit Authority to see if Aaliyah had been seen on any of their cameras.

Brigetta said Aaliyah was in very high, good spirits a couple days ago and even wished Brigetta a happy birthday. For Aaliyah to be off-the-grid for so long is unusual, Brigetta said.

First and foremost, the only priority we really care about is that shes safe, Brigetta said. That she knows shes welcome to come home.

Aaliyah is described as being bubbly and family-oriented, and Brigetta said that her family just wants to know that she is safe and they want her home.

We just truly just wanna know that shes OK, Brigetta said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The Israeli online magazine +972 has published a detailed report on Israels use of an artificial intelligence system called Lavender to target thousands of Palestinian men in its bombing campaign in Gaza. When Israel attacked Gaza after the Hamas attack last Oct. 7, the Lavender system had a database of 37,000 Palestinian men with suspected links to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Lavender assigns a numerical score, from one to 100, to every man in Gaza, based mainly on cellphone and social media data, and automatically adds those with high scores to its kill list of suspected militants. Israel uses another automated system, known as Wheres Daddy?, to call in airstrikes to kill these men and their families in their homes.

The report is based on interviews with six Israeli intelligence officers who have worked with these systems. As one of the officers explained to +972, by adding a name from a Lavender-generated list to the Wheres Daddy? home tracking system, he can place the mans home under constant drone surveillance, and an airstrike will be launched once he comes home.

The officers said the collateral killing of the mens extended families was of little consequence to Israel. Lets say you calculate [that there is one] Hamas [operative] plus 10 [civilians in the house], the officer said. Usually, these 10 will be women and children. So absurdly, it turns out that most of the people you killed were women and children.

The officers explained that the decision to target thousands of these men in their homes is just a question of expediency. It is simply easier to wait for them to come home to the address on file in the system, and then bomb that house or apartment building, than to search for them in the chaos of the war-torn Gaza Strip.

The officers who spoke to 972+ explained that in previous Israeli massacres in Gaza, they could not generate targets quickly enough to satisfy their political and military bosses, and so these AI systems were designed to solve that problem for them. The speed with which Lavender can generate new targets only gives its human minders an average of 20 seconds to review and rubber-stamp each name, even though they know from tests of the Lavender system that at least 10% of the men chosen for assassination and familicide have only an insignificant or a mistaken connection with Hamas or PIJ.

The Lavender AI system is a new weapon, developed by Israel. But the kinds of kill lists it generates have a long pedigree in U.S. wars, occupations and CIA regime change operations. Since the birth of the CIA after World War II, the technology used to create kill lists has evolved from the CIAs earliest coups in Iran and Guatemala, to Indonesia and the Phoenix program in Vietnam in the 1960s, to Latin America in the 1970s and 1980s and to the U.S. occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Just as U.S. weapons development aims to be at the cutting edge, or the killing edge, of new technology, the CIA and U.S. military intelligence have always tried to use the latest data processing technology to identify and kill their enemies.

The CIA learned some of these methods from German intelligence officers captured at the end of World War II. Many of the names on Nazi kill lists were generated by an intelligence unit called Fremde Heere Ost (Foreign Armies East), under the command of Maj. Gen. Reinhard Gehlen, Germanys spy chief on the eastern front. (See David Talbot's book "The Devils Chessboard," p. 268.)

Gehlen and the FHO had no computers, but they did have access to 4 million Soviet POWs from all over the USSR, and no compunction about torturing them to learn the names of Jews and Communist officials in their hometowns to compile kill lists for the Gestapo and Einsatzgruppen.

After the war, when 1,600 German scientists were spirited out of Germany in Operation Paperclip, the U.S. flew Gehlen and his senior staff to Fort Hunt in Virginia. They were welcomed by Allen Dulles, soon to be the first and still the longest-serving director of the CIA. Dulles sent them back to Pullach in occupied Germany to resume their anti-Soviet operations as CIA agents. The Gehlen organization formed the nucleus of what became the BND, the new West German intelligence service, with Reinhard Gehlen as its director until he retired in 1968.

After a CIA coup removed Irans democratically elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953, a CIA team led by Maj. Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf  whose son would become the commander of Operation Desert Storm in 1991  trained a new intelligence service known as SAVAK in the use of kill lists and torture. SAVAK used these skills to purge Irans government and military of suspected communists and later to hunt down anyone who dared to oppose the Shah.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

By 1975, Amnesty International estimated that Iran was holding between 25,000 and 100,000 political prisoners, and had the highest rate of death penalties in the world, no valid system of civilian courts and a history of torture that is beyond belief.

In Guatemala, a CIA-sponsored coup in 1954 replaced the democratic government of Jacobo Arbenz Guzman with a brutal dictatorship. As resistance grew in the 1960s, U.S. special forces joined the Guatemalan army in a scorched earth campaign in Zacapa, which killed 15,000 people to defeat a few hundred armed rebels. Meanwhile, CIA-trained urban death squads abducted, tortured and killed opposition-party members in Guatemala City, notably 28 prominent labor leaders who were abducted and disappeared in March 1966.

Once this first wave of resistance was suppressed, the CIA set up a new telecommunications center and intelligence agency, based in the presidential palace. It compiled a database of subversives across the country that included leaders of farming cooperativess and labor, student and indigenous activists, to provide ever-growing lists for the death squads. The resulting civil war became a genocide against indigenous people in Ixil and the western highlands that killed or disappeared at least 200,000 people.

This pattern was repeated across the world, wherever popular, progressive leaders offered hope to their people in ways that challenged U.S. interests. As historian Gabriel Kolko wrote in 1988, The irony of U.S. policy in the Third World is that, while it has always justified its larger objectives and efforts in the name of anticommunism, its own goals have made it unable to tolerate change from any quarter that impinged significantly on its own interests.

When Gen. Suharto seized power in Indonesia in 1965, the U.S. embassy compiled a list of 5,000 communists for his death squads to hunt down and kill. The CIA estimated that they eventually killed 250,000 people, while other estimates run as high as a million.

Twenty-five years later, journalist Kathy Kadane investigated the U.S. role in the massacre in Indonesia, and spoke to Robert Martens, the political officer who led the State Department-CIA team that compiled the kill list. It really was a big help to the army,'' Martens told Kadane. They probably killed a lot of people, and I probably have a lot of blood on my hands. But that's not all bad  there's a time when you have to strike hard at a decisive moment.

Kadane also spoke to former CIA director William Colby, who was the head of the CIAs Far East division in the 1960s. Colby compared the U.S. role in Indonesia to the Phoenix Program in Vietnam, which was launched two years later, claiming that they were both successful programs to identify and eliminate the organizational structure of Americas communist enemies.

The Phoenix program was designed to uncover and dismantle the National Liberation Fronts shadow government across South Vietnam. Phoenixs Combined Intelligence Center in Saigon fed thousands of names into an IBM 1401 computer, along with their locations and their alleged roles in the NLF. The CIA credited the Phoenix program with killing 26,369 NLF officials, while another 55,000 were imprisoned or persuaded to defect. Seymour Hersh reviewed South Vietnamese government documents that put the death toll at 41,000.

How many of the dead were correctly identified as NLF officials may be impossible to know, but Americans who took part in Phoenix operations reported killing the wrong people in many cases. Navy SEAL Elton Manzione told author Douglas Valentine ("The Phoenix Program") how he killed two young girls in a night raid on a village, and then sat down on a stack of ammunition crates with a hand grenade and an M-16, threatening to blow himself up, until he got a ticket home.

The whole aura of the Vietnam War was influenced by what went on in the 'hunter-killer' teams of Phoenix, Delta, etc., Manzione told Valentine. That was the point at which many of us realized we were no longer the good guys in the white hats defending freedom  that we were assassins, pure and simple. That disillusionment carried over to all other aspects of the war and was eventually responsible for it becoming Americas most unpopular war.

Even as the U.S. defeat in Vietnam and war fatigue in the United States led to a more peaceful next decade, the CIA continued to engineer and support coups around the world, and to provide post-coup governments with increasingly computerized kill lists to consolidate their rule.

After supporting Gen. Augusto Pinochets coup in Chile in 1973, the CIA played a central role in Operation Condor, an alliance between right-wing military governments in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia, to hunt down tens of thousands of their own and each others political opponents and dissidents, killing and disappearing at least 60,000 people.

The CIAs role in Operation Condor is still shrouded in secrecy, but J. Patrice McSherry, a political scientist at Long Island University, has investigated the U.S. role and concluded, Operation Condor also had the covert support of the U.S. government. Washington provided Condor with military intelligence and training, financial assistance, advanced computers, sophisticated tracking technology, and access to the continental telecommunications system housed in the Panama Canal Zone.

McSherrys research revealed how the CIA supported the intelligence services of the Condor states with computerized links, a telex system and purpose-built encoding and decoding machines made by the CIA logistics department. As she wrote in her book "Predatory States: Operation Condor and Covert War in Latin America":

The Condor systems secure communications system, Condortel ... allowed Condor operations centers in member countries to communicate with one another and with the parent station in a U.S. facility in the Panama Canal Zone. This link to the U.S. military-intelligence complex in Panama is a key piece of evidence regarding secret U.S. sponsorship of Condor.

Operation Condor ultimately failed, but the U.S. provided similar support and training to right-wing governments in Colombia and Central America throughout the 1980s in what senior military officers have called a quiet, disguised, media-free approach to repression and kill lists.

The U.S. School of the Americas trained thousands of Latin American officers in the use of torture and death squads, as Maj. Joseph Blair, the SOAs former chief of instruction, described to John Pilger for his film "The War You Dont See":

The doctrine that was taught was that, if you want information, you use physical abuse, false imprisonment, threats to family members, and killing. If you cant get the information you want, if you cant get the person to shut up or stop what theyre doing, you assassinate them  and you assassinate them with one of your death squads.

When the same methods were transferred to the U.S. military occupation of Iraq after 2003, Newsweek headlined it The Salvador Option. A U.S. officer explained that U.S. and Iraqi death squads were targeting Iraqi civilians as well as resistance fighters. The Sunni population is paying no price for the support it is giving to the terrorists, he said. From their point of view, it is cost-free. We have to change that equation.

The U.S. sent two veterans of its dirty wars in Latin America to Iraq to play key roles in that campaign. Col. James Steele led the U.S. Military Advisor Group in El Salvador from 1984 to 1986, training and supervising Salvadoran forces who killed tens of thousands of civilians. He was also deeply involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, narrowly escaping a prison sentence for his role supervising shipments from Ilopango air base in El Salvador to the U.S.-backed Contras in Honduras and Nicaragua.

In Iraq, Steele oversaw the training of the Interior Ministrys Special Police Commandos, rebranded as National Police and later Federal Police after the discovery of their al-Jadiriyah torture center and other atrocities.

Bayan al-Jabr, a commander in the Iranian-trained Badr Brigade militia, was appointed interior minister in 2005, and Badr militiamen were integrated into the Wolf Brigade death squad and other Special Police units. Jabrs chief adviser was Steven Casteel, the former intelligence chief for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Latin America.

The Interior Ministry death squads waged a dirty war in Baghdad and other cities, filling the Baghdad morgue with up to 1,800 corpses per month, while Casteel fed the Western media absurd cover stories, such as that the death squads were all insurgents in stolen police uniforms.

Meanwhile, U.S. special operations forces conducted kill-or-capture night raids in search of resistance leaders. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of Joint Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2008, oversaw the development of a database system, used in Iraq and Afghanistan, that compiled phone numbers mined from captured cellphones to generate an ever-expanding target list for night raids and air strikes.

The targeting of cellphones instead of actual people enabled the automation of the targeting system, and explicitly excluded using human intelligence to confirm identities. Two senior U.S. commanders told the Washington Post that only half the night raids attacked the right house or person.

In Afghanistan, President Obama put McChrystal in charge of U.S. and NATO forces in 2009, and his cellphone-based social network analysis enabled an exponential increase in night raids, from 20 per month in May 2009 to up to 40 per night by April 2011.

As with the Lavender system in Gaza, this huge increase in targets was achieved by taking a system originally designed to identify and track a small number of senior enemy commanders and applying it to anyone suspected of having links with the Taliban, based on their cellphone data.

This led to the capture of an endless flood of innocent civilians, so that most civilian detainees had to be quickly released to make room for new ones. The increased killing of innocent civilians in night raids and airstrikes fueled already fierce resistance to the U.S. and NATO occupation and ultimately led to its defeat.

Obamas drone campaign to kill suspected enemies in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia was just as indiscriminate, with reports suggesting that 90% of the people it killed in Pakistan were innocent civilians.

Yet Obama and his national security team kept meeting in the White House every Terror Tuesday to select who the drones would target that week, using an Orwellian, computerized disposition matrix to provide technological cover for their life and death decisions.

Looking at this evolution of ever more automated systems for killing and capturing enemies, we can see how, as the information technology used has advanced from telexes to cellphones and from early IBM computers to artificial intelligence, the human intelligence and sensibility that could spot mistakes, prioritize human life and prevent the killing of innocent civilians has been progressively marginalized and excluded, making these operations more brutal and horrifying than ever.

One author of this article has at least two friends who survived the dirty wars in Latin America because someone who worked in the police or military got word to them that their names were on a death list, one in Argentina, the other in Guatemala. If their fates had been decided by an AI machine like Lavender, they would both be long dead.

As with supposed advances in other types of weapons technology, like drones and precision bombs and missiles, innovations that claim to make targeting more precise and eliminate human error have instead led to the automated mass murder of innocent people, especially women and children, bringing us full circle from one holocaust to the next.
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

Oh, we come on the ship they call the Mayflower

We come on the ship that sailed the moon

We come in the ages most uncertain hour

And sing an American tune

Oh, its all right, its all right

Its all right, its all right

You cant be forever blessed

Still, tomorrows going to be another working day

And Im trying to get some rest

Thats all Im trying to get some rest.

 Paul Simon, American Tune

Paul Simons American Tune was released in 1973. The melody is from 16th-century Germany; Simon probably heard it in Bachs Passion of St. Matthew from 1727. But thats another story.

This story doesnt begin with the melody. It begins with Simons lyrics. The Los Angeles Times later noted that the lines were mournful, as if unspooling in the candlelight of a days end. Let me unspool.

We know what America promised; is this what it has become?

American Tune is obliquely political: Oblique because, as Simon later claimed, I dont write overtly political songs, political because, he continued, American Tune comes pretty close, as it was written just after Nixon was elected. There was plenty in Nixons presidency for Simon to dislike. Some of the more atrocious moments in the Vietnamese war occurred in those days, and Nixons responses to antiwar agitations back home were ugly. And then, of course, there was Watergate, which threatened not only the Democratic Party but Amercas two-party system itself. It turned out, though, that Nixon was a mere prelude. A recital followed  and continues  in which the American Tune is sung off-key.

Afghanistan . In 2001, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the governing Taliban, primarily because the Taliban wouldnt apprehend and extradite Osama bin Laden, who was understood to be in seclusion there. American withdrawal wouldnt occur until 2021, a decade after bin Laden had been exterminated across the border in Pakistan and long after the original goal of the invasion had been forgotten.

Iraq. In 2003, the U.S. invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hussein, ostensibly to punish terrorists for their 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, and to remove weapons of mass destruction from Iraqi soil. No connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11 was ever taken seriously; no weapon of mass destruction was ever found. American withdrawal wouldnt occur until 2023. Two decades after the original invasion 2,500 American troops remain in the country.

Palestine. The United States recognized the State of Israel in the earliest hours of its creation in 1948 and, during the years, has donated $300 billion to the cause. At first the aid was mostly developmental; nowadays its mostly military. And nowadays, too, its mostly used to sustain the apartheid state that Israel has created throughout Palestine. From the river to the sea, if youll excuse an ironic use of the term. (A moment of silence for the 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which the UK nudged forward the creation of Israel, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.) Throughout, the U.S. has been reflexively supportive of the State of Israel, even unto genocide, which is the situation in Gaza as I write these lines.

Ignoring this off-key chorus, the average Americans go-to foreign affairs meme is still a Jeep full of GIs distributing Hershey Bars to European children whose freedom theyve just preserved. Its a feel-good image, noble and largely true, but its your grandfathers. Nowadays, overseas  the term itself betrays its own narcissism, doesnt it?  the memes are different.

Memes of occupation. The U.S. operates nearly a dozen military bases in Germany, nearly two dozen in Japan, fifteen in South Korea. Nearly a dozen nations in the Middle East host U.S. bases.

Memes of aggression. In the early hours of its 2003 invasion of Iraq, the U.S. fired 320 cruise missiles and flew 1,500 air strikes over Baghdad. The shock and awe pyrotechnics were seen by millions of televiewers worldwide. And then, later in the war, rogue American soldiers committed war crimes in the Abu Ghraib Prison, giving to the world a starkly different meme: The infamous image of Abdou Hussain Saad Faleh being tortured made it to the cover of The Economist.

And yet, also, memes of a dithering giant. All across Europe, Burgers and their governments are wondering whether U.S. aid to Ukraine will survive the political theater in Washington. Or whether the NATO alliance would survive the second coming of Donald Trump.

Nowhere overseas will you find that meme of GIs with Hershey Bars.

Will America rediscover the moral high ground? Will it once again:

 come in the ages most uncertain hour

And sing an American tune.

Perhaps. God knows, the hours are uncertain. And America is mighty. Perhaps, too, though, it will simply move into history as just another great power that lost its mojo. Either way, it will have to be:

 all right, its all right

Its all right, its all right

You cant be forever blessed

Still, tomorrows going to be another working day

And Im trying to get some rest.

The post Singing American Tune off-key appeared first on Daily Montanan.
6-year-old abducted in Melbourne found in Columbia County, according to police

The Melbourne Police Department said a woman was beaten in her Brevard County home on Saturday and her six-year-old child was taken.

The victim informed police that her child was taken by multiple female suspects who attacked her and threatened her with a knife.

According to police, the suspects were believed to be related to the father of the child, who lives in Alabama.

The suspects took the child and left in an SUV with an Alabama license plate.

A statewide bulletin was issued for the vehicle.

Read: Deputies search for 2nd person of interest in deadly carjacking

Officers believed the suspects were heading north to Alabama and communicated with multiple agencies across the state for assistance.

Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriffs Office were able to locate the vehicle traveling west on Interstate 10.

The deputies stopped the vehicle, recovered the child, and detained the suspects.

Arrest warrants were completed for the suspects who were extradited to Brevard County.

Read: Sex offender rearrested after traffic stop, deputies say

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
This week, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on one of the biggest housing projects in the history of San Luis Obispo County: the 1,370-unit Dana Reserve development proposed in Nipomo.

The controversial project often gets boiled down to one thing  oak trees vs. housing  though other issues have been raised as well.

Opponents worry about increased traffic and the strain on schools, law enforcement and other local facilities and services.

Proponents, who include members of the YIMBY movement  Yes in My Backyard  counter that housing is desperately needed in a county where the median home price is nearly $850,000.

But its the loss of oak tress that has become emblematic and has galvanized opponents throughout the county, along with the belief that the number of affordable homes included in the project doesnt justify the sacrifice of so much oak woodland.

Photo looking north toward proposed Dana Reserve housing project. There has been intense opposition to the removal of 3,000 oak trees, though pro-housing organizations are advocating for the project.

From light industry to housing

The 288-acre property located west of Highway 101 had been designated as a light industrial/commercial park with some housing and lots of open space. But as the demand for industrial land decreased and the need for housing skyrocketed, the original plan fell by the wayside.

Development group NKT Commerical, headed by Central Coast native Nick Tompkins, saw the Nipomo property as opportunity to develop housing, along with commercial businesses to serve the residents. (California Fresh Market, a local grocery chain, has signed a letter of intent.)

The project coming to the Board of Supervisors will include a mix of housing types, from subsidized units for very low-income households to high-end homes likely to sell in the $1 million range.

Heres the breakdown:

156 deed-restricted rental units for very low- and low-income families

383 additional multi-family units for rent, with some possibly for sale

124 workforce homes with shared driveways

290 homes on shared lots designated as missing middle housing for buyers who dont qualify for subsidies but cant afford market-rate housing

417 luxury homes

100 accessory dwelling units spread throughout much of the project.

Homes not in the high-end category are expected to range between $475,000 and $725,000 in todays dollars. (That part is important, because projects can take years to build out and the ultimate price can be significantly higher.)

An all-electric project

Several requirements  such as limits on lot sizes and square footage  have been baked into the project to keep costs as low as possible. According to the applicant, that will make them the lowest-priced new homes in the county.

Controlling lot size will force home sizes to remain smaller and hence less expensive. Nipomos location also helps versus SLO. With this same project in SLO, prices would be much higher, although Nipomo is steadily having prices head north, closer to a $1 million average, Tompkins said via email.

Tompkins is donating $3.2 million in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. And in addition to providing parks and trails, the developer is setting aside land for a daycare center, a Cuesta College South County campus, a fire station and medical services and hes paying above the required amount in fees for public facility. He also purchased Dana Ridge, an offsite, 388-acre parcel, where 14,000 oak trees will be permanently preserved.

Another thing that makes this project stand out: It will be all-electric. All homes will have solar panels and will be pre-wired for installation of battery backup. The only gas hookups will be in the commercial area.

Somebodys got to house them

Tompkins has jumped through numerous hoops during the years-long planning process. For instance, at the behest of the Planning Commission, he increased the number of deed-restricted units and accessory dwelling units.

What hes not willing to do is walk away. Even if someone were to offer to buy him out, he said he wouldnt accept.

Too many families are faced with real housing insecurity because they dont own a home, face rising rents and virtually no availability, he told The Tribune Editorial board. Somebodys got to house them.

He should be allowed to do so.

Nick Tompkins of NKT Commercial leads a tour of the Dana Reserve site between Willow Road and Sandydale Drive and Highway 101 in Nipomo. The proposed housing development calls for 1,370 homes on 288 acres.

Deep ly flawed planning process

If the county did not want this project to move forward, it should never have encouraged it in the first place. Yet thats exactly what the Board of Supervisors did on Jan. 26, 2021, when it voted 5-0 to accept the application for processing. That application clearly described the scope of the project, though at 1,270 units, it included 100 fewer homes.

If the board believed the level of development was too intense  that conservation of oak woodland must take precedence  it should have made it clear at that point, before many millions of dollars were invested in a project that has split the community to the point where, whatever the ultimate decision, its likely to leave one side or the other feeling betrayed.

Dana Reserve is a prime example of why our planning process is dysfunctional to the point of being nonsensical.

That the Board of Supervisors could deny the project at this late date is absurd. Direction should have been provided at the front end, rather than waiting until the last minute to try to come up with a compromise acceptable to both sides.

To deny the project now  or to shrink it to some insignificant size  would be unconscionable.

It would deprive hundreds of local families (local residents will be given priority) the benefit of the decent, affordable housing thats becoming almost impossible to find here.

Some of those families already are looking forward to moving to Dana Reserve in the next few years.

There may still be room for some minor compromise, but starting over now would delay construction for years. In the meantime, housing prices are likely to continue to go up.

The time for a major revision has passed. The Board of Supervisors should honor the commitment it made in 2021 and approve the Dana Reserve.
This space tourism company wants to take people to the stratosphere with a helium balloon for $150,000. See inside its capsule designed by a former Ferrari designer.

Halo Space is a space-tourism company that uses helium balloons instead of rockets or jets.

CEO Carlos Mira plans to launch commercial flights in 2026, and take 10,000 people to the stratosphere by 2030.

The company unveiled the interior of its capsule, designed by ex-Ferrari designer Frank Stephenson.

Halo Space was founded in 2021 with the goal of improving access to space tourism.

It would still be out of reach for most people, at around $150,000 a ticket, but by using helium balloons instead of jets or rockets, it's cheaper and more sustainable than the likes of Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.

CEO Carlos Mira believes his company can take 10,000 people to the stratosphere within the next six years. He said Halo will start commercial flights in 2026.

Last Wednesday, the firm unveiled the interior of its capsule  designed by Frank Stephenson, a renowned industrial designer formerly of Ferrari and Maserati,.

Business Insider attended a London event hosted by the company to learn more about Halo Space and how it hopes to achieve its grand ambitions.

In the world of space tourism, the first companies that come to mind are the likes of SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic  which can cost millions of dollars for a ticket.

Isaiah J. Downing/Reuters

Halo Space is trying a different, cheaper route. It plans to use a capsule lifted by a helium balloon into the stratosphere.

Courtesy of Halo Space Pete Syme/Business Insider

The Spanish company says its capsules will cruise at 18 to 22 miles above the Earth  around the same height as Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking skydive back in 2012.

Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool via AP

The best moments from Felix Baumgartner's supersonic jump

The trip would last for four to six hours in total. That's longer than a Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic flight, but less than SpaceX's.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

But by using a balloon instead of jet engines, the price could be around $150,000  compared to Virgin Galactic's $450,000; Blue Origin's $28 million; or Space X's $55 million. It's also more sustainable.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Only about 650 people have ever been to space. The firm's CEO, Carlos Mira, claimed `Halo can up that figure to 10,000 by 2030  aiming for at least two flights a week.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It plans to launch the capsule from sites in the US, Australia, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. The firm will set up temporary venues for customers that reflect the country, described as "more than glamping."

Courtesy of Halo Space

At a press conference last Wednesday, Halo unveiled the interior of its space capsule, designed by Frank Stephenson  formerly of Ferrari and BMW.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Stephenson made his name designing the Fiat 500 and the BMW X5, among other cars, but has been more involved with aerospace firms in recent years. He previously spoke to Business Insider about his work designing electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft, or eVTOLs  commonly known as flying taxis. Like Halo, they're focused on sustainability.

Stephenson spoke about how his design firm constructed its own 1:1 scale model of the capsule in order to figure out the best possible layout. "Computers don't design, humans design. That's really the only way to capture the human touch," he said.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

He and his team tried a few different arrangements to figure out how to best position the nine seats, which includes one for a pilot.

Courtesy of Halo Space

They settled on this design, with all the seats facing outwards during the main cruise to maximize the views. But during takeoff and landing, half face backward and half forward.

Courtesy of Halo Space

Stephenson shared the sketches of the seat design, showing how much thought went into details like the armrest and adjustable headrest.

Courtesy of Halo Space

The capsule also features fold-down dining trays to maximize space. The area at the bottom stores meals, hot or cold, and Halo says it would serve whatever the customer requests.

Courtesy of Halo Space

Stephenson said it was also important to maximize space for the bathroom: "Nobody likes a tight space. Even if you fly upper class in most commercial airliners, it's quite tight and uncomfortable."

Courtesy of Halo Space

The mannequin in the image represents the 95th percentile for male height.

One of the most intriguing features is its plans for augmented reality, like showing differing constellations in the sky or where on Earth the capsule is flying over.

Courtesy of Halo Space

Overall, the capsule is over 16 feet wide and 11 feet tall.

Frank Stephenson's design for the Halo Space capsule. Courtesy of Halo Space

Halo has conducted five test flights since 2022 and hopes to launch commercial flights as soon as 2026.

Courtesy of Halo Space

But its grand ambitions won't be easy to achieve. Halo thinks it will first be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration before getting approval in other countries.

Courtesy of Halo Space

Some at the press conference questioned whether Halo could face a similar fate as OceanGate, which owned the submersible that imploded last year. "Is this another way for rich people to kill themselves?" asked Aerospace Magazine's editor in chief.

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

What is OceanGate? Meet the company that made a business out of risky deep-sea tours of the Titanic shipwreck.

"Safety, for us, is the priority," Mira replied. "We are using mature technologies. Balloons have been around for more than 200 years." He also noted that Halo has partnered with engineering firms like Aciturri.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Cori Bush, D-Mo., offered an amendment to a bill in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent aid from going to Israel unless Hamas releases its hostages and a cease-fire was put in place, measures the terror group has repeatedly rejected.

The House Rules Committee refused to consider the measure and House lawmakers on Saturday showed overwhelming bipartisan support for a $26 billion foreign aid bill providing funding for Israel and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The failed amendment called for a lasting cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, the release of hostages held by the terror group and "arbitrarily detained Palestinians" held by Israel as well as diplomacy to secure self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis.

TENSIONS ERUPT ON HOUSE FLOOR AS CONSERVATIVES CONFRONT JOHNSON ON $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN

Democratic Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., left, and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., have been vocal critics of Israel. The pair of lawmakers offered an unsuccessful amendment this week to prevent Israel from getting crucial military aid.

However, Hamas has rejected multiple offers of a cease-fire that call for the release of hostages its terrorist fighters have held captive since Oct. 7.

"This bill that passed today is a death warrant. It's a death warrant on Palestinians," Bush said Saturday at an anti-Israel rally on Capitol Hill. "It's a death warrant that says it means that. Apparently, it means that Palestinians are not as valued, that their lives are not as valuable as Israeli lives. And I have to say this. For those that feel that way, shame on you."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Progressive Democrats have called for the Biden administration to halt aid to Israel over concerns about the fighting in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there as well as three death toll of residents in the Hamas-controlled territory.

On Friday, Bush said Congress was fueling genocide rather than saving Palestinian lives. For her part, Tlaib, who has Palestinian roots, has been a vocal critic of Israel even before Oct. 7.

HOUSE TAKES KEY TEST VOTE FOR JOHNSONS $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN AFTER DEMS HELP IT ADVANCE

Speaker Mike Johnson ushered through a bill with $26 billion in aid for Israel and Gaza.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Tlaib's office.

Republicans, for the most part, have been united in their support for Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Many critics have accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of committing genocide as it battles Hamas fighters in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. leaders have pushed back against those claims.

"If we don't move now, if we don't say cease fire now. So many will die," Bush said. "So we didn't have to be at 34,000, plus tens of thousands more under rubble, plus folks dying from starvation. We don't have to be in a famine right now.:

"We don't have to have 200,000 buildings decimated and destroyed and whole communities gone and hospitals gone and educational facilities gone," she added. "We don't have to be there right now. Yes. We won't stop fighting for humanity. We won't stop fighting for every single Palestinian. For every single person in the region. Because they're taking it even further than Gaza."

Israel launched limited strikes against Iran on Friday.

Israel recently carried out limited strikes against Iran in retaliation for a barrage of airstrikes Tehran fired on Israel, the first such direct attack from the Islamic fundamentalist government. No large-scale damage or casualties were reported in either incident.





Original article source: Squad Democrats push Israel aid package amendment in failed cease-fire effort: 'Death warrant on Palestinians'
A St. Helena Man was convicted of the 2021 murder of his cousin Thursday.

A Saint Helena Island man was found guilty of murder Thursday after shooting and killing his cousin in 2021.

On May 29, 2021, a gathering at a Keystone Drive home, in Saint Helena, ended in tragedy when Stephan Quinton Polite shot and killed 30-year-old Anthony Rivers Jr. Witnesses at the gathering testified that Rivers came to the card game intoxicated. After arguing with his cousin, Polite went to his car to get his gun, the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office said in a press release.

This defendant further escalated the situation with his cousin when he armed himself and then threatened to put (Rivers) in a wheelchair, said Samantha Molina of the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, who prosecuted the case.

After pistol-whipping his cousin twice, Polite shot him in the chest while driving away from the home. Rivers later died in the hospital.

Polite received 30 years for the murder and five years for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, after the three-day jury trial. Hell serve the sentences concurrently.

Circuit Court Judge Brooks Goldsmith handed down the sentence.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  With just four days until the start of the St. Jude Dream Home Campaign, 27 News wants to tell you how your generosity will help the children of St. Jude.

KSNT 27 News is partnering with St. Jude to raffle off a brand-new home in Topeka. All of the money raised will go to help the childrens hospital. This year, the number of childhood cancer survivors in the U.S. is expected to reach 580,000.

St. Jude has survivorship studies, where the long-term effects of pediatric cancer treatment are being studied to develop a plan to minimize any late effects. Reserving just one ticket for the Topeka St. Jude Dream Home Campaign can help fund that research.

The dream home can be found at 2635 SW Sherwood Park Drive in Topeka. It is being built by Drippe Homes and has an estimated value of $600,000.

Features of the dream home include three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an estimated 2,200 square feet. Free tours of the home run from July 12-28 at the following times:

Fridays: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays: Noon to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home will be available on our website in the coming days.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Star student with 100 GPA denied admission to dream school because of NYCs subjective lottery system

Kristina Raevsky holding binder portfolio showcasing some of her work, standing in bedroom weaaring pink dress and smiling at camera; top right shows the several books she has written; bottom right shows Townsend Harris High School exterior, where she didn't get accepted.

Four published books, debate trophies, perfect attendance and a 100 average werent enough to get a Queens eighth-grader into her dream high school.

Kristina Raevsky, 14, found out on March 7 she wasnt accepted to Townsend Harris High School in Flushing because of a lottery system that grouped her perfect test scores with kids who scored over a 94.

I was shocked, Raevsky told The Post. Everyone I told said, How is this possible? And I told them, I dont know, it isnt me that is the problem. The system is the problem.

A Queens eighth grader who fought against lottery-based admissions didnt make it into her dream high school despite her academic achievements. Helayne Seidman

Kristina Raevskys dream was to attend Townsend Harris High School but she will now be attending parochial school. Helayne Seidman

Prior to the lottery, before COVID, my mindset was, Well, I have a 100 average, Im at the top of my class, I have perfect attendance, and I did well on the state tests . . . what could possibly go wrong?'

But Raevskys attendance record and stellar average were no longer factors in the admissions process, which, since 2022, sorts kids into five groups based on seventh-grade core subject grades. For screened schools like Townsend Harris, an essay and a two-minute video submission are additionally considered. Then, kids are subject to a lottery.

Thats where all the subjectivity comes in, the Forest Hills student said of the writing and video portions. If you ask me what to do to change the system, I would say put it back to the way it was when we had objective measures like state tests.

The lottery determined my fate. At the end of all this, I was reduced to a lottery number, Raevsky said. Her poor lottery number put her in the 72nd percentile of applicants.

The star student called the unfair lottery a system problem. Helayne Seidman

Life is not a lottery, she added. When you go into the medical field, the law field, every single field, everything is based on merit.

Before the pandemic, screened schools like Townsend Harris chose their own admissions criteria. In 2020, former Mayor Bill de Blasio nixed attendance, state tests and letter grades and implemented a system where students with an 85 or above were entered into the same lottery pool, in an attempt to diversify selective schools.

High schools with screened admissions group applicants based on their seventh-grade scores and then chooses based on lottery. Helayne Seidman

In 2022, Chancellor David Banks, under Mayor Adams, brought back screens and narrowed the top tier of kids to those with a 94 or above, which those fighting for high-achieving students welcomed.

Although we agree that it moves high school admissions policy in the right direction, this policy change is just one small step forward after NYC took three very large steps backward, Raevsky wrote in a Fordham Institute article in 2022. She has long been a vocal advocate for education meritocracy.

Im finally going to be in a place where I belong and am appreciated for my merit and my academic abilities, Raevsky said. Helayne Seidman

Raevsky says she was never a 94 student.

I can tell you from experience that the difference between a 94 and a 100 is miles apart  the 100 student is sitting there the moment something is assigned thinking, How am I going to complete this assignment? Let me start planning.

The 94 student says, Oh, Ill come to the movies even though theres a test two days away. The 100 student says, Im sorry but I cant come. Im studying.

Hundreds take time. Hundreds take sacrifice and perseverance, said the student, who is on track to be the valedictorian at JHS 157.

Kristina Raevsky, 14, who has a passion for writing and history, has already self-published four books. Helayne Seidman

Raevsky put Townsend Harris, which offers no geographic preference to Queens students, and only one other school on her list of 12 high school choices.

She was accepted into the Bronx High School of Science, which has its own admissions process, but said it is too far from home.

Plus, she doesnt want to go to a STEM school.

Im a humanities kid, she said. I like math, but I like history more, and I like writing and reading more.

Raevsky wasnt offered her top-ranked school in part because of an unlucky lottery number and says she would like to see more objective measures in place. Helayne Seidman

The last book that she wrote, Marriage or Espionage: Read Between the Lines, is a historical fiction novel about a spy during the American Revolution.

Raevskys ultimate goal is the US Senate, she said, where she would focus on education and public safety.

Now, its off to nearby parochial school for her, where she was offered a scholarship. Like many families fed up with the systems policies, hers is bidding farewell to the city Department of Education.

Im really glad Im going to a private school, she said. Im finally going to be in a place where I belong and am appreciated for my merit and my academic abilities.
Willow Kelley, 6, of Plain Township gets help from her mother, Lindsay Kelley during a visit Saturday, April 13, 2024, to Glazed and Amused pottery painting in North Canton.

Stark Parks hosts fishing derbies

CANAL FULTON  Stark Parks, in partnership with the Stark County Federation of Conservation Clubs and Berkley Fishing Team, is hosting free derby events as part of the 2024 fishing derby circuit.

The Jack Cullen Towpath Trail Trout Derby will be 8 a.m. Saturday at St. Helena Heritage Park in Canal Fulton. Children ages 4 to 15 can join the circuit with a chance to fish for prizes at derbies held through the spring and summer.

Attendance at each derby will earn one entry into a drawing to win a cash prize from the Berkley Fishing Team. One free fishing pole will be given to each child participating in a derby throughout the circuit by the Stark County Federation of Conservation Clubs while supplies last. Prizes and trophies are awarded at each derby for the first-, second-, and third-place winners in various age groups. Fishing starts at 8 a.m. for each of the circuit events. Visit StarkParks.com/Derbies for information on all 2024 fishing events.

Junior League of Stark County recognizes Women of the Year

CANTON  The Junior League of Stark County recognized its Women of the Year on Thursday at Brookside Country Club. This years event honored Maria Heege, Community Award recipient; Lynne Esguerra, Presidents Award recipient; and Ann McCabe, posthumously, with the first Legacy Award.

The Junior League of Stark County's mission is to advance womens leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.

Project Blueprint enrollment open

CANTON  Enrollment is open for Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohios Project Blueprint, formerly a United Way of Greater Stark County program. The program starts May 23.

Project Blueprint is designed to recruit, train and connect diverse volunteer leaders to policy-making roles and make nonprofit agencies more effective. It ensures that local volunteer leadership on boards and committees is representative of Stark County, and that diverse perspectives become a greater voice in the community, according to a news release.

Participants will meet for seven sessions from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Ken Weber Community Campus at Goodwill, 408 Ninth St. SW. Classes begin May 23. There will not be a class July 4.

Sessions will feature community leaders speaking on various topics to prepare participants for leadership within community organizations. Those interested in participating can apply online at goodwillgoodskills.org/project-blueprint. The cost for the program is $200. For more information about Project Blueprint, contact Goodwill at training@goodwillgoodskills.org.

Museum presents preservation workshop

CANTON  The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum will present a preservation workshop at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Collections Manager Kait Bergert and Archivist Mark Holland will teach how and where to store family artifacts, some options on where to donate or conserve them, and what they can do to care for them.

This workshop is included with paid admission to the museum. It is free for museum members. Reservations are required. Call 330-455-7043 to make a reservation.

Strauss Studios to host 'Homegoing' book discussion

CANTON  Strauss Studios, 236 Walnut Ave. NE, will host a book talk on the Massillon Museums 2024 NEA Big Read book selection, "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The event is free and open to the public. To register, email jo@straussfurniture.com.

Dinner theater Friday and Saturday

CANTON  Kingdom Arts will present "Till Death Do Us Part" murder mystery dinner Friday and Saturday at the Kingdom Center, 2631 Harvard Ave. NW. This is an interactive event, meaning every guest participates. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets, $35, include three-course dinner. Get tickets on Eventbrite, at the Kingdom Center, or call 234-410-3733.

Ayden Schmucker and Gina Strain, both of Canton, visit during a outing Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Glazed and Amused pottery painting in North Canton.

Job fair Wednesday

HARTVILLE  The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with GentleBrook and OhioMeansJobs to host an in-person job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the GentleBrook SportsPlex, 880 Sunnyside St. SW.

Job seekers are not required to register to participate. The job fair will feature local employers from among the chambers membership and nonmember companies as well. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Available positions include customer service, marketing, accounting, education, healthcare, retail, food service, and recreation.

Massillon Museums Rhythms Concert features blues musician

MASSILLON  The Massillon Museums 2024 Rhythms Concert series will launch at 7 p.m. Thursday, when bluesman the Rev. Robert Jones Sr. takes the stage. He is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and ukulele and has recorded six albums of original and traditional songs. Jones, of Detroit, performs various styles of traditional African American folk music, including spirituals and gospel.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and galleries will remain open until the concert starts in Gessner Hall. ASL interpretation will be provided during the concert. A cash bar will be available. Buy tickets ($12 each or $10 per member) at MassillonMuseum.org/Tickets, in person, or by phone at 330-833-4061. Membership will be verified at the door; memberships can be purchased at any time. This concert complements Massillon Museums 2024 NEA Big Read book selection, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

Massillon library sets open house, poetry, cooking events

MASSILLON  The Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E, has announced several events. Call 330-832-9831 or visit massillonlibrary.org for more information or to register.

Poetry Read-In , 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Main Auditorium: Bring you original poems, share the work of your favorite poet or just sit back and enjoy the art of poetry in a coffeehouse atmosphere. Family friendly poems must be limited to five minutes. No registration required.

Big Read Open House , noon to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Main Auditorium: The Open House celebration for kids will include crafts, stories and activities featuring the childrens book "In the Small, Small Night" by Jane Kurtz.

Taste of Ghana, 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 29 in the Main Auditorium: Danelle Drexler will teach how to make African Peanut Stew and Sobolo, a drink made from hibiscus leaves. She will be using an Instant Pot for the tutorial, but recipes can be modified for stovetop. Registration is required.

Rory Ziemke, 10, of East Canton puts her own touch on a ceramic figurine Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Glazed and Amused pottery painting in North Canton.

Wilderness Center Nature Photo Club sets FotoFest contest, event

SUGAR CREEK TWP.  The Wilderness Center Nature Photo Club is accepting entries for its 30th annual FotoFest event planned for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 1 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 at The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW. The public is invited to attend the free FotoFest event at The Wilderness Center to view the photos on display and cast a vote for a favorite in each category.

Winning photos will be determined based on the ballots cast by the public attending the event, as well as a Judges Choice award selected by a professional photographer. Certificates and prizes will be awarded in each of the eight categories in both Novice and Advanced Divisions. There is also a special division for youths 18 and younger. The cost is $7 per photo entry and $5 per entry in the Youth division.

An entry form with all of the details is available at The Wilderness Center Nature Photo Club website, www.twcnpc.com; select the FotoFest Info tab. The form also contains drop-off information.

FotoFest is teaming up with the Nature Fest Artists Market for a weekend to discover art inspired by nature and experience the talent of local artisans. Attendees can enjoy both events.

For more information on Foto Fest, contact Rich Patrick at 330-309-3336 or richpatrick47@gmail.com. For information on Nature Fest, contact The Wilderness Center at 330-359-5235.

Donate blood

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood-donation drives. As a thank you, all who give April 9-28 will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Spring. For more information about blood donation, eligibility requirements or to make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.

Alliance: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, University of Mount Union, Simpson Street.

Canton: Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Full Devotion - FBC Canton, 4110 38th St. NW.

Jackson Township: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Paul & Carol David YMCA of Jackson Township, 7389 Caritas Circle NW.

Louisville: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Paradise United Church of Christ, 619 E. Main St.

Navarre: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Towpath Trail YMCA, 1226 Market St. NE.

Support groups organizing

Hope and Healing grief support announces the following support groups now organizing. Call or text 330-834-8224 for more information.

Unraveled Roots (explores the roots of abandonment, addiction, abuse and codependency): 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, April 29 through June 10 (will not meet on May 27); six-week commitment/in-person

Refuge (general grief issues): 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, April 30 through June 25; nine-week commitment/in-person

Forgiven & Set Free (abortion healing): 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, April 30 through June 25; nine-week commitment/in-person

Women of Worth After Abortion Support Meeting: 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; in-person only. Call or text 330-834-8224 for location information.

Arrows Abortion Loss for Men: 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month; online only. Call or text 330-834-8224 to request the link to join.

Art lover Jayden Richardson, 6, of Canton is hard at work Saturday, April 13, 2024, during a visit to Glazed and Amused pottery painting in North Canton with his mother, Macy Byrd, shown in foreground.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region
After much public debate, a Maine law has brought the country closer to having the popular vote determine the winner of national presidential elections -- but it's unlikely that will happen before November or even at all.

Earlier this week, Maine Gov. Janet Mills allowed a bill to become law without her signature that would take effect once the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is able to gather pledges for at least 270 electoral votes -- the number of delegate votes needed to elect a president.

The movement has now gathered pledges from 17 states and Washington, D.C. -- accounting for a total of 209 electoral votes.

MORE: It's really hard to change Electoral College rules

The movement seeks to change the way a president is chosen, without a constitutional amendment, but experts say it's unclear what happens when enough states have signed on. It's unlikely this would happen before the 2024 election.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact seeks to guarantee that the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia wins the presidency.

When there are enough states pledging their popular votes to meet the 270 Electoral College vote threshold, all the votes in those states will be added up to a national count that determines the winner of the election. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact says that will give each vote equal weight regardless of where a voter lives.

PHOTO: Maine's Democratic Gov. Janet Mills delivers her State of the State address, Jan. 30, 2024, at the State House in Augusta, Maine. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

Five of the 46 presidents who came into office lost the popular vote, including Donald Trump most recently in 2016. The compact argues that not every vote is equal under the current system.

"Under the current system, a small number of votes in a small number of states regularly decides the Presidency. All-or-nothing payoffs fuel doubt, controversy over real or imagined irregularities, hair-splitting post-election litigation, and unrest," the compact says on its website.

"In 2020, if 21,461 voters had changed their minds, Joe Biden would have been defeated, despite leading by over 7 million votes nationally. Each of these 21,461 voters (5,229 in Arizona, 5,890 in Georgia, and 10,342 in Wisconsin) was 329 times more important than the 7 million voters elsewhere," the compact says.

One expert says that everything that has to do with the Electoral College is controversial these days with a partisan divide on the issue. Many Democrats want to get rid of it, while more Republicans support it.

"If you look at all the presidential elections from 1992 through 2020, Republicans have won the presidential popular vote only once -- and that was in 2004 when [George W.] Bush beat John Kerry in the popular vote. In every other election over the last 30 years, Democrats have won the popular vote, but because of the Electoral College, Republicans have gotten the presidency a couple of times despite losing the popular vote," Darrell West, a Douglas Dillon chair in governmental studies at the Brookings Institute, told ABC News in an interview.

MORE: Does it matter that Democrats are raising more money than Republicans?

"Republicans feel the Electoral College advantages them now and so they don't want to get rid of it," West said.

West said the country currently only has a handful of swing states because of the Electoral College, so candidates spend most of their money on that small number of states.

"If we got rid of the Electoral College, candidates actually would campaign more broadly. They would visit more states because a vote in Illinois is the same as a vote in California," West said.

Could this work?

Experts say the most direct way to change how presidents are elected is to amend the U.S. Constitution, but there doesn't currently seem to be a feasible pathway without a consensus between both parties.

"Ultimately, there probably is going to have to be a constitutional amendment to get rid of the Electoral College, but everyone knows that's not possible now for political reasons. It takes a very large majority in Congress as well as in the states to make any change to the Constitution. So what states are trying to figure out is, 'Short of a constitutional amendment, are there ways to improve the Electoral College?'" West said.

PHOTO: A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in New York, April 2, 2024. (Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

But it remains unclear what happens when enough states pledge their delegates.

"There's a lot of deep legal contestation over what happens next. I mean, in my judgment, I think it needs congressional consent," Derek Muller, a law professor at Notre Dame Law School, told ABC News.

"If Congress fails to do that, I'm sure there will be litigation," Muller said.

MORE: Israel's war in Gaza became a political flashpoint. Will it risk Biden's coalition for reelection?

There are other legal questions, such as whether it would violate equal protections if the U.S. were to have different states with different rules for their elections and questions about whether a state has the authority to do this, Muller said.

"There are lots of open, contested questions ... where I think the national popular vote, if it does hit 270, will immediately face a series of legal challenges," Muller said.

West agreed that the legal situation is unclear.

"It's not obvious what the status would be of these laws. States do have the authority to set election laws. But according to the Constitution, the electors to the Electoral College actually are free to vote the way they want," West said.

"And so states can pass laws, but there haven't been a lot of cases testing these provisions. And so it's not clear how the Supreme Court would rule on this issue," West added.

Muller said if a state sues another state, that case would go directly before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"It's really unclear who would bring the challenge or where they would bring it. One of the more interesting wrinkles is that there is the possibility, when you're dealing with a compact, you file directly in the United States Supreme Court so that could be a place where it goes. But again, I think there's a lot of possibilities about the litigation strategy if it does hit 270 [pledges]," Muller said.

Has something like this happened before?

About 100 years ago, before the 17th Amendment was passed -- which allows for the direct election of senators -- states had begun shifting from legislatures choosing members sent by the state to the U.S. Senate to having "preference polls" for the public where they would signal who they wanted to represent the state.

MORE: What are the states that could vote on abortion or reproductive rights in November?

"Some states -- I think Oregon was one of the leaders among some others -- would institute preference polls for the people for their senators. So they would hold an election that wasn't binding, but it would just request, 'Who do you want us to vote for?' And then you got a sentiment from the people and the legislature could or could not follow that," Muller said.

Later, those states -- including Oregon -- began binding themselves to the results of the preference polls, Muller said. He pointed to this as an analogy in which the states were trying to "convert legislative elections into a popular vote, even though there was no formal mechanism to do so."

PHOTO: An exterior view of The White House on January 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Eventually, the Constitution was amended to make Senate seats elected by popular vote.

West argues that the direct election of senators did require the constitutional amendment to go into effect.

"And that was 100 years ago, when the political times were less polarized than what we have today," West said.

MORE: Nikki Haley's next move is going to a think tank after becoming major Trump critic

Some states unsuccessfully tried to implement term limits for members of Congress about 20 or 30 years ago, Muller said. The Supreme Court said that was unconstitutional in 1995.

"So Missouri tried something a little more creative, which was to say, 'OK, we're going to ask all candidates to take a term-limits pledge, and we're gonna print if they violated their pledge, we're gonna put that on the ballot, or if they declined to support the term-limits pledge ... we're gonna print that on the ballot,'" Muller said.

"The goal was to say, 'Well, we're not keeping you off the ballot, we're just telling everyone whether or not you're adhering to term limits,'" Muller said. "And the Supreme Court said, 'Well you can't do that either.'"

State law takes US a step closer to popular vote deciding presidential elections originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Earlier this week, the Arizona Supreme Court decided it was legally sound and proper to enforce an 1864 law criminalizing all abortions in the state except when a womans life is at stake. The law could take effect as early as June.

The near-total ban on abortion includes no exceptions for rape or incest and was first enacted during the Civil War and nearly a half-century before Arizona became a state in 1912  and more than a half-century before some women were granted the right to vote.

Under the law, the number of abortions in the state is expected to drop from approximately 1,100 each year to near-zero, according to the Associated Press. Women  especially poor women and women of color  will suffer the most, as they are forced to carry pregnancies both viable and nonviable to their natural conclusion, risking both mother and childs life, in some cases.

But punishing women is the point of such a law.

Opinion

Activist courts, appointed by Republicans, continue to force their religious interpretations on a population rapidly losing faith in the judicial branch of the American government. Less than half of Americans now report having a great or fair amount of trust in the judiciary, according to a 2022 Gallup poll. The ACLU has argued persuasively that a conservative-led U.S. Supreme Court has all but discarded the First Amendments religious clauses in a way that is threatening both the independence of religion and the religious neutrality of the state.

The result is that women and birthing people  and especially women of color  cannot depend on their government to protect their life, liberty or pursuit of happiness.

Arizona is one of 21 states rapidly instituting draconian abortion laws in the wake of the fall of Roe vs. Wade in an attempt to punish women physically, emotionally and financially.

Women denied abortions saw their overdue debts climb by 78%, or $1,750 a year, according to a study profiled in The Washington Post. They experienced bankruptcies, tax liens and evictions at a rate up to 81% more. Women who seek abortions are already disproportionately low-income, women of color and women without a college degree, UC San Francisco demographer Diana Greene Foster told The Post.

A new bill recently introduced in South Carolina could counteract these atrocious mandates, turning the tables on dogmatic and authoritarian lawmakers who claim their concern is for the life of the child, when its so clearly about controlling women and legislating morality.

Compensation for forced birth

The South Carolina Pro Birth Accountability Act would require just compensation to women and girls who are denied an abortion under the states heartbeat ban, which is typically around six weeks into a pregnancy. Compensation would include reasonable living, legal, medical, psychological and psychiatric expenses.

The state has some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates, according to ABC News.

Just as South Carolina may not constitutionally use a citizens rental property without just compensation, it may not constitutionally require a woman to incubate a child without appropriate compensation, the proposed bill reads.

A lot of our women and girls in this state will be thrown into vicious cycles of poverty by the six-week abortion ban, said the sponsor of the bill, South Carolina state Sen. Mia McLeod, in an announcement on X formerly known as Twitter. Now that we have the six-week abortion ban, I thought it only fitting and appropriate for the state to help cover the escalating costs of prenatal and postnatal care, from conception to college.

It is an intriguing side step of the states abortion ban, which is instituted mere days after a woman might recognize a missed period as a potential pregnancy.

Under this bill, women denied an abortion would be entitled to reasonable expenses relating to all stages of pregnancy and childbirth, including the cost of the childs healthcare, vision and dental until age 18; automatic eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infants & Children Program, with no reduction in benefits until the child is 18; the cost of the childs higher education; child support in cases of rape or incest; and automatic eligibility for home visits from a pediatric nurse from early pregnancy until the childs second birthday.

It would also allow pregnant mothers to claim the fetus as a child as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, and therefore be eligible for child-related federal or state income tax credits or deductions.

Such a bill would hit governments in their budgets, instead of the pocketbooks of women and birthing people. If mothers are not allowed to end an unwanted pregnancy and avoid the approximately $25,000 each year in associated child-rearing costs, then the state should compensate them for the undue burden they have caused.

If states like Arizona and South Carolina want to institute total or near-total abortion bans, then they must be made to recognize the burden they are placing on their states families by forcing women to go through childbirth.

I dont have much hope that McLeods bill will survive the South Carolina legislative process  it was first introduced in 2020 and then again in 2023  but I do hope it will inspire women and birthing people across the country to pressure their legislators to introduce similar bills and thereby directly confront the cruel policies that are directly leading to the destruction of womens rights.
This is the story of the Dutch pioneers who settled Borculo, and the Odawa (Ottawa) and Bodewadmi (Potawatomi) they met.

Jacobus Klanderman was born in Borculo, Province of Gelderland, in the Netherlands in 1815. He married Gesina Kistemaker. Together they had a son, Gerrit, born in 1839. Gesine died soon thereafter. In 1855, Jacobus married Aaltjen Reitman. Together they had three children: Johanna, Mary, and Derk.

In 1865, Jacobus and his family immigrated to America, arriving in New York City near the end of Americas Civil War and immediately after John Wilkes Booth had assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Three years earlier, Lincoln had signed the Homestead Act, which gave current and future citizens land, provided they lived on it and improved it. But where did this land come from? In West Michigan, the land between the Grand and St. Joseph Rivers west of present-day Jackson, Michigan, came from the Odawa (Ottawa), Ojibwe (Chippewa), and Bodewadmi (Potawatomi) peoples in accordance with the Treaty of Chicago in 1821.

Borculo c1890s.

Upon arriving in West Michigan, the Klandermans discovered their new home didnt look like their old one. For one, the land was heavily wooded. The Klandermans chose high ground five miles north of Zeeland (at present-day 6091 96th Street), where they began clearing land for farming and built a log house.

For another, they didnt have Dutch neighbors. Still, the Klandermans weren't the first white people to purchase property in the area; nor were they the only people living on the north side of Zeeland.

In 1836, John Ball, after arriving in Grand Rapids, explored the forests of Blendon for white pine before purchasing for himself and investors 2,500 wooded acres. To transport and sell the wood, he built a narrow-gauge track to the Grand River at Blendon Landing. Blendon Lumber Company began logging operations in 1854.

Meanwhile, half a mile north, a quarter mile east, and five miles to the southwest (present-day Noordeloos) were villages of Odawa and Potawatomi people.

Thus, when the Klandermans arrived, Derk, then six years old, began to play with his indigenous neighbors, and consequently learned their language. After several other Dutch settlers arrived  among them Kuyers, Broekhuis, Ten Cate, and Lamer  Gerrit opened a general store about half a mile south of the present-day Borculo village limit.

From the beginning, the Dutch settlers worshiped together. But they were also wary of their indigenous neighbors, who watched them from behind trees. Aaltjen, especially, felt called to save their souls. So, whenever Derk reported that one of their neighbors children was sick, Aaltjen would send him to their village with a pot of soup and the story of salvation, which he dutifully told.

Aaltjen also cried when she saw the children of her indigenous neighbors walking barefoot in the first snows of winter.

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To get supplies for his store, Gerrit had to take an oxcart to Zeeland, a slow excursion, especially when traveling on corduroy roads. He would rather have walked, but walking could be dangerous. Rattlesnakes, mosquitoes, and even bears inhabited the swamp, and how much could he carry on foot?

At his store, Gerrit offered free tobacco to his customers, who would either fill their pipes to smoke or their mouths to chew. Those customers included the Odawa and Potawatomi, who appreciated the sharing of goods with the community.

Unfortunately, on a cold day in 1876, on his return from Zeeland with supplies for his grocery store, Gerrit experienced a drenching rainstorm. Before he could dry off, he contracted pneumonia. He died at 37, leaving behind a family of four, including a pregnant wife who gave birth on the day of his funeral.

Johanna and Mary secured jobs in Grand Rapids. Derk took over the family farm.

In 1882, the U.S gave Borculo its name and a post office. In 1883, 15 families organized a Christian Reformed Church. The lumber, land and financing for the building came from G. Moeke, who owned two sawmills at the time.

Information for this story comes from Cornelia Van Voorsts (1975) Village Lies North of Zeeland, in a booklet entitled "Veneklasen Brick Homes" (1983). Information also comes from Bob Essenburg and Gerrit Bos, the great-grandson of Jacobus Klanderman. They share stories on borculo.weebly.com.

 Steve VanderVeen is a resident of Holland. You may reach him at skvveen@gmail.com. His book, "The Holland Area's First Entrepreneurs," is available at Readers World.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland History: The Klandermans and the beginning of Borculo
Stormy Daniels' Ex-Lawyer Michael Avenatti Says He Is 'Happy To Testify' For Donald Trump

Stormy Daniels' Former Attorney, Michael Avenatti, has opened up about his desire to testify for Donald Trump in his hush money trial involving the former adult film star.

Avenatti, who had been a ferocious Trump critic, said that he has been in contact with the ex-president's legal team and wouldn't hesitate to testify against Daniels, whom he claims to be a "serial liar."

The disgraced litigator is currently serving a 19-year jail term for a combination of crimes, including stealing $300,000 in book advance money from Daniels.

Michael Avenatti Says He 'Has Been In Touch' With Donald Trump's Team

MEGA

In a recent interview with the New York Post from jail, Avenatti disclosed that he has been in touch with the former president's legal team and would like to testify for him in his hush money trial involving Daniels.

Although Avenatti kept the details of his contact with Trump's team secret, he shared that he believes the trial is "politically motivated" and that Trump "would win" if it were to be held today.

"The defense has contacted me," Avenatti told the news outlet in a phone call from Terminal Island federal prison in Los Angeles.

"I'd be more than happy to testify, I don't know that I will be called to testify, but I have been in touch with Trump's defense for the better part of the year," Avenatti said.

He also drew some similarities between Trump's trial and his legal woes, claiming that they were both "targeted" by the justice system, thanks to the fact that he "was not someone that was easily controlled."

Stormy Daniels' Ex-Lawyer Rethinks His Opinion Of Donald Trump

MEGA

Once a ferocious Trump critic, the disgraced lawyer seemingly changed his opinion of the former president in his interview with NYP.

Avenatti decried how the trial, in which Trump is being accused of falsifying his company's record to make a $130,000 payment to Daniels, is a witch-hunt perpetuated by the government because they fear Trump "may be reelected."

"There's no question [the trial] is politically motivated because they're concerned that he may be reelected," Avenatti said. "If the defendant was anyone other than Donald Trump, this case would not have been brought at this time, and for the government to attempt to bring this case and convict him in an effort to prevent tens of millions of people from voting for him, I think it's just flat out wrong, and atrocious."

"I'm really bothered by the fact that Trump, in my view, has been targeted. Four cases is just over the top and I think there's a significant chance that this is going to all backfire and is going to propel him to the White House," Avenatti added.

The Disgraced Lawyer Thinks Donald Trump Would Win The Case

MEGA

Avenatti also shared that he believes his former client, Daniels, would shoot herself in the foot as he expects her to commit perjury if called as a witness.

He insists that Trump would win should the trial be concluded today, calling Daniels a poor witness and criticizing her past claims of speaking to dead people and her possession of a "haunted" doll named Susan.

"Stormy Daniels is going to say whatever she believes is going to assist Stormy Daniels and putting more money in her pocket," Avenatti said. "If Stormy Daniels's lips are moving, she's lying for money."

According to NYP, Daniels has since slammed her former attorney, calling him a "lunatic" and a "scumbag."

"I was about to say that I also wish I'd never met him but I'm actually glad because I'm the one that helped convict him so he couldn't steal from even more unsuspecting clients," the former adult film star once said.

Michael Avenatti Stole $300,000 From Stormy Daniels

MEGA

It remains to be seen what motivated Avenatti's change of mind. He's currently serving 19 years behind bars for a combination of several crimes, including stealing from his former client.

According to the news outlet, Avenatti was found guilty of stealing $300,000 from Daniels in June 2022 and also pled guilty to federal fraud and tax charges later that month.

He had also been booked for domestic violence in 2018 and was convicted of trying to extort Nike for up to $25 million in 2020.

The former California litigator admitted that he had made some "mistakes" and exercised "bad judgment" in the past but thinks that his sentence was blown out of proportion.

Michael Avenatti Says He's Not Looking For Favors

MEGA

Avenatti insisted that his decision to testify for Trump is not based on a desire for clemency should the billionaire politician secure a victory in the upcoming presidential election.

"I'm not saying any of this because I'm seeking a pardon," he said.

Avenatti went ahead to detail how he wouldn't have written his New York Times Op-Ed against Trump in 2018 had he known at the time that Daniels was a "serial liar."

"I wish I would have never met Stormy Daniels. I should have left her where I found her," he added.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A Texas school district says it is investigating a substitute teacher who allegedly instructed students to act out a murder during a puppet show.

Speaking with Nexstars KXAN, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District said the long-term substitute, working as a theater arts teacher at Johnson High School in Buda, outside of Austin, has been suspended pending an investigation by the campus.

Students report that the substitute assigned them to perform a puppet show in which at least one puppet had to be murdered, the school district said in a statement. Additionally, one group of students reports that their performance would have involved a mass shooting, though it is not clear if that was the specific assignment or a scene created to meet the parameters of the assignment.

Hays CISD said if this incident did happen, assigning or allowing this type of performance would be disturbing and unacceptable conduct.

Young brother and sister dead, several hurt after vehicle crashes into Michigan birthday party

The school and the district apologize to the students and their parents for any distress this has caused and pledges to ensure that it does not happen again, the statement added.

According to the district, the substitute may be asked not to return to its schools based on the investigation, and, if warranted, appropriate reports and referrals would be made to law enforcement and the Texas Education Agency educator misconduct portal.

Im shocked

A parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said their daughter was in that class.

I am floored. I am angry. Im shocked. Theres no lesson here. This is not okay. These are kids. Its harmful, the parent said, adding that their daughter was so upset that she called them immediately.

She called me telling me that their theater teacher was telling them that they were gonna have to reenact a violent school shooting, where they had to actually pretend to die, the parent explained. You dont have students, 16-year-old, 17-year-old students reenact something that theyre truly afraid of.

Allegedly, the teacher told students if they didnt do it, they would get a zero for the assignment.

They did it one time. He said, It wasnt violent enough, and made them do it again, according to the parent.

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The district said it is also reviewing other potential classroom management concerns regarding the teacher, who was hired in January 2024.

She has told me in the past that its not the first time that this particular substitute teacher does something like this, the parent said. There have been times other times when he wants to reenact or go through violent situations.

The parent said they went to the school and spoke with the assistant principal after getting that call from their daughter.

She agreed it was not okay. It was unacceptable. It was not part of the lesson plan that they ever agreed to, the parent added. He was not given that plan, so he did it on his own. She assured me that it was not okay.

Ultimately, this parent said they are grateful for how the district responded.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Students kept out of building where UNC System board voted on DEI changes. Is that legal?

Students from UNC-Chapel Hill say they were kept out of the building where the UNC System Board of Governors  a public body  met Wednesday, raising questions about whether the board potentially violated the states open meetings law.

The boards University Governance committee unanimously voted Wednesday afternoon to approve a policy targeting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, jobs and efforts at all public universities in North Carolina. That committee, along with several other board committees, met throughout the day in a theater at the Alex Ewing Performance Place on the UNC School of the Arts campus in Winston-Salem.

The UNC students who attempted to attend the governance committees meeting Wednesday afternoon said they were told by Ed Purchase, the UNC Systems director of university public safety operations, that the meeting room was full and all of the seats available to the public were filled. Purchase did not allow the students to enter any portion of the building where the meeting was held, they said.

North Carolina law states that any person is entitled to attend meetings of public bodies, including the Board of Governors and its committees.

UNC System spokesperson Andy Wallace told The N&O Wednesday that some members of the public were unable to enter the meeting room because of a lack of available seats and because the open-session portion of the meeting, in which the vote on the DEI policy took place, lasted for such a short time. By the time system staff could have made accommodations to let more people in, Wallace said, the meeting had gone into closed session, in which members of the public are not allowed.

Raleigh attorney Mike Tadych said the UNC Systems actions Wednesday in keeping the students out of the meeting seemed dubious, but said it was not black and white to him whether those actions violated state law. Tadych said public bodies, including the Board of Governors, are required to take reasonable measures to provide access to public meetings.

UNC student Samuel Scarborough said he and other members of the Southern Student Action Coalition (SSAC), a progressive student-activist group, and TransparUNCy, a group dedicated to shining a light on political influences on North Carolina higher education, wanted to attend the meeting to make our voices heard and be present in the room as the vote on the DEI policy took place.

We were not given this opportunity, Scarborough said.

Asked by The N&O via email Thursday if the UNC System believed it had followed state law on open meetings by keeping students from entering the building, Wallace replied Friday with this statement: All UNC Board of Governors committee and full board meetings are livestreamed and available to the public via PBS NC. Chancellors, campus staff, UNC System staff, PBS NC technical staff and the Board itself are present in the room to attend the meetings. Seats are reserved for the media. Any open seats are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students say they were kept out of meeting

Though the Board of Governors typically meets at the UNC System office in Raleigh, the board meets twice a year at one of the systems 17 campuses. The boards meetings are open to the public, though it can enter closed session and meet without the public present for reasons that are outlined in state law.

The board held its April meetings at the UNC School of the Arts, with the Catawba Theatre inside the Alex Ewing Performance Place functioning as its meeting room for all of its committee meetings on Wednesday and its full-board meeting on Thursday.

Scarborough was one of about 10 students from SSAC and TransparUNCy who attempted to attend the boards University Governance committee meeting Wednesday, which began at 3:45 p.m.

Wallace described the following chain of events to The N&O Wednesday when a reporter asked why the students were kept out: Fred Sellers, the systems vice president for safety and emergency operations, was made aware there were four members of the public that wanted in, Wallace said, but there were only three seats available. One of the four said they would watch the meeting via the live-stream made available by the system on its website, Wallace said, and the other three people were allowed inside. Sellers then heard that more people wanted to enter the meeting, Wallace said, but by that time, the board was entering closed session.

The open-session portion of the meeting, in which the vote on the DEI policy took place, lasted roughly five minutes.

Alexander Denza, another student with the groups, said students arrived to the doors of the Alex Ewing Performance Place before the committee meeting began. Denza provided to The N&O a video of the students encounter with Purchase, the UNC System public safety director, which Denza said was filmed beginning at 3:40 p.m.  five minutes before the meeting began, and 10 minutes before the meeting was closed to the public for the closed-session portion of the meeting.

In the video, Purchase is seen standing in front of the main doors to the building answering questions from the students. Purchase told the students that there were three seats for the public available at the meeting, noting that all of the other seats were all filled by university chancellors, their guests and other attendees. The three seats had been filled by faculty and staff of the School of the Arts, Purchase told the students.

Purchase told the students that the meeting was being streamed online and that they could watch it through that platform.

Asked by a student in the video how many people had been turned away, Purchase answered that he hadnt turned anybody away.

You guys are the first, Purchase told the group.

Asked by another student if there was a larger space where the meeting could have been held to accommodate more people, Purchase said he did not know. Purchase also said that he did not know how many seats in the theater were occupied by university staff.

Toward the end of the roughly four-minute video, Purchase is seen telling the students: If you guys are going to hang out, maybe you could hang out over there, if thats alright. It is unclear exactly where Purchase was gesturing, but he told students they were blocking the entry to the building a little bit. At separate points in the video, one person is seen being able to access the doors to leave the building, while two other people are seen entering the building.

Denza told The N&O that neither he, nor any of the other students he was with, was let inside the meeting room or the building by system staff at any time Wednesday afternoon.

Did the board violate open meetings law?

Both Wallace, speaking to The N&O, and Purchase, as seen speaking to the students on the video, said all of the seats available to the public were full, citing that as the reason that the students were not allowed inside the meeting room.

It is unclear whether exceptions to the state law on open meetings are made when a room reaches its capacity. The Catawba Theatre has signs posted outside of its doors stating that occupancy by more than 210 persons is dangerous and unlawful. It is also unclear whether that occupancy was met Wednesday.

At a morning committee meeting Wednesday, additional seats were added to accommodate meeting attendees after the seats that were initially available were all filled. Denza also noted that other public bodies have allowed attendees to stand in the meeting room when seats are not available, pointing to photos of attendees lining the walls of a June 2021 meeting of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees that involved discussions of whether journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones would be offered tenure to teach at the university.

Asked by The N&O Wednesday whether the room was filled to a point at which a fire code or other regulations would make the room unsafe, Wallace said only that the room was full.

Tadych, the attorney, said that court rulings on a related issue indicates public bodies, such as the Board of Governors, must take reasonable measures to not completely exclude members of the public from the meeting. Such measures could include streaming the meeting through video or audio for attendees in an overflow meeting space, Tadych said.

In one court case Tadych cited, the public was excluded only to overflow space and not permitted to enter the meeting room for the convenience of the body. The body also instituted a ticketing policy for admission to the meeting, which was found to be unreasonable as it was instituted without notice to the public.

Two courts found that the public bodys use of streaming and overflow rooms where the meeting could be viewed via audio/visual feeds were reasonable, Tadych said.

While Board of Governors meetings are live-streamed, it does not appear that overflow space to view the stream was made available for the students Wednesday when the room became filled. Tadych said he was not sure whether only providing a live-stream of the meeting, but not a space to view it, would be considered an attempt to provide reasonable access to the meeting.

The state law on open meetings states that any person can seek a judgment from superior court on whether a public body violated the law. If the court were to find that the body did violate the law, the court could rule that actions taken during the bodys meeting are null and void.

Denza told The N&O that the students plan to file a complaint with the North Carolina attorney generals office about not being let into the meeting. That office issues opinions reminding government entities of their obligations under these laws and how to comply, according to its website.

NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com
A new study published in the JAMA Psychiatry journal is illuminating a possible correlation between one's sex and their possibility of inheriting autism from a parent. Researchers in Sweden examined more than one million children born between 1985 and 1998 and found that males had a higher rate of heritability for autism spectrum disorder than females do.

"To our knowledge, this cohort study is the first large family- and population-based study estimating the sex-specific associations of genetic and non-inherited factors with ASD liability," the researchers wrote of their methods. "Compared with previous studies, we used newly developed statistical estimation techniques, which allow for a detailed inclusion of fixed parameters and provide better adjustments for differences in prevalence by sex and birth year."

The scientists found that 1.17 percent of the 1,047,649 Swedish children sampled were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; this included 1.51 percent of males and 0.80 percent of females. In the end, they concluded that heritability of ASD was about 87.0 percent of males and 75.7 percent of females, making for a difference of approximately 11.3 percent.

"Based on population-based data from Sweden, this cohort study found that genetic variability in ASD liability differs between males and females, indicating that some of the underlying causes of the condition may differ between the 2 sexes," they concluded.

Still, more studies and research need to be done to find possible explanations for this difference, as the Swedish team acknowledged their study was limited to one country.

"The skewed sex ratio in ASD may, partly, be explained by differences in genetic variance between sexes," they surmised. "This discovery opens up new avenues for further research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the prevalence of ASD."
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:LPX) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 12% in the last month. But in stark contrast, the returns over the last half decade have impressed. In fact, the share price is 191% higher today. We think it's more important to dwell on the long term returns than the short term returns. Ultimately business performance will determine whether the stock price continues the positive long term trend.

While this past week has detracted from the company's five-year return, let's look at the recent trends of the underlying business and see if the gains have been in alignment.

Check out our latest analysis for Louisiana-Pacific

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Louisiana-Pacific's earnings per share are down 2.5% per year, despite strong share price performance over five years.

So it's hard to argue that the earnings per share are the best metric to judge the company, as it may not be optimized for profits at this point. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics.

We doubt the modest 1.4% dividend yield is attracting many buyers to the stock. On the other hand, Louisiana-Pacific's revenue is growing nicely, at a compound rate of 6.7% over the last five years. It's quite possible that management are prioritizing revenue growth over EPS growth at the moment.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Take a more thorough look at Louisiana-Pacific's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Louisiana-Pacific, it has a TSR of 216% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

Louisiana-Pacific shareholders have received returns of 19% over twelve months (even including dividends), which isn't far from the general market return. It has to be noted that the recent return falls short of the 26% shareholders have gained each year, over half a decade. Although the share price growth has slowed, the longer term story points to a business well worth watching. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Louisiana-Pacific that you should be aware of before investing here.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



The standard cosmological model known as Lambda-CDM (CDM) proposes that dark energy is a constant force in the universe.

However, an early hint in a new detailed map from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument shows that dark energy can actually grow stronger and weaker over time.

While this evidence isnt enough to be considered a discovery, it does call into question some underlying assumptions about how the universe formed and is expanding.

Understanding the universe and our place in it is the great journey of human science, and right now the best theory of... well... everything is a concept known as the Lambda-CDM (CDM) model. With observable matter only making up roughly 5 percent of the universe, this model represents dark energy () and cold dark matter (CDM), which together are believed to make up everything else. Theres just one problemdark matter and dark energy are invisible, and only weakly interacts with gravity.



So, in other words, theres more than a few mysteries where dark matter and dark energy are concerned. And now, a new cosmological map developed by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating a few more. DESIoutfitted at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizonajust commenced a five-year effort to make the most detailed map of the known universe, including 40 million galaxies stretched across 11 billion years. The first data release, just recently published online , is already showing that the cosmological model is pretty good, but cant quite predict everything that the instrument is seeing.

So far, were seeing basic agreement with our best model of the universe, but were also seeing some potentially interesting differences that could indicate that dark energy is evolving with time, Michael Levi, DESI director and a scientist at the Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, said in a press statement. Those may or may not go away with more data, so were excited to start analyzing our three-year dataset soon.

Those differences are in reference to the cosmological constant , an ideafirst put forward by Albert Einstein in 1915 that suggests the universe is expanding at a constant rate. This is thought to be powered by the unceasing, and unchanging work of dark energy, and has led astronomers to believe that, eventually, the universe will simply expand indefinitely until even the very last atoms are ripped apart. However, DESIs initial results contradict this idea. Instead, they indicate that dark energy appears to grow stronger and weaker over time.

DESI gathered this data by focusing on Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAOs)bubbles formed from the explosive early moments of the universe. Because things were so hot and heavy (literally) when the universe formed, subatomic particles were moving too fast for atoms to form. So, the nuclei of hydrogen and heliumknown as baryonswere pervasive on their own. These baryons formed acoustic waves that eventually froze in place when the universe thinned and cooled.

Scientists use these BAOs as a cosmic ruler, which allows them to measure the growth of the universe at different times in the past based on their distances. And so far, this technique has found that the cosmological constant isnt very constant at all.

We do see, indeed, [see] a hint that the properties of dark energy would not correspond to a simple cosmological constant, astrophysicist at the Lawrence Berkeley lab Palanque-Delabrouille told The New York Times . And this is the first time we have that[but] I wouldnt call it evidence yet. Its too, too weak.

This new data comes at an important time for cosmologys investigations into the underpinning of everythingand its also not the cosmological models only competitor. This week, a meeting at Londons Royal Society will question this standard view, with astronomers bringing evidence of the universes lopsidedness along with groundbreaking (and perplexing) data from the James Webb Space Telescope. All of this comes in preparation for large sky surveys scheduled to come online in the next couple years, including the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

We are in the golden era of cosmology, with large-scale surveys ongoing and about to be started, and new techniques being developed to make the best use of these datasets, Arnaud de Mattia, co-leader of DESIs group interpreting the cosmological data, said in a press statement. Were all really motivated to see whether new data will confirm the features we saw in our first-year sample and build a better understanding of the dynamics of our universe.

Some 2,600 years in the making, that great human journey of universal understanding is entering a new era.

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The world's coral reefs are in trouble, thanks to the familiar culprit of human-caused pollution. According to the World Economic Forum, 99% of coral reefs could disappear by the 2030s if drastic actions are not taken.

However, there is also cause for optimism as researchers from the University of Exeter in England (in collaboration with the Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia, Mars Sustainable Solutions, and Lancaster University) have found that new coral reefs planted by humans can grow rapidly, catching up to healthy reefs in as little as four years.

The researchers published their findings in the journal Current Biology.

"This is a really encouraging discovery," said Tim Lamont of Lancaster University, who initiated the collaboration. "If we can maintain climate conditions that allow for coral survival, it's possible to restore even very damaged reefs back to healthy, functional systems within relatively short periods of time."

The research team successfully attempted to restore coral reefs in Indonesia that were completely decimated by "blast fishing," the destructive practice of blowing fish out of the water with dynamite. The speed with which the rebuilt reefs recovered seemed to surprise everyone.

"We do always refer to corals, in particular in reefs, as these slow-growing ecosystems that take a long time to recover, which they are," said Rebecca Albright, a coral biologist at the California Academy of Sciences who was not involved in the study. "So showing that they can regain rapid growth within four years is very encouraging."

The project was funded by the Mars Corporation, the company that makes M&M's, Snickers, and other candy products. It is important to note that the Mars Corporation has also been accused of greenwashing  i.e., misleading consumers about the environmental harm its practices cause  and that its funding of this one project does not undo the damage that it has caused to rainforests.

But whatever motivated the Mars Corporation to divert some money toward funding coral reef restoration, it has provided good news for the reefs and the ecosystems that rely on them.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.) ripped into the Biden administrations decision to restrict drilling on millions of acres of government-owned lands in Alaska, arguing it was a lawless move.

Its lawless. [President Biden] doesnt have the authority to do that, Sullivan said Sunday on CBS Newss Face the Nation. And I could go into all the laws that support me on that. Its, as I say, national security suicide.

The Biden administration announced last week it would block off oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres in the Western Arctic that are part of an area known as the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

The reserve, which spans 23 million acres, can be found in Alaskas North Slope and was originally set aside in 1923 by President Harding as an emergency supply of oil for the Navy.

The administration also issued a document signaling it will deny approval for a posed industrial road, known as the Ambler Access Project, which would have spanned more than 200 miles, including federally owned land.

The road would have gone through northwestern Alaska wilderness toward deposits of copper and zinc, disturbing Ambler Metalss efforts to mine there. The administration pointed to its finding that the road would significantly restrict activities for more than 30 Alaska Native communities.

Sullivan on Sunday argued the move is harmful to his constituents, but also should be concerning on a national level.

National resources, energy-critical minerals, thats an American strength. This should concern all kinds of Americans, he said.

While the moves were met with praise from many environmental and tribal advocates, Sullivan argued some were not happy about the decision.

When this president on Friday with [Interior Secretary Deb Haaland] announced that they did this because the Alaska Native, the indigenous people on the North Slope of Alaska, asked them to, they wanted them to, the leaders of the North Slope of Alaska were unanimous in opposition to this, Sullivan said.

He claimed the indigenous people on the North Slope of Alaska wanted to meet with Haaland, who would not.

The Hill reached out to the Department of the Interior and White House for comment.

The Biden administration has a mixed record on energy and conservation issues in Alaska. Last year, it approved the Willow Project, greenlighting ConocoPhillips to drill in the state for about 30 years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rishi Sunak has refused to offer his backing to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner after one of his officers threatened to arrest an openly Jewish man for walking in central London during a pro-Palestine protest.

The Prime Minister said the threat to arrest anti-Semitism campaigner Gideon Falter was appalling and Sir Mark Rowley had questions to answer, in his first comment on the incident.

It came after Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, said the Met had shown disrespect to the Jewish community, while minister Claire Coutinho also declined to offer government backing for the embattled head of Scotland Yard.

A government source told The Telegraph: The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter openly Jewish.

He expects the Met commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe.

Sir Mark will now be called to meet James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, and it is expected he will be asked to account for the officers treatment of Mr Falter and his forces wider handling of the protest.

Sir Mark Rowley will hold talks with leading Jewish groups this week as he attempts to shore up his position - Nigel Howard

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has also called in the commissioner for a crisis meeting on Monday.

Sir Mark, who took over as boss of the Met in September 2022, is now trying to quell mounting anger among Britains Jewish community by meeting the Board of Deputies and other organisations.

He has faced repeated calls for months to shut down weekly pro-Palestine demonstrations in the capital but has said he has no powers to do so.

Mr Falter, head of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, has said London has become a police-enforced Jew-free zone as a result of the demonstrations every weekend.

A spokesman for Mr Khan, who is in charge of overseeing the capitals policing, said he would meet Sir Mark to discuss community relations.

They described the treatment of Mr Falter as concerning. It is understood the Mayor of London plans to raise the incident but still has full confidence in the commissioner.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting between Sir Mark and Chris Philp, the policing minister, has been upgraded and will now also include Mr Cleverly.

The Home Secretary is set to challenge Sir Mark over whether he is using all the powers at his disposal to crack down on extremism at rallies.

We have given the police new powers. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary want them to use those powers to their fullest extent, an ally told The Telegraph.

Those powers include the ability to impose restrictions on the length and route of protests and ultimately even ban them.

A government source said Mr Cleverly retained full confidence in Sir Mark, with No 10 saying it was ultimately the Home Secretarys backing that mattered as he oversees the Met in law.

The Met boss and his deputy, Matt Twist, will also hold talks with Jewish community groups after they were warned the incident had badly damaged trust.

Sir Mark is set to meet the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust (CST) through the course of the week.

The meeting with the Board of Deputies was set up after it wrote to him expressing concern at a series of high-profile errors that have had a devastating effect on trust in the force.

The CST, which monitors incidents of anti-Semitism, suggested that the time had come for the Met and the Government to ban any further marches.

It feels like any balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else has been completely lost, with extremists the only ones to benefit, it said.

Mr Twist, meanwhile, has offered to meet Mr Falter this week to apologise for suggesting his presence near the pro-Palestine rally was provocative.

Huge backlash

The assistant commissioner made the remarks in an initial statement on the incident, issued on Friday afternoon, which was swiftly retracted following a backlash.

The original incident happened on Saturday April 13, when Mr Falter was stopped by officers as he tried to cross a road during a pro-Palestinian protest.

He had just come from the synagogue and was walking in the Aldwych area of central London wearing a kippah skullcap.

He was stopped by a Met sergeant, who told him that his presence near the march could inflame tensions and he was threatened with arrest if he did not leave.

In a video of the exchange, the officer said: You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.

Mr Falter said he was approached in a similar way later by another uniformed officer.

In a statement, the Campaign Against Antisemitism said that Mr Falter had accepted Mr Twists apology and was free to meet him on Monday.

It said he must explain new footage, published by Sky News, which showed Mr Falter offering to take off his skullcap if it meant he was allowed to cross the road.

The officer can be heard replying: No sir because I dont have any confidence that you wont put them back on, adding: I then have to follow you.

Impossible position

The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Sir Mark to quit, arguing that his failure to take a tougher stance on the protests had put front-line officers in an impossible position.

A spokesman for the group told the Daily Mail: Sir Mark Rowley is scrambling to save his job. The time for meetings has passed. We need a new commissioner who understands that the job of the police is to arrest criminals, not their targets.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UK Lawyers for Israel, told the newspaper: I think Mark Rowley should go. He has lost the confidence of a large part of the Jewish community.

Sir Mark also faced criticism from Rick Prior, the head of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who told The Telegraph a more robust policing of these protests would be beneficial.

Ms Coutinho, the Energy Secretary and a close ally of Mr Sunak, conspicuously refused to say that the commissioner should stay in post when questioned by broadcasters on Sunday.

She described the Mets behaviour as completely wrong and, when asked about his future, said conversations need to take place with Mr Cleverly.

Her remarks came after Mr Dowden suggested in an interview with The Telegraph that the Met had been showing disrespect to Jews.

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, also used an article for The Telegraph to call for Sir Mark to quit after such a litany of failure and a wholesale refusal to change.

Sir Mark was defended by Shabana Mahmood, Labours shadow justice secretary, who said that his resignation was not the way forward.

I can understand the strength of feeling. That footage was very concerning, and I can understand where Mr Falter is coming from, she said.

In a statement, the Met said: We remain focused on doing everything possible to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe in this city. We know recent events and some of our recent actions have contributed to concerns felt by many.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE)  A massive new Costco is approved in northwest Fresno. What it means, and why not everyone is happy about it.

Meanwhile, new cash awards to tackle homeless issues are announced by the State of California. Around $20 million in funding is slated for the Central Valley.

Click here for more Sunday Morning Matters

And the latest Central Valley Honor Flight lands back in Fresno after a tour of Washington D.C., with Central Valley lawmakers on hand to honor the veterans.

All of that is on this weeks Sunday Morning Matters. Watch in the video player above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Monday over a challenge to a law letting cities fine homeless people, potentially radically changing the lives of the hundreds of thousands without homes.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that cities cannot ticket homeless people for camping in public when there were no alternative shelters available, though the municipalities backing the suit want that opinion overturned.

The city and town officials argue that the restrictions prevent them from implementing common sense laws against camping in certain public places, while homeless advocates say an overturn could effectively criminalize homeless people existing.

The suit is led by the city of Grants Pass, Ore., which implemented an anti-camping law that would fine homeless people $295 per night.

The towns attorney said blocking the law has made it impossible for cities to address growing encampments.

And theyre unsafe, unhealthy and problematic for everyone, especially those who are experiencing homelessness, lawyer Theane Evangelis told The Associated Press.

Rates of homelessness are at record-high levels as housing prices continue to soar. Homelessness is most common on the West Coast, where more expensive rent costs and milder temperatures make going without housing more likely.

There are about 650,000 homeless people in the country, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with about a third of them living on the West Coast.

The argument of the case centers on the Eighth Amendment, with homeless advocates arguing that ticketing people without homes qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

For years, political leaders have chosen to tolerate encampments as an alternative to meaningfully addressing the western regions severe housing shortage, attorneys representing the citys homeless population wrote to the court in January, arguing against taking on the appeal.

Among the leaders lobbying the court to overturn the appellate ruling is California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). In an amicus brief filed last month, Newsom  who has made fighting homelessness a marquis issue  argued that preventing municipalities from ticketing homeless people hampers law enforcement.

Encampments are dangerous  period. California is investing billions to build housing and provide the services needed to get people out of tents and into safer situations, Newsom said in a statement. However, our best efforts are being blocked because of sweeping injunctions that delay progress and fail to provide any consistent guidance for local authorities to abide by.

The United States Supreme Court can establish a balance that allows enforcement of reasonable limits on camping in public spaces, while still respecting the dignity of those living on our streets, he continued. By setting out a clear rule, the Court can empower state and local governments to enact and enforce compassionate policies that will help save lives, strengthen their communities, and ultimately work to stem the tide of this homelessness crisis.

The Justice Department has taken a similar position, advocating for the appellate decision to be overturned, while also stating that homelessness writ large should not be criminalized.

The mayors of San Francisco and Phoenix and 20 Republican attorneys general from around the country also encouraged the Supreme Court to take on the case.

A ruling is expected by late June.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: Getty

The Supreme Court this week will debate whether states have the power to outlaw life-saving abortions in hospital emergency rooms.

The court will hear Idaho v. United States on Wednesday to determine if the narrow exceptions in Idahos near-total abortion ban override federally mandated requirements for physicians under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). EMTALA requires hospitals that participate in Medicare  the majority of hospitals in the country  to offer abortion care if its necessary to stabilize the health of a pregnant patient while theyre experiencing a medical emergency.

The Department of Justice sued Idaho when the abortion ban first went into effect in 2022 because the state law is in direct conflict with EMTALA.

This case could radically alter how emergency medicine is practiced in this country and make pregnant people second-class citizens in Americas emergency rooms, Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, told reporters on a press call last week.

Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, federal law by default overrides state law. But the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, which repealed Roe v. Wade, left regulation of abortion to the states.

The decision will have far-reaching consequences and could give other states with narrow exceptions in abortion bans the go-ahead to adopt Idahos approach.

Several states, including Texas and South Dakota, have near-total abortion bans in effect that have exceptions if the pregnant patients life is at risk, but not if the patients health is at risk, conflicting with EMTALA.

This ruling on EMTALA is going to determine  in not just Idaho, but probably in at least 10 other states  whether women experiencing medical emergencies in those states are able to get necessary care, when an abortion is that necessary, stabilizing care, Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D) told reporters last week.

This case could radically alter how emergency medicine is practiced in this country and make pregnant people second-class citizens in Americas emergency rooms.Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project

The Idaho state legislature passed the near-total abortion ban at the center of this case in 2020, two years before the Supreme Court repealed Roe. Its trigger ban, so named because it was set to take effect the moment Roe was repealed, is one of the most extreme in the country. Medical staff and physicians can be charged with a felony and sentenced to two to five years in prison if they provide illegal abortion care. The law also has a fetal non-viability provision, meaning that even if a fetus dies in utero, the pregnancy must still be carried to term unless doing so would also kill the mother.

The Supreme Court case, however, focuses on one of the bans three narrowly defined exceptions: when an abortion is necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman.

Federal law states that physicians are legally required to offer abortion in that scenario, but Idahos law is so narrow that it only allows physicians to perform an abortion when death is imminent. Those added delays could leave patients with long-term health conditions such as uterine hemorrhage (requiring a hysterectomy) or kidney failure that requires lifelong dialysis  if the procedure is performed in time to save their lives in the first place.

There have been dozens of reports of pregnant women across the country  in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and elsewhere who were denied care because they werent close enough to death to require medical intervention.

Pregnant people frequently go to emergency departments for health concerns that both are and are not related to pregnancy, said Sara Rosenbaum, a professor at George Washington University and a leading scholar on EMTALA.

What Idaho has done has been to make pregnant people radioactive generally, Rosenbaum, who played a critical role in passing EMTALA during the Reagan administration, told reporters last week. It is a sad but true fact that you can have a medical emergency that may have nothing to do with pregnancy, but in treating that emergency ... the consequence could be a loss of a pregnancy.

Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive of St. Lukes Health System in Idaho, told reporters on a call last week that hospital staff have been forced to airlift women out-of-state to get emergency abortions. That should be completely unnecessary, Souza said, because St. Lukes is the largest and best-equipped hospital in the state for emergency medical complications.

Is she sick enough? Is she bleeding enough? Is she septic enough?... When the guessing game gets too uncomfortable, we transfer the patients out, at a very high cost, to another state where the doctors are allowed to practice medicine.Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive of St. Lukes Health System

During 2023, when the ban on health saving abortions was not in effect due to litigation,St. Lukes had to transfer one pregnant patient out-of-state for emergency care, Souza said. In the six months since the law has been in effect, six pregnant patients have been transferred out-of-state. If that pace continues, Souza estimated, there will be around 20 patients a year who would need to be airlifted out of state because of pregnancy complications.

Before August of 2022, we practiced medicine and acted as quickly as possible to preserve the moms health and future reproductive capacity, Souza said, referring to when the trigger ban went into effect.

Since then, theres a lot of second-guessing and hand-wringing: Is she sick enough? Is she bleeding enough? Is she septic enough? For me to do this abortion and not risk going to jail and losing my license. And when the guessing game gets too uncomfortable, we transfer the patients out, at a very high cost, to another state where the doctors are allowed to practice medicine.

Due to the threat of criminal and civil punishment facing physicians, the state has lost nearly a quarter of its OB-GYNs and 55% of its maternal fetal health specialists, according to Rubel, the state House Minority Leader. Three maternity wards have shut down, and Idaho has become one of the largest maternal health care deserts in the country.

Idaho has also seen a 50% drop in applicants for OB-GYNs to come to the state, Rubel said.

Its scary to think about all the reasons your career might end before it even starts, said Rory Cole, a fourth-year medical student in Idaho who is about to start her residency in family medicine.

We work so hard to be better for our patients, to know the right thing to do for them, how to make them feel more comfortable, Cole added. To be in this situation in which all of a sudden now were the villains in this? ... How did I work so hard to end up here?

The DOJ sued Idaho in August 2022, and a U.S. District Court sided with the agency, granting a preliminary injunction on the ban on life-saving abortions. Idaho appealed the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and filed an emergency request for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case and allow the injunction to be lifted. In January, the Supreme Court ruled it would review the case and allowed the law to go into effect after two years of litigation.

Alliance Defending Freedom, the same far-right conservative group currently trying to dismantle access to abortion pills, is representing the state of Idaho in the Supreme Court case. A ruling is expected sometime in June.

Related...
The Supreme Court just ruled that politicians can essentially criminalize homelessness.

The court ruled in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that an Oregon town can ban sleeping outdoors. The 6-3 ruling fell along ideological lines.

Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, calling the criminalization of sleeping in public unconscionable and unconstitutional.

The case stems from the city of Grants Pass, a town of roughly 40,000 in southwest Oregon, which began enforcing ordinances in 2013 that made it illegal to sleep on public property using bedding  which could mean anyone using a tent, sleeping bag, or blanket to make it through the night.

The city was sued by a group of homeless residents and a federal court ruled in their favor, arguing that the laws against camping were unconstitutional based on the Eighth Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sided with the lower court in a 2-1 decision. Grants Pass then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Supporters of Grants Pass case included many conservatives, who have been seeking to remove homeless populations to boost public safety, as well as liberal leaders in West Coast cities overwhelmed by a spike in homelessness as rent prices soar. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was among the high-profile figures to file an amicus brief in the case. The United States Supreme Court can establish a balance that allows enforcement of reasonable limits on camping in public spaces, while still respecting the dignity of those living on our streets, Newsom said in a statement in March.

Opponents of the case, however, fear that the Supreme Courts ruling could open the floodgates for jurisdictions cracking down on homeless populations. If the Supreme Court were to allow for such a punitive regime, then were going to have a race to the bottom to make it as uncomfortable as possible for people to survive, John Do, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union in Northern California, told Rolling Stone in March.

Do says cities other than Grants Pass have taken it upon themselves to enact stringent regulations that unfairly target homeless populations. In 2021, the ACLU worked with unhoused residents suing the city of Chico, a city of roughly 100,000 in inland Northern California, after a law forced homeless residents to relocate to a tarmac outside the city, where they faced high temperatures and exposure to the elements. The lawsuit was later settled.

Jurisdictions would try to outdo each other in terms of having more costly, more punitive, and more effective measures, Do said.

Boise, Idaho, was another city that effectively outlawed homelessness via anti-camping laws until the city was sued in 2018. The case, Martin v. Boise, reached the Ninth Circuit Court in 2019. The court ultimately ruled that residents without permanent shelter could not be arrested only because they were homeless, limiting how cities can respond to homeless encampments with enforcement sweeps. The decision caused leaders in cities overwhelmed with homeless residents like Los Angeles and San Francisco to side with conservatives in their support of Grants Pass case.

Do also explained the legal argument underpinning the Grants Pass case is not just about homelessness, but whether people can be criminalized for their status instead of their actions. Legal precedent for the limits of the Eighth Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishments date back to Robinson v. California, a 1962 decision that overturned a law criminalizing drug addicts. The case established precedent for the protection of status or identity and limited laws to regulate criminal acts or conduct, a precedent that has been reaffirmed several times since.

One of the big questions heading into oral arguments in April is whether the Supreme Court justices would view being homelessness as voluntary or involuntary, which was one of the points raised by the Justice Department in a brief filed in support of neither party in the case.

I think there may be a lot of questions on whether or not homelessness is voluntary or involuntary, Do says, which he describes as a really troubling framing.

Do emphasized that the tactics used by Grants Pass and other cities in criminalizing homelessness fail to address the root causes of the issue, such as the lack of affordable housing. Police cannot arrest their way out of homelessness, he said.

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In 2013, the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, population about 40,000, sought to do something about the growing presence of homeless encampments on public property. The City Council decided to heavily enforce laws prohibiting homeless people from sleeping anywhere at any time by issuing significant, escalatory fines. The intent was to drive the homeless population out of town.

The point is to make it uncomfortable enough for them in our city so they will want to move on down the road, City Council member Lily Morgan said at a council meeting on homelessness in 2013.

Advocates for homeless people sued on behalf of three individuals  Gloria Johnson, John Logan and Debra Blake, who has since died  in 2018, challenging the citys enforcement of these laws as unconstitutionally punitive.

Their case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on April 22, after Grants Pass appealed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that blocked the citys enforcement of some of its laws targeting the homeless population.

At the heart of the case is a 2018 decision by the 9th Circuit in a separate case, Martin v. Boise, in which the Idaho citys total ban on outdoor camping and sleeping was found to be a violation of the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments, and it blocked enforcement of the law. Since Martin, a steady stream of 9th Circuit decisions have blocked similar policies in West Coast municipalities aimed at limiting outdoor camping and sleeping, using different interpretations of the courts initial decision  including in the Grants Pass case.

Now Grants Pass wants the Supreme Court to step in and overrule the 9th Circuit, including by wiping out its ruling in Martin v. Boise.

Jessica Meller (right), a registered nurse and advocate for homeless people, helps Samantha Crutcher move her campsite in Grants Pass, Oregon, after police threatened Samantha with a fine or jail. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The city is backed by a diverse array of municipalities, from Democratic-run states like California and cities including San Francisco, Phoenix and Honolulu; to Republican-run states, such as Idaho and Montana, which are all dealing with increased homeless populations. The cities and states want the Supreme Court to either overturn Martin and the decision against Grants Pass or clarify and limit Martins holding to enable them to prevent outdoor camping and sleeping in some fashion.

These states and cities claim that the 9th Circuits varying interpretations of Martin have tied their hands when it comes to addressing encampments on public property even as the homeless population has surged to record highs in the states in the courts jurisdiction.

Advocates for homeless people argue that a ruling in favor of Grants Pass would effectively make being homeless illegal. They point to the sweeping nature of Grants Passs anti-camping ordinances, which count the possession of a blanket as illegal bedding material, a fineable civil offense.

By prohibiting even the possession of a blanket, they say, the citys laws seek to deny its homeless population a fundamental human need, sleep, while applying the laws broadly to a distinct class of people. Homeless individuals, their advocates argue, have no choice but to sleep in the open when they have no alternative. This is the heart of the legal argument in the case.

Cruel And Unusual Punishment

An issue in the Grants Pass case is whether the Constitutions prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments covers schemes like the one in Grants Pass that make it a crime to sleep outside with a blanket at any time and in any place.

In its rulings in the Martin and Grants Pass cases, the 9th Circuit cited the 1962 Supreme Court decision in Robinson v. California that blocked enforcement of Californias law making it a crime to be a drug addict, ruling it was a form of cruel and unusual punishment. The courts decision stated that drug addicts were a distinct class and laws making it illegal for them to exist amounted to an Eighth Amendment violation.

It would doubtless be universally thought to be an infliction of cruel and unusual punishment were the government to make it a criminal offense for a person to be mentally ill, or a leper, or to be afflicted with a venereal disease, the Supreme Court said in Robinson.

Homeless people had set up a tent community at Riverside Park in Grants Pass, Oregon, on March 28. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The 9th Circuit, in the Martin decision, found that the same rule applies to homeless people: They are a distinct class that cannot be targeted by laws that make their very existence, living in a community without shelter, illegal. Municipalities are, therefore, not allowed to forbid sleeping outside in all places at all times and cannot punish homeless people for sleeping outside unless there are shelter beds available and they refuse to use them.

[A]s long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, the court said in Martin.

In Grants Pass, the 9th Circuit stated that the city lacked sufficient shelter beds for its homeless population and extended its prohibition on sleeping outdoors when no shelter is available to include the civil fines imposed by the city.

Despite these limits, the 9th Circuit did not explicitly forbid municipalities from enforcing all laws limiting outdoor sleeping or safety issues related to homeless encampments. It preserved the ability of cities to impose restrictions on when and where people can camp outdoors, such as forbidding the blocking of sidewalks, and to police the possession of personal objects, such as tents and stoves, or conduct including public drug use or public urination and defecation.

But Grants Pass and the other states and cities claim that the rules established in Martin have been greatly expanded by subsequent decisions that have tied their hands when it comes to policing encampments of homeless people.

A district court decision in Coalition on Homelessness v. City of San Francisco expanded Martin and Grants Pass further by  prohibiting enforcement of any ordinance restricting sleeping, lodging, or camping on public property by the involuntary homeless  even ordinances that are limited to specific time or place restrictions, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, wrote in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Newsoms brief also notes similar district court injunctions placed on anti-camping laws enforced in California cities, including Los Angeles, San Rafael and Santa Barbara, that involved time and place restrictions and bans on items such as ovens and stoves  enforcement actions that Martin seemingly allowed. In Los Angeles, a district court imposed new rules that prohibited the city from enforcing some of its anti-camping laws even when shelter beds were available, adding criteria about the conditions and amenities those shelters maintained. Many shelters, however, may not meet the individual needs of homeless people because of rules such as banning pets or requiring that belongings be surrendered, or because they are unsafe.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants the U.S. Supreme Court to give cities and states greater leeway to remove encampments of homeless people by limiting the scope of decisions made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The Ninth Circuit has transformed Martin into a virtually insurmountable roadblock with which district courts routinely enjoin common-sense limits on where those experiencing homelessness can sleep in public, and on the size and features of the encampments they set up in these public spaces, Newsom wrote.

Many of those seeking a change to Martin dont directly object to its original holding that the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments protects homeless people, as a class, from enforcement that criminalizes their existence. Instead, they want clarity that permits municipalities to enforce laws that Martin purportedly allows and for the courts to allow municipalities to judge whether a person is involuntarily homeless (specifically, whether they can access a shelter bed) on an individual basis rather than simply counting the number of available shelter beds in a given area.

There has been significant dissent along these lines within the 9th Circuit, with multiple judges arguing that the purported expansion of Martin in subsequent cases has improperly tied the hands of municipalities to address encampments and the public health problems they can create.

But the city of Grants Pass takes a more sweeping position than politicians like Newsom. The city wants the Supreme Court to throw out the cruel and unusual punishments claim entirely.

Tents line the sidewalk on Clay Street in Portland, Oregon, in 2020. Craig Mitchelldyer via Associated Press

It does so by making a claim that the text, history or tradition of the Eighth Amendment should be limited to the Founding Fathers concerns about barbarous punishments, such as quartering, public dissection, and burning alive, according to the citys brief.

This reflects a bid for support from the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority, which has applied a spotty understanding of history and questionable interpretations of tradition to significantly limit gun control laws and abortion access in its recent rulings.

Banning Homelessness

According to the national homelessness count, more than 650,000 people in the U.S. were unhoused in 2023  a record high since the count began in 2007 and a 12% increase from 2022. Meanwhile, the number of shelter beds available increased only by 6%.

In the case of Grants Pass, the city does not operate a shelter for its homeless population. There are small shelters in the city specifically for domestic violence victims and homeless youths, but these have an extremely limited number of beds. The only general population shelter is run by a Christian charity that requires residents to attend church and perform unpaid work. For the citys estimated 1,200 homeless people, there is little hope for a bed.

Without the protections afforded by the 9th Circuits decisions in Martin and Grants Pass, the citys homeless people would be effectively criminalized, potentially out of existence, as they are forced to move on.

Advocates for homeless people have asked the Supreme Court to consider the consequences of allowing this to happen while other municipalities have also enacted schemes to ban homeless people from their communities.

What happens if other cities get frustrated with the influx of Grants Passs homeless residents and decide to enact their own ordinances imposing $2,000 fines and six-month jail sentences for sleeping outside without access to shelter? advocates wrote in a brief to the court. What happens if this banishment race results in a spate of local punishment schemes that collectively operate as a nationwide ban on homelessness?

This could have catastrophic effects for some of the most vulnerable groups in the country, allies of Grants Passs homeless community argue.

In particular, women who flee from abusive partners would be harmed, according to a brief filed with the court by the National Womens Shelter Network and the National Organization for Women Foundation.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in the Grants Pass case on Aug. 22. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

From 22% to 57% of all women who are homeless state that gender-based violence is the reason they are unhoused, according to a 2016 report by the Department of Health and Human Services.

By penalizing homelessness, Grants Pass is effectively asking women to choose their cruel and usual punishment: victimhood of violence or jail, the groups state in their brief.

Similarly, significant numbers of children reported that the physical or sexual abuse they suffered at home or that they fear suffering if they return as their reason for being homeless.

Were the Supreme Court to overrule the 9th Circuits decisions in Martin and Grants Pass it would have grave consequences for the nations growing population of homeless people, advocates argue.

There are other potential remedies, such as those put forward in the briefs filed by Newsom, some California cities and the Department of Justice. Instead of overturning the 9th Circuits decisions, the Supreme Court could send the Grants Pass case back to the circuit court for rehearing with instructions on how to read the limits imposed in Martin.

Specifically, the Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to vacate the 9th Circuits decision in Grants Pass and send it back with instructions to uphold the application of the Eighth Amendment to some anti-camping ordinances but to allow for more particularized inquiries. That mirrors the request from Newsom that municipalities be allowed to judge whether a person is voluntarily homeless on an individual basis, not on a class-wide basis.

Whatever the court decides, it will have a major effect on how the nations states and cities respond to the growing issue of homelessness.

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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court is debating Monday how far cities can go to prevent people from sleeping in public places without effectively criminalizing homelessness, an issue of increasing importance as the number of Americans without shelter has reached record levels.

When a California-based appeals court ruled in 2018 that an anti-camping ordinance in Boise, Idaho, could not be enforced against homeless people if the city lacked sufficient shelters, the Supreme Court let that decision stand.

But when that same ruling was used to declare that similar bans in Grants Pass, Oregon, amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the citys appeal.

In one of the most closely watched cases this term, Grants Pass officials say their anti-camping punishments  starting at fines of $295 and leading to jail sentences for repeat offenses  are neither cruel nor unusual in the ordinary sense of those words. And theyre necessary to prevent homeless encampments from taking over parks and sidewalks, a persistent problem in many cities since the original 2018 decision, they argue.

Encampments have multiplied unchecked throughout the West because generally applicable restrictions on public camping no longer play their critical deterrent role, resulting in spikes in violent crime, drug overdoses, disease, fires, and hazardous waste, the citys attorneys wrote in a legal brief that previewed Mondays oral arguments.

We would love if the kids had their parks back. But where are we going to go? said Brenda Daigneault who sits in her tent in Tussing Park on April 10, 2024 in Grants Pass, Ore. Daigneault is one of hundreds without a home who could be affected by the Supreme Court as it hears arguments in late April on an ordinance that could criminalize camping in the citys public parks.

Advocates: housing crisis won't be solved by punishment

Advocates for the homeless people challenging the restrictions say they are so expansive that its impossible for someone without access to shelter to live in Grants Pass without risking punishment. The city of about 38,000 in southern Oregon lacks affordable housing. It has no homeless shelter for adults. As a result, hundreds of people lack a place to sleep.

They include one of the residents who sued, Gloria Johnson, who said she has been repeatedly awakened by Grants Pass police while sleeping in her van and told she would be fined if she didnt leave.

America's affordable housing crisis will not be solved by throwing more people in jail, said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director for the National Homeless Law Center. This is true in Grants Pass and this is true across the country.

More: Supreme Court weighs Donald Trump case, abortion bans, homeless camps in blockbuster week

Advocates contend the real purpose of such rules is to drive people with no place to stay out of the city, making them someone elses problem and, eventually leading to a national ban on homelessness if other cities follow suit.

Officials across political spectrum want clarity

But government officials beyond those in Grants Pass and across the political spectrum are also asking the Supreme Court to clarify what they can and cant do.

Thats particularly true in California, home to nearly one-in-three people experiencing homelessness in the nation and nearly half who lack shelter.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said, in a brief, lower courts have blocked efforts to clear encampments while micromanaging what qualifies as a suitable offer of shelter.

On any given night in the United States, more than 600,000 people are likely to be homeless, according to the federal government. Last year, 40% of homeless individuals slept under bridges, on sidewalks, in parks, cars, abandoned buildings and other public locations.

Helen Cruz has lived in a homeless encampment for many years and is now an advocate for unhoused people. The town of Grants Pass is at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case over whether unsheltered, unhoused people can be criminalized for living outside in situations where their city/town/municipality lacks enough shelter beds for everyone. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments for the case, City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, on April 22, 2024.

Court has said behavior, not status, can be criminalized

The challenge to Grants Pass rules is the most significant case on homelessness in decades.

But its related to a 1962 Supreme Court decision about a different issue, whether California could criminalize drug addiction. The Supreme Court said someone could be arrested for using illegal drugs  a behavior  but not for being addicted to them, a status.

The California-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the same argument applied in Boise and in Grants Pass. If someone is involuntarily homeless because no shelter beds are available, then the camping bans are going after their status, not their conduct.

Officials from Grants Pass and other cities say thats an unworkable framework.

When is someone involuntarily homeless, they ask. What if someone wont go to a shelter because it doesnt allow pets? What if theyre kicked out of a shelter because of their behavior? And how are cities supposed to count the number of available shelter beds versus homeless people every night to determine if enough vacancies exist that someone can be ticketed for sleeping in a park?

An encampment at Tussing Park on April 10, 2024 in Grants Pass, Ore.

Biden administration weighs in

The federal government has its own stake in the outcome. As the countrys largest property owner, the government shares cities interest in keeping public parks and other spaces in a clean, safe condition, the Justice Department told the Supreme Court. For example, after camping on the National Mall and in the park across from the White House damaged those areas, the National Park Service imposed restrictions in 1982.

The Biden administration agrees with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that those with no where else to go cant be completely barred from public spaces. But the Justice Department told the Supreme Court that applying that principle needs to be based on a persons circumstances and the appeals court didnt say how to decide if someone is involuntarily homeless. Determining that there are more homeless people than available shelter beds is not enough, the Justice Department said.

A decision is expected by the end of June.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court debating if ticketing homeless is `cruel' punishment
Just when Detroit was finding new uses for all the old buildings that were once special and sought-after, but had fallen on hard times and became something of an embarrassment for the city, there is another development puzzle:

What to do with the Renaissance Center.

From the moment General Motors CEO Mary Barra's announced last Monday that the automaker is moving its global headquarters in 2025 to Dan Gilbert's new Hudson's site development, the famous glass-tower complex on the riverfront entered its own midlife crisis.

Renaissance Center in Detroit on Monday, April 15, 2024.

GM won't be abandoning the Renaissance Center  or at least not yet.

The automaker will continue to own five of the seven RenCen towers, and will begin studying possibilities for reinvigorating the 1970s architectural landmark for a new era.

This study will be a collaboration of GM, Gilbert's real estate firm Bedrock, the city of Detroit and Wayne County. Barra suggested that they will be open to all ideas, even radical changes such as converting RenCen office towers to residential use.

"We will work to reimagine the Renaissance Center for its next chapter," she said.

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra announces General Motors moving its global headquarters to the newly completed Hudson site, during a Bedrock press conference held at the Hudson site in downtown Detroit on Monday, April 15, 2024.

The Free Press spoke with several area architecture, development and real estate experts as to what possibilities they see for the icon that still dominates Detroit's skyline and is recognized around the world.

None of those interviewed wished to see the RenCen torn down, a dramatic idea that gained traction in some quarters of social media during the week as well as letters to the Free Press.

Not only are the towers too symbolic for Detroit to be demolished, they said, but the buildings have significant value, considering how the cost today of building a similar complex would run into the billions.

GM also has put $1 billion of renovations and improvements into the property and the nearby RiverWalk since buying the buildings in 1996, according to Barra. This included removing two large bunker-like concrete berms that had separated the RenCen from downtown.

Demolition would even be an international tragedy, according to one Windsor-based architect, as Canadians across the Detroit River enjoy their unobstructed views of the RenCen and the full downtown Detroit skyline.

"There would be a huge outcry to not let that happen. Its a tremendous part of the skyline from this side," said Jason Grossi of studio g + G architecture.

Convert office towers to housing, more hotels

The Renaissance Center, headquarters of General Motors, on the Detroit River in downtown Detroit.

Several of the experts like the idea of transforming a few  perhaps even all  of the RenCen's original four office towers into residential (a fifth tower is a hotel).

One architect sees a great potential for senior housing, considering the location's riverfront views and the RenCen being a self-contained "city within a city," with space in the complex for all sorts of shops, restaurants and markets that could serve the seniors. There is even a fitness center and a shuttered four-screen movie complex that could be reopened.

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Some commentators have voiced concern about the feasibility and costs of performing office-to-housing conversions in the towers.

But others say the floorplates within the four original octagonal-shaped office towers, said to measure 18,000 square feet, are indeed sufficient and not too deep to rule out a conversion. Deep floorplates are generally seen as a problem for office-to-housing conversions because they can result in residential units lacking windows.

You can do it. Its not impossible," said Michael Poris, cofounder of Birmingham-based firm McIntosh Poris Architects.

The costs for such a conversion would surely be high, he and others said. But the costs may not be prohibitive if the project taps the many financial incentives for development that are now available in Michigan.

Poris noted how the original RenCen towers will soon turn 50 years old, an age that would open them to qualifying for historical preservation tax credits.

You are seeing buildings, as recent as the 70s, being designated historic, and then you can utilize the historic tax credits to renovate them," he said.

Even though the federal historical tax credit program discourages big modifications to a building's interior, special exceptions can be granted.

As for what the RenCen could be redeveloped as, "you could do all sorts of stuff," Poris said. "In Chicago, there are some high-rise senior living places where I've been that are pretty incredible ... and there is already a hotel there, you could take one of the towers and turn it into another hotel. We have a shortage of hotels, so you could do that."

'You'd have a hell of a community'

Another prominent local architect, Matt Rossetti, also is bullish on the possibility of turning office space into living space. His Detroit-based firm, Rossetti, previously studied possible alternative uses for the RenCen.

GM's Renaissance Center in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Offices dont make any sense, Rossetti said. But if that place was full of people living there, youd have a hell of a community. You have retail to support it.

As for the lack of enough existing plumbing to connect to future apartments, he said plumbing is not a huge obstacle and rather one of the easier things to put in because it runs vertically.

The real issue is the skin, the fact that its single pane (glass) and that would be really expensive to replace," Rossetti said. "But if you look at it creatively, due to the size of the floor plates, you could do that effectively from inside out for less cost."

7 towers, 5.5 million square feet

The original Renaissance Center structure opened in 1977 and consists of four 39-story office towers surrounding a central 73-story hotel, now a Marriott. Two additional 21-story baby towers opened in 1981. Altogether, there is 5.5 million square feet of space.

The Renaissance Center was the brainchild of Henry Ford II, who saw the project as a way to revitalize Detroit following the 1967 uprising. The complex cost $337 million to build, according to Free Press archives, and GM paid $73 million for it in 1996.

A model of the original five Rencen towers.

Ford Motor Co. still leased 500,000 square feet at the RenCen at the time of the GM sale. A Ford spokesperson last week said the automaker has no plans to return.

GM currently owns the original five towers. Two shorter towers east of the original towers belong to Farmington Hills-based Friedman Real Estate, which bought the pair last year from a New Jersey utility company. The firm's founder, David Friedman, is a longtime friend of Gilbert's.

The two smaller Renaissance Center towers.

One key consideration for any future redevelopment plan: The RenCen still has occupants.

Even though weekday foot traffic in the RenCen appears way down compared with foot traffic before the COVID-19 pandemic, the complex isn't really a ghost town.

GM is a major occupant and its exit will be felt. But there are other office tenants in the four core office towers, including auto industry consultants and financial and public relations firms. And there are over a dozen restaurants, including Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood  plus the 1,328-room Marriott hotel.

Of the smaller towers not owned by GM, one is filled by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the other is mostly empty.

The RenCen's leasing agent, CBRE, declined to share current occupancy rates for the office towers. GM also declined to say how much space it currently takes up or the number of employees it has inside.

However, leasing data from the Costar service shows two of the original RenCen towers as 100% occupied, another as 52% full and the fourth about 82% full.

Not all GM details are known

Exactly who at GM will vacate the RenCen for the new digs on Woodward Avenue also remains unknown.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said, Were not providing specifics in terms of space utilization.

GMs captive finance arm, GM Financial, is based in Fort Worth, Texas. But its Detroit operations are housed in the RenCen, where about 230 of its employees work, said GM Financial spokesperson Lane Borrello. Borrello hinted that GM Financial may not be making the move to the Hudson's site with GM and might not even stay in the city.

GM Financial continues to explore options for workspace in the metropolitan Detroit area, Borrello told the Free Press. No final decisions have been made to date.

Similarly, GM subsidiary OnStar has its command center in the RenCen, and Kelly said it is too soon to say if that will also move.

Detroit has seen its share of decaying landmarks

The RenCen's current situation is different from that which has faced other Detroit landmark buildings in the past that outlived their original use and purposes. They were mostly or completely vacant by the time a would-be redeveloper stepped forward to try and save them.

That list includes the elegant David Whitney Building in downtown, once medical offices and now an upscale hotel, and the Book Tower, which also was offices until Gilbert's firm reopened it last year as downtown housing, a hotel and restaurants. There also is Michigan Central Station, an old train depot in Corktown that Ford Motor Co. bought, rehabbed and will reopen June 6 for a mix of uses.

How the Book Tower looked before the rehab on Friday, June 12, 2015.

And there is the notorious Packard Plant on the east side, which after hanging on for years amid a failed rehab campaign by a foreign developer, recently met the wrecking ball.

So its not like the sky is falling and we have to figure something out right away," Poris said of the RenCen's next chapter. "Thats a big thing right there to remember."

Still, the notion  however inaccurate  that the RenCen is destined for desolation as soon as GM moves out was inspiration last week for various Internet memes, including one imagining it as a future location for a Spirit Halloween seasonal pop-up store.

With office demand down, others are converting to housing, hotels

In the big picture, the market for downtown Detroit office space is weaker now than before the pandemic. The office space vacancy rate was 19.4% in the first quarter, up from just under 13% in late 2019, according to reports from the Newmark real estate firm.

Levi Smith, an associate broker with P.A. Commercial, said that with current market conditions, it would be a challenge to fill up the RenCen's office towers once GM leaves. The RenCen can be a "tough site" for attracting tenants, he said, as it's a bit isolated and set off from the rest of downtown, and the center of gravity has been moving toward the popular and walkable area around Campus Martius that is near the Hudson's development.

"I think thats why they (GM) are going to the Hudson building, to try and get their employees to come downtown and say, Youre only a block away from Campus Martius, and thats fun,' " Smith said.

Gilbert's Bedrock team has significant experience with redeveloping former office or commercial space into housing or hotels. Besides Book Tower, its other conversion projects include The Assembly, 1702 W. Fort St.; the 38-story David Stott tower, 1150 Griswold near Capitol Park, and the former Detroit Free Press building, 321 W. Lafayette, now known as The Press/321.

Southgate Tower at 16333 Trenton Road in Southgate on April 19, 2022.

Developer Alex Begin, partner of Madison Heights-based Gordon-Begin Properties, is in the middle of converting the 14-story, Downriver Southgate Tower, a former bank headquarters, into 216 market-rate apartments. The project is going well, he said, and on pace for a mid-2025 completion. Crucially, the building's office floorplates were conducive to such a conversion.

"Thats one thing Im not sure the RenCen has. But the floorplates of the Southgate Tower lent themselves quite easily to a residential conversion," he said.

"Now, we will have to redo all the systems  so new plumbing, new mechanical, new HVAC, new elevators, basically the whole building is going to be refreshed with new systems," Begin continued. "But the floors were not so gigantic that an apartment residence would not have much window space. They are actually going to get a lot of window space.

The same architect who did the RenCen, John Portman, also designed a somewhat similar looking complex, the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, which is four 33-story circular towers and operates as a hotel. However, all of those towers are cylinders  reminiscent of the RenCen's 73-story Marriott tower. The original RenCen office towers, in contrast, are octagonal shaped, which may be a bit trickier to convert to housing or hotel use  although some experts believe it could still be done.

Whatever redevelopment strategy emerges from the GM-Bedrock study, it will need a good business case for success.

My big-picture view of the RenCen is its got to be financeable in the long run," Begin said. "Even if GM is doing something now to adapt it, the ultimate owner has to be able to finance it, so its gotta be full.

"So whats going to fill it. Is it going to be apartments? Is it going to be a hotel? I doubt its going to be office. So they have to ask themselves that question. And you gotta know what else is in the market, so you dont flood it with stuff we already have  and thats going to take some real study and planning.

The downtown area right now is still digesting a feast of new luxury rental apartments that recently hit the market, including nearly 500 units that opened early this year in a new 25-story glass building on the riverfront site of the former Joe Louis Arena.

And Gilbert's Bedrock needs to sell 97 luxury condos in the new 45-floor Hudson's site skyscraper that is under construction next door to the office building that will house GM's headquarters.

Renderings for the Hudson's site skyscraper, which will feature an EDITION Hotel and EDITION-branded condos.

The absorption rate in the next year will tell the tale," Jim Bieri, founder of Stokas Bieri Real Estate, said of downtown's residential market and the prospects for seeing housing in the RenCen. "If theyre able to absorb whats coming online  especially the price of your market units on the water  that will encourage people to take a shot at it.

Grossi, the Windsor architect, said he is optimistic for whatever redevelopment plans ultimately emerge because Gilbert's Bedrock is now involved. In addition to being the lead architect for the Southgate Tower conversion project, Grossi is director of the joint Visual Arts and Built Environment program at the University of Windsor and University of Detroit Mercy.

"If you have a firm like Bedrock working on it, theyve got such a great pedigree and track record of making amazing things happen in the downtown," he said. "My instant gut reaction is theres going to be something amazing that comes out of this, too.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit's RenCen after GM: What experts say the future could hold
UPDATE: Man, 22, arrested in burglary, sexual assault of 5-year-old in Linda Vista

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Police Department said a call came in Sunday morning reporting that surveillance footage had captured a man matching the description of a

suspect from a sexual assault earlier this week.

The man was caught on camera outside the same Linda Vista home that was broken into Thursday, where a young girl was sexually assaulted while sleeping, police said. The residence is located at in the 2800 block of Wellington Street.

Three arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista

Surveillance footage around 3:25 a.m. showed a man matching the suspects description entering the property, the police department explained in a news release. Authorities said the man did not gain entry into the home and no one was harmed.

Police are now asking for the publics help in identifying the man seen in the images below:

San Diego Police Department

The man is believed to be in his early 20s with dark hair, police said. He was seen wearing a dark hoodie sweatshirt with light printing down the left sleeve and an unknown image on the front of the hoodie. He was also seen wearing light-colored sweatpants and dark shoes.

The man reportedly had a backpack and bicycle.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or video surveillance from the area is encouraged to call the Child Abuse Unit at 619-531-2210, or the SDPD non-emergency line at 619-531-2000.

Juliette Vara contributed to this report,

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An aggravated burglary suspect is in the hospital after Nashville authorities said a homeowner shot him in self-defense Saturday morning.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, 32-year-old Anton Cosby is accused of breaking into a home along Shreeve Lane just before 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 20.

Man dead after shooting outside Bellevue apartment complex

The homeowner and his family reportedly woke up to the sound of banging on the front door and windows. Officials said the homeowner grabbed his firearm and repeatedly ordered Cosby to leave or else hed fire his weapon.

Authorities said Cosby had broken the kitchen window and started to climb through when the homeowner shot him once in the arm. At that point, Cosby allegedly dropped his revolver near the kitchen sink and ran off.

Police said they found Cosby nearby, but when they tried to render aid, he became combative. He was brought to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he is being treated for a non-critical gunshot wound.

1 killed, 1 injured in Midtown Nashville shooting

According to officials, the District Attorneys Office determined the homeowner was acting in self-defense, so he is not expected to face charges for the shooting.

However, as soon as Cosby is released from the hospital, authorities said he will be charged with aggravated burglary, felony vandalism, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

This marks at least the fourth shooting reported in the Nashville area over the past 24 hours.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Metro Nashville dispatch told News 2 one person was brought to the hospital following a shooting that was called in at approximately 9:36 p.m. on Friday, April 19 from Glastonbury Road in Hermitage. No additional details have been released about that incident.

Around 10:15 p.m., police said 37-year-old Dorsey Moorlet was fatally shot after returning to Forrest Park Apartments on Highway 70 South in Bellevue to retrieve an item he forgot before heading to work.

Then, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, three suspects reportedly tried to rob a group of people in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street in Midtown, which led to a shooting that killed 32-year-old Christopher Cheeks and injured a 29-year-old man.

Authorities have not released any information indicating these four shootings are related.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
I cant believe this: Florida man arrested after going 113 mph on I-4, deputies say

I cant believe this: Florida man arrested after going 113 mph on I-4, deputies say

DELTONA, Fla. (WFLA)  Deputies in Volusia County arrested a man after they say he fled at over 113 mph on I-4 Saturday.

The Volusia Sheriffs Office said on the last day of a traffic enforcement operation around Deltona, a deputy pursued a BMW X3 as it sped off on I-4.

According to the sheriffs office, the driver, convicted felon Kevin Olivo Rivera, 29, of Kissimmee, went as fast as 113 mph while fleeing the trooper.

Eventually, the chase came to an end after another deputy tossed a stop stick, flattening the cars tires.

The sheriffs office said Olivo Rivera tossed a handgun into the nearby woods, which was later found by a K9 unit. Deputies said they also found cocaine, oxycodone, MDMA, alprazolam, and marijuana from inside the rented vehicle, along with a total of 165 rounds of ammunition.

I cant believe this man, why? the suspect said after he was taken into custody.

When asked why he wouldnt pull over, the suspect said he didnt have a license.

Olivo Rivera was charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude, armed trafficking of the drugs mentioned above, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence, tampering with evidence, driving with a suspended license (habitual), and numerous traffic citations.

According to the sheriffs office, the suspect was out on probation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Taiwan to discuss new funding with US as Chinese warplanes get close to island

A demonstrator holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during an stop-over after her visit to Latin America in Burlingame

By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's military said on Sunday it will discuss with the United States how to use funding for Taipei included in a $95 billion legislative package mostly providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as Chinese warplanes again got close to the island.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects those claims.

The defence ministry expressed thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the package on Saturday, saying it demonstrated the "rock solid" U.S. support for Taiwan.

The ministry added it "will coordinate the relevant budget uses with the United States through existing exchange mechanisms, and work hard to strengthen combat readiness capabilities to ensure national security and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".

Taiwan has since 2022 complained of delays in deliveries of U.S. weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers focussed on supplying Ukraine to help the country battle invading Russian forces.

Underscoring the pressure Taiwan faces from China, the ministry said on Sunday morning that over the previous 24 hours 14 Chinese military aircraft had crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait.

The median line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides over which neither sides' military crossed, but China's air force now regularly sends aircraft over it. China says it does not recognise the line's existence.

Some Chinese aircraft on Saturday got as close as 40 nautical miles (70 km) from the northern and southern parts of Taiwan, according to a map the Taiwanese ministry provided, though that remains outside its contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles from Taiwan's coast.

Taiwan's territorial space is defined at 12 nautical miles from its coast. Taiwan has previously reported Chinese military aircraft getting close to but not entering the contiguous zone.

Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party who sits on parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, said Taiwan's armed forces were able to respond with its own aircraft and tracking by land-based missile systems.

"But what the Chinese communists did was provocative and very irresponsible behaviour," he said on social media.

On Saturday, Taiwan's defence ministry said China had again carried out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships and warplanes around Taiwan.

China's defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours on Sunday.

The island's armed forces are dwarfed by those of China's, especially the navy and air force.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Sandra Maler and William Mallard)
Tarrant County inmate dies after being pepper-sprayed in fight during contraband check

An inmate died after he was pepper-sprayed while fighting with detention officers at the Tarrant County Jail during a check for contraband, the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Anthony Johnson, 31, died just before 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

Jailers were conducting what the sheriffs office called routine contraband checks in cells just before 9 a.m. Sunday morning when Johnson refused to exit his cell so it could be searched, according to the release. He began fighting with detention officers and they used the pepper spray to assist in bringing the inmate under control, the sheriffs office said.

After he was pepper-sprayed, Johnson was examined by John Peter Smith Hospital medical staff working at the jail and was not responsive, the release said.

Medical staff performed CPR and Johnson was taken to JPS, where he died.

The medical examiners office will determine the cause of death.

The Texas Rangers will be leading the investigation of the in-custody death.

Today's top stories:

 H-E-B announces third Tarrant County location

 Teen killed, 2 injured in shooting at Fort Worth after-prom party

 Nuns claim hostile takeover, reject Vatican decree, bishops authority

Get free alerts when news breaks.

Johnson was arrested Friday by Saginaw police on charges of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1, tampering /fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair and evading arrest or detention and was taken to the Tarrant County Jail on Saturday, according to the release.

The sheriffs office said Johnson was arrested after police responded to a call about a man standing in an intersection wielding a knife at a driver. When officers arrived, the sheriffs office said, he attempted to flee on foot.

A detention officer was also injured during the incident at the jail and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriffs office said.
Teen arrested for Long Beach shooting that followed brawl at The Pike Outlets

The Long Beach Police Department has arrested a juvenile male for allegedly shooting another boy shortly after last months brawl at The Pike Outlets.

Authorities say the 16-year-old suspect shot another 16-year-old male at The Promenade shortly after the disturbance at the shopping center.

Officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body. He was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

Long Beach police used security camera footage to identify the suspect. He was arrested in Los Angeles on April 16. Authorities are withholding his identity due to his age.

No further information was provided on whether the shooting was connected to the meetup at the Pike Outlets, where hundreds of teens converged following a viral social media post.

The brawl at The Pike occurred on March 16. Long Beach police confirmed the department got word of a planned fight between an adult woman and a juvenile female and had officers stationed near the property.

Two females got into a fistfight at the Long Beach Pike Outlets as several hundred juveniles in the area arrived for a meetup. Long Beach Police broke up the fight and patrolled the area on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Officers arrested one of the juveniles involved in the fist fight in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Two youths got into a fistfight at the Long Beach Pike Outlets as several hundred juveniles in the area arrived for a meetup. Long Beach Police broke up the fight and patrolled the area on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Officers arrested one of the juveniles involved in the fist fight in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Long Beach Police officers patrol the area after breaking up a fight between two juveniles at the Long Beach Pike Outlets on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Two youths got into a fistfight at the Long Beach Pike Outlets as several hundred juveniles in the area arrived for a meetup. Long Beach Police broke up the fight and patrolled the area on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Police patrol The Pike Outlets shopping center in Long Beach, California. (Long Beach Police Department)

Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Video obtained by stringer service OC Hawk showed two females in a fistfight. There was a large group of teens surrounding the two females as the fight continued, with many seen recording the confrontation on their phones.

Officers eventually intervened and broke up the crowd while arresting the two girls involved. A handful of police officers stayed at the scene to patrol the area. Police reportedly brought in a bus to The Pike Outlets in the event there would be a large number of juveniles to be detained.

The owners of The Pike Outlets elected to close stores early in response to the incident. The shopping center was closed at around 6 p.m. Saturday and guests were told to clear out. Officers made an announcement that anyone who didnt comply would be arrested.

The motive and events surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  Two teenagers were killed Saturday after an apparent murder-suicide at a St. Petersburg home, according to deputies.

The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office said it was called to a home on Grove Park Avenue North at 8:47 p.m. after two teenagers, a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, were shot.

1 dead in shooting at Tampa gentlemens club

The 14-year-old was already dead from a gunshot to the head while the other teenager was still alive. However, he died at 10:16 p.m. after being taken to a hospital, a release said.

According to detectives, neither of the teenagers lived at the home in question. The 17-year-old was allowed to stay at the house to watch the homeowners dog while he was out of town.

However, at about 4 a.m. Saturday, the 17-year-old invited the victim and another female individual to the home to hang out. He also invited an 18-year-old friend of his to the home.

Deputies said the teenagers consumed alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine throughout the day, but during their drug-fueled hangout, the 17-year-old began brandishing a gun that belonged to the homeowner.

Detectives learned they all began playing with the firearm and taking photos with it, the sheriffs office said.

According to the investigation, things escalated when the 17-year-old boy and the 14-year-old girl started arguing about a consensual sexual encounter [the 17-year-old] had, which upset him.

As the 14-year-old began talking to the other girl about the argument, the 17-year-old shot her in the head before shooting himself, detectives said.

An autopsy will be performed on the victim and the suspect, according to the sheriffs office. No charges or additional arrests have been announced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility  your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here  just click TechCrunch Mobility  to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free.

Tesla is back in the news cycle and our crystal ball says it's one of those long-term affairs. The week kicked off with layoffs  about 10% of its more than 140,000-person workforce  and CEO Elon Musk declaring he was going "balls to the wall" on autonomy. It ended with a Cybertruck recall. Cool cool.

There's lots more in the newsletter than just Tesla  although before we move on, do check out Sean O'Kane's scoop about the company's 1,800-mile Tesla Semi charging corridor program. Read on to catch up on Serve Robotics' public market debut, a week of highs and lows for Waymo, and more.

Let's go!

A little bird

blinky cat bird green

While much of our focus is on startups and Silicon Valley, we do have some little birds in Washington, D.C.

A little bird told us recently that federal regulators are getting close to publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on autonomous vehicle regulations, which would be the first set of federal guardrails proposed for the industry.

Our source said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates commercial vehicles in the U.S., should have a proposal out by this summer, fall at the latest. Were told that the federal ruling on AVs will likely establish a minimum safety standard for AVs to operate on public roads but that state governments could enforce stricter regulations within their own borders. We've been hearing about discussions and plans around federal AV regulations for years now. Have we finally started to make headway? We shall see.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O'Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps.

Deal of the week

money the station

Serve Robotics, the Nvidia- and Uber-backed sidewalk robot delivery company, hit the public markets this week via a reverse merger. Serve expects its public debut to bring in around $40 million in gross proceeds, funding that will go toward R&D for future robots, manufacturing of new robots, geographic expansion and more.

Serve's goal is to increase its fleet from the 100 robots deployed today around Los Angeles to 2,000 robots across multiple U.S. cities by the end of 2025, via a partnership with Uber Eats. Serve has huge revenue ambitions, with plans to generate between $60 million and $80 million in annual revenue by that same deadline. In 2023, Serve brought in $207,545 in revenue at a loss of $1.5 million.

FWIW, Uber and Nvidia are still shareholders, but their shares in the company are decreasing with this debut. Pre-IPO, Uber and Nvidia held a 16.6% stake and 14.3% stake, respectively. Once the offering closes, those stakes will change to 11.5% and 10.1%, per regulatory filings.

Serve's share price was $4 at market open on Thursday, and it closed that day at around $3.

Other deals that got my attention 

Found Energy, a startup that uses waste aluminum to generate heat and hydrogen, raised a $12 million seed round, but Tim De Chant's story on the company is about so much more.

Getir, a Turkish delivery company that was once worth $12 billion, is reportedly weighing asset sales and exits from non-core markets as investors put the pressure on to cut losses.

Swtch Energy, a company building EV charging solutions for apartment buildings, raised $27.2 million in a Series B to expand its charging network and boost the tech behind its charging and energy management solutions. Blue Earth Capital led the round with participation from Alantra's Energy Transition Fund Klima, Active Impact Investments and GIGA Investments Corp.

Notable reads and other tidbits

ADAS

Mobileye has secured orders to ship 46 million of its EyeQ6 Light ADAS chips over the next few years to automakers. Multiple models launching this year will feature the chip, which promises to deliver improved sensing of wet roads, detection of and reaction to objects at a greater distance, and better ability to read key text phrases on road signs. TechCrunch had the chance to dig into this, and our main takeaways are that automakers will probably love this chip because it's more powerful than Mobileye's last chip, but it's the same price.

Autonomous vehicles

Waymo has begun initial data collection and mapping in Atlanta, the company's latest geographic win. The Alphabet-owned company didn't say whether it plans to launch in the Georgian city or any other city it is mapping in, such as Washington, D.C., and Buffalo. Aside from San Francisco, Waymo has launched commercial robotaxi services in Los Angeles and Phoenix, with Austin planned for the end of this year.

But with ups, come downs. Six Waymo vehicles also got caught blocking traffic to an on-ramp in San Francisco. The vehicles were caught between a construction zone and the on-ramp and had to pull over to await rescue. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that while Waymo does have the green light to go fully driverless on freeways in San Francisco, the company has not yet pulled the driver out.

Electric vehicles, charging & batteries

General Motors launched a home EV charger and vehicle-to-home (V2H) kit that lets a home pull energy from an EV battery in the event of a blackout. Customers in California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and New York can purchase today.

Gogoro, the two-wheeler battery-swapping company, and TSMC, a global semiconductor company, are partnering to introduce 15 GoStations across Taiwan that use 100% clean energy. They'll also be launching Gogoro's scooter-sharing service in TSMC's headquarter city, Hsinchu, and expanding the charging network in the city.

TeslaCrunch

We've been all over Tesla this week, so let's dive in.

The week started out with company-wide layoffs that affected at least 10% of the entire 140,000-person organization, with some teams seeing 20% of their staff gutted. Two high-profile executives departed Tesla as well: Drew Baglino, Tesla's SVP of Powertrain and Energy, and Rohan Patel, VP of Public Policy and Business Development. Patel told TechCrunch he left because of [b]ig overall changes at the company that he declined to specify. In an email sent to the company, CEO Elon Musk said the cuts were necessary to increase productivity and prepare for Tesla's "next phase of growth."

(Psssst! Don't want to read about Tesla layoffs and what comes next? You can watch about it instead.)

Many of those who were cut, sources say, were high performers who just happened to be working on lower-priority projects. Sources at Tesla also told TechCrunch the company made the cuts because it expects poor first-quarter earnings. Deliveries were subpar, and all those price cuts last year that continued early into 2024 likely had an effect on Tesla's margins. Deliveries were down in Q1 year-over-year, despite the $200,000 Tesla spent on advertising on X, per our reporting.

Which might be why Tesla ditched its EV inventory price discounts this week. On X, Musk said this move was in line with Tesla's strategy to streamline the whole Tesla sales and delivery system.

These changes in general, and the layoffs in particular, are made more stark by Tesla's proxy statement that calls on the board to reinstate Musk's $56 billion payout, which a Delaware judge earlier this year voided. In a huff, Musk threatened to reincorporate Tesla in Texas instead, and it appears that plan will also be put to the board soon.

Meanwhile, on the charging front, Tesla is moving forward with its plan to build an electric big rig charging corridor stretching from Texas to California, despite being snubbed by a lucrative federal funding program that's part of Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure law.

Tesla this week also had to recall the 3,878 Cybertrucks that it has delivered to customers to date over faulty accelerator pedals that can get stuck. I know what you're thinking. Finally we know how many Cybertrucks Tesla delivered.

This week's wheels

I've been in a handful of new vehicles and I'm eager to share my thoughts, but we're also running out of space this week. In the coming issues, we'll have some takes on electric bikes, the 2024 Lexus LC 500h, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and more.

See y'all next week!
Texas Boy, 10, Admits to Fatally Shooting a Sleeping Man When He Was 7  but Now He Won't Face Charges

The Gonzales County Sheriffs Office said the boy confessed to using his grandfathers gun to commit the murder

Gonzales County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Gonzales County Sheriff's Office vehicle

A 10-year-old Texas boy has admitted to fatally shooting a sleeping man when he was 7 years old, but he will not face charges for the murder, authorities said.

On Thursday, April 18, the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) announced that the child  whose name was not shared  confessed to killing a man at an RV park with his grandfather's gun while visiting his grandparent in early 2022.

The child's confession was consistent with the killing of 32-year-old Brandon OQuinn Rasberry, who was fatally shot in the head at Lazy J RV Park in Nixon, Texas, in January 2022, four days after he moved there. "The medical examiner concluded cause of death was a gunshot wound of the head and manner of death was Homicide," the sheriff's office reported.

The GCSO added that "all possible witnesses" in Rasberry's death were "spoken to and interviewed by investigators during the investigation" before "all leads were exhausted."

The case took a turn on April 12, when the Nixon Smiley Independent School District informed the sheriff's office that a student threatened to kill another student on the bus a day before. School officials later told a deputy that the boy claimed he fatally shot a man two years earlier.

"Investigators determined based on the information the child told the school, the child may have knowledge about the murder of Brandon," the GCSO said.

"The child was transported to a child advocacy center where a forensic interview was conducted. During the interview the ten-year-old child described in detail that two years ago he shot and killed a man in a trailer in Nixon, Texas," the group added.

Related: Boy, 10, Accused of Fatally Shooting Mom Because He Was Angry She Wouldn't Buy Him Virtual Reality Headset

Brandon Rasberry/Facebook Brandon Rasberry

The child then spoke to authorities, providing information that was "consistent with first-hand knowledge" of Rasberry's killing.

As the boy explained to them, he was visiting his grandfather at an RV park on Jan. 16, 2022, when he grabbed a pistol out of the glove box of his grandfather's vehicle.

The boy then claimed he entered the victim's RV, approached the sleeping man and shot him once in the head, per the GCSO. He then said he shot the RV's couch and left, before returning the gun to the vehicle.

"When asked, the child stated he had never met Brandon, and did not know who he was although he had observed him walking around the RV earlier in the day," the sheriff's office said. "The child was also asked if he was mad at Brandon for some reason or if Brandon had ever done anything to him to make him mad, the child stated no."

Investigators later secured the gun from a pawn shop in Seguin, Texas, on April 12, before discovering that it was "used to commit the murder" after the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms San Antonio Field Office observed two spent shell casings from the crime scene, per GCSO.

Following his confession, the boy was placed on a 72-hour emergency detention, evaluated at a psychiatric hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and then brought to the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office. He was booked on charges "relating to the school bus incident for Terroristic Threat (Texas Penal Code 22.07)" and placed in detention by Gonzales County Juvenile Probation as he awaits a court date, authorities said.

According to the office, "Texas Penal Code 8.07 states that a child does not have criminal culpability until they reach the age of ten years old."

Given that the boy was about to turn 8 at the time of the 2022 killing, "charges for murder will not be filed and cannot be accepted by the Gonzales County Attorney's Office for consideration of prosecution in accordance with state law," police said.

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.

Kenneth Rasberry, the victim's father, told local ABC affiliate KSAT that he was "very shocked" by the latest development and that the child "isnt anywhere the suspect that we thought it was."

This is a little boy, for reasons that Im sure these counselors and case managers and all of that, thats going to pick that poor little boys brain apart, Kenneth told the outlet.

He needs to be prayed on. He needs to be comforted ... Hes forgiven. And he can still be saved. Hes so young. Hes definitely tormented by something," he added.

KSAT also published a letter to parents from Nixon-Smiley Superintendent Jeff Van Auken, who wrote on April 18 that the child will not be returning to the elementary school. Auken said the "safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales chose to fight fire with fire Sunday morning. During a conversation with CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union, Gonzales railed against a number of his colleagues. Its my absolute honor to be in Congress, he said, but I serve with some real scumbags.

Republican Rep. slams hardliners in his own party: 'The way you take care of a bully is you bloody their nose.'@RepTonyGonzales, @JamalSimmons, @KBeds and @ScottJenningsKY join @DanaBashCNN to discuss the threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. pic.twitter.com/IDbCimn03K  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 21, 2024

Look, Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with them at drug parties, Gonzales asserted. Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi  these people used to walk around with white hoods at night. Now theyre walking around with white hoods in the daytime.

Look, it didnt surprise me that some of these folks voted against aid to Israel, but I was encouraged to see by a nearly 10 to 1 mark that Republicans supported our allies on the battlefield, the military veteran concluded.

A shocked Bash replied, Wow. OK. I should say that the federal government did look into Matt Gaetz and those allegations, and they decided not to prosecute.

Bash asked Gonzales if hes trying to put the members of Congress in a box.

Members members are tired, he answered. Were exhausted. It has been a brutal Congress.

But were also dug in. For some reason, these fringe people think as if they have the high ground. They do not. I assure you, the rank and file members that normally are kind of easygoing, doing the right thing, put their head down  they vote yes or no, but theyre not public about it.

Those days are over, Gonzales said. The fight is here.

Gaetz announced in 2021 that he was the subject of a Department of Justice investigation for sexual misconduct. He denied the allegations as the New York Times reported the DOJ had launched an investigation into allegations Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a then-17-year-old and paid for her to travel to several states, a potential violation of sex trafficking laws.

Two years later, the DOJ announced it would not pursue charges against Gaetz. CNN legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid told TheWrap that ultimately, the system had worked in Gaetzs favor. She explained, A lot of people were curious about why that case didnt go forward  they worried, because hes powerful and his familys wealthy, that he was getting off.

Here, the system worked  they investigated, looked at the evidence [and] it didnt have quite enough, so they decided not to go forward.

Watch the exchange between Gonzales and Bash in the video above.

The post Texas Congressman Roasts Fellow Republicans on CNN: I Serve With Some Real Scumbags | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
A recent report says that South Carolina is experiencing an upswing in foreclosures and is one of the worst in the nation.

Horry Countys frequency of foreclosure filings is relatively low, compared to other prominent areas in the Palmetto State.

In March 2024, ATTOM, a real estate data company owned by the private equity firm Lovell Minnick Partners, reported that South Carolina had the fifth most foreclosures of any state, a 51% increase from last year.

ATTOM measured its findings by the frequency of housing unit foreclosures. The U.S. Census Bureau defines housing units as houses, apartments, mobile homes, a group of rooms, or a single as separate living quarters.

ATTOM said that Columbia and Spartanburg had the highest frequency of foreclosures among metropolitan statistical areas with a population greater than 200,000.

Horry County has fewer foreclosures than statewide. Heres why

According to ATTOMs data, Horry Countys total foreclosure filings were 24, as of April 16, 2024.. With 217,330 housing units in Horry County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the foreclosure frequency would be one in every 9,055 homes.

Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors President Brianne Bender said that the Grand Strands home-owning community is part of why foreclosures are lower than in other parts of the state. She added that the presence of second homeowners, who can use their properties to earn income, also buffered the areas foreclosure rate compared to places where most homeowners live year-round.

If its going well, (you wont) have any financial distress, she said. (Columbia and Spartanburg) are also probably the areas that have the most full-time owners as opposed to our population here.

Foreclosures in Horry County are handled by the Master in Equity, also known as Equity Court, overseen by Judge Alan Clemmons. The Master in Equiitys office did not return a request for comment before publication.

The office will hold a foreclosure sale May 6, 2024, according to Horry Countys 15th Judicial Circuit Court Rosters. While 18 properties are on the list, ATTOMs data suggests that Columbia and Spartanburgs concerns havent translated to the Lowcountry.

While the number of foreclosures in Horry County might be higher than ATTOMs report, the Grand Strands potential foreclosure frequency still indicates that Horry Countys foreclosure frequency is not a cause for concern.

According to Horry Countys 15th Judicial Circuit Court Roster, about 60 foreclosures have been filed since July 2023 and are either pending or on the sale roster. That would mean one in every 3,622 housing units in Horry County had a foreclosure filing against it.

Story continues

States with the highest frequency of foreclosure filings

South Carolinas foreclosure rate is comparable to other states in the report.

Here are the five states with the highest foreclosure rate, according to ATTOM:

Connecticut. One in every 2,884 housing units had a foreclosure filing. Ohio. One in every 2,828 housing units had a foreclosure filing. Florida. One in every 2,632 housing units had a foreclosure filing. Delaware. One in every 2,428 housing units had a foreclosure filing. South Carolina. One in every 2,248 housing units had a foreclosure filing.
BEAUREGARD PARISH, La. (KLFY) A Texas driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of US Hwy 190 and Ball Park Road in Beauregard Parish Friday, according to Louisiana State Police.

Authorities said 31-year-old James Vaughn Patterson III of Huntington, Texas was driving a 2005 Ford F150 pickup truck west on US 190 when, for unknown reasons, the truck went across the centerline into the opposite lane. Shortly after traveling off the left side of the road, the vehicle hit a tree, and Patterson was pronounced dead at the location of the crash.

A toxicology sample was submitted, according to State Police.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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Protest against Colombian President Gustavo Petro's reforms in the health, retirement, employment and prison sectors, in Bogota

Protest against Colombian President Gustavo Petro's reforms in the health, retirement, employment and prison sectors, in Bogota

By Nelson Bocanegra

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Colombians marched on Sunday to reject economic and social reforms being proposed by the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro, the latest in a series of demonstrations against Petro's policies.

The reforms, which Petro says will fight deep inequality but which opponents say will damage the country's already-struggling economy, were key campaign promises for the 64-year-old leader, who took office in 2022.

Despite gray skies and rain, some 70,000 people marched in Bogota, the capital, according to city government estimates, chanting "out with Petro," waving national flags and blowing on trumpets before gathering in the central Bolivar Square.

The march comes after a Senate committee earlier this month rejected a proposed health reform aimed at stripping power from insurers and expanding access to healthcare, as the government took control of two major insurers it said had failed to correctly care for patients.

The government is expected to propose a new version of the health reform once the new legislative session begins in July. Pension and labor reforms are still being debated by lawmakers.

"This government's policies are dire. The health system, despite its flaws, was working and now Petro is putting an end to it by plunging patients who have no healthcare or medicine into a crisis," said Monica Leon, a 45-year-old doctor.

Accountant Miguel Angel Larrota, 52, said he was protesting against bad governance and demanding that Petro "not destroy what works and put an end to the corruption he promised to fight."

Paloma Valencia, a senator from the opposition Democratic Center, a conservative political party founded by former President Alvaro Uribe, said the march was bringing together not only opponents but people who voted for Petro two years ago.

People also took to the streets in the city of Medellin and in Cali, near the Pacific coast.

Marches have also previously taken place in support of Petro's reforms.

(Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra; Writing by Luis Jaime Acosta and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Three arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Three people were arrested at a driving under the influence checkpoint in Chula Vista Saturday night, authorities said.

According to the Chula Vista Police Department, officers conducted the checkpoint in the 1500 block of East H Street between 6 p.m. and midnight.

A total of 2,532 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint and authorities said 519 motorists were screened.

Take a day trip from San Diego to this whimsical pirate tower

Four drivers conducted field sobriety tests and two were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, while another driver was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana, the police department confirmed.

The identity of those arrested was not immediately released.

Additionally, seven drivers were cited for driving without a license or with a suspended license.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, the police department stated. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Will TikTok be banned?: What to know after House advances aid package

(The Hill)  Last month, the House passed legislation that would force ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, to sell the popular app or be banned in the U.S.

The bill was then flipped over to the Senate side, where it has an unclear future.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made waves when he merged an adjusted measure with the $95 billion foreign aid package which easily passed in the lower chamber on Saturday.

The measure related to TikTok, tied with the foreign aid package, has a different language than the previous one, which cleared the lower chamber in March.

The new measure would extend ByteDances timeline to sell TikTok, bumping it up from six months to a year, an adjustment that compelled Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to support the bill in the upper chamber. The House passed foreign aid as a four-point bill, but it is being delivered to the Senate as one measure.

What does the future of TikTok look like now?

Why do lawmakers want to ban TikTok?

TikTok has faced backlash on Capitol Hill over its ties to China. Supporters of the measure have argued banning TikTok would prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from having access to American user data that could be utilized for spying.

TikTok has pushed back by saying it was not asked to provide the data to the CPP.

The telltale signs of AI-generated images, video and audio, according to experts

TikTok was also scrutinized over its algorithm recommending sensitive videos and critics have accused it of being a national security threat, especially ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

What happens next?

The measure for banning TikTok now heads to the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the lower chamber will take up the foreign aid bill on Tuesday.

President Biden has voiced his support for the overall measure, which includes the possibility of banning the app, and said he would sign a bill that could ultimately ban TikTok if it made it to his desk.

How would the ban work

The legislation would forbid the Google Play Store or App Store from updating or distributing TikTok.

Rarely-seen species of concern captured on West Virginia trail cam

However, in the past, people have found ways to circumvent similar bans, including by changing location or utilizing VPNs, notes USAToday.

When would the ban go into effect?

The ban would go into effect if ByteDance decides not to divest within the allotted time frame.

The extended period to sell TikTok went up from 180 days to 270 days with the recent legislation. There could also be a 90-day extension added if the permission is granted by Biden.

If the ban takes place, it will likely face legal challenges from supporters and TikTok itself, which could lengthen the timeframe.

TikTok and its users have successfully fought back against the ban on the state level.

What this means for the future of TikTok

Someone else could potentially buy TikTok if its owners decide to sell, if a ban is enacted.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Shark Tank investor Kevin OLeary are among those who have expressed interest.

Do Americans want TikTok banned?

Almost half of the participants in the March CNBC All-America Economic poll said TikTok should be sold to a non-Chinese firm or be banned.

The poll found 60 percent of Republicans support a ban or a sale, while 40 percent of Democrats said the same.

Younger Americans are less in favor of the ban. The CNBC poll discovered that 48 percent of 18-to 34-year-olds oppose a ban.

Around 50 percent of Americans support a ban, according to a Pew Research Center survey released in March. That is 28 percent higher than those who said they are not in favor of a ban.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Timberline Lodge will reopen to guests on Sunday, just days after a fire erupted that forced an evacuation but caused little damage.

Timberlines John Burton told KOIN 6 News the Cascade Dining Room will offer breakfast beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday and staff will help guests get around the repairs and the water remediation.

Washington Square mall marks its 50th anniversary fully leased, adding 5 new stores

There are challenges ahead, but we are through the worst of it, Burton said and added the emergency response was nothing short of remarkable.

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

A fire broke out in the attic of the Historic Timberline Lodge on Thursday, April 18 (Clackamas Fire)

Clackamas Fire crews battle a 3-alarm fire at Timberline Lodge. April 18, 2024 (courtesy Clackamas Fire).

Kerry Tymchuk, the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, called Timberline Lodge a jewel of the Northwest.

It was built through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) launched by President Franklin Roosevelt to help the country emerge from the Depression.

This was in the height of the Depression, 25% unemployment rates across the country, Tymchuk told KOIN 6 News. Most of the time they werent trained carpenters or trained craftsmen. They were just ordinary citizens out of work and they were put back to work to do massive projects across the country, including this jewel of the Northwest, the Timberline Lodge.

Experience Oregon Zoo without the kids at Zoo Brew: A beer festival for adults

Its dedication brought the first notoriety to the lodge and another generation of people learned about it through a film.

Franklin, the president, and Eleanor, the First Lady, came out to Oregon to dedicate the lodge in 1937, on the same trip they dedicated the Bonneville Dam, Tymchuk said. And then it was a star of the Jack Nicholson movie, The Shining, in 1980. That added to its fame and added a lot of tourists going up there to see where the movie was filmed.



Timberline Lodge, noted in film for serving as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, is shown Aug. 15, 2010, Timberline Lodge, Ore. The Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. Seventy three years later, Timberline is once again the recipient of federal recovery dollars, this time to address some aging infrastructure, as well as normal wear and tear on the building. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

timberline-lodge-01042017_388497

Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Timberline Lodge in 1937 (KOIN)

Workers construct the Timberline Lodge as part of a Great Depression job effort (KOIN)

Behold: The new pool and hot tub and the Timberline Lodge. (Photo courtesy of the Timberline Lodge)

Glass paneling offers poolside mountain views. (Photos courtesy of Timberline Lodge)

The interior also has a story.

The interior decorating, which again was largely done by WPA and CCC and they also had an arts project where artists were provided money and a stipend to do work. And much of the art inside Timberline was done by the Federal Arts Project. Its a timeless classic.

Timberline became a national historic landmark in 1977.

Its a classic, historic building that, almost 100 years later, tells the story of the Depression, what America went through and how America came out of the Depression, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Its time for Californians to rally behind the farmworkers that keep our nation fed | Opinion

Rally behind CA farmworkers

California radio ads aim to dissuade farmworker organizing, (sacbee.com, April 15)

Farmworkers make the world go round and still the fight to combat unfair labor practices continues. There has been a spread of misinformation among farmworkers that have made the fight seem impossible to attain fair working conditions. The spread of misinformation is causing a lot of discouragement among our farmworking community in the attempt to unionize and attain better working conditions.

There is also a sense of farmworkers feeling discouraged from participating in the union elections we worked so hard to establish last year, with a 335-mile journey to have the farmworker union election bill passed.

Helping combat the spread of misinformation allows us to give a voice to those who are so often minimized. Its time we advocate for our farmworkers and rally behind them. Our farmworker communities that keep our nation running should finally be appreciated for all their hard work and treated fairly in their workplace.

Ariana Sandoval

Hollister

Protecting local youth

Modesto police raid smoke shops, seizing flavored tobacco, cannabis and gambling machines, (modbee.com, March 28)

I am deeply concerned about the recent crackdown on illegal tobacco and cannabis product sales in our community. As a member of the TOPS Tobacco Prevention Coalition, this has been a growing concern in many of the communities in Stanislaus County.

Participants in a Young Adult Tobacco Purchase Survey facilitated by Compromiso Adelante revealed that Ceres and Riverbank had an illegal underage sales rate of one out of four and one out of five stores, respectively. Another agency from the TOPS Coalition conducted a Local Adult Flavored Tobacco Purchase Survey in Modesto focusing on the illegal sale of banned flavored products. It found that nearly two out of five stores still had flavored tobacco products available for purchase.

This is not just a matter of law enforcement, its about safeguarding the health and well-being of our youth. Flavored products specifically target youth and entice them to become lifelong users. Its imperative that stricter measures are put in place to prevent these sales and protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.

David Cisneros

Compromiso Adelante

California Health Collaborative

Opinion

Keep landline service

AT&T requests to withdraw landline services in California, (sacbee.com, Feb. 8)

AT&T has filed a request with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to not be held responsible for the current requirement to provide mandatory landline phone service in most of California. Landlines are the only safe, affordable and reliable phone service. If AT&T was granted this request, the company would no longer be required to offer this low-cost service.

These copper wire landlines are the only emergency lifelines when the power goes out, with cell phone service being mostly spotty in rural areas. There is still time to offer comments to the CPUC  I have submitted my own via the commissions website.

Daniel Marsh

Modesto

Furious with PG&E

PG&E customers were billed for a TV promo campaign, (sacbee.com, April 14)

Every time I saw these ads, my blood boiled. The utility could have opted for above-ground insulation and an update of its antiquated infrastructure to achieve excellent utility wildfire mitigation in a fraction of the time needed to complete its planned undergrounding and at a fraction of the cost.

The notion that the public should foot the bill for propaganda intended to convince viewers that PG&Es undergrounding plans are purely altruistic is ludicrous. One need only consider the utilitys sordid history of putting profit over people and its record $2.2 billion earnings last year to recognize these ads were rubbish, meant to con and not inform. I would be laughing at the absurdity of it all except my blood is busy boiling so much that my brain might explode.

Jennifer Normoyle

Hillsborough

California deserves better

PG&E customers were billed for a TV promo campaign, (sacbee.com, April 14)

PG&E has record profits, yet it raised its electricity rates in January. PG&E customers are now being billed for ads touting their underground work. This corporation is a convicted felon.

Their incompetence has killed California residents time and time again. They blew up San Bruno and burned Santa Rosa and Napa. The California Public Utilities Commission doesnt regulate them, it enables them. California deserves better than this.

PG&E serves their shareholders, and California businesses and residents suffer.

Michael Scott Bloom

Auburn
In the most powerful, advanced country in the world, how is it that many parents, myself included, are still haunted by the same question: Will my child be safe at school today?

Threats made toward schools, whether through words or writing, have been on the rise nationally in recent years. The FBI recorded a whopping 60% increase in the number of school threats across the U.S. in 2022. Over the past year, there were at least nine school threats made across Senate District 4 in over half the counties I represent, including Amador, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Merced and Stanislaus counties.

An alarming incident unfolded in November 2023 when Jason Vassar, a Belleview Elementary school board trustee in Tuolumne County, submitted a chilling 90-plus page manifesto detailing himself as an executioner to school officials. His manifesto was split into three parts, with one particularly disturbing statement read, I was kind of shocked to read in Revelations that I was going to be the executioner for God and kill your children. Vassar is required by a restraining order to stay at least 1,000 feet from the Belleview school campus.

It is appalling to me that any individual with such thoughts would serve in public office, let alone step foot on a school campus. In several incidents across my district, there were no criminal charges filed against the person making threats.

Opinion

While we are beyond fortunate Vassar had not acted on the words contained in his manifesto, there is no criminal case against him as the matter stands now. According to the Tuolumne County District Attorneys Office, there is no crime to charge him with.

And this isnt just a problem here in Senate District 4 issue. In the city of Davis, in Yolo County, the issue of school threats has created a high level of fear and anxiety among some teachers, students and parents. One teacher I spoke with who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons told me there have been at least half a dozen threats made near or at North Davis Elementary since Fall of 2023; she has been teaching there for the past four years.

The Davis teacher specifically recalled an incident during the first few weeks of the school year, where a bomb threat sent the school into lock-down.

For 70 minutes, we were trying to calm and reassure 180 kids inside the multi-purpose room, the teacher said, adding that these incidents not only create feelings of anger, apprehension, fear and panic, but they promote an unhealthy learning environment for students and teachers.

Our goal as teachers is to keep our kids safe both mentally and physically, the teacher said. If students arent feeling safe, how can we expect them to excel?

This incident haunts another North Davis Elementary mother who also requested to remain anonymous, fearing for the safety of her family.

I could hear the sirens go off, and I didnt know where my six-year-old son was, she said. I thought, Is there an active shooter? Do I go get my son? Do I wait outside the school, or should I wait for administrators to call me?

She later learned that her son was huddled underneath his desk for over an hour  an experience that left him traumatized. His mother says he recently began going to therapy for his anxiety.

He went from loving school to ... not wanting to go, she said.

Yet again, no arrests were made in this particular incident. But an act of terror without consequences is just unacceptable.

My bill, Senate Bill 796, would make it a serious crime for anyone to make a threat toward a school or a place of worship, whether or not there is intent to carry out the threat. The incident involving Vassar is a prime example for why we need to implement stricter laws to hold individuals with nefarious intentions accountable.

We cannot afford to wait for a tragedy to occur before deciding it is the right time to address safety in schools and places of worship.

In December, I met with Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Zack Abernathy to discuss the incident involving Vassar. Our thoughtful conversation has led to our teams working collectively to organize a town hall in Tuolumne County in the coming months to hear from constituents, law enforcement and faith-based organizations. By engaging with the greater community, we can share valuable information that can shape the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure the highest level of safety across our community.

We must address this issue before it is too late. SB 796 will create the legal framework law enforcement needs to prosecute those who make threats to the fullest extent of the law. By holding these individuals accountable, SB 796 can also act as a deterrent to reduce the occurrence of threats, creating a safer environment for our children to learn and our families to worship without fear of harm.

Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil represents District 4, including Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Madera, Merced, Mono, Nevada and Inyo Counties.
From timing to prayers: Why is this Passover so different? Brevard rabbi explains

The four cups of wine, the matzo and the countless prayers will all be there when the sun sets Monday, ushering in the eight-day festival of Passover. But on a night of many questions, one might linger for the casual observer of the longstanding Jewish holiday; why does Passover seem to be arriving later than usual this year?

People are used to seeing Passover and Easter celebrated around the same time. And usually thats true but this year is a leap year, said Rabbi Craig Mayers of Temple Beth Sholom in Melbourne. This year, Passover is about a month later than usual.

Rabbi Zvi Konikov and Rabbi Craig Mayers participate in a candlelight memorial as part of a Prayer Gathering for Israel held in October at Temple Beth Sholom synagogue in Suntree.

The Jewish calendar is focused on both the moon and sun and has an average of 364 days. Without any intervention, the holidays would begin earlier each year. So we add an extra month because we are given a biblical commandment to keep the holiday in spring, Mayers explained.

In the Christian tradition  with a calendar that revolves around the sun  Easter typically falls on the first Sunday of spring.

What does the sun or moon have to do with Passover?

The Orthodox churchs celebration of Easter  called Pascha, a term derived from the Hebrew term for Passover  as a rule falls on the Sunday after the Jewish Passover as recognition of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the same week in the New Testament. Orthodox Christians will mark Pascha on May 5, more than a month after Catholics and most Protestants celebrated Easter on March 31.

In Islam, the calendar is based on lunar movement. That means the month of Ramadan  considered the holiest on the Muslim calendar  arrives earlier and earlier each year and can coincide with holidays like Christmas and Easter as it moves across the calendar over a period of several years.

Passover, with its themes of liberation and freedom, marks the Israelites exodus from Egypt where they were enslaved more than 3,300 years ago, according to the Torah, the holy scriptures that make up the first five books of the Bible. The scripture teaches that the Israelite tribes left Egypt with such haste that their bread did not have a chance to rise. The holy day, marked by a ritual meal of unleavened bread and wine, begins sundown Monday.

Overcoming bigotry: Black and Jewish: Overcoming the darkness of bigotry with light of Hanukkah

This Passover will also be different worldwide as massive anti-Israel protests continue at college campuses, in town squares and even near Jewish institutions such as synagogues. Already in Brevard, the three major Jewish congregations will have an extra boost of security.

What else makes this Passover different from others?

The celebrations and feasting will be tempered with additional prayers for the hostages who were kidnapped in Israel during the Oct. 7 incursions by Hamas terrorists near the border with Gaza. An estimated 1,200 people were killed as gunmen roamed the countryside, targeting kibbutzim and young adults attending a music festival in the Jewish state. Some 100 hostages, including women and children, remain held in war-torn Gaza. An estimated 30,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the Israel response to root out Hamas from the Gaza Strip.

This year, some in Israel will commemorate Passover in the burned villages targeted by Hamas. Others will recall the destruction caused as a result of the war during the reciting of the Ten Plagues during the Seder meal. There will also be special prayers calling on the Israeli captives to be released.

The chief rabbi in Israel asked that we add additional prayer for the hostages, Mayers said. And we will.

J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: From prayers to timing, what makes this Passover so different?
Malek Hajar, senior project manager at the Vanbarton Group, shows a bathroom inside a model apartment while touring a New York City high-rise undergoing conversion from commercial to residential apartments in April 2023. States are stepping in with tax breaks and zoning changes to help cities and suburbs replace vacant office space with much-needed housing. Bebeto Matthews/The Associated Press

HERNDON, Va.  Juan Ramirez, watching his dog play in Chandon Park here in suburban Virginia on a Saturday morning, tries to imagine the massive office buildings next to the park becoming apartments and townhouses.

I guess its inevitable. People dont use offices as much now. I hope its affordable. Maybe itll bring more young people to town, more taxes for parks, said Ramirez, 38, who grew up in the area and returned recently to take a restaurant management job after living in Minnesota and Ohio.

Cities and suburbs around the country are struggling with vacant office space as remote work becomes an established post-pandemic reality. States are stepping in with tax breaks and zoning changes to help replace the unwanted cubicle farms with much-needed housing. In suburbs such as Herndon, the answer might be tearing down an office complex and replacing it with a residential building. In more urban environments it might mean renovating and retrofitting office buildings to create apartments.

Office vacancy has climbed to a 30-year high and at the same time theres a housing shortage. So naturally the question is, Why can we not convert all these vacant office buildings into housing? said Jessica Morin, research director for CBRE, a commercial real estate firm. CBRE research shows converting offices to other uses, mostly housing, is set to peak this year at more than 20 million square feet, up from 6.3 million in 2021.

Some places that started conversions before the pandemic are leading the way: New York state and New York City changed their laws during a 1990s downturn to allow more office-to-apartment conversions in Manhattan, although now theres a state vs. city standoff on zoning rules to convert newer offices.

Ohio, where interest in city living grew when Cleveland spruced up its downtown for the 2016 Republican convention, now has three cities  Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus  in the top 15 list for office conversions to housing, according to CBRE.

Nationwide, 119 office conversion projects, including for residential and other use, are under construction or were completed this year, the most since CBRE began tracking them in 2016. Those projects could add about 44,000 new housing units when completed.

Since 2016, projects representing 125 million square feet of offices have or are slated to be converted to other uses, usually to housing but sometimes to warehouses or laboratories. But despite the recent increase, that represents only about 2% of all U.S. office space.

Impediments to making apartments out of offices include the still-high value of office buildings in some downtown areas in cities such as San Francisco, and the cost of demolishing or refitting old office buildings with plumbing for individual kitchens and bathrooms. Many office buildings also lack windows with natural light, which apartment-dwellers often demand.

Thats why state incentives have played a large part, as well as streamlined zoning that makes project costs more predictable for developers. Some states are further along than others. A new California law allows residential building by right in office and other commercial zones, meaning developers dont have to petition for a zoning change. Washington state passed a law last year requiring cities to ease zoning requirements for housing in existing commercial buildings. And an Arizona bill signed into law this month will allow larger cities to convert more commercial buildings into housing without zoning changes.

Predictable zoning rules are important to developers who dont want to get bogged down in negotiations and refusals that could sink a project.

Developers just urge their states and localities to be really transparent, streamline the process, make the unknowns limited, because its the unknowns that drive risks, said Julie Whelan, a vice president at CBRE. Otherwise, theyre going to go look at the next pasture.

Incentive programs

In addition to the Ohio cities, Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Hartford and Fairfield County in Connecticut; the Kansas City metro area; Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Pittsburgh; Milwaukee; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C., are on CBREs top 15 list for rate of office space converted to apartments.

Ohio has two incentive programs for office conversion to housing. A 2020 program for transformational projects that could spur further development helped convert four floors of offices to apartments under construction at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. A historic building preservation incentive in place since 2007 helped partly convert Carew Tower in Cincinnati to apartments, said Mason Waldvogel, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Development.

Missouri is hoping to replicate that success in St. Louis, where about a quarter of the commercial space, including offices, is vacant. That includes the massive 44-story One AT&T Building downtown, with almost 1.5 million square feet, that sold for $3.6 million this month, compared with $205 million in 2006.

Missouri state Sen. Steven Roberts, a Democrat who represents the downtown St. Louis area, said a bill hes sponsoring has bipartisan support from suburban Republicans, and is aimed at creating downtown areas in St. Louis and elsewhere where people can live, shop and eat as well as work. The bill was voted out of committee in February and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.

The bill would create a state tax credit for up to 30% of the cost of converting office space to housing, retail or other uses.

Its a creative workaround to make downtown more vibrant and successful. We want to get more restaurants, more stores, more nightlife  and the way to do that is to get more people living there, said Roberts. Its an issue for downtown and also for the whole state.

Other states have enacted laws to encourage more conversion of offices to housing, according to a Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank report last year. Laws passed by Florida and Montana in 2023 allow new and converted multifamily housing in commercial areas, and laws in Rhode Island and Wisconsin support conversion of existing commercial and office buildings.

A Colorado bill now in committee would provide tax credits for commercial conversion to housing starting in 2026, supporting Denvers plans to transition its office-oriented Central Business District to a Central Neighborhood District. Denver identified 16 commercial buildings as prime candidates for housing.

Zoning changes

Starting in the mid-1990s, a combination of state and city laws helped transform lower Manhattans business district with more apartments, a process that accelerated after 9/11. A proposal by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand the program to newer buildings failed to pass the legislature as part of a broader measure that included requirements for suburban and upstate communities to build more housing. Negotiations are continuing with lawmakers to make the change for New York City this year.

New York City also has begun working on its own rules to allow office-to-housing conversions citywide for buildings built before 1990, said Casey Berkovitz, spokesperson for the Department of City Planning. The state could do it faster and could also create tax incentives that the city cannot create on its own, and thats also part of current negotiations with the state legislature, Berkovitz said.

When you have a 20% office vacancy rate and a 1.4% rental apartment vacancy rate, it makes a lot of sense to substitute one for the other, Berkovitz said. We dont want our own regulations standing in the way of that if it makes financial sense.

In Herndon, town officials last month approved a zoning change that would clear the way for demolition of the Worldgate Drive offices and the construction of a combination of rental apartments, townhouses and two over two units with accessory living areas an owner can rent out or share with family members. All apartments would be market rate without subsidized affordable units, Ken Wire, an attorney for the developer, Boston Properties, said at last months hearing on the zoning change.

We believe that by providing more housing in the area, we are adding to the overall supply, which thereby reduces price pressures in the market, Wire said.

Virginia considered two state Senate bills this session that would have created incentives to convert offices to apartments but neither has passed, said Allison Brown, policy associate for the nonprofit Virginia Housing Alliance. One would have created a state income tax credit for office-to-residential conversion, and another would have allowed more residential building in commercial areas if they included affordable housing.

The Worldgate Drive housing plan may spur Herndon to change its zoning rules to allow similar projects without zoning changes, said Elizabeth Gilleran, the towns director of community development.

Herndon wants to retain its sense of community and historic small-town feel but also keep a strong commercial tax base that has helped support the towns tax coffers when home values inevitably rise and fall, Gilleran said. The town recently approved conversion of a small office park and a hotel to homes. But offices and other commercial buildings will remain a key component of the towns suburban building mix as density grows with a recent new commuter rail stop that opened in 2022.

The town doesnt wish to become a bedroom community, Gilleran said.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing

Malek Hajar, senior project manager at the Vanbarton Group, shows a bathroom inside a model apartment while touring a New York City high-rise undergoing conversion from commercial to residential apartments in April 2023

Malek Hajar, senior project manager at the Vanbarton Group, shows a bathroom inside a model apartment while touring a New York City high-rise undergoing conversion from commercial to residential apartments in April 2023. States are stepping in with tax breaks and zoning changes to help cities and suburbs replace vacant office space with much-needed housing. (Bebeto Matthews/The Associated Press)

Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing.

HERNDON, Va.  Juan Ramirez, watching his dog play in Chandon Park here in suburban Virginia on a Saturday morning, tries to imagine the massive office buildings next to the park becoming apartments and townhouses.

I guess its inevitable. People dont use offices as much now. I hope its affordable. Maybe itll bring more young people to town, more taxes for parks, said Ramirez, 38, who grew up in the area and returned recently to take a restaurant management job after living in Minnesota and Ohio.

Cities and suburbs around the country are struggling with vacant office space as remote work becomes an established post-pandemic reality. States are stepping in with tax breaks and zoning changes to help replace the unwanted cubicle farms with much-needed housing. In suburbs such as Herndon, the answer might be tearing down an office complex and replacing it with a residential building. In more urban environments it might mean renovating and retrofitting office buildings to create apartments.

Office vacancy has climbed to a 30-year high and at the same time theres a housing shortage. So naturally the question is, Why can we not convert all these vacant office buildings into housing? said Jessica Morin, research director for CBRE, a commercial real estate firm. CBRE research shows converting offices to other uses, mostly housing, is set to peak this year at more than 20 million square feet, up from 6.3 million in 2021.

Some places that started conversions before the pandemic are leading the way: New York state and New York City changed their laws during a 1990s downturn to allow more office-to-apartment conversions in Manhattan, although now theres a state vs. city standoff on zoning rules to convert newer offices.

Ohio, where interest in city living grew when Cleveland spruced up its downtown for the 2016 Republican convention, now has three cities  Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus  in the top 15 list for office conversions to housing, according to CBRE.

Nationwide, 119 office conversion projects, including for residential and other use, are under construction or were completed this year, the most since CBRE began tracking them in 2016. Those projects could add about 44,000 new housing units when completed.

Juan Ramirez, at a dog park in Herndon, Virginia, said he hopes new housing will bring more affordability and young people to the suburban area where he grew up. In the background are vacant offices slated to be torn down to build apartments and townhouses

Juan Ramirez, at a dog park in Herndon, Virginia, said he hopes new housing will bring more affordability and young people to the suburban area where he grew up. In the background are vacant offices slated to be torn down to build apartments and townhouses. (Tim Henderson/Stateline)

Since 2016, projects representing 125 million square feet of offices have or are slated to be converted to other uses, usually to housing but sometimes to warehouses or laboratories. But despite the recent increase, that represents only about 2% of all U.S. office space.

Impediments to making apartments out of offices include the still-high value of office buildings in some downtown areas in cities such as San Francisco, and the cost of demolishing or refitting old office buildings with plumbing for individual kitchens and bathrooms. Many office buildings also lack windows with natural light, which apartment-dwellers often demand.

Thats why state incentives have played a large part, as well as streamlined zoning that makes project costs more predictable for developers. Some states are further along than others. A new California law allows residential building by right in office and other commercial zones, meaning developers dont have to petition for a zoning change. Washington state passed a law last year requiring cities to ease zoning requirements for housing in existing commercial buildings. And an Arizona bill signed into law this month will allow larger cities to convert more commercial buildings into housing without zoning changes.

Predictable zoning rules are important to developers who dont want to get bogged down in negotiations and refusals that could sink a project.

Developers just urge their states and localities to be really transparent, streamline the process, make the unknowns limited, because its the unknowns that drive risks, said Julie Whelan, a vice president at CBRE. Otherwise, theyre going to go look at the next pasture.

Incentive programs

In addition to the Ohio cities, Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Hartford and Fairfield County in Connecticut; the Kansas City metro area; Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Pittsburgh; Milwaukee; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C., are on CBREs top 15 list for rate of office space converted to apartments.

Ohio has two incentive programs for office conversion to housing. A 2020 program for transformational projects that could spur further development helped convert four floors of offices to apartments under construction at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. A historic building preservation incentive in place since 2007 helped partly convert Carew Tower in Cincinnati to apartments, said Mason Waldvogel, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Development.

Missouri is hoping to replicate that success in St. Louis, where about a quarter of the commercial space, including offices, is vacant. That includes the massive 44-story One AT&T Building downtown, with almost 1.5 million square feet, that sold for $3.6 million this month, compared with $205 million in 2006.

Missouri state Sen. Steven Roberts, a Democrat who represents the downtown St. Louis area, said a bill hes sponsoring has bipartisan support from suburban Republicans, and is aimed at creating downtown areas in St. Louis and elsewhere where people can live, shop and eat as well as work. The bill was voted out of committee in February and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.

The bill would create a state tax credit for up to 30% of the cost of converting office space to housing, retail or other uses.

Its a creative workaround to make downtown more vibrant and successful. We want to get more restaurants, more stores, more nightlife  and the way to do that is to get more people living there, said Roberts. Its an issue for downtown and also for the whole state.

Other states have enacted laws to encourage more conversion of offices to housing, according to a Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank report last year. Laws passed by Florida and Montana in 2023 allow new and converted multifamily housing in commercial areas, and laws in Rhode Island and Wisconsin support conversion of existing commercial and office buildings.

A Colorado bill now in committee would provide tax credits for commercial conversion to housing starting in 2026, supporting Denvers plans to transition its office-oriented Central Business District to a Central Neighborhood District. Denver identified 16 commercial buildings as prime candidates for housing.

A vacant former government office complex at 13100-13150 Worldgate Drive in Herndon, Virginia, is slated for demolition to build apartments and townhouses.

A vacant former government office complex at 13100-13150 Worldgate Drive in Herndon, Virginia, is slated for demolition to build apartments and townhouses. (Tim Henderson/Stateline)

Zoning changes

Starting in the mid-1990s, a combination of state and city laws helped transform lower Manhattans business district with more apartments, a process that accelerated after 9/11. A proposal by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand the program to newer buildings failed to pass the legislature as part of a broader measure that included requirements for suburban and upstate communities to build more housing. Negotiations are continuing with lawmakers to make the change for New York City this year.

New York City also has begun working on its own rules to allow office-to-housing conversions citywide for buildings built before 1990, said Casey Berkovitz, spokesperson for the Department of City Planning. The state could do it faster and could also create tax incentives that the city cannot create on its own, and thats also part of current negotiations with the state legislature, Berkovitz said.

When you have a 20% office vacancy rate and a 1.4% rental apartment vacancy rate, it makes a lot of sense to substitute one for the other, Berkovitz said. We dont want our own regulations standing in the way of that if it makes financial sense.

In Herndon, town officials last month approved a zoning change that would clear the way for demolition of the Worldgate Drive offices and the construction of a combination of rental apartments, townhouses and two over two units with accessory living areas an owner can rent out or share with family members. All apartments would be market rate without subsidized affordable units, Ken Wire, an attorney for the developer, Boston Properties, said at last months hearing on the zoning change.

We believe that by providing more housing in the area, we are adding to the overall supply, which thereby reduces price pressures in the market, Wire said.

Virginia considered two state Senate bills this session that would have created incentives to convert offices to apartments but neither has passed, said Allison Brown, policy associate for the nonprofit Virginia Housing Alliance. One would have created a state income tax credit for office-to-residential conversion, and another would have allowed more residential building in commercial areas if they included affordable housing.

The Worldgate Drive housing plan may spur Herndon to change its zoning rules to allow similar projects without zoning changes, said Elizabeth Gilleran, the towns director of community development.

Herndon wants to retain its sense of community and historic small-town feel but also keep a strong commercial tax base that has helped support the towns tax coffers when home values inevitably rise and fall, Gilleran said. The town recently approved conversion of a small office park and a hotel to homes. But offices and other commercial buildings will remain a key component of the towns suburban building mix as density grows with a recent new commuter rail stop that opened in 2022.

The town doesnt wish to become a bedroom community, Gilleran said.

This story was produced by Stateline, a States Newsroom affiliate.

The post Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Signify fair value estimate is 54.73

Current share price of 28.38 suggests Signify is potentially 48% undervalued

Analyst price target for LIGHT is 34.48 which is 37% below our fair value estimate

How far off is Signify N.V. (AMS:LIGHT) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Signify

The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 426.8m 483.6m 509.0m 499.2m 493.7m 490.9m 490.1m 490.7m 492.2m 494.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Est @ -1.92% Est @ -1.12% Est @ -0.55% Est @ -0.16% Est @ 0.12% Est @ 0.31% Est @ 0.44% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.5% 397 418 410 374 344 318 295 275 257 240

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 3.3b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.8%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.5%.

Story continues

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 494m (1 + 0.8%)  (7.5% 0.8%) = 7.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 7.4b ( 1 + 7.5%)10= 3.6b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 6.9b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 28.4, the company appears quite good value at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Signify as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.465. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Signify

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electrical market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Dutch market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Signify, we've compiled three fundamental factors you should further research:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for Signify we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does LIGHT's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Dutch stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



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.
Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing

Malek Hajar, senior project manager at the Vanbarton Group, shows a bathroom inside a model apartment while touring a high rise undergoing conversion from commercial to residential apartments, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in New York.

Malek Hajar, senior project manager at the Vanbarton Group, shows a bathroom inside a model apartment while touring a high rise undergoing conversion from commercial to residential apartments, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in New York. A growing number of developers are considering converting empty office towers into housing as part of an effort to revive struggling downtown business districts that emptied out during the pandemic. (Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo)

HERNDON, Va.  Juan Ramirez, watching his dog play in Chandon Park here in suburban Virginia on a Saturday morning, tries to imagine the massive office buildings next to the park becoming apartments and townhouses.

I guess its inevitable. People dont use offices as much now. I hope its affordable. Maybe itll bring more young people to town, more taxes for parks, said Ramirez, 38, who grew up in the area and returned recently to take a restaurant management job after living in Minnesota and Ohio.

Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing.

Cities and suburbs around the country are struggling with vacant office space as remote work becomes an established post-pandemic reality. States are stepping in with tax breaks and zoning changes to help replace the unwanted cubicle farms with much-needed housing. In suburbs such as Herndon, the answer might be tearing down an office complex and replacing it with a residential building. In more urban environments it might mean renovating and retrofitting office buildings to create apartments.

Office vacancy has climbed to a 30-year high and at the same time theres a housing shortage. So naturally the question is, Why can we not convert all these vacant office buildings into housing? said Jessica Morin, research director for CBRE, a commercial real estate firm. CBRE research shows converting offices to other uses, mostly housing, is set to peak this year at more than 20 million square feet, up from 6.3 million in 2021.

Some places that started conversions before the pandemic are leading the way: New York state and New York City changed their laws during a 1990s downturn to allow more office-to-apartment conversions in Manhattan, although now theres a state vs. city standoff on zoning rules to convert newer offices.

Ohio, where interest in city living grew when Cleveland spruced up its downtown for the 2016 Republican convention, now has three cities  Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus  in the top 15 list for office conversions to housing, according to CBRE.

Nationwide, 119 office conversion projects, including for residential and other use, are under construction or were completed this year, the most since CBRE began tracking them in 2016. Those projects could add about 44,000 new housing units when completed.

Since 2016, projects representing 125 million square feet of offices have or are slated to be converted to other uses, usually to housing but sometimes to warehouses or laboratories. But despite the recent increase, that represents only about 2% of all U.S. office space.

Impediments to making apartments out of offices include the still-high value of office buildings in some downtown areas in cities such as San Francisco, and the cost of demolishing or refitting old office buildings with plumbing for individual kitchens and bathrooms. Many office buildings also lack windows with natural light, which apartment-dwellers often demand.

Thats why state incentives have played a large part, as well as streamlined zoning that makes project costs more predictable for developers. Some states are further along than others. A new California law allows residential building by right in office and other commercial zones, meaning developers dont have to petition for a zoning change. Washington state passed a law last year requiring cities to ease zoning requirements for housing in existing commercial buildings. And an Arizona bill signed into law this month will allow larger cities to convert more commercial buildings into housing without zoning changes.

Predictable zoning rules are important to developers who dont want to get bogged down in negotiations and refusals that could sink a project.

Developers just urge their states and localities to be really transparent, streamline the process, make the unknowns limited, because its the unknowns that drive risks, said Julie Whelan, a vice president at CBRE. Otherwise, theyre going to go look at the next pasture.

Incentive programs

In addition to the Ohio cities, Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Hartford and Fairfield County in Connecticut; the Kansas City metro area; Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Pittsburgh; Milwaukee; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C., are on CBREs top 15 list for rate of office space converted to apartments.

Ohio has two incentive programs for office conversion to housing. A 2020 program for transformational projects that could spur further development helped convert four floors of offices to apartments under construction at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. A historic building preservation incentive in place since 2007 helped partly convert Carew Tower in Cincinnati to apartments, said Mason Waldvogel, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Development.

Missouri is hoping to replicate that success in St. Louis, where about a quarter of the commercial space, including offices, is vacant. That includes the massive 44-story One AT&T Building downtown, with almost 1.5 million square feet, that sold for $3.6 million this month, compared with $205 million in 2006.

Missouri state Sen. Steven Roberts, a Democrat who represents the downtown St. Louis area, said a bill hes sponsoring has bipartisan support from suburban Republicans, and is aimed at creating downtown areas in St. Louis and elsewhere where people can live, shop and eat as well as work. The bill was voted out of committee in February and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.

The bill would create a state tax credit for up to 30% of the cost of converting office space to housing, retail or other uses.

Its a creative workaround to make downtown more vibrant and successful. We want to get more restaurants, more stores, more nightlife  and the way to do that is to get more people living there, said Roberts. Its an issue for downtown and also for the whole state.

Other states have enacted laws to encourage more conversion of offices to housing, according to a Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank report last year. Laws passed by Florida and Montana in 2023 allow new and converted multifamily housing in commercial areas, and laws in Rhode Island and Wisconsin support conversion of existing commercial and office buildings.

A Colorado bill now in committee would provide tax credits for commercial conversion to housing starting in 2026, supporting Denvers plans to transition its office-oriented Central Business District to a Central Neighborhood District. Denver identified 16 commercial buildings as prime candidates for housing.

Juan Ramirez at a dog park in Herndon, Virginia

Juan Ramirez at a dog park in Herndon, Virginia., said he hopes new housing will bring more affordability and young people to the suburban area where he grew up. In the background are vacant offices slated to be torn down to build apartments and townhouses. (Tim Henderson/Stateline)

Zoning changes

Starting in the mid-1990s, a combination of state and city laws helped transform lower Manhattans business district with more apartments, a process that accelerated after 9/11. A proposal by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand the program to newer buildings failed to pass the legislature as part of a broader measure that included requirements for suburban and upstate communities to build more housing. Negotiations are continuing with lawmakers to make the change for New York City this year.

When you have a 20% office vacancy rate and a 1.4% rental apartment vacancy rate, it makes a lot of sense to substitute one for the other.

 Casey Berkovitz, New York City Department of City Planning

New York City also has begun working on its own rules to allow office-to-housing conversions citywide for buildings built before 1990, said Casey Berkovitz, spokesperson for the Department of City Planning. The state could do it faster and could also create tax incentives that the city cannot create on its own, and thats also part of current negotiations with the state legislature, Berkovitz said.

When you have a 20% office vacancy rate and a 1.4% rental apartment vacancy rate, it makes a lot of sense to substitute one for the other, Berkovitz said. We dont want our own regulations standing in the way of that if it makes financial sense.

In Herndon, town officials last month approved a zoning change that would clear the way for demolition of the Worldgate Drive offices and the construction of a combination of rental apartments, townhouses and two over two units with accessory living areas an owner can rent out or share with family members. All apartments would be market rate without subsidized affordable units, Ken Wire, an attorney for the developer, Boston Properties, said at last months hearing on the zoning change.

We believe that by providing more housing in the area, we are adding to the overall supply, which thereby reduces price pressures in the market, Wire said.

A vacant former government office complex in Herndon, Virginia, is slated for demolition to build apartments and townhouses.

A vacant former government office complex in Herndon, Virginia, is slated for demolition to build apartments and townhouses. (Tim Henderson/Stateline)

Virginia considered two state Senate bills this session that would have created incentives to convert offices to apartments but neither has passed, said Allison Brown, policy associate for the nonprofit Virginia Housing Alliance. One would have created a state income tax credit for office-to-residential conversion, and another would have allowed more residential building in commercial areas if they included affordable housing.

The Worldgate Drive housing plan may spur Herndon to change its zoning rules to allow similar projects without zoning changes, said Elizabeth Gilleran, the towns director of community development.

Herndon wants to retain its sense of community and historic small-town feel but also keep a strong commercial tax base that has helped support the towns tax coffers when home values inevitably rise and fall, Gilleran said. The town recently approved conversion of a small office park and a hotel to homes. But offices and other commercial buildings will remain a key component of the towns suburban building mix as density grows with a recent new commuter rail stop that opened in 2022.

The town doesnt wish to become a bedroom community, Gilleran said.

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The post Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Topeka man seriously hurt after he fired gunshots toward police. Four officers fired back

Topeka police shot and wounded a man after he fired gunshots in the direction of officers during a foot chase about 3:25 p.m. Saturday near S.W. 16th and Tyler, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said.

Terrell D. Hayes-Osby, 34, of Topeka, was admitted to a Topeka hospital, where he was listed in serious condition but expected to survive, said Melissa Underwood, communications director for the KBI.

No law enforcement officers were hurt, she said.

Hayes-Osby served prison time for a Topeka murder committed in 2006, Topeka Capital-Journal archives show.

The KBI was investigating and planned to forward investigative reports to the office of Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay, who would decide whether any criminal charges would be filed, Underwood said.

Topeka police shot and wounded a man after he fired gunshots in the direction of officers during a foot chase about 3:25 p.m. Saturday near S.W. 16th and Harrison,

What happened?

The circumstances involved began when police responded just before 2 p.m. Saturday on a report that a man who carried a handgun and acted erratically had taken a car during a robbery in the 2700 block of S.E. California Avenue, said police Maj. Jana Kizzar.

Police subsequently received additional calls from citizens reporting they had seen that man, Kizzar said.

At about 3:10 p.m., Underwood said, a 911 caller reported a man connected to the earlier carjacking was on foot in the area of S.W. 16th and Harrison.

That man subsequently led police on a pursuit that went west on S.W. 16th across S.W. Topeka Boulevard, Underwood said.

"During the pursuit, Hayes-Osby fired in the direction of officers," she said. "Four officers from TPD returned fire. Hayes-Osby was struck."

Information wasn't being released about how many of the officers' gunshots struck Hayes-Osby.

How did Hayes-Osby make news in 2006?

Hayes-Osby was convicted of a 2006 Topeka murder and served as a key witness at the subsequent trial in which Antwan Peppers, leader of Topeka's Traveling Vice Lords gang, was convicted of murder.

Hayes-Osby admitted he fatally shot Trever Antwan "Little Twan" Harness, 21, on July 14, 2006, at S.W. 4th and Clay.

Hayes Osby said Peppers in retaliation then shot Hayes-Osby and Jermaine Cunningham on July 15, 2006, as they sat in a car in front of Terry's Bar & Grill, 522 S.W. 6th Ave. Cunningham died.

Hayes-Osby testified at proceedings in which Peppers was convicted of the intentional first-degree murder of Cunningham and the attempted first-degree murder of Hayes-Osby, then sentenced to serve at least 50 years in prison before becoming parole-eligible.

Hayes-Osby accepted an agreement through which he pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder. He has since been in and out of prison, most recently having been released Feb. 16, Kansas Department of Corrections records show.

Peppers remains an inmate at Lansing Correctional Facility.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka police shoot and seriously wound fleeing man who shot at them
If a tornado didnt hit York County, what did? Severe Weather Center 9 explains:

People in York County had to take cover during severe weather tore through the area on Saturday.

The damage to homes, businesses, cars and roads was so intense that many viewers asked Channel 9 if it was a tornado.

>>> SEE PICTURES VIEWERS SENT FROM THE STORM DAMAGE BELOW:

A gas station on Highway 72 was twisted by the winds on Saturday.

Hail the size of golf balls pelted York County residents on Saturday.

Flooding on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

The storm blew in the windows of a store on Highway 72.

A gas station on Highway 72 was twisted by the winds on Saturday.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

A tree fell into this home in Rock Hill.

Wind gusts over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

A tree knocked into a power line, catching fire.

Winds over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

Hail littered the ground in Rock Hill.

Hail littered the ground in Rock Hill.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

A tree fell on a house on Lige Street in Rock Hill.

Winds over 60 mph uprooted trees throughout Rock Hill, like this one in Blanche Circle.

Wind gusts over 60 mph knocked down trees throughout Rock Hill.

The Roddey Park neighborhood was hit hard by the macroblast on Saturday.

The National Weather Service clarified that there were no reports of a tornado, and the environment was not conducive for tornado development.

PREVIOUS: Severe thunderstorms bring large hail, knock down trees, cuts power to thousands

At the moment, the NWS believes it may have been a macroburst.

Channel 9s Severe Weather Center Meteorologist Madi Baggett explains that a macroburst is a quick hit of strong, straight-lined winds coming from a storm cloud.

The air leaving the downburst is cooled and is capable of producing wind gusts over 160 mph. A macroburst is defined as a large downburst with a wind field extending over 2.5 miles long. Macrobursts are wider than a mircoburst but often not as strong.

Baggett says the radar showed wind gusts faster than 60 mph in Yorks Saturday night cell.

(WATCH: Severe thunderstorms bring large hail, knock down trees, cut power across area)
A Trump-Abbott ticket for 2024? No way. But Texas AG Ken Paxton is the perfect choice | Opinion

Who has more in common?

Cynthia M. Allen makes a case for Donald Trump naming Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as his running mate. (April 14, 5C, Abbott for VP? Heres why hes a good choice for Trump) I would argue that state Attorney General Ken Paxton would be a better choice. That way, the entire ticket would have a history of demonstrably false statements, misuse of public funds, felony criminal charges, grand jury indictments and impeachments.

Does a ticket made up of shady characters at the top sound good?

- Owen Daniel, Fort Worth

Opposition on loans isnt envy

LZ Granderson opines in his April 12 commentary that opposition to student loan forgiveness is based on envy. (13A, Forgiving student loans is the least we can do)

Hardly. My opposition (and that of most who oppose student loan forgiveness, Im sure) has nothing to do with envy and everything to do with personal responsibility.

- Mark Swanson, Mansfield

Its equitable to pay your way

Please tell the American taxpayer why we should pay for student loans for thousands of men and women who make more money than most of their fellow citizens who didnt go to college, went to a trade school or paid for their schooling by working and with help from their parents.

Liberals love to whine about equity  so what is fair and equitable about any of this? Just pay your debt.

- Sandra Lewis, Joshua

Get more young people voting

Who is responsible for assuring that the 2018 law requiring Texas high schools to distribute voter-registration forms to 18-year-olds is enforced? A recent University of Houston study estimated that fewer than 25% of Texas schools were complying. That contributed to the decline in the share of 18-year-olds registered to vote in 2022 versus 2018, when 39.6% were registered.

Democracys effectiveness is directly proportional to the number of voters. Tarrant County high schools, please encourage your students to vote. Help them start the habit of exercising the privileges of citizenship by voting.

- Paul Hartman, Fort Worth

Card swipe fees hurt small biz

Rising credit card swipe fees  a percentage of the transaction charged to vendors in every credit or debit card sale  hurt small businesses across Texas. Entrepreneurs like me are tired of them.

Swipe fees are akin to a transaction tax that businesses fork over to big banks and credit card companies every time a customer uses a credit card. I run a modest-sized bookshop, and the extra expense makes it challenging to bring on full-time employees, let alone provide benefits.

Swipe fees have exploded because a duopoly dominates the credit card industry. Visa and Mastercard control 80% of the market and can jack up costs for businesses like mine without fear of backlash.

The Credit Card Competition Act now under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee would help by injecting competition into the payments arena to lower costs across the board. I urge Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, who are on the committee, to help make entrepreneurship easier.

- Kelsey Black, Pflugerville

No, profit is not a bad word

Rents are controlled by supply and demand. When rents are limited by government, landlords do not have the income to make repairs or improvements. (April 19, 13A, For affordable housing, we need rent control)

Profit is not a bad word. When there is profit, investors will build more housing. If they take the risk and build more housing than the market demands, rents will stabilize or come down. If rents are controlled, will taxes and insurance be limited, too? Will the cost of repairs be subsidized?

- Dan Moore, Fort Worth
(Bloomberg) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump postponed his first rally since the start of his first criminal trial over severe weather warnings.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Trump was scheduled to appear in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, but called into the rally, telling supporters to go home to avoid thunderstorms in the area. He did attend a fundraiser in Charlotte earlier in the day, which was set to raise $5 million for his campaign.

Earlier: Defendant Trump Hits the Campaign Trail in Ways Old and New

Trump told his supporters that he would reschedule the rally for another day in the same location. Trump returns to court on Monday for a trial over allegations of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. That trial, which began last week, mah last for as long as two months.

Trumps next scheduled rally is in Wildwood, New Jersey, in May.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
A member of Donald Trumps legal team divulged the defences plan to focus on the facts to show that the former president did nothing wrong, one day before the opening arguments are set to begin in the landmark hush money trial.

Mr Trump is now standing criminal trial  the first president or ex-president ever to do so  over 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election in exchange for her silence over an alleged affair. He has denied any wrongdoing.

A full panel of jurors was seated on Friday in Manhattan criminal court, meaning opening arguments could begin as soon as Monday, kicking off the second week of the trial.

We believe the facts are absolutely on our side, that they are absolutely exonerative of the former president, Trump attorney Will Scharf said on Fox and Friends Weekend on Sunday.

As long as the jury focuses on the facts, as long as the jury can see through all the media coverage and all the sensationalism and focus on the actual facts at issue we believe we have a winning case, Mr Scharf added.

He also weighed in on how the defence team will cross-examine Michael Cohen, the former presidents lawyer who is considered a star witness for the prosecution in the case. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal campaign finance violations related to the hush money payments. At the same time, he also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about events unrelated to the current criminal case.

With respect to Michael Cohen, as weve said in court pleadings, this is a man whos been found liable for perjury, Mr Scharf said.

I think this is going to be a key theme here  that the prosecutions witnesses are simply not credible people, whereas the actual facts here fully support President Trump because he did nothing wrong, the Trump attorney added.

Mr Trump and his team have tried to question Cohens credibility, presenting it as a liability for the prosecution. In March, a federal judge suggested that Michael Cohen had committed perjury under oath, adding fuel to Mr Trumps fire.

On the first day of the criminal proceedings, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to paint Cohen and Ms Daniels as two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly! Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order against Mr Trump, blocking him from publicly attacking trial participants and family members of court staff. Judge Merchan will hold a hearing on Tuesday over whether the 2024 candidates post against two of the prosecutions potential witnesses violated the gag order.

The former president has called the gag order illegal, un-American, unConstitutional. Mr Scharf echoed this on Sunday, calling it a wildly unconstitutional unilateral gag order.

The Trump lawyer also commented on other aspects of the blockbuster case.

He described the jury selection process as highly abnormal, since so many people said they couldnt be impartial in this case. He added that its a little unusual to have two lawyers seated on the jury, but said thats one of the least unusual aspects of the case, turning to the timing and nature of the hush money trial.

This case should obviously never have been brought. It certainly shouldnt have been tried in New York, the media capital of the world, during election season.

He also accused prosecutors across America of being hellbent on interfering with the 2024 electionbecause hes running for president. It should offend all Americans of all political stripes.

He called the case outrageous, adding that any fair and impartial jury will see through all the sensationalism and all the media coverage and they will feel honour bound to vote to acquit here.
Workers at the Washoe County Registrar of Voters counting early ballots in 2020. The process was live-streamed online. (Screengrab via YouTube)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee on Friday announced a 100,000 person strong program designed to harass election officials and their employees and discredit democracy in Nevada and a dozen other states.

In a statement announcing its Orwellian named election integrity program, the RNC said it is establishing a robust network of monitoring, and protection against any violation or fraud.

Neither the RNC, Trump, nor anyone else has ever provided any evidence of fraud that would have altered results of the 2020 election that Trump lost to Joe Biden.

We will aggressively take them to court, declared Charlie Spies, the RNCs lead lawyer in the program.

Again?

More than five dozen lawsuits filed by Trump and Republicans challenged the 2020 election results, including several suits in Nevada. To reiterate, the existence of significant fraud or illegal voting was not found in a single one of those cases.

The Democrat tricks from 2020 wont work this time, Spies said.

A few weeks after the Trump-instigated January 6 attempt to steal the election, Spies himself acknowledged lies launched by Trump and his allies about the 2020 election are simply not true.

The RNCs announcement issued Friday is loaded with hyperbole and innuendo about voter fraud, and a rigged election, but refers to no evidence of either. Thats not surprising. To reiterate, the courts and election officials in state after state, including Nevadas then-Secretary of State, Republican Barbara Cegavske, found no evidence that the 2020 election was rigged.

But the RNC isnt promising to intimidate election officials and workers in Nevada because of evidence of wrongdoing in 2020. The RNC is launching its effort because Trump controls the RNC, and he told it to.

Democrat tricks from 2020? Do tell.

With Fridays RNC announcement, the de facto official position of the Republican Party in 2024 is that in 2020, in Nevada and several other states, every election official, including multiple Republican ones, along with thousands of poll workers and election staff in those states, were co-conspirators in an extravagant and sweeping conspiracy to steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump.

Many of the federal judges rejecting suits from Trump and Republicans in 2020 had been appointed by Republican presidents. Several of them had been appointed by Trump.

Yet for the Democrat tricks from 2020 to have worked, dozens of state and federal judges would have also had to be in on the conspiracy.

For the alleged plot  again, the existence of which is now a fundamental premise of the official Republican Party  to succeed, not just judges but thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of people across the country would have had to have been in on it. It would have had to be an unprecedentedly sophisticated bipartisan conspiracy spanning all branches of local, state and federal government in multiple states.

And yet to this day, and despite multiple and ongoing efforts to prove election fraud by everyone from Trumps ever-changing stable of quack lawyers to the RNC to Fox News to the My Pillow guy, not a single one of the thousands and thousands of people who would have had to participate in the Democrat tricks have confirmed any Republican allegations of the alleged vast conspiracy.

Because there was no conspiracy.

There was an election.

Trump lost.

Whether Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who co-chairs the RNC, or Sigal Chattah, who is Nevadas Republican Committeewoman, or any of the other RNCs leaders, members and/or staffers sincerely believe the fantasy of the stolen 2020 election  in other words, if they have genuinely been brainwashed into delusion  is irrelevant. The delusion is now official RNC policy. Their job is to act accordingly. And that job, specifically, is a 100,000 person strong effort to belittle and discredit democracy.

To belabor the obvious, the last thing Trump wants to do is protect the integrity of elections. He is dedicated to doing the opposite of that.

He relentlessly attacked the election process in the years leading up to the 2020 election in an attempt to discredit the results even before any votes had been cast, and lied about the process on election night, in an attempt to stop votes from being counted.

After all the votes had been counted he continued to tell lies about the election, and instigated the January 6 insurrection.

When that failed, he started running for president again. Hes been lying about the 2020 election and, in a repeat of his behavior prior to the 2020 election, trying to discredit the 2024 results in advance.

The RNCs announcement Friday is not an election integrity program. Its just an extension of Trumps attacks on democracy and penchant for cheating.

How ugly will it get in Nevada?

Trumps adoring flock continues to be mesmerized by his schtick. Pandering to that flock, Republican elected officials and office-seekers, even those who did not deny the 2020 election results, have effectively condoned Trumps war on democracy by citing concerns in some segments of the public about the 2020 election  concerns that were fabricated and spread by Trump.

Those Republican elected officials and office-seekers are implying, with no evidence, that somehow some vague something must have been wrong.

If not election deniers, they are election-denier-adjacent. They are irresponsibly enabling and lending credibility to Trumps effort to end democracy. Their behavior is despicable, cowardly, and an ongoing threat to the nation and its people.

Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is a good example of this (although most of the Nevada press doesnt seem to care much).

If Lombardo shows the same blithe disregard when the RNC begins intimidating Nevada election workers, filing more nuisance Nevada lawsuits in which it compares apples to orangutans, and spreading lies to undermine his constituents faith in the same election system by which he obtained his job, hell be enabling and empowering all that as well.

By looking the other way, Lombardo would also be doing his bit to help Trump nullify the votes of Nevadans in 2024, as Trump tried to do after the 2020 election.

Lara Trump as co-chair of the RNC, Michael McDonald and fellow indicted election deniers in charge of the Republican Party in Nevada, Trumps cavalcade of weirdo lawyers  given the chuckleheads who will be involved, its tempting, maybe even warranted, to speculate that Trumps lawyers and the teams of people he enlists to harass election officials and undermine democracy in Nevada wont be any more competent in 2024 than they in were 2020, and equally ineffective at overturning legitimate election results.

But even in failing, their efforts can be pernicious, as evidenced in multiple states, most notably the pain and suffering Trump and his minions cruelly inflicted on Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman.

How ugly will it get in Nevada? Especially if Lombardo, Rep. Mark Amodei, and other Nevada Republican elected officials and candidates go along to get along with Trump? Were about to find out.

A version of this column originally appeared in the Daily Current newsletter, which is free and which you can subscribe to here.

The post Trump, RNC promise aggressive election interference in battleground states appeared first on Nevada Current.
Emily had a lot of fight in her.

The petite 7-year-old had blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also diagnosed with autism, and she had been struggling ever since her mother, Sarah, moved her and her brother hours away from their dad during the pandemic. After the move, Emily became increasingly frustrated with her inability to articulate her thoughts and began boiling over into rages that required interventions at the public school she attended.

So in August 2021, Sarah moved Emily to New Story, a private school in State College, Pennsylvania, dedicated to serving children with special needs, in the hopes that the teachers there would know how to keep her little girl calm. But at New Story, Emily seemed to be having even more meltdowns, and the school called Sarah to intervene when her daughter broke down. So Sarah left work, again and again, to comfort her daughter with bear hugs.

She would rather miss work than let New Story teachers use their preferred tactic: corralling the first grader with gym mats that Emily would fight and scratch so hard, she'd come home with foam lodged beneath her bloody fingernails.

Then one afternoon in April last year, Sarah asked a family friend to pick up Emily from New Story. When the friend arrived, the little girl was on the playground, pinned down under the weight of four adults.

That night, Sarah decided that this nightmare had to end. Emily would not return to New Story. A year later, her daughter still hasn't talked about the incident at home or in therapy. New Story calls itself a "safe, nurturing environment for our students and their families," but Emily has a different term for her old school: "the mean people."

Sarah pulled her daughter out of this New Story campus in State College, Pennsylvania. Nate Smallwood for BI

After nearly two semesters of second grade at a public school, Sarah said her daughter has progressed faster, academically and behaviorally, than she did at New Story. When Emily has an in-class meltdown, public school staff discreetly shepherd her to a quiet sensory room to calm down.

"Now, at the very least, I know that she is safe and she can communicate that to me," said Sarah, who asked that we use pseudonyms to protect her daughter. Their identities are known to Business Insider.

Sarah didn't know it at the time, but when she enrolled Emily in New Story, she was unwittingly signing on to an experiment in American education, one that worries former staff, US senators, and special-education researchers alike: New Story is the country's first large-scale special-education-school network owned by a private-equity firm.

Story continues

In 2019, the Boston-based private-equity arm of Audax Group, which manages $36 billion for investors, including the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System and the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System, purchased a mid-Atlantic special-education-school network called New Story Schools for an undisclosed price. Under Audax, New Story has purchased other local school chains, like Pennsylvania's River Rock Academy, as well as various behavioral-services companies, and rolled them up under New Story's corporate umbrella. The deals have created what New Story calls one of the largest special-education companies in the US, serving children with autism, behavioral problems, and other issues.

Now, Audax is reportedly looking to flip the company. More than a quarter of private-equity-owned companies across industries are sold to other private-equity firms, so the new owners may look much like the current one.

New Story has always been for profit, but private-equity ownership added an alarming layer of stress, parents and educators said. Nate Smallwood for BI

To some, private equity's business model appears antithetical to special education. In a basic private-equity deal, a firm pools money from investors like public pensions to buy a business, improve it (or load it up with debt), and sell it. Fast expansion means the firm can sell the business, typically four to seven years after buying it, and make a profit of 15% to 20% or more. Private equity targets companies that can grow fast, often by acquiring similar businesses.

A private-equity firm also makes money well before offloading the business, including by collecting fees from its investors and charging the businesses it owns for management and advisory services.

Special-education schools bring in a reliable income stream, typically from public funds: School districts and states pay New Story anywhere from $27,000 to $95,000 per student, and some schools operate year-round. (The average public school district in Pennsylvania, where New Story operates the most schools, spends about $23,000 per child across all types of public education. Additional services, such as providing an individual aide or specialized therapy, can push those costs much higher.) And a fragmented nationwide market means that a company like New Story  which Audax grew from 15 schools to a network of 75 schools and centers across seven states  has plenty of opportunities for expansion.

This year, New Story expects to bring in $305 million in revenue, the analytics firm Mergermarket said. The company serves a few thousand students, a tiny slice of the 8 million Americans between the ages of 3 and 21 who receive special-education services each year  a 25% increase from 2011, according to government data. (In 2021-22, 2% of these children attended public or private schools dedicated to students with disabilities.)

To understand how New Story changed under private-equity ownership and what private-equity takeovers could mean for the special-education landscape, Business Insider reviewed more than 3,000 pages of public records and spoke to 20 current and former New Story employees and parents. Many of them said that under Audax, New Story pushed to expand at the expense of student safety and academic progress. While parental complaints and even lawsuits alleging mistreatment are not uncommon at special-education schools, records of complaints and interviews with parents and educators show that New Story's focus on profit under private-equity ownership added an alarming layer of stress to special education.

Under Audax, New Story gutted departments focused on quality and education and struggled with turnover. The company's hiring practices grew so lax in some instances  including hiring an administrator who was fired from her previous school for failing to report suspected sexual abuse  that state regulators expressed alarm. Some parents, like Sarah, grew concerned about the inappropriate use of restraints and isolation.

Shanon Taylor, a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, who studies privately run special-education schools, told BI that private equity's push to make big profits is fundamentally at odds with special education's mission. Since the schools are generally paid flat reimbursement rates by school districts or insurers, she said private-equity firms make money by cutting costs.

"They'll cut the number of employees. They'll pay employees less. They'll hire less-qualified employees so they can pay them less. They're going to defer maintenance on their facilities and not have the equipment necessary in those facilities," Taylor said, speaking about private-equity firms generally. "All of those things then are impacting the services to these vulnerable populations."

As a parent of two adults with special needs, Taylor said she would not have sent her children to a private-equity-owned school.

"Most people don't even realize that the school that you may be sending your child to  because you're looking for a specialized setting  may not be run with the best interest of your child at heart," she said.

New Story Schools Nate Smallwood for BI

Top policymakers are concerned, too.

"Private equity has no place in education  especially special education," Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio told BI. "From nursing homes to retail to housing, we have seen private equity kill too many jobs, dismantle too many businesses, raise prices, and hurt too many patients in our state, and I am deeply alarmed it is now working to undermine  and endanger  a student's fundamental right to a free and appropriate public education." New Story runs 12 schools and centers in Ohio.

Brown's colleague, Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, where New Story operates 27 schools, agreed. "Public education dollars should be spent ensuring that students with disabilities have their individual education needs met by qualified teachers and health professionals, not padding the pockets of wealthy private equity executives," he said. Casey chairs the Senate's Health Subcommittee on Children and Families.

'A moneymaking machine'

New Story was founded in 1997 by Paul Volosov, a certified school psychologist who created several for-profit businesses to support adults and children with special needs and other challenges.

Volosov wasn't a perfect owner. Before New Story was acquired by Audax, its schools were the focus of a handful of lawsuits alleging improper treatment of students and employees. And Volosov drew internal scrutiny for his erratic behavior and off-color remarks about women and religion, some former employees said. Volosov stayed on as New Story's CEO until January 2022, when he transitioned to chairman.

But former staffers said some of New Story's problems under Volosov were magnified with Audax's ownership. After the education and quality departments were slashed in summer 2022, staff said the disconnect between corporate objectives and the classroom widened. Audax filled the company's four C-suite roles with people who had no education or behavioral-health experience.

"Since the expansion, I think it's just a moneymaking machine," said Jim Grinnen, a former regional manager of education for New Story's central Pennsylvania region. He joined the company in 2018 and left in 2021. "Being a special educator, knowing why I got into it 25 years ago, it just makes your stomach turn when you're seeing these rich people give speeches in front of you with no clue what we're doing here."

Despite those concerns, some parents and educators have expressed satisfaction with the level of care New Story offered. For some families, New Story schools were a last resort, taking a difficult child when no one else would. In Pennsylvania Department of Education records, 11 superintendents and other public school administrators praised one arm of New Story, an 11-campus alternative-education school called River Rock Academy that enrolls disruptive students.

River Rock Academy Rachel Wisniewski for BI

"It is a company that truly cares about the students and treats them as if they were their own. The company provides a high level of service," wrote the superintendent of one Pennsylvania school district in River Rock's application for relicensure.

In an October letter to BI, New Story's senior vice president of operations for Pennsylvania, Christina Spielbauer, highlighted the improvements the "deeply mission-oriented" company has made under Audax, including hiring over 221 new staff members last summer and investing $2 million last year into facilities. Spielbauer wrote that the company was "open to sharing more information" with BI.

Nathaniel Garnick, a spokesman for the company, subsequently declined to answer a list of questions or make New Story or Audax representatives available to interview. Garnick issued two statements, one on behalf of Audax and another on behalf of New Story. He wrote that the company has invested almost $50 million into New Story facilities and improved the student-teacher ratio.

"Rather than focus on the positive impact we have every day on thousands of students with severe emotional and behavioral issues, it is unfortunate that Business Insider has chosen to cherry-pick a handful of isolated incidents in an effort to sully the reputation of our hard working, dedicated team who put their hearts and souls into the work they do," Garnick wrote.

Speaking for Audax, he wrote that staff shortages mean schools are "ill-equipped to confront the escalating mental health crisis on their own."

"Our investment has enabled New Story to expand access and provide vital support to a significantly underserved population of students who often cannot attend traditional public schools," he wrote.

Trying to do more with fewer people

Craig Richards loves teaching and doesn't shy away from a challenge. The elementary-school teacher started a chess club in the Reading School District, one of Pennsylvania's poorest and worst-performing districts. He's also worked in a youth detention center, and his wife is a teacher.

In 2017, Richards joined River Rock Academy, which specializes in educating students who can't stay in their public schools because of misconduct. He said staff members at River Rock were caring and tried their best to educate a group of students who often wanted to be anywhere else. Richards left the school after two years. While he was away, New Story bought the school. When he returned for the 2022-23 academic year, he found that the tenor had shifted: Under its new owners, he told Business Insider, River Rock subordinated student care to profits.

"Now since it's New Story, they're definitely more money-driven. They're trying to do more with fewer people," Richards said.

Several former staff members in Pennsylvania said New Story schools there chronically lacked substitute teachers. When Richards missed roughly a week of work during the last academic year for the flu and another three days to take care of his daughter when she broke her foot, behavioral staff  not teachers  covered his classroom.

Asking staff to double as subs might be reasonable if New Story expanded its staff for such needs. But Richards said the school employed fewer staff under New Story than during his first stint, putting extra pressure on teachers to work no matter what.

"It definitely made you feel a little less human. You're not allowed to be sick, your daughter can't have a problem, because we don't have enough people here," he said.

River Rock Academy Rachel Wisniewski for BI

Teacher and staff turnover is a perennial problem for public and private schools nationally that was exacerbated by the pandemic. The people who spoke to BI said New Story turnover is high, even at the top levels. For instance, two Pennsylvania education directors left in spring 2023, according to records obtained by BI  one after just months in the role. Neither was immediately replaced. One Ohio school had four directors, including a 25-year-old, in 2022.

Such director turnover is highly unusual, Judith McKinney, a Virginia-based special-education advocate, said. In her five years evaluating private schools with Virginia's Department of Education, she said directors typically stayed at the same school for years, sometimes decades.

At River Rock, Richards struggled with new curriculum demands under New Story's ownership. His school previously reimbursed teachers who bought worksheets and other items on a popular online marketplace called Teachers Pay Teachers. But last year, River Rock began directing teachers to upload their own worksheets or other material to share with colleagues across River Rock's 11 schools  a closed, unpaid version of Teachers Pay Teachers.

When Richards sought other curriculum resources, he was pointed to a school closet that contained donated materials.

"One of the manuals didn't even have the first unit  it was ripped out," he said. "I'm like, 'Can we look at getting something else?' I had ideas of books we could use. They wouldn't."

Though he loved his colleagues and some aspects of the job, when a position to manage a local running store came up, Richards eagerly took it. He left in June  just two semesters after his return.

(In state paperwork, River Rock said it offers teachers "a variety of textbooks and resources including a resource bank available to them to provide appropriate course content to students based on their individual need.")

Grinnen, the former Pennsylvania administrator, told BI that his schools also struggled with curriculum resources, including having to give 12th graders textbooks written for second graders. That surprised him since the company seemed to have deep pockets to open new locations. Some schools acted more like holding pens than educational facilities, Grinnen said.

Donnell McLean, who briefly ran a New Story campus in Virginia, said the school's lack of a standardized curriculum led to some students being warehoused.

There was "not a lot of challenging work, especially for the higher-functioning students," McLean said.

Last spring, several graduate students working at Philadelphia's Green Tree School were so deeply alarmed by what they saw that they registered their concerns with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This, along with other complaints, prompted several visits to Green Tree by PDE employees in April and June. One state employee wrote to her supervisor that her visit's "purpose is to do a walk through to determine how much instruction is actually going on based on the complaints that were received." (Subsequent communication about employees' trips was redacted in PDE records obtained by BI.)

Green Tree Rachel Wisniewski for BI

In Ohio, New Story administrators told BI they pushed back against the company's plans to increase school enrollment and convert some schools into centers with a half day for school and a half day for therapy. Such a switch would allow New Story to make more money per student by billing insurance companies for more therapy.

While enrollment data is difficult to come by across states, Ohio offers a window into how New Story has increased enrollment without similar teacher increases. Four New Story-branded Ohio schools collectively added 106 students from 2022 to 2024  a 52% increase  but lost 31 licensed staff, per state data. (BI did not include a recently opened New Story school in this analysis.)

Meanwhile, huge additions to the ranks of support staff quickly changed New Story's employee composition. In 2022, support staff comprised 41% of New Story's staff  but 87% this year. For comparison, BI examined 19 other private, secular Ohio special-education schools' data. From 2022 through 2024, those schools' rosters were, on average, made up of about half support staff and half teachers. None had more than 75% support staff, who are generally paid less than teachers and have less training.

(New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia do not track staff numbers for privately run schools.)

New Story employees questioned other corporate changes. Some staff disagreed with a plan to give bonuses to administrators based on student enrollment, something the company discussed across states, two people said.

"Our rationale was we never wanted to create a financial incentive to enroll a student that we couldn't properly serve or to keep a student that was ready to return to their public school," said one of the employees who said they pushed back on the plan.

Not all teachers take issue with New Story's approach. Natalie Stoup teaches seven autistic and intellectually and developmentally disabled students at New Story's New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, campus. Stoup, who has taught for 27 years, said she has loved her two years at the school.

"I absolutely really have a strong respect for the program," she told BI. "I think they're doing wonderful things."

Blackstone's autism bet

While New Story is the first large-scale, private equity-owned special-education school network, Audax's bet comes as private equity has been piling into other autism services and similar behavioral-health companies. Many of the biggest private-equity players have snapped up autism-services providers in the wake of state and federal changes requiring more payments for mental-health and autism services.

That shift made the industry look much more profitable and scalable, magic words for private-equity players like the industry giant Blackstone. In 2018, the firm bought a majority stake in the behavioral-therapy provider Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Blackstone then put the business into bankruptcy proceedings in June, citing labor costs and lease obligations for centers it closed. Forbes reported last year that former employees attributed the company's challenges to a "model that put profits ahead of patient care." (New Story bought CARD's Virginia locations during bankruptcy, and the bulk of the company was sold back to the founder.)

When employee costs rise quickly, companies like CARD and New Story can't pass on the costs to their customers as fast as other businesses, like a restaurant raising menu prices. Insurance reimbursement and school tuition haven't kept pace with the post-pandemic economic landscape, increasing pressure on behavioral-health companies to make money by trimming costs and expanding.

NBC News reported that CARD's staff training decreased under Blackstone's ownership and many employees left after wages stayed stagnant for three years. (Blackstone claimed that it increased training, though staff documents reviewed by NBC News showed the opposite.) Like New Story, CARD's private-equity-installed CEO had no special education or behavioral-health experience.

Other private-equity-owned healthcare companies have recently come under intense regulatory scrutiny. The Biden administration is pressing for transparency for private-equity-owned nursing homes, while the Federal Trade Commission is suing an anesthesiology company and its PE owner for creating what it calls an anticompetitive scheme. PE's special-education and autism-related companies have, so far, largely flown under the radar.

Restraining kids without uniform policies

Educational and disciplinary data about privately run schools like New Story is virtually impossible to obtain  and New Story doesn't volunteer it. The schools are not required to publicly report testing data, attendance, or other markers of school success. And because of the varied student populations, such data would be difficult to compare to public or private schools. In Pennsylvania and Virginia, state Department of Education spokespeople said their agencies don't even keep track of how many students attend private schools.

Nickie Coomer, a Colorado College education professor who has written about the privatization of special education, told BI that this data gap is a major regulatory hole, one that private-equity companies are happy to exploit.

"There's not a lot of accountability about how we're adhering to the laws we have in place to protect kids with disabilities," she said. "There's no governance, no elected school board  It's the antithesis of what schools should be."

River Rock documents said the school would use restraints as a "last resort." Rachel Wisniewski for BI

One key metric for student safety that's reported at public schools is restraint usage. In most districts, when a student could endanger themselves or others, staff may use restraints, including physically immobilizing the student or isolating them so they can calm down. As with other data, New Story's restraint usage is not publicly reported.

Parents BI talked to had a wide array of experiences, from Sarah's ordeal to others who say New Story's restraint practices have been appropriate and effective for their children. One father of a student who graduated State College's New Story school in 2022 told BI that his young adult son, who frequently needs to be held down at home to avoid self-harm, was always appropriately restrained and the incidents were properly documented.

Interviews with multiple staff members indicate that their training on how to handle challenging student situations varied from school to school.

Donnell McLean, the former Virginia school director, said he never received any restraint training through New Story. Instead, he relied on what he knew from his prior job. In Virginia, public schools are legally required to document any restraint use and notify parents  but McLean said he didn't always receive reports from his staff after they restrained students.

In 2022, an Ohio school director at a New Story school fired an employee who restrained an 11-year-old with such force that his parents sent photos of hand-shaped bruises on the boy's shoulder.

Shyara Hill, a parent of three students at the New Story-owned Green Tree School in Philadelphia, told the Pennsylvania Department of Education that she wasn't properly notified when one of her children was placed in isolation. In emails and phone calls to the agency last spring, Hill detailed other troubling incidents at the school. She reported that one of her children was hurt in a classroom fight but wasn't examined by a nurse; one was repeatedly bullied with no staff intervention; and one came home soiled after staffing shortages prevented them from visiting the restroom.

Statistics for restraint use at Green Tree and other New Story-owned schools aren't publicly reported. Rachel Wisniewski for BI

"The school has not followed the agreement, safety protocols, [or] parent notification plan and has not responded to several communications from myself and [my] child's attorney," Hill wrote in the email, obtained in a public records request from the state Department of Education.

(Neither Hill nor her attorney responded to requests for comment.)

Documents that River Rock sent to Pennsylvania's Department of Education state that restraints "will be used as a last resort" and will be reported to the agency.

A staffer with a criminal record

BI's review of records and litigation turned up alarming lapses in New Story's vetting of new hires as Audax rapidly expanded operations.

This summer, the company hired Amy Hall Kostoff to oversee student services across seven Pennsylvania campuses and serve as the educational director for one of them.

Hall Kostoff was fired in April 2022 from her tenured job as an assistant supervisor at a Pennsylvania county special-education center for failing to properly report suspected sexual abuse involving two students, one of whom is nonverbal. In March 2023, the state's acting secretary of education assessed that Hall Kostoff was dishonest during the subsequent investigation.

A representative for the public school that fired Hall Kostoff declined to comment, including about New Story's background check.

Hall Kostoff, who was still employed at New Story as of late March, declined to comment.

Pennsylvania Department of Education records show that employees were concerned about the hiring practices at Philadelphia's Green Tree School. One department employee wrote to her colleagues in April that staff records at Green Tree were "missing a lot of information," including about background checks and teacher certifications. That employee later wrote that her background check of one Green Tree staff member turned up convictions for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and indecent exposure  the latter of which would legally prohibit employment at a school. BI was unable to corroborate the PDE employee's claims, and it's unclear if the charges stemmed from incidents in or out of school, or if that employee continued working for Green Tree. The staff member did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for New Story declined to comment about Green Tree's seemingly incomplete background checks last year. Rachel Wisniewski for BI

New Story has terminated other staff members accused of wrongdoing, including an occupational therapist in Pennsylvania who was arrested in 2022 and charged with attempting to solicit a minor for sex. A company spokeswoman told a local newspaper the charges did not involve a New Story student.

In 2022, the principal of a New Story-owned school in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, told police that graduates of the school had received sexually inappropriate messages from their former gym teacher, who was still employed there. The teacher wrote to the female students about how he "was sexually attracted to students while they attended the school," and he named specific students, a police report said. (The students told police that no inappropriate behavior occurred while they attended the school.) The teacher also asked another former student if they wanted to smoke weed and gave the former student his Snapchat handle. The police report said the teacher was placed on leave pending an internal investigation; it is unclear whether further action was taken. A detective advised against pursuing charges because the former students are adults, and the messages, "though inappropriate," were not illegal, he wrote. Asked if the teacher was still employed, New Story's spokesman declined to answer and the school's principal did not respond to a request for comment.

Love, Emily

In State College, Emily is thriving in public elementary school. She splits her time between mainstream and special-education classes, spending time with her peers in a way she never did at New Story, where she was the school's only young student.

(Researchers told BI that students miss out on building key social skills when they're sequestered in special-education programs.)

This year, Emily has attended a birthday party and playdates, the kinds of childhood interactions Sarah feared she'd never experience.

"I want my children to be sound, functioning, responsible adults, but I don't want to break their spirits," Sarah said.

She said that public school employees have been kinder  a New Story staff member once said Emily had a "nasty side"  and that Emily is behaving better.

She recently asked Sarah how to sign a card with "love, Emily."

Do you have a story to share? Email this reporter on a non-work device at mmorris@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fire breaks out in Russia's Moscow Oblast

A fire in Moscow Oblast. Photo: Prosecutor's Office of the Moscow Region

A fire has broken out in Moscow Oblast, Russia, engulfing an area of 1,200 sq. m.

Source: Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations

Details: After 23:00, Russian firefighters reported that a fire had broken out in an industrial building in Orekhovo-Zuyevo in Moscow Oblast.

Early reports estimate that the fire covers an area of 1,200 sq. m.

Updated: Russian firefighters later reported that one person had been injured in a large-scale fire in Orekhovo-Zuyevo.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry reported at 03:58 that firefighters had extinguished a blaze in Moscow Oblast.

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(FOX40.COM)  Two former residents of Sacramento have been accused of abducting their 6-year-old grandchild and taking them to Peru, according to the Department of Justice.

The former residents, aged 54 and 49, were charged on Thursday with interstate and international kidnapping and kidnapping conspiracy, officials said.

According to the DOJ, in Nov. 2021, the two suspects took their grandchild from Sacramento to Peru despite pleas from the mother to return the child to the United States.

Suspect from multi-hour standoff and CHP involved shooting in Sacramento arrested

The suspects were initially charged in Feb. 2022, but the child didnt return to the United States until December of that year, the DOJ added.

On April 10, the 54-year-old suspect appeared for the first time in federal court in Sacramento and was detained following his appearance. The 49-year-old suspect has not appeared to answer the charges against her, according to the DOJ.

If convicted, the DOJ said the maximum penalty facing the suspects is life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
By Yosri Al-Jamal and Ali Sawafta

NEAR HEBRON, West Bank (Reuters) -Israel's military said its soldiers opened fire at three Palestinians who attacked them on Sunday in the occupied West Bank, where violence has flared in recent days, and the Palestinian health ministry said all three had died.

In the first incident, at a junction near the Palestinian city of Hebron, the Israeli military said its troops were shot at by one man, while another attempted to stab them, before they opened fire on both individuals.

A Reuters cameraman saw a body at the scene of the incident. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing local sources, said ambulance crews were prevented from reaching the site. The two, aged 18 and 19 years old, were later confirmed dead.

In the second incident, at a checkpoint further north in the West Bank, the military said a woman tried to stab soldiers who then responded with live fire. She was later confirmed dead by health authorities.

Violence in the West Bank, already on the rise before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, has escalated since then with frequent army raids on militant groups, rampages by Jewish settlers in Palestinian villages, and deadly Palestinian street attacks.

Israeli forces began an extended raid in the early hours of Friday in the Nur Shams area, near the flashpoint Palestinian city of Tulkarm, and exchanged fire with armed fighters well into Saturday.

Fourteen Palestinian militants were killed in the fire exchanges, according to an Israeli military statement on Sunday, and nine soldiers were wounded. Nur Shams residents have so far only identified five of the fatalities as militants. One was a 16-year-old schoolboy, authorities said.

SOUNDS OF BULLDOZERS

On Sunday, residents picked through the rubble left by Israeli bulldozers which pushed through the streets of the Nur Shams, a heavily built-up area inhabited mainly by people displaced by the 1948 war and their descendants.

"This is a second Gaza," 63-year-old Fathi Younis told Reuters as she stood in front of the ruins of her partially destroyed house. "The houses are no longer fit to live in, the sounds of bulldozers are still in my ears."

Around her, shattered concrete mixed with broken pieces of furniture and hundreds of spent cartridges lay strewn about after hours of gun battles.

Thousands of Palestinians have been arrested and hundreds killed during regular operations in the West Bank by Israeli forces since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, mostly members of armed groups, but also stone-throwing youths and bystanders.

A Palestinian ambulance driver was killed on Saturday as he went to pick up the wounded from a separate attack by violent Jewish settlers, Palestinian authorities said.

The West Bank and Gaza, territories Israel captured in the 1967 war, are among the lands the Palestinians seek for an independent state. U.S.-brokered peace talks broke down a decade ago.

(Reporting by Yosri Al-Jamal near Hebron, Ali Sawafta in Nur Shams and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Frances Kerry, Hugh Lawson and David Holmes)
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat representing Maine's Second Congressional District, in his office. (Robin Bravender/ States Newsroom)

The U.S. House Saturday failed to pass a border security bill that Republican leadership intended as an incentive for conservatives to support a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The border bill, turned down on a 215-199 vote, was brought to the floor under a fast-track procedure known as suspension of the rules that requires a two-thirds majority for passage. The conservatives it was meant to appeal to slammed it as a show vote.

Five Democrats, Donald G. Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Mary Peltola of Alaska and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, voted with all Republicans present in favor of the bill.

This Congress has spent more than a year debating how to address the crisis at our southern border, Golden said in a statement after the vote. While this bill is not perfect, the unpredictability of this Congress and the looming presidential election mean it may be our last, best chance to act. America must have control over its borders and this bill would move us in the right direction.

The border security bill  nearly identical to legislation House Republicans passed last year  was an attempt by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana to quell growing hard-right dissatisfaction prompted by his support for the $95 billion foreign aid package expected to pass Saturday with the help of Democrats.

The measure is separate and not part of a package of three supplemental funding bills containing aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as another so-called sidecar bill dealing with TikTok. The Senate will be able to clear the foeign aid package and ignore the border security bill that closely resembles another House-passed border bill the Senate has not acted on.

Rather than quell their unrest, Johnsons move produced only more ire from hard-right members. Three Republicans  Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona  are already backing a move to oust Johnson through a motion to vacate.

During Fridays floor debate, Democrats argued that the bill, H.R. 3602, was a rehash of H.R. 2, a bill House Republicans passed last year that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies such as the construction of the border wall. Both bills would also require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico.

Border bill return

Republicans were largely in favor of the border bill, but several referred to the vote as a sham and admitted the bill would not pass in the Senate, which Democrats control.

House Republicans are trying again to make our Democrat colleagues and President Biden take this border crisis seriously, Alabamas Barry Moore said.

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler of New York, said the bill was a foolhardy attempt to pass for a second time one of the most draconian immigration bills this Congress has ever seen. This rehashing of H.R. 2 is a joke.

Republicans have proven that they want the issue more than they want solutions, he said. So here we are, again, taking a virtually same draconian bill as before, knowing that if it actually passes the House it will surely go nowhere in the Senate.

Nadler argued if Republicans were serious about addressing immigration at the southern border, they would have supported the bipartisan border bill in the Senate, instead of rejecting it.

Three senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months crafting a bill that would overhaul immigration policy at the request of Senate Republicans who insisted border security provisions should be included in the foreign aid package.

But congressional Republicans walked away from it early this year at the urging of GOP presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump, who was not supportive of the bill because he is centering his reelection campaign on immigration.

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, argued that the bill isnt quite H.R. 2.

The bill is nearly identical to H.R. 2, but removes the mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility, and includes about $9 billion in grant programs for border states.

Lets take a step in the direction of fixing it and pass this legislation, Jordan said of the southern border.

A sham

Washington state Democrat and chair of the Progressive Congressional Caucus Pramila Jayapal said the bill was pointless.

The majority could barely pass this legislation last year, she said, referring to the party-line vote in 2023. And now its going to magically pass it in the House with a two-thirds majority? Give me a break. This bill is going nowhere, so lets just be clear about that.

Texas Republican Chip Roy agreed that the bill would not become law, and expressed his frustration that the GOP would not try to leverage foreign aid money for it.

Republicans continue to campaign on securing the border and then refuse to use any leverage to actually secure the border, Roy said. We should get it signed into law but the only way to force Democrats to do it is to use leverage.

Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs also agreed with Roy and Democrats that this is a show vote.

Pennsylvanias GOP Rep. Scott Perry echoed similar remarks, but said he would still vote for the bill even though its designed to fail.

But I want everybody to know its a sham, Perry said.

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The post U.S. House votes down border bill favored by conservatives appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
BERKELEY, California  University of California, Berkeleys leaders are under tremendous pressure from Democrats at home as turmoil stemming from the war in Gaza shows no sign of easing.

Liberal members of the states legislative Jewish caucus have publicly castigated UC Berkeley for its handling of hostility toward Jewish students and professors amid the war. Theyre pushing state laws targeting antisemitism in response to the events  including a violent protest of an Israeli speaker in late February that forced Jewish students to be evacuated.

There is nothing more indicative of the failure of our college campuses to protect students and protect free speech, Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat who was UC Berkeleys student body president in 2002, said of the incident.

While UC Berkeley hasnt been called before Congress, it is one of six universities nationwide facing an antisemitism probe from the Republican-led House education committee. Its also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Educations civil rights arm. In California, state lawmakers have pressed UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ and UC system President Michael V. Drake in private meetings over their responses to antisemitism and issued public statements expressing their dissatisfaction with the university's handling of the issue.

The bicoastal criticism has magnified the challenges roiling UC Berkeley  the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s  six months after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The tense confrontations, doxing of student activists and interfaculty disputes  including a viral incident with a student activist during a graduation celebration in the backyard of Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinskys home  are emblematic of tensions that continue to tear apart American campuses.

Its unlike anything the California university has seen in recent memory.

This is very different because this is student against a student, Christ said in an interview in February. It's faculty against faculty. It's internally the most divisive protest issue that I've seen.

Christs career at UC Berkeley spans nearly four decades.

The close watch of not only UC Berkeley but the entire ten-campus UC system has come from the state Legislature as well as the governors office. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, visited Israel in October. After the trip, the very first meeting the governor had, even before he met with Jewish leaders or any community leaders, was with the heads of all the segments for higher education in the state to talk about campus climate, said senior Newsom adviser Jason Elliott. He wanted to make sure that in California, members of the Jewish community felt protected and connected here back in our home state.

Long before Oct. 7, Berkeley students were at the forefront of anti-Israel activism. Past students created the founding chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, a loosely-organized network of activist groups present on several American campuses. Members of the universitys student government also led a failed campaign to have the University of California system divest from Israel in 2015.

Campus divisions intensified when the war in Gaza began. The chapter of SJP, called Bears for Palestine, issued a statement on Instagram endorsing the Oct. 7 attacks, writing, We support the resistance, we support the liberation movement, and we indisputably support the Uprising.



House Education Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) would later point to the comments  as well as the February protest  when she made sweeping documents requests from the university in March.

Dueling protests were mostly peaceful for months, aside from two demonstrators reportedly striking a student holding an Israeli flag with a metal water bottle. That changed in February when a private event featuring Ran Bar-Yoshafat, an Israeli attorney and veteran of the countrys military, was disrupted by counter protesters. Demonstrators broke open a door and shattered a window. One Jewish attendee said she was choked, and that she was one of at least two students who had to seek medical care.

Christs office had deployed additional security to the event and would quickly condemn the demonstration, and Bar-Yoshafat later returned to campus without incident. But the episode fed a perception among some lawmakers and students that the campus was no longer a safe place.

Christ acknowledged that there is an enormous sense of just physical precarity that our students feel, whether they are supporters of Israel or supporters of Palestine. Social media has stoked that fear, she said, through the spread of videos of tense confrontations on college campuses as well as news of Israels ground invasion in Gaza.

It's almost as if the students are internalizing the sense of violence that is so horrifying to see in the Middle East right now, Christ said.

Also contributing to the problem is widespread prevalence of doxing in this conflict said Christ, which also leads to this sense of helplessness and vulnerability that so many of our students articulate. Doxing is when someones name or other personal information is sought out and publicized, often online and with malicious intent.

A member of Bears for Palestine described several instances in which her classmates have had their names displayed on trucks circling campus, fueling unease.

A lot of pro-Palestine students feel uncomfortable showing their faces as a result, said the student, who was granted anonymity over her fear of backlash for speaking publicly.

She talked to POLITICO in March behind a banner featuring photos of Gazans killed by the Israeli military. Posters and the pro-Palestinian activists holding them have for weeks blocked much of the walkway through Sather Gate, an iconic landmark at Berkeley where students have protested for decades.

Jewish students have pushed administrators to ban the pro-Palestinian activists from loitering under the archway. The administration has declined, saying occupying only part of the gate is common and not a violation of university policy, but campus leaders have installed monitors to watch for threats to students safety.

One of the Jewish students, Hannah Schlacter, was involved in facilitating an antisemitism lawsuit against the university. Her testimony to the House education panel about her experience on campus helped inform the committees decision to investigate Berkeley, according to Foxxs office.

I've never been in such a hostile, discriminatory environment before, Schlacter said in an interview.

The university commanded national attention again this month after Chemerinsky, the law school dean, was chastised by a pro-Palestinian student at a dinner celebrating graduating students at his home. In videos, Chemerinskys wife, law school professor Catherine Fisk, can be seen trying to take the protesters phone away  complicating the public debate that ensued over the First Amendment rights of those involved.

Chemerinsky has defended the free speech rights of pro-Palestinian campus groups in the past, but in the days prior to the incident, a student activist group on Instagram called for a boycott of the Jewish deans dinner over what it said was his complicity and support for the genocide of the Palestinian peoples. The post featured a caricature of Chemerinsky holding utensils dripping with blood; it has since been deleted and replaced with a bloodless version.

Could there be a clearer use of the awful antisemitic trope of blood libel? Chemerinsky said in an email.

The Jewish Caucus lawmakers, all Democrats, have proposed banning calls for genocide on college campuses, requiring universities to update their codes of conduct  an idea Newsom has endorsed  and mandating that public university students be trained on how to have civil discourse, among other measures. Theyre responding to incidents at other California campuses, too, including a case in which protesters at UC Santa Barbara hung up a poster telling the schools Jewish student body president, You can run but you cant hide.

Elected officials from other states have also questioned their local universities for their handling of antisemitism. The University of Pennsylvania, for instance, took heat from Pennsylvania representatives and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in the leadup to the resignation of President Liz Magill. The Penn leader left office, as did Harvard President Claudine Gay, under backlash against their comments to the committee.

Washingtons focus on antisemitism in California is centered on Berkeley  and it goes beyond the collegiate level. The House Education Committee has summoned the superintendent of the K-12 school district in the uber-liberal city to face questioning from congressmembers in May. The district faces a complaint from the Anti-Defamation League and Brandeis Center to the Office for Civil Rights that its students and teachers have discriminated against their Jewish peers.



Foxx said at a press conference before Wednesdays questioning of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik that the committee hasnt yet decided whether other college presidents will be called to testify. Shafik was questioned because the Ivy League school has been one of the worst offenders for allegedly allowing campus antisemitism, Foxx said.

The committee has only summoned four presidents to Washington so far, but it has requested documents from Rutgers University and UC Berkeley as well as Columbia, Penn, Harvard and MIT.

UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said the university is responding to all of the committees requests and questions and will continue to do so.

At Berkeley we believe every student, regardless of who they are or what they believe in, should feel safe, welcome, and respected, Mogulof said in a statement. Our every action is based on the premise that safety and free speech are not, and must never be mutually exclusive.

Bianca Quilantan and Lara Korte contributed to this report.
UK lawmaker won't run again after allegations of late night call for funds to pay off 'bad people'

FILE - Undated handout photo issued by UK Parliament of Conservative MP Mark Menzies. Menzies, A British lawmaker who allegedly used campaign funds to pay off people who were holding him hostage said on Sunday April 21, 2024 that he wouldn't seek reelection after the governing Conservative Party found his behavior fell below the standard expected of members of Parliament. (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament via AP, File)

LONDON (AP)  A British lawmaker who allegedly used campaign funds to pay off people who were holding him hostage said Sunday that he wouldn't seek reelection after the governing Conservative Party found his behavior fell below the standard expected of members of Parliament.

Mark Menzies' downfall is the latest in a series of scandals to hit the Conservatives, undermining support for a party that has been in power for the past 14 years as it prepares for a general election later this year.

The Times of London recently reported that Menzies called a 78-year-old aide at 3 a.m. in December asking for funds to pay off bad people who had locked him in an apartment and were demanding money for his release. Menzies' office manager ultimately paid 6,500 pounds ($8,100) from her personal bank account, which was reimbursed from funds donated by political backers, the newspaper said.

Menzies, who denies the allegations, has represented the seat of Fylde in northwest England since 2010.

Due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election," he said. This has been a very difficult week for me, and I request that my familys privacy is respected.

Menzies' announcement came after the Conservatives announced the findings of an internal investigation into the matter.

The inquiry concluded that the payment had been authorized by two members of a local donors group that sits outside the Conservative Party, and therefore Menzies hadn't misused party funds.

However, we do believe that there has been a pattern of behavior that falls below the standards expected of MPs and individuals looking after donations to local campaign funds which lie outside the direct jurisdiction of the Conservative Party, the party said.

The opposition Labour Party has called for a police investigation into the matter. The Conservatives said they would share information with police if they decide to investigate.

The Conservatives have been in power since 2010, but they are trailing in opinion polls amid crumbling public services, high prices that are squeezing consumers and the corrosive effect of ethics scandals.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who led the party to a landslide victory in 2019, resigned from the House of Commons after an investigation found that he deliberately misled Parliament about parties held at his Downing Street offices during lockdowns imposed to control the spread of COVID-19.

Other scandals include a lawmaker who was caught looking at porn in the House of Commons, another who reportedly offered to lobby on behalf of gambling firms and another alleged to have drunkenly groped strangers at a private club in London.

But ethical questions are also being asked of opposition politicians as the country prepares for an election that must be called by the end of this year.

Conservatives accuse Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, of dodging taxes on the sale of a house sale years ago by falsely claiming it was her primary residence. Police say they are investigating. Rayner denies wrongdoing and hasn't been suspended by her party.
After months of political wrangling in Congress, frustration in Kyiv and a deteriorating situation on the battlefield, the U.S. House on April 20 passed the critically-needed $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine.

But while Kyiv breathed a sigh of relief at the news, the next few weeks remain precarious as the Senate needs to support the bill and supplies still need to reach Ukraine as Russia looks likely to intensify its ongoing offensive.

What happens next?

The next immediate step is another vote in the U.S. Senate on April 23 before the bill is sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

All signs indicate this part of the procedural process will be swift and nothing like the tortuous process the bill has taken through the House.

The Senate already passed a version of the bill back in February and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers had been calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bill to the House for a vote.

Speaking on April 20, Senate Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell, said: The task before us is urgent. It is once again the Senates turn to make history.

President Biden has already signaled that he would sign the bill once Congress passes it.

I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs, he said on April 20.

I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.



Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024

When will the aid finally reach Ukraine?

The aid package provides $60.84 billion to assist Ukraine, including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy advanced weapons, $13.4 billion for replenishing U.S. stockpiles, $11 billion to support U.S. allies in the region, and another $13.8 billion to purchase U.S. defense systems for Ukraine.

This represents a huge amount of material, some of which is already packed and ready to go.

Unnamed U.S. defense officials told Politico earlier in the week that the Pentagon had already prepared shipments of weapons and equipment in anticipation of the bill passing.

Some of the proposed equipment  including critically-needed artillery ammunition and air defenses  was already stationed in European countries and could reach Ukraine within days.

Speaking on April 18, Pentagon spokesperson General Patrick Ryder said the U.S. has a very robust logistics network that enables us to move materiel very quickly.

We certainly understand and appreciate the urgency and are poised to move quickly.

Other military aid would likely arrive in the following weeks.

What does Ukraine need the most?

While the exact contents of the aid are not public, two of the most important items that will certainly be among those heading first to Ukraine are artillery shells and air defenses.

Ukraines dwindling supplies of NATO-standard 155mm artillery ammunition have been widely reported and even credited with the fall of Avdiivka to Russian forces.

While European nations have had some success in recent weeks in procuring more shells for Ukraine, they have not been in the quantities needed to shift Russias current dominance in artillery firepower.

Read also: Inside the Swedish ammunition plant at the forefront of Europes push to ramp up shell production

As for air defenses, dwindling supplies of the ammunition needed to protect the skies over Ukraine have been painfully apparent in recent weeks across the country.

For much of 2023, Russias mass strikes on Kyiv were largely unsuccessful  residents endured many sleepless nights as missiles and drones were intercepted and destroyed in the skies above the city, but the air defense umbrella formed by western-supplied systems such as the Patriot was rarely penetrated.

The situation in 2024 has been very different  Russia has scored several hits in the capital, most notably the destruction of the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Kyiv Oblast on April 11.

Russia launched 11 missiles in the direction of the plant, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine was able to shoot down the first seven, and four "destroyed Trypillia."

"Why? Because there were zero missiles. We have run out of all the missiles that protected the Trypillia TPP," he said.

The situation in cities closer to the front lines is even more dire  cities such as Kharkiv face daily barrages of missiles, drones and glide bombs, causing widespread devastation, deaths and injuries.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on April 17 his city is at risk of becoming "a second Aleppo" if left without help to obtain air defense systems.

What effect will the aid have on the battlefield?

While the massive amount of military aid heading to Ukraine will definitely improve the country's standing on the battlefield, the next few weeks remain precarious.

The sheer volume of the material arriving is itself a problem as Ukraines logistics networks are not capable of immediately distributing such large quantities of supplies across the country, the Institute for the Study of War reported on April 20.

As such, there will be a period of a few weeks where Ukraines forces  as well as its cities  remain vulnerable to Russian attacks.

Clearly, Moscow is aware of this and the ISW predicts Russia will intensify both ground operations and aerial attacks in order to exploit the lag before Ukraine is fully resupplied.

Read also: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasiv Yar

The Russian military command will likely intensify offensive operations and missile and drone strikes to pursue operationally significant effects that will certainly become harder to achieve against well-provisioned Ukrainian forces," the ISW said.

Though it believes a significant Russian breakthrough on the front lines is still unlikely, it said Moscows forces may still be able to make operationally significant advances in the coming weeks.

They may prioritize sectors of the front where the Ukrainian defense appears relatively unstable, mainly west of Donetsk Oblast's Avdiivka, or areas of the front where Russian forces are within reach of an operationally significant objective, such as near Chasiv Yar.

The ISW expects Russian forces to continue attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure to force Ukraine to contend with a humanitarian crisis alongside its ongoing defensive operations.

Russian forces could also shift their target set to strike Ukrainian transportation infrastructure to constrain Ukraines ability to sufficiently distribute manpower and materiel to critical sectors of the front, it added.

What does the rest of 2024 look like?

While impossible to predict with any certainty, the influx of U.S. military aid should enable Ukraine to hold the front lines and blunt a large Russian offensive expected in June, the ISW reports.

But longer term, much relies on further aid from Ukraines allies as well as Russias ability to mobilize both its population and industrial base to further the Kremlins war effort.

The likely resumption of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine is a critical turning point in the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin, the West, and Ukraine still have additional decisions to make that will determine the character and outcome of the fighting, the ISW concluded.

Read also: Explosion in Sevastopol, Russian ship reportedly on fire

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine will have a chance at victory with new US aid, Zelenskyy says

The tens of billions of dollars in long-stalled Ukraine aid approved by the House on Saturday will give his country a chance at victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday.

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine, and we will have a chance for victory, Zelenskyy said through a translator during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press.

Despite significant opposition from some conservatives, the House voted 311-112 on Saturday to approve a bill that would send $60.8 billion to Ukraine. More than $23 billion of which would be used to replenish weapons and stocks provided by the U.S; $13.8 billion that would cover costs for advanced weapons systems. The bill heads to the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer teed it up for a Tuesday vote.

Zelenskyys comments come after he warned last week that no more aid from the U.S. would mean a Russian victory in the war that recently entered its third year.



I can tell you, frankly, without this support, we will have no chance of winning, Zelenskyy said during an interview on PBS NewsHour last week.

In celebrating the funding Sunday, Zelenskyy also emphasized Ukraines need for the aid to "end up in tangible weapon systems," including long-range missiles and air defense.

We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the frontlines, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine, Zelenskyy acknowledged, has suffered losses "in several directions" in recent months, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

"And that's why we need to actually have the weapon systems. When we get it, when we have it in our arms, then we do have the chance to take this initiative and to move ahead and to protect Ukraine," he added.
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian authorities were jubilant at the approval in the US House of more than $60 billion in aid, though the focus is shifting to how quickly assistance can get to the front line and how the package will change Kyivs fortunes in its fight against Russias invasion.

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For Ukrainian forces in an increasingly precarious position after months of waiting, the anticipated passage of the military and economic assistance is a bittersweet moment. Since US President Joe Biden proposed the aid Kyivs military has been increasingly hamstrung as stocks of ammunition dry up and Kremlin forces press their advantage on the battlefield.

The legislation passed by the House late Saturday will likely make it to Bidens desk this week after the Senate takes up the package as soon as Tuesday.

This support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, through an interpreter. We did lose the initiative. Now we have all the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative.

Ukraine is in constant contact with the US in an effort to ensure the package has the right things, which are so much awaited by our warriors on the battlefield, Zelenskiy said in his regular address to the nation on Sunday. The time between political decision and real hitting of the enemy on the front line must be as short as possible. Now, every day matters.

Read more: Zelenskiy Says US Aid Gives Ukraine Means to Retake Initiative

But whether the long-awaited aid will enable a decisive change in Ukraines fortunes on the battlefield is another question. Stepped-up missile and drone attacks by Moscows have wiped out parts of Ukraines power-generating infrastructure and destroyed residential buildings in city centers, driving up the war-battered nations civilian death toll.

The US Defense Department could get weapons moving to Ukraine very quickly once the aid bill clears the final hurdle, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said last week. Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the US, said Friday that delivery logistics have been in the works all along.

The Pentagon and our Defense Ministry didnt stop working daily together at finding weapons, identifying them and such packages are being prepared, Markarova told Ukrainian television.

Some of the equipment, which will likely include longer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, could be on the way by the end of the week, Democrat Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CBSs Face the Nation.

Painful shortages in weapons and manpower along the 1,200-kilometer (930-mile) front, along with a dire need for more air defense systems, have pushed Ukraines fighting forces close to a breaking point, raising the risk of a Russian breakthrough. Moscow has also escalated its bombardment of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, in what Ukrainian and Western officials see as a bid to force an evacuation of the city, less than an hours drive from the Russian border.

Seriously Damaged

Even if US materiel moves quickly, transport logistics will likely mean the aid will not begin to affect the situation on the front line for several weeks, according to analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War.

The frontline situation will therefore likely continue to deteriorate in that time, particularly if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited window before the arrival of new US aid, the analysts said.

Russian President Vladimir Putins forces, seeking to benefit from the widening gap in ammunition supplies, have ratcheted up their firepower all along the front, and made marginal gains since capturing the eastern city of Avdiivka in February.

Kremlin troops are focusing on strategically key spots, such as the town of Chasiv Yar, west of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, as they currently out-gun Ukraines army in artillery on the battlefield 10-to-one.

The Ukrainians have been seriously damaged and their armed forces are weaker than they would have been otherwise, Phillips OBrien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, wrote after the US House vote. At least now, however, with a major infusion of US aid, the Ukrainians should be able to stabilize the line.

In contrast with a year ago, when warmer weather brought with it hopes for a second summer offensive by well-armed Ukrainian forces, the failure of that campaign and dwindling assistance from allies have darkened the public mood.

This is good news from the US to bolster military morale, even before the aid is coming, a Ukrainian artilleryman who identified himself only as Taras said before the Congressional vote.

But had it arrived earlier, he added, and our losses might have been lower.

--With assistance from Volodymyr Verbianyi, Olesia Safronova, Natalia Drozdiak and Jennifer Jacobs.

(Updates with Zelenskiy comments from the fourth paragraph, Warners from ninth)

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While automakers  led by Tesla (TSLA)  have turned out entire fleets of EVs in recent years, aircraft manufacturers are further away from electrifying the industry in the US.

That makes an industry goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050 all the more elusive, energy experts say.

"Aviation is really hard to decarbonize," Samantha Gross, director of energy security and climate initiative at the Brookings Institution, told Yahoo Finance. "You're never going to see a battery-powered 737 [plane] because batteries are heavy."

Thats why the industry is working on a number of green energy solutions like sustainable fuels for larger, long-distance aircraft. Meanwhile, electrifying small planes and helicopters is also on the horizon.

To date, a handful of North American startups have made strides toward the electrification of air travel. And their initiatives are attracting investments from manufacturing, airlines, and auto giants.

A pre-production prototype of the Joby Aviation S4 aircraft in Dubai in February. (RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images) (RYAN LIM via Getty Images)

United Airlines (UAL) has a $1 billion agreement with Archer Aviation (ACHR) signed several years ago to purchase up to 200 of the startups vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or eVTOLs. Prior to the United deal, the California-based company partnered with European carmaker Stellantis (STLA).

On an earnings call earlier this year, Archer co-founder Adam Goldstein explained why the company took an investment from the automaker: "When I founded Archer, I knew from watching the EV industry that developing the capability to manufacture our aircraft at high volumes was perhaps the No. 1 enabler of our future success alongside the design and certification of the aircraft," he said.

Meanwhile, Toyota (TM) and Delta (DAL) Airlines have backed Santa Cruz, Calif.-based Joby Aviation (JOBY). The startups eVTOLs can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, or two round trips between JFK Airport and downtown New York City. The company has already delivered one of its aircraft to the US Air Force for testing and training as part of a broader contract with the US Department of Defense.

French plane maker Airbus (AIR.PA) has an internal unit working on its own prototype of an electric air taxi, with a timeline for delivery by the end of this decade.

Last year, American plane manufacturer Boeing (BA) became the sole owner of Wisk Aero, a Mountain View, Calif.-based startup working on eVTOLs. Boeing invested $450 million in the company in 2022.

What they [startups] are doing today  theyre gathering data on how you operate one of these aircraft in an all-electric environment, said Dave Shilliday, vice president and general manager of advanced air mobility at Honeywell (HON). The company makes engines and other internal components for traditional and electric aircraft.

Story continues

The Federal Aviation Administration has yet to fully certify the commercial use of electric planes in the United States, but Archer and Joby hope to commercially launch them in 2025.

Its worth noting, earlier this month China's aviation regulators granted mass production certification for eVTOLs manufactured by Chinese startup EHang (EH).

Autonomous air taxis

Wisk has been working on a fully autonomous air taxi since 2010. The startup's Generation 6 has a 90-mile range and can carry four passengers and their carry-on luggage. There are no pilots on board, but flights are overseen by humans on the ground.

Wisk recently announced a deal with the City of Sugar Land, Texas, to develop an infrastructure that would eventually allow for Wisks autonomous air taxi operations in the Greater Houston region.

A Wisk Aero Generation 6, an electric autonomous air taxi, at the International Paris Air Show in June 2023. (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images) (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT via Getty Images)

The company says its goal is to make the service affordable for all, from college students to professionals. A trip in Wisks aircraft will be comparable to a basic ride-share service cost per mile, a spokesperson said.

Its unclear when Generation 6 will receive certification to fly commercially, but the company has already performed roughly 1,700 test flights across multiple generations of the aircraft.

Hybrid planes

Just as hybrid cars have become the interim step to going all electric for the auto industry, the aircraft industry is going electric in steps.

One example is Ontario, Canada-based Horizon Aircraft (HOVR), which is currently working on a 15-foot-long hybrid eVTOL, initially targeted toward municipality use and emergency situations like hospital transports.

"Think of it [the hybrid] as a very practical bridge to a future when all-electric aircraft actually make a lot more sense," said Brandon Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Aircraft.

The former Canadian fighter pilot envisions that cost-effectiveness will drive more hybrid solutions in the near term.

"When you burn less fuel per unit mile, you not only save yourself costs, but also, from a sustainable aviation perspective, you produce less hydrocarbons," he added.

The Cavorite X7 prototype aims to carry one pilot and up to six people. Courtesy: Horizon Aircraft

Sustainable fuel

With battery weight as a main constraint for long-haul electric flights, the industry is currently turning to clean jet fuels for large aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic made history last year by testing out the first transatlantic flight from London to New York City using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that is not derived from petroleum.

"The world will always assume something cant be done  until you do it," read a blog post by founder Sir Richard Branson. "This flight today shows that sustainable jet fuel can be used as a drop-in replacement for jet fuel  and it is the only viable solution for decarbonising long-haul flights."

Ground crews prepare an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, powering one of its engines with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. (GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) (GIUSEPPE CACACE via Getty Images)

The UN's International Civil Aviation Organization wants the overall SAF pool to increase from today's levels of less than 1% to 5% by 2030.

"We think that's very achievable, Gavin Towler, chief sustainability officer at Honeywell, told Yahoo Finance. The company licenses its SAF technologies for chemical plants to startups and oil companies.

There are numerous ways to produce sustainable aviation fuels, but three have emerged as industry forerunners. One of them uses feedstock. The other is linked to ethanol, which is also used in gasoline blends. A third involves converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen to make aviation fuel.

Having one standard for SAFs across the board would help speed up the road to sustainability, Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at the University of Houston, told Yahoo Finance.

Price is the biggest challenge that we face today," he said. "The second is also having the same quality of the sustainable aviation fuel across the world."

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @ines_ferre. Yahoo Finances Madison Mills contributed to this report.

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Ukraine may receive weapons in less than a week after congressional approval  WP

The Pentagon will deliver some of the weapons to Ukrainian forces in less than a week after all the procedures for adopting the relevant legislation are completed.

Source: The Washington Post, citing US officials, as reported by European Pravda

Details: US officials said the Pentagon is ready to provide significant military assistance to Ukraine after the Senate approves an aid bill for Ukraine next week and President Joe Biden signs it.

The US Department of Defense, which has warned that Ukraine would gradually lose ground to Russian forces and experience significant casualties without prompt action from Capitol Hill, has begun putting together an aid package well in advance of the upcoming votes in a bid to speed up the process, the officials said.

One official estimated that some of the weapons would take less than a week to reach the battlefield.

It was not immediately clear how large the package would be, although it would almost certainly include much-needed ammunition for the systems most relied upon by the Ukrainian military, including 155-mm rounds used in NATO howitzers and medium-range rocket artillery.

It is also likely that the Pentagon will send a fresh batch of air defence equipment and ammunition to Ukraine, crucial to combating Russia's relentless campaign against the country's civilian infrastructure.

Background:

On Saturday 20 April, the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a bill on foreign aid for Ukraine. A total of 311 members of the lower house of the US Congress voted in favour of the bill, while 112 voted against.

The draft law was promised to be submitted to the Senate as an amendment to the Senate Foreign Assistance Bill HR.815, passed in February. This should simplify the procedure for approving the package in the Senate.

The leader of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, said that the Senate would vote on the bill on Tuesday, 23 April.

US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the approved aid bill into law.

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In Ukraine, relief over U.S. aid vote  and fear over what an angry Russia will do next

People stand in front of a mural symbolizing Ukraine's fight against Russia as they rally to raise awareness of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia. (Francisco Seco / Associated Press)

Ukrainians heaved a collective sigh of relief Sunday after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a long-sought $61 billion in aid, breaking a legislative logjam that had deepened hardships on the wars front lines, and made it difficult for Ukrainian forces to fend off Russian attacks on civilian neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.

However, with a fresh infusion of aid ready to be rushed in as soon as the Senate approves the measure and President Biden signs the measure into law  both expected to happen by midweek  it may now take some time to determine whether Russian forces battlefield momentum of recent months can be reversed, analysts said.

And Ukrainians were braced for at least a short-term redoubling of the near-nightly pummeling of cities and towns across the country with missiles and drones  which in recent weeks was exacerbated by an alarming depletion of Ukrainian air defenses. An angry Russia could try to get in more punishing attacks before more air-defense help arrives, some feared.

First of all  thank you, thank you, said Anastasia Chuchin, 36, who was hurrying to catch a train on a rain-soaked morning in the capital, Kyiv. Were very grateful for this assistance. But we may still have some really hard days ahead of us.

President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement of appreciation moments after the vote, which occurred late Saturday evening Ukraine time. He thanked by name House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican who had been heavily lobbied by Ukraines supporters to bring the measure to a vote despite bitter opposition from his partys far-right flank.

Read more: In Ukraine's old imperial city, pastel palaces are in jeopardy, but black humor survives

This is a life-saving decision, Zelensky said in a Saturday night address to the country in which he expressed gratitude to all those in the United States who, like us in Ukraine, feel that Russian evil definitely should not prevail.

Just as important in that initial reaction was what Zelensky did not say. The Ukrainian leader carefully refrained from alluding to Ukrainians frustrations over how long it had taken to move the aid measure forward  or to widespread fears here that American assistance might be on the verge of drying up altogether, particularly if former President Trump, the Republican nominee, wins back the White House in November.

In an interview aired Sunday, though, the Ukrainian leader took a starker tone about setbacks directly tied to the fact that the process stalled for half a year.

We had losses . in men, in equipment, he said on NBCs Meet the Press, particularly citing the deteriorating situation in Ukraines Donbas region, its industrial heartland.

The east was very difficult, and we did lose the initiative, he acknowledged. Now we have the chance to stabilize this situation.

As the political infighting dragged on in Washington, Ukrainian officials expressed particular alarm over the systematic destruction of crucial energy infrastructure, such as a power plant wrecked by missiles outside Kyiv this month. In some parts of the country, the targeting of electricity-generating plants has caused power cuts of a scope and duration comparable to those seen much earlier in the war.

Read more: Ukrainians contemplate the once unthinkable: Losing the war with Russia

U.S. defense officials have not provided a detailed breakdown of what will be in the first tranche of assistance, but the first order of business will likely be to replenish stores of munitions used by Ukrainian forces along a front line that stretches for hundreds of miles, arcing through the countrys south and east. Field units have reported rationing artillery shells and precision rockets even as Russian troops mount an aggressive push in places like the key eastern town of Chasiv Yar.

Speaking on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was confident the U.S. would be able to resume shipments of equipment by the end of the week.

"This should have happened six months ago," Warner said of the House vote to approve the aid. "The next best time is now, this week. ... If [Ukrainians] don't have the materiels, they can't carry this fight to the Russians."

U.S. and Ukrainian officials said resupply efforts could take place relatively quickly, because of supply chains and logistical networks established early in the more than two-year-old conflict. Some of those could be reactivated within days.

Even so, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for the arrival of weaponry that will allow them to stabilize the front lines.

While Russia has not managed any major battlefield breakthroughs since capturing the eastern town of Avdiivka in February, independent military analysts had reported steady incremental advances, amounting to hundreds of square miles of territory, that could have left Ukrainians hard-pressed to contain a concerted Russian push.

With the imminent arrival of aid, though, Ukrainian forces will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed U.S. assistance arrives promptly," the institute said.

Russia, predictably, hammered on what has become a key talking point  that U.S. assistance would do little more than prolong a bloody confrontation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also suggested that the main idea behind the package was to funnel money to U.S. weapons manufacturers.

The House vote "will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime," Peskov said, according to official Russian media.

Read more: Ukraine, Israel aid advances in rare House vote as Democrats help Republicans push it forward

Some U.S. lawmakers said coming to Ukraines aid now had helped avert sending a dangerous signal of U.S. weakness to Moscow.

"If we surrender Ukraine like we did Afghanistan, which was a debacle, will the United States be weaker or stronger?" Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

"We were running out of time, McCaul said. Ukraine was about to fall."

In the NBC interview, Zelensky said the passage of the bill would send a powerful message to Russia that Washington stands by Kyiv, and that the war would not devolve into "a second Afghanistan.

"I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine, and we will have a chance for victory," Zelensky said through an interpreter.

European allies, for their part, had watched the drawn-out aid drama with mounting anxiety and exasperation. But most quickly pivoted to public expressions of optimism and unity.

Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on the platform X.

A few, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, could not suppress a slightly sardonic tone even in expressing relief. NATO allies that feel more directly threatened by Russia, including the Baltic states and Poland, have long viewed the conflict with a sense of crisis and urgency, and were at times incredulous as U.S. support appeared to flag.

Better late than too late, Tusk wrote crisply on X, referring to the long-delayed House vote. And I hope it is not too late for Ukraine.

Many Ukrainians, whose days and nights are punctuated by air alerts that send people scurrying into basement bunkers or taking makeshift shelter behind a second wall at home, were eager to make the point that not only their own safety was at stake.

This is a recognition that helping us in our fight against Russia and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin helps Europe, helps democracy, helps the entire whole world, Dmytro Laba, a 36-year-old IT specialist in Kyiv, said of the House vote. Even the United States of America.

King reported from Kyiv and Wilkinson from Washington.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ukraine war latest: US House passes $61 billion in aid for Ukraine; Navy confirms Russian ship hit in Sevastopol

Key developments on April 20-21:

US House passes $61 billion in aid to Ukraine; Zelensky praises US House for passing it

Senator says US could start sending ATACMS to Kyiv in 1 week

Ukraine's Navy confirms Russian ship Kommuna hit in Sevastopol

Ukrainian drones strike Russian energy facilities overnight, source says

Russian missile attack on Odesa injures 8, including 2 children

Zelensky says Ukraine could sign bilateral security agreements with the US, Nordic, and Baltic states in near future

After months of political infighting and a deteriorating situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed a key foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies on April 20.

The aid package provides $60.84 billion in assistance for Ukraine, including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy advanced weapons, $13.4 billion for replenishing U.S. stockpiles, $11 billion to support U.S. allies in the region, and another $13.8 billion to purchase U.S. defense systems for Ukraine.

Another $9 billion is allocated as economic assistance in the form of loans that can be forgiven by the president with Congress's approval.

The U.S. House of Representatives decision comes over two months after the Senate passed a similar bill on foreign assistance. Democratic and Republican lawmakers, along with U.S. President Joe Biden, have been calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bill to the House for a vote.

The Senate is set to begin considering the House-passed bill on April 23 before it will be sent to President Biden for signing. Biden has already signaled that he would sign the bills once Congress passes them.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner on April 21 told CBS News that the U.S. could begin transferring long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine "by the end of the week," pending White House approval of the military aid package.

"I hope once the President signs ... making sure Congress does its job that these materials will be in transit by the end of the week," Warner said.

Soon after the foreign aid package was passed, President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the U.S. House of Representatives for approving it.

"We appreciate every manifestation of support for our state and our independence, our people and our lives, which Russia wants to bury in ruins," Zelensky said in his evening address on April 20.

"Certainly, we will use American support to strengthen both our nations and bring a just end to this war  a war that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must lose."

He added that the U.S. had "showed its leadership from the first days of the war."

"This kind of American leadership is vital to the preservation of an international order based on rules and predictability of life for all peoples."

Ukraine had repeatedly called on the U.S. to pass the much-needed aid amid dwindling air defenses and ammunition on the battlefield. A recent increase in devastating Russian attacks on critical infrastructure has highlighted Ukraine's growing need for assistance.

Read also: Ukraine aid bill finally passes the House  what happens next?

Earlier on the same day, Zelensky said that Ukraine may also sign a bilateral security agreement with the U.S. in the near future, adding that it could happen after Congress passes aid for Ukraine.

The agreements are based on a pledge made by the Group of Seven (G7) last July, which aims to bolster Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression. So far, nine have been signed with Latvia, Finland, the U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands.

"I want people to understand that these (bilateral agreements) are not only about military assistance," Zelensky said. "This is also about humanitarian aid, reconstruction, the financial and energy sectors' support."

Read also: Ukraines obsolete S-200 missile systems reportedly back on track to hit Russian targets

Ukraines attacks on Russian ship, energy facilities

Ukraine hit another Russian ship in occupied Sevastopol, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Navy, told the Liga.net media outlet on April 21.

Pletenchuk also confirmed that it was the Kommuna, a salvage ship that was launched in 1915 and is the oldest ship still in service in the Russian Navy.

Earlier in the day, the Russian proxy official Mikhail Razvozhayev claimed an anti-ship missile had been "repelled" in occupied Sevastopol and that "fragments caused a small fire, which was quickly extinguished."

A video posted to social media appeared to show a Russian naval vessel on fire, and local media reported the Crimea bridge had been closed. However, the extent of the damage to the ship is yet unclear.

Russia's Kommuna salvage ship in a picture dated July 18, 2009. (George Chernilevsky/Wikimedia Commons)

Sevastopol is home to Russias Black Sea Fleet and is frequently targeted by Ukrainian missile and sea drone strikes.

Apart from that, an intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent that Ukrainian special services, together with the military, orchestrated a large-scale drone attack on Russia's energy infrastructure overnight on April 20.

According to the country's defense ministry, Russian air defense shot down 50 Ukrainian drones over eight regions, including Belgorod, Kursk, Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, Bryansk, Kaluga, and Smolensk oblasts.

A fire broke out at three separate energy facilities in the latter three regions, local authorities claimed. Drone debris also reportedly started a fire at a fuel storage tank in Smolensk Oblast.

The attack was a joint operation of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Military intelligence agency (HUR), and the Special Operations Forces (SOF), the source said.

The drones reportedly targeted the energy infrastructure that powers the Russian military-industrial complex, causing problems with electricity and water supply in some areas.

"The SBU drones successfully attacked the infrastructure that ensures the continuous operation of military facilities in Russia," a military intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Opinion: Whats left of Russias Black Sea Fleet?

Russian missile attack on Odesa injures 8

Russian troops on April 20 launched another missile attack against Odesa, wounding eight people, including two children.

The attack hit a residential area in the city, causing fires and destroying several houses, from one of which a woman and a child were rescued, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper wrote on Telegram.

Ukraines southern regions, such as Odesa, are frequent targets of Russian attacks, damaging civilian infrastructure and causing multiple casualties among civilians.

Kiper reported on April 21 that Russian troops hit Odesa Oblast with a ballistic missile, injuring four people.

The attack hit a transport and logistics facility of one of the ports, also damaging private houses and causing fire.

"Rescuers and utility services continue to eliminate the consequences of the attack," Kiper said following the attack.

Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did

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A Ukrainian citizen is reported to have been detained at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint in North Ossetia (part of the Russian Federation), which separates it from the breakaway state of South Ossetia, which is de jure part of Georgia. The Russians suspect the man of espionage.

Source: Russian Kremlin-aligned agency TASS, citing the border directorate of the FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia), as reported by European Pravda

Details: This is at least the second such arrest over the past five months.

The name of the detainee has not been disclosed; it is known only that he is 36. Law enforcement agencies allege that the suspect had been informing Ukrainian special services via messenger apps about the location of Russian troops and equipment in a combat area in Ukraine.

How the Ukrainian citizen was able to send information about Russian army units deployed in the combat zone was not explained. There is no evidence that the detainee could have possibly been connected to the FSB either. He could face 20 years imprisonment for espionage.

Another Ukrainian citizen was detained in Verkhny Lars last December for the same reason. The current stage of his criminal proceedings is unknown.

Background:

On 15 April, the State Security Service of Georgia reported the latest detention of Georgian citizens in the border area near the occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

After the Russo-Georgian war in 2008, the occupying administration of the Tskhinvali region in Georgia imposed a "border" along the demarcation line, grabbing additional chunks of territory as they did so. The line is frequently drawn right through the middle of villages and land plots.

Because of this, the Russian occupying forces often illegally detain Georgian citizens, accusing them of "violating the state border".

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Russian artillery and aircraft are actively engaged on the Bakhmut front, but Ukrainian forces control the situation in the town of Chasiv Yar, a target of the Russians.

Source: Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote from Voloshyn: "The enemy is pressing Chasiv Yar, but the situation is under complete control; there are no enemy forces in the town.

The assault groups are arriving in infantry fighting vehicles and attacking using drones and artillery support.

In addition, their aircraft have been very annoying lately, bombarding civilian infrastructure and defenders' positions with both FABs [high-explosive bombs] and KABs [guided bombs]."

Details: Voloshyn said the Russians are using North Korean and Chinese-made ammunition to attack Chasiv Yar and the Bakhmut front.

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A Russian salvage ship, the Kommuna, caught fire in the port of the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol, Crimea, due to an operation by the Ukrainian Navy on 21 April.

Source: Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, in a comment for Ukrainska Pravda

Quote: "This event occurred with the direct involvement of the Ukrainian Navy. The type of damage caused to the ship is being established, but early reports indicate that the ship is not fit to perform missions."

Details: Pletenchuk explained that the vessel was not a warship but, despite its age, it had been servicing the Russian Black Sea Fleet and was in working order.

The Russians had been using the Kommuna to survey the location where the Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  sank.

Background: Russian media and Telegram channels reported explosions in the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea on the morning of 21 April. The Russians later stated that a ship had been attacked by a missile.

There were also reports of a blaze on the Kommuna.

Note: Russian open sources say the Kommuna is a support sea vessel of the Russian Navy, a submarine rescue ship. It is the Russian Navy's oldest vessel and the oldest ship in military service in the world.

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UN newsletter exposed for sharing ways to protest in US against Israel on Tax Day

UN newsletter exposed for sharing ways to protest in US against Israel on Tax Day

FIRST ON FOX  An April 11 edition of the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights NGO Action News, which provides updates about civil society organizations worldwide "relevant to the Palestine issue," linked readers to the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) list of "5 Ways to Take Action for Tax Day."

Included within the list were instructions about how protesters who did not "want [their] tax dollars to fund genocide" could "disrupt for a free Palestine."

The second item on USCPRs list was a hyperlink for protesters seeking to engage in a "coordinated multi-city economic blockade to free Palestine," an effort organizers noted was "not affiliated with USCPR."

In the destination page, blockade organizers A15 describe efforts to "identify and blockade major choke points in the economy, focusing on points of production and circulation with the aim of causing the most economic impact," effectively "blocking the arteries of capitalism and jamming the wheels of production."

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS SHUT DOWN TRAFFIC, DISRUPT CITIES ALL ACROSS US IN DEMAND FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE

The demonstrations were largely organized by A15 Action, a newly created group that worked to "coordinate a multi-city economic blockade on April 15 in solidarity with Palestine."

Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices and director of the Touro University Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, told Fox News Digital "the U.N. has been caught red-handed aiding and abetting pro-Hamas anarchists in American cities and streets" by "distributing a newsletter, in multiple languages and to a worldwide network, that contains links to radical anti-American and anti-Israel agitators, their agendas and plans."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reported on the April 15 blockades when anti-Israel protesters stopped traffic outside Washingtons Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Chicagos OHare Airport, Californias Golden Gate Bridge and on the I-5 in Eugene, Ore. Gatherings also took place outside the New York Stock Exchange and Philadelphias City Hall, at San Antonios Valero headquarters and in Los Angeles, Oakland, Tampa and Miami.

PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTER DERAILS DINNER AT UC BERKELEY LAW SCHOOL DEANS HOME, REFUSES TO LEAVE

At an attempted traffic disruption in Detroit, police told Fox 2 Detroit protesting vehicles "ignored multiple traffic control signals," which led to "traffic obstructions" and "nearly caus[ed] accidents."

During the days events, dozens around the country were arrested.

The UNs NGO Action News site contains a disclaimer warning that third-party links "are not under the control of the United Nations and the United Nations is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site."

Bayefsky says the U.N. disclaimer "is totally bogus." She claims "it is U.N. staff who produce summaries of activist plans," and that "the inclusion of any announcement or link to a third party must receive prior approval from the U.N."

Fox News Digital reached out to the chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Ambassador Cheikh Niang of Senegal, for comment about whether U.N. staff approve items within and author summaries for NGO Action News. He did not immediately respond.

JEWISH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT TOLD TO KILL YOURSELF DURING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST: REPORT

The USCPRs protest guide contains other inflammatory remarks, including referencing President Biden as "Genocide Joe," and alleging that "Israel is mass murdering Palestinian families with [U.S.] tax dollars." To summarize USCPRs messaging, NGO Action News pulls from the more measured tones within its guide for action, explaining USCPR "urged the public to pressure for the end of U.S. military funding to Israels massive violence."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Fox News Digital "the secretary-general does not have the legal authority to label an event as genocide. For the United Nations, that determination needs to be made by a competent court."

United Nations and Israeli flags

In its Jan. 26 preliminary ruling, the International Court of Justice did not rule that Israel had committed genocide but urged Israel to allow Gazans access to humanitarian aid and attempt to assist Palestinian civilians.

When asked whether the secretary-general supports NGO Action News instructions in an official U.N. publication that protesters engage in civil disobedience, Dujarric stated that NGO Action News "is compiled in accordance with a mandate conferred by the member states of the U.N. General Assembly" and "does not fall under the authority or direction of the Secretary-General."

"You have all this anarchy on the streets of the U.S.," Bayefsky said, which "ought to be a major wake-up call for American lawmakers and the criminal justice system since we are talking about an operation based in New York City itself. It is also a stunning reminder of the U.N.'s history of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish bias and its vicious post-Oct. 7 campaign to deny Israel its lawful right of self-defense."

On April 16, the Anti-Defamation League released its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which found that antisemitic incidents rose 140% between 2022 and 2023. This included a 45% increase in assaults, a 69% increase in vandalism and a 184% increase in harassment. The ADL noted it "observed explicitly antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric at 1,352 anti-Israel rallies across the United States" after Oct. 7.

When asked if he recognized that anti-Israel protests are among the reasons for the rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. following Oct. 7, Dujarric said "the Secretary-General has publicly, and repeatedly, raised his voice against what he believes is the rise of antisemitism in many of our societies, whether that be in Europe, North America and other parts of the world.

"In addition, the secretary-general has also stated publicly that those that call for the destruction of the state of Israel is a form of modern antisemitism."

Both Israel's foreign minister and the United Nations ambassador have called for Guterres to resign over his treatment of Israel.





Original article source: UN newsletter exposed for sharing ways to protest in US against Israel on Tax Day
This Monday evening marks the first night of Passover, the Jewish festival celebrating the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Jews all over the world will observe Passover with a seder, a ritual-laden meal that essentially recounts the origin story of the Jewish people. But for many American Jews, this Passover night will feel different from previous ones.

The Passover seder includes myriad references to Israel and traditionally ends with the words, Next year in Jerusalem! Furthermore, depending on ones politics, the seder offers countless opportunities to see ones self in the role of the victim, or the oppressor. In the wake of October 7 and Israels bombardment on Gaza, gathering with family promises to be a fraught experience, particularly for Jews from Zionist families who no longer identify with Zionism.

On the surface, it would appear that American Jews overwhelmingly support Israel and Zionism. A 2020 Pew poll found that "Eight in ten U.S. Jews say caring about Israel is an essential or important part of what being Jewish means to them."

But a recent survey released by the Pew Research Center shows Israels six-month bombardment of Gaza does not enjoy universal support from U.S. Jews. The survey of Jewish Americans, conducted February 13 - 25th, found mixed views on support for Israel and its war on Gaza. According to Pew, 33% of Jewish Americans say the way Israel is carrying out its response to Hamas attack is unacceptable. Among the 18-34 year-old cohort, this number is 42%.

The data suggests Israels war on Gaza may represent a turning point away from support for Israel and Zionism for some American Jews. To understand this experience I spoke to eight U.S. Jews who were raised Zionist but no longer identify as such. Some chose to be identified by their first name only because of concern for doxxing which has been used against people advocating for Palestinian solidarity. For one, October 7 represented a breaking point, however the others experienced their own moments of realignment at different points over the past six decades.

Zionist by Default

Many of the Jewish Americans I spoke to are part of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), a group to which I also belong. Many recount receiving messages about Israel early on from their families, synagogue communities, and Hebrew schools. Jay, a member of JFREJ and Jewish Voice for Peace-NYC (JVP) from Brooklyn who uses they/them pronouns, recalls I was a Zionist by default in the way that a lot of American Jews are In the same way that, you know, if you grew up in the U.S. and you go to school in the U.S., you're patriotic by default.

A strong relationship to Israel was encouraged in part by associating the state with Jewish safety. It was always connected with the narrative of the Holocaust, Katie, another member of JFREJ and JVP from Brooklyn, says, But then afterwards, I'd say there was sort of a happy ending to the story in that we Jews finally got a homeland, a place where they're safe.

Jay also remembers being taught that if we need to leave here for whatever reason, Israel will take you in no questions asked. They add, As someone who has pretty immediate family histories of real persecution and exile as I think a lot of American Jews do, that was very comforting.

At the same time, Israel was described not only as a haven, but as a source of Jewish strength and pride. Farrel Brody is an 86-year-old member of JVP-Central Ohio. I had a little wooden rifle that I had been given for Hanukkah, Brody remembers. And I would go around with my little rifle pretending that I was a member of the Haganah [the Zionist paramilitary] and that's when I was 11, 12 years old.

Robbie Liben, 64, a member of JVP-Montana says the founding of Israel was presented as a heroic and triumphant story. It's like, We're no longer oppressed. We have heroes now. We've had Jews who have created a whole country.

For Rabbi David Cooper, 72, rabbi emeritus and co-founder of Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont, California, those founders were celebrated and honored in his Jewish classrooms in the same way Abraham Lincoln and George Washington might be in secular classrooms.

Meanwhile, all of these narratives depended, implicitly or explicitly, on expunging Palestinians from the history and present of the land. Arielle, 33, a member of JFREJ and JVP from Astoria, Queens, says I heard repeated the lie that it was a land without a people for people without a land. This phrase was repeated by several others who shared their recollections of Zionist upbringings.

When Palestinians were discussed, they were characterized as anti Jewish Cooper recalls. He was told that They didn't want us there in Israel and were essentially evil [for] not making, allowing, or understanding our need to be in this place.

The confluence of messages instilling pride, anxiety, and fear made for a powerful combination. But each person I spoke to eventually grew disillusioned by political and personal disruptions to their Zionist indoctrination.

Cognitive Dissonance

For several people, the Second Intifada which began in 2001, marked a turning point. Katie felt the events of the Second Intifada shook her understanding of Israel as a peace-seeking country. I read about how Ariel Sharon went up on the Temple Mount, and it sparked these kind of violent protests, Katie recounts. Somehow it seems to me very clear from reading this, that he had done this on purpose to derail the peace process. Sharons subsequent election as Israels prime minister combined with what Katie saw as a disproportionately violent response to Palestinian protests changed her outlook. There was a lot of cognitive dissonance for me, Katie says, This was not the idea of Israel that I had. I thought of it as this country of people who want to make peace and yet it was not behaving like that.

The Second Intifada also affected Socket's understanding of Israel, a 47-year-old who uses they/they pronouns and lives in middle Tennessee. I knew people who are Palestinian so I was hearing from people what was happening to them and I was like, Oh, this is really really bad, Socket says. It was just very clear to me that I had to be an anti-Zionist.

By 2001, Socket had been involved in radical leftist political activism for some time. That September, the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa erupted in controversy over a draft statement equating Zionism with racism. The U.S. and Israel withdrew from the conference in protest. After the conference, Socket says their peers were talking so casually, [saying] Zionism is racism. I didn't want to show that I didn't understand it. Socket remembers calling their sister, feeling confused. I just thought [Zionism] was this thing where it's like a socialist idea. I thought it was good and I thought it was about us having a place to be and so that was the beginning for me. Afterwards Socket joined a group called Jews for a Free Palestine and embarked on a process of group and independent study about the history of Israel and Zionism. Socket says the period also began a lot of hard conversations with my family members that led to not talking to them for months, if not years at a time.

Arielles break from Zionism was a process that first began during Israels bombardment of Gaza in 2021. She remembers feeling very upset and confused and calling a Zionist friend for support. She told her friend, This doesn't feel right. I don't think the Israeli side is right. In response, her friend implied that [Palestinians] were troublemakers. And I knew that was wrong. In the wake of the racial justice protests of 2020, Arielle felt a disconnect between her commitment to antiracism and her Zionism. I was like, I'm missing something. Like there's no way Angela Davis has it wrong.

After October 7, Arielle says she read 12 books in a month. "I started studying the history that I had avoided, that I had held at arm's length because it made me so uncomfortable to really hold the cognitive dissonance of my family story and this other truth. She was especially struck by the racism of early Zionist founders. It was doomed, Arielle says she felt upon reading about the history of Zionism. If it started racist, how was it ever going to stop being racist?

What About the People Who Lived There?

For many former Zionists, it was firsthand experiences in Israel and occupied Palestine that reshaped their relationship with Zionism. Brody spent three years teaching English at an agricultural high school in northern Israel. He remembers learning that the families of Arab students who received scholarships were threatened. According to Brody, these families were told if they participated in any sort of anti-Israel action, You will not only lose your scholarship and you will possibly lose your life.

Later, Brody was visited by a group of Israeli students who were upset because he awarded the highest score to an Arab student. He still feels outraged about the incident, You're telling me I can't give an objective grade because I'm from the diaspora, and that here in Israel it has to be known that Arabs are lesser human beings? It hurt me. It hurt me deeply.

Rabbi Cooper was 16 when he traveled to Israel right after the 1967 war. Israel had just occupied East Jerusalem, including the Jewish holy site of the Western Wall. I had grown up going to synagogues, Cooper explains, And in Hebrew school, there was always a picture of the Western Wall on one of the walls. Whether it was a painting or a photograph, Cooper always remembers the image of people praying against the wall. Behind them was a small street and a neighborhood.

Cooper was excited to see this image come to life upon his visit to the wall. I knew I was gonna walk right into that picture. And when we got there, it didn't look anything like it. It was the wall. And then it was like an open area. There were no buildings facing it. Confused, Cooper asked his tour guide what happened to the neighborhood he saw in the pictures, Didn't there used to be buildings facing over here? Did the Jordanians tear it down between 1948 and now? And he said, No, no, we just did that.

But Coopers confusion was not allayed, I asked the obvious question. I said, What about the people who live there? And he looks at me goes, What does that matter? It was a defining experience for Cooper. That was a sort of a weird moment for me as a kid, Cooper retells, because to me, it did matter. And it's mattered ever since in a sense.

Liben spent some time traveling in Israel in 1988. I'd read The Jerusalem Post every day. And I remember the headline of the Jerusalem Post one day said that like 80% of Israelis want to deport all Arabs. He was shocked. What? What? That was a little bit of reality that smacked me in the face.

For Jay, a trip to Israel via Birthright in their 20s was formative in rethinking Zionism. It was very clear even at the time that there is a security state that only applies to some people, says Jay. Upset by what they witnessed as well as the reactions they faced when speaking up, I asked a lot of questions and people jumped down my throat or shut me down, Jay explained.[B]eing there really opened my eyes to the assumptions I had made and how they were wrong.

For Molly, a gap year trip to Israel held formative experiences. One Shabbat, Molly traveled with a friend to their cousins home in a settlement outside of Jerusalem. We had to take a different kind of bus to get there, go through a checkpoint. And I just remembered it feeling very sterile. And like it wasn't supposed to be there. As a result, Molly says, I was starting to understand that this whole place was built for me at the detriment of other people who are living there.

Overall, these personal experiences with Israel disrupted dominant Zionist narratives. They surfaced the Palestinians who were generally erased from Zionist stories, as well as the racism and oppression faced by Palestinian people.

Once I Let Go Of That, It Just Felt A Lot Easier.

For many former Zionists, reassessing their relationship with Zionism has felt painful at times, This has been a very tough couple of months, says Molly, I do feel like I have been questioning a lot of things from my childhood and the propaganda that I received. But the process has also opened up new possibilities regarding their relationship to their Jewish identity.

I do resent that I was taught things that I feel were distortions, says Katie. But meanwhile, leaving Zionism has relieved her of a feeling of internal conflict. I had been trying to make things make ethical sense that didn't fit with my ethics. And suddenly once I let go of that, it just felt a lot easier.

For, Klatzker anti-Zionism is a chance to repair harm based on their familys history as participants in early Jewish settlement in Palestine. Its my duty to undo what they did, explains Klatzker. They werent trying to be colonizers. They were participating in a moment where that was normalized and their safety felt like it depended on it. And they were wrong. For Klatzer, their anti-Zionism is not in opposition to these ancestors, but rather a way to demonstrate respect: I feel like as a white person that tries to disentangle from and be aware of how I benefit unfairly from whiteness I need to disentangle and look at how I benefit from Zionism and do as much undoing of it as I can as part of a way to honor my ancestors.

Rabbi Cooper urges U.S. Jews who are considering rejecting Zionism to hold onto their relationship with Judaism: I don't want people to resolve their dissonance by feeling that given the conflation of Judaism and Zionism so much that they feel that this is a failure of Judaism If you're angry about what's happening in Gaza, be angry at Israel, be angry at Zionism, don't be angry at Judaism.

Molly feels that questioning Zionism is innately Jewish. It's okay to question things. That's one thing that I keep kind of bringing up when I'm talking to people is as Jewish people one of our values is that we question things. She adds, You're not betraying your Jewish identity. You're not betraying your Jewish values. The more you recognize people's humanity, the less cognitive dissonance you'll have.

For Arielle, leaving Zionism has been an experience of falling in love with Judaism for the first time in [her] life, because there is Judaism beyond Zionism, and it's beautiful. It is so much more expansive and holy and sacred.

It is worth noting that U.S. Jews do not make up the majority of U.S. Zionists. Christians United for Israel, the largest Christian Zionist organization in the United States, claims 10 million members alone. That is more than the entire Jewish population in the United States. Nonetheless, Zionism is the predominant ideology among American Jews, and especially dominates Jewish institutions such as synagogues, non-profits, schools, and summer camps. The horrific reality of more than 33,000 Palestinians killed by Israels attacks on Gaza, 14,000 of them children, may bring about a reckoning for Zionism for some portion of Americas Zionist Jews.

To other Jewish Americans rethinking Zionism at this moment, Arielle offers an invitation, You will lose community but there is a whole other community waiting to welcome you.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) hosted a first-of-its-kind fair on Saturday to help tackle one of the biggest undiagnosed diseases in the state.

UNMH held the first-ever Diabetes Awareness Health Fair in southwest Albuquerque, saying roughly 53,000 residents dont even know they have diabetes.

Story continues below

The hospital partnered with 40 local and state organizations to provide free diabetic resources and education, including blood glucose testing, foot and vision screenings, and prescription management.

Organizers said they hope to make the resource fair an annual event for the community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
MANILA, Philippines and SINGAPORE, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, and Philippine renewable energy developer PetroGreen Energy Corporation (a subsidiary of publicly-listed PetroEnergy Resources Corporation, a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies) signed a master supply agreement (MSA) yesterday to facilitate the Philippines' solar energy expansion.

(L-R) Vanessa G. Peralta, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communication, PetroGreen Atty. Maria Carmela D. Hautea, Associate Counsel, PetroGreen Maria Victora M. Olivar, Vice President for Commercial Operations & Business Development, PetroGreen Todd Li, President, Trina Solar Asia Pacific Elva Wang, Head of Southeast Asia, Trina Solar Asia Pacific Theresa Roperez, Country Manager (Philippines), Trina Solar Asia Pacific

Under the MSA, Trina Solar will supply 117MW of high-performance PV solar modules to various projects in the Philippines spearheaded by PetroGreen's subsidiary, Rizal Green Energy Corporation (RGEC).

Combining Trina Solar's cutting-edge solar technology with PetroGreen's extensive experience in the Philippine renewable energy sector, this partnership is poised to significantly contribute to the Philippine government's target of 35% renewable energy by 2030.

Trina Solar and PetroGreen has forged a steadfast partnership since 2015. The collaboration has already seen success with the delivery of 27MW of modules to PetroGreen's Dagohoy solar PV project on the island of Bohol. This project  which is reportedly the first large-scale solar farm on the island  is due to be completed this year. It aims to help the island province reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Building on this foundation of success, Trina Solar will also supply modules to PetroGreen's projects including those in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Isabela.

Altogether, these projects will utilise more than 129,000 modules, generating an estimated annual energy yield of 129.14GWh. This amount of electricity is sufficient to power 53,800 Philippine homes each year based on average household consumption.

Todd Li, President of Trina Solar Asia Pacific, and Maria Victoria M. Olivar, PetroGreen's Vice President for Commercial Operations & Business Development signed the MSA in Singapore.

The collaboration, as outlined in the MSA, underscores the commitment of both entities towards a sustainable future powered by clean energy.

Elva Wang, Head of South-East Asia, Trina Solar Asia Pacific said: "The Philippines boasts immense potential to harness solar energy to meet its rising energy demands. We are thrilled to partner with PetroGreen, a like-minded leader, to unlock this potential. This expansion of our partnership underscores our mutual commitment to long-term collaboration and the continued growth of renewable energy initiatives in the Philippines. Together, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a sustainable future powered by clean energy."

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"This collaboration seamlessly aligns with Trina Solar's mission to drive sustainable development through innovative solar solutions. By expanding our footprint in the Philippines and forging long-term partnerships with industry leaders like PetroGreen, we are confident that together, we can significantly contribute to the Philippines' clean energy goals and solidify Trina Solar's position as a key player in the country's solar revolution."

Furthermore, the agreement allows PetroGreen to explore a range of module types offered by Trina Solar, including its industry-leading n-type iTOPCon Advanced cell technology, Vertex products which can be used for various applications like utility and commercial and industrial (C&I). This flexibility allows PetroGreen to select the most suitable modules for its projects, helping to optimize performance and efficiency.

While the current MSA focuses on the supply of solar modules, both parties acknowledge the potential for future collaboration in other areas. This includes the exploration of solar tracker systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS). This openness to expanding the partnership signifies a long-term commitment to innovation and comprehensive renewable energy solutions.

"Our continued partnership with Trina Solar signifies our commitment in ensuring that highest quality components and innovative technologies are deployed in our solar projects," says Maria Victoria M. Olivar, PetroGreen's Vice President for Commercial Operations & Business Development. "We are delighted that this cooperation will significantly boost Philippine's energy transition to renewable energy through solar power projects and will contribute to achieving a low-carbon future," adds Olivar.

The Philippines has ambitious climate goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and achieve 20GW of renewable energy capacity by 2040, in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement and the National Renewable Energy Program. Trina Solar and PetroGreen, through this collaborative effort, are actively supporting the Philippines in achieving these vital targets.

About Trina Solar

Founded in 1997, Trina Solar Co., Ltd. (stock symbol: Trina Solar; stock code: 688599) is mainly engaged in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy mainly comprises PV power generation and operation & maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. With the strategic goal of "Creating a new industrial ecosystem led by Trina Solar, and promoting Trina Solar as a leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions ", we are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future. On June 10, 2020, Trina Solar was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE). It is the first PV and energy storage company that has gone public on the STAR Market providing PV products and systems, as well as smart energy.

About PetroGreen Energy Corporation

PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC), a Yuchengco Group of Companies affiliate, was formed in 2009 as the renewable energy holding unit of publicly-listed company PetroEnergy Resources Corporation (PERC) and is a joint-venture with Kyuden International Corp. (KIC), the overseas investment unit of Kyushu Electric Power of Japan. PGEC has investments in 32MW Maibarara Geothermal Power Project in Batangas, 50MW Nabas Wind Power Project in Aklan, and 70MWdc Tarlac Solar Power Project in Tarlac. In 2023, it formed a new subsidiary, the Rizal Green Energy Corporation (RGEC) to undertake PGEC's RE expansion in the country. PGEC is currently developing large scale and rooftop solar power projects all over the Philippines. In 2022, PGEC, in partnership with Denmark's Copenhagen Energy, was awarded with service contracts to develop three (3) offshore wind power sites in Northern Luzon, Northern Mindoro, and East Panay with the potential to generate a total capacity of 4 GW.

(PRNewsfoto/Trina Solar Energy Development Pte Ltd)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/trina-solar-and-petrogreen-partner-to-accelerate-philippine-solar-adoption-with-117mw-supply-agreement-302121985.html

SOURCE Trina Solar Energy Development Pte. Ltd.
Flags flutter as pro-Ukrainian supporters demonstrate outside the U.S. Capitol after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on legislation providing $95 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

The unblocking of the US aid package for Ukraine has come at a critical time for the war-torn nation, as Russia prepares to use better weather to mount a new offensive. After months of dithering amid bipartisan bickering on Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives on Saturday finally approved billions of dollars in new military assistance.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky described the support as vital to keep the war from expanding and save many lives. The Russians took the opposite view, saying it would prolong the conflict and lead to more damage and casualties.

The easiest way to avoid that would be for Vladimir Putin to withdraw his forces. But since that is not going to happen, the West needs to continue demonstrating a united front against Russian aggression  something that was in danger of being undermined by the Washington stand-off.

However, it is one thing to end the political machinations and another to ensure the speedy despatch of new weapons to Ukraine. There is no reason why this cannot start almost immediately if the political will is there, yet it remains unclear when the aid will arrive. The package will now go to the Senate, which is expected to pass it within days before President Biden signs it into law.

As well as replenishing weapons stocks and ammunition systems, the aid will take the form of around 7 billion of economic assistance in forgivable loans which do not need to be paid back. Ukrainian soldiers are having to ration artillery shells even as the Russians are stepping up production and importing munitions from Iran, North Korea and China. But air defences remain a problem for Kyiv, and there is little indication that these will be improved significantly.

Some analysts worry that the extra military aid will help Ukraine hold the line but not push the Russians back, embedding a stalemate that has already taken hold. The Americans are also once again taking on a disproportionately large financial burden to help protect a European country whose closer neighbours need to do far more. The arguments in Washington over how much should be given and for how long have not been settled.

Although the package passed through the House by a comfortable margin, opposition among some Republicans remains strong. More were against the legislation than in favour of it. These divisions will only become more intense as the presidential election approaches.

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A unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is expected to be sanctioned by the Biden administration this week after a ProPublica investigation claimed that the State Department sat for months on evidence of serious human rights abuses.

Reports of the expected move have enraged the Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and comes as US-Israel relations continue to degrade under the stress of Israels military onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

The investigation published by the nonprofit investigative outlet ProPublica on Wednesday revealed that an internal State Department investigation had, months ago, identified several Israeli police and military units facing credible accusations of violating human rights  some even faced allegations of torture. Its an investigation required by law, with the panel having been set up as part of the so-called Leahy law, which prohibits US funding from going to military or security units found to have committed atrocities.

According to ProPublica, the State Department board leading this investigation made recommendations to halt US assistance to these units months ago; Secretary of State Antony Blinken has not acted upon or published the findings, until now.

Now, Axios reports that the agency will take action this week and issue a ban on US military assistance to the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a controversial unit of the IDF which was set up to include ultra-Orthodox Israelis and is described by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz as a West Bank militia serving as part of the IDF. The unit draws recruits from the rightwing Israeli settler movement, which often is engaged in violent clashes with Palestinians. The settlement movement has also increasingly come under scrutiny by the Biden administration in recent weeks.

At a press conference on Friday, Mr Blinken was asked about the ProPublica investigation and told reporters that he would issue his response to the internal State Department probe in the days ahead.

Axios also reported on Saturday that the Netzah Yehuda battalion was not the only unit identified in the State investigation but others targeted in the probe had supposedly remedied their behaviour, evading sanctions.

The Independent has reached out to the State Department for comment.

Founded in 1999, the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion was created to allow the service of Israels Haredi Jewish minority. The battalions existence is a point of conflict within that community, which largely opposes Israels mandatory military service requirements.

      !

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    ,           .



      Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) April 20, 2024

According to Axios, the battalions human rights record has been on the US governments radar since at least 2022 after its members left an 80-year-old Palestinian-American man gagged and bound in the cold for hours, leading to his death.

Benjamin Netanyahu responded to news of the impending sanctions of the IDF Netzah Yehuda unit on Twitter, writing: It is forbidden to impose sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces!

At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low, said the prime minister. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves.
US House Speaker changed his mind on Ukraine aid after reviewing intelligence and reports of Russian war crimes

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, reportedly changed his mind about aid for Ukraine  following months of refusing to vote on the Ukraine aid bill without also implementing measures to secure the US southern border  after reviewing intelligence and reports of Russian war crimes.

Source: The New York Times (NYT)

Details: "For weeks after the Senate passed a sprawling aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Speaker Mike Johnson agonised over whether and how the House would take up funding legislation that would almost certainly infuriate the right wing of his party and could cost him his job," the NYT wrote.

Johnson met with top national security officials, including CIA Director William Burns, in the Oval Office to discuss classified intelligence and held numerous meetings with groups of Republicans from different districts to understand their voters attitudes toward funding Ukraine.

Finally, when his plan to work with Democrats to clear the way for aiding Ukraine met with opposition from ultraconservative Republicans who threatened to depose him, Johnson, an evangelical Christian, "knelt and prayed for guidance", according to the NYT.

"I want to be on the right side of history," Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, recalled Speaker Johnson saying.

Johnsons decision to risk his speakership to push the US$95 billion foreign aid bill through the House on Saturday was the culmination of what the NYT described as Johnsons "remarkable personal and political arc".

"History judges us for what we do," Johnson told reporters at the Capitol last week. "This is a critical time right now. I could make a selfish decision and do something thats different. But Im doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important."

Johnson attributed his change of mind in part to the intelligence briefings he received.

"I really do believe the intel," Johnson said. "I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Baltics next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland or one of our NATO allies."

People familiar with the discussions told the NYT that one of the most impactful briefings took place in February 2024 in the Oval Office, when congressional leaders met with US President Joe Biden to discuss government funding and aid for Ukraine. During the meeting, Burns and other top national security officials sought to convince Johnson that Ukraine was rapidly running out of ammunition, and that if Ukrainian air defences were no longer reinforced by American weaponry, the consequences would be dire.

Convinced that they would come around to his way of thinking, Johnson repeatedly urged Republicans who opposed funding Ukraine to receive the same intelligence briefings.

Johnson was also struck by the stories he heard in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others about the suffering and misery Russian forces have unleashed across Ukraine. This tugged at Johnsons "sense of Christian faith".

During a meeting with select lawmakers, Johnson "made it pretty clear that if we didnt get this done in April, that it could be too late for Ukraine," Representative Don Bacon, Republican of Nebraska, said.

Background:

On 20 April, the US House of Representatives approved a bill to provide about $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, with 311 representatives voting in favour of the bill and 112 against.

The bill will now be submitted to the Senate as an amendment to the Senate bill on foreign aid, HR.815, which was passed in February. This should simplify the procedure for approving the package in the Senate.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that US senators will come out of recess to vote on aid to Ukraine on Tuesday 23 April.

US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the approved aid bill.

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Ukraine has lost valuable ground and lives in the wait for this delayed aid package - ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP

The relief after the US passed a 48.5 billion military aid package to Ukraine was palpable.

Commentators described it as Ukraines 1941 moment, Ukrainian soldiers cheered and Volodymyr Zelensky praised the US for standing up to Russian evil.

But the aid package is dangerously late.

Ukraine has already lost lives and ground and while it might help blunt Russias anticipated summer offensive, it will not be enough to win the war on its own.

John Foreman, Britains former military attache in Moscow and Kyiv, said: It buys Ukraine time until after the US election in November, maybe a year. It allows them to defend but the key problem hasnt gone away. Ukraine is having to live hand to mouth on arms.

The package doubles US military aid to Ukraine since Russias invasion in February 2022 and will crucially allow support and logistics mechanisms for the delivery of weapons to continue to operate.

The money will replenish equipment but hard-pressed Ukrainian commanders will have to look to address their most basic needs first.

Matthew Savill, the Royal United Services Institutes military sciences director, said: We would expect a priority to be artillery [ammunition and barrels] as well as air defence systems and missiles to replenish stocks depleted by recent Russian air strikes, particularly on Ukraines energy infrastructure.

Jimmy Rushton, a British defence analyst based in Kyiv, agreed: Missiles for air defence systems and artillery shells, in that order.

The momentum of the war has swung firmly behind Russia in the half a year since Republicans in Congress first delayed the aid package.

Aid package will help Ukraine to defend its position against Russian attacks - ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP

Moscow has exploited the delay to exhaust Ukraines air-defence arsenal and pounded critical energy infrastructure and major cities with near impunity.

At the front, Ukrainian military strategists have identified critical sections of the front line that urgently need bolstering, primarily with artillery rounds.

These include a central section of the eastern front line around the town of Chasiv Yar, which acts as a buffer for the Ukrainian fortress cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and a northern section around Kupyansk, which defends the route to Kharkiv.

Kharkiv itself has come under intensified missile bombardment in recent weeks and could be the focus of a new Russian push.

The Russians can be expected to step up operations on all fronts in a bid to make progress before the new ammunition arrives.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War warned: Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilise the front.

Stabilising the front is the most that can be hoped for, no one is under the illusion that this aid will not be enough for Ukraine to resume the offensive.

Mick Ryan, a former Australian general, said: For now, the aim will be to get the aid bills back to the Senate and then signed by president Biden in the coming days. Then the hard work of rapid delivery of aid, and the stepping up of US military-industrial production, begins.

The Ukrainian military aid package was passed on Saturday after a six-month delay in the House of Representatives by Republicans who wanted it linked to tighter controls against immigrants on the US-Mexico border.

It must be approved by the US Senate, which is controlled by Democrats and likely to pass it, before Joe Biden signs it into law and aid can start being distributed.

The US is Ukraines biggest weapons supplier and its kit is seen as vital to the war effort because it is more specialised than equipment from European allies.

Analysts, and front-line Ukrainian soldiers, say that US cluster bombs, banned by many countries that signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, are critical for dealing with massed Russian tanks and infantry assaults and are more effective than conventional 155mm artillery.

Rockets for long-range, precision-guided Himars artillery systems are essential for targeted strikes on Russian command and supply centres.

While other allies, including Germany, have recently promised to provide more Patriot air defence systems, the US is also the only producer of interceptor missiles they fire.

Spare parts for Bradley fighting vehicles and barrels for M777 howitzers also have to come from America.

As well as promising more military aid, the US confirmed it will increase the number of military advisers posted to its embassy in Kyiv, prompting jeers from the Kremlin, which said that the US risked tripping into a military quagmire.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry, said: Washingtons deeper and deeper immersion in the hybrid war against Russia will turn into a loud and humiliating fiasco for the United States such as Vietnam and Afghanistan.

Franz-Stefan Gady, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that the aid gave Ukraine breathing space for trying to solve the even bigger problem of replenishing its battered army with more soldiers.

The new aid package also gives Europe some temporary breathing space to ramp up air/artillery ammo production and launchers, he said. We should see a noticeable increase in European industrial output in late Autumn or Winter.

That points to the deepest vulnerability in Ukraines war effort.

New aid package will give Europe 'some temporary breathing space' to ramp up artillery production - MATT ROURKE/AP

The war is still likely to run for years but the political tensions in Washington that delayed this aid package have not gone away.

If Donald Trump wins the presidency in November, and does not change his stance on the war, it could be the last.

If other allies  principally Britain, Germany, and the European Union  fail to fill the gap in the next six months, this moment may simply postpone defeat.

But if they can, and if the influence of the America First wing of the Republican party peaks, this could prove a turning point.

Michael Clarke, a professor of war studies at Kings College London, told the BBC on Sunday morning: This is the 1941 moment. There was nothing but defeat through 1940, 1941. The balance shifted for the Allies during 1941 but the effect wasnt felt until the autumn of 1942, the battle of Alamein. The Ukrainians have got to stay in the war until the tide turns.

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DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  The United States will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger, U.S. officials said Saturday, in what experts say is a blow to Washington and its allies in the region in terms of staging security operations in the Sahel. The planned departure comes as U.S. officials said they were trying to find a new military agreement.

The prime minister of Niger, appointed by the ruling military junta, Ali Lamine Zeine, and U.S. deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, agreed on Friday that the two nations would begin to plan the withdrawal of American troops, the U.S. State Department told The Associated Press in an email Saturday.

A U.S. official said there was no timeline for withdrawal besides talks set to start in the coming days about next steps. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to detail the private diplomatic discussions. An American delegation to coordinate the details of the withdrawal process will be dispatched soon.

Niger plays a central role in the U.S. militarys operations in Africas Sahel region, an area on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Washington is concerned about the spread of jihadi violence, where local groups have pledged allegiance to al-Qaida and the Islamic State groups. Niger is home to a major U.S. air base, in the city of Agadez, about 920 kilometers (550 miles) from the capital, Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations. The U.S. has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Nigers military since it began operations there in 2013.

But relations have frayed between Niger and Western countries since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president in July. Nigers junta has since told French forces to leave and turned instead to Russia for security. Earlier this month, Russian military trainers arrived to reinforce the countrys air defenses and with Russian equipment to train Nigeriens to use.

There was an attempt on the behalf of the U.S. to revise the military agreement with Niger that would allow them to stay, U.S. officials told the AP. But the agreement between Zeine and Campbell shows that the effort has failed.

A separate senior U.S. State Department official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to speak about sensitive diplomatic talks, told the AP on Saturday that Nigers junta made a decision that they dont want any foreign forces in the country, including the U.S. and that the security partnership was ending for the time being. The junta told the U.S. that Russias presence was to train Nigeriens on how to operate the equipment. The official said that the U.S. had valid concerns about some of the choices the junta was making, specifically about the potential for Russian and American troops to be colocated.

The loss of access to air bases in Niger is a major setback for the U.S. and its allies in the region because of its strategic location for security operations in the Sahel, said Peter Pham, former U.S. special envoy for the Sahel region.

In the short term, they will be hard to replace, said Pham, adding that remaining European Union military presence would likely pull out of Niger following the news of a U.S. departure.

The rupture of relations between the two nations would impact the development and humanitarian aid funds destined for Niger, a country at the bottom of many indicators of well-being, Pham said.

Insa Garba Saidou, a local activist who assists Nigers military rulers with their communications, told the AP that American troops could potentially return after negotiations and that the ruling Niger junta, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, wants to maintain a good working relationship with the U.S.

The U.S should find a new mode of engagement that departs from the failed counterterrorism cooperation model of the past decade, and continues to press other states in the Sahel region on accountability and human rights abuses, said Hannah Rae Armstrong, a senior consultant on Sahel peace and security.

The two officials said that Niger and the U.S would continue to work together on areas of shared interest.

Sam Mednick reported from Jerusalem. Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
Will US sanction Israeli battalion? Netanyahu will 'fight it with all my strength'

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Sunday, April 21. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our story for Monday, April 22.

Some Israeli leaders are lashing out at reported plans by the Biden administration to sanction an ultra-Orthodox Israeli combat unit that for years has faced claims of abuse against Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the intention to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda Battalion as "the height of absurdity and a moral nadir."

"I will strongly defend the (Israeli military), our army and our fighters," Netanyahu said. "If somebody thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF  I will fight this with all my powers."

Axios and the Israeli media outlet Haaretz, citing U.S. government sources they did not name, reported the battalion could be banned from receiving U.S. military assistance or training. The battalion, among other issues, was linked in the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian-American in 2022. Haaretz said the Biden administration is considering sanctions against other military and police units in Israel.

War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz asked U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reconsider the reported plan, saying sanctions are a dangerous precedent that "sends the wrong message to our common enemies in a time of war." The State Department, which has been investigating human rights violation claims against the battalion and other Israeli units for more than a year, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said sanctions while Israel is fighting for its existence were "absolute madness."

"This is part of a planned move to force the State of Israel to agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state and abandon Israel's security," Smotrich said.

But Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli dismissed the government's outrage as "yet another dose of denial and smearing, lies and covering-up the bitter reality." Michaeli described the battalion as a "regiment of ... those who see religion as an excuse to attack Arabs."

House passes aid for Israel: Ukraine, Taiwan also in package after months of fierce debate

Developments:

 Israel's chief of staff, Major General Herzi Halevi, approved undisclosed plans for the continuation of the war at the Southern Command. The command includes Rafah, a city packed with Palestinian refugees, where Israel has long been threatening a ground invasion to international scorn.

 Fourteen militants were killed, 15 were arrested, "a large amount" of ammunition and explosives were confiscated and two explosives laboratories were destroyed Sunday in an operation at the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, the Israeli military said. Nine soldiers were wounded, the statement said.

 A Palestinian woman who attempted to stab soldiers at a checkpoint in the West Bank's Jordan Valley was "neutralized," the Israeli military said. No troops were wounded at the Bekaot Checkpoint.

A Palestinian man wait for news of his daughter as rescue workers search for survivors under the rubble of a building hit in an overnight Israeli bombing in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 21, 2024.

Netanyahu pledges to hit Hamas with 'additional painful blows'

Netanyahu addressed the Israeli nation Sunday, urging Israelis to remember their fallen heroes and wounded fighters on the eve of Passover and vowing to soon strike Hamas with "additional painful blows." Netanyahu said force is the only way to pressure Hamas to release more than 100 hostages Israel believes are still held by militants. The suffering of the hostages and their families "rends our heart and only strengthens our resolve to bring them back," he said.

"In the coming days, we will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas," he said. "This is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory."

Iranian leader applauds military for attack on Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lauded his military on Sunday for "minimizing costs and maximizing gains" in its retaliatory strike on Israel a week ago as tensions between the two nations appeared to be easing.

"How many missiles were launched and how many of them hit their target is not the primary question," Khamenei said Sunday while addressing military leaders in Tehran. "What really matters is that Iran demonstrated its power."

Tensions that were already high grew more dangerous three weeks ago when Israel bombed an Iranian consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing several high-ranking Iranian military leaders. Iran struck back a week ago with its "Operation True Promise," attacking Israeli territory with more than 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. Most were shot down and little damage was reported, but several days later Israel targeted the Iranian city of Isfahan. Iran said little damage resulted and seemed to dismiss the possibilty of further strikes.

Khamenei thanked the armed forces for its efforts and stressed that innovation in weapons and methods must "always be on the agenda."

Hamas condemns US funding bill for Israel

Hamas condemned "in the strongest terms" U.S. House approval of a security bill that includes $26 billion for military and humanitarian aid for Israel. The vote confirmed "the collusion and official American partnership in the extermination war" against Palestinians in Gaza, the militant group said in a statement. The bill drew negative reviews from some Democrats who want the funding tied to Israel's conduct in Gaza.

The bill goes to the Senate, where passage is expected. President Joe Biden has vowed to sign it.

Child saved from womb of dead mother after Gaza bombing

A baby girl was delivered from the womb of a Palestinian killed in Rafah as Israeli bombing intensified in the southern Gaza city, Palestinian health officials said. The baby, weighing a little over 3 pounds, was delivered by emergency C-section, was stable and was improving, Dr. Mohammed Salama said. At least 19 people, including 13 children, died when two houses were struck overnight, authorities said. Rafah is home to more than 1 million people, including hundreds of thousands who fled fled fighting elsewhere in the enclave.

"Here is the biggest tragedy  even if this child survives, she was born an orphan," Salama said.

Hamas leader's sister indicted on terrorism charges

An Israeli prosecutor has indicted an outspoken sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on charges of aiding a terrorist organization and incitement to terrorism, the Times of Israel reported. The indictment against Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, 57, accuses her of sending two WhatsApp messages to dozens of her contacts, including her brother, praising, encouraging and supporting Hamas for its role in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed almost 1,200, resulted in more than 250 people kidnapped and ignited the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The state attorney asked a court to hold her until legal proceedings have concluded. She faces a total of more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war updates: US may sanction controversal Israeli military unit
US Senate to vote on Ukraine aid package on Tuesday

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that US senators will come out of recess to vote on aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, 23 April.

Source: Chuck Schumer on 

Quote: "The [US] Senate stands ready to take the next step on the national security supplemental.

The Senate locked in an agreement to finish the work with the first vote on Tuesday [23 April  ed.]."

Background:

The US House of Representatives has approved a vital bill to provide Ukraine with military aid.

House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced the package, which includes support for Ukraine, on Wednesday. It envisages allocating around US$61 billion in aid to Ukraine and allies.

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US set to sanction an entire IDF battalion with a history of alleged human rights abuses on the West Bank, report says

The US is set to sanction an IDF unit following reported human rights abuses, Axios reports.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion was implicated in the death of an 80-year-old US citizen in 2022.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the US decision, calling it "a moral low."

The US is poised to sanction a controversial battalion in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for reported human rights abuses, Axios reported.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.

It would be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit. The battalion is composed of over 900 soldiers.

The news of the possible sanctioning of the IDF unit came as the House of Representatives on Saturday passed a bill that includes more than $14 billion in military aid to Israel as well as $9 billion in humanitarian assistance, much of which will go to Gaza.

The unprecedented sanctions will prohibit the battalion and its members from receiving US military assistance or training.

The imposed measures are in accordance with the 1997 Leahy vetting policy, which forbids US foreign aid and Defense Department training programs from going to foreign security, military, and police units credibly alleged to have committed human rights violations.

In 2022, the State Department requested the US embassy interview Israelis and Palestinians about the battalion's conduct in the West Bank following reports of abuse of Palestinians, the Israeli outlet Haaretz, reported.

Last month, a State Department panel recommended that Blinken disqualify multiple Israeli military and police units operating in the West Bank from receiving US aid, ProPublica reported.

Blinken confirmed on Friday that he had made determinations based on this investigation and stated, "You can expect to see them in the days ahead" regarding the sanctions, per Axios.

Senior members of the Israeli government pushed back at the potential sanctions move against the Netzah Yehuda battalion.

"Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X.

"At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low," he wrote.

Minister of Defense Benny Gantz wrote on X that the Netzah Yehuda battalion was "an inseperable part of the Israel Defence Forces."

Radical settlers

Israeli settlers hold a protest march from Tapuach Junction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Nir Elias

The Netzah Yehuda unit, part of the Kfir brigade, was originally set up in 1999 to accommodate the religious beliefs of recruits from ultra-Orthodox and national religious communities, including those from extremist settlements.

All of its members are men. The unit has a reputation for recruiting some radical settlers who are not accepted by other IDF formations, said Axios.

Historically, the Netzah Yehuda battalion has been primarily deployed in the West Bank, gaining notoriety for its treatment of Palestinians.

Notably, soldiers from the unit were accused in the death of Omar Assad, an 80-year-old US citizen, who died of a heart attack in 2022 after being detained, bound, gagged, and abandoned by members of the battalion.

While Israel has deployed the Netzah Yehuda battalion out of the West Bank since the incident, the unit has continued to serve primarily in the country's north and in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Business Insider contacted the State Department for comment.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel and has remained a steadfast ally throughout Israel's military campaign against Gaza, which has killed over 30,000 Palestinians.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Social Security is in trouble. The program's trust funds will run out of money by 2033 unless changes are made, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That means steep benefit cuts could be coming just 10 years from now.

President Joe Biden and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump know that something needs to be done to prevent those benefit cuts. Whom do Americans trust more to protect Social Security: Biden or Trump?

Image source: Getty Images.

Survey says

Newsweek commissioned Redfield and Wilton Strategies to determine which major presidential candidate voters trust more with Social Security. They surveyed 4,000 Americans of voting age earlier this month.

Forty-one percent of respondents stated they trust President Biden with protecting Social Security compared to 36% preferring former President Trump. Another 12% were unsure which candidate would be preferable with 5% indicating they trusted both men equally.

There wasn't a gender gap in the polling. Forty-two percent of men chose Biden as the better candidate for protecting Social Security versus 38% selecting Trump. Forty percent of women preferred Biden, while 35% opted for Trump.

Biden also enjoyed cross-generational support. All generations except Gen-Z (individuals born between 1997 and 2006) picked the current president as the better candidate to address Social Security's challenges. Biden received especially strong support from older Americans, with 48% of voters born before 1965 preferring him compared to 35% for Trump.

Different approaches to Social Security

These survey results likely reflect voters' perceptions of the two candidates' approaches to Social Security. What are the differences between Biden's and Trump's views about the program?

Biden has steadfastly opposed any benefit cuts to Social Security. He proclaimed in his State of the Union message earlier this year that he would stop anyone who tries to reduce Social Security benefits.

Trump seemed to be open to Social Security and Medicare cuts in a call with CNBC in March. The former president stated, "[T]here is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting." However, he later clarified his comments, saying, "I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare."

Biden wants to address Social Security's fiscal challenges primarily by making more of wealthier Americans' income subject to the FICA payroll tax. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that Biden's proposal (assuming earnings above $400,00 are subject to the payroll tax) would reduce Social Security's projected shortfall by 60%.

Story continues

Trump has hinted he would fix Social Security by using oil and gas leasing revenue. He hasn't provided any details on this idea. However, the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) calculated that allocating all current oil and gas leasing revenue to Social Security would address less than 4% of its projected shortfall. CRFB stated, "[I]t would be impossible to fix Social Security even if all federal land were opened to drilling operations."

Biden and Trump agree on one thing: Neither wants to raise the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security. Biden opposed the idea in his State of the Union address. In January, Trump's campaign attacked former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley's proposal to raise the FRA.

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Whom Do Americans Trust More to Protect Social Security: Biden or Trump? was originally published by The Motley Fool
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Beach Fire Academy is preparing to hold a graduation ceremony for 33 Virginia Beach Fire Department recruits.

Recruits, from classes 14 and 15, will be assigned to their duty stations once they have graduated.

The ceremony takes place Tuesday, April 23 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center  Ballroom, 1000 19th St.

For information on how to become a Virginia Beach firefighter click here.

The graduation ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Warner: Military equipment will be in transit to Ukraine by next week if Biden signs bill

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Sunday said U.S. shipments of long-range missiles will be in transit to Ukraine next week as long as President Biden signs the foreign aid bill.

I hope once the president signs, weve been told that there it is, the presidents signature, making sure Congress does its job that these materials will be in transit by the end of the week, Warner said Sunday on CBS Newss Face the Nation.

And on that schedule, what it will do is its clearly been the case that the Ukrainians morale has been great, but its been undermined over the last couple of months, when they have been literally given out rationed bullets, eight to 10 bullets a day, he added. And on artillery shells, Russians 10-to-1, you cant underestimate that Ukrainians grit, determination, but if they dont have the materials, they cant carry this fight to the Russians.

Warner noted it is written in the legislation that long-range ATACMS missiles will be given to Kyiv should the bill pass in the Senate and head to Bidens desk.

The ATACMS  I believe the administration was prepared over the last couple of months to prepare or to provide ATACMS. It is written into this legislation, Warner said.

The House on Saturday passed a long-sought foreign aid package that includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific. It also includes a package of other national security measures, among those a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The package now heads to the Senate, which is expected to pass it in the middle of next week.

The package comes after months of warnings from the Biden administration that Ukraine will struggle against Russian forces without any supplemental aid passed by Congress. Sharp divisions among lawmakers have stalled aid from passing for more than a year, with mostly far-right lawmakers expressing concern about continuing to fund Ukraine.

Congress has not passed a Ukraine aid package since the end of 2022, and all available funds dried up around the end of 2023, leaving Kyiv in a perilous position with depleting air defenses and artillery, both crucial in the war.

Russia has advanced on the battlefield across eastern Ukraine, seizing the town of Avdiivka in February and threatening to seize Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.

Warner on Sunday argued the U.S. needs to be prepared for its own national security interests and pointed to Russias links to China, Iran and potentially North Korea.

I know the terminology used to be Axis of Evil, this may be the 2024 Axis of Evil combination of nations, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washington Co. Sheriffs Office searching for shooting victim in Tennille, Ga.

TENNILLE, Ga. (WJBF)  Washington County Sheriffs Investigators are investigating an over night shooting on the 700 Block of Matthews Road in Tennille.

Deputies responded to a report of gun shots Sunday morning after 1:00 am at Cornbreads Place.

The caller said they heard approximately 25 shots fired.

Deputies later got a report that a male subject was at a residence on Irwin Ave reportedly saying he had been shot.

Once deputies arrived at the Irwin Ave home, the male victim had fled the area. Deputies discovered and collected blood samples from that location.

A search of the area for the victim was unsuccessful. Investigators are currently searching for information concerning this incident.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Washington County Sheriffs Office at 478-552-0911.

No word on any suspects.

This is a developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Stargazers are in for a special show starting this Sunday with the peak of the Lyrid Meteor Shower.

Space.com says the Lyrid Meteor Shower is an annual event from around April 16 to April 25. Its peak dates in central Ohio will be from Sunday, April 21 to Monday, April 22, where Timeanddate.com notes that up to 18 fireballs could be visible per hour. However, the Moon will be almost full (98.4%) on Sunday, which could reduce the visibility of the falling meteors.

Lyrid Meteor Shower (Adobe Stock)

The Lyrids are the oldest recorded meteor showers, with historical texts mentioning them more than 2,000 years ago. The shooting stars seen in the sky are created by the comet Thatcher which releases fragments of itself while traveling through space that burn up upon entering the Earths atmosphere.

Why cannabis seeds are Ohios only legal option to buy recreational marijuana

Observers can enjoy the Lyrids just by looking into the night sky without special equipment. To see the Lyrids NASA recommends finding an area away from city lights. It is also a good idea for watchers to dress for the weather, the overnight forecast calls for clear and chilly conditions with a low of 36.

Spectators should look to the northeastern sky and find the constellation Lyra. Meteors will appear to radiate from near this constellation. The best time to view will be between midnight and dawn.

A meteor spotting tool map can detail how clear it will be at night. The tool allows users to enter a date range and a location, to see the times with the best visibility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
WEEKEND CRIME: Two Columbus teens killed, plus two injured in separate shootings

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WBRL) Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan confirms two teenagers passed this weekend; one killed by a gunshot another hit by a car. Two additional individuals were injured as well.

Saturday

Warm Springs Road

The first shooting injured one individual on Warm Springs Road Saturday afternoon.

The Columbus Police Department responded to the Super 8 Motel on Warm Springs Road in connection to a shooting. A WRBL reporter says at least a dozen police cars responded and blocked off the area with crime scene tape.

At this time, WRBL has learned there is one victim involved. That victims condition is unknown.

Sunday

Lakeshore and Crystal Dr.

Bryan says multiple shootings happened in the area of Lakeshore Road and Crystal Drive Sunday. One victim was hit and underwent surgery at a local area hospital. The condition of that victim is unknown.

A second victim in a separate car, according to the coroner, was shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus. This individual was identified as Daryus Bryant, 16.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle

Bryan shares with WRBL Devonte Cage, 16, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Manchester Expressway. The coroner shares Cage was exiting the car he was currently in. After exiting the car, he was struck by another vehicle and pronounce dead on the scene. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations will assist in this investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Empty streets and closed stores are seen during a general strike in Hebron, to mourn those killed in Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Mamoun Wazwaz/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

People in the West Bank launched a general strike on Sunday in protest against Israel's killing of Palestinians in a refugee camp in Tulkarm and in the Gaza Strip.

The Fatah movement, among other groups, had called for the strike.

According to eyewitnesses, there was hardly any traffic on the streets of Ramallah on Sunday morning and stores were closed.

In the northern West Bank city of Hebron, meanwhile, two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Sunday morning.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that it had been informed of the men's deaths by the Israeli authorities.

According to the army, they had previously attacked Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint.

The situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the war between Israel and the militant Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip began on October 7.

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 450 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank alone since then, most of them died in Israeli attacks.

In Gaza, more than 33,000 people have been killed in the last six months and many more thousands injured.

Israeli forces carried out a major operation in the West Bank until Saturday evening. According to the army, they killed at least 10 gunmen. Nine Israeli security forces were also injured in battles in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm.

The Ministry of Health in the West Bank reported 14 dead and several injured in the operation, including a 16-year-old.

Israel took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinians claim the territories for their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Empty streets and closed stores are seen during a general strike in Hebron, to mourn those killed in Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Mamoun Wazwaz/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Whether its due to inflation, increased demand, or airline complications, such as staff shortages and grounded planes, travelers have been dealing with increased travel expenses for quite a while.

I've been joking with friends and family that $400 is the new $250 for an airfare, Morningstar industrials equity analyst Nicolas Owens quipped on the Morning Brief.

While many travelers may share this sentiment, prices have actually leveled out from their high point in May and June of 2022, when the average monthly airfare departing from US cities was shy of $320. Airline ticket prices have now settled around an average of $270, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly suggested that the extra costs of travel may actually be coming from another source entirely.

I think stats like that are very anecdotal, Kelly said in response to Owens. When you look at the large data sets, you're not seeing mega increases [on flights].

Kelly said that where hes seeing a price boom is at luxury hotels.

$1,000 used to get you the top-tier Four Seasons in Italy," Kelly said. "Now that's $2,000 and up at fancy hotels, and it's even creeping up into the $3,000 a night, which I think is just absolutely crazy. It can be cheaper to rent a yacht than stay in luxury hotels these days.

Kelly said he expects airfare price trends this year to remain close to where they were last year.

What I'm noticing in June and July, I think due to the Olympics, especially, airfares are much higher, Kelly said. August is normally the more expensive month. But this year, I'm seeing better deals. New York to parts of Italy for $4,000 in first class on British Airways, I was finding yesterday. Last summer, we saw business class $5,000, $6,000, $7,000 fares across the board. So while I think that airfare this summer is going to be about the same as last year, there are still deals out there.

To snag those deals, Kelly recommended that travelers explore cost-saving tactics such as credit card rewards, using the Google Flights Explore tab, and checking for last-minute deals on flights with open seats.

Read more: Best travel credit cards for April 2024

Travelers pass through O'Hare International Airport on April 18 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson via Getty Images)

What airline earnings can tell us

As Americans gear up for summer travel, the airline industry is dealing with a series of challenges that could impact future performance  and potentially airline ticket prices.

Coming into earnings season, there were many questions about how Q1 would look for airlines after Boeings (BA) mishaps, including the mid-flight blowout on an Alaska Airlines (ALK) 737 Max 9 jet in January, raised concerns around whether the company's planes are airworthy. Senators on both sides of the aisle are now asking the Justice Department to investigate the company.

Story continues

Despite some uncertainty, the airlines that use their planes appear to be coming out of Q1 on stable ground.

United Airlines (UAL), for example, managed to beat earnings estimates despite losing $200 million in profits due to the grounding of Boeing planes. United stock reached a 2024 high of nearly $52 after reporting its Q1 results on Wednesday. The stock is up over 24% year to date.

"In a way, you could say that the damage here was pretty limited," Owens said. "They're saying it was a $200 million hit, which was the difference between them making money or losing money. To me, that just goes to show how narrow the margins in airlines really are."

Alaska Air Group also reported a smaller loss than expected in Q1, according to Reuters. Alaska expects to find more stability later this year, as business travel has started to pick back up  a refrain of "healthy" demand echoed by Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

Against this backdrop, Owens went on to take a more long-term view of the airline industry. He pointed out that United managed to book record revenue on capacity that's below 2019 levels through higher pricing and more premium offerings.

"They are benefiting from a common set of tailwinds right now," Owens said. "So even though it's frustrating that they can't get their hands on the planes that they ordered, and they maybe couldn't hire as many pilots as they wanted to ... what that is doing is actually putting a crimp on capacity expansion for the industry, which means they get to charge more for the same seat."

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
By Ali Sawafta

AL-MUGHAYYER, West Bank (Reuters) - The Israeli settlers who rampaged through the West Bank village of al-Mughayyer on April 12 came in greater numbers and carried more weapons than during any of the previous raids on the Palestinian community, residents said.

Days later, torched homes and cars still bear testament to the attack, which residents said lasted several hours and that they said Israeli soldiers did nothing to stop.

With few means to defend themselves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, they fear more such assaults on the village.

"We have stones and they have weapons, and the army supports the settlers," said Abdullatif Abu Alia, whose house came under attack. His roof was spattered with the blood of Palestinians wounded as they tried to repel the attackers with rocks. One of them, his relative Jihad Abu Alia, was shot and killed, he said.

"Of course, the aim is to force displacement," he added.

Al-Mughayyer was one of several Palestinian villages raided by settlers over several days beginning April 12, an escalation that began after a 14-year-old Israeli went missing. His body was discovered not far from al-Mughayyer the following day.

Israel said he was killed in a terrorist attack.

Violence in the West Bank, seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, was already surging before the Gaza war began in October - fuelling further bloodshed in the territory.

Settler violence is a source of growing concern among Israel's Western allies. A number of countries, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on violent settlers and urged Israel to do more to stop the violence.

Washington imposed sanctions on Friday on an ally of Israel's far-right national security minister and two entities that raised money for Israeli men accused of settler violence.

The Israeli military said confrontations had spread in the area as a result of the teenager's killing, and included "exchanges of gunfire, mutual stone throwing and property arson in which Israeli and Palestinian civilians were injured".

Asked about residents' accusations that soldiers had done nothing to stop the al-Mughayyer attack, the military said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and security forces operated with the aim of protecting "the property and lives of all citizens and dispersing the confrontations".

GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Ameen Abu Alia, the head of al-Mughayyer's municipal council, said 45 Palestinians suffered gunshot wounds in the attack, which began after hundreds of settlers had congregated on a road near the village.

Israeli troops arrived shortly before it started, setting up road blocks and a cordon which left houses on the village outskirts cut off from its centre, meaning villagers could not to go to aid those who were under attack, he said.

The soldiers also prevented ambulances from reaching the area to treat wounded people, he said.

The Israeli military said ambulances "were delayed for a security check and then they were given the authorization to continue".

Abu Alia, the municipal council head, accused the Israeli army of providing security for the settler raid, which the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said had been "accompanied by Israeli forces".

Complaints about soldiers' behaviour that was not in accordance with orders will be examined, the Israeli military said.

Israel has settled the West Bank extensively since 1967, viewing it as the biblical Judea and Samaria and critical to Israel's security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promotion of settlement growth has drawn U.S. criticism.

The settlements have eaten up West Bank land where Palestinians have long aimed to establish an independent state that would also include the Gaza Strip and have East Jerusalem as its capital.

FIRE TRUCK TORCHED, SHEEP STOLEN

His home torched in the attack, Shehadah Abu Rasheed has pitched a tent to provide temporary shelter. Inside, the walls of the house were charred black. Abu Rasheed said his wife was hit by a settler and one of his four children lightly wounded by gunfire.

The settlers also torched a fire truck sent to al-Mughayyer by the Palestinian civil defence service during the attack, the civil defence said. Its charred remains were being loaded onto a truck when Reuters journalists visited on Wednesday.

OCHA reported that the settlers fully burnt 21 houses in al-Mughayyer, displacing 86 Palestinians, and that 32 vehicles were damaged, and some 220 sheep were killed or stolen.

It was unconfirmed if the Palestinian man who died during the raid was killed by Israeli forces or settlers, it said.

Four of seven Palestinians killed in the West Bank between April 12 and 15 died in incidents involving Israeli settlers in a series of attacks on Palestinian communities during and after the search for the 14-year-old Israeli, OCHA reported. Another Palestinian man was killed in a settler raid on April 20, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The United States, Britain and the European Union have all imposed sanctions on violent settlers in recent months.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at an April 15 briefing that Washington condemned last weekend's violence against Palestinians just as strongly as it condemned the murder of the 14-year-old Israeli. The United States has said it is "incredibly concerned" that Israeli security forces were not doing enough to stop settler violence, he said.

Al-Mughayyer is located in a part of the West Bank where Israel has full security control under interim peace accords which Palestinian leaders signed three decades ago in the belief they would eventually lead to an independent state.

The arrangements mean most of the West Bank is off limits to the security forces of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority. Abdullatif Abu Alia, the al-Mughayyer resident, said the most he hoped for from the Palestinian government was help to erect a protective fence around his house and reinforce the windows.

"What else can they do? They can't even protect themselves," he said, referring to Israeli raids into Palestinian cities.

(Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar and James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Helen Popper)
The White House issued a statement on Sunday from Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates that decries instances of targeted hate speech during ongoing protests at Columbia University as antisemitic and dangerous. Meanwhile, pro-Palestine activists continued their protest for a fifth straight day, creating a student encampment on-campus.

While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America, the statement began.

And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms, Bates continued.

*White House Statement*



"Calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America." https://t.co/xBzLJtx6ji  Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) April 21, 2024

More than 100 students at Columbia and its sister college Barnard, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, were arrested after they refused to leave a pro-Palestine event on Thursday. The school has since said that the IDs of those students will stop working, and they may not be allowed to finish the remainder of the semester.

Each of the students has been suspended. They were also barred from attending campus events and were escorted from their dorms.

Following the arrests, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban told the press, The students that were arrested were peaceful, offered no resistance whatsoever, and were saying what they wanted to say.

The arrests did little to deter many students  protests at the school continued on Sunday.

The universitys president wrote in an email that the encampment severely disrupts campus life, and creates a harassing and intimidating environment for many of our students.

Shafik had testified before Congress this past week at a House Education subcommittee hearing titled, Columbia in Crisis: Columbia Universitys Response to Antisemitism.

Others have disputed reports that the protests are violent. NBC News Correspondent Antonia Hylton insisted, I didnt see a single instance of violence or aggression on the lawn or at the student encampment. She added that the student-led protest was peaceful and that students were able to walk through without harassment.

Our team spent long hours reporting on and around Columbias campus on Thursday & Friday. I want to clear some stuff up. I didnt see a single instance of violence or aggression on the lawn or at the student encampment. The student-led protest was peaceful and often very quiet  Antonia Hylton (@ahylton26) April 21, 2024

However, the same couldnt be said for those outside of campus.

The only moments of conflict or aggression I witnessed took place beyond the gates, out on Broadway Ave., Hylton wrote. When she approached people in that group, the people she spoke with said they were not students at Columbia or Barnard.

The public protests happening on the street are not the same as the encampment inside, Hylton noted.

New York Gov. Kathy Holchul shared her own statement: The First Amendment protects the right to protest but students also have a right to learn in an environment free from harassment or violence. At Columbia or on any campus, threatening Jewish students with violence or glorifying the terror of October 7 is antisemitism.

The American Association of University Professors, Barnard and Columbia Chapters issued a joint letter in which they said theyve lost confidence in the Universitys president and administration.

AAUP Barnard and Columbia pledge continued support for our students right to protest and to speak freely, and for our colleagues right to teach and to write freely within their domains of expertise, the letter read. We have lost confidence in our president and administration, and we pledge to fight to reclaim our university.

One student protester whod been arrested shared that a no-confidence vote in the universitys president isnt what members of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition want.

Faculty are well intentioned but have not been asking arrested students what we want, the anonymous student said in a message shared by Columbia Ph.D. student Jon Ben-Menachem. We have 3 demands: transparency, divestment, amnesty. Thats it.

Ben-Menachem himself said in a post on X, As a Jewish Columbia student, it is perfectly safe for Jews on campus  if we are talking about student protesters. As Jewish student protesters learned on Thursday, however, they may not be safe from CU admin calling the NYPD to arrest them.

Rabbi Elie Buechler, a leader at Columbia Universitys Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, issued a statement that encouraged Jewish students to go home. He explained that the events have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety.

It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved, his message continued.

Buechler sent his message after video surfaced showing one protester intone, Never forget the seventh of October and that will happen not one more time, not five more times, not 10 more times, not 100 more times, not 1,000 more times, but 10,000 times!

"Never forget the 7th of October. That will happen not one more time, not five more times, not 10100100010,000The 7th of October is going to be every day for you."



Protestors screamed this at two Jewish @Columbia students right outside campus gates tonight. pic.twitter.com/VYp0tFudGj  Jonas Du (@jonasydu) April 19, 2024

On the same day, the Columbia/Barnard Hillel  the campus Jewish organization  told students to remain at school. The organization tweeted, We do not believe that Jewish students should leave @Columbia. We do believe that the University and the City need to do more to ensure the safety of our students.

We do not believe that Jewish students should leave @Columbia . We do believe that the University and the City need to do more to ensure the safety of our students.https://t.co/Nl7V8pWqVH  CU/BC Hillel (@cbhillel) April 21, 2024

The post White House Condemns Antisemitic, Unconscionable and Dangerous Hate Speech at Columbia University appeared first on TheWrap.
The White House on Sunday condemned the calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students as protests continue at colleges in the U.S., including the latest demonstration at Columbia University in New York.

While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement shared with The Hill.

And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms, he continued.

The statement came shortly after reports circulated Sunday that a rabbi associated with Columbia University sent a message to 300 Jewish students to leave campus, return home and remain there ahead of the start of Passover, the Jewish holiday that begins Monday night.

The campus Hillel countered this statement, writing on the social platform X, We do not believe that Jewish students should leave @Columbia. We do believe that the University and the City need to do more to ensure the safety of our students.

Protests have been ongoing at Columbia University since last week, when dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up an encampment of dozens of tents on campus. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik later authorized the New York Police Department to help remove the encampment.

More than 100 protesters were taken into custody, NBC News reported last week.

All university students involved in the demonstration were told they are suspended, according to school officials.

Among those suspended was Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Hirsi is a student at Barnard College, which is connected to Columbia but has some independence.

A series of U.S. colleges have faced an uptick in demonstrations and protests in the months that followed Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, which left about 1,200 people dead in southern Israel and about 250 others taken hostage.

Israel has responded with a bombardment of Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(PORTLAND TRIBUNE)  Big changes are coming to the downtown Portland arts scene, although the largest decision  the future of the city-owned Keller Auditorium  is not scheduled to be made by the City Council until later this year.

Portland State University announced a $10 million gift from the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation in support of its arts programs on April 2. Jordan Schnitzer, the real estate developer and philanthropist behind the donation, said he hopes the money will benefit not only PSU students, but also residents across the Portland area.

Jurys decision lays groundwork for Oswego Lake opening up to the public

The donation will help fund construction of the Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design in the South Park Blocks, help operate PSUs Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and cover new signage, lighting and outdoor art on the universitys campus.

My grandparents, my late parents Harold and Arlene Schnitzer and I believe in the importance of education, Schnitzer said. An arts education is the best background to think creatively, to learn to be innovative, to help build our workforce and economy, and most importantly, help solve societys great challenges.

The Portland Art Museum then announced that its ongoing campus expansion and renovation project will be open to the public in late 2025. The project will create a new 24,000-square-foot Mark Rothko Pavilion on the South Park Blocks, named after the late renowned abstract expressionist painter who spent his childhood in Portland.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com

The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Wisconsin man arrested for 3rd OWI while driving with 5 passengers all under the age of 16

JANESVILLE, Wis. (WFRV)  After running a red light, a southern Wisconsin man was pulled over and arrested for his third OWI. Officers say there were five other passengers in the vehicle, all under the age of 16.

According to the Janesville Police Department, an officer reportedly noticed a vehicle cross the centerline and run a red right around 12:30 a.m. on April 21.

Fully loaded semi-tractor trailer rolls over on I-41, Wisconsin man arrested for OWI after .297 breath test

While a Janesville Officer contacted the driver, later identified as 36-year-old Ricardo Villalobos, five passengers were seen inside the vehicle. Officers say that all five passengers were children under the age of 16 years old.

The Beloit resident, Villalobos, allegedly displayed signs of being under the influence of an intoxicant and reportedly failed standardized field sobriety testing.

Villalobos was arrested and taken to the Rock County Jail on the following charges:

Operate While Intoxicated  3rd Offense

5 Counts: Operate While intoxicated with passenger under the age of 16

Suspect flees scene of crashed stolen vehicle, Wisconsin officers find 2 children inside car

It was noted in the release that a blood sample from Villalobos was taken, the results of which are pending.

No other details were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  Two teens were airlifted to the hospital after a scooter crash involving a vehicle in St. George Friday night, according to St. George Police. The driver of the vehicle was arrested following the incident.

Christina Juliana Johnson, 18, was arrested in Washington County on negligently operating a vehicle resulting in bodily injury (third-degree felony), two counts of failure to remain at accident involving injury (third-degree felony), and driving under the influence (class-B misdemeanor).

Kevin Bacon returns to Payson High on prom night for 40th anniversary of Footloose

At around 10:20 p.m. on April 19, police responded to the block of 3000 East Livia Dr. in St. George for an auto-pedestrian accident. Two teens, both riding a scooter reportedly capable of speeds up to 50 mph, had crashed into a vehicle as it was making a left turn, police said.

The teens, reportedly around 14 years old, were airlifted to Primary Childrens Hospital with extensive injuries after the crash.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Johnson, left the scene of the accident and was about five houses from where the crash took place, according to a statement of probable cause.

I learned that after the accident, Julia had run from the accident screaming, a St. George Police officer wrote in the statement.

Police gave Johnson multiple sobriety tests, and found indication that she was impaired.

I observed eyelid tremors, as well as swaying from side to side, the officer wrote in the statement.

Johnson was booked into Washington County Jail on the charges previously stated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Woman convicted of homicide says victim liked to drink vodka & Visine

In October 2023, in the courtroom of Judge Jennifer Dorow, 39-year-old Jessy Kurczewski went on trial for the intentional homicide of 62-year-old Lynn Hernan, along with two counts of felony theft for stealing from Hernan  someone who'd always thought of Kurczewski as a beloved friend.

Five years earlier, Kurczewski called police and told them she found Hernan dead, sitting in her recliner, in the living room of her Pewaukee, Wisconsin condo. Kurczewski had been taking care of Hernan, who had serious medical problems.

THE TRIAL OF JESSY KURCZEWSKI

The prosecutors for Waukesha County were Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie and Assistant District Attorneys J.J. Crawford and Randy Sitzberger.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Good afternoon, everyone.  So, this is Wisconsin versus Jessy Kurczewski. Said otherwise, this is a case of murder, greed and lies.  you're going to see that, in or about October 3, 2018, Lynn Hernan became worth more dead than alive to Kurczewski .

Stephanie Rodriguez: Prosecutors told the jury  that this case was about someone who wanted money.

Stephanie Rodriguez covered the trial for the CBS affiliate in Milwaukee.

Stephanie Rodriguez: And prosecutors said  that that's why she was caring for her. Not because she genuinely cared, but that Jessy wanted the money in her bank account.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Between January of '16 and October 3 of 2018, Ms. Kurczewski was able to steal $144,000-plus from Lynn Hernan while she was still alive.

Stephanie Rodriguez: And then she wanted Lynn dead to get the money from her estate.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Lynn Hernan was  dead at only 62 years old from a tetrahydrozoline poisoning after the defendant gave her a bottle laced with Visine eye drops to drink.

Jessy Kurczewski, left, and Lynn Hernan / Credit: Wisconsin Department of Corrections/Court Pool of Defense Opening Statement

But the defense presented Kurczewski as a close friend who took care of Hernan  who they claimed was depressed about her declining health.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): This case is extremely important to Jessy.  She's presumed innocent.  And don't ever let that thought leave your mind, that she's presumed innocent.

At trial, Kurczewski was represented by defense attorneys Pablo Galaviz and Donna Kuchler.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): Here's a picture of Lynn and Jessy, a graduation party that Lynn threw for Jessy, high school.

At the mention of her close relationship with Hernan, Kurczewski immediately teared up.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): "This is my daughter," she's so proud 

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): That's who Jessy is to Lynn, her daughter 

Kurczewski had known Hernan since childhood, through her mother, Jennifer Flower.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): Jennifer's like her best, best friend. And Jessy became her best, best friend.

Hernan, who worked most of her life as a hairdresser, never married, and lived alone. Then, in the two years before her death, her health rapidly declined.

Stephanie Rodriguez: There were times where Lynn would fall in her home, and Jessy would have to go and help her get up.

Hernan also had lung disease, high blood pressure and severe gastrointestinal issues which doctors were never able to fully diagnose. She had been in and out of the hospital several times in the year before she died.

Stephanie Rodriguez: Jessy was always with Lynn because she became her full-time caretaker, essentially.  Jessy would do the grocery shopping for Lynn. Jessy paid Lynn's bills.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): Jessy was the only person she trusted.

The defense told the jury that as Hernan's health further deteriorated, she became despondent.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): And you saw the way she was done up with the hair and nails and jewelry, she didn't look like that anymore.  She didn't want any more visitors because she didn't look, in her mind, the same.

The defense argued that on Oct. 3, 2018, Hernan was tired of being sick, and decided to take her own life.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): When they arrived on the scene  They found a lot of empty prescription bottles. ... And they can't see that as a suicide?  She's innocent. Find her not guilty.

One of the first orders of business for prosecutors was to establish the cause of death. Former Waukesha County Deputy Medical Examiner Tabitha Kukes talked to jurors about those pictures she took when she arrived at Hernan's condo.

A photo of Lynn Hernan's prescription bottles that were on a table next to her recliner. First responders at the scene said it looked like Hernan had possibly died from an accidental overdose, or by taking her own life. / Credit: Waukesha County Circuit Courts

TABITHA KUKES (in court): This is a closeup of the medication bottles that were directly to her left  There's additional medications that are present, some without their caps on.

Kukes had photographed multiple medications scattered on the carpet, as well as a white powder on a plate, and on Hernan's chest. Defense attorney Kuchler suggests the powder was spilled by Hernan herself.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): Jessy told you it was common for Lynn to crush medications because of her problems swallowing.

TABITHA KUKES: That's what she told me.

Jurors heard from Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lynda Biedrzycki who testified about those photos taken in Hernan's living room. She said the pills and powder scattered at the scene did point to a potential suicide.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI (in court): There was a thought that maybe there was a  an ingestion was a possibility for the cause of death.

But before pronouncing the cause of death, Dr. Biedrzycki waited to see the results from the toxicology tests. When she received them weeks later, she was in for a surprise.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI (in court): There was a substance that I was  unusual  an unusual finding that I hadn't seen in a report from their, uh, facility before. It was, uh, called tetrahydrozoline.

Dr. Biedrzycki began her own research on tetrahydrozoline, a drug found in some over-the-counter eye drops.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI (in court): This is a, um, a substance that I haven't seen in a toxicology report before.  it's not supposed to be in the blood.

But how did it get there?

DEATH BY EYE DROPS

Medical Examiner Dr. Lynda Biedrzycki told the jury it was in late September 2019, almost a year after Lynn Hernan's death, that she published her official conclusion about how Hernan died.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: The cause of death I determined was tetrahydrozoline poisoning.

And Biedrzycki ruled that Hernan did not deliberately drink a fatal dose of eye drops.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: How this injury occurred is that she was given tetrahydrozoline by another, which is why I called it a homicide.

Stephanie Rodriguez: The belief that Lynn Hernan was given tetrahydrozoline by another shows that she was given this unsuspectingly. She didn't know that she was ingesting tetrahydrozoline when she did it.

The defense challenged the medical examiner's findings.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): These are all the drugs that were found in Ms. Hernan  right?

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: Correct.

Stephanie Rodriguez: Toxicology reports showed that Lynn had at least eight prescription drugs in her system, some of which Lynn was not supposed to be taking at the time because those medications had been discontinued by Lynn's doctors.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): And these were all in her blood, which means they'd already been ingested and made it into the blood stream.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: True.

Biedrzycki said that in her determination, those medications, along with some of Hernan's medical conditions, contributed to but did not cause Hernan's death.

Stephanie Rodriguez: The medications found in Lynn's body were all at therapeutic levels.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): Your conclusion was that she died from the tetrahydrozoline, right?

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: That  Yes.

But the defense asked how could the medical examiner be so certain Hernan did not ingest the eye drops on her own?

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): You don't know as you sit there today whether she voluntarily ingested that.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: It was my opinion she didn't, but knowledge of her action, no.

DONNA KUCHLER: You weren't there.

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: I wasn't there.

On redirect, Deputy D.A. Nickolie asked about the powder found on and near Hernan's body.

ABBEY NICKOLIE (in court): What do you think happened?

DR. LYNDA BIEDRZYCKI: I think that they may have been deposited there.

Stephanie Rodriguez: The medical examiner believed that Lynn Hernan's body was staged to look like an overdose, because  toxicology reports showed that none of the crushed up medication that was found on Lynn Hernan and next to her was actually in her system.

The following day, the jury heard from some of Hernan's friends.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Did you know Lynn Hernan?

JIM KELLIHER: Yes, I did.

Jim Kelliher met Lynn Hernan at a music festival in 1983, when she was 27.

Jericka Duncan: What was your first impression?

Jim Kelliher: That a lady that looked that good wouldn't go out with me (laughs).

Lynn Hernan / Credit: Jim Kelliher

But Hernan said yes and their romantic relationship lasted 10 years. Even after it ended, they remained close friends.

Jim Kelliher: Lynn was a beautiful lady.  inside and out, she was beautiful.

Kelliher says he never met Kurczewski until right after Hernan died.

Jim Kelliher: I get a phone call from Jessy and she says, I have some bad news. Lynn  committed suicide.  and by the way, uh, we're gonna have a dinner for her on the 13th at the Open Flame Restaurant.

Jericka Duncan: She said in one sentence 

Jim Kelliher: Correct.

Jericka Duncan:  your dear friend died by suicide.

Jim Kelliher: Right.

Jericka Duncan: The next sentence, she tells you there's gonna be a dinner in her memory.

Jim Kelliher: Right 

Jericka Duncan: What did you make of that?

Jim Kelliher: Well, I didn't  I kind of didn't believe her right off the bat. She wasn't crying.

On the stand, Kelliher says he didn't believe Hernan would have taken her own life.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Did you ever hear Lynn say anything to you about thinking of killing herself?

JIM KELLIHER: No, I did not.  She  never, never gave me the indication of suicidal. Never.

He said that despite her growing frustration with her health problems, Hernan would still visit him and his girlfriend at their home.

JIM KELLIHER (in court): She'd bring treats and stuff  She would say she got stomach aches or whatever, and she would always leave.

But the defense questioned whether Kelliher really knew much about Hernan's health struggles. In the last year of Hernan's life, she'd been in and out of the hospital, discharged the final time just five days before her death.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): Did you offer to go over there and take care of her cat when she was in the hospital?

JIM KELLIHER: No, I did not 

PABLO GALAVIZ: You didn't go visit her  ?

JIM KELLIHER: No, I did not.

Prosecutors also called Koreen Pozza.

Koreen Pozza: We are best friends for about 35-plus years.

And they called Koreen Pozza's son Anthony Pozza, who says he always had a special bond with Hernan since childhood.

Jericka Duncan: What did you call Lynn?

Anthony Pozza: Auntie Lynnie.

Anthony Pozza says he stayed close to Hernan, regularly dropping by her condo while he attended college nearby.

Anthony Pozza: I loved doing stuff with her.  you know, thrift store shopping  you know, that was a date we would go on is go thrift store shopping.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Do you recall when the last  conversation you had with Lynn was?

ANTHONY POZZA: The last time I saw Lynn was a month before she passed away,

Anthony Pozza testified that despite her medical troubles, Hernan appeared to be improving.

ANTHONY POZZA (in court): She said she was starting to feel better, and  and she's like  I'm fin  you know, I'm glad I'm getting out again, and, you know, we need to do this more often.

Prosecutors asked Waukesha County Sheriff's Detective Chris Kohl about his investigation into Hernan's death.

ABBEY NICKOLIE (in court): Did you speak with Ms. Kurczewski in regard to this death investigation?

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Yes.  She contacted our office looking for an update.

Jessy Kurczewski, left, came to the sheriff's department with her mother asking questions five months after Hernan's death -- but before the medical examiner had ruled on the cause of death. / Credit: Waukesha County Circuit Courts

Prosecutors introduced video of that meeting with Detective Kohl. He testified that five months after Hernan died, before the medical examiner had ruled on the cause of death, Kurczewski came to the sheriff's department with her mother, Jennifer Flower, asking questions.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): You know, when I talked to the medical examiner last, um, well, I talked to them numerous times  And they said, I had to contact you guys  they kinda like, weren't sure we  didn't know if it was a suicide or if it was something medical ...

DET. CHRIS KOHL: So, at this point, I mean, they're waiting for their  their secondary, their  they call 'em confirming tests.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI : Yeah.

During that interview, Kohl found out more about Kurczewski's relationship with Hernan.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She was like an aunt, a second mom to me. She didn't have kids.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: So you've known her your whole life? And that's kinda  that's why you were helping her out?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Yeah.

Kurczewski said she was just about the only person still in Hernan's life before she died.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She pretty much blew everybody off possible in the end.  she'd say 'No, I don't want to see anybody.'

According to Kurczewski and her mother, Hernan was so withdrawn she did not want to talk to her friend Jim Kelliher when he called.

JENNIFER FLOWER (police interview): She said, "Do not tell him. I don't want him here. I don't want to see him."

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She didn't like the way she looked, so she didn't want people around.

But that's not how Kelliher remembers what happened when he and his girlfriend called Hernan's number.

Jim Kelliher: Well, this girl answered the phone, and she was kind of mouthing off to us, "don't use this phone, don't call this number ever again, don't worry about Lynn." 

Jericka Duncan: And you're thinking what?

Jim Kelliher: I gotta find out from Lynn what's going on.

A few days later, Kelliher says Hernan called him from the hospital, and they agreed to make plans to get together when she went home.

Jim Kelliher: And that's the last time that I heard Lynn's voice.

As they tried to make sense of her death, Hernan's friends say they recalled her talking about something else that was troubling her  something that had nothing to do with her health.

Anthony Pozza: She would talk about her money  "'it's disappearing."

Jim Kelliher: She just said, "I don't know what's happening to my money."

MISSING MONEY AND A CRIMINAL RECORD

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Did Ms. Kurczewski tell you who would be in charge of handling Lynn's estate?

ANTHONY POZZA: Yeah, she said she was appointed power of attorney.

As the prosecution turned to the charges that Kurczewski stole money from Hernan, they asked Anthony Pozza about his communications with Kurczewski in the months after Hernan's death.

ANTHONY POZZA (in court): I would just check up with Jessy every once in a while via text and ask her if she needed any help.

Hernan left a will she had drawn up in 2016 which named Kurczewski as personal representative, Wisconsin's equivalent of an executor. Kurczewski and Anthony Pozza were co-beneficiaries. When Kurczewski sent Anthony Pozza some paperwork of accounts she was settling, he was surprised at the amount of money Lynn appeared to owe.

ANTHONY POZZA (in court): I just remember getting a final account with just a bunch of credit card bills 

ANTHONY POZZA (in court): And it was just weird how she had all these debts that just didn't make any sense to me.

Hernan's friends remembered her as living paycheck to paycheck until 2014, when she inherited $250,000 after her mother died. Now, after Hernan's death, Kurczewski reported to Anthony Pozza that most of Hernan's assets had been eaten away by debt.

ANTHONY POZZA (in court): I just felt like something was up and I wanted it looked at more closely.

The jury next heard from someone who was looking more closely.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): You went through all these financial accounts sort of line by line, is that correct?

DET. NATHAN PLENNES Yes.

Jessy Kurczewski / Credit: Facebook

Detective Nathan Plennes testified about the investigation into Hernan's finances. Prosecutors alleged Kurczewski stole more than $200,000 from Hernan before and after she died. And in the course of their investigation, detectives discovered a bombshell: Kurczewski had a criminal record. In 2011, Kurczewski was convicted on charges of identity theft and forgery and sentenced to eight years. Jessy had been released from prison early in 2016 on extended supervision  which coincided with the time Hernan's health began to decline.

Plennes told jurors what he learned about Hernan's bank accounts. He testified that Hernan's money market account, which had around $250,000 in 2016, was down to only $87 just after she died. A fraction of the total was spent by Hernan on a Jeep and some jewelry. Almost everything else, including a total of 20 checks, went to Kurczewski .

Stephanie Rodriguez: Jessy was accused of stealing from Lynn because she was getting  checks out of Lynn Hernan's account  with varying things in the memo notes like IRS payment, car payment.  But none of the money was going to the places where Lynn supposedly intended for them to go.

Plennes described to the jury how he matched each of those checks to deposits in Kurczewski 's accounts  and then tracked where Kurczewski spent that money. There was a big spike in spending while Hernan was in the hospital two weeks before she died.

Stephanie Rodriguez: During her last hospital stay  money was being transferred from Hernan's account into Kurczewski 's account. And then Kurczewski was withdrawing that money from ATMs at a local casino.

Plennes also testified that on the day that Hernan died, a JCPenney credit card was opened in Hernan's name. Just days later, a $3,000 purchase of furniture, made on another credit card in Hernan's name, was delivered to the home Kurczewski shared with Scott Craig.

RANDY SITZBERGER (in court): Mr. Craig, how is it you know Ms. Kurczewski?

SCOTT CRAIG: We were boyfriend and girlfriend for  three-and-a-half years.

RANDY SITZBERGER: What was it that happened in the summer of 2019 that caused that end to the relationship?

SCOTT CRAIG: Um, when Waukesha Sheriff's Department came to my house and took her away.

Kurczewski was arrested for potentially violating the terms of her supervised release on those identity theft and fraud charges.

DET. AARON HOPPE (in court): This is the initial interview that was conducted with Ms. Kurczewski once the warrants were conducted on July 9th.

Detective Aaron Hoppe, the lead investigator in the case, and Detective Chris Kohl, interviewed Kurczewski. Hoppe watched portions of that interview along with the jurors.

DET. CHRIS KOHL (police interview): Typically would you go there in the morning or the night or 

JESSY KURCZEWSKI : I didn't have a set  It just depended how she was doing the day before, and ...

Following up on their suspicions that Kurczewski had been stealing from Hernan, Detective Chris Kohl gave her a chance to explain. She claimed Hernan had been paying her for helping at home.

DET. CHRIS KOHL (police interview): Did you have like an official arrangement  like I make $20 an hour?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: No. No, there was nothing. No, nothing like that.  I mean, there was no, you know, one day, "oh, here's a check." One day, "here's my card, go get this," One dayI mean, it was no, no set 

DET. CHRIS KOHL: No set amount?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: No.  I mean, she'd help out. She'd tell my mom, "Oh, this month I'm going to pay your rent" or "I'm gonna pay your car."

Jurors watched as Detective Kohl, for the first time, shared Hernan's autopsy results with Kurczewski.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: There's an anomaly in her toxicology. There's a drug in her system that's not supposed to be there.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: And what would that be?

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Um, it's called tetrahydrozine (sic).

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: What is that?

DET. CHRIS KOHL: More commonly known as eye drops.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: She used eye drops all the time.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: What did she use 'em for?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: She used 'em for her eyes.  She put 'em in her eyes all the time.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: What killed her is the eye drops.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Are you serious?

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Mm-hmm (affirms).

In the interview Detective Kohl told Kurczewski that the medical examiner thought someone gave the eye drops to Hernan  orally  in an attempt to kill her.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI : Do you guys think I murdered her?

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Did you?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: I swear to God, I didn't  I did not.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Seems you're the one who had the most to gain on this.

But detectives say Kurczewski knew all about tetrahydrozoline. She told her boyfriend Scott, in text messages, someone had put it in her drink when she was at a bar about three months after Hernan's death. Detective Hoppe read the texts in court:

DET. AARON HOPPE: Jessy to Scott: "Scott I don't feel good."

Scott told detectives that Kurczewski said she went to the hospital.

DET. AARON HOPPE: "They said my blood pressure is really bad"

DET. AARON HOPPE: "I have traces of tetrahydrozoline in my blood

DET. AARON HOPPE: "The doctor said  that's the main  ingredient in eyedrops."

DET. AARON HOPPE: "He said people put it in people's drinks all the time"

DET. AARON HOPPE: "He said there's no taste to it and people don't notice."

Stephanie Rodriguez: Jessy also tells Scott in those text messages that people can die from tetrahydrozoline poisoning.

DET. AARON HOPPE: "u can die from that"

JESSY KURCZEWSKI'S CHANGING EXPLANATIONS



ABBEY NICKOLIE: Detective Hoppe, I think you testified you spoke again with Ms. Kurczewski?

DET. AARON HOPPE: That's right.

On day 9 of the trial, the jury watched video of another interview between Jessy and detectives. This one took place the day after she was arrested on that parole hold. She had asked to speak to detectives again.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI : I was up all night long trying to think of everything and anything. I was thinking of the Visines.

After spending her first night in jail, Kurczewski's story had changed. Right after her arrest, Kurczewski had told detectives that Hernan used eye drops for dry eyes. Now Kurczewski told Hoppe that Hernan had another use for it.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She was drinking vodka and Visine.

Stephanie Rodriguez: During the second day of interviews with detectives, the jury heard Jessy tell them that Lynn did drink Visine.

DET. AARON HOPPE: How do you know she had mixed Visine with -- with her vodka?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Because that's what she did.

DET. AARON HOPPE: Why?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: She's done it about three times.

DET. AARON HOPPE: Why? Why didn't you tell us that yesterday.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Because I didn't want to tell you guys because you guys are making it sound like it happened the day of, and that's not when she was doing that.

Stephanie Rodriguez: But Jessy says she never gave Lynn Hernan any Visine.

DET. AARON HOPPE: Did you ever put the vodka  the Visine in the vodka?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Never. Swear to God.

DET. AARON HOPPE: So she put the Visine (Yup) in her vodka...

Then Kurczewski went further.

Stephanie Rodriguez: Jessy goes into detail about how Lynn wanted to die by suicide.  that Lynn was using the eye drops to help her die by suicide.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She was looking for her way out.

Kurczewski vehemently denied helping Hernan die.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): I never mixed it. I swear to God. I bought it for her. And I knew she was mixing it.  She put it into her water once in a while, and in her vodka once in a while.

The following day, Kurczewski asked to speak with the detectives yet again  the third time in three days. The jury watched as Kurczewski had a new revelation for the investigators.

Stephanie Rodriguez: Jessy tells detectives that Lynn would get a buzz off of drinking Visine.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): She said she lost like feeling of her body. It made her feel good. ... And I honestly she was doing it for so long, that I didn't think she was going to die from it. . I really didn't. I thought, OK, she was getting some sleep from it, that's it. She was doing it for two months, at least.

DET. AARON HOPPE: Doing what?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: The Visine.

And Kurczewski now said that Hernan actually did drink Visine the day she died. Kurczewski claimed that when she visited Hernan that morning, Kurczewski knew that Hernan had poured six bottles of Visine into her own water bottle.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): That bottle of water right there had in six  six Visines. ...

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: I didn't put it in there. I gave her the bottle of water ...

DET. CHRIS KOHL: Which is the one you know has six bottles of Visine in it?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Yep.

DET. CHRIS KOHL: 'Cause she told you. And you give it to her?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Well, we argued about it.

Kurczewski said she spent 10 minutes trying to stop Hernan.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: She said, "No, I want that bottle of water. It'll put me to sleep." ...

DET. CHRIS KOHL: And then you gave in?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Yep.  it's her choice and what she wanted ...

DET. CHRIS KOHL: And then you left?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: Yep.

Hours later, detectives alleged Kurczewski opened that JCPenney credit card in Hernan's name and went grocery shopping.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (police interview): I didn't do it to her, though. I didn't (cries).

In June 2021, Jessy Kurczewski was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, and two counts of theft for stealing from Lynn Hernan before and after her death. / Credit: Waukesha County Sheriff Records Office

It would be 23 months later that Jessy Kurczewski was charged with Lynn Hernan's death.

When it was the defense's turn, Kurczewski's attorneys focused almost solely on their claim that Hernan died by suicide by drinking Visine.

Gary Verdin, a friend of Kurczewski 's mother, testified he'd been in Hernan's condo twice, the second time about a year before her death. Yet his memory of the visit was clear.

GARY VERDIN (in court): I saw her always sitting in this, uh, chair with a table next to her.  She had, um, a  white slurpy cup, uh, straw coming out of it. She had a bottle of vodka next to it.  She had, an ash tray, her cigarettes and bottle of Visine.

DONNA KUCHLER: You sure it's Visine?

GARY VERDIN: Yes.

Verdin testified that on another occasion, he heard Hernan on speakerphone when he visited Kurczewski's mother, Jennifer Flower.

GARY VERDIN (in court): Lynn just started rambling off  and she was either sleepy or tired or whatever, but she was, uh, rattling off about the will.  Then she started talking about how she wanted to kill herself.

The defense called Sara Tromp, a nurse practitioner who began treating Hernan for back pain in 2017. Despite prescribing several pain medications for her, Tromp said Hernan did not improve.

PABLO GALAVIZ (in court): In 2018, January, she continues to complain about her back pain.

SARA TROMP: Yes.

PABLO GALAVIZ: The pain being worsening, correct?

SARA TROMP: Yes.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Lindsey Thomas was hired by the defense.

DR. LINDSEY THOMAS (in court): I would say her past medical history was very significant.  She had a very long list of medical conditions and, uh, also had quite a few psychiatric disorders.  depression, anxiety, agoraphobia  which is fear of public places  chronic insomnia. Those were the ones that were listed in her medical records.

Dr. Thomas testified she agreed with the state's conclusion that Lynn's medical problems contributed to her death. She did not agree with the state's finding that Lynn died from tetrahydrozoline poisoning.

Stephanie Rodriguez: The forensic pathologist that the defense brought up said that Lynn's cause of death was undetermined, but she believed it was mixed-drug toxicity.  and so that means that she thought it was a combination of all the drugs found in Lynn's system.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): Would you say that there is strong evidence here that Lynn Hernan's death was a suicide?

DR. LINDSEY THOMAS: Uh, I would say there's strong evidence that certainly could have been a suicide. Yes.

As the defense concluded, Judge Jennifer Durow asked Kurczewski if she'd be taking the stand.

JUDGE DUROW (in court): What is that decision?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI : It was very hard for me to decide, but ultimately, I will not be testifying.

In her closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Abbey Nickolie said Kurczewski had just one motive: money.

ABBEY NICKOLIE (in court): Miss Kurczewski's intent is clear; it was to kill  And the motive is her own personal benefit.  This is someone who has profited over $144,000 before death and over $80,000 after.

In her closing, defense attorney Donna Kuchler maintained that Hernan took her own life.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): The state has not proven a first-degree intentional homicide.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): Jessy knew that Lynn would  take Visine, drink it.  But she doesn't know how she died that day, looked like a suicide with pills from a person who was unhappy.

As for the allegations that Jessy stole from Hernan, the defense contended that Hernan gave Jessy the money because Lynn knew she was going to end her own life.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): Lynn gave Jessy money all the time because she wanted to.

DONNA KUCHLER (in court): She wanted Jessy to have it. She knows she's going out.  And Lynn made a decision. She made a decision that she was going to exit. And  she did that on October 3rd once Jessy had left the home.

In its rebuttal, the prosecution pushed back.

ABBEY NICKOLIE (in court): To believe that this was a suicide, you would have to believe that by the most cosmic intervention in the entire world, it happened at the exact point in time when Miss Kurczewski maximized the amount of money that she made on this whole ordeal.

The jury deliberated for seven hours the first day but did not reach a verdict.

Stephanie Rodriguez: Verdict watch for this case was tense  when the jury began to deliberate into a second day, there was some wonder.

Anthony Pozza: That's when  I got worried.  I was wondering why, you know, what's the holdup.

On Nov. 14, 2023, after 10-and-a-half hours of deliberation, Jessy Kurczewski steadied herself as Judge Jennifer Dorow read the jury's verdicts: guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.

Jessy Kurczewski was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of felony theft. / Credit: Court Pool

Kurczewski broke down as the judge continued. She was also convicted on the two counts of felony theft  for stealing money from Hernan before and after she died.

Anthony Pozza: I was just overcome with emotion.  it also makes you reflect on the last five years  with the lies and the deceit.

But before sentencing, the case took a bizarre turn when an envelope containing 37 pages of handwritten letters and documents was received by a friend of Kurczewski's, who then turned it over to the sheriff's department.

Stephanie Rodriguez: The letter requests a friend of Jessy to fake evidence, create a voice recording pretending to be Lynn Hernan  to send all of  this  to the judge in this case, to local media, even to the governor to try to prove Jessy's innocence.

The case took a bizarre turn when an envelope containing 37 pages of handwritten letters and documents was received by a friend of Jessy Kurczewski's, who then turned it over to the sheriff's department. Prosecutors said the documents were written by Kurczewski on the back of her trial notes, giving

Prosecutors said the documents were written by Kurczewski on the back of her trial notes, giving "Directions" to her friend on how to impersonate Hernan and fabricate materials, and submit them to the court.

Kurczewski allegedly asked her friend to "make a voice tape" pretending to be Hernan, writing "She has an older, raspy  female voice." Kurczewski allegedly directed her friend to say, "I cannot go on anymore"  "I chose to drink Visine and end my life. " Kurczewski denied writing the documents, and the sheriff's department began an investigation into their origin

And the results of that investigation were revealed on April 5, 2024, when Kurczewski was back in Judge Dorow's court for her sentencing.

Prosecutors played video recorded in Kurczewski's bunk room at the Waukesha County Jail a few days before those documents were turned over to authorities.

JUDGE DOROW: Ms. Kurczewski this is your opportunity to address the court. What, if anything, would you like to say?

Kurczewski again denied she was the author of those documents. She spent almost two hours, without a break, proclaiming her innocence  insisting the only thing she was guilty of was being a loyal friend

They said it showed Kurczewski putting papers into an envelope, leaving it on the bed of another inmate who later takes it to a mail drop-off. The prosecution said this proved Kurczewski wrote those documents.

JESSY KURCZEWSKI (in court): Let's be very clear here, there was no murder. I did not commit murder. I did not poison Lynn, give her pills or anything else.  it is a lot to be accused and convicted of murder when I didn't do it (chokes up)  You're holding me responsible for what she did.

Judge Dorow said she believed Hernan's death was premeditated.

JUDGE DOROW: Tetrahydrozoline was not something we expected to find.  And I do believe it was something you, Ms. Kurczewski, banked on no one testing for.  I have to ask out loud, it's in a rhetorical question, but were you poisoning Lynn Hernan all along? Following your release from prison?

JESSY KURCZEWSKI: No.

JUDGE DOROW: I'm not asking for an answer, this is my time. So do not interrupt me.

Kurczewski was sentenced to life in prison on the intentional homicide charge, and 10 years for the two theft charges. The soonest she could be paroled would be after 40 years, when she would be nearly 80 years old.

JIM KELLIHER (in court): Jessy poisoned Lynn like she was a rodent.

Lynn Hernan's friend, Jim Kelliher, had a few final words for her killer.

JIM KELLIHER (in court): The devil awaits you. I hope you rot in hell. Lynn Hernan is an angel in heaven. May you rest in peace, Lynn. You're dearly missed. And always will be. I'm so very sorry. God bless

Jessy Kurczewski s mother, Jennifer Flower, has not been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with Lynn Hernan's death.

Kurczewski says she plans to file an appeal.

"48 HOURS" POST MORTEM PODCAST

Jericka Duncan and "48 Hours" producers Susan Mallie and Lauren Clark share never-before-heard audio of Jessy Kurczewski impersonating her friend, whom she was recently found guilty of fatally poisoning with eye drops. The group also discusses the exonerating evidence that Kurczewski allegedly buried in a public park and the judge's unusual statement during sentencing.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Richard Barber is the producer/editor. Susan Mallie and Lauren Clark are the producers. Charlotte A. Fuller is the development producer. Marcus Balsam and Phil Tangel are the editors. Michelle Sigona and Tamara Weitzman are the development producers. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (KFOR)  An Oklahoma City woman is on a mission to donate books to jails and prisons in the state. She started collecting in January and said her goal is to have something for everyone.

News 4 talked with her in March as she was preparing to deliver over two thousand books that were collected or donated.

Woman collects thousands of books for Oklahoma Co. Jail

It was a great feeling. We had so much fun. We sang and everybody that we met was so happy and just all smiles, said Tonya Coonfield who donated books to jails.

Coonfield said she wants every inmate in the state to have access to books.

Everybody was so excited. We had one guard who just kept telling his jokes. He just he was ecstatic. They said that they hadnt had books in a long time, said Coonfield.

Fact, fiction, mystery, and more were all donated to Kingfisher County, Grant County Jail, Alfalfa County Jail, Garfield County Jail, Enid Community Corrections Center, and James Crabtree Correction Center.

She still has a goal of donating to the Oklahoma County Jail in the future.

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However, the dream doesnt stop there. Coonfield said shes on a mission.

I want to get books to everybody in the prison system because boredom is a terrible thing and give them something to occupy their minds and then it makes them you know, it just- life is better with a book, said Coonfield.

Coonfield said she already has the next donation of books lined up at more jails in the state.

If you would like to help or donate, you can email her at tjblondie@gmail.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
CHICAGO  An investigation is underway on Saturday after a woman was found stabbed to death in her South Side home.

According to Chicago police, officers were called to the scene just before 4 p.m. in the 7700 block of South Trumbull Avenue, in Ashburn.

Officers say the victim, a 20-year-old woman, was then found in the bedroom of the home with a stab wound to her throat.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

The woman was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Currently, it is unclear what led to the deadly stabbing, but police said a person of interest was being questioned on Saturday night.

Officers say an investigation into the stabbing continues and the victim has not yet been identified.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Woman killed and four more civilians injured in Russian attack on Ukrainsk, Donetsk Oblast

The town of Ukrainsk. Photo: DeepStateMap

A woman was killed and four other residents were injured in a Russian attack on the town of Ukrainsk (Donetsk Oblast) on the morning of 21 April.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: The investigation revealed that Russian troops attacked Ukrainsk with Smerch multiple launch rocket systems at 08:30.

A woman, 82, has been killed in a hit near her house.

In addition, four men aged 21 to 53 sustained injuries of varying severity. They have been provided with medical care.

Six apartment buildings were damaged.

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Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has become one of the most profound success stories in stock market history. Since its March 1986 initial public offering, the stock has risen nearly 4,500-fold.

That growth would not have occurred had the company not redefined itself over time. When Satya Nadella took over as CEO in 2014, its Windows-driven dominance had weakened amid the rise of the smartphone and competition from Apple on the PC side. So Nadella redefined Microsoft as a cloud company, ushering in a new era of prosperity and making it the company with Wall Street's largest market capitalization.

Here's how the company got there -- and where it could go from here.

Microsoft's growth in the Satya Nadella era

Nadella took the helm at Microsoft on Feb. 4, 2014. During his tenure, the stock rose dramatically, so much so that its market value now exceeds $3.1 trillion. That dethroned Apple, the longtime leader in this regard. This move rewarded shareholders handsomely, and a $10,000 investment made on Nadella's first day as CEO would now be worth about $114,000.

MSFT Chart

Microsoft before Nadella

Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and had most recently served as executive vice president of the cloud and enterprise group. In that role, he took the company into cloud infrastructure and services.

When he became CEO, he took over from longtime CEO Steve Ballmer, a confidant of co-founder Bill Gates. Microsoft stagnated under Ballmer's leadership. During that time, the release of the smartphone caught the company entirely off guard.

Consequently, a $10,000 investment made when Ballmer became CEO in 2000 would be worth just over $6,700 when he stepped down in 2014, leaving many investors pessimistic about the company.

Nadella's approach

Under Nadella, the paradigm shifted in a positive direction. He redefined Microsoft's lead business around the Azure cloud platform. He was enormously successful, and Azure eventually became the second most-popular cloud platform after Amazon Web Services, which pioneered this industry.

Image source: Statista.

That ranking in the cloud means the company plays a crucial role in supporting AI. It partnered with OpenAI, and thanks to improvements in ChatGPT, Microsoft's Bing search engine poses the first real challenge in decades for Alphabet's Google Search, which has long dominated that field.

This stands in contrast to Apple, which has not released a game-changing product in years and hasn't stood out in the cloud or AI despite its vast resources. Nadella has capitalized on the situation, allowing Microsoft to become one of the "Fab 4" companies, emerging as the largest and arguably most important tech giant.

Story continues

Amid its successes, the stock is up almost 50% in the last year alone. However, that takes its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to 37, a level near five-year highs. While that does not necessarily derail the long-term growth story, it could discourage interest in the stock over the near term.

Where Microsoft goes from here

Despite the valuation, investor returns under Nadella's leadership likely are not finished. Thanks to his guidance, Microsoft is again a leading company among the largest tech stocks.

As the company leverages its cloud competitiveness and OpenAI partnership, long-term growth should continue even if the stock price is modestly ahead of fundamentals. Hence, those who invested in Nadella's leadership should probably continue to hold -- and possibly consider adding shares should the stock experience a bear market pullback.

Where to invest $1,000 right now

When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for two decades, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has more than tripled the market.*

They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now and Microsoft made the list -- but there are 9 other stocks you may be overlooking.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 15, 2024

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, and Tencent. The Motley Fool recommends Alibaba Group and International Business Machines and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If You'd Invested $10,000 in Microsoft Stock When Satya Nadella Became CEO, This Is How Much You Would Have Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Police in Prince William County are investigating after a woman said she was sexually assaulted in Manassas in the early hours of Saturday.

The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) said the assault happened near Fairmont Ave. and Anvil Dr. between 11:30 p.m. on April 19 and 12:30 a.m. on April 20.

2 men shot in Southwest DC

A 35-year-old woman was grabbed by a man she did not know and forced into a wooded area. He sexually assaulted her there.

PWCPD is asking anyone with information to call the police at (703) 792-7000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York lawmakers passed a $237 billion state budget Saturday that includes plans to spur housing construction and combat unlicensed marijuana stores.

The package also includes a raft of other measures ranging from expediting the closure of some state prisons, addressing the recent influx of migrants, and continuing the pandemic-era policy of allowing people to buy takeout cocktails.

Man dies after setting himself on fire outside Trump trial courthouse

The state Senate and Assembly finished working through the states several budget bills on Saturday after hours of debate. The spending plan now moves to Gov. Kathy Hochul to be signed into law, which she is expected to do.

The negotiations, which were conducted in private between the governor and top legislative leaders, largely hinged on a sweeping proposal to jumpstart the states housing market.

The plan gives a tax break for developers who agree to offer a portion of apartments in new buildings for prices that are below market price and includes a wage standard for laborers on those projects.

The state had a similar tax break, but it expired in 2022. Hochul and other supporters have long argued such an incentive is a vital lure for development, though critics have argued it is too costly and favorable to developers.

As part of the housing deal, progressives also got long sought-after legislation that would provide some tenants with protections against unreasonable rent increases and evictions, though it was not as comprehensive as many advocates had wanted.

Some housing advocates complained about the tax break offered for developers.

Governor Hochul did not solve the housing crisis  instead she pushed through a housing deal written by the real estate industry to ensure they keep getting richer off the backs of hardworking tenants, Cea Weaver, the coalition director for Housing Justice for All, said in a statement.

Lawmakers also moved to address the explosion of unlicensed cannabis storefronts in New York City. Bureaucratic hurdles have made it difficult for the state to shut down the shops, which have become ubiquitous in the Big Apple.

Man who allegedly shot Bronx boy day before his birthday faces attempted murder: DA

To help solve the problem, the budget includes policies that would allow local law enforcement to more easily shutter stores accused of selling marijuana illicitly while their cases play out. Previously, most enforcement could only be done by the state, and such stores were able to stay open while a lengthy appeals process played out.

State officials also earmarked $2.4 billion to care for an influx of international migrants who have overwhelmed New York Citys homeless shelters. The money will go toward housing, legal services and health care for the migrant population.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt criticized that measure during floor debates, saying it would encourage more migrants to come to New York.

We made a lot of tough decisions in this budget, Ortt said. But 2.4 billion goes a long way, and I just wonder what that could have done in other parts of the budget for legal New Yorkers.

Additionally, New York will expedite the closure of up to five state prisons in an effort to save money amid the states declining prison population. The governor has until next March to choose which prisons will close. The state has shuttered two dozen correctional facilities since 2011 because of vacant beds, saving about $442 million annually, according to the state corrections department.

The budget also contained measures that would offer paid time off during pregnancies, enable New York City to lower its speed limits and expand access to booze, with proposals to extend the pandemic-era sale of to-go alcoholic drinks and allow movie theaters to sell hard liquor.

The budget was finalized about three weeks after its original April 1 due date and came after a cyberattack hampered the state office that drafts bills for the Legislature.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday welcomed the passage of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine by the U.S. House of Representatives but urged Washington to quickly turn the bill into law and proceed with the actual transfer of weapons, saying long-range arms and air defense systems were top priorities.

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press", Zelenskiy said the passage of the bill would send a powerful message to Russia that Washington stands by Kyiv and that it would not be "a second Afghanistan."

"I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and we will have a chance for victory," Zelenskiy said through an interpreter.

During the interview he repeatedly urged U.S. lawmakers to take swift action to pass the bill in the Senate. He said Ukraine urgently needed U.S. long-range weapons including ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) and air defense systems to turn around its fortunes on the battlefield.

"This is crucial. These are the priorities now," Zelenskiy said.

ATACMS are long-range guided missiles. The White House last October confirmed that it had provided Kyiv with a type of ATACMS capable of hitting targets up to 165 km (102 miles) away.

Ukraine had repeatedly asked the U.S. administration for the ATACMS and pledged not to use them inside Russia's territory.

The U.S. House of Representatives, with broad bipartisan support, passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Aid for Ukraine had been held up for months, because of the opposition of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who urged Republican lawmakers to block it.

Almost 26 months since the 2022 invasion, Russia is slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine and has ramped up its bombardments of cities and towns behind the front lines amid a slowdown in Western military assistance.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago. U.S. leaders, from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, had been urging Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote.

The Senate is set to begin considering the bill on Tuesday, with some preliminary votes that afternoon. Final passage is expected sometime next week, which would clear the way for Biden to sign it into law.

WEAPONS IN TRANSIT NEXT WEEK

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner told CBS' "Face the Nation" that military equipment including the longer-range ATACMS should be "in transit by the end of the week".

"I believe the administration was prepared over the last couple of months to prepare or to provide ATACMS. It is written into this legislation," Warner said.

Ukraine last October said it has used the long-range missiles for the first time, inflicting heavy damage on two airfields in Russian-occupied areas.

Deploying the weapons would allow Ukrainian forces to disrupt previously unreachable supply lines, air bases and rail networks used by Russia in occupied territories, senior officials say.

Zelenskiy declined to provide a timeline when asked how long it would take Ukraine to "turn the corner on Russia" and whether Kyiv would need as much aid this time next year.

He said Kyiv had lost the initiative in the fighting in the eastern part of the country, but that once the weapons arrive it will have the chance to stabilize the situation.

"Giving U.S. specific timeline of the war, well, it depends on how soon we get this aid," he said.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Kaniskha Singh and Ron Popeski; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Preserving Ukraine as an "independent and sovereign" nation is in the U.S.'s best interest, the Ukrainian president said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said new aid from the U.S. provides hope for soldiers on the battlefield. (Twitter)

In an interview on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has a chance for victory against Russia if the Senate passes a bill that would send roughly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine.

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine, and we will have a chance for victory, Zelensky told host Kristen Welker, adding that air defense and long-range artillery are top priorities in his countrys defense against Russia.

We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the front lines, said Zelensky. We have casualties because we cannot reach that far. Our weapons are not that long-range, so we need it, and air defense. This is crucial. These are the priorities now.

The House voted 311-112 to approve the aid package on Saturday, which will give Ukraine over $23 billion to replenish weapons, stocks and facilities, as well as nearly $14 billion to cover costs for advanced weapons systems. The bill also includes funding for security assistance to Israel and Taiwan.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will now bring it to the Senate floor for a vote on Tuesday, where its expected to pass.

NEW: @kwelkernbc asks President Zelenskyy, with continued U.S. aid, can Ukraine win the war against Russia, or just prolong it?@ZelenskyyUa: I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine, and we will have a chance for victory. pic.twitter.com/dkfaJsSGfz  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

Zelensky, who has pleaded with the U.S. to send more assistance for six months, also thanked Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson for pushing the bill ahead despite pushback from Republican colleagues.

This aid will strengthen Ukraine and send the Kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second Afghanistan, Zelensky said on Sunday. The United States will stay with Ukraine, it will protect Ukrainians and will protect democracy in the world. This is a show of leadership and strength in the United States.

To that end, we want to get things as fast as possible so we can get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the frontline as soon as possible  not in another six months, he explained.

WATCH: After the House passed aid to Ukraine, President Zelenskyy thanked Congress, Speaker Johnson and President Biden for their support.@ZelenskyyUa: This is a show of leadership and strength of the United States. pic.twitter.com/HyGn1m5hO9  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

According to a recent report by the Washington Post, former President Donald Trump has privately told associates that he believes he could end the war, which is now in its second year, by convincing Ukrainian leaders to cede territories to Russia  including the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

When asked about those claims during Sundays interview, Zelensky said he doesnt believe in rumors and hearsay.

When Trump comes here and [tells] me their formula of peace, then I will be able to provide a response, he said, adding that having Ukraine independent and sovereign and democratic is of interest for both the Republicans and Democrats.

Zelensky explained that Russia reportedly plans on mobilizing 300,000 soldiers by June 1, which is why Ukraine is preparing for a major invasion in the coming months  but until they get more weapons, he said, Ukrainian soldiers remain vulnerable.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Zelensky hold a joint press conference in Washington, DC in 2023. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Amid reports claiming that morale is declining among Ukrainians, Zelensky said new U.S. aid will fuel the motivation they desperately need.

The morale can go down, especially when they go to the frontline and see that there are no shells, there is no equipment, he explained. Thats why the aid from the U.S. is so important.

We have a lot of people who are ready to protect the motherland, he insisted. This war is the war for the sake of all of us. This is our land. We dont have another place to go and the citizens of Ukraine understand that.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Sunday that the United States is not funding war in his country, emphasizing that the U.S. is helping protect democracy throughout the region.

NBC host Kristen Welker asked Zelensky on Meet the Press how long Americans can expect to fund the war in Ukraine, noting that there has been some strong opposition to sending additional aid to the country. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is doing the fighting and the U.S. is only providing the munitions.

The Americans are not funding the war in Ukraine. They foremost protect freedom and democracy all over Europe. And Ukraine is fighting. And Ukraine is sending their best sons and daughters to the front line. And this reduces the price for all Europe, for all NATO, Zelensky said, speaking through a translator.

It reduces the price for everyone, including the U.S. as the leaders in NATO. U.S. Army now does not have to fight protecting NATO countries. Ukrainians are doing that. And its only the ammo that the civilized world is providing. And I think its a good decision. That is why we do need to keep supporting, he continued.

The House approved a massive foreign aid package to send to the Senate on Saturday. The package includes roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Zelensky urged the Senate to pass the aid package for Ukraine.

And today, we definitely need this aid. And Kristen, we really need to get this to the final point. We need to get it approved by the Senate. And then we want to get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the front as soon as possible, not in another six months, so that they will be able to move ahead, he said through a translator.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Sunday that his country needs a crucial weapons system to help win its war against Russia.

NBC host Kristen Welker asked Zelensky if Ukraine could win the war now that the House approved additional foreign aid Saturday, including $61 billion for his country. He said his country could win the war if it gets the weapons systems it needs, including long-range weapons and air defense systems.

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine. And we will have a chance for victory if Ukraine really gets the weapon system, which we need so much, the thousands of soldiers need so much. And this aid should not be just spread into layer all over, but it has to end up in tangible weapon systems, Zelensky said through a translator on Meet the Press.

Some really crucial weapon systems, which are hard to get. The long-range artillery. And I really appreciate that it mentions ATACMs, long-range weapons. And its important because we need long-range weapons to not lose people on the front line. Because we have casualties because we cannot reach that far. Our weapons are not that long-range. So, we need it, and air defense. This is crucial. These are the priorities now, he continued.

He also said he could not give a timeline for the conflict without knowing when Ukraine will get the weapons systems. He noted that while allies have approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the country still does not have them.

Now we have all the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative. And thats why we need to actually have the weapon systems, he said. When we get it, when we have it in our arms, then we do have the chance to take this initiative and to move ahead and to protect Ukraine. But giving U.S. specific timeline of the war, well, it depends on how soon we get this aid.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukraines president thanked the United States Congress in an interview on Sunday after House Speaker Mike Johnson a day earlier bucked his partys conservative wing and ushered through the passage of legislation providing military assistance to Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on NBCs Meet the Press and thanked Mr Johnson specifically for what he said was a show of leadership and strength of the United States after the House of Representatives approved a $60.8bn bill to help Ukraine purchase weapon systems and munitions and to restock US supplies that were depleted by previous aid packages.

The legislation is set for a final vote in the Senate on Tuesday where it is expected to pass; the upper chamber had originally voted on the legislation in February. The House took months to pick apart the legislation and make changes, while Ukraines military situation grew increasingly desperate. Mr Johnson finally brought the legislation to the floor this week only to suffer a major rebellion from conservatives; the legislation received more support from Democrats than Republicans on final passage.

I would like to thank Speaker Johnson and President Biden, Mr Zelensky said, adding that it would send the Kremlin a powerful signal about the USs commitment to the war.

But that committment is far from ironclad, a fact that was evident on Sunday to members of both parties. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a Republican, could not say that Washington would remain a committed ally to Kyiv if Donald Trump were at the helm in 2025 as he was interviewed on Face the Nation.

WATCH: After the House passed aid to Ukraine, President Zelenskyy thanked Congress, Speaker Johnson and President Biden for their support.@ZelenskyyUa: This is a show of leadership and strength of the United States. pic.twitter.com/SkN6hQM5xX  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

"If Donald Trump wins this next election, can you guarantee the US will stay with Ukraine? asked CBSs Margaret Brennan.

I cant guarantee anything, Mr Sullivan replied.

Hungarys rightwing prime minister, Viktor Orban, claimed earlier this year that the former US president told him privately that the US would end all military assistance to Ukraine if he were to return to the White House. MrTrumps campaign has not directly denied this, but stated that the former president believes that European allies of the US should foot a higher bill for Ukraines defence and added that a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war would be Mr Trumps top priority.

"President Trump has repeatedly stated that a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in March.

"Also, President Trump believes European nations should be paying more of the cost of the conflict, as the US has paid significantly more, which is not fair to our taxpayers.

Confusingly, one Republican senator with a reputation for flattering the former president still credited Mr Trump with the bills passage.

Ukrainians are fighting like tigers. This aid package has a loan component to it and this would not have passed without Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham told Foxs Shannon Bream on Sunday.

Propaganda Alert: Lindsey Graham gives Trump credit for House passage of Ukraine aid, "Ukrainians are fighting like tigers. This aid package has a loan component to it and this would not have passed without Donald Trump."



*Trump has promised to end all aid to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/hcEetO7iQP  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 21, 2024

President Joe Biden celebrated the Houses passage of the Ukraine aid bill on Saturday shortly after the vote, writing in a statement that GOP and Democratic supporters of the legislation came together to answer historys call.

Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage, said the US president.

Members of both parties cheered on the House floor after the legislation passed on Saturday during a rare weekend session; some even waved Ukrainian flags on the House floor, drawing an angry rebuke from conservatives who had opposed the legislation.

Whats in the full foreign aid package passed by the House:

Three pieces of legislation that were part of the national security supplemental passed by the Senate, as well as one piece of sidecar legislation dealing with Russia/Iran sanctions, passed the House on Saturday. Combined, they will provide tens of billions of dollars in security and military assistance to US allies in three regions.

Ukraine

The Ukraine portion of the bill is the largest. $60.8bn is earmarked for Ukraine in the bills passed on Saturday, with much being targeted to resupply vital air defences for the Ukrainian military. A Republican amendment to strip all non-defence spending from the bill failed.

Of the defence spending in the bill, $23bn is set aside to replenish US stockpiles drawn down by the effort to supply Ukraine, while another $11bn would support current US operations in eastern Europe. Nearly $14bn was targeted to help Ukraine purchase advanced weapon and defence systems.

A relatively smaller amount, $26m, was supplied to provide oversight efforts to ensure that US contributions to Ukraine are being disbursed correctly and fairly.

Israel

Much of the $26.38bn Israel bill is centred around restocking Israeli munitions required for its defences as well as the siege of Gaza, where Israel is attempting to wipe out Hamas militants. $4bn is included for resupplying the Iron Dome defensive grid, and $1.2bn is include for the so-called Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system used to take out drones and missiles.

$3.5bn is set aside to help Israel procure weapon systems, while nearly $7bn is marked for restocking US supplies and funding operations in the region.

Indo-Pacific

One last segment of the foreign aid package deals with Taiwan and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Philippines. This smaller ($8.12bn) bill sets aside $3.3bn for the construction of submarine port infrastructure around the Indo-Pacific and includes roughly $4bn in assistance to Taiwan and regional military partners of the US. Just over a half billion is also provided to directly strengthen US military assets in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the U.S. House for approving aid to Ukraine that he said will give the nation a chance at victory as it fights against Russian aggression and incursion on its land.

I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, I pray, and we will have a chance at victory if Ukraine really gets the weapons system, which we need so much, which thousands of soldiers need so much, Zelensky said via a translator during an interview Sunday on Meet the Press.

WATCH: After the House passed aid to Ukraine, President Zelenskyy thanked Congress, Speaker Johnson and President Biden for their support.@ZelenskyyUa: This is a show of leadership and strength of the United States. pic.twitter.com/HyGn1m5hO9  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

The House passed a $60 billion aid package to Ukraine on Saturday  $23 billion of which will go toward replenishing U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities  with a 311-112 vote. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the legislation this Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has said he will sign it when it reaches his desk. The Ukraine aid bill also includes $13.8 billion to supply advanced weapons systems as well as $10 billion in economic assistance. The House also passed aid to Israel and Taiwan on Saturday.

We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the frontlines, Zelensky said. He added that in the last six months, Ukraines troops have suffered losses in several directions losses in men, in equipment.

We have a lot of people who are ready to protect the motherland. [But] motivation can go down when they go to the frontlines and they see there are no shells, no equipment.

WATCH: There are reports of a lack of morale in Ukraine as its war with Russia continues.@ZelenskyyUa: "We have a lot of people who are ready to protect the motherland.  Motivation can go down  when they go to the frontlines and they see there are no shells, no equipment." pic.twitter.com/SmZfCl52VW  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

With renewed aid, Zelensky said, Now we have all the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative. And thats why we need to actually have the weapon systems. When we get it, when we have it in our arms, then we do have the chance to take this initiative and to move ahead and to protect Ukraine.

WATCH: President @ZelenskyyUa says Ukraine is "preparing" for a major Russian offensive  but it did "lose the initiative" in the East after stalls in aid and weapons.



"The soldiers are engaged in training.  But we are waiting for the weapons systems." pic.twitter.com/aWeEVD2kNK  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

Asked about a timeline for victory, Zelensky said that it depends on how soon we get this aid.

On Sunday, Russia reacted to the Houses vote to send military support to Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine is dragging the U.S. into a humiliating fiasco.

Washingtons deeper and deeper immersion in the hybrid war against Russia will turn into such a loud and humiliating fiasco for United States as Vietnam and Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, according to Reuters.

She added that Russia will launch an unconditional and resolute response should the U.S. pursue further involvement in the conflict. Russia currently controls approximately 18% of Ukraine, Reuters reported. Russian troops have continued to gain ground in recent months as U.S. legislators bickered over sending aid. Included in the bill passed by the House are provisions that would let the U.S. seize billions in Russian assets under sanctions, which Zakharova claimed amounted to theft.

Host Kristen Welker asked Zelensky for his reaction to Donald Trump encouraging Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade NATO nations that he claims are not contributing enough to defense spending. Trump has called Putins invasion of Ukraine genius.

WATCH: President Zelenskyy says he doesnt believe rumors about former President Trumps plan to end Russia-Ukraine war.@ZelenskyyUa: When Trump comes here and will tell me their formula of peace, then I will be able to provide the response. pic.twitter.com/h2d6TEFE8z  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

I know for sure if Ukraine fails, then Putin definitely will invade the Baltic countries because Putin wants to return the influence of the Soviet Union, Zelensky said, adding, He wants to retake all former Soviet republics and now independent states. Whether they are in the NATO or not, he doesnt care. That is why this is his strategy. Of course, after the Baltic states, also Poland and parts of Germany.

When Welker brought up Trumps alleged plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, Zelensky said, Im the president of a country at war, and rumors and different hearsay, I dont believe that. [If] Trump comes here and would tell me their formula of peace, then I would be able to provide the response.

Have you ever lost hope? Welker asked Zelensky.

WATCH: President @ZelenskyyUa says, "You can never lose hope" as Ukraine's war with Russia continues.



"You can never lose freedom. You can never lose independence. Otherwise, you just lose everything.  If I lose hope, my children will lose their future." pic.twitter.com/Fkk89z2RpB  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 21, 2024

You can never lose hope, he replied. You can never lose freedom. You can never lose independence. Otherwise, you just lose everything. You lose your state. You lose your security for your children, for all. All the children in Ukraine are my children.

If I lose help, well, my children would lose their future independent country, Zelensky continued. And then we would lose Ukraine as the nation. Its not only about the territory. Its about ourselves, our identity. So we cannot lose hope.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for the rapid delivery of weapons to his country following the approval in the US House of Representatives of a new aid package for his embattled land.

"Now we have the chance to stabilize the situation and to [take] the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems," Zelensky told US broadcaster NBC on Sunday.

"When we get them ... then we do have the chance to take this initiative and to move ahead to protect Ukraine."

The Ukrainian president did not want to give "a specific timeline of the war" when asked as there were "too many factors."

However, he once again issued an urgent warning about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"If Ukraine fails, then Putin definitely will invade the Baltic countries," said Zelensky. "Putin wants to return the influence of the Soviet Union and he really wants to retake all the former Soviet republics that are now independent states; Whether they are in NATO or not, he doesn't care."

Zelensky also mentioned Poland and parts of Germany, but was then interrupted by the presenter, who asked him how big a threat he thought Putin posed to the West: "I think he does want to go further. He wants to reinstate the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc," he said.

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved an aid package of almost $61 billion with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, which also includes urgently needed arms supplies for defence against Russia.

The necessary approval of the Senate is considered certain. The text also calls for the delivery of long-range ATACMS missile systems.
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, an Aurora Democrat, speaks from his office at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., about the 25th anniversary of the school shooting at Columbine High School in an interview on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, with Colorado Politics on the Zoom teleconference platform.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky followed up his praise for the US House of Representatives' approval of a nearly $61 billion aid package with calls on a popular US Sunday morning news show for fast delivery of the aid.

Russia, on the other hand, continued its attacks on the US military assistance to the country it invaded in February 2022, saying the money will "be pocketed" and "tens of thousands of Ukrainians will go to the meat grinder."

Zelensky, speaking on the long-running NBC show "Meet the Press," also warned that if Ukraine loses the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek to recapture the many now independent states that were either part of the Soviet Union or in its sphere of influence.

"If Ukraine fails, then Putin definitely will invade the Baltic countries," said Zelensky. "Putin wants to return the influence of the Soviet Union and he really wants to retake all the former Soviet republics that are now independent states; Whether they are in NATO or not, he doesn't care."

Zelensky also mentioned Poland and parts of Germany, but was then interrupted by the presenter, who asked him how big a threat he thought Putin posed to the West: "I think he does want to go further. He wants to reinstate the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc," he said.

The Ukrainian leader called for the rapid delivery of the US House-approved weapons: "Now we have the chance to stabilize the situation and to [take] the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems," Zelensky told "Meet the Press."

"When we get them ... then we do have the chance to take this initiative and to move ahead to protect Ukraine."

The Ukrainian president did not want to give "a specific timeline of the war" when asked as there were "too many factors."

The Ukrainian president also told NBC that with the new package, his country "will have a chance for victory if Ukraine really gets the weapon system, which [it needs] so much."

"Some really crucial weapon systems which are hard to get ... I really appreciate that," he said.

He emphasized that Ukraine especially needs longer-range missiles. The US House-passed bill includes the delivery of long-range ATACMS missile systems. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs such weapons in order to lose fewer forces on the front line. His country also needs air defence. "These are the priorities now."

Ukraine is also expecting US F16 fighter jets. The aim of the leadership in Kiev is to regain sovereignty over its own airspace.

Russia, on the other hand, said the US aid package is a waste of US taxpayer money as the funds will be eaten up by Ukrainian corruption and result in more deaths there.

Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Dmitry Polyanskiy, wrote on Sunday that there is "nothing to celebrate here."

He wrote that the war would continue and "more money will be pocketed, more weapons stolen and tens of thousands of Ukrainians will go to the meat grinder." He added that Ukraine's defeat was "inevitable."

Ukraine, which is striving to join the European Union and NATO, has been defending itself against a Russian invasion with massive Western support for more than two years.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Facebook that around $50 billion of the package would be spent on Ukraine's defence. This means more weapons for Ukraine, including more air defence and longer-range projectiles.

Another $7.8 billion is earmarked to support Ukraine's national budget. In turn, $1.57 billion is planned as economic aid and $400 million for border protection and demining, according to Shmyhal.

The money will also be used to finance the restoration of important infrastructure, he said. The country's energy facilities have frequently been targets of Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X, formerly Twitter, about the US decision that it was "a bad day for Putin" and "for anyone who dared to believe that America could waver when it comes to defending what and who it stands for."

Western military experts expect a boost in Russian missile and drone attacks in Ukraine in the coming weeks before the fresh US military aid actually arrives.

"Russian forces will likely intensify ongoing offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks in order to exploit the closing window of Ukrainian materiel constraints," according to an analysis by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington.

But ISW experts stated on Saturday that the Russians have so far only achieved isolated tactical successes in offensive operations and no breakthrough on the front line.
Ukraine has "a chance at victory" against Russia's full-scale war if it receives the $61 billion in military aid recently passed by the United States House of Representatives, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with NBC News on April 21.

"I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, I pray, and we will have a chance at victory if Ukraine really gets the weapons system, which we need so much, which thousands of soldiers need so much," Zelensky said.

After months of delays and political infighting, the House on April 20 approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. The funds are urgently needed as Russian forces gain ground at the front lines and massive aerial attacks erode Ukraine's air defense capacity.

The Senate is expected to advance the bill in the coming days, whereupon U.S. President Joe Biden will sign it into law.

Zelensky thanked U.S. legislators for approving the aid bill and urged the U.S. to deliver the weapons as quickly as possible.

"Then we want to help get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the frontline as soon as possible  not in another six months  so that they would be able to move ahead," Zelensky said.

Read also: Zelensky: Ukraine will lose war if US Congress fails to deliver aid funding

The Ukrainian military's top priorities are long-range weapons and air defense systems, Zelensky told NBC.

"We need long-range weapons to not lose people on the front line because we have, we have casualties because we cannot reach that far. Our weapons are not that long-range," he said.

U.S. Democratic Senator Mark Warner said on April 21 that long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which can travel up to 300 kilometers, may be ready to ship to Ukraine "by the end of the week."

According to Zelensky, Ukraine's ability to retake the initiative from Russia depends on how fast it can get the new U.S. weapons on the ground.

"Now we have the chance to stabilize the situation and to overtake the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems," he said.

"Giving the U.S. a specific timeline of the war, well it depends how soon they get this aid."

Read also: Ukraine aid bill finally passes the House  what happens next?

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Zelenskyy: Patriots can only be called air defence systems when they work and save lives  video

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again urged partners to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems and new fighter jets in the near future.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X)

Details: The President published footage depicting the aftermath of recent Russian bombings of Ukrainian cities.

Quote: "Patriots can only be called air defence systems if they work and save lives rather than standing immobile somewhere at storage bases.

Modern fighter jets are required where modernity is put to the test and it is determined whether children and grandchildren of today's generations will live in peace and security.

The democratic world has the strength to defeat the Russian terror. It should not be afraid of its own power and instead work to practically protect life. Patriots need to be in Ukrainian hands right now. Modern fighter jets are needed in Ukrainian skies. Russian missiles and Iranian Shahed drones must be defeated so that in the future, ruins cannot triumph over life anywhere.

We can only effectively combat terror by working together and taking joint steps. And I am grateful to every country and leader who has already recognized this. I thank everyone who demonstrates leadership in supporting Ukraine."

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the approval of US aid for Ukraine will give Kyiv a chance to win the war.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for NBC News on 21 April, full version of which has been published by the press service of the President

The news was updated with the quotes from the Ukrainian version of the interview

Quote: "I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, I pray, and we will have a chance at victory if Ukraine really gets the weapons system which we need so much, which thousands of soldiers need so much.". This aid will really strengthen Ukraine and the Armed Forces, but on condition that Ukraine receives the deficit armament needed to fight against the enemy. And so that this aid is not wasted on trifles but is indeed supplied in the form of the deficit weapons we lack today  artillery, strategic long-range weapons, everything included in the bill ([by the way,] I am grateful to the speaker)  ATACMS and air defence is also a priority."

Details: Asked to give an approximate "time reference" of the war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy stated: "It depends on when we actually get weapons on the groundNow we have the chance to stabilise the situation and to seize the initiative, and thats why we need to actually have the weapons systems When we have weapons at our disposal, we'll have the initiative, and then we'll be able to push forward."

"From the moment we receive the weapons we requested and counted upon, we will be able to forecast our actions more precisely," he added.

Zelenskyy also reacted to recent reports that former US president Donald Trump, if elected, would pressure Ukraine to give away part of its territory to Russia in exchange for ending the war: "Im the President of a country which is at war and I do not believe in rumours. When Trump comes to Ukraine and shares his formula for ending the war with me, then I will discuss it. So far I only know one thing  Putin cannot be trusted. What Putin says will never come true."

Quote: "The strategy of ending the war should be based not on what Putin says or some other people from his entourage say, but on something very specific, something very tangible in Ukraine that is independent and democratic."

Background:

On 20 April, the US House of Representatives approved a bill to provide about US$61 billion in military aid for Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has urged the Senate to approve the aid for Ukraine and "quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law, and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs".

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that US senators will come out of recess to vote on aid to Ukraine on Tuesday 23 April.

The Washington Post reported that it will take the Pentagon less than a week to deliver some of the weapons to Ukrainian forces after all the procedures for adopting the relevant legislation are completed.

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Wind and solar in limbo: Long waitlists to get on the grid are a leading barrier

Ninety miles west of Chicago, the corn and soybean fields stretch to the sky, and dreams of the clean energy future dangle  just out of reach.

To the east of Route 52, theres the first phase of the 9,500-acre Steward Creek solar farm, in the works since 2019.

To the west, theres South Dixon Solar, which once hoped to begin construction on 3,800 acres in 2022.

Both projects have been approved by the Lee County Board. But neither can be built, according to a county official, due to PJM Interconnection, a powerful but little-known entity that controls access to the high-voltage electric grid in northern Illinois.

There isnt anything we can do to help the state move forward (with its clean energy goals), said Lee County Zoning Administrator Alice Henkel. This is all PJM. They have the control.

As the clean energy transition surges ahead, with prices for electricity from wind and solar dropping and market share growing, long waitlists for new power sources seeking approval to connect to the electric grid have quietly emerged as a major barrier.

Across the nation, the waitlists for large projects to connect to the grid  and deliver power to homes and businesses  have ballooned, leaving over 1,400 gigawatts of wind and solar power in limbo, enough to allow the United States to achieve 90% clean electricity.

We really shouldnt have this kind of breakdown in something thats so vital, said Mike Jacobs, a senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

And nowhere is the problem worse, according to a recent first-of-its-kind report, than in the PJM region, which spans Washington, D.C., and 13 states, in whole or in part, including northern Illinois.

PJM came in last out of seven regions, with a grade of D-, in the Generation Interconnection Scorecard report prepared for the business association Advanced Energy United.

PJMs performance had few bright spots, according to the report, which was based on publicly available data, as well as recent interviews with energy developers and engineers working in the field.

The report found that in a nation with agonizingly slow grid connection processes, the PJM process of studying and green-lighting new requests to connect to the grid was the slowest, with the most unpredictable timelines.

One clean energy developer was quoted as saying he had stopped doing new projects in the PJM region.

PJMs delays are severe enough to pose a significant risk to Illinois ambitious clean energy goals, according to a 2023 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

(PJM) has unnecessarily set our transition to cleaner energy back by years, said Clara Summers, the Consumers for a Better Grid campaign manager at the Citizens Utility Board.

PJM, a federally regulated private company that manages part of the high-voltage electric grid, declined a request for a phone interview, instead issuing a written statement saying the interconnection scorecard report is an assessment of conditions and practices that no longer exist in PJM.

Over three years ago, PJM and its stakeholders identified improvements to the interconnection process and developed landmark reforms in record time. These new rules are enabling PJM to process New Service Requests faster and more efficiently, the statement said.

PJM said the more relevant challenge is getting previously approved projects built.

This is the challenge we need to confront as an industry rather than looking back on problems that have been largely addressed, the statement said. PJM is not delaying the energy transition.

But critics of PJMs operation say that delays continue.

While PJM points to 40 gigawatts of power thats approved but awaiting construction, there were 290 gigawatts of power waiting to connect to the PJM grid at the end of 2023, up from 88 gigawatts in 2018, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a federally funded research center.

A tidal wave

In Lee County, wind turbines sprout from cornfields, some as tall as skyscrapers.

There was heated debate when the states first utility-scale wind farm was built here in 2003, Henkel said as she drove her SUV down quiet country roads.

But as time went on, farms continued to produce, the turbines did their jobs and concerns faded.

The county now has 280 wind turbines, with enough power to meet the electricity needs of roughly 200,000 homes.

It works for this area, said Henkel. We are contributing to green energy and energy independence, so Im proud of that.

Proposals for big solar projects started arriving here about five years ago, part of a national trend.

A tidal wave of renewable energy projects  driven by falling wind and solar costs and state and federal policies  was building, and heading toward the grid.

Its happened really fast, said Joe Rand, an energy policy researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and lead author of Queued Up, a series of reports on the grid-connection waitlist. Were in a rapid and fundamental energy transition in this country.

In the PJM region, the median time a new energy project had to wait before being allowed to connect to the grid rose to more than five years in 2022, up from just 20 months in 2005.

PJM effectively slammed on the brakes in 2022, with a decision, approved by regulators, that it would not review newer grid-connection requests  submitted after September 2021  until early 2026, according to government documents and PJM reports.

That allowed PJM to focus on clearing the backlog of older requests but left newer projects with potential waits of up to four years  just to begin the review process.

Related Articles

As part of a broader package of generally well-received reforms, PJM also went to a new review process in which grid-connection requests are studied in clusters, rather than one by one. Other changes included new financial requirements for applicants, aimed at discouraging speculative projects.

Among the local projects affected by PJM delays: Deriva Energys South Dixon solar farm in Lee County, which applied to connect to the grid in 2019. According to PJMs timelines, the project should get an agreement to connect to the grid by mid-2025.

Phase 1 of Hexagon Energys Steward Creek solar farm submitted its requests to connect to the grid in 2019 and 2020. The project should get an agreement by mid-2025.

Having things dragged out  it certainly makes the development timeline a lot trickier, said Hexagon senior director of development Scott Remer. It introduces risk to how were going to continue to develop and mature the project.

Planning for the future

No one is saying that PJMs job is easy.

The Pennsylvania-based company  a membership organization that includes utilities and power providers  is the largest grid operator in the country, coordinating and directing the flow of electricity to 65 million people in a time of unprecedented change.

And PJM is by no means the only region struggling.

A recent report based on a survey of 123 wind and solar developers nationwide found that the grid-connection process was the top cause of delays of six months or more, followed by local ordinances and zoning, community opposition and supply chain issues.

At the Solar Energy Industries Association, senior director of energy markets and counsel Melissa Alfano said that the grid-connection process nationwide is a huge problem for big solar farms.

Rand said the issue has moved to the forefront of the national energy conversation.

(Grid-connection) has become the leading barrier to new power plants coming online and new renewables being deployed, he said.

There are more than 1,400 gigawatts of clean energy in grid connection waitlists nationwide, and 1,000 gigawatts of battery storage, or technology that collects energy for later use, according to the most recent Queued Up report.

That would be enough to take the United States to 90% clean electricity under current conditions, according to Nikit Abhyankar, a senior scientist at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.

However, Abhyankar cautioned that only about 19% of projects that enter the grid-connection waitlists end up being built.

Before the waitlists surged, about 24% of projects got built, according to the 2020 edition of Queued Up.

PJM, historically a leader among grid operators, entered the current era in a strong position. But critics say that while some regions have taken bold steps to meet the challenge of clean energy, PJM has moved more cautiously.

Honestly, its deer in the headlights behavior, said Summers, grid campaign manager at CUB.

Californias grid operator  or PJM equivalent  has pursued a blue-state strategy of proactively planning the expansion of the high-voltage grid. Thats helpful, experts say, because a right-sized grid allows new clean energy to connect more easily.

In the Texas grid region, a red-state, free-market approach has also drawn praise: new projects can connect to the grid fairly easily, but bear additional risk that their power production may be curtailed if the energy supply exceeds demand.

Both regions earned overall grades of B in the interconnection scorecard report, the highest grades awarded.

PJM, in contrast, stuck to a sub-par process for studying grid-connection requests for far too long, the report said. And when PJM did make reforms, the transition to an improved process froze opportunities for new projects to be considered.

The report also gave PJM a low grade for forward-looking grid planning, in which strategically located long-distance power lines are built and upgraded to meet the growing demand for electricity.

Experts say that planning for the grid of the future  and building it  brings a multitude of benefits: Its easier for far-flung locations to access the cleanest, lowest-cost electricity; the risk of blackouts and other power interruptions diminishes; and adding new power sources is faster and less costly.

But today the United States is expanding the grid in the most expensive way possible, via painstaking piecemeal additions, according to Rob Gramlich, president of the power-sector consulting firm Grid Strategies and a co-author of the interconnection scorecard report.

Its very costly to just keep putting these Band-Aids on the system when there are huge economic efficiencies that come with higher-capacity lines and upgrades, Gramlich said.

Studies have repeatedly concluded that expanding and upgrading the high-voltage grid creates economic benefits, with a 2022 study in the journal IEEE Transactions on Power Systems finding that adding high-voltage power lines between huge, largely disconnected sections of the grid would create as much as $2.90 worth of benefits for every dollar spent.

PJM got a D+ for proactive grid-planning in the interconnection scorecard report.

The report did note PJM is finalizing a new long-term planning process. However, the authors wrote, its not yet clear if the new process will lead to the kind of proactive expansion that would make it easier for new energy sources to come online.

Ambitious targets

Peter Nichols grew up in Lee County: swimming and canoeing in the Rock River, and accompanying his grandfather on visits to his farmland.

Wed go around every week and collect eggs and check on the cattle, he recalled.

It was the kind of childhood that forges deep ties to the land, and Nichols, a retired doctor and emeritus professor in Southern California who visits Lee County regularly, said that when he and his siblings received offers to lease land to two local solar projects, they took the decision seriously.

They spent a lot of time discussing the pluses and minuses, including the opportunity solar would offer to let the land recover from the demands of corn and soybean farming.

They decided solar was the right choice for them about four years ago, Nichols said, and then they waited.

Were attached (to our land), we want things that are good for it, and now were kind of just held in limbo. Thats aggravating, Nichols said.

The grid-connection slowdown has affected a wide swath of people, including landowners who plan to lease to developers and the growing number of companies  including data centers  that want to use clean energy.

States such as Illinois, which have set ambitious targets for wind and solar energy, are feeling the impact as well.

A 2023 Natural Resources Defense Council report found that the PJM grid-connection process isnt currently getting new wind and solar farms online fast enough to put Illinois on pace to meet its clean electricity goals. And a recent planning report from the Illinois Power Agency said grid-connection delays  along with supply chain issues and the amount of time needed for construction  create a significant challenge for ambitious state clean-electricity targets.

Still, advocates and experts are heartened by increasing attention to grid-connection delays nationwide, including a 2023 order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requiring reforms to the grid-connection process.

Another federal order, addressing long-term planning of the high-voltage grid, is expected this year, and federal regulators are looking into other improvements.

Rand said there is a lot more room to improve the grid-connection process, but he is optimistic that the country is at or near the peak of the problem.

Gramlich, whose resume includes a stint as a senior PJM economist in the late 1990s, said that every problem in the grid connection scorecard report is solvable, and in each case, someone around the country is doing things right.

Now really all we need to do  at the risk of oversimplification  is identify those activities that work and get everybody else to adopt those activities, he said.

Rooftop view

On a brisk afternoon in March, Lee County offered evidence of the delays  and a glimpse of what could lie beyond.

When Henkel pulled her SUV to a stop next to a piece of farmland promised to the Steward Creek solar farm, bare fields stretched for miles, interrupted, here and there, by a few lonely landmarks  a house, a water tower, a smattering of leafless trees.

There was nothing to suggest rows of sleek black panels, turning in tandem to follow the sun, until Henkel offered up her cellphone, with photos she had taken during a visit to a big solar farm in Coles County in central Illinois.

She had actually climbed up on top of her car to get a better view of the panels, she said with a chuckle.

Its hard to really grasp it from the ground level, because of how tall they are, she said. Then once I got up there I was like, Oh my God, this is quite the sight.

nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com
From the PACT Act to the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, plenty of updates concerning veterans health care in Colorado have happened in the past month.
In Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, a showroom owner was stabbed 11 times over a trivial matter. It is reported that the man had scolded a minor boy working at his place. Angered by this, the boy attacked the owner with a knife. The man is currently admitted to the hospital and his condition is critical. According to Aaj Tak, the incident is from the Navin Market of Kanpur. Here, a man named Raju Hargunanani runs a shoe showroom. Rajus nephew Sunil told that he had hired a 14-year-old boy to work at the shop a few days ago. He said that the boy did not work properly, so Raju had fired him.

Angered by this, the minor threatened Raju to see him later while leaving the shop. On Saturday, 19th April, around 9 pm, Raju was about to close his shop. Just then, the minor arrived there and started arguing. In the meantime, he stabbed Raju one after the other with a knife and fled the scene. Raju, drenched in blood, was taken to the citys Regency Hospital.

It is reported that even after the operation, there is no improvement in Rajus condition. He is currently in a serious condition on a ventilator. On receiving information about the incident, Police Commissioner Akhilesh Kumar reached the spot with officials.

According to the police, after attacking the owner, the accused had fled to Lucknow. On the night of 20th April, the police took him into custody. The knife used in the attack has also been seized from him. The accused is a resident of the Chaman Ganj area of Kanpur.
A significant political development has unfolded in Kashmir, as Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone sought the support of Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari in North Kashmir for the upcoming Parliamentary elections, stressing the critical need to consolidate votes to counteract historical fragmentation that has favored the National Conference.

Speaking to media personnel at his residence office, Lone stated, "We must unite to accurately represent the majority's will in North Kashmir. We extend our hand to the Apni Party, seeking their pivotal support in Baramulla, just as we pledge to support them in Srinagar to thwart the forces that have consistently disregarded the Kashmiri people's valuable mandate."

Lone presented statistical analysis indicating that the National Conference lacks a dominant presence in North Kashmir. "Since 1975, barring the 1996 elections, an astonishing nine out of ten MPs from the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency have been affiliated with the NC," he noted, questioning the outcomes delivered by the NC.

Lone attributed this anomaly to vote fragmentation, lamenting, "Despite the NC's vote share plummeting from 65% in 1982 to a mere 29% in 2019, they still emerged victorious due to the division among anti-NC votes."

Highlighting the 2019 elections as a prime example, Lone revealed that although the NC secured only 133,426 votes out of the 455,999 cast, a significant 322,573 votes were cast against them.

"This indicates that the NC garnered a meager 29% of the vote, while a substantial 71% of voters rejected their mandate. Alarmingly, for every vote cast in their favor, 2.5 votes were cast against them. This injustice must cease," he declared.

Lone affirmed that the PC leadership had engaged in constructive discussions with Apni Party representatives, emphasizing their current focus on forging a strategic alliance with the Apni Party. Lone informed reporters that they will support the Apni Party in the Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies.
New Delhi: The archipelago nation, Maldives is voting in the fourth multi-party parliamentary election on Sunday. The ballot is crucial for President Mohamed Muizzu, who won last year's presidential election as a proxy for pro-China ex-president Abdulla Yameen.

Except for Maldivians, the parliamentary polls are being closely monitored by both India and China as they compete for influence in the Indian Ocean. Muizzu's election as president last year intensified the competition between the two nations. Recently, the new leader initiated his pro-China efforts by sending away Indian military forces and giving big construction projects to Chinese government-run companies.

Why Is This Election Important For India?

As per a report by the Associated Press, Muizzu's election campaign theme for president was India out. He has on occasion accused his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by giving India too much influence in the region.

However, the current parliament, mostly controlled by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has been trying to block his attempts to change the country's diplomatic stance and enhance relations with neighbouring nations like India, as per reports.

It will be difficult for Muizzu to get a majority in Parliament because more parties have entered the contest and some of his supporters have fallen out, according to AP.

What Is The Political Scenario?

There are 368 candidates vying for 93 seats in Parliament from six political parties and independent organisations. After accounting for population growth, that is six more seats than in the previous Parliament.

There were about 284,000 eligible voters, and late on Sunday, results are anticipated to be released.

India-Maldives Conflict

This year's major controversy began when a few Maldivian leaders made remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Lakshadweep. This caused tension between India and the Maldives. India complained strongly to the Maldives about it, and even opposition leaders in the Maldives criticised the government for the situation. A Maldivian leader, Mariyam Shiuna, posted disrespectful comments about PM Modi but later deleted them.

Indians found these developments disrespectful, which further led to the downfall in the number of Indian tourists going to the Maldives. The number declined by almost 40% from January to March 2024 compared to the same time in 2023. However, the number of tourists from China increased a lot during the same period.

Even though the Maldivian government said it didn't support the disrespectful comments, it suspended three ministers who had made the remarks.
Kunwar Sarvesh Singh, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, died on Saturday. Voting for his parliamentary seat took place on Friday, and he came to vote. His health was not particularly good. He had been sick for a few days and was being treated at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi. Ritesh Gupta, a BJP MLA from Moradabad, confirmed the death of the former MP. The question now is whether by-elections would be held in Moradabad in the absence of BJP candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Singh.

Several BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, paid their respects on social media. In a letter, Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep sadness at Kunwar Sarvesh Singh's premature death. Home Minister Amit Shah stated in an expression of sorrow over his passing that his family, the people of Moradabad, and the BJP family have all suffered an irreversible loss. Both UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed their condolences for his passing on social media.

Will A By-Election Held In Moradabad?

In actuality, Moradabad's first round of the voting process ended on April 19. All that remains is to wait for the June 4th result. However, Kunwar Sarvesh Singh, the BJP candidate, passed away first.

A by-election will be held in Moradabad only if there is no serving MP. However, the elections have just taken place. Results are still pending. By-elections won't be necessary unless Kunwar Sarvesh Singh emerges victorius. However, if another candidate wins the election, a by-election will not be needed.

Who Were The Candidates From Moradabad?

The BJP had chosen Kunwar Sarvesh Singh as its candidate in Moradabad. Kunwar Sarvesh Singh was a five-time MLA and one-time MP. In Moradabad, the Samajwadi Party fielded Ruchiveera to challenge him. Aside from this, Irfan Saifi was chosen as the BSP candidate.
The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken into hostage by Hamas in Gaza pleads for international voices to demand his release. The family arrived from over 500 km to the capital Kathmandu, to raise voice for their son.

Joshi's parents visited Kathmandu to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, marking one of several occasions they have met with him. At the meeting, the family handed over a letter to the Prime Minister, urging the Nepal government to take action for the safe release of their son, whom they have not heard from since October 7, 2023.

Our son Bipin Joshi, who participated in the Learn and Earn program from Sudurpaschim University, embarked on a journey to Israel on September 12, 2023. Tragically, less than a month into his stay, on October 7, he was taken captive by the Hamas group during an incident involving Israel and Hamas. It's important to bring this to your attention. Bipin, along with his fellow classmates, ventured to Israel last year as part of his university studies, supported by governmental supervision. Their goal was to contribute to the agricultural sector back home by applying the skills acquired in Israel, Joshis parentsMahanand Joshi and Padma Joshi wrote in the letter.

With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict and turmoil in the region since the incident, we find ourselves grappling with the bleak reality of our son's uncertain fate, both physically and emotionally, the letter included.

Speaking to WION, the family of Bipin Joshi expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the Nepal government is not exerting sufficient efforts for his release.

It has been over 7 months since the tragic incident unfolded. Despite reaching out to various Nepali authorities, we remain without any updates regarding his whereabouts. I urge the Nepali government and the international community to take action to secure his release Prakash Joshi, brother of Bipin Joshi.

Prakash Joshi says, they have not been able to get in contact with Bipin since the attack, We became aware of his hostage situation through CCTV footage released by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). His health and well-being remain unknown to us.

The family implores the authorities to ascertain Bipin's condition, expressing concern over his numerous health issues and questioning whether he is receiving adequate food and medication.

For more than half a year, we've been tirelessly reaching out to various authorities. We've engaged with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, President, and even the Israel Embassy. While the feedback has been encouraging, there has been tangible progress. Despite this, we persist in our daily meetings with officials, with hope and determination, Pushpa Joshi, sister of Bipin Joshi told WION.

Mahanand Joshi, father of Bipin Joshi is optimistic that during the upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal on April 23, they may receive an update or some progress regarding the status of his son.

Nepal has earlier made several attempts seeking assistance of Qatar and the officials continue to meet with the Ambassador in Nepal.

On March 20, Qatar Ambassador Mishal Mohammed Ali Al-Ansari paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and the release of Bipin Joshi was discussed.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani had told then Foreign Minister NP Saud that all efforts are being made for the release, during Sauds visit to Doha to attend the 21st Doha Forum.

The October 7 attack left 10 Nepali students dead and four others injured, who had reached the West Asian country under the Learn and Earn Programme.

Joshi is one of the 17 Nepali students who were living at Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel, close to the Palestinian enclave Gaza, and came under attack from the Islamist group that rules the strip, as per the Nepals Foreign Ministry.
New Delhi: Making a sharp attack on the deteriorating condition of the Congress party about the declining state of the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Sunday that the party, which once secured 400 seats, now struggles to compete for 300 seats in the current Lok Sabha election. He characterised the party as a "symbol of instability."

Speaking at a public rally in Jalore, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Modi alleged that the nation was punishing the Congress for its "sins". Slamming the congress party PM Modi claimed that the country does not want to return to the conditions that existed before 2014. " PM Modi said.

"Every time the public has blessed the BJP, this time too, the people of Jalore-Sirohi are saying 'Phir ek baar Modi sarkar'. In the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, half of Rajasthan has taught a good lesson to the Congress party, He added.

The Prime Minister went on to criticise the former Congress president, without explicitly mentioning Sonia Gandhi, for opting to enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha route. He said that the current state of the Congress party is a result of its own actions. He pointed out that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was sent to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, and now another Congress leader is in Rajya Sabha. He said that people who knew they could not secure a seat, ran away from the race.

Rajasthan has 25 seats in the Lok Sabha. The first round of voting for Rajasthan's 12 Lok Sabha seats took place on Friday. On April 26, Rajasthan's remaining 13 seats will be up for election in the second phase.
New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday made a strong pitch for quotas for Muslim women, flagging the alarmingly low representation, in Parliament, of females belonging to the minority community.

The Hyderabad MP addressed a rally at Kishanganj in Bihar, the lone Muslim majority Lok Sabha seat in the state, where the AIMIM's provincial unit chief and MLA Akhtarul Iman is in the fray.

"The BJP-RSS falsely accuse the AIMIM of being against women's participation in politics. As early as 2004, we had fielded a female candidate in Secunderabad. Peace be upon her," said Owaisi, referring to late leader Humera Aziz.

He added, "Our point is since Independence,17 Lok Sabha polls have been held in the country but the number of Muslim women who became MPs has been just about 20. So why not reservations for Muslim women."

Owaisi, who is an alumnus of the Lincoln's Inn at London, and likes to be addressed with the prefix "barrister", recounted the derision he faced upon moving an amendment, in Lok Sabha, to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam brought by the Narendra Modi government.

"Speaker Om Birla said to me you want to bring in an amendment but there is hardly anybody to back you. I replied Allah is with me", the AIMIM chief recalled.

His party also played a clip of Owaisi's Kishanganj speech, with the relevant portion of Lok Sabha proceedings inserted, on social media.

"My argument is that Muslims and the backward classes together comprise about 65 per cent of the total population. We cannot deprive women of this vast social segment of their rights," said Owaisi.

"Our contention resonated with many OBC organisations. Their leaders came to thank me, saying Owaisi sahib, only you and your party MP Imtiyaz Jaleel raised the matter of reservations for women from backward classes," he claimed.

Owaisi paid a visit to the tomb of Mohd Asrarul Haq, a former Kishanganj MP who had been associated with the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the NCP, besides having been a top office bearer of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

The AIMIM has declared that it will contest over a dozen Lok Sabha seats in Bihar where the total number is 40.
Kashmir: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, addressing a public gathering in South Kashmir, lashed out at PDP, stating, PDP is aiding BJP because they are absent from this stage where leaders of parties supporting the INDIA Bloc are present today. Omar highlighted that seat-sharing was advised by the India Bloc, refuting PDP's accusations of selfishness. He claimed that the PDP joined the INDIA Bloc solely for electoral gains, alleging that parties not on this stage are indirectly supporting the BJP.

Omar emphasized that in the Kashmir Valley, there is no contest between the India Alliance and BJP due to strong resentment against BJP's actions since August 2019. He stated, Unfortunately, PDP's withdrawal from the India alliance in the Kashmir Valley over seat-sharing has led to internal conflict. Nonetheless, I remain confident in winning all three seats in Kashmir.

Furthermore, Omar asserted that the India Bloc is gaining momentum both in Jammu and Kashmir and across the nation during these Lok Sabha Polls.

Critiquing BJP, Omar remarked, BJP has deployed proxies to counter us, citing Sajad Lone and Altaf Bukhari's parties in Kashmir as aligning with BJP. He took a dig at Sajad Lone, mentioning, Sajad himself has conceded defeat in North Kashmir by seeking Apni Party's support against the National Conference.

Yesterday, People's Conference Chief Sajad Lone appealed to the Apni Party President in a press conference to support him in the Baramulla parliamentary constituency, where Sajad is competing against Omar Abdullah.
New Delhi: People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has urged workers and activists of various political parties to support the PDP in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Mufti also urged them to rise above partisan politics and fight for the safeguarding of the region's core identity and interests.

Addressing various roadshows in Kokernag, the PDP President lamented the tough times faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the unjust incarceration of innocent youth. She further added that the guns and stones would not resolve the issue, but PDP would resist through vote and voice.

Expressing disappointment over the reluctance of the National Conference (NC) to collaborate in the electoral battle, Mehbooba emphasized the importance of solidarity in facing the region's adversities.

"There was a dire need for these polls to be fought together. Unfortunately, the NC didn't want that. They wrote off the PDP. NC leadership declared that PDP is finished. How can a party that has eradicated the Ikhwan culture and repealed POTA in Kashmir she questioned? How can you finish the party that opened roads across the LOC and even initiated a new era of dialogue and reconciliation? If the PDP were finished, one would not have seen such massive support for the party in every nook and corner of Kashmir. I am thankful to them for this," Mehbooba said.

The upcoming election serves as a crucial platform to resist the erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's identity and interests, pointing to issues such as land appropriation, resource exploitation, and rampant unemployment, Mehbooba urged the voters to recognize the broader significance of their participation beyond infrastructural promises.

Appealing to workers of rival parties, including the NC and Congress, Mehbooba urged them to recognize the gravity of the situation and unite them in the common cause.

Stressing that the election is not merely about amenities but about safeguarding fundamental freedoms and rights, the PDP President warned against succumbing to external pressures that seek to plunder the region of its resources, lands, and jobs.

Praising her party workers Mufti said that the persecution against her and her father Mufti Mohammad Syed's party and legacy has a clear-cut agenda and manifesto of peace with dignity "Mufti Mohammad Syed had always wished to safeguard Jammu and Kashmir and therefore PDP leaders were coerced, lured to break up the party. But our workers stood firm like a rock," she said.

Mufti said to her workers, now we have the opportunity to take our case through your vote to the people of Mahatma Gandhis India. She appealed to people not to boycott the polls this time. "Your vote will empower me to tell the parliament that the 5th of August 2019 decision is unacceptable to us and whatever has been snatched must be returned without further delay," Mehbooba said.
New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the change in logo of public broadcaster Doordarshan, from red to orange, and dubbed it was a 'precursor' to the BJP's 'conspiracy' of saffronising everything.

Taking on microblogging site 'X', DMK leader wrote, "Doordarshan has been given a saffron stain". "These (steps like logo change) are a precursor to that. The 2024 Lok Sabha election outcome will show the public rising up against such fascism," he added.

In his post Stalin recalled that earlier Tamil saint-poet Tiruvalluvar was "saffronised" and added that "saffron paint was poured on statues of great leaders of Tamil Nadu."

The national broadcaster, Doordarshan announced the changes in its historic flagship logo from red to shade of orange on April 16 which sparked the controversy. Bitter political row has erupted over the alleged ''saffronisation'' of the national broadcaster with the opposition parties attacking the Narendra Modi regime over the change in the colour of the DD's logo.

In response to the opposition criticism, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi clarified that the new DD logo has a catchy orange colour, not saffron. "It is not just the logo that we have changed, the entire look and feel has been upgraded. It is incorrect and unfortunate that people are reading more into this. We were working on changing the look and feel of DD for the past six to eight months," he told reporters.

While the national broadcaster changed the colour of its logo to blue, yellow and red in recent years, the two petals and globe at the centre of the logo have remained intact.
What happened at Columbine High School 25 years ago wasnt the first or the last mass shooting at a school in America, but it was the first covered in a 24-hour news cycle and it remains deeply ingrained in the American psyche.

The tragedy prompted a national debate on guns and mental health and unprecedented changes to school security.

I loved Columbine, Frank DeAngelis, the former principal of Columbine High School said. It was like my second family. And then April 20, 1999 came, a day in which my life changed forever. And not only my life. I think it changed the country and the world.

Seconds matter: How Columbine changed police response

DeAngelis retired in 2014 from Jefferson County Public Schools after 30 years, 18 as principal at Columbine, including that fateful day. He now helps others work through the trauma similar to what he experienced at Columbine.

On April 20, two students killed 12 schoolmates and a teacher and injured 21 others before taking their own lives. The tragedy shattered the belief that children were safe at school and upended the way law enforcement responds to active shooters.

It was a pivotal moment on how law enforcement responds to these things, said Denver Public Schools Chief of Safety Greg Cazzell.

We no longer wait," Cazzell added. "That started changing the response.

Columbine students give back during 25th anniversary of shooting

The worst thing that we can do is not be prepared

Before Columbine, there wasnt a standard response for active shooter situations.

The only drills we did back in 1999 were fire drills, DeAngelis said.

In the wake of the shooting, law enforcements response underwent significant changes. Gone were the days of negotiating with the shooter or waiting for a SWAT team to respond. School districts and law enforcement agency across the nation began developing active-shooter protocols that emphasized an aggressive and swift response to neutralize the threat.

But as the shootings in Parkland and Uvalde have shown, the response by officers don't always follow what the protocols outlined.

Columbine 25 years later: FASTER Colorado arms school staff to protect students

In 2018, Scot Peterson, a former school resource officer, stayed outside while Nikolas Cruz killed 17 staff and students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A jury acquitted Peterson last year, effectively absolving him of any wrongdoing.

And two years ago in Uvalde, Texas police officers waited more than an hour before breaching a classroom as Salvador Ramos, a former Robb Elementary School student, gunned down 19 kids and two teachers.

That goes against what we learned, at Columbine, Cazzell said.

Jeffco Chief of Schools David Weiss and Cazzell  as undoubtedly school officials across the nation do  scour the reports that follow a shooting to glean what they can from the missteps.

None of us want a tragic event to happen, but the worst thing that we can do is not be prepared, Weiss said.

Part of being prepared  Weiss and Cazzell argued  is bringing the lessons learned from other shootings back to the team.

Each of the incidents I think we learn from and try to do better, Weiss said.

Its hard to say if were safer now

There have been 404 school shootings between Columbine and April 2024, according to the Washington Post, which said it pieced together data from news articles, reports from law enforcement, open-source databases and calls to schools and police departments. Some of those shootings did not involve injury. The federal government does not keep numbers on school shootings.

The frequency of school shootings nationally appear to be increasing, according to the Washington Post's database.

Its hard to say if were safer now than we were before, said Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA). Id probably say no.

The teachers union represents nearly 4,000 educators throughout Denver Public Schools or roughly about 70% of the districts teachers.

Columbine, 25 years later: Complete coverage from The Denver Gazette

School resource officers, or SROs, have long been touted as one of the answers to increased security concerns on campus.

But SROs didnt emerge in response to Columbine. The practice started in the 1950s. Some maintained it was meant to improve the relationship between local police officers and the youth, while others assigned more explicit racial underpinnings.

In any case, SRO programs gained popularity in the aftermath of school shootings in the 1990s, specifically in Columbine and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

And their presence has grown exponentially since, paid for, in part, with federal funding allocated in respond to school shootings.

In 2020, the U.S. had roughly 23,400 sworn officers in schools across the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Denver Public Schools was among a string of school districts across the nation that removed SROs from campuses following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer four years ago and the national protests that ensued.

Then last year, a student at East High School shot two administrators, and, under pressure to respond, the DPS school board reversed its 2020 decision and voted to return SROs to Denver schools.

School resource officers are sworn peace officers who work in a school setting.

Colorado has roughly 300 SROs for its 1,900 school buildings.

While parents in Denver clamored for more police presence in the aftermath of the shooting at the districts flagship school, teachers largely believed other strategies could be more effective.

What would make teachers feel safer  a DCTA survey last year said  were not necessarily metal detectors, cameras and SROs. Instead, the educators expressed overwhelming support for smaller class sizes and caseloads and a full complement of student mental health supports to feel safe in schools, the survey said.

Smaller class sizes means teachers have more time getting to know their students better and their personal struggles to address needs and close learning gaps, the survey suggested.

Thats about being able to check in with all of your students, Gould said.

Cazzell agreed.

It comes down to our students, knowing when theyre in crisis, Cazzell said.

I was terrified

Brooklyn Madden vividly recalls her first lockdown two years ago and her wide-eyed students who wondered if it was a drill.

Following protocols, she shut out the lights, locked the door and corralled 30 fourth-graders and then steeled herself to assume a role Madden, then a first-year teacher, hoped she would never have to play: protector.

I was terrified, said Madden, noting how the weight of that responsibility became real in that moment.

I was thinking, I don't know what I signed myself up for.

Madden teaches at Mountain Phoenix Community School in Wheat Ridge.

While the school lockdown that day turned out to be a false alarm, Madden knew what to do because of the active shooter training that wasnt available two decades ago.

The active shooter drills, though, may have its own cost, some said.

Lorie Fernald harbors fear all the time about shooters. She hopes she will remember her training. She worries whether she can run fast enough to lock the door and whether she will be brave enough.

Fernald, who is now a substitute teacher in Lakewood, began teaching a decade before the Columbine shooting. She never dreamed becoming a teacher would require she learn lockdown drills. When she started in the classroom in 1988, the only drills teachers conducted at the time were fire drills.

I expected to have to keep kids safe like teachers do, Fernald said.

But not from shootings.

You know, Don't run with scissors, Don't jump off the top of the slide," she said. "I never thought about somebody coming in and shooting kids. Never, ever. That never crossed my mind as something that could happen in a classroom.

Fernald also worries about the long-term impact will have on her students, who often chant during recess after a lockdown drill.

Locks, lights, out of sight, they'd say while they play.

I had a student once tell me: I don't think about if theres going to be a lockdown and if theres going to be an active shooter. I think about when it's going to happen,' Fernald said.

I think we're underestimating the negative impact this kind of environment has on our students.

Columbine, 25 years later: Complete coverage from The Denver Gazette

School leaders and those in law enforcement insist there is no silver bullet to Americas gun violence.

Thats why, they said, the safest campuses employ a variety of security layers to get ahead of the threat, including badges and locked doors, secure vestibules that provide administrators control over who can enter, security cameras, SROs and Safe2Tell Colorado, an anonymous way for students and staff to report safety concerns.

Theres just not one thing thats going to stop it, said DeAngelis, the retired Columbine High School principal.

Denver Gazette reporter Sage Kelley contributed to this report.
New Delhi: In a devastating incident in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district, nine people died after a car and a truck collided head-on during the early hours of Sunday. According to authorities, the accident occurred near Eklera village as a group of men were returning from a wedding procession in Bhopal.

The accident took place at 2:45 am near Eklera village when the deceased were returning from Dungri village in Bhopal, reported PTI, quoting Jhalawar Superintendent of Police, Richa Tomer. She further told news agency ANI that the accused has been arrested and dead bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Nine people died in a road accident in Panchola near Aklera, of Jhalawar district. They were returning from a marriage procession in a van which collided with a truck: Jhalawar SP, Richa Tomar pic.twitter.com/tCxEG2ltqM  ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2024

Among the victims of the crash were individuals aged between 18 and 30 years. While two people were killed on the spot, seven others succumbed to injuries at the hospital. One person was critically injured in the accident and has been admitted to the Jhalawar government hospital.
The Manipur chief electoral officer declared on Saturday that the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency will have reelections on April 22 at 11 polling stations. The Election Commission's order to declare the votes conducted at these stations on April 19 invalid and arrange for new polling is what prompted this decision. The official stated that three polling places in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district, four in Kshetrigao and one in Thongju in Imphal East district, and Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in Khurai constituency are the impacted polling places.

Manipur, a conflict-ridden state, witnessed a 72% participation in the two Lok Sabha constituencies on Friday, despite reports of firing, intimidation, the destruction of EVMs at several voting places, and accusations of booth capturing.

Earlier in the day, the Congress demanded a recount at 47 voting stations, claiming that booths had been captured and polls were rigged.

Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra stated that the party had filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, requesting a recount at 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency.
India is a country where marriage is considered not a mere agreement between two individuals but a sacred union of two souls extending beyond this mortal existence. Of course, marriages are a big deal here! And when an occasion is this special, people don't hold back on loosening their purse strings.

Unsurprisingly, the wedding industry became the fourth largest industry in India, when it generated 4.74 trillion of revenue in 2023. It was a steep 26.4% increase as compared to 2022.

With social media influence, rising numbers of HNIs, and larger-than-life weddings of celebrity couples like Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, Priyanka Chopra, and Nick Jonas, and the Ambanis, nuptial events have transformed into extravagant affairs and it's business is surely expected to grow multifold in the upcoming years.

Wed in India: Governments strategic economic move

The respected Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi has been wise to grasp the multi-billion influence of the wedding industry on the Indian economy. He says - Can't the marriage be held in our country? I would say 'Wed In India', like Made in India, Marry in India,".

The initiative urges people to marry within the country instead of opting for international destinations - a move to keep the wealth within the national borders. At the forefront of this paradigm shift stands Sidhharrth S Kumaar, a Times 40 U 40 winner and a luminary in the field of astro-numerology.



Sidhharrth S Kumaar - Pioneering the Wedding Industry Landscape

Meet Sidhharrth S Kumaar, the founder of NumroVani, a new-age Human-AI enabled astro-numerology start-up and a reformer who aims to revolutionse the corporate space by amalgamating the latest business strategies with occult sciences. After restructuring the business world, Mr. Kumaar is all set to drive forward a new era in India's wedding industry.

The young entrepreneur is pledging his robust support to the "Wed in India" movement. He is coming up with new ideas that find their roots in the long-forgotten golden past of ancient Indian history. His vision of a perfect wedding is alluring even to foreigners, especially Westerners. His elaborate compatibility tests, hyper-personalized customs and rituals, lucky decoration colors, vehicles, outfits, gifts, and venue recommendations are reconnecting people with their heritage and compelling them to say I do on their soil.



Thinking beyond Kundali Milan



A big fat Indian wedding spans an entire week with ceremonies like haldi, sangeet, mehendi, and obviously, the big day. Sounds fun, right? However, it's also a celebration of sacred rituals aimed to purify, bless, and grant good luck to the to-be married couples - a factor unique to Indian weddings.

The rituals go beyond the generic Kundli Milan or compatibility test. It includes an in-depth assessment of the birth charts of the couple, Vastu of the wedding venue, and auspicious for inviting prosperity and eliminating obstacles from the newlyweds journey.

But why are couples unhappy even after marrying their compatible zodiacs? The answer lies here -

Comprehensive Kundali analysis



Love stories are written in the stars. Well, astrology says the same. Unfortunately, the recent compatibility tests are solely focused on zodiac signs and generate incomplete and distorted results. This is the reason why most couples suffer even after marrying their compatible zodiacs.

Sidhharrth says - Kundali Milan is more than zodiac compatibility or Gun Milan. It is a thorough assessment of the couple's birth charts that include matching their 36 guns, entire natal charts, marriage karakas or doers (position of planets like Mars, Venus, and Jupiter) along with Lagna, Lagna Kundli, and Tajik Kundli.
On Saturday, Actor Pankaj Tripathi's Brother-in-Law Rakesh Tiwari and Sister Sabita Tiwari met with an accident on GT Road in Dhanbad. Condolences Flow as Pankaj Tripathi's Brother-in-law Succumbs to a Tragic Road Accident and his Sister sustains serious injuries. Reportedly the couple was travelling from Bihar to Chittaranjan in West Bengal.

"The accident occurred around 4.30 pm at Nirsa Bazar on the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway-2, when the car in which the couple was traveling hit a road divider, a police officer" as quoted by news agency PTI.

As per reports, Sabita undergoing treatment at the Dhanbad Medical College Hospital.

After the accident, The Police and Locals came together to rescue Rakesha and Sabita from the wreckage, rushing them to Dhanbad Medical Hospital. Sadly, Emergency medical personnel pronounced Rajesh Tiwari deceased while his wife is still undergoing treatment.

Reportedly, Rakesh was employed with the Indian Railways and stationed at Chittaranjan. Referring to relatives, the Hindustan Times reported that the couple was returning from his village in Bihar.

The CCTV footage circulated on social media reveals how the car crashed into the divider also the severe damage to the car indicates how serious the accident was.
New Delhi: The advantages and efficiency brought about by technology and digitalization don't need to be discussed, but the risks it poses becomes talk of the town these days. Scammers are introducing new ways to ditch people or laymans. You may have gone through such incidents in which scammers poses custom officials and ditch commoners.

What Happened This Time?

In the latest incident, unknown cybercriminals masquerading as representatives of the Delhi police and Customs Department defrauded a sixty-one-year-old woman. (Also Read: How Much Return Will You Get By Investing In SBI's FDs? Check Here)

According to the police, the woman received a call from someone claiming to be from the Customs department, telling her that her name had been used to smuggle drugs from Delhi to Cambodia. (Also Read: ICICI Bank Revises Service Charges For Savings Accounts: Check New Rates And Effective Date)

They even gave her Aadhar number to further establish their legitimacy as legitimate Customs officers.

She was then informed by the fraudsters that her bank accounts had also been used for money laundering, and they requested that she deposit Rs 6.56 lakh from her account to have this verified. They assured her that the money would be returned following verification.

The 61-year-old lady, according to the authorities, just makes ends meet with her rent money. She received a video call on April 15 from someone claiming to be from the Customs Department.



The caller informed her that a package containing drugs had been transported from Delhi to Cambodia using her personal information, including her Aadhar card.

To further convince her that the caller was a Customs officer and that her Aadhar card had been used fraudulently, they even provided her with the number of her Aadhar card.

The caller advised the complainant to come to Delhi and file a complaint with the local police after she denied any involvement in drug trafficking, according to a police official.



Shortly after the chat ended, she received a call from a few more unidentified individuals posing as representatives of the Delhi Police Crime Branch.

The officer continued, "They informed her that her bank accounts had been compromised for money laundering and advised her to have the accounts validated by the Reserve Bank of India. The refundable fee for the same was 6.56 lakh.



Fearing legal action, the woman went to her home branch in Kandivali and used RTGS to transfer the money to the bank accounts that the accused had provided.

The accused people assisted her with the transfer and kept in constant contact with her until the money was transferred, the officer continued.
New Delhi: Overnight Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza city of Rafah resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, including 18 children, reported Associated Press citing health officials. The incident occurred as the United States moved forward with plans to authorise billions of dollars in extra military assistance to its ally, Israel.

Israel has been bombing Rafah almost every day. Rafah is a place where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are staying to escape the fighting in other areas. Israel plans to send more troops into the city even though many countries, including the US, have asked them not to.

On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed the long-stalled bill granting $26 billion aid package, with approximately $9 billion allocated for humanitarian aid for Gaza.

The initial attack claimed the lives of a man, his wife, and their 3-year-old child, as reported by AP quoting a Kuwait Hospital. In another strike, 17 children and two women from the same large family were killed, according to hospital records. The night prior, an airstrike in Rafah resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including six children.

As per the agency, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians, as reported by local health officials. Gaza's two biggest cities have been severely damaged, and there's widespread destruction across the region. About 80% of the population have fled their homes to safer areas within Gaza, which is facing a serious risk of famine, according to experts.

For the past seven months, the ongoing conflict has caused trouble in the region, setting Israel and the U.S. against Iran and its allied militant groups in the Middle East. Recently, Israel and Iran directly exchanged fire, sparking concerns about a full-blown war between the two long-standing enemies. Tensions have also risen in the Israeli-controlled West Bank.
For the third day in a row, at least 14 Palestinians have been killed during an ongoing Israeli military operation in Tulkarm and the refugee camp in the northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. According to a press statement sent to Xinhua on Saturday, the bodies of the 14 Palestinians killed were transferred to Tulkarm Hospital from the Nour Shams Palestinian refugee camp east of the city.

According to Xinhua news agency, no additional information was provided in the statement.Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, entered the camp on Thursday, imposing a strict siege and demolishing main streets, infrastructure, residential homes, and shops.

According to the sources, the ongoing military operation, which has coincided with power outages, water cuts, and disruptions to communication and internet networks in the camp, is the most severe in years. Sniper units were stationed on the roofs of high-rise buildings, while other forces detonated several houses with guided missiles.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported clashes between army and Palestinian militants, as well as explosions caused by homemade explosive devices.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), both issued separate statements claiming that their elements had engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the camp.

According to Israeli public radio, the army, internal security agency Shin Bet, and Israeli police killed several Palestinian militants in clashes during a large-scale military operation in the refugee camp.

According to the radio, those killed included Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shuja, the commander of the Islamic Jihad Movement's Tulkarm Battalion, and another activist named Ahmed Al-Aarif.

According to the radio, eight wanted individuals were apprehended during the ongoing operation, explosive devices and tunnels were seized, and workshops used to manufacture explosive devices within the camp were dismantled.

The West Bank has been witnessing escalating tension marked by armed confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinians in cities, villages, and camps since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year.

Earlier on Saturday, a Palestinian ambulance driver was killed by Israeli gunfire in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank. Israel has killed more than 460 Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire in various parts of the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since the outbreak of the conflict, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The votes are in following House Democrats' new process for determining which bills would pass, assuming the money is there.

The new process, as outlined by House and Senate Democrats in early April, replaces the "quadratic" voting system that a Denver District Court ruled in January is illegal.

Once the 2024-25 state budget headed back to the Joint Budget Committee, which came with a compromise version approved by both the House and Senate, lawmakers got to work voting on their priorities for the scant amount of money, relatively speaking, that they have to spend on new programs.

The "set-aside" from the Joint Budget Committee, the panel of lawmakers that drafts the state's annual spending plan, is around $22 million, but some of that is already spoken for. It covers sunset bills that renew certain statutory programs that would otherwise expire.

Democratic lawmakers looked at 43 tax credit bills, 95 bills with general fund requirements of less than $200,000, and 126 bills needing more than $200,000.

In the latter category, those bills ranged in cost from $200,000 to $80 million.

The memo on the new preference voting system noted more bills are moving through the legislative process than can ultimately be funded.

Republican lawmakers did not participate, citing concerns over transparency. Not every Democrat participated, either.

The results showed that 34 out of 46 House Democrats expressed a preference; in the Senate, just a dozen out of 23 participated.

Each lawmaker could choose five tax credit bills, 10 bills with a general fund impact of less than $200,000 and 20 bills with a general fund impact of more than $200,000.

So what did Democratic lawmakers like?

The top vote-getters among tax credit bills  measures that received more than one vote  chosen by Senate Democrats included the following:

 House Bill 1125 provides a tax credit for converting a commercial building to a residential structure, with a general fund cost of $127,823, plus $1,500 from the TABOR surplus.

 House Bill 1134 is an omnibus bill that includes expansion of the state earned income tax credit and the state child care expenses tax credit, with a cost of $44 million, which would come from the TABOR surplus.

 House Bill 1311, the package's most expensive tax credit bill, provides a "family affordability tax credit," with a cost of $655 million, which would come from the TABOR surplus.

House Democrats expressed a preference for:

 HB 1001 deals with a rural jump start program, with a general fund cost of $873,304 and a $500,000 hit to the TABOR surplus

 HB 1052 is a senior housing tax credit with a general fund cost of $113,407. It would take $70 million from the TABOR surplus.

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 HB 1125 deals with the commercial building tax credit

 HB 1134 is the omnibus tax credit bill

 HB 1311 deals with the family affordability tax credit

All TABOR surplus estimates are for 2024-25.

Among the bills with a general fund cost under $200,000, the top vote getters from House Democrats are:

 HB 1004 is a bill that allows ex-offenders to be considered for certain occupations. This is paid for with cash that would come from fees for regulated occupations, about $170,000. It has no general fund cost. The bill received six votes total, including two top votes.

 HB 1008 expands general contractor liability for wage claims involving their subcontractors. It has a general fund cost of just under $100,000. The bill received 13 votes, including three top votes.

 HB 1030 deals with railroad safety, with a general fund cost of $11,651. It received 21 votes, including three top votes.

 HB 1316 is a middle-income housing tax credit. The general fund cost is $30,842 and would take $800,000 out of the TABOR surplus. It received eight votes.

 HB 1376 is a teacher mentorship grant program, with a general fund cost of $500,000. It received seven votes total, including two top votes.

 SB 42 is a bill on sickle cell disease community outreach, with a general fund cost of $200,000. It received 7 votes total, including two top votes.

For bills with a general fund cost exceeding $200,000, the top vote-getters from the House were:

 HB 1001 is a reauthorization of the rural jump-start grant and tax credit program, which will reduce the general fund by $500,000 and cancel a transfer to the general fund in 2023-24 of $873,000, which will be applied to the program in 2024-25. It received 11 votes, including two top votes.

 HB 1009 is a bill on bilingual child care resources, with a general fund cost of just over $280,000. It received 11 votes, including three top votes.

 HB 1043 is the annual payment to the state's fire and police pension fund of $9.13 million in the general fund. It received two top votes out of its eight total votes.

 HB 1045 is a program for substance abuse disorders. It carries a total cost of $5.3 million in all funds in the first year, including $3.3 million in general funds. It received four top votes and 17 votes total.

 HB 1075 is a study of a statewide universal healthcare payment system. Its general fund cost is just over $417,000. It received 13 votes, including two top votes.

None of the bills with a general fund impact of under $200,000 received more than one vote from Senate Democrats. The same was true for bills with a general fund impact of more than $200,000; none received more than one vote.
How much are parents responsible for the bad things their children do?

On the 25th anniversary of the school shooting at Columbine High School in the Denver suburbs, were still asking if the parents of the two shooters could have and should have done more to prevent the massacre.

In light of the recent judgment in Michigan that for the first time put the parents of a mass shooter in jail for the actions of their child, that question has gained renewed urgency for all mass shootings executed by children.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were each convicted in February of four counts of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for not doing more to prevent their son from gunning down four classmates at Oxford High School in Detroit.

The Crumbleys bought their 15-year-old son, Ethan, a 9-mm handgun as an early Christmas present four days before he used it to kill, and were accused of not securing the gun at home.

They also had been warned of his deteriorating mental health.

At a meeting at the school the morning of the shooting, school officials had confronted the parents with a chilling drawing of Ethan's that showed images of a gun, a bullet and a wounded man, accompanied by phrases like: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. Blood everywhere. My life is useless.

But Jennifer Crumbley maintained in testimony that she wouldnt have done anything differently with her son in the days and weeks before the shooting. She said "this could be any parent up here in my shoes. Ethan could be your child, your grandchild."

"The prosecution is trying to mold us into the type of parents society wants to believe are so horrible, only a school or mass shooter" could result, Jennifer Crumbley said. "... We were good parents. We were the average family. We weren't perfect, but we loved our son and each other tremendously."

At sentencing, the judge rejected the idea the Crumbleys were convicted for bad parenting, instead saying they missed repeated opportunities to prevent the slaughter.

"Opportunity knocked over and over again and was ignored," said Oakland County (Mich.) Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews. "No one answered."

Twenty-five years ago, America similarly wondered how the parents of the Columbine killers didnt see it coming. Didnt they look through their childrens violence-infused diaries, and inspect their rooms, one of which had a sawed-off shotgun in it? Werent they worried about their kids obsession with explosives and guns, which they knew about? Didnt their kids' trench coats on the day of the killings concern them?

Lakewood Officer Rollie Inskeep spoke with Dylan Klebolds parents when police swarmed the Klebold and Harris houses after the mass shooting.

When asked about guns or explosives, she (Susan Klebold) stated that Dylan has always been fascinated by explosives and guns, Inskeep wrote in his report. She stated that Dylan wore combat-looking boots and that he liked the look that he had established. But her story changed later. She then recanted her previous statement, Inskeep added, and stated that Dylan did not really talk about explosives and guns but he just likes to have the look of the trench coat and boots.

In shooter Eric Harris' home, investigators found bomb-making materials, Nazi literature and a diary that described how the massacre would be carried out. And the sawed-off barrel of a shotgun was lying on a dresser in Harris' bedroom.

Shortly after the attack, Sheriff John Stone wondered how the young men's activities could have gone unnoticed and said: "I think parents should be accountable for their kids' actions."

There was lots of talk of parental responsibility back then, but I don't remember any serious discussion of criminal charges against the parents, author and journalist Mark Obmascik told me. Mark was a lead reporter on The Denver Post team that won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of Columbine

Like Michigan, the case against the Columbine parents would hinge on what they knew at the time and how, or whether, they acted on it, Obmascik said in an email. Gotta believe Jeffco law enforcement looked at making a case at that time, but decided against it based on evidence.

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The parents were sued by the families of more than 30 victims for not doing more to prevent the tragedy, and that case was settled for $2,538,000. In civil court at least, the parents were seen as sharing culpability.

Given the precedent set in Michigan, I cant help but wonder if the parents of the Columbine killers might have faced criminal charges if the shooting had happened today.

The carnage triggered by Columbine  there have been 404 school shootings in the U.S. since  certainly laid the groundwork for the decision in Michigan. After 25 years, the circle of responsibility for youth gun violence is finally widening to include adults.

Columbine was such a cultural litmus test for what was going on in society at that time  so many people had really personal theories on what went wrong. School bullying, jock culture, easy access to guns, violent video games, stripping religion from schools, suburban conformity, teens on psychotropic drugs, and, yes, absentee parenting, were all blamed, notes Obmascik.

Columbine came before social media and our modern political divisions, but the roots were all present in the aftermath of the 1999 mass killing.

But the Michigan case has now set a precedent for other parents to be held criminally accountable for their kids' action.

Ignoring signs of mental illness, of deranged and threatening social media posts and disturbing antisocial behavior at school may be considered criminally negligent now.

David Griem, a former federal prosecutor and Detroit defense attorney, told the Detroit News people are tired of this type of shooting case.

Parents all over now may be asking themselves, "What am I doing with my kid? Am I checking their emails as much as I should? Am I paying attention to their mood swings? Am I listening to their concerns? Anjali Prasad, a criminal defense attorney and a former assistant prosecutor in Oakland County, Mich., told reporters for The Detroit News.

I would argue its not just parents who need to step up their vigilance to stop the violence by and against our children. It's not just parents who should be held liable if they don't.

Teachers should be, lawmakers should be, principals should be, school boards should be, whole communities should be.

After the meeting at the school between the parents of Ethan Crumbley and school officials, why wasnt Ethan sent home, for instance?

We all need to contribute to improving our culture in America. A former colleague at The Washington Post said it best after the Crumbley verdict: It takes a village to stop mass shooters.

The chairman of the media company that owns The Gazette, Ryan McKibben, recently visited Tokyo, a city of 37 million, and was struck by how spotless and violence-free the metropolis was.

Japan has 127 million people but rarely sees more than 10 gun deaths a year.

In 2020, there were 231 reported drug-related cases in Tokyo. In the United States, 1.16 million Americans are arrested annually for the sale, manufacture or possession of drugs.

Japan has a zero percent homeless rate, the lowest in the world.

How many school shootings has Japan experienced?

Zero.

This is all about culture.

Japan is not a clamped-down authoritarian country with the heavy hand of government demanding conformity. Japan is a democracy where the people enforce their own culture, a culture that insists on much more respect for authority and for each other than the United States does. Yet it was the United States, after World War II, that helped build Japan back from one of the world's most violent, warmongering cultures into one of the most peaceful, law-abiding countries in the world today.

When do we build back ourselves?
Watermelon on the plate during a lesson on Sunday about Passovers ritualist and symbolic Seder meal was a surprise to some adults at Temple Beit Torah, a reform synagogue in Colorado Springs.

Dr. Jamie Aminsharifi, whose young son was feeding her pieces of matzah, or unleavened bread, from his serving, wasnt familiar with the addition.

Thats a thing thats really cool about modern Judaism  its constantly adapting, she said. A lot of our traditions are very old, but were constantly finding new twists on them.

About 70 members of the synagogue participated in a practice run of the customary Seder, which means order in Hebrew, before the real deal happens in homes and temples around the world Monday night, the first observance of the eight-day festival of Passover.

To children, the sweet fruit was a yummy inclusion to the seemingly odd assortment of food on the table in front of them.

But like the lamb shank, boiled egg, horseradish, parsley, salt water, matzah bread (with a gluten-free option) and juice or wine, the melon appears this year with its own significant meaning, said Rabbi Iah Pillsbury, who leads Temple Beit Torah.

Its to remind us all of safety in Israel and Palestine, and especially for all the children, she told her congregation.

The six-month-old war in the homeland is heavy on the hearts of Jewish people during Passover, as they retell the biblical story in Exodus of how the Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt.

God protected, or passed over, the Israelites' homes during plagues that included the angel of death coming for children, which led to the Israelites liberation from oppression.

The Passover Seder is designed to help us think of those in our world who are in need of freedom and how we can help make that possible, Pillsbury said. Passover reminds us that no one is free until all are free.

Even young children indicated at the meal that they know that not all Jewish people are free, as conflict rages on not only in the Middle East but also in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The Torah's message of recognizing and cherishing freedom is universal and centuries later continues to resonate with people, said Rabbi Jay Sherwood, spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, which follows reform and conservative traditions.

There are always people who dont have freedom, he said. The themes exist through all time.

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Sherwood said he hopes that people recognize and pray about the Israeli hostages the terrorist group Hamas still holds in captivity, and other casualties and atrocities of the war, while embracing the enjoyment of the festival thats shared with family and friends.

We are more keenly aware of whats going on with the hostages in Gaza, but we cant let the sadness of that situation completely deteriorate the joy of the holiday, he said.

Jewish Americans want to see the war end, he said.

But its very easy for us to sit in our living room and say that when there are very difficult political issues to maneuver to make that happen, Sherwood said.

Embracing compassion, praying for healing for the world, and standing up for justice and equality also are embodied in the traditions of Passover, said Jeff Ader, president of Temple Beit Torah.

Through rituals and stories, it teaches empathy and the importance of healing wounds, both individual and societal, he said.

Aminsharifi said she also values the reflections on spring.

Passover is a time of renewal, and you can feel it in the air lately, she said. It reminds everyone to look at your world with new eyes and try to find the hope within you.

Temple Beit Torahs teaching session on Sunday included candle lighting, singing, prayers, readings and reflections for families to discuss in their homes during Passover.

Participants also reviewed the symbolic foods served during the customary meal that kicks off the holiday.

Horseradish represents the bitterness of slavery, roasted lamb shank bone depicts the sacrificial blood that was placed on doors of homes of Israelites to protect them.

Matzoh bread is flat because the Israelites hasty departure from Egypt left no time to let their bread rise. Boiled eggs and lettuce leaves signify springtime, and a sprig of parsley dipped in salt water illustrates the tears of affliction.

A piece of orange also graced plates, which Pillsbury said references an outdated saying that a woman belongs in the role of a rabbi as much as an orange belongs on a seder plate.
A Colorado water district spanning nine southeastern counties believes Aurora Water is violating a 2003 agreement not to purchase any more Arkansas Valley basin water.

Aurora Water is spending $80 million on a ranch of about 5,000 acres near Rocky Ford and its associated water rights. An Aurora presentation showed it estimates it is paying about $9,600 per acre-foot of water. The purchase could yield 18,000 to 22,500 acre-feet every 10 years, Aurora city documentation states. An acre-foot of water can serve about four families for a year in Colorado Springs.

Aurora Water expects to use the water three out of every 10 years to help support its growth and allow the water to irrigate crops during the remaining seven years. Aurora residents would not see additional rate increases outside of those already planned, said Alex Davis, an assistant general manager for the utility who works on water supply and demand.

"Providing the drinking water for the future of Aurora is really important." she said. "Water supplies are getting more and more difficult to ensure for the future."

Aurora and Colorado Springs Utilities have both looked to the Arkansas Valley for water to support growth in recent years as farmers have faced dry conditions.

In this case, Aurora is facing opposition to its purchase from water districts in the valley and Colorado Springs Utilities.

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District President Bill Long said the purchase breaks an agreement Aurora Water signed with the district. Residents in the district have paid property taxes to support bringing water from the Western Slope to the Arkansas Basin.

"They have purchased water when they agreed not to," he said.

Colorado Springs Utilities said in an official statement they agree with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District's interpretation that the purchase is a violation of the 2003 agreement.

"As signatory to the Arkansas River Basin Preservation Principles, we oppose permanent out-of-basin transfers from an already water-short basin," the statement said.

The 2003 agreement was reached after Aurora made large purchases of water in Crowley and Otero counties, in a practice known as "buy and dry," where the water leaves the land forever. Under its agreement with Southeastern, Aurora agreed to only lease water from farmers and a series of other conditions.

Davis, on behalf of Aurora, disagrees with Southeastern's interpretation. She said Aurora agreed not to buy water and permanently move it out of the Arkansas Basin and that Aurora does not plan to permanently move the water.

"Aurora has committed to keeping that land in production."

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Aurora also tried to lease water from farmers but found the timing of such arrangements tough. The utility can only move water out of the basin when its reservoirs are 60% full or less and naturally those are more dry times. The water provider found farmers were not interested in leasing at those times because prices were higher for crops.

The purchase gives Aurora more control and certainty, she said.

Long argues the community will see economic losses in the years when the water is not available and the farmland is fallowed. While the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District could take Aurora Water to court over the purchase, that's not the district's goal.

"I personally told (Aurora Water General Manager) Marshall Brown we were willing to sit down and have a conversation about these issues," he said.

Davis said Aurora would be open to an agreement that formalize its commitment not to permanently move the water out of the basin and otherwise working through issues with the district and others that oppose the deal, such as the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District.

The Lower Arkansas Valley district also has an agreement with Aurora Water that required the utility to offer to lease water to others before leasing it to themselves, said Jack Goble, the general manager of the district. He would like to see some financial mitigation for the community.

As part of a recent deal to buy water along Arkansas Valley, Colorado Springs Utilities agreed to direct annual payments to Bent County of $45 per acre of water to help offset the losses, Long said.

Bent County producers planned to use the funds from the purchase to buy center-pivot irrigation systems and sell Colorado Springs Utilities water that will be saved as part of the conversion from flood irrigation, The Gazette reported at the time. As part of the conversion, irrigators will no longer water the corners of their fields because center pivots rotate in a circle. The corners represent about 22% of the fields.

"The deal that Colorado Springs utilities just made with Bent County is far superior," Long said.

In general, Goble said he would prefer the cities lease water rather than buy it to provide economic support to the Arkansas Valley famers.

It's "way better for the Lower Valley if they are selling them the milk, rather than selling them the cow," he said.

This story has been updated to correct Jack Goble's name.
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
The Gazette The Senate entrance on the Colorado Capitols second floor.
SHELBYVILLE  Army PFC Aaron Tieffel was injured fighting for the freedom of his country.

Now he has a little bit of freedom for himself.

This is amazing, unreal, he said.

On Saturday, the national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops presented Tieffel and his family with the keys to their new customized home.

This is the full-circle moment, said Niqui LaViolette, HFOT community engagement coordinator. It marks the end of the journey.

The house, situated on the outskirts of Shelbyville, features more than 40 special adaptations to suit Tieffel's needs, including wide doorways for wheelchair access, a large roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities such as pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.

Tieffe was injured Aug. 23, 2007, while on a mission during his first combat deployment. He was looking for possible improvised explosive devices in Riyahd, Iraq, with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, when his vehicle was struck by an IED. The vehicle was flipped over, causing him to fall out.

The blast resulted in a right below-knee amputation, left leg limb salvage, a spinal cord injury, open book pelvic fracture, and other internal injuries, HFOT described in a press release. Once back in the United States, Aaron had multiple surgeries and a long recovery.

To thank Tieffel for his service and to honor the family, which consists of his fiance Myka Brown and their 2-year-old son Joshua, a first responder escort drove them to their new home. Waiting for them were approximately 100 friends, family and volunteers.

There were a lot more people here than we expected, Brown said. Some of them came from about four hours away.

The Shelby County Honor Guard began the key ceremony with a presentation of the American flag, much like they do for other military ceremonies.

We usually do funerals, said Bill Shoaff. This is a happy time.

We wont shoot our guns today, added Rusty Birch.

During the presentation, Yvonne Stuchell, from Quilts of Valor, presented Tieffel with a red, white and blue quilt.

Quilts equal comfort and healing, she said. Quilt of Valor is an award. It is not a gift. Its not charity. Its an expression of our gratitude for the service members service to our country.

The key ceremony wasnt just for the Tieffel family, but also for the volunteers and companies that raised the house.

This is a way for us to show the community that this is what youve been supporting the last couple of years, LaViolette said.

Tieffels sisters Sara Miller and Kimberly Winner were waiting outside the house before the family arrived.

I was just blown away by the looks of it, Miller said, having already had a sneak peek. Its a blessing Ive never seen anybody get.

Winner hadnt seen the house before Saturday, but she had seen her brothers anticipation.

Hes pretty excited about it, she said. Hes happy its happening.

Both of the sisters witnessed the struggles their brother suffered after his injury.

I know that its going to do wonders for my brother and Myka, Miller said. With the mental stressors and the physical stressors, its an absolute blessing.

Tieffel and Brown had entered the Massachusetts-based HFOT program two years ago. Construction began nearly six months ago.

Everything about this place is amazing, Brown said. I hope that we can have dinners, family get-togethers and community stuff.

A nonprofit organization founded in 2004, HFOT provides custom-built homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to help them rebuild their lives. Funding is provided by donations.

As of today, Homes For Our Troops has completed 379 specially adapted, custom homes across 45 states, LaViolette said.

Four homes have been built in Illinois. Terry Thomas, Witico Development president, was superintendent and general contractor for the Shelbyville home. The company has been in business for nearly 40 years, but Tieffels house was the third home they had built for HFOT. A few of the differences included lower light switches, larger spaces for kitchen cabinets and automatic door openers, Thomas said.

Theres a whole other component to this, Thomas said. Right down to the delivery truck drivers, they were enthusiastic when they found out what the project was all about.

The Tieffel family plans to begin moving in this week.

We just cant believe it. This is ours, Brown said. Weve got lifelong friends and people all over now that we can help. And hopefully we can help other people.

Remembering 9/11 in photos
Sunday, April 21

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Monday, April 22

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, April 23

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, April 24

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the church parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, April 25

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 26

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

The Friends of the Midland Library's annual Spring Fling will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4293-B 24/27 East. The book, craft, vendor and garage sale will feature Cabarrus Arts Council, demonstrations by Karate at the Crossroads and food vendors like Bayou Sno. The event will benefit the Midland Library.

The American Legion Auxiliary in Kannapolis will host a complimentary brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to celebrate American Legion Family Day. All military moms, spouses, daughters and granddaughters 18 and older to be our guest and enjoy visiting with others whose family's have served. We want the entire family to THRIVE following U.S. Military Service. R.S.V.P. is necessary by Friday, April 19 to ala115kannapolis@gmail.com

19th Century cooking and the medicinal uses of herbs will be on display on the lawn at the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum, 1145 N. College St. in Mt. Pleasant, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday April 28

Eastside Missionary Baptist Church will host the Parables of Christ gospel singing group at 6 p.m. Finger foods served after the concert. The church is located at 199 Elgin Drive, Concord.

Monday, April 29

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Caregiver's Support Group Monthly with Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 7:30 p.m. This Caregiver Support Group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link please check the Calvary Lutheran Church facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org or contact the church office at 704-782-6923.

Tuesday, April 30

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, May 1

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the church parlor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, May 2

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will participate in the National Day of Prayer. The church will be having a 24-hour prayer event. There will be a tent set up on 6001 Old Concord Salisbury Road, at the driveway of the church.

The Cabarrus chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will meet at 7 p.m. at 2400 Rock Hill Church Rd. Come out and share your stories with these veterans. All not just veterans, are Welcome

Friday, May 3

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Monday, May 6

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Caregiver's Support Group Monthly with Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 7:30 p.m. This Caregiver Support Group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link please check the Calvary Lutheran Church facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org or contact the church office at 704-782-6923.

Tuesday, May 7

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, May 8

The Weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at church parlor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, May 9

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, May 10

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 11

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
Q: Now that I have finished my taxes for the year, I want to clear out some of the old records Ive accumulated. How long should I keep different documents? C.M.

Answer: Different documents should be held for various lengths of time.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, Generally, you must keep your records that support an item of income, deduction or credit shown on your tax return until the period of limitations for that tax return runs out.

Keep records for three years unless you dont report income thats more than 25% of the gross income that you reported. Keep those records for six years.

If you dont file a return or you file a fraudulent return keep the records permanently.

The Better Business Bureau of Central and Northwest North Carolina provided information about the retention of other types of documents.

Keep these records permanently:

* Major financial records.

* Birth and death certificates.

* Social Security cards.

* Marriage licenses.

* Divorce papers.

* Military discharge documents.

* Life insurance policies.

* Wills and living wills.

Keep the following documents for one year:

* Regular statements, pay stubs.

* Keep either a digital or hard copy of your monthly bank and credit card statements for the last year.

* You should also hold on to pay stubs so that you can use them to verify the accuracy of your Form W-2 when tax season arrives and receipts for large purchases.

* The Federal Trade Commission suggests holding on to your paid medical bills for a year before throwing the bills away.

The organization recommends keeping documents that support the information that you provided on your tax return for three to seven years.

They also recommend brokerage statements, tuition payments and charitable donation receipts for three to seven years.

The BBB also recommends keeping utility bills, and bank deposits and withdrawals for a month until you can verify that the transactions have cleared.

Early voting locations and hours

Early voting for the second primary for the Republican nominees for lieutenant governor and state auditor will open Thursday and end May 11. Election Day is May 14.

In Forsyth County early voting will be held at the Forsyth County Board of Elections office, in the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St., in downtown Winston-Salem.

The hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, April 29 through May 3; May 6 though May 10, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11.

Here are the Guilford County early voting locations:

Old Courthouse-Coleman Conference Room, 301 W. Market St., 1st Floor, Greensboro

Bur-Mil Club, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road, Greensboro

Deep River Recreation Center, 1529 Skeet Club Road, High Point

Jamestown Town Hall, 301 E. Main St., Jamestown

The hours at all locations are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, April 29 through May 3, and May 6 through May 10. The hours on May 4 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the hours on May 11 are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nebraska Board of Parole members will be removed from that paid job if they miss a dozen parole hearing days per year, says a new state law signed by Gov. Jim Pillen last week.

This parole reform law follows a 2022 Flatwater Free Press story revealing the boards spotty attendance, and showing it sometimes led to parole-eligible Nebraskans staying longer inside the states overcrowded prisons.

In the next year, the full, five-person board began to show up more often for parole hearings.

Now, the new law will make higher attendance levels mandatory, reducing delays in parole, said the bills sponsor Sen. Terrell McKinney.

I don't think it's too restrictive, said McKinney, a Democrat representing North Omaha. One should go to work. I mean, we get paid less at the Legislature, but were expected to be here pretty much every day.

Failing to attend 12 full days of hearings in a calendar year would constitute a neglect of duty by a Parole Board member, which will result in their removal from office. Medical and family emergencies wont count toward the number of days missed.

The five governor-appointed members of the board decide whether a parole candidate is ready to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community outside of prison. The members are paid $86,407 per year, and the chairperson makes $94,642, according to Flatwaters Nebraska Public Payrolls database.

Three members must be present to form a quorum.

The board typically reserves 8 to 10 days in the latter half of the month for parole hearings, according to board members and their public calendars.

A 2022 Flatwater investigation found that the Parole Boards five members appeared together at only 37% of Parole Board hearings between May 2018 and December 2021. All five members missed at least 13% of all hearing days during that time frame.

This matters because, when the board was at full strength, it granted parole at a higher rate than when only three or four members showed up for hearings, FFPs analysis of data for those three years shows.

When all five members were present and voting, the board paroled 62.6% of the cases it heard. When one or two board members were absent or not voting, the board paroled 56.4% of the cases before it.

The full board then started to show up together far more frequently at hearings in the months following that original story, and the original introduction of McKinneys bill, as the Flatwater Free Press reported last year. By early 2023, the Parole Board was appearing together at hearings twice as often as it had in 2021.

Hearings with missing parole members are sometimes missed opportunities to reduce the prison population, McKinney said in an interview this week.

I think attendance is important ... especially when we have an overcrowding situation in the state, he told the Flatwater Free Press.

McKinney said he has heard from parole hearing attendees that Parole Board members have shown up more consistently since the bills introduction.

Parole Board chairperson Rosalyn Cotton told the Flatwater Free Press in an interview last week that she saw no problems with Parole Board attendance to begin with.

She said board members have often missed hearings due to medical emergencies, family leave and training, as she told McKinney last year.

I didn't know anything more than why we would have to miss more than 12 days or whatever, if we were not out on sick or other personal reasons, said Cotton.

She said Parole Board members already notify human resources why and how long they expect to be out of the office if they have medical conditions.

The law will take effect mid-July. As a result, Cotton said, she will be sure to track Parole Board member attendance.

The law increases Barole Board accountability, but it also raises questions about the boards professionalism, said Mario Paparozzi, a leading parole researcher and former chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board.

What the heck has been going on that you needed to pass a law to do such a basic thing as to have people show up for work, he said.

A bill mandating attendance wouldnt have been necessary if the board had diligently performed its duties, he told the Flatwater Free Press. The chair of the board should monitor members performance.

When Paparozzi served as the head of New Jerseys parole board, he said, he led the team and cleaned up a backlog left by previous board members. Why? Because I made people work. Not working was not an option, he said.

McKinneys bill includes sweeping provisions to reform the parole process, including moving parole supervision authority and officers back under the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, requiring the board to provide specific reasons for deferral and denial, prohibiting denials because of programming delays and setting up parole school sessions to help with reentry.

A former parolee, Josh Carse applauded the bills passage. His hearing in March 2021 was deferred for another month by a three-member board. He believes that, if a full board had been present, he would have been paroled a month sooner.

He needed three yes votes, but board member Bob Twiss voted no without telling him why, he told the Flatwater Free Press.

Not having a full board was listed as the reason for Carses deferral in parole records.

Carse and other parole candidates have expressed willingness to receive feedback from Parole Board members, but said they hoped to present their cases to a full board.

At the parole hearing a month later, he obtained approval from a four-member board in a unanimous vote. He believes the only difference then was the makeup of the board.

The Parole Board's job is to be there, he said.

Carse now works as a welder in Fremont.

Peoples lives depend on that. Peoples freedom will depend on you being able to schedule stuff correctly, he said.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2024
RACINE  The City of Racine will move forward with a study for the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee rail project with DB E.C.O. North America Inc.

The Common Council approved a resolution Monday allowing the city to enter into a professional services agreement with DB E.C.O. and rescind the Feb. 6 decision to partner with a different consulting company for the project.

The item was part of the consent agenda.

Transit and Mobility Director Trevor Jung said the city decided to partner with a new consulting firm because of disagreements about the scope of work with the previous firm.

DB E.C.O. North America is a rail and transit consulting company based in Sacramento, California.

Jung said that with the approved agreement, the city is on track to begin a feasibility study and have it complete before the end of the year.

The item approved by the council allows for a study to develop and evaluate preliminary passenger rail service concepts and identify alternatives.

Putting together that kind of vision will be important for this project just to create some public excitement over it, Jung said.

The city also will prepare a federal funding application through either the Federal Transit Administration or the Federal Railroad Administration, and then identify a project sponsor and funding strategy, according to Jung.

Racine received $5 million in federal funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act in late 2022 to engage in the study, Jung said. The new applications would ask for funding for the project itself.

Really the crux of this (agreement) is to prepare an application to the federal government for additional funds, Jung said.

In 1902, a train station in Racine was opened for a stop on the Chicago and North Western Railway. Passenger service to Racine ended in 1972, according to RYDE Racine Transit archives.
1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

Vote

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Activists say visa denial rates for African students seeking higher education in the United States are too high.

Fanta Aw is executive director of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. NAFSA is a nonprofit organization that supports international student exchange.

Aw said data released in 2023 by the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration shows visa rejections. She said the rejection rates for African students are higher than rates for students from the Middle East, South America and South Asia.

At the same time, however, the IEEE Open Doors Report says the number of students from sub-Saharan Africa studying in the U.S. is growing. The most recent Open Doors Report, which follows foreign students in the U.S., shows that the number of students from African countries south of the Sahara Desert increased by 18 percent.

Aw said the rejection numbers mean many more African students could be studying in the U.S. Fewer American students are going to college and not as many Chinese students are studying in the U.S. African students could help replace those groups, she said.

Last year, big percentages of students from several large African countries were denied study visas. In 2023, examples include Ethiopia at 78 percent, Nigeria at 75 percent and Kenya at 74 percent.

For those countries, the percentages are high. But the number of students going to the U.S. is also high. For example, Nigeria ranked seventh in the 2023 Open Doors Report with over 17,600 students studying in the U.S. The total is an increase of 22 percent over 2022.

Aw, representatives from the Presidents Alliance and Shorelight met with representatives from the State Department last summer. Shorelight is a business that connects international students with universities that offer the study programs they want.

The U.S. State Department said students should have the chance to secure a student visa no matter where they are from. The groups decided to continue discussing their concerns in the future.

Aw said activists want to discover the reason for the disproportionate number of denials. Only about one in 10 European students were denied visas in 2023, for example.

One concern, Aw said, is to make certain those who review visa applications are fully trained in the way they make determinations (for student visas). She wants to be sure African students are considered in the same way as students from other parts of the world.

In addition, she asked for more student visa appointments. Aw said many students who want to come to the U.S. get discouraged and turn to education in other countries.

Word goes around, Dont bother, because youre never going to make it, Aw said. And that is not the message any of us want to see.

So dont get me wrong  (if) students want to go to China or India, theres nothing wrong with that - or other places. But it shouldn't be because they couldn't get here (the U.S.).

She noted that education programs build bridges as students go on to international jobs and make connections with the U.S. Aw also noted that, as education systems improve around the world, students have more choices.

U.S. officials told VOA that international students are very important, or a top priority. They added that all visa applications are processed on their individual merits and under U.S. immigration law.

Leon Fresco is an immigration lawyer in Washington, D.C. Fresco said he wants to know more about this weird African disparity. He said he wants more people to know about it to, in his words, start the process of fixing it.

Both Fresco and Aw suggested that U.S. government officials are not up to date on the quality of students aiming to study in the U.S.

In the case of Africa and India, Aw said, most of these students are graduate students who are coming for (science) and (business) fields, areas that are very much needed and where innovation happens.

We want to make sure theres an understanding that Africa and African countries are changing rapidly and that were not keeping, you know, preconceived notions or outdated notions about whats happening in Africa.

In an email to VOA, a representative from the State Department said its Education USA program aims to help Africans attend U.S. colleges. But, as more students are interested in studying in the U.S., the percentage of visa denials will increase. It also noted that more Africans received student visas in 2023 than ever before.

Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Eswatini, Ivory Coast and Madagascar have had more student visas approved than at any time in the past 20 years. Compared to 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 61 percent increase in approved student visas among those countries.

Aw said her group sees progress. She gave the example that students no longer need to have in-person interviews in order to renew their visas. And students can also apply for visa renewal without traveling to their home country.

A group of American lawmakers wrote a letter earlier this year to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They said that educational exchange is an important part of international diplomacy.

It is critical that foreign students from Africa are treated similarly to foreign students from other parts of the world. There should be no reason that the State Department data should reflect such disparities among similarly situated countries, the letter read.

And, as Aw noted, the results that come from students having a good experience in the U.S. last for years.

She said: If we have a generation of students who are denied access to an education here in the U.S., thats a generation thatwill have missed out in building friendships, bridges, businesses and so forth.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Jill Robbins.

Aline Barros wrote this story for VOA. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English.

Quiz - Activists Want US to Re-Think Student Visa Policies for Africans Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

______________________________________

Words in This Story

disproportionate adj. affecting one more than another

determination n. an official finding on whether to do something or not based on available information

appointment n. a time to meet with an official to carry out part of an official process

merits n. (pl.) qualities that play a part in deciding if a person should be able to have a position, membership in a group or attendance at a school

weird adj. strange

disparity n. a condition of being unequal or of lacking something that others have

innovation n. the creation of something that people think is new

notion n. an idea

apply v. to request for a document, such as a visa, in writing from an official agency

disparity n. an imbalance or unequal situation

situated adj. in a place or position

We want to hear from you. Do you think more students from Africa should be permitted to study in the U.S.?
An ancient fossil found by a girl and her father on a beach in England belongs to a creature that might have been among the largest animals ever on Earth.

Researchers said in a recent study that the fossilized bone, called a surangular, was from a reptile called an ichthyosaur that lived in the sea. Based on its size, compared to the same bone in closely related ichthyosaurs, the researchers estimated that the creature was between 22 and 26 meters long. They named it Ichthyotitan severnensis.

That would make it possibly the largest known marine reptile. Its size would be close to the largest whales alive today. The blue whale, considered the largest animal ever to have lived, can reach about 30 meters in length.

Marine reptiles lived in the world's oceans at the same time that dinosaurs lived on the land. Ichthyosaurs disappeared 90 million years ago. They came in several sizes. The creatures ate fish and other sea animals.

Ichthyotitan, however, is known only from two jawbones. The jaw forms the lower part of the mouth.

Ruby Reynolds and her father Justin Reynolds found one of the bones in 2020 at Blue Anchor in Somerset. The other bone is from a different Ichthyotitan individual found in 2016, along the Somerset coast at Lilstock.

Dean Lomax was the lead writer of the study published recently in PLOS ONE. Lomax said, "It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around the time that dinosaurs were walking on land in what is now the UK (Britain) during the Triassic Period.

The Triassic Period describes a time over 200 million years ago.

Ruby Reynolds was 11 at the time she and her father discovered the fossil surangular bone on the beach. Ruby continued to search the area and found a second piece - much larger than the first - partly buried in the ground. They then contacted Lomax, an ichthyosaur expert, and more parts of the bone were unearthed.

Rubys part in the discovery has led to comparisons with Mary Anning. Anning was a 19th century British fossil hunter who, among other things, discovered ichthyosaur fossils when she was 12.

"I think Mary Anning was an incredible paleontologist, and it's amazing to be compared to her," Ruby said.

Justin Reynolds added, "It has been an amazing...and fun experience to work with these experts, and we are proud to be part of the team and co-authors of a scientific paper which names a new species and genus.

Fossil collector Paul de la Salle found the 2016 remains now identified as Ichthyotitan.

The big marine reptile was a member of a family of giant ichthyosaurs called Shastasauridae. These creatures lived 13 million years later than other ichthyosaurs. They survived until a world-wide event caused many kinds of animals to disappear about 201 million years ago at the end of the Triassic Period.

No other fossils from Ichthyotitan have been discovered. But the researchers have been able to guess at its appearance based on other members of its family, including Shonisaurus from British Columbia, Canada.

Study co-writer Jimmy Waldron used the term humbled  meaning to be made to feel less important or proud  to describe the discoveries.

Waldron said, "Discoveries like this create incredible moments where we become humbled at our size and place in the world.

Im John Russell.

Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________

Words in This Story

fossil  n. the fossilized remains of a plant or animal that lived in the distant past

marine -- -adj. of or relating to the sea or the plants and animals that live in the sea

remarkable  adj. unusual or surprising; impressive

gigantic  adj. very large

paleontologist  n. the science that deals with the fossils of animals and plants that lived very long ago

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

genus  n. a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species
PARK CITY, Utah  The Sundance Film Festival may not always call Park City, Utah, home. The Sundance Institute has started to explore the possibility of other U.S. locations to host the independent film festival starting in 2027, the organization says.

The 2025 and 2026 festivals will still take place in Park City and Salt Lake City. But with the current contract up for renewal in 2027, the institute is taking steps to look at all options through a request for information and request for proposal process. The final selection, which could still be Park City, is expected to be announced by early 2025.

We are in a unique moment for our Festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to responsibly consider how we best continue sustainably serving our community while maintaining the essence of the Festival experience, said Eugene Hernandez, the festival's director.

Hernandez said they want to ensure that the Festival continues to thrive culturally, operationally, and financially as it has for four decades.

Park City has been home to the Robert Redford-founded festival for 40 years. The festival and its sponsors take over many venues in the small city every January to transform it into a film festival hub with theaters in places like the library and a recreation center. Storefronts along the city's charming Main Street become exclusive lounges for actors and filmmakers, and restaurants host cast parties after global film premieres.

Mayor Nann Worel said she does not want the festival to leave Park City, which has grown into a world-renowned mountain town since Sundance first put it on the map decades ago.

We appreciate our partnership with Sundance, and we want the Festival to remain here for another 40 years, Worel said.

She committed Wednesday to working with state leaders and local partners to discuss the festival's future. Last year's hybrid festival generated just over $118 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2023 economic impact report.

Sundance has also been a launching pad for many top filmmakers over the years and has hosted premieres for eventual Oscar nominees and winners, including CODA, their first best picture winner, and the past three documentary winners 20 Days in Mariupol,Navalny and Summer of Soul. The Utah festival received a record number of submissions last year.

The festival has long sparred with local ski resorts  Park City's other major money maker  as more than 86,000 festivalgoers fill the hotels and leave the slopes virtually empty for two weeks during peak ski season.

The festival has made concessions over the years, such as moving more screenings to neighboring Salt Lake City and shifting its dates slightly so ski areas could cash in on a holiday weekend. But, like the resorts, it cannot afford to miss the early weeks of winter. Sundance has positioned itself as the first major film festival of each calendar year, meaning it's the first stop for many of the best new projects from around the globe.

Deer Valley Resort, home to Park City's skiers-only slopes, said Wednesday that it views its relationship with Sundance as mutually beneficial and strongly supports keeping the festival in town.

Like Deer Valley, Sundance Film Festival is an integral part of Park City and greater Utah," spokesperson Emily Summers said in a statement. We support the festival and its long history within the community.

Park City Mountain values all that the Sundance Film Festival brings to our community each year, and we hope it will continue to call Park City and Utah home, said Sara Huey, a Park City Mountain Resort spokesperson.

Redford, who stepped back from the Sundance spotlight years ago, expressed concern in 2016 that the festival as it existed might have outgrown Park City and was thinking about ways to evolve. He and his daughter, Amy Redford, who is on the board, have been involved in the process announced Wednesday.

Last month, the Institutes CEO Joana Vicente stepped down after 2 years in the position. Amanda Kelso, a member of the board, was appointed acting CEO, but no permanent replacement has been announced.

24 of the most anticipated movies coming in 2024 24 of the most anticipated movies coming in 2024 Beetlejuice 2 Blitz Challengers Civil War Dune: Part Two Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Gladiator 2 Here Horizon: An American Saga Inside Out 2 Joker: Folie a Deux Maria Mean Girls Megalopolis Nosferatu Ballerina Borderlands Deadpool 3 Kinds of Kindness Mickey 17 Mother Mary Mufasa: The Lion King Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse They Follow
RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight killed 22 people, including 18 children, health officials said Sunday, as the United States was on track to approve billions of dollars of additional military aid to Israel, its close ally.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has sought refuge from fighting elsewhere. It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive against the Hamas militant group to the city on the border with Egypt despite calls for restraint, including from the U.S.

In the coming days, we will increase the political and military pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to bring back our hostages and achieve victory. We will land more and painful blows on Hamas  soon," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He didn't give details.

Also on Sunday, Israeli leaders harshly criticized an expected decision by the U.S. to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli military.

The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and would further strain relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israels war in Gaza.

While U.S. officials declined to identify the unit expected to be sanctioned, Israeli leaders and local media identified it as Netzah Yehuda  an infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate ultra-Orthodox men into the military. Many religious men receive exemptions from what is supposed to be compulsory service.

Israeli leaders condemned the anticipated decision as unfair, especially at a time when Israel is at war, and vowed to oppose it.

If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF, I will fight it with all my might, Netanyahu said.

Netzah Yehuda, or Judea Forever, has historically been based in the occupied West Bank and some of its members have been linked to abuses against Palestinians. It makes up just a small part of Israels military presence in the territory.

In Rafah on Saturday night, the first Israeli strike killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. The woman was pregnant and the doctors saved the baby, the hospital said. The second strike killed 17 children and two women from an extended family.

These children were sleeping. What did they do? What was their fault? asked one relative, Umm Kareem. Mohammed al-Beheiri said that his daughter, Rasha, and her six children, the youngest 18 months old, were among those killed. A woman and three children were still under the rubble.

The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, at least two-thirds of them children and women. It has devastated Gaza's two largest cities and left a swath of destruction. Around 80% of the territory's population have fled to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.

The $26 billion aid package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday includes around $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine. The U.S. Senate could pass the package as soon as Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

The conflict, now in its seventh month, has sparked regional unrest pitting Israel and the U.S. against Iran and allied militant groups across the Middle East. Israel and Iran traded fire directly this month, raising fears of all-out war.

Tensions have also spiked in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli troops killed two Palestinians who the military says attacked a checkpoint with a knife and a gun near the southern West Bank town of Hebron early Sunday. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that the two killed were 18 and 19, from the same family. No Israeli forces were wounded, the army said.

Later, the military said its forces shot dead a 43-year-old Palestinian woman after she tried to stab a soldier in the northern West Bank near Bekaot settlement.

The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service said that it had recovered 14 bodies from an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp in the West Bank that began late Thursday. Those killed include three militants from the Islamic Jihad group and a 15-year-old boy. The military said it killed 14 militants and arrested eight suspects. Ten Israeli soldiers and one border police officer were wounded.

In a separate incident in the West Bank, an Israeli man was wounded in an explosion on Sunday, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. A video circulating online shows a man approaching a Palestinian flag planted in a field. When he kicks it, it appears to trigger an explosive device.

The war was sparked by an Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which Hamas and other militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

In 2024, 180 state legislators are facing term limits. Here's everything you need to know about which states will be most impacted In 2024, 180 state legislators are facing term limits. Here's everything you need to know about which states will be most impacted Democratic and Republican term-limited incumbents Term-limited state legislators by year
Its terrifying to think about: Youre driving down the road, and suddenly another vehicle is speeding right at you in your lane. You might have seconds to swerve, or maybe its already too late.

Wrong-way crashes kill innocent people with startling frequency in Wisconsin. Our state has the highest rate of wrong-way driving fatalities in the nation, and simple things are not being done to prevent it, such as more conspicuous signs with flashing lights at confusing highway ramps.

Headed the wrong way Wisconsin leads the nation in fatal crashes involving wrong-way drivers.

Wrong-way crashes killed 484 people in Wisconsin over a decade, which is nearly 1 in 10 of all fatal crashes and more than twice the national average, according to Headed the wrong way, a powerful series by State Journal reporter David Wahlberg and photographer and videographer Amber Arnold.

Drunken drivers cause most of these crashes. They need to sober up and face tougher restrictions and penalties  before they kill somebody. They also need treatment for alcohol abuse and strict testing if they want to drive again.

Far too many Wisconsin families have lost loved ones to these horrific head-on collisions.

Paulina Gonzalez and stepfather Kurt Schilling lost four children  Daniel, 25, Fabian, 23, Lilian, 14, and Daniela, 9  in December when a pickup driver and repeat drunken driver went the wrong direction on Highway 10 near Weyauwega, slamming into the familys SUV.

Kristin and David Peterson lost their son Grant, 20, in a wrong-way crash a year earlier on Interstate 90-94 near Wisconsin Dells. The driver of a pickup with a blood alcohol level at twice the legal limit drove west in the eastbound lanes, striking the vehicle Grant was riding in near the exit to Mt. Olympus Resort.

That could have been any one of us in the path of that oncoming wrecking ball on wheels.

Wisconsins scourge of drunken driving is largely to blame for wrong-way crashes. The Legislature still hasnt increased the penalty for a first offense of operating while intoxicated. Instead of a traffic ticket, first-time drunken drivers should be charged with a misdemeanor crime. Wisconsin is the only state to go so soft.

The Legislature still hasnt required first-time violators to spend a night in jail.

The Legislature still hasnt forced everyone convicted of operating while intoxicated to install ignition locks on their vehicles. The devices prevent a vehicle from starting without a clean breath test.

As Headed the wrong way reports, ignition locks have stopped inebriated people from starting their vehicles 357,946 times from 2006 to 2020 in Wisconsin. That was second only to the much-bigger state of Texas.

Yet many first-time offenders arent required to breathe into a tube before starting their car. And for those drivers who are forced to install ignition locks, repeated attempts to drive impaired should extend how long the devices must stay installed.

Wisconsin doesnt allow sobriety checkpoints like most states. Nor has it joined a national compact to treat out-of-state violations as if they occurred here.

That needs to change.

Yet some of the blame for wrong-way crashes falls on traffic engineers. Poorly designed ramps have confused even sober motorists as they turn onto ramps leading to major highways. In too many cases, the entrances and exits are next to each other, which can fool people, especially at night.

Simply enhancing and increasing wrong way signs will help save lives.

Lawmakers and state transportation officials must respond to the findings of Headed the wrong way with serious investment. Wrong-way driving isnt a fluke. Its becoming more prevalent and demands greater attention and technology to deter.

Iowa reduced wrong-way driving incidents by 94% at confusing intersections with better and more strategically placed signs, Wahlberg reported.

Everybody should do this, an Iowa traffic safety engineer said.

Everybody must include Wisconsin.

A Brown Deer company near Milwaukee makes a promising alert system to detect a driver who turns onto a highway the wrong way. Wisconsin started using the technology in Milwaukee County in 2012 and 2016 but hasnt expanded or evaluated the effectiveness of the systems.

Like Wisconsin, Florida has lots of older people and tourists more prone to becoming disoriented. Florida has installed better signs and pavement markings at nearly all freeways. Arizona is using thermal cameras to detect drivers who head the wrong way and alert authorities and other drivers to the danger.

Just a few million dollars can go a long way in the right direction.

State leaders need to hit the brakes on wrong-way driving and turn this dangerous trend around.

Wisconsin State Journal editorial board The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper. STAFF MEMBERS KELLY LECKER, Executive editor SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist COMMUNITY MEMBERS JAMES L. HOWARD JENNY PRICE
Palace order expected to bring down food prices

Food prices will soon be cheaper under Administrative Order 20 (signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 18), ordering the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Departments of Trade and Industry and Finance, to remove non-tariff barriers, and to streamline procedures and policies regarding the importation of agricultural products.

The AO will make food cheaper. Right now, its very difficult as an honest exporter to sell food to the Philippines, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said.

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The Philippines has among the highest rates of protection for its domestic goods, with a protection level of around 27% as a share of farm receipts across all agricultural goods, he cited.

With such levels of trade protection, we should not be surprised why food is expensive in the country, Salceda noted. Such protection levels also do not directly accrue to the agricultural sectors they are supposed to protect. They also incentivize those who can completely disregard the law or corner domestic trade.

Apart from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, there is currently no extant mechanism for directly supporting a domestic sector through tariff revenues.

We hurt consumers with high trade barriers, but we also do not support farmers directly with tariff revenues, he said.

He also added that the AO by President Marcos is a step in the right direction.

If implemented fully by the DA, it will open sugar imports to direct industrial users. This could end the stagnation of the food manufacturing sector. Right now, sugar prices in the Philippines are the highest in ASEAN, he said.

The AO would also poke holes in speculative bubbles in the price of fish, which has high levels of non-tariff protection, such as the certificate of necessity to import.

Of course, tariffs still play a key role. The next step is to adopt measures that earmark tariffs directly to domestic producers and consumers, he said.

Salceda filed House Bill 2471 earmarking all agricultural tariffs directly to their corresponding domestic agricultural sectors. In addition, Salceda is also preparing to submit a technical working group report on the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Competitiveness Act.

The proposal will earmark meat and dairy import tariffs towards the domestic sector. We are doing something similar for corn, he stressed.

The DA now leads the monitoring team, and is set to craft the guidelines for the implementation of the order together with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Bureau of Customs, and the Sugar Regulatory Administration. They have been instructed to submit a quarterly report.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies and urged all local government units (LGUs) to support the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program designed to ensure food security and proper nutrition in the country.

This call came under the administrations Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 through a two-page Memorandum Circular No. 47 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 19.

It is imperative for all government agencies and instrumentalities to support the continued and effective implementation of the EPAHP Program to bolster government efforts towards attaining zero hunger, food and nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture, President Marcos said.

The EPAHP is one of the banner programs of the Task Force on Zero Hunger, which aims to institutionalize efforts designed to alleviate hunger and endorse food and nutrition security by linking Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to prospective markets. It also aims to provide credit assistance that would support food production, processing and distribution.

The Task Force Hungers job, established through Executive Order (EO) No. 10 s. 2020, as amended by EO 27 s. 2023, is to ensure the continued and effective implementation of the EPAHP Program in coordination with the relevant government agencies.

The task force is also mandated to enhance provision of farm production technologies and extension of services to government-assisted family farms and rural based-organizations. Part of this is the sustainability of the EPAHP Program through the implementation of policies that will engage private sector, and institutionalize mechanisms in LGUs.

It is also directed to adopt Community Participation Procurement that will encourage CBOs to participate in the EPAHP Program. This includes the construction, repair, and improvement of irrigation facilities and appurtenant structures in irrigable areas in the countryside.
Lets implement a Bash toolchain to generate random prose that resembles the text corpus by using the n-gram language model!

A Glimpse at the Toolchain

Basically, NLP aims at teaching computers to understand and work with human language by using different techniques.

In what follows, were going to have a glimpse at the toolchain by training our model using the novel Moby Dick.

First of all, lets get the bash-textgen/ folder from the repository and enter it:

$ git clone https://github.com/massimo-nazaria/bash-textgen.git $ cd bash-textgen/

Preprocessing

In a typical NLP process, a text corpus (i.e. input data) is preprocessed by organizing it into structured data before training mathematical models.

This involves tasks like tokenization (i.e. breaking the text into words) or data cleaning (i.e. removing any non-relevant text).

For our example, lets extract the single words from moby-dick.txt by removing unnecessary characters and put the result in words.txt :

$ cat moby-dick.txt | ./words.sh > words.txt

Initial 10 extracted words:

$ cat words.txt | head -n 10 moby dick by herman melville chapter loomings call me ishmael

As you can see, the initial words include: the title, the author full name, the 1st chapter title, and the incipit Call me Ishmael.

Precisely, words.sh performs the following text transformations:

Make all input text lowercase; Remove non-alphabetical characters except for the periods . ; Remove multiple whitespaces and period characters; Output one word (or period) per line.

Training

During the training process, NLP models learn patterns and relationships in the language from the preprocessed training data.

This way, the resulting trained models can provide a variety of services like sentiment analysis and text generation.

The N-Gram Language Model

N-gram language models are easy to understand and implement.

While considered state-of-the-art in the early days of NLP, nowadays more advanced NLP techniques outperform n-grams for text generation.

In spite of that, they still work very well for next-word suggestions or auto-completion in text editors.

Training data preparation consists in organizing the preprocessed words from the text corpus into n-tuples of consecutive words, namely n-grams.

Lets do this by computing bigrams (i.e. 2-grams) out of the extracted words:

$ cat words.txt | ./ngrams.sh 2 > bigrams.txt

Initial 10 bigrams computed:

$ cat bigrams.txt | head -n 10 moby dick dick by by herman herman melville melville chapter chapter loomings loomings call call me me ishmael ishmael .

During the training process, the n-gram language model learns to predict the next word in a sentence based on the previous n-1 words.

Thus, with bigrams they learn to predict next word based on just the previous word in the sentence.

Text Generation

Lets generate text from the computed bigrams starting from the initial word the.

$ ./textgen.sh bigrams.txt "the"

Output:

the spare poles and more certain wild creatures to his retired whaleman as he never tell the pier heads to this inclined for the imposed and i lay them endless sculptures.

Not bad at all! The generated prose actually mimics the style of Herman Melville from his novel we initially used as our text corpus.

Lets try it again with the initial word man:

$ ./textgen.sh bigrams.txt "man"

Output:

man from the reminiscence even for the thames tunnel then tow line not have to the whale and selecting our hemisphere.

Its kind of surprising (and funny!) to see how in a few lines of Bash our tool can emulate the poetry of such a literary giant.

In particular, in the example above textgen.sh starts generating a sentence from a given initial word as follows:

Let man be the initial given word.

Step 1: Get all the bigrams starting with man

$ cat bigrams.txt | grep -e "^man "

The result of the command above is a list of bigrams, e.g.:

man on man receives man enter man distracted man travelled ...

Please note that the list of bigrams generally contains a lot of duplicates. Among them, some bigrams will show up much more frequently than the others.

And the most common bigrams will be the most likely to be selected in the next steps in order to extract our next word.

Step 2: Shuffle all such bigrams

$ cat bigrams.txt | grep -e "^man " | shuf

We randomly rearrange the list of bigrams so as to avoid extracting always the same next word. Example of shuffled list:

man from man who man prefers man interested man slipped ...

Step 3: Extract the 1st bigram

$ cat bigrams.txt | grep -e "^man " | shuf | head -n 1

From the shuffled list above, we pick the 1st bigram:

man from

In our example, from is our next word in the generated sentence!

Note that we could have chosen any bigram from the shuffled list, without loss of generality.

In fact, the most common bigrams will always be the more likely to be extracted, regardless of their position in the shuffled list.

Final Step: Get the 2nd word from the bigram

$ cat bigrams.txt | grep -e "^man " | shuf | head -n 1 | cut -d ' ' -f2

Clearly, the final command in the pipeline cut -d ' ' -f2 extracts the 2nd word in the bigram:

from

The above generation steps repeat iteratively word-by-word until either the next word is a period character or no next-word is present.

Play with the Toolchain

Lets play a little bit more with the toolchain by using trigrams, namely n-grams with n=3:

$ cat words.txt | ./ngrams.sh 3 > trigrams.txt

In general, ngrams.sh accepts as its argument any natural integer starting from 2.

Lets generate a random sentence starting from the initial 2 words a man.

$ ./textgen.sh trigrams.txt "a man"

Output:

a man gives himself out of this blubbering now we are about to begin from the hearts of whales is always under great and extraordinary difficulties that every one knows the fine carnation of their yet suspended boats.

Lets now try the initial 2 words by falling:

$ ./textgen.sh trigrams.txt "by falling"

Output:

by falling in the best harpooneers of nantucket both messmates of mine tis not me all loveliness is anguish to me we are to credit the old craft s cockpits especially of such a whale ship which like a hot sun s pilot yesterday i wrecked thee and wrong not captain ahab if it might light upon for all deficiencies of that is a new born sight.

Lets try with one moment:

$ ./textgen.sh trigrams.txt "one moment"

Output:

one moment to watch the same no the reason of numerous rude scratches altogether of an enormous practical resolution in facing death this old whale hunter of the word why don t you all the men swung in the deep yet is there any reason possessed the most ancient extant portrait anyways purporting to be tried out without being taken out of all voyages now or never for a time when they come from a drooping orchard twig.

What a fun!

The Implementation

Get the toolchain usage and code!

Please read also Unix Philosophy with an Example to learn how to compose multiple commands together as seen in this tutorial.
"The Company has received an Order from Office of the Additional Commissioner, GST & Central Excise Commissionerate, confirming Penalty of Rs 3.48 Cr along with Tax demand and applicable Interest. The issue pertains to Input Tax Credit availment during the period FY 2018-19 to FY 2019-20," the filing read.

Office of the Additional Commissioner, GST and Central Excise Commissionerate, Rourkela sent the notice.

The Company said it now intends to file an appeal against the said order with the appellate authorities.

"The Company is hopeful of a favourable outcome thereof and does not expect the said Order to have any material financial impact on the Company," the filing read.

In explanation for the delay in disclosure, the Company said it was in the process of assessing the reasons for the penalty order and examining its veracity. (ANI)
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China will always be Cambodia's most trustworthy partner and strongest supporter, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Sihamoni said Cambodia appreciates China for its selfless support and assistance in Cambodia's economic and social development, which has provided a powerful impetus to the construction of the Cambodia-China community with a shared future, adding that he believes the construction of the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor" will further boost Cambodia's economic growth.

The king said Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and actively supports the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives proposed by China.

He expressed a firm belief that the friendship between Cambodia and China will be passed down through generations and grow stronger over time.

For his part, Wang said under the guidance of the two heads of state, the construction of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new stage of high quality, high level and high standard.

Wang said China is willing to work with Cambodia to implement the strategic consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. China will always be Cambodia's most trustworthy partner and strongest supporter.

Noting that China's development will also provide new opportunities for Cambodia's development, Wang said that China is willing to work closely with Cambodia to achieve common development, and keep the construction of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future at the forefront of the times. 
The star-studded celebration took place at the prestigious private members club Oswald's, located in London's upscale Mayfair district, on Saturday evening, accoring to Page Six.

Arriving at the event with her trademark poise, Victoria made a statement as she gracefully navigated her way in on crutches, showcasing resilience and elegance.

Her choice of attire, a semi-sheer mint green gown adorned with delicate ruffles, garnered attention and admiration. Paired with sparkling bracelets and styled hair, Victoria exuded timeless glamour despite her injury.

Accompanying Victoria on her milestone birthday were her beloved family members, including husband David Beckham and their children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5_gV4jIaQq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The family radiated sophistication, with the men donning sharp suits and Harper looking angelic in a white satin dress.

However, the absence of Brooklyn's wife, Nicola Peltz, from the festivities was notable. Peltz, who expressed her love for her mother-in-law via Instagram, was spending time with her grandmother during the celebration.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C534qoXRnzh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Among the esteemed guests were Victoria's former Spice Girl bandmates Emma Bunton, Mel C, Mel B, and Geri Horner, alongside celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay, and Tom Cruise, making it a truly star-studded affair.

Prior to the event, David Beckham took to social media to honor his wife with a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging her achievements as a businesswoman, mother, and icon.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C52atc_IthW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

He emphasized the importance of family and expressed profound love and admiration for Victoria on her special day. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of governments in south India on Friday while expressing confidence that the BJP's vote share in the south would increase in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to previous polls. In an interview with the Asianet News Network, PM Modi also addressed the alleged narrative of the BJP being a party of the upper caste. "A narrative has been created in our country for a long time that the BJP means upper caste party. But the reality is that in the BJP, most are scheduled castes (SCs), most are scheduled tribes (STs), and most are other backward classes (OBCs). All these are, and most are OBCs in our ministry. Then they said that it's a Bharat Urban Party. Today, the entire character of my party is such that it has the maximum number of rural people," he said. "Then they said this character was created because the BJP is a Puraan-Panthi (or old-school) party and can't think of anything new. But today, if anyone is leading the digital movement in the world, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. So this misconception that they are spreading is 'wrong'," PM said. Speaking on the BJP's electoral performance in south India, the PM said, "You see Telangana, where our vote share has doubled. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the South. The BJP has the highest number of MPs. I believe that in 2024 (the Lok Sabha elections), the vote share is going to increase compared to the previous elections. Seats will also increase." Turning to regional issues, Prime Minister Modi condemned corruption within cooperative banks in Kerala, pledging decisive action against wrongdoers. He emphasised equitable development and refuted allegations of neglect towards southern states like Karnataka and Kerala. "Secondly, the identity of the governments in the South--whether it is Congress, the LDF (Left Democratic Front), or the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam)--what is their identity in all places? Today we (BJP) are in power in Puducherry, which is in the south. It should be known, we are in government. And our MPs win from Andaman and Nicobar, where most of our south Indian and Bengali brothers live. Hence, this simplification that is happening... Now, what is the style of their governments? Theirs are completely family-run governments, and there is rampant corruption. Now you see what the situation is in the south," PM Modi said. "When I go there during elections, why do I talk about cooperative societies? It's the biggest crime against a poor man; it cannot be forgiven. Poor families keep their money in cooperative banks, put in societies hoping to get good returns. He feels that he would keep his hard-earned money for his daughter's marriage--it's the money of fishermen, farmers, and labourers. There are around 300 cooperative banks that are completely run by lefties. And about one lakh crore rupees of common and poor people are lying there. Their operators used this money to buy properties. We have just attached around Rs 90 crore and I'm currently taking legal advice on how to return this money to people who kept their money in the bank. I requested ED to start returning their money, and attaching the properties of those who were looting these people," he said. "We have returned Rs 17,000 crore of seized money to whoever it was. This is not an election issue," he added. When asked about Kerala, PM Modi said that from the time of the BJP and Jana Sangh, "we want to serve in every part of the country. Work where there is political benefit, and don't where it isn't profitable--these are not our principles." "Jana Sangh's biggest national convention was held in Kerala in 1967. For us, Kerala is not only a field to come into power. Kerala is also similar to other areas we serve, and we serve there with equal dedication. Hundreds of our workers were gunned down, and political murders were committed. Even today, we work there with the intention of serving Maa Bharti, and left cadres were convicted by courts for the murder of our people; many of them are in jail. Despite that, be it Kutch, Guwahati, Kashmir or Kanyakumari, every corner of the country is ours," he said. He also alleged that there is so much corruption inside Kerala, but the ecosystem there does not allow it to come out. "You must have seen that in Tripura, the left ruled the state for three-four decades, and when the BJP came to power, people started releasing that they (the left) used to loot them. The BJP is doing so well in Tripura that they are making the BJP win from there again and again. The same is the case with Bengal and Kerala; there is so much corruption, but they have made an ecosystem that doesn't let anything come out," PM Modi added. (ANI)
Defence experts looked divided on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's promise to scrap the Agnipath or 'Agniveer' scheme if the INDIA bloc is voted to power after the Lok Sabha elections, with some calling the scheme was forcefully 'imposed' and others suggesting modifications to it. Defence expert Major General GD Bakshi (R) told ANI, "I have some reservations personally about this scheme. My suggestion is that instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, this scheme be appropriately tweaked after trials." Wing Commander (Retd) Praful Bakshi said, "If some political leader is suggesting that they would reject it (Agniveer scheme), then it should be the voice of the public, saying it should be scrapped. Then it will be seen." "But in our opinion, there is no need to scrap it," he added. PK Sehgal, another defence expert, said there are a lot of drawbacks to this scheme. "The scheme was forcefully imposed without any debate in parliament. There are a lot of drawbacks to this scheme and the government understands it. In reality, the government has given a handle to the opposition to use it, and Rahul Gandhi is using it," he said. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday spoke about promises made by the Congress in its manifesto, like scrapping the 'Agniveer' scheme. "(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi has implemented the 'Agniveer' scheme against the soldiers and Hindustan. This scheme is not being liked by any youth in Hindustan. As soon as our INDIA bloc government comes to power, we will throw this scheme out and finish it," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Bihar's Bhagalpur. "There is no need for this scheme. India does not need two types of martyrs. Hindustan needs only one type of martyr. Every soldier should get the rank of martyr. Everyone should get the pension," he added. The Agnipath scheme was announced by the Centre in June 2022. This model seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them in regular service. Those recruited under the scheme are called 'Agniveers'. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address public rallies in Murshidabad, Maldah Uttar, and Darjeeling in West Bengal today. Voting in Darjeeling will be held on April 26. In Murshidabad and Maldah Uttar, voting will be held on May 7. The first phase of voting recently concluded in the Coochbehar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri parliamentary constituencies. The BJP won in all these constituencies in the last election in 2019. A high voter turnout was recorded in all three constituencies with 75.54 per cent in Alipurduar, 77.73 per cent in Coochbehar, and 79.33 per cent in Jalpaiguri. Voting for the remaining constituencies of West Bengal will be held on April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4. In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), despite being part of the INDIA bloc, does not have a seat-sharing arrangement in the state with the other parties in the alliance, namely the Congress and the Left parties. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has traditionally held a stronghold in West Bengal. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC emerged as the dominant force, securing 34 seats in the state. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win only 2 seats. The CPI (M) and the Congress won 2 and 4 seats, respectively. However, the political landscape saw a significant shift in the 2019 polls. The BJP won 18 seats, a stark contrast to their previous tally. The TMC, although still in the lead, saw their seat count reduced to 22. The Congress's representation was reduced to just 2 seats, while the Left Front was unable to secure any seats. The shift in power dynamics has created a highly competitive political environment. The BJP party, having won the 2019 elections, is now making a concentrated effort to unseat the TMC from its stronghold and become the dominant political force in West Bengal. The upcoming elections will be a pivotal moment for both parties as they seek to demonstrate their political strength and gain the upper hand. (ANI)
The murder of Karnataka college student Neha Hiremath by her former classmate Fayaz has triggered a political row, with BJP terming it a case of 'love jihad', while the Congress party has denied the allegation. According to sources, BJP Karnataka is likely to hold protests across the state over the incident. Speaking on the case, that took place on the college campus Hubli-Dharawad, BJP President BY Vijayendra told ANI that prima facie it looks like a love jihad case. So rather than getting into the investigation, the CM is trying to protect the culprits. "The present Congress government does not care about anything. Earlier when a blast took place in Mangalore, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said it was a small stray incident and not a terrorist attack. Later when an investigation was carried out, many people were arrested. As far as the Hubballi- Dharwad incident is concerned, it is very unfortunate on the part of the CM. Instead of coming to the rescue of the family, he says the murder took place due to a personal vendetta. Women across the state are questioning the state government," he said. Further, the state BJP chief said that the Congress is talking about guarantees but there is no safety of women here in Karnataka. "In the last three days, more than eight murders have happened in the state but there is no action. Even the state Home Minister is talking along the same lines. There is no doubt," Vijyendra added. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah reacted to the situation and said that whichever murder happened was due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it. Congress Corporator and father of the deceased, Niranjan Hiremath said, "After my daughter' was returning from college, an unknown person came and stabbed her seven times and she died on the spot. The accused has already been arrested. The motive of the murder is that the victim rejected the accused's love proposal. We had a conversation with the accused before the incident took place where we explained to him that we are Hindu and you are Muslim, so we cannot allow you to get married." (ANI)
The recovered consignment is suspected to be used to disturb the upcoming election in the Poonch area, said Poonch police, adding that a search operation is underway.

"In a joint operation, launched by the 39 RR of 6 Sector, Romeo Force with JKP and SOG Poonch in Hari Budha, a registered Over-Ground Worker (OGW) named Qamaruddin who is the headmaster in school is caught with a foreign-made pistol and grenades in his house. The consignment recovered is suspected to be used to disturb the upcoming election in the Poonch area. The search is still in progress. Two Chinese grenades and one Pakistan-made pistol were recovered from the OGW," according to Poonch police.

The accused has been identified as Qamaruddin.

Two Chinese grenades and one Pakistan-made pistol were also recovered from the possession of OGW Qamaruddin, police added.

The police further said that the consignment recovered from the possession of the accused is suspected to have been used to disturb the upcoming election in the Poonch area. (ANI)
In an official post on X, the Director General of Police, Punjab Police, informed that two operatives arrested were wanted in the "Rajdeep murder case" of Amritsar.

He also posted on its official X handle photos and videos of the seized items and arrested criminals.

"Three illegal weapons seized, they procured weapons to eliminate rival gang members. Punjab Police is fully committed to eradicating organized crime and maintaining peace and harmony in the state," he said.

A day before, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police averted planned sensational crimes with the arrest of two operatives of the Bambiha Gang and seized three pistols and one kg of opium.

According to the police, the Bambiha Gang is involved in multiple heinous crimes such as murder, threats, extortion, ransom, and many other criminal activities in several districts of Punjab.

Earlier, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, in a major blow to trans-border drug smuggling networks, arrested one associate of Jaipal Bhullar Gang and recovered three kg of Heroin and two pistols.

The investigations revealed that the racket was sourcing Heroin across the border from Pakistan. (ANI)
The CID WB arrested Shah Darshil Pareshbhai, a resident of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, the mastermind of a multi-state scam racket, on April 19, the police said.

This arrest was the result of an investigation into a complaint by a retired person who lost around Rs 5 lakh due to a bank KYC update scam, leading to the registration of an FIR, the police added.

The CID WB discovered during their investigation that the main operation was being conducted from Gujarat. The gang, led by Shah Darshil Pareshbhai, is active in at least 3-4 different states, police said.

Following his arrest, he will be produced in a local court and taken on remand for further investigation, police said. (ANI)
Ahead of the INDIA bloc's 'Ulgulan Rally' in Ranchi, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said on Sunday that it's the beginning of the fight against the fascist forces. The grand rally being held amidst the Lok Sabha polls is themed around the arrest of the ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and AAP's Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, two of the key faces of the INDIA bloc. Both Hemant Soren and Kejriwal are in judicial custody. "It will be the fourth rally (of alliance) after Mumbai, Patna, and Delhi. It's not just about the trumpeting but the beginning of the fight against the fascist forces. Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, and other leaders will join the rally. PM Modi has been the PM since 2014, he has made many promises to the people of the country, and this is the time for him to present the report card and vision for the coming days," Hussain said. Jharkhand minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta told ANI that the message from the rally will be conveyed to the entire country how democratic values are being violated. "This is the land of 'Ulgulan' and Bhagwan Birsa Munda and the message from here will be conveyed to the entire country. The message will be that the constitutional institutions are being weakened, democracy is being weakened, and democratic values are being violated. This is a democratic nation and we have given the lesson of truth and non-violence to the world and having ideological differences is a symbol of a healthy democracy. But now, having ideological differences means you'll have to be behind bars and suffer," he said. Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir arrived in Ranchi earlier today to attend the Ulgulan rally. JMM MP Mahua Maji said that opposition leaders are optimistic about the success of the mega rally, adding that neither Jharkhand nor the INDIA bloc will bow down. Posters of INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party MP Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren were seen put up in Ranchi ahead of the mega rally scheduled at Prabhat Tara Ground. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday attacked Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann over the unpaid salaries of more than 85,000 Punjab police personnel and said that while the crucial phase of elections is underway, the morale of the security force is low. The BJP leader said that the Punjab Chief Minister should clarify to the people of Punjab why the salaries of 85,000 employees of Punjab police are unpaid. Taking to social media handle X, the Ludhiana MP posted, "Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, please tell the people of Punjab why 85,000 employees of Punjab police have not been paid a salary for March and the April salary is almost due. Elections are on, safety and security is very important but the morale of the force is very low." Ravneet Bittu criticised the Punjab Chief Minister's false claims of no lack of funds in Punjab and questioned the condition of the state where the law enforcement agency of the state itself has due salary. "The state is heading for elections and the police force has a major role in executing it peacefully but what will the police employees standing on the naka or road do if he is not being paid by the state government for the last one and half months," said Bittu. The BJP leader also said that the issue of unpaid paychecks has affected the employees' family budgets and made them unable to carry on with their routine requirements. "We all know school admissions, uniforms, books and fees have to be paid around this time of the year. The issue of unpaid salaries has shaken the family budget of the employees and they are unable to carry on with their routine requirements," said Bittu. Bittu questioned the Chief Minister to stop making hollow claims and admit the state is bankrupt or tell why there is a delay in the release of the salary of the police force. "Even if there is some problem with the state treasury the state government should have prepared itself with a backup plan. The morale of the force is very low now but because of the disciplined force, they can't protest or go on strike," he said. Adding further he said that the Punjab Chief Minister has broken all the records of delay in the salary which never happened earlier. "What will happen to our law and order if the morale of the force is not boosted? The government employees of some other departments have also been ruing over the government's laxity in paying salaries," claimed the BJP leader. Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi earlier in March, in a major setback to Congress, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Ravneet Singh Bittu is the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and the son of former Punjab minister Tej Parkash Singh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Bittu defeated Simarjeet Singh Bains from the Lok Insaaf Party by 76,372 votes. In 2014, he defeated the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Harvinder Singh Phoolka with a margin of 19,709 votes. Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will take place in the last phase on June 1. Aam Aadmi Party and Congress are contesting the election in Punjab separately despite being in alliance in other states. Yesterday, in yet another blow to the Congress party, Tajinder Singh Bittu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in Delhi on Saturday in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and party general secretary Vinod Tawde. Tajinder Singh Bittu resigned from his post as AICC Secretary-in-Charge of Himachal Pradesh and primary membership Congress. This comes at a crucial time, in the backdrop of Lok Sabha elections being held across the nation. Bittu's exit marks another setback for the Congress party, which has witnessed an exodus of big leaders in the last few weeks. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the INC-led UPA alliance won eight seats, while the NDA secured four. The Aam Aadmi Party, in its debut, won one seat. (ANI)
Calling Kalpana Soren and Sunita Kejriwal "viranganas"(brave women), Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that when BJP speaks about corruption it seems like "Osama Bin Laden and Gabbar Singh are speaking about non-violence." Addressing the INDIA bloc rally in Jharkhand, Sanjay Singh attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that PM Modi's washing powder cleans all corruption. "Narendra Modi speaks against corruption. He put Hemant Soren, and Arvind Kejriwal in jail under false accusations. When he (PM Modi) and BJP speaks on corruption, it looks as if Osama Bin Laden and Gabbar Singh are preaching non-violence. A Modi washing powder has come which cleans all your corruption. Their slogan is 'Jo jitna bada bhrashtachari, wo utna bada padadhikari," Sanjay Singh said. He further alleged that the INDIA bloc would work for India and PM Modi would work for Adani. "INDIA alliance will work for India and Modi ji will work for Adani...BJP mislead people by giving slogans like '400 paar', '200 paar' in Bengal, '35 paar' in Delhi, '65 paar' in Jharkhand...'400 paar' slogan is farzi. This time you should tell them 'Tadi paar, tadi paar'," he said Sanjay Singh further asserted that he, Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren are not scared of Prime Minister Modi. "Two Viranganas are sitting here - Kalpana Soren and Sunita Kejriwal. When they can come out, we should also come out. The people who congregated here want to give a message to defeat PM Modi. I was in jail for 6 months, Arvind Kejriwal is in jail, and Hemant Soren is in jail. We are not scared. Adivasis threw Britishers out," he said. INDIA bloc leaders, Delhi Chief Minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Kalpana Soren attended a rally in Jharkhand's Ranchi. Two empty chairs, one each for jailed Delhi chief minister Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, were kept on stage. Earlier, a similar INDIA bloc rally was also held in the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, where several opposition leaders joined hands to make a call for "saving democracy" in the country. Elections will be held in Jharkhand in four phases: May 13, 20, 25, and June 1. In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats in Jharkhand, with the BJP winning 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress got one seat each. Meanwhile, the Tihar Jail Administration submitted a report to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor yesterday regarding the health status of Kejriwal, who has been lodged in Tihar jail since April 1 this year. According to the report, Kejriwal was on insulin for diabetes control. The report also called it "incorrect" to say that the Chief Minister was being denied insulin by jail authorities. Earlier on Friday, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court reserved order on a plea moved by Kejriwal seeking direction from Tihar jail authorities to administer insulin and allow him to consult doctors through video conferencing daily for 15 minutes with respect to his acute diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar level. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the ED about the Delhi Excise Policy case. The trial court, on April 15, extended the judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal until April 23. The ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. (ANI)
Slamming the INDIA bloc's Ulgulan rally held in Ranchi, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Sunday said that it is not a rally to save the Constitution, but one to 'save corruption'. "The INDI Alliance gathered in Ranchi to save the Constitution, but it was a rally to save corruption. The INDI alliance has no vision for the country. There is only confusion, ambition and politics of division," Poonawalla said. Launching an attack on the opposition unity just ahead of the elections, Poonawalla said, "Workers of RJD, Congress and other parties attacked each other with lathi and stones. If this is their character for seat sharing even before coming to power, then what kind of 'jungle raj' will they bring if they come to power?" Furthermore, Poonawalla highlighted discord within the INDI Alliance across different states, citing instances such as Kerala, where the Left and Congress are at odds, Bengal where Mamata Banerjee has distanced herself, and Punjab where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress are not in alliance. The grand Oppostion rally in Ranchi today is being held amidst the Lok Sabha polls is themed around the arrest of the ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and AAP's Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, two of the key faces of the INDIA bloc. Both Hemant Soren and Kejriwal are in judicial custody. Earlier, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said today that it's the beginning of the fight against the fascist forces. "It will be the fourth rally (of alliance) after Mumbai, Patna, and Delhi. It's not just about the trumpeting but the beginning of the fight against the fascist forces. Mallikarjun Kharge, , Tejashwi Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, and other leaders will join the rally. PM Modi has been the PM since 2014, he has made many promises to the people of the country, and this is the time for him to present the report card and vision for the coming days," Hussain said. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the Congress Party of "conniving" with Naxals, adding that today, India does not bow down to Naxalism but instead 'destroys' it. He held a public meeting in Korba, Chhattisgarh, in support of BJP candidate Saroj Pandey in the Lok Sabha elections. He described BJP candidate Saroj Pandey as a bright and well-educated leader and appealed for huge votes in her favour. In a blistering attack on the Congress party, CM Yogi alleged that "Congress's nexus with Naxals is not hidden from anyone...instead of giving tablets to the youth, Congress handed them pistols." The UP CM said that Congress "has done many scams" when it was in power and did not even spare cow dung. He added that the party was incapable of providing security and good governance. "I have come here carrying the message of Lord Shri Ram's land. This is Mata Kaushalya's maternal home and Shri Ram's playground," CM Yogi said, adding that after 500 years, when Lord Ram was seated in his 'magnificent temple', there was utmost enthusiasm in Chhattisgarh. "When Lord Ram had to go into exile, he first sought refuge here," he added. He further said that from the land of Chhattisgarh, Lord Ram raised his voice to protect the sages, saints, and virtuous people of society, and to liberate them from demons, which was a commitment to lead India towards 'Ram Rajya.' The establishment of Ram Rajya is going to happen under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he remarked. CM Yogi emphasised that in the past 10 years, the country has seen a changing India that provides security and protection to its citizens. "Significant development projects like highways, motorways, AIIMS, and IITs have become the hallmark of BJP governments. Moreover, there's no compromise on schemes for the welfare of the poor," he further stated. CM Yogi said that the problems of terrorism and naxalism have been resolved under the BJP. "Even if a firecracker explodes, Pakistan is ready with its explanation, as it no longer wants to mess with India. It knows that if any terrorist incident happens in India, it will have to bear the consequences," he asserted. Highlighting the development works undertaken in the country, CM Yogi said, "In the Modi government, 80 crore people are being given free rations, while in Pakistan, 23 crore people are yearning for meals." He also mentioned various welfare schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free electricity connections, and the and the Ujjwala Yojana. He added that in the next five years, three crore new houses will be made available to the poor. CM Yogi further emphasised that the Congress Party has a history of accepting commissions, whereas PM Modi has endeavoured to eliminate such practices by facilitating the opening of bank accounts for the underprivileged. He remarked that under Congress rule, poverty-induced deaths, farmer suicides, youth migration, and concerns over the safety of daughters and businessmen were "rampant." Noting the first phase of elections across 102 Lok Sabha seats, he said the resounding chorus echoing across the nation is "Fir ek baar, Modi Sarkar" and "Abki baar, 400 paar." CM Yogi said that Congress has not spared even God; it committed a'scam' in the name of the Mahadev app. "When we used to say that 'we will build the Ram Temple', people in Congress questioned the existence of Lord Ram even in the Supreme Court. Now they say Lord Ram belongs to everyone. This is Congress's dual character," the UP CM added. Chhattisgarh Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan, former Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar, BJP State Minister Vikas Mahato, along with Gopal Sahu, Rajiv Singh, Manoj Sharma, Santoshi Diwan, Dhaneshwari Kanwar, Jogeshwar, Ashok Chawlani, Jyoti Nand Dubey and other leaders were present at the event. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged that the Congress party's "nexus with Naxals" is "well-known" while addressing a public rally in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur on Sunday. CM Yogi addressed a series of rallies today in Rajnandgaon, Korba and Bilaspur Lok Sabha seats of Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister delved into the spiritual connection between Uttar Pradesh (Lord Ram's home) and Chhatisgarh (Lord Ram's maternal home) and campaigned for BJP candidate Santosh Pandey from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, Saroj from Korba and Tokhan Sahu from Bilaspur. Attacking Congress for corruption and Naxalism, he said, "During the former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led government, 18 lakh homes for the poor were withheld, which will now be provided." In a public meeting in Rajnandgaon, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Congress epitomizes corruption, terrorism, and Naxalism. He criticized the party for allegedly arming youth with guns instead of providing them with books, tablets, and the motivation to contribute positively to society. The Chief Minister said, "Congress has fielded former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as a candidate for this seat. Despite facing allegations and FIRs of scams including liquor, coal, Public Service Commission, Mahadev App, etc., he dares to contest elections. They should know that in the new India, corruption won't be tolerated." Launching scathing attacks against the Congress in Korba, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged that Congress has done many scams and has not spared even cow dung. "It can neither provide security nor good governance. However, today's India does not bow down to Naxalism, instead destroys it. Congress's nexus with Naxalism is not hidden from anyone," he remarked. CM Yogi said, "I have come here carrying the message of Lord Shri Ram's land. This is Mata Kaushalya's maternal home and Shri Ram's playground." He mentioned that after 500 years when Lord Ram was seated in his magnificent temple, there was utmost enthusiasm in Chhattisgarh. When Lord Ram had to go into exile, he first sought refuge here. He further said that from the land of Chhattisgarh, Lord Ram raised his voice to protect the sages, saints, and virtuous people of society, and to liberate them from demons, which was a commitment to lead India towards 'Ram Rajya.' The establishment of Ram Rajya is going to happen under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. During a public meeting, the Chief Minister said, "Congress presents problems, while BJP offers solutions. For a developed India, we must adopt the path of solutions, not problems. Change has occurred in the last ten years because of your votes. Leadership and guidance are provided by PM Modi, but the credit goes to you because your vote led to the formation of the right government, and the right government is making the right decisions." He said that the wrong votes lead to wrong governments, which then results in corruption. The chain of corruption has become the identity of Congress, he alleged. "You have witnessed the changing India. You can tell the future generations that we have seen the era in which the foundation of a developed India was laid. The changing India is respected worldwide. The Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh halted 18 lakh homes for the poor. Now, under the leadership of Vishnudev Sai housing will be provided to 18 lakh poor people in Chhattisgarh", he said.(ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday claimed that the central government is doing great injustice to Karnataka as far as devolution of taxes between the Centre and the state is concerned. "In Karnataka, in 2023-24, we all gave Rs 4 lakh 30 thousand crores as taxes from various tax systems. But we are getting only Rs 55 thousand crores. Is it not an injust to Karnataka? That is what we are requesting. There is great injustice to Karnataka so far as devolution of taxes is concerned. Please set right this injustice and deliver justice to Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said in an exclusive interview to ANI. Responding to allegation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that the Karnataka government id demanding more share of funds from the pool of taxes, the Chief Minister suggested the Central government for an open debate on the issue. "Let them come to the same platform. Let us argue. Place the facts and figures before the people. Let the people understand who is telling lies and who is telling the truth," he said. Siddaramaiah even attacked the MPs from his state for not speaking to the Prime Minister on the issue saying that they are afraid of PM Modi. "Our MPs from Karnataka, other than DK Suresh have not opened their mouth in the Parliament or outside the Parliament before PM Modi. They are afraid of Narendra Modi," the Chief Minister said. Siddaramaiah underlined that the methodology of tax devolution between the Centre and the state is not as per the provisions of the Constitution. "Tax devolution is not reasonable. It is not according to the provisions of the Constitution," the Chief Minister said. Speaking about the water shortage faced by the state, Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka is spending money from its own treasury without the assistance from the Centre. "It is a fact that Karnataka is facing severe water crisis. Government of India is not helping. They have not given a single Rupee so far as compensation. We are spending money from our treasury. Rs 650 crores have been spent towards drought. We have given upto Rs 2000 for every farmers family, up to 34 lakh farming community," the Chief Minister said. Siddaramaiah even pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission has recommended that the central government should be alloting funds under the National Disaster Response Fund to drought affected states. "It is not that BJP government has to give money from its pocket. It is recommended by 15th Finance Commission that they have to provide NDRF Fund to drought affected states. Not only Karnataka, for other states also which are facing drought," he said. On the alleged misuse of investigative agencies by the central government, Siddaramaiah questioned the targeted raids on only Congress leaders. "Income Tax, ED, CBI comes under Government of India. Why are they conducting raids only on Congress leaders? Why not the BJP leaders? Is it not hate politics? They are creating fear in the minds of the leaders...Many leaders are afraid of the Government of India," the Chief Minister said. On the BJP's protest against the state government over the murder incident in Hubli in which the daughter of the Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College, the Chief Minister said that he has directed the police to take action on the culprit as per law. "I condemned the incident yesterday. I told police to investigate the case seriously and to see that the culprit is punished. As per law the culprit has to be punished," he said. Attacking the BJP for using the murder incident for political advantage, Siddaramaiah said, "Political parties should not take advantage of these issues. BJP is known for it. They are taking these issues for politcal gains." Karnataka's 28 seats will be contested in the second and third phases on April 26 and May 7. In the 2019 elections, the Congress and JD-S alliance suffered a significant defeat, with the BJP securing a record 25 seats. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
Former Tripura Chief Minister and BJP candidate for West Tripura Parliamentary Constituency, Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday advised the newly enrolled Bru voters to ask CPI-M why they had been referred to as refugees in their own country during the prolonged left rule in Tripura. Deb was addressing a public meeting at Naising Para, a Bru settlement located 176 kilometres away from the capital Agartala city. He was campaigning for BJP East Tripura candidate Kriti Singh Debbarman who also happens to be the sister of Tipra Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman. She was fielded as a joint candidate of Tipra Motha, IPFT and BJP but was nominated as a BJP candidate. "Whenever the Opposition party candidate comes here to seek votes, ask them why you people have to lead a life of refugees in the shelter camps here for decades. Earlier Jitendra Choudhary was the MP from East Tripura. He was a minister in the Tripura cabinet as well. This is the right time to point the right question to the right person," Deb told the gathering. According to Deb, the internally displaced Brus received a dignified life because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all basic amenities of life would continue to reach them if PM Modi stays in power. "Two years ago, this area didn't have access to clean water. There was no motorable road. The Pucca houses were a distant dream. Today, everything has become possible because of PM Modi. If he continues holding the top position, all these basic facilities will stay. In his absence, everything will vanish. In the absence of Modi, you will not get water. In his absence, the roads and houses will never get repaired. If you approach communist leaders, they will tell you to organise protests," said Deb. The former Chief Minister also quoted data showcasing the sharp rise in the allocation of funds for Tripura. "When UPA was in power, Tripura received Rs 40,000 crore from the central government. In NDA's ten years, the total allocation saw a sharp rise. Around Rs 1 lakh crore was released for development works in Tripura. This shows the intent of PM Modi led Central government towards the North East," Deb added. Urging the voters to cast their votes in favour of BJP, Deb said, "Each and every vote of the Bru voters should go to Didi. Our slogan should be every vote for Didi. On April 26, the first job is to cast your vote after breakfast." Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman was also present at the meeting. Around 40,000 internally displaced Bru migrants took shelter in six relief camps in Tripura's North District after ethnic clashes broke out in Mizoram in the year 1997. In 2020, a quadripartite agreement was signed between Government of India, Government of Tripura, Government of Mizoram, and Bru leaders that allowed the IDPs to be settled in Tripura peramnently. They were accordingly enrolled in the electoral rolls of Tripura. New settlements have been created in as many as 12 locations of Tripura for them. The total number of Bru voters in Tripura is around 17,000, an official has said.(ANI)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the surgical strikes of 2019 "bogus" and claiming that PM Modi used them to gain political advantage. "The 2024 election is different from 2014 and 2019. In 2019 Modi carried out this surgical strike. One of the former governors of Kashmir Mr Mallik who has been in BJP said the surgical strike is bogus. Because of that bogus surgical strike, Modi came back to power in 2019," Moily said. Moily asserted that the INDIA bloc is gaining momentum, highlighting that this is the first time in India's history that such a strong alliance has come together "INDIA bloc is picking up. First time in the history of the country there is such a strong alliance like the INDIA alliance. This time everyone is united, except West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. She said that she would not join but she would definitely join later. With such strong commitment among the members of the alliance to fight against the BJP-NDA, it is clear that the INDIA bloc is set to come to power in the upcoming election," Moily said Moily, a former Union Minister, also praised Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure as the Prime Minister. "Dr Manmohan Singh was the best prime minister. In his tenure, the GDP was high as our economy is competing with China and everybody, whether it is Obama or any leader of France. But they all used to say when Dr Manmohan speaks entire world speaks that is the kind of stature it was and now what is the position today we have not heard of G20, SAARC... this non-alignment summit. They all disappeared," Moily said. Regarding international conflicts, Moily criticized PM Modi's leadership for its neutral stance and lack of a strong voice on global issues. "India used to take the lead, and meetings were frequently held whenever there was a Cold War conflict anywhere in the world. The Non-Aligned Movement used to condemn such conflicts and call for an end to genocide. This was the message from Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh. That was how India's leadership approached international issues at the time," "However, now, no strong statements are being made. No meetings have been held on this Non-Aligned Movement. The leadership that used to be prominent has diminished because of the neutral stance taken by Narendra Modi. This has caused India to lose its position as a world leader. The ongoing conflicts, such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Gaza conflict, raise questions about India's voice, which was once strong in international affairs," he added. Further reacting to the Hubbali murder case Moily said, "The incident is a tragic event where the daughter of our own Congress Deputy Mayor was murdered. It's a crime that we all strongly condemn. BJP leader Yediyurappa claims that Congress is not taking it seriously. Who isn't taking it seriously? We are taking action on this. They are turning this into a political issue. No one should politicize the murder of an innocent girl." "Modi has launched a significant campaign with the slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter). However, crime rates against women are doubling, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. What has happened to the promise behind the slogan? Even the Nirbhaya Fund, established during the UPA government when I was the Law Minister, has seen its nominal funding reduced. This fund was intended to improve infrastructure for the safety of women. Given this context, these people have no moral right to claim they are the protectors of women. It is only the Congress party that worked on the Nirbhaya Act, tightened laws, and is committed to protecting women and girls," he added. The victim, Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Fayaz, a former friend and classmate who has since been arrested. The last rites of the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator, who was killed on a college campus in Hubbali, were performed by her parents on Friday. The Congress government in Karnataka is under severe pressure on law and order in the state after the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator was stabbed to death on the college campus in Hubbali. The state unit of the ABVP and the BJP protested the murder in Hubballi and Bengaluru on Friday and the issue is likely to flare up with the state going to the Lok Sabha Polls on April 26 and May 7. (ANI)
Tuteja was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and produced before the court of 7th civil judge class-II Raipur and JMFC Raipur, Kumari Ranju Vaishnav, and was granted a one-day judicial remand.

Advocate, Sourabh Pandey, representing the ED, said, "He was arrested by ED and produced before the court of 7th civil judge class-II Raipur and JMFC Raipur Kumari Ranju Vaishnav in connection with money laundering case linked with alleged liquor scam.

"We demanded 14 days of custodial remand but the court granted one-day judicial remand," the ED's counsel Pandey added.

The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR on a complaint by the Income Tax Department.

Earlier, the Supreme Court quashed a money laundering case against accused persons in a matter linked to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, noting that the complaint was based on an IT Act offence, which is not a scheduled offence as per the PMLA.

The Supreme Court ruled that since there is a predicate offence, there cannot be proceeds of crime as well as no money laundering. (ANI)
The roadshow held by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections received a rousing welcome in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Memantha Siddham Yatra led by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy witnessed tremendous enthusiasm from various sections of society including the elderly, women, and the youth as it entered Visakhapatnam today. Despite the scorching heat, the excitement was palpable, reflecting the shared aspiration of the people for welfare and development under Chief Minister Jagan's leadership. Meanwhile, Day 20 of the bus yatra progressed through various villages and junctions, with each stop marked by massive crowds cheering for their 'hero'. CM Jagan commenced the day from Pinagadi Junction, Pendurthi Mandal where locals eagerly lined up to catch a glimpse of the Chief Minister. As the bus arrived, a large number of locals thronged to cheer and meet CM Jagan. Stepping off the bus, CM Jagan interacted with locals from Pinagadi Village. In a touching moment during the yatra, CM Jagan encountered disabled twins G Tarun Kumar and G Jeevan Kumar in Rampuram Village. CM Jagan assured them of support in their pursuit of higher education, reaffirming his commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Through the course of the day, the Yatra passed through Chamalapalli village, and later Vepagunta, after which it proceeded towards Gopalapatnam, NAD Junction, Kancharapalem, Akkayapalem, Maddhilapalem, Venkajipalem and finally concluded at Yendada. According to a release issued by YSR Congress party, Janasena party leaders Giridhar Gampala, G Sreeja, G Dhanush, N Srinivas, Chairman of The Federation of AP&TS FCRA NGO & Educationist Alivar Raju Roy from Bheemili, a member of the Janasena Party, Executive Trustee of the Shankar Foundation Krishna Kumar, former TDP District President and former UDA Director D. Bharti, and TDP Youth Wing leaders Charan, Sandeep, Kiranmayi and Dasu all officially joined the YSR Congress Party today. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary Information Raoof Hasan said that party leaders and workers were facing a crackdown after the announcement of the by-poll schedule for 21 national and provincial seats, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. On Saturday, PTI's Secretary Information Raoof Hasan said, "Raids are being conducted after the by-election announcement." He added, "Ill-treatment with the party workers' families becomes a routine now." PTI spokesperson further said that the party's woman leaders, including Aliya Hamza Malik, Sanam Javaid, and Yasmin Rashid, are still in prison. He accused the jail authorities of not providing medical assistance to Aliya Hamza Malik, who is suffering from malaria, according to Geo News report. He said that "returning officers (ROs) were being forced to sign blank papers", and those who did not follow the orders were being "tortured." Speaking about PTI's strategy, Hasan announced that his party would try to give a big surprise at the electoral event set to be held on Sunday. He criticised the suspension of mobile phone services during the by-election. He said, "Internet was also closed during the February 8 nationwide elections, and now, the closure of these services was being signalled, again." Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab authorities wrote a letter to federal government, requesting it to suspend mobile internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of the province on April 21 to maintain law and order. In the letter, the Punjab authorities requested the suspension of mobile internet services in Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, Lahore, and Dera Ghazi Khan districts. Meanwhile, suspension has been requested for tehsils, including Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujarat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, and Bhakkar. Later, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that, in accordance with the orders issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, cellular services would be temporarily suspended in some districts of the two provinces for two days. The by-polls in 21 national and provincial constituencies is set to be held today. These include five National Assembly seats--12 in the Punjab Assembly, two each in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies, Geo News reported. Candidates will be vying for NA-132 (Kasur) and NA-119 (Lahore) seats in Punjab, vacated by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz. Shehbaz Sharif also gave up two of his provincial assembly seats in Lahore - PP-158 and PP-164. He has retained NA-123 seat in the National Assembly. By-polls will be held in NA-196 (Qamber Shadadkot) in Sindh after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari vacated the seat, as per the Geo News report. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vacated the NA-44 (Dera Ismail Khan) seat in KP and retained his provincial assembly seat, PK-113. By-polls will be held in the NA-8 (Bajaur) constituency, which was left vacant after one of its candidates -- Rehan Zeb Khan -- was murdered before the elections held on February 8. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at least 14 people have been killed during the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) operation at the Nur al-Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, CNN reported, citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that they have found a number of bodies and injured people from the camp, as the IDF has partially withdrawn from the area. Videos captured by residents show a bulldozer destroying a building as IDF vehicles leave the camp after conducting a raid for over 24 hours. Other videos showcase ambulances entering the camp after the IDF withdraws from there. According to residents, Israeli forces have left the immediate area. However, they continue to remain present in the nearby city of Tulkarm. Earlier on Saturday, the IDF said its forces killed 10 'terrorists' and arrested eight wanted suspects during the operation that began on Thursday. According to Palestinian health ministry and news agency Wafa, at least one child and one teenager are among those killed. It said that the IDF has arrested young people en masse and destroyed key infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health condemned two separate incidents involving emergency medical crews operating in the West Bank on Saturday. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, an ambulance driver was killed by Israeli settlers as he attempted to take injured Palestinians to safety, and another ambulance crew was detained and questioned by the IDF outside a hospital in the West Bank. The ministry identified the driver as Mohammed Awad Allah Mohammed Musa (50). It said that Musa worked with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Speaking to CNN, PRCS said that settlers killed him by firing on his ambulance. In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said, "The Ministry urgently calls on international health organisations, human rights institutions, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to urgently act to curb the escalating practices of the occupation and settlers against treatment centers and medical crews and to allow them to perform their humanitarian duty." The Palestinian Ministry of Health called the targeting of medics, ambulances, and medical staff a "blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law, according to CNN report. "The targeting of medics, ambulances, treatment centres, and medical staff, obstructing their movement, and preventing them from reaching the wounded, constitutes a blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law and international norms and treaties," the ministry said. On Friday, the Israeli military said that several Palestinian gunmen were killed and four soldiers were wounded during a counter-terrorism raid in the West Bank's Nur Shams refugee camp, close to Tulkarem, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF said its troops and Border Police officers conducted a raid at Nur Shams overnight, during which several wanted Palestinians were detained, explosive devices were discovered, and several gunmen were killed in clashes throughout the morning. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], April 21 (ANI/WAM): UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, discussed during a phone call cooperation between the UAE and the United Nations, especially in the humanitarian field, and support for peace and development regionally and globally. During the call, the two sides also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern, foremost among them developments in the Middle East and the need to contain tensions and prevent escalation, as this entails a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and international security and peace. They called for restraint and prioritising the voice of wisdom to spare the region from further conflict that harms all and hinders cooperation and development efforts that benefit its peoples. UAE President and the Secretary-General of the United Nations reviewed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the importance of working to establish an immediate ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian tragedies among civilians, ensure the flow of adequate and unimpeded aid, and enable international organisations to carry out their humanitarian role. They also underscored the importance of advancing towards a comprehensive and just peace based on the two-state solution, as it is the only viable path towards achieving lasting security and stability in the region. During the call, the UAE President stressed the UAE's keenness to cooperate with the United Nations and various parties regionally and internationally in order to maintain peace in light of the difficult circumstances that the region is experiencing. For his part, Antonio Guterres expressed his appreciation for the UAE's support for peace and its notable global humanitarian efforts, particularly in providing assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip. (ANI/WAM)
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama conferred teachings to hundreds of Mongolian pilgrims in the Tsuglagkhang courtyard in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala on Saturday. As many as 6,100 people from around 72 countries gathered in the courtyard to receive teachings from the spiritual leader. He delivered the teachings at the request of the Mongolian group, according to the statement released on Dalai Lama's website. Poala Campo, a follower from Colombia, expressed happiness at receiving teachings from the Dalai Lama, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Speaking to ANI, Campo said, "It's a beautiful two-day teaching with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many people from many countries are attending, and all the Buddhist monks and nuns are also here to accompany His Holyship." "I feel very happy. This is a one-time opportunity. I wasn't expecting to be here. So, it's a nice surprise. I was very lucky to have been given this opportunity to attend this very, very special event," she added. Speaking to ANI, Tenzing Yega, a follower from Sikkim, said, "This was the first day of the teachings on the Hundred Deities of Tushita by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama." Speaking about the importance of attending the event, Yega said, "Actually, it is very important because primarily the teacher itself is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, which I consider my ... guru, and also the living Buddha. And this was my first time visiting Dharamshala and attending his teachings in Tsuglagkhang." She expressed gratitude for being able to receive teachings from the Dalai Lama, saying, "Firstly, I'm immensely grateful for his teachings, foremost. And secondly, I have no words to describe the feeling that I am currently experiencing. So, there's no expression whatsoever, but still, I am at peace right now. So, that is what I'm feeling." (ANI)
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman said that the polls in 2024 were "more rigged" than the elections held in 2018, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. While addressing JUI-F's public gathering in Pishin on Saturday, Rehman said that the Pakistan government was imposed through 'rigging'. He said, "The government imposed through fake mandate does not have a right to rule." He stated that JUI-F had carried out a movement against in what he termed the "rigged" polls in 2018. The JUI-F chief said Pakistan is being made an unsafe state as the country is heading towards turmoil through "ill policies," according to ARY News report. Rehman said, "The polls in 2024 were more rigged than the 2018 elections. The fake representatives of the people have been sent to the assemblies with a fake mandate." He further said that JUI-F will not accept the same at any cost. Maulana Fazalur Rehman alleged that the assemblies were bought for millions of rupees. He said, "The Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh assemblies were bought for up to Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 100 billion." He announced that JUI-F would continue the struggle against what he termed "massive rigging" in the elections held on February 8, adding that their movement will be moving to Karachi and Punjab, according to ARY News report. The JUI-F chief said that during his recent meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, he made it clear that the PML-N was heading on the 'wrong path'. He further said, "I invited Nawaz Sharif to join the JUI-F in the opposition and represent the people in a real manner. I told Nawaz Sharif that the path you are taking is wrong." Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced a sit-in against the government in Karachi on May 2. Speaking to reporters, JUI-F leader Rashid Mahmood Soomro said that JUI-F did not accept the 2018 elections and will also not accept the elections held on February 8, the report said. Pakistan held its 12th national general election on February 8, amid allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services. Meanwhile, the JUI-F and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have "agreed on increasing party-level contacts" as the former pulled up for starting a nationwide movement against election rigging, according to Geo News. On April 15, PTI's central leader Asad Qaiser said that he spoke with JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the phone and wished him a happy Eid ul Fitr. "We exchanged views on the current political situation and the process of forming government in our telephonic conversation," Qaiser said in a statement, adding that both sides agreed on increasing party-level contacts. He spoke about PTI concerns about the establishment of a coalition government led by the PML-N with support from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other allies following the national elections on February 8, as per Geo News. Qaiser asserted that by "stealing public mandate" in the general elections of 2024, both parties repudiated the entire process that resulted in the formation of the current government. Additionally, he emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated public movement opposing the "fake government." According to the politician, there is "ideological coordination" between the PTI and the JUI-F with respect to the public movement. (ANI)
Maldivians started voting in parliamentary elections Sunday, marking a crucial ballot for President Mohamed Muizzu, whose policies are closely monitored by India and China, both vying for influence in the Island nation, The Washington Post reported. Both countries are looking forward to it because the strategic location of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean makes it a sought-after prize for New Delhi and Beijing. https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781919136421200175 In a post on X, the Election Commission of Maldives shared the video of the Coordination Center for the 2024 Parliamentary Elections. Pictures from the election site were also shared showing people waiting in a queue for their turn to vote. https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781921311838847348 According to The Washington Post, Muizzu's election as president last year sharpened the rivalry between India and China, as the new leader adopted a pro-China stance and worked to remove Indian troops stationed on one of the country's islets. Securing a parliamentary majority will be a difficult challenge for Muizzu due to rifts among his allies and the entry of additional parties into the race, according to the US-based news outlet. A total of 368 candidates from six political parties and independent groups are vying for 93 seats in Parliament. This marks an increase of six seats from the previous Parliament, adjusted to accommodate population growth, per The Washington Post. About 284,000 people are eligible to vote and tentative results are expected to be announced late Sunday. During his presidential campaign, Muizzu adopted the slogan "India out," accusing his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by granting India to much influence. Approximately 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives, primarily engaged in operating two aircraft donated by India and aiding in sea rescue operations. Muizzu has taken steps to have civilians take over those activities. Tensions escalated when Indian social media activists launched a boycott of Maldives tourism in response to derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian deputy ministers about PM Modi. These comments were prompted by Modi's suggestion to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, India's own island chain similar to the Maldives According to recent Maldives government statistics, the number of Indian tourists has fallen, dropping that country from being the top source of foreign visitors to No. 6. Muizzu visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China. In 2013, the Maldives joined China's "Belt and Road" initiative, which was meant to build ports and highways to expand trade and China's influence across Asia, Africa and Europe. (ANI)
Unknown gunmen killed two customs officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan in an attack that followed the April 18 strike in which five officials of the Customs Intelligence and two civilians, including a five-year-old girl, were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen, police said on Sunday, Geo News reported. According to law enforcement officials, four others sustained injuries in the gun attack and have been shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHQ). According to Geo News, the police officials' statement disclosed that the unidentified armed assailants escaped the site of the incident after opening fire. On April 18, a firing incident in the KP district claimed the lives of seven individuals, five of whom were customs officials, and a five-year-old girl. Law enforcement authorities reported that unidentified assailants targeted the customs officials on Saggu Road in Daraban Tehsil of the district, as per Geo News. The armed attackers, concealing themselves in bushes, attacked the customs vehicle and swiftly fled the scene on motorcycles without encountering resistance. Due to the attack, the driver of the customs vehicle lost control and collided with another vehicle, resulting in the death of the citizen. According to the statistics issued by the Department of Interior and Tribal Affairs KP, the areas most affected by terrorism include Peshawar, Khyber, Bajaur, and Tank, while Dera Ismail Khan North Waziristan and South Waziristan are included in the terror-affected areas. The initial attack took place on April 18, in which five Customs Intelligence officials and two civilians, including a five-year-old girl, were tragically killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Dera Ismail Khan city in Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported. According to the police, the incident occurred on Thursday as the Customs Intelligence team conducted routine checks at Saggu in Dera Ismail Khan district, where they encountered heavy gunfire from attackers hiding in the nearby bushes. "As a result of the ambush, the casualties occurred, comprising five Customs Intelligence officials and two innocent civilians," they added A rescue 1122 team shifted the bodies to the district headquarters hospital (DHQ). The martyrs were identified as Shahab Ali Khan, Attar Alam, Akbar Zaman, Inayatullah, Muhammad Aslam of the Customs Intelligence, and civilians Safatullah and five-year-old Laiba Bibi, as per The Express Tribune. (ANI)
Supplies of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India to the Philippines under a USD 375 million deal, continue as part of the contract between the two nations, defence officials said. The missile system supplies reached at an air base in Manila from India in a chartered Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft on Sunday, they said. Officials from India and the Philippines are receiving the first batch of equipment supplied to that country as part of the contract, defence officials said. Notably, India delivered the first lot of the supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines on April 19, as part of the deal signed in 2022. The Indian Air Force had sent its American-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft with the missiles to the Philippines to deliver the weapon system to the Philippines' Marine Corps, according to defence sources. The export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system along with the missiles started last month itself, they said. The Philippines is taking delivery of the missile systems at a time when tensions between them and China have escalated owing to frequent clashes in the South China Sea. The three batteries of the BrahMos missile system would be deployed by the Philippines in their coastal areas to guard against any threat in the region. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is said to be one of the most successful missile programs in the world. Acknowledged as the foremost and swiftest precision-guided weapon on a global scale, BRAHMOS has played a pivotal role in enhancing India's deterrence capabilities. The Indian Army has integrated multiple BrahMos regiments into its arsenal since 2007. (ANI)
Israeli war Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz joined a growing chorus of criticism by fellow politicians over US President Joe Biden's administration decision to impose sanctions on a unit of Israel Defence Forces, calling it a 'dangerous precedent'. He said it 'conveys the wrong message'. https://twitter.com/gantzbe/status/1781785299724403053 In a post on X, Benny Gantz wrote, "I have great appreciation for our American friends, but the decision to impose sanctions on an IDF unit and its soldiers sets a dangerous precedent and conveys the wrong message to our shared enemies during wartime." Calling the infantry unit "an inseparable part of the Israel Defence Forces," Gantz added by saying that it's "subject to military law and is responsible for operating in full compliance with international law." "The State of Israel has a strong, independent judicial system that evaluates meticulously any claim of a violation or deviation from IDF orders and code of conduct, and will continue to do so," Gantz added. Gantz's comments came after reports of the US President sanctioning an IDF unit started to surface. Citing reports, Fox News stated the Biden administration could announce sanctions against an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank before the October 7 assault on Israel by Hamas terrorists. Axios, a Virginia-based American website reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken could announce sanctions against IDF battalion "Netzah Yehuda" within days. This would, notably be the first time the US would be imposing sanctions on military units of Israel. Meanwhile, Gantz, also said that Israel's judicial system meticulously evaluates any claims of violation or deviation from IDF orders and code of conduct, according to Times of Israel. He also affirmed that he is committed to taking action to overturn this decision. "I intend on acting to have this decision changed," Gantz's wrote further on X. The tensions continue to simmer in the Middle East following Iran's recent strikes on Israel, which were later followed by alleged Israeli airstrikes in Tehran. This also comes at a time when the Israel-Hamas war is in its seventh month and there is no update on the ceasefire in the foresight. The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. Despite the passage of time, over 100 hostages continue to remain in Hamas' captivity, their fate hanging in the balance amidst ongoing efforts to secure their release. (ANI)
Russia has warned Pakistan it might ban rice imports if their phytosanitary concerns are not addressed in future consignments, Dawn reported on Sunday. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation issued a notification regarding violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements over a shipment of rice imported from Pakistan. The notification, numbered FS-SA-3/6592 and dated April 2, 2024, highlights the presence of a quarantine organism, "Megaselia scalaris (Loew)," in the rice consignment, Dawn reported. The FSVPS has asked the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia for an immediate investigation into the matter. A copy of the notice issued by the Russian authorities shows that the FSVPS has asked the relevant official in the Pakistani embassy to prevent such violations in the future and emphasised the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between countries, Dawn reported. Meanwhile, the trade wing of Pakistani embassy in Moscow has forwarded the English translation of the Russian authority's letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security and other relevant government offices. The letter by the embassy to the DPP states, "In view of the above, it is requested that an investigation may be conducted immediately and the results of the investigation may please be shared with FSVPS in order to avoid any possible ban on rice exports in the future." Meanwhile, the FSVPS has also sent an official communication to the director of DPP, seeking a higher degree of cooperation in the field of plant quarantine, Dawn reported. Russia had previously imposed a ban on similar grounds in 2019, which remained in place for around two years. It was lifted after a series of negotiations between officials of both sides. Earlier, in December 2006, Russia also stopped the import of rice from Pakistan for not meeting food safety standards. (ANI)
According to the report, the FIR was lodged at the request of the foreign embassy which also approached law enforcement seeking the recovery of the abducted citizen.

They also named an accused and said that the foreign citizen was kidnapped from the F-8 area.

In a similar incident, a Grade 18 officer of the Inland Revenue Service of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rehmatullah Khan was abducted from the capital's twin city, Rawalpindi, last week, The Express Tribune reported.

The kidnappers held him for ransom and demanded a hefty amount of PKR 10 million from the officer's family.

An FIR was registered for the kidnapping. The FIR was filed by Muhammad Shafiq, the brother-in-law of the abductee.

According to the FIR, Inland Revenue Service Grade 18 officer Rehmatullah Khan is posted at the FBR headquarters. He was abducted by unknown persons at 11:30 am on April 12. (ANI)
AUSTIN  The parking lot Joselyn Lai was standing on gave little hint of the innovation under the asphalt beneath her feet: a system of 11 pipes quietly air conditioning the 30,000-square-foot office building behind her.

The CEO of Austin-based startup Bedrock Energy was celebrating the buildings second day using the companys geothermal heat pumps as its cooling system. That means the office at the former World War I airfield in the heart of Austin is not using as much electricity as it once pulled from the statewide grid to keep its air conditioners humming. The same system will keep it warm in the winter.

Its the first installed in Texas using Bedrocks precision drilling tools.

When we think about the future, having geothermal heating and cooling at a greater scale allows a community or city to really bring down its power demand, especially at the worst times of the year, Lai said. If you dont actually increase your power need during winter storms, or during really hot heat waves, then the entire grid is more stable.

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Thats important in Texas, where periods the grid isnt stressed are shrinking as higher temperatures kick up earlier in the spring and linger deeper into the fall.

Bedrock co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Silviu Livescu explains how the companys rig drilled 11 holes 20 feet apart, each 800 feet deep, and fitted plastic pipes to capture the energy from underground. Its now heating and cooling a 30,000-square-foot office building at Penn Field. Bob Daemmrich

It was unseasonably hot and sticky Wednesday at the Penn Field office park where Lai and her companys co-founder, former University of Texas at Austin professor Silviu Livescu, showed off the new system.

The timing of the demonstration bolstered their pitch.

A few days prior, the state grid operator had asked operators of gas-fired power plants to delay scheduled downtime because of higher-than-usual April temperatures. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas wanted to ensure the state would have enough power to meet the demand the warmer weather could bring during a period traditionally used for plant maintenance ahead of the summer grind.

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ERCOT didnt have to go as far as calling for conservation notices during the midweek temperature spike, but such pleas were the norm last summer when heat waves regularly put the Texas grid in a chokehold. Tight capacity days are likely again this summer.

Thats why Lai says Bedrocks technology can be a game changer: Its mechanism is carbon-free and keeps HVAC, or heating, ventilating and air-conditioning, systems from sucking heaps of power from the grid in a state thats desperate to save every megawatt it can.

Water pipes run to and from Penn Field's Building D, the 30,000-square-foot office where Bedrock Energy and CIM Group installed a geothermal heating and cooling project. Bob Daemmrich

Essentially limitless

Geothermal heat pumps arent new. Theyve been around since the 1940s, using water and the Earths internal temperature to transfer heat to and from buildings.

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While Texas surface temperatures change drastically from the peak of summer to dead of winter, temperatures underground vary little. Geothermal systems use two main components to harness that: heat pumps and loops of underground pipes that circulate water for heating or cooling.

Geothermal is unique because its clean, its abundant, essentially limitless and available everywhere, said Livescu, the companys chief technology officer.

Bedrock says its specialized boring technology has made whats historically been a costly larger pipe system into one thats compact enough to fit under a parking lot for use in commercial buildings that consume major megawatts for heating and cooling.

At the Austin site owned by CIM Group, Bedrock drilled 11 holes 20 feet apart, each 800 feet deep, fitted with plastic pipes 1.5 inches wide. Its drilling technology, the company says, can dig as deep as 2,000 feet when space between buildings is even tighter.

Bedrocks drilling system features a flexible pipe thats kept spun up like a spool of thread on the back of a truck. Inside the carbon-steel pipe are sensors that validate accuracy using a combination of subsurface modeling and autonomous drilling.

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The drilling portion of installing the Austin system took about four weeks, Livescu said. The projects noise, he said, came in at just 60 decibels  quieter than most dishwashers. Thats a huge feat, and an important one for an active construction site with office tenants present.

Bedrock says it can do in a few months what traditional drilling methods need a year to accomplish. Historically, geothermal technologys cost and build time has been the main barrier to wider use.

The federal incentives it receives are also attractive, with green energy programs offering tax breaks that can offset from 30% to 60% of startup costs.

Bedrock Energys geothermal energy drilling rig works near buildings at Penn Field off South Congress Avenue in Austin. Bedrock Energy

The Texas edge

Ahead of the 20-month-old companys founding, Livescu said he realized that oil and gas drilling technology could be reengineered to create the direct-use heating and cooling system. The demand for carbon-free energy is growing as businesses work to meet net zero emission goals over the next decade.

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The former professor made his career in oil and gas, working nine years as the chief scientist of pressure pumping at Baker Hughes. He also worked at Exxon.

What our master drillers are doing, Livescu said as he stood in front of Bedrocks rig, are pushing the pipe into the ground and pumping water through the pipe at the same time to rotate the drill. So, as the pipe goes down injecting into the ground, the bit is rotating and cutting the rocks.

For oil and gas, it is the same principle.

Bedrock isnt the only geothermal startup making a splash in Texas. There are more than a dozen others headquartered around the state. A lot of them are less than 3 years old.

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And, like Bedrock, most have oil and gas veterans in their ranks.

All these companies on the geothermal power production side are really leveraging oil and gas know-how, Lai said, I think that really gives Texas an edge to be moving fast in geothermal.

In this photo provided by Bedrock Energy, the companys precision drilling rig is seen working on its first Texas project. The companys geothermal system at an Austin office park is its first in Texas. It heats and cools a 30,000-square-foot office building at Penn Field. Bedrock Energy

A geothermal boom?

The amount of heat below Texans feet is probably thousands of times more than needed to power the entire state, according to the Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance. That means theres a lot of untapped potential.

Like Lai, alliance researchers say Texas history with oil and gas  and the fast-paced technological advancement that came with fracking in West Texas  puts the states businesses in an advantageous spot to quickly grow geothermal energy.

Much like the rise of unconventionals in oil and gas, whose meteoric ascent largely took the world by surprise, geothermal is poised for similar, exponential growth, should technology development and transfer follow the footsteps of the shale boom, the alliance wrote in a 2023 report about the power sources Texas future.

It may already be happening.

Another Houston-based company, Sage Geosystems, recently announced a $17 million 3-megawatt system to support the Texas grid. The company hasnt disclosed its location but says it will support ERCOTs load in South Texas.

The facility, called EarthStore, will use Sages technology to harvest energy from pressurized water stored deep underground. Sage says it will be able to store energy at the facility for long and short durations, and will likely pair the geothermal technology with wind and solar to create a dispatchable power system  meaning a source that can be turned on when needed.

The generation industry calls this a firm power source. Its desirable because its predictable. Gas, coal and nuclear-powered plants are in the same category.



Last week, Sage announced it was also partnering with the Army to install a geothermal system at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Locally, Joint Base San Antonio is in the early stages of its own three- to five-year project to research and build a utility-scale geothermal system.

State-of-the art geothermal plants emit no greenhouse gasses and produce emissions that are from six to 20 times lower than those of natural gas facilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

CEO Joselyn Lai speaks with Austin state Rep. Lulu Flores at an event to celebrate starting operations on Bedrock Energys first geothermal project built in Texas. Bob Daemmrich

Diverse power needs

Demand for power in Texas is growing  at a possibly alarming rate  according to a new forecast.

An ERCOT planning group recently shared a presentation with members showing the states power demand could double by 2030 with a possible 62 gigawatt increase. That would be the biggest single-decade power increase since the 1950s. Beyond population growth and increasingly severe weather, demand is being driven by the states growing roster of data centers, bitcoin miners and other industry.

Experts have long said successfully addressing the challenge will require a diverse mix of new power generation and energy-saving efficiency tactics.

How do you meet the goals of reliability, first, and affordability and sustainability simultaneously? Dave Tuttle, a researcher at UT Austins Energy Institute, said during Bedrocks launch. What makes me optimistic that that can be done are technologies, like what you all are working on, that make it more efficient and hopefully more cost effective compared to any other technology in the future.

Bedrock Energys drilling rig on display as the Houston company and CIM Group unveil a geothermal heating and cooling project in Austin. Its the first system installed in Texas using Bedrocks precision drilling tools. Bob Daemmrich Executives stand in front of Bedrock Energy's drilling rig at an event last week to celebrate the company's first Texas geothermal system's second day of operations. Bob Daemmrich Bedrock Energy employees pose with the company's drilling rig as they and the CIM Group unveil a geothermal heating and cooling project at Penn Field. Bob Daemmrich Dave Tuttle of the UT Energy Institute speaks at an event to unveil Bedrock Energys geothermal heating and cooling project at Penn Field in Austin. What makes me optimistic, he told Bedrock officials, are technologies like what you all are working on, that make it more efficient and hopefully more cost effective. Bob Daemmrich CEO Joselyn Lai introduces the technology as Bedrock Energy and CIM Group unveil a geothermal heating and cooling project in Austin. Bob Daemmrich

Bedrock says its system will make the Austin building from two to four times more energy-efficient depending on weather. Lai said the companys geothermal system can reduce energy bills for HVAC by about 50% and that a building owner will save up to 40% on maintenance costs, as well. Thats because theres no need for the noisy condenser units filled with moving parts that most buildings have outside, where theyre exposed to the elements.

Instead, the thermal exchange is happening underground inside plastic pipes graded to last 50 years. The startup costs, Lai said, are between $6,000 and $10,000 per ton of capacity  roughly half the cost of traditional geothermal HVAC systems. One ton would handle about 500 square feet, she said.

Tuttle said the technology, if widely deployed, is good for everyone on the grid because it can remove load  especially when demand is high.

As you get to the hot extreme or the cold extreme, the inefficiency of the existing systems accelerates, he said, referring to much of the states current infrastructure. It aggravates the problem.

With the ability to collect data with its hardware and software, Bedrock officials said they expect soon to better model the predictability of geothermal heating and cooling. As a result, Lai says, it will be easier for real estate owners to get financing and for Bedrock to scale its system.

Recent legislation putting geothermal regulations solely under the Texas Railroad Commission has also created a streamlined permit process.
Mirza alleged that Shazia, an orphan, was subjected to sexual harassment by DSP, Sardar Tariq Mehmood of Sidhnoti District, leading to her arrest under false charges of being abusive to local police after she refused the DSP's advances.

Nisar Shah, Advocate and member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Legal Support Foundation, has written to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, highlighting the grave injustice faced by Shazia Haleem.

Nisar asserts that Shazia's arrest and unlawful detention are alarming developments, representing a shameful violation of her rights.

Both Mirza and Shah emphasised the urgent need for an independent investigation into Shazia's allegations against DSP Sardar Tariq and the circumstances leading to her wrongful incarceration.

They demand that those responsible for fabricating charges against Shazia be held accountable.

Immediate intervention in this matter is deemed crucial by the activists, who assert their readiness to pursue justice through all available means if swift action is not taken to address this oppression. (ANI)
These documents shed light on China's utilisation of hackers to target Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists and the Uyghur community.

Additionally, they reveal the Tibetan exile administration in Dharamshala, India, as another target of Chinese hackers.

The leaked documents underscore China's strategy of targeting vulnerable individuals and groups across international borders.

https://twitter.com/UyghurProject/status/1781028745173664166?t=it4Q5O8WByNBd8p7-yy0IQ&s=08

Notably, i-Soon allegedly attempted to breach the Dalai Lama's office in India. The Chinese Army and Police are reportedly among i-Soon's major clients, suggesting state involvement in these activities.

This revelation adds to longstanding concerns about China's history of conducting espionage abroad. A diplomatic crisis between China and the United States last year, triggered by a Chinese balloon entering American airspace, underscored the need for nations, including India, to bolster their counterintelligence capabilities.

Furthermore, US and British officials have accused Beijing of targeting various sectors, including lawmakers, academics, journalists, and defence contractors, through cyber espionage.

Sanctions and charges have been imposed in response.

Despite China's denial of these allegations, analysts note a rise in cyberattacks linked to Chinese agencies, indicating efforts to assess foreign governments' reactions.

As these leaks come to light, they raise significant concerns about the extent of China's cyber activities and their potential impact on international security and diplomatic relations. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI); In a significant move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has directed passport authorities to issue a "revocation order" for individuals from Goa and Daman & Diu, who had their Indian passports revoked after acquiring Portuguese citizenship. This decision could offer relief to many who were rendered ineligible to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) due to the previous passport requirements. The MEA memorandum dated April 4 said, "The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to accept 'revocation certificate' as an alternative document in lieu of 'surrender certificate' in case of Indian nationals hailing from the erstwhile Portuguese territories in India, who have acquired Portuguese nationality as per Portuguese Nationality Law." "In view of the above, all PIAs are hereby advised to mandatorily Issue Revocation order, in all such cases wherein instead of issuing Surrender Certificate, PIAs decide to revoke the passport by invoking Section 10 (3) of the Passports Act, 1967," it added. The requirement of a 'surrender certificate' had posed challenges for those wanting to apply for OCI cards. After a November 30, 2022 memorandum by the MEA, passports of Goans who acquired Portuguese citizenship were revoked for "suppressing material information" about their foreign nationality. This led to passport authorities ceasing the issuance of surrender certificates, making many ineligible for OCI cards. "PIAs have revoked passport (instead of issuing surrender certificate) of many Indian national hailing from erstwhile Portuguese territories in India (Goa, Daman & Diu), if the passport in question, was obtained after acquisition of Portuguese nationality/citizenship. Since Surrender Certificate" is one of the mandatory documents for obtaining OCI Card, revocation of passport has rendered them ineligible for obtaining OCI Card," the Ministry of External Affairs has instructed passport authorities in the country. The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is a passport-like document issued by the Indian government to people of Indian origin who are foreign citizens. The OCI card allows people to register as Overseas Citizens of India if they were citizens of India on January 26, 1950 or later. OCI provides foreign citizens of Indian origin the right to live and work in India indefinitely. Following the MEA decision, the Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant lauded the announcement and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar for accepting the request of his government and providing relief to thousands of Goa citizens. In a post on X, Goa Chief Minister said, "Great news for people of Goa. MEA has issued clarification that Revocation Certificate will also be a valid document in lieu of Surrender Certificate for obtaining OCI Card. I thank the Union Govt led by PM @narendramodi ji, Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji, Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar ji & MEA MoS Smt @M_Lekhi for accepting the request of the State Government that would provide huge relief to thousands of Goan & their families." Under Portuguese law, individuals born in Goa before December 19, 1961, and two subsequent generations have the option to register as Portuguese citizens. With a Portuguese passport offering visa-free entry to countries like the UK and EU, many Goans have availed this opportunity for better employment and education prospects overseas. The issue escalated over the past year as the denial of surrender certificates caused anxiety among Goans. With the MEA's recent directive, the acceptance of the revocation certificate as an alternative to the surrender certificate is expected to ease the OCI application process for many affected individuals. (ANI)
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has taken the lead in the by-elections held on 21 vacant and national and provincial assembly seats on Sunday, as per unofficial and preliminary results, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. After the swearing-in of the new assemblies, Pakistan's first by-elections were held amid incidents of clashes between workers of different political parties in Punjab. PML-N has won in one National Assembly seat and seven provincial assembly seats. PML-N was leading in one National Assembly seat and leading in four provincial assembly seats, according to preliminary results, Geo News reported. Independent candidate Mubarak Zeb was leading in one National Assembly seat. SIC candidate Faisal Amin Khan was leading in one National Assembly seat. PPP was leading in one seat in National Assembly seat and one provincial assembly seat, according to preliminary results. Major political parties, including the PML-N, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- backed Sunni Ittehad Council and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) participated in the by-elections. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party candidate Muhammad Shoaib Saddiqui won by-polls with 38,537 votes in PP-149. The voting on the by-polls, held after the February 8 general elections, began at 8 am (local time) and concluded at 5 pm (local time). During the polling process, Pakistan's federal government suspended mobile phone services temporarily in several districts of Punjab and Balochistan. The decision was made to safeguard the integrity and security of the electoral process. The government also deployed Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) troops during the polling process. The forces were deployed at the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Geo News reported. One PML-N worker, Muhammad Yousaf, died in Narowal, as workers of the PML-N and SIC clashed in several constituencies. According to police, the PML-N worker was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The police further said that the polling was stopped in this constituency. The by-polls were conducted on five National Assembly seats, 12 Punjab Assembly seats, two each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Assemblies and one in Sindh Assembly. The five National Assembly Assembly seats comprise NA-132 (Punjab) and NA-196 (Sindh), NA-8, NA-44 (KP), NA-119 and NA-132 (Punjab). Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won NA-207, the Nawabshah seat, from where Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has been elected unopposed, according to Geo News report. The provincial assembly seats include PB-22 (Balochistan), PS-80 (Sindh), PK-22, PK-91 (KP) and PB-20. The Punjab Assembly seats where the by-elections were being held PP-149, PP-158, PP-164 (Lahore), PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan), PP-32 (Gujrat), PP-36 (Wazirabad), PP-54 (Narowal), PP-93 (Bhakkar), PP-139 (Sheikhupura), PP-147 and PP-290 (Dera Ghazi Khan). (ANI)
Taking the Tube

When it came to finding shelter, our early ancestors simply had to make do. Case in point? In the deserts of Saudi Arabia, some of them apparently sought refuge from the oppressive heat by living in the underground remnants of volcanic activity.

As detailed in a new study published in the journal PLOS One, archaeologists have discovered the remnants of human habitation in a lava tube, where molten rock once tunneled its way through the Earth  a fascinating example of old-meets-new, since scientists have recently suggested that astronauts could build a base inside similar structures on both the Moon and Mars.

The nearly mile-long lava tube, known as Umm Jirsan, is the first to be excavated in the country, yielding  in another first  compelling evidence of humans living in these subterranean features in the Arabian Peninsula. Inside its cragged innards, the researchers uncovered both animal remains and human bones, as well as stone tools dating back to at least 7,000 years ago.

"This is really the first clear evidence of people occupying these caves," study co-author Mathew Stewart, a paleontologist at Griffith University in Australia, told The New York Times.

Cool Crib

It's not hard to understand what makes the lava tube an appealing spot, even if its dark, spooky depths may look a little unwelcoming. Above, the landscape is a "hot, dry and flat basalt desert" Stewart told New Scientist.

"But when you are down in the lava tube, it's much cooler. It's very sheltered and it would have been a great place of refuge," he added.

Archaeologists faced their own challenges with the heat. Combined with the dry, arid climate and harsh winds, the desert makes for a poor environment for preserving organic materials. This has made it difficult to accurately document how neolithic humans migrated and settled throughout the Arabian peninsula.

This was ample incentive to look downwards. In the surrounding area, the researchers had previously discovered rock art in the mouth of another lava tube.

Umm Jirsan harbored even more secrets. Alongside human bones, the researchers found the bones of animals that were likely brought there by humans. Shards of obsidian tools  tools fashioned out of extremely sharp volcanic rock  were also uncovered, along with a shard of pottery.

This probably wasn't an underground village, however. The evidence points to the lava tube being occupied in intermittent phases. With its cool interior, it served as a waypoint along pastoral routes, Stewart said, "linking key oases and facilitating cultural exchange and trade."

Permanently settled or not, Umm Jirsan was undoubtedly a significant source of refuge to the nomads and travelers of the day. With any luck, it will also represent a leap in our understanding of the ancient history of the region.

More on archaeology: Scientists Alarmed to Discover Microplastics in Ancient Archaeological Dig
Swiss archaeologists excavating a site in Gebenstorf discovered a sprawling Roman encampment in Canton of Aargau, Archaeology News reported, which is much larger than previously anticipated. The site itself is being eyed for residential development, leaving excavators scrambling to preserve its history.

An aerial view of the excavation site. Cantonal Archeology,  Canton Aargau

The dig, which kicked off earlier this month, was expected to turn up a relatively paltry amount of Roman artifacts. Archaeologists had thought it would be a quick and simple task to excavate all of the artifacts before redevelopment commenced, but now thats looking increasingly unlikely.

Early excavations indicated that larger structures were present, as archaeologists found wall foundations and Roman building debris among other artifacts of the era. There had been small discoveries of Roman items dating back as far as the 17th century, but it wasnt until two investigations in 2017 and 2023 that the presence of a structure was confirmed.

These stone foundations, discovered circa 2019/2020, were the first indication to archaeologists that the grounds contained more artifacts than they anticipated. Cantonal Archeology,  Canton Aargau

However, the site was much bigger than any preliminary reports indicated. It spans roughly 34,400 square feet, encompassing the entirety of the planned construction site and much of the surrounding area.

Within the community is an ancient Roman cemetery which houses fallen soldiers from the nearby Vindonissa camp, where military officials lived. Located less than two miles from the military camp, its thought that this newly found settlement housed the families of military members. This was a fairly typical set-up of that era, where civilians would be housed slightly outside the proper military complex.

A wall angle made of lime blocks discovered during the most recent excavation. Cantonal Archaeology,  Canton Aargau

The construction of an apartment buildingcomplete with an underground parking garageon the site has been halted, as officials are now requesting ample time to exhume and review the rest of the artifacts in the area.

Officials are planning two phases for the excavation, one which will last from April to November of this year, and another from March until May of 2025. After that, it will be determined if construction can move forward.

Hopefully, as the dig just kicked off, well have several more months of exciting archaeological discoveries.
ELIZABETH CITY  A police officer shot a man early Saturday morning who was suspected of shooting another man in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Both men died.

The officer, while on foot patrol in the 200 block of North Poindexter Street, heard several gunshots, according to police. Based on an investigation, police say Bryan Christopher White, 33, of Belvidere, North Carolina, shot Cory Christopher Revelle, 39, of Elizabeth City.

Shortly after the shots were fired, the officer approached White and told him to drop his weapon, but he did not comply with the officers commands, police said. The officer shot him at approximately 1:57 a.m., police said in a news release.

Additional officers arrived and conducted life-saving measures on White and Revelle, who both had gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported both men to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, where they later died from their injuries.

The Elizabeth City Police Department is investigating the homicide. The North Carolina State Bureau Investigations is investigating the shooting involving the police officer.

The police department is urging anyone with additional information to contact the Elizabeth City Police Department at 252-335-4321, the Crime Line at 252-335-5555 or FUSUS Text-a-Tip at 252-390-8477.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
North Korea says it has tested 'super-large warhead' during cruise missile drill

The test-firing of a Hwasongpho-16B intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile is shown in a photo released by North Korea on April 3. The regime announced Saturday it has now conducted a cruise missile test with what it called a 'super-large warhead.' File Photo by KCNA/EPA-EFE

April 20 (UPI) -- North Korea said Saturday it has conducted a cruise missile test with what its state-run media called a "super-large warhead."

The surface-to-air missile test took place Friday afternoon over the Sea of Japan, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The drills were meant to test the "power of super-large warhead of the strategic cruise missile Hwasal-1Ra-3 and test-fired the new-type anti-aircraft missile Pyoltsi-1-2 on the West Sea of Korea," according to KCNA, which quoted the General Missile Bureau of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The tests "achieved purposes concerned," North Korea said.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency published a photo reportedly of the missile launches, using a mobile launching vehicle on what appears to be a runway.

"Those tests are parts of normal works of national defense research institutions under the General Bureau for rapid technical development in different aspects including the tactical technical performance and operation of new-type weapon systems and have nothing to do with [the] surrounding situation," the KCNA news release reads.

South Korean officials said they were aware of the military maneuvers.

"Our military has been closely monitoring signs of North Korea's provocations and military activities, while maintaining the robust combined defense posture," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The tests come as Pyongyang reaches the fourth year in a five-year plan for its cruise missile systems.

Earlier this month, North Korea said it successfully test-fired a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile.

If true, the news would add another nuclear-capable weapon to its arsenal.

In late March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the test of a solid-fuel engine for a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile. That came only one day after observing the launch of short-range ballistic missiles.

The tests come the same day North Korean officials slammed a visit to Asia by the top U.S. envoy to the United Nations as an "aid-begging trip" meant to prop up an "illegal" sanctions regime against the isolated state.

Kim Son Gyong, the North's Vice Foreign Minister, made the remarks about U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who spent four days in South Korea this week before arriving in Japan on Thursday.
Flags fly over City Hall in Rio Grande City in 2021. Town officials say they have a backlog of public records requests due to an unprecedented volume of requests from a city commissioner candidate. Jason Garza/For the Texas Tribune

RIO GRANDE CITY  A South Texas political candidate is suing his town over a bevy of public records requests, accusing officials of delaying the release of records he wants to prove his opponent is corrupt.

Rio Grande City officials took the unusual step of announcing on social media earlier this month that the request and subsequent lawsuit filed by Ediel Barrera was causing a backlog and that the public may have to wait longer than usual for their documents.

In a social media post, town officials called the volume of Barreras requests unprecedented, and described some of them as vague or ambiguous.

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Barrera is a candidate for city commissioner in the upcoming May election. He is part of a slate of three candidates that includes his lawyer Gilberto Falcon. Falcon is running for mayor. Their campaign slogan is Independent Leadership.

Barrera has submitted 10 public information requests to the city since Jan. 25, seeking to expose what he described as the mishandling of tax dollars.

A South Texas town of 15,200 residents, Rio Grande City proudly touts itself as the Hill Country of the Valley. The recent clash over documents is part of a long tradition here of highly charged local elections with candidates hurling accusations of wrongdoing at each other.

Barrera on the campaign trail has broadly alleged that the current city commissioners and mayor are corrupt, saying the evidence he needs to prove his point would be in the documents he requested.

Barreras intended use of public records as a campaign weapon is part of a growing trend.

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Public agencies across the country increasingly have had to sort through an influx of public records requests filed to prove conspiracy theories. Elections offices in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, Arizona and Virginia said such requests submitted after President Donald Trumps defeat in 2020 prevented them from focusing on the 2022 election.

But concerned residents seeking to expose corruption can face tough roadblocks and may have little recourse but to sue a government agency to comply with public records laws.

Because lawsuits can be expensive, though, Barrera is just one of few who have gone so far as to pursue that option.

Deputy City Manager Noe Castillo declined to comment on the specifics of Barreras requests due to ongoing litigation. However, he assured the city was complying with state law.

Despite the announcement on social media that there was a strain on their resources, Castillo said the city had not shifted resources to handle requests and that their process for responding to them remained unchanged.

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He also clarified that the motive behind the announcement on social media was to provide basic information to the public.

The town wanted residents to know we do follow the process of open records and the way its prescribed by law, Castillo said. We always follow the procedures that we have.

Falcon took issue with the social media post, particularly with the citys characterization of the requests Barrera had filed as vague or ambiguous.

Theyre using it to put us in a bad light, Falcon said. They didnt have to say anything.

Mayor Joel Villarreal declined to comment, referring to the towns statement. Rey Ramirez, the incumbent Barrera hopes to unseat, did not respond to an interview request.

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Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom Of Information Foundation of Texas, said it appeared Rio Grande City was trying to be transparent with the public.

Anytime a government does try to communicate with the public and let them know whats happening, thats a plus, Shannon said. But, for those waiting for public information act requests to be filled, Im sure its frustrating.

Shannon added that the Texas Public Information Act allows governments to limit the amount of time they spend on a single requestor. That provision would allow the city to prioritize requests from other residents as it meets to fulfill Barreras.

According to a review of the citys records request logs, the city received 17 requests between Feb. 1 and April 11. Six were from Barrera. Four of them included a list of multiple requests.

Barreras submissions included requests for copies of checks and job descriptions for work done by a single contractor over the last four years. He also sought copies of credit card statements for purchases made by the city commissioners, the mayor and the city manager during the last four years, and a copy of the city managers resume and job application.

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He also requested a status update on a rehabilitation project for the citys water treatment plant, a list of environmental violations, copies of city budgets since 2020, expenditure reports for the mayor and city commissioners, a status update on a sewer project, copies of all checks paid to an electric company and information on contracts, salary and other monetary compensation made to the citys parks and recreation director.

In response, the city asked for clarification on several of the requests, said some requested records did not exist, and provided a cost estimate for a few of the requests.

For example, the city asked Barrera if his request for the city managers credit card statements pertained specifically to business-related expenses.

The city also said it would take at least a full business day to collect and copy all the credit card statements for city commissioners. The hourly rate would be $15.

Barrera filed his lawsuit in state district court, alleging only three requests had been fulfilled, in hopes the court will compel the city to turn over the pending documents.

Obtaining public records can be a time-consuming process. Although agencies in Texas are directed to promptly turn over the information, they ultimately have 10 business days to respond. However, they can request more time or they can seek clarification on a request, which starts the clock on the 10 business days all over again.

If an agency wants to withhold all or part of the records, they can request an opinion from the attorney general, who has another 45 business days to render a decision.

But Barrera views the citys requests for clarification as a delay tactic.
Republicans vying for a seat in the Texas House are looking to settle a political score during next month's primary runoff, but in the lead-up to the partisan showdown a game plan for revamping the chamber's procedures in favor of the GOP is already underway.

Looking to advance their push to exclude Democrats from policy decisions and leadership positions, consolidate control of selecting the House's leader and topple the tenure of House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, two dozen conservative candidates, including a handful of incumbents, have signed a "Contract with Texas" to do just that.

The fervor of far-right candidates in this election cycle  spurred by the House's vote last year to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton and its opposition to Gov. Greg Abbott's effort to establish a school voucher program  collided with a preexisting and broader effort by a select number of House Republicans seeking to discredit Phelan's conservative bona fides in hopes of pushing the chamber farther to the right.

State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, is the first Texas House speaker to be forced into a primary runoff in about 50 years.

While the Capitol is no stranger to playing host to hyperpartisan politics, the effort to unseat Phelan and alter a long-standing practice of affording the minority party several committee chairmanships could have an expanded impact on the chamber's ability to legislate.

Dr. Alvaro Corral, assistant professor of political science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said Phelan is walking a hard line in trying to keep a flame of bipartisan in the chamber alive while facing the political battle of his life amid a runoff election and a challenge to his speakership.

More: Border security, property taxes, school choice on tap for Senate's 2025 agenda

"He's sort of trying to do some gymnastics here to sort of maintain this, this tradition," Corral said of the House's practice of having committees chaired by members of both parties.

Republicans' Contract with Texas to control speakership vote, eliminate bipartisan chairmanships

In a letter released April 8, the conservative consortium complained that the 2023 legislative session directed by Phelan was "marked by obstruction, dysfunction, and a lack of fundamental fairness in application of the House's Rules."

More: Ted Cruz granted extension on FEC personal finance statement; Democrats pounce

As a result, the roughly two dozen signers are asking other Republicans to join the pledge to only "solicit support for Speakership from Republican members," "end the practice of awarding Democrats with committee chairmanship," and "ensure all GOP legislative priorities receive a floor vote before any Democrat bill."

"For years Texas House Speakers have betrayed Republican voters by putting radical Democrats in charge and colluding with them to destroy liberty," Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, a mainstay of the House GOP's far-right wing, said in releasing the contract. "That insanity must end."

In the past, Republicans have worked with Democrats in the House to pass legislation to alter the state's constitution, which requires a higher vote threshold, and to build coalitions when far-right members of the chamber disagreed with the politics of more moderate Republicans.

House Republicans and Democrats previously have built coalitions when far-right members of the chamber disagreed with the politics of more moderate Republicans.

The demands of the coalition could also result in broader implications than those directly tied to the chamber's political environment, as limiting chair positions strictly by party might result in the further exclusion of diverse voices spanning Texas' varying communities, Corral said.

"How many nonwhite committee chairs would we have in a very diverse Texas? How many women would we have serving as chairs?" Corral said. "And so, you know, this is just not necessarily a good look, in terms of the Texas Legislature, in terms of a lack of diversity that's already bad in the chamber."

In launching a challenge against Phelan for the speakership, Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, mirrored the coalition's language last month as he announced his bid for the leadership post in 2025.

More: Candidate for speaker calls Texas House 'dysfunctional.' Congress says, 'Hold my beer'

"In a new paradigm, the Speaker should be nominated in caucus and elected on the floor with 76 votes of the majority party," Oliverson told conservatives and the media at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's annual summit last month. "The backroom deals of the past undermined collegiality and drove a wedge between members. This practice started much of the dysfunction that was on display last session."

Responding to Oliverson's announcement at the time, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, the leader of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, was dismissive in chiding the Republican for prioritizing "passing private school voucher scams and dissolving bipartisan leadership."

Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. said that altering the selection of the speaker will allow outside influencers, such as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, to have sway over the House's leadership.

Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., D-Houston, went farther last week in writing an editorial in the Capitol insider publication, The Quorum Report, saying that altering the selection of the speaker will allow outside influencers, such as Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, to have sway over the leadership question as bipartisan progress grinds to a halt.

"Given today's political climate, the 2025 Session of the Texas Legislature is almost certain to be noted for either getting little to nothing done or outright chaos," Dutton wrote in response to the initial petition signatures. "While many are betting on the latter, the thirteen Republican disciples have simply decided to control the expected legislative fire by applying gasoline."

However, as Oliverson made criticisms similar to those of the signers of the Contract with Texas, although directly targeting Phelan to a lesser extent, the speaker hopeful is also walking a tight line politically as he now leads the House GOP Caucus, a main arm of the apparatus to organize, promote and elect conservative lawmakers in the House.

As the signatories of the Republican edict have chastised Phelan for affording Democratic members of the chamber too much say in policy matters, the House GOP Caucus' political action committee, which Oliverson leads after Rep. Craig Goldman of Fort Worth vacated the position to run for Congress, endorsed Phelan in a statement last week celebrating the Legislature's conservative success in the past year.

In an endorsement letter, along with several other candidates, Phelan received a nod from the caucus for being "an effective champion for conservative values."

"During the most recent 88th Legislative Session, one of the most conservative sessions in Texas history, these members made it a priority to support important measures that would ensure the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State," the endorsement says.

More: Is a 'school choice' proposal possible in Texas in 2025? How $12M influenced GOP primaries

Attacks on Phelan and his uphill battle

In the lead-up to the March 5 primary and in its aftermath ahead of the May 28 runoff election, Phelan has chalked up the political attacks against him to outside influences seeking retribution for the chamber's vote to impeach Paxton, who was ultimately acquitted by the Senate last year, and its unwillingness to prod harder and pass Abbott's school voucher plan to spend state funds on private school tuition.

In an advertisement released Thursday by his campaign, Phelan called his challenger, David Covey, an oil and gas consultant and former Orange County GOP chairman, a "puppet for West Texas billionaires and Pennsylvania TikTok investors trying to silence Southeast Texas."

Dade Phelan, with his wife, Kim, and sons, is sworn in as House speaker on Jan. 10, 2023. Many in his party want to see someone else get the job next session.

Phelan's ad refers to Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, West Texas oil tycoons and financiers of pro-school choice candidates. Similarly, the ad calls out Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania billionaire and a leading advocate for school choice, who contributed roughly $9.5 million to Abbott and the AFC Victory Fund to support school choice candidates in March.

As the first speaker in roughly 50 years to be forced into a runoff, Phelan will face a continued battle in trying to stave off the chamber's vocal far-right members attempting to orchestrate his ouster from leadership, if he is able to win the primary in May.

"The speakership is sort of becoming a bit of a poison chalice," Corral said, highlighting the parallels between lawmakers in Texas and in Congress who have placed the speakership as a central point of political contention.

More: Why a Texas Republican is mounting a House speakership challenge against Dade Phelan

Calling it a nationwide trend, Corral said conservative lawmakers in the state Legislature might be emboldened to challenge any speaker candidate moving forward, both as a result of former President Donald Trump's influence on the party and in hopes of exerting greater influence over the House's direction, as congressional Republicans have done over the tenures of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

"This is sort of in keeping with what we've been seeing for the last decade or so, these challenges, these difficulties," Corral said. "But I think it's sort of reaching a new level."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Republicans seek primary runoff wins as battle for speaker wages
SpaceX's rocket launch webcast unexpectedly dropped offline for Space Coast viewers soon after liftoff. And brilliant sunshine thwarted many Central Floridians from seeing Wednesday's 5:26 p.m. launch from outside Brevard County.

But a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket delivered another 23 Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit, adding to the company's ever-expanding global constellation.

"Starlinks high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Albania!" company officials announced last week in a tweet.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, ULA, NASA in Florida

Wednesday's Starlink 6-51 mission bolted into orbit from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The mission marked the 12th flight for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster, SpaceX reported. This booster previously logged the following flights: Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20 and five Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the booster landed atop the drone ship Just Read the Instructions out on the Atlantic Ocean, SpaceX announced in a tweet after the webcast dropped offline.

Cocoa Beach spectators watch SpaceX send a Falcon 9 rocket skyward Wednesday from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Next, the second half of this SpaceX back-to-back launch doubleheader should kick off in just more than 24 hours. Federal Aviation Administration and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warnings indicate a rocket launch window will open Thursday night:

Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another payload of Starlink internet satellites.

Launch window: 6:40 p.m. to 11:11 p.m.

Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Trajectory: Southeast.

Local sonic boom: No.

Booster landing: Drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean.

Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

Wednesday's SpaceX Starlink 6-51 mission, as seen from Viera.

For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Starlink rocket flies Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
An open field by the Pedlar River surrounded by mountains in northern Amherst County served as learning grounds for more than two-dozen Amherst Elementary School third-grade students.

Amherst County Public Schools Superintendent William Wells was their instructor for a few hours April 17, giving them up close and personal insight on the river habitat, insects and features. Students gleefully raised their hands and shouted answers to questions, soaking in the overcast spring morning of learning by the river.

Lets be scientists, Wells told the students while conducting an experiment to test the water quality.

Wells also showed the students maps of the rivers throughout the state and taught them how all the tributaries flow to the James River, feeding into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Students also walked into the water, making sure to keep their balance through all the excitement.

I grew up doing this, Wells said of adventures on the river. My dad took me out to the streams growing up. Part of my life growing up was being outdoors and being part of the natural environment. Its important, I think, for our students to understand the natural side of this thing too and experience that.

Classrooms throughout the county schools have tanks where fish grow and eventually are brought to the river for release. That trout release is a great learning opportunity to see in action the result of observing a natural process of fish survival and how the water setting ties in with that.

Its just great for me to be able to teach them a little bit about understanding whats going on in the natural world and expose them to things they havent been exposed to, especially here in Amherst County, Wells said. We have a lot of resources that a lot of our kids dont really know about until we get them up there. I have fun, they tend to have fun. Its a great day for the kids. Its an enjoyable day to have them on the river.

Two elementary schools in recent weeks have partaken in the field trip and four more will do so in the coming days.

To me, they learn so much more in the natural environment than in the classroom, Wells said. If I get them to pick up the insects and be in the water, theyre part of it. They learn so much better.

Wells said some classes tanks are successful and others arent but that is one of natures lessons. He explains to students why a trout lays so many eggs with a small number surviving.

Their direct observation drives the lesson home far more effectively than a photo sheet in class could, he added.

Some spawning years, fish really do well and some spawning years they dont, Wells said. Its just great for me to able to share some of my knowledge with our elementary students and see their excitement.

Karen Wells, a special education teacher at Amherst Elementary School and Wells wife, took part in the April 17 field trip that she described as like a tradition in the school system.

They have been super excited about this trip and watching the fish grow, Karen said. They really enjoy this and a lot of times at the end of this trip a lot of the kids will say this about the best field trip theyve ever been on. Some of these kids dont ever get to be in nature.

Shannon Presnell, coordinator for career and technical education for the division, also took part and was just as excited as the children to take in the sights and sounds.

I believe this is where kids need to be more and more and more, Presnell said. I believe the kids can benefit a whole lot more by being out in nature. Its a lot of discovery learning. This is project-based learning, this is application of knowledge.

Kathi Waller, an instructional assistant at Amherst Elementary, said the students have been counting down the days for the field trip and many came with boots ready for a memorable experience.

With all their hearts and all their minds, theyre so excited, Waller said. They love it ... Theyve really been ready.

Waller said second-graders tell her how they cant wait to experience the trip next year. Watching the children engaging in learning gets the educators just as excited, she said.

I like this, Waller said. Its a hands-on way for them to learn what we are teaching in the classroom.

Presnell said teachers will draw on the connections forged during the trip, which leads to an aha moment of learning.

What they are learning is applicable to a real-life situation, Presnell said. And its fun.
The Kabylia independence movement, MAK, officially declared the rebirth of the Kabyle state at a ceremony in New York, after years of peaceful struggle against Algerian occupation.

The independence proclamation took place in New York near the UN marking the ambition of the new Kabyle state to become a fully-fledged member of the international community.

Speaking to the audience, MAK chief Ferhat Mhenni recalled the history of the Kabyle state which was attached to modern-day Algeria by French colonialism.

It was against Algerian colonialism that Kabylie revolted from 1963 to 1966, recalled Mhenni.

Participants at the proclamation in New York raised Kabyle flags and chanted the national anthem.

Few days ago, Mhenni spoke to participants to the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. He urged the inclusion of Kabylia into the UN decolonization process.

He voiced hope that the UNs fourth committee on decolonization will receive a Kabylia delegation to look into how to support their peaceful independence struggle.

Ferhat Mhenni deplored that over 500 peaceful pro-independence Kabylian activists are in jail on bogus charges.

Mhenni denounced that Algeria uses terrorist means to defend self-determination but denies the same right to the Kabyle people, who have a distinct history of sovereignty prior to French colonialism and national assets, including their own Amazigh language and traditional laws.

Kabyle population have long been repressed and stigmatized by the military regime in Algiers. While the Kabyle people were at the forefront of the struggle against French colonialism, Kabyle leaders were assassinated by a military junta that took power in the wake of independence installing a single party regime.

During Bouteflikas rule, the regime killed 126 Kabyle protesters in the incidents of the Black Spring, when thousands took to the streets to demand recognition of their linguistic and cultural specificities and better economic development. The protests were sparked by the killing of high school student Massinisa Guermah by the Algerian gendarmerie.

Under the Chengriha-Tebboune duo, the military regime took intimidation to a terrorizing level. Kabyle activists have accused Algiers of deliberately setting fire to their region as Algerian authorities sent scores of Kabyle independence activists to jail on bogus charges including terrorism.

During the 2019 presidential elections and the ensuing constitutional referendum, turnout in the restive Kabyle region was near zero, indicating a strong rejection of the local population of Algerian rule.
Sub-Saharan Africans income is further decreasing compared to the rest of the World amid a lackluster economic growth, the International Monetary Fund Said.

Amid a surge in geopolitical conflicts and climate change devastating impacts, Sub-Saharan African economies would only grow by 3.8% this year, up from 3.4% in 2023, the IMF said in a report.

When accounting for population growth, the income gap with the rest of the world is widening, the fund said in its biannual Regional Economic Outlook report, launched during its Spring Meetings this week in Washington.

Meanwhile, other developing countries reported that real income per person more than tripled since 2000, compared with only 75% growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and 35% in developed countries.
Across the more than seven centuries of the worldwide Masonic movement, only one of its several international organizations sprang from Nebraska.

Thats Jobs Daughters International, founded in 1920 in Omaha and based in nearby Papillion. Seventy-seven members of the all-girls youth organizations Nebraska branch came to North Platte this weekend for their spring workshop, postponed from March 9 after record snowfall two days earlier.

The two-day events Set the Stage for Success theme builds on the organizations emphasis on training young women as leaders, said a trio of state Jobs Daughters officers and two of their adult advisers.

Because members range from ages 10 to 20, youre able to have that older-sister role rather than just that older adult, said Grand Bethel Honored Queen Grayce Dutcher of Omaha. We have a lot of say in what we do.

Were more in charge than in our other organizations, added Miss Nebraska Jobs Daughter Rem Watts of Lincoln, who along with Dutcher will age out of the group after the state Grand Session June 18-22 in Kearney.

Jenna Helter of Lincoln, Miss Nebraska Congeniality, said many members grow to adulthood in the organization. I just feel we have closer bonds in Jobs as a result, she said.

Jobs Daughters is one of three Masonic youth groups, said Nebraska Grand Guardian Kori Radloff of Omaha, a former North Platte resident. Girls also can join the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, while boys can become part of DeMolay International.

Jobs Daughters takes its name and draws its purpose from the Old Testament Book of Job. Its wealthy and righteous protagonist loses his goods, children and health after God agrees to let Satan test him, with most of the book taken up by debates between Job and three friends over his misfortune.

At the end, God rebukes Job for questioning his purposes but rewards his faith with renewed wealth and more children. They included three daughters, of whom Job 42:15 says no women could be found who were more beautiful.

He went through some very tough times, and he just persevered, had that steadfastness, that can-do, dont-give-up-attitude, said Amy Sabatka, North Platte Bethel No. 4s director of promotion.

Many Jobs Daughters go on to join adult Masonrys Order of the Eastern Star, Radloff and Sabatka said.

Jobs Daughters from local groups between Omaha and Sidney prepared skits based on Jobs story to cap the weekends opening Saturday afternoon session at North Platte Community Colleges North Campus.

They moved to Cody Park for dinner, recreation and a trash-pickup service project. After spending the night at the North Platte Masonic Center, they were to make tote bags for domestic abuse victims as a service project Sunday morning before leaving for their homes.
Jacob Villegas, 41, has been arrested after being accused of running over his wife early Saturday. Sujata Jana / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

A 41-year-old man has been arrested by police, accused of intentionally running over his spouse early Saturday in the Southeast Side of San Antonio.

According to a police preliminary report, a husband and wife had been traveling in the same vehicle around 3 a.m. After stopping in the 500 block of Fair Ave., police said the 37-year-old woman got out of the car.

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Police said the man then intentionally drove over the woman, causing internal injuries and fractures.

The injured woman was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, the report states.
An artists rendering of what the award might have looked like in Trumps mind. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty

Donald Trumps 2016 campaign and four years in office contained so much daily weirdness, wackiness, and horror that the human brain couldnt comprehend it all. As Trump gets close to the White House again, That Happened brings you the surreal moments you may have forgotten  or blocked from your memory.

Donald Trump has told a lot of big lies in his day, many of them quite consequential. But sometimes, its the small yet brazen mistruths that really drive home his core instinct for duplicity. Such is the case with Trumps repeated claim that he won the Michigan Man of the Year award, an honor he invented in the mid-2010s.

According to CNN, Trump began bragging about the fake award during a campaign speech in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on November 6, 2016:

Ive been fighting for the car industry for years. I was honored five years ago. Man of the Year in Michigan. That was a great honor for me, he said at a rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Perhaps it was Trumps shocking win in the state two days later that boosted this anecdote into heavy rotation. By 2019, he had told it at least seven times, with slight variations and flourishes along the way. For instance, at a New Hampshire rally that year, he seemed incredulous that hed earned the made-up honor, per CNN:

In fact, five or six years before I even thought about running, for whatever reason they named me Man of the Year in Michigan. I said, how come? I didnt even understand it myself, but I was named Man of the Year, Trump said.

The outlet reported that Trump continued to tell this tale on the campaign trail in Michigan in 2020, and, per Business Insider, he was back at it in 2022, once again in the Wolverine State:

I was named a long time ago, I was named  did you know this?  a long time. I dont know, your chamber of commerce, somebody, who the hell knows what it is? They named me the Man of the Year in Michigan, Trump said during his remarks.

Unlike some of Trumps minor falsehoods, like his enduring strong men with tears in their eyes series, this one was easily disproved: No such award existed, even though Trump had received plenty of others over the years. Nevertheless, news outlets made valiant but unsuccessful efforts over the years to get to the bottom of what the hell Trump might have been talking about.

That changed in 2019, when multiple articles on the subject inspired someone with a plausible theory to break his silence. As the Detroit News reported:

Former U.S. Rep. Dave Trott on Friday offered a possible back story to the origin of the claim that dates to 2013 when Trott organized the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day dinner in Novi and invited Trump to speak.

Trump came and addressed the crowd of 2,300 to 2,400, speaking for about an hour. Detroit News coverage of the dinner did not mention any awards bestowed upon Trump. Years later, Trott introduced himself again to Trump in March 2017 during a roundtable with automotive CEOs held at the Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti Township. At that point, Trump indicated he remembered Trott and, referring to the Lincoln Day dinner, told those gathered about receiving the Man of the Year award in Michigan.

Trott elaborated that I was the organizer and chair of that, and we werent handing out Man of the Year awards and never have. Thats not part of the clubs mission. Nevertheless, he recalled, he wasnt about to rock the boat:

When Trump mentioned the Man of the Year award at the 2017 roundtable, Trott just nodded, he recalled. Because I sure wasnt comfortable correcting him in front of a group of automotive CEOs. It may be wouldve been embarrassing to him. Maybe not. I dont know. It would have been to me, Trott said. I just nodded and said it was a great speech and pivoted to that. Which it was. The speech was very well-received.

Trott declined to seek reelection in 2018 and later became a public critic of Trump, calling him psychologically, morally, intellectually, and emotionally unfit for office in 2019. The Detroit News story that reveals his connection portrays him as a man unburdened by the need to play nice with his partys leader. And yet, further down in that story, he muses  in a lighthearted tone, but still  that the sensible way to avoid any future confusion on this issue is simply to make Trumps lie into a reality:

Hes not 100 percent sure where Trumps claim originated but suggested the easiest solution is for the governor to just give him the award.

Wouldnt that once and for all resolve the controversy? said Trott, chuckling.

But the Republican Partys seemingly undying loyalty to Trump is no joke. Four years later, as Trump was digging himself out of the political wilderness, the Oakland County, Michigan, GOP  thats the county Dave Trott once represented, and which Trump has lost to both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden  decided to finally make things right. At a Lincoln Day Dinner in June 2023, the group bestowed Trump with a notably grandiose title: Man of the Decade. The prize may be a pathetic sop to Trumps ego, and it may only be a regional honor, but it is, at least, one that actually exists.

In conclusion, Trump still hasnt won Michigans Man of the Year award.
Renewable energy installations reached record highs in 2023, growing at their fastest pace in decades. 510 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy were added worldwide, representing a 50% increase from 2022, according to figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA)s annual flagship report on the global status of renewable energy. Projections show that the sectors expansion will continue to accelerate, with an anticipated 2.5-fold increase by 2030. While this is a promising trend in the right direction, however, experts say that its not enough to reach global climate goals.

At last years COP28 climate conference, held by the United Nations in Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, attending governments agreed to fully triple global renewable energy production capacity by 2030. This will require a serious acceleration of current trends and expanded policy measures to support that acceleration. According to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, the main hurdle between the current state of the sector and the pathway to 3x growth by 2030 is the necessary increase of funds for clean energy in developing countries. Success in meeting the tripling goal will hinge on this, he said.

Under current policies and market conditions, global renewables capacity is forecast to grow to a total of 7,300 GW by 2028, Reuters recently reported. To reach the 2030 goal agreed last year, it will require reaching at least 11,000 GW. But thanks to the recent surges in renewables, meeting those goals is still feasible, as long as annual growth in renewables reaches at least 320 gigawatts by 2030. And that goal is within reach with proper coordination from the public and private sectors.

In fact, seven nations around the world now generate 100% (>99.7%) of their energy from renewable resources. According to figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have each generated more than 99.7% of their consumed electricity from geothermal, hydro, solar, or wind power sources. Norway fell just short of this cutoff, clocking in at 98.38% renewable energy. Whats more, an additional 40 countries generated half or more of their consumed electricity from renewable energies in 2021 and 2022. Still other countries (such as Germany and Portugal) are able to sustain themselves on 100% renewables in short bursts.

The majority of this growth came from photovoltaic solar power. This sector alone accounted for 73% of all renewable energy growth in 2023. By the end of the year, solar energy represented 37% of the worlds total renewable energy capacity.

Wind energy has also been a big driver of the global uptick in renewable energy production and consumption in recent years. 2023 was the best year on record for wind energy deployment at a global level. Worldwide, 116 gigawatts of new wind power capacity were added over the last year, representing a 50% increase year-on-year. Most of this boost comes from China, which single-handedly installed somewhere between 180 and 230 gigawatts. By comparison, the entirety of Europe added 58 gigawatts in the same time period.

Despite these historic wins for the global wind sector, the industry faces some major barriers to growth going forward. At a global level (and particularly outside of China) the wind sector is facing major supply chain snags, rising costs, and red tape prohibiting speedy and efficient expansion and installation. You see the terms and conditions of the projects being too difficult for investors and project developers to take. So we are in a standstill," wind industry insider and Dutch APG Asset Managements Danny van Doesburg, was recently quoted by Reuters. "The market is not functioning anymore," he added.

Its likely that solar power will continue to dominate clean energy growth as costs continue to drop and photovoltaic and related technologies improve. However, continued growth in all forms of renewable energy will be necessary to speed up deployment fast enough to meet global climate goals. Moreover, a diverse energy mix is a secure energy mix  in terms of technologies as well as supply chains. Chinas continued bullish expansion of renewables is critical to combating catastrophic climate change, but tying up global energy supply chains in just one (potentially volatile) country has some major drawbacks. More renewable expansion efforts from more nations, and more funding to support the decarbonized energy industries of developing nations, are key to a stable and successful transition to 100% clean energy for all.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A former lawmaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Anthony Igboka, was on Tuesday night shot dead by unknown gunmen.

Igboka was reportedly assassinated at his Oye Nimo village market square in the Njikoka local government area of Anambra State while returning from a meeting.

The Nation gathered that the incident might not be unconnected to lingering

chieftaincy tussle in the community following the demise of the last occupant of the seat some years back.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said the deceased was shot in his car near Nimo Market.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura had ordered a full-scale investigation on the matter.

He said, At about 8:18pm of April 16, there were sporadic gunshots around Nimo Market in Njikoka Local Government Area.

Police patrol team attached to Nimo Division rushed to the scene and discovered one Chief Frank Anthony Igboka on the drivers seat of his Chevrolet SUV vehicle lying unconscious in the pool of his blood.

His body was riddled with bullets. The victim was rushed to Beke Hospital, Nimo, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and the corpse was later deposited at the hospital morgue.

Mohammed added that preliminary investigation showed the victim was shot at a close range by four armed men who escaped in a pickup van towards Abacha-Eziowelle road.

He revealed that 25 expended 7.62 mm ammunition was recovered at the scene.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mustapha Dandaura, has visited the scene and ordered a full-scale investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring perpetrators to justice, Mohammed added.

The spokesperson appealed to the public to avail the command with information that could help in arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Willie Obiano has announced a N5m reward to any person who can provide useful information on the identity of the killers.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said the governor has also directed the state Commissioner of Police to personally lead a team to apprehend the killers immediately.

The statement partly read, He has, in addition, directed the Department of State Security, intelligence officers in the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as well as the Nigerian Security and Defence Corps to join the Nigeria Police Force in the task to bring the culprits quickly.

Chief Obiano asked the intelligence and security officers to reenact the same level of enthusiasm and competence they exhibited in the arrest two weeks ago of Ikechukwu Udensi, the most wanted murder suspect in Anambra State, immediately he entered the state to collect illegal revenues.

You have to display the same commitment and competence this time in tracing the killers of Chief Igboka, who was also a former chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area.

Describing the killing as utterly heartless, Obiano added, It is a shame that the killing of Chief Igboka should take place in the week leading to Easter when men and women of goodwill throughout the world are reconciling themselves with God and fellow human beings.

Obiano emphasized that no stone would be left unturned in the effort to ensure the state remained the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria.

Anyone who thinks that he can spill the blood of an innocent Anambra person and go scot-free is living in a fools paradise.

All the persons who have in the last five years attempted to spill blood in the state have been caught up by the long arms of the law. Chief Igbokas killers cannot be different, he insisted.

The deceased, until his death, was the President-General of Nimo Town Union.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress has ripped into opposition Peoples Democratic Party, describing it assaucy, distractive, and sufferig from election defeat trauma.

Bola Tinubu spoke after an Iftar dinner meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

According to Tinubu, Nigerians should not to be angry with the PDP, but assist them to overcome their colossal defeat in the February 2019 elections.

Dont blame them. They are handicapped by the traumatic feelings of the colossal loss of the election. You should help them to manage the trauma, he added.

He urged all citizens to consider the enormity of challenges facing the nation, and support the President.

The President worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure peace and stability in the country, which are important for the economy to make progress. These are the key pegs of his agenda. Let us all come together to support him, he said.

Also at the dinner were Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar and Emir of Kazaure, Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu, Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Justice Isa Dodo, Malam Mamman Daura, Malam Ismaila Isa, Mr Wale Tinubu and Mr Hakeem P. Fahm, the Commissioner of Science and Technology, Lagos State.

Post Views: 74
The national Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has waged a counter war against the APC National Vice Chairman north west, Inuwa Abdulkadir, who wrote the party chairman to resign citing leadership failure that caused the partys loss of Zamfara State and others in the 2019 general elections.

Relying on the partys political machine, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) declared the expulsion of Inuwa Abdulkadir from the party citing anti-party activities. The committee, accordingly, upheld the disciplinaryactions of Magajin Gari A Ward, Sokoto North Local Government, and the Partys Sokoto State Executive Committee on the partys National Vice Chairman, North West, Inuwa Abdulkadir over anti-party activities.

National Daily learned that the State APC in Sokoto had earlier expelled Inuwa Abdulkadir and passed on their recommendation to the NWC for ratification.

APC National publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement in Abuja at the weekend, explained that the decision to uphold the resolutions of the Sokoto APC was taken at a meeting of the NWC at the Partys National Secretariat Saturday.

Post Views: 395
National Daily learnt that the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted bail to Abdulahi Babalele, son-in-law to former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar.

The case was adjourned to October 8 for hearing on money laundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Babalele was on Thursday granted bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the bail application of the defendant following a long argument between Mike Ozhekome, his lawyer, and the Umar Buhari, the prosecutor.

The judge also ordered Babalele to deposit his international or national passport with the court registrar.

The case was adjourned to October 8 for hearing on money laundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The anti-graft had arraigned Babalele on Wednesday on a two-count charge bothering on money laundering to the tune of $140,000.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Post Views: 60
The Kano State police command yesterday said it has arrested a housewife, Rashida Muhammad, in Dorayi Quarters for allegedly pushing her husband to his death on a stairs.

The commands Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the incident occurred on February 25, at about 8:00p.m.

He said that Rashida, who suspected her husband, Adamu Ali, was having a phone conversation in the room with his girlfriend, engaged him in a fight.

Haruna stated that a fight had ensued when the wife attempted to snatch the phone from her husband.

The PPRO alleged that Rashida pushed her husband during a struggle from the stairs, leading to his death. Haruna, who said the victim was confirmed dead at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, added that the command has commenced investigation in the matter.

He said the suspect would be charged to court after investigation into the matter is completed.

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Kenneth Rasberry, father of Brandon Rasberry, speaks after finding out that the person who killed his son was a 10-year-old. Dave Thompson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

The father of the man killed by a then 7-year-old boy in Gonzales County RV park in 2022 said he hopes the child can be saved following his confession.

Kenneth Rasberry, the father of Brandon OQuinn Rasbery, told KSAT that he was shocked when he found out the person who killed his son is 10 years old.

This isnt anywhere the suspect we thought it was, the elder Rasberry said.

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Brandon Rasberry was found shot and killed inside his RV at the Lazy J RV Park in Nixon. He had just moved there four days before his death.

His body was found after he failed to show up to work for two days. He was found with a single gunshot wound to the head.

The elder Rasberry still has questions about his sons death.

This is a little boy, for reasons that Im sure these counselors and case managers and all of that, thats going to pick that poor little boys brain apart, he told KSAT.

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Although he is still dealing with the death of his son, Kenneth Rasberry showed empathy for the child and said he hopes he can be saved.

He needs to be prayed on. He needs to be comforted Hes forgiven. And he can still be saved. Hes so young. Hes definitely tormented by something, he said.

Earlier this week, the Gonzales County Sheriffs Office said they received a call from a Nixon-Smiley Independent School District principal about a student confessing to a crime.

The student was being assessed after threatening to assault and kill another student on a bus. During the districts threat assessment, the child stated that he shot and killed a man two years ago.

The man was revealed to be Brandon Rasberry.

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Investigators questioned the child as he described the killing of a man in a trailer in Nixon. All details were consistent with Rasberrys death.

He told investigators that he was visiting his grandfather who lived a few lots away from Rasberrys RV. The child said he grabbed a 9 mm pistol from the glove box of his grandfathers truck and entered Rasberrys home.

He then shot and killed Rasberry as he slept in his bed. After the shooting, he returned the pistol to the glove box.

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The child said he had never met Rasberry and showed no signs of anger toward him. At the time of the shooting, the boy was 7 years old.
Governor David Umahi has ordered his security details to shoot anyone who blocks his convoy which according to him is backed by the law.

The Ebonyi state Governor who hosted some guests at the State Executive Chambers in Abakaliki, recalled how some mourners blocked his convoy along Onicha Road in Onicha Local Government Area of the State on his way back to the state capital from his Uburu, Ohaozara hometown on Friday October 4.

Yesterday night, I was coming back by 12 midnight. Of course, I had to stop over at the college to inspect projects, but when we got to Onicha, they blocked the road.

Even with the litany of army and the police and everything, they did not even want to open the road. Then I said they should arrest all of them, but most of them ran away. I think they even took a gun of an army officer, he said.

Governor Umahi said the fleeing mourners will be arrested and imprisoned as he placed a ban on wake-keep extending beyond 10 p.m in the state. In order to forestall its reoccurence in the future, he ordered his security details to shoot anyone who tries such.

So the Chairman of the Local Government, the House of Assembly members and coordinators, they are working very hard and the SSA on Security, they are all there to sort it out.

But I say, all of them will go to prison. So they have to identify them, bring them here and we will prosecute them to show an example, he said.

Next time the ADC should order for a shoot. It is very illegal to block the governor. And if anybody is killed in the course of that, it is allowed in the law.

And it is not me that is the problem, it is the common man, nobody should be oppressed.

And I want it to be announced that henceforth, no wake-keep should go past 10 p.m. If you must pass 10 p.m, take written permission from the chairman of the local government, and both the chairman and the person that requested will be held responsible if any problem occurs.

This should be widely circulated and properly announced. My problem is not that they blocked the governor, but my worry is supposing that it was a smaller person that was passing, who had no army and police, they would have robbed the person he said.
The National Assembly



According to SaharaReporters, a number of civil society and advocacy groups will on Wednesday, November 27 storm the National Assembly in Abuja and various state Houses of Assemblies to demand the release of detained activists, Omoyele Sowore, Olawale Bakare and other prisoners of conscience across the country.

The groups expected to participate in the march, which will include human rights lawyers, activists, students unions, Nigeria Labour Congress; Trade Union Council, United Labour Congress and the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria, will also voice their opposition to the proposed anti-social media bill currently before the National Assembly.

In a statement, organisers of the march slated for Wednesday said, People must not be gagged to talk as this reminds one of the era of human slavery when lock and keys were forced on the mouth of Africans and other oppressed people of the world.

The mass action which will take place simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory to champion the resistance against oppression and tyranny.

The groups called on the Nigerian Government to stop the secret trial of Agba Jalingo, a journalist in Cross Rivers State.

The activists said they would not be deterred or intimidated by the Department of State Services during the event.
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll has been dethroned over disrespect to the office of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and other government agencies.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, who announced the news on Monday, March 9, 2020, said the removal was with immediate effect.

Usman said the emirs action violated the part 3 section A-E of Kano state law, hence the removal which is in line with consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The SSG urged Kano people to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.

Speech by the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Usman Alhaji on the dethronement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. pic.twitter.com/colvMHKe9R  Peacock (@dawisu) March 9, 2020

KanyiDaily had reported that earlier this morning, Kano state lawmakers had a physical fight when Emir Sanusis matter was brought up.

Trouble started few minutes when the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Ci-Dari, raised an observation regarding the the two petitions against Emir Sanusi.

Immediately the chairman raised the issue, he was shut down by some members of the House, particularly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who insisted that it is against the rule of the House to raise an observation during plenary on a petition that is before a committee, which has not submitted its report.

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP engaged in a free-for-all fight with the aim of taking over the control of the Mace, the symbol of authority of the parliament.

It took the intervention of the Sergeant at Arms and security operatives to rescue the mace from the lawmakers which physically fighting and shouting at each other.

The drama lasted for about 30 minutes before normalcy was eventually restored and the Assembly proceeded to a 30- minute break announced by the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Abdulaziz Garba Gafasa.
The young lady who is reacting to the viral report of the FG threatening to use Tekno as a Scapegoat over the release of his controversial music video.

The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Segun Runsewe said they were queried by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora after a clip of the semi-naked women went viral.

Uchechi on sharing a video of the deplorable state of a major road in Lagos, wrote;
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
TikTok says a potential ban on its app in the US would "trample the free speech" of 170 million Americans.



The US House of Representatives voted on Saturday to ban TikTok if the app's owner does not cut its ties with China.



The legislation was part of a US foreign policy package that included aid for Ukraine and could become law as early as next week.



In recent months US officials have voiced alarm over TikTok's popularity with young people.



They allege TikTok's owner Bytedance is subservient to Beijing - accusations it has repeatedly denied.



The TikTok legislation was included in a package, approved by lawmakers, that would send $61bn (49bn) in foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as money for Israel and Taiwan.



The House of Representatives voted on TikTok's future first - with 360 to 58 voting on the updated divest-or-ban bill.



The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week and previously US President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation.



If the bill becomes law, Bytedance will have nine months to sell its stake - with a possible three-month extension while a sale is in progress - or face a ban.



A spokesman for TikTok denounced the bill, saying it "would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24bn (19.4bn) to the US economy annually".



TikTok has said ByteDance "is not an agent of China or any other country". And ByteDance insists it is not a Chinese firm, pointing to the many global investment firms that own 60% of it.



The US House of Representatives voted in March to give ByteDance six months to sell TikTok to non-Chinese owners, or have the app blocked in the US - but that bill is still pending Senate approval.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Markus Spiske from Pexels

Californians have had weekend after weekend of cool, stormy weather and the Sierra Nevada has been blessed with a healthy snowpack. But the reality is that even the last few months have been more than 2 degrees hotter than average.

The planet is experiencing a horrifying streak of record-breaking heat, with March marking the 10th month in a row that the average global temperature has been the highest ever recorded.

It would be shocking if it wasn't so predictable. Despite everything we know about the effects of burning fossil fuels, humanity is still going in the wrong direction with self-destructive abandon. Last year greenhouse gas pollution climbed to a new high, a 1.1% increase over the prior year.

If 10 months of record heat isn't enough to jolt world leaders into crisis mode, it's hard to say what will.

It should be a flashing, red warning light that we are entering dangerous new territory and need to change course. We have the renewable energy technology, but it's being adopted at a pace that's too slow to protect people, animals and plants from unacceptable levels of suffering.

The concept of a higher average global temperature doesn't paint a true picture of the effects that severe heat waves, drought, storms, wildfires and other climate-fueled disasters are having on the ground. Some communities are doing significantly worse than average. And examples aren't hard to find.

Phoenix last year recorded 31 consecutive days of temperatures of 110 degrees. Maricopa County officials have confirmed more than 600 heat-related deaths in 2023, shattering the previous year's record.

The Texas Panhandle this year experienced its largest wildfire in state history, which burned more than 1 million acres and killed thousands of cattle. In the Horn of Africa, communities experiencing a hunger crisis after three years of drought were pummeled with torrential rains and flooding last year that killed hundreds of people across Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

While these disasters are in line with scientists' predictions about rising temperatures, some are worried that the spike in global temperatures that began last summer is an indication that warming may be accelerating. We are already on the edge of blowing past the 2.7-degree (1.5 degrees Celsius) rise in global temperatures, a limit virtually every nation on Earth has agreed to try to stay below to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.

One of the most important things Americans can do right now is to exercise their political power at the ballot box, by demanding that leaders at all levels of government deliver serious climate action or stay out of office.

The stakes are especially high this year. A former president who has arguably the worst climate record in U.S. history, having rolled back more than 100 environmental protections, is polling neck and neck with a president who has done more to fight climate change than anyone before him, even if it's still not enough.

Still, the choice should be clear if we want to stop setting records, month after month and year after year.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The Arabica coffee plant. Credit: NTU Singapore

Arabica coffee is the most economically important coffee globally and accounts for 60% of coffee products worldwide. But the plants it hails from are vulnerable to a disease that, in the 1800s, devastated Sri Lanka's coffee empire.

Now, an international team of researchers co-led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has made a breakthrough that helps protect Arabica plants (Coffea arabica) against the fungal disease, called coffee leaf rust.

The other co-leads of the study, published in Nature Genetics, are based at the world's largest food and beverage company Nestle, the Universite de Montpellier in France and the University at Buffalo in the United States.

The scientists mapped out, in great detail, all the genetic materialor genomesof Arabica and two related coffee plants. This allowed the team to identify a new combination of genes shared by the plants that are resistant to coffee leaf rust. With the data on the genomes, other useful traits in coffee plants can also be identified.

Discovering the resistance genes opens the way to better protect coffee lovers' daily fix and maintain their drink's high-quality taste, thereby supporting an industry employing millions of workers. According to the International Coffee Organization, the livelihoods of 125 million people around the world depend on the coffee business.

Coffee leaf rust disease has wreaked havoc on coffee-producing nations and continues to wipe out coffee farms today. The United States Agency for International Development estimated that between 2012 and 2014, an outbreak of coffee leaf rust caused about US$1 billion (S$1.36 billion) in economic damages in Latin America.

Assistant Professor Jarkko Salojarvi from NTU's School of Biological Sciences, who co-led the research team, said, "The high-quality genome sequences of the three plant species, together with the candidate genetic sequences for coffee leaf rust resistance, form the cornerstone for breeding new varieties of Arabica plants that are more adaptable to change and more resistant to diseases caused by pathogens like fungi."

The project involved a large consortium of researchers and coffee breeders from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda and the United States.

Dr. Patrick Descombes, Senior Expert in Genomics at Nestle Research, and one of the study's co-leads, said, "While other public references for Arabica do exist, the quality of our team's work is extremely high. We used state-of-the-art genomics approachesincluding long and short reads high throughput sequencingto create the most advanced, complete and continuous Arabica reference to date."

Poor genetic variability

Arabica plants have low genetic diversity, which makes them susceptible to pests and diseases. The cultivated plants typically do not have the genetic trait that confers resistance to coffee leaf rust, which is caused by the Hemileia vastatrix fungi.

The fungi form orange-yellow spots on the coffee plants' leaves, which eventually wither and fall. The loss of leaves lowers the quality and quantity of the plants' berries harvested for brewing coffee.

To prevent a potentially disastrous wipeout of Arabica plants worldwide by coffee leaf rust, the scientists studied the genomic origins and breeding history of the plant.

They did so by mapping out the highly detailed genomic sequences of Arabica and two related coffee-producing plants, Robusta (C. canephora) and C. eugenioides, which are the modern-day ancestors of Arabica.

This was done using advanced techniques, namely PacBio high fidelity technology to sequence DNA with high accuracy, and high throughput chromosome conformation capture to create detailed 3D maps of how different DNA segments interact. The data for the genomes are publicly available.

The Arabica coffee plant. Credit: NTU Singapore

The scientists' analysis suggested that the resistance to coffee leaf rust in Arabica may have been lost when Arabica plants became widely cultivated, as all cultivated Arabica coffee plants are derived from the same stock with very little genetic variability.

However, a hybrid of Arabica and Robusta resistant to the disease was found on Timor island in 1927. Unfortunately, the resistance comes with a trade-off as the hybrid does not produce coffee that tastes as good as that from other Arabica plants.

With no alternatives, the descendants of the Timor hybrid plant still form the basis of all coffee leaf rust resistant variants.

Previous research discovered some genes that potentially conferred resistance against leaf rust in different coffee plants. But without a map of the various coffee plants' genome, it was difficult to accurately identify these genes and hard to figure out if they were also found in other coffee plants, which would increase the chance that they coded for resistance. The gene identification process was also slow.

However, with the new research mapping out the genomes of different coffee plants in great detail, identifying resistance genes will be faster and more accurate.

Using the plants' genome information, the researchers analyzed the most common cultivated coffee varieties, representing about 95% of the world's coffee production, and compared them with descendants of the Timor hybrid.

This allowed them to find a region of DNA sequences common among different leaf rust resistant coffee plants, with a new combination of Robusta-based genes that may convey resistance in Arabica plants in general. Knowing the existence of these shared genes greatly increases the likelihood that these genetic sequences can indeed defend against leaf rust, and could allow breeders to select for them when growing new coffee varieties.

Through their analysis, the researchers also postulated that Arabica stemmed from a chance event 350,000 to 610,000 years ago when the Robusta and C. eugenioides plants were naturally cross-pollinated to create the first Arabica plants in the wild.

This dating comes in between previous estimates, with an earlier one putting the chance event to as recently as 20,000 years ago, while others push it as far back as one million years ago. The researchers said the discrepancy of earlier figures could be due to historical changes in population sizes in the wild and cultivated plants, as well as the different sources and limited amount of data used.

By comparing the high-quality genomic sequences of Arabica with those of Robusta and C. eugenioides, the research team found that the three species are still highly similar genetically. This suggests that for future breeding programs to ensure that Arabica plants have disease resistance, breeders can consider using other related coffee species, such as Robusta and C. eugenioides.

Using Arabica plants alone to breed for the resistance trait is problematic because the study found that even the wild varieties of Arabica, not just the cultivated ones, have very low genetic diversity, making it harder to breed for disease resistance.

"The low genetic diversity of both cultivated and wild modern Arabica plants is an obstacle for its breeding using the wild varieties of the plants. But close similarities found between Arabica, Robusta and C. eugenioides plants are likely to facilitate the introduction of interesting traits from the latter two into Arabica," said Asst Prof Salojarvi.

The highly detailed genomic sequences mapped for all three coffee plants also mean that other useful traits could be identified in future, such as resilience to drought, better crop yield and more aromatic coffee beans.

These traits can be identified with genetic markers, which can be used to predict the future performance of coffee seedlings, instead of waiting years for the plants to mature and bear berries to find out.

Since the leaf rust resistant hybrid from Timor does not produce coffee that is as good as that from the usual Arabica plants, the genome data compiled now provides a fast track for researchers to breed new disease-resistant plants that still retain the sublime, smooth and sweet taste of Arabica enjoyed by coffee lovers worldwide.

More information: Jarkko Salojarvi et al, The genome and population genomics of allopolyploid Coffea arabica reveal the diversification history of modern coffee cultivars, Nature Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01695-w The high-quality genomes of Arabica, Robusta and C. eugenioides can be found at this link: bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/gdb/coffea_arabica/ Journal information: Nature Genetics
A 42-year-old man was shot and killed by police Sunday while officers were attempting to arrest him on an aggravated assault warrant. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images San Antonio Police Chief William McManus meets with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board about recent shootings involving San Antonio police officers on Sept. 08, 2023. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal

A man wanted on an aggravated assault warrant was shot and killed by San Antonio police Sunday.

The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. at a home in the 8600 block of Cheviot Heights near the Northwest Side.

Police Chief William McManus said officers were attempting to arrest a 42-year-old man who was accused of hitting a 51-year-old woman with his vehicle around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

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The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition and the man fled the scene, police said.

When officers arrived at the home to arrest him, he attempted to flee in his vehicle and struck a police officer in the process, prompting a police officer to fire their weapon.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer who shot him has four years on duty with the police department, McManus said.

The officer who was struck was taken to the hospital for treatment and a second officer was treated at the scene. No one else was injured.

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McManus said police had not yet viewed the body camera footage from the shooting.
Marty Small Sr. is the fifth mayor in Atlantic City to face criminal charges since the city's form of government changed to a mayor-council format in 1982.

Below is a list of Atlantic City mayors who have been charged during their time in office:

MARTY SMALL SR.

Small, 50, was charged Monday with terroristic threats, aggravated assault and disorderly persons simple assault. His wife, Superintendent LaQuetta Small, 47, was charged with three counts of disorderly persons simple assault, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

Authorities allege the Smalls physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter during the months of December and January.

FRANK GILLIAM JR.

Gilliam resigned as mayor in October 2019 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and admitting in federal court to stealing more than $87,000 between 2013 and 2018 from AC Starz, a nonprofit he created in 2011. Gilliam was sentenced to 30 days in prison, three years' probation and 200 hours of community service in January 2021.

On Nov. 11, 2018, Gilliam and At-Large Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II were involved in a fight outside Haven Nightclub at Golden Nugget Atlantic City.

Charges against Gilliam Jr. for his role in the fight were dismissed. Fauntleroy pleaded guilty to a city ordinance against impeding traffic in a public space and paid a $500 fine.

Gilliam was succeeded as mayor by Small.

BOB LEVY

Levy was sentenced to three years' probation for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs after admitting to never being a Green Beret in 2008.

The former Atlantic City Beach Patrol chief served as mayor for 22 months before resigning after a two-week disappearance that attracted international media attention and labeled him the "missing mayor." He later acknowledged his absence was the result of an investigation by the VA and over medication for his treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Levy, who admitted in November 2007 to exaggerating his military record to collect increased benefits, also was required to repay $25,198 he received as a result of his lies, plus fines and fees totaling $5,100. William Speedy Marsh, City Council president, becomes acting mayor after Levy resigns.

MICHAEL J. MATTHEWS

Matthews pleaded guilty in November 1984 to accepting a $10,000 bribe from a federal agent posing as a mob-connected representative of a janitorial supply company.

Matthews was arrested by the FBI in December 1983 after a two-year undercover operation found evidence of corruption. Matthews reportedly took money from a mob family run by Nicodemo Little Nicky Scarfo in return for promises to use his influence as mayor to help the organization, federal authorities said.

Matthews was recalled by voters in 1984. He served 5 years in federal prison, followed by 9 years of probation. He died in 2014.

JAMES L. USRY

On July 27, 1989, State Police arrested Usry, City Council President Walter Collette, Councilmen Arnold Orsatti and Eugene Dorn, and nine others in a wide-ranging crackdown on alleged bribery and corruption in city government.

The seven-month investigation was spurred when local businessman Albert Black sought city Zoning Board approval for a gas station and "was approached to do certain things," police said. Black went undercover for the State Police and wore electronic eavesdropping equipment.

Usry and eight others were charged with official misconduct, bribery, conspiracy and gifts to public servants.

He was arrested at his home on Indiana Avenue at 7:30 a.m. Usry, wearing a blue-and-white nylon track suit and still in a cast from recent rotator cuff surgery, looked stunned as he was led away by half a dozen police.

He pleaded guilty to the least serious charge against him, a violation of state campaign-contribution laws. He was accepted into the state's pretrial intervention program, and the state dropped all its other charges against him. His record was ultimately expunged.

Usry died in 2002.
Augustana College's geography department will celebrate its 75th anniversary next weekend, featuring a slate of alumni presentations at the John Deere Planetarium on Saturday, April 27.

Presentations are free and open to the public, running from 9 a.m. to noon. The John Deere Planetarium is located on Augie's campus, at 820 38th St. in Rock Island.

Attendees can expect to hear about how Augie alumni are leading and contributing to important work within their chosen fields today.

Featured alumni speakers include:

Tom Klak, '79, will present on "speed breeding" to restore the American chestnut, a keystone tree species in the Eastern United States

Dawn Carlson, '90, will present on alternative intersection design.

Brad Jokisch, '89, will present on international Latin American migration.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Norm Moline, 64, will kick-off the public events by sharing the history of Augie's geography department.

The anniversary weekend is a time to celebrate the role of the department as an important part of a liberal arts education, he said in an Augie press release. The alumni presentations will be a great opportunity for the public to learn about the terrific faculty and alumni engaged in sharing key geography concepts and skills of the 21st century.

More than 70 geography alumni are expected to return for the weekend, which also includes socials and field trips.

Returning alumni will tour key Quad-Cities sites and explore the Mississippi River aboard "The Scholarship," Augie's research boat for the geography department.

Augie currently serves 37 geography majors and 42 students minoring in geographic information science and technology. The department engages students in various field-related areas and work, including climate change, sustainability, urbanization, resource management and environmental justice.

In addition to the major or minor, Augie students can also opt for a coordinated "3+3" master of landscape architecture degree program with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Photos: '10 Views of Augie  A Historical Geography of Augustana College' Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography Dr. Matt Fockler, assistant professor of geography
An East Moline woman who is facing multiple charges of theft in Scott County District Court for allegedly "skip scanning" to steal merchandise from the Iowa Quad-City Hy-Vee stores is now facing additional charges in Scott and Rock Island counties.

On Friday, Linaya Michelle Bennett, 40, was arrested on a Scott County warrant on a charge of ongoing criminal conduct. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

On Saturday, Bennett was arrested on a Rock Island County warrant on a charge of retail theft over $300. The charge is a Class 3 felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of two to five years.

In that case she allegedly used the skip scanning ploy to steal from the Silvis Hy-Vee store on 16 occasions.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Scott County Sheriff's Department Reserve Deputy Pamela Robertson in connection with the charge of ongoing criminal conduct, between Nov. 7, 2023, and Jan. 13, 2024, Bennett went to the Hy-Vee in Silvis 16 times.

Each of those times, Bennett would go to a self-checkout register and pretend to scan all of the merchandise but instead would scan only a few of the items. She would then pay only for the items she actually scanned using her EBT, or Electronic Benefits Transfer, card.

For instance, on Dec. 30, 2023, Bennett went to the Hy-Vee in Silvis located at 2001 5th St. According to the affidavit, she put merchandise totaling $285.08 into her cart. She then went to a self-checkout register and scanned in only $23.64 worth of the items. The rest of the items she pretended to scan. She used her EBT card to pay the $23.64 and then left the store.

During those 16 trips to the Silvis Hy-Vee, Bennett placed items worth $2,304.01 into her cart, but paid for only $577.30 of the merchandise with her EBT card, according to the affidavits.

According to the affidavits, during a five-month span between Nov. 7, 2023, and March 22, Bennett visited the Hy-Vee store in Silvis, the store on Devils Glen Road in Bettendorf and the stores on West Locust Street, East Kimberly Road, West Kimberly Road, East 53rd Street and Rockingham Road in Davenport.

In the 36 visits she made to those stores, she either skip scanned items or walked out of the store with merchandise and not paying for anything.

According to the affidavits, the amount she skip scanned totaled $5,168.23, while the total she paid using her EBT card totaled $995.12.

She allegedly left the stores without paying for any merchandise on several occasions.

According to the affidavits, the loss to Hy-Vee totals more than $4,200.

In three of her cases, Bennett also is accused of using her juvenile daughter and her daughter's juvenile boyfriend to aid in the thefts.

According to the affidavits, Bennett and her juvenile daughter went to the Hy-Vee store at 3019 Rockingham Road in Davenport at 5:49 p.m. on March 19, court documents state. Bennett and her daughter took items off the shelves totaling $157.79. They left the store with the merchandise without paying.

At 3:30 p.m. on March 21, Bennett, her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend went to the Hy-Vee at 4064 E. 53rd St. in Davenport and removed items from the shelves valued at about $175. Bennett paid only $2.69 for the merchandise using her EBT card, court documents state.

Bennett was first arrested on the theft charges March 28. She was arrested again on April 2 when additional charges were filed in Scott County District Court. She was arrested Friday on the new Scott County charge and was released after posting bond.

She was arrested Saturday on the Rock Island County charge and released on her own recognizance.

In addition to the charge of ongoing criminal conduct, Bennett is charged in Scott County District Court with three counts of using a juvenile to commit an indictable offense, a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

She also is charged with one count of second-degree theft, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, and four counts of third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

Bennett is to be arraigned in District Court on four of her Scott County cases on April 25, and on the ongoing criminal conduct charge on May 9.

A preliminary hearing on the theft charge in Rock Island County is scheduled for May 7 in Circuit Court.

According to Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records, Bennett was convicted of two felony counts of theft. She also has Class A misdemeanor convictions on three charges of retail theft and one charge of using a forged credit card.

Scams stealing government benefits like unemployment checks have jumped 82%: Here's how to protect yourself Scams stealing government benefits like unemployment checks have jumped 82%: Here's how to protect yourself Government benefit identity theft moves into fifth place Higher incidents of government benefit unlikely to subside Incidences of US data breaches climb Where identity theft for government benefits is happening
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez and former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores are running against each other for the second time in the 34th Congressional District. ERIC GAY / ASSOCIATED PRESS, LM OTERO / ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON  Former Republican U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores raised well over twice as much as her Democratic opponent, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, in the first quarter of the year in an encouraging sign to Republicans eager to take a region historically dominated by Democrats.

Flores, who is running to represent the 34th Congressional District, raised over $1.1 million from the start of the year till the end of March, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Gonzalez, meanwhile, raised over $449,000.

Still, Gonzalez dominates in cash on hand, closing the quarter with over $1.4 million in the bank. Flores had over $786,000.

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Republicans have identified the 34th District, which includes the Rio Grande Valley east of McAllen, as a target this year. The National Republican Congressional Committee recruited Flores to run in the district again.

Mayra Flores has been crushing Vicente Gonzalez since the day she entered the race, demonstrating the enthusiasm for her campaign, said NRCC spokesperson Delanie Bomar in a statement digging into Gonzalezs votes on Democratic legislation.

Gonzalez won the seat after defeating Flores in the 2022 general election. Flores had been elected only a few months prior in a special election to replace Rep. Filemon Vela, who had resigned from Congress to go into lobbying. Gonzalez previously represented the neighboring McAllen-based 15th Congressional District, which had been redrawn to be more competitive that cycle. Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz won the 15th District that year.

Republicans are eager to take more territory in South Texas, asserting that their message for border security and against President Joe Bidens economic agenda would resonate with voters in the region. Republicans feted Flores victory in the 2022 special election and De La Cruzs win in the general that year as signs that Democratic control in the area should not be taken for granted.

Democrats retort that the 34th District is still blue country, and that Flores only won because national Democrats didnt invest in the special election that would be redone only a few months later. Gonzalez ended up beating Flores in the general by over 8 percentage points with the help of national Democratic arms that poured money to match Republican efforts.

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Gonzalez kept some savings in the bank after winning in 2022, ending that cycle with over $303,000 left over.

In a statement, Gonzalez dismissed the first-quarter sum as national Republicans again pouring money into the district.

Were keeping up with our fundraising goals. It really doesnt matter how much money out-of-state Republicans raise for her, Gonzalez said. This November, District 34 will once again reject Mayra and her extreme views that just dont reflect South Texas values.
Authorities locate 76 abducted migrants in Isla Mujeres hostel

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  A state operation in the municipality of Isla Mujeres has lead to the rescue of 76 people being held against their will. The 76 located late Friday are reported to have been undocumented migrants from India and Peru.

The 73 men and three women were found being held inside a hostel in Punta Sam, an area belonging to the mainland municipality of Isla Mujeres.

During the rescue operation, one woman was taken into custody who is believed part of the human smuggling group. The group, according to local authorities, has been operating in the Isla Mujeres, Cancun area for more than a year-and-a-half.

In an official statement, the State Attorney General (FGE) of Quintana Roo said the rescue operation was a joint effort between State Police and National Guard. At the hostel, 76 undocumented immigrants, 73 men and 3 women, were freed while one woman was detained.

A female person was detained for her probable participation in events that could constitute of the crime of deprivation of personal liberty, they reported. The arrested woman has been identified as Abri N of foreign nationality without specifying where she is from.

The victims were transferred to the FGE facilities in Quintana Roo where they were provided with humanitarian care and once their health status was assessed, they were placed at the disposal of the National Migration Institute (INM) for the corresponding procedures, they added.

The first investigations involve the detained woman identified as Abir N of foreign nationality, as part of a criminal group that has been operating for a year and a half in the municipalities of Isla Mujeres and Benito Juarez (Cancun).

The captured person was placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry, who, within the established legal term and in accordance with the law, will define her legal situation.

It should be noted that the way this gang operates is by contacting its victims through digital platforms, offering them accommodation in these destinations. Once in the place, coming from Lebanon, Turkey, Nicaragua or Guatemala, their passports and cell phones are taken away, the FGE reported.
EDUCATION

Leslie Watson of Virginia Western Community College has received the George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty.

Watson, who has served as an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Western since 2007, has spearheaded the efforts of the School of Health Professions in the development of an Introduction to Health Professions college success course.

Watson is also an American Heart Association basic life support instructor at Carilion Clinic. She holds certifications as a radiologic technologist with a specialty in radiography and therapy through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies. She is certified as an instructor for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid through the American Heart Association and has a certification for Current Professional Terminology Coding.

Her volunteer activities include serving on the board of the American Cancer Society Loudoun Unit; working with the Centra Healths Witness Project; helping teachers in the Pittsylvania County school district; and working with Pittsylvania County 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Girl Scouts of America.

MEDICAL

Carilion Clinic CEO Nancy Howell Agee has received the American Hospital Associations highest honor: the Distinguished Service Award.

Agee has worked with the AHA for more than 20 years and led Carilion since 2011. Under her direction, Carilion has transformed from a collection of hospitals to a patient-centered, physician-led organization. She has helped forge a partnership with Virginia Tech to create the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, which has graduated more than 400 physicians.

Agee led the AHA Board in 2018, is the current chair of the board of the Coalition to Strengthen Americas Health Care, and previously chaired the AHA Committee on Health Care Strategy and Innovation.

She also served as a member of the Executive Committee, Operations Committee, Committee on Health Systems, and several other task forces and advisory groups, as well as the Joint Commission Board.

Agee received a bachelors degree in nursing from the University of Virginia, a masters degree from Emory University and three honorary doctorates. She holds multiple memberships including chairing Virginias Initiative for Growth and Opportunity (GO Va) and serving on Gov. Glenn Youngkins Medical Advisory Team.

Her accolades include being perennially named in Modern Healthcares 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives by Modern Healthcare and receiving the Business Person of the Year from Virginia Business.

ORGANIZATIONS

Randi Paxton has been appointed vice president and chief operations officer of HopeTree Family Services. In this role, she will lead the agencys programs and services lines including Therapeutic Foster Care, Therapeutic Group Homes, Developmental Disabilities Ministry, HopeTree Academy, and Family Centered Treatment.

Paxton has 22 years of experience working with youth, adults and families in residential and community-based settings. Before joining HopeTree, she served in leadership roles in a community-based mental health organization. In addition to her leadership experience, Paxton has worked as a clinician with high-risk populations, primarily children and families.

A Roanoke native, she holds a bachelors degree in social work from James Madison University. She previously served on the board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and on the board of directors for the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers.
Did you see the article in Fridays Roanoke Times (page A8) about a postal truck fire on Interstate 64? We picked that up from The Virginian Pilot in Norfolk. Its fourth paragraph bears repeating:

Virginia ranks worst in the nation for on-time mail delivery service, the article said, referencing a report issued earlier this month by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. The watchdog found significant problems at a new regional processing facility in Richmond, which handles mail for Hampton Roads.

Well delve into some details about that below.

But Tom Bailey, who recently moved to Sherwood Avenue (a few blocks from the Raleigh Court Post Office) was hardly surprised. Shortly after that report emerged, the octogenarian had what one could call a flagrant experience with postal misdelivery.

Before moving to Raleigh Court, Bailey lived on Howbert Avenue Southwest, in the nearby Wasena neighborhood. Even there, an occasional screwup used to wind up in his mailbox, Bailey told me.

About once a month Id receive someone elses mail, and Id take it upon myself to bring it to their house on my own, Bailey noted. After all, thats the neighborly thing to do.

You know, this sort of thing happens, Bailey added. Im concerned about it in the sense that Im a veteran and I get all my medicines, which are quite a few, through the mail.

Since moving to Sherwood Avenue, the same thing would occasionally happen, he added. Then came April 8, a Monday. That afternoon, Bailey received 14 pieces of mail. Four were addressed to his house in Sherwood Avenues 1500 block.

And I got 10 pieces that didnt belong here on one drop, Bailey told me.

One was addressed to 1920 Wakefield Road  a street that intersects Sherwood. There were two mailpieces destined for 1420 Sherwood, and two others addressed 1508 Sherwood Ave.

And there was one each for: 1520 Sherwood; 1516 Sherwood; 1512 Sherwood; 1424 Sherwood and 1420 Sherwood. In all, four of the 14 mailpieces Bailey received made it to the right place that day.

It just so happened that Bailey needed to mail a package around that time. So when he took that to the Raleigh Court Post Office, he brought along the misdelivered stack. When he got to the counter, he handed it to a clerk and told her what it was.

She responded Oh, and set it aside, Bailey told me. Presumably, that stuff eventually got delivered. (From a photo Bailey sent me, most of it appeared to be junk mail.)

I sought an explanation from the U.S. Postal Service as to how so many mailpieces could be misdelivered in one drop. Heres the response from Philip Bogenberger, a postal service spokesman in Charlotte:

The Postal Service delivers billions of mailpieces and packages across the country each year with the goal of timely and accurate delivery, Bogenberger wrote in an email. In this case, a few mailpieces were accidentally delivered to neighbors homes. We will notify the carrier. The matter can be corrected by leaving the mailpieces for the carrier who can get them delivered appropriately.

I also contacted a letter carrier I know who spoke anonymously, for fear of job reprisals. The carrier said in Roanoke, letters for carrier-delivery are first presorted by machines before carriers pick them up  and its not uncommon for the machines to miss-sort the mail.

Bailey isnt the only postal customer experiencing misdeliveries. Another is Richard Evans, who lives in Roanoke County and receives his mail in a box at the Cave Spring Post Office. Evans has noticed an uptick in misdeliveries, too.

He subscribes to Informed Delivery, through which the Postal Service emails him a daily photo of mail Evans can expect to receive that day. He said that roughly 60% of the mail Informed Delivery has told him to expect arrives in his box the same day.

In fact, mail destined for Evans post-office box has wound up in other peoples post-office boxes first. Evans realized that from a letter he found in his box the other day. Postmarked April 16 in Greensboro, it was from Pinnacle Bank in Tennessee and was addressed to Evans and his wife.

By the time Evans pulled it out of his box, the earlier (mis)recipient had circled Evans address & box number and scrawled Wrong box # again on the front.

Now about that report from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. It found Virginia was dead last among 50 states in on-time delivery of First-Class mail. In Virginia, roughly 66% of First Class mail is delivered on time, according to the report.

The inspector general found the problems to be rooted in Richmonds Sandston processing facility. Heres how the Richmond Times Dispatch put it:

Richmond is the first center to be transformed as part of [Postmaster General Louis] DeJoys $40 billion Delivering for America plan to modernize the post office and consolidate its mail processing operations.

DeJoy announced that plan in 2021, saying it was necessary to revert the agency from financial collapse  The OIGs audit took place in Richmond from July 29 to Dec. 1, 2023, and consisted of interviews, document review, staffing analysis and an observation of facility conditions.

The audit found boxes of mail that had sat for months in Sandston, unprocessed, and in one case, a worker sleeping on a forklift when auditors were present.

A big part of the problem was newly installed machinery known as high-output package sorters, or HOPS. Theyre supposed to sort 8,500 packages an hour, but didnt work for weeks after installation.

While the new machines were supposed to cut down on the number of times mail was trucked, the fact that they didnt function properly actually created more work at the facility.

There was a 706% increase in extra trips, a 185% increase in canceled trips and a 30% increase in late trips to or from the facility during the first 18 weeks after launch compared to the prior year, the Times-Dispatch reported.

DeJoy was hired in 2020 and serves at the pleasure of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, who are appointed by the president. There are nine governors who serve staggered terms.

So far, President Joe Biden has appointed four of the governors, or less than half. He recently sent the nomination for a fifth to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.

If and when that happens, Biden appointees will have a majority on the board for the first time since Biden assumed the presidency.

And something might change  but dont hold your breath.
By Rebecca Black and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Threats against elected representatives will undermine essential qualities of Irish democracy, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said, after a protest outside his home.

Gardai were called on Thursday after reports that up to 12 masked men were staging a protest, some with anti-migration placards and banners, outside the property.

On Friday Mr OGorman said: I want to thank local gardai in Blanchardstown for their assistance yesterday.

Ireland has a strong democratic tradition, where public representatives are accessible and accountable to the public.

We debate and sometimes disagree, but do so in a way that is fundamentally respectful.

I know that is valued by people across this country, and it is valued by politicians too.

Threats and intimidation towards publicly elected representatives and those seeking election will undermine those essential qualities of Irish democracy.

If we were to lose those, we would lose something very dear, and not easily recovered.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was horrified by what he described as a chilling protest.

He also said he was deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Mr OGorman, of the Green Party in the coalition government, about the situation on Friday.

I was utterly horrified to see the situation, he told reporters in Co Carlow.

We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy but to see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think that is extraordinarily chilling and quite frankly disgusting.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations, and as Taoiseach I dont wish to interfere in that. However, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person quite frankly, public figure or otherwise, government or opposition, and I hope in due course to have an opportunity to discuss this with gardai.

Asked whether he was worried about the trajectory of this, given former taoiseach Leo Varadkar had protests outside his home last year, Mr Harris said he was worried to see an increase in the presence of people gathering outside peoples family homes.

I think that is chilling in a democracy. I think it is worrying, I think it is disturbing, he said.

Of course we see political discourse but there is an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, in the Dail, in council chambers, plenty of places to protest around Dail Eireann, constituency offices and the likes.

But I also dont want to suggest that these people, small in number, speak for Ireland.

My experience as a public representative, at a whole variety of levels in this country, has been that the overwhelming majority of people in this country, agree or disagree with your politics, are decent people.
Gabfest Reads is a monthly series from the hosts of Slates Political Gabfest podcast. Recently, John Dickerson spoke with author David E. Sanger about his new book, New Cold Wars. They discussed President Bidens Middle East moves and the ripple effects of his plan for Afghanistan.

This partial transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

John Dickerson: The Biden team came into office with a whole lot of experience, and Bill Burns, whos the current director of the CIA, bumps up in the book all over the place in his various roles, or at least theres references to his various roles, when he was serving in Moscow. Because part of the argument youre making is that there was some calcified thinking, as you say, it was part of both parties. But wisdom and experience are crucial because Bill Burns knows Putin.

David Sanger: Better than probably any American in high office.

Exactly. And so, give me a sense of the Biden team and that mix of whats necessary to havethe wisdom of the past, but also the adaptability of the present.

The wisdom of the past is definitely there in this group, and its a very tight team. They talk mostly to each other, which can, of course, be a downside. But the combination of Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, Tony Blinken, the Secretary of State, Bill Burns at CIAwho is a CIA director, but is used by Biden for a variety of other purposes, including trying to negotiate the hostage agreement and ceasefire in the Middle East from his time there. I mean, Ive never seen a CIA director who takes on this range of tasks. And [he] knows Putin really well and is sent to talk to Putin, before the war breaks out and to warn him of how the U.S. would react. And by the way, in the book, you will read Bill Burns describing those meetings with Putin at a level of detail I dont think you have ever seen before, particularly from a CIA director.

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So, its a very well-oiled machine that, early in the administration, had a real, near-death experience, which was screwing up the withdrawal from Afghanistan. And I argue in the book that the concept of getting out of Afghanistan was right. It was actually one of the few things that Biden and Trump agreed on in the last election, that the U.S. had to get out. The execution of it was miserable, and the fact that it was so miserable actually shook the team up, I think, and put them in a better position to do Ukraine right.

They did the run up to the Ukraine war pretty brilliantlyreleasing the intelligence in advance to embarrass Putin into the admission or the revelation that he really was getting ready to invade. Biden did this with the allies; he did it with all of us so that we were able to go publish some of this stuff; we were able to confirm some of it through open source. That was pretty well done. The invasion happened anyway. He brought NATO together in a way that we did not expect, and for a while the Russians were on the run. The problem is Ukrainians didnt win fast enough, and now we are seeing the full mass of the Russian military come back.

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In thinking about Afghanistan. What was the central mistake that the Biden team made?

I think it was this: The president made the decision in April, four months after inauguration, to pull out of Afghanistan. They then had a number of months to actually execute it. During that time, they did not have a plan in place to get everyone who had helped the U.S. military, news organizations, [and] their families out of the country. And they were working on a faulty assumption that the Taliban were not going to make their way into the capital, Kabul, for another year or a year and a half, when in fact, of course, the Afghan military collapsed and the Taliban were there by August. So, they made a wrong assumption about how long the Afghan military would be able to hold off the Taliban. And they made a wrong assumption about how much time they had to get people out of the country. And when that collapsed, everything turned to chaos.

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And I remember around the July 4th holiday in 2021, I was pooled with the president and he was making some economic amount announcement at the White House. And the night before, the military had pulled out of Bagram Air Base, this huge base that had been the center of all activity, because they didnt want the Taliban to be able to take the base fully loaded up. They didnt tell anybody, including the Afghans, that they were leaving. So, suddenly one day theyre gone. And I asked the president about this, and isnt he worried that this is going to lead to a chaotic withdrawal? And he said, no, no, theres no problem here. We have over the horizon intelligence. Its really good. Weve got this all under control. You can look at the transcript of this answer. Six weeks later, the countrys in full collapse.

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That answer echoes, as I recall, the argument he was making within the Obama Administration about how they could withdraw from Afghanistan, even back then, when then-President Obama decided to go another way.

And by the way, I have no problem with the idea of withdrawing from Afghanistan. I do not think it was a sustainable thing to do. But having made the decision, you wanted to have a completely well-oiled machine here. And, you know, its interesting, as copies of this book have begun to recirculate, I thought, well, this is the chapter thats going to really raise hackles. And maybe it will but since I finished that part of the book, the Inspector Generals reports have come out with fundamentally a similar interpretation. So, you know, I dont feel like this is exactly original or a lone interpretation of events.
Perhaps you were too busy preparing for Fiesta to keep up with the news. No problem. Get caught up here.

Selena posed with the San Antonio Zoos iconic lion statue alongside her husband, niece and nephew. Courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo

In honor of Selena Quintanillas birthday, the San Antonio Zoo shared a photo taken during the late Tejano stars visit 30 years ago. Click to read more about Selenas visit and fan reaction to the photo.

A man was fatally shot Thrusday during a North Side road rage incident after San Antonio police said he was approaching another driver with a hammer. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

A 10-year-old admitted to shooting and killing a man in a Gonzales County RV park more than two years ago. Click to read more about the boys confession and why he wont face charges.

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Miranda Casarez stands with her defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell for the reading of the verdict on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Casarez was found guilty in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

A jury took less than an hour to find Miranda Casarez, the stepmother of 4-year-old Benjamin Benji Cervera, guilty of starving him to death in 2021. Click to read more about the boys tragic death.

The bankruptcy trustee administering Cinch Wineline Services LLCs Chapter 7 case alleges in a lawsuit that the companys books and records were burned on orders from its certified public accountant. A photo of the alleged burn pit was included with the lawsuit. court documents

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The home of Christopher Preciado, 19, and his parents, Ramon Preciado, 53, and Myrta Romanos, 47 is going up for sale. Police say Christopher Preciado killed Savannah Soto, her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, and their unborn child in December, and that his parents helped him hide their bodies. Greg Jefferson/Staff
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

Im a trans guy who started testosterone earlier this year. Its mostly been amazingone of the best things Ive ever done for my own well-beingbut because bodies are gonna body, of course theres one weird side effect thats driving me nuts. Where most transmasc people get vaginal dryness from T, Ive gone in the opposite direction: my body has suddenly decided to start squirting. Enthusiastically. Nearly every time I orgasm.

Awesome! you might think, but no. Squirting is fine and dandy for folks who are into it, but Im not. As someone whos on the ace spectrum and still in the perpetually horny stage of T, I mainly want to get off to scratch an itch and move on with my day. This used to be easyhand or vibrator down pants, boom, done! Now the process involves laundry and a shower. I can no longer jerk off to shut up my anxious little brain, roll over, and go to sleep.

Is there any way to STOP squirting or make getting off as a squirter less of A Process?

Boy Juice Made Me Too Juicy

Dear Boy Juice Made Me Too Juicy,

There are a lot of anecdotal accounts on the internet of increased squirting as a result of transitioning. Some believe that this is the result of the testosterone-prompted swelling of the Skenes gland, which is involved in squirting. As your letter suggests, though many desire, even fetishize squirting, not everyone who does it is so enthusiastic. In a column that ran a few years ago, my partner in HTDI, Jessica Stoya, asked porn performer/educator Madison Young what she does to dam her loins in a moment where squirting is inconvenient or otherwise unwanted. She said that she switches things up when she feels the urge to squirt, which allows me to reset but keeps me in a highly aroused state in which I can still build up to orgasm or just simply enjoy erotic stimulation, touch, and pleasure without climax. According to Young, switching up could look like this, for example: If I was using a vibe on my clitoris, I might turn it off and use my fingers or move the vibe to another area of my vulva.

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For some additional expert assistance answering your question, I reached out to Lola Jean, a sex educator who has appeared in this column a few times over the years and whose recent workbook Baby Dom/me/mx Bootcamp: a no frills guide to making domination a career is due out in May. I thought Jeans response was fascinating, because despite being a world record holder for volume squirting, they expressed disdain for their vaunted talent. If you could give me a pill to stop squirting, Id gladly take it, they wrote to me early on in our exchange on this topic. Jean then elaborated in a longer email that Im printing in full, as it speaks to your issue with some practical advice, and even describes different kinds of squirters. Fascinating for sure, and I hope its helpful. Good luck.

Lola Jean says:

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As a fellow squirter, your pain resonates with me. Because you are squirting every time you reach a certain level of pleasure, it sounds like you are also a broad-response squirter, as opposed to a specific-response squirter who only squirts as a result of specific types of stimulation of movements. While Im sure specific movements also get you to rain down, it sounds like everything else does, too. Like many who find themselves in the broad-response squirting category, I too wish I could take a pill to never squirt again. Ive invested in products from an endless supply of puppy pads, six washable squirt blankets, and even a blow-up nuru pool to contain my unwanted fluids. All of that is work and excess and I truly dont know if squirting is worth it.

But society seems to be hellbent on labeling squirting as the greatest thing since sliced bread, which doesnt leave a whole lot of room for those of us who have mixed feelings or straight up dont like it. With that, I have some good news and bad news. Just like there is no one tried-and-true way to squirt (no matter what that one guy tells you), there is also not one tried-and-true way to stop the squirting for a broad-response squirter. However, there are a few things you can try to do that overwhelm or distract the body to a point that maybe you wont squirt, but none of them are fool proof by any means:

Have something penetrating you without movement. Basically whatever is penetrating you here needs to stay internal. The hope here is that the pelvic floor is not able to do its full movement and the penetrating object is somewhat blocking the point of exit. Yes, the danger here is that your force will push whatever is inside of you out, which is why it staying put is so important.

Find a sensation that overwhelms you. Maybe thats intense vibration, perhaps its something in your back hole, or even both. Sometimes involving the back hole can take the bodys focus off the front.

Ride the hormonal shifts until they find their stasis. Youre basically playing with a new body right now, and one that will continue to change and shift. There is a chance it will continue to do so and maybe the squirting will level out. Thats a big if as we cant predict the changes your body will go through.

And since these are all educated guesses for your body at best, the other route is to begin an acceptance that your body expresses itself in a way when you feel pleasure that straight up sucks sometimes, even most of the time. You can have your moments where you get your puppy pads, your washable squirt blankets, or a quickie in the shower, but youre also allowed to negotiate yourself out of masturbation because you just dont fucking feel like it today. This feels unfair, and it is. This is also why its important to talk about all of the aspects of squirting and why life isnt so great under the waterfall.

I wish I could give you a better answer and more hope, but by opening the conversation, perhaps you or someone who reads this can suggest ways that they have been able to stop their squirt temporarily or for good.



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Dear How to Do It,

Mid-thirties lesbian here. I have struggled with depression for a long time but Im finally at the point (and on the right meds) where I would like to date and have sex. The only issue is that my meds cause me to have a bad case of dry mouth.

This is affecting my confidence when I try to meet other women to date because I find myself worrying about trying to kiss them with my dry-ass mouth. I also worry about how it might affect sex if we make it to that step (though Ive only had sex once, so I admittedly dont have a lot of experience to draw from.) I do use dry mouth lozenges/spray, and Im drinking more water, but it always feels like relief doesnt last very long.

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Should I tell women about this when we start messaging each other? Do you have any suggestions for what I should do about it during sex? Am I getting too much in my own head?

My Mouth Is the Desert

Dear My Mouth Is the Desert,

Yep, youre too much in your own head. Your dry mouth may seem like a problem, but its not necessarily a sex and dating issue just yet. You dont have a partner, and you dont know what type of sex youll be having when you do. Those are important pieces of intel. If you find yourself uninterested in giving oral (or with a partner who isnt interested in receiving it), this will be less of an issue. If you found yourself really wanting to give head or wanting to please a partner who asked for it, it may become a thing. But for now, dont sweat it too much.

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Dry mouth sprays/lozenges are goodtry to make sure you get ones with xylitol (a lot of gum also contains this saliva-producing sugar alcohol). Theres a product, XyliMelts, that you stick to your gum/tooth and it supposedly keeps you lubed with spit for hours. Youd have to place it strategically so that it wouldnt get in the way during oral, but it might be worth a try. In a Reddit thread on this subject, someone who experiences dry mouth said she sucks on her cheek or presses her tongue to her teeth to produce saliva. Also worth a try. Other potential useful aids here: Gatorade (which also has a saliva-producing effect) and flavored lube.

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In terms of disclosure, wait until you try and see how it goes. Again, this might not end up being that big of an issue, and you dont have to alert potential partners to minor problems that may or may not arise. If you do find yourself dry-tongued during sex, you can always ask for a break and explain quickly, My meds give me dry mouth, or even, I tend to have dry mouth. Or, just pull away and sip some water (or again, Gatorade). Its completely understandable and it shouldnt disturb the vast majority of people you may find yourself in bed with.

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Something else that may give you some peace of mind: Your dryness may not really matter for oral sex on vulvas. My editor, Isabelle Kohn, tells me: I have a vulva and can confirm that its not exactly the wetness or dryness of a persons mouth or tongue that makes it feel good. Ive literally never thought about this while someones going down on me! Oral moisture might not be as big of an issue as she thinks it is, and if her partner is wetor theyre using lube, possibly the flavored kinditll help. Plus, you never know if your partner prefers more lips to tongueI personally find lips, and a more closed mouth, more pleasurable than just straight-up tongue. So there you go.

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How to Get Advice From How to Do It

Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.)

Dear How to Do It,

Wea couple in our late 30sare planning to buy a house in a suburban gated community. We already know the neighborhood is gossipy and judgmental, but its a solid real estate investment and were moving to be closer to our aging family. We have an open relationship and logistics work great in our large apartment complex in another state. But were worried about the all eyes on me feel and nosey neighbors when we make the move.

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We are discrete about our open relationship status because of our careers and the traditional mindset of our social circles/family. In our current living situation, we feel like we can discreetly host our sexual partners. But were not sure how this could work in the new community since the neighbors will notice visitors, especially when its a single guy stopping by for a few hours when the male partner is away. We tend to stick with a few people we have a connection with. So its the same people coming by on a regular basis, not new people all the time. Any suggestions for how we can continue our open but discrete lifestyle in a gated community?

Trying to Stay Open for Business (and Pleasure!)

Dear Trying to Stay Open for Business (and Pleasure!),

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Dont overthink this. Your neighbors may notice guests but then, a lot of people have guestspotential friends and family members that may swing by for visits, for example. Thats hardly unusual. I think youre better off just playing it cool, not explaining too much (or at all), and pursuing your sexual interests than you are attempting to keep up with the Joneses (which in this case would actually mean slowing down). If the neighborhood is gossipy, theyre going to talk about you no matter what, perhaps making up stories. Dont help them by sneaking around or showing other signs of shame. I think that could be much more detectable than a matter-of-fact approach to living your life. All is explainable: I have friends, and one of them came to visit. I dont know how you regard your sex buds, but this is likely true, right? These people can only do so much with their conjecture and even if you were somehow confronted by family or work as a result of their snooping, the explanation stands: I have friends, and one of them came to visit.

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It should be simple. If you consider changing the way you live based on what other people think, well, consider again. Thats way too much power to give to people who arent adding a thing to your life. You should also check in with yourselfthis may be as practical a concern as you present it as, but your anxiety also might be some shame rearing its head. It happens even to the most seasoned non-monogamist. You can work through it, but only with yourself, not your nosy neighbors.

Dear How to Do It,

I love my wife. I dont experience sexual desire based on my love feelings for her, though. I get horny by mostly visual senses of seeing appealing body parts, either clothed or not. I dont feel like sex is connected to emotional feelings for me, but it is for her. Do I need to work on myself or is this pretty normal?

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

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If you feel emotionally connected to your wife in nonsexual contexts, I dont think theres a huge issue here. Its OK for different people to have different reasons for pursuing sex. I have to wonder how the actual sex functions and feels with that discordance, though. If youre both satisfied, albeit for different reasons, and you have an otherwise strong relationship, youve found a good match. Sometimes what makes a good match is similarity, and sometimes its difference or kind of complementary sensibilities. This stuff is intricate and can be mysterious, but when it works, it works.

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Is this pretty normal? Its certainly not uncommon for people to enjoy the visual aspect of sex. Some people enjoy watching porn during sex, and I suspect some of them may have reasons similar to that which you describe. You may want to look into attachment theoryI shy away from mentioning it too much in this column because I think its often applied in very pat ways that remind me of the way people use astrology. But! It does seem like some with avoidant attachment styles may share sexual traits with you. The Attachment Project says: Generally, avoidant adults dont seem to use sex to express emotional proximity and love for their partners. This can be highly problematic if they have an anxious/preoccupied lover, who relies on sex to feel loved and desired.

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If you see any of these issues coming up, you might want to work on them either in solo therapy or couples counseling. However, if this is merely a philosophical inquiry, I think its very possible that you and your wife are coming at this from different angles, but if youre both coming together (in some proximity) or, at minimum, enjoying sex together, youre probably good.

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Also consider this: Sex may not be a direct expression of emotion for you (in the sense of, I feel this thing and am now showing you how I feel via the sex we are having), but if you are an attentive and considerate lover and partner regardless, thats out of love for your wife, right? So then perhaps sex becomes an indirect expression of emotion, but an expression all the same.

Rich

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Recently, my partner and I acquired a very, very generous dildo to play with, and we discovered that we can only get it about halfway inside me before we hit the cervix and cannot go deeper. I was surprisedI was not in pain or anything, but we just could not go any further. So how do women take huge dildos inside them in porn movies? Like, literallywhere does it go? Am I being silly? And do you have any tips to get it in deeper?
We get asked by friends and family where to buy coffee a lot. Its a tough question! Its easy to lose track of just how many incredible, fresh, vibrant coffees are out there. Every week, we ask our advertising roasting partners for coffee recommendations theyre most excited about. Heres this weeks collection of some of the most interesting whole bean coffee offerings available from talented roasters across the globe.

Amavida Coffee Roasters

CXFFEEBLACK

Equator Coffees

Greater Goods Coffee Co.

Joe Coffee Company

Madcap Coffee Company

Monogram Coffee

Night Swim Coffee

Olympia Coffee Roasters

Onyx Coffee Lab

Partners Coffee

PERC Coffee

Portland Coffee Roasters

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Verve Coffee Roasters

Our coffee newsletter subscribers get this list each week, a few days before anyone elsecheck it out over at Substack.

Amavida Coffee Roasters : Honey Comsa This medium roast Honduran coffee from COMSA Cooperative has a mild, berry-like acidity and a full body. It features pronounced dried fruit notes in the aroma followed by prominent flavors of raisin, fig, and molasses. Certified Organic & Fair Trade Coffee.

Cxffeeblack : Fatherland Kenya, Lions Hill Farm, Tinderet Nandi County, Solai Coffee Junt, Washed Peaberry. My fathers first connection to coffee, my first connection to coffee. When my dad went to Africa while in college, Kenya changed his life. Years later, he introduced Kenyan coffee to our household. I didnt know it then, but this was the first clue that coffee, like me, was black. This cxffee is our latest from the all black supply chain, sourced by the Kuria family. They are a multi-generational African-owned Kenyan importing company bringing over coffee from their families and neighbors farms. We met the Kuria family at the second inaugural Color of Coffee Collective, and were so excited to be able to share the the first of our collaborative offerings with you.

Equator Coffees

Equator Coffees: Colombia Cerro Azul EnanoA returning single origin favorite, Cerro Azul Enano is a complex Colombian coffee featuring the mysterious Enano coffee variety from our quality-obsessed friends at Granja La Esperanza. The resulting coffee is delicate, floral, and complex with flavors of jasmine, pink grapefruit, and creamsicle.

We love this coffee so much that we bought their entire harvest! This Equator Coffees exclusive is now roasting, available in 6oz, 12oz, and 2lb bags.

Back to top.

Greater Goods Coffee Co. Greater Goods Roasting: Santa Gema Last year, we had the privilege of visiting some incredible farms in Nicaragua, including Santa Gema. At Santa Gema, Mario Vilchez produces a remarkable maracaturra coffee with flavor notes of cherry cordial, tea rose, and tamarind. Were proud to say that this coffee qualified for Nationals at the US Brewers Cup competition, a testament to its exceptional quality. Back to top.

Joe Coffee Company Joe Coffee: The Village  Currently, The Village comes from the Rubi sisters farm Finca Ruland 2, in Las Vegas, Honduras. Andrea and her sisters skill and diligence shine through this lot of washed and natural coffees. Expect a complex balance of layered acidity and structured sweetness. Beginning with notes of deep citrus and stone fruit, flavors arc towards ripe cherry as the coffee cools, leaving us with a final, soft note of spice and caramel. The Village is a celebration of women in coffee, composed of seasonally-rotating selections from valued relationships with female producers and cooperatives, aimed at highlighting and addressing this gender gap. According to strong research, investing in women increases the sustainability of coffee everywherewomen are more likely to reinvest their income back into their families, their coffee businesses, and their communities. And when access to decision-making and the global marketplace improves for women farmers, quality improves too. Back to top.

Madcap Coffee Company Madcap Coffee Company: El PorvenirEl Porvenir translates to things to come. It also happens to be the very first coffee Madcap ever purchased back in 2008  and we havent stopped yet. Headed by 4th generation farmer Gloria Rodriguez, the Rodriguez family operates five small farms located in the Apaneca region  known as the Golden Coffee Belt  in El Salvador. Intention and care are woven into every step of the process. While the elevation of El Porvenir sits lower than most of our line-up, the area fosters a unique terroir benefitting from cool nights, constant wind, and the volcanoes surrounding the area.

Coffee notes: brown sugar, rich black cherry, and baking chocolate in this sweet yet round-bodied cup.

Monogram Coffee Monogram Coffee: Elida Estate Catuai Lamastus Family

Panama is now world famous for the gesha variety, producing some of the most delicious (and expensive) geshas in the world. Geshas popularity had a huge impact on speciality coffee by emphasizing the importance and impact of coffee variety. At the same time that there is an intense interest in variety, there is also a move to understand how processing can elucidate unique varietal characteristics in coffee varieties. Elida Estate is world famous for their gesha coffees, but they have not rested on their success and they are trying to improve every coffee they offerincluding coffees that are not gesha. They grow a large amount of Catuai on the farm and they have developed a process that brings the best out of the variety. They ferment the coffee cherry in oxygen-free tanks for 5 days and then dry it very slowly for up to 30 days, with the last part of the drying finished in a covered tent. This process reveals the power and structure of Catuai, with big aromas, intense fruit, and a heavy body. Back to top.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/us-mulls-posting-more-military-advisers-to-kiev-embassy---pentagon-1118035051.html

US Mulls Posting More Military Advisers to Kiev Embassy - Pentagon

US Mulls Posting More Military Advisers to Kiev Embassy - Pentagon

Sputnik International

The United States is considering sending more military advisers to the US Embassy in Kiev, the US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

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"Throughout this conflict, the DOD has reviewed and adjusted our presence in-country, as security conditions have evolved. Currently, we are considering sending several additional advisers to augment the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the Embassy," he told Politico. The Pentagon spokesperson added that the office performed advisory and non-combat support missions despite being staffed exclusively with Department of Defense personnel.The number of US advisers to be sent to Ukraine could be up to 60, Politico reported, citing two US officials.Advisers will support logistics and oversee the weapons Washington is sending to Kiev, as well as assist the Ukrainian military in maintaining the weapons, US officials said.Western countries have been providing military aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has consistently warned against continued military aid to Kiev, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/as-europe-baulks-at-confiscating-russias-assets-outlook-for-ukraine-funding-challenging--1118038032.html

As Europe Baulks at Confiscating Russia's Assets, Outlook for Ukraine Funding 'Challenging'

As Europe Baulks at Confiscating Russia's Assets, Outlook for Ukraine Funding 'Challenging'

Sputnik International

Despite the US House of Representatives approving $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, one can expect further diplomatic hurdles over bankrolling the rest of Kievs bills, wrote The Washington Post.

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us house of representatives

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Despite the decision by the US House of Representatives to finally approve $61 billion in aid for Ukraine after months of deadlock, one can expect further diplomatic hurdles over bankrolling the rest of Kievs bills, The Washington Post acknowledged.The issue of getting their hands on the illegally frozen Russian assets to further funnel them to the Kiev regime is going to be an uphill battle, the outlet predicted.US officials have been pushing disinclined European leaders and diplomats to use some of the seized Russian Central Bank reserves, the authors recalled. But no matter what options for repurposing the Russian assets are proposed, European leaders reportedly fear the detrimental consequences of such a move.Options proposed have ranged from seizing the assets outright to using windfall profits from the Russian investments to back a loan or bond offering. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a fan of the latter option, telling journalists recently that "The first payments of these windfall profits, that we estimate in the first year around about 2.5 to 2 billion euros a year, might be accessible and can be invested and support Ukraine in the military needs it has."But officials from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have balked at confiscating the Russian assets, as the outcome of the annual spring meetings of the boards of governors of the two bodies hosted by Washington a few days ago clearly testifies. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with her European counterparts during those IMF and World Bank meetings, but a compromise remained out of reach.European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said last week that proposals to tap frozen Russian assets for the Kiev regime's benefit open "a whole series of questions that have to do with respect of the international legal order. Amid concerns that international investors could shy away from the euro in response to such a move, European officials have unfailingly noted that they are the ones holding the bulk of the assets. It stands to reason that any Russian response to the attempt to grab its assets would be most painfully felt by Europe.The US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a bill dubbed the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act as part of its $95 billion package providing foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. It presupposes $60.84 billion in Kiev-related aid, specifically: $23.3 billion to replenish defense articles and services provided to Ukraine, $13.8 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, and $11.3 billion for US military operations in the region. The bill also includes a measure to provide long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine. Part of the package bill is a REPO Act, which would enable US President Joe Biden to confiscate roughly $6 billion in frozen Russian assets held in US banks and send it to Ukraine.Even if the aforementioned European qualms were to be quashed, the details of "utilizing Russian funds are vexing, the publication pointed out. Whether it is the option of issuing bonds that would pay investors interest with profits from seized Russian assets, or G7 nations assembling a syndicated loan for Ukraine, each such proposal would face challenging legal and financial hurdles, according to the US media outlet.There is "no consensus on specifics," one senior US Treasury official was cited as saying, adding:"Were thinking of the Russian sovereign assets as a sustainable medium-to-long-term solution for this funding problem. The squabble over Russia's assets comes as, on the financial side of it, according to the World Bank's Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, Ukraines reconstruction and recovery will cost $486 billion over the next decade. On the battlefield, the Russian Armed Forces have been making significant tactical advances, the outlet cited the Institute for the Study of War nonprofit as saying. On the other hand, Ukraine is running short on shells, ammunition, air defense systems, and manpower.A final decision on the assets is expected at a June summit of US President Joe Biden and other Group of Seven leaders in Italy.Moscow has maintained that such an attempt goes against international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry has dismissed the freezing of Russian assets as theft.Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin dubbed the Wests asset seizure as unseemly business, and stressed that stealing other peoples assets has never brought anyone good.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/us-reputation-will-falter-if-it-proceeds-with-confiscation-of-russian-assets-kremlin-1118033848.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/crumbs-from-masters-table-ukrainian-mp-calls-new-aid-gift-to-us-military-industrial-complex-1118039951.html

'Crumbs From Master's Table': Ukrainian MP Calls New Aid Gift to US Military-Industrial Complex

'Crumbs From Master's Table': Ukrainian MP Calls New Aid Gift to US Military-Industrial Complex

Sputnik International

The House of Representatives voted Saturday to approve $95 billion in new foreign aid, including close to $61 billion for Ukraine. The legislation, coming after six months of delays amid a congressional battle over US border security, has met with high praise from senior Ukrainian officials. But not everyone in Kiev is equally thrilled.

2024-04-21T11:52+0000

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2024-04-21T12:15+0000

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The $61 billion in new assistance which made its way through the House is just a drop in the bucket compared to Kievs needs, and the majority of the funds will go to the US military-industrial complex, Ukrainian parliamentarian Oleksandr Dubinsky has suggested.Officials from the presidential administration happily ran to the Internet to tell everyone that now they are saved: the American aid package will not allow Putin to quickly win, the tension over the May issue [questions over Volodymyr Zelenskys legitimacy as president after the cancellation of elections, ed.] will subside, money will flow into the budget, new weapons will arrive, and so on and so forth. But most importantly, this package means that Trump has been dumped, and their beloved Joe [Biden] is back in the saddle. All of this, as usual, is a lie, the Rada lawmaker wrote in a Telegram post, proceeding to explain why.Firstly, regarding money promised for the stabilization of the budget, yes, Kiev will receive it  in the amount of $7.8 billion. This money, Dubinsky pointed out, cannot be spent on pensions and social benefits, but will be reserved for the salaries of bureaucrats and public sector employees.Secondly, regarding the idea that Ukraine will get a lot of new weapons, Dubinsky noted that this may be true, but the point of the project lies elsewhere.As for the idea that the new US "aid" package targets former US President Donald Trump, thats also complete nonsense, the lawmaker believes, pointing out that the new assistance is credit, giving Washington new powers beyond even the European Union to control the Ukrainian government through greater dependence.At the same time, the go-ahead from Trump to [House Speaker Mike] Johnson to put the aid package to a vote means the Trump campaign has come to an understanding with donors from the American military-industrial complex. Elections are coming up and candidates are fundraising, Dubinsky suggested.Dubinsky is a former member of Zelenskys Servant of the People Party who became an independent in 2021. He is one of the few lawmakers in todays Ukrainian parliament finding the fortitude to criticize the government. Ukraine has been on a course toward authoritarianism since the 2014 US and EU-backed coup, with authorities banning several major parties and arresting opposition politicians on trumped-up charges of sedition and treason.The US Treasury slapped sanctions on Dubinsky in early 2021, accusing him of being part of a "Russia-linked foreign influence network" in the wake of the release of damning audio recordings by a fellow lawmaker detailing Joe Biden's alleged pay-to-play corruption schemes in Ukraine while serving as former POTUS Barack Obama's vice president. Dubinsky was expelled from the Servant of the People parliamentary fraction and expelled from the party shortly after. In 2023, he was placed under investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine, and arrested on charges of treason and suspicion of running an operation to get Ukrainian men of fighting age out of the country. He was placed in a pre-trial detention center in November, where he was attacked. His arrest has been extended since then. The lawmaker has called the case against him a politically motivated fabrication.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/as-europe-baulks-at-confiscating-russias-assets-outlook-for-ukraine-funding-challenging--1118038032.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/jackpot-for-arms-contractors-pain-for-ukraine-who-gets-what-from-congress-61-bln-bag-of-goodies-1118031921.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/five-uss-abrams-tanks-sent-to-ukraine-taken-out-by-russian-forces-in-2-months--reports-1118036385.html

Five US Abrams Tanks Sent to Ukraine Taken Out by Russian Forces in 2 Months  Reports

Five US Abrams Tanks Sent to Ukraine Taken Out by Russian Forces in 2 Months  Reports

Sputnik International

The Russian armed forces have taken out five of the 31 US-made M1 Abrams tanks in the special military operation zone in the last two months, The New York Times has reported, citing a senior US official.

2024-04-21T04:23+0000

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2024-04-21T08:17+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

russia

avdeyevka

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Another three tanks the United States sent to Ukraine have been moderately damaged since the beginning of this year, the newspaper reported on Saturday, citing an Austrian military trainer. In February, Ukrainian media platform strana.ua reported that the Ukrainian armed forces had been using Abrams for over a month in the region of Avdeyevka, from where they later withdrew. On March 6, a commander of one of the Russian military units told Sputnik that the Russian forces destroyed a US-made Abrams for the first time in the Avdeyevka area during a tank battle. In late September 2023, the White House confirmed that Abrams tanks had begun arriving in Ukraine. In total, the US administration vowed to give Kiev 31 Abrams tanks. However, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, said that these tanks "will not live very long on the battlefield" in an ordinary combined arms battle.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240331/another-us-abrams-tank-destroyed-by-russias-forces-near-avdeyevka-1117666354.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/french-party-leader-says-us-providing-assistance-to-ukraine-only-leads-to-new-casualties-1118040674.html

French Party Leader Says US Providing Assistance to Ukraine Only Leads to New Casualties

French Party Leader Says US Providing Assistance to Ukraine Only Leads to New Casualties

Sputnik International

Another batch of US military assistance to Kiev worth nearly $61 billion will not change the course of the Ukraine conflict and will only lead to new casualties, The Patriots party leader Florian Philippot said on Sunday.

2024-04-21T10:57+0000

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On Saturday, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that will unlock $60.84 billion in Ukraine-related aid. The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed in a 311-112 vote, with one abstention. The politician also called on the French to stop sending money and arms to Kiev, saying that they were "destroying and endangering themselves." He also suggested that France should withdraw from NATO, engage in dialogue with Russia and seek negotiations as soon as possible. Western countries have been providing military aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries, saying this would lead to further escalation of the conflict.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/hamas-politburo-chief-says-wants-to-see-russia-among-security-guarantors-for-gaza-strip-1118038663.html

Hamas Politburo Chief Says Wants to See Russia Among Security Guarantors for Gaza Strip

Hamas Politburo Chief Says Wants to See Russia Among Security Guarantors for Gaza Strip

Sputnik International

Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the political office of the Palestinian movement Hamas, said on Sunday he would like to see Russia, along with Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, among the guarantors of security for the Gaza Strip.

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2024-04-21T13:04+0000

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In early February, Turkish newspaper Sabah reported that Ankara was ready to be a security guarantor for Palestine through its military presence in the region. Hamas would also like to see the United States among the guarantors, however, Israel stands strongly against it, the politician added. Haniyeh said that the US, which does not exert any pressure on Israel, is hindering the truce agreement from being concluded. Israel is only seeking the release of hostages and is not willing to sign a truce agreement, the politician added.Israel also wants the US to take part in its military action against Iran, the politician said."[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu does not want to end the war in Gaza. On the contrary, he wants to expand its framework for a regional war. Similarly, they want the Americans to be part of the military front against Iran, and a part of the military wing that serves Israel," he said.Hamas is not insisting on unilateral rule of the enclave after the conflict but is capable of forming a government, Haniyeh said."Gaza is governed by Palestinians. These are national issues. We will not allow the situation of Palestine in Gaza, the West Bank, or both to be regulated by occupiers or anyone else," he said.Several alternative options for the governance of the Gaza Strip have been proposed but none was successful, Haniyeh added.Hanyeh also called on Western countries to prevent Israel from a ground operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 34,000 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. On April 7, a new round of the Israeli-Hamas talks started in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. The ceasefire proposal made at the talks provided for the release of 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners as a part of a three-stage plan adopted by international mediators. Hamas largely rejected the proposal, saying it would present its own plan for a permanent end to the conflict in the region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/israel-hamas-talks-on-ceasefire-hostage-deal-on-brink-of-collapse---reports-1118025892.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/hundreds-of-people-rally-against-us-military-presence-in-niger---reports-1118044994.html

Hundreds of People Rally Against US Military Presence in Niger - Reports

Hundreds of People Rally Against US Military Presence in Niger - Reports

Sputnik International

Hundreds of Nigeriens protest in Agadez against US military presence in the country and demand that US forces leave, Nigerien news portal Air Info Agadez reported on Sunday.

2024-04-21T17:33+0000

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2024-04-21T17:33+0000

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Last month, a spokesperson for the Nigerien military said that the country's transitional government, which took power in a military takeover last July, had terminated the military agreement with the United States with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people. "We, the people of Agadez and all of Niger, are convinced that the presence of any foreign military base on our territory cannot be conducive to our security and constitutes a form of neocolonialism," one of the protesters said on video released by the news portal. The rally participants carry Nigerien, Malian, and Russian flags, as well as placards calling on the US to completely withdraw its forces from Niger. Niger's Interior Ministry recently said the US had promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the Western African country after Niamey ended its military pact with Washington.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/us-to-withdraw-1000-troops-from-niger-in-coming-months---reports-1118023372.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/israeli-military-chief-approves-plans-for-continued-war-in-gaza-1118045510.html

Israeli Military Chief Approves Plans for Continued War in Gaza

Israeli Military Chief Approves Plans for Continued War in Gaza

Sputnik International

Israel's military chief of staff Herzi Halevi approved on Sunday plans for the continuation of the Israeli war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

2024-04-21T18:05+0000

2024-04-21T18:05+0000

2024-04-21T18:05+0000

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"Today (Sun), the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi held a situational assessment and approval of plans for the continuation of the war in the Southern Command," the IDF said on social media. The Israeli army has been looking to expand its Gaza offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where many of the enclaves 2.4 million population have sought shelter in the past months. Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas attacked the Jewish state on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting over 200. The health ministry in Gaza estimates that more than 34,000 people have been killed in the Israeli onslaught and close to 77,000 others have been injured.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/netanyahu-vows-to-target-hamas-with-painful-strikes-in-coming-days-1118044458.html

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A pilot and his dog miraculously survived when their smal plane lost power and crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the southern California coast  and then the pooch and his owner managed to swim safely to shore.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Air Rescue squad responded to the waters near Ranchos Palos Verdes Sunday afternoon, according to its Special Enforcement Bureau.

The plane crashed about 200 yards from shore and a bystander called 911, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"The occupant of the plane and his dog made it to shore and were met by Lomita Station Deputies," the LASD wrote on X.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the sheriff's office cited engine issues as the reason for the accident.

The Times said the pilot, identified as Christopher Krajacic, was flying from Santa Monica to Long Beach when it went down.

Krajacic declined the outlet's request for comment.

The plane  a 1981 single-engine Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six  which was registered to a Christopher Risso, subsequently sank. There were no attempts to salvage it, but divers flagged the location, the outlet reported.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/israeli-minister-warns-us-against-sanctioning-idf-battalion-over-human-rights-violations-1118035380.html

Israeli Minister Warns US Against Sanctioning IDF Battalion Over Human Rights Violations

Israeli Minister Warns US Against Sanctioning IDF Battalion Over Human Rights Violations

Sputnik International

Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, warned the US that potential sanctions against the ultra-orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion would be a "red line."

2024-04-21T01:17+0000

2024-04-21T01:17+0000

2024-04-21T01:17+0000

world

us

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itamar ben-gvir

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"Sanctions against our soldiers is a red line! Minister [of Defense Yoav] Galant must immediately support Netzah Yehuda," he wrote on social media. US news website Axios reported on Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces controversial unit in the coming days. The unit is reportedly considered the destination for young radical right-wing settlers from the West Bank who were not accepted into other IDF units.The sanctions will ban the battalion and its members from receiving US military aid and training. They are based on human rights violations that were recorded in the West Bank before Hamas October 7 attack on Israel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/pariah-israel-dragging-us-into-garbage-bin-of-history-1118034709.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/moldovan-opposition-parties-create-joint-bloc-during-congress-in-moscow-1118041646.html

Moldovan Opposition Parties Create Joint Bloc During Congress in Moscow

Moldovan Opposition Parties Create Joint Bloc During Congress in Moscow

Sputnik International

Five Moldovan opposition parties during congress in Moscow on Sunday signed an agreement on creating a joint electoral bloc dubbed "Pobeda" (Victory), a Sputnik correspondent reported.

2024-04-21T12:31+0000

2024-04-21T12:31+0000

2024-04-21T14:26+0000

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The bloc includes the parties Sor, Sansa, Victorie, Revival, and Power of Moldovan Unity and Accord. He said the Pobeda-Victoria bloc will prepare for the Moldovan presidential election and the referendum on EU accession, scheduled for the fall. "The Pobeda bloc aims to win in the referendum," Ilan Shor told reporters, adding that the bloc would campaign against having Moldova join the European Union.Shor nominated himself as the bloc's executive chairman and suggested Yevgenia Gutsul, the head of Moldova's Gagauzia autonomy, as council secretary. He also said the reason for Moldovan opposition parties to hold a congress in Russia is that Moldova has become a "conquered state." He accused President Sandu of allowing the United States and the European Union to run Moldova."Life of our citizens has become worse. Moldova has been virtually under total control of the West. Ministers, judges, prosecutors report to US and EU envoys  Moldova has long ceded its independence. Were under external governance," the opposition politician said.The top Moldovan court on Tuesday gave the green light for the referendum on Moldovas EU accession bid. Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted EU candidate status in June 2022. In December 2023, EU leaders decided to open accession negotiations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240411/transnistria-president-says-forum-in-moldova-without-pmr-russian-participation-a-mistake-1117859920.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/nato-chief-claims-us-aid-to-ukraine-not-too-late-but-delay-had-consequences-1118046689.html

NATO Chief Claims US Aid to Ukraine Not Too Late But Delay Had Consequences

NATO Chief Claims US Aid to Ukraine Not Too Late But Delay Had Consequences

Sputnik International

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the new Ukraine aid package did not come too late, although he admitted that the delay had left consequences.

2024-04-21T20:04+0000

2024-04-21T20:04+0000

2024-04-21T20:04+0000

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us

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"It is not too late but, of course, the delay has had real consequences. The Ukrainians are now for months being outgunned by roughly one to five, one to ten, depending on what part of the frontline you talk about," he told MSNBC.Stoltenberg complained that Russia had much more ammunition, while the Ukrainians had been forced to ration theirs. The Ukrainian military has also been struggling to strike down missiles and drones because it lacks ammunition for air defense systems, he added. The US House of Representatives passed a $61-billion bill on Ukraine-related aid on Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped the upper house of Congress would have a vote on it as soon as Tuesday before it is sent to the president's desk.The package provides $23.3 billion to replenish US weapon stocks and $13.8 billion to procure advanced weapons. It also includes a measure to provide Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/jackpot-for-arms-contractors-pain-for-ukraine-who-gets-what-from-congress-61-bln-bag-of-goodies-1118031921.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/netanyahu-vows-to-target-hamas-with-painful-strikes-in-coming-days-1118044458.html

Netanyahu Vows to Target Hamas With 'Painful Strikes' in Coming Days

Netanyahu Vows to Target Hamas With 'Painful Strikes' in Coming Days

Sputnik International

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans on Sunday to step up pressure on Hamas in Gaza, including by targeting the Palestinian group with "painful strikes."

2024-04-21T14:46+0000

2024-04-21T14:46+0000

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"We will make additional, painful strikes against it. This will happen in the near future. In the coming days, we will increase military and political pressure on Hamas because it is the only way to ensure the release of our hostages and our victory," he said in a video address to the nation. Netanyahu also promised to "fight with all my might" against any potential sanctions imposed on Israeli military units. US news website Axios reported on Saturday that the United States was mulling sanctions against Netzah Yehuda, an ultra-Orthodox right-wing battalion that Washington suspects of committing human rights violations in the Israel-occupied West Bank.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/israel-hamas-talks-on-ceasefire-hostage-deal-on-brink-of-collapse---reports-1118025892.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/one-dead-7-missing-in-japans-2-military-helicopters-crash-during-drills--reports-1118036638.html

One Dead, 7 Missing in Japan's 2 Military Helicopters Crash During Drills  Reports

One Dead, 7 Missing in Japan's 2 Military Helicopters Crash During Drills  Reports

Sputnik International

One person has died and seven are missing after the crash of two military helicopters in Japan, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Sunday, citing Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.

2024-04-21T04:26+0000

2024-04-21T04:26+0000

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asia

japan

japanese defense ministry

drills

helicopter crash

sikorsky sh-60 seahawk

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The likely cause of the crash was a collision between two SH-60K helicopters, each carrying four crew members, during nighttime anti-submarine exercises in an area east of Tori-shima Island in the Pacific, Kihara told reporters. The military has already found what is believed to be helicopter debris during a post-accident search, he said, adding that the cause of the accident was still unknown. Earlier, the Japanese Defense Ministry said that that the SH-60K helicopter stopped communicating in the area of Tori-shima Island near the Izu Island chain, a minute later the helicopter sent a distress signal. About half an hour later, another similar helicopter stopped communicating from the same area, the ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231022/trying-for-third-front-us-korea-and-japan-hold-unprecedented-three-way-aerial-drill-1114403327.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/pope-urges-middle-east-to-reject-vengeance-1118042990.html

Pope Urges Middle East to Reject Vengeance

Pope Urges Middle East to Reject Vengeance

Sputnik International

Pope Francis urged stakeholders in the Middle East on Sunday to reject war and vengeance and opt for the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

2024-04-21T13:48+0000

2024-04-21T13:48+0000

2024-04-21T13:48+0000

world

pope francis

israel

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hamas

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"I renew my appeal not to give in to the logic of vengeance and war. May the paths of dialogue and diplomacy, which can do so much, prevail," he said after the Sunday prayer. The pontiff said he was following the events unfolding in the region with concern and grief, praying every day for peace in Palestine and Israel. The Catholic leader has been advocating for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and for the start of peace talks. He has also appealed many times for unfettered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for the release of hostages.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240418/unsc-discusses-middle-east-and-palestine-1117995406.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/rep-gosar-to-sputnik-on-ukraine-vote-congress-seems-to-want-to-help-every-country-except-america-1118042481.html

Rep. Gosar to Sputnik on Ukraine Vote: Congress Seems to Want to Help Every Country Except America

Rep. Gosar to Sputnik on Ukraine Vote: Congress Seems to Want to Help Every Country Except America

Sputnik International

The House of Representatives gathered for a rare weekend session Saturday to advance $95 billion in new assistance for Washingtons foreign allies and clients, including just shy of $61 billion for Ukraine. Moscow slammed the decision, saying it signals US ruling elites commitment to Ukraines destruction in a hopeless proxy war against Russia.

2024-04-21T13:47+0000

2024-04-21T13:47+0000

2024-04-21T13:48+0000

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aid

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Saturdays vote to provide new US aid to Ukraine is a sign of the US political classs readiness to waste taxpayer money abroad instead of using it to focus on issues Americans actually care about, Congressman Paul Gosar has told Sputnik.Unfortunately, 210 Democrats joined 101 Republicans in voting in favor of wasting more money on a war half a globe away. America is in a ditch and too many in Congress refuse to find the will to address the long list of issues ailing our nation, Gosar, a Republican representing the state of Arizona, said.Pointing out that he has voted consistently against every dime wasted on the war in Ukraine and repeatedly called for peace, since the escalation of the crisis in February 2022, Gosar confirmed that he voted against the $61 billion package which advanced through the House on Saturday as well.Gosar is one of a handful of conservative Republicans in the House who have sought to rein in defense spending and US funding for conflicts abroad in favor of dealing with more urgent priorities facing the US, including economic issues, the debt and the border crisis.Gosar joined Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky this week in a motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his seat for advancing the Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan aid bills.The Arizona congressman has taken a hardline, principled America First foreign policy stance, voting Saturday against not only Ukraine aid, but against $14 billion in additional assistance to Israel. Last year, he joined Representative Matt Gaetz, Senator Rand Paul and others in calling for an end to the illegal US military presence in northeastern Syria. In 2021, he joined with House Republicans to vote to repeal the 2002 Congressional authorization for the Iraq War. In October 2022, he extended an invitation to Presidents Putin and Zelensky to come to Arizona to hold negotiations to end the Ukrainian crisis.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/us-senate-ready-to-vote-in-support-of-military-aid-to-ukraine-israel-on-tuesday-1118036880.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/us-pumping-ukraine-with-weapons-to-protract-war-up-till-last-ukrainian---moscow-1118039648.html

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why did house approve aid to ukraine, will congress approve more aid to ukraine, how much aid has us approved for ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/russian-fleet-repels-anti-ship-missile-attack-in-russias-sevastopol-1118039219.html

Russian Fleet Repels Anti-Ship Missile Attack in Russia's Sevastopol

Russian Fleet Repels Anti-Ship Missile Attack in Russia's Sevastopol

Sputnik International

Crew of a Russian military vessel in the city of Sevastopol have repelled an anti-ship missile attack, followed by a brief fire, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Sunday.

2024-04-21T09:20+0000

2024-04-21T09:20+0000

2024-04-21T09:20+0000

russia

russia

sevastopol

drone

air defense system

air defense

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"This morning servicepeople aboard a vessel on the Northern side repelled an anti-ship missile attack. The fallen debris caused a small fire, which was quickly brought under control," Razvozhayev said on Telegram. The governor has called on city residents to only trust information from official sources. No information about injuries and damages have been provided.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240324/air-defenses-destroy-several-targets-over-crimeas-sevastopol---governor-1117514812.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/russian-forces-completely-liberate-bogdanovka-settlement-in-dpr-1118039785.html

Russian Forces Completely Liberate Bogdanovka Settlement in DPR

Russian Forces Completely Liberate Bogdanovka Settlement in DPR

Sputnik International

Units of the Battlegroup Yug have completely liberated the Bogdanovka settlement of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

2024-04-21T10:05+0000

2024-04-21T10:05+0000

2024-04-21T10:34+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

donetsk people's republic

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"Units of Battlegroup Yug have completely liberated the settlement of Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, improved their position along the front line, and hit the personnel and equipment of the 53rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the settlement of Krasnogorovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.According to the ministry, two counterattacks by formations of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were repulsed in the area of Chasov Yar, and west of the settlement of Krasnoye in the DPR. The Russian military destroyed a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force at the Dnepr airfield overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russian air defense systems have shot down 194 Ukrainian drones and eight MLRS shells of various types over the past 24 hours, the ministry added.According to the ministry, Russian forces have hit a Ukrainian drone production facility.Meanwhile, Battlegroup Zapad eliminated up to 50 Ukrainian servicepeople, an infantry fighting vehicle and two vehicles, the ministry said. Kiev also lost M777 howitzer, two US-made M119 howitzers and two Msta-B howitzers, as well as an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery mount, the ministry added. Russian forces also eliminated a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, four D-30 howitzers and a Rapira anti-tank gun, as well as a Grad multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS), and a US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station, the ministry noted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/russian-air-defense-systems-down-ukraines-su-25-fighter-jet---mod-1118026577.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/swiss-president-sent-putin-letter-soon-after-reelection-as-russian-president---reports-1118042341.html

Swiss President Sent Putin Letter Soon After Reelection as Russian President - Reports

Swiss President Sent Putin Letter Soon After Reelection as Russian President - Reports

Sputnik International

Swiss President Viola Amherd sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after his reelection expressing condolences over the recent terrorist attack in the Moscow Region and ongoing floods, Swiss news portal Blick reported on Sunday, citing the Swiss Defense Department.

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2024-04-21T13:05+0000

russia

vladimir putin

russia

moscow

switzerland

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"The letter includes condolences for the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22 and for those affected by the recent floods affecting several regions of Russia," Defense Department spokesman Lorenz Frischknecht was quoted as saying by the news portal. The letter was an attempt to call for a dialogue in tough times, he said. In the letter Amherd said that respect for international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter should be "the compass for achieving peace and prosperity," as quoted in the report. At the same time, Frischknecht noted that the letter was not a congratulation to Putin on his reelection as the Russian president. Russian regions located in the Ural Mountains and Siberia have been grappling for weeks with strong floods sparked by rapid snowmelt and rising water levels in rivers. The regions of Kurgan, Orenburg and Tyumen have declared a state of emergency. On March 22, several armed men broke into the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow and started shooting indiscriminately at concert-goers. They also started a fire in one of the auditoriums, which was full of people ahead of a concert. The attack left 145 people dead and many more injured. The four main suspects in the case tried to flee the scene in a car but were detained and charged with terrorism.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240405/trump-says-he-would-have-called-putin-personally-to-warn-about-crocus-terror-attack-1117750785.html

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A pair of Wyoming teens accused of fatally stabbing a 14-year-old boy in a mall over a "blood debt" earlier this month wanted to "gut" him, police alleged.

Robert Dean Maher was allegedly stabbed in the heart and stomach at Eastridge Mall in Casper, Wyoming, April 7, according to authorities.

Dominique Antonio Richard Harris and Jarreth Joseflee Sabastian Plunkett, both 15, were arrested and charged as adults with conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft, according to court records, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.

Plunkett is also charged with first-degree murder for Maher's death.

Police allege Plunkett was motivated to kill Maher because the victim called him and Harris "freaks" when they went into a port-a-potty together weeks prior, in an effort to escape the cold weather at a park, investigators revealed during the suspects' recent preliminary hearing.

Since that incident, the suspects allegedly wanted to fight the victim, and Harris allegedly told police Plunkett admitted he wanted to "gut that dude," in reference to Maher, detectives said.

Weeks later, the suspects allegedly drew the victim out by following his girlfriend around the mall, prompting her to call Maher.

He subsequently showed up at the mall to try to protect his girlfriend. The suspects allegedly approached him and brandished the knife.

"That's not fair," said Maher as he tried to back away from the situation, to which one of the teens replied, "I don't play fair," the affidavit stated, HNGN previously reported.

Harris allegedly held Maher down while Plunkett allegedly plunged the knife into him, before fleeing.

If convicted, the suspects face up to life in prison.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/top-russian-chinese-naval-officials-sign-rescue-at-sea-pact-in-qingdao-1118041808.html

Top Russian, Chinese Naval Officials Sign Rescue-at-Sea Pact in Qingdao

Top Russian, Chinese Naval Officials Sign Rescue-at-Sea Pact in Qingdao

Sputnik International

The top naval commanders from Russia and China signed a pact in the Chinese port city of Qingdao on Sunday that will see the two forces cooperate during search-and-rescue missions at sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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"After their meeting, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Hu Zhongming signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation during rescue at sea," the statement read. The commanders "underscored the need to advance cooperation between the fleets of the two countries to uphold security and stability in the global ocean," the ministry added. Russia's Moiseyev arrived in Qingdao on Saturday to take part in the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium, a biennial meeting of top naval officials from China and abroad.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230821/watch-russian-pacific-fleet-welcomed-to-qingdao-port-by-chinese-navy-1112753338.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/turkiye-iraq-to-finalize-deal-on-joint-operations-center-against-pkk-on-monday---reports-1118038993.html

Turkiye, Iraq to Finalize Deal on Joint Operations Center Against PKK on Monday - Reports

Turkiye, Iraq to Finalize Deal on Joint Operations Center Against PKK on Monday - Reports

Sputnik International

Ankara and Baghdad are expected to finalize an agreement on a joint operations center to fight the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iraq on Monday, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources.

2024-04-21T08:56+0000

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Turkiye proposed the establishment of a joint operations center, a security zone 30-40 kilometers (18.5-25 miles) deep into Iraqi territory, in mid-March at a security summit in Baghdad. Erdogan will visit Iraq at the invitation of Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa al Sudani, Hurriyet reported. The parties are expected to sign up to 30 agreements, including the one aimed at eliminating PKK militants in Iraq, according to the report. The parties are also expected to agree upon the creation of a security zone along the Turkish-Iraqi border, the newspaper reported. The armed conflict between the PKK and Turkiye began in 1984 and reignited in 2015. The organization, which seeks the creation of an independent Kurdish state, including on Turkish territory, has established bases in Iraqi and Syrian territories close to the Turkish border, where the Turkish military has been targeting them in land and air strikes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231003/turkiye-starts-anti-pkk-operation-in-18-provinces-90-suspects-detained---reports-1113875821.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/two-children-killed-as-car-crashes-into-building-in-michigan-1118036761.html

Two Children Killed as Car Crashes Into Building in Michigan

Two Children Killed as Car Crashes Into Building in Michigan

Sputnik International

A young sister and brother were killed and several other people injured when a car crashed into a boat club in the US state of Michigan on Saturday where a birthday party was being held, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough has said.

2024-04-21T04:29+0000

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"Unfortunately, in tragedy, two of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. This includes an 8-year-old female and a 5-year-old male who are siblings of each other," Goodnough told a briefing. Several other people were injured in the crash, with nine people, including three children, having been transported to hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries, he said. The car driver, a 66-year-old woman who crashed 25 feet into the building, was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol that caused death, the sheriff added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240214/at-least-10-people-injured-after-car-crashes-into-hospital-in-austin-texas-1116769246.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/uk-develops-challenger-3-tank-due-to-need-for-more-lethal-tank---defense-secretary-1118035613.html

UK Develops Challenger 3 Tank Due to Need for More Lethal Tank - Defense Secretary

UK Develops Challenger 3 Tank Due to Need for More Lethal Tank - Defense Secretary

Sputnik International

The UK is investing in the development of a new Challenger 3 tank as the country's military needs "a more lethal tank" fit for a modern battlefield, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has said.

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"Britain needs a more lethal tank. Thats why were investing hundreds of millions of pounds in the Challenger 3 to rapidly get the Army the upgraded tank they need to fight and win on any modern battlefield," Shapps said on X on Saturday. On Thursday, the UK Defense Ministry announced that the latest of eight Challenger 3 prototypes had rolled off the production line. The new edition includes a more advanced turret with a more powerful smoothbore gun compatible with NATO ammunition, as well as upgraded armor and sensors. The UK army is expected to eventually receive 148 Challenger 3 tanks.The UK has supplied Ukraine with several Challenger 2 tanks. In September 2023, a Challenger 2 tank was destroyed in combat between the Russian and Ukrainian forces, with the incident believed to be the first destruction by enemy fire in the model's nearly 30 years of being in service.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/ukraine-frontline-of-wests-much-larger-conflict-with-adversaries-like-russia-china-1118042685.html

Ukraine 'Frontline' of West's 'Much Larger Conflict' With Adversaries Like Russia, China

Ukraine 'Frontline' of West's 'Much Larger Conflict' With Adversaries Like Russia, China

Sputnik International

The ongoing conflagration in Ukraine is the frontline of a much larger conflict, according to British journalist Gideon Rachman writing for the Financial Times.

2024-04-21T17:00+0000

2024-04-21T17:00+0000

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The ongoing conflagration in Ukraine is the frontline of a much larger conflict, according to British journalist Gideon Rachman writing for the Financial Times.The United States and its Western allies perceive Russia, along with China, Iran and North Korea as an axis of adversaries, he stressed.That explains why the US House of Representatives put aside months of bitter wrangling and voted to approve $61bn in new military aid for Ukraine, where NATO is waging its proxy war against Russia.The 311-112 vote in the House offers a clear sense of how America and its key allies in Europe and Asia now see the world, added the columnist.The vote to provide supplementary Ukraine aid comes as Europes military industries struggle to ramp up production and investments to prop up Ukraine even at huge cost to their own defense and stockpiles.The billions are intended as push back against Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang  all four of which US General Chris Cavoli, Commander of United States European Command, described as an axis of adversaries in a statement to the US Senate Armed services Committee on April 11.In that same report, Cavoli argued that Russia is on track to command the largest military on the continent and a defense industrial complex capable of generating substantial amounts of ammunition and materiel in support of large scale combat operations.Russia continues to display a resilient economy and an ability to withstand sanctions and export controls," lamented the US general. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that Russias GDP will grow by 2.6 percent in 2024.Cavoli earlier told Congress amid the then-stalled vote on Ukraine aid that Russia represents a chronic threat and was forming interlocking strategic partnerships with China, North Korea and Iran.While the threat narrative deployed by the Pentagon is reminiscent of the axis of evil moniker used 2002 by George W. Bush in reference to Iraq, Iran and North Korea, said the journalist, the current level of cooperation between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea allegedly warrants use of the phrase. According to Rachman, that is why the US and its allies are supporting countries that are in the line of fire of the axis of adversaries," specifically Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.What the British journalist wrote in the FT about the Ukraine conflict being part of a "much larger" picture is hardly an eye-opener.Kiev's neo-Nazi regime, pumped to the hilt with NATO weapons, has long become a tool used to confront Russia, its existential security and human values. Moscow would agree with Cavoli's assessment that Russia has used diplomatic clout to to challenge the existing order.The proxy conflict in Ukraine has become a reflection of the global geopolitical battleground, where Russia, its partners in BRICS and the Global South, are pushing forward the new, multi-polar world order.Meanwhile the US has been doing what it does best: cobbling together militarized alliances that only serve to stoke tensions to dangerously new highs. Washington has been militarizing both Taiwan and the Philippines under the pretext of China's possible "invasion" of Taiwan, viewed by Beijing as its inalienable territory.In addition, an Army Pacific spokesperson told Sputnik that the United States is on track to deploy a medium-range missile system in the Asia-Pacific region by the end of this year. That, coupled with numerous large and provocative joint US drills with Japan, Australia, Philippines have been called out by China and Russia as seeking to expand NATO into other regions of the world.The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea has been forced to dramatically ramp up its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in the face of constant US provocations.The current dramatic escalation of the Iran-Israel confrontation clearly demonstrated that Washington will eagerly take Tel Aviv's side despite the threat of dangerous regional spillover.The West's belligerent statements about Russia and its partners reflect an understanding of the ongoing formation of a new and just world order, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier this month."The escalation of this theme of Russia's [strategic] defeat, the emphasis on the existential significance of this defeat for the future of the West reflects not so much a bellicose mood as agony and hysteria," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian radio stations Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/us-pumping-ukraine-with-weapons-to-protract-war-up-till-last-ukrainian---moscow-1118039648.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230909/g20-split-over-ukraine-sign-of-battle-between-us-unipolarity-rising-multipolar-world-order-1113241211.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/us-aid-bill-for-ukraine-insufficient-for-ukraines-needs-bolsters-us-military-1118035976.html

US Aid Bill for Ukraine 'Insufficient' for Ukraines Needs, Bolsters US Military

US Aid Bill for Ukraine 'Insufficient' for Ukraines Needs, Bolsters US Military

Sputnik International

As the US House of Representatives passed a multi-billion Ukraine aid bill, the experts continue their debates and criticism regarding this measure, questioning its efficacy and allocations.

2024-04-21T04:01+0000

2024-04-21T04:01+0000

2024-04-21T04:11+0000

us

mike johnson

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David Pyne, a former US Department of Defense officer and executive vice president of Task Force on National and Homeland Security, offered a critical assessment of the aid package. He argued that the allocated funds are "woefully insufficient" for Ukraine's wartime needs.Questions also arise regarding the distribution of the aid, since House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that only a fraction, approximately $12-14 billion, would directly provide weapons to Ukraine.However, Pyne raised concerns that a substantial portion, around 80%, would benefit US defense industries. He highlighted the potential for President Biden to utilize drawdown authority, enabling the redirection of additional funds from existing military stocks to Ukraine.Furthermore, Pyne shed light on Ukraine's critical shortages of artillery shells and air defense missiles. He outlined Russia's success in inflicting significant casualties on Ukrainian forces and emphasized the challenges in addressing Ukraine's munitions deficits.Pyne highlighted the stark disparity between Russian and Ukrainian&NATO artillery capabilities, noting that "Russia produces over three times as many artillery munitions than all of NATO combined".The assessment underscores the complexity of providing effective support to Ukraine amidst escalating conflict. As the aid bill moves forward, discussions surrounding its implementation, distribution, and broader geopolitical implications are likely to persist, as well as questions regarding US true purposes and intentions towards Ukraine as a nation.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240421/us-billionaire-investor-warns-ukraine-will-collapse-anyway-despite-us-aid-bill-1118037460.html

US Billionaire Investor Warns Ukraine Will 'Collapse Anyway,' Despite Aid Bill

US Billionaire Investor Warns Ukraine Will 'Collapse Anyway,' Despite Aid Bill

Sputnik International

The collapse of Ukraine is inevitable, despite the US House of Representatives having passed a foreign aid package that includes $61 billion in aid to Kiev, American entrepreneur David Sacks wrote on X.

2024-04-21T07:14+0000

2024-04-21T07:14+0000

2024-04-21T07:38+0000

world

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The collapse of Ukraine is inevitable, despite the US House of Representatives having passed a foreign aid package that includes $61 billion in aid for Kiev, American entrepreneur David Sacks wrote on the X social media platform.The post by Sacks was in reply to a similarly deprecatory one by GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who posted footage from the House after the bill was passed, commenting that, they vote to send more of your hard-earned money to a corrupt foreign regime. And just like that they shout 'UKRAINE! UKRAINE!' while happily working to secure Ukraines borders, not ours.The billionaire investor pointed out in his thread on X that, Its not just $61 billion. Ukraine will need massive annual cash infusions to stave off total defeat. So its $61 billion as the baseline for an annual appropriation in a new forever war.He pointed out that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars also began with annual appropriations in the $60B range. Those wars ended up costing trillions.Simple math, the investor remarked, showed that the new funding bill could do no more than possibly buy Ukraine precisely half of a Summer Counteroffensive.And, of course, everyone knows full well how that much-heralded counteroffensive attempt ended up last year  limited battlefield achievements coupled with massive manpower and hardware losses.According to Sacks, it is a bizarre world, where If you vote to send our money abroad while waving a foreign flag, youll be called an American patriot. If you vote to keep our money at home to fund domestic priorities like the border, youll be called a foreign agent.The entrepreneur recalled that according to US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, CIA Director Burns had to warn [Ukraines President Volodymyr] Zelensky to stop stealing so much money. His subordinates were angry that he wasnt sharing the spoils.SpaceX founder and tech mogul Elon Musk also weighed in on the post made by Sacks, commenting that his biggest concern was that there is no exit strategy, just a forever war.Furthermore, the House also passed what is called the REPO Act, which will allow the Biden administration to transfer illegally frozen Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine.David Sacks previously joined the chorus of voices warning about a possible threat of World War Three breaking out against the backdrop of the Wests efforts to push forward with sending military support to Ukraine, something that fuels NATOs ongoing proxy war with Russia.The US should "cut a deal" and seek detente with Russia to provide a baseline for world peace, the American investor noted at a gala for the Republican think tank American Moment in Washington in March. During the speech, the 51-year-old also made the case that the US involvement in the Ukraine conflict had finally proved to be a failure. He blamed Washington for prolonging the standoff and slapping sanctions on Russia."The idea that sanctions are working is totally delusional. The Russian economy stabilized and even outperformed G7 economies in 2023," the venture capitalist stressed.Sacks insisted that a "real victim" of the sanctions was Europe, adding that the population of the continent "has realized that this [NATO proxy] war [with Russia] is not in their interests."The US Senate will vote on Tuesday on bills to aid allies, including Ukraine, as well as on an initiative to seize Russian assets, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the package passed the House.In response, Russia warned that another batch of US military assistance to Kiev would further enrich the United States, while ruining Ukraine and killing Ukrainians. The US will also have to answer in the event of confiscating Russian sovereign assets, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that the move would hurt the United States image abroad.

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Driver Hunter Myers has competed in over 16,000 races in his career. On Saturday, April 20, he earned one of the most significant accomplishments of his career, earning his 2,000th career victory aboard A Delightful Act N in the $25,343 Filly and Mare Open Handicap at MGM Northfield Park.

Myers entered Saturday needing three wins to reach the accolade. He scored his first victory at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows aboard Andy Rickert trainee Markham Eyre N at long odds after being parked the mile.

Myers then made the two-hour journey to his home track at MGM Northfield Park where he would score one of the two victories he needed with Jodi Schillaci trainee Feelin Fancy.

In the featured event of the evening, Myers impressively guided A Delightful Act N to a come-from-behind score, nailing Always Gonna B You (Aaron Merriman) and holding off a game Cyclone Sister (Kurt Sugg) in the final strides, winning in 1:54.

Myers, who has earned more than $17 million in purse money, began driving horses in 2014 at just 16 years old. His first trip to the winner's circle came at the Jackson County Fair in Wellston, Ohio, where he guided Uptown Dreamer to victory for his father, Michael Myers, who have both always been involved in harness racing.

Myers told Ayers Ratliff following his 1,000 victory in 2021, "I have always had a good support group around me that likes and understands the ups and downs of racing. My mom, dad and other family members have always been behind me all the way and have always pushed me to be the best that I can be."

Myers, who is expecting his first child in August with girlfriend Chloe Fisher, credits many people who have supported him in the sport.

"Sam and Jodi Schillaci are a big part of my support system. Sam offers a lot of great advice on both driving and life. They will never understand what they have done for me," said Myers.

Live harness racing resumes on Sunday, April 21 with a first post of 6 p.m.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

(Northfield Park)
Its not too often that a driver hopes to go a first-over trip, especially in a field of exceptional horses, but thats exactly how it went for Andy McCarthy and Maximus Miki, who teamed up to win the $36,671 Winners-Over pacing feature at The Meadowlands Saturday, April 20.

Hes been facing good horses down at Dover, said McCarthy. Hes just a big old grinder. He likes to get in motion and stay in motion.

To no ones surprise, even-money favourite American Dealer N blasted away from post seven in the seven-horse field, and after being slightly extended by Lyons Steel, made the top while parked at the quarter in a cat-quick :26.2.

Scott Zeron was able to back things down some to the half as American Dealer N reached that station in :54.3, but things still seemed OK for the chalk, given how speed-favouring the track played all night long.

Maximus Miki, a five-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Beach Gal, vacated the five-hole at the half and swiftly made up ground first-over on the leader, and was just a length behind at three-quarters, which went in 1:22.3.

Maximus Miki had American Dealer N right where he wanted him.

In the blink of an eye, Miki poked a head in front at the head of the stretch and maintained a safe edge the length of the lane, hitting the wire first by a length. American Dealer N was second with a late-closing Rockin On Venus third. The time for the mile was 1:50.2.

I was extremely happy with how many leavers there were, said McCarthy. I wanted to be first-over, so it worked out great. I thought I had the upper hand off the fractions. American Dealer N is a classy dude but the way the fractions went, it worked out well for me.

Owned by John Cancelliere, Maximus Miki upped his lifetime stats to 15 wins from 31 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $198,766. As the 6-5 second choice, he returned $4.60 to win.

Lexus Kody, fresh off a track-record (for an older gelding) 1:50 win three weeks ago, had it easy in the featured trot, a $36,671 Winners-Over, going wire-to-wire from the rail as the 1-5 public choice.

The six-year-old son of Archangel-Lexus Helios, driven by Yannick Gingras and trained by Ron Burke, cut out fractions of :27.3, :55.4 and 1:24 before a :28.2 sprint home completed a 1:52.2 clocking to win his second straight at The Big M and third in four tries.

Before the betting card, three $17,123 divisions of the New Jersey Breeders Maturity for four-year-olds took to the track.

In the division for trotting mares, Tactical Mounds (Tactical Landing-Mounds) scored in a walkover in 1:56.1 for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Megan Scran.

Lisa Lane (Lazarus N-Special Kay Deo) came from off the pace to take the mare pace in 1:52.4 for Patrick Ryder and Chris Ryder after a blazing final quarter of :25.4 before Voukefalas (Lazarus N-Inittowinafortune) and Handlelikeaporsche (Lazarus N-The Signature) finished in a dead heat in the dash for pacing horses and geldings. Voukefalas was driven by Jordan Stratton and is trained by Michael Russo, Handlelikeaporsche was piloted by Dexter Dunn and conditioned by Chris Ryder. The time for the mile was 1:50.4.

There was one $17,123 division  for horse and gelding trotters  contested on the betting card, and that was taken by 1-5 favourite Bestfriend Volo (Walner-Bank Of Newport) in 1:52.4 for Dunn and Nancy Takter.

Zeron topped the driver colony with three wins on the card. Tony Beltrami, Gingras, Dunn and Tim Tetrick all won two apiece. Burke and Travis Alexander each had training doubles.

With $4,701 in new money upping the total pool to better than $8,000, three shrewd handicappers walked away with $2,453.24 after cashing in winning 20-cent Pick-8 tickets. All-source betting totalled $2,993,322 on the 14-race card. Racing resumes Friday, April 26 at 6:20 p.m.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)
RICHMOND  The General Assembly reconvened April 17 for legislators to address 116 of the governors bill recommendations, and decide how to tackle his 242 budget amendments.

Democrats did not attempt to override any of the 153 vetoes made by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, as they lacked the necessary two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Democratic priorities such as a minimum wage increase will not have an accelerated timeline, a retail market for cannabis wont be established, and an assault weapons ban is off the table, along with other initiatives the party advanced this session.

No vetoes, just amendments

Lawmakers instead focused on the amendments the governor put forth. Both chambers voted to adopt or reject Youngkins amendments.

The Senate rejected in party-line votes several of Youngkins amendments to bills, including safe storage of firearms, ensured access to contraceptives and data privacy for children. The proposed changes would require reenactment of the gun storage bill, provide religious and ethical exemptions to the contraception bill and update the data privacy act with new language.

Youngkins changes to Senate Bill 212 were controversial. Skills games would be banned from operation within 35 miles of schools, casinos and houses of worship. His amendments also raised the tax rate from 25% to 35% of the profits.

Dozens of small business owners protested outside the State Capitol the morning of the reconvene session. They argued the amendments hurt their businesses by preventing skill games in most of the state.

A 34-6 bipartisan majority rejected the governors changes. Two Democrats and four Republicans voted for the governors amendment.

Del. Cliff Hayes Jr., D-Chesapeake, spoke to the crowd of protesters and praised their hard work and dedication.

I think it's only right that we have a level playing field and that we allow the small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our communities and the commonwealth, that we give them an opportunity to do the same, Hayes said after his interaction with protesters.

Lawmakers approved Youngkins changes to House Bill 34, but on a narrow 52-48 vote. The amendment changed the statute of limitations for medical debt. It was extended from three years after the first invoice to three years after the final invoice, unless the debtor signs a contract establishing a payment plan that goes beyond that time.

There was 56-41 support for his changes to HB 215 with a unanimous concurring opinion from the Senate. The original bill required schools to provide ninth and 10th grade students with sexual harassment prevention training. The amended version gives local school boards the option to adopt the standards.

The governor next can either sign or veto a bill returned to him from a reconvened session, per the state constitution. Any veto would stand. If he does not act on the bill within 30 days of the reconvened session, the bill becomes law even without his signature.

Budget battle continues

The governor had 242 budget recommendations lawmakers need to resolve. Youngkin called it the common ground budget. In the early afternoon during the reconvened session, Youngkin announced he was calling a special budget session to start May 13. The session will be followed by a vote two days later.

Prior to the session, Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, said he didnt expect both sides to come together over the budget during the one-day reconvene session and he expected lawmakers might be back at the Capitol in June.

It doesn't sound like there's been a lot of progress on the things that I've read in the media, Peake said. The Democrats don't think much of his amendments to the budget and I don't think they're going to accept them.

A source of contention was the governors removal of $2.6 billion in proposed tax increases. Youngkins compromise was that he would not offer tax cuts, and there would be no tax increases.

His amended two-year budget keeps $21.3 billion in K-12 education, caps tuition increases at 3%, includes 3% pay raises for teachers and state employees in each year and boosts investments in health and human resources by $3.2 billion over the biennium.

House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, was slightly more optimistic about the budget.

I think it's shaping up that we're gonna get a budget, certainly not today, but I do believe that talks are beginning in earnest to finally get us to a place where we need to be, Gilbert said.

House Republicans appreciate that Youngkin is leaning into his role as governor, according to Gilbert.

Sometimes it's tense with the other side, but I think right now we have a real opportunity to come to the table and work together for all Virginians, Gilbert said.

Pointed politics

House Democrats took aim at Youngkins vetoes and amendments on a number of issues.

Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, blasted Youngkins amendments on bills related to the expansion of contraception access. She also emphasized the importance of combating Black maternal mortality, which the White House declared a health crisis.

Some said earlier today, Mr. Speaker, that the governor has the right to his opinions, Mundon King said. Well Mr. Speaker, his opinions are killing us.

House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, said Youngkin did not want to work with the Democrats, and he went on a vanity tour after the session to promote his agenda.

Republicans fired back and accused Democrats of hypocrisy.

Democrats also toured the state to promote their agenda, Gilbert said.

Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, criticized Democrats for hyperbolic debates, which he admitted he has also done. Decorum and respect are a two-way street, he said.

I know Im obnoxious, Freitas said. But the people I represent, the people that all of us represent, expect us to come here and actually advocate for what they believe.

An olive branch

Despite clashes, both sides offered an olive branch to help tackle looming future issues.

"I want the chamber to know, the governor did sit down with us, today, this morning," Herring said.

Youngkin wants to find a way forward and work for a better commonwealth, Herring said.

Gilbert also seemed optimistic about room for compromise, or at least the need for it.

"Maybe we're in a position today where the work can actually begin in earnest to find that common ground," Gilbert said. "Everybody's had their tours, everybody's had their tweets, everybody's had their posturing, we gotta get this done."

Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
Former First Lady Melania Trump teased her upcoming speech at Mar-a-Lago this weekend on Friday as her husband sat in a Lower Manhattan courtroom for the jury selection in his hush money case.

The former first lady will be the main speaker at a Mar-a-Lago event on Saturday, hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans, a pro-LGBT group.

The event will center around the group's "Road to Victory," a voter-turnout effort targeting gay voters in swing states.

"We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American," she told Fox News Digital.

"Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles and ultimately establishes our American way," she continued.

Melania will join former Ambassador Ric Grenell at the event on Saturday.

Grenell, who worked in the Trump administration, was the first openly gay U.S. presidential Cabinet member. As for unity, Grenell told Fox that it's the Democrats and far-left activists who are to blame for separating Americans.

"But gay conservatives know this is the greatest country in the world to be who you are. We are welcomed in every community," stated Grenell.

"We aren't oppressed in America," he added.

The former first lady underscored the Log Cabin Republicans' overarching mission as "important" and "rooted in respect."

"Based on this central value, people thrive and exist together in a world where all are honored and celebrated," she concluded.
Case Name : Diamond Manufacturing Management and Consultancy Ltd. Mauritius vs ACIT (ITAT Visakhapatnam)

Diamond Manufacturing Management and Consultancy Ltd. Mauritius vs ACIT (ITAT Visakhapatnam)

Background

The ITAT in its recent judgment held that where a company incorporated in Mauritius received fees for entering into a technical collaboration with its Associated Enterprise (AE) in India, aimed at providing tec

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Live video captured the moment one of Vladimir Putin's $280 million Russian nuclear bombers crashed into the ground, sparking a blaze around it after a Ukrainian missile struck it down.

Footage showed the sudden downfall of a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber as it crashed over the Stavropol region in southern Russia.

The Ukrainian military took responsibility for the hit, explaining that it had used anti-aircraft missiles to bring down the plane.

One of the four crew members has reportedly died, while another remains missing.

In recent months, Ukraine has dealt significant damage to Putin's air force, allegedly destroying jets 20 times faster than Russia can replace them, according to the Daily Mail.

The Russian defense ministry suggested that a 'technical malfunction' likely caused the downing of the plane. They also admitted the aircraft was returning from a bombing mission over Ukraine.

Ukraine, however, claimed that its air force, in collaboration with Ukrainian intelligence, was responsible for shooting down the plane.

"For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities," Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a statement.
A satellite image after last week's Iranian attack on Israel apparently shows some damage to a taxiway at an Israeli desert air base.

Despite Iran launching hundreds of drones, and ballistic and cruise missiles in Tehran's unprecedented assault on the country, Nevatim air base in southern Israel only sustained minor damage, according to the image viewed by the Associated press.

Israeli air defenses, along with fighter jets supported by the U.S., the United Kingdom, and neighboring Jordan, successfully intercepted the vast majority of the incoming attacks, officials said.

The satellite image, taken last Friday for the Associated Press, shows a fresh blacktop along a taxiway near hangars in the southern part of the Nevatim air base, approximately 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Jerusalem, apparently indicating a repaired section.

Footage of the spot previously released by the Israeli military showed construction equipment repairing the damaged taxiway.

It's unclear what other damage may have occurred at other targets.

Despite the minimal damage report, the "operation became a sign of the power of the Islamic Republic and its armed forces," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi insisted Friday.

"It also showed the steely determination of our nation and our wise leader, the commander of all forces," he added.

The April 13 attack was the first direct military assault on the country by a foreign nation since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.
Several former colleagues of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and other national environmental organizations are calling on him to withdraw from the presidential race.

Full-page advertisements, sponsored by the NRDC's political wing, are schedule to appear in newspapers in six swing states on Sunday.

"Earth to RFK Jr. ... Drop Out," says the ad.

A dozen national environmental organizations have issued an open letter denouncing Kennedy as a "dangerous conspiracy theorist and a science denier," promoting "toxic beliefs" regarding vaccines and climate change.

The critics argue that the independent candidate cannot win the presidency, but could divert votes away from President Biden, potentially aiding former President Donald Trump, who has dismissed climate change as a hoax and pledged to dismantle environmental laws and policies, noted the New York Times.

"A vote for RFK Jr. is a vote to destroy that progress and put Trump back in the White House," says the newspaper ad that will run in Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Signatories, including John Hamilton Adams, a co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council who hired Kennedy in the 1980s, along with past presidents and the group's current president, implore Kennedy to "honor our planet: drop out."

In a telephone interview with the Times, Kennedy pushed back against the idea that he could bring Trump back to the White House.

"President Biden does not need my help to lose to Donald Trump," he countered.
Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus on Saturday condemned Gov. Tate Reeves' decision to declare April as "Confederate Heritage Month" - calling it "incredibly hurtful" and "dead solid wrong."

It celebrates "something that was truly awful: people trying to own other people," he added.

"First, I didn't do it when I was governor," Mabus told CNN in a video clip posted on Instagram by anchor Victor Blackwell. "And second, Confederate heritage? Really? The heritage that I think of with the Confederacy is slavery, is treason and is losing. Which of those heritages are we really honoring here?"

Mabus, a Democrat who was Navy secretary under then-President Barack Obama, said the move was "part of the 'lost cause' narrative ... that came about a few years after the Civil War in an attempt to reassert white supremacy."

"What it does is incredibly hurtful. It is incredibly harmful and it honors something that we should learn about, know about, but definitely - definitely  not honor," he said.

There "certainly should be some political pushback," Mabus added.

"I think that anyone that thinks that this is something that should be done, that this is something that will help in some way, is just dead solid wrong," he said.

On April 12, the day the Civil War erupted in 1861, Reeves signed a proclamation marking April as Confederate Heritage Month in the Magnolia State.

It was the fifth time he's done so, according to the Mississippi Free Press.

In his proclamation, Reeves, a Republican, said it was "important for all Americans to reflect upon our nation's past" and "gain insight from our mistakes and successes."

Reeves also urged "a full understanding that the lessons learned yesterday and today will carry us through tomorrow if we carefully and earnestly strive to understand and appreciate our heritage and our opportunities which lie before us."

A Reeves spokesperson told Mississippi TV state WAPT that five state governors, "Republicans and Democrats alike," have signed similar proclamations over the past 30 years.

Mississippi was the second state to join the Confederacy. The last Monday in April is a state holiday known as "Confederate Memorial Day."
The Orangeburg County School District has been accredited by Cognia, a global accrediting agency formerly known as AdvancedED.

School accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission signifies a nationally recognized mark of quality for our district, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster said.

It emphasizes our commitment to excellence, our receptiveness to external review and feedback, and our determination to excel on behalf of the students we serve, he said.

Cognia is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools.

The five-year accreditation is the first the Cognia group has given the district since the three former Orangeburg County public school districts were consolidated into one.

The accreditation means the school district adheres to the Cognia performance standards and is committed to continuous improvement, according to a press release issued by the district.

The group visited the district Jan. 31. The accreditation process consisted of interviews with students, teachers, district and school administrators as well as the chair and vice chair of the board. There were also work group sessions, surveys and the collection of data.

The district outscored the Cognia network average in five out of eight areas, including in stakeholder feedback analysis, culture of learning, leadership of learning, engagement of learning and index of education quality. The district fell below the Cognia network average in the areas of student and learning environment analysis and in growth in learning.

The district scored 274 points in the index of education quality, which is above the 253-point Cognia network average.

The report and findings will be shared with stakeholders in the future.

Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish, Cognia President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Elgart said. OCSD is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.

Cognia serves as the umbrella organization for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and Northwest Accreditation Commission.

Cognia serves about 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries.

Parents and community members seeking more information on Cognia Accreditation can visit cognia.org.
(TBTCO) - Theo cac chuyen gia tu DKRA Consulting, trong quy III/2024, thi truong bat ong san nha o TP. Ho Chi Minh va vung phu can ghi nhan nhieu dien bien tich cuc o cac phan khuc at nen; nha pho, biet thu. Mat bang gia so cap duy tri xu huong i ngang so voi thoi iem au nam. Du bao quy IV/2024, tinh hinh tang truong se ro net hon o mot so phan khuc voi su tac ong cua cac yeu to ve kinh te va chinh sach thi truong.
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Janki Devi, the two hour play, returns to the national stage for a second showing, this time at the Cipriani Labour College in Valsayn on October 19.

The play, presented by Parsan Productions, is based on the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, and will be portrayed from a female perspective.

In June 2024, the production was staged to a sold-out crowd at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) by a cast and crew of 32.
A father yesterday called for police officers to be trained to handle people with mental health conditions, after his son was shot and killed by a municipal officer on Friday afternoon.

He needed help and they kill him, Cleophas Noel said of his son, Elijah Noel.

Cleophas said Elijah, 20, was schizophrenic.
The House of Representatives approved a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies during a rare Saturday session that threatens the future of embattled Republican Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) among some of his GOP colleagues.

The long-stalled measures also includes a plan to force a sale  or lead to a ban  of the popular Chinese-owned social media website TikTok, which American officials have called a threat to national security.

"We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well," Johnson said after the votes, the Associated Press reported.

The legislation  which marries military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with Gaza humanitarian help  was a major victory for Johnson. He pushed for the bill in the face of stiff opposition to Ukraine aid from the hard-right Freedom Caucus in a faceoff that threatened to bounce him from the speaker's role. A majority of Republicans voted against Ukraine aid on Saturday.

The Freedom Caucus had also demanded in vain that increased border protection measures be included in the legislation.

The package is expected to win passage in the Senate, and President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the measures immediately after that.

"Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage," Biden said in a statement, CNN reported.

"At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer history's call, passing urgently-needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure."

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) reportedly took steps Saturday for that chamber to begin voting on the bills Tuesday afternoon.

The Senate was scheduled to be in recess next week but will convene for the votes, according to CNN.

A TikTok spokerson called the House move against the company "unfortunate," and accused lawmakers of "using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill."

If signed into law, the measure "would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually," the spokesperson added.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who last month filed a motion to oust Johnson as speaker, suggested that Saturday's votes had sealed his fate, calling him "already a lame duck."

"I'm actually gonna let my colleagues go home and hear from their constituents because I think people have been too obsessed with voting for foreign wars and the murder industry here in America to actually understand how angry Americans are," she told CNN.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky also said he and other Johnson opponents would give Johnson a chance to resign, which Johnson has said he won't do.

Johnson told reporters he wasn't worried about facing a motion to vacate, which the the procedural tool used to remove the House speaker.

"I have to do my job," he said. "I've done here what I believe to be the right thing to allow the House to work its will. And as I've said, you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may."

He said the foreign aid needed to be passed because the world was a "tinderbox."

"Three of our primary adversaries  Russia and Iran and China  are working together and they're being aggressors around the globe," he said. "They're a global threat to our prosperity and our security. Their advance threatens the free world, and it demands American leadership. We turn our backs right now, the consequences could be devastating."

Johnson also said he hadn't spoken to his intraparty opponents and predicted he would still be speaker in November, when the presidential election will take place.
Question:

I have noticed ads on social media about a green card lottery. Is this an official programme?

Answer:

The green card lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa Program, is an annual immigration programme implemented under US law. Through the programme 50,000 immigrant visas are allocated randomly to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Individuals born in Trinidad and Tobago are eligible to enter.
A huge explosion tore into a military base in Iraq which houses a pro-Iranian militia, reportedly killing one person and injuring eight.

The explosion at Kalso military base, 30 miles south of Baghdad, occurred early Saturday morning, according to the Iraqi military, the BBC reported.

Iraq officials reported that there were no drones or fighter jets in the area before or during the blast.

The militia organization involved, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), however, attributed the explosion to an attack, according to the BBC.

PMF chief of staff Abdul Aziz al-Mohammedawi visited the base to review the findings of the investigators so far, said militia officials.

IRAQ: Massive explosion in Kalsu military camp in Babil, strikes targeted pro-Iran PMF. At least one killed, Israel suspected pic.twitter.com/BhSK2HT7tA  Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) April 19, 2024

The PMF is an umbrella organization of pro-Iranian militias that Tehran has been using for years to advance its interests in the Middle East.

The news comes on the heels of rising tensions between Israel and Iran with attacks by each of the countries on the other.

The U.S. Central Command anounced Saturday on X: "We are aware of reports claiming that the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today."
Bartlesville, OK  Heather Robison, CFP, Investment Executive, of Fourstone Wealth Management, LLC located at 330 S. Johnstone, Bartlesville, OK 74003 was among the Raymond James-affiliated advisors named to the Forbes list of Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2024. The list, which recognizes advisors from national, regional and independent firms, was released online April 3, 2024.

The Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2024 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2022 to 6/30/2023 and was released on 4/3/2024. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 42,108 nominations, roughly 8,500 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisors future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealthadvisors for more info.

Robison who joined Raymond James in 2007, has more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. Heather works closely with clients to develop customized retirement and estate plans. Heather is an investment advisor agent with 7,66, 9, and 10 licenses. She is also licensed to deliver life insurance, long-term care, and fixed/ variable annuity products. To reach Robison or the advisors at Fourstone Wealth Management, LLC, more information can be found at www. FourstoneWealth.com or by calling 918.336.5400.

About Raymond James Financial Services

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (RJFS), member FINRA/SIPC, is a financial services firm supporting independent financial advisors nationwide. Since 1974, RJFS provides a wide range of investment and wealth planning-related services through its affiliate, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Both firms are wholly owned subsidiaries of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), one of the nations premier diversified financial services companies with approximately 8,700 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are approximately $1.42 trillion as of Feb. 29, 2024. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/ SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. FourstoneWealth Management LLC is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

To submit an announcement in Business People, which highlights new hires and promotions, call the Tulsa World Advertising Department at 918-581-8510.
Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In Oklahoma state politics, the most consequential elections are often Republican primaries.

Even when an office goes to a general election in November, the ultimate outcome is, more times than not, determined by GOP voters in Junes closed primaries or Augusts runoffs.

That is the case with several Tulsa-area legislative seats  including two open Senate spots  and the only statewide office on this years ballot: corporation commissioner.

The 1st Congressional District will go to the general election after Republican and Democratic primaries, but incumbent Kevin Hern seems unlikely to have much trouble holding the GOP nomination against little-known Paul Royse, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Four Senate and two House seats representing the Tulsa area have June 18 Republican primaries likely to affect or largely decide November general elections. In fact, the general election for only one of those six, House District 79 in southeast Tulsa, is considered competitive at this stage of the campaign.

No area Democratic primaries for state office will lead to general elections.

Heres a quick rundown of these eight primaries.

Oklahomas 1st Congressional District

The only area state or federal office with both a Republican and Democratic primary is the 1st Congressional District.

On the Republican side, Hern is seeking his fourth term. His campaign reported nearly $1 million in cash on hand at the end of March, and Republican constituents  the only ones who matter in a Republican primary  do not appear displeased with him.

Royse, who ran shoestring campaigns against state Rep. Meloyde Blancett in 2018 and 2020, is telling voters that Hern is a big spender who wants to cut Social Security.

The Democratic primary is between former FBI agent Dennis Baker, an unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate two years ago, and frequent candidate Evelyn L. Rogers.

Independent Mark David Garcia Sanders will be on the November ballot with the two primary winners.

Corporation commissioner

Former state Senate President Pro Tem and Oklahoma Secretary of State Brian Bingman of Sapulpa is the likely favorite in a three-way GOP primary.

The Democrat in the race is 85-year-old Harold Spradling of Oklahoma City, so the Republican primary winner will also likely win the general election.

All three GOP candidates have Tulsa-area connections. Besides Bingman, Pipeliners Union official Justin Hornback lives in Broken Arrow, and CareerTech publicist Russell Ray of Edmond grew up and lived for many years in the Tulsa area.

All three also have connections to the oil and gas industry, one of the Corporation Commissions primary responsibilities.

Bingman holds a petroleum land management degree from the University of Oklahoma, and his business career has been in that field. He served one term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives before moving to the Senate in 2006. He was president pro tem from 2010-2016.

Following an unsuccessful 2017 campaign for Corporation Commission, Bingman became Gov. Kevin Stitts secretary of state in 2020.

Two years ago, with very little money or advertising, Hornback managed 20% in a four-way GOP Corporation Commission primary.

Hornback has been a pipeline welder, welding inspector, and safety and health specialist. On his website, Hornback says he wants to open up the often-opaque workings of the commission.

Before his current job with CareerTech, Ray covered energy and utilities for several publications, including the Tulsa World. He says that gives him an understanding of those sectors and the Corporation Commission without potential conflicts of interest.

Senate District 3

The district that elected Republican Blake Stephens in 2020 was a lot different than the one in which hes running for reelection this year  which may explain why he has two primary opponents.

In 2020, SD 3 hugged the Arkansas line and lay mostly east of the Grand River. In the 2021 redistricting, SD 3 shifted westward into most of the area formerly represented by SD 18, which moved all the way to the western Oklahoma City suburbs.

SD 3s new territory includes all but the northwest corner of Wagoner County, which brings it to the outskirts of Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Stephens, a Cherokee County teacher and rancher, is being challenged by two Wagoner County residents who came into the district with the redrawn lines.

Dr. Julie McIntosh is a physician and public health official who describes herself as a home-school mom and parental rights activist. Her husband is also a doctor.

Patrick Sampson is a Wagoner city councilor and insurance executive, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He and wife Katie have three children in Wagoner Public Schools.

The winner of the Republican primary will be opposed by independent Margaret Cook in the general election.

Senate District 25 One of two area open Senate seats representing strongly Republican districts, the GOP primary matchup is state Rep. Jeff Boatman of Tulsa vs. Bixby Mayor Brian Guthrie.

Boatmans business background is in telecommunications and information technology, but he also has a masters degree in Christian counseling. Those interests have largely informed his activities during three House terms, during which hes carried legislation on mental health, disabilities and high tech.

Guthrie is a real estate professional with a background in home construction. He has been a Bixby city councilor since 2011 and became mayor in April 2019, just ahead of that years Arkansas River flood.

The winner between Boatman and Guthrie meet former Democratic state Rep. Karen Gaddis in the general election.

SD 25 reaches from southeast Tulsa through Bixby and along the southern tier of Tulsa County.

Senate District 33

The other area open Senate seat from a Republican district is more complicated. Four contestants signed up for the southwest Broken Arrow/East Tulsa districts GOP primary.

Christi Gillespie is Broken Arrow vice mayor and a City Council member since 2019, when she defeated 12-year incumbent Mike Lester. She has 30 years of sales experience, including with SeneGence International, a skin care and cosmetics company with ties to the Tulsa area.

Tim Brooks is an insurance executive who says his primary interest is families, which are under attack more so than any time in our nations history. He is a 2014 Rhema Bible Training Center graduate and a Leadership Broken Arrow alum. Brooks was an unsuccessful state House candidate in 2022.

Shelley Gwartney is probably best known as an education activist involved in Moms for Liberty and Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights, an organization opposed to mandatory vaccinations. She owns a small business and is a live and voice actor.

Bill Bickerstaff is a Broken Arrow businessman and advocate of eliminating the state income tax. He says hes committed to education that prepares our youth for the future, free from biased agendas, and focused on student success ... underpinned by conservative principles and a respect for traditional values.

Bickerstaff was an unsuccessful Tulsa school board candidate in 2014 and was involved in two political action committees that tried to influence a 2023 Bixby school board election.

Senate District 37 Tulsa incumbent Cody Rogers, who first said he wouldnt run for reelection but changed his mind, is challenged by Aaron Reinhardt of Jenks.

Rogers is a paving contractor, Reinhardt a commercial insurance agent.

SD 37 is mostly Tulsa and Jenks between the Osage County line and 131st Street, west of the Arkansas River and downtown Tulsa to Sand Springs, with a notch east of the river between 71st and 103rd streets.

Independent Andrew Nutter will be on the ballot in November.

House District 79

Republicans have been trying to oust Democratic incumbent Melissa Provenzano since she surprised them by winning this southeast Tulsa district in 2018.

This years challengers are Paul Hassink, an electrical engineer and former utility executive who lost to Provenzano by 3.6 percentage points 2022, and Jenifer Stevens, a patient advocate and Republican activist. Her husband, Stan Stevens, was an unsuccessful 2022 candidate for this seat.

HD 79 lies mostly between the Mingo Valley Expressway and Yale Avenue, and 31st and 71st streets.

House District 98

Gabe Woolley, an educator and conservative podcaster who identifies himself as former LGBTQ, and J. David Taylor, a construction contractor, are challenging incumbent Dean Davis in this northeast Broken Arrow and far east Tulsa district.

Woolley is the uncle of a child at the center of high-profile Wagoner custody case.

Taylor specializes in rehabilitating old houses and is self-employed. He said he believes Davis has become ineffective as a representative of HD 98.

The GOP primary winner faces Democrat Cathy Smythe in the general election.

Davis has kept a fairly low profile in the House but was disciplined by House leadership last year after a confrontation with police outside an Oklahoma City bar.
While Vietnamese airlines are increasing ticket prices, certain international carriers are reducing prices and offering numerous incentives to entice local customers to purchase tickets for summer travel abroad.

The price discounts have garnered attention from eager Vietnamese travelers.

Unbelievably cheap! Purchasing a ticket for the Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt route, including taxes and fees, costs only US$249, even cheaper than the Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi service, exclaimed My Phuong, sharing her excitement about the remarkably affordable tickets from Turkmenistan Airlines for overseas travel this summer.

The airline has recently launched operations in Vietnam, offering flights from Ho Chi Minh City to various European destinations such as Germany, Italy, England, Turkey, and Russia.

Notably, the airline provides Vietnamese customers with reasonable ticket prices, such as round-trip fares from Ho Chi Minh City to London priced at $500-600, inclusive of taxes and fees.

It also offers round-trip tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Germany in May for around $630, significantly lower than Vietnam Airlines price of over $1,180 for the same economy-class ticket.

Flights from Vietnam to Thailand are also cheaper than domestic flights with the same distance.

Airlines like AirAsia, Vietjet, Vietravel Airlines, and NokAir offering round-trip tickets priced at VND3.1-4.7 million ($122-185) for this route from the end of this month to mid-June.

Meanwhile, round-trip airfares for traveling between Hanoi and Phu Quoc Island in southern Kien Giang Province from April 27 to May 3 cost VND9-10 million ($354-393), up VND1.5-2 million ($59-78) from the previous week.

Round-trip ticket prices between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province range from VND2.6 million ($102) to VND5 million ($196).

The exorbitant airfare prices are presenting obstacles for domestic tourism destinations, deterring vacationers from planning air travel for the approaching holidays even as many flights have considerable numbers of vacant seats.

To mitigate this, airlines are adding more summer flights with late-night departures priced between VND1.7 million ($67) and VND2 million apiece, while daytime flights range from VND2.3 million ($90) to VND4 million ($157) per leg.

According to airlines, several factors contribute to this years expensive domestic flight tickets, including over 40 aircraft requiring engine repair and maintenance, airline suspensions, business contractions, and over 20 types of direct and indirect fees.

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The market surveillance authority of Ho Chi Minh City announced on Friday night that it had confiscated VND499.6 million (US$19,630) worth of gold products from many gold shops which were found to have violated rules of origin.

The municipal Market Surveillance Department made the seizure of such gold products during its inspections into gold shops citywide over the past week to check their compliance with regulations on doing gold-related business.

In Thu Duc City under the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, five gold trading firms subject to the inspections presented business registration certificates as per prevailing rules.

Nevertheless, the five enterprises were unable to present invoices and certificates of origin for their unlabeled gold products, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants, with a combined value surpassing VND233.9 million ($9,190).

In the outlying district of Hoc Mon, a task force including market surveillance and police officers raided a gold shop whose jewelry items had neither labels nor information about their quality and origin.

The shop owner did not possess any certificates of origin and invoices of these items, valued at VND49 million ($1,925).

As of now, the forces have seized up to VND499.6 million worth of gold products and jewelry without clear origins, a Market Surveillance Department of Ho Chi Minh City representative said.

Earlier, plenty of gold shops in the southern metropolis erected signs of temporary closure following the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillances large-scale inspection into gold shops in various localities.

Nguyen Quang Huy, deputy head of the citys Market Surveillance Department, asked market surveillance forces to strictly supervise gold trading locations, especially gold shops on the departments watch list, in order to promptly detect and tackle violators.

The prime minister had previously required strengthening the management of the local gold market.

He asked the State Bank of Vietnam to keep a close watch on international and domestic gold prices and take measures to regulate the gold market.

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With over 40,000 employees representing diverse nationalities, Masan Group has meticulously devised a human resource strategy aimed at attracting global talent to advance its Go Global initiative in serving international consumers.

Creating value for each individual

Human resources play a decisive role in the development of a business. It is people who create, promote, and run businesses.

No matter what field a business is in, human resources are the most important and necessary factor that determines the development and profits of the business.

Masan leaders view human resources as an asset, the greatest competitive advantage that helps the company implement strategies and create maximum value for customers.

At different stages of development, Masan creates conditions to bring long-term and sustainable value to each individual and team.

Last year, the firm launched its Growth Center to help gradually professionalize and diversify internal training and development programs.

In 2023 alone, the Growth Center organized 1,705 classes throughout Masan Group and its member companies with more than 33,214 employees participating in training, with a satisfaction rate of 4.65/5 points (93 percent).

In parallel with training activities, to encourage employees to achieve the highest quality of work, bringing long-term effectiveness to the organization, Masan applies a competitive salary and bonus regime, ensuring the most appropriate practices in the market.

In particular, a personalized reward policy is applied to individuals with excellent achievements and development potential at Masan.

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan aims to create conditions for employees with outstanding contributions to share in the development and success of the corporation through having the opportunity to own shares at preferential prices.

Consistently, methodically, and with great enthusiasm, Masan Group and its member companies organize corporate cultural activities that contribute to enriching employees' lives, fostering motivation, and nurturing strong bonds with the company.

Customers experience Phuc Long products.

Reputable brand

In the most recent financial reporting period, Masan elaborated on its Go Global strategy, increasing the target customer base to eight billion global consumers.

Having human resources with expertise in product innovation and a broad understanding of international markets will be one of the most important conditions to help this business implement the Go Global strategy effectively.

"If Vietnamese businesses want to attract global candidates, they must know how to market themselves and enhance their position in the international market, Nguyen Tam Thanh, chief human resources officer at Masan Group said at the Overseas Vietnamese Summit - HOMECOMING event when discussing key factors in international human resource recruitment.

This business has the advantage of attracting global talent thanks to deals with regional and international partners.

From 2009 to 2020, Masan has attracted more than US$2.4 billion in investment from the world's leading organizations.

In the list of capital investors are big names like SK, KKR, MITSUBISHI, TPG, and SINGHA.

Not stopping there, in just the past three years, Masan has continued to attract up to $2.8 billion with the new participation of the leading private investment fund Bain Capital.

The Masan brand has long been famous in the international market, bringing in a total investment capital of $5.2 billion.

Furthermore, the continuous recognition with a multitude of human resource awards from esteemed domestic and international organizations serves as a catalyst in attracting talent to Masan.

At the recent HR Asia Awards ceremony, Masan Group was honored among the Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023 and won the award category HR Asia Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The global organization that evaluates and recognizes corporate workplace culture Great Place to Work also granted the Great Place to Work certificate to Masan Consumer, a member company of Masan Group.

Over the years, hundreds and thousands of talents from Vietnam as well as many countries around the world have chosen Masan as a workplace that brings a lot of value to their career path.

In the future, this team will contribute to promoting the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine to eight billion people worldwide.

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Two Japanese navy helicopters crashed into the sea during a training exercise, killing at least one of the eight crew members on board, the defence minister said on Sunday.

The two SH-60 patrol helicopters were conducting anti-submarine exercises on Saturday night near Torishima in the remote Izu island group, off the southern coast of central Japan.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told a press conference the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The two flight recorders had been discovered in close proximity to each other and the probability was high that the two helicopters had collided, he added.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and Coast Guard are searching for the remaining seven crew members.

Earlier on Saturday, MSDF Chief of Staff Yoshitaka Sakai indicated he did not believe there involvement from another country in the crash.

In a post on X, U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel offered his country's assistance in search and rescue efforts.
A row of trees on a National Highway 1 section in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City were thinned out and became leafless while the city is experiencing scorching weather these days.

The trees, once providing much-needed shade, are now bare as their branches and leaves were already trimmed.

Many passers-by were surprised and wondered why local authorities stripped bare the trees while temperatures in the city sometimes hit 38-39 degrees Celsius.

Le Quoc Dat, director of IDICO Infrastructure Development Investment JSC, stated that the trees along the National Highway 1 section undergo pruning twice annually, with the first round occurring from April to May and the second from October to November.

He attributed the stripping of the trees along the National Highway 1 section to a requirement from Binh Phu Power Company.

Trees become leafless while heatwaves are hitting Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

Binh Phu Power Company had earlier written to IDICO Infrastructure Development Investment JSC, saying that electric wires along the section were exposed at many spots, posing a high risk of electrical discharges, Dat informed.

Therefore, Binh Phu Power Company required trimming the trees so that their branches are at least three meters from the electric wires.

As the electric wires are some nine meters from the ground, the trees should be six meters tall at the maximum.

After cutting the trees branches and leaves, IDICO Infrastructure Development Investment JSC will take care of them and keep their maximum height at six meters to ensure safety, Dat said.

He added that IDICO Infrastructure Development Investment JSC has suggested Binh Phu Power Company bury electrical wires on National Highway 1 to ensure safety and urban esthetics.

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Vietnamese police on Saturday morning rescued a British youngster who had been lost for over eight hours in the Hoang Lien National Park, which is home to Fansipan Mountain, the tallest peak in Indochina, spanning the provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai in northern Vietnam, local authorities said.

Henwood Joseph Thomas, 18, embarked on his solo exploration in the park around 8:00 am on Friday, and became lost late in the evening of the same day, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tien Khang, deputy head of the fire prevention and fighting and rescue police division under the Lai Chau Province public security department, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Lieutenant Colonel Khang recounted that at 11:30 pm that day, Lai Chau police received a distress call from Thomas, seeking assistance.

Utilizing the global positioning system (GPS), they determined that the young man was stranded in an area with challenging terrain straddling the border between the two provinces.

Henwood Joseph Thomas (L, 3rd, right row), is seen among Vietnamese rescuers on April 20, 2024 after he was taken out of the Hoang Lien National Park, where he had got lost for about eight hours. Photo: Lai Chau public security department

Police officers promptly collaborated with their counterparts in Lao Cai and the park's management to mobilize their combined efforts in the search for the missing foreigner.

The official noted that a specialized rescue team consisting of 20 members, accompanied by 32 police officers and medics, was divided into several groups for the rescue operation, which commenced amid rainfall.

Around 8:00 am on Saturday, Thomas was discovered in a state of exhaustion and with minor injuries on the periphery of a forest in the O Quy Ho Pass area, situated within the national park, in Tam Duong District of Lai Chau.

Rescuers provided him with beverages and food, along with initial medical attention, before transporting him to his hotel in Sa Pa, a tourist destination in adjacent Lao Cai Province, where he received further medical care.

Thomas quickly recovered and expressed his gratitude by embracing the police officers who had assisted him, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon).

Henwood Joseph Thomas (L, 3rd), is seen showing his thank-you letter when posing for a photo with Vietnamese rescuers on April 20, 2024 after he was saved from getting lost in the Hoang Lien National Park, located in Lai Chau and Lao Cai Provinces, northern Vietnam. Photo: Lai Chau public security department

He mentioned it was his inaugural visit to Vietnam, emphasizing how the prompt rescue by the Vietnamese police during his time of distress left a profound impression and lasting memory.

Later, he penned a heartfelt thank-you letter to convey his appreciation to everyone involved in the search, rescue, and care provided to him.

In the letter, he said when he got lost, it was dark and he was really scared while trying to contact local police for help.

I was thoroughly guided by police officers and they sent forces to help search for me, Sai Gon Giai Phong cited Thomas as writing in his letter.

He said he would like to offer his sincerest gratitude to the police officers of Lai Chau and Lao Cai and others who spent the whole night searching for him.

Thank you to everyone involved for your dedication! Thomas concluded his letter.

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7News Spotlight is reportedly on the hunt for a new executive producer following the departure of Mark Llewellyn, confirmed last week.

The Australian reports Phil Goyen has been filing in as EP while the serach for a new boss is underway.

Head of News & Public Affairs Craig McPherson addressed Spotlight staff last Tuesday to assure them some 24 episodes would run this year -two have screened thus far.

It follows a rocky season start for the show with the departure of Llewellyn and headlines surrounding allegations made recently in the Lehrmann / 10 defamation trial. Seven denied those claims.

Meanwhile Seven is facing another defamation threat after Sunrise incorrectly named Sydney university student Benjamin Cohen as responsible for the Bondi Junction Westfield attacks.

Seven later apologised for the error after NSW Police named 40-year-old Joel Cauchi from Queensland.

The mistake was human error. It was escalated immediately and rectified. Seven sincerely apologises for the error, Seven said.

Seven has since launched an internal investigation to get to the bottom of how that error led to on air talent naming Cohen.

Statements have reportedly been taken from staff including presenter Matt Shirvington.

Meanwhile newly-installed CEO Jeff Howard told staff in an email last week, Our business exists in a world of intense competition. Are, we the only ones who pay for content? Absolutely not. Should we be honest about it Absolutely. We all want to win. Do we condone a win at all costs attitude? No, we dont.

Howard urged staff to stick to tried and tested processes and to exercise judgment to ensure we dont jeopardise the reputation weve spent years building.

If poor judgement or unacceptable behaviour persists, or is outside our comfort zone, we will investigate. If necessary, we will have to move people on.

Source: The Australian
Zaid Bin Shabir, TwoCircles.net

Ladakh: For decades, Buddhists and other non-Muslim communities in Ladakh had desired for the day when they would be constituted as a territory separate from the predominantly Muslim region of Jammu and Kashmir. Among them was 75-year-old Chering Dorjay who had been eagerly waiting for the day.

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However, when the special status and partial autonomy of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated, effectively dividing the region into two union territories  Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh  on August 5, 2019, Dorjays reaction was not one of jubilation. Instead, he expressed resentment over the Centres decision.

We had hoped for Ladakh to become a union territory with its own legislature, but we ended up with one without a legislature, the veteran politician, Dorjay, told TwoCircles.net, adding, I knew this would strip Ladakh of its democracy, how could I have celebrated such a decision?

The northmost point of India, Ladakh is a high altitude desert that is home to a small population of three lakh people living in its twin districts  Buddhist-concentrated Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil.

When the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led federal government abrogated Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution, which granted J&K a special status, Leh had cheered the move while Kargil voiced opposition to the Centers decision.

Nearly four years later, the people of Leh and Kargil find themselves united by a common fear: the potential loss of land, employment opportunities and cultural identity and environmental degradation.

A movement for Ladakh

Over the past four years, Ladakh has experienced multiple shutdowns, marked by massive street protests and demonstrations after the region was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir as a separate union territory, leading to concerns among locals about loss of identity, resources and bureaucratic overreach.

The people of both the districts have joined hands under the banner of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)  an alliance of civil society, religious, political and student organizations  to protest against the Modi government.

There are four main demands, which the leaders of Leh and Kargil reiterate as a four-point agenda: statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, two Lok Sabha seats for the union territory and employment opportunities for the youth.

The Sixth Schedule is a constitutional provision that protects tribal populations and allows them to set up autonomous organizations to frame laws on land, health and agriculture. Ninety-seven percent of the population in Ladakh is tribal.

According to Dorjay, without a legislature, Ladakhs governance is said to have no say of the local population. Today, Ladakh is a federally-governed region where all decisions are made at the behest of the Lieutenant Governor and bureaucracy, said the former Ladakh Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) president.

Even though the BJP-led government appointed a committee to address Ladakhs demand, the same failed to cool down the temper in the cold desert. In December 2023, the first round of talks between representative leaders from Ladakh and center took place. However, after four months and four rounds of negotiations, the talks failed.

There is widespread fear among the people that they no longer have land, jobs and cultural protection, said Feroz Ahmed Khan, former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) of Kargil.

As a part of J&K state, Ladakh had these safeguards under Article 370. Now that it has been repealed, people have realized that the government is unwilling to provide safeguards to the people of the twin districts. This has led people to believe that the government, along with large corporations, has its eyes set on their land, he said.

Echoing similar views, Padma Stanzin, coordinator of the Apex Body Leh (ABL), said there is a sense of insecurity and a feeling of being unsafe in the region.

Before 2019, our lands and jobs were safe from outside influence. Now, we are exposed to it. he said, adding, In the past five years, the BJP has done nothing but cause harm to Ladakh.

Besieged with challenges

Before abrogation of the J&Ks special status, Ladakh had been represented by four members in the J&K Assembly and two in the Legislative Council.

After abrogation, alleged lack of jobs and political representation in Ladakh has sparked concerns of economic disempowerment as people feel that Delhi lacks an understanding of the regions needs and vulnerabilities.

We no longer have a legislature, our voices have been silenced, our land rights have been snatched and reservation in government jobs have been done away, said Asgar Ali Karbalai, former member of the J&K Legislative Assembly, adding that the Central government has no willingness to address the demands of the people of Ladakh. Theres absolutely no representation of Ladakh today.

The agitating leaders believe that the powers of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) of Leh and Kargil, formed to administer the region, have been curtailed following abrogation of Article 370.

Both the councils have been rendered powerless by the government, said Dorjay, also the former of the Ladakh unit of the BJP.

Fragile ecosystem

In February, thousands of people hit the streets in Leh and Kargil in sub-zero temperatures to reiterate their demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards. A month later, an innovator and noted environmentalist from Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, began a 21-day fast to press the BJP government to fulfill Ladakhs demands. This was his third climate fast in two years.

Wangchuk said Ladakh was losing prime pastureland left, right and centre to industrialists on one hand and the Chinese army on the other, necessitating protection of the fragile land, culture and people of the region.

As an environmentalist, I am very concerned about the fragile and sensitive ecosystem of Ladakh, he said and added, If mining industries are brought here, not only will the local communities suffer, but the entire northern Indian plains will face water shortages. Therefore, it is crucial that we safeguard these fragile regions as sacred zones of water.

Even a Kargil Democratic Alliance(KDA) member said that Ladakhs ecosystem is already impacted by the daily activities of the local population. So, how can the government expect Ladakhs environment to remain unscathed if it is opened up to corporate activities? he asked.

We cannot stay silent, he said, adding, This is a movement to safeguard our home.
TCN News

New Delhi: Ahead of the second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one of his most controversial speeches said on Sunday (April 21) that the Congress would give the nations wealth to people with more children if they were elected to power.

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Calling leaders of the grand old party urban naxals while addressing a rally at Rajasthans Banswara, he said, The Congress manifesto calls for calculating the gold owned by mothers and sisters, gathering information about it and then distributing the property.

Asking people whom would they (the Congress) distribute the countrys wealth to, the prime minister himself replied, The Congress in its manifesto said they will distribute the countrys property. Manmohan Singhs government had earlier said Muslims had the first right on the countrys assets. This means, they will distribute the wealth among those who have more children, among infiltrators.

He once again asked the participants of the public meeting, Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?

Modi was referring to a statement made by Singh in 2006 wherein the former prime minister had urged states to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, especially Muslims, are empowered to share equitable in the fruits of development.

I believe our collective priorities are clear: agriculture, irrigation and water resources, health, education, critical investment in rural infrastructure, and the essential public investments needs of general infrastructure, along with programmes for the upliftment of SC/STs, other backward classes (OBCs), minorities and women and children. The component plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will need to be revitalised. We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources. The Centre has a myriad other responsibility whose demands will have to be fitted within the overall resources availability, Singh had said in the statement, which was referred to by Modi completely out of context.

The remarks at the time had caused a controversy, which led the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to release a statement  saying that it was misinterpreted intentionally and maliciously.

Following the controversy, the PMO stated that all priority areas, including SCs, STs, OBCs, women and children and minorities, were included in Manmohan Singhs reference to the first claim on resources.
Elon Musk's X social media platform plans to fight an order to remove some posts in Australia that depicted a stabbing attack on a bishop during a church service that was captured on a live stream camera.

A teen walked up to the altar and started stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. A priest was also stabbed. Both survived the attack.

The Australian eSafety Commissioner ordered X and Facebook to remove videos of the attack.

"These posts did not violate X's rules on violent speech," responded X's Global Government Affairs account.

"While X respects the right of a country to enforce its laws within its jurisdiction, the eSafety Commissioner does not have the authority to dictate what content X's users can see globally. We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court."

X says Australia's eSafety Commissioner is threatening a fine of around $500,000 if the posts are not removed.

The recent attacks in Australia are a horrific assault on free society. Our condolences go out to those who have been affected, and we stand with the Australian people in calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.



Following these events, the Australian eSafety  Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) April 19, 2024

"Global takedown orders go against the very principles of a free and open internet and threaten free speech everywhere," X stated.

The 16-year-old boy who allegedly carried out the stabbing in Sydney's Wakeley suburb has been charged with a terrorism offense in connection with the incident.




EasyJet has issued a cautionary note to UK holidaymakers with trips booked to Turkey or Morocco, warning of 'extra security measures' that could affect their flights. The airline has stated that passengers may face 'extra checks' upon their return to the UK.

The advice was shared on easyJet's website, where it was explained that these additional checks would be conducted at the airport gate before boarding, reports Birmingham Live.

The warning states: "Extra security measures currently being applied to flights from Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt to the UK. The extra checks will be conducted at the gate prior to boarding.

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"There is no requirement to come to the airport earlier than shown on your confirmation email but please make sure you arrive at the gate as soon as your gate is announced.

"Holidaymakers have also been advised to ensure all electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets and mobiles, are fully charged upon arrival at the airport. This is because they may be asked to switch them on during the security screening process.

"If a passenger is unable to turn on their device when requested, they may be required to leave it behind or place it in the hold."

EasyJet has issued a warning that chargers are not provided at the airport, so passengers should come prepared. The airline further stated: "These additional measures are in place for all flights departing from Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, and all flights to the UK only, from Morocco and Jordan."

For those travelling to Morocco, Egypt and Jordan, they must also visit the bag drop desk at the airport on their return journey before proceeding through security, even when travelling with cabin bags only.

This is due to local security regulations in these three countries that are 'strictly adhered to', according to easyJet.
Is it ever OK to physically discipline your children? A new report calls for a ban in England and Northern Ireland (Getty)

Is it ever OK smack your own children? Does physical punishment ever have a place in parenting? This is a divisive, long-running debate that reared its head again this week, with a definitive report warning that smacking children risks triggering violence and mental health problems in later life.

Unlike in Wales and Scotland, the use of physical force against ones own children in England and Northern Ireland has yet to be banned. As the law stands, parents in those two countries can cite reasonable punishment as a defence for why they hit their offspring, much to the horror of leading health professionals, who this week fiercely condemned the continuing situation.

In its report, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health called for Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, to start the process to change the law to remove the reasonable punishment defence in England ahead of the next general election. Evidence shows smacking children made them much more likely to suffer poor mental health, do badly at school and be physically assaulted or abused, according to the RCPCH.

There is evidence to suggest that children who are physically punished are more likely to believe that violence is accepted and encouraged by society, which may lead to them behaving in a more violent manner in adolescence and adulthood, says the report.

Prompted by Sweden, which led the way in 1979, 65 states around the world prohibit any form of physical punishment of children, while 27 more states have committed to reforming their laws to achieve a complete legal ban. Wales made any type of corporal punishment  including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking  illegal in March 2022, while Scotland introduced a similar ban in November 2020.

And yet the picture remains murky in two countries that make up the United Kingdom. Andrew Rowlands, a consultant paediatrician and RCPCH officer for child protection, says existing laws create a grey area in which some forms of physical punishment may be lawful, and some are not.

In other words, what did the minor in your care do to justify being hit? Run into the road? Touch something hot? Hit their sibling? Hit you? Or were they being generally bolshy, also known as being a toddler? Ive either endured my children doing at least one of those things or done one of them myself as a child. Ill admit to tapping  not smacking  one of mine on the leg when they were being impossible, but I knew it was wrong. (The child in question swears blind to my innocence so I assume it wasnt a big deal.)

When I was a nine-month-old baby in Bangkok, where I was born, my mother caught me crawling purposefully towards a tempting two-pin electrical socket on a Thai skirting board, with outstretched fingers that were at the exactly the right level and were going to fit perfectly. As there were no earth wires in Bangkok, it would have been instant death. She dashed across the room, grabbed my tiny hand and smacked it, albeit not hard. It was a conscious and desperate decision on my part. You were not hurt but you had a different sort of shock, and you never did it again, she says, still remorseful. Her unwarranted guilt underlines how a quick smack can sometimes be more traumatic for parents than for children. One father I know is mortified about the couple of times that he has  lightly  smacked his child.

My mothers unwarranted guilt underlines how a quick smack can sometimes be more traumatic for parents than for children.

Although many among my parents generation recall being smacked when they were young, attitudes are changing. A survey conducted by the NSPCC in 2023 shows that 67 per cent of voting adults believe that physical punishment of children is wrong, while a further 63 per cent feel that the law should specifically be changed to prevent any suggestion that physical punishment of children is lawful or reasonable.

It is clear that the general public are in favour of a change that better protects children from abuse, according to the RCPCH.

As things stand, it is up to legal professionals to judge whether the form of physical punishment was reasonable and moderate, considering factors such as the age of the child. What this means in practice, is some of the physical battery inflicted will get ignored and some children will wind up getting better protected from assault than others  depending on any verdict. That said, there arent believed to have been any convictions in either Wales or Scotland since the law was changed, which campaigners say shows that stronger legislation works as a deterrent.

Anja Heilmann, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at University College London, has studied how physical punishment increases behavioural difficulties. Children have the right to be brought up without violence. The current situation violates Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the UK has ratified. International evidence on this is really clear now. [Smacking] doesnt work, she says, adding that a ban would provide clarity for parents.

Parents may feel they need support if they are struggling to discipline unruly children (Getty/iStock)

But before any legislative change is introduced, parents need to know where they can get help if they are struggling to discipline unruly children. Parents are feeling unsupported and uneducated. If we make smacking illegal, we are putting a barrier in place for parents to admit they are really struggling. First, we need a proper education system, says Nicole Ratcliffe, a 42-year-old mother of two, who had to seek medical help in late 2018 because she was so wrung out from sleep deprivation and battles with her then two-year-old daughter.

I was genuinely worried that the situation could have led me to harming my daughter, she says. The GP set her up with some counselling, which turned into a group anger management course. I learnt strategies to help calm down, but it didnt fix the problem, which was that I had no ability to regulate my emotions because my brain wasnt getting the chance to heal through sleep. Ratcliffe wound up studying child behaviour on a parenting course run by a worldwide programme, The Incredible Years, which was established more than 40 years ago in the US to help support child development. This changed everything, says Ratcliffe, who now runs her own sleep courses (Baby2Sleep) to help overwrought parents.

International evidence on this is really clear now. Smacking doesnt work

Anja Heilmann, associate professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London

She suggests several alternatives to lashing out. Make sure the child is safe and then walk away. Calm your breath: try breathing in for four, and out for four. This will slow your heart rate. Visualise your childs hands and how small they are. Visualise your childs smile and their laugh. Remember how tiny they are, she says. Next: walk back into the room and kneel down on their level. Be ready for when they want to melt into you for a cuddle. If you are calm and theyre on you, theyre much more likely to calm down.

For anyone still unsure whether there needs to be an outright smacking ban in England and Northern Ireland, the RCPCHs Professor Rowland says changing the law would mean starting conversations and interventions from a solid, clear starting block: there are never any circumstances where physical punishment of children is tolerated, acceptable, or lawful. [Legislation] would provide us with better opportunities to support families without confusion, to prevent the serious and well-evidenced risks associated with physical punishment and, crucially, better identify cases of child abuse. Perhaps then, finally, there would clarity on at least one issue in the minefield that is modern parenting.
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Meet Nemat Shafik  Columbia President who called Police to curb pro-Palestine protest

The use of force to curb right to protest at the Columbia University escalated further after the varsity President, Dr Nemat Shafik, called in police to arrest the students rallying for Palestine and against Israeli barbarism in Gaza, and announced to suspend Lawmaker Ilhan Omars daughter.

Sunday April 21, 2024 12:46 PM , Naif Abdullah Faizee, ummid.com

New York: The use of force to curb right to protest at the Columbia University escalated further after the varsity President, Dr Nemat Shafik, called in police to arrest the students rallying for Palestine and against Israeli barbarism in Gaza, and announced to suspend Lawmaker Ilhan Omars daughter.

The Columbia University Presidents decision to allow the use of force not only failed to dampen the spirit of the pro-Palestine students but also left Dr Nemat herself to criticism by the American Association of University Professors - a professional faculty organization which in a strongly worded condemnation said it has lost faith in her.

We have lost confidence in our president and our administration, and we pledge to fight to reclaim our university, the group said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

Who is Dr Nemat Shafik?

Dr Nemat Shafik, also known as Minouche Shafik, is an Egyptian-born American Economist. She is 20th President of the prestigious Columbia University in New York and is on the post since July 2023. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Nemat Talaat Shafik earlier served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the London School of Economics from 2017 to 2023.

Birth and Early Education

Nemat Shafik was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was a Scientist. Her father faced the brunt of the establishment. The land he owned was seized by the Egyptian government. He therefore migrated first to Savannah, Georgia then to Miami and Raleigh in North Carolina when Nemat Shafik was 4-year-old.

Nemat Shafik received her early education from Schutz American School. She graduated Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a major in Economics and Politics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1983. She obtained Master of Science degree in Economics from the London School of Economics in 1986 and Doctorate of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Oxford, in 1989.

Nemat Shafik also held various positions at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. During this period she married her colleague, Economist Mohamed El-Erian, in 1990 but the marriage did not last. In 2002, Nemat married Scientist, Raffael Jovine, with whom she has twin children and three stepchildren.

Nemat Shafik's views about Palestine Solidarity

Protests against Israel on university campuses across the United States are on the rise since Oct 7, 2023 after the Israeli murderous military campaign in Gaza. But, for Nemat Shafik, any voice in solidarity of the Palestinians facing Israeli barbarism in Gaza is anti-semitism.

Shafik called in police to demolish the camps installed by the pro-Palestine students, arrest around 108 of them and announced to suspend Ilhan Omars daughter a day after asserting at a Congressional hearing on Wednesday April 18, 2024 that the university could do more against anti-semitism.

During the Congressional hearing, Nemat Shafik also found pro-Palestinian slogans like From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, incredibly hurtful and upsetting, according to The Times of Israel.

She is also of the view that the campaign to boycott Israel, is a political movement. For her, call toglobalize the intifada is also antisemitic.

Columbia University students unfazed

Meanwhile, the pro-Palestine students instead of retreating after the demolition of their camps, arrest of over 100 of them and suspension of some including Ilhan Omars daughter Thursday brought-in blanket and water bottles and food to continue their pro-Palestine sit-in on the campus.

Nemat Shafik is also accused of resorting to "most violent use of force against students" and breaking the decades old practice of on campus protests.

"An Egyptian born president of Columbia Nemat Shafik (who is also a dual Egyptian/US citizen) was responsible for what some argue was the most violent use of force against university community in decades when she ordered the clearing of the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus", a social media user wrote on X.

Criticizing Nemat Shafik's decision to use force against the students, Law Professor, Richard W. Painter, demanded her resignation from the post.

"The President of Columbia, Nemat Shafik, used the NYPD to arrest over 100 students just to put on a show for Congress. She accomplished nothing. Now the campus is in chaos. Shafik should get fired or resign", he wrote on X, social media platform originally launched as Twitter.

[The writer, Naif Abdullah Faizee, is Special Correspondent ummid.com.]





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HA NOI  The prices of Vietnamese paddy and rice continued to increase last week, according to the the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

Specifically, the average paddy price at fields rose by VN214 to VN8,000 (US$0.31) per kilo, with the highest reported at VN8,050. The average price for paddy at warehouses expanded by VN183 to VN9,475 per kilo, the highest recorded at VN9,650.

Meanwhile, 5% broken rice was priced up to VN14,200 per kilo; 15% broken rice, VN13,950 ; and 25% broken rice,VN 13,750.

Premium white rice saw an increase of VN35 per kilo to VN14,010.

For export, the price of 5% broken rice was $582 per tonne, higher than $579 of Thailand, and $581 of Pakistan.

Vietnam's 25% broken rice was sold at $557 per tonne, as compared to $530 of Thai rice.  VNS
LANG SON  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday afternoon attended a seminar launching the 2024 provincial planning and investment promotion for Lang Son, highlighting the provinces strategic location for trade, logistics, transport and national security.

The provincial plans aim for Lang Son to become a growth pole and an economic centre of the northern midlands and mountainous region by 2030, while also serving as an increasingly important point of connection for trade activities between Viet Nam, ASEAN countries, China and Europe.

Local authorities also set the goal to have an economic scale and GRDP (gross regional domestic product) per capita among the top 5 in the region, along with a stable state of local society, national defence-security and environment.

The sectors of focus have been identified as border gate economy, industries and services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, particularly in the ong ang-Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone.

The four strategies to achieve these goals include digital transformation and improvement of the business environment; socio-economic infrastructure development; border trade, services and economic development; and industrial growth with ensured quality, competitiveness, safety and environmental standards.

Acknowledging Lang Sons recent socio-economic achievements, PM Chinh also pointed out the bottlenecks in business operations, public investment disbursements, land management and peoples livelihoods that the province needs to address.

He also stressed the three key missions of the locality, which include strengthening the relations and cooperation between Viet Nam and China while maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity through peaceful means and agreements between the two governing parties, especially the joint statement on continuing deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The province would need to develop and align its planning for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 with the national master plans, while innovating and optimising resources for growth and enhancing the capacity of its human resources.

Lang Son should communicate the plans through multiple channels so that people can understand, support, follow and supervise the implementation process, said PM Chinh.

The locality should also accelerate administrative reforms and improve the business and investment environment to attract potential investors, he added.

The business and investor community and ministries, sectors and local authorities must act on their commitments and deliver concrete results that consolidate the trust and create new momentum for growth, said the government leader.

Huu Nghi-Chi Lang Expressway

PM Chinh also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Huu Nghi-Chi Lang Expressway, the final project in the strategic eastern North-South Expressway that travels the length of the country from Lang Son to Ca Mau.

Following the BOT (build - operate - transfer) model, the planned section is 59.87km long with a total investment of more than VN11 trillion (US$432.3 million) and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Lang Son Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Quoc oan said that the project was designed in connection with ong ang-Tra Linh Expressway for a modern and comprehensive transport infrastructure, and was expected to boost the economic competitiveness of Lang Son and neighbouring provinces, as well as the northeastern region.

Acknowledging the efforts of Lang Son authorities, PM Chinh said that the Huu Nghi-Chi Lang Expressway would open up a new space for development, while also strengthening the economic and transportation connections between the northern mountainous areas and the Red River Delta.

It would also link the two economic corridors of Nam Ninh-Lang Son-Ha Noi-Hai Phong and Lang Son-Ha Noi-HCM City-Moc Bai, and serve as a gateway between ASEAN countries and China.

Noting there would be a substantial workload to be done following the groundbreaking ceremony, the government leader required the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Transport and other departments to coordinate with Lang Son to address any bottlenecks that arise and ensure the project progress, quality and safety.

Lang Son Province was also ordered to work with investors during the project implementation to ensure the planned schedule as well as law and contract compliance, optimise resources and reduce impacts on the environment and peoples livelihoods.

Emphasising the importance of land clearance, PM Chinh said the province and investors must consider the interests of the people, creating favourable conditions so that resettlements would be equal to or better than their former residences.

Investors, contractors and consulting agencies must demonstrate their responsibility in ensuring project quality and schedule, labour and environmental safety, and avoiding misconduct during construction.  VNS
SINGAPORE  The Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore (VNYA) held a gala at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on April 20 night to celebrate its fifth anniversary.

The event brought together students and representatives of Vietnamese agencies and organisations in the host country, as well as those who have supported the alliance over the past time.

The participants had a chance to join various activities, with proceeds to be sent to the Vietnamese Students Association in Binh Duong, the VNYAs sister association at home, to buy learning equipment for children of disadvantaged workers in the locality.

Vietnamese Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung praised the alliances role as a firm pillar of the Vietnamese student community in Singapore, and expressed his belief that it will organise more diverse, practical activities in the years to come.

VNYA President Nguyen Thuy Quynh said the alliance will further coordinate with its counterparts at home and abroad to boost cultural exchanges in the time ahead.  VNS
Kevin Bacon returned to the Utah high school where 1984 "Footloose" movie was filmed, 40 years after he first kicked off his Sunday shoes, to celebrate the school's final prom before it's moving to a new campus.

"Go Lions!" Bacon told a crowd of teenagers at Payson High School.

"Here we are on this beautiful, beautiful spot on this beautiful, beautiful day. It's been a long time  40 years  that just blows my mind. Things look a little different around here. I'd say the thing that looks the most different is me," he quipped.

Payson students worked for months with the Utah Film Commission to get Bacon's attention. They created a social media campaign, recreated movie scenes and planned an event to benefit Bacon's SixDegrees.org

Bacon's foundation is "dedicated to creating dialogue, raising awareness, understanding, and empathy around causes that our communities care most about," according to its website. The actor worked with the students to assemble essential resource kits that the foundation will provide to schools and young people.

"Thank you so much for your commitment to giving back to your community and to the people you're sharing this planet with," Bacon told the students. "I'm thrilled we're going to be working here together today."

The actor also praised the teenagers for embodying the spirit of the original film, which stars Bacon as a Chicago teenager who transfers to a small-town high school where dancing is strictly forbidden.

"It's amazing the power that this movie has had to bring people together, and connect on the basic ideas behind the movie," he said.

"You know, standing up to authority sometimes, and to being forgiving to people who are not exactly the same as you, and for standing up for your own freedoms and your right to express yourself, and for having compassion for other people," he added.
Iran's supreme leader downplayed the ineffectiveness of his country's unprecedented airstrikes against Israel during remarks to top military leaders on Sunday.

"Debates ... about how many missiles were fired, how many of them hit the target and how many didn't, these are of secondary importance," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, according to the Associated Press, which cited a broadcast on state television.

"The main issue is the emergence of the Iranian nation and Iranian military's will in an important international arena. This is what matters," he added.

Khamenei also thanked Iran's armed forces, Revolutionary Guard and police, and said that the "image of the country around the world has become commendable."

Israel has said 99% of the 300-plus missiles and attack drones Iran fired at the country on April 13 were destroyed with the help of the U.S. and other allies.

The only serious casualty was a 7-year-old Bedouin Arab girl struck by shrapnel near the desert city of Arad.

Her condition improved slightly and she began breathing on her own Saturday but remained in pediatric intensive care, according to the Times of Israel.

There was minor damage to the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, with a chunk taken out of a taxiway that was quickly repaired, AP said.

On Friday, Israel apparently launched a counterattack against the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to Iran's largest nuclear research complex.

Iran said it shot down three "mini-drones" it blamed on "infiltrators" and indicated it wouldn't retaliate against Israel.

Tehran's April 13 attack was prompted by suspected Israeli airstrikes on a consular building next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1 that reported killed 16 people, including two Revolutionary Guard generals.
After two months of renovation, Li Bai, the renowned Cantonese restaurant nestled within Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, reopened on April 12.

With a legacy of excelling in time-honoured Cantonese cuisine since 2003, Li Bai has withstood the tests of time as one of the leading Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and captured the hearts of many local and overseas Cantonese gastronomes, offering an authentic taste of Cantonese quintessence.

Post renovation, Li Bai, named after the famous Chinese poet, introduces its full-scale renovation, from interior design to food concept, service delivery, and entailed dining experience.

The brand-new ambiance embodies contemporary aesthetics inspired by Li Bais poetic stories, with a harmonious interplay of his life journey with nostalgic elements.

A tranquil landscape with mountains, the moon and cherry blossoms set the mood from the entrance, whilst koi fish representing an auspicious blessing as you walk through the gateway.

Inside the restaurant, the new interior features gold tones with exquisite artworks depicting Li Bais milestones, from the beautiful Nga Mi mountains in Sichuan where Li Bai showcased his talent at the age of 15, to the following years when Li Bai embarked on a journey to explore magnificent mountains and rivers, the two most distinctive elements in his poems.

The whole restaurant spaces boast different table settings catering up to 104 guests - from two-four-six seating to semi-private and private rooms offering an enhanced sense of comfort. The exclusive VIP rooms with large round dining tables for 10 or 20 guests each are mergeable to create a spacious private dining area with floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Dong Khoi street.

Renowned for its simple presentation that allows the dishes to take the central stage, Li Bai has taken the bold step towards rejuvenation based on the new direction of executive chef Shardul Kulkarni.

Chef Giang, who originates from Guangdong, also has more than three decades of experience in Cantonese cuisine. The new menu features Cantonese classics with innovative twists and intricate presentations that spotlight traditional cooking techniques using the finest ingredients whilst drawing inspiration from a variety of Chinese regional cuisines. These include Cantonese with a contemporary spin, to elegant dining interpretations of Sichuan comfort classics, whilst still maintaining the heart and soul of Li Bais authenticity.

The produce is thoughtfully sourced and sustainably harvested from local farms. The culinary magic features exciting signature dishes, including the Peking Duck pancake with crispy skin, highlighted by 10-day dry-aged cage-free ducks from the Mekong Delta, a tribute to Vietnams rural poultry culture bringing a succulent taste.

Since its opening in 2003, Li Bai has gained a large gathering of loyal guests returning for our delectable Cantonese staples and popular hand-crafted dim sum selection available with lunch offerings.

Li Bai opens daily for lunch and dinner with an a la carte menu, while Yum Cha is served on weekends paired with free-flow drinks. There is something for every craving and generation to gather for good moments.
A visitor photographs an ice cream display at Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

With parts of Texas expected to see triple-digit temperatures this week, it's official: Ice cream season is upon us, though it's only April. And for many Texans, "ice cream" means homemade vanilla, Moo-llenium Crunch, banana pudding and other flavors from Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, northwest of Houston.

Here's the scoop on this iconic Texas brand.

TEXAS BRANDS: A look at some of the iconic brands of Houston and Texas

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Where was Blue Bell created?

The Brenham Creamery Co. was established in 1907 to make butter from cream provided by local dairy farmers. Several years later, the creamery began making ice cream, too, which it delivered via horse-drawn wagons, and in 1930 the company changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries.

As of 1958, the company has focused exclusively on ice cream, which it sells in cups, pints and half-gallons, as well as ice-cream sandwiches and other treats. In addition to its year-round flavors such as banana pudding, black walnut and Dutch chocolate, the company releases three to six new flavors each year after testing and research at its facility in Brenham.

Blue Bell no longer sells butter, but gooey butter cake is among its current seasonal flavors, having debuted last month.

Is Blue Bell ice cream just a Texas thing?

It's not just a Texas thing, but Blue Bell leans into its Texas roots in various ways. The company maintains a longstanding partnership with H-E-B, the state's dominant grocer. Last year, it introduced a Dr Pepper float flavor to its year-round line-up, and in October James Avery Artisan Jewelers, headquartered in San Antonio, put out a new charm designed to look like a tiny tub of Blue Bell, complete with the brand's logo of a little girl leading a cow.

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In which states is Blue Bell sold?

If you're in Texas, you can hardly avoid Blue Bell. It's sold everywhere from major grocers such as H-E-B to the gas station down the street. But even if you wander across state lines, you can still find the ice cream. As of today, the company says, Blue Bell ice cream is sold in 23 states and can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

Despite being a regional ice cream brand, Blue Bell is among the nation's top sellers. In 2022, according to Statista, Blue Bell was the fourth-largest ice cream brand in the United States in terms of sales, after Ben & Jerry's, Haagen-Dazs, and private label options such as H-E-B's Creamy Creations, which also enjoys an enthusiastic following in Texas.

Why did they halt sales of Blue Bell ice cream?

In March 2015, an outbreak of listeria led to 10 cases of listeria and three deaths among Blue Bell consumers in Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas, spurring Blue Bell to suspend production and, in April, recall all of its products. While the company began reintroducing its products in stores by August of that year, the scandal took a toll on the company's operations as well as its reputation. In 2020, after a Department of Justice investigation, Blue Bell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products and paid more than $17 million in penalties; only this month, April 2024, is the ice cream returning to Kansas.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: How Brenham-based Blue Bell creates new ice cream flavors that are years in the making

What's special about Blue Bell ice cream?

There are some Texans who think Blue Bell ice cream is overhyped, or underwhelming, especially with the proliferation of locally owned ice cream shops in the Houston area and the growth of smaller brands such as Amy's or Lick, both of which started in Austin.

But it's hard to deny that Blue Bell holds a special place in the heart of many Texans, and that history plays a big part in that. If you grew up in the state, you may not have spent your summers among the screen doors and swimming holes Blue Bell describes in its ads, but if you had ice cream, it was often served in the company's little yellow cup.
As Komika Sales returns home from work, her sons nurse completes his evening routine  giving him his last medications, connecting him to his ventilation machine. After the nurse leaves, Sales and her son gather on the couch, giggling together as he uses his iPad or plays with blocks.

A stricter rule from Texas human services agency might make their bedtime ritual impossible. Her 16-year-old son could no longer receive nursing  therefore taking away his ability to live at home.

Its awful because the whole goal is to keep him at home, Sales said of her son, Micahi Neal.

A proposed rule change from the states Health and Human Services Commission would not allow an adult to be away from the home for any period of time whenever a nurse is providing services, according to documents obtained by The Texas Tribune.

Medicaid offers Neal more than 150 hours of private duty nursing per week, the type of care that the proposal would affect. Private duty nursing allows for more continuous services for medically complex children, and for Sales, its made it possible for her to work outside the home as an x-ray technician and even work overtime to afford his out-of-pocket medical expenses.

If the rule change became official, Sales would have few options: to pay for an extra caregiver to stay home while she works, which she cant afford, to put her child in an institution like a skilled nursing home, or, to quit her job and stay home with the nurse at all times. Neal, who has a congenital heart defect, is paraplegic and has undergone chemotherapy for cancer needs constant care.

If I don't work, then there's no roof, Sales said of being a single mom. I don't have a backup plan or support system because I am the backup plan and the support system.

Even parents who work from home fear the change could impact their ability to leave the house for any reason, such as buying groceries, going to doctors appointments or running other errands.

Thousands of families could face these crossroads if the rule change became official. More than 7,000 individuals received private duty nursing in 2022, according to the state, though that may include some adults who receive the services through other specialized health care programs.

When asked what spurred HHSC to propose the rule change, spokesperson Jennifer Ruffcorn said in a statement that they were clarifying the existing private duty nursing rules and policy.

According to the agency, this is how they've always interpreted the policy. Because of this, HHSC is not setting new or different expectations about how this policy is monitored or reported, Ruffcorn said. But, advocates say, the formalized proposal could create confusion for nursing provider companies and affect families eligibility for their services.

Nurse monitoring

JaReen Williams 16-year-old daughter cant use the bathroom on her own. She has a neurogenic bladder, colonic dysmotility and fecal impaction, so a nurse spends hours at their house helping with her catheter and bowel program. Sometimes, the entire process can take four or five hours.

Williams works from home and has her own disability. But under the rule change, she would have to bring her daughter and her daughters nurse to doctors appointments with her.

If Mom has to go somewhere, and I'm in the middle of doing all this, I personally wouldn't be able to leave my patient and then follow Mom around, Ify Ozoh, the private duty nurse for Williams daughter, said. I can't do that. My patient comes first.

Some advocates have argued the rule change wouldnt just harm patients and their families  it also denigrates nurses by equating the medical care they provide with child care, or suggesting another adult needs to be with the nurse at all times.

I really don't want anyone hovering over me trying to watch what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing, Ozoh said. I went to school for it. It will make me feel like, OK, don't you trust me?

Ozoh said she doesnt have time during her shift to do anything non-medical for Williams daughter, regardless of whether or not Williams is home.

Jessie Sage Cheng, a registered nurse and consultant, has a daughter with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy. But she cant care for her own daughter because of her work, and she needs someone else to monitor her daughters medical needs.

One of the pillars of nursing is autonomy, Sage Cheng said. It is being able to make autonomous decisions that are in the best interest of the patient. If you make somebody else responsible for what the nurse is doing, you've just stripped them of their autonomy.

Sage Cheng said it isnt fair to call nursing care child care just because a parent is away.

The need for someone to watch your child who has medical complexities is inextricably linked to the level of care that they need, Sage Cheng said. And so you can't separate it out. You can't say that a child receiving PDN is just being taken care of like a babysitter would  because a babysitter couldn't take care of that child.

It is unequivocally denying the reality of the level of care that that child needs, Sage Cheng said.

An ongoing debate

The rule draft has befuddled advocates, both because its not clear why the change is necessary, and because the concept has been introduced before and received public rancor, they said.

Its not really clear why, said Terry Anstee, an attorney for disability advocacy organization Disability Rights Texas. The rationale from the Health and Human Services Commission keeps changing.

Anstee said HHSC has cited concern from the Texas Legislature, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Board of Nursing on different occasions as reasons for making the rule change. He said hes found no evidence to back any of these claims.

Ruffcorn, the HHSC spokesperson, said in a statement that the move was intended to clarify the existing PDN rules and policy that have been in effect for several years.

Since 2015, HHSC has interpreted the current rules to mean that parents cannot regularly or routinely leave a nurse at home alone with a child while at work because that would qualify as respite care, which isnt covered, her statement said.

But neither of the existing policies the commission referred to  both in the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual  specifically say an adult must stay home with a nurse at all times. One part of the manual says that responsible adults are essential elements of safe and effective services, but in the context that a child must already reside with an adult who provides them with all other forms of care.

At the same time, the manual says these nursing services may inherently result in the relief of the parent, guardian, or responsible adult, child care, or some non-medical, non-skilled activities in the course of providing nursing care."

According to the documents obtained by The Texas Tribune, HHSC drafted a similar proposal in 2021 after meeting with private duty nursing companies and managed care organizations, the health care companies that provide Medicaid health plans to Texans. Managed care organizations foot the immediate bill for care, but the state funds them  and when they report higher costs of care, the state has to increase how much it pays them.

But this draft was leaked to the public, as a result, HHSC received around 130 emails from stakeholders (including parents and providers), according to the documents.

A main concern from the parents was the inability to work outside of the home and paying for necessary child care, the documents said of these emails.

The commission introduced the current rule change draft this year, but its unclear if and when the rule will become official. In documents, HHSC said the rule could officially be proposed in the Texas Register around summer 2024 following periods of public comment and the Medical Care Advisory Committee discussing it at a meeting.

Trying to work

Some parents have already seen the fallout of not being able to access private duty nursing services. Laure Elmer lives in Pleasanton, Texas outside of San Antonio and her son has multiple disabilities and needs the continuous care private duty nursing would provide.

Hes eligible for services but because she lives in a more rural area, she hasnt been able to actually find a nurse to perform that care  so she had to quit her job as a full-time pediatrician and now provides medical care for him herself.

I was practicing and enjoyed what I was doing, Elmer, 59, said of her 16-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy. We had entertained [putting him in an institution] as a fleeting thought, but I cant do that to our son. It became a choice that I would much rather stay home with my child. But I had the luxury of a husband who was working.

For Sales, she said she has to work no matter what.

I have expenses. I have a mortgage to pay, I have a car note to pay, I have insurance to pay, Sales said. Weve got to eat, so Ive got to work to buy groceries. And on top of it, everything in the grocery store costs higher than what it did five years ago. So if I don't work, how am I supposed to afford anything?

Sales said she hopes HHSC listens to public comment, but feels HHSC is always trying to cut the budget from the ones that need the help the most.

I feel like they're always picking on the medically fragile kids, Sales said. They need to rethink this proposal.

Neelam Bohra is a 2023-24 New York Times disability reporting fellow, based at The Texas Tribune through a partnership with The New York Times and the National Center on Disability and Journalism, which is based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening in downtown Austin Sept. 5-7. Get your TribFest tickets before May 1 and save big!

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/19/texas-medicaid-private-nursing-children/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
CEDAR FALLS  Trout Stocking Family Day is about getting the next generation hooked on fishing.

At least a hundred people spent the chilly and windy Saturday morning and afternoon casting lines and hoping for a big catch with their families on the shore of North Prairie Lake off Viking and Hudson roads.

Its an exciting time for many, especially when they land the ultimate prize.

You cant beat that little smile on a kid when he catches a fish, said Tim Ahrens, president of the Cedar Valley Walleye Club.

The club and Scheels partnered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to stock the body of water. Using a truck and long tube, 1,700 fish were placed into the water. Organizers say that will make the spot a place to be for rainbow trout during the next month.

What are these? asked Kael Goettsch, 4, of Cedar Falls, who was watching his grandfather Mike Doeden fish. Some of what his mentor had were jigs and road runners.

It was their first time at the event.

Im a pretty avid fisherman, Doeden said as he taught his grandson about fishing as well as the values of respecting those around them and being patient in the early goings as they were looking for their first catch.

Meanwhile, their fishing neighbors had caught three.

Kaels mother Nicole came across the opportunity to fish on a poster at work. Her role was as support and the unofficial snack lady.

Its fun to get outside and do something together as a family, she said.

Now in its 19th year, Ahrens said the event draws closer to 200 people on average if not for the cold weather. The first time it was held less than 50 came out.

The organizers also came together to serve up hot dogs, chips and refreshments while offering other giveaways to compliment the experience.

The list included hundreds of tackles donated by Berkley. Scheels donated 50 tackle boxes for kids and the club also had 10 poles available through a drawing.

Its great to expose kids to the outdoors and get them closer to nature, get them away from their devices, and its good family time, said Ahrens. If we had a nice day, wed had this whole place filled.

The Walleye Club president also pointed out how people have better access to the lake after working with the city to reduce the Cattails on its outskirts.

The fun doesnt just stop after catching the trout.

We like to keep most of our fish and cook filets, said Asim Mustedanagic of Waterloo.

He and his daughter Sofia, 8, have attended several Trout Stocking Family Days in the past and had already caught three fish in less than an hour. Theyre big outdoors, stream and camping people.

Me and my dad are partners, she said.

The daughter caught one fish, but it wasnt big enough. Dad threw it back in, Sofia said.

The license limit is five fish per day at the lake. One family that didnt have to worry about exceeding that was the Ballengers of Cedar Falls, there for the first time just to soak up outdoor atmosphere at the event. Theyre more into hunting deer, pheasant and squirrels than catching fish.

They had come across the event in the citys Currents newsletter and were out doing some errands when they decided to check out the festivities.

Shes interacting with the ecosystem, said Tyler Ballenger about his daughter Nora, 9, who was at the edge of the water. He also came with his wife and son.

Its great to introduce that next generation to outdoor tradition, he said.
A Ballina student has completed a rare family double by winning a top prize at the prestigious Texaco Children's Art Competition.

Charlotte Greham, who is a sixth-class pupil at Breaffy National School, Ballina, won first prize for her work entitled Inspiration.

Charlottes artwork was described by final adjudicator, Gary Granville, Professor Emeritus of Education at the National College of Art and Design, as a finely executed representation of the artist at work. The win by the 12-year-old made for a unique family double because her uncle, John Greham, won the same competition in 1979.

Charlotte was one of six Mayo students to win top prizes in the legendary competition, which is now in its 70th year.

Aoife Corrigan (12), from Castlebar Primary School; Annamaria Pecsi (13), from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Westport; Aidan Kilbayne (8), from Castlebar Art Club; Martin Greavy (6), from Bonniconlon National School, Ballina and Liam Monaghan (5), from Scoil Bhreandain, Ballina, were all among the winners.

The Texaco Childrens Art Competition is popularly regarded as the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates back to the very first competition held in 1955. This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Mayo and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Relatives of some of the 48 people killed in a fire at a Dublin nightclub in 1981 are to receive a State apology after a jury returned a verdict that they were unlawfully killed.

Families who have fought for justice for their loved ones who died in the Stardust blaze met Taoiseach Simon Harris on Saturday.

After the meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin, campaigners said they had been invited to the Dail on Tuesday for an official apology.

They said families will also receive individual written apologies.

Taoiseach Simon Harris (red tie bottom right) welcomes the families to Government Buildings in Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

The families, who were with the Taoiseach for about 90 minutes on Saturday, are to work with Government officials on the wording of Tuesdays apology.

It comes after an inquest jury returned a verdict on Thursday that the 48 victims were all unlawfully killed.

A previous finding in 1982 said that the fire had been started deliberately, a theory the families never accepted.

That ruling was dismissed in 2009, leading to the latest inquests for the victims, who were aged from 16 to 27 and mostly came from the surrounding north Dublin area.

A majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981, was instead caused by an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

On Saturday morning, the families walked with a banner remembering their relatives towards Government Buildings.

They were greeted by the Taoiseach who spoke to them in the courtyard and shook their hands before going into the official meeting.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, campaigners said Mr Harris listened to the families and apologised.

In a statement after meeting survivors and the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, Mr Harris said: It was a humbling and emotional meeting. I want to thank every person who attended for what they told me, both as a group and in private, individual conversations.

More than 70 people came to the Department of the Taoiseach today. However, I am acutely aware that the numbers affected by Stardust is many, many multiples of that.

That includes those injured, the people working in Stardust, the frontline workers who fought to save lives on the night.

It includes survivors, the fire crews, the ambulance staff, the gardai, the army, the taxi drivers and the communities across Ireland who have carried this tragedy with them for 43 years.

I have listened closely to everything the families told me and, as Taoiseach, I have today apologised unreservedly to each family. I will do so on behalf of the State on Tuesday next.

Antoinette Keegan, whose sisters Mary and Martina died, and who survived the fire herself, said the meeting went very well.

She said the names of the 48 victims will be read out in the Dail.

She added: Hes invited us all back in to hear the public apology, and it is very positive what hes doing  hes addressing every issue.

Ms Keegan said the families had felt abandoned by the State.

They were bagged and tagged for 43 years. This inquest has opened a new chapter for us. Now, theyve gotten their identity back, theyve gotten their good name back.

Survivors, family members and supporters hold pictures of those they lost. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

She said the families legal team would be working with Mr Harris on the apology, adding: If its not right, we wont be accepting it.

Carol Barrett, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed in the fire, said the apology needed to be robust, meaningful and transparent.

She said: It has to be worth the paper its written on. It has to take a lot of time and its not to be rushed.

Maurice McHugh, who lost his only child, 17-year-old Caroline, in the tragedy, welcomed the upcoming apology but added: It has to be genuine, it cant just be sorry, it needs to be more than that.

Forty-three years of history  he has a hell of a lot of work to do in three days.

His wife Phyllis McHugh said she was annoyed that politicians had let families down in the past, adding: They should have been there from day one.

Three of Brigid McDermotts children were among the dead: William, 22, George, 18, and Marcella, 16.

Speaking on Saturday after the meeting with Mr Harris, Mrs McDermott, who is now 87, said: Im proud of myself and everyone and all the mothers, fathers who went through what we did.

God bless and thank everyone, especially the public  thank you all.

Asked what the apology would mean to her, she said: Its just to hear theyre sorry  but its a bit late for me.

Darragh Mackin, the solicitor for the majority of the Stardust families, said: Were hopeful that the apology will reflect the hurt, the suffering, the trauma but most importantly the truth.

He added: Between now and Tuesday, weve offered to engage directly with the Taoiseach on the content of the apology.

We hope that the Taoiseach listened to the various families  were confident that he did.

Families want it reflected that for 40 years they were criminalised, and now the truth has been told.

They want the State to apologise for the systemic abuse they suffered, and we hope that is contained in the apology on Tuesday.

He said it was far too early to discuss a redress scheme.

The families also met Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald earlier in the day.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (right) with Stardust fire survivor Antoinette Keegan (left). Photo: PA.

She said a full state apology to the Stardust families is essential.

Ms McDonald said: For four decades, they have faced obstacle after obstacle put in front of them by the State.

That is why it is vital that a State apology is now made and that it address the failures of governments not just 43 years ago in the aftermath of this tragedy but every day since then.

They had to fight until 2019 to get a second inquest and they had to continue to fight the State every day until the inquest started.

They had to fight to ensure that the resources were in place so every family could participate in the inquest and get access to justice.
Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow in Connecticut. She spent the first part of her fellowship at the Houston Chronicle.

Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (20 April 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Zapad Group of Forces units captured more advantageous lines and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 77th airmobile, 43rd mechanised, and 110th territorial defence brigades near Beryozovka, Senkovo, and Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region).

Three attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 63rd mechanised, 12th and 18th national guard brigades were repelled close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic) and Grigorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

The Yug Group of Forces units improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 79th air assault, 46th airmobile, 22nd and 67th mechanised brigades close to Maksimilyanovka, Stupochki, Paraskoviyevka, and Kalinina (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Three counterattacks of the AFU 28th Mechanised Brigades units were repelled west of Krasnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 610 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one ammunition depot, as well as one Nota electronic warfare station.

The Tsentr Group of Forces units improved the tactical situation and repelled eight counterattacks launched by assault groups of AFU 25th airborne, 23rd, 24th, 100th, and 115th mechanised brigades close to Novobakhmutovka, Leninskoye, Pervomayskoye, and Novokalinovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy lost up to 355 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one Czech-made 152-mm Dana self-propelled gun, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer were hit.

The Vostok Group of Forces units captured more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd mechanised, 128th territorial defence brigades near Staromayorskoye and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 120 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, four ammunition depots, as well as one Anklav electronic warfare station.

The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 23rd national guard, 121st territorial defence brigades close to Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region), Mikhaylovka and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were more than 30 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one aviation fuel depot, two transport infrastructure facilities used for military purposes, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 112 areas.

Russian air defence units have shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force, 213 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as five French-made Hammer aerial guided bombs.

In total, 591 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 22,095 unmanned aerial vehicles, 506 air defence missile systems, 15,812 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,267 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,991 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 21,183 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

WtR
NEW YORK (AP)  The man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.

The New York City Police Department told The Associated Press early Saturday that the man was declared dead by staff at an area hospital.

The man was in Collect Pond Park around 1:30 p.m. Friday when he took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories, tossed them around, then doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials and witnesses said.

A large number of police officers were nearby when it happened. Some officers and bystanders rushed to the aid of the man, who was hospitalized in critical condition at the time.

The man, who police said recently traveled from Florida to New York, had not breached any security checkpoints to access the park.

The park outside the courthouse has been a gathering spot for protesters, journalists and gawkers throughout Trumps trial, which began with jury selection Monday.

Through Friday, the streets and sidewalks in the area around the courthouse were generally wide open and crowds have been small and largely orderly.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols, including whether to restrict access to the park. The side street where Trump enters and leaves the building is off limits.

We may have to shut this area down, New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a news conference outside the courthouse Friday, adding that officials would discuss the security plan soon.
The Northern Nevada Ghost Hunters group is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, April 20 for the Historic Fourth Wards School Museum.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Museum at 537 South C Street in Virginia City. Check in is at 6:30 p.m.

It will include a historic lecture by Eilley Bowers, famous Washoe Seeress, played by Chautauquan Kim Harris, as well as hands-on instruction on how to communicate with those from "the other side."

Tickets are available until 5 p.m. at this link.

Tickets are $75 per person, and children ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, visit their website at this link.
Traffic on the Sam Houston Tollway near Memorial Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Drivers who want to avoid traffic on freeways like Interstate 45 and Texas 288 often have better and faster options via Harris County toll roads, but it comes at a cost. And for people who use toll lanes and forget to pay, the cost gets steep very fast.

Two Harris County Toll Road Authority officials, chief of staff Nicole Stuttz and customer service director Jacqueline Moreno-Cruz, talked with the Chronicle about how to use toll roads and what can happen if you have unpaid tolls.

What is the Harris County Toll Road Authority?

The toll road authority is a system that operates the Hardy Toll Road, Westpark Tollway, Katy Managed Lanes, Tomball Tollway, Sam Houston Tollway, according to previous Chronicle reporting.

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What is EZ TAG?

The system offers multiple ways to pay your balance when using toll roads. Drivers can create an EZ TAG account, pay online by license plate or even visit in person at a local EZ TAG Store with cash or a credit card.

EZ TAG allows drivers to drive through toll locations and pay automatically via a pre-loaded account.

Moreno-Cruz said people with EZ TAG accounts can get a 10 percent discount on future tolls, but the organization has added a new feature for customers with accounts who want to use cash, or for customers who want to pay cash for tolls without opening an account.

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Customers may pay their balances at 5,000 participating retail locations including Walmart and H-E-B.

What happens if you use tolls with no tag?

Drivers with no EZ TAG or Texas toll account can address a new toll fee online that day. If not paid immediately, the driver will receive a toll invoice that has a $10 fee within 7 to 10 business days of their trip. It could take up to 30 days for drivers with out-of-state license plates.

Moreno-Cruz said that the toll road authority currently has a program via the website that allows customers to get a discount on the $10 fee by using an invoice or license plate number to create an account.

Now if you continue to use the roadway without paying that invoice, then additional fees can accrue and that invoice could potentially end up in our collection process, said Moreno-Cruz Theres additional fees assess to it at that point of time, it can even go as far as a court hearing or a registration block.

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If your toll bill remains unpaid after 60 days it will be sent to collections, and an additional $10 collection fee will be tacked on for each invoice. If you have a EZ TAG account and have received toll invoices in the mail due to an unpaid balance, your account may be suspended.

After another 60 days have passed, additional fees can be added to the outstanding amount.

Criminal charges possible

Vehicles with outstanding unpaid balances are prohibited from Harris County toll roads. Drivers who continue to use the roadways could face a criminal offense if cited, or an administrative court hearing could result in a registration block or a booting device on the person's vehicle. The judge in an administrative hearing could also assess additional fines.

Moreno-Cruz said the system alerts law enforcement about outstanding toll invoices and toll balances that may lead to drivers being pulled over and cited for using the roadway.

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Stuttz said that the toll road authority doesnt want discourage anyone from utilizing its roads, but the point of law enforcement is to make sure that prohibited vehicles arent driving on them.

Quick transition to cash-free

Moreno-Cruz said when the toll collectors were removed from toll booths due to COVID-19 pandemic, the organization saw an increase in unpaid tolls. This challenge led to the implementation of new ways to pay, using pay online and in person at HCTRA and participating retail locations.

Toll plazas that take cash are now a thing of the past, Stuttz said.

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Unfortunately, with the pandemic it actually caused HCTRA to initiate the conversion to no cash being accepted at all electronic tolling systems faster than what was anticipated, said Stuttz. We are currently in the process of removing all toll booths and converting the lanes to be safer and more convenient as you through those plazas, but we do not have any plans of putting toll collection back out into the system.

Store and call centers now have extended hours  7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday  but Stuttz and Moreno-Cruz recommend obtaining an EZ TAG account if possible.

One of the things that a lot of people dont understand is that if you have a EZTAG you can actually drive on any toll roads within the state of Texas, Oklahoma or Kansas, said Stuttz. If you have a EZ TAG account then the toll transitions from those other entities will go to your EZ TAG account.
So youve decided to give your car the ultimate protection and a head-turning appearance. But with options like Paint Protection Film (PPF) and full car wraps vying for your attention, choosing the right one can be tricky. Lets break down the pros and cons of each approach to help you make an informed decision:

The Invisible Shield: Paint Protection Film (PPF)

PPF is a thin, ultra-durable film applied directly to your cars paint. Think of it as an invisible shield that protects against:

Scratches and scuffs: From rogue shopping carts to flying debris, PPF absorbs the brunt of minor impacts, keeping your paint job flawless.

From rogue shopping carts to flying debris, PPF absorbs the brunt of minor impacts, keeping your paint job flawless. Sun damage: PPF blocks harmful UV rays, preventing paint fading and cracking.

PPF blocks harmful UV rays, preventing paint fading and cracking. Environmental hazards: Bird droppings, bug splatter, and acid rain  PPF creates a barrier against these elements, making cleaning your car a breeze.

Pros of PPF:

Targeted protection: You can choose to apply PPF to specific areas like the hood, bumper, or door handles for customized protection.

You can choose to apply PPF to specific areas like the hood, bumper, or door handles for customized protection. Preserves cars value: By protecting the paint, PPF helps your car retain its resale value.

By protecting the paint, PPF helps your car retain its resale value. Relatively lower cost: Compared to full car wraps, PPF is a more affordable option for adding protection.

Compared to full car wraps, PPF is a more affordable option for adding protection. Virtually invisible: PPF maintains the original look and feel of your cars paint.

PPF maintains the original look and feel of your cars paint. Self-healing properties: Some PPF films can heal minor scratches with heat application.

Cons of PPF:

Limited design options: PPF typically comes in a clear finish, offering no customization in terms of color or graphics.

PPF typically comes in a clear finish, offering no customization in terms of color or graphics. May require more maintenance: While easier to clean than bare paint, PPF might require special cleaning products to maintain its optimal clarity.

The Full Body Makeover: Car Wraps

Car wraps are essentially large vinyl decals that completely cover your cars exterior. They offer a world of possibilities:

Complete color change: Transform your cars look with any color imaginable, including matte finishes, metallic accents, or even custom designs.

Transform your cars look with any color imaginable, including matte finishes, metallic accents, or even custom designs. Unique graphics and branding: Turn your car into a rolling billboard with personalized graphics, logos, or even artwork.

Turn your car into a rolling billboard with personalized graphics, logos, or even artwork. Protection from elements: Similar to PPF, car wraps offer protection from scratches, UV rays, and environmental damage.

Pros of Car Wraps:

Ultimate customization: Car wraps unleash your creativity, allowing you to personalize your cars look to any extent.

Car wraps unleash your creativity, allowing you to personalize your cars look to any extent. Head-turning appearance: A well-designed car wrap guarantees youll stand out from the crowd.

A well-designed car wrap guarantees youll stand out from the crowd. Removable protection: Car wraps can be removed without damaging your cars original paint job.

Car wraps can be removed without damaging your cars original paint job. Potential for increased resale value (for unique designs): A well-done, high-quality wrap can actually increase your cars resale value if its a desirable design.

Cons of Car Wraps:

Higher cost: Car wraps are a significant investment compared to PPF.

Car wraps are a significant investment compared to PPF. Maintenance: Car wraps require more delicate care compared to PPF and might need professional cleaning.

Car wraps require more delicate care compared to PPF and might need professional cleaning. Potential for removal damage: If not removed properly, car wraps can damage the underlying paint.

If not removed properly, car wraps can damage the underlying paint. Not ideal for all: If you prefer the original look of your cars paint, a wrap might not be the best choice.

The Verdict: It Depends on Your Needs

Ultimately, the choice between PPF and a full car wrap depends on your priorities:

Protection and value retention: If your primary concern is protecting your cars paint and maintaining its value, PPF is a great choice.

If your primary concern is protecting your cars paint and maintaining its value, PPF is a great choice. Customization and a unique look: If you dream of a one-of-a-kind car that reflects your personality, a full car wrap is the way to go.

Ready to Find the Perfect Solution for Your Car?

At Turbo Tint Orlando, we offer both high-quality PPF Orlando. Our experts can help you assess your needs and recommend the best option to achieve your desired outcome. Schedule a free consultation today !
Dear Amy: Some of my family members are going to have a mini family reunion in Paris in a few months  the city where my brother lives.

My brothers son, wife and their two young children will be flying to Paris from Istanbul, and I will be flying in from the USA.

My nephews family and I will be staying at the same hotel.

Several times my brother has mentioned that his son and family are coming to Paris especially to see the uncle from America.

So, in light of those repeated comments, do you think it would be necessary or rather the right thing to do for me to pay for my nephew and familys hotel bill during their weeks visit in Paris?

And yes, I can afford to pay  but do I need to?

 Dan in LA

Dear Dan: Thank you for asking a question that will be met by a universal sigh: What a nice problem to have.

Your nephew and family are traveling for a family reunion, which will include his father (grandparent to the children). Presumably these family members have spent time together previously.

I infer that your nephew and his wife have not spent much (if any) time with you and that their children have possibly never met you.

You can imagine their excitement and curiosity about meeting their American uncle.

Your brother is passing along this familys excitement, not asking for you to foot their bill or implying that you should.

I dont read anything in your narrative that should lead you down this path, but if they are in need or you want to be generous in this way, then paying for their hotel bill would be a very kind thing to do.

Otherwise, I hope you will bring some small gifts from Los Angeles, perhaps take them to lunch or to a museum in Paris, and  if you all hit it off  you could invite them to visit you in your home, and foot the bill when you do.

You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.
Two are dead in Florida after a 17-year-old boy shot a 14-year-old girl, then turned the gun on himself, the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office said in a news release on Sunday.

Hector Pfeiffer was dog sitting at the home of Derek Pobuta on Grove Park Avenue in Lealman, when he invited three friends over around 4 a.m. on Saturday to hang out, deputies said. Sayuri Jade Ruiz, 14, Alex Spasiano, 18, and another girl, who is not not named or identified by age in the news release, came over.

The teenagers began drinking and consuming cocaine and marijuana. Pfeiffer had met the girls through social media, deputies said. Spasiano was a friend of his, the release said.

At some point, Pfeiffer took out a gun that belonged to Pobuta, 26, who was out of town, deputies said. The four began to play around with the weapon, taking pictures with it.

A disagreement arose about what deputies called a consensual sexual encounter that Pfeiffer had. Ruiz was talking to the other, unnamed girl at the gathering when Pfeiffer approached her and fired, deputies say. Pfeiffer then shot himself in the head.

Ruiz was found dead at the scene. Pfeiffer was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead around 10 p.m.

If you need help

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat with someone online at 988lifeline.org.

2024 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The United Auto Workers overwhelming election victory at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee is giving the union hope that it can make broader inroads in the South, the least unionized part of the country.

The UAW won a stunning 73% of the vote at VW after losing elections in 2014 and 2019. It was the unions first win in a Southern assembly plant owned by a foreign automaker.

Union President Shawn Fain said the pundits all told him that the UAW couldnt win in the South.

But you all said, Watch this, " he told a cheering group of VW organizers at a union hall in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Friday night, when the UAW victory was clear. You guys are leading the way. Were going to carry this fight on to Mercedes and everywhere else.

However, the UAW is likely to face a tougher test as it tries to represent workers at two Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama. A five-day election is scheduled to start May 13, where the unions campaign has already become heated.

See also -- Inside UAWs latest Alabama Mercedes-Benz plant union push: Vote set for workers to decide

The UAW has accused the German carmaker of violating U.S. and German labor laws with aggressive anti-union tactics, which the company denies.

They are going to have a much harder road in work sites where they are going to face aggressive management resistance and even community resistance than they faced in Chattanooga, said Harry Katz, a labor-relations professor at Cornell University. VW management did not aggressively seek to avoid unionization. Mercedes is going to be a good test. Its the deeper South.

Late last year, the UAW announced a drive to represent nearly 150,000 workers at non-union factories largely in the South. The union is targeting U.S. plants run by Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW and Volvo, along with factories operated by electric-vehicle makers Tesla, Rivian and Lucid.

The unions last defeat at VW in Chattanooga came at a low-water mark  in the middle of a federal investigation into bribery and embezzlement under a previous president.

Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit who studies the UAW, said the union flipped the script by installing new leadership, touting the rich contracts it won last year from Detroit automakers after strikes at targeted factories, and exploiting a climate that is now more favorable to unions. He said the union was also adept at translating signed pro-union authorization cards into votes  partly by pushing for a quick election.

Now the public and media eyes are going to be on Chattanooga and how quickly the UAW can translate this into a contract, he said. If the union cant quickly get a good contract, it risks losing some of the momentum it gained with Fridays election win, he said.

Unions in other industries are already moving ahead with organizing campaigns in the South and trying to learn from the UAWs playbook.

The Association of Flight Attendants, which has tried and failed to win over cabin crews at Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, hopes to collect enough signatures to force another election at Delta by year end. The unions president, Sara Nelson, said she was not surprised at the UAW win after strikes that led to record contracts last year.

Ive been talking about this for a long time  that strikes and taking on the boss is going to spur organizing, and thats exactly what we saw here, Nelson said.

Nelson is trying to secure an industry-leading contract at United Airlines that she can use to court Delta crews. In the meantime, crews at startup Breeze Airways, many of whom live in the South, will vote next month whether to join her union.

The White House issued a statement from President Joe Biden congratulating the UAW. Biden  who joined a UAW picket line in Michigan during the unions strike against Ford, GM and Stellantis plants last year  praised the success of unions representing autoworkers, Hollywood actors and writers, health care workers and others in gaining better contracts.

Together, these union wins have helped raise wages and demonstrate once again that the middle-class built America and that unions are still building and expanding the middle class for all workers, Biden said.

Biden criticized six Southern Republican governors, including Bill Lee of Tennessee, who told autoworkers this week that voting for union representation would jeopardize jobs.

Sharon Block, a law professor at Harvard University who worked for the Biden administration on labor and other issues, said the governors warning rang hollow after nonunion Tesla revealed that it plans to lay off 10% of its workers after disappointing sales results. She said VW workers saw the governors open letter as an empty threat and a cynical ploy, and they ignored it.

Workers for a long time have been told that you cant organize in the South. And many workers, even not in the South, may work in industries where theyve been told for a long time you cant organize, Block said. What the UAW showed last night is that we need to go and rethink all those negative statements.
The House has approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare weekend session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias invasion.

With an overwhelming vote Saturday, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes, a strong showing as American lawmakers race to deliver a fresh round of U.S. support to the war-torn ally. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved blue-and-yellow flags of Ukraine.

In all, 112 House members voted against the aid and 331 in favor of it.

Of the seven member Alabama delegation to U.S. House, Republican Reps. Robert Aderholt and Mike Rogers joined Democrat Terri Sewell in voting for the aid. Republicans Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, and Dale Strong voted no.

Rogers urged support for aid to Ukraine, saying that China, North Korea and Iran are eagerly aiding and abetting (Russian President Vladimir) Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine, because they know a Russian victory there will seriously undercut American credibility and deterrence and leave our allies exposed, according to Alabama Reflector.

I fear Putin will use victory in Ukraine as a springboard to invade Eastern Europe, Rogers said, according to Reflector. We cant let that happen.

Aderholt issued a statement saying his vote came down to what I feel is the right thing to do.

I do find it maddening that the Biden Administration will defend the borders of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan - but not our own. However, two wrongs dont make a right, Aderholt added.

We are sending guns and bullets today, so we wont have to send our sons and daughters tomorrow. Those arms are built in the United States by American workers, including $1.5 billion in Patriot air defense missiles and $500 million for anti-drone weapons made in Alabama, Aderholt said.

My full statement on my votes to secure the Southern Border and protect Israel and Taiwan.  pic.twitter.com/q29aqmGh3V  Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) April 20, 2024

This is the United States House of Representatives while our own border is wide open.



Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/kJS7yeEDWZ  Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) April 20, 2024

Had Biden not been elected, Americans could afford their groceries, gas for their vehicles, and household utilities. Our borders would be secure, our foreign policy would be strong, and I am certain these bills would not have been necessary. pic.twitter.com/DJ86bUpGzj  Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) April 20, 2024

At a time when democracy is under attack across the globe, America's leadership is essential. With my support, the House just passed an urgently needed national security package to address our most pressing challenges.



Read my full statement.  pic.twitter.com/lzVtgeE8Te  Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) April 20, 2024

I could not in good conscience vote to send billions of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine while our own borders are being invaded.



Full statement  pic.twitter.com/1r1dX2vah3  Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) April 20, 2024

Aid to Israel and the other allies also won approval by healthy margins, as did a measure to clamp down on the popular platform TikTok, with unique coalitions forming to push the separate bills forward. The whole package will go to the Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well, said a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked his own job to marshal the package to passage.

Biden spoke separately with Johnson and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to thank them for putting our national security first by advancing the legislation, the White House said.

I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs, the president said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he was grateful to both parties in the House and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Thank you, America! he said.

The scene in Congress was a striking display of action after months of dysfunction and stalemate fueled by Republicans, who hold the majority but are deeply split over foreign aid, particularly for Ukraine. Johnson relied on Democrats to ensure the military and humanitarian funding  the first major package for Ukraine since December 2022  won approval.

The morning opened with a somber and serious debate and an unusual sense of purpose as Republican and Democratic leaders united to urge quick approval, saying that would ensure the United States supported its allies and remained a leader on the world stage. The Houses visitor galleries were crowded with onlookers.

The eyes of the world are upon us, and history will judge what we do here and now, said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Passage through the House cleared away the biggest hurdle to Bidens funding request, first made in October as Ukraines military supplies began to run low.

The GOP-controlled House struggled for months over what to do, first demanding that any assistance for Ukraine be tied to policy changes at the U.S.-Mexico border, only to immediately reject a bipartisan Senate offer along those very lines.

Reaching an endgame has been an excruciating lift for Johnson that has tested both his resolve and his support among Republicans, with a small but growing number now openly urging his removal from the speakers office. Yet congressional leaders cast the votes as a turning point in history  an urgent sacrifice as U.S. allies are beleaguered by wars and threats from continental Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.

Sometimes when you are living history, as we are today, you dont understand the significance of the actions of the votes that we make on this House floor, of the effect that it will have down the road, said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This is a historic moment.

Opponents, particularly the hard-right Republicans from Johnsons majority, argued that the U.S. should focus on the home front, addressing domestic border security and the nations rising debt load, and they warned against spending more money, which largely flows to American defense manufacturers, to produce weaponry used overseas.

Still, Congress has seen a stream of world leaders visit in recent months, from Zelenskyy to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, all but pleading with lawmakers to approve the aid. Globally, the delay left many questioning Americas commitment to its allies.

At stake has been one of Bidens top foreign policy priorities  halting Russian President Vladimir Putins advance in Europe. After engaging in quiet talks with Johnson, the president quickly endorsed Johnsons plan, paving the way for Democrats to give their rare support to clear the procedural hurdles needed for a final vote.

We have a responsibility, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans to defend democracy wherever it is at risk, Jeffries said during the debate.

While aid for Ukraine failed to win a majority of Republicans, several dozen progressive Democrats voted against the bill aiding Israel as they demanded an end to the bombardment of Gaza that has killed thousands of civilians. A group of roughly 20 hard-right Republicans voted against every portion of the aid package, including for allies like Israel and Taiwan that have traditionally enjoyed support from the GOP.

Some Republicans also angrily objected to their counterparts waving Ukrainian flags during the vote. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Florida Republican, said on X she was infuriated by the display and was working on legislation to prohibit the flags of foreign nations on the House floor.

At the same time, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has loomed large over the fight, weighing in from afar via social media statements and direct phone calls with lawmakers as he tilts the GOP to a more isolationist stance with his America First brand of politics.

Ukraines defense once enjoyed robust, bipartisan support in Congress, but as the war enters its third year, a majority of Republicans opposed further aid. Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., offered an amendment to zero out the money, but it was rejected.

The ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus has derided the legislation as the America Last foreign wars package and urged lawmakers to defy Republican leadership and oppose it because the bills did not include border security measures.

Johnsons hold on the speakers gavel has also grown more tenuous in recent days as three Republicans, led by Greene, supported a motion to vacate that can lead to a vote on removing the speaker. Egged on by far-right personalities, she is also being joined by a growing number of lawmakers including Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who is urging Johnson to voluntarily step aside.

The package included several Republican priorities that Democrats endorsed, or at least are willing to accept. Those include proposals that allow the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine; impose sanctions on Iran, Russia, China and criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl; and legislation to require the China-based owner of the popular video app TikTok to sell its stake within a year or face a ban in the United States.

Still, the all-out push to get the bills through Congress is a reflection not only of politics, but realities on the ground in Ukraine. Top lawmakers on national security committees, who are privy to classified briefings, have grown gravely concerned about the tide of the war as Russia pummels Ukrainian forces beset by a shortage of troops and ammunition.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced the Senate would begin procedural votes on the package Tuesday, saying, Our allies across the world have been waiting for this moment.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, as he prepared to overcome objections from his right flank next week, said, The task before us is urgent. It is once again the Senates turn to make history.
For months the family of Steve Perkins, the media, and others were denied access to view police-worn body camera footage of the 39-year-old Decatur mans shooting death on Sept. 29, following an encounter in his front yard with Decatur police.

But a leaked version of the footage appeared on a conservative media outlets website last month. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency denied the leak. But the leak underscores one of the very few ways body camera footage can be viewed by families, the media, and the public in Alabama unless its voluntarily handed over by police.

It could be perceived that the leakage of the video to the conservative media was an attempt to create a narrative that Mr. Perkins had done something wrong, said state Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, sponsor of legislation - defeated in a legislative committee Wednesday - that would have made body camera footage a matter of public record.

But (the Perkins) family has gotten more public support after the body cam footage was made public. And now people are getting a chance to see it, Coleman said. The protests into Perkins death continue; three arrests occurred on Friday including his widow.

According to at least one national press freedom group, compared to other states Alabama has a weaker-than-normal public access law when it comes to accessing these videos. Leaked videos, and word-of-mouth explanations about a body camera video, are about the only way footage from controversial incidences are revealed.

Bare minimum

Gunita Singh, a staff attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said this week that Alabama, compared to other states, has one of the weaker body-worn camera access laws in the country. Her comment comes after a 2021 story by The Hill that listed the 9 states with the strictest rules on releasing body cam videos, and Alabama was among the group.

Singh said given the restrictions in Alabama, the defeat of Colemans bill is devastating.

Weve seen a strong trend toward openness of certain government records in the last four years, particularly with respect of law enforcement records like body camera footage, Singh said. Since the murder of George Floyd, many state legislatures, attorneys general, and courts have taken themselves to task to create much needed transparency and accountability of states police forces through greater sunlight.

In Alabama, the release of body camera footage is a bare minimum position, Singh said. State law passed last year allows people depicted in body camera footage to petition the agency to view it. Even then, there is no guarantee a law enforcement agency that owns the footage will release it to the requestor.

The media and the general public have no legal recourse to view the footage. The Alabama State Supreme Court, with an 8-1 ruling in 2021, decided that police bodycam and dashcam videos are investigative materials and exempt from disclosure requirements of the state public records law.

A mish-mash handling of sensitive footage has been created in Alabama.

Bishop William Barber II, president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, was joined by members of Jawan Dallas' family and their attorneys, for an emergency community meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile, Ala. The meeting's purpose was to demand justice and call for action in the aftermath of devastating details surfacing about Dallas' death after a fatal encounter with Mobile police on July 2, 2023. Dallas' family members recently got to watch the police-worn body cam footage of Dallas' death. The family's attorney, Harry Daniels of Atlanta, said that the 36-year-old Mobile man was brutally killed by police officers in "one of the worst videos I've ever seen."John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

In the Jawan Dallas case, the 36-year-olds death by two Mobile police officers sparked months of requests from family, elected officials, and the press for access to view the police-worn body camera footage. Those requests were denied, pending a grand jury investigation. After a grand jury cleared the officers of wrongdoing, the family and their attorneys were allowed to view the video. And the attorneys compared the footage to the brutal slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis which sparked a wave of protests against racial profiling and police brutality in 2020.

Its going to be tough in Alabama, said Robert Clopton, president of the Mobile chapter of the NAACP who, for months, called on Mobile police to release the body footage but to no avail. The footage exonerates police more so than the victim. But police dont want it to condemn them. But it needs to happen.

Fees

Alabama is hardly alone in restricting access to body camera footage. Even in states where access is considered strong, there are limits.

In California, a 2018 law mandated law enforcement agencies to release body camera footage within 45 days of any incident when an officer fires a gun or uses force causing great bodily injury or death. The law has exceptions, allowing departments to withhold video if it would endanger an investigation or put a witness at risk, and those reasons are often used to deny record requests.

According to a CalMatters article, the public and media must often rely on edited presentations from the footage. Critics argue that edited footage can shape public opinion about a persons death or injury.

Singh said Californias law is considered stronger than most because of a state Supreme Court decision a few years ago that places the cost burden of redacting body camera video on the law enforcement agency, instead of forcing requesters to pay for it.

She said the court rejected a citys request to charge a requester more than $3,000 for video taken by police officers who responded to protests in support of racial justice.

The Reporters Committee submitted a friend-of-court brief in that case, and Singh said that assessing a fee for editing video footage threatens public access to crucial electronic records.

In Arizona, the fee to access body camera footage is drawing criticism from the Arizona Media Association. An Arizona state law in October allowed cities to implement their own hourly fees for people to obtain the footage.

In Flagstaff, the city council voted in January to charge the public up to $46 per hour. According to media accounts, the Flagstaff police department received 136 requests for body camera footage from July 2022 to July 2023, which they said took more than 200 hours to review  not including redaction and download time.

Variation

States have a variety of approaches when it comes to accessing police-worn body camera footage. Some states provide public access  with limited exceptions  while others have more convoluted laws.

In Tennessee, the footage is considered public record with the exception of minors at schools, health care facilities and the interior of a private residence where no crime has occurred.

Related content: Tennessee handling of body cam footage sparks renewed attention on issue in Alabama

In Pennsylvania, the law is criticized by some as confusing. Called Act 22, the state law requires requests for body-worn camera footage be submitted within 60 days of the date that the recording was made. Each request requires details of what is being sought, such as a date, time, and location of the event recorded, and a statement describing the requestors relationship to the event recorded.

There is real variation in how states treat (body-worn camera) footage, said Seth Stoughton, professor of law and faculty director of the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety Program at the University of South Carolina.

Some examples he noted:

In Florida, the videos are considered public record but are subject to limitations on release for ongoing investigations. Those limitations are similar in Georgia and Michigan and allow the videos to be kept confidential when its recorded inside a medical or health care facility or any place someone would have an expectation of privacy.

In South Carolina, the footage is not public record, but agencies are allowed to release the footage at their discretion to a group of six entities legally entitled to receive the video . That includes civil and criminal defendants, the person who is subject to the recording, their parents and/or legal guardians, an attorney, or a person whose property has been damaged related to a crime that might have been related to the recording.

In North Carolina, agencies cannot release video without a court order, and that can only be sought by a limited number of individuals.

As a general matter, (body-worn camera) footage can be released in two legitimate ways: When it is required to be released as a matter of public record, and when it is allowed to be released as a matter of agency discretion, Stoughton said. When there is no legal requirement and an agency chooses to not release the video, we are limited to relying on leaks or someones description of the video.

Most restrictive

Singh said that there are states with stricter and potentially unconstitutional body-cam footage laws. Kansas far and away has among the most restrictive laws. The state categorizes police-worn body camera footage as a criminal investigation record, and exempt from the states Open Records Act. The law says that an individuals guardian or attorney can request and be allowed to watch the video for a reasonable fee.

In Missouri, Singh said the state law might be downright unconstitutional. She said it includes a provision that states if a records requester receives a recording taken at a nonpublic location, they cannot display or disclose it without contacting each non-law enforcement individual appearing in the recording and giving them 10 days to contest the plans to make the video public.

That is a pretty significant burden to place on an individual lawfully in receipt of (body-worn camera) footage, and arguably runs afoul of key First Amendment principles, she said.

Additional legislation

Alabama state law is likely not changing this spring. There are only seven days remaining in session, and only one body camera-related bill on the docket.

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said she hopes that her HB41 gets a hearing before a committee. The legislation provides that during an ongoing investigation, the disclosure of a recording not be delayed unless it would substantially interfere with an investigation. The legislation also requires a law enforcement agency to reassess the withholding of the footage and notify a requestor of the status of the disclosure.

And under no circumstances can the disclosure be delayed more than six months from the date of the request, the legislation states.

Givan sponsored last years bill that allows people depicted on the body camera footage to petition law enforcement to view the footage. She said as a result of the new law, more families are requesting and being approved to view body camera footage.

Its a sensitive issue, Givan said. Im thankful for the progress weve made. Im thankful when a family calls me and says they had an opportunity to view (the footage).

Givan said she doesnt believe Alabama lawmakers will ever agree to make body camera footage a public document. But she said taking small steps toward better access is important.

Body cams do not prevent criminal acts, but they can be used to determine whether or not a criminal act occurred, she said. People ask the question, What are you doing to combat crime? A body cam doesnt stop a crime.

She added, But as a family member, I would like to know what happened to my loved one. Everyone deserves to know that. So that is always No. 1. But we also want to protect the public, for instance, if there is a child or a witness that needs to be protected (who are filmed on the body camera footage) to make sure no harm comes of that particular person. Discretion is an issue.

Some Republican lawmakers believe it is healthy for Alabamians to have access to the footage. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who is the sponsor of legislation this session strengthening the states weak open records law, said he supports legislation that allows a judge to determine the fate on the release of body camera footage.

We cannot compromise an investigation, Orr said. But I believe its healthy for us to allow access.

Clopton, with the NAACP, is skeptical that state lawmakers in a conservative state will push for more public access to the footage while law enforcement opposes it.

But, he said, its worth continuing to fight for more access.

Will it happen? Clopton said. Probably not. Again, were in Alabama. So, maybe never. But I never say never.
A pair of siblings died Saturday afternoon when a vehicle struck a Monroe County, Michigan building where a childrens birthday party was taking place.

An 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy were pronounced dead on scene after a woman drove a vehicle into a Monroe County boat club around 3 p.m. on Saturday, said county Sheriff Troy Goodnough in an evening press conference.

Fifteen other people were injured in the incident, Goodnough said.

Three children and six adults were taken by medical helicopter or ambulance with serious, life-threatening injuries, Goodnough said. Six others were taken to the hospital by private vehicles.

It is unclear how many people were inside the building at the time, police said.

The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident, Goodnough said.

A University of Michigan Health Systems Survival Flight responds to the Swan Creek Boat Club after a driver crashed a vehicle through a building where a children's birthday party was taking place, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Berlin Township, Mich. (Kathleen Kildee/Detroit News via AP)AP

Police were called to the Swan Creek Boat Club, 6332 Brancheau St. in Berlin Township, after an unnamed 66-year-old woman crashed a vehicle into the building, sending it roughly 25 feet inside the building.

The woman was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail. A restaurant that police suspect the woman visited earlier that day is temporarily closed while police investigate, Goodnough said.

The woman will likely face criminal charges, he added.

A representative of the Swan Creek Boat Club declined to comment to the media. The social club did say on its Facebook page that it will be closed Sunday, and posted a message about the incident: There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.
Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen speaks. Lakewood is the Houston area's largest megachurch. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

You know what they say: Everything's bigger in Texas. And that includes the 200-plus megachurches in the Lone Star State. Here's what to know about them:

What is a megachurch?

First thing first: Lets get our terms straight. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research defines a megachurch as a Christian congregation with an average weekly attendance of 2,000 or more. They share some characteristics that create a distinct worship style and feeling. Since well be using the Hartford Institutes data and rankings, well stick with their definition  which includes Protestant and nondenominational churches. In terms of theology, 65% of megachurches surveyed were evangelical.

There are, however, many very large Catholic congregations. The Hartford Institute has not included them in their survey because large Catholic churches, per their research, dont function in the same way as the Protestant megachurches. The Hartford Institute also struggled to get weekly attendance figures from many dioceses they reached out to.

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Where are most megachurches located?

Over 70% of megachurches in the United States are located in the Southern sunbelt, according to the Hartford Institute. California, Texas, Florida and Georgia had the highest concentrations.

How many megachurches are in Texas?

According to the 2020 Hartford survey  the most recent  there are 210 megachurches in Texas.

What are the biggest megachurches in the Houston area?

The five biggest megachurches in the Houston area (per the Hartford survey) are:

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What denomination are megachurches?

Forty percent of megachurches surveyed by the Hartford Institute were nondenominational; 16% Southern Baptist, 7% unspecified Baptist, 6% Assemblies of God, 5% Christian, 4% Calvary Chapel and 2% United Methodist.

Are the megachurches connected?

Aside from those linked by formal denomination (i.e., Southern Baptist, although Southern Baptist churches say they largely operate independently of one another and do not answer to an authority figure like Catholic churches answer to the Pope), megachurches arent related.

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They do share a number of characteristics, including attendance numbers, having a charismatic senior minister, having an active congregational community, offering small group systems and outreach ministries and using contemporary worship formats.

Are megachurches political?

Megachurches like Houstons Second Baptist Church have made headlines when pastors wade into politics. (Recently, Second Baptist Pastor Ed Young called migrants garbage in a Sunday sermon). But, according to the 2020 Hartford study, most megachurches largely avoid politics. Just 7% of churches report that the congregation has formed groups or hosted events to discuss politics; 63% responded that the congregation avoids discussing political issues.

Want to know more?

Check out the Hartford Institutes 2020 megachurch report for more insights and browse their database of megachurches.
In California Gov. Gavin Newsoms new political advertisement, two anxious young women in an SUV drive toward the Alabama state line.

The passenger says she thinks theyre going to make it, before a siren blares and the flashing lights of a police car appear in the rearview mirror.

Miss, a police officer who approaches the window says to the panicked driver, Im gonna need you to step out of the vehicle and take a pregnancy test.

The fictional video is the latest in a series of visceral advertisements the California governor has aired in other states to call out a conservative campaign to walk back reproductive rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion two years ago.

Newsoms Campaign for Democracy will air the ad on broadcast networks and digital channels in Montgomery for two weeks beginning on Monday, according to Lindsey Cobia, a senior advisor to Newsom. The governor is seeking to draw attention to attempts by Republican leaders to make it more difficult for residents of states with abortion bans to travel to other states for reproductive care.

Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, said the governor also is working with state lawmakers on a bill that would temporarily allow Arizona providers to provide abortion care to Arizona patients in California.

Newsoms office is coordinating the legislation with Arizonas Gov. Katie Hobbs and Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes, Democrats who denounced a recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that upheld an 1864 abortion ban. The ban, which has yet to take effect, allows only abortions that are medically necessary to save the life of a pregnant patient.

Arizona Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes identified a need to expedite the ability for Arizona abortion providers to continue to provide care to Arizonans as a way to support patients in their state seeking abortion care in California, Richards said in a statement. We are responding to this call and will have more details to share in the coming days.

California voters approved an amendment to the state constitution in 2022 that protects access to abortion up until the point that a doctor believes the fetus can survive on its own. Doctors are allowed to perform abortions at any stage if a pregnancy poses a risk to the health of the pregnant person.

Since Roe vs. Wade was overturned, Newsom and state lawmakers have increased funding for people from out of state who seek abortions, and have cast the state as a safe haven for abortion services. The proposed legislation to make it easier for Arizona doctors to see patients in California is in response to an anticipated influx of patients from that state in light of the abortion ban.

Democrats are seizing on the issue of abortion, which could offer a political advantage in a crucial election year.

President Biden is campaigning for reelection in part on restoring the protections in Roe vs. Wade, and is blaming his presumptive GOP rival, former President Trump, for a wave of antiabortion policies.

Trump recently said that abortion rights should be up to the states and that he would not sign a national ban, while at the same time taking credit for nominating conservative justices who helped overturn abortion rights in 2022.

Hes a liar. Hes not telling you the truth, Newsom said in an interview with Jen Psaki on MSNBC. Hes not level-setting. Hell say whatever he needs to say on any day of the week.

Democrats nationally used Alabama as a lightning rod for the dangers of a Trump presidency earlier this spring after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in a lawsuit that embryos may be considered children  a move that temporarily halted in vitro fertilization services in the state. Republican leaders quickly reversed course and passed a bill to protect IVF, a process that usually involves the destruction of some embryos.

Alabama bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with no exception for pregnancies arising from rape. State Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall said last year that he could criminally prosecute people in Alabama who help women obtain abortions elsewhere  a claim the U.S. Justice Department has refuted.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This is an opinion column

Click here to sign up for the Comeback Town newsletter.

Todays guest columnist is Chervis Isom.

Editors note: Chervis Isom passed away in 2023. He was raised by an intolerant father, but he grew up to be a remarkable man with a remarkable life. He wrote the following piece. titled The Right Cross in 2016.

Your mother is upset that youre spending so much time with that Catholic girl. Its good to have friends, but you shouldnt get serious with her. Shes Catholic you know, and you cant change them.

Those were the words my father said to me that day, though I remember none of the circumstances that led up to our brief discussion.

Maybe he said something more, maybe he pushed me a little too hard, maybe I was feeling my independence at seventeen years of age, maybe one of those reasons, or all of them together, caused me to blow up.

By God, Ill be friends with anybody I choose, I said, or words to that effect. The only words I specifically recall uttering were By God. 

We were standing outside the back door in the sparse grass and gravel, very close and face-to face. We were the same height, he and I, and we were eye to eye. My fathers eyes were large and round and a vivid blue, level and steady and unblinking in that instant, flashing with rage and certitude, even as he tensed all over, his muscles and ligaments and bone suddenly contracting as a preface to some violent release I could feel coming before it happened.

The thing that fascinated me in that moment so long ago was the red lightning bolts within those deep blue eyes that leaped from nowhere as I uttered those words. I say fascinated, but I think I mean terrified.

The instant I said what I said in all my independence, I knew I had overstepped my bounds. Lightning snapped in his eyes, his body tensed, and I flinched. My father was a man of action.

I was so focused on and paralyzed by his eyes in that moment that I never until the last instant saw it coming, the right cross that hammered the left side of my face. Then his eyes, his face, everything disappeared.

I came to myself a few seconds later, or many seconds later for all I know, on my knees in the gravel where I had sunk. He was standing before me, and all I could see were his legs as he shifted from foot to foot like a boxer, itching to hit me again. Yet I could somehow feel that he was fighting that larger battle within himself to hold back.

I struggled to my feet and stood there before him, my arms at my side, now declining to look into his eyes. This was no time to consider any further challenge to my father.

At last, he recovered control of himself and said, Boy, dont ever sass me again. I heard myself say, Yes sir.

And that was the end of that conversation, but it was decidedly not the end of my relation with the good Italian Catholic girl, though it did mark the fact that my parents would not willingly approve my romantic relation with the girl from the Roman Catholic Church.

My parents, like so many Protestants from the fundamental wing of Protestantism in which I grew up, thought the Roman Catholic Church was not only some cult and not really Christian, but was also anti-American, and that Catholics would be loyal to the Vatican over our own country.

That strange attitude toward the Roman Catholic Church was virulent in our country from the early Twentieth Century when so many Catholics immigrated to our country from Southern and Eastern Europe, until John Kennedy, our first Catholic president, was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

After that, it seems to have gradually faded until it is now a non-issue politically, though it may continue to be a personal issue for some Protestants who fear a mixed marriage with a Catholic for their son or daughter.

This event with my father occurred in late 1956, when prejudice against Catholics was still high. Only a short time later, John Kennedy campaigned for the presidency against a wave of anti Catholic invective, which continued during his presidency.

Now, more than a half-century has passed. I think back to my days as a teenage boy when a single pretty Italian Catholic girl changed forever my view of Catholics and the Catholic religion.

I am reminded of an event a few years later in November 1963 when I read a letter to the editor of The Birmingham News from Abe Berkowitz, a brave Jewish lawyer in Birmingham who eloquently defended President Kennedy against the published invective of that time. For several years, the President had suffered vast abuse from letter writers whose published letters saw in his presidency the end times, often suggesting the our country was going to hell in a handbasket, and predicting that ultimately the Pope would rule our country.

Mr. Berkowitzs letter was published on November 14, 1963, and I took great comfort in that letter, although for only a few days, for on November 22, 1963, only eight days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

Mr. Berkowitzs letter so inspired me that eighteen months later, in the spring of 1965, as a first year law student, I sat in Mr. Berkowitzs law office in an interview for a job as a summer law clerk, a job I did not get, although ultimately two years later he hired me as a lawyer and became my mentor, and my life was changed forever.

I wrote about that interview in my memoir, The Newspaper Boy, but I failed in my memoir to write about this incident with my father. It is a painful memory and one that I wish I had written about in my book. I think that I simply chose not to place my father in a poor light. Loyalty.

It is a particularly strong bond between father and son regardless of the natural strains such a relation bears, for, after all, a young man must establish his own independence. Though Im sure I received some spankings as a young boy, that singular event was the only time my father ever struck me.

We never spoke of that event again, my father and I. I never apologized for sassing my Dad and he never apologized for striking me with his fist. I wonder sometimes if that event played itself out before his eyes over the years as it played itself out before mine, and I wonder if an apology dropped between us somewhere down the line might have shaded the sharpness of the image.

While it was I who received the blow, my dad was a man of conscience and I wonder if his memory of the event did not cause him more pain and regret than did mine.

Isnt it strange  and wonderful  that our lives can change and seek new directions because of an encounter with someone who at first seems so different from us.

In my own case, I was a kid whose parents came to Birmingham from Northwest Alabama bringing little more with them than their xenophobia, and I, their son, carried seeds of those same fears of people different than us.

And then an Italian Catholic girl opened a gate for me to a world of ethnicity, proving to me that those who may seem so different are not in fact that different at all-and to the extent they are different, those differences are interesting and charming and matters to be respected and honored.

That view into an ethnic world of my Catholic friend proved to me that the anti Catholic propaganda of the day was not only misplaced, it was ignorant and evil. And that experience with her opened for me a larger world and thus the opportunity and the way a few years later to seek a job with a Jewish lawyer whom I did not know but who, through that letter he bravely published, had become a hero to me.

Other columns by Chervis Isom you might enjoy:

Chervis Isom grew up in Birmingham and was a product of its public schools. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern College and Samfords Cumberland School of Law. He had a long career practicing law. He was the author of The Newspaper Boy: Coming of Age in Birmingham, Alabama During the Civil Rights Era, in which he tells the story of his evolution from the Jim Crow culture.

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@amsher.com
An all new episode of When Calls the Heart will premiere on the Hallmark Channel Sunday, April 21 at 9/8c.

During episode three of the new season, Rosemary and Bill team up to investigate a case they believe shouldnt be closed.

Meanwhile, the women of Hope Valley start a day care and Hickam and Mei celebrate a milestone.

Where can I watch When Calls the Heart season 11?

Though airing on the Hallmark Channel, those without a basic cable set up can still watch new episodes of When Calls the Heart on Sundays with either Philo or Fubo.

Both streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers who can stream for free before committing to a paid subscription.

What is the difference between Philo and Fubo?

Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $25 a month.

Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more.

Meanwhile, Fubo is also an alternative to a regular cable subscription, but with more exclusive channel options that Philo does not offer such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, FOX and more.

While Fubo considers itself a sports-focused streaming service, its standard streaming package comes with over 100 TV live channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial.

What is When Calls the Heart about?

The official series description of When Calls the Heart is as follows:

Elizabeth Thatcher is a young teacher accustomed to high society, so she experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley.

Life in the small mining town is filled with challenges. A recent explosion has killed more than a dozen of the towns miners, compelling the widows of those men to work in the mines to earn money. One of them - Abigail Stanton, whose husband was foreman at the site of the tragedy - welcomes Thatcher and tries to help her adjust to frontier customs.

Constable Jack Thornton is not as welcoming, though, because he believes Thatchers wealthy father doomed his career by assigning him to Coal Valley so he could protect Elizabeth. Janette Okes books about the Canadian West inspired the program.
Im old enough to remember the 1968 DNC convention in Chicago, and smart enough to see that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is no Richard J. Daley. So, as food prices rise with no end in sight, I advise you to stock up on popcorn before the August 19 convention in Chicago this year. As for the Democrats, I cannot imagine a scenario where there is anything but downsides for picking this site, this year.

In case you forgot, the 1968 convention began with ominous foreboding. True, the mayor had done everything he could to prettify the city, including screening the stockyards with redwood fences, but he knew the anti-Vietnam protestors would target the convention and mobilized the National Guard with orders to shoot if necessary.

What followed was worse than even the direst pessimist could have envisioned. Written in 2008, this author described the scene and aftermath:

The 1968 Chicago convention became a lacerating event, a distillation of a year of heartbreak, assassinations, riots and a breakdown in law and order that made it seem as if the country were coming apart. In its psychic impact, and its long-term political consequences, it eclipsed any other such convention in American history, destroying faith in politicians, in the political system, in the country and in its institutions. No one who was there, or who watched it on television, could escape the memory of what took place before their eyes. Include me in that group, for I was an eyewitness to those scenes: inside the convention hall, with daily shouting matches between red-faced delegates and party leaders often lasting until 3 o'clock in the morning; outside in the violence that descended after Chicago police officers took off their badges and waded into the chanting crowds of protesters to club them to the ground. I can still recall the choking feeling from the tear gas hurled by police amid throngs of protesters gathering in parks and hotel lobbies. For Democrats in particular, Chicago was a disaster. It left the party with scars that last to this day, when they meet in a national convention amid evidence of internal divisions unmatched since 1968. [snip] The violence that rent the convention throughout that week, much of it captured live on television, confirmed both the Democrats' pessimism and the country's judgment of a political party torn by dissension and disunity. In November the party would lose the White House to Nixon's law-and-order campaign. In the nine presidential elections since, Democrats have won only three, and only once -- in 1976, after the Watergate scandal forced Nixon to resign in disgrace -- did they take, barely, more than 50 percent of the votes.

This year, its not just the pro-Hamas wing that will be protesting, but Black Chicagoans opposed to the Democrats open-border policies.

Olivia Reingold and Eli Lake detail on Free Press how far-left activists are already plotting to disrupt the DNC Convention. According to the Free Press essay, in just one day 75 organizations discussed how they would participate on the March on DNC 2024 to disrupt the convention. They plan to so flood the streets that they could avoid arrest, they taught how to avoid the Secret Service and how to say Death to America in Farsi. A representative of the lefts legal arm, the National Lawyers Guild, told attendees how to spot police carrying mass arrest kits.

The likelihood of violence appears substantial:

The event attracted some unsavory characters. Four speakers have had their homes raided by the FBI for their alleged ties to terrorist groups, and one attendee, Jesse Nevel, was federally charged for working on behalf of the Russian government. One anarchist distributed his homemade magazine that included drawings of machetes and the essay In Defense of Looting. The prospect that the convention could devolve into the kind of anarchy actively being plotted at this conference has Chicago Democrats worried, several party insiders told The Free Press. Four politicians said they fear the cityand especially the administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson -- arent prepared for the protests. Alderman Gilbert Villegas, also a Democrat, said these anti-DNC groups are like January 6th in their mission to obstruct a key part of the American political process. They are looking to recruit veterans to resist the quote, unquote empire, he said of the groups aiming to, in his words, create chaos this summer. He added hes concerned about the safety of the more than 50,000 visitors expected to visit Chicago for the convention, which will be held at the United Center from August 1922. The Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the threat, according to ABC News, which obtained a bulletin warning that foreign and domestic subversives may view these events as an opportunity to influence or disrupt the U.S. political process. Alderman Anthony Beale says these anti-Israel activists already pose a threat -- and have since October 7, when they started showing up to City Hall in droves, often shouting over legislators and refusing to leave the building. They are yelling and screaming, said Beale, who represents the citys far South Side. Some of my colleagues have been spit on. This is outrageous and its being tolerated.

Minority opposition to open borders is substantial and growing in Chicago. Black voters are threatening to turn the city red and do away with Chicagos far-left policies which created a migrant crisis thats straining the citys resources which impact most those at the middle and bottom rungs of the city.

In August, we can expect a significant Democrat base -- urban Black voters angry at the surge of illegal aliens and the Free Palestine movement which Democrat congressman Ritchie Torres correctly claims will endanger both the DNC and Bidens reelection chances, focusing on the convention in Chicago. ABC has reported that the Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the threat. Its record does not inspire confidence.

Neither does Mayor Johnsons, whose bright ideas include creating city-owned and -operated grocery stores in underserved areas. These areas are underserved" because they have been overrobbed and city-owned and -operated grocery stores will also be, along with Chicagos penchant for graft and corruption. If you cant protect vital businesses from crime, you can hardly be expected to forestall or limit a coming large wave of political violence directed at the DNC and the tens of thousands of visitors to the convention.

Maybe the Democrats can create another pandemic, order another lockdown, and conduct the convention online.
All hail King Deep State! That is essentially what we have now, is it not? An unelected, all-powerful, mercurial king  and certainly not a binding constitution limiting governments authority and preserving Americans rights.

Our First Amendment forbids Congress from restricting an individuals free speech, but that hasnt stopped King Deep State from conspiring with Big Tech to silence every voice deemed offensive to the realm. Our Fourth Amendment forbids nosy officials from poking around in Americans private records and communications without first securing particularized warrants establishing probable cause that a crime has been committed, but that hasnt stopped King Deep State from rummaging through our emails, text messages, and bank statements or eavesdropping on our intimate phone conversations in the name of national security. Our Second Amendment forbids the government from infringing the peoples right to keep and bear arms, but that hasnt stopped King Deep State from restricting gun purchases, tracking gun owners, and disarming those he doesnt like. The Bill of Rights doesnt mean much when King Deep State uses it as royal toilet paper. Perhaps it should be renamed, The Bill of Humble Suggestions, Should His Most Excellent Majesty Approveor Require Some Gentle Two-Ply.

If the first step to recovery is admitting that we have a problem, then lets be honest with ourselves: this is no longer a country of, by, or for the people. It is an imperial stompy-foot of, by, and for elites. A private central bank decrees the value of our dollars. Covert espionage agencies advance secret foreign policies in our name. The Pentagon conducts illicit foreign wars for our alleged benefit. The National Security Agency monitors what we privately tell each other. King Deep States Silicon Valley vassals tell us what we can publicly say out loud. The Fascist Bureau of Intimidation decides when dissidents doors must be broken down. The kings obedient press corps prints only pre-approved news. The Supreme Court holds up a wet finger in the Deep States manufactured winds to determine which rights we may temporarily retain. And a small contingent of multinational investment firms and industrial behemoths write the bills and budgets that the peoples pretend representatives in Congress never read but obligingly pass.

Those same paid actors posing as legislators give hollow speeches about democracy and freedom and what it means to be a good American, but they vote for laws the American people despise, find ever-new ways to curtail Americans liberty, and import millions of foreigners without Americans permission. The House of Representatives is meant to ensure that the American people have a local voice in the national government. The Senate is meant to ensure that each states sovereignty is respected and protected. Instead, both legislative chambers are nothing but Deep State rubber stamps that order the American people around and treat the individual states as vestigial organs lacking purposeful functions. Congress is a place where pompous puppets say exactly what King Deep State requires in return for social privilege, ballooning stock portfolios, and prestigious titles. It attracts fools, frauds, showboats, and thieves. Whatever else one might call that den of corruption, it certainly is no representative democracy!

As for the peoples chosen representative in the White House, the last few years have exposed who really controls the presidency. Joe Biden has been well known as a child-sniffing moron for the last half-century. During that time, the Biden Crime Family has had a notorious reputation for trading government favors in exchange for financial gifts from foreign regimes. Long before the propaganda press invented Joes stutter as a pretext for his incoherent ramblings, he was universally recognized as a bought-and-paid-for boob with a basement IQ. Today, his cognitive decline is so incapacitating that staffers prepare notecards reminding him when to pause, sit, stand, walk, and breathe. Nobody would be surprised to see video of Barack Obama leading Old Joe around on a leash and feeding him treats. Every thinking person in the world knows that the putative president of the United States is an untrustworthy and compromised ignoramus who is beholden to hostile foreign powers and easily angered due to the rapidly progressing nature of his evident dementia.

Given that is the case, why arent our international allies anxiously warning that Joe Bidens mental handicaps and questionable allegiances make him inherently dangerous in our nuclear world? Why arent peaceful nonprofits calling for Joes resignation before he inadvertently initiates WWIII? Novelists and news reporters were so perturbed during the high-stakes chess match of the Cuban Missile Crisis that they spent the next few decades worrying about the lethal repercussions of having either a traitor or a madman in the Oval Office. Today, we have an incompetent turncoat holding notecards with the nuclear codes, and every politically correct writer is happy as a clam and carefree. Why? The answer is that absolutely no-one actually believes Dementia Joe Biden is in charge of anything.

Consider how astounding that fact really is. Joe Biden can trip over his feet, fall down stairs, jumble the names of dear colleagues, speak to imaginary friends, scream at bewildered audiences, flirt with little girls, confuse deceased heads of state with current ones, introduce himself as a sitting senator, forget why he has classified documents stored in his garage, mix up entire decades of his life, and even tell bumbling lies as outrageous as his insistence that Papua New Guinea cannibals ate his uncle for dinner. Still, neither friend nor foe mistakes his mystifying gibberish or obvious senility as a national security threat because everyone in the world understands that King Deep State is really running things in the United States.

If there were any doubt of that wretchedly disgraceful reality, it surely disappeared once President Trump managed to win the 2016 election without King Deep States permission. Ever since that once-in-a-century aberration when an absolute political outsider not only succeeded without King Deep States blessing but also explicitly ran on a platform promising to dismantle the kings illegitimate empire, the evil monarch and his bloodthirsty henchmen have insisted on showing us who really rules the United States.

King Deep States crimes against Trump and his administration are too numerous to fully recount. The Intelligence Community spied on his campaign and political allies, framed members of his staff as Russian moles, sabotaged his administration with trolls and leakers, and managed to impeach him for noticing Joe Bidens quid-pro-quo corruption in Ukraine. Federal government personnel routinely flouted President Trumps lawful executive orders and openly advanced antithetical policies that should have resulted in their discipline and dismissal. Deep State agents filed fraudulent witness statements, initiated bogus independent counsel investigations, and spent years fabricating Russia collusion propaganda with the intent to bury Trump in lies and force him from office. For all their assorted crimes against the sitting president, nobody of any consequence faced any professional or legal punishment. The ringleaders of the attempted coup d'etat against President Trump  including Jim Comey, John Brennan, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama  shamelessly applauded their own treason.

Yet after surviving one criminal conspiracy after the next throughout his presidency, it is Donald Trump who sits as a defendant in four separate criminal trials orchestrated by Deep State prosecutors relishing the possibility of taking his liberty  if not his life. Just as the Department of (in)Justice will continue to persecute J6 protesters, King Deep State will never stop until he takes Trumps head. Democrat Bennie Thompsons effort to remove President Trumps Secret Service protection makes that horrendously clear.

And what does Americas paper of record have to say about such treachery? The New York Times fangirls, It Turns Out the Deep State Is Actually Kind of Awesome. Conquered journalists know how to behave. Freedom-loving Americans know the king must go.

Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped).
President Biden and others claim that President Trump incited the Capitol Riot, falsely described as an insurrection, on January 6, 2021. This belief explains Colorados failed attempt to remove Trumps name from the ballot because he is an insurrectionist, as well as a national YouGov poll that found that 54% of Americans approved of the Colorado action. It is now used as a justification for Biden to refuse to debate Trump. This claim remains a serious problem  not only for Trump, but for obtaining an accurate history of what happened on January 6.

A rational evaluation of Trumps words and actions, and other factors, demonstrates that this claim is nonsense.

If Trump wanted a riot, why would he repeatedly request National Guard troops for January 6? On January 3, 2021, President Trump asked Secretary of Defense Miller and General Milley to assign National Guard troops to counter violence on January 6. Miller responded, Weve got a plan and weve got it covered.

Troops could be legally provided only if requested by law enforcement. The Capitol Police declined the Defense Departments offer of troops.

The Secret Service, the Marshals Service, Park Police, and the Department of Homeland Security informed Defense that they did not anticipate needing DoD assistance on January 6th.

The District of Columbia requested 340 troops, primarily for crowd control at Metro stations and intersections.

On January 5, Trump asked Secretary Miller for 10000 troops to do whats required to protect the American people.

Thus, by January 5, President Trump had not only twice requested national guard troops, but had been assured that the Department of Defense had a plan and weve got it covered.

A 1969 executive order authorized Secretary Miller to order the District of Columbia National Guard to aid civil authorities under the presidents direction. Trumps prior communications effectively green-lighted National Guard deployment in response to subsequent Capitol Police requests. No further communication was necessary.

As his speech revealed, Trump wanted Mike Pence to delay the electoral vote count while the legislatures in battleground states reconsidered the certification of Biden electors. It appears that this delay would be announced at the joint session of Congress to consider the electoral vote.

In the alternative, Trumps congressional allies planned to challenge, under the authority of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, the electors from those battleground states affected by election law violations. This would involve two hours of concurrent debate in House and Senate chambers for each challenge. This is why Trump called for protesters to cheer on and give pride and boldness to Republican legislators at the Capitol.

Both plans required order at the Capitol, not a riot.

Trumps speech at the Ellipse, a mile and a half from the Capitol, began at noon.

To incite a riot, it is self-evident that the inciting speech must be heard by those allegedly incited. According to legal authority, the speech must call for violence.

It is doubtful that anyone at the start of the riot heard Trumps calls for a march to the Capitol. Ray Epps claims he left Trumps speech when it began. The Proud Boys were at the Capitol an hour before the speech began.

Although Capitol Police chief Sund asserted that the violence began at 12:40 P.M., according to Capitol Police and Defense Department timelines and BBC video, the Capitol grounds perimeter was breached at 12:53 P.M. To arrive by 12:53 P.M., rioters from the Ellipse would have had to leave by 12:08 P.M., because it took 45 minutes to walk to the Capitol.

It wasnt until 12:17 P.M., however, that Trump first mentioned the Capitol: After this, were going to walk down and Ill be there with you. ... Were going walk down to the Capitol, and were going to cheer on our brave senators, and congressmen and women. ... We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.

At the end of his speech, at 1:11 P.M., Trump stated, [W]ere going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, ... [and] were going to try and give ... our Republicans ... the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country[.] You cant instill pride and boldness in Republican congressmen by assaulting them. Trump obviously believed that any walk to the Capitol had not yet begun.

Both statements are calls for peaceful protest.

A second stage and speakers were lined up to address the crowd at the Supreme Court once the crowd left Trumps speech at the Ellipse. Why would this be done if it was expected that those from the Ellipse were to riot as opposed to peacefully protesting?

At 1:09 P.M., Trump stated: [N]obody until I came along, had any idea how corrupt our elections were. ... Somethings really wrong. Cant have happened. And we fight. We fight like hell, and if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

This statement could not have incited the riot, which began sixteen minutes before the statement was made.

If a hearer of this statement had left immediately, he would not arrive at the Capitol until 1:54 P.M., at least an hour and one minute after the perimeter breach.

Trumps fighting statements never referred to physical violence, unlike Obamas statement: If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun. Because from what I understand, folks in Philly like a good brawl. Ive seen Eagles fans.

These references included that Trump fought like hell for Supreme Court justices (another nonviolent hell statement); Rudy Giulani and Jim Jordan are fighters; primarying Republicans who dont fight; Republicans needing to fight much harder; referring to his speech as fighting; referring to congressmen who learned they could reject illegal votes as warriors; Georgia senatorial candidates Loeffler and Perdue fought a good race; and our fight against the big donors, big media, big tech and others.

Trumps speech equated fighting with argument: theyd argue with me, Id fight. So Id fight, theyd fight. Id fight, theyd fight. Boop-boop. Youd believe me, youd believe them. Somebody comes out. They had their point of view, I had my point of view. But youd have an argument.

At 2:38 P.M., Trump tweeted, Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! At 3:13 P.M., he tweeted, Asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order... Twenty-three minutes later, the presidents press secretary tweeted that the National Guard was on the way at the presidents direction. After this, the president twice called for those in the Capitol to go home in peace. These actions refute any violent intent.

The charge that Trump incited the Capitol Riot is false.

Donald W. Bohlken of Indianola, Iowa is an attorney and a retired administrative law judge. J.D. with Honors, Drake University Law School, 1986.

Image PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Nearly a third of all downtown Minneapolis office space is currently vacant, according to a recent Cushman & Wakefield report. Hybrid work models and other post-COVID phenomena have resulted in many companies downsizing their offices, with some pulling out altogether.

The city hopes to turn a number of office towers into apartments, as the alternative is to demolish them.

This is all too illustrative of whats happening to society at large in Bidens World. Through much of the twentieth century, the American Century, giant cranes stood as a testament to rising skyscrapers, skylines, and aspirations throughout Americas major cities. We used to build things and reach for the sky. The skys the limit was a common phrase. Now, in several of our biggest cities, we sidestep human feces and hope airplane parts dont fall from the sky.

There is a documentary called The Fall of Minneapolis that can be found on several internet sites. It chronicles what happened to the once thriving city in the wake of the George Floyd debacle.

Minneapolis has fallen. Now its towers may, too. A decade ago, I wrote that the U.S., in a nod to terrorists and progressive accommodation, might start toppling its own towers. And now that tongue-in-cheek prediction may come true.

Skyscrapers throughout the land once stood erect and proud, teeming with industrious and hopeful citizens. It will be a travesty if wrecking balls start knocking those buildings down.

For now, many stand empty, awaiting their fate. Sadly symbolic of Joe Bidens America. And many of its citizens.

Somewhere, Howard Roark weeps.

Image via Picryl.
A recent video shows a disabled girl confined to a wheelchair being bullied at her middle school. Shes taunted, struck, and tossed around. Those watching and videotaping giggle hysterically. Its horrible. It also shows sociopathic behavior that is increasingly normalized in America, especially among blacks. This isnt because blacks are inherently sociopaths. Its because the Democrat party has deliberately stolen from them the societal institutions that create decency.

Note: I am not saying that blacks are inherently criminal, sociopathic, stupid, or whatever other words a Democrat would put into my mouth. To say soto say that negative traits, values, and behaviors are tied to skin colorwould be deeply evil and racist.

However, the reality is that at two levels in black Americathe underclasses and the academic classespathologies reign supreme. Democrats have stripped many black Americans in these communities of their core humanity and then weaponized them against other Americans and against America itself.

Heres the video, if you have the stomach for it:

What is going on here? Shes fighting a girl thats in a wheelchair! pic.twitter.com/V9I8NUPPum  X Fights (@XKnockouts) April 15, 2024

The Daily Mail reports that the 12-year-old who was attacked had been bullied for weeks, lives with a single mother (although her father is part of her life), and that the school never bothered to let the parents know what was happening (and its cleared itself of wrongdoing).

I see a different story, which is several young girls utterly lacking in empathy. They are sociopaths, unconstrained by laws or morals. We see a lot of that nowadays, especially among blacks.

We saw it when a young woman repeatedly smashed Kaylee Gains head into the pavement. Gain may not have been without sin, because the two girls had a running feud, but the mindless brutality that ended the fight was sociopathic. We see it when a 15-year-old girl working at McDonalds has her skull smashed by a 25-year-old man during one of those wild brawls that keep popping up on social media. We see it when two boys joyride and, for the fun of it, kill a grandfather riding his bicycle. We see it when a mob beats 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis to death near a school. We see it in airport brawls, poolside brawls, street mobs, BLM riots, endless criminal and gang activity, and much more.

And its not police posting videos. Its the participants proudly publicizing what theyre doing.

We also know that blacks are overrepresented in Americas criminal class. In 2021, the Bureau of Justice Statistics acknowledged that, as of 2018 (i.e., before BLM and burn it all down), black people were overrepresented among persons arrested for nonfatal violent crimes (33%) and for serious nonfatal violent crimes (36%) relative to their representative in the U.S. population (13%).

Currently, much of this criminal activity, especially murders, is blacks against blacks. However, as the BLM riots show, this violent energy can easily be turned anywhere against anyone. Predators prey on those in their community, but they can be led to other communities.

This moral degradation in the black community began with the Democrats Great Society, which made fathers irrelevant. In his excellent (and now out-of-print) Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America, John McWhorter explains how blacks were rising fast economically and had intact families at almost the same rate as whites. Black men took umbrage at the idea of welfare, but earnest white college students explained to them that these were reparations.

With welfare let loose among blacks, menthat is, fatherssuddenly became a liability, standing between a mother and her reliable government paycheck. Men without purpose are men who get into trouble. Likewise, boys without fathers grow up to be criminals. The stage was set for the collapse of too many black men in America.

Having led black men into the wilderness, leftists proceeded to attack the remaining prop of the black community: faith. Faith was ridiculed, and in churches, the focus was no longer on God, morals, and family. Instead, we had Obamas pastor, Rev. Wright, used his pulpit time to damn America. In schools, Democrats replaced faith in God with faith in government, all the while teaching blacks that whites were the reason for their misery.

Most recently, Democrats are legalizing marijuanaand I dont care how much you tell me that marijuana is innocuous. Its not. At best, it merely destroys ambition and initiative. At worst, it unlocks psychopathic behavior, which, I have no doubt, includes that sociopathy I mentioned at the start of this essay. The black community is awash in marijuana.

As for the blacks at the other end of the economic scale, the ones who went to college, they are no better. Whether its Joy Reid, Stacey Abrams, Sheila Jackson Lee, Leticia James, Fanni Willis, Ibram X. Kendi, or the eight black members of the House of Representatives who introduced a bill begging for Trumps assassination (one disgraceful Jewish rep joined them, signaling the grotesque pathology of leftist Jews in America), these are people who have also become unmoored from morality, empathy, and the rule of law.

They have been indoctrinated into narcissistic malignancy in Democrat-run institutions. They wont commit the violence themselves, though. Instead, theyll pave the way for the underclasses to do it for them.

Democrats have stripped too many blacks of their humanity and are turning them into the military arm of the Democrat party, whether foot soldiers or junior officers. This is evil, whether one looks at it from the point of view of America, whites, or the black community itself.

UPDATE (April 22): And right on time, this is the top story in this morning's Daily Mail:

Main image: X screen grab
Rep. Ilhan Omar must have some household, now that her daugher, Ilsa Hirsi, has been arrested as one of 108 Columbia students defying a university order to disperse in order to stay with the crowd yelling antisemitic slogans. How many times did she hear mom say, "all about the benjamins" around her family breakfast table?

Daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar barred from entering Colombia University grounds, after being suspended and arrested for organizing an anti-Israel encampment protest.



The University has printed out Isra Hisris photo and details to give to staff and security to ensure she does not pic.twitter.com/PFlDZ6jasd  Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 21, 2024

The rest of the arrestees appear to be trust-fund bunnies, coming from wealthy households, for whom getting suspended for the remainder of the semester, getting kicked out of their dorms, and having their campus identification cards deactivated probably isn't as important as bellowing with the antisemites, too. Victor Davis Hanson has an instructive tweet:

Why the Epidemic of the Violent, Crybaby Protestors?



After seven months of nonstop pro-Hamas protests on campuses and in our big cities, a certain predictable and monotonous pattern has emerged.



The placards calling for the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel (From the  Victor Davis Hanson (@VDHanson) April 20, 2024

Here's how bad it's gotten:

In what universe can this be considered an "anti-war" protest? It is a pro-war demonstration.



And that war is a religious holy war, waged through terror. https://t.co/IpswIA3rDj  Kamel Amin Thaabet (@K_AminThaabet) April 21, 2024

pic.twitter.com/7M0QzsarbF

NYPD Arrest Over 100 At Pro-Palestine Protest At Columbia University



This is disgusting and sickening.  Elnews (@ElSaddam71199) April 20, 2024

Right now: Columbia University campus. We call on President Shafik and the Board of Trustees to do their jobs and end this chaos. You testified less than 8 hours ago and the mayhem is continuing UNCHECKED. #Antisemitism pic.twitter.com/o96DVGByqK  Columbia Jewish Alumni Assoc. (@CU_JewishAlumni) April 18, 2024

this - the Hamas shield - ( plus someone promising "10,000 Oct 7) is what @lpolgreen in @nytimes describes as the "festive air" of the Columbia demo." The lack of fists or worse does not make such a gathering " peaceful". Jewish students are now asking to take courses remotely https://t.co/Koq16XStsK  Simon Schama (@simon_schama) April 20, 2024

Take a look at this insanity at Columbia University overnight. Im told Jewish students are in fear of their lives - https://t.co/AruaFBXBHi  Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 19, 2024

Unbelievable scenes from Columbia University - the center of Jew hatred and terror support being led in part by none other than US Rep @IlhanMN's daughter (who thankfully has been suspended already). May every single one of these terror supporting monsters be expelled, arrested pic.twitter.com/ZnIsLdbayB  Emily Schrader -     (@emilykschrader) April 18, 2024

Jewish Columbia University student Elisha Baker's shirt caught fire when anti-Israel protesters set the US flag he was holding on fire on Monday (here, police officers grab the flag to put the fire out).



Baker was also kicked in the stomach repeatedly & told to "kill yourself." pic.twitter.com/qQyn6tYMgr  Jennifer Gingrich  (@fem_mb) April 20, 2024

Students surround and intimidate a man wearing a F*ck Hamas t-shirt at the Occupy Columbia University protest



Via @ScooterCasterNY pic.twitter.com/oz1sOyCBJh  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) April 20, 2024

When they claim the protests at @Columbia University are peaceful, show them this video.



The coward with the covered face holds a sign that reads: "Al-Qasam's Next Targets" with an arrow pointing to students holding Israeli and American flags.



Al-Qasam is the military arm of pic.twitter.com/v8zDizxkP9  Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) April 21, 2024

BREAKING: Another peaceful protest-Palestine protest at Columbia University. pic.twitter.com/lVQ03exu5b  I Meme Therefore I Am  (@ImMeme0) April 21, 2024

Id never thought I was going to see such horrific sights in an American university, let alone in all major universities.



They leathery chant for Intifada, which means to murder Jews. I know because Im one of the survivors of the 2001 Intifada in Israel. I was on the bus in pic.twitter.com/LeM2YbcBq0  Era Gigman (@idan_bg) April 20, 2024

And yes, they are fanatics:

BREAKING:



The national organization of "Students for Justice in Palestine" just announced that they are replicating Columbia University's "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" across the country and will start occupying campus grounds.



Official statement:



"Universities have chosen pic.twitter.com/izDt8M0RoH  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) April 20, 2024

According to The Nation, which employed a student journalist for this event, it was all peaceful and planned:

The occupation, organized by the Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), had been planned for months. The encampment was an escalation of previous pro-Palestine actions, designed to echo the universitys history of protest. Columbia University has a rich legacy of student activism, from Vietnam War protests in 1968 to being the first Ivy League school to divest from Apartheid South Africa in 1985, wrote CUAD on Wednesday. The Gaza Solidarity Encampment will remain until Columbia University divests all finances, including the endowment, from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine. The peaceful occupation began the same day Columbia President Minouche Shafik testified at an antisemitism probe by the US House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Well, not really. The antisemitism was all about getting attention, and yes, they've got it.

Naturally, the Nation's reporter has been in touch with Hirsi:

Another protester, Isra Hirsithe daughter of Representative Omarsaid that the hearing was helpful for visibility: Not only can we situate ourselves in the current moment, but we can also take advantage of the media presence, of the pressure being put on Shafik and the board of trustees.

Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism (of which I'm an alum) said they'd gladly help out with the coverage:

Columbia Journalism School is committed to a free press. If you are a credentialed member of the media and have been denied access to campus, please send us a DM. We will facilitate access to campus.  Columbia Journalism (@columbiajourn) April 19, 2024

But it's strange stuff, given that this week is class week and alumni week, where the school showcases itself to recently admitted students, and alumni from various years (this year is my class's 30th year), is so helping fuel the madness probably doesn't do much to help either the school or the university itself, reputation-wise. I don't doubt that anyone affiliated with journalism wouldn't be interested in covering this -- I would, too -- but it's pretty obvious from young Hirsi's statement that that's the idea, and the antisemites are eager to get their antisemitism out there, normalizing the evil, or else can trust the press to cover up this kind of talk, which seems to be what we are seeing. The mainstream of the American culture may not see the evidence of ranting antisemitism of the protestors, but the Jewish students on campus don't have that luxury. They get it up close, and then the press effectively smothers that part of the story.

All I can think is what my Jewish classmates, most of them either friends or friendly, must think of this madhouse atmosphere as they try to get in through the extensive security at the Amsterdam-side gate, not the Broadway gate down the cherry blossom path that we used to walk through as students in search of news, which is locked tight right now. Virtually all of them are very liberal, yet here they are, the objects of screaming, and like other Jewish people on campus, neither safe nor secure, even if they say they are pro-Palestine, which some undoubtedly are. They are Jews, and this is raw, naked Jew-hate among Rep. Ilhan Omar's set and the trust funders. Some will ignore this. Some will dismiss it as minor deviations. Some will blame Trump. But the ugliness is still there.

The president of Columbia, Minouche Shafik, gave all the right answers to Congress in her testimony about not condoning antisemitism, (not making herself the next Claudine Gay), but the results at Columbia speak for themselves, this is the worst of the worst maelstrom of antisemitism anyone has seen in our generation.

The jschool is helping keep the press spotlight on the protests, the press itself is carefully curating the hate out, and Cornell West and other scholars affiliated with the school are actually in the protests.

It's mixed messages, which is a kind of weakness emboldening the protests. Obviously, there is something in the leadership and culture at Columbia fostering this antisemitism that's white-hot at this point. And right in the middle of it is Omar's spawn, claiming to be holding a peaceful protest. If Shafik has any sense at all, she'll shut it all down now, before more damage to the school or harm to the students is done.

Image: Twitter video screen shot
Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net.

Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line.
The Kennedy clan came out to support President Biden with a video

One of them said something about Biden reminding them of their father, Sen. Robert Kennedy who was assassinated in 1968.

Another one brought up "reproductive rights," the other spoke about women making their own health decisions and yet another warned of the dictatorship around the corner if Trump returns to the White House.

Anything new? Not really. This election will be about abortion and dictatorships.

Up in Michigan, their brother Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is on another ballot and they are worried in the White House.

This is the story

Robert F. Kennedy's campaign announced Thursday that the independent presidential candidate will appear on the ballot in Michigan - which could have masssive repercussions for President Joe Biden's reelection prospects. In the most recent poll in the state, Biden has fallen behind former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, were able to skip the arduous process of gathering signatures to appear on the ballot, as they were chosen to represent the little-known Natural Law Party in the fall instead. The Natural Law Party already has a spot secured on Michigan's general election ballot - one of five minor parties that are represented.

The Biden team has reasons to be worried. On a national basis, Kennedy is at 8% and I'm guessing most of that is coming from Biden. In other words, he will force the Biden campaign to fight for votes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

To be fair, we don't know if Kennedy turns into Ross Perot who arguably kept George H.W. Bush from winning reelection or Ralph Nader who impacted the very close race in Florida in 2000. My guess is that Kennedy will end up in the teens and deny Biden his reelection.

P.S.: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
Last weekend, as Iranian missiles descended on Israel, some Americans were standing with terrorism. Social media featured a Chicago group happily being taught Persian phrases for Death to Israel! They even asking how to add Death to America!

Anti-war activists in Chicago learn to chant Death to Israel and Death to America in Farsi.



Read more from The FPs @Olivia_Reingold: https://t.co/1jMM5ydhpp pic.twitter.com/z7T9AKNrF9  The Free Press (@TheFP) April 14, 2024

Think about that: people in America wishing  and wanting to know how to wish  death to America!

Most commentators on that video noted that paradox. None noted two other things in the video.

The first is what does it mean? After the crowd enthusiastically chants those slogans, somebody finally asks, what does it mean? One might have expected that question to come first, but at least it came out. Whats telling is the leaders response (at 0:40). He says it has two meanings, depending on whos asking. Marg bar can mean death to or down with.

Depending on whos asking, I guess down with can include six feet down under.

That word game is not new. Apologists for leftist supporters of the Iranian revolution have played that verbal shell game for years, insisting that fanatical crowds chanting marg bar Amrika! were merely proponents of a multipolar world.

My second observation on the video are the masks. Almost everybody in that video is masked. I count at least nine.

Were four years past COVID. Most Americans long ago figured out  even when our public health experts were still urging quadruple masking while showering home alone  that the masks could go. But, on my morning subway ride, I still notice a hardcore faithful remnant still clinging to masks, science is science tote bags, and even gloves. What I find strangest, however, is that: most of them are twenty- to thirty-something women. That observation is reinforced by walking through an urban campus when schools in session.

Now, I dont doubt some young people may have particular health challenges, but I find it hard to believe that the average twenty-something college female is particularly immuno-compromised. Id like to see the science behind that.

I note these phenomena for two reasons. First, apart from the fever swamps of some social media, the epicenter of the down with America anti-Israel fervency is U.S. college campuses. We saw that last week -- and this week -- at Columbia University in New York. Take a look at the Columbia University protestors rightly arrested for trespass: its the next gaggle of masked men  and women.

Our mask-toting crowd chanting death to America is, four years after COVID, still cowering behind masks. Death to America! No death to me!

John Paul II spoke of the culture of death. Has the culture of death so permeated the modern mind  especially the leftist modern mind  that we can wish marg bar to others while desperately fencing ones self off from the mortality posed by normal human presence and interaction?

Take a further look at that video. The death to crowd is masked, but its not socially distanced. Most charitably, that diminishes the effectiveness of the mask.

So, why are you clinging to your Linus oral security blanket while sitting in proximate solidarity to chant marg bar?

Yeh, we know from the various vandalism protests of 2020 that leaders of very blue jurisdictions indulged that COVID had variable virulence gains-of-function. Sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! in church and the risk of COVID spread was worse than having Typhoid Mary as a kissin cousin. Chant Marg bar Omrika! on the street and COVID suddenly lost its contagion, especially among ones fellow illuminati. And, of course, it was all grounded in public health science in which we believe.

I wonder if Anthony Fauci will entertain any grant proposals on Selective Viral Gain/Loss-of-Function as a Correlate of Political Correctness?

One can understand if the crowd in the Chicago video was hiding behind masks out of shame for their wishing death on others. That they are hiding behind masks out of likely exaggerated fear for their own hides, one cannot. Its time to stop indulging self-centered advocates of terrorists chanting their own death wishes.

Images: Screen shot from CBS News video
Want another reason to flee Massachusetts?

Here's another reason, meet its state Transportation Secretary, Monica Tibbits-Nutt, telling her state's residents what she plans to do to them:

This is Massachusetts Transportation Secretary from @maura_healeys cabinet delivering a speech stating shes targeting everyone who has money. This is not satire. This is a high level government official who has real power in Massachusetts. #mapoli #MassGOP pic.twitter.com/MXKNAkFfQ9  MassGOP (@massgop) April 19, 2024

According to the Commonwealth Beacon:

STATE TRANSPORTATION Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt promised an unfiltered me in an address to the advocacy group Walk Massachusetts last week  and she followed through on her pledge. Using frank language rarely heard on Beacon Hill, Tibbits-Nutt weighed in on a series of major policy issues. She talked about how she would raise more money for transportation, with one option being the installation of toll gantries at the states borders with neighboring states. She promised to do more to address traffic fatalities by urging law enforcement to issue more speeding citations. And she said she would not support a layover facility for commuter rail trains as part of the I-90 Allston multimodal project, handing neighborhood activists a major victory. The secretary promised to be aggressive in pursuing change even in the face of strong opposition. To buttress that point, she said she will not spend any time making decisions with the goal of hanging on to her job. She also said Gov. Maura Healey has her back. This governor likes fights. She does. She loves to fight, Tibbits-Nutt said, according to a video of her talk on the Walk Massachusetts website. ... This [task force] is actually different because were not censoring it, she said. Im going to talk about tolling. Im going to talk about charging TNCs [transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft] more. Im going to talk about potentially charging more for package deliveries, charging more for payroll tax  basically going after everybody who has money. And when Im talking tolling, Im talking at the borders. Im not talking within Massachusetts. She added: Were going after all the people who should be giving us money to make our transportation better and our communities better.

She's talking about separating anyone "who has money" from their money. Because it's her money, see, and those who earned that money better hand it over "to make our communities better."

Obviously, she revels in her calls to raise taxes and tolls, much the way Walter Mondale once did when he challenged the great Ronald Reagan in the election of 1984. Mondale, a dour Scandinavian type from Minnesota, though, didn't quite project the glee at taking from others that Tibbits-Nutt does. But we all know how voters responded to him.

Howie Carr says she has a history of this:

Here are some of the cabinet secretarys fondest dreams: Increasing the state payroll tax.

Jacking up local excise taxes.

New tolls on all highways leading into Massachusetts.

Forcing working-class drivers out of their pick-up trucks, which she claimed are basically 18-wheelers.

Charging more for Uber/Lyft rides, and for package-delivery services.

Writing more speeding tickets, and suspending more drivers licenses, and forcing motorists to appeal the loss of their licenses at the states kangaroo-court hearings.

Using state policy to bludgeon citizens into submission to the Deep State  Ill 100 percent use it as a weapon. Remember, among other things, Tibbits-Nutt is suggesting cracking down on law-abiding motorists in a state where criminal illegal aliens with no licenses are allowed to drive at will, in unregistered, uninsured, uninspected low riders with absolutely no consequences whatsoever. But for taxpaying American motorists, heres what the Democrats have in store for you: Were getting really, really aggressive. We are pushing for less warnings, more citations. Im telling you, nothing slows down someone real quick like getting your license suspended. She continued: The beauty is we can be in charge of that too cause we will 100 percent take your license. We have absolutely no problem doing that. Feel free to appeal this in a hearing.

Sound like the kind of state you'd like to live in?

A lot of people in Massachusetts don't think so. They're fleeing "in droves," as the Boston Globe put it, in one of the highest blue-exodus states in the country.

According to the Globe in a piece dated April 18:

Now, a new report has shed some light on who, exactly, these runaways are. And it probably does not bode well for the states long-term economic competitiveness. Boston Indicators, the research arm of the Boston Foundation, published an analysis exploring trends in so-called domestic outmigration in Massachusetts, or people leaving for elsewhere in the United States. Looking at a two-year average across 2021 and 2022, the analysis found that the people moving out of Massachusetts were predominantly white, middle- and high-income earners, and college-educated. Particularly dire: Working-age adults are leaving in droves. On net, Massachusetts lost an average of 22,631 people ages 25 to 44 across 2021 and 2022  the largest number of any age group and a marked increase over previous years, according to the report. For perspective, thats about the size of the population of Winchester.

Working age people with education are the ones who want out, the actual taxpayers.

The actual loss in the last year is in the neighborhood of 300,000 and 400,000 people (all of their numbers are divvied up by demographics, so some could overlap), with net "international" migration (read: illegals) making up for about 50,000 of the losses, according to their charts.

The Wicked Witch of the West-style glee of this kakistocrat who is coming for the residents' glass slippers isn't going to keep anyone staying in that state. In fact, it's going to drive more of them out. When someone can't be thrown out of power for getting powermad in a one-party state, the only solution is to vote with one's feet.

Image: Twitter video screen shot
I admit to having done time in Chicago.

Not much, but enough to know that The City That Works used to, but no mas.

Actually, it still does if you are a criminal who crossed the border illegally or another type of lawbreaker. For you, it remains The City That Works.

Chicago is about to get an opportunity to strut its stuff. Coming to a Second City near you is the Democratic National Convention.

The convention is scheduled to pollute Chicago from August 19-24, 2024. Held at the United Center, it takes place the month after the citys rate of homicide is highest. (The data are from 2011. Of interest, the Chicago Police Department does not appear to have published similar data since that I could find. Rest assured, however, that people are still killing each other in the Windy City.)

Chicago is a city of events.

Image by AI.

For the DNC, Hamas USA is planning a show of brotherly/sisterly/otherly love in the streets unless they can get inside, too. Much consideration has been given to this thoughtful display of unity outside the United Center. For one, no women, biological or otherwise, will be acknowledged as chattelat least, not openly. This is a concession that Muslims are making for now. Similarly, gay people, such as the folx of Queers for Palestine, will not be thrown off buildings or hanged at the convention. At least, thats the plan.

The compromises Muslims make

The expected 67,000 Gleichschaltung-supporting Dems/Progs/Libs (DPL) will need some R&R and distractions from the convention fervor, along with the Go 10-07 and Hamas is us chants.

Bars are always good.

Chicago has a rich history of destination bars. As an example, there was The Midget Club, run by Chicago native Parnell St. Aubin, whod played a Munchkin soldier in The Wizard of Oz, and his wife, Mary Ellen Burbach, a former Mae West impersonator with the Roses Parisian Midget Follies.

Currently, the Democrats youth (e.g., the Hamas Youth and the Antifa Youth) can play shuffleboard at one bar and get serenaded by a wall of 76 Billy Basses. Only in Amerikkka.

Chicago has many themed bars.

But there is no themed bar specifically for the Hamas Youth in the whole city or its suburbs.

This provides an opportunity for enterprising and entrepreneurial AT readers. Hear me out.

I seek from the readership, support in opening a pop-up bar in Chicago during the convention.

If it succeeds, which I claim is likely since Chicago is a very blue city, we can find a permanent location.

What are we going to call it? Marg Bar!

The name comes from this Chicago event where Marg Bar, even on first hearing, elicited enthusiastic, near orgiastic, chants of Marg Bar! Marg Bar! Marg Bar!

Anti-war activists in Chicago learn to chant Death to Israel and Death to America in Farsi.



Read more from The FPs @Olivia_Reingold: https://t.co/1jMM5ydhpp pic.twitter.com/z7T9AKNrF9  The Free Press (@TheFP) April 14, 2024

(For those without audio, Marg Bar means Death to and preceded either Israel or America.

Calling the pop-up Marg Bar is a natural.

Further, the chant lends itself to geographic specificity. The folks in the video only associated Marg Bar with America and Israel, but we can start Marg Bar Worldwide, LLC, and set up Marg Bar Chicago!, Marg Bar Tallahassee!, Marg Bar Anytown, Anywhere!

So, if you are like me and see an opportunity here, let me know in the Comments, and we can hook up to open these exciting new themed, concept bars.

I look forward to hearing from you.
March 27, 2023, at the Covenant School in Nashville, TN, Audrey Hale killed three elementary-aged students and three staff, before Nashville police officers, not as hampered as were the Uvalde responders, killed her, ending her rampage. Its an event Ive continually covered since that day.

Graphic: X Screenshot

The media briefly covered the attack, focusing as always on the AR-15 Hale carried. Carried as in carried, but apparently did not use. Available surveillance photos all depict Hale wielding and firing a common 9mm carbine. Ive not been able, to date, to find any information on which weapon was used to kill Hales victims. As one might expect, when the AR-15 angle didnt seem to pan out, the media quickly lost interest, but they also lost interest for a more compellingfor themreason: Hale was trans, a pretend male.

Graphic: X Screenshot

Hale left behind a manifesto, and Steven Crowder was able to obtain and release several pages of that manifesto. It was not complimentary to Hale or to the trans movement.

The FBI immediately got involved, which is odd indeed. The FBI has no jurisdiction over purely local murder investigations, but the FBI is apparently no longer restrained by obedience to the law, if indeed it ever was. The Nashville Police and FBI have thus far refused to release the manifesto and the other writings Hale left behind.

Note that police records are public records. They can be withheld from the public only under limited circumstances, such as if their release would compromise an ongoing investigation or could cause injury to witnesses. Thats not the case here, but authorities continue to refuse to release the materials:

Attorneys representing Nashville, Tennessee argued Tuesday in court that police were still investigating aspects of the shooting committed at the Covenant School last March, when a transgender-identifying shooter murdered six people, and, therefore, the city is unable to release documents related to the case such as the shooters writings. [skip] During the hearing, Lora Fox, an attorney for the city of Nashville, indicated that the citys police were still investigating the shooting, including probing whether the transgender-identifying killer had any accomplices. The shooter was shot dead by authorities on the scene of the crime, and there has thus far been no indication that anybody else was involved.

This is blatant stonewalling. Any competent investigator could quicklyusually within days or weeksdetermine if there were accomplices. This is particularly true in a case with multiple local, state and federal investigators and all their resources.

Obviously, theyre desperate to keep Hales writings from the public, and that desperation is extending to nonsensical lengths:

In what [attorney Eric] Osborne described as an act of amazing grace, the shooters parents transferred ownership of several documents to a trust controlled by the Covenant parents. That ownership is a paradigmatic change in this case your honor, said Osborne, who argued that copyright law should give them some say in whether the documents are released. He believes copyright was established the moment the writings were created. However, Richard Hollow, who is among the attorneys representing those arguing the documents should be released, contested Osbornes claims, saying they have no grounds to keep the writings, which are public records, private. You cant have a legal copyright until you demonstrated that you have the necessary prerequisites of originality, and content whatever else it may be, Hollow said. Until you ask her all of those questions, we dont even get into the sphere of copyright law is a red herring here.

A red herring indeed. Those trying to hide Hales manifesto and other writings have claimed they would provide a blueprint for other school shooters, and more honestly, that they might inflame public sentiment against trans. Neither claim is honest.

Hale shot out some glass, entered the school and shot whoever she found. Thats not otherwise unobtainable, unimaginable knowledge of classified tactics. The public sentiment theyre trying to avoid is more widespread knowledge that trans are mentally ill, and that specific mental illness often leads to violence.

Why is the FBI involved? Theyre the enforcement arm of the Democrat Party, their not-so-secret police. Supposedly their behavioral analysis unit is carefully analyzing Hales writings, but theyve had them for more than a year. Their real focus is likely to keep anything that would tend to reveal the truth about Hale, and trans in general, under wraps. Their mandate also likely extends to pressuring Nashville authorities to do the same.

Graphic: X Screenshot

How can we be sure of this? The Biden Administration, which has essentially ignored the victims, immediately warned about potential anti-trans backlash, a posture they havent changed.

Something else that doesnt change is the fact we need whatever government would deny us.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been enduring a public scourging from his fellow Republicans these past weeks.

Lets take a closer look at his offenses.

Johnson has been ridiculed for comparing his stint thus far as Speaker to the era of the Civil War:

Despite the faux ridicule, Johnson  a literate man who knows his history -- is actually pretty correct, on several levels, in his assessment of the current times.

The main point about the Congress now is that it is not, in practice and almost in fact, a bi-partisan situation. The Democrats hold the Senate and almost have the House. Accordingly, Speaker Johnson has not, much to his credit, respected calls for his own ouster.

He's also been criticized for using Democrats to pass a $60 billion package of wartime aid for Ukraine.

Yes, there are those who support no more dollars for Ukraine, however they are spent. Others would demur that Johnsons so-called capitulation on the recent House funding package is not too bad, as being just another predictable reload for a fantastically manipulated foreign defense budget. Is this really news?

Yet, realistically, Johnsons correct priority for foreign aid at this moment is Israel, and he got that in only by allowing the Ukraine lobby.

There also is a case for Ukraine winning its war against invading Russia, despite the corruption that has rendered its cause unpopular.

Then theres the FISA debacle, which is still a mess but surely not a new or unanticipated mess. Wresting TikTok away from Chinese control is still on the table, which is, again, not a win but not a lose, yet. Think: no real majority.

Yes, the border funding fail is just that -- a big fat failure. It is not, however, Johnsons failure. We have had three years of Biden's open border and no one in D.C. has even begun to fix it. It reeks of Bidens corruption. It is not just the border anymore, and we will be torched by this until we have strong presidential leadership on our domestic crises, and a clear majority in at least one congressional body. (Biden may make a close-the-border move pre-election, but thatll just be theater and way too late to effect the many changes that we need.) Again, on the border, there is no bipartisanship from the Swamp, outside of the cover my a** variety.

Moving on to what is truly critical: Johnson has finally got legislation for significant support to Israel through  even as pro-Hamas protests attempt to stop any such action from the Hill -- and he still has his Speaker hat on. Support for Taiwan, as now also achieved by Johnson, was also a win for the U.S. It would not be possible if he loses the gavel  the Chinese lobby would see to that.

Again, why is the Johnson speakership now so important? Because of the 2024 election. Although the House majority is almost nil to the Republicans (the slew of defections appears orchestrated and Kevin McCarthy -- almost a RINO himself if youve watched his career -- may be the man behind the mirror). If Democrat Hakeem Jeffries gets the gavel, we are lost.

If Mike Johnson loses the gavel, between now and November 2024, the critical committee investigations of Biden, his cabinet, and his cronies will come to a full stop.

If Johnson loses the gavel this year, the Trump persecution/prosecution at present will look like childs play.

Well, yeah, Johnson is being played and jollied by his Democrat colleagues in the House, when they smile at him now. But we know what Shakespeare says about smiling:

That one may smile and smile and be a villain.

(Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5)

Of course, Hakeem and company may kick Johnson in the teeth and try to throw him to the curb at their first opportunity, and Johnson is aware of that, but more seriously, he is aware of the crises, all of them, that wait in the wings if he loses the tiny margin of rational control of the House which he now has.

Speaker Johnson, despite his boyishly youthful mien, is a seasoned politician from Louisiana, a state known for its political frankness and amiable rough and tumble. He has done serious, much admired, and real work in the House, for years. He is not a fool. He does not court the press at fifty percent of his paid time, as did Kevin McCarthy. Johnson is getting his hands dirty, which is hardly a wonder! What in heavens name can he do otherwise? Think of where he is.

There is another matter too, critical to Jews and Christians alike, and very relevant to Johnsons moves. Remember back, not long ago, in the run-up to the vote for Johnson as Speaker, when everyone in the House, almost to a person, conceded and/or acknowledged Johnson to be a man of integrity, honesty, and competence?

Well, that remains to be the truth. Speaker Johnson is not, like many of his confreres, a RINO, nor is he a closet Muslim or Muslim radical sympathizer. You lose Johnson, thats all youll get of what remotely resembles the what you can live with. Israel can still fall: keep that in mind.

The naivete of assuming that Mike Johnson is a turncoat is brought to us by his enemies, to include the MSM, who want Hakeem Jeffries in, and by the false, reactionary notion that Johnson must make perfect choices in a perfect storm when most of the hands on deck want him to take a leap into the cold, cold sea.

Taking him out will be a disaster for our party.

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
I was in the United States Navy, embarked on a guided missile frigate, when President Ronald Reagan gave his landmark speech in 1983 introducing the concept of an advanced integrated weapons system to defend the United States and our allies from attacks from nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. Reagan was a staunch critic of the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction, or MAD, which since the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the 1950s had been in place to in theory preclude the first use of nuclear weapons.

Despite pushback from many scientists in private industry and even military senior leadership, Reagan was convinced that the Soviet Union would be unable to match the United States in its quest to build a similar defensive weapons system. The concept was termed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or, derisively by many, simply as Star Wars.

Afterward, some lauded Reagans vision as an example of embracing technology as a distributive platform to defend against Soviet nuclear weapons. However, many of his opponents and the media mocked him and called the concept sheer fantasy, which would never come to fruition. In spite of this, Reagan pressed on and was convinced that the former Soviet Union would not have the financial resources or the advanced technology to field a similar system.

Fast-forward to 1991, and I was sitting at the U.S. Army War College, watching the Berlin Wall being torn down. Before our eyes, the former Soviet Bear was imploding, due to a faltering economy and the realization that the USSR could not complete with the United States militarily  especially if we implemented Star Wars, which would render its massive nuclear arsenal obsolete.

Although not directly a space-based platform, we witnessed Reagans concept of a large-scale integrated weapons defense system in action last week, when Israel intercepted almost all of Irans 300 cruise missiles, drones, and rockets aimed at Israel with aircraft and the Iron Dome, and Arrow Missile defense systems. This was only round one, and I suspect we will witness several more missile and drone barrages from Iran before the conflict is brought to its logical conclusion.

I am sure that The Gipper was smiling from above, knowing that a concept he envisioned almost forty years ago was brought to bear against the country that held American hostages for 444 under the Carter administration and then released only minutes after his inauguration. A coincidence? I think not.

Strategic leaders craft a vision and inspire others to achieve beyond what they thought possible. Other leaders just keep the seat warm. I will let you draw your own conclusions.

Image via Pexels.

This post has corrected the time of the hostages' release following the Iranian hostage crisis.
Trump is currently sitting in a kangaroo court for an imaginary felony predicted on time-barred misdemeanors tied to his alleged misuse of campaign funds. While thats happening, Red States Jennifer Van Laar has obtained evidence showing that Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) sent money from his campaign to his wifes school board campaign and then funneled that money back to his personal coffers. If this evidence is correct, it indicates both regulatory and ethical wrongdoing.

Ted Lieu is a Stanford grad and Georgetown lawyer who clerked in the Ninth Circuit before becoming a member of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps in the Air Force in the late 1990s. Then, he went into politics, eventually entering the California legislature in 2004 and the House in 2015.

Given his academic background, youd think Lieu would be a smart guy, even if hes a leftist. Weirdly, hes not, as he repeatedly shows in his tweets. (Or maybe not so weirdly. After all, Yale and UVA grad Rep. Sheila Lee says the moon is made up of gas and the sun is almost impossible to go near.) Heres just a sampling of the torrent of bile, ignorance, and mindless partisan propaganda that he routinely spews:

Liquidity does not = net worth.. in fact I would say he would probably be considered a poor businessman if he kept that much cash in hand- its much better invested in real estate or the stock market the fact that a grown adult such as yourself doesnt get this is concerning  AmericaFirst (@americafirst024) March 18, 2024

Ted Lieu - The best way to combat fake news is for people to watch MSNBC because they report real news all the time. pic.twitter.com/codb08hgm6  MAZE (@mazemoore) March 19, 2024

Did Ted Lieu miss this data?



Final data from the Michigan primary:



* Trump beat Nikki Haley by about 42 points



* Trump won all 83 counties



* Trump got about 140,000 more votes than did Bidenhttps://t.co/AVUQWd7NpE https://t.co/8mBldPFTMs  Anne (@USA_Anne711) February 28, 2024

Nobody:



Congress: How can we improve the lives of rodents? https://t.co/L8yfXuzRgI  Jon Gabriel (@exjon) January 18, 2024

The Twitter community note at the bottom of the tweet is stupid. Putting women in jail for concealing an abortion as compared to having an abortion is not the winning message that Republicans think it is. https://t.co/H40YEemmsI  Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 22, 2023

Then theres this one, which is a doozy, considering that Lieu is a lawyer:

The Colorado Supreme Court isn't a trial court, Ted



There was no accusation of crime, no jury selection, no chance for Trump to defend himself



There was literally zero due process in their finding Trump guilty of engaging in insurrection https://t.co/EUKTpUjwTA  A Fluffy Pinecone (@AFluffyPinecone) December 20, 2023

Also, did you know that Jesus Christ, who believed in Jewish law (which is strongly anti-homosexual), supported homosexuality? Yes, he did, according to Lieu, something we can infer because Jesus never actually prohibited it:

Thats some sophisticated historical and doctrinal analysis. NOT.

What I hope you noticed about all those Ted moments is how firmly Lieu has ensconced himself on the moral high ground, right up to his holier-than-yours understanding of Jesus Christ. He is a pure and good person. Anyone who disagrees with him is a criminal and, quite possibly, evil. That makes Van Laars investigation interesting, especially since its one in a series of Red State exposes showing that Lieus politics often benefit his family:

Since 2019, RedState has broken numerous stories about Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu's potentially illegal habit of spending campaign funds on expenses that personally benefit him and his family, such as $10,000 to the Torrance Education Foundation, which sponsors his sons' robotics team, $15,000 to his wife's school board campaign, and a $50,000 contribution to the university at which his eldest son matriculated a couple of years later (Stanford).

Those are indirect benefits, though. Sleazy, but not actionable. The most recent research into Lieus donations, though, starts looking, not just sleazy, but legitimately violative of campaign financing rules.

According to the FEC records that Van Laar turned up, Lieus campaign has donated $25,000 to his wifes school board campaign, as well as another $10,000 to that same Torrance Education Foundation. So far, thats all still in the sleazy category.

But wait! Theres more. Van Laar also reveals that Betty Lieus campaign received money from another Lieu-friendly source: The Asian American Forward PAC, which one of Lieus donors founded and controls. Ultimately, she got 33% of her funding from Lieus campaign, a Lieu-friendly PAC, and four California Democrat politicians. Mrs. Lieu also got 27% of her campaigns from four corporations that also donate to Ted. (You can see all the details here.)

At this point, youre probably thinking, So what? This is just politics as usual, and youd be rightup to a point. Where things get interesting is that Betty Lieu also took out a $60,000 loan in addition to all those contributions. And then, if I read Van Laar correctly, Lieu used all the donations to repay the loan:

For perspective, other candidates running for a seat on the Torrance Unified School District board in 2018 raised about $1,500 as of a few weeks before election day, according to a local newspaper. Why would it take Betty Lieu $60,000 to win the seat? The Betty Lieu for School Board campaign has now repaid the $60,000 loan from the Lieus, thanks to the generosity of these donors and others the Congressman solicited back in 2020, and his own donors who unwittingly helped pay it off via their contributions to Ted's congressional campaign.

Lieu actually sent out an email under the Ted Lieu for Congress heading, asking people to help retire that debt: Betty still has some campaign debt from her first race. If you can help her clear that it would be a big boost for her re-election campaign. As Van Laar writes sarcastically:

What a caring husband, asking donors to help retire Betty's school board campaign debt. He left out the part about that being debt owed to him personally.

In other words, apparently, the Lieus loaned Bettys campaign $60,000 dollars. In addition, Ted Lieu for Congress and a variety of people and entities that support Ted Lieu for Congress donated in weirdly disproportionate amounts to Betty Lieus school board campaign. And then the campaign took those donations and repaid the Lieus personal $60,000 loan.

According to Van Laar, what Ted and Betty did was a big no-no:

While federal election law allows federal candidates to use their email list or other campaign resources to solicit contributions for other candidates and transfer campaign funds to other candidates, they are prohibited from converting campaign funds to personal use or using campaign funds to make a gift or donation to a family member under both federal election law and House ethics rules.

The whole thing smells bad, and I urge you to read Van Laars much more detailed analysis of what Ted did and how, according to her, it runs afoul of both practical rules and ethical principles.

As for meand I bet, as for you, toowhen I contrast Lieus conduct with the fact that Donald Trump used personal funds to pay off a nuisance claim by a woman who attested in writing to the fact that she never slept with him and is now being tried for a felonywell, I am reminded that one of the hallmarks of a dictatorship is two-tiered justice. All totalitarian countries have one set of rules for the in-crowd and one set for the enemies of the state. Liberty requires equal justice for all, not just for the court favorites.

Image by Andrea Widburg, editing a YouTube screen grab.
Last Sunday afternoons neighborhood coffee klatch at the local Grange Hall took an unusual twist. After the usual introductory good fellowship chit-chat, Harvey, one of the old-timers in the neighborhood, seized the center of the conversational chessboard with a serious and sobering question.

I have been thinking about this puzzle for some time, said Harvey, and I cant see clearly what the solution should be.

We knew Harvey and his wife as salt-of-the-earth kind of people, so we sipped our coffee and paid close attention as he continued.

Suppose that I am awakened at three oclock in the morning by the loud bang of my front door being kicked open followed by voices shouting Police! Everyone come out with your hands up!

There is no reason I can imagine why the police would burst through my front door. But were that to happen, what do I do? If they really are the police, I should, of course, cooperate. But if they are not the police (and I know this has happened), then my wife, children, and grandchildren are in harms way. So, should I meekly submit? Or should I snatch my spotlight and .357 off my best post and confront them, perhaps with the demand that they wait outside on the porch while I call 911?

Image: Home invaders disguised as police in Yuma. YouTube screen grab.

An interesting scenario, commented Francesca, the Grange manager, worker bee, and go-to person, and if you confronted them with your spotlight and .357, and it turned out they really were police, you might then be really in deep do-do.

Amen, sister! replied the others at the table. Its a serious concern, added Telly, because at the moment you are awakened, your only options are submit or confront without knowing the identity of your antagonists.

Harvey started to enlarge, but Wally cut him off, injecting, But Harvey, did you really just imagine this, or have you been reading about Dexter Reed?

Dexter who? asked Harvey. Whos he, and what about him?

Well, offered Wally, It seems that at 6 p.m. last March 21st, this Reed fellow was sitting in his car on a street in some Chicago suburb when suddenly five plain-clothed police officers in a tactical vehicle surrounded his car.

Wally added, The police say it was a traffic stop because Reed wasnt wearing a seat belt.

Is that supposed to be a joke, or does it just sound funny? asked Harvey.

Harvey sipped his coffee and looked around the table. Sounds to me like Dexter Reed had my 3 a.m. problem at 6 p.m. on a city street.

Marcella, a teenager who had just joined the klatch, asked, Suppose you were in your car stopped at a light, and suddenly five people surrounded your car and demanded you roll down windows and unlock your doors?

Her question described what one sees in a CNN report entitled, What the Videos show. It illustrates Reeds dilemma. While seated in his car, a person in a ball cap and hoodie approaches Reeds vehicle with gun drawn and pointed at Reed. The caption on the photo reads, A Chicago police officer gives Dexter Reed several commands before gunfire breaks out.

Hmm, Wally wondered aloud. What are these guys doing out of uniform pointing guns at people. If I had been Reed in that photo I would have assumed it was a hold up.

Harvey looked at the assembly and summed things up. So, the question for all of us is, What should we do at 3 a.m. when we hear that banging on the door and, perhaps, the sound of the door being broken? From my point of view, if I do not challenge the intruders, then my wife, children, and grandchildren are at risk from criminals. If I do challenge them and they turn out to be police, then I am at risk for having resisted arrest and, perhaps, even harmed an officer of the law.

We nodded solemnly, recognizing something we often think about and that keeps us up at night.
Which Kennedy came up with the bright idea of putting out this video?

Having the support of the Kennedy family in this election means the world to me.



Together, we will defeat Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/4SjgVpD4uD  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 19, 2024

There also was this:

"That's right  the Kennedy family endorses Joe Biden for president."



Kerry Kennedy endorses Pres. Biden over her brother, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in the 2024 presidential election, saying the family "cannot stand aside." https://t.co/KWtK1KQRig pic.twitter.com/SxccWRUjJ2  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 18, 2024

The aim of the multi-family member ad was to boost Joe Biden and scare off voters from independent candidacy of their own family member, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who's making a dent in Joe Biden's ratings and who has now secured spots on several ballots in several swing states.

Their praise of Biden was copious:

"When I think of modern politicians in our country, in this century, I think Joe Biden is the RFK of his generation," said a man who identified himself as Chris Kennedy, who, based on a Google search, is RFK, Jr.'s younger brother, by a nine-year age span.

Which is ridiculous: Joe Biden, born in 1942, is less than a generation from RFK, born in 1925. They're the same generation, and from large families, so they could even have been brothers.

Whether they like it or not, they accidentally reminded voters why they like RFK, Jr.

Everyone knows that RFK, Jr. is not like the rest of the Kennedy chi-chi crowd. He thinks for himself, he challenges canards and narratives, he takes care of himself, he talks sense on many things, and he certainly has lived an honorable life. He couldn't be less like the rest of the Kennedys and that's part of why he's doing so well in the polls.

Unbeknownst to the Kennedys who put out these ads, Americans don't like dynasties. The dynasty thing was one factor that took down Jeb Bush as the GOP heir presumptive in 2015-2016; Bush's statements were the other. The same dynamic loathing of dynasties is going on on the Democrat side, but with RFK, Jr. alienated from the Kennedy compound clan, his bloodlines are not held against him.

The Kennedys would have you think that they're so royal, so influential, so popular, that people just won't be able to resist their appeal to vote for senile old Joe.

What regular people see, though is a scandal-plagued, drug-addled sewer trout clan which just goes to show how unaware they are of their own political baggage, which is substantial. How's it that Joe Kennedy, Jr., the Hugo Chavez-touting "Dial-Joe-4-Oil" wasn't put out there front and center in that first video (but I see him in the second)? Or this charmer, once married to one of Ethel Kennedy's offspring? Or Kerry Kennedy, who was featured in the first video, one living drug misadventure after another? Where's the photo of Ted Kennedy as the Kennedys tout Biden's supposed decency? Only a couple of them escaped scandal and I don't see Caroline Kennedy in the bunch. These Kennedys are all about the scandals.

Why the heck do these nobodys think their claims to royalty and elitism within the Democrat party, living lives without consequences, are going to rope in the votes for Joe?

My old friend Jeff Gremillion who's an exceptionally good journalist, analyzed it this way, and I couldn't agree more:

 If these asshats would just say the truththat they, as party royalty, would support *any* Dem, even a braindead coot like Biden, over Trump and their kooky renegade relativeId have some grudging respect for them. But this generations RFK? FOH. https://t.co/Q5pB9CNJ4J  Jeff Gremillion (@JeffGremillion) April 19, 2024

Word, bro. All this endorsement will do is remind RFK'S voters why they liked their man in the first place. Thanks, Kennedy family, you've just helped RFK, Jr. draw in more votes.

Image: Twitter screen shot
Re-enactor Franklin Guidone, left, in character as William Barrett Travis, recreates a historical scene writing the victory or death letter asking for reinforcements from the U.S. government, as re-enactor Joshua Obadiah, right, in character as Joe, who was enslaved by William Barrett Travis, stands guard at KLRN Studio on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in San Antonio. The Alamo Trust photographed historical vignettes with re-enactors in period dress as reference photos to create bronze statue historical vignettes to be shown in the planned Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, set to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Re-enactor Joshua Obadiah, in character as Joe, who was enslaved by Colonel William Barrett Travis. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Its a chilly morning in March 1836, an hour or so before sunrise, and the long-dreaded invasion of the Alamo is underway. More than a thousand Mexican soldiers under the command of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna are frantically trying to breach the walls of the old mission compound while coming under relentless fire from outnumbered, outgunned Texan defenders. At the crumbling north wall, a young man named Joe, enslaved since birth, stands beside the young man who had paid $450 for him slightly more than a year earlier. Both men return fire, but within minutes of the attack Joe watches as a Mexican sharpshooters bullet pierces the skull of his owner, Lt. Col. William Barret Travis. According to the 2015 book Joe, he watches the commander of Alamo forces tumble down a recently built earthen slope, watches him fatally stab a Mexican soldier who has attacked him and then watches him die. Travis is 26, Joe is 20 or so.

Thanks in large part to Joe, the only combatant  as far as we know  to have walked out of the ruined mission alive, we are able these many years later to Remember the Alamo with some specificity. Along with Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson, he gave his eyewitness account in haunting detail, first to Gen. Sam Houston at Gonzales and then to delegates gathered at the grandly named Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare independence from Mexico and hastily form a government. He related the affair with much modesty, apparent candor, and remarkably distinctly for one of his class, recalled William Fairfax Gray, a lawyer and land agent who heard Joes account.

Remembering the Alamo all these years later  and working to tell a more comprehensive story  Texans are struggling these days with how to remember Joe.

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And thats a good thing, we believe. Instead of applying broad swaths of official semi-gloss over moments in our collective history, particularly the troubling ones, were re-considering, re-collecting elements of our past, including how we remember the Alamo. We fight among ourselves, of course, and thats a good thing, too. For too long, the story of the Alamo and Texas independence has been told in the manner of a glorified myth rather instead of a complex history.

Actually, weve been fighting over the Alamo off and on for more than a century, ever since our forebears woke up to the fact that the cradle of Texas liberty was in danger of crumbling into hallowed soil. For decades, nobody seemed to care that stones from the old mission were being cannibalized into new construction, or that a building next to the iconic chapel had become an Army warehouse. Nobody seemed to notice when chunks of the outer wall and the gateposts disappeared.

Shortly after the turn of the century, two capable, strong-willed women did notice. Their divergent notions of how to remember the shrine ignited the Second Battle of the Alamo. Twenty-two-year-old Clara Driscoll, whose grandfather had fought at San Jacinto, used family money to purchase the Long Barrack to keep the structure from being razed or becoming a hotel. Later, she decided that the building was an eyesore detracting from what she considered the Alamo (the iconic chapel) and should be replaced with a memorial park.

To San Antonio school teacher Adina De Zavala, the Harris County-born granddaughter of Lorenzo de Zavala, the first vice president of the Republic of Texas, the Long Barrack was the Alamo. It was she who had initially urged Driscoll to save it. She famously barricaded herself in the building for three days, without food or water, to keep it from being razed. She succeeded, partially. A history-ignorant lieutenant governor allowed the top floor of the two-story structure to be knocked off while the governor was out of state; what was left stands today.

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The Third Battle of the Alamo more closely resembles a Thirty Years War, as skirmishes have erupted off and on for the last three decades over a number of contentious issues: how to wrest control of the Alamo from the conscientious but less than capable Daughters of the Republic of Texas  and from the Anglo-centric version of the story perpetrated by Walt Disney and John Wayne; how to broaden Alamo history beyond the iconic battle and tell the story of the Alamo as a centuries-old Spanish mission; what to do with Alamo Plaza, cluttered for years with traffic and bounded by historic buildings wooing tourists with schlock; whether to relocate the Cenotaph, the sculpture commissioned during the Texas Centennial to honor the fallen heroes. (Even though it was to be moved by only 500 feet, a native Baltimorean named Dannie Scott Goeb  aka Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  rose up and shouted NO! The monument remains where it is.)

San Antonio Express-News reporter Scott Huddleston, whos covered the Alamo for years, reminds us that for about 10 years interested parties have been trying in earnest to work together on telling the complete Alamo story more accurately and more effectively. In 2014, San Antonio formed a large, diverse committee that included Alamo traditionalists, historians, San Antonio residents, representatives of the General Land Office, Bexar County officials and others in an effort to develop a vision and guiding principles. (Both objectives were adopted that same year.)

Patrick almost killed the effort with his line in the sand about the Cenotaph, but then-Land Commissioner George P. Bush and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg managed a reset of the project in 2021. Since then, a 27-member, nonprofit Alamo Trust has guided a $550 million makeover of the Alamo complex. The ambitious effort includes a $250 million Museum and Visitor Center in the historic Woolworth and Crockett buildings across the plaza from the Alamo. The majestic gateway to the Alamo, so to speak, is scheduled to open in 2027.

In the lobby will be nine bronze sculpture vignettes highlighting the Alamo story, including one vignette dedicated to Joe. The manner of his depiction has roiled feelings among members of the Alamo Museum Planning Committee.

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The proposed sculpture, as previewed in photos of real-life models, shows Joe, musket in hand, standing guard as Travis sits at a desk writing his legendary VICTORY OR DEATH letter from the besieged Alamo. Its the gun Joe is holding that has people upset.

Planning committee member Deborah Omowale Jarmon, CEO/director of the San Antonio African American Community Archive, maintains that the statue suggests that Joe was happily enslaved and that he supported the Texas Revolution as an armed combatant. One of three Black members on the panel, she announced last week that she is serving under protest.

Aaronetta Pierce, a longtime San Antonio civil rights leader, wrote an email to the panel in January, calling the depiction difficult to justify, an enslaved man holding a gun and guarding his master. San Antonio, she wrote, is too intelligent to produce such an illogical, historically incorrect scene.

Kate Rogers, the Alamo Trust executive director, told the Express-News editorial board last week that she and other leaders of the project are taking the concerns seriously. She said planners will reconsider the matter at a May 9 meeting.

Its important to us on this particular topic to be very respectful of the African American voices on the committee, Rogers added. Obviously, theres concern with this portrayal. So because the vote was split that way, and because theres still concern within a very critical group, were going to bring it back.

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Joe: The Slave Who Became An Alamo Legend, the groundbreaking 2015 book by Ron J. Jackson Jr., and Lee Spencer White, suggests that Joe likely was armed as he and Travis vainly sought to repel Mexican soldiers at the north wall. Joe himself told Sam Houston and the delegates in Washington-on-the-Brazos that he carried a gun and fired it during early moments of the battle.

But so what? An armed Joe standing guard over Travis tells us nothing about the young mans significance. Pierce and Jarmon are right to object; the image is misleading.

And I only am escaped alone to tell thee, the fictional narrator of Herman Melvilles novel Moby Dick, reports (echoing a passage from the Book of Job). A real-life Joe also had an experience; he was entrusted with it. What needs to be depicted is his sharing. To this day, we are indebted.

In a way, Joe was carrying on a family tradition. His remarkable older brother, William Wells Brown, escaped slavery after numerous attempts, becoming a noted abolitionist, lecturer and story-teller. Browns 1853 book, Clotel, the story of the mulatto daughter of an American president, is the first known novel by an African American. (Both men, by the way, were grandsons of the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone.)

Also like his brother, Joe escaped slavery. On the evening of April 21, 1837, the first anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, he fled Texas. Decades later, according to the co-authors of Joe, he accompanied James Travis, the Alamo heros brother, on a brief visit to San Antonio. Joe showed him the exact spot where his brother had died, recounted what happened on that tragic day.

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At the Alamo, Joe will soon be telling his story yet again. We owe him our most respectful attention.
Biologists in the North Pacific Ocean have spotted a saucy albatross named 'Wisdom' trying to find a new mate after her long term boyfriend, named Akeakamai, hasn't been seen around for the last few nesting seasons.

Wisdom has been dancing with potential mates. Oh lala!

Live Science reports, "Wisdom, the world's oldest known wild bird, was photographed again last month on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, dancing with potential mates. Her long-term mate, Akeakamai, has yet to be seen and was absent the last two nesting seasons, too."

Related: Rescue Swan Returning to His Mate After 2 Weeks Is So Touching

Female Laysan albatrosses usually lay a single egg in the first half of December, but Wisdom was still participating in mating dances well into spring, said Jonathan Plissner, the supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a nature reserve 1,310 miles (2,110 km) northwest of Honolulu. Live Science also says that Midway Atoll, or Kuaihelani in Hawaiian, hosts the biggest colony of Laysan albatrosses in the world, with 600,000 breeding pairs returning to its two sandy islands every year.

In this video you can see their actual courtship dance and it's pretty amazing.

The way they bob their heads in unison and stomp their feet is pretty adorable, plus I really wasn't expecting an albatross to sound like that.

Fun Facts About Albatross Birds

The laysan albatross averages 32 in in length and has a wingspan of 7780 in. They have the largest wingspan of any bird.

The Laysan albatross feeds predominantly on cephalopods, but also eats fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They actually can dive into the water and can reach five meters deep to get their food.

These amazing birds can even sleep while flying, and they can go years without ever touching land. It takes them about two months to fly all the way around the earth. They can even fly for days without ever flapping their wings.

As for Wisdom finding a new boyfriend? Courtship for the laysan albatross have these super elaborate dances that have up to 25 ritualized movements. That's how they find a partner to mate with. It's believed that Wisdom has hatched 40 or more chicks. These birds usually mate for life. Well, you know, unless their partner dies.

Wishing you the best Wisdom. You go get your man!

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Four-time champion Mark Selby is on the brink of crashing out of the World Championship at the first hurdle after losing the first session of his first round match 7-3 to debutant Joe OConnor.

Selby, who questioned his future in the sport after losing to Gary Wilson in the Tour Championship earlier this month, was second best against his Leicester rival, who reeled off five frames in a row to leave himself in a commanding position ahead of Mondays resumption.

The 40-year-old Selby has endured a dismal season by his standards, reaching one ranking tournament final and two semi-finals, but has traditionally reserved his best form of the season for the Crucible.

Mark Selby (right) trails fellow Leicester player Joe OConnor 7-3 (Richard Sellers/PA)

Despite sharing the opening two frames, Selby looked distinctly out of sorts and two centuries in three frames sent OConnor three frames clear, before two further half-centuries sealed a sensational debut performance from the 28-year-old.

OConnor, who has previously tried and failed seven times to reach the Crucible, is the only debutant in this years field, and requires just one more century on Monday to equal the record for a first-time performer at the venue.

Eleventh seed Zhang Anda followed defending champion Luca Brecel out of the tournament as he was hammered 10-4 by last years surprise quarter-finalist Jak Jones.

Jak Jones beat Zhang Anda to cruise into round two (RIchard Sellers/PA)

Resuming 5-2 in front after their abridged opening session on Saturday, Jones chiselled his way over the line with a top break of 60, while Zhangs 95 in the 13th frame proved much too little, too late.

Jones, who beat Neil Robertson last year en route to the last eight, will face either fellow Welshman Mark Williams or last years surprise semi-finalist Si Jiahui in round two.
Minister backs Met Commissioner after calls for him to quit over protest row

The head of the Metropolitan Police should not resign over the forces handling of pro-Palestinian protests, a Cabinet minister has said, amid calls for Sir Mark Rowley to go.

Both the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) and former home secretary Suella Braverman have called for the police chief to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having emboldened antisemites.

But Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to join them.

She told the BBC: I personally wouldnt go that far because I havent had the conversations with him.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said Sir Mark Rowleys future is a matter for London Mayor Sadiq Khan (James Manning/PA)

Earlier, she told Sky News that Sir Marks future is a matter for London Mayor Sadiq Khan who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.

Mr Khan does have the power to effectively sack the Commissioner, but can only do so with the permission of the Home Secretary, who can also require the Mayor to dismiss the head of the Met.

Ms Coutinhos comments follow calls for Sir Mark to quit after CAA chief executive Gideon Falter was threatened with arrest near a pro-Palestine protest on April 13, with one police officer describing him as openly Jewish.

Another officer told Mr Falter he would be arrested if he did not leave the area because he was causing a breach of peace with all these other people and his presence was antagonising.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said the Mets handling of the incident was concerning and that the force must have the confidence of the communities they serve.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the Mets handling of an incident involving Gideon Falter was concerning (Victoria Jones/PA)

In a statement, Mr Falter said: Racists, extremists and terrorist sympathisers have watched the excuses and inertia of the Met under his (Sir Marks) command and been emboldened by his inaction at precisely the moment when he should be signalling a renewed determination to crack down on this criminality.

What the Met under Sir Mark has done to the Jewish community over the course of six months is utterly unforgivable and it is time for him to go. Enough is enough.

Ms Braverman used an opinion piece in the Sunday Telegraph to demand Sir Marks resignation, saying people who are flagrantly antisemitic are being waved on by the police.

She said: Either this is gross incompetence, or its a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said flagrantly antisemitic protesters are being waved on by the Metropolitan Police (Jeff Moore/PA)

Other figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, have been highly critical of the Met but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go.

Policing minister Chris Philp has said he will meet the Commissioner to discuss the matter, and the Board of Deputies of British Jews has also written to Sir Mark asking for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and start repairing a grievous loss of confidence in the Met.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has also written to the force and Mr Khan about the incident.

Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said she does not think getting rid of Sir Mark is the way forward.

She told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: I think the police should take all steps to maintain community confidence from all communities in the way that they go about their business on the streets of London and elsewhere.

Sir Mark said: Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city in which everyone feels safe.

We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.

Some of our actions have increased this concern. I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week.

Today, as with every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.

Gideon Falter was told he would be arrested if he did not leave the vicinity of a pro-Palestine protest (Campaign Against Antisemitism/PA)

The Met apologised on Friday for the incident involving Mr Falter, suggesting opponents of pro-Palestinian marches must know that their presence is provocative and they are increasing the likelihood of an altercation by lining the route to object.

But the force subsequently issued another statement apologising for the further offence caused by its first apology.

A Home Office spokesman said: We welcome the Met Polices apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish  or of any other race or religion  should never be seen as provocative.

Anyone of any religion should be free to go about their lives and feel safe doing so.
It is not yet known how many supporters rallied for Mr Bolsonaro on Sunday - Bruna Prado/AP

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazils former president, has called a rally in support of Elon Musk after the tech billionaire publicly clashed with one of the countrys top judges.

Hundreds of the populist former presidents supporters gathered in Rio de Janeiro after he called a demonstration in defence of freedom of expression yesterday.

Mr Bolsonaro told the crowd: They are now accusing the richest man in the world, who owns a platform whose objective is to make the whole world free. He is a man who has had the courage to show others where our democracy was heading.

The rally comes amid a row between Mr Musk and Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian supreme court judge who claimed that far-Right, Bolsonaro-supporting accounts were spreading hate, disinformation and election denialism on X, formerly Twitter, which Mr Musk owns.

Mr de Moraes, who is leading an investigation into digital militias following the storming of the court and congress in Brasilia in January 2023, ordered Mr Musk to take down the accounts earlier this month.

The Tesla and SpaceX owner initially vowed to defy the order, but backed down after the judge put him under investigation for obstruction of justice.

Mr Musk also called for the judge to resign and speculated about pulling X from Brazil, where it has more than 20 million users.

Mr Bolsonaro at the rally he called on Copacabana Beach on Sunday - Pilar Olivares/Reuters

We will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there but principles matter more than profit, the Texas-based tycoon said.

De Moraes immediately placed Mr Musk under investigation and slapped a daily fine of 100,000 reals (around 15,500) for any banned account that remains up on X.

Although Mr Musk has not publicly retracted his claims, the platform has now taken down the offending accounts and said it does plan to remain in Brazil.

Mr Bolsonaro, who is being investigated for his possible role in the attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil when his presidency ended in 2023, announced the rally on his social media accounts yesterday.

It was not immediately clear how many of his supporters turned out. Last time the former president held a rally, in Sao Paulo in February, nearly 200,000 people attended.

Barred from office for eight years

Mr Bolsonaro has been barred from public office for eight years for claiming, without evidence, that Brazils 2022 election was rigged against him.

The showdown has highlighted the tensions between the absolute free speech that Mr Musk champions and the spread of disinformation that critics say undermines democracy and the rule of law and can be exploited by foreign adversaries such as Russia and China.

The Brazilian case could set a global precedent for how extremist content and fake news is regulated on the likes of X, Facebook and other social media, something those platforms have long resisted, to varying degrees.

X has plunged in value since Mr Musk bought the platform in April 2022 for 35 billion.

Critics have linked the platforms struggles to Mr Musk firing its moderators, which they have said led to a proliferation in extremist content including anti-Semitism and AI-generated porn.
Unbecoming conduct: Cate Blanchett in Tar - LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo

When Tar arrived in British cinemas in January 2023, it divided views between adulation and boredom. I am an adulator. The boredom, for those afflicted, seemed to stem from two factors. First, Todd Fields drama is set in the world of classical music, and if a viewer lacks a basic knowledge of that subject (as, sadly, thanks not least to our dismal education system, many do), then the film may prove a struggle. Second, it is more than two-and-a-half hours long. However, any intelligent person  which is to say, all readers of this column  should find Tar riveting. Indeed, I would go so far as to call it the finest American film this century.

Ultimately, Tar is less about music than about the abuse of authority, narcissism, the empowerment of women, the American story  and cancel culture. Cate Blanchett plays Lydia Tar, conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker. It is one of the worlds greatest orchestras and Tar is conscious  rather too conscious  of her status and celebrity. Her name is manufactured (she was born Linda Tarr, on Staten Island) and she has, from humble beginnings, through talent and hard work, risen to the top of a competitive profession, winning every award along the way.

However, in the realm of high art, the main actors have complex personalities, and they dont come more complex than Tars. As a conductor, she seeks perfection and will remove anyone whose supposed failings prevent this. Nor does she restrict her unhinged ferocity to the workplace: when a little girl upsets the daughter Tar has with her female partner, she tracks down the child and threatens her as she might a man who had crossed her. Gradually, she reveals herself as a very nasty piece of work.

She is equally brutal in her professional life. Her devoted assistant, who herself hopes to become a conductor, is passed over for the job that would have set her on her way. A hugely admired cellist is superseded by a brilliant young Russian woman who can without question master Elgars concerto, but whose appeal to Tar clearly goes beyond her ability to wield a bow.

As she upsets more and more people with her repellent high-handedness, Tars supreme abilities come to count for less  especially when the story emerges that a previous student Tar had groomed committed suicide after the maestra had her blacklisted for daring to leave her tutelage.

This is an exceptionally clever film about human nature, with outstanding performances, not least by Blanchett: it is inexplicable that she did not win the best actress Oscar for which she was nominated. To portray this level of brilliance and loathsomeness on the screen in a single character is an awesome achievement.

But it was also clever of Field to show that a world in which numerous male conductors have been accused of improprieties towards junior musicians should be exposed as one in which an empowered woman can behave monstrously, too. We are invited to consider, again, the separation of the art from the artist: if, for example, you play a recording conducted by James Levine, whose history of sexual abuse was known long before he was exposed in 2018, or of music by the anti-Semite Wagner, does that make you morally defective? As Tar shows, true art takes no account of moral failures.

I was alerted to the film by a colleague who sent me a clip of Tars devastating attack on a preposterous, privileged, black male student who has rejected Bach because the composer was privileged, male and white. Field has fun with the ludicrousness of cancel culture, and his attack is not diminished by choosing Tar herself to articulate it. Life is not black and white. Those in the music world who disliked this film  notably the conductor Marin Alsop, whom some critics identified as the model for Lydia Tar  either felt it came too close to the truth, or offended their own prejudices. Ignore them, and revel in Tars multilayered genius.
A damaged army tank on the street in Omdurman, Sudan. Photograph: El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters

Re Nesrine Maliks article (For a full year, the bodies have piled up in Sudan  and still the world looks away, 15 April), in 2002 I was the chief of staff to the joint monitoring mission (JMM) in Sudans Nuba mountains, in South Kordofan. The JMM was charged with overseeing a ceasefire agreement through dialogue, information and diligent investigation of actions that threatened the agreement. Two years later I was attached to the African Union (AU) in Darfur, attempting to pause the conflict there and allow dialogue between the conflict parties and hopefully bring a peaceful resolution.

The JMM successfully achieved stability and normality in the Nuba, whereas in Darfur the conflict, although reduced, continued to simmer and displace people, mostly internally into IDP camps. The different outcomes for the two conflicts 20 years ago was due to the quality of endeavour applied by the JMM and the AU with the local populations, local officials, the UN and NGOs to achieve a result that satisfied all local communities.

As in Darfur in 2004, it appears that today in Sudan the world is happy to sit on its hands and leave the UN and NGOs to plough a lonely furrow while the RSF militia and the army systematically kill, rape and destroy.

Less than 70 years ago, Sudan was administered by the UK. We, the UK, need to lead a muscular intervention to get food and medical support into Sudan and assist the desperate people there even if it means having to face up to either of the two protagonists.

RD Symonds (Lt Col, retired)

Finstock, Oxfordshire

 Having worked in Sudan as a teacher during the 1970s, experiencing the warmth and friendliness of Sudanese people, I feel I share some of the pain that Nesrine Malik expresses in her analysis of the tragedy in the country.

Her analysis of the forces tearing Sudan apart is perceptive, but I think it is important to remember that the roots of this conflict may be seen in the way Britain administered the country as a colonial possession in the early part of the 20th century. By reinforcing the distinction between the northern (Muslim) and the southern (Christian) people in order to protect colonial east Africa from the spread of Islam and, upon independence, allowing the Arab north to force its demands on the south, we triggered a civil war. It has raged more or less continuously since 1956, apart from a few years of peace in the 1970s, which I was fortunate enough to enjoy.

So we cannot wipe our hands of this tragedy, but should recognise our countrys role in what is now happening.

Bryan Hopkins

Sheffield

 I write in praise of Nesrine Malik. She is an eloquent voice of understanding and compassion. Whether she writes of Gaza or Sudan or other forgotten, conflict-ridden parts of the developing world, her words conjure up the most human and painful elements of these conflicts. The suffering, the loss, the endless shifting sands of war and displacement, and the courage and resolve and the humanity of the dispossessed.

If we cannot see that those considered the least among us are as fully worthy as those blessed by material wealth, then our humanity is suspect and our destiny is doomed.

Richard Owen

Mandara, Harare

 Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
By Lee Gyu-lee

Netflix's announcement that actor Yoo Ah-in would lead its new original series "Goodbye Earth" in 2022 raised high expectations for his performance in another dystopian series, following his success in the platform's "Hellbound."

But the series created an even bigger buzz when news of the actor's illegal drug use allegations broke out a year later. This led the platform to indefinitely postpone its release as new charges against Yoo continued to surface.

After undergoing a re-edit to remove scenes featuring Yoo, the series is finally set for release on April 24. The actor is currently on trial facing charges of abusing medical drugs on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022.

(Yoos) issue surfaced during my editing of the first three episodes. Initially, I didn't anticipate it becoming complicated, so I hoped it would resolve itself. However, matters didn't progress as I had anticipated. Meanwhile, I had been considering approaching Netflix to request another edit on the episodes. Frankly, I saw it as an opportunity to continue refining the work, the series director Kim Jin-min said during a press conference, held at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday.

It was my job to make sure viewers weren't offended. So I edited out things that would make them feel uneasy, even adjusting (Yoos) screen time. However, given the significance of his character, complete adjustment was not feasible...I tried very hard to make it convincing enough by editing Yoos parts while not undermining other actors efforts. I earnestly ask for your understanding .

Based on the Japanese novel of the same name, the sci-fi series follows the journeys of middle school teacher Se-kyung (Ahn Eun-jin), priest Sung-Jae (Jeon Seong-woo), and commanding officer In-a (Kim Yoon-hye) who navigate the challenges posed by an asteroid rapidly approaching Earth.

With only 200 days to live, their lives become consumed by despair, chaos, and hope despite the ominous disaster that would cause the end of the world.

The director, who previously led Netflixs action series My Name (2021), said the story will provoke different thoughts toward dystopia.

The series is about a trajectory heading to dystopia. Instead of centering on the fight for survival, the work poses a thought-provoking question: 'How would you live when you are on the brink of facing dystopia?' This aspect of the story intrigued me as a director, he said.

I believe viewers will find various points to which they can relate, such as 'I didn't know one could think that way' or 'That is what I would be like.' I anticipate a range of reactions following the series' release.
Sculptor Hywel Pratley with the statue - Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

The first statue of Queen Elizabeth II since her death has been unveiled to the approving barks of nearly 50 corgis as crowds looked on.

The permanent memorial to Britains longest-reigning monarch - complete with her own immortalised dogs - has been hailed as a fitting tribute for the mother of our nation.

The eye-catching 7ft bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late monarchs 98th birthday - with a group of her favourite dogs stealing the show.

It takes pride of place outside the library in the market town of Oakham, in Rutland, Britains smallest county.

It depicts a youthful Queen Elizabeth - who stood at just 5ft 4in - standing at 7ft in regal robes with three loyal corgi companions at her feet, one peeking out from the creases.

It serves as a permanent reminder of her 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley believes the memorial will become a hit not only with royal fans, but that it will attract social media users wanting a selfie beside the late monarch and her trio of corgis.

Corgis, the late Queen's favourite dogs, were featured at the event - Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

Speaking before the unveiling in front of a 400-person crowd and with a host of local dignitaries attending, he said: The plinth is designed to be sat on and I can see the statue becoming popular with the Instagram generation, and why not?

It will make a perfect backdrop for pictures and people will be able to reach up and pat a dog or if small enough even sit in its back!

Mr Pratley, 51, who is half Welsh and lives in Chelmsford, Essex, told how he chose the addition of the corgis for a bit of fun and to tap into the late Queens humanity and address her friendliness.

He explained he made the statue larger than life - 1.4 times bigger - because a life size Queen Elizabeth is too small. She deserves more.

The 125,000 statue was commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, following the Queens death in September 2022.

Addressing the crowds in the spring sunshine, she said: We are witnessing a piece of history today with the first statue of Queen Elizabeth to be commissioned since her death and who gave us 70 years of exemplary service.

Rutland may be a small county, but the response to this had been huge with contributions from local businesses and individuals of varying sizes.

The permanent memorial to Britain's longest-reigning monarch has been hailed as a fitting tribute - Andrew Fox/Andrew Fox

As she spoke, barks from 46 dogs from the Welsh Corgi League rang out loud and clear, and she said, smiling: You can hear them!

She added: The statue is for everyone.

Before his cancer battle had been known and made public, King Charles had originally been invited to unveil the statue. It is not known if Palace officials had agreed to the request.

Instead, the special honour fell to Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, before being blessed by Debbie Sellins, the Bishop of Peterborough.

One resident, Hilda Townsend, said: It is just wonderful. We are the tiniest county, but the first to honour the late majesty in such a big way. It is a very fitting tribute.

Her husband John added: It is absolutely amazing and, as Rutlanders, makes us extremely proud.

The unveiling of two of the three bronze corgis was given to two young children who had won a local schools art competition.

In an emotional speech, Alicia Kearns, 31, said: It is an incredible statue of our beloved Queen who showed unwavering commitment.

We hope we can reflect on her legacy of compassion, strength and leadership.

The statue was no mean feat and is for all of Rutland and all of our country, and to come together in joy. Rutland leads and others will follow.

Three corgis feature on the statue - Terry Harris/Terry Harris

The local MP revealed that King Charles would be visiting the statue, adding a gesture saying: Horseshoes are to be delivered by His Majesty in due course.

Crowds of local residents mingled with visitors from further afield, some waving Union Jack flags, with children sporting gold paper crowns on their heads.

She told spectators: I am proud to play my very small part in helping to celebrate her reign, pointing to the statue and saying: She belongs to all of you.

Following the unveiling, a lone bagpiper played a lament to the late Queen and one verse of the National Anthem was played, with crowds joining in.

Dozens of corgis - some wearing red, white and blue - then posed beside the new monument with their owners and officials before parading along the packed streets to Oakham Castle for a meet and greet session with the admiring public.

Among the corgi owners was Katrina Emptage from Lincoln with her two-year-old pet, Mable.

She said: The statue is absolutely amazing and Im delighted to be here to see it and be part of the corgi parade. It is very special.

The corgis were invited in celebration of the late Queens life-long, deep affection for the breed after she fell in love with the dogs as a child.

She owned more than 30 over the years, many of which were direct descendants of the first, Susan, which was given to her as an 18th birthday present by her parents in 1944.

Speaking of his inspiration, Mr Pratley said: I very quickly thought that I would like to have a corgi nestling in her robes by her feet because what a great symbol it is, artistically, of her being mother of a nation.
A person stands next to boxes with electoral kits ahead of the referendum, on 10 April in Quito, Ecuador. Photograph: Agencia Press South/Getty Images

Ecuadoreans will vote on Sunday in a referendum on a raft of unprecedented security measures designed to empower the police and armed forces in the fight against spiralling violence and organised crime.

Voters must accept or reject 11 questions, mostly about security, in the plebiscite, which is being seen as a test of support for Ecuadors popular young president. Daniel Noboa who took office in November on the pledge to combat the surge in violent crime, put forward the poll to push through proposals to retake control of prisons and tame soaring homicide rates.

Related: Every day someone dies: life and death in Ecuadors most murderous city

Long seen as an oasis of peace compared to its neighbours, Ecuador last year became the most violent country in South America with a record number of about 8,000 homicides. The number of violent deaths has grown eightfold in just six years as bloodshed between warring drug gangs spilled from jails onto the streets.

Noboa, who took office in November on the pledge to combat the surge in violent crime, declared a state of internal armed conflict in January, designating 22 drug trafficking gangs as terrorist groups and authorising Ecuadors military to neutralise the crime factions within the bounds of international humanitarian law.

Since then, the 36-year-old son of a banana billionaire has ordered the armed forces onto the streets and presided over the arrest of tens of thousands of people accused of links to organised crime.

Now with this referendum, Noboa says he wants to consolidate the reduction in violent crime by allowing the military to patrol with police, extraditing convicted drug kingpins or gang leaders and boosting prison sentences for crimes such as terrorism and murder.

Ecuadoreans  weary of extortion and fearful about kidnapping and violent crime have largely welcomed Noboas mano dura policies

As victims of violence, the population believes that the iron fist policies and the presence of the armed forces on the street and in the prisons can solve their problems, said Fernando Carrion, a security expert with the Latin American Social Sciences Institute in Quito.

Noboa was one of Latin America and the Caribbeans most popular leaders, with a 67% approval rating, according to a poll compiled by the Americas Society in January.

However, his handling of an electricity shortage last week, which led to a power rationing and two days of public holiday could dent polling in favour of his proposals this Sunday, said Carrion. It was not clear how his controversial decision to storm the Mexican embassy in Quito earlier this month in a bid to arrest a former vice-president wanted on embezzlement charges would boost or reduce his popularity, he added.

While other referendum proposals about loosening employment contracts and international arbitration were less popular though security-focused questions would likely have broad support, Carrion added.

Leonidas Iza, president of Conaie, Ecuadors main indigenous federation, said the backsliding of labour rights could not be allowed and warned labour exploitation could be normalised.

While President Daniel Noboas security crackdown has drawn significant international criticism over human rights concerns, it has boosted his domestic popularity, said Erin Drake, of security consultancy Strategic Intelligence, S-RM.

Noboa, who will complete the term of former President Guillermo Lasso who stepped down to avoid impeachment last year, is expected to seek re-election in 2025.

This referendum is not only about security questions but also about recognising the presidents legitimacy and putting him in a good position for 2025, said Carrion.
Sir William Beveridge pictured in 1943. Photograph: IWM/Getty Images

Beth Riding writes of the five giants William Beveridge wanted to overcome in 1942 still stalking the land (Im 17 and havent seen a dentist for four years. This is life in Englands NHS dental deserts, 17 April). Agenda Publications noted this and asked five writers to discuss how far the giants had been overcome, in five books published in 2022: Disease on health, Ignorance on education, Idleness on employment, Squalor on housing, and Want on poverty. I did Ignorance and found that there was still a lot of it around!

Sally Tomlinson

Emeritus professor, Goldsmiths, University of London

 Why is the carers allowance means tested (Carers describe avalanche of utter stress from DWP clawing back benefits, 19 April)? If someone qualifies for the allowance because they provide 35 hours of care per week, what business is it of the state what else the carer does and earns? These carers provide a service that would cost the country far more if they didnt do it.

Emma Tait

London

 It seems the cost of living crisis has even affected Tory MPs, if even Mark Menzies didnt have 5,000 in his bank account (Allegations against ex-Tory MP Mark Menzies referred to Lancashire police, 19 April).

Pat Piercy

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

 Last week I got an email headed Your exclusive access to Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle. Is this the earliest Christmas advert of 2024?

Elaine Luke

Fairlight, East Sussex

 Thanks for highlighting Harold Dickie Birds 91st birthday in your print edition (19 April), but surely you could have written 91 not out.

Dr Mark Wilcox

New Mill, West Yorkshire
Peter Higgs in 2013. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP

While holidaying in a small village in north-west Scotland, I was amazed to read on a noticeboard in Plockton that Peter Higgs was to give a talk in Plockton community hall. At the talk, Higgs explained his work leading to the discovery of the particle bearing his name. His massive idea was matched by his incredible modesty. The local brewery honoured him with a special beer  Partic Ale.
The artist Augustus John in 1951 when he was 73. Photograph: Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

The granddaughter of Augustus John, Britains most famous and successful artist of the early 20th century, has delivered a damning critique of his later works. Rebecca John, the leading authority on the artist, says in her first interview for two decades that most should have been burned. My grandfather went down the drain from the 1930s onwards, drank too much, lost his judgment, and took every opportunity to earn money from portraits of society ladies and the wives of notable men.

From about 1900, Augustus John had produced beautiful drawings, stunning landscapes and portraits of great men including TE Lawrence, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Thomas Hardy. He was even honoured in 1928 with a cover photo for Time magazine. But those artistic skills declined from the mid-1930s until his death aged 83 in 1961.

While very critical of her grandfathers later work, Rebecca John, herself a noted watercolourist of plants, believes that his earlier work shows that he was a brilliant draughtsman. No wonder his skills were compared to some Old Masters.

She also accepts that her grandfather was probably driven to churn out second-rate portraits because he needed the money to pay for girlfriends plus at least 13 children and countless grandchildren. It was once remarked that John, while living in Chelsea, would walk down the Kings Road and pat every child on the head in case it was one of his.

Born in south Wales in 1878, Augustus John became the star pupil at Londons Slade School of Art. He married Ida Nettleship when he was 23, and they had five children in the six years before her premature death in 1907. Yet even within that short marriage he was having an affair with Dorelia McNeill, who had two children by John and then another two when they lived together until his death. But there were many other flings during his relationship with McNeill, including one with Caitlin Macnamara, who later became Dylan Thomass wife. It is widely accepted that Johns 1935 portrait of Thomas, with his curly hair and youthful looks. was his last great painting.

Rebecca John might be attacking the later work of her grandfather but she defends his free-love lifestyle: He was handsome, famous and exciting. So, understandably, women wanted to go with him. He was the Mick Jagger of his day, or like Pablo Picasso and Lucian Freud.

Johns attractiveness is also remarked on by Luke Farey of the Piano Nobile gallery in west London, which is showing an exhibition of 33 of Johns works from 1899 until 1914, running from 26 April to 13 July. He had this alluring carrot-coloured hair and wore gold earrings. And such a strong personality too, said Farey.

Rebecca John, who in 2017 co-edited the letters of his wife Ida, is not involved with this exhibition, but is pleased that it focuses on his early work. Included are drawings of Ida and McNeill, who got on well despite being love rivals, as is shown in some of the letters.

The Piano Nobile exhibition is curated by David Boyd Haycock, inspired by his 2023 book Brilliant Destiny: The Age of Augustus John. Nearly all are from private collections with some never having been seen in public before, including one landscape, Arenig Fach, painted in Snowdonia in 1911, which was owned by Elizabeth Taylor from the 1970s until her death in 2011.

Rebecca John still has fond memories as a young girl of her grandfather: I would visit him at his house, Fryern Court, in Hampshire. I can recall a huge presence and a booming voice. Perhaps he shouted because he was deaf. I cant think of many conversations, but we had one about my learning Latin.

So I grew up with this very famous grandfather  one who never stopped working. But he has been undone by his later decades and by modern attitudes, which only seem to rate art if it is incomprehensible. His was straightforward and understandable. In the end, too, it was his reputation as a bohemian which took over from that of an artist. But Im nevertheless very proud of him.
Ukraine faces indiscriminate aerial attacks by Russian forces, most recently in Chernihiv, where 17 were killed. Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Ukrainians were understandably dismayed last week as they watched the US, Britain and France rush to defend Israel against a barrage of Iranian missiles and armed drones.

Thats not because they support the regime in Tehran. Its because Nato countries have denied similar, direct military support to Ukraine, which faces unending, indiscriminate aerial attacks by Russian forces. Israel was spared any fatalities. In Ukraine, civilians continue to die almost daily, most recently in the city of Chernihiv, where 17 people were killed and dozens more injured.

More than two years into the war that began with Vladimir Putins illegal, full-scale invasion, Ukraines plight grows more concerning. There is a strengthening possibility that, despite heroic resistance, it could succumb to Russias aggression. Such a defeat would be a catastrophe, primarily for Ukraine, but also for the future security of Europe, for countries such as Moldova and Estonia that are targets of Russian destabilisation operations, for Britains defence, for US global leadership and for all who value individual freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.

Ukraines leaders are disarmingly frank about their countrys perilous situation. The armys senior commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrsky, warned that Russias growing advantage in manpower, ammunition and in the air meant territorial losses may be inevitable. The position of Ukrainian forces has worsened significantly, Syrsky said. Sounding the alarm, president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence believes the Kremlin is preparing a major offensive for late spring or early summer. It is unclear how it may be repelled.

Russia is readily exploiting newly exposed Ukrainian vulnerabilities, for example by targeting power plants and civilian infrastructure. This is possibly due to Ukraines chronic deficit in modern air defence systems. Germany agreed to provide another Patriot missile battery (though not much-needed Taurus missiles). But Zelenskiy says Ukraine requires 25 Patriot batteries. It has two. Exasperatingly, its response  bombing Russian oil refineries  to Moscows new tactics has been criticised by the Americans over fears about rising energy prices.

Putin thinks hes winning, not least because western democracies seem to be losing their belief in, and focus on, a Ukrainian victory

Putin claimed recently he was attacking power plants in spring rather than winter out of humanitarian considerations. His comment typified the sickening smugness that characterises Russias war narrative. Putin thinks hes winning, not least because the western democracies seem to be losing their belief in, and focus on, a Ukrainian victory. In view of the wrangling in the US Congress over new military aid for Kyiv leading up to last nights crucial vote, its getting harder to argue Putin is mistaken.

It is true that the Israel-Hamas war, and Irans attack on Israel, are redirecting attention and resources. Support for Kyiv is increasingly politically contentious in EU countries, as recent polls in Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and the Netherlands have shown. In France and Germany, far-right populist parties are using the war as a wedge issue before Junes European parliament elections. In the US, Donald Trump fans anti-Ukraine, anti-Europe sentiment to undermine president Joe Biden.

Regardless, western leaders must urgently accelerate and expand military support for Kyiv. Recognising how high the stakes are for Europe, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Olaf Scholz have recently re-emphasised their countries solidarity with Ukraine, as has Rishi Sunak.

Yet words are not translating into concrete and sufficient action, or at least not quickly enough. To its shame, US-led Nato continues to hang back, as it has from the start, when it might have made all the difference. Last week, alliance members belatedly offered additional air defence systems at a crisis summit. Meanwhile, Ukraine stares into the abyss.

Related: Kharkiv at risk of becoming second Aleppo without US aid, mayor says
Gideon Falter speaks to a Metropolitan Police during a pro-Palestinian march in London last weekend - Campaign Against Antisemitism/PA

Downing Street has failed to back the boss of the Metropolitan Police and has said Rishi Sunak is appalled by the forces threat to arrest a Jewish man at a pro-Palestine rally.

A government source said: The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter openly Jewish.

He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe.

The Telegraph understands Mr Sunak does not intend to get personally involved in the decision on Sir Marks future, which he will leave to James Cleverly, the Home Secretary. He is said to feel that it is not his place to intervene in what is an official process that should also involve Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.

That stance explains his reluctance to publicly back Sir Mark, in contrast to previous governments which have swung in behind commissioners under fire. Boris Johnsons administration repeatedly expressed full confidence in Sir Marks predecessor, Dame Cressida Dick, as she faced calls to resign in 2021.

Claire Coutinho, one of the Prime Ministers closest allies, also conspicuously refused to say that Sir Mark should stay in his post when grilled by broadcasters on Sunday.

The Met Commissioner is under huge pressure and has already faced high-profile calls to resign over the incident, including from Suella Braverman, the former home secretary.

It comes after Gideon Falter, the head of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was stopped by police as he tried to cross the road in the Aldwych area of central London while a pro-Palestinian march went past last Saturday.

Mr Falter, who had just come from the synagogue and was wearing a kippah skullcap and carrying a bag containing his prayer shawl, was told by a Met Police sergeant at the scene his presence could inflame tensions.

In the exchange, which was filmed, the officer can be heard saying to him: You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.

Mr Falter said he was approached in a similar way later by another officer, and the Met later apologised branding the comments hugely regrettable.

Oliver Dowden has suggested the incident was disrepecting Jews. The Deputy Prime Minister told The Telegraph: The police have a hugely difficult job and we should all acknowledge that but it is hard to think of any other minority that would be treated as disrespectfully as Jews seem to be.

Jews deserve solidarity not indifference from Londons Mayor. He should be ensuring fundamental British values of decency, tolerance and respect are championed, cherished and protected in our capital city.

Ms Coutinho, the Energy Secretary, said the Mets behaviour was completely wrong and warned the situation for Jews in London was not sustainable. She said it was right that action is taken following the incident. She also failed to endorse Sir Mark.

Claire Coutinho, the Energy Secretary, failed to endorse Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner - Karl Black/Alamy

Asked if the Met chief should resign, she told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: I personally wouldnt go that far because I havent had the conversations with him. I dont understand yet what hes going to say to the Home Secretary  those conversations need to take place.

Speaking to Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, on Sky News, she said it was up to Mr Khan to decide what happens next. Sir Mark has been summoned to a meeting with Chris Philp, the Policing Minister. The Home Secretary has written to both the Met and the Mayor about the incident.

On the question of resignation of the Met chief, Ms Coutinho said: I think what happened was completely wrong. Its not right that one group of people in society should be told that they cant go around their daily lives because it might be a provocation to someone else. Thats not how equality works in this country.

So I do think theyve got it wrong. I think its right that theyve apologised and ultimately what happens next is a matter for the Labour London Mayor, who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has also called for urgent talks with the Met Commissioner after a series of high-profile errors. The organisation said: The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UKs Jewish community in the police.

All communities must be able to trust the police

Ms Countinho stressed it was really important that people from all communities felt like they could trust the police, adding: I think when youve had a situation like this its right that action is taken because you cant have a position where one group of people, one identity, the Jewish community, in this case, are being told they cant go about their daily lives because that might be a provocation. That is not how policing is meant to work. Thats not how society can work.

Mr Falter said on Saturday night: The time has come for Sir Mark Rowley to go. He must resign or be removed by the Mayor of London and the Home Secretary.

What happened to me was a disgrace. Imagine what it felt like to be told by police officers that being quite openly Jewish would antagonise people and so I must leave the area on pain of arrest.

Shabana Mahmood, Labours shadow justice secretary, told Sir Trevor that she did not think Sir Mark should resign.

I can understand the strength of feeling and as I say that footage was very concerning, and I can understand where Mr Falter is coming from, she said. But I dont think that the resignation of the Mets Commissioner is the way forward. I think the police should take all steps to maintain community confidence from all communities in the way that they go about their business on the streets of London and elsewhere.

They have got to make sure they police the protests in line with the laws of our land, and enforce the laws of our land.
Dominic West and Lily James pictured in Rome in 2020 - Backgrid

Dominic West has said a paparazzi photograph in which he appears to be kissing Lily James informed how he played Prince Charless affair in The Crown.

The married actor, who played the then Prince of Wales in the final two seasons of the popular Netflix drama about the Royal family, was famously photographed on an Italian holiday with his much younger former co-star in 2020.

In a picture of the pair in a restaurant, West, 54, can be seen leaning intimately into James, 35, in an apparent kiss.

Speaking to The Sunday Times Culture Magazine, West opened up about the furore over the paparazzi shots of him and his Pursuit of Love co-star, saying that the media frenzy definitely helped his performance as Charles in The Crown.

West as King Charles in The Crown with Olivia Williams as Camilla - JUSTIN DOWNING/NETFLIX

Id had a very acute understanding of what its like to feel the horror of your name or your photo in the newspapers, he said, adding: There is that dreadful freezing moment when something is revealed about you. I think anyone can understand how that feels.

But Id been through it and it must have informed how I approached it. That gut feeling of horror isnt something you get inured to.

During his stint as Charles in The Crown, West played out some of the most high-profile moments of the Kings relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, spanning from 1991 to their marriage in 2005.

Events depicted in the fifth season include the marital chaos in Charles and Dianas relationship, her Panorama interview and the famous confession of infidelity as well as the couples separation and divorce.

West told the magazine that the incident with his younger co-star and the resulting media furore was deeply stressful for his wife and four children.

West with his wife Catherine FitzGerald - MEGA

The actor, 54, and James, 35, were pictured in Rome in 2020 appearing to be on very familiar terms as they squeezed onto a scooter together for a sightseeing trip, before stopping at a pavement table for a cosy lunch.

Just 24 hours later, West had flown home to the UK to see his wife, Catherine FitzGerald, and staged a kiss for the cameras outside their family home with a note that insisted: Our marriage is strong.

Speaking about the aftermath now, he said: I hesitate to speak on my wifes behalf because obviously it was horrible, particularly for her.

But we do joke about it sometimes. Because whenever we went out together, the papers would always say we were putting on a show of unity. Even if wed just been rowing about parking the car or whatever, even if that couldnt be further from the truth.

And so when we go out, we do sort of say, Shall we go and have a show of unity up in London?...That was the best that came out of it, really.

The actor, who is starring in A View from the Bridge at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until August, also said his wife teases him for not being very convincing when playing upper class roles.

West said: My wife, who is genuinely upper class, always tells me, Youre much better in the working-class parts, youre not very good as upper class, youre not convincing at all.

Some people look good in stiff collars but Im not one of them. I understand upper-class ways, and I like those characters, but as an outsider, he added.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says the Coalition is happy to have a look at anything the government puts forward to act against misinformation on social media. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has expressed support for a crackdown on the spread of dangerous lies on social media platforms, renewing focus on the governments misinformation legislation which was shelved late last year.

Conspiracy theories and violent imagery spread rapidly on social media after the mass stabbing at Bondi Junction. After video and false information spread in the wake of the stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, an estimated 2,000 people gathered at the Christ the Good Shepherd church in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley, where some rioted and allegedly injured police.

The Coalition has been fiercely critical of the governments misinformation legislation, but Dutton said on Sunday morning it was prepared to back the laws, which were overhauled after concerns over freedom of speech and the definition of misinformation.

Related: Elon Musk and X to fight Australian eSafety order to remove content relating to Sydney stabbing

Social media companies see themselves as above the law, Dutton told ABCs Insiders program.

Were happy to have a look at anything the government puts forward, he said.

The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, has accused the opposition of flip-flopping and confirmed the government will introduce new legislation this year.

Holding social media companies accountable for seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation on their platforms has never been more important, she said.

The Albanese government has been steadfast in its resolve to combat the scourge of mis- and disinformation online.

The Coalition has flip-flopped on its position since 2022, putting politics first and running an irresponsible bin the bill campaign, instead of working to hold big tech to account and keep Australians safe online. Its hard to understand if the Coalition is actually serious about tackling this problem.

The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, tasked social media platforms to remove content that was in breach of online safety legislation after the stabbings, but the swift spread of false messages also ramped up calls for the government to do more.

The federal governments proposed legislation would give the Australian Communications and Media Authority more powers over the social media platforms.

Rowland said this week that most platforms had complied with Inman-Grants requests.

But Elon Musks X, formerly known as Twitter, has rejected Australias request to take down content about the stabbing and accused the online watchdog of attempted censorship.

In a tweet, X said Inman-Grant does not have the authority to dictate what content Xs users can see globally.

We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court, X said.

Musk tweeted that the Australian censorship commissar [sic] is demanding *global* content bans!.

The opposition has been vehemently opposed to the misinformation laws, describing them as Orwellian. The shadow communications spokesperson, David Coleman, has been running the bin the bill website with a petition against the laws on the grounds that it threatens freedom of speech. This bad law must be stopped, the website says.

But Dutton said the Coalition would be willing to work with the government to strengthen existing eSafety laws and to introduce the new misinformation laws.

We need to get the right balance  we dont want to impinge on your ability to express a view in a democracy, he said.

Related: Sydney church stabbing: social media pages infamous for spreading misinformation taken down

Labor frontbencher Murray Watt said the public had had a gutful of these narcissistic billionaires.

Theyre thumbing their nose at the laws that we have in place and I think its entirely fair that we go after them, he told Sky News.

The deputy opposition leader, Sussan Ley, also said the Coalition would support the government in cracking down on social media platforms.

If the opposition does not back the bill, the government will need the support of the cross-bench to get it through.

The Greens are waiting to see the final bill before making a decision. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said earlier this week that tech companies needed to be held accountable, and that Australias regulation had to be fit for purpose. Many of these digital platforms are now the only way people consume their news, and they need to be regulated and held to account for their behaviour, she said.

Independent MP Allegra Spender said she would work with the government on addressing social media issues, while retaining the space for public debate.

Guardian Australia contacted X for comment and received an auto-reply that said busy now, please check back later.
[Tom] Crawford is one of the few remaining bulk billing practices in the region, says Vcat member Anna Dea, who halted the restrictions on the practitioner. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

A Victorian doctor who allegedly made racist and homophobic comments to patients has had restrictions imposed by the medical regulator paused, due to their significant financial imposition on one of the last bulk-billing clinics in his local region.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has suspended the requirement that Dr Tom Crawford be subject to 10 months of supervision at his Bendigo practice, which was imposed by the Medical Board of Australia last month.

He was also required to undertake one-on-one education and receive mentorship as a result of comments made during two separate consultations that the board alleged were homophobic and racist.

Vcat heard that Crawford, the sole practitioner at his clinic and who specialises in the treatment of skin cancer and skin issues, denied making homophobic, racist or inappropriate comments to patients. He has also sought a review of the Medical Boards decision.

The tribunal heard that two notifications about Crawfords conduct were lodged with the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency last year.

The first involved a same-sex parent family for a consultation for their five-year-old son who had previously been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The mothers alleged Crawford asked who the natural mother was, if they even knew the father and  when told the child was conceived with an anonymous sperm donor  said: those people arent even screened that well.

Vcat heard that when the parents were having difficulty getting their childs consent to pull his pants down for the examination, Crawford allegedly said: just pull down his clothes, I need to see his skin and look, your GP might have time to waste like this, but I dont, I need to see it.

The board described Crawfords conduct as homophobic and said he lacked disability awareness.

In a written submission to the tribunal, Crawford said his comments were not homophobic, and were made to help him understand the history of a new patient.

He said the parents may have been offended by an unintended slight but that no concerns were raised with him.

In a separate incident, a patient with Maori heritage alleged that Crawford made comments about Maori people. That included an alleged comment suggesting New Zealanders with both European and Maori ancestry did not want to acknowledge their former because they want to claim Maori descent for government benefits.

It was also alleged that Crawford had spoken about a Maori friend who had been taken captive overseas, and then released because the captors thought he was native to that country.

But Crawford disputed any suggestion that he made racist remarks, with his saying the discussions were an attempt to build rapport with the patient. He said he has an acute understanding of first nations people from Australia and New Zealand and believes he is culturally sensitive when he provides care to all patients.

In asking for the supervision condition to be stayed, Crawfords solicitor, Russell Ball, told Vcat the cost of an external supervisor would be $6,000 to $6,375 a week, and could increase by $1,000 if they required travel from Melbourne, which he said was not financially viable for the practice.

Ball said Crawford saw 70 to 75 patients a week, including six long-term patients who would be affected if he was unable to practise.

In written reasons published on Wednesday, senior Vcat member Anna Dea said she halted the supervision and education requirements because they would represent a significant financial imposition on Crawford.

But she said the mentoring condition remained in placed until the application for review concluded.

Crawford is one of the few remaining bulk billing practices in the region, Dea said. Balls affidavit referred to a number of long term patients who currently depend on Crawford for the management of their serious medical conditions.

I accepted that evidence showed Crawfords inability to practise (due to the challenge of finding and paying a supervisor as required by the Supervision Condition) may jeopardise the timely and well-informed treatment of those patients for many months and render the practice unviable.

She said the evidence suggested there were significant shortcomings in Crawfords communication skills and capacity to understand his patients personal circumstances but said it was in the greater public interest to allow him to keep practising.

I reached that view with an expectation that Crawford would reflect carefully on the matters raised by the notifications, including with his mentor, and ensure his communications hereafter were consistent with what is expected of a practitioner with his experience and training, she said.

Guardian Australia has contacted Crawford for comment.

A spokesperson for the Medical Board of Australia said it could not comment because the matter was before Vcat for a final review that is not likely to be listed until well into the second half of 2024.
By Lee Kyung-min

Discussions on the launch of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are poised to take center stage, propelled by the resounding victory of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in the April 10 general elections.



The main opposition ran on a platform that the issuance, listing and trading of spot bitcoin ETFs would be allowed.



Further underpinning the optimism is the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commissions approved launch of spot bitcoin and ether, April 15 (local time).



The Hong Kong development followed Jan. 10 (local time) approval of spot bitcoin ETFs by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).



Many Korean investors are waiting for Koreas Financial Services Commission (FSC) to join the global craze to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars this year.



However, the FSC has yet to take steps to revise the Capital Markets Act whereby digital coins do not fall within the definition of underlying assets, and therefore are not recognized as valid asset classes.



The DPK maintains the major financial issue of the party platform will sail to victory, powered by the opposition-majority National Assembly.



The National Policy Committee  the standing committee governing the countrys financial regulations  can in theory bypass the law revision, pending changes in the FSC interpretation of underlying assets.

According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the DPK won 175 seats out of the total 300. The ruling People Power Partys seat total came to 108.



Rep. Kim Han-kyu of the DPK, a vocal supporter of legalizing virtual assets sitting on the National Policy Committee, secured a second term.



The main opposition is planning to ask the FSC to approve the spot bitcoin ETFs upon the formation of the 22nd National Assembly's standing committees.



In case the financial regulator does not budge, the main opposition party will then shift its efforts to revising the Capital Markets Act.



Months of deliberation will follow, since specifics are finalized including the makeup of standing committee, proposals for amendments and subcommittee discussions before plenary session voting.



Chances of the FSC opposing the move remain slim, as has been tamped down by the DPK landslide victory.



Also factored in is concerns of financial isolationism whereby Korea  a financial laggard  falls further behind its advanced peers including the U.S., Hong Kong and Australia, which have all approved spot bitcoin ETFs.



The financial authorities are more likely than not to cave to the will of the public, as illustrated clearly by the election results, according to industry insiders.



Political pressure will close in, and the authorities will not be able to remain dismissive of the calls for revision for long, an industry insider said.



Crypto investment is also common among lawmakers. A total of 24 lawmakers held a combined 335.7 million won in digital coins, according to the NEC. Seven of them had holdings of over 10 million won in virtual assets.



They held the assets under the names of their own, their spouses or children. Of the total, 11 were DPK lawmakers and PPP seven.



Hong Kong approval



China AMC, a Chinese asset manager, said April 15 that it had received regulatory approval for the provision of virtual asset management services."



It reportedly was actively deploying resources in the development of a spot bitcoin and ether ETF, according to local new media outlets.



Harvest Global and Bosera International each released statements, saying they also were cleared for the countrys regulatory approval for bitcoin and ether ETFs.



China spearheaded a massive crackdown on crypto trading in 2021, and trading of the virtual asset remains effectively banned since.



However, the development in Hong Kong signals the countrys shift in stance to becoming a crypto hub to compete with Dubai or Singapore.



The January U.S. SEC approval entailed a New York Stock Exchange-listed trading of 11 spot bitcoin ETFs managed by BlackRock, Grayscale and global top asset managers.



Whether Hong Kong, among the global financial leader economies alongside the U.S., would follow suit in the second quarter remains to be seen.



The price of digital coins hovers around $63,000, April 17, despite the Hong Kong development.



Also at play were concerns of a wider war in the Middle East and dashed hopes of an earlier-than-expected rate cut in the U.S.



Meanwhile, market watchers are bracing for the bitcoin halving, a historically decisive event for the price of the digital coins. The event, occuring every four years, was expected to take place around April 20.



In the past, bitcoin prices jumped sharply in the months following a halving. However, this time it may not undergo a similar phase of increasing value, since other macroeconomic or speculative forces could come into play.



Analysts at Bernstein, a global brokerage, have raised their price target for bitcoin to $90,000, up from $80,000.



They said the halving impact on bitcoin miners seems relatively mild, a concern offset by bull market conditions with strong ETF inflows and robust trading fees.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have an important vote approaching - Lesley Martin/PA

Humza Yousafs coalition government could collapse after the Scottish Greens co-leader admitted he did not know which way a members vote will go on their power-sharing deal with the SNP.

Patrick Harvie, who is one of two Green ministers in the Scottish Government, said a vote next month on whether to end the coalition deal and return to Holyroods back benches was the most important decision in his partys history.

He pleaded with Scottish Green members that they would achieve far more by staying in government and warned: My worry is that if we walked away at this point we would decelerate climate action.

Mr Harvie insisted he shared the fury of his rank-and-file about the Scottish Governments decision last week to rip up its flagship target to cut the countrys greenhouse gases by 2030.

However, he claimed all political parties were responsible for Scotlands lack of progress on climate change, despite the SNP being in power since 2007 and the Greens agreeing to join Nicola Sturgeons government in 2021.

Mr Yousaf expressed confidence on Saturday that the Greens would vote to continue their coalition with their SNP when they hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on the issue, expected at the end of May.

He insisted the SNP would continue as a minority government if they withdrew from the deal, which is titled the Bute House Agreement (BHA), after the First Ministers official residence in Edinburgh.

But Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said Mr Yousaf is at the mercy of the Green vote and the coalition of chaos he inherited from Nicola Sturgeon is now hanging by a thread.

Humza Yousaf's coalition government could collapse - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

Furious Scottish Green members staged an unprecedented rebellion last week after the announcement the 2030 target was being binned. Friends of the Earth described it as the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

Senior councillors demanded the EGM after warning that the Greens were being used as a figleaf for the SNPs woeful and inexcusable climate inaction.

The Rainbow Greens, who represent the LGBT members in the party, called for the party to withdraw from the Scottish Government over the decision to suspend the use of puberty blockers for new child patients.

Members have also raised questions about whether Mr Harvie and Lorna Slater, the other Green minister in the Scottish Government, should remain the partys two co-leaders.

Mr Harvie, who earns 106,185 as a junior minister, admitted last week he was embarrassed by the scrapping of the 2030 target, but told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show his party should remain in government.

He said: This is a moment that is critical for the future of climate policy in Scotland, which is, you know, the reason Greens are in politics in the first place.

Its critical to the future of our party as well, and over the next few weeks we have probably the most important decision to make that weve ever had to make about the future of our party.

Mr Harvie added: My worry is that, if we walked away at this point, we would decelerate the climate action, we would see the hand strengthened of the likes of Fergus Ewing, backbencher in the SNP now, whos constantly popping up and having a go at environmental policy and urging the Government to slow down.

Mr Ewing, a Nationalist grandee and former Cabinet minister, has been the SNPs most persistent and vocal critic of the Greens. He has said they are hard left extremists who should never be anywhere near government.

Asked how he believes the vote will go, Mr Harvie said: Honestly, I dont know. My instinct is that we will achieve far more by staying in government.

He admitted he needed to do more to persuade members that Scotland is on the right track in tackling climate change.

Pressed on whether his leadership was on the line, he said: Thats a very obvious question, but its probably the least important question.

Ms Sturgeon boasted that her SNP administration was a global leader on climate change when the targets were introduced in 2019, saying they were the most stretching in the world.

Mr Harvie said some people have been happy to describe Scotland as a world leader, or have self congratulatory speeches about setting targets.

However, he said the reality was were years behind where we should be on climate, on actually taking the actions necessary to reduce emissions.

But Joanna Cherry, a senior SNP MP and critic of the coalition deal, tweeted: With govt comes responsibility. I voted against the BHA and I dont think the Scottish Greens have brought anything useful to the table on tackling climate change.

Its hardly surprising given their science denying identity politics and no-debate stance. We need action now on climate change and the just transition not inept posturing and mere rhetoric. The SNP could and should reset here without Scottish Green input.

She later corrected herself, saying she had been eventually persuaded to vote for the BHA against my better judgement. The Edinburgh South West MP added: We all make mistakes. My initial instincts were correct.
JK Rowling previously provoked anger by mocking a similar claim about 'people who menstruate' - John Phillips/Getty

SNP ministers have been accused of engaging with fantasy after issuing guidance to Scotlands NHS that states its not just women who experience menopause symptoms.

The Interim National Menopause and Menstrual Health Policy was sent to all the countrys health boards by the Scottish Government.

Although it said most people affected by the policy would be women, it warned boards that transgender, non-binary and intersex employees may also experience menopause and menstrual health related symptoms.

The document also defined a period as part of the menstrual cycle when women, girls, and people who menstruate bleed from their vagina.

A similar claim has previously been mocked by JK Rowling, who wrote a social media post in 2020 stating: People who menstruate. Im sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

The guidance emerged after Humza Yousaf stated last week that transgender women would be protected by his planned legislation outlawing misogyny.

Susan Smith, director for feminist group For Women Scotland, told the Scottish Mail on Sunday: Once again, the truth is being twisted and contorted and the Scottish Government is trying to impose an anti-science ideology on the NHS.

Clinicians must surely be aware that menopause is uniquely an experience belonging to the female sex. It is insulting and demeaning to women to pretend otherwise.

She added: This infantilisation of the workforce is troubling for those who expect a grown-up service which engages with reality, not fantasy.

The policy told boards: Effective management of colleagues with menopausal and menstrual health symptoms can help to improve team morale, retain valuable skills and talent, address inequalities and reduce sickness absence.

However, it then went on to say that not only women were affected. Tess White, Scottish Tory deputy health spokeswoman, said: The menopause has a huge impact on many womens lives, and they will find it insulting that their experiences are being diminished.

The SNP government and NHS bosses should do the right thing and withdraw it.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The Interim National Menopause and Menstrual Health Policy for NHS Scotland aims to support employees with their experience of menstrual health and menopause in the workplace.

He then repeated the claim that transgender, non-binary and intersex employees may also experience menopause and menstrual health related symptoms.

The parent who gave birth

Meanwhile, Scottish prison bosses faced criticism after erasing references to birth mothers from a maternity document for staff.

The Scottish Prison Services (SPS) updated Maternity and Paternity Policy removed almost all gendered terms from the document including mother.

The policy instead called mothers the birth parent, describing them as the parent who gave birth to the baby, in what critics slammed as further bowing to trans ideology.

One of the few references to survive was made in a section on surrogacy where the policy stated the surrogate birth parent who gave birth to the baby is considered the legal mother in the UK.

An SPS equality impact assessment of the new maternity policy said: The language used in this reviewed policy is consistent with SPS policy language and is designed to be gender neutral and non-discriminatory throughout.

Removing the reference to birth mother and replacing it with birth parent [serves] to acknowledge employees who may be transitioning to another gender, or do not attribute themselves to either gender.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the human rights charity Sex Matters, said: This is yet another assault on the rights of women by the Scottish Prison Service, which seems intent on erasing the status of women from all areas of policy and practice.

An SPS spokesman said the policy had been developed in partnership with our trade union partners and has undergone an equality and human rights impact assessment.
Lord Byron, a national hero for Greeks, far removed from mad, bad and dangerous to know. Photograph: Getty Images

On Wednesday 18 August 1880, a sale was held at Sothebys in London. Among the items up for grabs were interesting relics of Lord Byron. The articles, once the property of Augusta Leigh, the poets half-sister, included the crown of Greek laurel placed on the aristocrats coffin when laying in state in Great George Street.

Joannes Gennadius, a diplomat-cum-scholar born and raised in Athens, ensured he was there. Fifty-six years had elapsed since the great Romantic poet died on 19 April 1824 in Missolonghi, spearheading the Greeks revolt against Ottoman rule.

Raised by his patriot father on Byrons legendary contribution to the cause, Gennadius successfully contrived to outdo his fellow bidders. It would be the start of a formidable collection of Byroniana that today includes a lock of the peers distinctly auburn hair  cut by his distraught valet, William Fletcher as his master lay on his deathbed  rare manuscripts, Byrons gold watch, paintings and a fragment of the Scottish plaid cloak Byron, then Europes most celebrated writer, wore in Missolonghi.

Last week, as Greece marked the bicentenary of Byrons death, the artefacts brought an air of excitement to the august reading room of the library that Gennadius, who would become one of the countrys foremost benefactors, bequeathed to the American School of Classical studies at Athens.

For Alicia E Stallings, Oxford Universitys professor of poetry, laying eyes on objects once so intimate to the poet was tantamount to being at one remove from him and nothing short of thrilling.

I think its very important theyve ended up in Greece, said the American who, long based in Athens where she has written several acclaimed books of verse, has found herself inevitably thinking about Byron and his relationship with the nation he would ultimately sacrifice his life for. Theres little sense or understanding [abroad] of how important he was to Greece. I often find myself having to explain that its not a celebrity stunt, its no joke, that the gravity of the appreciation [for him] is genuine.

On Friday  exactly 200 years after Byron succumbed to fever barely 100 days after arriving in the land whose liberty he had championed so vociferously  it was an appreciation that the Greeks went out of their way to display. With a pomp usually afforded visiting dignitaries, a brass band performed next to a guard of honour outside the Athens parliament as officials laid wreaths before the tomb of the unknown soldier to commemorate foreign philhellenes, starting with Byron, whose support, courage and influence were key to the wars eventual success.

Byron may not have fought but he gave us his everything, he gave us his life. Alexis Sotiropoulos, mayor of Vyronas

In Missolonghi, scene of an unprecedented homage to the poet, celebrations ranged from exhibition openings to the world premiere of The Last Days of Byron, an opera commissioned by Oxfords Institute for Digital Archaeology.

Greeces war of independence was brutal. More than 350 soldiers from Europe and America are believed to have died on the battlefield at the hands of the Ottomans. Raised on the classics, most despaired at the calamitous state the Orthodox Christians had been reduced to by centuries of Ottoman rule.

For Alexis Sotiropoulos, mayor of Vyronas, the Athenian suburb named after the poet, that Byron should die before he could prove himself in battle  fever took hold as he was about to lead troops out of the malaria-ridden town  matters little.

In a country where nearly every city has a street named after the Englishman and many men are called Vyrona in his honour, the heros status remains undisputed. Byron may not have fought but he gave us his everything, he gave us his life, the mayor explained, a bust of the poet perched behind him in an office brimming with flags, bags and mugs emblazoned with Byrons silhouette. In life its all about what you leave behind, and ultimately he left behind a free Greece. Without him it might not have happened.

The revolutionary spirit that led Byron into the marshes of Missolonghi  propelled by a valour hailed by those who accompanied him on the doomed expedition  was much bigger than the whiff of scandal that pushed him into self-exile or any of his flaws, said the soft-spoken Sotiropoulos. Perhaps he had weaknesses, he mused. But he was a democrat, ahead of his time, a man of unimpeachable ideals. We are forever grateful.

Historians believe that had it not been for Byrons generosity or influence, London might never have consented to the loans so badly needed by the provisional government in Greece. His own support  parting with a huge amount of his fortune to underwrite the war effort  while backing the pro-western polyglot Alexandros Mavrokordatos at a time when the uprising was plagued by factional intrigues, is seen as crucial in the creation of the modern nation state.

In England, where the rebel poet is best remembered as being mad, bad and dangerous to know  the inimitable putdown uttered by his spurned lover, Lady Caroline Lamb  it is a political role that is often overlooked.

But the commemorative events marking the milestone anniversary also offer opportunity for reappraisal, says Roderick Beaton, emeritus professor of Modern Greek at Kings College London and the author of Byrons War, the definitive account of his involvement in the revolution.

Theres a huge mismatch in the way he is remembered in the UK and Greece, the academic noted, lamenting that most of Byrons poetry, like his surviving correspondence, had astonishingly never been translated into Greek.

In this anniversary theres a great opportunity for the Greeks to get to know him better as a poet, and for the Brits to open up beyond the cliches, and taint of scandal, to see Byrons contribution to the creation of a European nation state. Its important because he really is part of the story and the self-identity of Greece.
The deal allowed tobacco donated to the troops to be imported duty-free as part of their rations - JORGE SILVA/Reuters

Ukrainian soldiers trained in the UK were given free cigarettes under a deal brokered by the Ministry of Defence, despite the dangers of smoking.

The arrangement allowed tobacco donated to the troops to be imported duty free as part of their rations.

It came after complaints from the soldiers that cigarettes were too expensive in the UK and in too short supply at the training bases to meet their needs.

A pack of 20 cigarettes in Ukraine costs 1.70, compared with the UKs price of 15.67 since last December.

The deal was facilitated by Ben Wallace, the then defence secretary, working with Oleksii Reznikov, his Ukrainian counterpart, amid claims that the cigarette shortages were impeding the soldiers ability to concentrate on their training and posed a risk to morale from the lack of creature comforts.

The deal was arranged shortly after the first Ukrainians arrived for training in the summer of 2022, but has been disclosed only now, just days after Rishi Sunak secured the second reading of his Bill to implement a phased ban on smoking.

Cigarettes given as part of rations

Mr Wallace and his aides smoothed the duty implications with the Treasury and cleared the legal risks with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which leads on the Governments public health campaigns to reduce smoking.

The cigarettes were donated by an international tobacco firm and given to the soldiers as part of their rations. They were also offered healthier alternatives such as vapes and nicotine pouches and advice on the risks of smoking. Sources stressed no cigarettes were offered to non-smoking Ukrainians.

One source familiar with the deal said: It is fair to say that smoking is going to be less of a threat to these brave soldiers lives than fighting Putins illegal invasion of their country.

A Ukrainian government source told The Telegraph: It was a very long and complicated bureaucratic process but we did it. It was hugely appreciated by our soldiers.

The MoDs Operation Interflex, which has so far trained 60,000 Ukrainian military personnel, was launched in July 2022 with the first soldiers dispatched to several bases across the UK. In March, tobacco giant Philip Morris, which has plants in Ukraine, donated 500,000 packs of cigarettes to the Ukrainian military.

A British soldier teaches a group of Ukrainians how to use a FGM-148 Javelin surface-to-air missile - Getty Images Europe

The cigarettes donated to the soldiers training in the UK came from another, unnamed, big tobacco firm but there were concerns within the MoD about whether the importation of them would accrue duty, which is currently 394 per 1,000 cigarettes.

Mr Wallace had experienced first hand the frustrations of the Ukrainian soldiers over the cost and paucity of cigarettes on their bases, said a source.

They smoke at higher levels than us. Not only were cigarettes in the UK too expensive but there were not enough of them in the camps where they had to stay, said the source. It was reported up the chain of command that there were concentration and creature comfort issues as a blocker to progress on training.

Duty free

Mr Wallace received assurances from the Treasury that it was legitimate under the rules for the cigarettes to be imported duty free as rations for a strategically important military operation.

It mirrors the Second World War, when 75 per cent of UK soldiers were smokers and would receive a four-pack of cigarettes along with matches in each of their rations.

The MoD also took advice from the DHSCs legal department on the legal risks of the proposed arrangement. It is not known what the legal advice recommended, as it is custom for it to remain secret, but DHSC sources insisted the department did not seek to block the deal despite its public health responsibilities to cut smoking.

An MoD spokesman said: The UK has trained over 60,000 Ukrainian personnel, providing them with the battlefield skills they need to fight Putins illegal invasion.

Ukrainian recruits who were existing smokers could access cigarettes as part of their supplied ration packs. No public money was spent on cigarettes, and we ensured that healthier nicotine alternatives and advice were available.

A source added: Ben Wallace was absolutely determined that the Ukrainians got all the help and support they needed.
The Netzah Yehuda is an ultra-Orthodox battalion in the IDF - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

The US is set to sanction an ultra-Orthodox unit of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in what would be an unprecedented move.

If confirmed, Joe Bidens White House would ban the Netzah Yehuda battalion from receiving US military supplies or training. The unit, made up exclusively of ultra-Orthodox fighters, has been accused of human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said on Friday that he will soon reveal the results of an investigation using the Leahy Law, which prohibits military assistance to foreign security forces that violate human rights.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the decision, calling it the height of absurdity and a moral low.

He was joined by his defence minister, Benny Gantz, who said sanctioning an IDF unit and its soldiers sets a dangerous precedent.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion is an inseparable part of the Israel Defense Forces. It is subject to military law and is responsible for operating in full compliance with international law, he said.

The State of Israel has a strong, independent judicial system that evaluates meticulously any claim of a violation or deviation from IDF orders and code of conduct, and will continue to do so.

Netzah Yehuda is made up exclusively of ultra-Orthodox fighters - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

The US is on a tightrope with Israel and its conflicts with Hamas in Gaza, as well as Iran. Washington has proffered financial and military support even as calls for restraint grow louder.

On Saturday night, the US announced $17 billion (13.7 billion) in military aid to Israel in the midst of the sanctions scandal. It comes just one week after an aerial bombardment against Israel from Iran, in which a US-led coalition helped intercept almost all the 350 plus drones and missiles fired at the Jewish state.

I intend on acting to have this decision changed, Mr Gantz said of the sanctions on Sunday.

Investigations into the unit began when an 80-year-old Palestinian-American, Omar Awad, died in custody of the battalion in 2022. At the time, the IDF said that the units commander was to be reprimanded and the relevant platoon commander and company commander would be removed from their positions and barred from commanding roles for two years.
Aly Dickinson is a death doula who provides end of life support to people who are dying and their loved ones - Dale Cherry

When Aly Dickinson is dying, she wants to be at home, watching her favourite box sets, eating and drinking exactly what she likes, with the odd visit from a good friend. I dont want a lot of people around me, she says. I want to have space to get on with it.

Like most of us, Dickinson used to avoid contemplating death, particularly her own. But when she gave up her job as an HR director to become a death doula, supporting the dying, the D-word lost its stigma.

I learnt that death isnt a drama, or at least it doesnt have to be, she says. Its perfectly normal and natural and Im no longer frightened in any way. I still have no idea what happens when you die but, in the majority of times it is very gentle  and so incredibly magical.

Dickinson is not alone in this choice of unusual career path. This week, the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas announced that she too is training to become an end-of-life doula, or death doula, now that she is taking a break from politics.

There are less intense ways, one would imagine, to fill a career break from politics but Lucas, who over the past five years has lost her father, Peter, and mother, Valerie, is determined to help the dying and their families. In the UK and the West in general we are rubbish at dealing with and talking about death, she said. It is the last taboo.

Dickinson, who is one of the founders of End of Life Doula UK (eol-doula.uk), a membership association for death doulas, agrees that we need to get more death-savvy.

Her job title earns her some funny looks, she says, but thats only because most people dont know what a death doula is or what a difference they can make to the experience of bereavement.

Former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas; 'We are rubbish at dealing with and talking about death' - Andrew Crowley

The word doula derives from a Greek word meaning servant or caregiver and is more commonly associated with birth; birthing doulas are non-clinical companions guiding pregnant women through labour and new motherhood.

Death doulas, who undergo a two-year training through Living Will, Dying Well (eol-doula.uk/our-training), do the same for the dying and their families, counselling them after a terminal diagnosis, answering practical questions about what happens when you die and keeping vigil at their deathbed to allow their loved ones to rest.

Dickinson will even help prepare their dead body and be there for the family for six weeks after the death, helping with sadmin and supporting them in their grief.

She first read about it in a newspaper and immediately knew she wanted to train. Its tremendously rewarding; when youre with somebody who is coming towards the end of their life, everything that is peripheral drops away and they confide in you about their life and their hopes and fears for dying, she says.

Sometimes were called at the very final stages but if we have the opportunity, well help make a plan for their death, which can be therapeutic for them but also for their loved ones.

Louise Piper, who switched from a career in finance to found Better Endings, an end-of-life doula provider, after her mother died (betterendings.co.uk), believes that during the early stages with each client she is akin to being an NCT teacher.

When my mother was given 12 weeks to live, I didnt know what to say to someone who was dying and I didnt know that her body could stay in her house for a day after her death rather than being whisked away in a black bag four hours later. If Id been more prepared, Id have felt less raw afterwards, she says.

She encourages her clients to compile a folder containing instructions for their death  what they want to wear, any music  along with documents such as wills and financial details, letters for loved ones and online passwords. You dont have to call it a death folder; I call mine my When Im not here folder, she explains. Its so helpful to have all your documents in one place and to have tidied up your digital legacy. It removes a lot of the stress of the dying process.

Unlike a birthing doula, who has a specific due date to work to, a death doulas remit is more open ended; Penny Merrett, a former counsellor who is now director of End of Life Doula UK, works with her clients for anything from a few weeks to a couple of years before their death. During initial conversations, which tend to be over the phone or a video call, shell offer practical advice  but in almost all cases her clients will soon want to talk about death.

We dont like to think about death until were dying and then we cant stop ourselves, she says. This is why End of Life Doula UK runs death cafes for people to come and talk to others in the same situation. Contemplating death becomes easier the more you do it. People come back again and again  its not something you can just talk about once.

These are difficult conversations, though; death doulas are trained to talk helpfully and reassuringly, without saying the wrong thing. There are things you can say that are helpful after a terminal diagnosis and some that arent; you want to help take the fear away from dying but you need to take your cue from your client rather than trying to offer a solution, explains Piper. People will often say something like my friend found that hydrotherapy really helped when a better approach is Im really sorry, how can I help?.

Navigating heated family dynamics also goes with the job. For the most part loved ones behave beautifully, Dickinson explains, but sometimes the stress and grief gets to them. I remind them that this is their chance to do their best, to do it well, it is not the time for conflict, she says. Piper has mediated reconciliation between family members with unresolved issues around the deathbed. I helped them talk it through and both sides reached some kind of closure, she explains.

The more deaths you support, the better prepared you are to face the unexpected, Dickinson says, as no two deaths are the same. Doulas only take on between two and four clients at once, being mindful of timings to make sure they can be there at the end with each one of them. It suddenly becomes intense; you have to be able to be flexible and step in and step out, she says.

While all her work is poignant, it is particularly challenging with younger clients, particularly those with small children. Their loss is incredible: they are not going to see their child growing up or do any of the things they wanted to do with them; I try to talk through what is scaring them and make sure were supporting the children, too, linking them with organisations that work with bereaved youngsters, she continues.

Death doulas are not religious or spiritual but are guided by the beliefs of their client. Dickinson makes sure shes always familiar with her clients faith or spirituality before she starts working with them and will happily work alongside religious or spiritual figures. Our job is to integrate with everyone around  which means being sensitive and astute, she says.

Often her clients will say theyre not spiritual yet as death approaches will want to explore particular paths. I listen and I learn from them; if they want to dip their toes in the sea, Ill do everything I can to make that happen, she says.

Managing pain is another element of a death doulas role. While theyre not medical (although some are trained carers), they will be in close contact with doctors and nurses to ensure that their client is comfortable  suffering, according to Dickinson, is one of her clients biggest fears.

She explains how clients have pleaded for an assisted death, which is of course illegal in this country, and bemoaned the fact that they didnt book into Dignitas in Switzerland while they were still mobile. Every death doula will have a different view on assisted dying laws; mine is that if it could be a truly autonomous act then it would be wonderful, she says.

The loss of independence can be insufferable for people as is the confusion and distress accompanying dementia.

A death doula must be both sensitive and astute, says Aly Dickinson - Dale Cherry

One of the most common questions shes asked by both clients and family members is, how long do I have left? Impossible to answer, of course, although death doulas come accustomed to the signs of ordinary dying and will explain them to their client and the family so nothing is a shock. We describe the breathing changes, the sleepiness, the fact that when youre about to die you stop eating and drinking and your skin tone changes, Dickinson says.

As death approaches, clients will often start speaking metaphorically: theyll tell her theyre packing their bags or catching a train. When the moment arrives and their breathing stops, theres often a sense of calm and stillness in the room, she says.

Sometimes the temperature changes and theres absolute stillness; sometimes I feel the person is still around, as if they havent quite gone yet.

She doesnt like to talk about giving someone a good death as she feels it puts pressure on relatives who might feel theyve failed  the sad fact is that death is not always painless, she says. Our job is to facilitate the best death possible; to make it peaceful and dignified and to respect the wishes of the dying. When a death goes well, the whole family feels a sense of achievement, she continues, which helps them with their grief.

Its this sense of doing the very best for the dying that motivates death doulas rather than any financial reward. Once Caroline Lucas has completed the two-year training, she can charge around 30 an hour for her work, although some death doulas decide to work voluntarily in the community to ensure no one has to die alone. Dickinson says she doesnt charge the family for her time during the six weeks after the death; I dont have the heart to, she says.

The writer and broadcaster Adrian Chiles recently wrote, If witnessing someone coming into the world is a privilege then its surely not a great stretch to feel the same way about being there when someone leaves the world at the other end of their lives.

A privilege is how Dickinson regards her work as a death doula. After a client has died, she goes home, watches box sets, eats chocolate and has a good cry. Its like finishing a very lovely book, she says. Its still up there on the shelf, but its finished.
Researchers from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research in Australia have conducted a study which found that being a cat owner can double the risk of developing schizophrenia, especially if you are a cat owner under age 25.

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), often found in domestic cats, has been linked to a broad range of direct and indirect physiological changes in the brain.

The researchers conducted an analysis of 17 studies published during the last 44 years, from 11 countries including the US and the UK.

"We found an association between broadly defined cat ownership and increased odds of developing schizophrenia-related disorders," explained psychiatrist John McGrath and fellow researchers, all from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, in their study published last December.

Related: Science Says Dogs Are Better for People's Mental Health Than Any Human

Science Alert goes on to report that once inside our bodies, T. gondii can infiltrate the central nervous system and influence neurotransmitters. The parasite has been linked to personality changes, the emergence of psychotic symptoms, and some neurological disorders, including schizophrenia.

The study concludes that there is a need for more high-quality studies, based on large, representative samples to better understand cat ownership as a candidate risk-modifying factor for mental disorders.

How Pets Help People with Mental Disorders

The sad irony of this study is that pet ownership has actually been shown to be beneficial for people with psychotic disorders, mood disorders and personality disorders.

Pets give us love, companionship, and unconditional support. They can provide people with mental disorders structure to their days and give them a sense of purpose. Of course, it may be difficult to care for a pet if you live with an extremely severe mental illness, but these people can even benefit from spending time with therapy dogs in a hospital setting.

Interacting with pets has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Any person can benefit from that.

Psychology Today reports that during a study twenty-one patients living with schizophrenia were selected from Spain and split into two groups. Twelve of the participants received a specialized trained therapy dog, while the others did not.

Patients with the intervention of the therapy dog showed better quality of life and a reduction in symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and the absence of affect.

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is confident Lewis Hamiltons morale will not plummet despite his continued worst start to a Formula One season.

Hamilton fought back from his lowly 18th grid slot to finish ninth in Sundays Chinese Grand Prix.

But the British driver, in his final season with Mercedes before his blockbuster transfer to Ferrari, leaves Shanghai only ninth in the standings after failing to finish inside the top six at either of the opening five rounds.

P6 finish for George and P9 for Lewis at the Chinese GP pic.twitter.com/W4NeFubxfy  Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 21, 2024

Indeed, Sundays result marked the third time he has crossed the line in ninth this year. Hamilton also trails team-mate George Russell 5-0 in qualifying.

But Wolff said: Lewis is a pro and he has behaved that way, trying to keep his morale up and the morale of the team up, even if the results have not come his way. I have no doubt this will last.

Hamilton has now gone 50 races and 868 long days without a victory and he was exposed to yet another sobering afternoon in his uncompetitive Mercedes.

Following his worst qualifying result in seven years, Hamilton started on the quickest, but less-durable soft rubber, but just two laps into this 56-lap affair, his complaints began.

I am making no ground on this tyre, he said after dropping from 18th to 19th.

Hamilton managed to finish in the points on Sunday (AP)

Hamilton made the first of his two pit-stops on lap nine and rejoined back in 19th, 53 seconds off Max Verstappens leading pace.

That was the worst tyre, man, said the despondent 39-year-old.

Hamilton was soon back on the intercom. I cant even catch him (Alpines Esteban Ocon), man, he said. This car is so slow.

Hamiltons fortunes improved on lap 21 when he stopped for a second time, with the virtual safety car (VSC) deployed after Valtteri Bottas broke down.

And as the marshals struggled to shift Bottas stricken Stake, the VSC was upgraded to a full safety car, promoting Hamilton up the order.

P18P9 Up nine places in the Chinese GP and securing some valuable points  pic.twitter.com/EyAXjSfPul  Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 21, 2024

He would be 12th at the restart, but he was still bemused by his unruly machine.

The car is just sliding around everywhere, he said. It just feels like something is broken. It is really bad.

Daniel Ricciardo suffered floor damage after Lance Stroll thumped into the back of his RB, elevating Hamilton into 10th before he swatted Haas Nico Hulkenberg aside.

Hamilton was then up to eighth as Fernando Alonso made a maverick third stop for tyres. But the 42-year-old took advantage of his fresh rubber to blast back through the field, relegating Hamilton back a place with seven laps remaining.

The seven-time champion took the chequered flag nearly one minute behind Verstappen.

DRIVER STANDINGS: The scores after Shanghai  Five rounds down, 19 to go! #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/csAIQDWy82  Formula 1 (@F1) April 21, 2024

This is the worst season so far, as I mentioned at the last race, said Hamilton. It definitely wasnt better than expected because we expected to finish there today.

I have never had so much understeer in my life. I thought I damaged my car because there was debris on the track at one point, but it was just the way I set the car up.

We finished second in the sprint race yesterday and, with better decisions on setup today, we would have been where George finished. We have to keep fighting.
A man aiming to beat the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the fastest person to run the length of Africa, has urged the Ethiopian government to allow him to run his final 500km across the country.

Keith Boyd, 57, from Wargrave, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, has been running for 270 days and is attempting to run from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt, in a bid to beat the previous GWR set by Nicholas Bourne, who completed the challenge in 318 days in 1998.

Mr Boyd, who is British-South African, hopes to finish the race in about 280 days, though this has been thrown into doubt after his attempt to run the final stretch across the northern part of Ethiopia was threatened by conflicts in Amhara state.

The ultra-runner has avoided being kidnapped, was held at gunpoint and has tried on three occasions to cross north Ethiopia.

He is now now urging the Ethiopian government to grant him safe passage through this part of the country.

Keith Boyd runs with children in Africa (Rainbow Leaders/PA)

Mr Boyd, who was almost taken hostage by rebels with his videographer, Michael, said he thought it was game over.

He told the PA news agency: I had nightmares of them getting us away from the road. I was telling Michael we have to stay near the road and hope police or army would come fast and see this.

I was held at gunpoint once. They pandered us up a little bit and tried to get us across a field. It was turning into a full-blown kidnapping.

He added: The situation was defused rather remarkably because there was a stage where I thought this is game over.

That was the second time we actually got turned back. Weve been turned back before and we were turned back a third time by the army, who were under heavy attack from guerrilla fighters. They refused to take us further.

Mr Boyd, who worked in telecommunications in Africa for more than 30 years, has since set up a petition to put pressure on the Ethiopian government to help him run his final stetch and ensure his run is recognised by GWR.

After writing to the Ethiopian government, African Union, South African embassy and British embassy, Mr Boyd claims it is in the hands of the government to help him complete his challenge.

Keith Boyd was held at gunpoint during his run across Africa (Rainbow Leaders/PA)

He said: I think it would be a real tragedy if the last 500km scuppered our chances of (breaking the record) and it would be really disappointing if 26 years after the record was set that thats the only thing that tripped us up.

Its down to the Ethiopians now. Theyre going to decide whether I can get this record or not. Its 100% in their hands.

So far, Mr Boyd has run 1,100km across the southern part of Ethiopia over two months.

He is running for a non-profit organisation he founded called Rainbow Leaders, which encourages young people in South Africa to vote.

He said the money he raises will be vitally important for youngsters.

We pay young people to go around to schools, institutions and tertiary institutions and talk to young people about how important it is to vote, he said.

Not voting is a really bad option that has consequences.

Mr Boyd now awaits an update from the Ethiopian government which will determine if he can complete his run and break the world record.

Keith Boyd is raising money for Rainbow Leaders (Rainbow Leaders/PA)

He hopes his challenge will encourage people to unlock their potential.

If I, an overweight 57-year-old, can break a 26-year standing record in one of the toughest endurance challenges out there in the world, just imagine what you could do if you put your mind to it?

Mr Boyd aims to complete his challenge on May 7 and beat the current GWR by about 30 days.

He posts regular updates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrunnerza/.

To find out more about his petition visit: https://www.petitions.net/cape_to_cairo_on_foot_world_record_attempt_in_jeopardy_in_ethiopia.
Popular Mechanics; NASA, Getty Images

Around 4.5 billion years ago, our solar system emerged from a violent cloud of gas and dust. That dust and gas collapsed, forming a spinning disk of interstellar material which, perhaps jolted by the shockwave of a nearby supernova, created the sun, the planets, and, of course, their moons.

These natural satellites orbit and often influence their respective planets (and dwarf planets) in curious ways. In some cases, they are globs of rubble, commandeered by the orbits of planets they drew too close to. Others, like our own moon, are remnants from the primeval collisions of ancient objects. Ours was the first moon. Early civilizations clocked its myriad changesits changing shape, its periodic absence, the wonder of its eclipses.

Galileo Galileis subsequent discovery of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto in the 17th century restructured our understanding of the universe. Over the years, weve constructed ever-more powerful telescopes and lofted endeavoring spacecraft toward the stars, cueing an unending trickle of fascinating lunar discoveries.

According to NASA's website, there are 293 confirmed moons in the solar system. Were highlighting our top 30 favorite moons here. This whimsical ranking, which we initially conceived of in 2019 and have since updated, is completely subjective and, if were being honest, based almost entirely on how cool we think each moon is. We did speak to nearly two dozen scientists, all of whom waxed poetic about the moons that fascinate them. As humanitys ability to study the cosmos becomes more sophisticated, well certainly identify more moons orbiting distant planets, and rank them accordingly.

You may agree. You may disagree. Or, keeping good company with one famous astronomer, you may wonder why in the hell wed take on such a task in the first place: Do you really need to rank them all? There are hundreds. Whatever your stance, we hope you come away with a hearty appreciation for our solar systems strangest objects.

Moon Movement

Moons are far from simple celestial objects, so before we dive in, here are a few helpful definitions to guide you along your cosmic journey.

Prograde

A moon that orbits its object in the same direction as that object's rotation.

Retrograde

A moon that orbits its object in the opposite direction of that object's rotation.

Regular

These moons have relatively small orbits, which are often circular and roughly hover along the parent object's equatorial plane. These moons likely formed alongside their parent body, accreting material as they zipped along their early orbits.

Irregular

Irregular moons often have large, eccentric orbits that don't neatly circle the object's equator. Most irregular moons are thought to be "captured," meaning that got tangled up in the orbits of the larger body and stayed there.

Eccentricity

Objects with a more circular orbit have an eccentricity closer to 0.0. Objects with a more elliptical orbit have an eccentricity closer to 1.0.

Kory Kennedy

1. Titan

NASA

On January 14, 2005, the tiny Huygens probean integral facet of NASAs Cassini missionfloated down through a thick haze and onto a sandy riverbed on the surface of Saturns largest moon. Footage from the landing sequence revealed a sepia-toned world not unlike our own.

[Titan] is the only moon with a thick, significant atmosphere, and the surface pressure is 50 percent higher than the surface pressure on Earth, Peter Gao, PhD, a staff scientist at Carnegie Science, says. While you would definitely need an oxygen mask and a heater, you could hypothetically walk around on the moons surface without a pressurized suit.

Titans atmosphere is flush with nitrogen, just like Earths. But instead of oxygen, the second most abundant element in the moons atmosphere is methane. Ultraviolet light from the sun breaks down that methane and nitrogen, forming the goopy haze that surrounds the moon, Gao says. Thats why it looks orange. The evaporation of methane and ethane molecules near Titans surface generates powerful dust storms comparable to those on Earth and Mars.

The moons surface is dominated by hydrocarbons, highly combustible organic compounds, like methane and ethane. Just as we find all three phases of water on Earthsolid, liquid, and gasyou can find all three phases of methane on Titan.

Aside from Earth, it is the only known celestial body to have liquid on its surface. (Other worlds have subsurface oceans.) It looks hauntingly familiar, says Linda Spilker, PhD, a planetary scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. But unlike Earths rivers, lakes, and seas, Titans are filled with hydrocarbons. The amount of liquid hydrocarbons found in these lakes and streams is hundreds of times greater than all of Earths oil and natural gas reserves.

Instead of sandstone or granite, the bedrock on Titan, which forms jutting mountains and large mesas, is made from water ice. Titan is also home to a vast network of dune fields made mostly of water ice and dark, hydrocarbon grains which, NASA suggests, resemble coffee grounds. As if that werent enough, planetary scientists believe that a vast subsurface ocean rests beneath all of these features.

Scientists aren't sure conditions on Titan could support life, but the bizarre world remains a prime target for future exploration. In 2028, NASA plans to launch the Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft that will hopscotch to different regions on Titans surface, collecting data so that we can better understand this mysterious moon.



2. Io

NASA

Io, the third-largest moon of Jupiter, is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. The eruptions are so big that we can actually see them from telescopes based on Earth, says Dan Spencer, formerly a PhD student at the University of Oxford. If Io swapped places with our moon, youd be able to see eruptions with the naked eye. When astronomers recently mapped the violent world, they counted at least 250 active volcanoes on its surface. Some of these volcanoes spew jets of lava dozens of miles high.



So, why is the moon so volcanically active? We have gravity to thank. Io is smack-dab in the middle of a gravitational game of tug-of-war. Ios the recipient of an intense pull from the strong gravitational field of Jupiter as well as the gravitational fields of the neighboring Ganymede and Europa. Io is also subjected to powerful tidal forces. Its surface bubbles and bulges, sometimes by as much as 330 feet, generating a tremendous amount of heat and friction within the moon.

Its thin, noxious atmosphere is almost completely composed of sulfur-dioxide gas, some of which condenses into sulfur-dioxide ice when it passes through Jupiters shadow.

Because it is the closest Galilean moon to Jupiter and passes through the planets magnetic field, Io can also generate a serious electric currentaround 3 million amperes. This jolt of electricity is shot back toward Jupiter and generates lightning in the planets upper atmosphere. As Io sweeps by Jupiter, the planet drags sulfur-dioxide particles off its surface, forming a ring of ionized plasma around the planet.

Its unlikely wed ever find life on Io. Despite this, planetary scientists hope to learn more about Earths own volcanic past by studying Io. Researchers have long proposed to send a probe to take a closer look at its lava flows, which are stitched together like a psychedelic patchwork quilt.

For space physicist Xianzhe Jia, PhD, of the University of Michigan, the allure of the moon is simple: It looks colorful.

3. Enceladus

Saturns tiny 310-mile-wide moon, Enceladus, didnt look like much at first. We thought it would be frozen solid, says Spilker. And yet, over the course of the 13 years of the Cassini mission, [we] discovered that it had a global ocean of liquid water, it has jets coming out of the south pole, and evidence for hydrothermal vents. This subsurface ocean makes it a prime target in the search for life.

Scientists were so intrigued by the moons jets that they sent Cassini on a detour to investigate. It sailed through the icy plumes multiple times and made unbelievable discoveries. Spilker says the craft found hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in the plumethe Big Four ingredients of life. It also clocked salt, silica grains, and strange nanocarbons that form at high temperatures, suggesting the sea floor could be dotted with hydrothermal vents. The recent discovery of phosphorus in the icy plumesa first-time find for any alien oceanfurther suggests the moon could be habitable.

The plumes spew this material into space; some of it floats off to seed Saturns rings, and somemostly water vaporeven drift into Saturns atmosphere. (Enceladus, according to NASA, is the only moon found to affect its parent planets chemistry.) Most of it, however, falls back down to the moons surface. Spilker says a sample mission could be as simple as landing beneath a plume, opening up a sample collector, and then jetting back to Earth. Go to Enceladus. Just peek down, and see if theres life in thereor see if theres potential for life in there, Fredrik Johansson, PhD, of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics says with a grin. You dont have to dig!

We had so many clues, Spilker said of Voyager 2s flyby of the tiger-striped moon in 1981. But it took Cassini to go back and figure it out. In an almost poetic twist, the moon is also the most reflective body in the solar systemreflecting almost 100 percent of the light that reaches it. It is a beacon in more ways than one.

4. Triton

NASA/JPL/USGS

Triton, the largest moon of Neptune, is an interloper. Planetary scientists believe the moon originated far from its parent planet, in the distant Kuiper Belt, and was later sucked into Neptunes orbit. Its really cool to think that theres basically a captured Pluto orbiting Neptune, atmospheric scientist David Brain, PhD, of the University of Colorado, Boulder, says of the roughly 1,600-mile-wide moon. Of all the large moons in the solar system, its also the only one to orbit in the opposite direction of its planeta likely remnant of its capture.

Dense Triton is rockier than the other satellites that circle the outer planets. We think it might have an ocean underneath its icy surface on top of where theres a rocky core, says space and planetary scientist Adam Masters, PhD, of Imperial College London. Triton stands out as quite unique in that respect.

The moon is frigid. When Voyager 2 zipped past Neptune and Triton, it took surface-temperature readings, which revealed that the moons surface could drop to around -391 degrees Fahrenheit. Planetary scientists believe ammonia may be the key to keeping its hidden ocean liquid in spite of the freezing temperatures.

Tritons shining, ice-covered surface reflects 70 percent of the light that it receives, according to NASA, and its thin, nitrogen-rich atmosphere has traces of methane, an indicator that it might be more alivegeologically speakingthan previously thought.

5. Europa

In 2012, the Hubble Space Telescope snapped pictures of Europa that suggested it may have massive plumes of water vapor jetting as high as 100 miles into space. Scientists were stunned to find potential evidence for liquid water. Inspired by Hubbles find, scientists revisited old Galileo mission data and found similar evidence for plumes of water vapor, increasing the odds that the moon might hostat the very leastthe ingredients for life.



Europa is covered in a thick crust of ice, the surface of which is plastered with lineae, a tangled network of salt-encrusted gashes thought to have formed by tidal forces. Theres also a series of surface features called chaos terrain, which are thought to be regions where blocky chunks of sulfur and salt-stained crust, initially laid upon buried lakes, have subsided. It doesnt get more badass than that.

Beneath that crust, scientists believe theres a vast saltwater ocean, nestled atop a rocky mantle and iron core. That ocean contains more water than all of Earths oceans, explains planetary scientist Christopher Edwards, PhD, of Northern Arizona University. Researchers have proposed sending a submersible that would drill down through the moons thick crustperhaps slipping into one of these canyonsto explore the ocean beneath.

I think [Europa]s got the highest probability of hosting some alien life in our solar system that we could go and find out if its there, says former NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld, PhD. Were going to do that hopefully with Europa Clipper or some other missions.

NASAs Europa Clipper mission is set to launch for the frozen moon in October 2024. Once it arrives at Europa (after a six-year journey), the spacecraft will conduct nearly 50 flybys. Its array of scientific instruments will snap pictures and capture spectra and thermal images of this geologically active moonall in an effort to more closely identify its most active regions.



We cant wait to see what it finds.

6. Ganymede

NASA

Its definitely the most underrated moon in the solar system, says Jacob Abrahams, PhD, a former member of the Europa Clipper team at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jupiters Ganymede is also the largest in our solar systemits larger than Mercuryand likely has a vast ocean of salty water beneath its crust.



Its the only moon weve known yet which has its own magnetic field, and we dont know why, really, space scientist Glyn Collinson, PhD, of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center says. Basically all of our physics and understanding breaks down, and everybodys models go wrong, and everybody ends up yelling at each other.

Scientists have long suspected that the moon may have a metallic iron core. In 2015, the Hubble Space Telescope spotted ribbons of aurorae circling the moona discovery that surprised researchers.



We may soon get a closer look at the curious world. In April 2023, the European Space Agency launched the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission, which will explore Europa, Callisto, and, of course, Ganymede. We get to explore this thing and we have no idea how it works, Collinson says. It confounds us at every turn.

 SO...WHAT IS A MOON, ANYWAY?



Most experts agree that a moon is simply defined as an object that orbits another celestial body. These satellites come in a variety of shapes and sizessome are large and rounded by the enormity of their gravity, while others are tiny, lumpy, and pockmarked rocks.



Astronomers have also discovered quasi-moons, which orbit the sun alongside larger objects. Earth currently has an estimated seven quasi-moonsone of which, Kamooalewa, is thought to be a chunk of the moon. Occasionally, Earth will even capture mini-moons, or tiny asteroids that are gravitationally bound to Earth for a time but eventually fly off into space.

7. Iapetus

NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

I think Iapetus might be the most interesting [moon], says planetary scientist Scott Sheppard, PhD, of Carnegie Science.

The unique coloration of Saturns third-largest moonone side of the moon is covered in a massive splotch of dark material, while the other is a pristine shade of whiteis somewhat of a mystery to researchers.

We think Iapetus is like a snowplow, Sheppard says. Because the moon is tidally locked with Saturn, the same hemisphere is always facing the forward direction as it moves through its orbit. This means the leading face naturally picks up more orbital debris than the other. One theory suggests Iapetus is plastered with the dust of another Saturnian moon, Phoebe. When the pockmarked satellite sheds material, that debris lands on

Iapetuss leading edge.

The moon is also home to a towering equatorial ridge. Theres some thought that maybe Iapetus had a ring, and as the ring collapsed onto the surface, it createda long time agothis mountain range, says Spilker. Others have suggested that the mountains arose when the moon was first forming and spinning much faster, and thus shoving material toward the equator.

Sheppard is perhaps most intrigued by its strange inclination. Most of Saturns regular moons, the ones that formed along with it, orbit along the same plane. But Iapetuss orbit lies about eight degrees outside that plane. That suggests that Iapetus may not have formed with Saturn, Sheppard says. Maybe it is a captured moon.

8. Moon Moon (Our Moon)

NASA

I cant tell you how many times I was a little kid driving back from my grandmothers house in Chicago to the South Side of Chicago, looking out the window and staring at the moon, Grunsfeld says. Everybody has their own personal view, and I have to start with our moon because its our moon.



Since the dawn of time, humanity has been transfixed with our closest planetary neighbor. That gray rock, suspended in the night sky, has inspired generations of artists, poets, and explorers. Like so many other astronauts, Grunsfeld credits the lunar landing for inspiring an early interest in science. Didnt get there, but I got to Hubble three times, so thats not too bad, he says.

Formed billions of years ago after a Mars-sized body slammed into Earth, the moon sways Earths tides and stabilizes Earths wobble on its axis, securing a livable climate. It influences the length of our days, and its light serves as a cue for animal behaviors like spawning and migration. Theres even been evidence to suggest its tidal forces affect seismic activity on Earth.

Channeling my mother: "But we have a perfectly good moon right here at home!"  James Urton (he/him)  (@jamesurton) December 12, 2019

Its close enough that you can see its surface and identify craters, mountain ranges, rilles, valleys, escarpments, and other features, explains Bing Quock, assistant director of the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. This opportunity allows scientists to explore some of the moons most intriguing features like the Lunar X or the chains of craters on its surface. Its one of just a few surfaces in the solar system that generates an electrostatic charge.



In the permanently shadowed regions near the poles are some of the coldest temperatures recorded anywhere in the solar system, says planetary scientist Rebecca Ghent, PhD, of the Planetary Science Institute. Orbiting spacecraft have discovered water icea valuable resource well tap into if we aim to explore distant reaches of the solar system.

And, of course, weve been there. Weve launched over 100 missions to the moon, and 12 astronauts have set foot there. Weve walked, skipped, and stumbled across its surface, planted flags and carved donuts into the lunar regolith. Weve studied hundreds of pounds

of geologic samples we retrieved, detailing every grain with care. Still gives me chills just to think about it, Quock says.

Finally, our excursions to the moon have allowed us a unique look at our own home. Its been dubbed the Overview Effect, and a number of astronauts have shared how looking back at Earth from the moon has shaped their perspective upon returning home. Just as valuable as what we learned about the moon during [the Apollo] missions was the sobering perspective gained about Earth as a fragile, delicate oasis of life in the unimaginable emptiness of space, Quock says.

Well be going back soon. NASA aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon by 2026. China is also planning to send astronauts to the lunar surface within the decade. Theres no doubt that when we eventually do return to the moon, a whole new world will be waiting for us.

9. Charon

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Charons orbit is completely unique to the solar system. The moon and its parent, Pluto, are part of whats called a double planetary system, meaning they both orbit the same point, an entirely separate center of mass. Theyre also mutually tidally locked, which means if you were standing on Pluto, youd see the same face of Charon hanging in the same spot in the sky. In other words, it never sets.



Charon has this really dark cap of material, says Jack Conrad, PhD, a planetary scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. That blood-red dusting is made up of an organic compound called tholins, which forms from methane.

One theory is that Pluto might have ejected atmospheric methane onto the moon. Another theory suggests that cryovolcanoes along the moons surface belch out methane, which then drifts to the north pole, freezes, and falls to the surface. The suns UV rays spark a chemical reaction that converts the colorless methane ice into red tholins.

One thing is certain: The moon has a violent past. Charon seems to have just ripped itself asunder, Conrad says. A 1,000-mile-long canyon tears across Charons southern hemisphere and the moon has a towering mountain, which juts out of a deep hole on its surface.

10. Dimorphos (Formerly Known as Didymoon)

Its tiny and its orbiting an asteroid! How can you not like something like that? says Charlotte Gotz, PhD, a lecturer in physics at Northumbria University in England.

At 525 feet in diameter, Dimorphos, which orbits the asteroid Didymos, is slightly larger than one of the great pyramids in Egypt. The small moon is one of the solar systems quaintest features, but itll take part in what is arguably one of the most important space missions of all time.

Didymos and Dimorphos are the target of an ongoing international collaboration to test one of humanitys most daring plans: deflecting a potentially hazardous object that could strike Earth. In 2022, an intrepid NASA spacecraftdubbed Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DARTflung itself into the small moon in an attempt to knock it off course. Preliminary results of the collision revealed the spacecraft successfully shifted the asteroids trajectory.

A follow-up craft operated by the European Space Agency, called Hera, is set to launch in October 2024. It will continue to measure the impacts aftermath and report back to scientists.

11. Miranda

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Kevin M. Gill

Uranus's Frankensteinian moon Miranda looks like its been torn apart and stitched back together a thousand times. Miranda, the innermost of the planet's five major moons, has a bizarre surface.

The moons southern hemisphere is marked by coronae, a trio of crater-free patches composed of ridges and valleys. Researchers arent sure how Mirandas splintered surface formed. One theory suggests the moon was split open by a massive impact and then quickly pulled back together. Some researchers suspect the moons early, more eccentric orbit may have generated strong tidal forces as it swept close to Uranus. This tidal influence could have deformed the moons interior, causing it to heat up and kick-start a period of tectonic activity.

Conservative estimates suggest the transparent face of Verona Rupesthought to be the solar systems tallest cliffcould drop at least 33,000 feet, or five times the depth of the Grand Canyon. If you stepped off the cliff, youd have time to read the newspaper on the way down, Spilker says of the roughly 10-minute-long fall.



All these satellites, particularly the ones far away and small, are surprising us, says planetary scientist Mark Hofstadter, PhD, of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Miranda is certainly no exception.

12. Daphnis

Daphnis zips around Saturn, tucked in a gap at the edge of one of the planets rings. The gravitational pull of the tiny, dynamic rock tugs at dust particles along the edge of the gap, carving waves of material that both lead and trail the moon. During Saturns equinox, when the plane of the planets rings aligns with the sun, these tiny perturbations cast mesmerizing shadows.

13. Phobos and 14. Deimos

The Martian moon Phobos, roughly 17 miles across, is marred by the massive Stickney crater, which takes up almost half of its surface.

The rubbly moon can fall apart due to stress at any timeI relate to that as a grad student, says Gwen Hanley, PhD, who was at the time of this interview a grad student at the University of California, Berkeley. (Hanley, now a staff researcher at Berkeleys Space Sciences Lab, did not fall apart due to stress and has since completed her doctoral degree.)



It also has a decaying orbit, which means Mars tugs on the doomed moon, drawing it closeras much as seven-tenths of an inch per year, by some estimates. Eventually, astronomers believe Phobos will either be torn to bits, forming a ring around Mars, or potentially smash into the Red Planet. Deimos, on the other hand, is slowly scooting away from the planet. Astronomers believe its outwardly decaying orbit will eventually fling the 9-mile-wide moon into space.

I love them all. Except Deimos. I think its important to arbitrarily pick a villain.  Mark Panning (@MarkPanning) December 12, 2019

Thanks to a quirk of orbital mechanics, the moons put on a compelling display in the Martian sky. If youre standing on the surface of Mars looking up at the moons, it looks like theyre moving in different directions, says Brain. Due to its close proximity, Phobos orbits Mars faster than the planet rotates. Deimos, on the other hand, is farther away and orbits Mars more slowly than the planet rotates.

Their origin is a mystery. Both moons have a nearly circular orbit, suggesting they may have formed near the Red Planet, possibly the result of a massive Martian asteroid impact that shed debris. Others, though, have theorized that these could potentially be captured asteroids. They may not have formed the same way at all. Fortunately, scientists may soon gain a clearer view of their perplexing origins.

Japans space agency, JAXA, plans to launch a mission to investigate the pair in 2026. The Martian Moons eXploration mission will attempt to bring samples of Phobos back to Earth. There should be a few percent Mars material on the surface of Phobos, so its sort of like our first Mars sample return, says astromaterials curator Francis McCubbin, PhD, of NASAs Johnson Space Center.

 WAIT A SECOND... WHY DON'T MERCURY AND VENUS HAVE MOONS?



Mercury is simply too close to the sun. While researchers believe that Mercury may have experienced a colossal impact that flung material into space, its orbit isnt strong enough to hold on to that debris.



As for Venus, one theory is that the planet never experienced a significant moon-forming impact. Another theory suggests the planet has undergone two separate collisions: The first collision likely formed a moon, while the second collision reversed Venuss direction of rotation, disrupting the moons orbit enough to send the satellite hurtling into the planet.



Venus does have a tiny quasi-moon named Zoozve, which occupies a strange orbit around Venus and the sun.

15. Mimas

NASA

"That's no moon!"

Obi-Wan Kenobi was right about the Death Star. This celestial object, however, is a moon.

Mimas, one of Saturns many moons, is best known for Herschel crater, which sci-fi buffs will attest makes the moon look like a dollar-store version of the Death Star. The real mystery? How it survived such an impact without breaking apart.

16. Tethys

NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Lets give a shout-out to Tethys, the moon thats made of pure water, Kevin Zahnle, PhD, a researcher at NASAs Ames Research Center, says of the Saturnian moon.Its like a teardrop in space. Sorrya frozen teardrop in space.

One of Tethyss strangest surface features is a set of red-hued arcs that scientists suspect are caused by chemical impurities in the ice.

17. Dactyl

NASA/JPL

Dactyl stunned the world when astronomers discovered it in 1994 . It was the first moon to be observed and photographed orbiting an asteroid. For that reason alone, well always love it.

18. Atlas and 19. Pan

Atlas and Pan are just two tiny ravioli whizzing through space.

Why do these small moons look like pasta? As they zip through their respective gaps in Saturns rings, they scoop up material, which, thanks to rotational forces, slides toward the equator.

20. Callisto

NASA

Scientists believe, Callisto, the moon of Jupiter has the oldest and most cratered surface in our planetary neighborhood. Estimates suggest its about four billion years old and hasnt been subjected to geologic activity, which means all of Callistos surface is likely that old. (The ages of Earth and our moons surface, by contrast, vary because of upheaval due to plate tectonics.)

Aesthetically, I like the look of Callisto a lot, says astronomer David Jewitt, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles. He likens the icy moon to a shattered Christmas ornament. Long ago, something crashed into Callisto and formed the most notable feature on its surfacea roughly 2,500-mile-wide crater called Valhalla. The weight of that crater appears to have buckled the surface in that region, forming a ring of concentric circles around it.

The mysterious moon also has a thin atmosphere, rich in carbon dioxide as well as trace amounts of oxygen and hydrogen. Researchers have suggested it may also have a saltwater ocean below its crust.

21. Hyperion

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Saturns sponge-like Hyperion looks like something you mightve found in the aisles of Bed Bath & Beyond. The dark spots on Hyperions surface, Spilker says, are called sun cups. (These features are similar to snow on Earth, where sullied regions absorb more heat than their lighter counterparts, melt faster, and form indentations.)

Its not just the spongy appearance that makes Hyperion so fascinating. The moon carries a static charge and actually zapped Cassini with a beam of electronsthe equivalent of a 200-volt chargeas the spacecraft zoomed by in 2005.

22. Thalassa and 23. Naiad

NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Thalassa and Naiad are stuck together in a never-before-seen dance of avoidance. Neptunes innermost moon, Naiad, has a strange wobbling orbit that shifts in accordance with nearby Thalassas orbit. The inner moons orbit is tilted by five degrees and bobs up and down in circles around Thalassas steady, equatorial orbit.

This cosmic do-si-do stabilizes the moons even though they swing close to each other at their tightest passroughly 2,200 miles, or about the driving distance from San Francisco to Chicago. Scientists arent sure what kicked off this orbital resonance, but its likely some sort of collision

was involved.

Unfortunately, its a desperate love story for the two tiny dancers, who have a decaying orbit and will eventually collide with Neptune or form a ring.

24. Janus and 25. Epimethius

The potato-shaped moon Janus is in lockstep with its twin moon Epimetheus. They share the same orbit around Saturn, in a phenomenon called a co-orbital condition. The two moons may have begun their life as a single object, says Spilker.

They are so big that they cannot physically pass each other, Spilker says. Epimetheus, the inner moon, goes a bit faster than the outer Janus. In an intricate dance that occurs every four years, the inner one slowly approaches the outer, and they switch places, she says.

26. Rhea

NASA

Something strange is happening in orbit around Saturns moon Rhea. In 2008, scientists announced they had found evidence that the moon may have a ring of its ownthe first discovery of its kind. But because nothing in space is simple, recent research has cast doubt on this theory, and astronomers are now working to figure out what exactly is happening around the curious moon.

27. Amalthea

Jupiters moon Amalthea is the reddest object in our solar system, possibly due to sulfur compounds emitted by nearby Io.

28. Hydra

Plutos rubber-duck-shaped moon Hydra has a surface covered in large, icy grains.

29. Valetudo

Jupiters prograde moon Valetudo lies in a region where most other moons have retrograde orbits. Basically, its going the wrong way on a one-way street. Experts say this spells one thing: inevitable collision.

30. Methone

The mile-long Saturnian moons smooth body, free of any visible craters or pockmarks, may be made of ultralight ice crystals that act like a liquid. According to a 2013 analysis of Cassini data, its the least-dense world weve discovered yet.

31. Pandora (Saturn)

32. Phoebe (Saturn)

33. Larissa (Neptune)

34. Hippocamp (Neptune)

35. Dione (Saturn)

36. Nix (Pluto)

37. Ariel (Uranus)

38. Umbriel (Uranus)

39. Titania (Uranus)

40. Oberon (Uranus)

41. Dysnomia (Eris)

42. Prometheus (Saturn)

43. Neso (Neptune)

44. Hiiaka (Haumea)

45. Namaka (Haumea)

46. Nereid (Neptune)

47. Kale (Jupiter)

48. Styx (Pluto)

49. Kerberos (Pluto)

50. Proteus (Neptune)

51. Aegaeon (Saturn)

52. Helene (Saturn)

53. Polydeuces (Saturn)

54. Telesto (Saturn)

55. Calypso (Saturn)

56. Pallene (Saturn)

57. Anthe (Saturn)

58. Themisto (Jupiter)

59. Carpo (Jupiter)

60. S/2018 J 4 (Jupiter)

61. Mab (Uranus)

62. Cordelia (Uranus)

63. Ophelia (Uranus)

64. Bianca (Uranus)

65. Cressida (Uranus)

66. Desdemona (Uranus)

67. Juliet (Uranus)

68. Portia (Uranus)

69. Rosalind (Uranus)

70. Belinda (Uranus)

71. Puck (Uranus)

72. Cupid (Uranus)

73. Perdita (Uranus)

74. S/2009 S 1 (Saturn)

75. Thebe (Jupiter)

76. Metis (Jupiter)

77. Adrastea (Jupiter)

78. Kiviuq (Saturn)

79. Ijiraq (Saturn)

80. Paaliaq (Saturn)

81. Siarnaq (Saturn)

82. Tarqeq (Saturn)

83. S/2004 S 31 (Saturn)

84. S/2005 S 4 (Saturn)

85. S/2019 S 1 (Saturn)

86. S/2019 S 6 (Saturn)

87. S/2019 S 14 (Saturn)

88. S/2020 S 1 (Saturn)

89. S/2020 S 3 (Saturn)

90. S/2020 S 5 (Saturn)

91. Galatea (Neptune)

92. Despina (Neptune)

93. Halimede (Neptune)

94. Psamathe (Neptune)

95. Laomedeia (Neptune)

96. Sao (Neptune)

97. Carme (Jupiter)

98. Herse (Jupiter)

99. Aitne (Jupiter)

100. Taygete (Jupiter)

101. Chaldene (Jupiter)

102. Erinome (Jupiter)

103. Kallichore (Jupiter)

104. Kalyke (Jupiter)

105. Pasithee (Jupiter)

106. Eukelade (Jupiter)

107. Arche (Jupiter)

108. Isonoe (Jupiter)

109. (Come on,) Eirene (Jupiter)

110. S/2010 J 1 (Jupiter)

111. S/2003 J 19 (Jupiter)

112. S/2017 J 2 (Jupiter)

113. S/2017 J 5 (Jupiter)

114. S/2017 J 8 (Jupiter)

115. S/2011 J 1 (Jupiter)

116. S/2003 J 9 (Jupiter)

117. S/2003 J 10 (Jupiter)

118. S/2003 J 24 (Jupiter)

119. S/2016 J 3 (Jupiter)

120. S/2018 J 3 (Jupiter)

121. S/2021 J 4 (Jupiter)

122. S/2021 J 5 (Jupiter)

123. S/2021 J 6 (Jupiter)

124. S/2022 J 1 (Jupiter)

125. S/2022 J 2 (Jupiter)

126. Skathi (Saturn)

127. Skoll (Saturn)

128. Greip (Saturn)

129. Hyrrokkin (Saturn)

130. Jarnsaxa (Saturn)

131. Mundilfari (Saturn)

132. Bergelmir (Saturn)

133. Narvi (Saturn)

134. Suttungr (Saturn)

135. Hati (Saturn)

136. Farbauti (Saturn)

137. Thrymr (Saturn)

138. Aegir (Saturn)

139. Bestla (Saturn)

140. Fenrir (Saturn)

141. Surtur (Saturn)

142. Kari (Saturn)

143. Ymir (Saturn)

144. Loge (Saturn)

145. Fornjot (Saturn)

146. Gridr (Saturn)

147. Angrboda (Saturn)

148. Skrymir (Saturn)

149. Gerd (Saturn)

150. S/2004 S 26 (Saturn)

151. S/2004 S 34 (Saturn)

152. Eggther (Saturn)

153. Beli (Saturn)

154. Gunnlod (Saturn)

155. Thiazzi (Saturn)

156. Alvaldi (Saturn)

157. Geirrod (Saturn)

158. S/2004 S 7 (Saturn)

159. S/2004 S 12 (Saturn)

160. S/2004 S 13 (Saturn)

161. S/2004 S 17 (Saturn)

162. S/2004 S 21 (Saturn)

163. S/2004 S 28 (Saturn)

164. S/2004 S 36 (Saturn)

165. S/2004 S 37 (Saturn)

166. S/2004 S 39 (Saturn)

167. S/2004 S 40 (Saturn)

168. S/2004 S 41 (Saturn)

169. S/2004 S 42 (Saturn)

170. S/2004 S 43 (Saturn)

171. S/2004 S 44 (Saturn)

172. S/2004 S 45 (Saturn)

173. S/2004 S 46 (Saturn)

174. S/2004 S 47 (Saturn)

175. S/2004 S 48 (Saturn)

176. S/2004 S 49 (Saturn)

177. S/2004 S 50 (Saturn)

178. S/2004 S 51 (Saturn)

179. S/2004 S 52 (Saturn)

180. S/2004 S 53 (Saturn)

181. S/2005 S 5 (Saturn)

182. S/2006 S 1 (Saturn)

183. S/2006 S 3 (Saturn)

184. S/2006 S 9 (Saturn)

185. S/2006 S 10 (Saturn)

186. S/2006 S 11 (Saturn)

187. S/2006 S 13 (Saturn)

188. S/2006 S 14 (Saturn)

189. S/2006 S 15 (Saturn)

190. S/2006 S 16 (Saturn)

191. S/2006 S 17 (Saturn)

192. S/2006 S 18 (Saturn)

193. S/2006 S 19 (Saturn)

194. S/2006 S 20 (Saturn)

195. S/2007 S 2 (Saturn)

196. S/2007 S 3 (Saturn)

197. S/2007 S 5 (Saturn)

198. S/2007 S 6 (Saturn)

199. S/2007 S 7 (Saturn)

200. S/2007 S 9 (Saturn)

201. S/2019 S 2 (Saturn)

202. S/2019 S 3 (Saturn)

203. S/2019 S 4 (Saturn)

204. S/2019 S 5 (Saturn)

205. S/2019 S 7 (Saturn)

206. S/2019 S 8 (Saturn)

207. S/2019 S 9 (Saturn)

208. S/2019 S 10 (Saturn)

209. S/2019 S 11 (Saturn)

210. S/2019 S 12 (Saturn)

211. S/2019 S 13 (Saturn)

212. S/2019 S 15 (Saturn)

213. S/2019 S 16 (Saturn)

214. S/2019 S 17 (Saturn)

215. S/2019 S 18 (Saturn)

216. S/2019 S 19 (Saturn)

217. S/2019 S 20 (Saturn)

218. S/2019 S 21 (Saturn)

219. S/2020 S 2 (Saturn)

220. S/2020 S 6 (Saturn)

221. S/2020 S 7 (Saturn)

222. S/2020 S 8 (Saturn)

223. S/2020 S 9 (Saturn)

224. S/2020 S 10 (Saturn)

225. Ananke (Jupiter)

226. Euanthe (Jupiter)

227. Euporie (Jupiter)

228. Harpalyke (Jupiter)

229. Helike (Jupiter)

230. Hermippe (Jupiter)

231. Iocaste (Jupiter)

232. Mneme (Jupiter)

233. Orthosie (Jupiter)

234. Praxidike (Jupiter)

235. Thelxinoe (Jupiter)

236. Thyone (Jupiter)

237. Eupheme (Jupiter)

238. S/2010 J 2 (Jupiter)

239. S/2016 J 1 (Jupiter)

240. S/2003 J 18 (Jupiter)

241. S/2017 J 3 (Jupiter)

242. S/2017 J 7 (Jupiter)

243. S/2017 J 9 (Jupiter)

244. S/2003 J 2 (Jupiter)

245. S/2003 J 12 (Jupiter)

246. S/2003 J 16 (Jupiter)

247. S/2021 J 1 (Jupiter)

248. S/2021 J 2 (Jupiter)

249. S/2021 J 3 (Jupiter)

250. S/2022 J 3 (Jupiter)

251. Caliban (Uranus)

252. Stephano (Uranus)

253. Margaret (Uranus)

254. Francisco (Uranus)

255. Trinculo (Uranus)

256. Sycorax (Uranus)

257. Prospero (Uranus)

258. Setebos (Uranus)

259. Ferdinand (Uranus)

260. Tarvos (Saturn)

261. Erriapus (Saturn)

262. Albiorix (Saturn)

263. Bebhionn (Saturn)

264. S/2004 S 29 (Saturn)

265. S/2004 S 24 (Saturn)

266. S/2006 S 12 (Saturn)

267. S/2007 S 8 (Saturn)

268. S/2020 S 4 (Saturn)

269. Pasiphae (Jupiter)

270. Sinope (Jupiter)

271. Aoede (Jupiter)

272. Callirrhoe (Jupiter)

273. Eurydome (Jupiter)

274. Kore (Jupiter)

275.Cyllene (Jupiter)

276. Hegemone (Jupiter)

277. Sponde (Jupiter)

278. Autonoe (Jupiter)

279. Megaclite (Jupiter)

280. Philophrosyne (Jupiter)

281. S/2011 J 2 (Jupiter)

282. S/2017 J 1 (Jupiter)

283. S/2017 J 6 (Jupiter)

284. S/2003 J 4 (Jupiter)

285. S/2003 J 23 (Jupiter)

286. S/2016 J 4 (Jupiter)

287. Himalia (Jupiter)

288. Elara (Jupiter)

289. Lysithea (Jupiter)

290. Leda (Jupiter)

291. Ersa (Jupiter)

292. Pandia (Jupiter)

293. Dia (Jupiter)

294. S/2011 J 3 (Jupiter)

295. S/2018 J 2 (Jupiter)

296. S/2023 U 1 (Uranus)

297. S/2002 N 5 (Neptune)

298. S/2021 N 1 (Neptune)

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By Yoon Ja-young

Export contracts worth $30.62 million were concluded through the Export Plaza held in concurrence with the Korea Public Procurement Expo 2024, according to the Public Procurement Service of Korea (PPS).

The public procurement agency announced the achievement made at the business event held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from Wednesday to Saturday.

The number of overseas buyers totaled 90 at the event, participated by over 300 domestic companies  the largest ever in its history  resulting in 750 export consultations and contracts with eight countries, including the United States, Thailand and Brazil.

Specifically, 14 product items, including advanced security camera systems, near-infrared thermal therapy devices, integrated guardrails and sturdy offshore floating structures, were recognized for their excellence, leading to successful entry into overseas procurement markets.

In particular, a supplier recognized for its innovative technologies, also signed a large-scale export contract worth $20 million to supply CCTV systems to the Thai police department.

On the sideline of this business event, the central procurer held tailored consulting sessions for companies on overseas procurement market entry and legal and customs matters to support their overseas sales expansion.

Notably, officials from the Estonian procurement office and a law firm from Poland participated in this event, providing practical information for Korean companies to join Ukrainian reconstruction projects.

"It is very meaningful that the comprehensive support efforts for domestic suppliers' entry into overseas procurement markets have borne fruit," PPS Administrator Lim Ki-keun said.

"We will continue to support the overseas exports of these companies more effectively and expand specialized education for procurement company employees," he said.
'Dude, you're a hot mess': Pennsylvania entrepreneur hasnt kept up with taxes and has $130,000 in business and personal debt. Dave Ramsey is shocked he 'survived' this long

After six years of running his own venture, Avi from Philadelphia admits he doesnt even know if his business is profitable or how much he owes in taxes for the past two years.

In an episode of The Ramsey Show, he described to host Dave Ramsey how he made the critical error of mixing his business and personal expenses for several years, which has left his finances in a tangled web.

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Dude, youre a hot mess, Dave Ramsey laughed.

Avis situation highlights the challenges business owners face when they operate solo and dont have the financial skills needed to succeed.

Risk of tax consequences

Around a third of small business owners try to manage their own bookkeeping, according to a survey by Quickbooks Live Bookkeeping.

Unfortunately, without professional accounting some of these business owners expose themselves to scrutiny from regulators. Mixing personal and business expenses can raise red flags for the Internal Revenue Service, and inconsistencies in filing can trigger an audit.

Avis risk of consequences is heightened by the fact that he has fallen behind on filing his tax returns for the past two years. Ramsey was shocked at the negligence.

"Not filing federal income tax returns is a criminal offense, he insisted. You need to get that part of your life cleaned up immediately.

His tax liability isnt the only mystery. Avi is also unsure if his business is profitable and whether it generates enough revenue to sustain his familys lifestyle.

Read more: 'Baby boomers bust': Robert Kiyosaki warns that older Americans will get crushed in the 'biggest bubble in history'  3 shockproof assets for instant insurance now

Mixing business and personal

Avi believes his business might be operating at a loss. However, he isnt sure if thats the case because he tends to pay himself from the business whenever he needs cash and hasnt managed to keep his business and personal accounts separate until recently.

Nevertheless, the growing mountain of debt on both his business and personal accounts has convinced him his business revenue is falling short.

Im accruing debt, thats my problem, he said.

Avi estimates he has $50,000 in credit card debt and roughly $80,000 in business loans. If he finds he owes taxes after filing his debt burden could increase.

Ramsey believes Avi is flirting with financial disaster.

Its freaking amazing that youve survived as long as you have, he said.

Thirty-four percent of small businesses were concerned about debt payments in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Banks Small Business Credit Survey.

To avoid bankruptcy, Ramsey recommended Avi enter panic mode and file his missing tax returns as soon as possible, as well as separate spending between personal and business accounts.

Never again pay anything personal out of that [business] account the rest of your life, Ramsey said.

With a clearer picture of the business profitability, Avi can decide whether his best option is to expand the business or abandon it altogether in favor of a full-time job thats more lucrative.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
HGTV stars Jonathan and Drew Scott, also known as the Property Brothers, offered some advice recently on real estate investing in an era of high ratesespecially what not to do.

During a wide-ranging CNBC interview on Wednesday, they sounded off on property flipping, high borrowing costs, the worst mistakes that aspiring investors make, the housing content on TikTok, and where the next big market will be.

Drew said he looks to invest over the long term and generally doesn't flip rental properties. When structuring their own rental portfolio, there may only be one or two properties they flip for every 10 houses they add, he explained.

"Right now it doesn't seem like a flipping market," he said. "You just have to just adjust into what makes sense for the current market."

Jonathan said that even though rates are high, investors should judge each property on its own merits. In fact, he and his brother just bought a 20-unit apartment building because the specifics of the deal worked out, he said.

Their focus on rentals comes as high home prices and mortgage rates have kept many Americans away from ownership. The cost of owning a home is officially the highest on record, Redfin said recently.

When asked about all the real estate advice that appears on social media apps like TikTok, Jonathan didn't hold back: "99% of all the get-rich-quick people that you see online are full 'beeeep.' If everybody could do this, everybody would do this."

Drew pointed out that their forthcoming series on HGTV, "Backed by the Bros," is meant to help clear up confusion among new real estate investors or those who have flipped a few properties and are not yet seasoned investors.

"They get in over their heads because they've been watching those TikTok videos," he cautioned. "They're seeing this content that's telling them, 'You can do this.' And then they spend in the worst way. They're not organized."

Indeed, not being organized is one of the biggest mistakes new real estate investors make, Jonathan said, noting that they often try to be their own general contractor and run their own projects.

But they don't realize that when a subcontractor doesn't show up, it can have a snowball effect that ripples through every other part of a project, he added. And the longer a rental property is sitting vacant, "the faster you're going to dig yourself into a hole you can't get out of."

Another huge mistake investors make is blindly following their buddy's advice, Drew said: "Don't listen to random idiots that you know that has no idea about real estate or what he's talking about. It's usually the loudest voice in your group that's who you listen to, and then you make big mistakes."

The Property Brothers also offered their prediction for the next hot housing market.

"I'll be totally honest, I think Detroit is amazing," Jonathan said.

The Motor City was one of the hardest-hit markets during the last housing crash as the Great Financial Crisis and recession forced auto giants General Motors and Chrysler to seek government bailouts.

But as the post-pandemic housing boom has sent prices soaring in places like Florida, Midwestern cities have become more attractive. And in November, Detroit topped Miami for the first time in annual home-price gains.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has offered the auto sector billions of dollars to encourage them to develop electric vehicles, though consumers have recently shifted away from EVs in favor of hybrids.

"When you look within a city, there's usually a certain area of a city that's really starting to redevelop and there's so much potential and eventually a lot of money gets invested. And that area becomes a very valuable part of the city," Jonathan told CNBC. "Detroit is like that on a national level. There's so much money pouring in, so much redevelopment happening. I bet you in 20 years, it's going to be one of the most technically advanced cities."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Dr. Thais Aliabadi is sharing her own breast cancer story to urge women to advocate for themselves

Ryan West Olivia Munn and Dr. Thais Aliabadi.

Olivia Munn was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in April 2023. The diagnosis came as a shock.

Three months prior, the actress, 43, had a clear mammogram and had recently tested negative for the BRCA gene. Mammograms detect four out of five types of breast cancer, but Munn's fell in the 20% missed.

She credits her OB-GYN, Dr. Thais Aliabadi, for her life-saving prevention methods.

During Munn's routine Pap smear in March 2023, the physician "decided to calculate my breast cancer risk assessment score," said Munn. "The fact that she did saved my life."

Munn's score showed she had a high lifetime risk for cancer, and the subsequent MRI Aliabadi ordered found cancerous tumors her mammogram had missed.

Now, Dr. Aliabadi shares the story of discovering her own breast cancer with PEOPLE.

Olivia Munn/Instagram Olivia Munns with Dr. Thais Aliabadi.

Related: Olivia Munn Recalls Shock of Seeing Her Body After Having a Double Mastectomy: Looking in the MirrorHaving No Emotion (Exclusive)

As a gynecologist, I've always been aware of the importance of regular check-ups and proactive health measures, so when I went for my mammogram at the age of 48, I wasn't overly concerned. But life has a funny way of surprising you when you least expect it.



The routine mammogram revealed something abnormal, prompting further investigation. A biopsy confirmed atypical lobular hyperplasia, a breast condition characterized by abnormal cell growth in the lobules of the breast. This was classified as a high-risk lesion because it can increase the risk of developing breast cancer in the future, warranting an excisional biopsy. Like most women who undergo biopsies for abnormalities found in their mammograms, I held my breath. I waited. What else could I do?



The results that followed  those from my mammogram, ultrasounds and MRI  were all normal, and my doctor reassured me that my risk was low due to the absences of genetic mutations, a healthy family history and an active lifestyle. Still, I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of uncertainty. Call it a physicians intuition. Call it a womans.



A few weeks later, I had lunch with one of our reps, having compartmentalized that sense of uncertainty in the back of my mind. It was on this fateful day that I decided to calculate my own lifetime risk of breast cancer using a Tyrer-Cuzick model calculator, which prompts users to input information about their lives, then provides a percentage indicating their risk of developing breast cancer.

I will never forget, mid-bite of my sandwich, stopping everything as I saw the staggering result: 37.5%. I had a 37.5% chance of contracting breast cancer, and I was floored. After all, with no gene mutations, no history of cancer in my entire family, no smoking or drug use, no hormone replacement, and no sign of obesity, how could my lifetime risk be so high?



The possibility of facing breast cancer became real, and with three young children, a husband and hundreds of patients all relying on me, I couldnt ignore that unforgettable number. 37.5. While it was a concerning risk score, I knew it didnt necessarily mean I had cancer, but rather highlighted the importance of proactive health measures and discussions with my breast surgeon.



Related: What Olivia Munn's Doctor Wants You to Know About Your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score (Exclusive)

Even though I face cancer every day as a gynecological surgeon, I couldn't shake off the fear of cancer coming for me, and by proxy my family. I sought out second, third and fourth opinions, determined to explore every avenue for peace of mind. I was reassured that everything was fine. I was told to come back in a few years. I was even called crazy, told that my lifetime risk didnt warrant any proactive treatments.



Here I was, not only a woman being dismissed by her doctors, but a doctor being dismissed by doctors. I didnt give up, and eventually, I found a reconstructive plastic surgeon whose wife had breast cancer, who knew all-too-well the toll that it takes on we women, our families, our communities. That surgeon didnt dismiss me, but instead was willing to listen to my concerns, willing to discuss proactive measures. I was so grateful for that, because at last, someone was listening to me. At last, I was being heard.



My decision to undergo a preventative prophylactic double mastectomy wasn't made lightly. No woman wants to face this kind of experience, but what mother wouldnt do anything to stay alive for her children? What wife wouldnt for her husband? What physician wouldnt for her patients?



Dr. ThaAs Aliabadi/instagram Dr. Thais Aliabadi.

As my surgery date beckoned, I faced criticism and accusations of paranoia from everyone around me, including doctors Id worked with across professional settings, friends Id known my whole life and family members who simply couldnt put themselves in my shoes. Deep down, I knew that this decision was the right choice for myself, for my husband and children, and for everyone whom I loved. I wanted to stack the odds in my favor, to be there for my children to see them become successful adults and live a long, healthy life with my husband. I wanted to give my patients a physician who would fight for them with the same ferocity shed fight for her own life, and so, I underwent the double mastectomy.



I documented my journey, not out of vanity, but as a testament to the importance of advocating for oneself in the face of dismissal or skepticism. It wasn't easy, but I refused to let fear or doubt dictate my decisions. The surgery was grueling, lasting 10 hours, with unexpected complications that required blood transfusions. Yet even in the midst of recovery, there was a sense of relief, a sense of peace knowing I had taken control of my health destiny.



After my surgery, I was in the car coming home from back-to-school shopping at Staples, and I received a call that changed everything. On the other end of the line, my surgeon delivered the news: despite all the biopsies on my left breast, I had cancer. I had cancer silently, lethally growing inside my right breast that had gone undetected. 37.5  a number that came to my mind, that still comes to my mind, reminding me what happens when we take control of our own health destiny.



Related: Olivia Munn Says Not Being Able to Pick Up Son After Mastectomy Was 'One of the Hardest Things (Exclusive)

In that moment, I was hit with a whirlwind of emotions  shock, anger, disappointment and relief. Shock at the unexpected twist in my journey, anger at the oversight that led to my cancer being missed, disappointment that so many people refused to listen to me and relief that I had trusted my instincts and taken proactive steps to safeguard my health.



And then, another emotion, even more powerful: resolve. After that call, tears streamed down my cheeks, and the resolve that ballooned inside my mind reverberated, imploring me to recognize my health destiny was far from over. I looked at my daughters, knowing that I could give them a tool by providing them with access to a lifetime risk calculator. I thought of all the women in my life  those in my family, in my community, in my office. I thought of all the women in the world  and I resolved to share my journey with them in hopes of encouraging each female over the age of 25 to calculate her lifetime risk, and then, most importantly, act upon it.



My journey taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of self-advocacy, the limitations of medical reassurances, and the power of knowledge in shaping our health decisions. I may have been dismissed by the medical community at times, but I will always refuse to be dismissed by my own body. Its something all women should refuse to do, too.



In sharing my story, I hope to empower others to trust their instincts, ask questions and take control of their health journey, because when it comes to our well-being, we are our own best advocates.



I want to encourage women to learn about their lifetime risk of breast cancer by utilizing the Tyrer-Cuzick model, which can be found on mdpodcast.com. This tool provides valuable insights into individual risk factors and offers actionable steps to manage and mitigate potential risks. By arming ourselves with knowledge, we can make informed decisions and proactively safeguard our health, taking control over our destinies and together, fighting the epidemic of breast cancer proactively.



Its what we owe to ourselves, to those in our lives, and to everyone who lost that battle by not knowing their risk soon enough.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
When you travel with your pet, you expect your pet to safely reach your destination when you do. But that's not what happened to the Kopp family when their cat Rodri went missing on a flight in Europe on March 8.

When the family landed in Athens and was ready to board their next flight to Munich, Germany, an airline representative from Aegean Airlines showed Kopp the cat carrier where Rodri had traveled in, and a large section of plastic on the top of one of the carriers had been broken off, leaving a hole big enough for a cat to get through, and the carrier was empty.

Rodri was a partially blind street cat that Mary Gomes Kopp and her husband, Alyssas stepfather, rescued in the Greek island of Crete, where they have a home. They care for about 60 stray cats and Rodri was found in a pile of trash.

CNN reports that Kopp told them, "We caught her, and took her to the vet, who closed [her missing eye] really well, but he said that her second eye was already turning white, and that when she was older and was ready to be neutered, itd be better to fly her to Germany to an animal hospital, not just a vet. He said they could handle it better in Germany.

Mary was flying Rodri to Germany where Alyssa Kopp could take care of her after her surgery.

Related: Delta Airlines Makes Most Ridiculous Offer to Passenger After Losing Her Dog

How Rodri Went Missing

At Chania airport, a representative for Aegean Airlines checked the paperwork and cleared the animals for the flight. The family had paid $390 for the three cats.

After they were shown the broken carrier with Rodri missing, neither Chania or Athens airport would take responsibility.

CNN goes on to report, "Gomes Kopp has made four return trips to Athens after receiving tip-offs of possible sightings, they said, but was initially only allowed to search public areas. Aegean Airlines has covered three of her eight flights to search for Rodri. After receiving another handful of possible Rodri sightings at Chania. Gomes Kopp was allowed into an aircraft loading area one time, but has not been allowed back since. The family says subsequent efforts to find the cat have hit a brick wall, with staff at both airports removing posters, and workers from Chania returning a humane cat trap."

Meanwhile, Aegean Airlines has not responded to the family in over a month.

I can't even imagine what this poor family is going through, and to have no information in over a month is inexcusable.

My heart breaks for them. I hope that Rodri is found or they find out what happened to her. They deserve that at least. It really makes you think twice about traveling with a pet.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
More and more, parents are opting Americas children out of public school.

The share of children ages 5 to 17 enrolled in public schools fell by almost 4 percentage points from 2012 to 2022, an NBC News analysis of Census Bureau data found, even as the overall population grew.

NBC News analysis found:

87.0% of children were enrolled in public school in 2022, compared to 90.7% in 2012.

In Kentucky, the share of school-age children in public schools decreased by almost 8 percentage points.

In South Carolina, the share of children enrolled in public schools decreased by 7.4 percentage points.

In Alaska, enrollment decreased by nearly 7 percentage points.

During the same period, the share of 5 to 17 year-olds enrolled in private schools increased by 2 percentage points, the Census Bureau data showed. Charter schools saw a similar increase, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a nonprofit group dedicated to advancing charter schools.

Educators and researchers say the swing has been caused in part by laws that have targeted public schools while propping up alternatives.

[The rise in charter schools] is a thread of the larger campaign of privatization, said Abbie Cohen, a Ph.D. candidate in UCLAs School of Education and Information Studies. Those two things are happening at the same time, and I dont think its a coincidence.

Policies that make private, charter and homeschooling options more available to families  dubbed school choice by advocates  have expanded rapidly since 2022. Such policies grant families public funds for alternative schooling in the form of vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, refundable tax credits and more. In 2023, at least 146 school choice bills were introduced across 43 states, according to FutureEd, an education-focused think tank at Georgetown University.

Nineteen school choice laws were enacted last year in 17 states, including South Carolina and Florida, which have seen some of the most dramatic declines of students enrolled in public schools.

As part of the push for school choice, states are eliminating income limits and other eligibility requirements, allowing higher-income families to receive benefits. Eight states passed such laws or created such programs in 2023, FutureEds data shows, bringing the total number of states with these programs  commonly referred to as universal school choice  to 10.

Though Kentucky has seen the most students leave public schools, it is one of 18 states without a school choice program, and the state doesnt fund charters. Homeschooling and microschooling, where students are homeschooled together and may be supervised by someone other than their own parents, are increasingly popular alternatives. An EdChoice/Morning Consult poll reported that 15% of parents in Kentucky prefer homeschooling, compared to 9% of parents nationwide.

Robert Enlow, the CEO of the nonprofit school choice advocacy group EdChoice, said he is agnostic to which options are chosen, but believes the money should follow each student wherever they go.

Families are saying, Let me have the resources that are due to me, that I get through taxes that are set aside for my kid, and then let me choose, Enlow said.

At the same time that states are pushing school choice programs, public schools  already dealing with declining enrollment  have faced budget cuts, teacher shortages, and laws and fights over what is taught in the classroom.

More than 20 states have considered bills since 2022 that would give parents more control over the curriculum in public schools, from granting parents access to course materials prior to classes, to banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender and allowing parents to opt their children out of any classes.

One state that has pushed such laws is Florida. The state has passed several parent rights laws since 2020, including changes to make it easier for parents to ban books from classes, a ban against discussing sexuality and gender identity in younger grades and a ban on teaching critical race theory in classes.

Floridas 5 to 17-year-old population has grown 9% since 2012, but NBC News analysis found that its public school enrollment fell 7% during that span.

Andrew Spar, the president of the Florida Education Association, the states largest teachers union, said new laws have unclear directions and handcuff teachers ability to instruct without fear of retaliation for whats discussed in class.

In Florida, theres so much micromanaging of our public schools, so many bureaucratic rules and laws that get in the way, that it becomes increasingly difficult for us to do our jobs, Spar said. Teachers are vilified; they cant do their jobs.

Cohen, from UCLA, said parents are unenrolling students from public schools when they either feel the curriculum is not teaching accurate history, or hope for more conservative changes in school policies and curricula. Her research found that funding cuts are among the policies fueling mistrust in public schools and could be leading families to alternatives.

The states with the largest declines in public school enrollment also have the lowest per-pupil spending, Census Bureau data shows. Educators and researchers question whether public schools will bounce back from recent enrollment declines as districts experience a wave of financial struggles and closures.

Who is hurting the most are the students who have been most historically marginalized in society, Cohen said. When more kids are leaving the public schools, thats less funding for the public schools and those who are left, are left with less.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is illegally collecting data of every citizen who invests in the stock market, according to a new lawsuit.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) filed the suit Tuesday against the SEC claiming that the agency, through its "Consolidated Audit Trail," or "CAT," program, is collecting mass amounts of personally identifiable data by forcing brokers, exchanges, clearing agencies and alternative trading systems to capture and send detailed information on every investors trades in U.S. markets to a centralized database.

The agency is doing so, NCLA says, without authorization from Congress and in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable government search and seizure of private information.

Conceived during the Obama administration with bipartisan support within the Commission, the CAT program is a multibillion-dollar, self-appropriated fund, powered by various fees the SEC has collected through investment transactions, NCLA says. The group calls it "completely unlawful" and says it puts Americans financial data at "grave risk."

BIDEN ADMIN TEMPORARILY DROPS 'OUTRAGEOUS CLIMATE MANDATE' AMID FLURRY OF LAWSUITS

"By seizing all financial data from all Americans who trade in the American exchanges, SEC arrogates surveillance powers and appropriates billions of dollars without a shred of Congressional authority  all while putting Americans savings and investments at grave and perpetual risk," said Peggy Little, NCLA senior litigation counsel.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The Founders provided rock-solid protections in our Constitution to prevent just these autocratic and dangerous actions. This CAT must be ripped out, root and branch," she said.

REPUBLICANS UNVEIL EFFORT PROTECTING FEDERAL LANDS FROM FOREIGN INVESTORS, CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

The lawsuit, filed in the district court for the Western District of Texas, calls CAT "the greatest government mandated mass collection of personal financial data in United States history."

"Historically, a government that wished to track its citizens had to devote large resources to having them followed. That is no longer the case: modern surveillance tools enable mass tracking of individuals every movement, every transaction, every purchase, sale, or transfer of securities at low cost while powerful computer algorithms can process that information to reveal personal and private details of each persons financial life or investment strategy," the lawsuit states.

"This class action complaint challenges SECs shocking arrogation of power to impose dystopian surveillance, suspicionless seizures, and real or potential searches on millions of American investors."

Little told Fox News Digital that the SEC collects and stores in its database "every trade information on every investors trades from inception to completion," naming funds like 401(k) or 529 Education Fund as examples.

"And there is simply no law that permits them to do that, and the Fourth Amendment forbids them to do that," she said.

"And here's the dirty little truth: all investing Americans will pay for this because it's paid for by fees that the SROs [self-regulatory organizations] extract from the brokerage houses, who charge their customers I mean, this is a multibillion-dollar tax on American investors and American investing, and nobody ever voted for it."

A spokesperson for the SEC told Fox News Digital that "the Commission undertakes its regulatory responsibilities consistent with its authorities."

SEC WARNS BROKER DEALERS OVER INADEQUATE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING MEASURES

The Securities and Exchange Commission headquarters is seen in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 27, 2023.

In an op-ed published Monday in The Wall Street Journal, former Attorney General William Barr argued that "even when the government seeks information about a citizen from banks, phone companies and others with whom he has done business, the government isnt free to vacuum this up carte blanche."

Barr noted that the crux of the SECs argument for the CAT program is that "it could investigate things more easily if it werent limited to gathering investor information on a case-by-case basis after suspected wrongdoing took place."

"But the whole point of the Fourth Amendment is to make the government less efficient by making it jump through hoops when it seeks to delve into private affairs," Barr wrote.

"For an agency to argue that it should be able to avoid these hoops to make investigations easier is to assert that it should be exempt from the Fourth Amendment."





Original article source:SEC hit with new lawsuit alleging 'mass surveillance' of Americans through stock market data
By Tim Reid

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (Reuters) -U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump abruptly canceled a campaign rally in North Carolina on Saturday because of an incoming storm, telling the crowd he was "devastated" and promising to return to the battleground state soon.

Trump called into the outdoor rally from his private jet about 30 minutes before he was due to appear at an airport in Wilmington, instructing everyone to leave immediately because of safety concerns as lightning flashed overhead.

"I'm devastated that this could happen but we want to keep everybody safe," Trump said, his voice amplified by speakers to thousands of supporters, many of whom had lined up since early morning in hot and humid conditions.

"...I think we're gonna have to just do a rain check. I'm so sad," Trump said.

The event was due to occur after the first week of Trump's historic criminal trial in New York stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn star. With jury selection completed, opening statements were expected to begin on Monday.

Trump, who is set to face Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 general election, also faces criminal cases in Washington, Georgia and Florida, but the New York case is the only one certain to go to trial this year.

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have set their sights on winning North Carolina, one of six or seven swing states that will likely determine the outcome in November. Trump narrowly won the state in 2020 over Biden.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to North Carolina to campaign last month.

(Reporting by Tim Reid and Timothy Gardner; Editing by Sandra Maler and Cynthia Osterman)
When Bryan Kohbergers lawyers filed an updated alibi defense last week, suggesting cellphone tower data will show the man suspected in the slayings of four University of Idaho students was not in the area of the crime scene when they were killed, they said they planned to turn to an Arizona-based cell data analyst for key testimony.

It wouldnt be the first time that Sy Ray has been asked to be an expert witness in a high-profile murder trial, although he said Friday that, out of the more than 100 times hes testified in state and federal cases, it has typically been for the prosecution.

Now, Rays involvement in the case of the four college students fatally stabbed in their off-campus apartment house in November 2022, which continues to stir speculation over why someone would commit the gruesome act, is putting a spotlight on his expertise after past scrutiny over his credentials.

A timeline of the Idaho stabbings

Ray declined to address the Kohberger case, as a judge issued a gag order last year preventing many involved from speaking publicly, but he said in general that it takes competent experts with adequate experience to interpret call detail records.

Where the challenges come in is when theres a different level of experience, he added, and some of these records can be extremely complicated.

Ray, a former Gilbert, Arizona, police detective, founded ZetX Corp., a company specializing in cellular geolocation mapping, in 2014. In the courtroom, Ray has found himself and his mapping software, Trax, under questions about reliability before.

Ive seen in previous cases where his credibility has been brought into question, said Mark Pfoff, a cellular technology expert and former sheriffs detective in El Paso County, Colorado.

Pfoff testified for the defense in a 2022 hearing related to the case of a man accused of stalking an ex-girlfriend. But the judge barred prosecutors from using Rays software data.

District Court Judge Juan Villasenor ruled that ZetXs Trax mapping was inadmissible and based on a sea of unreliability after other experts found the technology to be problematic.

For one, the Court doesnt find Ray credible, Villasenor wrote, adding: He inflated his credentials, inaccurately claiming to be an engineer. He went on to say that Ray has no qualifications, licenses, or credentials to support calling himself an engineer and that theres no evidence that Rays taken any engineering classes.

Police tap surrounds the home where four University of Idaho students were found dead (Ted S. Warren / AP file)

Villasenor also took exception with how the Trax algorithm wasnt open to scientific scrutiny.

While Ray stands by his formula, it hasnt gained traction in the scientific community, the judge wrote. The methodology and algorithm arent published or subject to peer review, and theyve been routinely labeled as junk science by the relevant scientific community.

Ray said on Friday that he agreed with the defense in that there was inaccuracy with the data, but the case was an anomaly. NBC News found other cases, including in Pennsylvania and Michigan, in which Rays credibility and data were questioned in hearings, but judges ultimately deemed them admissible.

I absolutely stand by the product, Ray said.

He added that the Colorado judge denigrated his background unfairly and that he was misquoted and misinterpreted about discussing how he and engineers interpret call records. He said he has gone into the field to research how a cellphone will connect to certain cell sites, which an engineer would not need to do.

In a way, Im doing something the engineers dont do to figure out how to do this better, he said Friday, adding that the Trax software is testable by others.

Its unclear how many law enforcement agencies currently use Trax, but Ray in 2022 said he provided training to more than 8,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors and defense experts. LexisNexis purchased ZetX in 2021. The data analytics company said in a statement that it is proud to support a broad range of law enforcement agencies, but does not disclose customer information.

According to a background of Rays experience filed in court documents by Kohbergers defense team, he ended his role as a director for LexisNexis Special Services last year.

He has also appeared on various true crime television shows, including NBCs Dateline, and hosts a true crime podcast with his wife, Socialite Crime Club, in which they discuss their involvement in criminal cases from around the world and what it takes to solve complex investigations.

Idaho alibi

In a 10-page filing Wednesday signed by Anne Taylor, Kohbergers lead public defender, his lawyers said they would call on Ray to help corroborate their clients alibi.

At the time of the slayings, Kohberger was a doctoral student at Washington State University and living in Pullman, Washington, about 10 miles west of Moscow, Idaho, where the University of Idaho is located.

In an affidavit following Kohbergers arrest weeks after the killings, prosecutors said he was linked to the scene through male DNA discovered on a knife sheath left at the victims apartment house.

In addition, investigators said, they tracked Kohberger in the area of the home through his cellphone use and surveillance that picked up a Hyundai Elantra that they believed he was driving.

Kohberhers alibi defense said he would go for nighttime drives, and that those only increased during the school year.

This is supported by data from Mr. Kohbergers phone showing him in the countryside late at night and/or in the early morning on several occasions, they wrote. The phone data includes numerous photographs taken on several different late evenings and early mornings, including in November, depicting the night sky.

From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

In the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, when Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodles boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, were killed, Kohberger was out driving in an area south of Pullman and west of Moscow.

But, the defense team added, Rays testimony intends to show that Kohbergers mobile device did not travel east on the Moscow-Pullman Highway in the early morning hours of November 13th, and thus could not be the vehicle captured on video along the Moscow-Pullman highway near Floyds Cannabis shop.

They said that Ray would be able to share further analysis that would be based on discovery provided by the prosecution, but if such information is not disclosed, Mr. Rays testimony will also reveal that critical exculpatory evidence, further corroborating Mr. Kohbergers alibi, was either not preserved or has been withheld.

Prosecutors had said in its affidavit that a search warrant provided Kohbergers cellphone data for the 24 hours before and after the incident, and it showed that he left his home two hours before the killings and then turned his phone off, only to turn it on again afterward, when it was seen traveling from Idaho to Pullman.

Bryan Kohberger (Kai Eiselein / New York Post pool via AP file)

A grand jury last May indicted Kohberger on four counts of murder and burglary, and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

A trial was expected to begin last October, but has been delayed, with a change of venue hearing scheduled for June 27.

Cellphone analysis

While further detail about how Ray would support the defenses alibi claim is unclear, the use of such cellphone mapping technology and forensics has become a sought-after capability in legal proceedings, experts say, as prosecutors attempt to prove a defendant was at the scene of a crime. Defense teams as well may bring on their own experts to refute law enforcements analysis.

Kevin Horan, a retired FBI agent and co-founder of Precision Cellular Analysis, an Ohio-based firm that consults in legal cases, said mapping software generally works the same: It matches cell site information, known as call detail records, with a list of cell towers, and plots it onto a map.

He said analysts can determine from which side, or sector, of a cell tower a cellphone utilized. In criminal cases, he added, investigators can use that information to analyze whether the phone was in a certain vicinity of where the crime happened.

Ultimately the question of where the phone was during the date and time in question is answered by the jury, who must decide based on all available evidence if the defendant and his phone were at the crime scene, Horan said. Cellphone evidence like this simply helps the jury draw these types of conclusions. A properly trained cellphone expert will never testify that, based on the cell data, the defendant or his phone were at a crime scene.

Horan said Rays Trax mapping software has stood out from other programs because it includes an estimated coverage area of a cell site, which he finds highly problematic and misleading, and that only a drive test in which scanning gear is used can help determine a cell sites full coverage area.

Ray said the company he founded has a database in which every cell site in the U.S.  hundreds of thousands  have been mapped, updated over time and archived.

Weve been drive-testing since 2014, and every drive test we do, we archive, Ray said. Nobody will ever be able to drive-test every cell site. Its an impossible task.

Horan said in general its imperative for the data collected to be accurate and interpreted correctly.

Peoples lives, their liberty, is on the line, and we certainly dont want to convict someone whos innocent or use evidence thats questionable and could come back at a later time, he said.
National Theater of Korea's Central Yunit collaborates on changgeuk production 'Lear'

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Central Yunit, a farm-to-table restaurant located inside the National Theater of Korea, at the base of Mount Nam in Seoul, unveiled an innovative culinary experience that transports diners into the world of Shakespeare's "King Lear."

The menu, created in collaboration with the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, draws inspiration from the "changgeuk" (traditional Korean opera) adaptation of Lear, which was acclaimed for its portrayal of King Lear's descent into madness through the Korean narrative music style known as "pansori."

Each dish on the "Lear" menu is accompanied by a card that describes the characters and story, enhancing the thematic dining experience.

The meal begins with three amuse-bouches, each symbolizing one of Lear's daughters.

"The taco represents the eldest Goneril. I tried to capture her somber, yet secretive nature with a shrimp encased in a black taco shell, covered with aioli. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the tender shrimp mirrors the complex duality of the character," Park Sun-woo, head chef of Central Yunit, told The Korea Times, April 17.

The second daughter, Regan, is captured with a red-colored cannoli.

"Regan's cannoli is made from a blackish-red shell, tinted with beet to lend a touch of glamor, reflecting her winning of Edmund's love. Filled with cream cheese and a whole blueberry, the filling bursts from the shell, symbolizing the eruption of deep-seated human desires, Park explained.

The youngest and King Lear's favorite, Cordelia, is a ratatouille in a black tart shell, topped with grated cheese.

"The choice of ratatouille is inspired by her marriage to the French King. This amuse-bouche is warmer than the two others, highlighting the dutiful and sweet character of Cordelia," he said.

The main course features Polpo Pasta, with octopus and black squid ink pasta visualizing King Lear's downfall, inspired by the changgeuk's innovative set design which used water to represent the emotional and physical landscape of the characters.

Park, the chef, drew inspiration from the dark, eerie elements of the sea, as well as images of death and mythical krakens, which he translated into the octopus leg dish.

While reviewing video materials of 'Lear,' I was particularly struck by the set's black tones and the use of water, which inspired me to mirror these elements into this dish," he explained.

"For the characters, as I brainstormed, I tried to put many thematic elements at once in the beginning. Eventually, I decided to focus on the symbolic elements of the characters and distilled them into simple yet impactful dishes.

Complementing the dishes are three themed drinks. The Cosmopolitan cocktail, crowned with bubbles, represents Edmund's insatiable thirst for power.

The bitter Negroni, symbolic of King Lear's descent into disgrace, features an orange peel garnish representing his crown and is accompanied by a lit cinnamon stick to enhance its aroma.

The non-alcoholic Black Ade pays homage to Goneril, who poisons her sister Regan. This black mojito symbolizes the lethal potion and is visually striking, served over dry ice to create a dramatic smoky effect.

The course, including three amuse-bouches, a main dish and a drink of choice, is priced at 35,000 won ($26). Originally intended to be served during the nine-day run of Lear, which ran from March 29 to April 7, the popularity of the menu has led to its extension throughout April.

"Since our restaurant is located within the National Theater of Korea, many theatergoers seem to enjoy this type of collaboration between theater and dining," Park said, adding that sales of the special menu soared before and after the show.

Central Yunit, an F&B endeavor by Sungbo Chemicals, a Korean agricultural chemicals manufacturer, stands as a pivotal component of the company's overarching strategy to amalgamate agriculture with other sectors, augmenting value through what is referred to as the "sixth industrialization."

Lee Hyun-joo, contents director at Yunit, emphasized the restaurant's commitment to innovation.

"The company's goal is to integrate agriculture with secondary and tertiary industries and Yunit serves as a venue for food and culture. This is one of the reasons why we've implemented the smart farm system in our restaurants and cafes to supply fresh produce directly," Lee said.

We hope to continue collaborating with the National Theater of Korea, introducing more inspired dishes alongside upcoming performances.

Central Yunit plans to continue its collaboration with the National Theater of Korea, promising more performances transformed into gastronomic delights.
Mumbai: With less than a month left for the last phase of polling in Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti is still struggling to reach consensus over six Lok Sabha seats in the state. Several alliance leaders are now skeptical about achieving their target of winning at least 45 Maharashtra seats because of the delay in announcing candidates.

The alliance of BJP, chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party had launched their campaign a month ago by setting a target of winning 45 out of 48 seats. The voting in Maharashtra will conclude in the fifth phase on May 20 when 13 seats will go to polls. Out of these 13 the alliance is yet to declare candidates on six seats including three Mumbai seats due to differences among the alliance partners.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday announced the candidature of state minister Sandipan Bhumre for the Sambhaji Nagar Lok Sabha constituency, which was also under dispute. The voting in Sambhaji Nagar will be held on May 13 and the last day for filing the nomination is April 24. A triangle contest is expected in the city, earlier known as Aurangabad. Shiv Sena UBT has fielded two-term MP Chandrakant Khaire while sitting MP Imtiyaz Jalil is contesting as AIMIM candidate.

The Shiv Sena UBT and AIMIM candidates have already started their election campaigns. Mr. Bhumres campaign will start now. It is the same situation for the six seats where the opposition candidates have started campaigning while Mahayuti is yet to decide its candidate. This could prove to be our disadvantage, a senior alliance leader said.

The alliance is yet to break a deadlock on Mumbai South, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North Central, Thane, Nashik and Palghar seats.

Thane is the home turf of CM Shinde and Shiv Sena has always contested the seat as a member of Sena-BJP alliance. However, this time the BJP is putting pressure on its alliance partner to give up the seat as sitting MP Rajan Vichare has remained with the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

A Shiv Sena leader said, Mr. Shinde is not going to give the Thane seat to BJP. We have already given the Ratnagari-Sindhudurg seat. We have accepted several suggestions in the interest of Mahayuti. But the Thane seat has been Shiv Senas stronghold for almost four decades now and we are not going to compromise on it.

The decision on Nashik has been delayed because the Shiv Sena, which has sitting MP Hemant Godse, is not willing to give the seat to the NCP. Similarly, the party is fighting with the BJP over Palghar and two Mumbai seats while the BJP is still trying to find a suitable candidate for Mumbai North Central seat.

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday announced that he is withdrawing from the race for the Nashik seat because of the delay in taking the decision. Mr. Bhujbal said that Union home minister Amit Shah wanted him to contest the Nashik seat, but the alliance could not announce his candidature even after three weeks of discussions.

The MVA declared its candidates (Shiv Sena UBTs Rajabhau Waje) three weeks ago and he has started campaigning. The more time we take the more loss we will face.This deadlock had to be broken and therefore I decided that I will not be the candidate. Now the Mahayuti must announce its candidate at the earliest, Mr. Bhujbal said while announcing his decision.
Five full-fledged active combat theatre commands (lets call it command for brevity) are on self-propelled missions. The first is in Eastern Europe. Born out of the acute Russian fear of an eastern expansion of Nato by the United States and the West, following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, threatening Moscows underbelly, the two-year-long ongoing conflict has created yet another European proxy war against Europe. Despite their latent fears of Russian expansionism, the largely affluent nations of Western Europe are hesitant to take any steps that might jeopardise their living standards. Ukraine, unfortunately, got into a Western geopolitical cobweb and allowed itself to become a pawn, inviting the wrath of Russia, still smarting over loss of the erstwhile Soviet Unions vast landmass.

The second is in the Middle East. The newly-created Israel counter-assault command of Gaza has as its sole aim the wholesale eradication of Hamas terrorist group (also posing a threat to Gazas entire populace) in revenge over the unprovoked attack by terrorist group Hamas on the Jewish state on October 7 last year. This has also led to the entanglement of Iran and its offshoot militia, Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The third is the non-state Houthi militia, whose land-based Shadow Sea Command operates around the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to take on the mighty navies of the West for their alleged failure to restrain Israeli aggression in Gaza. The fourth is the East Asia and Southeast Asia Sea Command, targeting the western Pacifics marine resources spots and the forward deployment of the Chinese PLA Navy to the Indian Ocean.

And the fifth is Chinas Geo-strategic and Geo-economic Command, potentially the most destructive of all, with which it hopes to decimate India, the only nation which has the potential of challenging its dominance of Asia and the entire region.

The last one is arguably one of the most recklessly defiant, devious, deceptive and cunning arms of the Communist Party of China (CPC)-led Combat Command, to corner money and material and then build a monopoly market to sell its over-capacity manufactured products  electric vehicles (EVs), solar power apparatus and electronic communication systems -- besides the forced land grabs, which are a part of its DNA. In the eyes of the CPCs overlord, President Xi Jinping, New Delhi is easily the weakest link in the entire global chain, but also one of the widest in its potential reach. For China, the added advantage is that India also shares a long land border with the Peoples Republic.

It is clear, therefore, that while the first two live commands have been created by the West; and non-state actors operate the third; the last two work under the reckless Red Guards of Beijing, whose aspirations know no bounds.

Regarding the first three combat commands, one can infer with some degree of conviction that the conflicts will have to end as they cannot be endless. But can that be said about the Chinese commands? Not yet, as the real danger is that the CPC is trying to take down its rivals without the use of weapons -- through psychological wars of attrition, economic destruction, commercial disruption, raw material degradation, monetary, banking and currency manipulation and irreversible damage to the industrial system. The objective? The capitulation of CPCs class enemy.

That is the scenario India faces today. The nation is in the throes of the economic, rather than physical, annihilation programme initiated by the CPC, where the symptoms of capitulation appear more than ever before. New Delhi has miles to go to achieve the basics of the greatest happiness for greatest numbers, but it must draw lessons from affluent nations club, now trembling at the prospect of playing second fiddle in the economic arena to an upstart and aggressive CPC. From the US to Europe, Australia to Brazil, cheap Chinese goods are inundating world markets. Businessmen from all over are rushing to pick up low-cost, heavily-subsidised Chinese products to sell in their home markets, thus hurting their own nations economy. Chinas propensity to monopolize raw material to finished goods to market-capture is leading to the World Trade Organisations inevitable redundancy. One world, one market, one system will be a farce before the Chinese destruction.

It is high time for New Delhi to watch how the West has gone into a spin like a headless chicken and to avoid falling into the same trap. In March 2024, 75 per cent of respondents in a London Telegraph poll felt that we either stand up to China or be ruled by them; and its time to boycott Chinese goods. Virtually all of their business had been ruined by the unrestricted entry of cheap Chinese goods, as is happening in India too due to the unbridled greed of a section of unscrupulous traders to work through third countries to get around Indian laws. In mid-April, the UK Telegraph again warned: China an insidious threat as not even British stamps are safe. It explained: Chinese factories are printing counterfeit stamps in Shanghai, Shenzhen Quanzhou robbing British businesses of revenue and undermining consumer confidence (and) the reliability of Royal Mail.

After a recent four-day visit to China, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen declared: US will not accept new industries being decimated by cheap Chinese imports and US will push China to change policy threatening US jobs. These are desperate calls, but its unlikely that China will oblige the US or any other country, including the EU and India. It has just too much at stake.

Chinas commerce minister had pooh-poohed Western allegations about Beijing industrial overcapacity in EVs as innovation, not subsidy. Amidst this global turbulence, Tesla boss Elon Musk proposed India for production of EVs, and was due to visit India on April 21-22, when he had planned to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was called-off at the last minute, citing his very heavy Tesla obligations. India needs to exercise circumspection, especially after the Chinese experience of underpriced, sub-standard consumer goods destroying Indian industry, making New Delhi helplessly China-dependent for raw material and finished goods, inflicting a colossal trade deficit and outflow of foreign exchange.

Tesla has been comprehensively beaten by Chinese EVs. Elon Musk just sacked 10 per cent of his 1,40,000 EV staff as its high price and high maintenance costs led to poor sales. This is why Mr Musk is now eyeing the Indian market. But we must remember India already has huge non-electric vehicle production capacity employing millions. Tesla must not be allowed to damage Indian industry and increase unemployment just as American industry was decimated by the CPC, which was once a US protege.
by Sumon Corraya

On the occasion of the World Day for Vocations, the 50th anniversary of the Major Seminary of the Holy Spirit, which has trained 445 priests as well as numerous religious and lay people, was celebrated. Card. D'Rozario: "A great gift from God and the heart of our local Church in Bangladesh".

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - On 19 April, on the eve of today's World Vocations Day, the Major Seminary of the Holy Spirit of Bonani in Dhaka, the only seminary in Bangladesh, celebrated its 50th anniversary together with the contribution offered by this institution for the construction of the local Church. Over 800 Catholics were present on the day of celebration, including 250 priests and nine bishops.

At the celebrations, presided over by Msgr. Emmanuel K. Rozario, bishop of Barisal and president of the Episcopal Commission for the seminar, were present as main guests Archbishop Kevin S. Randall, apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh and the Archbishop of Dhaka Msgr. Bejoy N. D'Cruze.

The National Seminary of Bangladesh was officially born on 23 August 1973, when the future card. Edward Cassidy, then the Vatican representative in Bangladesh, inaugurated it with a Mass in the cathedral church of Ramna in Dhaka. Initially housed in Mathis House, he began his journey with 6 professors and 5 seminarians. Over the span of 50 years, 987 students were educated at Holy Spirit Seminary and 445 of them were ordained priests, including 9 bishops. Furthermore, 83 consecrated lay people and 11 nuns received their seminary training. A total of 103 professors have contributed directly to the work over these decades.

During the solemn Mass on the occasion of the 50th anniversary, the main celebrant, Card. Partick D'Rozario, archbishop emeritus of Dhaka, defined the Holy Spirit Major Seminary as "a great gift of God's grace" and "the heart of the Church of Christ of Bangladesh". Through this institution, Bangladesh is walking as a local Church. After being trained here, he said, the priests, men and women religious of Bangladesh are giving a leadership service in the Church. And you too, students present here, will have to follow the example of the Good Shepherd, bringing upon you the smell of sheep and preparing a synodal Church for yourselves."

Monsignor Emmanuel K. Rozario, bishop of Barisal and president of the Episcopal Commission for the seminary, recalling the contribution offered by this institution, recalled how today Bangladeshi priests are shepherding the flock entrusted to them at home but also abroad; others are rendering dedicated service in various ways for the building up of the Body of Christ, the Church. For this reason we glorify and praise the Lord and join our hands to walk and work together with renewed commitment for a better formation of our future priests".

Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, recalled that when there was no such seminary, future priests had to go to West Pakistan or other countries for their training. After the war of liberation, the establishment of the seminary was one of the priorities of the bishops 50 years ago. He helped to train  he added  not only priests, but also religious and lay people involved in pastoral care.

On his part, the apostolic nuncio Msgr. Randall emphasized that in a seminary training is not just about reading books, but also about how to put what you have learned into practice and how to carry out pastoral ministry in the name of the Lord, not in our own. A task that requires an open heart and personal testimony, despite our fragilities."

Even Shymol Gomes, today a layman and banker, wanted to publicly express his brotherhood at the National Seminary of Bangladesh. I had the opportunity to study here, he said. And even if I didn't manage to become a priest, I was successful in my family and professional life thanks to the quality training I received here."

ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY SUNDAY, CLICK HERE.
21 April 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00)

Cultural Day was held in Rabat American School in the capital of Morocco with the participation of 20 countries, Azernews reports.

The embassy of Azerbaijan in Morocco also participated in the traditional event held to demonstrate the diversity of the cultures of the world's peoples.

The embassy noted that the rich culture and traditions of Azerbaijan were presented to the event participants and guests.

Visitors to the national stand got acquainted with Azerbaijani carpet making, national costumes, pottery and music. The diversity of the national cuisine of Azerbaijan has attracted the special interest of the guests. They were given the opportunity to taste meat and kutab and our national cookies baklava, as well as drink Azerbaijan tea with walnut and white cherry jam.

It should be noted that more than 300 visitors attended the festival.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
21 April 2024 15:59 (UTC+04:00)

Norway expects rapid progress in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations that will benefit the region, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Eyvind Vad Petersson, on the "X" social network.

The post reads:

"Norway welcomes the encouraging news on progress in the work towards border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We hope to see speedy further progress in this important work, aiming for results which will benefit both countries and the wider region."

Norway  welcomes the encouraging news on progress in the work towards border delimitation between Armenia  and Azerbaijan . We hope to see speedy further progress in this important work, aiming for results which will benefit both countries and the wider region.  Eivind Vad Petersson (@EivindVP) April 21, 2024

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
21 April 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Senate voted to reauthorize a powerful surveillance tool the U.S. government describes as critical to combating terrorism, after defeating efforts by civil liberties advocates on the left and right to rein it in, Azernews reports.

The vote of 60-34 sends the bill to President Joe Biden, who has championed it. The legislation extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, for two more years.

The final vote came after the Senate defeated six amendments from progressive and conservative senators who said the spying powers are too broad and demanded protections for Americans civil liberties and privacy. The Biden administration and FISA supporters had warned that even a brief lapse could have a detrimental impact on the intelligence-gathering process.

Senators just missed the midnight deadline to reauthorize the FISA Section 702 statute but voted to reauthorize it minutes later. Had any amendments been adopted, the bill would have been sent back to the House, potentially forcing a lengthy lapse of the law.

In the nick of time, bipartisanship has prevailed here in the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

It wasnt easy, people had many different views, but we all know one thing: letting FISA expire would have been dangerous. Its an important part of our national security to stop acts of terror, drug trafficking, and violent extremism, Schumer said on the Senate floor. Thank you to all my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their good work in getting this done.

The House passed a two-year FISA renewal last week after defeating, by the slimmest of margins, an amendment to require a warrant to search through the communications of Americans as part of data collected while surveilling foreigners. Senators delayed a vote for days by pushing for amendments to make changes to the bill.

The bills passage came on the heels of a pitched battle between the U.S. intelligence community and an unusual coalition of progressive and conservative civil liberties advocates, who argued that the powers are too expansive and impinge on the privacy of Americans.

Its important that people understand how sweeping this bill is, said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the Intelligence Committee and outspoken proponent of privacy protections. Something was inserted at the last minute, which would basically compel somebody like a cable guy to spy for the government. They would force the person to do it and there would be no appeal.

In a rare break with Schumer and Biden, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the president pro tempore, opposed the bill, saying: I have strong concerns that this expansion of FISA Section 702 authorities would allow for increased abuse and misuse of the law  infringing on the rights of Americans here at home.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., pushed back on that and other criticisms of a House amendment added to the FISA reauthorization bill, arguing that it is narrowly focused on a significant intelligence gap, but some members like Wyden worry it could be abused.

Contrary to what some have been saying, it expressly excludes coffee shops, bars, restaurants, residences, hotels, libraries, recreational facilities and a whole litany of similar establishments, Warner said on the Senate floor Wednesday. It also absolutely would not, as some critics have maintained, allow the U.S. government to compel, for example, a janitor working in an office building in Northern Virginia to spy for the intelligence community.

Warner said that allowing FISA to expire would have put the U.S. in uncharted territory as companies who work with the government to provide intelligence might have stopped doing so without a reauthorization.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said that 60% of the presidents daily brief is composed of 702-derived materials, so this is absolutely critical.

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North Korea's top agriculture official has embarked on a trip to Russia, Pyongyang's state media said Sunday, amid chronic food shortages in the North.

A state agriculture commission delegation led by chairman Ri Chol-man, who doubles as a cabinet vice premier, left for Russia by plane Saturday, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

In a Facebook post, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said Ri is scheduled to hold talks with Russia's Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev and meet other Russian agriculture and fisheries officials during his trip.

Ri will also visit the Nemchinovka Federal Research Center, which focuses on grain research, and the Russian State Agrarian University, the embassy said, noting that the delegation's schedule is expected to be "very busy."

The trip comes as the North has deepened ties with Russia since a rare summit between their leaders in Far East Russia last September, raising speculation the two sides may hold talks for possible Russian food support to the North, which has long grappled with food shortages.

In 2022, the North upgraded its agriculture ministry to a state commission in an apparent move to prioritize agricultural development amid its ongoing food woes.

It marks the latest trip of a North Korean delegation to Russia, with forestry ministry officials leaving Pyongyang on Friday for talks on bilateral cooperation. (Yonhap)
21 April 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

An academic researcher says artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to triage patients with eye issues, Azernews reports, citing BBC.

Dr Arun Thirunavukarasu, who studied at the University of Cambridge, said AI could decide urgent cases that need to be seen by specialists.

Cambridge University academics tested ChatGPT 4 against the knowledge of medics at different stages of their career.

The AI program scored 69% when tested in a mock exam of 87 questions.

About 374 ophthalmology questions were used to train the ChatGPT 4.

Its answers were compared to five expert ophthalmologists - doctors who care for patients with eye conditions - three trainee ophthalmologists, and two unspecialised junior doctors.

They were also compared to an earlier version of ChatGPT and other language models.

ChatGPT 4 scored 69%, higher than other programs such as ChatGPT 3.5, Llama and Palm2.

Expert ophthalmologists achieved a median score of 76%, trainees scored 59% and junior doctors scored 43%.

Dr Thirunavukarasu, who led the study and carried out the work while studying at the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine, now works at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: "We could realistically deploy AI in triaging patients with eye issues to decide which cases are emergencies that need to be seen by a specialist immediately, which can be seen by a GP, and which don't need treatment.

"The models could follow clear algorithms already in use, and we've found that ChatGPT 4 is as good as expert clinicians at processing eye symptoms and signs to answer more complicated questions."With further development, large language models could also advise GPs who are struggling to get prompt advice from eye doctors. People in the UK are waiting longer than ever for eye care."

The technology could be deployed to triage patients and determine who needs specialist care and who can wait to see a GP, researchers said.

They added that language models such as ChatGPT "do not appear capable" of replacing eye doctors, but could "provide useful advice and assistance to non-specialists".

Dr Thirunavukarasu added that he believed doctors would continue to be in charge of patient care.

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21 April 2024 19:10 (UTC+04:00)

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar announced that he will visit Azerbaijan in the near future, Azernews reports, citing the leader of the Northern Cyprus Federation as telling at the event organized on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the establishment of the North Cyprus Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Aikido Federation.

Ersin Tatar welcomed the Azerbaijani guests who participated in the event and emphasized that they are interested in the development of cooperation in the field of sports.

The President of the TRNC also spoke about the importance of his visit to Azerbaijan.

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21 April 2024 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Preliminary work has been done on more than 20 agreements Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to sign during his visit to Iraq on Monday, said the Turkish foreign minister, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

We have currently completed pre-agreements for the implementation and signing of more than 20 agreements during our president's visit, Hakan Fidan told reporters on Sunday. Tomorrow, hopefully, these agreements will be signed in the presence of political leaders.

Fidan also pointed to long-standing efforts to reach agreements in fields such as security, energy, agriculture, water, health, and education.

Our goal is to have a relationship where regional stability, prosperity, and development are possible, to institutionalize our relations in this way, and to do our best for the development and prosperity of the region, he added.

Turkish-Iraqi ties

Fidan said Monday will mark the first visit since 2011 by the Turkish head of state. Erdogan visited the country that year while he was still prime minister.

"Both the Iraqi side and the Turkish side have attached great importance to this visit for a long time and have been preparing for it. There are ongoing intensive efforts, he said.

Fidan highlighted that Turkiye aims for Erdogan's visit to Iraq to be as productive as possible, underscoring that his vision for bilateral relations reflects Turkiyes vision for the region.

Highlighting Ankaras support for the steps taken by Sudanis government for development and political stability, Fidan stated: "Iraq has gone through very difficult periods for many years. Its been very challenging to achieve political stability. When there is no political stability, there are also significant problems in delivering the basic services that the people need."

Turkiyes readiness to support Iraq

Despite Iraq's significant potential and opportunities, Fidan said that Iraq has faced major challenges in delivering basic services to the population.

He said the current Iraqi government has developed a strong awareness of this issue.

The Iraqi and Turkish governments have been discussing what can be done to address these challenges, he said.

He underlined that Turkiye is committed to providing "all kinds of support" for the development of sectors in Iraq such as irrigation, education, health, infrastructure, trade, and energy.

Fidan also said there have been intensive contacts between the countries Cabinet ministers, bureaucrats, and businessmen.

At this "mature point," there is agreement on Erdogan's visit to Iraq and the signing of a strategic framework agreement, he said.

Regional stability and prosperity

Fidan highlighted that the countries strategic framework agreement will outline a strategic vision of how cooperation can be conducted in multiple areas simultaneously.

"This will constitute an important roadmap for the future of the two countries' relations, he said. We aim to advance our relations by institutionalizing them, moving away from success through coincidence, making them more systematic, and demonstrating lasting benefits in relations between the two countries, he said.

Fidan stressed the desire to avoid associating the region and Iraq with internal turmoil, war, or conflict, expressing hope for economic development and political stability to be the primary focus.

Pointing to Turkiye seeking cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Fidan noted that they are in extensive discussions with Baghdad on how significant strides can be made in combating terrorism without disturbing Iraqs existing political balances.

Contacts with Iraq

Fidan recalled his visit to Iraq this March alongside National Defense Minister Guler, National Intelligence Organization head Kalin, and Deputy Interior Minister Karaloglu, and also a visit to Ankara by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and representatives from the Iraqi Defense Ministry, intelligence, and other security agencies.

We extensively discussed the strategic framework of President Erdogan's visit to Iraq with our Iraqi counterparts. We believe that Iraqi-Turkish relations will set an important example in our region.

Especially with the Development Road Project, which our president attaches great importance to, we believe that it will serve as a significant example for both the people of Iraq and the people of the region if implemented, he said, referring to a project to connect the Persian Gulf from the al-Faw Grand Port by land routes to Turkiye.

Fidan expressed the need for the region to be associated with development, technology, prosperity, stability, culture, and art rather than conflicts and instability, stating that they strive for this.

Iraq's support for Turkiye on Gaza issue

Saying that Israels ongoing attacks on Gaza will also be discussed during Erdogan's visit to Iraq, Fidan stressed that Ankara and Baghdad share the same feelings on Gaza.

Fidan said Iraq supports Turkiye on Gaza within the international system, as it votes in coordination with Turkiye.

During Erdogans visit to Iraq, he will travel to both Baghdad, the nations capital, and Erbil, capital of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

"During President Erdogan's visit to Erbil, especially in meetings with regional government officials, I am confident that they will share their vision on strengthening our relationship and reminding them of their role in ensuring internal stability and peace in Iraq, said Fidan.

Erdogan will hold a working meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al Sudani in Baghdad, followed by the signing of agreements, said Fidan.

The Turkish president will also meet with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid.

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Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be?

8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become.
HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems, Tenet Healthcare and Universal Health Services are among the largest for-profit health systems in the country. Each system has a unique backstory and commands an extensive network of facilities and physicians.

Here are 50 things to know about each health systems' leadership, size, financial statistics and executive compensation:

Leadership

HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.)

1. Sam Hazen was appointed CEO of HCA in January 2019 after serving as president and COO since 2016.

2. Mr. Hazen is a 40-year veteran of HCA, and has held various senior positions for the health system, including president of operations from 2011 to 2015.

3. He also served as president of HCA's Western Group, which included all operations west of the Mississippi River and represented about 50 percent of the system's revenue.

4. Mr. Hazen began his career in Humana's financial management specialist program in 1983 and has held CFO positions at hospitals in Georgia and Las Vegas.

Tenet Healthcare (Dallas)

5. Saum Sutaria, MD, was appointed CEO of Tenet in September 2021 and elected board chair in August 2023.

6. Dr. Sutaria previously served as president and COO of Tenet with responsibilities spanning the enterprise.

7. He joined the for-profit system in 2019 after working for nearly two decades at McKinsey & Company. At McKinsey, Dr. Sutaria was a leader in the healthcare and private equity practices, advising clients on strategic, operational and financial matters.

8. Dr. Sutaria previously held an associate clinical faculty appointment at the University of California at San Francisco, where he also engaged in postgraduate training with a focus in internal medicine and cardiology.

Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.)

9. Tim Hingtgen was named CEO of CHS in January 2021 after serving as president and COO from September 2016 through December 2020.

10. Mr. Hingtgen, who also serves on the board, joined CHS as a vice president of operations in 2008. In January 2014, he was promoted to president of division IV operations, and in May 2016, he was promoted to executive vice president of operations.

11. Before joining CHS, Mr. Hingtgen served as a CEO or COO of hospitals affiliated with UHS and Brentwood, Tenn.-based Province Healthcare.

12. Mr. Hingtgen has a master's degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Universal Health Services (King of Prussia, Pa.)

13. Marc Miller was named CEO of UHS in January 2021 and has served as president since 2009.

14. Mr. Miller is also a member of the UHS board, serving on the executive committee and the finance committee.

15. He began his career at UHS in 1995 and has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility at hospitals and at the corporate office. Before stepping into executive leadership roles at, he held various operating roles at UHS acute care hospitals.

16. Mr. Miller's prior executive roles include group director for the health system's acute care operations in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Florida; Eastern region vice president of the acute care division; and senior vice president and co-head of the UHS acute care division.

Financial performance

HCA

17. HCA reported $5.2 billion in net income in 2023, down 7% from $5.6 billion in 2022. Operating income was $7.7 billion, down from $8.6 billion the previous year.

18. Revenue for the year totaled $65 billion, up from $60 billion in 2022. Fourth-quarter revenue was $17.3 billion, compared to $15.5 billion during the same period in the previous year.

19. In 2024, HCA expects revenues between $67.75 billion and $70.25 billion and net income of $5.2 billion to $5.6 billion. Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, are projected to be between $5.1 billion and $5.3 billion

Tenet

20. Tenet reported $1.3 billion in net income in 2023, up 30% from $1 billion in 2022. Operating income hit $2.5 billion, growing 12.2% year over year.

21. Revenue for the year totaled $20.5 billion, up from $19.2 billion in 2022. Fourth-quarter revenue grew by 7.8% year over year to $5.4 billion.

22. In 2024, Tenet expects revenues between $19.9 billion and $20,3 billion and net income from continuing operations to be in the range of $2,17 to $2,42 billion. Its adjusted EBITDA outlook is anticipated to be in the range of $3.29 billion to $3.49 billion.

CHS

23. CHS reported a net income of $16 million in 2023, down from $179 million in 2022. Operating income was $957 million for the year, improving on the $821 million posted in 2022.

24. Revenue increased 2.3% year over year to $12.5 billion in 2023. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 4.8%, admissions increased 3.5% and adjusted admissions increased 5.3% over 2022.

25. In 2024, CHS expects net operating revenues between $12.3 billion and $12.7 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $1.48 billion to $1.63 billion.

UHS

26. UHS posted $719.3 million in net income in 2023, compared to $656.9 million the previous year. Operating income was $1.2 billion, up from $1 billion.

27. The system saw overall revenue increase 6.6% year over year to $14.3 billion while expenses rose 5.7% to $13.1 billion.

28. In 2024, the health system expects net revenues to be between $15.4 billion and $15.7 billion, representing an increase of 7.9% to 10% year over year. UHS plans to spend $1 billion on capital expenses this year, up from $850 million in 2023.

Executive compensation

29. The CEOs and CFOs of all four health systems saw compensation packages drop substantially in 2022, according to proxy statements filed with the SEC. However, most of the top-earning executives saw their overall compensation rebound in 2023 as financial results largely improved.

30. The CEOs of the four systems earned compensation packages of more than $63 million combined in 2023, compared to about $43 million in 2022 and $65 million in 2021.

31. The five highest-earning executives at HCA in 2023 were:

Sam Hazen, CEO: $21,315,984

Jon Foster, EVP and COO: $8,699,360

Bill Rutherford, EVP and CFO: $7,763,050

Timothy McManus, president, national group: $5,582,431

Erol Akdamar, president, American group: $5,400,861

32. The five highest-earning executives at Tenet in 2023 were:

Saum Sutaria, MD, CEO: $18,518,109

Dan Cancelmi, CFO: $9,272,504

Tom Arnst, EVP, chief administrative officer, general counsel and corporate secretary: $3,672,298

Lisa Foo, EVP, commercial operations: $3,235,506

Paola Arbour, EVP, chief information officer: $2,467,441

33. The five highest-earning executives at CHS in 2023 were:

Tim Hingtgen, CEO:$8,348,223

Kevin Hammons, President and CFO: $3,750,006

Lynn Simon, MD, president of clinical operations and chief medical officer:

$2,144,471

$2,144,471 Chad Campbell, regional president: $1,657,282

Kevin Stockton, EVP of operations and development: $1,602,702

34. The five highest-earning executives at UHS in 2023 were:

Marc Miller, CEO and president: $14,407,937

Alan Miller, executive chair: $8,369,731

Edward Sim, EVP and president of acute care: $5,469,137

Steve Filton, EVP and CFO: $4,650,157

Matthew Peterson, EVP and president of behavioral health: $4,049,604

Editor's note: Total compensation can include salary, bonuses, stock and option awards, change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings and other compensation.

History/system size

HCA

35. HCA was founded in 1968 by Thomas Frist Sr., MD, Thomas Frist Jr., MD, and Jack Massey. Dr. Frist Sr., who was the father of former U.S. Senate majority leader Bill Frist, built Park View Hospital in Nashville with a group of physicians. They wanted to manage and expand the hospital, eventually creating the hospital management company known as HCA.

36. HCA comprises 185 hospitals and more than 2,300 care sites in 20 states and the United Kingdom.

37. The system's care sites include ASCs  of which it operates about 150  freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, diagnostic and imaging centers, walk-in clinics and physician clinics.

38. HCA has more than 270,000 employees, including 94,000 registered nurses and 38,000 active physicians

Tenet

39. Tenet launched as a small operation in California. In May 1969, it acquired four hospitals along with some additional care sites and real estate for future hospital developments.

40. The system operates 52 acute care and specialty hospitals, about 110 other outpatient facilities, a network of employed physicians and a global business center in Manila, Philippines.

41. United Surgical Partners International, Tenet's ambulatory arm, operates or has ownership interests in more than 465 ASCs  the most of any health system  and 24 surgical hospitals. It also operates Conifer Health Solutions, which provides revenue cycle management and value-based care services to hospitals, health systems, physician practices, employers and other clients.

42. Tenet has more than 100,000 employees and 6,000 physicians.

CHS

43. CHS was founded in 1985 when Thomas Chaney, former executive of Hospital Affiliates, Inc., and David Steffy and Richard Ragsdale, former HCA executives, spun off Republic Health Corp. to form Community Health Systems. The second hospital acquisition took place in January 1986.

44. The system operates 71 acute care hospitals with about 13,000 beds and more than 1,000 care sites, across 15 states. Its healthcare portfolio includes physician practices, urgent care centers, freestanding emergency departments, occupational medicine clinics, imaging centers, cancer centers and ASCs.

45. In 2014, CHS had approximately 200 hospitals. In 2016, CHS began refining its portfolio with the spinoff of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health, which included 38 hospitals and its hospital management and consulting business. Over the next several years, CHS sold or closed dozens of hospitals.

46. CHS has more than 90,000 employees and 20,000 physicians  employed and independent  serving on the medical staff of its hospitals.

UHS

47. UHS was founded in 1979 by Alan B. Miller, who currently serves as the system's executive chair. Eighteen months later, UHS owned four hospitals and had management contracts with two others.

48. The system operates 27 acute care hospitals, 333 behavioral health inpatient facilities, 22 freestanding emergency departments and 48 outpatient facilities and ambulatory care centers in 39 states in the U.S., Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

49. UHS also offers health insurance plans through Prominence Health Plan, and manages a network of physicians through Independence Physician Management.

50. UHS has about 94,000 employees - 34,000 of whom operate at its acute care facilities and 55,000 of whom are focused on behavioral health. It also has 12 physician networks comprising more than 700 providers.
Ballymoney boy Ollie Beverland and family lock up with wrestling star Cody Rhodes

Ollie Beverland, his brother Carson, and parents Dylan and Victoria meet Cody Rhodes at SSE Arena in Belfast

Ollie Beverland and brother Carson with wrestling star Cody Rhodes at the SSE Arena on Saturday

He may be known as the American Nightmare, but on Saturday night, wrestling star Cody Rhodes made the dreams of a Co Antrim boy come true.

Oliver Beverland, better known as Ollie, met the WWE undisputed champion along with his family before a sold-out show at Belfasts SSE Arena.

The four-year-old, who has faced numerous health challenges, was able to go toe-to-toe with his hero after his dad Dylans pleas were answered on social media, after promising one day that hed make his sons dreams come true.

Ballymoney boy Ollie Beverland and family lock up with wrestling star Cody Rhodes

The whole thing started off maybe a year ago, it was through a wish charity, Rays of Sunshine, Dylan said.

Ollies wish was to meet Cody Rhodes, but when the WWE was contacted, they said that due to scheduling, they couldnt facilitate a meet at that time.

So I took it upon myself to try to make it happen. I was just getting the word out on social media as much as I could and then on Friday night we finally heard back and it just snowballed.

Ollie and big brother Carson, who are from Ballymoney, were kept in the dark until they were taken backstage.

Ollie Beverland, his brother Carson, and parents Dylan and Victoria meet Cody Rhodes at SSE Arena in Belfast

It was only on Friday night that I received a message from Cody, and the UK representative for the WWE tour then got in contact with us, Dylan said.

We kept it a secret from the boys, they didnt really know what was going on until they had walked through the door.

Dylan said the siblings were left speechless by the surprise.

They wore matching custom-made outfits matching Codys distinctive wrestling attire.

We were taken backstage before the show into the dressing rooms and we really thought that would be it, Dylan said.

But then the WWE rep messaged me and said that Cody would be keeping a wee eye out for them during his entrance, so we didnt know that was going to happen.

During his entrance, Cody approached the boys and lifted them onto the edge of the ring as the thousands in attendance cheered on.

Ollie and Carson wore custom-made outfits to the show

Dylan recalled: Last year, at the end of the night Cody was going around everyone near the ring and I took the two boys down.

We stood there for about an hour and Cody got to about a metre away and then he turned and went to the far side.

So we just missed him and we were actually talking to him about it on Saturday.

He said the experience has left a lasting impression on the brothers, who keep re-enacting moments from the meeting.

Ollie has been a fan of Cody  the son of legendary wrestler, booker and trainer Dusty Rhodes  for over two years after first discovering wrestling during one of his hospital stays.

Dylan said: We were over in Sheffield hospital for about a month for tests, and while we were over there I just happened to start showing them a couple of wrestling videos and it just took off.

The first time he saw Cody, that was him!

Ollie was born in June 2019 with a malrotation in his bowel, which was the start of a long and difficult journey with his health.

After surgery to correct the issue, he spent 10 months in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children as he couldnt absorb his food.

During this time, Ollie received the first of over 20 blood transfusions that he needed as doctors tried to discover the cause of an internal bleeding.

He continued to be in and out of hospital, and in December 2022, just five days before Christmas, he suffered a massive hematemesis which saw him admitted to ICU.

In the new year, Ollie was flown to Kings College Hospital in London where he went through a seven-hour operation to fix blood vessels in his gut to stop the bleeding.

Ollie loving life at the show

Dylan explained: Since then, hes been a lot better. He has had a few setbacks with infections because he has as wee line in his heart, but hes been a lot better.

It was very touch and go that Christmas.

The loving father added it was during this tough period that he made a promise to Ollie that he would try everything to make sure his son would finally meet his hero.

He revealed being able to finally deliver on his promise was a real relief.

On Friday night when I received the message, I froze. It was overwhelming, he said.

It was a last-ditch attempt on Friday evening, I thought I would try just one last time.

And Ollie may even get to meet his hero once more just after his fifth birthday in June.

Cody personally gifted the family four tickets to the WWE show Clash at the Castle which is set to take place in Glasgow on June 15.

The video of Ollie and his family meeting Cody has been posted on the WWEs social media channels, gaining nearly half a million views in less than 24 hours through Facebook, Instagram and X.

In the main event at the SSE on Saturday, Cody defeated Japanese wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura.

News Catch Up: Sunday 21st April 2024
Skepticism also raised over Pyongyang's missile capability for weapons export

By Kwak Yeon-soo

North Korea's latest tests of a "super-large" cruise missile warhead and a new anti-aircraft missile came in response to the South Korea-U.S. joint annual air exercise, analysts said Sunday.

Some also noted the possibility that the Kim Jong-un regime may look to export missiles to Iran amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Saturday that the country's missile administration had carried out a power test for the warhead designed for the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile and test-launched its new anti-aircraft missile, the Pyoljji-1-2, in the West Sea on Friday.

The latest missile test marks North Korea's sixth cruise missile launch this year, following its launch on Feb. 14.

"Both tests were part of the regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defense science institutes for the rapid development of technologies in various aspects, such as tactical and technical performance and operation of new-type weapon systems," KCNA said.

Though the state media stressed that the tests were not related to the regional situation, experts analyzed that the North's latest anti-aircraft missile test is to show off that it has counterstrike capability against enemy aircraft and missiles.

South Korea and the United States have been carrying out a 15-day joint air exercise near the Korean Peninsula since April 12, involving some 100 warplanes to strengthen their readiness against North Korean military threats. The Korea Flying Training focuses on integrating fifth-generation fighters, enhancing precision strike capability and training troops on combat and search and rescue scenarios.

"I think North Korea conducted missile tests in reaction to South Korean-U.S. joint air drills. From a larger perspective, I believe resuming missile tests is part of the North's five-year defense plan announced at the 8th Party Congress in 2021 that it will develop cruise missiles," said Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification.

While it marked the first time that Pyongyang has unveiled the name of its anti-aircraft missile, Cho noted that its move to specify the names of the missile does not have significant meaning because it keeps changing the names as they make technological progress.

Yang Uk, a military expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is trying to promote his achievement and regime stability ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2025.

"North Korea claims to be making technological progress in the performance of its conventional weapons, but there is no proof or evidence for the success of their advancement. I think the North's leader Kim is trying to create an impression that he is continuing development of advanced weapons systems," Yang said.

Some experts did not rule out the possibility that the North is trying to market its new missiles to Iran amid the ongoing military conflict with Israel, while others raised skepticism over the regime's missile capability for export.

"North Korea may be looking to export its missiles to Iran, but I don't think that is their key intention," Cho said.

Yang said Pyongyang's missile technology and systems need to become more sophisticated and reliable for export.

"Russia has imported artillery shells and other equipment, but not cruise missiles, from North Korea for its war in Ukraine. This suggests that transferring cruise missiles to Iran is unlikely," he said.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it would closely watch North Korea's provocations and military activities while maintaining a strong combined defense posture.
Surfers Against Sewage member Ruby Free meeting minister to demand action on toxic algae

Ruby with, from left, Michael Condron, Seaneen Donaghy of Concentrix and Chanique Sterling-Brown at last year's awards show (Photo by Kevin Scott for Sunday Life)

Never mind Greta Thunberg, we have our very own environmental warrior in the form of Ruby Free.

The judges at last years Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, thought Ruby was a gem because of her dedication to nature.

She was crowned our Environmental Hero for her commitment to protecting habitats through her work with the RSPB (Royal Society for Protection of Birds), as well as volunteering to clean beaches and rescue seals as a member of the Northern Ireland branch of Surfers Against Sewage.

Ruby with, from left, Michael Condron, Seaneen Donaghy of Concentrix and Chanique Sterling-Brown at last year's awards show (Photo by Kevin Scott for Sunday Life)

Rubys passion shows no sign of abating, as we found when we caught up with her a year after the awards ceremony.

She has Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir in her sights as she adds her voice to the calls to solve Lough Neaghs toxic algae crisis.

Im doing lots of environmental campaigning and lots of policy and advocacy, around the situation with Lough Neagh especially, Ruby said.

Were going to meet the agriculture and environment minister in a few weeks to try and see if we can get some action and get something to happen.

I know hes been talking to people, but this will be the first time environmental groups have met with him.

Its good that its somebody from the Alliance Party. Generally speaking, they are more progressive in their thinking around the environment.

Ruby Free (Picture by Aodhan Roberts/Sunday Life)

The activist and her partner Craig have also been working on developing their farm, which lies between Portglenone and Rasharkin.

Ruby explained: Were doing more and more to the farm and kind of establishing a community group. Last week we planted 300 trees with volunteers.

Were taking it on and doing a few nature-friendly things here and there to see if we can bring some wildlife back.

If thats not enough, Ruby is also is publishing a book with Blackstaff Press about the time she lived on Rathlin Island, what it taught her and the reality of species loss.

Ive been doing all sorts of campaigning for wider nature and climate crisis, she said.

Ive been writing this book since 2022, but its coming out this summer, which is really exciting.

Ruby won the Environmental Hero category  now rebranded to Eco Champion  after highlighting issues she believed were not getting the attention they deserved.

Northern Ireland is ranked 12th worst (in the world) for biodiversity loss, she said.

Puffins are actually predicted to disappear from our shores by the end of the century if we dont act, and all seabirds are at major risk of decline.

I feel that its really important to be a prominent voice speaking up about the issues affecting our oceans, from sewage pollution to climate change and everything in between.

Over 50 per cent of our biodiversity in Northern Ireland is found under our waters, (an environment) which is completely out of mind and out of sight, so were trying to bring that world to people.

I work as a marine mammal medic in my spare time, and from disentangling seabirds out of fishing gear to seals that have ingested plastic, there are so many things affecting marine wildlife, and we need more protection for them.

We also need people to do their part because so much of this is in our hands.

Its about getting people to feel empowered about their local green and blue spaces and changing something in their life that maybe helps reduce carbon emissions or helps reduce litter on beaches.

Ruby holding a sign highlighting the worrying state of our rivers

Ruby said it was special to celebrate winning the award  presented by Coronation Street stars Chanique Sterling-Brown and Michael Condron  alongside Craig and her mum Sarah.

She added: I had an amazing night. Im usually in waterproofs, so having an opportunity to get that glamorous was really interesting and not very normal for me.

Having the opportunity to take my mum somewhere really nice was great because she has a health condition and it was just nice to take her on a very fun night out.

Just hearing everybodys stories... never mind winning the award, hearing everybody elses very incredible and inspiring stories was really lovely. I remember crying at least three times.

For this years awards, we are pleased to welcome Metcollect as the sponsor of our new Eco Champion category.

Ruby with Surfers Against Sewage

Director Geoff Angus told Sunday Life: As a company at the forefront of the circular economy who take pride in working with businesses to promote sustainable and cost-effective management of their waste, we were delighted when we were invited to sponsor the Eco Champion award.

The need for all of us to focus on our environmental impacts has accelerated in the face of the ever more obvious changes to our global climate and the human cost of this.

We celebrate individuals and companies who, like Metcollect, are at the forefront of driving positive environmental change.

We celebrate all those making a difference and are honoured to contribute to helping recognise champions of the environment.

Metcollect is sponsoring the Eco Champion category

The Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, seeks out and celebrates the unsung heroes, the people who have made a difference to the lives of others with no thought of reward.

This years awards, hosted by UTVs Pamela Ballantine and Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden, will be held at the Culloden Resort and Spa on Friday, June 14.

Email your nomination to spiritofniawards@sundaylife.co.uk with an explanation of why you think they deserve to be recognised.

Alternatively, you can post nominations to Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, 33 Clarendon Road, Belfast BT1 3BG.

For more information on the work carried out by Ruby and colleagues, visit www.sas.org.uk or search for Surfers Against Sewage: Northern Ireland on Facebook

The categories

Charity Champion: Someone who has worked tirelessly for a charity or as a fundraiser for many years.

Spirit of Education: A truly inspirational teacher who has helped children and young people fulfil their potential.

Unsung Hero: Someone whose great deed or deeds have previously gone unnoticed but who has made a major contribution to your life or to your community.

Caring Spirit: A person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member.

Young Carer: A young person who has dedicated their time to caring for a friend or family member.

Spirit of Youth: Someone under the age of 18 who should be recognised for their special achievements.

Spirit of Sport: Someone who has made an exceptional contribution to sport over a number of years.

999 Hero: A member of the emergency services who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their job.

Spirit of Health: A medical professional who has gone the extra mile to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients.

Overcoming Adversity: Someone who has overcome huge personal challenges, whether it is dealing with illness or disability or overcoming problems.

Eco Champion: Seeks to recognise an individual or community group that has gone the extra mile to care for and protect the local environment for future generations.

Community Hero: Someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their local community or neighbourhood.

Special Recognition: Someone who the judges feel represents the Spirit of NI by selflessly serving others and being an inspiration.
Doctor brands Robin Swanns step-down as Health Minister ahead of Westminster campaign frustrating

Doctor urges not to lose momentum as result of Swanns departure in pursuit of Westminster

Robin Swann

Allison Morris Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 22:00







A leading doctor has said it is frustrating that the Health Minister is preparing to stand down ahead of the general election at a time when health and social care requires momentum and commitment.
Health Minister Robin Swann will step down when the general election is called.

Robin Swann is to step down as health minister when the general election campaign begins - with Mike Nesbitt a possible replacement.

Mr Swann is the UUPs candidate in South Antrim, and is aiming to retake the Westminster seat from the DUPs Paul Girvan.

He said today that once the election is called and campaigning begins he will give up his seat at the Executive table.

Mr Swann said it would be rational for Mr Nesbitt, his party colleague, to replace him.

The Prime Minister has indicated a general election will be held later this year, most likely in November.

"Double-jobbing" - holding seats in both Westminster and Stormont - was banned in 2016.

Mr Swann told the BBCs Sunday Politics: "My intention would not be to stay right up until polling day because purdah will kick in and there will be other stages as well.

"So that decision will be made long before the election day is called, by my party leader.

Mr Swann (52) has been MLA for North Antrim since 2011. However, in January the Belfast Telegraph reported that he would switch constituencies for the general election, moving to South Antrim in a bid to unseat Mr Girvan.

The UUP held the South Antrim seat from 2015 to 2017 when Danny Kinahan was MP.

Mr Girvan won it back for the DUP in 2017 and held it at the 2019 election with a 2,689-vote majority.

Mr Swanns profile has been raised after serving as health minister following the return of Stormont in 2020, helping to lead Northern Ireland through the Covid pandemic.

He returned to the role when the political institutions were restored in February,

However, concerns had been raised over whether Mr Swann could act as health minister while campaigning to become an MP.

UUP leader Doug Beattie had said he may have to look at options including withdrawing Mr Swann from the running to become MP for South Antrim or preparing another candidate as health minister.

Mr Swann told the BBC he was making the announcement today that he would stand down as health minister because he wanted to be straight with people.

He added: "I need to be clear as well when we talk about Westminster candidates and the current Executive.

"If you look across other parties and constituencies as well. It's obvious that some of the Executive colleagues sitting around the executive table at the minute are also going to be candidates.

"One of the things we've done as a party, one of the things that I've done, we've actually come out and said it and been honest with the people.

Mr Nesbitt, a former UUP leader, has been appointed as the private secretary to the health minister and is due to start the role soon.

Mr Swann said it would be for Mr Beattie, as party leader, to decide whether Mr Nesbitt was to replace him as health minister.

"It could be the thinking of my party leader, yes," he said. "It would be a rational approach in regards to that."

In February a Belfast Telegraph poll found voters were finely split on whether ministers in the Executive should continue in their roles if they are also running for election to Westminster.

The LucidTalk survey showed that 48% of respondents believe it is acceptable to continue to serve as an Executive Minister while campaigning for election to Parliament, while 46% are opposed. Out of the 3,207 responses, just 6% were undecided on the matter.

A general election has to be held by January 28 2025, but is almost certain to take place earlier.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he expects to go to the polls "in the second half" of this year.

However, there has been ongoing speculation that Mr Sunak could go to the country earlier.

Reports at the weekend suggested he could opt for a summer election, possibly in early July.
Ukrainian and Western leaders have welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the US House of Representatives, as the Kremlin claimed the passage of the Bill will further ruin Ukraine and cause more deaths.

The House swiftly approved 95 billion US dollars (76.8 billion) in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias invasion.

With an overwhelming vote, the 61 billion dollars (49.3 billion) in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved Ukrainian flags.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson talks to reporters after members voted to approve 95 billion US dollars in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had warned that his country would lose the war without US funding, said he was grateful for the decision by American politicians.

We appreciate every sign of support for our country and its independence, people and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble, he wrote on social media site X, formerly Twitter.

America has demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war. Exactly this type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations, he said.

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The Ukrainian president noted that his countrys warriors on the front lines will feel the benefit of the aid package.

One such warrior is infantry soldier Oleksandr, fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

For us its so important to have this support from the USand our partners, he told the Associated Press. He did not give his full name for security reasons.

With this we can stop them and reduce our losses. Its the first step to have the possibility to liberate our territory.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid hold-up over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in the Donetsk region.

The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times, Oleksandr said. Not having enough ammunition means we cant cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.

Russian rockets are launched against Ukraine from Russias Belgorod region, seen from Kharkiv, on Thursday (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

In Kyiv, civilians shared their views on the US aid package.

I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event, said Kateryna Ruda, 43.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers have nothing to protect us.

They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the centre of our city, the 26-year-old said.

Other Western leaders praised the passing of the aid package.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X: Ukraine is using the weapons provided by Nato Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

Her statement was echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it a strong signal in these times.

We stand with the Ukrainians fighting for their free, democratic and independent country, he posted on X.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the approval of aid to Ukraine expected and predictable.

The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime, he was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

A fragment of a Russian missile in a farmers field in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine (Andrii Marienko/AP)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also took to social media to speak against the aid package.

The allocation of military assistance by the United States to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan will aggravate the global crisis: military assistance to the Kyiv regime is direct sponsorship of terrorist activities, she wrote on Telegram.

The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation, Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

The whole aid package will go to the US Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.
Kingsmill inquest another slap in face for victims families

While an inquest delivered for Stardust loved ones, for Alan Black and relatives of 1976 outrage, sadly the wait goes on

Sole Kingsmill survivor Alan Black after the inquest (Picture by Alan Lewis/Photopress)

Ivan Little Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 10:30

The words from a British government official during an informal lunch at Stormont Castle years ago echo in my head every time I hear a Troubles victim like Kingsmill survivor Alan Black talking about his quest for justice.
Blue Lights star Sian Brooke: Ive fallen in love with Belfast.. its a special place but the people make it

City a second home for actress and warm welcome helped ease the pain of missing her children

Sian Brooke

David O'Dornan Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 09:20







Sian Brooke has said her new-found love for Belfast has helped ease her heartache over missing her kids when she is filming hit drama Blue Lights.
The court case against a businessman recorded threatening to have a bullet put in the f***ing head of a Thai masseuse has been adjourned while he enjoys a holiday in the US.
Church fraudster spared prison for sake of blind wife

Disgraced former treasurer cashed 50k in cheques to feed drink and gambling addictions

Colnallon/Warrenpoint Parish Church

Paul Higgins Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 11:00







A disgraced former church treasurer who cashed 50,000 in cheques to feed his drink and gambling addictions has narrowly avoided jail.
Death driver who tried to hide victim after crashing lost stepdad in drunken smash 20 years ago

Judge warns killer hes going to prison for many years

Steven Cunningham

Paul Higgins Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 09:00

A death driver who tried to hide his victims body after crashing a car while off his head on drugs lost his stepfather to drink driving 20 years ago, a court has been told.
Liam Neeson taken with the Donegal village where he filmed latest thriller

Glencolmcille hoping for influx of visitors after star sings its praises on US chatshow circuit

Liam at the Folk Village with Marian Carr, Patrick Gillespie and Margaret Rose Cunningham

Ivan Little Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 10:30







Residents of a tiny village in Co Donegal where Liam Neeson filmed his latest movie have thanked him for putting their home on the map.
Military hospitals nationwide have treated more than 700 civilians since opening their doors to the public at a full scale in mid-February, the defense ministry said Sunday, amid the protracted walkout by trainee doctors.

Military hospital emergency rooms became fully accessible to civilians to help address concerns of health care disruptions after thousands of trainee doctors began the walkout on Feb. 19 in protest of a government plan to sharply increase medical school seats next year.

As of Friday, 768 patients have visited military hospitals nationwide since the walkout began, with 397 of them being treated at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, according to the ministry.

It said 138 patients received surgery or were hospitalized, with 66 of them receiving emergency surgery, including a woman in her 70s in a bicycle accident on April 3.

During a visit to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital on Thursday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the government would take measures so that severe trauma patients could be sent to military hospitals, noting their expertise in such treatment. (Yonhap)
Dissident charged with killing journalist didnt breach bail conditions despite attending terror gangs Easter event

A Dissident republican charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee dressed up in paramilitary-style clothing to lay a wreath at a New IRA memorial.

But Peter Cavanagh, who denies involvement in the fatal shooting, was not in breach of any bail conditions despite the Easter Monday events links to the terror gang.
Murals depicting life in east Belfast launched by Lord Mayor

Two three storey parachute cloth style murals have been installed by East Belfast Enterprise

Two murals, covering three storeys of the City East building at the gateway to East Belfast, on Newtownards Road, have been officially launched by Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy. Photo: Kirth Ferris

Sarah Henderson Sun 21 Apr 2024 at 11:00







Two new murals at the gateway to east Belfast on Newtownards Road have been officially launched by Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy.
Junta sends in airstrikes to support 200 junta troops trapped along a river across from Mae Sot.

Smoke billows across the border in Kayin, Myanmar, as Thai soldiers stand watch in Mae Sot, Thailand, April 20, 2024.

Gunfire, artillery and exploding bombs could be heard early Saturday around Myawaddy, a Myanmar city on the Thai border across from Mae Sot, as an ethnic Karen army closed in on about 200 junta troops stranded near a bridge between the two countries, according to the Thai military and a Radio Free Asia reporter on the scene.

The clash occurred after the Karen National Liberation Army, an armed branch of the Karen National Union, on April 10 captured most of the juntas Infantry Battalion 275 stationed outside of Myawaddy.

But 200 junta soldiers were left stranded at the customs compound at the No. 2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River that links the two countries.

The setback is the latest in a series of battlefield losses suffered by the junta as various rebel groups push the military back across the country amid the countrys three-year civil war that was sparked by the juntas coup in February 2021.

The clashes started at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Thai soldiers keeping watch along the river and local residents said. The fighting centered around the customs house at the bridge as the rebels apparently were intent on wiping out the remaining junta troops, they said.

The KNU opened the charge first, the junta troops fought back, a Thai soldier who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity told RFA.

Several days ago, the junta announced Operation Aung Zeya, aimed at retaking Myawaddy, a key city on a major trading route with Thailand.

Residents are transported in trucks in Mae Sot, Thailand, as fighting intensifies between rebel and junta forces April 20, 2024. [Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA]

As the sun rose Saturday morning, the Myanmar Air Force deployed several sorties of Y-12, MiG-29 and MI-35 attack helicopters amid periodic exchanges of gunfire. Some residents at the bridge watched the planes with binoculars as a few strayed rifle bullets whistled by, prompting them to duck.

Smoke billowed into the sky following each artillery shell and bomb explosion.

The casualties on both Karen and junta soldiers as well as civilians were not immediately known.

Smoke billows after a junta MiG-29 jet struck a Karen position in Kayin, Myanmar, as seen from Mae Sot, Thailand, April 20, 2024. [Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA]

An ambulance was seen driving in and out of the neighborhood near Thailands Yepu Hill that overlooks the casinos in Myawaddy, while several hundred people living near the river were moved by truck to a livestock ranch for safety.

Thailands foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation with Thai security agencies on the ground on high alert.

Thailand has been and will continue to provide further humanitarian assistance if necessary and will do our utmost to ensure the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border area returns to normalcy, Nikorndej Balankura, the ministry spokesman said in a statement.

Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report.
GREAT BARRINGTON  The number of incidents deemed antisemitic that were reported to the Anti-Defamation League in 2023 were the highest ever recorded in Berkshire County  and across the state.

Seventeen reports were made last year about incidents across the Berkshires  seven of those were in Great Barrington, according to ADL data. Three reports were about incidents in Pittsfield.

That represents a 466 percent increase in reported incidents over those in 2022, when three antisemitic incidents were reported.

Nearly half of New England incidents that include assault, harassment and vandalism happened after Oct. 7, when Hamas began the war with massacres in Israel, according to the ADLs annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, released Tuesday.

Massachusetts ranked fifth-highest in the U.S. for the number of reports last year  440 total, including eight antisemitic-related assaults.

Incidents in the Berkshires include a swastika and antisemitic comments drawn in a boys bathroom stall in May at Monument Mountain Regional High School; antisemitic slurs repeatedly hurled at a Jewish teacher at Nessacus Regional Middle School in Dalton, also in May; and swastikas and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs targeting a student at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, found in April.

Another was a report of swastikas, racist and anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti drawn in the sand in April at the Lake Mansfield swimming beach in Great Barrington.

The following reports were made in 2023 to the ADL about antisemitic incidents in Berkshire County Great Barrington: A synagogue was targeted with an antisemitic bomb threat

At an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages such as: Resistance is justified

A leader of a Jewish Federation received a series of antisemitic emails mentioning Israel

A synagogue received a phone call from an unknown caller who stated, "Allahu Akbar," before hanging up

Swastikas, as well as racist and anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti, were traced into the sand at Lake Mansfield

At an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages such as: "When people are occupied, resistance is justified."

Swastika graffiti and antisemitic writing was found in a Monument Mountain Regional High School bathroom Pittsfield: A synagogue was targeted with an antisemitic bomb threat hoax

At an anti-Israel rally, protesters chanted, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free"

At an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages such as: "Resistance is justified" Dalton: A student made repeated antisemitic comments to a middle school teacher Lee: Patriot Front, a white supremacist group, posted stickers that read: "Better dead than red," "United we stand," "No Zionists in government, we serve one nation" and "Not stolen, conquered" Lenox: Graffiti that included swastikas and an anti-LGBTQ+ slur targeted at a trans-Jewish student was located at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School Windsor: A swastika was spray painted on a street sign

A pizza box with a swastika spray-painted on it was left on an individual's property North Adams: A synagogue was targeted with an antisemitic bomb threat Williamstown: Copies of a pro-Israel article in a Williams College student newspaper were posted around campus with red handprints intended to look like blood

Other reports from around Berkshire County include bomb threats at synagogues. Five reports appear to stem from the Hamas-Israel war, including slogans displayed at pro-Hamas/anti-Israel demonstrations.

The ADLs New England region also covers Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The organization, which also tracks other forms of racism, hate and extremism, logged 623 anti-Jewish incidents across New England  a 203 percent hike from 2022.

This outpaced the 140 percent increase reported across the country, the ADL audit says, adding that the surge is the highest level ever recorded since the ADL began tracking antisemitism in 1979.

The ADL recorded 8,873 incidents across the U.S. in 2023. In New England, 44 percent of the reports are from incidents that happened since Oct. 7.

Sara Colb, deputy director of ADL New England, said that even if reported incidents related to anti-Israel rallies are pulled from the 2023 data, the increase in incidents would still show a more than 100 percent increase from 2022. Colb said the ADL over the last four years has seen a "steady rise [in incidents] that is frightening," as each year breaks a new record.

When asked whether the counted incidents that include sloganeering, like "Resistance is justified," at anti-Israel rallies are truly antisemitism rather than a response to the actions of the Israeli government, Colb said that Jews have been "gaslit on this topic" of whether criticism of Israel amounts to Jewish hate. Those slogans at rallies that refer to the justification of murder fill many American Jews with fear, and Jews have spoken loudly that they feel targeted by those, Colb added.

"Why are [Jews] the only community that doesn't get to say what we experience as hate?" Colb said.

She said that many Jews and Israelis are critical of the Israeli government's actions, and yet the incident reports show that Jews are being targeted in many cases just for being Jewish.

Colb noted that antisemitism historically spikes during periods in a country of uncertainty, civil unrest and division. The ADL, she said, would continue to provide education and resources for schools and the public. It will also be calling on Gov. Maura Healey and other governors to follow President Joe Biden's lead in creating a strategic plan to combat a surge in Jewish hate.

"The problem," Colb said, "is quite clearly not getting better on its own."
Medical school chiefs nationwide urged the government Sunday not to increase the medical school enrollment quota for next year and discuss future increases with the medical community through a joint consultative body.

The proposal by the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Graduate School of Medicine (KAMC) came as the government and doctors have not found a breakthrough in the prolonged walkout by over 10,000 junior doctors over the government's push to increase the number of medical school seats by 2,000 starting next year from the current 3,058.

The government has proposed dialogue by setting up a special presidential commission on medical reform, while allowing universities to decide their quotas by a range of 50 to 100 percent of what the government assigned for next year.

But doctors have rejected the proposals and demanded one-on-one talks with the government.

"The medical school admission quota for 2025 should be frozen and a consultative body should be formed with the medical community at an early date to come up with the admission quota for 2026 and beyond in a scientific manner," the KAMC said in a statement

It is "not reasonable" for the government to depend on the decision by university presidents about such a crucial issue of the medial school quota, the organization said, calling for a swift and wise determination by the government to address the current crisis.

The government has stressed the need to increase the medical school admission quota to address a shortage of doctors.

Given Korea's rapid population aging and other issues, the country is expected to fall short by 15,000 doctors by 2035, according to the health ministry.

But doctors have said the planned quota hike would compromise the quality of medical education and services and create a surplus of physicians, and the government must devise ways of better protecting them from malpractice suits and extending compensation to induce more physicians to practice in such "unpopular" areas.

The walkout, which began Feb. 20, has caused serious disruptions in the country's medical system, as trainee doctors had played a crucial role in large hospitals, particularly in emergency and acute health care duties. (Yonhap)
House Democrats on Friday defeated a Republican bid to restrict migrants' access to the state's overflowing emergency family shelter system, a day after the Legislature shipped a supplemental budget to Gov. Maura Healey that would impose a new nine-month limit on shelter stays.
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Korea has signed a framework agreement with Ukraine to provide the war-torn country with economic cooperation funds, the finance ministry said Sunday, paving the way for Seoul to carry out its pledge to supply $2.1 billion in low-interest loans.

Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok signed the agreement on low-interest loan programs with his Ukraine counterpart, Sergii Marchenko, in Washington on Friday (local time), according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Last year, Korea vowed to provide an additional $2.3 billion in aid for Ukraine, where the initial $200 million of aid will be provided this year in the form of humanitarian aid for responses to emergency needs in Ukraine, and the remaining $2.1 billion will be administered as long-term, low-interest loans through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) starting in 2025.

"Friday's arrangement was meant to lay the legal foundation on credit assistance. The two sides agreed to explore projects together that help Ukraine's reconstruction and development," the ministry said in a release.

Meanwhile, Choi attended committee meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday, and proposed the expansion of the World Bank's co-financing platforms in cooperation with private entities and various other partners as part of efforts to achieve its goal of becoming a "better and bigger bank."

Choi also proposed holding a replenishment meeting of the International Development Association (IDA) in Korea in December 2023.

The IDA under the World Bank provides grants and low-interest loans to low-income countries. Partners meet every three years to replenish its resources and review the policy framework. Talks for the 21st replenishment of its resources are under way.

During a separate meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Choi signed a $55.96 million grant agreement for the organization's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) program.

The PRGT program was meant to make zero-interest loans for low-income African and other countries, and Korea pledged to donate to the fund through 2027, the ministry said.

While in Washington, Choi also met with Roberto Sifon-Arevalo, sovereign managing director of global rating appraiser Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P), and held talks on the Korean economic situation and various policy steps to spur growth, promote financial soundness and attract foreign investors.

Choi visited Washington last week to attend a meeting of finance ministers and central bank deputies of the Group of 20 nations and the first trilateral meeting with his counterparts from the United States and Japan. (Yonhap)
Democracy is at stake because of autocratic governments, the former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has said.

She was speaking at the residence of the US ambassador to Ireland, in Phoenix Park, on Sunday, as she became the inaugural recipient of the Fulbright Ireland Public Service Award.

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The Fulbright Commission is an educational exchange programme operated through a bilateral partnership of the US state department and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, Ms Pelosi met President Michael D Higgins at nearby Aras an Uachtarain.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins with former speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi Photo: Maxwells/PA.

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On Sunday, she said the US administration is concerned about Chinas influence, as well as climate change and the war in Ukraine.

Big picture, were in a competition between autocracy and democracy  have no doubt that that fight is on.

She said this manifests itself in several ways, for example brutal force by Russia and commercial efforts by China for autocracy to buy itself in.

Ms Pelosi said the US is also seeing risks challenging the principles of democracy, including free and fair elections and the independence of the judiciary.

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She added: Democracy is at stake, and I dont say that lightly.

In a wide-ranging fireside chat with US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, the long-serving Democrat reflected on her career and dealings with former presidents.

Running through a series of anecdotes, she said she got along very well with George HW Bush but criticised his relationship with China after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

She recalled another incident, years later, when his son George W Bush was president.

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Im talking to the president, who is a sweetheart, George Herbert Walker Bush, and were talking about family and so on and he says madam speaker, will you give my kid a break?.

She said the younger Bush was a lovely man but not when it came to the war in Iraq.

Former speaker of the US house of representatives Nancy Pelosi. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

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On Bill Clinton, she said he was a wonderful president who does not get the credit he deserves.

However, she said the Democrat president was also terrible on China.

Saying she was a firm believer in bipartisanship, Ms Pelosi added that she often quoted one of Ronald Reagans final presidential speeches, in which he said Americas pre-eminent position in the world was because of its openness to talent from other countries.

She said that Barack Obama was spectacular on policy areas like healthcare.

Ms Pelosi, who made several references to Donald Trump without naming her political rival, said: There are some people who should never be allowed anywhere near the White House.

She said current president Joe Biden really knows his stuff, adding: He just has a clear vision for our country. He has more experience than anybody.

Ms Pelosi said she was certain he would be re-elected.
Irish tillage farmers have raised concerned about the wider impacts of around 10 months of continuous wet weather on their sector.

Regular rainfall since last July has meant that conditions on fields are difficult, if not impossible, for planting barley, oat and bean crops this spring.

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A window is passing for Irish farmers who need to decide whether they risk sowing crops during dry spells.

Bobby Miller, a Co Laois tillage-only farmer who plants winter barley, gluten free oats, spring malt and barley, spring beans and oilseed rape.

At the end of August into early September, his planting season starts with winter oilseed rape crop, which is visible from roads at this time of year in the form of bright yellow fields.

At the end of September into early October is the ideal time to sow them winter barley, winter oats, and winter wheat.

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Finally, in the spring, is when spring barley, beans, and spring oats and spring wheat, sometimes hybrid rye is sowed.

But this year and last year have seen intense rainfall during key sowing periods for tillage farmers.

In 2023, we had a very dry February and then in March when its peak spring crops sowing, practically the whole month was wet, we didnt actually get out there so our crops were a month to six weeks later than wed like, he said.

What happens then is the harvest is delayed, yield reduces and quality reduces. We grow some crops that totally depend on reaching the quality standards.

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And then the harvest time was real wet as well. It just went completely pear-shaped for us in 2023.

That streak of bad weather is continuing into key times in spring this year.

Id say 2 per cent, definitely less than 5 per cent, of spring crops are sown in Ireland. Thats two years in a row  last year was a late spring as well  and this year again, which is usual.

Patrick Dahaene, a potato and tillage farmer in north Dublin, said that many grain farmers are trying to decide whether they plant crops this spring and hope for the best, or leave the land fallow.

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Weve got water lying on top of ploughed ground, its just impossible to get anything done. The ground will not carry machinery at the moment, of any description, heavy or light.

He told RTE that the window for growing crops has already passed for optimum growth, with early April seen as a cut-off point for planting spring wheat and beans.

Im farming nearly 40 years and my father farmed before that and weve had years that were difficult but not as prolonged as they are now  I dont think weve had six consecutive dry days since July of last year.

Mr Miller, who is chairman of Irish Grain Growers Group, said that if Irish tillage farmers dont produce grains, they are in competition with imported grains.

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He said that two million tonnes of grain and pulses are grown in Ireland, with 75-80 per cent of grains and pulses used to feed farm animals in Ireland, while five million tonnes are imported from around the world.

He said that a crop of winter gluten-free oats he grew last year were carbon neutral, according to Irish state agency Teagascs standards, while what is imported has a higher carbon footprint and a lower husbandry standards.

Mr Miller said a national revisiting of the tillage and agriculture sector as a whole is needed, and that climate change has become more front and centre in the agricultural world, no question about it.

Its part of your decision-making on farms, because  as tillage farmers, especially  were totally dependent on weather.

Are we saying climate change is here on our door? You could say yes.

The climate is evolving as far as Im concerned, its evolving.

Met Eireann are saying were going to have wetter periods and drier, drought-like periods.

So how do we how do we adapt to that as farmers?

He said they would need to have a serious look at how crops are grown and how to salvage crops in future.

The Government has announced a tillage payment of 100 per hectare to deal with the immediate pressures, which a farmers group has warned falls short of required.

We met Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD on the Farrell farm in Kilkenny today, at which we discussed the key farming priorities. @gormanifa said farmers will expect Government to deliver on the issues raised.https://t.co/K4yEiR0c4q  Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) April 19, 2024

Max Potterton, the Irish Farmers Associations senior policy executive on tillage, said that it was calling for a 250 payment per hectare to stem an exodus from the industry.

Some farmers have suggested that the area under tillage in Ireland could drop by up to 11% this year, and follows a 7 per cent drop in the cereal crop area in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office.

Every euro matters at a per hectare level really, Mr Potterton said.

We dont want a mass exodus from tillage. Were in the position now, if we see a significant drop in 2024, that could precipitate further declines to 2025 and 2026.

Its a confidence game, and one damaging year can do an awful lot of harm. The importance of 250, or a hectare is it better addresses the challenges with the costs of land rental and the costs of declining grain prices.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said he hoped the scheme would give farmers confidence to put seed in the soil.

Anyone who is looking to plant in fields this spring or planted last autumn, it was very difficult. There is still a window available, thankfully the weather forecast for the next few days seems to be improving, he told RTE.

But farmers confidence is really dented and I want to give them the confidence to go ahead and plant this year because we need our tillage sector to be strong and we need to see those crops.
Ecuadorians head to the polls on Sunday in a referendum touted by the countrys fledgling leader as a way to crack down on criminal gangs behind a spiralling wave of violence.

The majority of 11 questions posed to voters focus on tightening security measures. Proposals include deploying the army in the fight against the gangs, loosening obstacles to extradition of accused criminals and lengthening prison sentences for convicted drug traffickers.

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Ecuador, traditionally one of South Americas most peaceful countries, has been rocked in recent years by a wave of violence, much of it spilling over from neighbouring Colombia, the worlds largest producer of cocaine.

Last year, the countrys homicide rate shot up to 40 deaths per 100,000, one of the highest in the region.

President Daniel Noboa has rallied popular support by confronting the gangs head on. That task became more urgent in January when masked gunmen, some on orders from imprisoned drug traffickers, terrorised residents and took control of a TV station while it was live on the air in an unprecedented show of force.

Following the rampage, the 36-year-old leader decreed an internal armed conflict, enabling him to use emergency powers to deploy the army in pursuit of some 20 gangs now classified as terrorists.

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The referendum seeks to extend those powers and put them on firmer legal ground.

But in recalling the law-and-order policies of El Salvadors wildly popular President Nayib Bukele, a fellow millennial, they could also boost Mr Noboa politically as he prepares to run for re-election next year.

Mr Noboa, the scion of a wealthy banana exporting family, is serving the final 18 months of a presidential term left vacant when fellow conservative Guillermo Lasso resigned amid an investigation into alleged corruption by congress.

He was elected following a shortened but bloody campaign that saw one of his top rivals brazenly assassinated while campaigning.
Irans supreme leader has dismissed any discussion of whether Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there, a tacit acknowledgment that, despite launching a massive assault, few projectiles actually made it to their targets.

Ayatollah Ali Khameneis comments to senior military leaders on Sunday did not not touch on the apparent Israeli retaliatory strike on the central city of Isfahan on Friday, even though air defences opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of the country.

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Analysts believe both Iran and Israel, regional arch-rivals locked in a shadow war for years, are trying to ease tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on and inflames the wider region.



Iranian worshippers chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering after Friday prayers in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

The 85-year-old Ayatollah made the comments in a meeting attended by the top ranks of Irans regular military, police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within its Shiite theocracy.

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Debates by the other party about how many missiles were fired, how many of them hit the target and how many didnt, these are of secondary importance, he said in remarks aired by state television.

The main issue is the emergence of the Iranian nation and Iranian militarys will in an important international arena. This is what matters.

Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which sought to overwhelm Israels air defences in the April 13 attack  the first on Israel by a foreign power since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.

However, Israeli air defences and fighter jets, backed by the US, the UK and neighbouring Jordan, shot down the vast majority of the incoming fire.

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Workers try to repair a taxiway at Israels Nevatim air base after the Iranian attack on April 13 (Israeli military/AP)

Satellite images analysed on Saturday by the Associated Press showed the Iranian attack caused only minor damage at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, including taking a chunk out of a taxiway that Israel quickly repaired.

Irans attack came in response to a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 targeting a consular building next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, which killed two Guard generals and others.

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Today, thanks to the work done by our armed forces, the Revolutionary Guard, the army, the police, each in its own way, praise be to Allah the image of the country around the world has become commendable, added Ayatollah Khamenei, despite Iran facing public anger over its economy and crackdowns on dissent.
Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight killed 22 people, including 18 children, health officials said on Sunday, as the United States was on track to approve billions of dollars in additional military aid for its close ally.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

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It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt despite international calls for restraint, including from the US.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: In the coming days, we will increase the political and military pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to bring back our hostages and achieve victory. We will land more and painful blows on Hamas soon.

Mr Netanyahu did not give any more details.



People in Tel Aviv protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas (Leo Correa/AP)

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The first overnight strike killed a man, his wife and their three-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. The woman was pregnant, and the doctors managed to save the baby, the hospital said.

The second strike killed 17 children and two women, all from the same extended family, according to hospital records. First responders were still searching the rubble.

An air strike in Rafah the night before killed nine people, including six children.

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The House of Representatives approved a 26 billion dollar (21 billion) aid package on Saturday, which includes around 9 billion dollars (7.3 billion) in humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

The Senate could pass the package as soon as Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

Mohammed al-Beheiri said his daughter, Rasha, and her six children, ranging in age from 18 months to 16 years, were among those killed overnight and into Sunday. Her husbands second wife and their three children are still under the rubble, he added.

The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, devastated Gazas two largest cities and left a swathe of destruction across the territory.

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Around 80% of the population have fled their homes to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave, which experts say is on the brink of famine.

The conflict, now in its seventh month, has sparked regional unrest, pitting Israel and the US against Iran and allied militant groups across the Middle East. Israel and Iran traded fire directly earlier this month, raising fears of all-out war between the long-time foes.

Tensions have also surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.



Smoke rises from an explosion during an Israeli military operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp, near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, on Saturday (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

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Israeli troops killed two Palestinians who the military said attacked a checkpoint with a knife and a gun near the southern West Bank town of Hebron early on Sunday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the two killed were 18 and 19 years old, from the same family. No Israeli forces were wounded, the army said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service meanwhile said it had recovered a total of 14 bodies after an Israeli raid on the Nur Shams urban refugee camp in the West Bank that began late Thursday.

Those killed include three militants from the Islamic Jihad group and a 15-year-old boy.

The military said it killed 10 militants in the camp and arrested eight suspects. Nine Israeli soldiers and officers were wounded.

In a separate incident in the West Bank, an Israeli man was wounded in an explosion on Sunday, the Magen David Adom rescue service said.

A video circulating online shows a man approaching a Palestinian flag that had been planted in a field. When he kicks it, it appears to trigger an explosive device.



Palestinian workers clear the rubble following an Israeli raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank (Nasser Nasser/AP)

At least 469 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Most have been killed during Israeli military arrest raids, which often trigger gunbattles, or in violent protests.

The war in Gaza was sparked by an unprecedented raid into southern Israel on October 7 last year, in which Hamas and other militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages.

Israel says militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to call for new elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a deal with Hamas to release the hostages.

Mr Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and all the hostages are returned.



An Israeli military vehicle drives near the West Bank town of Tulkarem (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The war has killed at least 34,049 Palestinians and wounded another 76,901, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count but says at least two-thirds have been children and women.

It also says the real toll is likely to be higher because many bodies are underneath the rubble left by air strikes or are in areas that are unreachable for medics.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militants fight in dense, residential neighbourhoods, but the military rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children.

The military says it has killed more than 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence.
Ukrainian and Western leaders have welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the US House of Representatives, as the Kremlin claimed the passage of the Bill will further ruin Ukraine and cause more deaths.

The House swiftly approved 95 billion US dollars (76.8 billion) in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias invasion.

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With an overwhelming vote, the 61 billion dollars (49.3 billion) in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved Ukrainian flags.



Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson talks to reporters after members voted to approve 95 billion US dollars in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had warned that his country would lose the war without US funding, said he was grateful for the decision by American politicians.

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We appreciate every sign of support for our country and its independence, people and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble, he wrote on social media site X, formerly Twitter.

America has demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war. Exactly this type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations, he said.





Today, we received the awaited decision on the US aid package that we long fought for. And a very significant one. Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it.



The U.S. House of Representatives voted on it pic.twitter.com/G6z3PxsOMg Advertisement  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024

The Ukrainian president noted that his countrys warriors on the front lines will feel the benefit of the aid package.

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One such warrior is infantry soldier Oleksandr, fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

For us its so important to have this support from the USand our partners, he told the Associated Press. He did not give his full name for security reasons.

With this we can stop them and reduce our losses. Its the first step to have the possibility to liberate our territory.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid hold-up over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in the Donetsk region.

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The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times, Oleksandr said. Not having enough ammunition means we cant cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us.



Russian rockets are launched against Ukraine from Russias Belgorod region, seen from Kharkiv, on Thursday (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

In Kyiv, civilians shared their views on the US aid package.

I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event, said Kateryna Ruda, 43.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers have nothing to protect us.

They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the centre of our city, the 26-year-old said.

Other Western leaders praised the passing of the aid package.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X: Ukraine is using the weapons provided by Nato Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America.





I welcome that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a major new package of aid to #Ukraine. Ukraine is using the weapons provided by #NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America.  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) April 20, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia.

Her statement was echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it a strong signal in these times.

We stand with the Ukrainians fighting for their free, democratic and independent country, he posted on X.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the approval of aid to Ukraine expected and predictable.

The decision will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime, he was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.



A fragment of a Russian missile in a farmers field in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine (Andrii Marienko/AP)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also took to social media to speak against the aid package.

The allocation of military assistance by the United States to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan will aggravate the global crisis: military assistance to the Kyiv regime is direct sponsorship of terrorist activities, she wrote on Telegram.

The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation, Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

The whole aid package will go to the US Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.
Koryn Hawthorne - "On God" | CR8 Agency

Nashville, TN (April 19, 2024)  Today, two-time GRAMMY nominated, Billboard Music and NAACP Image Award winning, inspirational artist, Koryn Hawthorne, releases the deluxe version of her chart-topping album, ON GOD, today. ON GOD (Deluxe) is available now, wherever music is sold and streamed digitally.

The deluxe version of ON GOD features five additional songs, including "Relationships" featuring Tamela Mann. Preceded by the singles, "Look At God", "Cry" and "Cut Em Off," the brand-new album showcases Hawthornes ability to transcend across all genres, showcasing her signature vocals. Having carved a lane of her own, Hawthorne provides a refreshing blend of gospel, pop, hip-hop and R&B. Hawthorne is best known for being a finalist in season 8 of NBC's reality TV singing competition The Voice, placing fourth place as a member on Pharrell Williams' team. After finishing in 4th place on The Voice, Hawthorne got signed to RCA Inspiration. Since placing 4th she has been seen as a guest star on WE tvs Mary Mary, Bounces Saints & Sinners and OWNs Greenleaf. Koryn went on to shatter Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs Chart in 2018 claiming the title of longest reign by a female artist, with her infectious #1 smash hit Won't He Do It - garnering RIAA-Certified Gold recognition. Hawthorne recently starred in the Peacock original film, PRAISE THIS, portraying mean-girl, Fallon.

Follow Koryn Hawthorne on social media using the handle @KorynHawthorne.
Korea expressed "deep disappointment and regret" Sunday over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sending a ritual offering to a war shrine seen as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.

Earlier in the day, Kishida sent the ceremonial tree to the Yasukuni Shrine, while Economic Revitalization Minister Yoshitaka Shindo, a cabinet member, visited it on the occasion of its spring festival, according to Japan's Kyodo News.

The shrine honors Japan's war dead, including 14 Class A war criminals from World War II. Neighboring countries like Korea and China view visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders as an attempt to glorify the country's militaristic past.

"The government expresses deep disappointment and regret that responsible Japanese leaders have once again sent offerings or paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine," the foreign ministry's spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a statement.

"We urge the responsible leaders of Japan to squarely face up to history and show through action a humble reflection and genuine repentance for the past, and emphasize again that that would be an important foundation for the development of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations."

Since taking office in 2021, Kishida has not visited the shrine but has sent ritual offerings. (Yonhap)
The $76 million fire sale of the assets of an ASX-listed Russian coal miner could hit a roadblock as federal authorities scrutinise the deal that will return funds to a shareholder sanctioned by the Australian government and described as a slush fund for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Days after losing a legal challenge against Australias strict sanctions regime, Tigers Realm Coal announced it would sell its Russian assets  two coking coal mines and an export terminal in the countrys far east  to APM Invest, which is owned by Russian mining tycoon Mark Buzuk, for $US49 million ($76.3 million).

Tigers Realm trucks transport coal in Russias far east. Credit: Tigers Realm

The company plans to return capital from its sale to shareholders, which includes the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which has an 8.41 per cent stake in the company. Putin established the RDIF, Moscows sovereign wealth fund, in 2011 to make it easier for foreign firms to co-invest with the Kremlin in Russian companies.

The United States Treasury has said the RDIF is widely considered a slush fund for Putin and is emblematic of Russias broader kleptocracy. The RDIF has rejected that description. The Australian government sanctioned the fund and its chief executive, Kirill Dmitriev, shortly after Russias invasion of Ukraine.
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Sydneys pioneer of modern Greek food reveals his new project Peter Conistis left CBD restaurant Alpha to make way for George Calombaris. His next venue is a 350-seater in the bayside suburb of Brighton-le-Sands. And yes, therell be a poolside menu. Scott Bolles April 22, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

When one kitchen door closes, another opens. At least, thats the case for Sydneys pioneer of modern Greek food, Peter Conistis, who was recently replaced by Melbourne celebrity chef George Calombaris at CBD restaurant Alpha. Conistis will now open the 350-seat Ammos restaurant in the southern Sydney suburb of Brighton-le-Sands in May. At Alpha, Calombaris promised menu is yet to appear. There are still dishes of mine on the menu [at Alpha], a frustrated Conistis says. Sydney is still waiting for Calombaris opening food volley at Alpha restaurant, which Public Hospitality Group has operated since December. Public, the heavily indebted hospitality empire run by former KPMG deal maker Jon Adgemis, is looking to refinance. Chef Peter Conistis at his Ammos restaurant in Brighton-le-Sands. Louie Douvis Investment firm Bain Capital recently walked away from a $500 million refinancing deal, with The Australian Financial Review now reporting Public is in discussions with Deutsche Bank. Last week, Public also put Annandales Empire Hotel  the pub earmarked for a spin-off from Randwicks Maybe Frank  up for sale.

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I bumped into George in the Public office, Conistis says of his first inkling the former MasterChef presenter was earmarked to succeed him at Alpha. While offered other projects within Public, Conistis instead chose an approach from Oscars Group, which is redeveloping the towering Novotel hotel on the Brighton-le-Sands waterfront. Conistis says the hotel will be relaunched next year. Its five star, he says. Ammos (Greek for sand) is located on level 3, with a nearly completed interior from designer Paul Papadopoulos, and a massive terrace with views out over the bay. Therell be a poolside dining menu. It takes a lot for me to get involved in these things, but [I knew] the moment I saw the space, Conistis says. Conistis at Ammos on level 3 at the new five-star Novotel tower. Louie Douvis The chef was also attracted to the cultural connections of the area, which has strong Greek heritage.

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Ammos will be pure Greek, therell be a seafood station and a take on a mezze bar, Conistis says. He is aiming to open in four to five weeks. Conistis continues to be involved at Ploos restaurant at The Rocks, where he is in the process of adding some of his signature dishes to the menu. I spent 11 years building it [Alpha], Im proud of what we achieved, he says. Last month, when discussing his upcoming gig as creative director at Alpha, Calombaris praised Conistis role in progressing Greek food in Australia. I want the place to be fun. Im into fun dining, not fine dining, he promised of Alphas eventual direction. Exclusive Nervous as hell: George Calombaris takes the reins at one of Sydneys top Greek restaurants
Pet dogs were welcomed on board CityCats and ferries in Brisbane in mid-2020 after a six-month trial, and they are allowed to travel during off-peak times Mondays to Fridays, and all weekend.

So why in Brisbane is my pooch allowed on CityCats, but banned on trains and buses?

In Paris, Berlin, London and New York, dogs are allowed on public transport.

Rules include dogs must be on a lead and wearing a muzzle, or in an enclosed carrier, they must stay outside the cabin and owners have to pick up any mess.

But despite pups being given the green light on the Brisbane River, TransLink has no plans to allow them on trains and buses.

I sympathise with people who have phobias and allergies, but if it can be done interstate and overseas, it can be done in Brisbane.

Dog owners have a responsibility to socialise their pets and taking them in public provides exercise and a chance to meet strangers and animals to ensure they grow into happy, calm, healthy and well-adjusted animals.

If public transport is off-limits, the only way to transport a dog is private car, which adds more traffic to already congested roads, courtesy of people living in the one-third of Brisbane homes that have a dog.
Salman Rushdie was living under a fatwa for 33 years, so when he was attacked by a knife-wielding assassin at a literary talk in upstate New York in 2022, he wasnt totally shocked.

I confess, I had sometimes imagined my assassin rising up in some public forum or other, and coming for me in just this way, he writes in his new memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, published this week. So my first thought when I saw this murderous shape rushing towards me was, So its you. Here you are.

In reading the coverage of the memoir, an account of a stabbing that has horrid resonance for Australians this week, I was struck by one detail. Rushdies attacker, it was reported, had only read a couple of pages of The Satanic Verses, the novel for which Rushdie earned his fatwa from Irans Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

The books alleged blasphemy relates to its treatment of the prophet Muhammed, but Rushdies assailant, who awaits trial for the stabbing, only knew that Rushdie was someone who attacked Islam.
Washington: The US House has swiftly approved $150 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other American allies as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russias invasion.

The $US61 billion ($95 billion) in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes in a strong showing as American lawmakers race to deliver a fresh round of US support to the war-torn ally. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved blue-and-yellow flags of Ukraine.

Aid to Israel and the other allies also won approval by healthy margins, as did a measure to clamp down on the popular platform TikTok, with unique coalitions forming to push the separate bills forward. The whole package will go to the Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well, said a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked his own job to marshal the package to passage.
By Steven L. Shields

When Western missionaries came to Korea in 1885, their mission work focused on education and medical care. The huge churches they are known for today came along later. Such is the case, albeit almost a century later, with a small Midwest U.S.-based denomination called Community of Christ. Community of Christ members had been among the thousands of U.S. military personnel in Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War and afterward. Naturally, their Korean friends became aware of their denomination and its focus on the social gospel as described in the New Testament.

In the early 1960s, social safety nets took a distant third behind infrastructure and economic development. Services such as health care needed massive funding. The government was struggling to pull Korea out of the poverty inflicted on it by decades of Japanese misrule, civil war and political strife. Access to basic health care was a distant dream for many in Korea.

Esme Smith, a young Australian nurse, caught the missionary spirit in her youth and yearned to go someplace where she could be helpful. Through a missionary friend in Korea, Esme offered to be of service. A dental school student at Seoul National University helped her get a position teaching nursing. After a few years, the idea of a rural medical mission took root among the Korean church members and their missionary partners from Australia. Soon, the dream of medical care access began to take shape in Asan, South Chungcheong Province.

Putting the social gospel at the forefront of their ministry in Korea, the denomination looked to what was then a much-neglected rural area that was light years away from Seoul. Fifty-eight years ago, in 1966, this little denomination built a clinic in the rural outskirts of the region, nestled within a quaint village called Maegokri.

A modern three-story building was built on a hilltop overlooking the hamlet. Esme moved from Seoul to a small room in the building, where she lived alone for a few years. Using her well-honed Korean language skills, she quickly took to training a few local women as assistants. The SNU medical school student doctors and dentists visited once a month or so to help with the more challenging needs.

With no telephone service and the nearest railway station in Cheonan, almost a day's walk away, Esme's primary means of contacting church leaders in Seoul was through the postal service. Some of her letters to the office are quite charming. Next time someone comes down from the city, I would appreciate a bottle of shampoo as I am almost out. In another, she writes, I need 100 toothbrushes and toothpaste for the children. She regularly visited primary schools in the countys two or three dozen villages.

After about four years alone and with a burgeoning patient load, Esme needed help. A young couple from the U.S., Dorcas Hentz Wilkinson and her husband Larry, plus their infant son, took up residence in a newly built cottage behind the clinic. They were joined shortly after by their second child, who was born in the clinic with Esme delivering.

Dorcas, a registered nurse, had worked for several years on the SS Hope, a civilian hospital ship that sailed the world in the 1960s and 1970s taking medical care to places in need. Larry, an administrator, took on the task of dealing with the increasingly long list of patient records and other paperwork. He also became the chief procurement officer for the clinics supply needs.

The clinic staff did not neglect to preach the gospel, along with their medical ministry. Regular church services were held in a room at the clinic. Esme, Dorcas and a small staff of doctors and dentists provided basic prenatal care, well-baby care, delivered babies and gave first aid. They also taught children throughout the county how to brush their teeth.

The missionaries in the late 1970s turned over full control of the clinic to Korean medical staff, who continued to see patients for medical and dental work for the next decade. When Koreas new national health care system was launched in the 1980s, the old clinic building had become redundant, and the church sold the property to a local farmer.

The vacant building was lonely for many years until the early 2000s when a local church (unrelated to Community of Christ) moved in and set up a congregation. In 2016, after 50 years of service in a faraway place, the government attached the property to build a modern road to connect the village with Cheonan.

The villagers long remembered the work done by Esme, Dorcas, Larry and the steady stream of medical and dental students who traveled down from Seoul to help.

In 2000, I traveled to Asan with my church secretary, Ms. Lee. As we drove west from Cheonan, she commented that she had been raised in the village to our left, some miles distant. I mentioned that the denomination had operated a clinic at Maegokri. She told me Maegokri was just down the road to the right, so we detoured. Then she remembered two white women who had come to her elementary school with toothbrushes and toothpaste when she was a child. They taught her how to brush her teeth properly. We were both certain those two women were Esme and Dorcas.

The Royal Asiatic Society Korea has dedicated its 124 years of service to Korea by researching, preserving and telling stories from Koreas past, especially those that might otherwise become lost. Join RAS Korea on Tuesday evenings in Seoul for lectures, or on one of our weekend cultural excursions. Visit raskb.com for details of upcoming events.

Rev. Steven L. Shields is president of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea and a columnist for The Korea Times.
Julia Ji-yeon Kim, the head of the performing arts department at Seoul International School (SIS), discussed the advantages and trends in music education, the history of the music program at SIS and her vision for its future, in an interview with The Korea Times.

Music education has many benefits, such as improved cognitive development, emotional expression, creativity, teamwork and cultural appreciation.

It provides a platform for self-expression and learning how to communicate nonverbally. Music education also promotes collaboration, creativity, and cultural understanding among students.

The current trends in music education include technology integration, inclusivity, accessibility, globalization, and a focus on social and emotional learning. Students now have access to a wider range of musical styles and traditions from around the world, enriching their cultural understanding and musical repertoire.

Music education is evolving, adapting to new educational paradigms, technological advancements, and societal needs while retaining its fundamental values of creativity, expression and cultural enrichment.

SIS's music program has seen significant upgrades since Kim joined the faculty in 2004.

Elementary school students have access to a diverse array of offerings, including the prestigious Suzuki Program, junior choir and elementary school band, which become gateways to advanced ensemble programs in middle and high school.

In the upper grades, performance-based classes in strings, band, choir and full orchestra provide invaluable experience, culminating in memorable performances each semester. SIS participates in events and festivals, such as the Korea International Music Educators Association (KIMEA), which Kim helped launch in 2010, and the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS), demonstrating their commitment to fostering a vibrant musical culture.

As the head of the performing arts department at SIS, Kim aims to encourage collaboration across divisions to create memorable musical experiences that transcend traditional boundaries.

She envisions collaborative performances showcasing the talents of students across different divisions and interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate music with other subjects like visual arts, drama and history.

Kim is committed to fostering excellence, collaboration, and creativity to elevate the musical experience for SIS students and enrich their educational journey. Kim said, "You're welcome to join the SIS music program and see how music can shape our lives for the better!" (advertorial)
Prosecutors on Sunday indicted the chairman of a local bakery giant with physical detention on charges of coercing bakers to quit their membership with a militant umbrella labor organization.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office indicted 18 individuals, including SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in, over their alleged involvement in unfair labor practices at the company.

Hur and the others are accused of urging some 570 union members at an SPC subsidiary to quit their union membership with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of the country's two major umbrella unions that's considered more militant than the Federation of Korean Trade Unions.

The Seoul Central District Court issued a formal arrest warrant for the 74-year-old on April 5, citing concerns about him attempting to destroy evidence. (Yonhap)
In Brooklyn agitators burned American flags chanted Death to America waving the flag of Hezbollah and displayed a poster that read, Free Palestine or Else. (Hindustan Times) Or else what? Activists in MI were instructed in how to say death to America in Farsi, the language of Iran (Daily Caller 4/15/51). Many Americans wont hear about this since leftists like NPR defend it as just words (11/14/13). That confirms claims by whistleblower, Uri Berliner, suspended for exposing the far left bias at NPR before he resigned.



It reveals feelings these radicals are harboring when they scream death to America.

Over a hundred, including the daughter of Rep Ilhan Omar, D-MN, were arrested at Columbia University. Omars daughter is a student at Columbia-related Barnard College where tuition is $64,000 a year and dorms $20,000 a year. No wonder Omar wants student debt paid by taxpayers (MinnPost 6/24/19). NPR didnt report this, perhaps they thought it would be wasting listeners time.In another example of bias, Rachel Martin on NPRs Morning Edition (10/30/19) hosted Peter Zwack discussing his friend Lt Col Alexander Vindman, the Ukrainian-born member of the US Military who was a primary whistleblower in Trumps impeachment. It was praise from the NPR host for Vindman as the target was Trump, but when Uri Berliner blew the whistle, the NPR jackboot of der Geheime Staatspolizei came down on him.How long must Jewish Americans endure threats excused as merely words?How long must we watch as radicals, some here on visas, scream death to America in whatever language, while our citizens are still in jail for a protest on Jan 6 in DC?How long must taxpayers pay certain student debt, possibly including those shouting death to America?How long must taxpayers support an echo of Radio Havana Cuba? Let NPR go the way of Air America Radio which spewed libtalk about how bad America is until it dried up both in ideas and financial support.Ralph Miller

* * *

Ms. Omar has faced criticism, but her child doesnt meet the eligibility criteria for loan forgiveness. Also, her child is an adult so her actions are hers. Ms. Boebert's son has a ton of felonies and no one is bothering her let them handle their business. To qualify under the SAVE Plan, a borrower must be enrolled in the SAVE Plan, have made at least 10 years of payments, and originally borrowed $12,000 or less for college. Additionally, for every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, additional forgiveness is granted after an extra year of payments. All borrowers on SAVE receive forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, depending on whether they have graduate school loans. With her income level I doubt she qualifies or would even need the money.



My generation was often told that college was the only path, we should have been told the truth that trade schools were a great option without the debt. Those loans are a hill you are never going to get over for the most part. College loans are burdensome, and the system needs reform. College should be free, especially for critical professions like nursing and teaching. In my opinion it only would bolster our economy by having these positions filled that we cannot fill right now.





Lastly you mentioned the hate crimes or speech against Jewish-Americans. Hate crimes, including anti-Semitism, should be condemned consistently. Historically, the top three hate crimes in America are Anti-Black, Anti-Jewish, and Anti-LGBTQIA+ in that order. Prioritizing awareness and action against hate crimes is essential every day, not just when it becomes a hot topic. As a black man I have mentioned certain things I have gone through and have been told to suck it up or move on some are the same things that are happening right now to Jewish-Americans. If its bad for them, its bad for all of us. Lets be consistent. We are all Americans. Let's love each other and be United like we're supposed to be. Have a blessed day.

Christopher Cooper
Cherokee Nation leaders joined officials from the City of Stilwell and the State of Oklahoma to officially break ground on a new $26 million water treatment plant in Stilwell on April 15.
These days, vampires are mostly thought of as works of fiction. But back in the 1800s, the fanged creature was considered very real.

People believed that vampires were making everyone fall ill and then draining the blood from their bodies.

They didnt know that the real cause of all the deaths was tuberculosis, which included symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, and the coughing up of white phlegm or even blood.

In Exeter, Rhode Island, the family of a farmer named George Brown started dropping dead one by one.

His daughter, Mercy Brown, was accused of being the vampire responsible for their deaths. The first to go was Georges wife, Mary, in 1883.

Six months later, his daughter Mary Olive died at age 20. Within the next several years, Mercy was dead as well. At the time of her death, her brother Edwin was also sick.

The villagers concluded that a vampire must be behind so many deaths in the same family. In 1892, a group of men decided to dig up the Brown familys graves to see which one of them was attacking their relatives.

It was the only way to save Edwin from succumbing to the same fate as the rest of his family. When they examined the bodies of Mary and Mary Olive, they found that they were properly decomposed.

But upon uncovering Mercy Brown, they were struck with terror. Mercy had been buried for more than two months, but her body was still well-preserved.

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As a child, you were probably told that gossip was wrong, that if you wouldnt say something to an individuals face, you just shouldnt say it at all.

But, an intriguing new study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland and the University of Stanford suggests that gossipers may not be the worst thing for social groups. Rather, the research highlighted how spilling the tea sometimes could actually have benefits.

According to the researchers, gossip  or the exchange of personal information about people who arent present  offers a social advantage, particularly in spreading info about individuals reputations. This enables those who hear the gossip to associate with more cooperative people as opposed to selfish people.

When people are interested in knowing if someone is a good person to interact with, if they can get information from gossiping  assuming the information is honest  that can be a very useful thing to have, said Dana Nau, the studys co-author.

The studys findings are the result of a computer simulation designed to address a long-held question in social psychology: Why has gossip become such a popular and widespread activity regardless of age, gender, and culture?

In a previous study, the team found that people spend about one hour each day discussing others  which represents a significant amount of day-to-day life. Thats why the researchers felt compelled to delve into this topic further.

Other past research has suggested that gossip may be able to bond large groups and encourage cooperation. However, its still unknown what benefits the individuals who gossip actually receive from these interactions.

This has been a real puzzle. Its unclear why gossiping, which requires considerable time and energy, evolved as an adaptive strategy at all, said Michele Gelfand, another co-author of the study.

So, for their latest study, the researchers used an evolutionary game theory model that simulates human decision-making. By integrating principles from evolutionary biology and game theory, the researchers could observe how their virtual study subjects  known as agents  interacted and adjusted their strategies to gain rewards.

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Home News Columbine survivor says mission trip to Africa helped him let go of his anger

A survivor of the Columbine High School massacre whose sister was murdered in the Colorado school shooting recounted how a mission trip to Africa helped him understand the importance of truly letting go of anger in an attitude of forgiveness.

Speaking to The Christian Post from Denver amid media interviews he has been doing this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, 41-year-old Craig Scott shared how his horrific experience on April 20, 1999, equipped him to speak into some of the deepest pains of today's young people.

'Get out of there'

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Scott was only 16 years old when he heard loud popping sounds while studying for a biology test at a table in the school library with his friend Matt Kechter. The sounds were the first gunshots fired by seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, which prompted Scott to hide beneath a table with his friend.

Most of the shooters' victims were killed in the library that day, and Scott was overcome with terror after witnessing the murder of Kechter and his other friend Isaiah Shoels. As he cowered beneath the table covered in blood, Scott prayed for God to remove his fear.

Days after the shooting, he claimed during an interview on the "Today" show that after he cried out to God, he heard a voice in his mind instructing him to escape the library, which is a story he maintains a quarter-century later.

"I just ended up laying on the floor," Scott said in 1999. "I was praying to God to give me courage and to keep protection over us. He told me to get out of there. God told me to get out of there." He would help other students escape from the library, where the shooters killed most of their victims.

Police informed Scott and his family the next day that his sister, 17-year-old Rachel Joy Scott, was the first student Harris and Klebold killed. They reportedly taunted her for her outspoken Christian faith at gunpoint before taking her life.

After murdering 12 students and a teacher, Harris and Klebold took their own lives in the library. Twenty-one others suffered gunshot wounds and three more were injured amid the chaos.

'I was becoming more like the shooters'

Rachel Scott's story would go on to inspire Rachel's Challenge, a bullying and school violence prevention nonprofit, and prompted Craig to speak out about the pain he had experienced.

During an interview with CNN in 2012, Scott recounted how the anger he harbored toward his sister's murderers threatened to drag him into the same spiritual darkness that had consumed them. He remembered a moment when he exploded in rage toward his close younger brother, terrifying him as he pulled a knife on him.

"I was outside of myself, and I realized I was becoming more like the shooters as I focused on them and held on to my anger and hatred toward them," Scott said at the time.

Scott told CP that he began learning to let go of his anger after being invited to take his sister's place in her planned mission trip to Africa with an Evangelical youth organization. While ministering to hurting people living in refugee camps, he said he met people who had suffered even worse losses than he had, which taught him the healing power of gratitude and forgiveness.

"I met a person who had lost 17 members of their family due to their whole tribe being killed but still lived a life of forgiveness," he said, adding that he returned from the two-month trip realizing that he never has a reason to complain about anything.

"I remember in Africa, I began to really let go," he said. "And how I would do it is, I would literally take my emotion of anger in my hands as if it were physical thing, and I would just release it up to Heaven. I would give it to God. And it wasn't a one-time thing. I would have to do it again and again, especially as I saw [the shooters'] faces on the news."

'It's a spiritual issue'

One aspect of what angered Scott when he was young was the news stories that presented Harris and Klebold as victims by suggesting that relentless bullying had pushed them to the edge.

"That was not a big factor into why Columbine happened," he said.

Scott, who had interacted with both shooters before the massacre, maintained that they both had friends at school and that Harris often lied and "was probably more of a bully than bullied."

Klebold, by contrast, was prone to fits of rage and was suicidally depressed and "thought he didn't matter," Scott said.

Citing their journals, Scott noted that both boys focused on the negative in life, with Harris seeing the worst in other people and Klebold seeing the worst in himself.

"To me, it's a deeper issue; it's a spiritual issue and an issue dealing also with mental health," he said regarding Harris, Klebold and other school shooters. "But the problems are in the hearts of young people, and that's also where the solutions are."

Scott, who began speaking publicly about his experience when he was 18 and has since addressed hundreds of schools and millions of people, said he always emphasizes the importance of focusing on the good things in life when he speaks.

Noting how society has become much more merciless and unforgiving than when he was growing up, he observed how increasing numbers of young people he meets are battling loneliness, depression and thoughts of suicide, which he said statistically pose a greater threat to young people than a school shooting.

"The bigger issue is the loneliness and depression," he said. "Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers in our country, so that's a much bigger issue. But you don't combat problems by just focusing on the problem, you combat problems by focusing on the solution."

He also noted that such negative emotions have only worsened in the past 25 years with the advent of social media.

"Have you ever been so angry that you held on to that anger for a long time? Imagine that you never let it go and then you fed it," Scott said in response to those who question how a school shooter could perpetrate such heinous acts.

"And imagine that you just started seeing the worst in everybody and everything, disconnecting yourself from other people, and then choosing very negative, hateful influences through media, which any kid can find," he added.

"Now, can you see how it could happen?"

Scott, who has struggled with depression, said he has come to believe that the solution to depression and other negative emotions such as loneliness, anger and hatred is "thankfulness and gratitude."

'Forgiveness sets you free'

Forgiveness is a major step along the path to healing, Scott said.

"There's a time for emotion after something unjust happens in your life, but if you're holding onto it for years and years, then you become a prisoner of unforgiveness," Scott said.

"What people misunderstand is that forgiveness is for you," he said. "Forgiveness sets you free. It's not always for the other person. Sometimes, we forgive, and that person isn't even in our life. It's letting go of our right to be angry."

Because holding on to the right to be angry is often logically justified, Scott acknowledged that forgiveness is often difficult, but he noted that followers of Christ are called to it.

"Spiritually, you're supposed to choose the path to forgiveness," he said. "Forgiveness is an attitude. It's not just a one-time event. It's an attitude that we embrace: that I'm a forgiving person, I will let go of the offenses that others cause against me, and I'll be free from that."

"And that's a great way to live," he added.

Scott, who operates a website, is rolling out a new podcast on Saturday called "Pain into Purpose," which features the stories of others who have found meaning through their suffering.
Home Opinion Is America a failed historical model?

Virtually every week there is some news item about the war on Americas founding ideals.

In Concord, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, the shot heard round the world rang out, which was the very beginning of the American War for Independence. But, syndicated columnist Don Feder notes, that town recently removed three historical markers, which had been in place since 1930, that commemorated the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 300 years earlier, lest the signs offend woke sensitivities.

In the state of Michigan recently, we have seen Muslims in what has been called Dearbornistan chanting Death to America. What ingratitude.

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We also see people in high places of America who, it would seem, want to see the nation die.

Conservative critics would argue that one way of killing off America is by forcing woke policies until they bankrupt us spiritually, socially, militarily, culturally, academically, and so on.

Woke policies often use the acronym DEI for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. But isnt Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson correct when he says that DEI should be more accurately called DIE? Because whatever things the woke policies touch ultimately die.

President Biden hired Anthony Blinken as Secretary of State. Blinken hired Zakiya Carr Johnson, who does not have a high view of the founding principles of America, to put it nicely.

In a now-deleted post, Carr Johnson wrote, I understand that we cannot have equity without dismantling structural racism, patriarchy and heterosexism.

She also pens, These are chinks in the armor of traditional leadership that refuse to reconcile with a colonizing past or recognize that time has run out for experimentation and tweaking of a failed historic model.

Carr Johnsons role in the State Department? Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

What is she saying? America has a colonizing past and is a failed historic model. Gary Bauer of Our American Values responds to that remark: Id like to know what her preferred model is.

To this day, people risk their lives to come to America. Perhaps the DEI revisionists should go to the border and tell migrants to turn around since were just a failed historic model.

But are we? The Founding Fathers werent perfect. But they got a lot of things right.

Americas framers showed the world a better way to promote lasting good in the world. You begin with the foundational truth that our rights come from God, not the state. And then, building on that clear structure, because of mans inherent sinful nature, you divide power so that no one man or small group can seize all the power for themselves. As James Madison, a key architect of the Constitution, summed up well: All men having power ought to be distrusted.

In my documentary on the Constitution (We the People) for Providence Forum, some of the guests from different backgrounds remarked how pleased they are to be Americans.

Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., told our viewers, Im very grateful, very blessed, and delighted to be an American, because theres so much liberty still in this great land. Many problems, and I will not deny that we have those problems. But there is still opportunity in America. There is still hope in America. There is still prayer in America, and I continue to pray for America.

The late Billy Falling, a pastor and author, said, As a Native American, the Constitution means to me that I have a protection, I have a wall, I have something that covers me, and that is the rule of law.

Father Leon Hutton, a priest based in Ventura, California, noted, As a Catholic, the Constitution has meant to us the opportunity to freely practice faith as we see it and to celebrate it and to share it with others and allow it to be part of the human discourse in the United States of America.

Dennis Prager, the Jewish founder of PragerU, remarked, Let me take the question of what Americas meant to the Jews and incorporated in that is the Constitution. This is the Judeo-Christian country. Christians rooted in [Judaism] founded the country; Jews knew this. Jews who came to America from Europe called it the Golden Medina, the golden country, not money gold, but the prize place. Look, God Bless America was written by a Jew. Jews were in love with this country and for good reason.

Theres a famous aphorism that circulates around Washington, D.C.: Personnel is policy. The beliefs of the people working in powerful positions in various departments will eventually become the policy of those departments. Its distressing to see enemies of Americas founding principles in so many high places. Too many of our public officials are woke. The rest of us need to be awakened before we lose the country.
Home Opinion Why this pro-life advocate isn't celebrating the Roe v. Wade reversal

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court passed an otherwise unfathomable ruling; they deemed the 1973 Roe v. Wade verdict as a poorly decided edict and overturned it, allowing individual states to make their own decisions on abortion rights. The countless innocent lives that were lost now have their vindication.

However, while this judicial decision is remarkable and miraculous, statistics show that not much has changed. A Forbes article cites a recent study done by the Society of Family Planning, revealing that "the number of abortions in the U.S. each month is 'similar if not higher' than the abortion rate before the Supreme Court overturned Roe." There seem to be several factors at play here, including some states expanding their abortion laws, even becoming "sanctuaries" for pregnant women seeking a reprieve from their "burden" as their respective states have outlawed their "right to choose," and women's increased accessibility to the "morning after pill" Levonorgestrel. Additionally, when Roe was overturned, pro-abortion advocacy leaders and like-minded politicians entered panic mode, utilizing their vast resources to the fullest extent possible and using whatever means necessary to "make abortion great again."

We saw our president, a Roman Catholic, express his anger on this "setback" to women's rights and vowed to reestablish abortion as a federal law. Our vice president, who embarked on a nationwide "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" campaign beginning on the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade, and even more horrid, became the first vice president/president to publicly tour an abortion clinic while in office. And the (former) Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, also Catholic, who acted brazenly towards her diocesan archbishop, Salvatore Cordilione, after he refused her the Eucharist unless she repented for her pro-abortion lobbying; likely too soon to have been coincidental, and for the whole world to see, she practically thumbed her nose at him when she received communion at The Vatican from Pope Francis himself.

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Although heartbreaking, it's certainly not surprising that those powerbrokers in the Democrat party, where abortion is a massive part of their platform, try to twist, turn, manipulate, and stir up the masses to revolt. They have a large fan base of people who believe that a "woman's right to choose" is her birthright, and they think that if they stoke the fires enough, not only will abortion become a federal law again, but also they will gain even more electoral power. These government leaders, along with those in charge of pro-abortion lobbying groups and within the media, are being guided by the demonic  whether intentional or not. May God have mercy on them and that they will repent before it's too late.

But, my mind, especially, goes to those unwittingly caught up in the mob-like mentality, especially women, over the "loss of their reproductive freedoms," watching them cry out in agony as if their world has come to an end. And the screams of those leading the protest chants sound inhuman, from the most guttural depths, like from a different world. (Indeed, they likely are.) It'd be so easy to lump all of these people together as heartless, ruthless individuals who have no regard for the unborn and that their justification and bragging about having had abortions is the epitome of sociopathic behavior; however, in taking a step back, I venture that some, if not most of these women; even those with the loudest voices are covering up what deep inside they know is true: abortion is murder, and they have shed their unborn children's blood.

Sigmund Freud is widely regarded as the father of modern psychology. He is best known for his psychosexual theories, which are archaic and bizarre to most, even within the profession today. Despite this, however, some of his other concepts are genius and give keen insight into the subconscious mind. He established the Defense Mechanism theory, which his daughter, Anna, later fleshed out in more explicit understandings. Its premise is as follows: Everyone has thoughts, ideas, feelings, and impulses that they deem unacceptable. To prevent anxiety/fear/guilt/shame for facing those matters head-on, people unwittingly utilize different coping methods to deflect from reality. There is a long list of defensive mechanism subtypes, all making sense. One, however, stands out most to me in this regard, particularly for those screaming "My body; my choice" the loudest: Reaction Formation.

As Psychology Today explains, Reaction Formation "is a defense mechanism in which people express the opposite of their true feelings, sometimes to an exaggerated extent. For instance, a man who feels insecure about his masculinity might act overly aggressive. Or a woman with substance use disorder may extol the virtues of abstinence." This can be thought of in other ways, as well: Sometimes, people use their soapboxes and advocacy to bury wounds deep inside them that counter what they are actually espousing. This makes sense for those women advocating for abortion and how they claim their pregnancy terminations were good things, not bad. I contend that buried in their subconsciouses, they have deep remorse, shame, and guilt for what they did and cannot come to terms with their actions. If this is the case, these need the most support. These are the most broken, the most devastated among us, and their guttural, outward, rageful cries cover up the weeping of regret they carry deep inside them, having terminated the life of their unborn son or daughter.

How should those within the pro-life movement  especially those who call themselves Christian  react to these protestors? Should we shake our heads in derision? Should we argue with and disparage them? Christ told those crucifying Him, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 KJV). These women, caught up in the mobbed frenzy, are deep inside, suffering grief and pain for their sins. If they came to grips with what they had done, they likely could not go on living with themselves.

The Church must "be Jesus" to them and proclaim and live the Gospel's Good News. We must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. We must see them through the eyes of compassion and be Christ's ambassadors of healing towards them. We must not live how we are negatively portrayed by others; judgmental, "holier than thou" types who have no genuine compassion for those in need of a Savior. If we fall short on this and do not intend to change our ways, we will miss out on the most incredible ministry opportunities in our lifetimes. And, even if they don't repent, continue to curse at us, spit at us, and otherwise persecute us, Jesus calls us "blessed" with a great reward waiting in heaven; that's what matters (cf. Matthew 5:12).

No one, no matter what they have done in their lives, is out of reach of being forgiven by God. We cannot recompense our debt, but Christ still calls all of us to Him for mercy, grace, and forgiveness. He already paid the price for us from His death on Calvary 2,000 years ago. It may not change what happened in the past, but it will undoubtedly change the present and future trajectory. The forgiveness we receive for our sins reaches the lowest among us. Especially those enveloped by grief and shame from having aborted their children must see and know, through the Church, what this really means and experience His amazing Grace for themselves.
By Lee Hae-rin

A Korean Muslim YouTubers plan to build a mosque in the western port city of Incheon has been stopped in its tracks as a land purchase contract he signed has been canceled upon the request of the landowner amid a backlash from local residents.

According to real estate industry officials, Sunday, YouTuber Daud Kim, or Kim Jae-han, agreed with the property owner the previous day to cancel the contract, signed on April 11.

The property owner asked for the contract cancelation, citing that he did not know about Kim's plan to build a mosque, according to local media reports.

Kim, who garnered over 5.52 million YouTube subscribers and 3.5 million Instagram followers from posts about living as a Korean Muslim, purchased 284.4 square meters of land on Incheons Yeongjong Island for 189.2 million won ($136,500). On April 13, he said in YouTube and Instagram posts that he paid a deposit of 20 million won in advance and was to pay the remainder next month.

Finally with your help, I have signed a contract for land to build Masjid in Incheon. I cant believe this day has come. I plan to build a prayer place and Islamic podcast studio for Dawah to Koreans, he said.

Kim also shared his bank information online, asking for donations from subscribers.

However, Kims plan immediately triggered objections within the local community, which protested the construction of the religious facility on land that is near schools and residential areas.

The backlash against Kim grew as local news media reports resurfaced a sex crime he committed in 2019. Kim was referred to the prosecution for attempting to rape a foreign woman.

As the TikTok video by the victim publicizing the attempted rape went viral and drew attention to Kim in 2020, he, at the time, explained that the prosecutors closed the case with a suspension of indictment as he apologized to the victim, and the victim did not want him to be punished.

Meanwhile, the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), the only Islamic organization officially registered with the Korean government, confirmed last week that Kims plan to build a mosque is an unregistered personal project.

All Masjids across the country associated with the Korea Muslim Federation are registered under the name of the KMF, and nobody is allowed to register in the name of an individual or raise funds for the construction of the Masjid, the group said in the announcement.

KMF stated that the fundraising for the construction of Masjid by Daud Kim, for which it has recently received numerous inquiries from various Islamic organizations and individuals both here and abroad, has no relation with the KMF and is a personal fundraising activity by Kim.

There are 19 masjids, or places of worship, in Korea, with some 35,000 Korean Muslims and 150,000 Muslims of foreign nationalities here, according to KMF.
Home Opinion Will 'honor killing,' cannibalism also be justified as religious beliefs?

After almost five decades with about half of that time spent as an attorney and trial judge at every level in the state of North Carolina, I thought that I was close to being immune to being duped. Now I have to admit that I was wrong because I simply did not see the events of the last couple of weeks coming to fruition. It was just beyond my comprehension to think that American culture could slip as far into the abyss as it apparently has.

In all of the stupidity that exists in the logic of our nation, I confess that I simply did not see this coming. In retrospect, I probably should have. But the concept is just so absurd and heinous that I could not conceive it to be possible for any group, much less a court in these United States, to arrive at the conclusion that was reached in the Indiana Court of Appeals last week.

This whole implausible saga had its origins shortly after the United States Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs v. Jackson case on June 24, 2022, which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade and ended its abortion-on-demand provisions on a national basis. Shortly thereafter we started to hear voices in the pro-abortion camp begin to speak of the act of killing babies up to the time of birth and even after as a family value or a religious experience.

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Many of us heard these nauseating attempts to justify their actions and even labeled them as absurd. I noted at that time the Oxford Languages defines the word absurdity as the quality of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable and that among the synonyms for absurdity, are words like ludicrous, illogical, insanity, and, my favorite, tomfoolery. The notion that the concept of killing babies could somehow in the minds of anyone be based on sincerely held religious beliefs and values certainly fits within the confines of all of these words. But the idea that so-called reproductive choice is not just a moral good, but a religious law is so far beyond the pale of credibility so as to amount to nothing more than just spitting into the wind.

But notwithstanding, to my great consternation I now must admit that I was bumfuzzled by their chicanery and totally missed the magnitude of their surreptitious attack on not only the children of America but on real truth and real faith as well. That is why I was so taken aback this past week when The Associated Press, as well as other news outlets, reported that a three-judge panel on Indianas second-highest court unanimously determined that individuals could be exempted from a recently passed law in that state which effectively placed a ban on many abortions. The reason for this radical judicial exemption? The simple assertion of a sincerely held religious belief by a woman that she should have an abortion. In this case, by invoking an Indiana state law based on prior legislation that was put in place to protect religious freedom, the appellate court has perhaps unwittingly opened up a Pandoras box filled with great calamity.

In short, the three appellate judges agreed with the original county judge that the plaintiffs desire to obtain an abortion was directed by their sincere religious beliefs so that the destruction of their child is nothing more than their exercise of religion. Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indiana Legal Director gloating in his victory, proudly explained the basis of his winning argument when he exclaimed, For many Hoosiers, the ability to obtain an abortion is necessary based on a sincerely held religious belief. So, there you have it  as far as the Court of Appeals of the State of Indiana is concerned, the practice of killing a child up until the point of birth is now a right as long as you are sincere in your beliefs in a religion that promotes the heinous act.

Thankfully, reason still has another chance to prevail by way of an appeal in this case up to the Supreme Court of Indiana. Nevertheless, up to this point, the courts in that state have been unanimous in their misguided thought process. Also, lest you should think this to be an isolated ruling from an out-of-line jurisdiction, please know that similar cases based on almost identical claims are now pending in both Missouri and Kentucky. You should further be aware that all three of these states are not considered to be legal outliers in terms of their court systems as might be found in more liberal jurisdictions.

There may be some who still do not see the big deal in this regard, or maybe you are one of those who just want abortion rights to not be curtailed in any way and believe that society should go to any lengths to provide for the termination of unwanted life. Nevertheless, the quality of any argument can only be fully understood if it is taken to its logical conclusion. With that in mind, what if someone has a sincerely held religious belief that euthanasia should be allowed under any circumstances? Or maybe we should consider that so-called honor killings arise out of sincerely held religious beliefs. What of other gruesome activities, like rape, incest, sodomy, or cannibalism? At the same time, I cannot help but wonder what our culture would say if this ruling was about the ritual sacrificing of dogs, cats or other animals. I guess that I have never understood, and probably never will, why those who are so bound to kill unborn children can seem so intent on saving the baby whales and funding the ASPCA.

The problem in America is we have been taken in by the illusion that there can be satisfaction found in an immoral lifestyle. We have dabbled in sinfulness for so long that our minds have been darkened in our ignorance. Our alienation from the God line that was the basis for the founding of our nation and for its preservation to this point has endured to the point that we now covet the very depths of immorality that we so long fought against. When it comes to this blatant attack on everything that we as Christians hold dear, including real religious freedom, the words of Isaiah the prophet still ring true: Woe to those who call evil good, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20). Out in the country we have another way of saying the same thing: If it smells like smoke and it looks like it came from the very pits of Hell, it probably did.

History reveals that it was the Canaanites of old who, based on their sincerely held religious beliefs, sacrificed their innocent children to the pagan god Molech. As the precious children were placed in the hands of that inanimate beast to then drop into the fires below, it is said the priests would beat their drums more loudly in order that the parents and the crowds would not hear the agonizing cries of the children as they were being slaughtered. The Canaanites received the wrath of God into their bosom as a result of these hellish atrocities. Now, America is following down the same God-forsaken path straight into that same fierce anger of the one and only true God.

But those of us whose hearts are still tuned to heed the true voice of the Good Shepherd, hear the plaintive cries of the children, and we fully recognize the lostness and desperate condition of our once great nation. Nonetheless, America needs to know that the love of God must always be wrapped in the truth of God. When the light of truth shines in the darkness, it is exposed for what it is, and in this particular case, it is pure evil.



Do not be misled; the evil of this nature will not escape judgment, the kind that we are already beginning to experience in our nation. Whether we have gone so far as a people that Gods final judgment is imminent and irreversible remains to be seen. But rest assured, until that time, or the Lord returns in His Glory, Southern Evangelical Seminary will not be neutral when it comes to the real truth. Though all around us is sinking sand, you will find us still standing steadfast in the realm of Gods veracity because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, in the final analysis, the only Truth That Matters.
Learning from the African Church's extraordinary success

Why has faith in Africa blossomed beautifully, while Western Christianity declines? Here are four habits we should learn from our African brothers and sisters.

Much has been said of the rapid growth of Christianity in Africa in just a century. There are many statistics that illustrate the powerful change. For example, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity reported that in 2018, Africa had more Christians than any other continent (631 million) for the first time, while in 1900 there were 9.6m Christians, by the year 2000 there were 384m.

Of course, Africa was one of the very first homes of the faith in its earliest days. One of our greatest theologians, Saint Augustine of Hippo, came from early Christian Africa, as well as other important Church fathers. However these regions had mostly been subjugated by Islamic conquests by the turn of the 20th Century, with the exception of Ethiopia, and resilient minorities such as the Egypt-based Coptic Orthodox church. People in other African regions mostly followed indigenous spiritualities. Christian missionary work led to an extraordinary spread across the continent that is comparatively recent.

Perhaps the most important statistic is that the growth is not just people labelling themselves Christian  there is a huge difference in the level of commitment, too. A 2018 study by Pew Research Center found that Africans are among the most committed Christians in the world (the least being European). Africans pray more frequently, attend religious services more regularly and consider religion more important in their lives than Christians elsewhere. "At least four out of five Christians in Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Cameroon and Chad pray every day, the survey found... in every African country surveyed, more than 60% of Christians say they attend church at least weekly," Pew's report said.

Recently I interviewed Nigerian-born Pastor Agu Irukwu, who leads one of the largest churches in the UK, Jesus House for All Nations. He grew up and came to faith in his homeland, but has ministered in London for many years, so has insight into the differences in church culture. He offered some suggestions.

Prayer

"If there's one thing I would commend to any Christian, it would be to develop a strong prayer life," said Pastor Agu. "There is also a lot to learn from the developing parts of the world where churches are growing, not just Africa. A commitment to prayer and the belief that God does answer prayer  that is deeply embedded in [African] Church culture."

A few years ago, I attended the weekend retreat of my multicultural church at that time at a large Christian centre. We shared the large space with a black majority church. I have a vivid memory of traipsing down to breakfast at about 8.30am along with my bleary-eyed fellow church members, to be put to shame as we passed by the small room that housed our black majority church brothers and sisters. They were enthusiastically praying together in a small room, passionately interceding as a group, and had been hard at it since the early hours, when we were all still fast asleep.

Fasting

In African culture, fasting is seen as very important, not just during Lent. "You can't run away from the encouragement that the Bible gives us to fast, which hardly exists in a lot of Western churches," said Pastor Agu. If there is a problem or God is being sought, African churches will fast. For example, an ecumenical initiative for unity in Nigeria last year was supported by 40 days of fasting.

"Biblically understood, fasting partners an intensification of prayer," writes Oyewole Akande, a deacon at Sovereign Grace Bible Church, in Nigeria, for The Gospel Coalition Africa. "It is the decision to set aside a period of time to focus on bringing a particular issue before God in prayer. It is removing every distraction, including the necessary pleasures of eating and drinking, to seek the face of God with a specific petition.

"Many of us are too comfortable within this fallen world, feeling no strong compulsion to disconnect from it. Thus we struggle with the notion that our own discomfort might bring about the will of God."

Faith and positivity

Another virtue that I often witness in African Christians is a positive, optimistic outlook, linked to a faith that God can transform any difficult situation for the better. "Believing that there is nothing God can't do, and being full of hope for tomorrow, no matter how bad today is  [the African church] is very upbeat in that regard," said Pastor Agu. Taking the Bible at its word and trusting in God's love and His promises to act are commendable attributes of many African Christians.

Simplicity

It is a negative stereotype to think of Africa as a place of poverty: there are wealthy Africans, and some parts of their economies are doing well. However it's fair to say that there is more money sloshing around in Western developed countries. Could this be one reason for our relative spiritual dryness?

Cardinal Robert Sarah, the influential Catholic priest, wrote surprising words in his book God or Nothing: A Conversation on Faith. He made positive comments about poverty - distinguishing it from destitution, which we should alleviate. "Poverty is a Christian value," he said. "The poor person is someone who knows that, by himself, he cannot live. He needs God and other people in order to be, flourish, and grow. On the contrary, rich people expect nothing of anyone. They can provide for their needs without calling either on their neighbours or on God. In this sense, wealth can lead to great sadness and true human loneliness or to terrible spiritual poverty."

Perhaps the Western church needs to muster humility and listen harder to our African brothers and sisters, and how they practise their faith? Pastor Agu does emphasise that the Western church can pass on its own wisdom too. He said: "The beauty is when [the two cultures] rub off on each other; what it produces is so beautiful."

Heather Tomlinson is a freelance writer. Find her work at www.heathertomlinson.substack.com or on twitter @heathertomli
NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Its been a labor of love for veterans as work continues on the Veterans Memorial in North Ridgeville, across from the North Ridgeville Senior Center (7327 Avon Belden Road) on Bainbridge Road.

As of today, we are on schedule to open the Veterans Memorial on May 27 (Memorial Day), said Mark Steinbrunner, president of the volunteers group building the memorial.

We hope to be 100 percent completed on that day. We need to complete the flag display, lay pavers, set conflict stones, place sponsor benches, attach bronze plaques, landscape and finish installing lighting.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Sept. 20, 2023. Since then, the site has been bustling with activity in preparation for the unveiling next month.

Our memorial has a water source that will feature plaques for every KIA (killed in action) from North Ridgeville, said Steinbrunner.

One of the KIAs, Charles Dale Flood, lived in the house right next to the memorial, so we are going to attempt to maybe have his plaque face the house.

We will also have brick pavers honoring local veterans both present and past.

We will have conflict stones, starting with the Revolutionary War though present times.

We will have a flag display that includes the American flag, Ohio flag, POW/MIA flag and flags for each branch of (military) service.

We are hoping to add QR codes very soon that will connect people to the North Ridgeville Historical Societys website, where they will find information about local veterans.

Steinbrunner also expressed how gratifying it has been the past four years after he first proposed the idea for a memorial and now to see it finally come together.

When we started, it was just a couple guys and I came up with an idea and emailed a councilman. A lot of people in the beginning didnt think wed be able to do this, he said.

The city kinda gave us the land and said go with it. We raised the money. The VFW (Post 9871) was a huge help, doing fundraisers and donating money when we needed it.

The volunteer committee has been raising funds over the years to construct the memorial, including selling pavers. According to Steinbrunner, approximately 300 were purchased during the first round of sales, and those will be in place when the memorial opens next month.

For anyone who didnt get a chance to purchase a paver last time, we will be opening up sales again for purchase between June and September so we can hopefully have them in place by Veterans Day, he said.

The committee set a goal to raise $400,000 for the project. To date, $320,000 has been raised, according to information posted on the memorial website.

I would really like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Keith Martin from MBD Homes (based in North Ridgeville), Steinbrunner said.

He volunteered all of his time to do this for us. He builds houses. His dad was a Vietnam veteran. Keith purchased the flagpoles and helped with years worth of work to help supervise everything.

Thank you to our committee and the city.

A teacher himself in Cleveland, Steinbrunner would like to see the North Ridgeville City Schools use the memorial to educate students.

I think the schools should use this as a field trip, he said. It would be nice if they took advantage of it and the kids could just come and scan the QR codes with their phones and research our history.

A separate project from the memorial was the citys sale of Hometown Heroes banners.

To honor the men and women who served, local families were able to purchase streetscape banners, which will be installed along Bainbridge Road in the vicinity of the new memorial.

The banners will be hung from Memorial Day through Veterans Day for two years, then the banners will be returned to the owners.

We sold 20 banners for all the poles that we have in that area, and we have a waitlist if we expand the program in the future, said Mayor Kevin Corcoran.

To accommodate the opening of the memorial, the city has changed the route for its annual Memorial Day parade.

The parade will step off from North Ridgeville High School, 34600 Bainbridge Road, at 9:45 a.m. May 27 and will end at the memorial. The memorial service will be held immediately following the parade.

There will also be two flyovers, one featuring a World War II bomber. Flags will be added to aircraft, and the VFW will be advertising for anyone who would like to have a flag added.

We have a duty to honor the men and women that provide our freedom, Steinbrunner said. They have made great sacrifices throughout their lives, and every community should have a place to reflect and remember these great men and women.

Steinbrunner has been a North Ridgeville resident since 2005 and retired from the Ohio Air National Guard in 2011.

He enlisted into active duty with the Navy as an aviation electrician mate and worked on P-3 Orion aircraft. While in the Ohio Air National Guard, Steinbrunner was stationed in Mansfield with the 179th airlift and worked on the C-130 Hercules.

Steinbrunner is a lifetime member of the VFW.

This project is important to our committee because we all understand the importance of remembering loved ones that served our nation in the military, he said.

Just about every family in the city has some kind of affiliation with our Armed Forces, whether they have served themselves or have had family or friends serve.

We are all connected and appreciate the freedom our military has provided.

As someone that has researched the men who were killed in action, I feel a strong connection and am humbled by the ultimate sacrifice they gave for our country.

They are the real heroes, and they should never be forgotten. We need future generations to carry on their memories.

For more information on the North Ridgeville Veterans Memorial, go to nrvetsmemorial.com or follow on Facebook. Follow the North Ridgeville VFW Post 9871 on Facebook.

Read more from the Sun Sentinel.
By Lee Hae-rin

Gimpo, west of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, has proposed the central government mandate notifying parents of information regarding elementary school enrollment for their foreign national children in a bid to improve immigrants' lives here, according to the city government, Sunday.

In Korea, elementary and middle school education is compulsory by law, and the country issues school enrollment notifications for Korean school-age children. The notice informs parents of the schools to which their children have been assigned, as well as the dates of the preliminary call and the entrance ceremony.

Such letters are not sent to the parents of children of foreign nationals here, which the Gimpo city government sees as discrimination and an obstacle to immigrants' social integration.

This led the city government to suggest that education authorities inform foreign residents of their children's elementary school enrollment time and method.

The central government, however, dismissed the proposal for a long-term review, citing that foreign children are not subject to Korea's law on mandatory education and, as such, there is no particular government agency to handle the matter.

Still, Gimpo attempted to implement the immigration initiative on its own but again, faced obstacles due to a lack of a legal basis enabling the city government to acquire personal information of foreign children and their parents.

In response, last November, the city government requested the Personal Information Protection Commission to deliberate on the municipality's acquisition of personal information of foreign residents regarding the education of their children, which the commission approved.

Following this approval, the city plans to send letters of elementary school notification to the parents of school-age children of foreign nationality in Korean in the language of the parents' home country, beginning from the 2025 academic year.

"We will continue to push for policies based on respect and consideration to take the lead in boosting interculturalism here," Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo said.

Gimpo is the chairing city of the country's multicultural city council.

Founded in November 2012, the council now has 26 member municipalities and discusses migration and social integration policies.

Since February last year, Gimpo has been proposing itself as the best candidate to house an immigration agency, considering its proximity and accessibility to Incheon and Gimpo international airports.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As a teenager in 1991, I witnessed my homeland Estonia to regain its independence after 51 years of Soviet occupation. This was made possible by the victory of the United States and its allies in the Cold War. Estonians are deeply grateful for Americas bipartisan, principled stand during the dark years of Soviet occupation. We are also grateful to the Estonian community in the United States, most of whom come from the families who escaped the Soviet terror in 1944. They were firmly standing for restoration of Estonias freedom and independence.

This week, I have the privilege to attend the induction ceremony of Ms. Erika Puussaar into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. She will be the first person of Estonian heritage to receive this recognition, a highly valued expression of appreciation to the entire Estonian community.
Livelihood issues are expected to top the agenda for the first-ever talks between President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung expected to take place this week, aides to Lee said Sunday.

During a phone call Friday, Yoon proposed holding a meeting with Lee, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), after congratulating him and other party members on their victory in the April 10 parliamentary elections.

If realized, it will be their first formal talks since Yoon took office in May 2022.

"Lee will put forward livelihood and national tasks as his top agenda items," a close aide to Lee said in a call with Yonhap News Agency. "Chairman Lee's thought is that the opposition party should help the presidential office, which is in charge of state affairs, since there are no ruling or opposition parties when it comes to livelihood issues."

Lee is expected to bring up his party's plan to distribute government cash vouchers worth 250,000 won ($181.8) to all households, a plan that Lee argues could boost spending and revive the local economy.

Since the general elections, Lee has called for support from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) for the cash handout scheme and demanded the passage of a supplementary budget to fund the program, which is estimated to cost around 13 trillion won.

Observers speculate that other livelihood issues, such as ways to tackle the medical service vacuum from the protracted doctors' walkout and a series of pending bills, including the opposition-led grain bill, could also be put on the negotiating table.

Eyes are on whether the meeting will also cover sensitive topics involving the presidential office, including a bill to open an independent council investigation into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Another point to note is what Lee would say regarding the government's mulling of candidates for the next prime minister and the presidential chief of staff, both of whom resigned after the PPP's crushing election defeat. (Yonhap)
W250,000 subsidy to be major agenda item in Yoon-Lee talks

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung are poised to address strategies to ease the financial burden felt by the public in their soon-to-be-held meeting, according to the presidential office and the party.

A focal point of the agenda will be Lee's prior proposal to provide a 250,000 won ($180) subsidy for every citizen, a measure labeled "populist" by the ruling bloc.

How they navigate these discussions will stand as a defining moment, shaping the president's capacity to enact his policy agenda through cooperation with the opposition, which has wielded significant influence in the National Assembly for the past two years of his tenure, and is poised to do so for the next three years.

The presidential office said Sunday that discussions are underway with the DPK regarding the scheduling, format, and agenda of the upcoming Yoon-Lee meeting. This follows the president's proposal for the meeting during a phone conversation with Lee on Friday.

During the call, Yoon extended congratulations to Lee and other DPK lawmaker-elects on their victory in the April 10 general elections. The DPK-led opposition secured a landslide win, ensuring its control of the Assembly for the next four years. Yoon also expressed his desire for "frequent conversations on state affairs" with Lee.

Since taking office in May 2022, Yoon has consistently declined Lee's requests for formal meetings, despite their occasional exchange of pleasantries in several encounters. While doing so, their partisan conflicts have escalated, leading to a vicious cycle where the DPK unilaterally passes contentious bills, only for Yoon to veto them.

The two sides are expected to concentrate on seeking common ground for their discussions, with the most probable topics being ways to ease the financial burden felt by the public and reducing the cost of living.

During his post-election speech on April 16, Yoon reiterated that "improving public livelihood" remains the foremost priority of the government, acknowledging his administration's failure to reduce living costs.

Lee has consistently emphasized easing the financial burden felt by the public as his primary political agenda throughout his election campaign. He pledged a government subsidy of 250,000 won to every citizen in the form of vouchers.

During a YouTube live stream on Friday, Lee said, The meeting (with Yoon) will mostly be about revitalizing the economy and it will include the subsidy program and other measures to alleviate the financial burden on the public.

To achieve that goal, the DPK has already urged the government to increase planned state expenditures by 13 trillion won. However, both the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have demonstrated their reluctance to entertain the proposal, citing financial constraints.

Yoon also said that indiscriminate cash handouts and populism are detrimental to the countrys future.

Another topic could be the ongoing standoff between the government and doctors over Yoons drive to expand the medical school admissions quota.

The government on Friday made a notable concession from its initial proposal to add 2,000 slots annually starting from 2025. Instead, it permitted medical schools to decrease new slots for their enrollment quotas to as few as 1,000 for the upcoming year only. However, doctors rejected the government's offer, asserting that it does not constitute what they said is a "fundamental solution" to resolve the healthcare standoff.

While the government's efforts to halt the medical disruptions remain at a standstill, there is a strong likelihood for the DPK to step in as an arbitrator, given its belief that the number of doctors should be increased.

In contrast to those concerns, there are additional political issues that the DPK leader may raise, potentially complicating their cooperation.

On Friday, Lee wrote on Facebook that he expects the government and the ruling party to make a prospective shift in the way of managing state affairs and a practical change to revitalize politics.

The shift Lee was alluding to pertains to Yoons stance on the DPK's endeavor to pass bills initiating special counsel probes into several critical matters.

They include the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush, which killed 159 people in a narrow alley in Seouls Itaewon area during Halloween weekend; suspicions that the government influenced investigations into the death of a Marine; and stock manipulation and anti-graft law violation allegations surrounding Yoons wife Kim Keon Hee.

On Friday, lawmaker-elects of six opposition parties, including the DPK, the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), and the minor conservative Reform Party, held a joint press conference and urged Yoon and the ruling PPP to pass a special counsel probe bill on the death of Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun, who died last year during a search operation after floods.

There is no left or right in finding the truth behind Chaes death and punishing those responsible, RKP Chairman Cho Kuk said. Cho also said on Saturday, Yoon should provide an answer to the public sentiment shown in the elections through his responses to the special counsel bills on Chae and the first lady.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has proposed a luncheon meeting with former ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon and party members who worked for him, but he declined to attend, citing health reasons, Han said Sunday.

The news came about 10 days after he stepped down as leader of the PPP's emergency committee to take responsibility for the party's resounding defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections.

"I received a call from the presidential chief of staff Friday afternoon, asking if a luncheon would be possible on Monday, and I politely told him it would be difficult for the moment due to health reasons," Han told Yonhap News Agency.

The presidential office also delivered the proposal via Rep. Yun Jae-ok, the PPP's floor leader and the party's acting chairman, but decided not to opt for the proposed luncheon in the absence of Han.

Yoon and Han had clashed over a number of politically sensitive issues in the run-up to the elections, including the controversial appointment of the resigned ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup.

Earlier, Han said in a Facebook post Saturday night that the one thing politicians should never betray is the people, in his first message since his resignation following the crushing defeat in the general elections earlier this month.

The message came after Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, a heavyweight PPP politician, accused Han earlier Saturday of betraying President Yoon Suk Yeol in an apparent reference to tensions Han had with Yoon over first lady Kim Keon Hee's acceptance of a luxury handbag and other controversial issues.

"I will never betray the people no matter what happens," Han said in the message. "The only thing politicians should never betray is you, the people. Efforts to correct what is wrong are not betrayal, but courage."

Addressing supporters, Han said the election defeat is "my loss, not your loss."

"I owe you a debt. I am sorry," he said.

Han said he firmly believes that challenges can be overcome when a "sophisticated and energetic leadership" meets the understanding and support of the people and that he will take time to study to become more sophisticated.

The remark was seen as an expression of his commitment to continue with politics but suggests that he may not run for party leader in a PPP national convention expected to take place in the coming months. (Yonhap)
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has made billions of dollars from its big investments in Japan, and the Oracle of Omaha's love for the land of the rising sun is only growing deeper. The Omaha-based conglomerate priced 263.3 billion Japanese yen of bonds worth $1.7 billion, marking one of its biggest yen bond sales, according to a regulatory filing released Thursday. Issuing Japanese debt has allowed Berkshire to take out the currency risk when buying stocks overseas. Berkshire first started selling Japanese debt in 2019 and used the proceeds to fund its purchase of five local trading houses  Itochu , Marubeni , Mitsubishi , Mitsui and Sumitomo . Berkshire now owns about 9% of each of the five and the conglomerate had made unrealized gains of more than $8 billion as of the end of 2023. The cost of the positions was 1.6 trillion yen ($10.35 billion) and the 2023 yearend market value of the five stakes was 2.9 trillion yen ($18.76 billion), Berkshire revealed in its annual report. The 93-year-old investment guru has pledged to each company that he will not take his stakes beyond 9.9% unless given specific approval by each company's board of directors. Since the current stakes are close to his limit, the new bond sale sparked speculation that Buffett could be looking to buy new stocks in Japan. The seven-tranche bond deal offers coupons ranging from 0.974% to 2.498%, according to the filing. Meanwhile, the five Japanese trading companies are all dividend payers, yielding from 1% to more than 3%. Essentially, Buffett is able to pocket the difference between dividends from the investments and the bond coupon payments he pays out. Social Capital's Chamath Palihapitiya previously expressed his admiration after analyzing his latest bet on Japan , calling Buffett "the greatest of all time" "It's inspiring to see folks act this intelligently at scale," said Palihapitiya. Buffett first unveiled these stakes on his 90th birthday in August 2020 after making regular purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, saying he was "confounded" by the opportunity and was attracted to the trading houses' dividend growth. Buffett even paid a visit to Japan with his designated successor Greg Abel and met with the heads of the Japanese firms last year. He has said he wishes for Berkshire to own the companies forever.
President urged to demonstrate art of statecraft

A crisis is an opportunity in disguise. Great leaders, particularly in the private sector, have reaffirmed the enduring truth of this adage by propelling their enterprises forward, overcoming what were once deemed insurmountable crises.

The present moment calls for President Yoon Suk Yeol to heed the lessons from the private sector, averting further national turmoil and salvaging his imperiled presidency.

Yoon has been reeling from the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) crushing defeat in the April 10 elections. His approval rating has plummeted to a record low 23 percent in the latest Gallup poll, down 11 percentage points from the previous survey.

Yoon faces the task of finding a political breakthrough. That task, albeit daunting, is not impossible. To make it happen, he should change his course of action. Yoon has been facing mounting calls to seek support from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which will continue to control the National Assembly for another four years thanks to the 175 seats it obtained in the April 10 parliamentary elections.

Yoon answered those calls.

He will meet DPK leader Lee Jae-myung sometime next week for the first time since being sworn in as president on May 10, 2022.

The Yoon-Lee meeting should not end up being a one-off political event. Yoon needs to keep trying to reach out to the DPK, to build ties with its leader, so that they can work together to pass major bills related to the livelihood of the public.

The Yoon-Lee meeting was proposed amid concerns that a parliamentary deadlock will be inevitable during the 22nd National Assembly.

A triumphant DPK is ready to step up attacks against Yoon to paralyze his presidency. It vowed to pursue two bills aimed at establishing special counsels to probe first lady Kim Keon Hee's alleged stock manipulation and suspicions that senior military officials interfered in an investigation into the tragic death of a Marine during flood relief operations last year.

Yoon must seize the upcoming meeting with the DPK leader as a pivotal opportunity to coordinate policy. As he himself has emphasized, Yoon should contemplate regular engagements with the main opposition leader, irrespective of the meeting format, to foster ongoing coordination.

In a brief phone conversation with Lee on Friday, Yoon expressed his willingness to meet more often, saying he is not concerned about the format and that it could even be over a casual cup of tea or lunch.

This is a much-needed approach. In a divided government where the head of state faces a parliament controlled by the opposition, the leaders of the two top parties should meet frequently, exchange their positions about major policy areas and make efforts to find room for cooperation. Both sides need to make concessions, if necessary, for the greater good of the nation.

A parliamentary deadlock, fueled by partisan politics, over the course of Yoon's remaining three years in office, serves no one's interests. This would be fatal for Yoon as there is almost nothing he can do without opposition support.

A paralyzed parliament would equally harm the main opposition party, as the largest political group bears responsibility for the welfare of the public.

Partisan politics-driven policies will hurt the nation. This is so particularly when the nation is grappling with multiple challenges both at home and abroad. The widening war in the Middle East has already dealt a blow to the Korean economy, rattling the stock and foreign exchange markets. The nation has already been bracing for possible geopolitical developments in Asia since North Korea strengthened military cooperation with Russia.

Domestic headaches are also mounting. Pension and labor reforms, among others, require both major parties to sit down and negotiate viable solutions.

In Korean politics, bipartisan measures are rare and hard to come by. Short-sighted politicians often stoke anger to mobilize voter support, resorting to populist policies as a means to ensure their political survival. Luring voters with populist ideas is easier than seeking bipartisan measures to win voters hearts. Under such a political climate, politicians with a long-term vision have difficultly surviving. Several competent politicians were sidelined in the selections of candidates to run in the April 10 elections.

Yoon stands at a critical juncture.

If he poorly manages the current circumstances, his presidency can be cut short. He, however, could become an agent of change if he can demonstrate the art of statecraft. To accomplish this, he must shift his mindset to demonstrate sincere respect and a willingness to collaborate with the DPK as a parliamentary partner.

The same principle applies to the DPK.

It also bears the responsibility of acting as a responsible party and cooperating with the president, given its status as the largest party, to steer the nation in the right direction. It should stop criticizing for the sake of criticizing and renew itself as an entity that cares about the future of this country.
Taiwanese solders fire artillery during the 2-day live-fire drill, amid intensifying threats military from China, in Pingtung county, Taiwan, 7 September 2022. Taipei has been receiving more arms sales and weapons from the US, while fostering its ties with countries like Japan, the UK, Canada and India, as Beijing vows to unify Taiwan without excluding the possibility of using force. (Photo by Ceng Shou Yi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Taiwan's military said on Sunday it will discuss with the United States how to use funding for Taipei included in a $95 billion legislative package mostly providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as Chinese warplanes again got close to the island.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects those claims.

The defence ministry expressed thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the package on Saturday, saying it demonstrated the "rock solid" U.S. support for Taiwan.

The ministry added it "will coordinate the relevant budget uses with the United States through existing exchange mechanisms, and work hard to strengthen combat readiness capabilities to ensure national security and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".

Taiwan has since 2022 complained of delays in deliveries of U.S. weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers focussed on supplying Ukraine to help the country battle invading Russian forces.

Underscoring the pressure Taiwan faces from China, the ministry said on Sunday morning that over the previous 24 hours 14 Chinese military aircraft had crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait.

The median line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides over which neither sides' military crossed, but China's air force now regularly sends aircraft over it. China says it does not recognise the line's existence.

Some Chinese aircraft on Saturday got as close as 40 nautical miles (70 km) from the northern and southern parts of Taiwan, according to a map the Taiwanese ministry provided, though that remains outside its contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles from Taiwan's coast.

Taiwan's territorial space is defined at 12 nautical miles from its coast. Taiwan has previously reported Chinese military aircraft getting close to but not entering the contiguous zone.

Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party who sits on parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, said Taiwan's armed forces were able to respond with its own aircraft and tracking by land-based missile systems.

"But what the Chinese communists did was provocative and very irresponsible behaviour," he said on social media.

On Saturday, Taiwan's defence ministry said China had again carried out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships and warplanes around Taiwan.

China's defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures during a press conference on the day of the Ukraine Southeast Europe Summit in Tirana, Albania, February 28, 2024.

Ukrainian and Western leaders on Sunday welcomed a desperately needed aid package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Kremlin warned that passage of the bill would "further ruin" Ukraine and cause more deaths.

Ukrainian commanders and analysts say the long-awaited $61 billion military aid package  including $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy weapons  will help slow Russia's incremental advances in the war's third year  but that more will likely be needed for Kyiv to regain the offensive.

The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia's full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had warned that his country would lose the war without U.S. funding, said that he was grateful for U.S. lawmaker' decision.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," Zelenskyy said that the aid package would "send the Kremlin a powerful signal that (Ukraine) will not be the second Afghanistan."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would prioritize long-range weapons and air defenses to "break the plans of Russia" in an expected "full-scale offensive," for which Ukrainian forces are preparing.

The aid package will go to the U.S. Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

It still could take weeks for it to reach the front line, where it is desperately needed.

"With this we can stop (Russian troops) and reduce our losses," said infantry soldier Oleksandr. He has been fighting around Avdiivka, the city in the Donetsk region that Ukraine lost to Russia in February after months of intense combat.

Ammunition shortages linked to the aid holdup over the past six months have led Ukrainian military commanders to ration shells, a disadvantage that Russia seized on this year  taking the city of Avdiivka and currently inching towards the town of Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk.

"The Russians come at us in waves  we become exhausted, we have to leave our positions. This is repeated many times," Oleksandr told The Associated Press. He didn't give his full name for security reasons. "Not having enough ammunition means we can't cover the area that is our responsibility to hold when they are assaulting us."

In Kyiv, many welcomed the U.S. vote as a piece of good news after a tough period that has seen Russia grind out gains along the front line, and step up attacks on Ukraine's energy system and other infrastructure.

"I heard our president officially say that we can lose the war without this help. Thanks very much and yesterday was a great event," said Kateryna Ruda, 43.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, noted the need for more weapons, lamenting that soldiers "have nothing to protect us."

"They need weapons, they need gear, they need it. We always need help. Because without help, our enemy can advance further and can be in the center of our city," the 26-year-old said.

Other Western leaders, who have been scrambling to come up with ways to fill the gap left by stalled U.S. military aid, also lauded Congress' decision.

"Ukraine is using the weapons provided by NATO Allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer, in Europe & North America," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Ukraine deserves all the support it can get against Russia," and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the vote it "a strong signal in these times."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson, while also noting the holdup in Congress. "Better late than too late. And I hope it is not too late for Ukraine," he wrote on X.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday called the approval of aid to Ukraine "expected and predictable."

The decision "will make the United States of America richer, further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians, the fault of the Kyiv regime," Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

"The new aid package will not save, but, on the contrary, will kill thousands and thousands more people, prolong the conflict, and bring even more grief and devastation," Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, wrote on Telegram.

Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War said the logistics of getting U.S. assistance to the front line would mean that "Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks" while waiting for it to arrive.

"But they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed U.S. assistance arrives promptly," it said in its latest assessment of the conflict.

Olexiy Haran, professor of comparative politics at the National University of Kyiv-Mohlya Academy, said that Ukraine was grateful for aid from the U.S. and other Western countries, "but the problem is, frankly speaking, it's too late and it's not enough."

"This is the third year of the war and we still don't have aviation, new aviation. We don't have enough missiles, so we cannot close the skies. Moreover, recently we didn't have even artillery shells," he said.

"That's why the situation was very, very difficult and the Russians used it to start their offensive. So that's why it is so important for us. And definitely if we'd received it half a year before, we would have saved the lives of many Ukrainians, civilians included."

Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said that the aid, while welcome, "can probably only help stabilize the Ukrainian position for this year and begin preparations for operations in 2025."

"Predictability of funding through 2024 and into 2025 will help the Ukrainians plan the defense this year, especially if European supplies of ammunition also come through, but further planning and funds will be required for 2025, and we have a U.S. election between now and then," he said.

Responding to a question on NBC about how long Ukraine will still need aid packages, Zelenskyy said "it depends on when we actually get weapons on the ground."

"The decision to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, we had it a year ago," he said. "We still don't have the jets in Ukraine."

In other developments:

 On the ground, Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that its troops had taken control of the village of Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials haven't yet commented.

 One person was killed and four others were wounded in Russian shelling in Ukrainsk on Sunday, according to the prosecutor's office in Ukraine's partially occupied Donetsk region. In the Odesa region, four people were wounded in a missile attack, Gov. Oleh Kiper said.

 Two suspects were detained Sunday after two Ukrainian soldiers killed a police officer at a checkpoint in the Vinnytsia region. The soldiers opened fire on Maksym Zaretskyi, 20, early Saturday after he stopped their car for a routine inspection. Zaretskyi's partner was wounded but survived. The head of Ukraine's National Police, Ivan Vyhovsky, said the suspects, a father and son aged 52 and 26, were detained in Ukraine's Odesa region.
In response to the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youths and the prevalence of online racism, Henry Willis, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland's Department of Psychology, has embarked on a mission to develop a mobile application aimed at fostering better mental health outcomes for Black teenagers.

With a generous grant exceeding $250,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Willis plans to spend the next two years creating a free mobile app specifically designed for and in close consultation with Black youths. The initiative comes at a critical time, with statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealing a concerning uptick in suicide rates among Black youths, coupled with a significant disparity in access to mental health treatments compared to their White counterparts.

"Adolescents and young adults are online a lot, exploring their identity and talking about race, and it's in this very pivotal moment that they are often exposed to online racism," explained Willis. "This exposure can take various forms, from direct threats in comments or messages to videos depicting racial stereotypes, mock lynchings, or police shootings.

The upcoming mobile app aims to address these challenges by providing resources and support tailored to the unique needs of Black teenagers. Willis plans to collaborate closely with 30 Black youths aged 13-17 from various urban centers, including Washington, D.C., Prince George's County, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. These youths will actively participate in focus group-style meetings to provide input on the app's features and design.

Participants will have the opportunity to shape the app's interface and test prototypes before the app is made available to the public. Willis emphasized that the project aims to empower Black youths by treating them as genuine partners and compensating them for their time and input.

"By taking this approach, we are putting the future in their hands and encouraging them to think creatively about how they want technology to serve their needs," stated Willis, according to Maryland Today.

The development of the mobile app aligns with Willis's broader research efforts, including his role as a co-investigator on a $4.6 million National Institutes of Health-funded project. This project seeks to develop a virtual reality experience to enhance digital and media literacy among students of color, combat online racism and safeguard mental health.
By Baek Byung-yeul

LG Innotek and SK On won Edison Awards, named after renowned U.S. inventor Thomas Edison, for two consecutive years with their innovative products, the two Korean companies said Sunday.

LG Innotek won silver with its ultra-thin optical telephoto zoom camera module for mobile devices and SK On received the bronze award in the Smart Transportation category with its cobalt-free batteries.

The Edison Awards were established in 1987 to honor inventor Thomas Edison. More than 7,000 products are submitted for consideration every year, and a panel of judges consisting of business executives, scholars and engineers pick winners after about seven months of evaluation process.

The awards target outstanding innovative products, services and individuals representing various industry sectors such as education, transportation, energy, aviation, manufacturing and communications. Global companies like Apple, Nvidia, SpaceX, IBM and Boeing have also been among the recipients of the award.

LG Innotek, which won the bronze award last year, won silver this year in the Commercial Technology category for its camera module.

"The zoom camera module is an ultra-small product that, for the first time, applies the optical zoom technology previously used in professional cameras to mobile devices," the awards organizer said. "This allows for continuous optical zoom within a focal length range of 85-125 millimeters, ensuring no loss in image quality even when enlarging an image after a photo has been taken."

The ultra-thin optical telephoto zoom camera module submitted for this award is the world's first commercialized product by LG Innotek in 2022.

Previously, multiple fixed-zoom modules were required to achieve optical zoom, but LG Innotek's optical telephoto zoom camera module enables high-quality optical photography on smartphones that is possible with digital single-lens reflex cameras.

"With LG Innotek's modules, smartphone makers can get more space inside their smartphones and improve battery efficiency," a company spokesperson said.

LG Innotek has continuously improved its optical telephoto zoom camera module since the first mass production and in the second half of 2022, the company succeeded in developing a module capable of optical filming in the high-magnification of between four and nine times section. For this product, the company won the Innovation Award at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023.

Following its previous year's win of bronze for its high-performance high-nickel battery NCM9, SK On won the award for two consecutive years. The company is the only global battery maker to be recognized at the awards.

SK On's cobalt-free battery differs from the traditional batteries that consist of nickel, cobalt and manganese.

"Our cobalt-free battery is considered a breakthrough in EV battery technologies, overcoming technological barriers in cobalt-free cathode material compositions," the company said.

Normally, removing cobalt would lead to structural instability and reduced battery life, but SK On ironed out these challenges with single-crystal cathode materials and doping technologies. It also addressed the energy density issue with its unique high-voltage cell design solutions.

Given cobalt's high cost due to limited availability as well as association with ethical concerns during the extraction process, SK On said its cobalt-free batteries can also contribute to addressing ethical and environmental issues.
Whether youre a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or Clue or the celebration of child endangerment that is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, its pretty much impossible not to love Tim Curry, the legendary actor who turned 78 on Friday. He even showed up in a couple of episodes of Roseanne, playing one of Dans sketchy friends who is sadly never revealed to be Pennywise the Clown in disguise.

Far less-celebrated is Currys one and only Saturday Night Live appearance, even though he bailed the show out of a historic disaster.

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Curry hosted in December 1981, an episode that also featured Meatloaf as the musical guest. The two even appeared in a sketch together, in which they hawk Rocky Horror-themed merchandise at Tim and Meats One-Stop Rocky Horror Shop.

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But Currys big show was nearly completely derailed thanks to a petty network executive and a shit-disturbing writer.

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Weve talked before about Michael ODonoghue, SNLs first head writer, who also appeared in the very first sketch that ever aired.

ODonoghue returned to SNL in 1981, but it didnt last long. He was fired after writing a prolonged sketch in which the beleaguered NBC CEO, Fred Silverman, was holed up in an underground bunker, just like Hitler in his final days. According to SNL writer David Sheffield, news of Silvermans Bunker soon found its way to Silverman himself, who really was hiding out, but in Hawaii, not in a bunker.

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Silverman demanded to send him footage of the rehearsal at an NBC affiliate in Honolulu, then ordered them to scrap the sketch altogether. The sketch didnt make it to air, and thats why Michael quit  or put himself in the position to be fired, said writer Eliot Wald.

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This all happened on the day before the episode, leaving a whopping 15-minute hole in the show (that must have been some Hitler sketch). The despondent writers gathered together; in desperation, Sheffield turned to Curry and asked, Dont you do Mick Jagger? Curry responded: Yes, I do. After demonstrating his hilariously funny impression of the Rolling Stones frontman, Sheffield and his writing partner Barry Blaustein stayed up all night writing a sketch in which Mick Jagger is the host of a tacky network variety show, with guests like Frank Sinatra (played by Joe Piscopo).

Currys impression is hilarious, though the sketch isnt exactly one of the shows best, probably because it goes on for nearly 14 minutes. But it did its job and filled the time that had been left vacant by ODonoghues canceled sketch. And it could be argued that The Mick Jagger Special was a precursor to The Barry Gibb Talk Show, which similarly featured a real life music superstar as an unlikely TV host.

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In a just world, Tim Curry would be hosting The Tonight Show right now.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea's leading health foods and soymilk maker, Dr. Chung's Food, said Wednesday that it won recognition from the nongovernmental charity organization Good Neighbors for its 15 years of promoting child welfare in the country.

Park Do-young, the company's sales and marketing division director, received a plaque of appreciation on Tuesday from the philanthropic organization on behalf of the company.

The company has donated money and its food products to Good Neighbors every year since 2009. The accumulated value of the donations made until 2023 amounts to 400 million won ($290,000).

During the ceremony for the occasion, Park delivered the company's donation for this year  30 million won and soymilk products for children.

"We've met the 16th year since we made a commitment to return our gratitude to our consumers who have been loving and supporting our brand for a long time," Park said at the company's office in Seoul, where the ceremony took place. "Our consistent contributions to society for the country will not only improve our local communities but also make us grow further alongside our consumers."

The company's donations have been made under Good Neighbors' Good Buy campaign, which labels certain goods or services that companies offer as "good products" and receives part of their sales revenue to allocate it to non-profit projects for children in the country.

Dr. Chung's Food has been printing the campaign's logo on its entire soymilk carton product lineup to raise awareness for the campaign. Part of the earnings from the products' sales goes to the organization to support children suffering from starvation.

The company has been doing charity work aside from working with Good Neighbors.

Since the company's late founder and chairman, Chung Chai-won, established the Hyechun Scholarship Foundation in 1984, the foundation has collected over 2.8 billion won and gave scholarships to 2,550 students.

The company has also been donating to the Korea Heart Foundation and the Korea Blood Disease and Cancer Association.

Late Chung, a pediatrician, established Dr. Chung's Food in 1972 and introduced Vegemil, a bottled soymilk product that remains the company's signature item.
Coming through the radio was an unfortunate, adenoidal voice that all but shrunk my toothpaste back into its tube. For this distinctive drone was emanating from a man with a base layer of smugness and repeated high notes of condescension.

It was Ed Miliband, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero, being interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme last Thursday.

You might have thought he might have had the good grace to slink out of politics after having led the Labour Party to defeat in the 2015 General Election. No such luck.

His career was resuscitated by Sir Keir Starmer in 2020. So, if Labour wins the election, the man remembered mostly for gurning while eating a bacon sandwich would return to a Cabinet seat as one of the most powerful figures in the country.

Miliband with the so-called EdStone, an 8ft 6in limestone tablet with six election pledges carved into it alongside the Labour logo and his signature

While Miliband might be regarded as a figure of fun, he is anything but, with a track record that is variously shameless, unprincipled and dangerous.

Take his current role. He makes a great song and dance about his devotion to protecting the environment, parading himself as one of the country's leading green advocates. When Labour committed itself in 2021 to an annual spending spree of 28 billion on green projects, Miliband was cock-a-hoop, having drawn up almost all the plans himself as his personal green policy wish-list.

This, though, was just the latest in a career-long record of disaster.

Many will never forget how the 2015 election campaign witnessed one of the most bizarre, patronising gimmicks any party has ever come up with  the so-called EdStone, an 8ft 6in-tall limestone tablet with six election pledges carved into it alongside the Labour logo and Miliband's signature.

Widely mocked, Boris Johnson called it 'some weird commie slab', while Labour MP Michael Dugher described it as a '12ft, granite, marble cock-up'.

After this, there were those in Labour who were aghast that Starmer handed Miliband control over so vast an area of policy. But near-north London neighbour Starmer seemed in thrall to him and was happy to let him get on with it.

Miliband spent three years gleefully trumpeting that 28 billion spending commitment. By one calculation, Labour and Miliband repeated it 311 times.

Yet, towards the end of last year, it seemed that Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves had convinced Starmer that the pledge was ludicrously expensive and Labour was about to dump it.

Miliband stubbornly refused to accept the inevitable but, in February, Starmer humiliated the man who had originally groomed him into the party fold and entered Parliament as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

The protege binned his erstwhile master's plans, slashing the 28 billion pledge to just 4.7 billion.

If Miliband had a trace of political principle  or even self-respect  he would have resigned. He has, after all, built his entire public profile on green issues since losing the 2015 election as Labour leader. Moreover, it is hard to imagine a more public statement that Miliband's boss had lost confidence in him than the brutal unravelling of almost all he stands for.

But there he remains in the job, further humiliated every time he appears in public to be questioned about Labour's policies. All the questions on that gruesome interview on Thursday were about Labour's ditched or shrivelled green agenda.

Out of his depth? Ed Miliband take a boat trip on the River Tees on Thursday, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Miliband's Mr Bean-like capacity for causing chaos and his lack of principle are nothing new. As Labour leader, he was responsible for two of the most shameful episodes in the Party's history  and that doesn't include his unforgivable knifing of his older brother David when the Labour leadership became vacant in 2010.

In 2013, it emerged that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons against his own people, crossing what US President Barack Obama had called a 'red line'. Britain was ready to join the US in taking military action against Assad, to maintain what then PM David Cameron called the 'international taboo' against the use of heinous weapons.

If we did nothing, it would give Assad a green light to commit more abuses. But Miliband whipped Labour to oppose action and the Commons vote was lost.

It was bad enough opposing military action; the Commons vote then scared Obama into doing nothing himself, and the butchery of the Syrian people continued.

Red Ed's most disastrous legacy involved the election of his successor, Jeremy Corbyn. Miliband replaced the party's traditional, trusted 'electoral college' leadership election system with what was described as 'one member, one vote'  except it wasn't only members who could vote. Anyone who wanted to was allowed to take part if they paid a 3 fee.

The result was that people who had never set foot in a Party meeting were able to decide who should lead it  allowing thousands from the hard-Left to hijack the vote and saddle Labour with Jeremy Corbyn. His leadership introduced a brand of toxic politics into Britain and unleashed a torrent of antisemitism  all of which was a result of Miliband's idiotic rule change.

Nonetheless, Miliband continues to exude an air of smug superiority, as if he has somehow divined the answers to all the great issues of the age  of which, he has decided, climate change is the only one that matters. The rest of us mere mortals must do as he thinks best.

But the reality is that he is an unthinking archetypal 'progressive'  hence his fixation on the environment.

Miliband's Mr Bean-like capacity for causing chaos and his lack of principle are nothing new. As Labour leader, he was responsible for two of the most shameful episodes in the party's history

That's illustrated by his attitude to trans issues, to which, in 2017, he devoted an episode of the insufferably self-satisfied podcast, Reasons To Be Cheerful, which he set up after resigning as Labour leader. On it he uncritically pushed all the now-discredited mantras of the trans lobby, describing opponents of self-identification as 'bonkers' and inviting on his show the now notorious Dr Helen Webberley, who ran a private clinic with her husband (now struck off the medical register) which prescribed child hormones.

Now we can look forward to Miliband returning to office if Labour wins the election.

Despite his 28 billion pratfall, he still claims that Labour would implement 'a world-leading plan to get to clean power by 2030'. All electricity would supposedly be generated by a combination of wind, solar and nuclear.

Now, that really is 'bonkers'.

At its most basic, experts say the necessary cable infrastructure cannot be laid until 2030 at the optimistic earliest. Labour  and Miliband  must know this, but they continue spouting this drivel.

It is a worrying foretaste of what lies in store if Labour's own walking disaster zone returns to power.
Sir Keir Starmer keeps referring to his 'changed Labour Party', but does anyone believe that the changes are profound and lasting?

Look at their grudging and evasive response to Rishi Sunak's badly needed plans for major welfare reform.

They mumbled that they too were 'committed' to social security reform, but would not say which parts of the Prime Minister's plans they would support.

As modern Labour's chattering class backers tend to regard all welfare benefits of any kind as an invariably good thing, just as they regard taxation as virtuous in itself, it is hard to imagine that they would ever tackle this problem seriously.

So here we see a real and rapidly developing rift between the parties  as one of the most important elections in modern history approaches.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pictured on a visit to the Nightingale Quarter in Derby this week

Rishi Sunak examines a key as he visits a branch of Timpson in central London this week

Labour have long sought to pretend that they are uniquely compassionate to the poor, though in fact this country already had an advanced welfare state even before the Second World War.

The parsimonious Labour politicians of the 1940s and 1950s would likely be shocked by the levels of spending, and relaxed controls, of the modern system which has developed especially since the 1960s.

When Labour was still a largely working-class party it could not forget that the welfare system was founded upon taxes and contributions made by wage-earners. Their money had to be spent with care.

READ MORE: Workshy Brits could lose handouts after 12 months as Rishi Sunak warns benefits bill is 'unsustainable'

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But is that so now?

Since the Covid pandemic, this country's deeply rooted work discipline (acquired during a long, fierce industrial revolution and two world wars) was severely weakened.

Several cohorts of students and school-leavers were deprived of the normal transitions between study and working life.

And new intellectual fashions about mental illness and neurodiversity have created large new classes of people who can now claim that they should be exempted from the stress of work.

As always with such things, there are, of course, genuine cases of people who cannot reasonably be expected to work.

But the sheer size of this new class of claimant  and the cost of paying their claims  suggests that this is now getting out of control.

Take the 'Personal Independence Payment' worth up to 700 a month, now claimed by 3.4 million people  about half for mental health reasons.

The number of men and women written off as 'economically inactive' on long-term sickness benefits has now risen to 2.8 million, roughly half of them classified as suffering from depression, anxiety or bad nerves.

Again, no doubt, there are many genuine cases involved. But the Government owes it to working taxpayers, who must finance these handouts through taxes on their hard-earned income, to examine such claims with care.

This is not cruel or callous. On the contrary, as the Premier has argued, it does people no favours to leave them, solitary and with no future, permanently on benefit.

As Mr Sunak says, there is 'nothing compassionate about leaving a generation of young people to sit alone in the dark before a flickering screen watching as their dreams slip further from reach every passing day'.

Work is good for us, and is often the best cure for what ails us. It is right that we should be generous to those who truly suffer.

But it is just as right that we should be strict, firm and fair about ensuring that this generosity is not abused.
As one of the architects of New Labour, the former Cabinet minister Lord Mandelson enjoys an open line to Sir Keir Starmer.

The consummate master of political spin and self-styled 'Prince of Darkness', who masterminded Tony Blair's 1997 election victory, was banished to the wilderness during Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. But how long will he be back in favour with Starmer?

A few weeks ago, he was back in Labour HQ's bad books when he said that 'Starmer needs to shed a few pounds' to boost his popularity. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting accused Mandelson of 'fat shaming'.

Last week, Mandelson addressed 'The Codgers', a group of 60 veteran political hacks, at London's Garrick Club.

The peer, who twice resigned from Blair's Cabinet amid allegations of sleaze before reinventing himself as an EU commissioner, said Labour was heading for a decisive victory. 'But do they have a mandate? That is my question,' he asked pointedly.

Last week, Mandelson addressed 'The Codgers', a group of 60 veteran political hacks, at London's Garrick Club

A few weeks ago, Lord Mandelson was back in Labour HQ's bad books when he said that 'Starmer (pictured) needs to shed a few pounds' to boost his popularity

The consummate master of political spin and self-styled 'Prince of Darkness', who masterminded Tony Blair 's 1997 election victory (pictured on the campaign trail in Hartlepool)

His intervention came as a poll by Lord Ashcroft showed the Tories 21 points behind  but with 45 per cent saying they don't want Starmer as PM.

Mandelson also highlighted the limited ministerial experience of Labour's frontbenchers  and warned that if Starmer doesn't manage to resonate with voters, it could be a one-term Labour government.

Will Starmer still return Mandy's calls after that?

Dig out your dancing shoes, Liz

Advice for Liz Truss from former Labour Education Secretary Ed Balls, who says that if the ex PM wants a chance of rehabilitation into politics, she should 'go away for a while, be contrite, find a moral cause, come back and rebuild her credibility on a particular issue'.

Or perhaps she should follow in the two left feet of Balls and enter Strictly Come Dancing.

Or perhaps she should follow in the two left feet of Ed Balls and enter Strictly Come Dancing. Pictured: Balls and his dancing partner Katya Jones performing in 2017

At the launch party for Liz Truss's memoir, Ten Years To Save The West, she made the economic case for people to buy her book.

'I do have two children to feed,' she said. 'I have to pay for new trainers because they used to have those Adidas ones.'

Her children, like so many, abandoned their Samba trainers after seeing Rishi Sunak wearing them during an interview at No 10.

Truss's pleas are working  the book is racing up the bestsellers list.

At the launch party for Liz Truss's memoir, Ten Years To Save The West, she made the economic case for people to buy her book

Ms Truss' children, like so many, abandoned their Samba trainers after seeing Rishi Sunak wearing them during an interview at No 10

Understatement of the week: Chris Stark, outgoing chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, asked by the BBC yesterday about the tactics of Just Stop Oil, said: 'They are their own worst enemies. They have actually caused us a problem in the discussion of climate change.'

Chris Stark, outgoing chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, said Just Stop Oil are their own worst enemies

London mayor Sadiq Khan continues to deny that he plans to bring in a pay-per-mile driving scheme.

Yet he admits as much in his own book, Breathe.

'We have plans ... to introduce a new more comprehensive road charging system to be implemented by the end of the decade at the latest,' he writes.

The book only came out last year. Take note in next week's mayoral elections.

London mayor Sadiq Khan continues to deny that he plans to bring in a pay-per-mile driving scheme

Now Time's up for Tim

Another senior Conservative MP is standing down at the next General Election, taking the total number of Tory members throwing in the towel to 64.

This time it's Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, who has spoken more than any other MP in the Commons so far this year.

Loughton, who's held the seat since 1997 with a slim majority of 7,500, clearly doesn't think he'll hang on much longer, telling his local newspaper: 'It is remarkable how nice people are to you when you declare that you're off.'

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, is standing down at the next General Election
They claimed that keeping each other up at night was causing a strain

They said it improved their relationship - and even their sex lives

Is sleeping in separate bedrooms the key to making a marriage work? According to these longtime couples, having their own space to rest their heads at night has saved their relationships.

The phenomenon, which is known as a sleep divorce, has become a hot topic on social media in recent months, with many people posting videos to TikTok explaining why it has made their romance so much stronger.

Some people explained that they opted to snooze in separate beds because their partner was interrupting their rest with their snoring or kicking; others blamed varying schedules or insomnia; while a few social media users admitted they simply needed their own space.

Elizabeth and Ryan Pearson, from Laguna Niguel, California, who have been married for 16 years, recently explained to The Wall Street Journal that they started using separate bedrooms about eight years ago after she found herself 'waking up angry at him every morning.'

According to many longtime couples, sleeping in separate bedroom than their partner has saved their relationships (stock image)

The phenomenon, which is known as a sleep divorce, has become a hot topic on social media in recent months, with many people posting videos to TikTok talking about the benefits

Elizabeth and Ryan Pearson, from California, who have been wed for 16 years, explained to The Wall Street Journal that they started using separate bedrooms eight years ago

Elizabeth, 42, explained that Ryan, 47, snores 'like a chainsaw' and suffers from restless leg syndrome, revealing he even once punched her in the face in the middle of the night.

'It was driving a rift in the relationship,' she admitted. 'We both travel for work quite a bit, and we noticed that we slept great in hotels. Where we slept poorly was when we were at home in the bed together.'

The 42-year-old pointed out that 'well-rested people' are usually 'more patient, more engaged, and more present with their partners.'

Elizabeth, 42, explained that Ryan, 47, snores 'like a chainsaw' and suffers from restless leg syndrome, revealing he even once punched her in the face in the middle of the night. The couple is seen with their kids

'When you have time to yourself, you can be a better partner,' she added.

And she insisted that it's even boosted their sex life, revealing, 'We have a great sex life because we're not pissed off at each other throughout the day for something that is uncontrollable like sleep and snoring.'

Another couple, named Amy Boland and Beth Berila, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who wed in 2015, told the publication that they decided to get different bedrooms in 2017, after Beth, 53, began going through menopause.

'We had spent nights together when we were dating, so it wasn't a big deal for me until Beth started having hot flashes at night,' Amy, 51, revealed.

'She would wake up and flop the covers off and then have trouble falling back asleep. I also snore, and that bothers her.'

'It was driving a rift in the relationship,' she admitted, adding, 'When you have time to yourself, you can be a better partner'

And she insisted that it's even boosted their sex life, revealing, 'We have a great sex life because we're not pissed off at each other throughout the day'

Another couple, named Amy Boland and Beth Berila, who wed in 2015, said they decided to get different bedrooms in 2017, after Beth, 53, began going through menopause

At first, Beth often found herself crashing on the sofa downstairs, before they decided to transform the attic into a second bedroom.

'Sometimes she goes up there if one of us has an early morning, or she'll start out sleeping in our bedroom and something will wake her up, and she'll go up there to finish the night,' Amy revealed.

'Either way, it's fine. If she goes upstairs, I get to hog the bed. If she doesn't, then I get to sleep next to her.

'Who doesn't function better when they've had a solid evening of sleep? If you could do something to get along better with the person you're roommates with for the rest of your lives, wouldn't you do it?'

Experts have backed up the claims that sleeping in a separate space than your partner can boost both your sleep health and your relationship.

A 2023 survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine saw that more than one third of American couples sleep in separate rooms occasionally or consistently.

'We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners,' Dr. Seema Khosla, a pulmonologist and spokesperson for the AASM, said about the study.

'Beth started having hot flashes at night,' Amy, 51, revealed. 'She would wake up and flop the covers off and then have trouble falling back asleep. I also snore, and that bothers her'

At first, Beth often found herself crashing on the sofa downstairs, before they decided to transform the attic into a second bedroom

'Getting a good night's sleep is important for both health and happiness, so it's no surprise that some couples choose to sleep apart for their overall well-being.'

Dr. Erin Flynn-Evans, a consultant to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine also told CBS, 'Studies demonstrate that when one bed partner has a sleep disorder it can negatively affect the other sleeper.

'Who doesnt function better when theyve had a solid evening of sleep?' Amy asked. 'If you could do something to get along better with the person you're roommates with for the rest of your lives, wouldn't you do it?'

'For example, bed partners tend to wake up at the same time when one has insomnia.

'Similarly, when bed partners differ in chronotype, like when one is a night owl the other is an early bird, these differing sleep preferences can negatively impact both partners' sleep.'

In addition, a 2017 study from psychologists at Ohio State University said that couples with poorer sleep quality had more marital conflict.

Last year, a TikTok creator named Siobhan went viral after she spoke about why she and her boyfriend, Jamie, decided to get a sleep divorce.

She explained that they used to share a bed every night, but because of their different schedules and Siobhan's sleep disorder, the couple spent many restless nights up together.

Last year, a TikToker named Siobhan went viral after she spoke about why she and her boyfriend, Jamie, decided to get a sleep divorce

She explained that they used to share a bed every night, but because of their different schedules and Siobhan's sleep disorder, the couple spent many restless nights up together

A professional markup artist named Karol, 27 - who uses they/them pronouns - also gained attention online for speaking about their sleep divorce from their partner, Yasmine, 28

Soon enough, tension started to build as the couple's constant sleep deprivation saw them struggling to effectively communicate with each other.

The couple then decided to start sleeping in separate bedrooms in hopes of solving both their sleep and relationship issues - and she said it worked wonders.

'We have been together for three years and for one and a half of those years we have had our own bedrooms. We will occasionally sleep in the same bed, but for the most part, we sleep separate,' Siobhan, 28, said in a video.

Back in December, actress Cameron Diaz said she wanted to 'normalize' sleeping in separate bedrooms. She's seen with her husband, Benji Madden, in 2016

'I actually got this advice from a married couple who had been married for 40 years and they were so happy, and so youthful and so in love and they said that sleeping separately has been such a game changer.'

A professional markup artist named Karol, 27 - who uses they/them pronouns - also gained attention online for speaking about their sleep divorce from their partner, Yasmine, 28.

'I don't know who needs to hear this but move in with your partner but keep your own bedrooms,' they said.

'I am in my own bedroom right now in the same apartment as my partner and I am awake doing my skincare the way that I like it, sprawled on my bed, watching the s**t that I want to watch on YouTube, no compromising.

'And then if you want you can come together, but you don't have to, it's not a pre-requisite.'

Back in December, actress Cameron Diaz said she wanted to 'normalize' sleeping in separate bedrooms.

'To me, I would literally - I have my house, you have yours. We have the family house in the middle. I will go and sleep in my room. You go sleep in your room. I'm fine,' the actress, who is married to Benji Madden, said.

'And we have the bedroom in the middle that we can convene in for our relations.'
A new Lifetime movie produced by Elizabeth Smart is set to lay bare the horrific case of Tanya Kach who was kidnapped at aged 14 and sexually abused for a decade while being held captive by her lover-turned-tormenter.

Tanya was just a teenager when she vanished from her family's home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in 1996.

It would later transpire that she had been lured into the home of 38-year-old school security guard Tom Hose who locked her in his second-floor bedroom for 10 years.

She was eventually allowed to take a part-time job at a convenience store and seized the opportunity to make her escape in 2006 - but was left heartbroken after realizing her father blamed her for the kidnapping.

Tanya's story is now set to be told in an upcoming documentary titled The Girl Locked Upstairs starring Robert Baker and Jordyn Ashley Olson.

A new Lifetime movie is set to lay bare the horrific case of Tanya Kach (pictured) who was kidnapped at aged 14 and sexually abused for a decade while being held captive

The movie, which will premiere this summer, will have public speaker, author and advocate Elizabeth Smart (pictured) as executive producer

The movie, which will premiere this summer, will have public speaker, author and advocate Elizabeth Smart as executive producer.

Smart recently celebrated the 21st anniversary milestone of her own rescue after being abducted at knifepoint from her bed at the family's home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 5, 2002.

She was held captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, and repeatedly raped for nine months before she was rescued on March 12, 2003.

Mom-of-three Smart, 36, whose own story has been replayed on screen multiple times before, is now at the helm of the retelling Tanya's story.

The duo will meet in the upcoming documentary film as Tanya opens up about the horrors of her captivity as well as the victim blaming she experienced in the aftermath.

Her harrowing story began back in 1995 when Tanya's parents initiated a divorce.

She already had a troubled relationship with her mother who was rarely in contact - with Tanya claiming she was also violent and abusive.

The teen was forced to move in with her father and his then fiancee, but the upheaval proved to be disruptive.

The upcoming documentary titled The Girl Locked Upstairs will star Jordyn Ashley Olson (left) as Tanya (right)

Actor Robert Baker (left) will assume the role of 38-year-old school security guard Tom Hose (right) in the movie

School security guard Hose had lured the schoolgirl to the home (pictured) which he shared with his elderly parents

Tanya was bullied in her new school and she soon turned to alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana as a form of escape.

Her feelings of isolation grew and she ended up confiding in 38-year-old school security guard Tom Hose.

Speaking previously to KDKA-TV, Tanya said: 'My mother wasn't in my life at that point. My dad completely forgot he even had a daughter and we were living under the same roof, and I was hanging around with the wrong crowd.'

Tanya recalled: '[Hose] was an authority figure, wearing a uniform and a badge - somebody that you would trust - and he befriended me.'

Their illicit romance continued to develop and Tanya believed the pair were embarking on a serious relationship.

Hose served 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of charges

Hose was eventually able to lure the schoolgirl - who was 24 years his junior - to the home which he shared with his elderly parents.

He kept her locked in an upstairs bedroom, and threatened to kill her and her family if she resisted or tried to escape.

While in captivity, Tanya was kept confined to one room, only allowed to shower once a week, forced to spend Christmas locked in the closet and ordered to use a bucket as a toilet.

She was sexually abused, told to change her name to Nikki and instructed to dye her hair.

Tanya, who later published a book about her ordeal titled Memoir Of A Milk Carton Kid, spoke for the first time about what she had to endure while she was in captivity in October 2011.

'I was just so brainwashed. I feel humiliated now. Absolutely. Most of the time I ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with a banana and a can of Faygo soda pop,' she said.

'About twice a week in the dead of night he led me down into a cellar with cold, concrete floors to take a shower.

'I was fine at first. I thought I was in love and felt my sacrifices were a labor of my love for Tom Hose. Soon, however, the ordeal began to take its toll.'

By 2006, Hose began allowing her some freedom in the belief that she was too afraid and 'brainwashed' to escape.

The then 24-year-old picked up a part-time job at a local convenience store and she eventually confided in a coworker who called the police.

Hose went on to serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a minor, interfering with the custody of a child and child endangerment in 2007.

The now 65-year-old was released last year and is registered with Pennsylvania State Police as a sex offender under the state's Megan's Law.

The former hostage, now 41, has since claimed that father Jerry Kach (pictured together previously) does not believe her account of being kept under Hose's control

But, despite Tanya being freed from captivity, she struggled to reform family bonds.

The former hostage, now 41, has since claimed that her father - Jerry Kach - does not believe her account of being kept under Hose's mental and physical control.

In her book, she dramatically claimed that after she escaped her dad verbally abused Tanya and said he didn't love her.

She also appeared on Dr. Phil where she claimed she had cut her father out of her because she 'didn't need the negativity.'

Jerry, now 62, is alleged to have gone as far as partially blaming her for the kidnapping, with Tanya telling People: 'That broke my heart.'

However, in the immediate aftermath of the book's release, he retaliated by arguing that he felt demonized by his estranged daughter, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

He said: 'If you want to go out and tell your story, go on trash TV and have your 15 minutes, fine. But don't drag me down with you and besmirch my good name.

'I love my daughter. But her last words to me were "Have a nice life, Jerry." Those words really hurt.'
By Ko Dong-hwan

Military camps in the country have become a rising market for food service firms that cater canteen meals to soldiers.

The market was previously off-limits to large cafeteria operators due to government regulations. However, those regulatings are being lifted this year, according to industry watchers Sunday.

The government earlier this year allowed private firms to operate military camp canteens.

Prior to this, the market remained open only to small-to-medium-size firms and had been dominated by experienced medium-size companies like Pulmuone Food & Culture and Dongwon Home Food.

The canteen market, since the change, has seen food service firms of all sizes competing in bids tendered by different military camps and training schools.

Two recent tenders were won by large firms. On April 9, the 20th Fighter Wing under the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force sold its canteen operating rights to Ourhome.

The contract conditions the ROK Air Force set were five years of canteen service for 42.7 billion won ($31 million). The industry watchers expected that the bid, following a negotiation, would be compromised at a price of around 90 percent of the tendered value  38 billion won.

The other large canteen operator that took a share in the market is Samsung Welstory. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Korea Military Academy in Seoul on March 22 selected the food service arm of Samsung Group as an exclusive contractor for its canteen service.

The three-year deal is worth 12.7 billion won. The company marked the country's first case in which a large private firm sealed a deal with a military entity for canteen service.

The academy's bid had attracted 10 local food service companies, the most number the industry has seen, according to market experts. The companies included large-size firms like Shinsegae Food, Hyundai Green Food, Ourhome as well as medium-size firms.

The year has also seen other canteen service deals won by smaller-size firms. The canteen service bid of the ROK Air Force's 19th Fighter Wing went to Dongwon Home Food for 43.8 billion won on March 21, while Pulmuone Food & Culture won a 33.6 billion won bid tendered by ROK Marine Corp's Camp 3283 on March 7. Pulmuone also nabbed other deals tendered by the ROK Navy's Camp 7001 (19.5 billion won) and the ROK Air Force's 11th Fighter Wing (41.5 billion won) in February and January, respectively.

Heated competition in the market comes after the government had decided to spend more on canteen meals.

After encountering public criticism for the poor quality of military canteen meals revealed by service members' online posts with photos in 2022, the government increased the unit price for canteen meals per soldier per day from 11,000 won to 13,000 won. This year, it was raised again to 15,000 won.

More money means better ingredients and higher-quality meals. Ourhome, for example, said it will serve grilled eel and pork cutlets from the Japanese food franchise Saboten to the 20th Fighter Wing, items that have never appeared in military canteen dishes before.

The military canteen market is attractive to food service companies because it provides a consistent revenue stream over a long period of time.

Market experts said some of the companies have begun targeting the Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition 2024 in October in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, to promote themselves to the top brass who will be in attendance.
An Australian woman living in London has revealed all the things she loves about the UK.

Belle Perez who has lived in the capital just shy of two years says that despite it being expensive, there are reasons she can't get enough of living here.

From the close proximity to European countries to 'once in a lifetime' opportunities, the TikToker shared all her favourite things about London.

Belle Perez (pictured), who has been living in London for nearly two years, reveals the four things she loves about living in the UK

1.Being Close To Europe

From Denmark, France and Austria, there are several locations dotted around Europe you could travel to from London in under two hours.

A stark contrast to Australia where it takes five hours to fly to New Zealand.

For Belle, the proximity to the continent is 'by far the best' factor of living in the bustling city.

With several beautiful destinations and cultures at your fingertips, the content creator raved about London's close locality to several 'unmatched' European countries.

She said: 'It's an obvious one but it is by far the best draw card for living in London because the holidays that you can go on are just unmatched.'

2. Getting Away From Home

Although home is where the heart is for many, for Belle leaving everything she knew was an advantage.

She explained moving abroad encouraged her to try new things and create some wonderful memories while meeting new people from different backgrounds.

The Australian confessed London in particular is a very exciting place to be, as it is impossible to be bored.

'The people you meet the memories you make - [there is] so much fun so much to do it is a big city you are never bored unless you want to be.

She continued: 'You get away from home for a few years try something new and see you what you like.'

3. 'Once In A Lifetime' Opportunities

Belle shared that as a creative individual there is 'so much opportunity' in the city to explore and experiment with new activities and hobbies.

Branding London life as a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity, Belle urged people to push themselves out of their comfort zone.

She added: 'Its like once in a lifetime you can't do this at every stage of life. Do it while you are young and you can.'

4. The visa Process

According to Belle, the visa process to get into the UK was also a major advantage, quipping: 'For Aussies, it's just so easy to get.'

Typically Australian citizens can stay in the UK for up to six months without a visa if they are doing academic research, paid engagements or attending conferences or meeting, GOV.UK says.

But if they staying in the country without a visa they are not permitted to do any form of unpaid or paid work, participate in a work placement or internships or sell any products.

For Australians wanting to work in the UK, there are several different visa options available however a job offer and minimum is required for several of them.

Australians with one or more UK grandparents can live on the isles by applying for a UK Ancestry Visa.

This means they do not need a job offer or minimum salary to make the move across the globe, equally they can chose to settle in the country after five years and a successful citizenship application.

Many flooded the comments with questions for the ex-pat, who had that time had been living in the city for a year.

Among her favourite things about the country is living so close to several 'unmatched' European countries

Several viewers flocked to the comment section with more questions for the ex-pat about her London life

'What are your favourite pubs/drinking venues in London? Im visiting with friends in a couple of days time,' asked one curious viewer.

Another queried: 'What visa are you on? Pity cant do working holiday visa above 30.'

Others encouraged Belle to stay in the city for a few more years despite also citing several disadvantages to living in the UK in the clip.

One quipped: 'Stay there a few more years.you keep earning more, you make more British friends and life gets better and better! London earning good  is unmatched!'

'i grew up here and i agree with everything u said lol,' a user added.
The founder of Itsu and Pret has opened up about the moment he found out he had a secret daughter following a brief dalliance with a society beauty.

Julian Metcalfe, who co-founded sandwich chain Pret in 1984 with college friend Sinclair Beecham and later sold it for 364million and now owns Japanese fast food empire Itsu, spoke about the shock discovery that he'd fathered a teenager he didn't know about on the latest episode of Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO.

The tycoon, who is married to New Yorker wife Brooke, told the Dragon's Den star that he discovered the bombshell news fifteen years ago when he was 45, after a phone call out of the blue from former flame Camilla Ravenshear.

They had enjoyed a brief tryst in the mid Eighties, with Ravenshear, who died at the age of 57 in 2017, keeping details of her daughter's real father a secret for nearly 20 years.

Appearing on Steven Bartlett's podcast Diary of a CEO, Metcalfe revealed how he was first told about his daughter Celeste

Their daughter, Celeste Tobias, who now sits on the board of his company, grew up believing she was the youngest child of Oliver Tobias, star of numerous film and television hits through the Seventies - including, alongside Joan Collins, the notorious 1978 film The Stud.

Camilla, a niece of the former Conservative Cabinet Minister Lord St John of Fawsley, divorced Tobias in 1991. She had two other children, daughters Angelica and Dahlia.

He described his relationship with Celeste as 'incredible', saying he now sits next to her twice a week on the board of his company

Celeste pictured in her early twenties in 2011; she told the Evening Standard in 2012 that she had no idea Oliver Tobias wasn't her real father growing up

Oliver Tobias and ex-wife Camilla; the couple divorced in 1993 after a nine-year marriage. Camilla died in October 2017 at the age of 57

Metcalfe reveals in the episode how Camilla broke the news to her daughter, then a Bristol University student, that he was her biological father two weeks before meeting the entrepreneur on London's King's Road to tell him.

The businessman already had two children, Billy and Meisha, by his ex-wife Melanie.

He said: 'Her mother called me who I hadn't seen for ages. I had no idea her daughter was my daughter, I'd never met her. Her mother asked to see me and we met on the King's Road.'

Bartlett asked: 'Weren't you suspicious when she asked to see you?

He said he had no idea of the news that was coming, saying: 'I certainly wasn't suspicious of that. I thought maybe she needed help.'

Actor Oliver Tobias, now 76, was well known for his role in The Stud alongside Joan Collins; he was married to Camilla Ravenshear until 1991

He described his former lover as a 'cool, intelligent, rather wonderful, eccentric brilliant woman' who he remembered 'very fondly'.

Metcalfe, who met his current wife society author and interior designer Brooke de Ocampo in 2007, said she told him: 'I have a daughter and she's your daughter'.

He added that he then asked how long Celeste had known and she said just a fortnight: 'I asked her "when did you tell her and how did it go down?" She replied: "I told her two weeks ago and not well.'"

The trio are said to have met for the first time at upmarket Babington House, close to where Celeste was studying.

After the news broke, Metcalfe said: 'I have a brilliant, beautiful and thoughtful 19-year-old daughter. I reckon I'm the luckiest man ever.'

In 2012, Celeste told the Evening Standard: 'I was told just before I went to university in Bristol. I think my mother believed that I'd always known I wasn't Oliver's, but of course I didn't. How can you know something like that? I had no idea.'

Julian Metcalfe with his interior designer and author wife Brooke; the pair met in 2007 and wed in 2008; between them they have seven children, including Billy and Meisha who Metcalfe shares with his ex-wife Melanie

Metcalfe, who lives in a South Oxfordshire manor house with his wife, said he was now close to his daughter after building a relationship with her in adulthood. He said: 'She's now on the board, and sits next to him two days a week and it's incredible.'

Metcalfe is an Old Harrovian whose grandfather Edward was best man to the newly abdicated Edward VIII at his marriage to Wallis Simpson.

He has three children and became a grandfather when Celeste gave birth to a daughter, Tiger-Lily, in 2019.

During the episode, Bartlett also revealed how an unknown family member had entered his own life, saying an uncle he didn't know he had had walked into his mother's shop one day.

He said: 'I had at some point in my early life a man walk into my mum's shop and he said that he was my uncle. Turns out he was. I didn't know I had any uncles in this country. Turns out I did'.

Metcalfe created Japanese fast food brand Itsu in 1997; he sold the brand that made his name, Pret, for 364 million

Metcalfe's first business venture was opening a wine shop in Fulham while also working as a chartered surveyor.

The popularity of his healthy fast food brand Itsu has soared in recent years, with 77 branches currently across the UK. The chain, named after the Japanese for whenever, launched in 1997 with a 1million restaurant in Chelsea, West London.

Last month, Metcalfe warned against potential Labour's reforms on workers' rights, saying they would come at a cost to the country.

He said of Labour's mooted plans: 'Nothing is free. The cash-strapped consumer ends up having to pay much more for goods and services as costs, taxes and red tape so easily cripples motivation and sensible commerce.'

The party plans to put forward reforms to the labour market within its first 100 days of winning power.

The policies, fronted by Angela Rayner, a former union shop steward, would see workers given rights from day one in new jobs as well as a crackdown on zero-hours contracts.

Labour also plans to abolish all trade union reforms enacted since 2010, when it was last in power, and scrap Tory moves to restrict workers from going on strike.
The couple announced their shock divorce in a statement on the royal website

Greece's Prince Nikalaos and Princess Tatiana announced their 'amicable' separation after 14 years of marriage in a statement that shocked royal fans around the world.

The royal couple married in a lavish wedding in 2010 and appeared together in public earlier this year at a memorial service for the prince's father King Constantine II in Windsor.

But despite their lengthy union and marriage that seemed idyllic to outward eyes, the pair may have had stark differences even from the start.

While Nikalaos, 54, loves Greece with all his heart, it was a difficult adjustment for his wife when they moved there permanently in 2013.

Tatiana, 43, appeared to embrace royal life, but is said to have never felt completely at home in the country and was more comfortable wearing her jeans and sneakers than the royal tiara and sash.

Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos of Greece have announced their shock separation - but Tatiana never quite fit into royal life. Pictured on the day before their marriage in 2010

After Greek outlets reported rumours of a split for months, the couple released a statement announcing their separation on the royal website.

It read: 'We wish to inform you of a significant and heartfelt decision made by TRH Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana.

'After fourteen years of marriage, they have chosen to amicably dissolve their union.

'This decision was reached with great care and mutual respect, reflecting the depth of their appreciation for one another and the moments they have shared.

'Their future interactions will continue to be guided by these same principles of respect and understanding, as they transition into a relationship rooted in a strong friendship.

'They will continue to live and build their lives in Greece, a place they both call home. The Family will always support them.'

The couple wed in August 2010 on the Greek island of Spetses.

The wedding - which was described as 'Mamma Mia, but with aristocrats' - was attended by royalty from around the world, including monarchies from the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Spain.

The pair seemed to have the most idyllic relationship and wed in 2010 on the Greek island of Spetses

Princess Tatiana and her husband appeared together in public just weeks ago for the memorial service for King Constantine

But the down-to-earth Tatiana already seemed at odds with the extravagance of Greek royal life, asking the nobles and princes present to trade their formal wear for caftans and sandals.

Shortly after her wedding, she admitted: 'I do not feel like a princess. I do not feel that I married a prince, with a title. Well actually, yes, he is my prince, but nothing more.'

Tatiana was born in Venezuelan capital Caracas and went to boarding school in Switzerland before studying sociology at Georgetown.

She met her future husband during a ski holiday in Switzerland in 2003 and announced their engagement six years later - with the wedding one of the high society events of the year.

Shortly after the wedding, Princess Tatiana left her job as an events organiser for designer Diana Von Furstenberg, MailOnline previously reported.

She lived in Chelsea in London and visited Greece with Nikalaos for the first time in 2004, before moving there permanently in 2013.

Nikalaos, who was raised in Britain, had always dreamed of living in Greece, but his wife didn't feel the same way.

The aristocrat didn't speak any Greek, and told Vogue about her feelings on arriving into the country - which already hinted at how uncomfortable she was.

Prince Nikolaos (right), 54, and Princess Tatiana (left), 43, wed in August 2010

The pair announced their separation on Friday after 14 years of marriage. Pictured: Princess Theodora, Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos in 2021

She told the fashion magazine: 'I remember when we drove in, it felt like everyone was traveling in the opposite direction.'

In the same interview, she revealed that her new royal life was rather different to how you might expect.

She continued: 'I live a very simple life here. I work, I go to the supermarket, I cook, I walk my dog, and the Greek people have welcomed me like they would anyone else.'

Tatiana did try to throw herself into Greek life, partnering with charity Boroume to provide meals and publishing a cookbook called A Taste Of Greece, as well as putting painstaking efforts into learning the language.

Over time, she said she grew more comfortable with living in the country - and the royal announcement stated she will continue to live there. The couple do not have any children.

King Constantine, the last king of Greece before the country abolished its monarchy in 1973, died of a stroke in Athens last year at the age of 82. He was also close with the British royals and was Prince William's godfather.

Tatiana is also well-known for her father's broken engagement with Natalie Wood, the glamorous American model who met with a mysterious death after a boat accident.

Shoe manufacturer Ladislav Blatnik was engaged to Wood before they broke up in 1965.

Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana pictured in 2010, before their marriage, attending the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling

Nikolaos' father Constantine II (right, with William and Catherine) was close with the British royal family - Charles III was his second cousin while

Wood died on November 29, 1981 during a weekend trip to Santa Catalina Island on the yacht belonging to her husband Robert Wagner.

The cause of death was confirmed as drowning but it was never determined how she entered the water in the first place.

In 2018, Wagner himself was named as a person of interest in the case and there were reports the couple had been arguing. In 2022 it was announced that all leads were exhausted and the case remains unsolved. Blatnik died by suicide when Tatiana was just seven years old.
A former butler to the King has revealed how the royal family might have marked the late Queen Elizabeth's birthday.

Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles and Camilla for seven years and is now based in Gloucestershire, said the Firm will be honouring her in a low-key, personal way.

Queen Elizabeth was buried at Windsor Castle's King George VI Memorial Chapel in the Royal Vault on September 19, 2022, following her state funeral - and would have been 98 today.

He speculated that the family will likely use today to reflect on memories and the time they spent with the former monarch.

Mr Harrold revealed the family is not likely to do anything publicly, but instead raise a simple toast to Elizabeth at dinner this evening.

The then Prince Charles, now King, and his mother the late Queen Elizabeth laugh while watching a children's sack race in Scotland in 2012

Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles and Camilla for seven years and is now based in Gloucestershire, said the Firm will be honouring her in personal way today

Speaking to Slingo, he said: 'They won't publicly do anything. Privately, I have no doubt they'll raise a toast to her in the evening. I'm sure the day will very much be spent reflecting on the late Queen.'

Mr Harrold said he can 'almost guarantee' that the household will leave flowers on her tomb to mark what would have been her 98th birthday.

'If you were to go to Windsor Castle, it's very likely there'll be some flowers on the tomb that have been sent by the family members,' he said.

'Sometimes on royal anniversaries, flowers are sent to royal graves. It's very possible there will be flowers on the tombstone.

'There will also be well wishers there on the day as well, who may want to put flowers on the grave or around the area.'

Mr Harrold, who worked for Charles and Camilla between 2004 and 2011, said Queen Elizabeth had an 'amazing sense of humour', adding that you never knew whether she was being serious or joking around.

'I used to hear about her sense of humour and the fact that sometimes you couldn't tell if she was being serious or not and she had this amazing humour and sometimes she'd catch you off guard,' he said.

Mr Harrold then shared a hilarious anecdote about a time when nobody had followed the late Queen to go for dinner in Scotland one evening.

He said: 'I went in to announce dinner. I went to see her and I walked up, nodded my head and said "dinner is ready" and there were other guests there.

'She walked out the room and she kind of looked back towards the room and nobody else had followed her.

Mr Harrold said the late Queen was detail-driven, 'very observant' and 'lit up a room' whenever she would walk into it. Above: Elizabeth pictured in June 2022, just months before her death in September that year

'Of course, royal protocol kind of states they should follow or at least already be in the dining room and they were all still in the other room chatting.

'So she ran down the corridor and I remember looking thinking the Queen is running, what do I do?

'So I started running, well not running because I thought it would be rude to run as a butler so I kind of did a trot into the room and when we got in there she looked around and she smiled and I heard the rest of the guests running down the corridor to come in.

'She looked at me then she gave me a wink as if to say "how about that". I was like "oh my god, you are so cool," and I loved that. Everyone knew that's what she was like, which I then discovered.'

Mr Harrold paid a sweet tribute to the late Queen and said she was 'always so polite' and was detail-driven, adding that she quick to spot if something had been done incorrectly.

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, who passed away a year before her, are snapped during Trooping the colour in 2016 with Kate, William, Charlotte and George

He said: 'When they say she lit up a room, you went into the room and you knew she was in the room.

'You walked in and you could spot her and she was always so polite, so polite, always smiling and making a joke or comment.

'Very observant, she noticed every detail. I used to get excited if I was on duty and she was there. To me it was brilliant, it was so exciting.

'On the observant part, when there was a state dinner or a banquet she would inspect the table.

'You've got an army of staff, but she would still go around the table to make sure it had been done correctly. She noticed things if something wasn't right. '

Queen Elizabeth II was 96 when she died on September 8, 2022. The announcement shocked the world, with many royal fans flying from other countries to London to pay their respects.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners waited in queues for several hours on end, with some even camping out overnight, to see her Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II was 96 when she died on September 8, 2022. Above: Queen Elizabeth II watches one of her horses in May 2017

Mr Harrold said the royal family are likely to leave flowers on her grave to mark the late Queen's birthday

More than 29million people in the UK alone watched her funeral, which saw senior working royals, such as Prince William and Kate and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put their differences aside and gather together to say goodbye to their beloved grandmother.

Queen Elizabeth is remembered for her poise and dedication to the role of Queen throughout her 70-year reign.

On her 21st birthday in 1947, Elizabeth was with her parents and younger sister on a tour of South Africa and made a speech dedicating her life to the service of the Commonwealth.

She said: 'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.'

Queen Elizabeth worked 15 Prime Ministers throughout her time, including Britain's shortest-serving Prime Minister Liz Truss, who announced her resignation after just 44 days in office.
One of America's most influential health gurus, and founding father of longevity research, has been accused of 'selling snake oil' and 'deceiving' the public due to fatal flaws in his studies that claim age can be reversed, DailyMail.com has learned.

Dr David Sinclair, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, has been hit with allegations of pushing bogus antiaging drugs over the last decade - including one he was paid $720million to develop by pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline.

The 54 year-old renowned scientist has made previous claims that he 'reversed' his own age by a decade using unconventional lifestyle 'hacks,' and most recently promoted an 'unscientific' supplement developed by his company that claimed to reverse aging in dogs.

But the pill is said to 'not be supported by data,' according to University of Washington aging professor Matt Kaeberlein.

The controversy sparked a slew of resignations from the prestigious research body he founded - the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research - and Dr Sinclair was eventually forced to step down as president.

Dr David Sinclair has been forced out of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research amid controversy over a paper that appeared to claim a supplement could reverse aging in dogs

The above image shows the Academy's membership, with Dr Sinclair (bottom left) listed as a founder

Dr Sinclair boasts more than a million followers on social media - where he shares news about the latest advancements in longevity medicine.

He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book Lifespan, host of a podcast by the same name and was recognized in 2014 as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

The latest controversy began in February and centers around a study by scientists at the University of North Carolina's vet school and funded by Dr Sinclair's pet longevity start-up, Animal Biosciences.

The preprint study - which had not been reviewed by scientific colleagues, as is standard, involved 70 dogs who were fed either a half dose or a full dose of his supplement, Leap Years, or a placebo for six months.

Leap Years contains an ingredient that has gained notoriety among longevity researchers called NAD+.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an enzyme present in dogs - and humans - that fuels energy in cells throughout the body. As a dog ages, NAD+ levels decline, meaning their cells begin to deteriorate.

When cells lose their ability to produce energy and function properly, it can lead to disease and the breakdown of bodily functions. Leap Years claims to boost NAD+ levels.

The dogs were tracked for six months, with 51 completing the study. Animals in the full-dose group showed slight improvements in cognition as reported by their owners after three months, but the effect was not maintained through six months.

However, there was no difference between groups in changes in activity level, gait speed or cognitive tests performed by the researchers

Dr Sinclair revealed the results on X alongside a promotional image for Leap Year, claiming: 'First-of-its-kind supplement clinically proven to slow effects of aging in dogs. Available at LeapYears.com.'

He shared a hyperlink that took his 441,000 followers to a landing page where they could buy the supplement for $70 to $130 for a one-month supply.

But this statement prompted a slew of allegations from scientists who said it was 'out of line' for him to make 'unscientific claims,' with some even slamming him as a 'snake oil salesman.'

Dr Elisabeth Bik, a microbiologist and science integrity consultant in San Francisco, told DailyMail.com his statement was 'fraudulent' and his study showed 'questionable research practices.'

She said: 'His results don't show that he managed to slow aging in dogs  just improve cognition, that's not longevity.

'Tests in mice help us decide what to test in humans. Then we need to do a stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 clinical trial and then we can say clinically proven. So it is wrong to say it was clinically proven at this stage.

'A lot of people put papers on pre-print servers to try to sell a pill and make it look scientific, but their research will never be published in an academic journal.'

Dr Sinclair's tweet prompted a slew of allegations from scientists who said it was 'out of line' for him to make 'unscientific claims,' with some even slamming him as a 'snake oil salesman'

Forbes took down its article on the supplement as controversy over the claims emerged

Fury erupted online among Dr Sinclair's medical colleagues, including Dr Matt Kaeberlein - who resigned from Sinclair's Academy as a result.

Dr Kaeberlein, a longevity biologist, wrote on X: 'I find it deeply distressing that we've gotten to a point where dishonesty in science is normalized to an extent that nobody is shocked when a tenured Harvard professor falsely proclaims in a press release that a product he is selling to pet owners has "reversed aging in dogs."

'To me, this is the textbook definition of a snake oil salesman.'

Others told DailyMail.com about their frustration, including Dr Arlan Richardson, a geriatric medicine researcher at the University of Oklahoma, who also left the academy.

He said: 'I may be old fashioned, but I felt it was out of line for the president of a professional scientific organization to make such unscientific claims.

'I did not want to be a part of an organization who had leadership that were playing fast and loose with the truth. I let the board know my reasons for resigning.'

Dr Sinclair attempted to placate opposition, circulating an apology internally within the Academy and issuing a correction to his press release on March 5.

Initially, he had said the supplement was the first 'proven to reverse aging in dogs,' but he changed this to: 'Shown to reverse the effects of age-related decline in dogs.'

By March 13, however, just eight days after he had corrected the release, his resignation was announced.

Dr Nir Barzilai, an aging researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, wrote online: 'We are writing to inform you that David Sinclair has resigned as president of the Academy.

'We regret all the events that led to David's resignation and take the lessons to heart.

'We hope we can move past these events. The Academy is about science and scientists; all else is secondary.'

On March 15, Dr Sinclair then appeared at the Livelong Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he gave a talk on the potential health benefits of NAD. He made no mention of his troubles with the Academy.

Dr Sinclair said in response: 'Due to the fact that members of the Academy were unwilling to engage in a discussion about what was essentially a communications error on the Leap Years issue, I decided it was best for them to elect a new President.

'This was a decision I made of my own accord. I still remain on the board of the Academy and will continue to support the organization.'

He also claimed his PR company had sent out an incorrect press release about his supplement initially which had mischaracterized his words. 'The PR company apologized to us for sending out the wrong version of the Leap Years press release and immediate steps were taken by them to correct the quote,' he added.

This isn't the first time the scientist has been accused of exaggerating his research findings.

In the early 00s, the scientist was immersed in extensive analyses of the potential benefits of a molecule called resveratrol - which he believed had 'close to miraculous' antiaging properties in humans.

In 2004, he founded a private company named Sirtris, which was dedicated to researching the compound.

Resveratrol naturally occurs in numerous foods like blueberries and peanuts, as well as grapes and grape-products such as wine. Advocates say it has the potential to alter the way cells use energy and reduce inflammatory reactions.

In 2008, GSK bought Sirtris for $720million, making it a subsidiary of the pharma giant.

But just two years later, GSK terminated Dr Sinclair's resveratrol research, citing underwhelming evidence and side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

In 2013, GSK shut down the entire subsidiary.

Subsequent studies have repeatedly failed to replicate Dr Sinclair's results, with papers in 2013 and 2014 revealing the 'anti-aging' effects he'd recorded in animals were due to the fluorescent dye he had used  not the resveratrol.

Nevertheless, Dr Sinclair put the compound on the map, with his initial studies sparking huge interest in the substance. Supplement companies now sell $99 pots of the ingredient and tout a range of supposed benefits - from lowering blood pressure to boosts in energy.

Now, a decade later, he has been hit with similar criticism for his canine longevity supplement - and critics have been quick to compare his scientifically weak claims to those he made about resveratrol.

Dan Elton, a data scientist at Mass General in Boston, wrote on X: 'David Sinclair consistently exaggerates the claims of research that he has a financial stake in. It makes me sick to my stomach.

'The crazy thing is he already made hundreds of millions selling his resveratrol company to GSK, based on shoddy studies that haven't [been] replicated.'

And Dr Bik added: 'Harvard longevity scientist sparks furor with claim about reversing aging in dogs... [Spoiler alert: the supplement does NOT reverse aging in dogs].'
Flailing libido?

Maybe you've thought about buying racy new lingerie to spice things up in the bedroom. Eating a plate of oysters  nature's own aphrodisiac  might've even crossed your mind in your pursuit of passion.

But now there's a new way to rev up your sex drive, albeit an unusual one.

Beauty clinics are now offering 400 salmon sperm injections that are delivered straight into the vagina.

Women seeking to banish their wrinkles can already get the unusual 'tweakment' directly in their face.

Aesthetic nurse Amanda Azzopardi claims injecting it into 'intermate areas' can help improve 'vaginal dryness' and 'sexual arousal'

As well as Botox-like effects, polynucleotides  as they are medically known  are said to give customers a 'baby face'.

Similar rejuvenating effects are seen in the vagina, claims Amanda Azzopardi, an aesthetic nurse who runs clinics in London, Liverpool and North Wales.

Its powerful effects thwart the loss of elasticity that occurs with age.

Ms Azzopardi says this can help beat 'vaginal dryness and painful intercourse'.

'A lot of older women come to me and say they are not having any kind of sexual arousal anymore,' she told MailOnline.

'So, we do the "O shot" and they're reporting stronger and more frequent orgasms increased natural lubrication, greater sexual arousal.'

'life changing' results that can boost your sex life can be seen after about two to four sessions of these treatments, Ms Azzopardi claims

The beauty treatment uses purified and sterilised DNA molecules extracted from salmon or trout (pictured) sperm, known as polynucleotides, and some doctors claim it is safer than other cosmetic injectables

Results can be seen after about two to four sessions of these treatments, according to Ms Azzopardi.

'It's just absolutely life changing for them,' she said.

It typically uses purified and sterilised DNA molecules extracted from salmon or trout sperm, known as polynucleotides which have anti-inflammatory effects.

South Korea's aesthetics sector has been using the treatment for over a decade.

But it's now gaining popularity among Western celebrities. Jennifer Aniston told The Wall Street Journal last year that she is reaping its skin-rejuvenating qualities on her face.

When polynucleotides are injected into human skin, fibroblasts are activated.

Fibroblasts are stretchy molecules found in skin that help to maintain the structural framework of the tissue. As we age these fibroblasts decrease.

So, when the polynucleotides are injected under the eyes, in the cheekbones or in the neck, it theoretically 'rejuvenates' the skin. Ms Azzopardi says this is exactly how it works in 'intimate areas', too.

Ms Azzopardi also claims intermate polynucleotides are better for mature women than injections are of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is also used as a libido-booster in private clinics

Some doctors claim polynucleotides are safer than other cosmetic injectables, like Botox, which have been linked to a catalogue of complications including blocked blood vessels, lumpy skin and infections.

Ms Azzopardi also claims intermate polynucleotides are better for mature women than injections are of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), another libido-booster offered in private clinics.

'PRP is great if you're 20 years old, because you've got all those fibroblasts, you've got the collagen, you've got the elastin, and your thyroid or your hormones,' she said.

'But if you're older, if you are in your 40s, 50s or 60s your healthy cells are dying off.

'So it's much better to use something that is, you know, pre manufactured, it's very safe along with other other treatments.

'It's great for mature skin to improve cellular aging, and enhance hydration,' she added.
A transgender person has shared their experience after receiving an experimental new surgery that involves removing the entirety of their external genitals.

Adrian, 27, from Florida, is non-binary - meaning they do not conform to either male or female - and had the operation at a controversial gender clinic in Texas that has been dubbed 'Frankenstein's lab'.

It is one of a handful hospitals in the country that offer genital nullification surgery - a procedure which involves removing all external genitalia to create a smooth transition down from the stomach to the groin.

A small but hidden opening remains in order for urine to exit the body. Those born biologically female undergo a hysterectomy, which stops them menstruating.

'I had to use a catheter the first two weeks but I am peeing normally now,' Adrian said two months after the operation.

They describe the procedure, which cost $10,000 up front, as a 'body modification journey' that will transform them into a 'non-normative human.'

Genital nullification surgery is a procedure which involves removing all external genitalia to create a smooth transition down from the stomach to the groin

Genital nullification involves removing all external genitalia, which Twitter user and musician Serena Patrick said was 'Barbie-dolling your genitals' (left). With a phallus-preserving vaginoplasty or vaginal-preserving phalloplasty the vaginal opening is located just underneath the base of the penis' shaft (right)

Adrian, 27, from Florida, documented their experience of the genital removal procedure, also known as Nullo, or Eunuch procedures, on Reddit.

They said their motivation for getting the procedure, performed at the Crane Center last year, was 'dysphoria' - defined as a feeling of discomfort or distress suffered by those whose gender identity does not match their sex.

They opted for nullification because they could not afford a phalloplasty (surgery to construct an artificial penis) or metoidioplasty, which uses a hormonally enlarged clitoris as the body of the penis.

Adrian said they have a 'desire to look as alienesque as possible', also expressing an interest in the removal of their belly button.

Adrian was born a woman, and began taking testosterone hormones aged 23 in August 2020.

In 2021, they had top surgery and also completely removed their nipples. Having their nipples removed 'also played a role in my desire for nullification,' Adrian said.

'I came out fully as a queer binary trans man shortly after top surgery,' they wrote on Reddit.

In 2021, they had top surgery to remove their nipples to create a more non-binary look.

Dr Curtis Crane, a plastic surgeon from the Crane Center with a patient - it is not known what procedures the above patient received from the clinic

A less common genital procedure that Dr Crane did not detail is called penile splitting, a type of body modification that splits the penis into two separate sections at various points. It is not known if the clinic performs this

Penis splitting is done either because someone simply likes the way it looks or because they want to increase sexual pleasure. It is not known if the clinic performs this

An illustration from Healthline demonstrates whole-shaft splitting, which sees the entire penis cut into two separate parts. It is not known if the clinic performs this

For those born female, the genital nullification procedure can include removal of the vagina, vulva and clitoris. However some patients may opt to keep the clitoris to maintain sexual sensation.

Women also undergo a hysterectomy beforehand, which is an operation to remove all or part of the uterus. The procedure not only stops the menstrual cycle but also kicks the patient into an immediate menopause, where patients may have to put up with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats for several months or even years.

Testosterone is given in an attempt to relieve symptoms such as lack of libido and weak bones, but it is only partially effective, experts told DailyMail.com.

Dr Crane said his practice is a leader in gender surgeries because of his extensive training

For men, genital nullification means removal of the penis, scrotum and testicles. The urethra is typically shortened and a hole is created so patients can still urinate.

Usually the prostate and sperm ducts remain.

Sometimes, highly sensitive penis tissue (which is often used to fashion a clitoris in a typical female-to-male gender reassignment procedure) is kept and 'buried' above the urethra, like a 'hidden' clitoris.

Patients who have the vagina fully removed as part of the surgery cannot have vaginal sex.

Some patients opt to have anal sex instead. Adrian's procedure involved having their vaginal canal completely removed, meaning the only opening is the urethra.

Recovery from the procedure is said to take roughly nine weeks. Symptoms after the operation are mainly limited to swelling around the area.

What is a 'nullo'? A 'nullo', also known as a 'smoothie', is someone who has undergone extreme body modification by having their genitals, and sometimes also their nipples, surgically removed. Though the procedure is mostly done by men, there are women who also voluntarily have their vagina stitched closed and clitoris removed. There are said to be amateur 'cutters' in the UK and all over the world, but many will go to the United States for surgery. A clinic in California charges around $10,000 plus hospital fees. There are clinics in Mexico a hospital who are willing to do a no-questions-asked castration. Experts believe that there are around 10,000 to 15,000 voluntary eunuchs, and that over more than half of them used DIY surgery or a cutters' services. Advertisement

The patient says they were able to sleep because they were prescribed the sedative Ambien.

Sexual stimulation is still possible, but it is 'vastly reduced due to only having the clitoral nerve.' But they said they have 'no interest in sexual simulation.'

'I have never orgasmed in my life and do not wish to. I have minimal sensation as I did not wish to feel "dead" down there.

'Some relief is possible but climax is not.'

There is thought to be an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 voluntary 'nullos' worldwide, though the true number is unknown.

Astonishingly, two thirds never tell anyone they have no genitalia, including their families, a 2014 academic study found.

Some critics have voiced concerns that the procedure bears disturbing similarities to female genital mutilation practices - which more than 12,000 girls are still at risk of each day, usually in African and middle eastern countries as a means of suppressing female sexuality.

In some of these cases, a girl will see her vagina narrowed or even closed using stitches - although these procedures are usually performed outside of medical establishments leaving them vulnerable to a host of infections.

DailyMail.com recently revealed the extent of surgeries offered by the clinics like the Crane Center, which has come under fire for performing hundreds of unconventional genital surgeries which many experts describe as 'dangerous.'

One of the other nonbinary procedures performed by center is known as a phallus-preserving vaginoplasty, which is performed on biological males who want to keep their penis while also adding a vagina.

A vaginal-preserving phalloplasty is the opposite - it constructs a penis for the person without surgically removing their vagina.

In people who have either of these surgeries, the vaginal opening is located just underneath the base of the penis' shaft.

A patient in Ontario, Canada recently won public funding for their phallus-preserving vaginoplasty procedure.

Disallowing the procedure would infringe on the person's Charter-protected right to security of the person, an Ontario court said in its ruling.

Jay Richards, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, previously told DailyMail.com: 'Non-binary and nullification surgeries reveal the sheer madness of gender ideology.

'It started with surgeries to make males look like females, and vice versa. But it doesnt end there, because the ideologys definition of "gender identity" is completely untethered from our sexed bodies.

'It reduces the human person to a mere internal sense of gender, which has no limiting principle and so can mean anything.'
A controversial alternative treatment known as acupressure can ease the pain of knee arthritis, a study suggests.

Patients suspected to have the condition reported significantly less pain after three months of the treatment than others studied in the trial, the researchers found.

The traditional Chinese medical practice involves stimulating 'acupoints'  invisible energy lines that are said to exist around the body  to provide health benefits.

Unlike acupuncture, in which needles are used to prick the skin at these points, acupressure uses the fingers to apply pressure.

Advocates claim the practice can alleviate a host of problems from anxiety to joint pain.

The study had patients self-administer acupressure to their knees alongside home physiotherapy exercises (stock image)

Outcomes from the study suggested the use of acupressure may actually decrease knee pain in those with arthritis in the joint

Acupressure was a controversial feature of a recent episode of Dragons' Den featuring saleswoman Giselle Boxer (pictured)

She sought investment for stick on 'ear seeds' providing acupressure that she claimed helped her with her ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome

However, the evidence is often conflicting  with some studies showing an effect and others proving it does little to help.

The treatment recently hit the headlines after Dragons' Den contestant Giselle Boxer claimed on the BBC1 show that stick-on acupressure 'ear seeds'  tiny beads placed on the ears  helped cure her of the chronic fatigue condition ME.

The subsequent backlash from patients, who pointed out there was no proof they worked, led to the BBC pulling the show before reinstating it with a disclaimer.

However, the latest research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows promise for knee pain.

A total of 314 study participants, with an average age of 63, were given two training sessions in self-administering acupressure to their knees, alongside home physiotherapy exercises, and instructed to perform both treatments twice a day for 12 weeks.

A control group was given instructions on physiotherapy only. Both groups were assessed with questionnaires to measure their knee pain.

The acupressure patients reported 46 per cent lower pain levels than the other group after the treatment period. Stiffness levels were no different between the groups, however.

Knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 5.4million people, mostly over-50s, in the UK. Aside from joint replacement surgery, there are no effective treatments.

'Self-administered acupressure has been used for different pain conditions and it could be an effective treatment for knee pain,' the Hong Kong-based study authors said.
The late Queen Elizabeth's bespoke Jaguar Daimler which was specially modified for her handbag and has James Bond-style buttons is up for auction for 60,000.

The monarch owned and drove the stylish British racing green vehicle from brand new between 2001 and 2006, clocking up thousands of miles in it.

Personal touches for Her Majesty included a special handbag holding tray built into the armrest between the two front seats.

It also has security and convoy lights operated by a 'James Bond-esque' bank of control buttons.

The automatic drive vehicle, with a V8 engine capable of reaching 149mph, has travelled just 16,200 miles in 23 years - and less than 1,400 since leaving royal use.

Bonhams Cars, of London, have put up for auction a bespoke Jaguar Daimler driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II between 2001 and 2006

The car was specially designed to include a tray to hold her handbag, built into the armrest between the vehicle's two front seats

It also boasts a James Bond-style bank of control buttons including security and convoy lights

The Queen was seen leaving Windsor Castle in the Daimler to visit the Royal Chapel in November 2002

The 'elegant and luxurious' interior contains of catkin beige leather with a green carpet.

The 2001 Daimler Majestic 4.0 V8 LWB was also driven by the Queen's husband Prince Philip before being returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007.

They sold it in 2013 to a private collector, who has kept it in a 'pristine' condition in a heated garage.

The seller - based in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland - is now offering it up through auctioneers Bonhams Cars, of London, who say it is a 'rare' opportunity to acquire a vehicle driven by the Queen, who died aged 96 in September 2022.

She was known to be a keen driver following her time as a driver and mechanic in the Women's Auxillary Territorial Service during the Second World War when she was taught how to handle heavy vehicles and maintain the fleet.

She was the only person in the UK who could legally drive without a licence and without even taking a driving test.

Lord Cameron, former Prime Minister and now Foreign Secretary, gave an insight into the Queen's driving when describing in 2019 how she once took him at 'breakneck speeds' around the Balmoral estate.

He told The Times' Red Box podcast: 'You get into a car, sort of seven o'clock at night, often driven by the Queen herself, driven at breakneck speed up on to the moor.'

Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1944. She was taught how to drive heavy Army vehicles and how to maintain the fleet

The late Queen, pictured here in the car alongside her husband Prince Philip, drove the Daimler which is now up for auction between 2001 and 2006

The Duke of Edinburgh was pictured driving the Daimler out of Windsor Castle in April 2002

The automatic drive vehicle now up for sale has a V8 engine capable of reaching 149mph

The Jaguar Daimler has travelled just 16,200 miles in its 23 years

The car has been given a starting price of 60,000 in the online sale ending on April 29

Auctioneers have hailed the sale as a 'rare' opportunity to acquire a vehicle driven by the Queen, who died aged 96 in September 2022

The car was also driven by the Queen's husband Prince Philip before being returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007

The car loving monarch was watched driving a Daimler saloon in 1957 with her children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in the passenger seats

She was spotted at the wheel of a Range Rover, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting Dame Annabel Whitehead for the second day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2021

She also drove another Jaguar Daimler to the Credit Suisse Royal Windsor Cup Final in Egham, Surrey, in June 2007, alongside her police protection officer Carol Quirk

The car's extras for the Queen also included a secure telephone link to Downing Street and the Home Office, which is no longer in use.

A Bonhams Cars spokesperson said: 'Her Majesty preferred shades of dark green to adorn her vehicles, thus British Racing Green was chosen, with the overall appearance kept similar to other Daimler Majestic LWB examples except for the security lights which still function as intended.

'It has just 16,200 miles from new and less than 1,400 since leaving the royal fleet.

'In the current ownership, the car has been kept in a heated garage as part of a fantastic private collection.'

David Hayhow, consignment specialist at Bonhams Cars, added: 'This represents a very rare opportunity to own a vehicle that Her Majesty Queen Eizabeth II personally drove.

'It retains nearly all its royal options, including the tray specially designed to hold Her Majesty's handbag, and the flashing blue convoy lights discreetly hidden across the car.

'Royal vehicles are offered very infrequently so, when they do come to market, they are highly sought after.

'We are delighted to be offering this special Daimler without reserve, so it will be selling from the very first bid.'

The online sale ends on April 29, with Bonhams saying they expect it to go for between 35,000 and 60,000.

Then-Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret are pictured here playing in a miniature automobile while their governess Marion Crawford keeps an eye on them in 1930

Queen Elizabeth was seen at the wheel of a 1961 Vauxhall PA Cresta Friary Estate as she drove Prince Andrew to the Windsor Horse Trials in April 1968

Sellers say a British-based private collector who bought this Jaguar Daimler in 2013 has kept it in a 'pristine' condition in a heated garage

The car comes in the late Queen Elizabeth II's preferred colour of racing green

The motor has added less than 1,400 miles to the clock since leaving the royal fleet

The car's extras for the Queen also included a secure telephone link to Downing Street and the Home Office, which is no longer in use

Another luxury car that used to be one of the Queen's personal vehicles - with a rear seat adapted for her corgi dogs - sold for 80,500 in October 2019.

The Daimler Double Six saloon was delivered new to Buckingham Palace in 1984 after being given a 3,000-mile road test by engineers.

Other cars she owned included a Land Rover Defender and a Jaguar X-Type Estate in a shade of green called Emerald Fire.

She also had a Mulsanne limousine, built by Bentley in 2012 as a special gift for her Diamond Jubilee tour of Britain, in which she travelled to her only Cabinet Meeting at 10 Downing Street that same year.
For nearly six years, Matthew Tough has tried to get his bank, Barclays, to take responsibility for its part in allowing a 1.49million fraud to be committed against him.

He has failed, though not through lack of trying. He has racked up a six-figure legal bill in the pursuit of justice, hounded the bank for documents and recordings of calls, and recently wrote to the board members of Barclays urging them to investigate his case. None had the courtesy to respond.

Barclays is not for turning. It has washed its hands of the matter. Sadly, my intervention in the case has done nothing to shift the bank's intransigence either. It has answered none of my questions - and given what can only be described as a glib response.

Abandoned: Hard-working Matthew Tough has battled for years to get back money stolen by scammers

So, I tell his story today because I think it needs to be heard. In summary, Matt has been disgracefully treated by the bank he has been with, man and boy. He deserves much better.

For 56-year-old Matt, life goes on - he is a successful entrepreneur building a food procurement business with the help of a supportive chairman whom he has known for a long time. Hopefully, he will make enough from the business (Procurement Partners) to put his financial life back on track.

But the past six years have taken their toll.

During this time, he has visited some horribly dark places, suffered serious mental health issues, received counselling for depression, and battled against the demon drink. At one stage, his wife Sarah asked him to leave the family home.

For the moment, Matt is feeling strong. He has been sober for four months and is back with Sarah at home in Knowle, West Midlands.

Yet he remains incensed that he has been left to pick up the bill for a fraud that he argues (with great merit) should have been avoided if Barclays had shown him a duty of care. His legal team has amassed extensive files and King's Counsel advice is that the case has high merit should it go to court.

It rankles that Barclays has played a game of brinkmanship with him - banking on the fact that he won't take the case to court because he could lose literally everything if it were dismissed, and he was forced to pay the bank's costs.

'I'm not prepared to take the gamble,' says Matt. 'Unlike Barclays, I don't have a bottomless pit of money. I have a wife and daughter who matter to me and I can't jeopardise their future any more than I have done already.'

The fraud against Matt and Sarah stemmed from a house purchase they wanted to make in September 2018. This followed the sale of the business he was a director of - another food procurement company called PSL - to contract caterer Sodexo.

Matt and Sarah set their hearts on a detached five-bedroom house in Hampton in Arden, a few miles from where they lived in Knowle.

'It was our forever home,' says Matt. 'It was everything I had wished for in my wildest dreams when I started my working life.'

In September 2018, they agreed a purchase price of 1.5million, with an initial deposit required of 150,000, followed by the balancing payment (including stamp duty) of just over 1.49million. The deposit was transferred from the Toughs' account to the Lloyds account of their solicitors. The payment was made at the solicitor's office via Matt's laptop in three slices. Everything went fine and the money arrived safely.

Matt's email account was then hacked in between the deposit being paid and the completion payment. The fraudsters were able to change the details on the payment instruction from Matt's solicitors so that the 1.49million would go into an RBS account - rather than the solicitor's Lloyds account.

Given Matt was away on business, Sarah said she would visit their local Barclays branch in Knowle and sit down with a member of staff and make the final payment. But the appointment was cancelled, and she was told instead to go to the Barclays branch in nearby Solihull.

Here, she was greeted by a junior clerk and given a document to sign, approving the payment. At no stage was any check made by the clerk to ensure the receiving account details were the same as for those used for the deposit.

Later that day, Matt received a call from Barclays saying that the money would not be transferred until further security checks were made. Suspicious, he contacted Sarah who rang the Solihull branch. She was told all was fine and that the payment had been made.

Unfortunately, nothing could have been further from the truth. The day before the home purchase was due to complete, the solicitors rang to say they had not received the 1.49million payment.

Matt immediately got on to Action Fraud to report the crime. He also contacted Barclays' fraud department, only for the bank to say that it was not their problem and that it had no case to answer - the loss was the Toughs' fault.

Royal Bank of Scotland would not speak to Matt because he was not a customer. The police were helpful, stating the money had gone into the RBS account, only to disappear within four hours into 44 accounts worldwide.

The police also tracked the Internet Protocol address of the computer used by the fraudster to hack into Matt's email account.

An arrest was made, but no charges were brought.

Matt was left with two options - take the enormous loss on the chin and get on with his life, or fight

Barclays. He chose the latter, but it has been a battle that has left him battered and bruised as Barclays has steadfastly refused to accept it was negligent in allowing the 1.49million to go into a fraudster's account.

IASKED Barclays to explain how it could defend itself from the accusation that it was neglectful in the handling of the Toughs' house purchase funds. I also wanted to know why it had not made good the money the Toughs had lost and how it could 'live' with the consequences of its actions.

Its response was: 'We have every sympathy with the position our customers are in.

'This scam is an appalling case of criminal theft by a fraudster hacking and amending a solicitor's email. This resulted in our customer acting upon information they believed to be correct and instructing us to issue a CHAPS payment to the fraudster's bank account rather than the intended recipient, their solicitor. As soon as we were alerted, we acted swiftly to recover [the] funds, but there were none remaining.

'We always encourage customers to call their solicitor on a trusted number before making a payment, or to send a smaller sum and obtain confirmation of safe receipt before sending the remaining funds.'

For the record, Matt says Barclays did not advise them to follow the protocol it outlines in its statement. Given Matt could not complete the transaction he also lost the 150,000 deposit.

I also contacted Royal Bank of Scotland for comment.

It chose not to. Yes, the Toughs were not entirely blameless in allowing this despicable crime to be committed against them, but they were not as negligent as their bank. Justice has yet to be served.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this coming week as Washington and Beijing try to keep ties on an even keel despite major differences on issues from the path to peace in the Middle East to the supply of synthetic opioids that have heightened fears over global stability.

The rivals are at odds on numerous fronts, including Russias war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the South China Sea , North Korea, Hong Kong, human rights and the detention of American citizens. The United States and China also are battling over trade and commerce issues, with President Joe Biden announcing new tariffs on imports of Chinese steel this past week.

The State Department said Saturday that Blinken, on his second visit to China in less than a year , will travel to Shanghai and Beijing starting Wednesday for three days of meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected, although neither side will confirm such a meeting is happening until shortly before it takes place.

The trip follows a phone call this month between Biden and Xi in which they pledged to keep high-level contacts open, something they had agreed to last year at a face-to-face summit in California. Since that call, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has visited China and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart. Meetings at lower levels also have taken place.

Despite those encounters, relations are rocky. The U.S. has recently become more vocal in its calls for China to stop supporting Russias military-industrial sector, which Washington says has allowed Moscow to boost weapons production to support the war against Ukraine .

We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade, Blinken said Friday. Now, if China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it cant on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.

Blinken also has pushed for China to take a more active stance in pressing Iran not to escalate tensions in the Middle East . He has spoken to his Chinese counterpart several times since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago as he has sought China's help in getting Iran to restrain proxy groups it has supported, armed and funded in the region.

That topic has taken on new urgency since direct back-and-forth attacks by Iran and Israel on each others soil in the past week.

Also high on the agenda for Blinken will be Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The U.S. has strongly condemned Chinese military exercises threatening Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province and vowed to reunify with the mainland by force if necessary. Successive U.S. administrations have steadily ramped up military support and sales for Taipei, much to the anger of Chinese officials.

In the South China Sea, the U.S. and others have become increasingly concerned by provocative Chinese actions in and around disputed areas. In particular, the U.S. has voiced objections to what it says are Chinese attempts to thwart legitimate activities by others in the waterway, notably the Philippines and Vietnam.

That was a major topic of concern earlier this month when Biden held a three-way summit with the prime minister of Japan and the president of the Philippines. (AP)
Doubts are simmering over the spin-off of the ice-cream arm at Unilever as the 95billion giant prepares to unveil its first-quarter trading statement on Thursday.

The consumer goods company faces discontent over plans to hive off the 6 billion ice-cream division as some large investors may become forced sellers if it lists in Amsterdam.

And US activist investor Nelson Peltz may not be appeased by the latest moves to reshape the company. This is despite the retreat from the doctrine of 'purpose' - City-speak for woke - announced on Friday.

Magnum force: Model Irina Shayk makes her own ice-cream in Cannes

The group is downgrading its green commitments in a response to a backlash from consumers, politicians and shareholders worldwide.

The sell-off of the ice-cream division - which includes Magnum, Wall's and Ben & Jerry's - aims to enable Unilever to concentrate on its other 'power' brands, like Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise.

But, in a blow to the embattled UK markets, this business may make its stock debut in Amsterdam. Or so Unilever's CEO Hein Schumacher has intimated in recent days.

Shunning London could inflict further damage on the UK markets which are suffering defections to New York as companies seek higher share valuations.

Ali Mortazavi, boss of E-Therapeutics, a biotech firm leaving for the US, has described the British market as 'completely broken and closed'. Even Shell has suggested it could prefer Wall Street.

But to date, many managers of major funds that own shares in Unilever, like Fundsmith and Lindsell Train, are yet to push for the ice-cream business to be listed in London.

This is despite the potential threat to the value of their funds'

stakes in all UK-quoted companies if Unilever chooses Amsterdam.

Terry Smith of Fundsmith, a fierce critic of the former management's woke stance, is not commenting. Others are speaking out.

Chris Beckett, head of equity research at financial planner Quilter Cheviot warned of the risks of a flotation outside the UK. He said: 'If you list a business that you are spinning off in a market where your investor base is less likely to hold stocks, these investors will look to sell the shares in the company that's been spun off.

'Such sales are unlikely to be good for the share price - which may not improve until these investors have made their exit.'

Nick Train of Lindsell Train says the ice-cream sell-off demonstrates the ambition of bosses to maximise the potential of other parts of the Unilever empire.

Ben van Leeuwen, deputy manager of Lindsell Train Global Equity fund, says: 'For now, we wait to see what the actual separation mechanism will be. But the ice-cream segment contains some iconic brands - and we trust that this value will be duly recognised when the separation ultimately occurs at the end of 2025.'

Unilever said in February it was expecting sales growth this year to be within its multi-year range of 3 to 5 per cent. It also announced a 1.3billion share buyback programme for later in the year.

On Thursday analysts will be looking for more improvements in Unilever's operating margins, with an eye to Peltz's response. He is head of Trian hedge fund and

Unilever is its largest holding. Following the defeat of his proxy campaign at Walt Disney, 81-yearold Peltz now needs to prove his mettle to Trian investors, who pay high fees for performance.

The combative investor may have won a seat on Unilever's board. But its shares remain at the same level as when he arrived in January 2022.

Trian investors may have been hoping for rewards similar to those achieved by Peltz at Procter & Gamble, where his pressure for reorganisation yielded a 50 per cent rise in the share price while he was on the board.

It is possible that Peltz could be placated by the spin-off next year of the slow-growing ice-cream business, which also owns the US brands Breyers and Popsicle.
Donald Trump is two months into his quadrennial reality show of Celebrity Who Wants to be a Vice President Survivor?

Ever since vanquished Republican rivals Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Doug Burgum joined him on stage in New Hampshire, Trump has delighted in turning his rally stages into auditions or dropping new names in interviews.

The result is a mix of 'The Apprentice' and 'Guess Who?'

Would Rep. Elise Stefanik or Nikki Haley or Gov. Kristi Noem help him win over the troublesome female suburban vote?

Would Sen. Tim Scott or Rep. Byron Donalds help him make further inroads with African-Americans?

To test the impact of VP picks, J.L. Partners polled 1000 voters on their voting intentions. The results show how a Trump-Rubio ticket helps the former president slightly more than others

Former President Donald Trump pictured with Vivek Ramaswamy at his primary night watch party in Nashua, New Hampshire. Ramawamy is often floated as a potential VP pick

One of the latest, and perhaps more unexpected, names in the frame is Sen. Marco Rubio, at a time when Trump world says the former president is seriously thinking of running with a Hispanic vice president.

Or what about Vivek Ramaswamy to bring hype-man energy to the ticket?

To test who adds what to the presidential ticket J.L. Partners asked 1000 likely voters for their thoughts on VP picks to run against Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

The results are close but could offer food for thought to Trump as he mulls his decision (if he has not made it already).

They show that Rubio offers the best prospect of peeling Democrats away from Biden and Harris, while Ramaswamywhose vibe is Trump with ADHDfares worst.

Trump wins by one point when Rubio, Ramaswamy, and Scott are on the ticket. But he loses with Stefanik, Haley or Noem.

With Ramaswamy, some 88 percent of Republicans say they would vote for the Trump ticket.

But that falls to 81 percent for Stefanik.

With Rubio, known as a more centrist Republican than Trump with a deep interest in foreign policy, the ticket would pick off six points of Democratic support. Ramaswamy fares worst, and would likely help drive Democratic turnout against Trump, according to the results.

The poll shows that Vivek Ramaswamy helps most with turning out Republicans

Sen. Marco Rubio has been mentioned as a possible running mate inside Trump's inner circle

Rep. Elise Stefanik (left) and even former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has not endorsed Trump since dropping out the presidential race, are other possibles

Trump supporters who gathered in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday for a rally hurriedly postponed as storm clouds rolled in, said they did not have strong feelings.

So long as their man is on the ticket, they said his choice of running mate would make little difference.

Bob Sloan, 52, said he trusted Trump to make the right decision. Rubio, he added, seemed trustworthy, 'Up to a point.'

'He's a politician,' the port electrician explained. 'I don't trust politicians. That's why I like Trump. You have to run the country like a business.'

One complication for Rubio is that he and Trump both live in Florida. The former president has told associates that Rubio would have to move in order not to run foul of constitutional rules, and that may be difficult for a father with a family and who has made his political life in Florida.

Trump speaks to North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem during a Buckeye Values PAC Rally in Vandalia, Ohio, last month

J.L. Partners polled 1000 likely voters from March 20 to 24 via landline, cellphone, SMS and apps. The results carry a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent

The overall results show Donald Trump maintains his four-point lead over Joe Biden, with a little over seven months to the November 5 presidential election

James Johnson, cofounder of J.L. Partners, which conducted the poll, said one of the main considerations for Trump would be how well the VP pick polled with the public.

'Though the numbers are tight, our ballot tests with different VP candidates show that different options give a range of paths for Trump, some more optimal than others,' he said.

'Ramaswamy, for example, is best to shore up support amongst Republicans and Independents alike, though with Trumps dominance in the Republican base, there might not be much benefit to the former.'

Rubio and Scott, he added, were best placed to reach out to Democrats.

'The VP candidate with the widest reach does appear to be Marco Rubio: He does best amongst non-graduates, women, and over-65s, the latter two groups being key defence areas for Republicans in the coming election,' he said.
Lahaina resident Benny Reinicke, 30, told DailyMail.com it's 'insulting' that FEMA is offering families cash to relocate elsewhere and says the agency should focus on rebuilding homes in the town itself

Locals complained to DailyMail.com that little is being done to help displaced residents find rental homes, while 70% of the town's rental units are operating as Airbnbs for tourists

Many of the Lahaina wildfire survivors who were placed in temporary housing at hotels are now living in tents on local parks, beaches, and parking lots, eight months after the deadly blaze

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It's an incongruous sight.

On one side, there's glorious golden sand and gleaming blue water, with rows of palm trees lining a strip of luxury hotels, complete with tiki bars and silver service restaurants.

But on the edge of Kaanapali Beach, a shabby row of tents has sprung up: their occupants largely ignored by the bikini-clad tourists strolling by.

Now DailyMail.com can reveal that many of those tents are occupied by survivors of the Lahaina wildfire that ripped through the small Maui town last August, claiming at least 101 lives  making it the worst natural disaster in Hawaiian history.

Most of the tent owners lost everything they owned in the blaze, and have ended up living on the beach after being kicked out of the temporary hotel housing they were given in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

Eight months after Hawaii's worst wildfire decimated the Maui town of Lahaina, many of the displaced residents remain homeless and are now living in tents

DailyMail.com visited the town last week and witnessed the shoddy makeshift encampments that have popped up at local parks and beaches

Most of the tent owners lost everything they owned in the fire and have ended up living on the beach as landlords of available rental homes prefer to lease their properties to tourists

The devastating fire claimed the lives of at least 101 people and destroyed approximately 80% of the town last August

Kailani Koa, 64, was among the displaced Lahaina residents placed in a temporary housing at a hotel after losing her home in the blaze, and now living in the parking lot of Hanakao'o Park

Lahaina local identified only as 'Bradda', 41, (center) and Tai Hoefer, 60 (right) are living at an encampment at the parking lot of Hanakao'o Park and are now nervously waiting to be moved on after local authorities gave them two weeks to vacate the park

And while the most prominent, the Kaanapali Beach camp isn't the only one.

The three-mile stretch of road between Kaanapali and Lahaina is dotted with encampments, including one at Hanakao'o Park and several at Wahikuli Wayside Park.

Fire victim is Kailani Koa, 64, who works at Kahului airport, has ended up living in a tent in the parking lot of Hanakao'o Park after losing her home and most of her possessions in the blaze.

Her house is now a large blue tent while bathing comes courtesy of a nearby beach shower and drinking water from a leaky bucket set up close to her tent.

She says she was booted out of temporary accommodation at the $364-a-night Royal Lahaina Resort three months ago and has received little help beyond what she gets from her church.

Kailani says she has begged Lahaina mayor Richard Bissen for help to no avail and called on Hawaii Governor Josh Green to come to the town and witness her plight.

She said: 'Tell him to come down here. Pitch his tent next to mine and go take a cold shower like how we do and use the barbecue fire to cook.

'Then maybe he can talk to me. It upsets me how things have ended up. It upsets all of us.'

The three-mile stretch of road between Kaanapali and Lahaina is dotted with encampments, including one at Hanakao'o Park and several at Wahikuli Wayside Park

According to locals, little is being done to help displaced residents and FEMA is instead offering families cash to relocate elsewhere

On Kaanapali Beach, displaced residents are trying to raise awareness of their plight by festooning the camp with signs emblazoned with slogans such as 'You want workers, we need housing NOW' and 'Keep our people in West Maui'

Living in the same camp as Kailani is Tai Hoefer, 60, who shares a tent with his two dogs Pepe and Mochi.

Like Kailani, he was also kicked out of temporary accommodation at the Royal Lahaina and complains that little is being done to help locals like him find rental homes, telling DailyMail.com that more than 70 per cent of the town's rental units are Airbnbs providing vacation accommodation.

The dire living conditions means Koa must use a nearby beach shower to bathe and drinking water comes from a leaky bucket set up close to her tent

Although Federal disaster agency FEMA offered to rent units for fire victims at three times the going rate, most landlords have demurred  preferring short term profits to long term tenants.

Hoefer said: 'If this was anywhere else, [charity] Habitat For Humanity would be here putting up homes. But not here.'

He added: 'We woke up in the middle of that fire and barely made it out with our lives and now we're here with no resources.'

He and his friend who goes by the name 'Bradda', 41, are now nervously waiting to be moved on, having been informed by the local authorities they have two weeks to vacate the park.

Bradda said: 'Once they kick us out of here, we've got nowhere to go. Tell the government they need to make some rules.

'They refuse to listen to us. Even though FEMA offers triple rent to the Airbnbs, they still won't rent them out to us and now people will have to move.'

The small beach town was consumed by a vicious fire whipped up by the gales that tore through its wooden buildings in less than 20 minutes and left at least 101 people dead

When DailyMail.com visited last week, diggers could be seen clearing plots of land but many still contained the detritus of burned buildings while others even had burnt-out cars still rusting on them

Many have already done just that with FEMA offering relocation assistance to fire victims who want to go to other parts of Maui, other Hawaiian Islands and even the mainland US.

One of the luckier ones is Benny Reinicke, 30, a personal trainer who made headlines due to his heroics during the fire  when he carried a grandmother over the sea wall to safety and then stayed with a group of women in the water all night until they could be rescued.

Home for Benny is now the Kaanapali Hyatt hotel, which along with the neighboring Westin, is one of two hotels still housing fire victims.

Although grateful for the help he receives from the Red Cross, he told DailyMail.com the situation is far from ideal and that he has to check in with management every four days.

If he doesn't, he says, the Red Cross will assume he has found housing and return the room he lives in to the Hyatt which will then use it as tourist accommodation once more.

He says he finds it insulting that FEMA is offering families cash to relocate elsewhere and says the agency should focus on rebuilding homes in the town itself.

Progress on that front appears to be glacial.

Lahaina resident Benny Reinicke, 30, is one of the lucky ones still being housed in a Hyatt hotel. He told DailyMail.com it's 'insulting' that FEMA is offering families cash to relocate elsewhere and says the agency should focus on rebuilding homes in the town itself

According to locals, '60 percent' of residents have already moved out and families are relocating 'every day' due to the lack of support from the government

Despite the locals' ongoing plight, the beach town is still attracting bikini-clad tourists who are occupying most of the available rentals

When DailyMail.com visited last week, diggers could be seen clearing plots of land but many still contained the detritus of burned buildings while others even had burnt-out cars still rusting on them.

Benny said: 'It is the most insulting thing you can do, really. I kept getting calls from FEMA and what I was getting was basically an auction of where I would like to go next.

'The conversation becomes: 'Hey, if you want to get out of here, I can get you a plane ticket to go anywhere in the mainland. Just say the word and we'll get you a flight to Nevada or California'.

'And that is insulting because this is my home. I had no plans of going anywhere and through no fault of my own, I'm in this predicament now and it is insulting to the highest order.

'We've lost 60 percent of our residents already and that is so unfortunate. It's super sad because literally every day there's a family moving away because they've given up.'

Back at the encampment on Kaanapali Beach, the residents are trying to raise awareness of their plight by festooning the camp with signs emblazoned with slogans such as 'You want workers, we need housing NOW' and 'Keep our people in West Maui'.

Residents had awoken to reports of a brush fire early that morning on August 8, 2023, and by midnight, the town was entirely consumed by flames

A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21. Hawaii's electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene

A petition has been launched to force Mayor Bissen and Governor Green to use emergency powers to seize Airbnbs and convert them into long term rentals for fire victims, along with protections for renters and mortgage deferments for those whose homes were burned down but are still being asked to pay.

DailyMail.com has contacted both Bissen and Green for comment.

Under a Hawaiian flag with a Union Jack in the corner snapping in the breeze is Ha Lee, 69, who drags a cart filled with her meager possessions to her tent in full view of a group of disinterested sunbathers.

'It should not be like this,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I'm 69 and living in a tent. I don't know how much longer I can live like this. We need help getting into homes now.'
EXCLUSIVE

Accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon has finally been hit with the harsh reality he faces as the onetime celebrity chaser sinks into despair in his prison cell.

Lamarre-Condon is charged with murdering former Studio Ten presenter Jesse Baird and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Paddington in February.

He has been in protective custody at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater in Sydney's west for the past two months and his mental state is deteriorating.

'Hes not doing real well at the moment,' a source close to the 28-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.

Accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon has finally been hit with the harsh future he is facing as the onetime celebrity chaser sinks into despair in his prison cell

'Obviously it's set in now - what's happened and the allegations and where he is. I think the rot's set in mentally-wise. He's at a low point at the moment.

'He's very down. He's hit the lows.'

The former senior constable was sacked by the NSW Police Force on March 22 and is listed to appear in court for the second time on Tuesday when a brief of evidence is due to be served.

He is awaiting a psychiatric assessment due to be conducted in May and has retained barrister Tomislav Bicanic to work with solicitor John Walford.

Mr Bicanic was admitted to the NSW Bar in 2018 and was described by a colleague as 'very, very competent'. He is a protege of the prominent silk Tony Bellanto.

Mr Walford is a former detective who served 20 years in the NSW Police Force where he was a senior criminal investigator, qualified criminal analyst and prosecutor.

Lamarre-Condon has been in protective custody at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater (above) for the past two months and his mental state is deteriorating

He told Daily Mail Australia once the Director of Public Prosecutions had served a brief of evidence he could seek legal instructions from Lamarre-Condon.

'My intention is to move this on as quick as we can,' Mr Walford said. 'He wants to get the brief and get going.'

Mr Walford has previously said Lamarre-Condon's mental health would like feature in any defence case he presented to the court.

'Mental health is something we expect to come into play,' he said in March. 'It certainly seems there are things we have to look at in that way.'

Police allege Lamarre-Condon shot dead Mr Baird, 26 and Mr Davies, 29 with his service pistol at Mr Baird's home on February 19 and then dumped their bodies two days later in the Southern Tablelands.

Mr Baird and Lamarre-Condon were previously engaged in what police described as an 'off and on' romance but Mr Baird had not wanted to pursue a relationship.

Lamarre-Condon is charged with murdering former Studio Ten presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, in the inner-city suburb of Paddington on February 19

Lamarre-Condon, who used to regularly post pictures of himself with international stars on social media, turned himself in to police at Bondi on February 23.

After briefly appearing in court that day, Lamarre-Condon was transferred to the MRRC, where he was placed in protective custody due to his status as a policeman.

Prison authorities also deemed him potentially at risk because he was accused of extremely serious offences, had attracted saturation media attention and had never previously been in jail.

Detective spoke to Lamarre-Condon at the MRRC on February 24 after he received legal advice from Mr Walford.

Police subsequently located the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies on a property at Bungonia, about 180km south-west of Sydney.

Lamarre-Condon is under constant camera surveillance in his prison cell and not allowed contact with any other inmate.

Lamarre-Condon is in what is known as an observation camera cell which allows correctional officers to monitor him 24 hours a day. Cells at the MRRC at Silverwater are pictured above

On February 29, after Lamarre-Condon had been behind bars for six days, Mr Walford told Daily Mail Australia his client was coping with his new surroundings.

'He's fine,' Mr Walford said. 'He's OK.'

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said the department did not comment on an individual inmate's circumstances but prison sources were able to describe some of Lamarre-Condon's security arrangements.

Lamarre-Condon is in what is known as an observation camera cell which allows correctional officers to monitor him 24 hours a day.

Regular physical checks are also made to ensure he has done no harm to himself in his sparse housing, which is in a relatively new section of the 27-year-old jail.

It is the most extreme security available at the MRRC and Lamarre-Condon is completely isolated from all other prisoners in the facility.

Prison authorities do not necessarily consider Lamarre-Condon a particular suicide risk but his circumstances combine to suggest he would be vulnerable in jail.
New York towns and villages that still ban booze nine decades post-prohibition could soon be forced to lift restrictions under a new bill moving through the Legislature.

The proposed legislation, which is up for a state Senate vote, seeks to overturn a 1934 law that allowed communities to opt to stay dry after the end of Prohibition.

Today, seven communities in New York maintain complete bans on alcohol sales, according to the New York State Liquor Authority - with the largest the town of Caneadea in western New York, home to approximately 2,000 residents.

The bill's sponsor argues lifting restrictions will give a boost to local businesses and make life more convenient for those who have to travel out of town to buy liquor.

'This ain't the Prohibition era any longer. We live in New York in 2024, and this thing is kind of silly,' said state Sen. James Skoufis, a Democrat who chairs a legislative committee that most of the state alcohol laws pass through.

But critics are furious at the idea of the state taking control away from locals and point to health concerns.

If passed, the legislation would impact several towns, including Caneadea, Clymer, and Orwell, among others

New York towns and villages that still ban booze nine decades post-prohibition might be forced to lift such restrictions under a new bill moving through the Legislature

The largest dry town is Caneadea in western New York, home to around 2,000 residents

Resistance to a law change is widely expected, particularly in the Assembly, where lawmakers may be hesitant to strip powers away from local officials.

Some town leaders question the necessity of overturning these long-standing bans, arguing that there are more pressing issues facing the state.

Senator George Borrello raised concerns about diverting attention from critical issues including crime and affordability.

'The more Democrats can talk about meaningless issues like adultery and prohibition, the less they have to talk about the real issues that they have failed our state on, like crime, affordability and migrants,' he told the New York Post.

'If you really would like to do something to help the economies of small towns, there are certainly more things to do than overrule their local rules.'

Borrello suggests that local communities should retain the authority to make decisions regarding alcohol sales.

He argued that there is no urgent need for the bill, as towns would consider new business ventures if proposed.

'If there is someone who wanted to open up a brewery or distillery or a gas station or a grocery store I think these towns would consider it,' he said.

Today, only seven communities in New York maintain complete bans on alcohol sales, according to the New York State Liquor Authority

Others highlighted the health concerns that come with drinking.

Philip Stockin, Caneadea's deputy town supervisor, emphasized drinking as a significant public health issue.

'It gets frustrating when the state hands down mandates, it takes more and more control away from the locals,' he said to the New York Post.

Former town councilmember Jeffrey Graham argued that the lack of alcohol sales has minimal impact on the area's economy.

'You might have a friend or someone you know make a joke about it, but it's really not a big deal,' Graham told the outlet.

Despite potential opposition, supporters of the bill argue that it is time for these hold-out towns to align with the 21st century.

Many other US communities fully or partially ban alcohol sales. Pennsylvania, for example, has about 675 that enforce some sort of restriction.

The push to repeal Prohibition-era laws comes as recent successful legislative efforts passed, including the successful repeal of an adultery ban in the state.

'There are plenty of laws whose purpose is directly to protect the community,' said Assemblyman Charles Lavine, the sponsor of the bill that would repeal the law.

'On the other hand, some laws embody nothing more than someone's idea of moral outrage,' Lavine, a Democrat from Nassau County, told the Times Union.

Seventeen other US states, as well as the US territory of Puerto Rico, consider adultery a criminal offense.

In Oklahoma, Michigan, and Wisconsin it is a felony.

It is a misdemeanor in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Puerto Rico

Under current New York law, adultery is a Class B misdemeanor.

The law defines adultery, too: 'A person is guilty of adultery when he engages in sexual intercourse with another person at a time when he has a living spouse, or the other person has a living spouse.'
A 55-year-old Florida woman has revealed how she survived a horror dog attack that left her arms and leg shredded by playing dead in a trench for hours.

Stephanie Walker, a former food truck owner and mom-of-three, was returning to her 40-acre farm in Hamilton County at midnight in September 2022 when the nightmare unfolded.

It was pitch black and after checking on her dogs in the feed room she noticed that a rescue pitbull mix named Buddy, who she was looking after temporarily for a friend, had not been to the bathroom.

She grabbed a flash light and a leash so she could walk him - but when she stepped out the barn, the 80-pound dog with a 'huge' neck and head began to growl.

Seconds later, he pounced. He latched onto her right arm and ripped it apart. Then he sank his teeth into her thigh and tore a huge chunk out of it before attacking her arms again, which is when she heard the bone break.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Walker said: 'I was screaming "Buddy stop! Why are you doing this?" I was having a conversation with a dog that was trying to kill me'

'I knew at that point it was 'do or die. There was no one coming to rescue me.'

Stephanie Walker, 55, grew up with dogs, and said that she always owned at least four at a time

Buddy, a pitbull mix, from Miami-Dade Animal Control, was a rescue that had been living with her for three weeks before the near-fatal attack

She spent six-weeks in the burn unit at the University of Gainesville Hospital in Florida

Walker desperately tried to fight back and choke the dog with the leash she still had in her left hand but did not have the strength.

'I was screaming, begging him to stop,' she recalled.

Alone, unarmed and terrified, it was at that moment she felt her mentality shift and froze. She stayed as still as possible while the dog grabbed her left shoulder.

She managed to drag herself to a nearby trench that stretched across her property - around 32 inches deep and 18 inches wide.

She said: 'I remember thinking fighting this dog isn't working for me - I am going to play dead.'

She curled up in the fetal position in order protect her torso, and sat in the mud, dirt and gravel, as heavy rain poured down on her.

'I had put my long hair in a bun and I remember being terrified he was going to scalp me,' she said.

'He started to sniff my right ear twice. I didn't flinch and then he disappeared,' she said.

With no idea of how much time had passed, Walker eventually crawled out of the ditch and started limping towards the road.

Her flashlight was gone and the only light was coming from the headlights of a passing car.

Moments later she thought she saw a deer hopping across the road, only to realize to her horror it was Buddy - he was back.

'I literally almost died. All I could think of was I have no idea how to get away from this dog now. I am out in the open and literally standing in the middle of the road,' she said.

The car had driven by without stopping and Buddy was inching closer to her.

She froze, pulling her arms close into her body, and fought the urge to run.

'He came over, sniffed both my arms and then ran off into the woods with another dog,' she said.

At that point, Walker walked as quickly as she could towards the barn.

'My right arm was completely disabled and I had three working fingers on my left arm but was able to turn the handle,' she said.

Once inside, she remembers feeling overwhelmed by thirst and so weak she did not even have the strength to locate her cell phone.

'I sat in on the bed. I cried. I screamed. I prayed then I passed out,' she recalled.

It wasn't until 5am when her alarm went off that she was able to locate the phone under the bed.

Finally, after five hours of hell, the paramedics, police and her son arrived to help.

She said the moment she got into the ambulance, the dog was seen running down the road towards the barn looking for her.

She told the sheriff the dog was a menace and to 'shoot' him. That gunshot was the last thing she heard before falling into a deep medicated sleep.

'Then it was over,' she recalled.

Stephanie Walker said she is no longer rescuing dogs and is taking life one day at a time

Walker's right arm was ripped apart and needed to be reconstructed after the attack

The dog tore big chunks out of Walker's leg during the vicious attack

Walker was transported to a local hospital about 20 miles away.

Doctors were concerned about how much blood she had lost and quickly airlifted to the University of Florida Gainesville Hospital.

Walker spent the next six weeks in the hospital's burn unit. She had serious infections from the dog bites after lying in the dirt and mud in the trench.

Her broken right arm had to be completely reconstructed and her left arm was missing portions of skin. Her right thigh was also badly damaged.

'The driving thought that kept me alive was that I did not want my 19-year-old daughter to find me dead on the farm,' she said.

Walker explained that she was only looking after Buddy for a few weeks before he went to live with a woman in New Hampshire.

She said she was never informed by the Miami-Dade County shelter that the dog was dangerous, but the driver who transported him to her home had mentioned he was aggressive. At her home, he growled a bit but appeared calmer.

'I thought I was safe since I was in my own home,' she said. 'I had an exit strategy, but once I was out on the farm in that open space there was no exit strategy I had no weapon. I didn't carry a gun, it never occurred to me.'

The barn on Walker's 40-acre farm located in Hamilton County, and where Buddy and the other dogs were housed

The feed room (pictured) Walker hid in after the attack before help arrived

Walkers right arm stitched up but still with visible scars, bruising and bleeding

Walker's arm showing some signs of improvement

It has been more than two years since the horrifying ordeal, and although most of Walkers wounds have healed she has limitations from the injuries she sustained.

'I have very little dexterity in my right hand. I can't cook. I can't hold a knife. I can't pick up a pen. I can't type- it is weird things like that - that you take for granted that I simply cannot do.'

Unable to do the heavy lifting, Walker sold the farm and moved to Georgia.

Now she is fighting for legislation to help protect others from dangerous dogs and testified in Tallahassee for the Pam Rock Dangerous Dog Bill, named after a postal worker who was killed by two loose dogs in 2022.

The bill did not pass but she hopes it will gain more momentum in the future.

For now, she is just taking life one day at a time. And incredibly, while she is no longer rescuing dogs, she still has six pups of her own living with her at home.
Border agents have recorded a sharp rise in Indians attempting to illegally enter the US from Canada in a trend immigration attorneys expect could continue until the election.

There were 30,010 Indian nationals apprehended at the norther border in 2023 compared to just 2,225 two years earlier during the height of the pandemic, according to figures published by US Customs and Border Protection.

A further 16,622 have also arrived this fiscal year, which began on October 1.

The data shows a rise in encounters at ports of entry, including airports, but also a surge in migrants arrested while trying to sneak into the country across the treacherous land border.

Indians account for the third-largest group of undocumented migrants in America amid a booming industry in the country led by fixers who charge up to $100,000 to help people reach the United States illegally.

The increase comes amid an overall increase in illegal crossings at the northern border, with migrants increasingly willing to brave the harsh conditions to avoid the chaotic southern border.

A graph shows the rise in Indian nationals apprehended at the northern border. The data is for the fiscal year, which starts on October 1

An RCMP officer stops people as they enter Canada via Roxham Road on the Canada/U.S. border in Hemmingford, Quebec, Canada, on Saturday, March 25, 2023

Experts have said the rise in crossings by Indian migrants is part of the broader trend of increased illegal migration to the United States in recent years.

The current crisis is primarily at the southern border but some wealthier migrants choose to enter Canada first, in part because it is easier to obtain a visa, then cross the northern border.

Many of the Indian nationals choosing the route are 'not the desperately poor' but come from middle-class families who expect to find more opportunities and higher pay in the United States, experts say.

Devesh Kapur, a South Asian studies professor at Johns Hopkins University, told the Washington Post that a shortage of jobs in India has contributed to a 'culture of migration'.

In major cities, immigration agents offer transport to America for fees in the tens of thousands of dollars. Some migrants travel across as many as a dozen countries on their way before arriving either in Mexico or Canada then entering the US over a land border.

Chirag Patel, a Maryland-based immigration lawyer, told Voice of America that more people may be choosing to cross before the upcoming election. They may want to cross before a possible Trump win, which would lead to stricter border policies.

'People are trying to get a lot of things in before November, but also obviously before January,' he said.

A breakdown of the data shows that in 2023, 1,630 Indian nationals were apprehended by Border Patrol between points of entry, an indicator that a person is trying to sneak into the country undetected.

So far in 2024, the total is already 2,454 with six months left of the fiscal year.

The number of undocumented migrants encountered at ports of entry - such as those who have arrived at an airport by plane - was 28,380 last year. So far this fiscal year, there have been 14,168 arrivals of undocumented Indian nationals at ports of entry.

The Indian embassy has said it is working with the US government to tackle 'illegal immigration and human trafficking' while facilitating legal entry.

Shinder Purewal, from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, told Voice of America: 'It's easier to get a visa to Canada than to Pakistan.

'More and more people are entering Canada, so they can just go straight to the U.S.'

Indian nationals are also crossing the southern border at unprecedented levels.

Border Patrol apprehended 41,719 in 2023, more than double the number in the previous year.

There has also been a rise among those from other countries in Asia, including Chinese nationals.

DailyMail.com reported this week that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has arrested nearly 25,000 nationals from the People's Republic of China (PRC) since October.

The recent figures represent a 7,000 percent increase from the same time period in 2021.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insists that he struck a recent agreement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the U.S. to charter more deportation flights of migrants from the country.

Border Patrol images show a group of people crossing the Canadian border into the US

Pictured: Chinese migrants are detained by CBP in Jacumba, Calif. on Nov. 11, 2023

Only 342 migrants from China were detained by CBP in Fiscal Year 2021 and 1,987 were apprehended the next fiscal year cycle.

But the number of illegal migrants coming from China surged in 2023 with 24,125 crossing the entire year.

CBP's data set includes only apprehensions of Chinese migrants who crossed illegally and does not include ports of entry where tens of thousands of migrants from the PRC have crossed over the last few years.

The border crossing surge from PRC comes amid heightened tension between China and the U.S..

The overwhelming majority of Chinese nationals encountered illegally crossing the borders are single adults, leading to fears that some maybe spies for the CCP.

Sec. Mayorkas said last week during a House hearing that the U.S. has so far sent one flight of Chinese nationals back to the PRC  and there are plans to send more.
As Republicans set their sights on flipping the Senate come November, they've recruited an selection of GOP Senate candidates who are willing to put millions of dollars of their own money into bids to unseat Democrats.

While using personal wealth to fund campaigns is not new, it has taken a more prominent role in politics as races for public office have grown increasingly more expensive and Democrats have trounced Republicans in fundraising in a series of recent election cycles.

This year, nearly all the Republican candidates looking to unseat Democrats in the biggest battleground Senate races are putting their own money into their bids.

They've already put a combined nearly $16 million of their own money toward their races.

But putting personal fortunes toward political aspirations has had mixed success and has, in some cases, been a headache as candidates have had to counter attacks about potential conflicts of interest.

Republican Senate candidates Hovde, McCormick, Moreno and Sheehy have loaned their Senate campaigns more than $15 million combined in the 2024 Senate cycle to date

Wisconsin businessman and banker Eric Hovde: $8 MILLION

In Wisconsin, Republican Eric Hovde is running to unseat Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin.

The businessman and banker, who is CEO of his family's real estate development company and Sunwest Bank which operates in the western U.S. and Florida, loaned his campaign $8 million in the first three months of the year.

It makes up the vast majority of the money raised by the campaign since he launched his bid in February. Only $1 million has come from donors.

This is not the first time Hovde has put his own millions into a Senate bid.

The businessman put more than $5.5 million into a failed bid back in 2012.

Former hedge fund CEO David McCormick: $1.9 MILLION

In Pennsylvania, David McCormick has loaned his own Senate campaign more than $1.9 million so far.

McCormick previously served as the CEO of one of the biggest hedge funds Bridgewater Associates and was an Under Secretary of the Treasury under President Bush.

But fueling his own money into a political campaign has not always been a sure win for him.

In 2022, McCormick lost the Republican Senate primary to Dr. Mehmet Oz even as he loaned his campaign more than $14 million.

Matt Dolan lost the Republican Ohio Senate primary after putting more than $10 million into his campaign. Trump-backed Bernie Moreno won the primary and had put $4.5 million into his own campaign as of the end of March

Businessman Bernie Moreno: $4.5 MILLION

Self-funding a campaign also did not prove to be fail safe more recently in the Ohio Senate primary.

Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno won the primary last month beating out Matt Dolan in a close race where Dolan put $10.2 million of his own money into his campaign.

But Moreno also had a leg-up in the three-way race as well.

He has put $4.5 million into his own Senate bid through the end of March.

Meanwhile, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose perhaps started that three-way race with the most name recognition, but he didn't have the personal wealth to compete the same way.

Ex-Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy: $1.45 MILLION

In Montana, Republican Tim Sheehy has loaned his campaign more than $1.4 million in the election cycle to date.

Sheehy is the CEO of Bridger Aerospace, aerial firefighting company with multiple government contracts that went public with a valuation of nearly $900 million last year.

Financial disclosures also show he has a number of investment and business holdings. If elected, Sheehy would be one of Congress' wealthiest members.

In total, the four Republicans looking to unseat incumbent Senate Democrats have put up some $15.8 million for their campaigns in races that are expected to be some of the most expensive in the country.

'Every election the Democrats have virtually unlimited campaign funds, super PAC dollars and dark money at their disposal to smear our Republican candidates,' said Mike Berg, communications director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

'That is why NRSC put an emphasis on recruiting candidates who are either strong fundraisers or have the ability to make a personal investment in their campaign this time round,' he added.

Self-funded winners (Donald Trump) and losers (Mike Bloomberg)

While challengers are putting their own money where their mouths are, filings show Florida Senator Rick Scott, who is also up for re-election this year, loaned his own campaign more than $6.9 million this cycle, though not this year.

Scott is an example of a self-funding candidate who has been successful. During his 2018 campaign, he put $51 million of his own money into the race, but won the race by only 10,000 votes, triggering an automatic recount.

Indiana Senator Mike Braun was another self-funded candidate in 2018 who won. He gave his campaign more than $10 million. He is not seeking reelection in 2024, instead running for governor.

Then Florida Governor Rick Scott put $51 million into his 2018 campaign to unseat Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. He won the race by .12 percent

Meanwhile, Democrat in some of the most competitive Senate races this cycle have not up the same amount of cash themselves.

Democrats in battleground Senate races were able to out raise Republicans during the last midterms by hundreds of million of dollars. Recent filings show incumbent Democrats raking in millions more than their opponents even without contributing their own money.

But when it comes to self-funding this cycle, there is one prominent Democratic exception.

Rep. David Trone (D) has poured millions of his own money into his campaign to fill the open Maryland Senate seat. The primary is next month

Maryland holds its Senate primary next month as Democratic Senator Ben Cardin retires in the blue-leaning state.

Rep. David Trone is one of several candidates running in the competitive race.

The congressman who currently represents Maryland's 6th congressional district has put more than $41 million of his own money into his campaign, according to recent filings.

Berg noted Trone self-funded more than all the GOP candidates combined to date.

Perhaps the most well known past self-funding campaigns have been those for president. But those efforts have also had mixed results.

Donald Trump put more than $66 million of his own money into his successful first presidential campaign largely in the 2016 primary as well as taking donations, but he has not used his own money into the 2020 campaign or the 2024 election so far.

New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg spent a whopping $1 billion on his failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 only to drop out of the race four months after announcing his campaign.

Donald Trump announcing his first presidential bid in June 2015. He put $66 million of his own money into the successful campaign. He has since relied on donors for 2020 and 2024 campaigns

Mike Bloomberg announcing he was ending his 2020 presidential campaigning after spending a record $1 billion of his own money on the bid

When it comes to the Senate, self-funding has been known to come up short.

Dr. Oz put nearly $27 million of his own money into his failed 2022 Senate campaign in Pennsylvania only to lose to Democrat John Fetterman by nearly five points.

One of the biggest lines of attack against him was a carpetbagger who lived in New Jersey. It is a line that is already being used against McCormick who while owning a home in Pennsylvania, spent much of his time in Connecticut.

Dr. Mehmet Oz speaking on election night in 2022. He lost the Pennsylvania Senate race to John Fetterman after spending nearly $27 million on his campaign

That same election season, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry put nearly $15 million of his own money into his Wisconsin Senate campaign, but he ended up dropping out of the Democratic race just weeks before the primary.

Trudy Busch Valentine lost the Senate race in Missouri by more than 10 points after putting $16 million into her bid.

Mike Gibbons put more than $18 million into a failed Ohio Senate bid against opponent JD Vance.

Congressional candidates poured about $300 million of their own money into self-funding campaigns in the 2022 midterm election cycle but few ultimately won their races, a new OpenSecrets analysis found.

'The self-funded candidates usually lose,' said Sarah Bryner, research director at OpenSecrets, the nonpartisan research group tracking money in politics.

'That's typically because when you are able to finance your own campaign, that's great for you, but it keeps you from needing to make connections with the people who will actually vote for you. So you're not out there trying to raise money,' Bryner said. 'You're not out there trying to get your name out as much. And that ultimately will hurt you at the polls later on.'

She noted that some self-funded candidates who have seen success are ones running in safe districts, but a lot of the time there are also very wealthy candidates who put money into races they had not chance of winning.

This cycle, self-funding has led to ethics questions, concerns over conflicts of interest, and outright attacks of candidates attempting to buy political office.

The majority of self-funded candidates in 2022 were Republicans who spent $211 million while Democrats spent $86 million of their own money.

But self-financing made up just 8 percent of the $3.6 billion campaign funds raised.

Of those who spent more than $1 million of their own money in 2022, the vast majority lost their bids to go to Washington.

While self-funding has proven a challenge for engaging potential voters, there are some advantages. Candidates often have the ability to combat super PAC spending without rushing to raise cash.

It also gives them an early advantage when it comes to placing ad buys and making other campaign investments.
A Massachusetts woman has revealed how she was kidnapped on her first day in Wyoming - but ended up making a home in the cowboy state after finding love.

Janelle Gibson, now 25, moved from the Boston area to work at HF Bar Ranch, a guest ranch just outside of Buffalo, Wyoming, in May 2023.

Her younger brother accompanied her on the 32 hour road trip and she then dropped him off at Gilette airport, Cowboy State Daily reported.

After taking a nap in her car she headed to a nearby Walmart at around 6am where she started going through her grocery list on her phone.

But the minute she put her cell back in her pocket, a strange man approached her and said: 'I need to tell you something'.

The man, later identified as Alex Sigvaldsen, then 26, gave her two choices: she must either go home with him or his friends would storm in and shoot up the store.

Janelle Gibson (pictured), 25, from Massachusetts was kidnapped on her first day in Wyoming while on her way to her first day as a rancher at HF Bar Ranch

Despite a bad first impression of Wyoming, she fell in love with a rancher on the farm and built a life for herself out west

Sigvaldsen pleaded guilty on March 21 to felony kidnapping and a misdemeanor police interference charge

Gibson recalled how she begged the man 'please not me'.

In response, Sigvaldsen told her 'you're going to live; I'll let you go at the end of the day,' according to court documents.

Gibson described the kidnapper as 'dirty and not appealing at all,' and said he gave off a rancid stench.

In an attempt to stall him, she told Sigvaldsen she needed to pay for her things.

When they got to the register, he instructed her to act as if they were a normal couple and kept a hand on her back as she paid.

In an interview with Cowboy State Daily, Gibson said she mouthed 'help me' to another woman in the store, who alerted Walmart employees. But they didn't call 911 and instead just monitored the situation.

Gibson said she offered the kidnapper money in exchange for her freedom, to which he replied 'what?' and kissed her on the lips, per the case affidavit.

He then walked her to her car and ordered her to drive them to his house.

But thinking quickly, Gibson used her key fob to only unlock the driver's side of the car, allowing her to leap in and speed off to the police station.

Walmart surveillance footage later obtained by the police showed Sigvaldsen attempting to get into the passenger door.

Although shaken, Janelle continued to HF Bar Ranch to start her new job and investigators said they would keep her updated on the case.

Although shaken, Janelle continued to HF Bar Ranch to start her new job

It wasn't until months later that the incident finally sank in, triggering waves of anxiety and panic

But her new ranch family and horses - especially her favorite mustang named Duke - have helped her heal

Sigvaldsen faces up to ten years in jail. Gibson said: 'It was such a huge relief to just finally be done with it and not have to worry about it

Upon arriving at the ranch, Gibson was greeted by a male rancher who directed her to the office.

'I wasn't excited to be seeing any man, honestly,' she told Cowboy State Daily.

Little did she know she would later end up falling in love with that very ranch hand.

She told the business what had happened to her back in Gilette, and explained that the cops may show up looking for her.

She said her employer was very understanding of the situation and as time passed Gibson built a life for herself at the ranch.

'I've always dreamed of coming out West and seeing what that life was like,' she said. 'I fell in love with it as soon as I got out here.'

It wasn't until months later that the incident finally sank in, triggering waves of anxiety and panic.

Even now she said she doesn't go anywhere alone if she can help it, and shares her location with friends at all times.

But her new ranch family and horses - especially her favorite mustang named Duke - have helped her heal.

'I've been able to kind of ride my feelings away,' she said.

Sigvaldsen pleaded guilty on March 21 to felony kidnapping and a misdemeanor police interference charge stemming from a later altercation he had with police while intoxicated. He faces up to a decade in prison.

Upon hearing this, Gibson said she finally felt at peace.

'It was such a huge relief to just finally be done with it and not have to worry about it,' she told Cowboy State Daily. 'It's such a process.'

Reflecting on the incident, she wonders if she would have still been Sigvalden's target had she not put her phone away - as that was when he zeroed in on her.

She added that she wishes someone had called 911 when she first pleaded for help.

'My advice to other people (is), if you see somebody who looks like they're asking for help, call the police immediately,' she said.

Gibson documents her life as a rancher on her Instagram account, @jgmustangs

In a Facebook comment after Gibson went public with her story, her mother Susan said: 'This was such a horrifying experience for you (and Dad and I and the boys)

'I remember when you texted out family group chat saying 'hey guys, little problem, I was just kidnapped'. Jake wanted the plane to turn around, Dad and I felt helpless not being able to be there with you.'

She continued: 'We are so proud of you for handling the situation so well and using those smarts that you have had your whole life. We also miss you so much but are so glad that you are loving your new life and living your dream.'

Although ranchers are usually seasonal positions, Gibson has managed to secure a full-time position at the guest ranch.

Gibson documents her life as a rancher on her Instagram account, @jgmustangs.
In the mountaineering universe, there are few stars that shine more brightly than Nirmal Purja - aka Nimsdai or Nims.

His record-smashing climb of the 14 highest mountains in the world in just seven months was documented in Netflix's 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Meanwhile, his photograph of a human traffic jam at the summit of Everest went viral, drawing attention to the littering on the planets most famous mountain.

But not everyone is a fan.

A new book, Everest Inc: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell, reveals that some in the climbing fraternity dismiss Nims flashy, fame-grabbing antics, and witheringly compare him to a member of a boy band.

Many even question the validity of his achievements.

Some in the climbing fraternity dismiss Nims flashy, fame-grabbing antics, and witheringly compare him to a member of a boy band

Nirmal Purja's record-smashing climb of the 14 highest mountains in the world in just seven months was documented in Netflix's 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

Nirmal's all-Nepalese team celebrate becoming the first to scale Mount K2 - the world's second highest mountain - in winter

Cockrell writes: While he had shattered a meaningful climbing record, he had also broken just about every unspoken aesthetic climbing rule in accomplishing his goal, which ruffled the feathers of a lot of hard-core alpinists.

Hed had scores of people fixing routes ahead of him; he had sometimes used helicopters to get to his next base camp as quickly as possible; and hed had abundant oxygen on hand.

The British mountaineer Chris Bonington, who has completed four expeditions to Everest, said of Nims: What he has done is quite extraordinary, but it isnt mountaineering. Real mountaineering is exploratory  finding new routes up to big peaks... I dont see this as a major event.

We dont support this kind of gimmick, added head of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Amit Chowdhuary. If you have 20 people supporting you, of course you can achieve this.

But the rest of the world couldnt get enough of this handsome over-achiever.

When he launched Project Possible 14/7 in April 2019, he had 45,000 followers on Instagram. Five years on, he has two million, and his guide company, Elite Exped, can charge up to $1million for a one-on-one guided trip to Everest (clients have included the princess of Qatar, Asma al-Thani).

Nimsdai's guide company, Elite Exped, can charge up to $1million for a one-on-one guided trip to Everest - clients have included the princess of Qatar, Asma al-Thani

Mountaineer Chris Bonington said of Nims: What he has done is quite extraordinary, but it isnt mountaineering... I dont see this as a major event

A photograph of a human traffic jam at the summit of Everest went viral, drawing attention to the littering on the planets most famous mountain

Hes also been credited for single-handedly reviving the fortunes of the industry, well and truly ending the days of Western dominance and putting Nepalese companies at the forefront.

DEATH ON EVEREST

Everest is now worth tens of millions of dollars to Nepal - and almost as much to the local guides who take an increasing number of climbers up it every year

However, that in itself has been controversial as last year brought a series of events that reminded everyone how quickly things change on Everest, writes Cockrell.

The 2023 spring season was officially the deadliest in the mountains history, with 17 lives lost.

Some pointed the finger at what they saw as shoddy operators; others called the deaths criminal.

Some Westerners expect that there will continue to be higher numbers of client deaths on Nepali-run expeditions, explains the author.

This is not because of negligence or callousness on the part of the Nepalis, but because of a cultural difference in their business models, in their way of conceptualizing their duty of care to their clients, and often, in their clients preference to assess their own readiness to climb and make their own decisions about whether to turn around or not high on the mountain

Western guides believe its their duty to scrupulously vet their clients before bringing them to Everest, and then force them to abandon their climbs if theyre in danger on the mountain.

'Many Nepali guides tend toward a belief that its the clients job to be aware of the dangers, and their right to take the risks if they choose.

THE COST OF CLIMBING

Whatever the risks, climbers are still drawn to this most life-changing of physical achievements - and are willing to pay top dollar for the privilege.

International Mountain Guides (IMG) offers a classic Everest expedition for $49,500, with options for extra guidance and oxygen that bump up the price tag to $67,500.

Alpine Ascents International is charging from $76,000 for its 2024 expedition, while prices for CTSSs climbs start at $54,995, with add-ons that include private luxury domes complete with four-poster beds, shag carpeting, hot showers, and down comforters.

Tents set up at Everest Base Camp on the Khumbu glacier. Everest is in the background, covered by monsoon clouds

CTSS offers a luxury private dome experience at base camp for its highest-paying Everest customers

The CTSS luxury add-ons includes plush carpets and hot showers

Some of CTSS's private domes come with four-poster beds and down comforters

Even for the most basic climbers (if blowing $50k can ever be considered basic), base camp is now equipped with luxuries including carpeted lounges with beanbag chairs, high-speed internet access, masseuses, full bars, baristas, and movie screen.

Over at Elite Expeds section of base camp, stylish and attractive client teams full of selfie-loving, Nims-adoring extroverts enjoy rum-fueled nightclub-style dance parties, writes Cockrell.

Next day if you cant operate, thats your fuckup, Nims told the journalist Grayson Schaffer during an interview for GQ.

Around camp, the Elite Exped teams are often referred to as Nimsfluencers. They also get access to one of the most skilled Sherpa guide teams on the mountain.'

Elite Exped charges a 'bargain' $45,000 for what it calls a 'standard' guided climb.

Meanwhile, if you cant spare the time to acclimatize, some companies offer a fast-track from upwards of $98,000, knocking up to two weeks off your standard Everest itinerary.

The packages include what might be the most high-end technological assistance yet seen on Everest: pre-acclimatizing at home, writes Cockrell.

Before you leave for one of these climbs, something resembling a deflated bouncy castle shows up on your doorstep, with instructions on how to inflate it around your bed. This creates a hyperbaric chamber, in which you can control oxygen levels and sleep in an environment mimicking, say, 15,000 feet of elevation for a week.

Other packages (upward of $199,000) include a personalized pre-expedition nutrition plan, training program, and a heated dome with private bathroom at base camp.

Nims is known for his NFL-wide-receiver-level showboating and off-the-cuff catchphrases, such as 'Your extreme is my normality'

Nirmal greets fans after his record-breaking climb of K2 in 2021

'Im the f*cking face of these people, bro,' said Nims about his Sherpa team, but with the implication that he means Nepalis in general. 'Youll see it everywhere in Kathmandu. Im their hope now'

But, for all the bells and whistles, Nims remains the star attraction - a man whose self-belief is perhaps matched only by his boundless self-promotion, says Cockrell.

This has made him a love/hate figure in the mountaineering world. In the run-up to the 2022 spring season, he released his own line of down suits, the Ultimate Nimsdai Summit Suit, and partnered with the American outdoor gear manufacturer Osprey to launch the Mutant Nimsdai 90 backpack.

These were just two additions to his growing line of eponymous merchandise.

Im the f*cking face of these people, bro, he said about his Sherpa team to Schaffer, but with the implication that he means Nepalis in general. Youll see it everywhere in Kathmandu. Im their hope now.

This is not an unusual tenor of comment from Nims, who is known for his NFL-wide-receiver-level showboating and off-the-cuff catchphrases, such as Your extreme is my normality, writes Cockrell.

At the same time, hes known as a friendly and caring guide who pays his employees well and wants to give back.'

The controversial guide declined to be interviewed for the book, saying that he was too busy. He is also known to be fiercely protective of his image.

Whatever one makes of Nims  selfless hero or egotistical embellisher, empire builder or fallible man destined to crash and burn  he is unquestionably the face of Everest and the broader Himalayan climbing industry at the moment,' concludes Cockrell.

'Largely by choice, hes carrying the weight of representing Nepal.

Everest, Inc: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell is published by Gallery Books
Israel will summon ambassadors of countries that voted for full Palestinian U.N. membership "for a protest talk" on Sunday, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

It came after the Palestinian Authority said it would "reconsider" its relationship with the United States after Washington vetoed the Palestinian membership bid earlier this week.

Thursday's vote saw 12 countries on the U.N. Security Council back a resolution recommending full Palestinian membership and two  Britain and Switzerland  abstain.

Only the United States, Israel's staunchest ally, voted against, using its veto to block the resolution.

On Saturday, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said the ministry "will summon for a protest talk the ambassadors of the countries that voted in the Security Council in favour of upgrading the status of the Palestinians in the U.N."

"The ambassadors of France, Japan, South Korea, Malta, the Slovak Republic and Ecuador will be summoned tomorrow for a demarche, and a strong protest will be presented to them," he said in a post on X.

"An identical protest will be presented to additional countries," he said.

"The unambiguous message that will be delivered to the ambassadors: A political gesture to the Palestinians and a call to recognise a Palestinian state  six months after the Oct. 7 massacre  is a prize for terrorism."

The draft resolution called for recommending to the General Assembly "that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations" in place of its current "non-member observer state" status, which it has held since 2012.

The majority of the U.N.'s 193 member states  137, according to a Palestinian count  have recognized a Palestinian state. (AFP)
A human jawbone found by a child rock collector in Arizona has finally been identified over seven decades later - but how it got there remains a mystery.

DNA testing revealed the bone belonged to US Marine Captain Everett Leland Yager, who was killed in an aerial accident during a military training exercise over Riverside County, California, in July 1951.

His remains were subsequently recovered and laid to rest in Palmyra, Missouri - or so it was believed until now.

'No one is quite sure how the jaw bone ended up in Arizona since the accident took place in the air over California,' experts said in a Ramapo College of New Jersey press release.

'One theory is that a scavenger, such as a bird, picked it up and eventually deposited it during its travels over Arizona. Plans are being made to reunite the remains with the family.'

DNA testing revealed the bone belonged to US Marine Captain Everett Leland Yager, who was killed in an aerial accident during a military training exercise over Riverside County, California , in July 1951

His remains were subsequently recovered and laid to rest in Palmyra, Missouri- or so it was believed until now.

The bone was believed to have been found by a child rock collector in Arizona, but how it got there is a mystery

The bone was believed to have been found by a child rock collector in Arizona, but how it got there is a mystery.

'Fast forward years later to a child who wanted to build a rock collection, and increased said collection by one during a scavenging exploration, presumably in Arizona. But it was not a rock; it was a human jaw bone,' said Lisa A. Ambrose, a spokesperson for the Ramapo College of New Jersey.

When the 'rock' was turned over to the authorities, it was dubbed 'Rock Collection John Doe.'

The case was later handed over to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office and Yavapai County Medical Examiner.

In January 2023, the office reached out for assistance while attempting to solve the mystery of its origins.

This case involved the youngest person reportedly known to contribute to an investigative genetic genealogy case that was resolved

Through the collaborative efforts of the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center and the North Texas Center for Human Identification, DNA testing was conducted.

The bone was ultimately identified as belonging to U.S. Marine Corps Captain Everett Leland Yager, confirmed through comparison with a DNA sample from his daughter.

'It was not until March 2024 that the DNA sample from Capt. Yager's daughter confirmed a parent/child relationship, resolving the case and confirming that Rock Collection John Doe was indeed Capt. Everett Leland Yager,' Ambrose said.

This case involved the youngest person reportedly known to contribute to an investigative genetic genealogy case that was resolved.

'This case was a lesson in expecting the unexpected, and a testament to the power of IGG education at Ramapo College of New Jersey,' said Cairenn Binder, assistant director of the Ramapo College IGG Center, in the press release.

'The team that worked on this case at our IGG bootcamp included some truly outstanding researchers, and we are so proud of them for helping to repatriate Captain Yager's remains and return them to his family.'

Earlier this month, the remains of a black sailor who died during Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor have finally been identified more than 80 years later.

The remains of David Walker, a 19-year old black sailor who died during Pearl Harbor, have finally been identified more than 80 years later.

David Walker was 19 when he dropped out of his African American high school in Norfolk, Virginia, to serve as a mess attendant in the segregated navy.

He was on the battleship USS California, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the vessel was hit by two Japanese torpedoes and sank in the early minutes of the infamous attack on December 7, 1941.

Walker was one of 103 casualties who died on the USS California that day - more than 50 of which were African American mess attendants, cooks, and stewards.

Last month, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced they had finally found and identified Walker's remains.

Walker's closest surviving relative, his cousin Cheryle Stone who was born 30 years after the Pearl Harbor attack, told DailyMail.com earlier this month that it was 'heartbreaking' his mother was not alive to witness this moment after never giving up the search for him.

The remains of those on board USS California were recovered between December 1941 and April 1942 and buried in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.

During the first round of identification after the attack, 42 casualties were named.

In September 1947, the American Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of the casualties and transferred them to the Central Identification laboratory at Schofield Barracks.

But the laboratory staff were only able to confirm the identifications of 39 men from the USS California at that time.

The unidentified remains were subsequently buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

He was on the battleship USS California during the raid on Pearl Harbor. The vessel was hit by two Japanese torpedoes and sank

And in 1949 a military board determined the remains of the unresolved crew members, including Walker, to be non-recoverable.

But then in 2018, the DPAA exhumed the remains of 25 unidentified sailors from the Punchbowl.

Through anthropological, dental analysis, and mitochondrial DNA analysis, forensic scientists from the DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System were able to identify Walker's remains in November 2023.

Walker's name is among the many missing soldiers engraved on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl in Hawaii. Now he has been accounted for, a rosette will be placed next to his name.

Walker will be buried on September 5, 2024 in Arlington National Cemetery.
A young mum is fighting for life after doctors 'brushed off' her unintentional weight loss and constant fatigue for a year.

Milly Mitchell, 27, relocated from New Zealand to Australia three years ago to be closer to her parents and embark on a 'new beginning', not knowing her world was about to be rocked by cervical cancer.

Just months after settling down in Adelaide, she started struggling with extremely heavy periods, recurring UTIs, unintentional weight loss and constant fatigue.

Ms Mitchell said she saw five different doctors in an attempt to find out what was wrong, but just kept getting dismissed as 'too young for cancer'.

'One of them was female and she actually told me that what Im experiencing is completely normal for someone who has endometriosis, and she gave me a hormonal pill to stop prolonged periods, but at that time Id had my period for four months,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

A young mum is fighting for life after doctors 'brushed off' her unintentional weight loss and constant fatigue for a year

'They told me I was too young to consider gynaecological cancer because it's more common in women in their 40s or going through menopause.'

A year after she first sought help, Ms Mitchell took herself to hospital, where doctors found a 'fast and aggressive' 8cm tumour and that the disease had also spread to her pelvic lymph nodes.

Ms Mitchell underwent six blood transfusions and began daily radiotherapy alongside weekly four-hour chemotherapy sessions and internal radiation to 'blast the tumour'.

After her treatment her family moved into their own home and life was starting to look sunny again, but then everything came to a screeching halt.

Just two weeks ago Ms Mitchell received the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her lungs and spine.

Milly Mitchell, 27, relocated from New Zealand to Australia three years ago to be closer to her parents and embark on a 'new beginning', not knowing her world was about to be rocked by cervical cancer

'When the cancer spread to my pelvic lymph nodes, the lymph nodes spread it into different parts of my body and they weren't able to see that at the time,' she said.

'I had a six-monthly PET scan... three days later I presented myself back at the emergency department with severe back pain and that was when the doctor told me that my cancer had come back.

'I was sitting all alone in the little hospital cubicle... when the doctor broke the news to me I just started crying.'

The mum will now undergo stronger chemotherapy and radiation to her chest and spine in a desperate bid to save her life.

Ms Mitchell wishes the GPs had taken her more seriously because her cancer would never have 'gotten this far'.

Ms Mitchell underwent six blood transfusions and began daily radiotherapy alongside weekly four-hour chemotherapy sessions and internal radiation to 'blast the tumour'

On Thursday she found out the cancer has now spread to her clavicle, chest, ribs, both hips and right femur.

'It's hard because now I'm stage four and I'm being put on palliative care... I've got a four-year-old son and I want to be here to watch him grow,' she said.

'It's not my time to go yet.

'If my body doesn't take to this treatment, then unfortunately I'll get the bad news of how long I'll have, so we just have our fingers and toes crossed that this treatment works.

'We've been told to prepare for the worst... At 27 I never imagined that I'd be sorting out my will and trying to set my son up the best I can for the future.'

On Thursday she found out the cancer has now spread to her clavicle, chest, ribs, both hips and right femur

Ms Mitchell has set up a GoFundMe to try and help the family cover their rent and daycare costs now that she's unable to work and relying on one income.

Her partner, Declan, shared a heartbreaking update on Sunday.

'Firstly and most importantly we want to thank you so so much for the messages of support, and your donations,' he said.

'I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but on Friday we confirmed Milly's Stage 4 diagnosis and also confirmed that the cancer is in fact in the bones and has been spread via lymph nodes and blood stream.

'Her treatment is palliative as she's unfortunately incurable, so the focus is on pain management.'

Ms Mitchell has set up a GoFundMe to try and help the family cover their rent and daycare costs now that she's unable to work and relying on one income

Ms Mitchell is urging people to remember that cancer doesn't discriminate and can take 'anyone, anytime'.

'It's just so important to advocate for yourself and get second opinions,' she said.

'If you know in yourself that something's wrong you need to keep pushing until someone actually listens.'
A raging neighbour finally got revenge on a driver who had been parking in front of their house for three years.

Video footage showed a black Kia being towed away from the property, where it had been left directly in front of a 'no parking' sign.

A 30-minute clip of the incident was shared to YouTube by the towing company Everything Auto, who turned up to remove the car on behalf of the complainant.

The footage, which included audio of the phone conversation between the company and the Kia driver, has quickly racked up more than 123,000 views and over 800 comments.

On camera, a worker is seen attaching the car to the back of a tow truck, ready to be pulled away.

This is the moment a raging neighbour finally got revenge on the driver who had been parking in their space for three years - despite there being a clear sign that said they couldn't

Meanwhile, another pans the camera to show the bright red and black 'no parking' sign that the property owners had erected.

She told viewers: 'There's a 'no parking' sign right there. There's the car. The property owner has asked us to remove it, so that's what we're doing.'

The duo proceeded to tow the car away and share an audio snippet of the phone conversation the company later had with the car owner.

The Kia driver had called to find out why his car had been taken and the worker responded: 'Yeah, it was parked on the neighbour's property'.

But the driver argued: 'That's my house there. I do live there and also I do not have a parking space to put it'.

A female voice chimed in with: 'He's lived there for a while and he's parked there for well over a year'.

'I've been living here for three years,' confirmed the irritated driver.

Explaining the situation, the worker responded: 'The property owner has said that we needed to remove it. They don't want anybody parking on their property anymore.

Video footage showed a black Kia being towed away from the property, where it had been left directly in front of a 'no parking' sign

'They've even put up a sign and you guys parked right in front of the sign.'

The driver replied: 'Yeah because I've got no space right now, I have one more car. Where should I park it? My car doesn't fit in the garage because it's too long'.

The back and forth continued for a while and the Everything Auto worker suggested the driver pay to rent a parking space of his own and he agreed he would need to think of a solution.

Speaking to viewers after the exchange, the worker laughed: 'Come on guys, I mean, if you don't have enough room on your property, it doesn't mean that you can park on somebody else's'.

Comments on the YouTube video penned: 'The entitled nature of some people is just awe inspiring' and 'I love when they say 'I've been illegally parking for years' lol'.

A third quipped: ' I find the 'Where am I supposed to park my car?!?' to be verybizarre logic. Maddening.'

'I've parked illegally there for years, other people OWE it to me, to let me park for free.,' joked another.

Although this specific incident took place in the US, in the UK, it's not illegal to park outside someone's house if a parking space is available on a public road - even if it's directly in front of your house, anyone is allowed to park in it.

Any member of the public can park there as long as it is not a designated space or a road that's governed by residents' parking permits.

However, despite being legal, it is deemed generally unacceptable, and police action can be taken if the vehicle is preventing you from getting off your own driveway - you can report this as anti-social behaviour.
When 23-year-old Anne Coke married the Scottish aristocrat Colin Tennant at St Withburgas Parish Church in Norfolk on 21 April 1956, it must have seemed like a fairytale match.

After all Lady Anne, the daughter of the 5th Earl of Leicester, was a wealthy and beautiful former Debutante of the Year whose family had been close confidantes of the Royals family for generations.

Her grandmother was Edward VIIIs mistress and her father an equerry to George VI, while she had been maid of honour at the late Queens coronation three years earlier and would later become lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret.

Indeed, Anne had been great friends with the young Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth ever since they had played together as children both at Sandringham and at her own grand home a few miles away - Holkham Hall, a stunning Palladian mansion set in its own glorious 25,000-acre estate.

Lady Anne Coke, the 23-year-old daughter of the Earl and Countess of Leicester had been Tatler's debutante of the year

Lady Anne Coke, daughter of the Earl of Leicester and Mr Colin Tennant, heir to Lord Glenconner pictured in 1956, shortly after they had announced their engagement

The wedding took place at St Withburga's Church, Holkham, Norfolk. Lady Anne was 23, Colin Tenant was 29-year

Lady Anne Coke's wedding dress did not arrive from London until two hours before her wedding

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, attended the wedding

The suave and charismatic Hon. Colin, meanwhile, was heir to Baron Glenconner and the familys 3,500-acre estate at The Glen, near Traquair in the Scottish Borders. As part of Princess Margaret's rather raffish set, he knew many glamorous people from the world of literature, art and show business.

The happy couple had met at a debutantes ball at The Ritz the previous summer, where Anne had been bowled over.

She later enthused about him as 'very good-looking, charming, a marvellous dancer', adding that 'best of all, he talked about more than shooting and fishing.

Today, on their 68th wedding anniversary, Lady Anne has a rather more nuanced story to tell. For if theirs was a fairytale marriage, it was one of the dark and disturbing variety, rather than an airbrushed Disney version - as she revealed in her her 2022 autobiography Whatever Next.

In fact, Colin - later Lord Glenconner - was a physical and emotional bully who would frequently fly into violent rages at the slightest provocation.

He was also constantly unfaithful to Anne from the very start of their marriage and may have been bisexual.

It was no surprise, then, that their relationship began to go off the rails right from the start. Anne - now 91-year-old Lady Anne Glenconner - recalled that on her wedding night she had been a naive 23-year-old who had been brought up by nannies and governesses and was 'totally ignorant about sex'.

Her great hope was that her vastly more worldly 29-year-old new husband would help her learn with gentleness and kindness.

But the volatile Colin was always on a hair trigger. That first night, Colin had a tantrum that, Anne said, left him exhausted.

When they did consummate the marriage on their honeymoon, it was 'awkward, painful and not particularly enjoyable or romantic.

He, of course, blamed her and a few days later tried to educate her in the ways of sex by taking her to a private show at a Parisian bordello.

Anne, meanwhile, felt humiliated and felt as though her new husband was telling her, 'You're hopeless at it, but you'll get some good tips from watching this.'

But despite being married for 53 years and having five children together, their sex life never did improve, and would be marked with 'criticism and disappointment'.

According to Anne: 'He used to get very cross with me, which of course made things worse and I used to dread going to bed with him. I tried to be enthusiastic but it never worked between us. For a very long time, I felt I must be to blame.

Colins solution was to spike her drink with with what she suspects was LSD when they were on holiday in the Grenadines. Under the influence of the mind-bending drug, they finally ended up making passionate, energetic and uninhibited love.

The following day, Colin told Anne that was how he 'wanted [her] to behave all the time.

But she had been terrified by the visions and hallucinations she had experienced and replied she had felt awful at time - and still did.

Lady Glenconner added: Sex was by no means our only problem. Colin often had violent rages  one of them so severe that I thought he'd end up killing me.

The ugliest side of his character came to the fore after Colin bought the Caribbean island of Mustique in 1958, an impulse buy she decribed as 'a great leap into the unknown'.

After spending much of his fortune buying the island, building a new village, installing electricity and creating a lot of well-paying jobs for local people servicing the tourist industry, he came, according to Anne, to regard himself as the king of Mustique and behaved accordingly.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret with the father of the bride, the Earl Of Leicester, after the ceremony

The bride and groom leave for a honeymoon which turned out to be a bit of a disaster

The christening of baby Charles Edward Pevensey son of Mr Colin Tennant, now 3rd Baron Glenconner, and mother Lady Anne

His hubris meant he felt entitled to attack people physically, which Anne says was 'simply accepted...as what white men did' by the islanders. Then one November night in the late 70s, as they were celebrating the birthday of their twin girls, Anne became the focus of his ire.

After visiting a bar to speak with clients at Colin's request, Anne excused herself to return to the twins a decision that infuriated Colin, who grabbed her roughly, bundled her into his car and shook with rage during the 10-minute drive to their house.

According to Anne: 'Drawing up at the house, I got out of the car and before I knew what was happening, he hit me across the head from behind with his shark-bone walking stick. It knocked me straight to the ground. And then he launched in on me.

'I lay there, trying to protect my head and begging him to stop. He didn't: he was in a frenzy, quite out of his mind. I was utterly terrified, convinced he might actually kill me.

'I have no idea how long it lasted, but eventually he tired himself out. I lay there until I heard his car drive off, then crawled into the main house and locked myself into the bedroom.

She was terrified he would return to 'finish [her] off', but later learnt he had returned to the bar where he told a mutual friend he had 'just given Anne a thrashing'.

That thrashing left Anne in serious pain from a burst eardrum that leaves her deaf in that ear to this day.

That beating was, she recalled, the first time Colin knew he'd gone too far. He apologised, promising not to do it again in the only show of remorse she'd ever seen from him.

Anne described being married to Colin as 'frightful at times and very, very difficult', but insists there was happiness, too: As time went on, there would be moments of vivid happiness. Dancing was one of them; we loved jive and rock and roll and would let rip in various clubs. To me, those were really magical times when I could forget myself and all the tensions between us.

'I also learned to treasure the many moments of joy and laughter we shared with our family and friends, and appreciate the times Colin was at his best, charming the people around us.'

But sometimes, society social occasions meant coming face-to-face with Colins latest mistress. She added: The husbands of my generation, who usually held all the financial cards, were often flagrantly unfaithful. Colin was, from the earliest days of our marriage.

'For the most part, wives simply put up with it and didn't make a fuss. Many made arrangements of their own. I am so glad I had that opportunity. Ten years into my marriage, I took a lover, which did me an enormous amount of good.

I had been taught to think of divorce as impossible but I was in great need of some kindness and cherishing, and enjoying some of that affection changed my life.

Our relationship lasted 34 years until my friend died. I was very lucky. It was perfect, though it was only lunch once a week and the occasional magical weekend.

It was only with my friend that I realised how amazing sex could be and what I had been missing. While I was so grateful to experience that, I couldn't help feeling sad that it had been so difficult with Colin.

It's hard not to feel cross now. I'd finally discovered it takes two to have great sex, so it was always going to be difficult with someone who only considered his own wants. I no longer had to blame myself for those difficulties.

My friend's wife was very generous. She knew about our arrangement and, in fact, had one of her own though there was no question of any of us leaving our marriages.

When my friend was dying, she rang me and said he would like to say goodbye. I was always grateful to her for that and that she later sent me a memento.

'Colin, however, was terribly jealous. He couldn't understand how on earth could I want to be with anyone else. The fact I might enjoy the company, in and out of bed, of someone who was consistently kind to me did not seem to occur to him.'

Though she spent as much time with her husband as she could, Lady Anne mainly lived in England with the children, while he preferred life in the Caribbean.

Colin moved from Mustique to St Lucia in 1987 after investing in a 480-acre estate he wanted to develop into somewhere as spectacular as Mustique. However, the venture eventually failed, and he found himself living alone in failing health.

When Colin refused to return to England for treatment when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, Anne travelled to his bedside to nurse him.

She described seeing him so frail as 'desperately upsetting. Colin, after hearing her weep quietly to herself in her bedroom, came in, hugged her and said, 'It wasn't all bad, was it, Anne?'

She replied: 'No, Colin,' I said. 'Of course not. But she returned to England soon afterwards, and would never see him again.

But Colin had one final insult for his long-suffering wife and children from beyond the grave. He changed his will shortly before he died and left everything he owned to his valet , Kent Adonai.

Anne said the move was one last flourish of his sadistic side, the side that revelled in the distress of others and which at times had made any sort of marriage to him seem an impossible burden'.

'I could not and would not be broken by him from beyond the grave, any more than I would allow it when he was alive  I made a conscious decision not to dwell on that final act of cruelty.

People have often asked me if Colin was gay or bisexual, particularly so after his will was read. The innuendo was continual and inescapable. The truth is, I still don't know.

Princess Margaret, centre, and her friends Lord Colin Tennant (left) and Lady Anne Tennant waiting on the jetty at Mustique to greet Queen Elizabeth II

Though she spent as much time with her husband as she could, Lady Anne mainly lived in England with the children, while he preferred life in the Caribbean

Colin had one final insult for his long-suffering wife and children from beyond the grave. He changed his will shortly before he died and left everything he owned to his valet , Kent Adonai

Lady Anne Glenconner at the book launch in Bonhams, Mayfair

Colin always had male friends whom he mentored and encouraged, but he never gave me any indication that he was sleeping with them. On the other hand, I was painfully aware of the multiple affairs he had with women.

But Anne added that: Sex before marriage was unthinkable for a girl from my background, and divorce a shameful admission of failure.

'Our marriage had lasted for 54 years. I can now look back and feel proud that I managed to find a way to stay married to Colin  and even to agree with him that it wasn't all bad, she wrote in her book.

Perhaps that will be the positive thought at the forefront of Lady Annes mind as she quietly marks the anniversary of an extraordinary and often painful marriage.
An American man visiting the UK has been left stunned after he discovered the 'best' packet of crisps in a Tesco meal deal.

Kalani Smith, who goes by @kalanighosthunter on TikTok, boasts nearly three million followers has been trying some of Britain's most iconic food - from Cadbury Creme Eggs to pie and mash.

In a video with over 280,000 likes, the American reviewed his first ever Tesco meal deal - and was left stunned how much he enjoyed it.

Venturing into the supermarket, Kalani opted for the fajita chicken wrap, a packet of pickled onion Monster Munch as well as a bottle of Gatorade.

US man, Kalani Smith (pictured) was shocked to discover his favourite packet of crisps ever in his first ever meal deal

Observing the fajita chicken encased in an orange coloured wrap, Kalani was keen to compare the flavour to the fajitas in the US.

The content creator was left stunned after taking his first bite of the 'pretty tasty' chicken item.

Poll What is your favouirte high street meal deal? Dominos Pret a Manger Greggs Tesco Sainsbury's Co-op Boots Asda Morrisons Waitrose Marks & Spencer Amazon Fresh What is your favouirte high street meal deal? Dominos 27 votes

Pret a Manger 14 votes

Greggs 62 votes

Tesco 99 votes

Sainsbury's 34 votes

Co-op 14 votes

Boots 21 votes

Asda 7 votes

Morrisons 16 votes

Waitrose 28 votes

Marks & Spencer 98 votes

Amazon Fresh 4 votes Now share your opinion





Taken a back by the flavour, he shockingly added: 'The fajita taste is actually pretty similar to home - maybe a tad bit sweeter.

Elaborating on the wrap's downfall, Kalani said: 'The only gripe I have with lettuce when you do it from a grab and go it gets kind of mushy.

'Which this ones a little mushy - but the flavour is really good and the chicken tastes really good. I like the corn added in.'

Rating the meal, the American gave it a ten out of ten for affordability - but it's stellar score dropped to a seven when it came to the taste.

He added: 'Pretty good. Not the best I have ever had but to be from a convenience store to be so quick - awesome.' Moving on to the much-loved pickled onion monster munch crisp, Kalani admired their 'cool shape'.

Blown away by the flavour, the American man was aghast, adding: 'This is magical. I am not bulls******* you right now this may be my favourite crisps I have ever had.

'These are delicious. How do I get these in the States do I have to order them online or something.'

Comparing monster munch to a combination of a 'dill pickle chip' with salt and vinegar, the American admired how they did not taste 'oniony [sic]'.

He continued: '[They are] more like a sour cream and onion Lays [Walkers] but a lot better and are probably the best crisp I have ever put in my mouth.'

Finally giving the drink a go, Kalani confessed he wanted to compare the Gatorade to the one sold in his home country.

'The flavour is similar. This one doesn't taste as sweet,' he said.

'But again that's been a constant theme everything I have tried here its not nearly as sweet but I'm not mad at it.'

Brits flooded the comments overjoyed to witness the American tucking into a packet of Monster Munch. 'Seeing him try the monster munch brought a tear to my eye,' penned one.

Admiring the 'cool shape' of the pickled onion Monster Munch crisps, Kalani exclaimed: 'This is magical. I am not bulls******g you right now this may be my favourite crisps I have ever had'

Brits flooded his comments with admiration for the American man - who loved Monster Munch - with several urging him to try Greggs

'"This is magical". This is me every time I have monster munch,' a second quipped.

Another chimed in: 'My mouth is watering at the thought of pickled onion monster munch.'

'Seeing a grown man try pickled onion monster munch for the first time has never made me smile so much,' exclaimed a viewer.

One user added: 'I got so gassed for him when he started enjoying the monster munch.'

Some of his British followers suggested what Kalani should try next whilst visiting on British soil.

'Try the beef monster munch game changer,' one said, while another added: 'Greggs. You need to go and get a sausage roll or steak bake with a sweet treat.'
The New Cross Fire that claimed the lives of 13 black partygoers in 1981 remains one of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in British legal history.

And it came to fresh public attention three years ago thanks to an award winning documentary from Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen.

Now MailOnline has learned that a man who could hold the key to finally unravelling who really started the south London blaze has been told he is too dangerous to be released from prison - where he is serving life sentences for two other murders.

Over 43-years later, the fire is seen as a turning point in the relationship between Black Britons, the police and the media, and the lack of answers on how the blaze started has led to a proliferation of theories.

One of the most compelling comes from the mouth of a convicted double murderer whose crimes were so horrific that the Metropolitan Police set up a special unit to investigate his 'confessions.'

The New Cross Fire that claimed the lives of 13 black partygoers in 1981 remains one of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in British legal history (pictured, the scene)

Pictured: Forensic police examining the house following the devastating fire which left 13 young black people dead

The New Cross house fire was a fire that occurred during a party at a house in New Cross, south-east London, in the early hours of Sunday, 18 January 1981 (pictured, the scene)

Michael Smithyman, now 58, was jailed in 1991 for murdering the mother of his child and in 1993 for the contract killing of a man, and later told police that he had been at the scene of the New Cross Fire, in south London.

The Metropolitan Police told MailOnline that its inquiries resulted in 'no further meaningful lines of enquiry,' but despite the passage of time, the New Cross Fire remains an open case and Smithyman an intriguing suspect.

The double killer has been back in the headlines recently when he had his fourth parole hearing since his minimum term of imprisonment expired in May 2018. However, the three person panel heard nothing about his alleged confessions.

MailOnline can reveal that Smithyman, who was just 28 when he was convicted a second time in May 1993, had a 'paper review' of his case in December last year. He was not allowed to give oral evidence.

The Parole Board had adjourned the case a number of times previously for 'additional information and 'important points to be checked.' Smithyman wanted to be released or transferred to an open prison.

The appeal could only hear evidence relating to the murders of his girlfriend April Sheridan and Terence Gayle. He had pleaded guilty to the two crimes.

In March, it delivered its verdict, stating that Smithyman would not be released or moved to an open jail. He was still considered to be a danger to the public and no release plan would be 'robust' enough to manage him in the community.

The board's summary stated that: 'In reaching its decision, the panel considered the contents of Mr Smithymans dossier, prepared and updated by the Secretary of State.

'This included up-to-date reports from Mr Smithymans probation officer based in the community and other assessments and documentation from the establishment.'

The parole document lists Smithyman's 'risk factors', stating: 'Factors had included a willingness to exert extreme violence and to use weapons.

Michael Smithyman (pictured), now 58, was jailed in 1991 for murdering the mother of his child and in 1993 for the contract killing of a man

The scene in Clifton Rise, New Cross, as police battle with National Front demonstrators and anti-fascist protestors when marchers from both groups clashed following the 1981 fire

Mr Smithyman had misused drugs and had experienced violent fantasies.'

The report detailed his progress in prison and said he had completed 'accredited programmes to address decision making' and a 'specialist regime to help

people identify and deal with their problems.'

It added:' Having completed this 5-year programme, Mr Smithyman had worked one-to-one with staff to consolidate his learning.'

Despite the progress, 'key report writers could not recommend release on licence or progression to open conditions at this point.

There were outstanding training targets for Mr Smithyman to meet in closed conditions.'

The report concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.

'Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Smithyman should be transferred to open prison.'

Smithyman, now known as Michelle and living as a woman in prison, will probably have his fifth parole hearing in 2026, the 45th anniversary of the New Cross Fire.

The horrific blaze at 439 New Cross Road killed 13 on the night of the 18th January 1981 and a 14th youth who survived committed suicide two years later because of the trauma.

Despite two inquests and over four decades, nobody has been charged with crimes linked to the tragedy, which shone a light on race relations in the UK.

Over the years, the frustrated local community adopted the slogan '13 dead, nothing said'.

Smithyman (pictured), now known as Michelle and living as a woman in prison, will probably have his fifth parole hearing in 2026, the 45th anniversary of the New Cross Fire

Reports after the tragedy that a white man had been seen throwing something into the house led to speculation the fire - which sparked widespread unrest that led to the Brixton riots - had been racially motivated (pictured, the scene)

Smithyman was jailed in October 1991 after killing his 22-year-old girlfriend April Sheridan, using a sawn-off shotgun. Three months pregnant with Smithyman's child, she was shot six times in the head in January 1990.

Smithyman feared April would divulge his criminal secrets. Her body was dumped in a makeshift grave at Meopham, near Gravesend, Kent.

Smithyman received a second mandatory life sentence in 1993 for the contract killing of restaurant worker Terence Gayle. He was killed just seven days after he had murdered April.

Smithyman was paid 3,000 for the hit by a drug dealer who mistakenly thought Mr Gayle had stolen from him. The body was disposed of in Kent near to April's corpse.

After Smthyman was jailed for life a special police unit set up to investigate his crimes handed a document to the Home Office in which it detailed 13 murders that the killer had allegedly confessed to.

The briefing document, which has been seen by MailOnline, also alleged Smithyman was at New Cross on the fateful night.

It names a teenage associate who allegedly lit the fire that sparked the inferno that killed young adults aged 14-22 years old.

Astonishingly, the report did not lead to any charges, even though Smithyman admitted at interviews he was at the scene of the tragedy.

During the interviews in March 1993, the killer even named the suspected arsonist, who he claims confessed to him. For legal reasons, MailOnline will not name the person.

The eight-page briefing note states: 'It is suspected that Smithyman was the other person with [name removed for legal reasons] when the fire started and it is our belief he will admit his full complicity in the matter.'

Smithyman renounced his confessions when he was up for parole in 2015.

Police initially thought the inferno was caused by a firebomb thrown through a downstairs window.

But forensic evidence then suggested it began inside the house. Two inquests into the victims' deaths gave an open verdict.

Smithyman gave a chilling account during 40 taped interviews of how he claimed the fire started.

He was 14 at the time and claims he had tried to gatecrash the party with another teenager. After being turned away, the other boy  whom he named  began the fire in revenge.

Smithyman told police he went to a nearby adventure playground then returned to see a fire had taken hold at the house, and that people were jumping from upstairs windows.

No one was ever charged by the Metropolitan Police in connection with the tragedy and two inquests  in 2002 and 2004  recorded open verdicts. But in a BBC three-part series directed by filmmaker Steve McQueen, fire survivor George Ruddock (pictured)  whose cousins Paul and Yvonne Ruddock died in hospital after the fire  said he believes '100 per cent' the fire was a 'racist attack'

Former officer Jackie Malton (pictured), who was then a Detective Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, said in the programme that while investigators were aware 'that a fire bomb was possible', 'there was no forensic evidence that a missile had come through the house'

Denise Gooding (pictured), from Camberwell, lost her 14-year-old brother Andrew in the fire, and recalled how she escaped aged just 11 on the documentary

Police notes seen by the MailOnline state that a senior officer wrote in a 1993 Home Office briefing document: 'He (the arsonist) describes the motive for the fire as a stupid prank purely to scare the partygoers because they had refused them entry to the party.'

But further investigations were not made nor charges brought.

Sources close to the case claim that the allegations were hushed up because of 'political considerations'.

A source close to the inquiry said in 2021: 'Smithyman said he had a laugh with the arsonist while they were lying on a flat roof opposite the fire on the night.'

Chillingly, the source added: 'He said that while watching Rastafarians jumping out of the top-floor windows on fire, he referred to them as 'roastafarians'.'

Smithyman is now in jail at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire. He recanted on his confession, at about the time of a parole hearing in 2015, claiming he was not present when the fire started.

Magdalene Edwards, 57 in 2021, survived the fire by jumping from a window while three months pregnant, but her 16-year-old stepsister Rosalind Henry died.

After being told of what Smithyman had claimed, she told the Mail on Sunday: 'The case has never been investigated properly. Would the same happen if it had been 13 young white children? I don't think so.'

A Met spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Metropolitan Police Service thoroughly investigated the circumstances of the fatal fire in New Cross in January 1981.

'Over the years a number of reviews and follow up enquiries have been conducted and we understand that the lack of answers for everyone who was affected that night must remain a cause for anguish.'

In reference to Michael Smithyman, the spokesperson added: 'A thorough investigation was carried out into claims made by an individual regarding their alleged involvement in a number of very serious offences.

Following the investigation, there were no further meaningful lines of enquiry.

'A number of reviews and follow up enquiries have been conducted over the years into the claims made by this person - no new evidence has been found.'
Benefits scroungers in a seaside town described as one of the 'most-deprived' in Britain have boasted how they don't want a job because they can 'chill out' and 'enjoy life' while not having to work.

The unemployed in Jaywick, Essex are claiming 'thousands of pounds' a month of taxpayer's cash - while locals complain there are jobs, people just don't want them.

It comes as the number of people of working age in Britain that are economically inactive hit 9.4million, meaning they are neither employed nor looking for work.

Meanwhile, at the end of last year, 4,000 applications for sickness benefits were being made every single day.

Chris Patient, 36, told MailOnline he had no desire to work and was happy on his benefit payments, which includes 393 a month of Universal Credit.

He said: 'It is plenty to live on for me. I enjoy my life.

'A job might be nice but not at the moment. Maybe if a supermarket was open I could get something.

The unemployed in Jaywick, Essex are claiming 'thousands of pounds' a month of taxpayer's cash - while locals complain there are jobs, people just don't want them

Chris Patient, 36, told MailOnline he had no desire to work and was happy on his benefit payments, which includes 393 a month of Universal Credit (pictured, a derelict bulding in Jaywick)

An aerial shot of the seaside town of Jaywick, Essex which is one of the most deprived towns in the UK

'There are no jobs around here but I do not want one anyway.

'There's a lot of unemployed people here and a lot of jobs in the wider area go to European workers.'

Martin Thomas, 44, has been unemployed for four years and has lived in the Jaywick area all his life.

He said: 'I get a few thousand a month on the benefits I am on. It's very good.

'I don't feel I can work at the moment. I enjoy my life here. I chill out and look at the sea a lot and do my shopping.

'There's no jobs around here which pay as well as the benefits I am on do. So why would I want one?'

Ryan Parkinson, 44, has been unemployed and on benefits for three years.

He said: 'There are no jobs here. Nobody is taking people on. I earn more on benefits than any job I might get anyway.

'Jaywick itself is in a bad state. The roads are full of potholes and it's very depressing. More money needs to be spent on it.'

Jaywick was recently ranked the most deprived town in England by the Office for National Statistics who uses 'indices of multiple deprivation' (IMD) to determine their scores (pictured, dumped furniture piled outside a home in Jaywick)

Ken Tubby, 62, (pictured) has blasted the work shy attitude of the unemployed in Jaywick

Jaywick was recently ranked the most deprived town in England by the Office for National Statistics who uses 'indices of multiple deprivation' (IMD) to determine their scores.

The Essex seaside town recieved an IMD score of 92.7 out of 100, the worst in the country.

But retired locals have blasted the 'work shy attitude' of the unemployed in Jaywick, claiming even though the seaside town is in a deprived area, there are opportunities to work.

Ken Tubby, 62, from Jaywick told MailOnline: 'If you want to get a job here, they are available.

'If you want one, you'll get it. The area is full of drug users. It's very depressing seeing it. It's the harsh reality of life.'

Retired tour manager Joyce Howe, 72, added: 'It's shocking. It is very depressing. I've always worked but people here don't seem to.

'I have lived here for ten years and it's a widespread problem.

'There's more European workers. They keep the local and British economy going.'

The Essex seaside town received an IMD score of 92.7 out of 100, the worst in the country

Jaywick-on-Sea, Essex is now full of disused buildings and boarded up shops

Retired locals have claimed even though the seaside town is in a deprived area, there are opportunities to work

The overall welfare bill for the British taxpayer currently stands at 297 billion and it is projected to climb to 360 billion over the next five years  the equivalent of 11 per cent of Britain's entire economic output.

Over the same period, spending on sickness benefits is expected to rise from 66billion to more than 90billion.

Nearly 3million people of working age are currently on long-term sick leave - the highest figure ever, it was revealed on April 17.

MailOnline also spoke to locals living in two other towns that were ranked among the worst ten deprived areas in the UK by ONS - where people say the 'unemployed need to get back to work' and 'improve the situation for those already living there'.

For the few tourists passing through Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, the market town might seem like the perfect place to stop for a coffee.

But the boarded-up shops in between the bistros and cafes tell the story of a sad decline.

Many residents say the town centre exists only to serve what little remains of the tourist trade, while locals feel like 'prisoners' in aging terraced houses without facilities.

Stephen Killick, 71, said: 'I have lived in Gainsborough all my life. It is an absolute s*******.

'There is nothing to do and the shops are all shutting. Meanwhile, they are spending millions on a new cinema when no one went to the one which is already closed anyway.

Stephen Killick, 71, (pictured) has lived in Gainsborough all his life and blasted the state of the town

Many residents say the town centre (pictured) exists only to serve what little remains of the tourist trade while locals feel like 'prisoners' in aging terraced houses without facilities

The boarded-up shops in between the bistros and cafes tell the story of a sad decline in Gainsborough

'They might be dreaming of a new shopping centre but the place is dead. People just don't want to work.'

Rubbing his hands together, he added: 'Why should they? When they are getting free money?'

Kebab shop worker Alfie Martin, 19, said: 'I have not got the best job in the world but it pays and I think more people could work around here.

'There are some amazing jobs being advertised online but people can be very lazy about searching for them when they are on the dole because they know they can get by on benefits.'

Dental nurse Sue Smith, 27, added: 'I have lived here for five years and there is not a lot to do.

'You have to go to Doncaster to find any decent shops because most of them are closed in the town centre.

'I wanted to take my daughter swimming at the local leisure centre but it is very run down.

'The inside is gross with mould and leaking ceilings and the changing rooms are disgusting.

'So I would not let my daughter swim there. But there are virtually no other facilities for local children. There very few parks.

A terraced home on a suburban street in Gainsborough has its door boarded up

Kebab shop worker Alfie Martin, 19, (pictured) said he thought more people around Gainsborough could work

The new shopping quarter that has reportedly been the death of town centre shops

'The houses are old and many of them have issues with mould and damp. I only moved here to be closer to my parents who help me with my two and four year old.'

Grangetown, just south of Middlesborough, in Teesside has a population of just over 6,000 and has been ranked the seventh most deprived area in the UK by ONS.

Many people in the area are known to be claiming the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which allows them extra benefits if they have additional care or mobility needs.

However, some residents believe the system is being abused.

David Watson is on benefits and while the 42-year-old is about to start a new job, he says many more in his position have no motivation to work.

He said: 'The situation is a joke.

'We need to get more people off sick leave but I think some are happy with the benefits they're on and choose not to work.

'Drugs is a big problem in the area and so many people are off sick.

'Everyone around here seems to be on the PIP list but they don't want to work.

'People have the attitude that they will have more money in their pocket if they do claim.

'People are on up to 700 a month on benefits and they seem to be happy with that.

Grangetown, just south of Middlesbrough, in Teesside has a population of just over 6,000 and has been ranked the seventh most deprived area in the UK by the ONS

Many in the area are known to be claiming the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which allows them extra benefits if they have additional care or mobility needs (pictured, a home with boarded up windows and a derelict roof)

Many residents were once employed by Southbank Steelmaking Plant before it was closed in 2015 and demolished in 2022, which triggered a steep decline in employment

'They need a nudge to get back in the workplace but it doesn't happen and they're happy to take the benefits.'

A large number of residents were once employed by Southbank Steelmaking Plant before it was closed in 2015 and demolished in 2022, which in turn triggered a steep decline in employment.

Eric Fletcher, 71, recently retired after a long career which saw him do multiple jobs including work in the steel industry.

He said: 'I worked all my life until I was 70 and I don't believe these people should be getting as many benefits as they are getting.

'This PIP thing is a disgrace. If they have problems they can claim it but it seems like anything counts towards it.

'I know people who claim it but they are on drugs.

'But then again why should these people find work if they are on good benefits, it's all wrong.

'I'm comfortable because I worked all my life but there's lots who don't work.

'This area in general is getting worse. It's bad for people on motorbikes and drugs.

'The Government are making it easier for people not to go to work and some people are just lazy.'

A abandoned building in Grangetown, Teesside that has seen a steep decline in employment

Locals have called on people to get off benefits and into work to revive the town in Teesside

One woman, who remained anonymous, added: 'This place speaks for itself, when you look at it.

'I'm not on PIP. Some genuinely need it, others don't but claim anyway.

'And there are people who are unable to work. However, there are also many who are capable, but refuse to get a job. It's a problem.'

Particularly striking is the pattern of worklessness among young people.

One recent survey by this paper showed that in the 16 to 24 age group, 280,000 people are in receipt of unemployment benefits  twice as many as a decade ago, and 50,000 more than before Covid struck.

And it appears that the younger generation are more likely to be afflicted by negativity about their mental health.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Research by the Resolution Foundation revealed that the number of 18 to 24-year-olds who are economically inactive due to mental health has more than doubled in the past decade from 93,000 to 190,000.

It comes as Rishi Sunak announced on Friday that GPs would be stripped on their power to sign people off work, under plans for a crackdown on Britain's 'sick note culture'.

The PM used the speech to lay out plans for specialist teams to assess what work people can do, rather than GPs signing them off.

Mr Sunak stressed he did not want to make the system less generous for those who genuinely needed support, but would not 'let down' Brits by refusing to tackle the issue for fear of 'causing offence'.

He said it was his 'moral mission' to get people in work, as it was the way to improve living standards.
The departure of Rep. Mike Gallagher shaves off yet another Republican from the already razor-thin GOP House majority, further weakening the GOP's already loose grip on power.

With Gallagher's resignation, House Republicans can only afford to lose a single Republican vote to get legislation passed along party lines.

If they lose more than a single GOP vote, Republicans will need Democrat support to pass any legislation.

As it stands, there are 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats and five vacancies in the House.

This means if two Republicans vote with Democrats the vote would be 215 - 215, and a tie results in a loss for any measure.

Further complicating the matter is the Thursday announcement from Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., that he will not seek re-election this fall.

Speaker Mike Johnson's Republican majority can only afford to lose member on party line vote

'It is time to pursue other opportunities and have the benefit of spending more time with my family,' LaTurner wrote in his announcement.

He said the 'dysfunction' of the current House of Representatives is 'distressing,' an apparent nod at the chaos that may have prompted so many members to seek employment outside of Capitol Hill this cycle.

In addition to Gallagher and LaTurner, many influential members of the GOP have also stated their desires to get out of Congress.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who up until this month held the powerful position of Appropriations Committee chair, announced in October she would not seek re-election. She has served in the House since 1997.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee and has served for nearly 20 years, announced in February she would not run for another term.

And Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee who temporarily served as speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in October, announced he will not seek another term in December.

In total, there are nearly two dozen House Republicans who have announced their retirement from Congress or desire to seek another office.

How that will impact Speaker Mike Johnson's ability to get legislation passed in the House is still up in the air, but he will likely need to work across the aisle more than he prefers.

Speaker Mike Johnson will have to work with a historically slim GOP majority after Gallagher's recent resignation from Congress

'After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsins Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024,' Gallagher said in a March statement. However, he resigned later than anticipated to help pass a foreign aid bill over the weekend

Democrats, however, are also hemorrhaging members.

Currently, there are 25 Democrats that have announced their retirement from Congress or their desire to seek another political office.

Additionally, complicating the left's vote tally is the tragic case of Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., who has reportedly been in a coma and intubated in a New Jersey hospital since April 6.

His prognosis and return to Washington remain unclear.

How the slim GOP majority will impact Johnson's hold on power is another cause for concern for the speaker.

Three Republicans have already announced their intentions to back a motion to vacate the speaker, meaning if they follow through with their threats, Johnson will need to rely on Democrats to save his control over the gavel.

It is unclear if Democrats will be willing to prevent Johnson's removal should it come up for a vote.
Surging use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and risky high dose prescribing has triggered a rapid rise in women being sent for urgent cancer tests, says a report by Britain's top menopause specialists.

The drugs, given to alleviate some of the worst symptoms of the menopause, are safe and effective for the majority of women but can cause side effects including irregular bleeding.

Although common within the first six months of starting HRT, after that irregular bleeding in post-menopausal women can be a symptom of womb cancer so must be investigated without delay, NHS guidelines state.

Over the past three years, rising numbers of patients on HRT reporting irregular bleeding have resulted in a 43 per cent increase in patients being tested for womb cancer, the top women's health doctors have claimed.

Such is the concern that last week the British Menopause Society (BMS) issued new guidance on HRT prescribing and management of bleeding side effects.

Surging use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and risky high dose prescribing has triggered a rapid rise in women being sent for urgent cancer tests (stock image)

Since 2018 there has been an explosion in demand for HRT driven by celebrity campaigners  including TV presenter Davina McCall  who have been pushing for greater awareness

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) pills used by women to relieve symptoms of the menopause

Timothy Hillard, a consultant gynaecologist at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust, Poole and one of the authors of the new BMS guidance, said: 'These figures will come as no surprise to anyone working in gynaecology.'

Since 2018 there has been an explosion in demand for HRT driven by celebrity campaigners  including TV presenter Davina McCall  who have been pushing for greater awareness.

The number of patients being prescribed HRT in England rose by almost a third in just a year  from 1.8million in 2021 to 2.3million in 2022, according to official figures from the NHS Business Services Authority, leading to intermittent drug shortages.

Along with a general rise in the use of HRT, Mr Hillard said another reason bleeding is increasing is because women are being prescribed HRT at a younger age: during the perimenopause, the years prior to the menopause when hormones fluctuate.

'During this time, women are still having periods so there may be confusion about who requires an urgent referral to investigate bleeding,' he said.

'In post-menopausal women, there's a one in ten chance that irregular bleeding is a sign of cancer, but for younger women in perimenopause that risk is lower.' Part of the reason for new guidance  which has been drawn up with input from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and other leading women's medical bodies  was to address that, so that patients were not referred for unnecessary investigations, he added.

The BMS guidance also cites 'an increasing tendency for off-licence prescribing of higher dose oestrogen with sub-optimal dosages of progestogen' as a reason for the problems.

The drugs, given to alleviate some of the worst symptoms of the menopause, are safe and effective for the majority of women but can cause side effects including irregular bleeding

HRT contains female hormones oestrogen and progesterone that wane in middle age

HRT contains female hormones oestrogen and progesterone that wane in middle age.

Typically, women are prescribed oestrogen in patch, gel or spray form, and the drug is absorbed through the skin. Progesterone is usually given as a capsule.

Both hormones can be combined in a pill, too. Oestrogen is safe when prescribed within licensed doses but experts believe excessive amounts, along with insufficient doses of progesterone, cause the womb lining to thicken abnormally  known as endometrial hyperplasia.

This can lead to heavy bleeding and an increased risk of womb cancer, which is why it's necessary to investigate hyperplasia if it is discovered.

A Mail on Sunday investigation, published in April last year, revealed concerns about one private clinic, Newson Health, prescribing higher than licensed doses of HRT to one in five of its patients.

The firm, which sees roughly 4,000 women a month all seeking treatment for the menopause, is led by Dr Louise Newson, a GP and advocate of high-dose prescribing.

Dr Newson (right) has been prominent campaigning on behalf of women on the issue of menopause

Dr Louise Newson, pictured beside Mariella Frostrop, left, along with Carolyn Harris MP, Penny Lancaster and Davina McCall at a march campaigning for menopause awareness. She has faced criticism after allegedly prescribing patients with HRT at higher doses than recommended by the NHS

She insists women may need double the licensed amount of oestrogen if they are struggling with mental health symptoms of the menopause, and that her approach is not risky.

However, following our article, the British Menopause Society (BMS), the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and others all signed a joint alert, warning that oestrogen HRT should not be prescribed in doses higher than the licensed limits 'to ensure patient safety'.

Experts we spoke to say that until a few years ago they rarely, if ever, saw women taking such high HRT doses.

'We've all seen a huge rise in patients coming to us for cancer investigations,' said BMS chair Dr Paula Briggs, who is a consultant in reproductive and sexual health at Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust.

'Most don't have cancer but it's really worrying for the woman and the tests aren't pleasant.'
NHS emergency departments will be filled with sick infants this winter unless the Government sets out its plan to roll out a new jab for common bugs, experts have warned.

It has been nearly a year since the Government's vaccination advisory group recommended an immunisation programme against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)  best known for causing the lung infection bronchiolitis in children.

There are now three highly effective vaccines which protect patients against the bug's symptoms  including one jab given to pregnant women to help protect their infants.

However, the Government has still not announced any plans to roll out an RSV vaccine on the NHS.

Experts are now warning that health officials are running out of time to purchase the jab.

NHS emergency departments will be filled with sick infants this winter unless the Government sets out its plan to roll out a new jab for common bugs, experts have warned (stock photo)

It has been nearly a year since the Government's vaccination advisory group recommended an immunisation programme against respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV )  best known for causing the lung infection bronchiolitis in children (stock image)

RSV hospitalises about 30,000 children and 18,000 adults each year.

READ MORE: Huge push to get kids vaccinated against illnesses like measles, polio and diphtheria as uptake rates plunge to decade low in wake of Covid Advertisement

While it is not typically life-threatening, the disease places a massive burden on the NHS because the majority of these cases usually happen in a six-week period, which can occur any time between November and February.

It comes after a survey of 150 NHS doctors  carried out by the drug firm Sanofi last week  found that three-quarters of the medics believe infant RSV places an 'unsustainable burden' on paediatric services and prevents the NHS from carrying out elective procedures.

Nearly 100 per cent surveyed agreed that rolling out an RSV vaccine would reduce pressure on the NHS this winter.

In November last year, the charity Asthma and Lung UK called on the Government to deliver the jabs 'as soon as possible'.

'We need to have this immunisation programme ready for this winter,' says Professor Harish Nair, chairman of paediatric infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh.

'There is a lot of demand around the world for these jabs, and supply is limited, so it's crucial the NHS procures them soon.'
He's the man who, last week, suddenly became the No 1 hate figure for countless women across the country.

Writer Lloyd Evans triggered uproar for admitting that he had lost control of his 'lunatic libido' after attending a lecture by 'blonde' woman professor Lea Ypi in Cambridge and then paying for sex at a massage parlour.

Although the 60-year-old yesterday responded to the furore by saying: 'I don't feel like much of a sex pervert,' The Mail on Sunday can reveal that three years ago he wrote a novella entitled My Year As A Sex Maniac.

The autobiographical work was based on his time at The Spectator, the magazine where he has a column and where the offending article was published last week.

The 99-page sexual fantasy is a fascinating insight into his attitudes towards women and sex.

Lloyd Evans poses for a photograph for MailOnline on his doorstep in East London on Thursday

London School of Economics professor Professor Lea Ypi, pictured in Turin in May 2022

Evans writes how, as a 37-year-old, he confessed to on-off girlfriend 'Emma' that he had 'sex on the brain'.

'I told her that every day, all day long, I walk the streets and fancy women. All over the place. I told her how painful it was to be tormented by gorgeous women.'

Significantly, much of My Year As A Sex Maniac (subtitled Obsession, Anguish And Bliss), is set around the then office of The Spectator in London's Bloomsbury.

Evans describes a woman called 'Kimberly' as 'young and beautiful and cold'.

In real life, the magazine's publisher at the time was California-born Kimberly Fortier, who had a string of suitors, including Spectator contributor Simon Hoggart (with a long career working for the Guardian) and Labour politician David Blunkett, who resigned as Home Secretary in 2004 when it emerged he had fast-tracked her nanny's visa application. Another columnist had a sexual liaison with the magazine's receptionist.

Evans's fantasy exposes the bohemian underbelly of life at a magazine that to the outside world was a high-minded, Tory political publication. This hotbed of intrigue and infidelity, casual affairs and sexual shenanigans  sometimes breathlessly reported in the now defunct red-top tabloid newspaper the News of the World  led the magazine to become nicknamed The Sextator.

Professor Ypi attending the Ondaatje Prize Awards at Temple Place in London in May 2022

The book is currently selling on Amazon for 4.08 new. It has five stars with three ratings

Professor Ypi at the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival in March 2022 in Oxford

Evans wrote about a visit to a massage parlour after watching a lecture by Professor Ypi

Indeed, such was the public interest in these goings-on that Evans co-wrote a West End farce, Who's The Daddy?, about what went on. It was described at the time as 'lots of s******* in cupboards'. Evans's own 'sexcapade' with 'Emma', recorded in his novella, is equally priapic.

At her flat, the couple have sex, described by Evans in robust and forensic detail. This sets the book's tone. Much of which is not for the faint-hearted.

'It hurt my tongue a little and took about five minutes,' he writes of one bit of sexual interplay which he later describes as a 'mechanical task with nothing to do but watch the clock'.

The memoir appears to be the legacy of a doomed love affair between a besotted Evans and a real-life Emma. He went on to marry Celia Pilkington, archivist at London's Inner Temple, though they have since separated.

In his fantasy, Evans wrote that, post-Emma, he married a woman he described as 'pragmatic, good fun, not imaginative'. It remains a mystery why Evans, now single, published his book more than 20 years after the events on which it centres.

In his biography on Amazon  where his book is available  Evans writes that while he has 'won awards as a poet and a playwright' he 'needs money as well as prizes'  though, around 140,000 on Amazon's bestseller list, it is unlikely he has made much from the royalties.

This weekend, Evans remains unrepentant about writing of his 'lunatic libido', telling yesterday's Daily Mail that his critics should 'get out of the basement and get a bit of action, even if you have to pay for it'.

A sentiment expressed in the opening pages of Sex Maniac: 'What's the point in being single if you can't enjoy the wilder and more outrageous aspects of it?'
A UK-wide ban on wet wipes is finally set to be unveiled this week after the Tories and Labour pledged decisive action to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution.

In a major victory for the Mail's Turn The Tide On Plastic campaign, Ministers are expected to introduce 'world-leading' draft legislation this summer to outlaw the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is due to say this week that the action is needed to protect the UK's waterways from damaging pollution and to prevent microplastics from entering the environment.

The Government's long-awaited announcement comes as Labour pledged to ban the wipes if the party wins the General Election, which is set to take place later this year.

The party's environment spokesman Steve Reed told The Mail on Sunday: 'Labour will take action and ban the sale of plastic wet wipes. They clog up our sewers, kill wildlife and lead to sewage backing up into people's homes.' He added: 'I would like to salute the Mail's trail-blazing campaign for galvanising the nation to act against the plastic waste that is littering our streets and choking our rivers and oceans.'

Wet wipes and rubbish on a beach (stock image). In a major victory for the Mail's Turn The Tide On Plastic campaign, Ministers are expected to introduce 'world-leading' draft legislation this summer to outlaw the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic

Therese Coffey  Mr Barclay's predecessor as Environment Secretary  unveiled a six-week public consultation on a ban, saying 'wet wipes containing plastic are unnecessary and are polluting our environment'

Labour's environment spokesman Steve Reed told The Mail on Sunday: 'Labour will take action and ban the sale of plastic wet wipes. They clog up our sewers, kill wildlife and lead to sewage backing up into people's homes'

Tory Ministers have faced criticism for previously threatening a ban, but then delaying action.

Last October, Therese Coffey  Mr Barclay's predecessor as Environment Secretary  unveiled a six-week public consultation on a ban, saying 'wet wipes containing plastic are unnecessary and are polluting our environment'. But critics questioned the need for a further public consultation as a previous survey in 2021 found 96 per cent of respondents agreed with a ban.

However, it is understood Mr Barclay will this week finally give the green light to detailed legislation for England this summer. That is expected to be followed by similar action from the devolved authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales by the autumn.

Mr Barclay is expected to announce an 18-month transition before the new law takes effect to allow businesses time to prepare.

Labour plans involve a phased ban on the manufacture, supply and sale of wipes containing plastic. The legislation would be part of the party's wider plans to clean up waterways and to put failing water companies under 'special measures' to force them to stop illegal sewage dumping.

Plastic wipes contribute to 90 per cent of sewer blockages, and over time can break down into microplastics which are harmful to human health.
The gaming of the benefits system to secure state handouts for mental disorders such as ADHD is 'morally abhorrent', the Health Secretary has said.

Victoria Atkins, heralding the Government's crackdown on Britain's 'sick-note culture', pointed to The Mail on Sunday's revelation last week that taxpayers are footing an astonishing 292 million-a-year bill for disability benefits to people claiming to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Our investigation also revealed how online hustlers are charging 650 a time to fill in claims to receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for physical and mental health conditions.

Ms Atkins said: 'That sort of behaviour is absolutely morally abhorrent. We want the finite taxpayers' resources to be used for people who genuinely need it.'

She added that 'we are making sure that we're clamping down on the sorts of behaviour that your paper shamed last week'.

The gaming of the benefits system to secure state handouts for mental disorders such as ADHD is 'morally abhorrent', Health Secretary Victoria Atkins (pictured) has said.

In a landmark speech on Friday, Rishi Sunak (pictured) outlined a new 'moral mission' to get Britons back to work, saying he was determined to prevent people remaining on benefits as a 'lifestyle choice'

It came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced reforms which have been hailed as the biggest welfare crackdown in a generation, with the jobless having their benefits axed if they fail to find work within a year.

In a landmark speech on Friday, Mr Sunak outlined a new 'moral mission' to get Britons back to work, saying he was determined to prevent people remaining on benefits as a 'lifestyle choice'. It could lead to more than 420,000 claimants who are classed as sick or disabled because of mental health conditions  such as anxiety and depression  being asked to look for work for the first time.

In future, specialist teams could assess what jobs people can do, instead of GPs who currently issue so-called 'fit notes' to 94 per cent of those who ask for them.

Ms Atkins explained that physiotherapists had already been added to the list of professionals who could sign 'fit notes'.

In her interview with The Mail on Sunday, she also hailed the review into trans medicine published this month by Dr Hilary Cass, which halted the distribution of puberty blockers by the NHS in England after she concluded that gender medicine was 'built on shaky foundations'.

Ms Atkins said she was 'looking urgently at what more needs to be done in relation to private providers and international prescriptions'.

The Health Secretary also entered the debate over the use of smartphones by the under-16s, saying the social media companies 'should understand their responsibility to our country, to our communities and protect children today on their platforms'.

Ms Atkins added: 'I think the public is growing increasingly weary of tech and social media companies appearing to put profit before the safety of children and young people.'

In future, specialist teams could assess what jobs people can do, instead of GPs who currently issue so-called 'fit notes' to 94 per cent of those who ask for them (Stock Photo)

Mr Sunak announced reforms which have been hailed as the biggest welfare crackdown in a generation, with the jobless having their benefits axed if they fail to find work within a year (Stock Photo)

But with speculation mounting that Mr Sunak might call a pre-summer general election, how long will Ms Atkins have left in the job she enjoys so much?

'I have got so much I want to do to reform our NHS and social care system to make it faster, simpler and fairer, and so I'm leaving the decision about the General Election to the Prime Minister,' she said.

At least, with a huge majority of nearly 29,000 in her Lincolnshire constituency of Louth and Horncastle, the personable Ms Atkins can look forward to playing her part in the likely post-election rebuilding of the Conservative Party.

The Health Secretary has backed the Mail on Sunday's War on Osteoporosis campaign.

Victoria Atkins said the push to end the postcode lottery for early detection scans is a 'really important campaign'.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that affects millions of Britons, mainly women.

But only about half of NHS trusts have Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), which offer anyone over the age of 50 who arrives at A&E with a broken bone an assessment for the condition.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that affects millions of Britons, mainly women (Stock Photo)

Speaking following her recent visit to a showcase bone health clinic at Southend Hospital in Essex, Ms Atkins said: 'They really showed what can be done if you get together a team of people in a local hospital who understand osteoporosis and other bone conditions, and work across not just hospitals but also the community.'

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has made a personal appeal for the Health Secretary to provide 30 million of additional funding each year so that Fracture Liaison Services can be rolled out across the UK to help prevent life-changing injuries.

By Anna Mikhailova
The body of 12-year-old New York boy who mysteriously went missing nearly four years ago has been discovered in a an attic near his family home.

Jaylen Griffin had last been seen while walking his puppy near his Warren Avenue home on August 4, 2020 and was reported missing two days later.

Three-and-half years later, a maintenance man found the young boy's body in the attic of a multi-unit house in 107 Sheffield Avenue - around five miles away from his house.

According to Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia of the Buffalo Police Department, Jaylen's body had been left in the attic 'for a significant amount of time'.

'The body that was located in the house had been there for a significant amount of time.

'I do want to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family of Jaylen. This department has conducted extensive searches and I want Jaylen's family to know that we are working diligently to bring the next closure for the family,' Gramaglia said.

Jaylen Griffin, 12, who mysteriously went missing nearly four years ago has now been discovered in a an attic near his family home

A maintenance man found the young boy's body in the attic of a multi-unit house in 107 Sheffield Avenue -nearly five miles away from his house

According to Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia of the Buffalo Police Department, Jaylen's body had been left in the attic 'for a significant amount of time'

But while father Brian Griffin has received a sense of relief since his son was found, mother Joann Ponzo will never know as she passed away due to illness and a 'broken heart' in September 2023.

It wasn't only Jaylen's mystery that gave Joann grief as his brother, Jawaan had also been shot and killed in front of the family's home in November 2020.

After Jaylen's body was found, neighbors have revealed that they had seen people moving in and out of the house and police had responded to the home 'many times' over the years.

The new discovery has left many people in the area wondering what happened and how did Jaylen end up dead in an attic.

But while father Brian Griffin has received a sense of relief since his son was found, mother Joann Ponzo (pictured) will never know as she passed away due to illness and a 'broken heart' in September 2023

The new discovery has left many people in the area wondering what happened and how did Jaylen end up dead in an attic

After Jaylen's body was found, neighbors have revealed that they had seen people moving in and out of the house and police had responded to the home 'many times' over the years

Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC ministries told WIVB: 'How did he end up here? Was he moved? The questions are still remaining.

'How long was he dead? How long was he deceased? Was he found in something that was locked and had to be opened? And did a certain aroma come out that would be a major complaint to this community?

'This looks like the type of community where if anything is taking place somebody will report it, or say something.'

Officials have confirmed that a homicide investigation is underway.
Shamed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appears to be living life in the tiny southwest Texan town of Terlingua, close to the Mexican border and has splashed out on land worth $20,000 despite declaring bankruptcy last year.

Sitting on the outskirts of Big Bend National Park, the quirky town of around 150 residents is known as something of a 'last outpost for outcasts'.

Jones and his wife were spotted in the town as they frequented one of the local establishments, the High Sierra Bar & Grill and 'partied pretty hard'.

'Everyone in Terlingua is running from something,' as said realtor Stephanie Neckar to Texas Monthly while another local admits 'We're all here because we're not completely there.'

The Infowars host was ordered to pay more than $1.5 billion to families who sued him over his conspiracy theories that the Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.

Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appears to be living carefree in a quirky Texas town near Big Bend National Park. He is pictured alongside his wife Erika

The welcome sign to the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas, which was a mining area for mercury but became abandoned after demand declined in the 1930's and 1940's

The High Sierra Bar and Grill in Terlingua, Texas, where Alex Jones has been spotted partying 'pretty hard'

Jones, 50, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2022 with recent financial documents submitted by his attorneys putting his personal net worth at around $14 million.

He was ordered to pay damages after he promoted a conspiracy theory that the massacre of 26 women and children at at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, never took place.

Relatives of the victims testified at the trials about being harassed and threatened by Jones believers, who sent threats and even confronted the grieving families in person, accusing them of being 'crisis actors' whose children never existed.

Sandy Hook families won the judgments against Jones in 2022 in lawsuits over his repeated promotion of the false theory - but the families are yet to see a penny of the money that juries awarded them.

'I'm officially out of money, personally,' Jones said during his Infowars podcast. 'It's all going to be filed. It's all going to be public. And you will see that Alex Jones has almost no cash.'

Jones was ordered to pay the Sandy Hook families $1 billion, declared bankrupt yet has still managed to purchase land in the secluded town of Terlingua

Jones and his wife were spotted in the town as they frequented one of the local establishments, the High Sierra Bar & Grill

Pub games are seen sitting in the yard outside the premises where Jones was spotted with his wife Erika

But Jones and and his wife, Erika, appear to have cast their cares away having muscled their way into the tight-knit community and splashed out on property in the area.

Property records revealed that despite Jones' financial woes, in June 2023, his wife bought twenty acres in Terlingua Ranch, at a cost of $20,000.

Terlingua Ranch, located north of town, is known for its eccentricity, hosting figures like David Kaczynski, brother of the Unabomber, who sought solace from public attention, and Judith Broughton, who hid her deceased mother beneath her kitchen floor while still collecting her social security benefits.

The town also appears to have a rich tapestry of local sayings one of which describes the town's dating scene: 'The odds are good, but the goods are odd.'

Locals appear surprised by the Jones' purchasing of the land given its lack of development.

'That's a weird piece of land to buy,' Neckar explained. 'There's no development [paved roads, electricity, sewage]; there's some homesteads; it's rough as heck.'

Others, including unnamed neighbor, have described Jones as being amiable but not their ideal neighbor.

The town of Terlingua has been described as one of the 'most famous ghost towns' in Texas

A little Mexican-food stand near Terlingua, whose population has grown to almost 150

A whimsical pedestrian-crossing sign in the ghost town, some of which is still occupied

A little motel and trading post in Terlingua. The Chisos quicksilver-mining company operated from 1905 into the early 1940s

The remains of rusted cars lie abandoned in the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas

An old, dilapidated building in Terlingua, Texas. The small town used to be known for quicksilver mining and is right outside of Big Bend National Park. A viper crossing sign warns those who enter

The former mining town had a population of around 2000 during its heyday of mercury mining

The bohemian community in Terlingua is famous for the Original Terlingua International Champoinship Chili Cookoff, held annually the first weekend of November

The Starlight Theatre restaurant and bar in Terlingua, Texas

Locals gathered in the Starlight Theater in Terlingua, Texas. The Starlight Theater is at once a bar, theater, restaurant and concert hall for the local community

The entrance to another Terlingua restaurant - La Kiva Bar

Terlingua is something of a ghost town but is still popular tourist destination for those in the area

'Would I have chosen Alex Jones as my neighbor if I had a choice? No. But that said, we have a very diverse community here,' the neighbor said.

It remains to be seen how Jones will adapt to Terlingua's unique, desert environment.

'You're either a good neighbor, or you won't be one for long,' one neighbor said.

In a 1996 profile of the town by Texas Monthly, Terlingua was described 'as the state's last outpost for outcasts, for those maligned American loners who fashion their own crude American dream in the anonymity of the desert.

Rhonda Haberer, who owns owner of Tin Valley Retro Rentals who rents out campers and RVs is intrigued by Jones's arrival and has imagined interactions he might have with the right-wing talk show host, such as extraterrestrial life, a topic Jones often delves into.

Jones has remained tight-lipped about his plans for the land, leaving neighbors curious about his intentions.

The former mining town had a population of around 2000 during its heyday of mercury mining in the 1940s dipping to a low of 58 people in 2010.

In recent years, Terlingua has experienced rapid growth in recent years, fueled in part by the pandemic growing to 78 in 2020. There are now thought to be about 150 residents.

Last year, court documents seen by DailyMail.com revealed Jones' spending was out of control blowing through $2.2 million in just eight months.

The conspiracy theorist and Infowars host (left) pictured his wife, Erika Wulff Jones (right), splashed out $20,000 on land in Terlingua

The 20 children who were killed in the Sandy Hook mass shooting. Top row (L to R): Ana Marquez-Greene, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Emilie Parker, Noah Pozner. Second row: (L to R): Jesse Lewis, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Charlotte Bacon, Chase Kowalski. Third row (L to R): Daniel Barden, Jack Pinto, Catherine Hubbard, Dylan Hockley, Benjamin Wheeler. Bottom row (L to R): Grace McDonnell, James Mattioli, Avielle Richman, Madeleine Hsu, Allison Wyatt

The adult victims of the Sandy Hook shooting included (L to R): Teacher Rachel Davino, 29, para professional Anne Marie Murphy, 52, and permanent substitute teacher Lauren Rousseau, 30

The other three adult victims of the Sandy Hook shooting were (L to R): Teacher Victoria Soto, 27, school psychiatrist Mary Sherlach, 56, and principal Dawn Hochsprung, 47

The money was spent on lavish purchases including four cars worth $220,000 and two boats worth $114,000.

The podcast host listed other assets including his $2.6million Austin home, despite transferring the deed into his wife's name in February 2023, and a $1.7million lake house property around 20 miles from his home.

He also owns a $2.1million ranch property and a $505k rental property, according to filings in Houston's bankruptcy court.

Jones has forked out more than $1.5 million on legal and professional fees and has been urging his fans to donate to him and shop on the Infowars website so he can keep doing his program and pay his legal costs.
Rishi Sunak's hopes of finally getting Rwanda deportation flights off the ground could be undermined by migrants absconding 'en masse', Tory critics claimed last night.

They raised the alarm that the entire policy could be scuppered by illegal migrants simply disappearing before they were flown to the East African country.

The claims came as even the Home Office's own private guidance appeared to raise fears of an increased risk of illegal migrants on bail disappearing and potentially avoiding being traced.

Last night, Home Office sources voiced confidence that the Rwanda policy would work.

Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan could be scuppered by illegal migrants simply disappearing before they were flown to the East African country, critics claim

A leaked Home Office document seen by the MoS warned of 'issues across the bail process which will increase absconcion [sic] and hamper tracing efforts'. Members of staff board a plane to transport migrants to Rwanda

The row broke amid expectations the much-delayed Safety of Rwanda Bill, paving the way to Channel migrants being sent to Africa, will finally become law this week. Ministers have sought to blame Labour for the delay and scuppering the Prime Minister's hopes that flights would be up and running 'by the Spring'.

However, some senior Tory MPs  including former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick  have repeatedly warned that the current draft legislation contains too many loopholes to be effective.

And a leaked Home Office document seen by the MoS warned of 'issues across the bail process which will increase absconcion [sic] and hamper tracing efforts'. Marked 'Official  Sensitive' and dating from last year, it warned that even if a migrant was bailed to an address, 'operational pressures, and non-compliant behaviour' could limit the information collected on individuals.

Some senior Tory MPs  including former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick (pictured)  have repeatedly warned that the current draft legislation contains too many loopholes to be effective

It said that although a migrant who absconded was 'referred to Immigration Enforcement to be located', there was a risk that 'capacity to trace people is outstripped by demand'.

It added: 'The time elapsed between losing contact with individuals and initiating efforts to locate them can be lengthy. The less time a person has spent in the UK, the smaller their footprint.'

Tory MP Paul Bristow said it would be a 'great shame if migrants being able to abscond en masse undermined this policy'.

Sources close to Home Secretary James Cleverly hit out at critics who 'have a vested interest in this Bill failing  otherwise, they're proved wrong', adding: 'And they're as worried as Labour are that that's going to happen.'
A Jetstar passenger has slammed the airline after she was forced to fork out an extra $75 to board her flight because her baggage went over the weight limit.

Monique McCreanor had booked a flight from Melbourne to Sydney on Saturday after she won a fitness competition called Deka Strong.

Ms McCreanor explained in a TikTok video that she had stayed back to accept the prizes and changed her flights last minute as a result.

'I stayed around for the podium ceremony which means that I booked new flights so that I could do that,' she said.

'I had to book with Jetstar because Virgin didn't have later flights.'

Ms McCreanor urged travellers to be aware of declaring their excess carry-on baggage (pictured) to avoid paying the hefty fine

Ms McCreanor, who made a last minute dash to the airport, was told that her carry-on baggage was 900g over the 7kg limit.

'I got hit with $75,' she said.

She urged travellers to book extra checked baggage before they board their flight to avoid the same problem before claiming the extra $75 was excessive.

'$75 is a little steep for just 900grams overweight,' she said.

Ms McCreanor said had she known about how much it would cost to pay for excess baggage, she would have booked the extra amount for a cheaper rate.

Social media users were left divided over her experience with some saying in a now deleted video that she should have known better.

'No sorry, it clearly gives [a] weight allowance. You went over, you pay,' one wrote.

'Seriously it doesn't matter who you are with, you will have to pay any way, they are (sic) the rules,' another added.

Others shared their own experience of paying for excess baggage.

'They did this to me on my honeymoon... I was p****d,' one said.

Monique Mccreanor (pictured) was forced to fork out the extra amount to board her flight as her carry-on baggage was over the weight limit

A Jetstar spokesman told Daily Mail Mail Australia that the airline has strict restrictions in place for travellers carrying excess baggage.

'Our carry-on baggage restrictions are designed to ensure a smooth boarding process, enough room to safely and comfortably stow all carry-on items and the correct weight and balance for take-off,' he said.

'We offer customers incredibly low fares which all include carry-on baggage allowance of seven kilograms across two items and the option to ask about pre-purchasing up to 14 kilograms.'

The spokesman said the $75 takes into account passengers who have not pre-booked any excess carry-on baggage.

Travellers who arrive at the boarding gate carrying more than 7kg of carry-on baggage, will have to pay a fee of around $80 for domestic flights.

Customers can also choose to purchase the +7kg Extra Carry-On Baggage which costs $75.

Travellers have been advised that it is cheaper to purchase excess baggage when booking the flights.
Sky News commentator Peta Credlin has taken aim at Anthony Albanese after a record number of immigrants were welcomed into Australia in just one month.

More than 100,000 immigrants came to Australia in February, after 765,900 arrived throughout last year, another all-time record.

The massive influx has raised fears it will strain the crippled housing and rental markets with new housing proposals being accepted at the lowest rate in 11 years.

This is despite the Albanese Government promising to bring immigration down to 300,000-per-year and build 250,000 homes.

Credlin said the inaction was also abetting social disharmony.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come under fire after Australia welcomed more than 100,000 immigrants in February, an all-time record

Ms Credlin, in her weekly column, said successive governments have 'increasingly sent signals to migrants that the culture of the country theyre coming to is built on a history of shame, illegitimacy, and racism'.

'Is it any wonder that some migrant communities become reluctant to integrate or insistent that Australia must change to accommodate their preferences, when weak officialdom will only fly our national flag apologetically, in company with two other flags representing people with a particular racial heritage?' she wrote.

'Or when our civic culture now seems to revolve around indigenous ancestor worship while denigrating the Judaeo-Christian basis of our fundamental institutions like the rule of law.'

She added that it is 'hardly the fault of immigrants' who chose to come to Australia, but that of governments who failed to 'insist on (them) joining Team Australia'.

'Its way past time for governments at every level to start stressing unity over diversity, to rebuild a patriotic love of Australia, rather than to preside over the diminution of our national symbols, like Australia Day,' she wrote.

Credlin claimed the 100,000 migrants who came to Australia was 'significant'.

She compared the figure to the Howard government era where 110,000 migrants came on average every year during that period.

'Its no secret then, why housing is unaffordable, wages are flat, and roads and public transport are clogged because thats just what happens when you dont have a population policy and instead, use migration as a way to make the budget bottom line look better than it really is,' she wrote.

The massive population bump is set to further strain an already crippled housing industry with new homes being built at the lowest rate in 11 years (stock image)

Political commentator, Peta Credlin, said successive governments had also failed to 'insist on (them) joining Team Australia' and abetted social disharmony

Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director Daniel Wild said high immigration rates with few properties being built is a recipe for a housing crisis.

'The data proves that the federal governments unplanned mass migration program is unsustainable,' he said.

'It actively undermines Australians who are struggling to find a home as increasing demand and a lack of supply is pricing them out of the market.'

Australia's median capital city house price of $956,782, based on CoreLogic data, is well beyond the reach of an average, full-time worker on $98,218.

That's because banks are only able to lend 5.2 times their salary to someone with a steady job and a 20 per cent mortgage deposit.

The average wage would only be enough to buy a $639,000 home, which in greater Sydney would only buy a unit or a house 100km away from the city centre.

Renters are also suffering with 175,960 international student arriving in February, adding to competition for somewhere to live.
The New York Police Department and fire officials responded to emergency aid calls at Pier 4 in Brooklyn about a stabbing incident

Multiple people with varying injuries have been hospitalized today evening after a fight broke out on a party boat near a Brooklyn pier.

The New York Police Department and fire officials responded to emergency aid calls at Pier 4 at 5.30pm.

Authorities found at least two people with stab wounds and a third person hit in the head with a bottle at the scene.

Both the stabbed victims, believed to be a 32-year-old and a 40-year-old man were taken to Lutheran Medical Center for treatment.

The New York Police Department and fire officials responded to emergency aid calls at Pier 4 in Brooklyn about a stabbing incident

Authorities found at least two people with stab wounds and a third person hit in the head with a bottle

The stabbing victims are believed to be a 32-year-old and a 40-year-old man while the third person is a 28-year-old

All of the 1,300 people onboard were asked to disembark after authorities arrived at the scene

No perpetrator has yet been taken into custody and none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening

The third injured person, reportedly a 28-year-old man has also been taken to a nearby hospital.

The Fire Department further said that two other individuals refused medical attention at the scene. The extent of their injuries has not been clarified by officials.

According to NBC New York, no perpetrator has yet been taken into custody. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

All of the 1,300 people onboard were asked to disembark after authorities arrived at the scene.

Officials are still investigating what caused the stabbing incidents.

The incident happened at around 5.30pm today evening

The Fire Department further said that two other individuals refused medical attention at the scene. The extent of their injuries has not been clarified by officials
An online petition that calls for General Election ballot forms to be changed so voters can declare they dislike all candidates is gaining fast momentum  on the back of increasing disenchantment with the political establishment.

The petition urges the Government to permanently adopt a 'none of the above' category on ballots, starting with the next election.

It has been submitted as part of a democratic initiative which lets anyone create a petition to ask for a change to the law or to government policy.

After 10,000 signatures, ministers are obliged to respond and after 100,000 names are collected, the issue is considered for debate in Parliament.

Voters are already able to abstain or spoil their ballot, but supporters of the 'None of the above' idea want the option of formally recording a vote for no candidate, in order to register a big thumbs-down for all those standing in their constituency.

An online petition that calls for General Election ballot forms to be changed so voters can declare they dislike all candidates is gaining fast momentum

Organisers point to widespread lack of faith in politicians of all the main parties and say distrust of Westminster is at an historic low

The petition currently has more than 1,300 signatures. It suggests that if the idea was introduced and 'None of the above' won the most votes in a constituency or council ward, it should be considered that the election is re-run

The move follows the use of a similar system in some areas of America where election law allows people to mark their ballots for 'none of these candidates'.

In February, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump's then main rival for the Republicans' presidential candidacy, suffered huge embarrassment when she lost to 'none of these candidates' in the vote in Nevada, even though Trump's name was not on the ballot paper.

Organisers of the petition in Britain say the idea could 'enhance democratic choice and allow voters to express dissatisfaction'.

They point to widespread lack of faith in politicians of all the main parties and say distrust of Westminster is at an historic low.

A survey published last week in the Daily Mail by pollster Lord Ashcroft showed that 57 per cent of those surveyed did not think that the values or outlook on life of either Labour or the Tories were close to those of the British public.

Meanwhile 48 per cent did not know if Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer would make the best prime minister.

These findings are strong evidence that many voters could be persuaded to back the 'None of the above' campaign.

After 10,000 signatures, ministers are obliged to respond and after 100,000 names are collected, the issue is considered for debate in Parliament (stock photo)

The petition currently has more than 1,300 signatures. It suggests that if the idea was introduced and 'None of the above' won the most votes in a constituency or council ward, it should be considered that the election is re-run and possibly that the initial candidates are disqualified.

According to Alex Bailey, who set up the petition, the introduction of 'None of the above' is not just a political decision; it is a strategic move that could reconnect more than 30 per cent of registered electors who do not turn out at polls, stimulate higher voter registration, and offer a valuable alternative to spoiling ballots.

'This may rekindle the interest of disillusioned voters, and deliver diverse electoral outcomes throughout the UK. By implementing 'none of the above', we can give a voice to those seeking reform and a ray of hope for the future,' he said.

As well as US regions, France, Canada and Spain offer a version of 'none of the above' on ballots. Student unions and other groups also often offer a similar device, Re-Open Nominations.

The petition can be found online here and will close on May 8.
The man who set himself on fire in front of the Manhattan court in which Trumps hush money trial is being heard told friends of his intention to be a martyr just days before committing his fatal act of protest.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, friend and neighbor Bob Warren, 62, who lived next door to Max Azzarello, 37, in Saint Augustine, Florida revealed, It was just a few days before he went to New York, we were sitting around in the back there, drinking beers and he was playing his guitar, and we were talking.

He had some extreme views, some extreme ideology and he just said, I think Im going to have to just go be a martyr.

Tragically, Warren admitted, that no-one who was present to hear Azzarellos threat took him seriously, but instead simply laughed it off as the ramblings of a man whom they knew as, generally calm and a great guy, but who had in recent months become increasingly obsessed with conspiracy theories.

Neighbor Bob Warren, 62, revealed that Azzarello told friends of his intention to be a martyr just days before committing his fatal act of protest

Max Azzarello, 37, seen outside Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday with a sign, moments before he set himself on fire. He died hours later

Azzarello self-immolated in an act of protest, as shocked friends said he had delved into conspiracy theories before his suicide

Warren said, He just moved into the apartment next door about three weeks ago, but hed been coming over to hang out for about six, seven months before that.

He was a great guy. We used to chat. Im a Trump supporter. He thought everyone was involved in some conspiracy so we would just stay away from some subjects. We got along fine.

According to Warren, Azzarello had looked on the move as a positive change as, though his father, Richard, 71, lives locally, he had been living in a half-way house.

Warren described himself as, completely shocked to learn that his friend had followed through on his threat.

He said, I just keep thinking he probably changed his mind four or five seconds after he lit himself up.

Azzarello pulled a bunch of pamphlets out of his backpack and threw them up in the air before dousing himself with fuel and accelerant at 1.39pm Friday afternoon.

He died of his injuries shortly before 11pm that night.

Today his white Toyota 4Runner truck sits where he left it outside his apartment building. Trump is with Hillary, And theyre about to fascist coup us up, is written in permanent marker across the back.

The address of the website where he posted of his intention to self-emolliate and his belief that cryptocurrency is a vast Ponzi scheme being perpetrated against the American people is written beneath the license.

Warren said he was 'completely shocked' by his neighbor's actions, adding: I just keep thinking he probably changed his mind four or five seconds after he lit himself up'

The neighbor said revealed, It was just a few days before he went to New York, we were sitting around in the back there, drinking beers and he was playing his guitar, and we were talking'

Following his death, Azzarello's white Toyota 4Runner truck sits where he left it outside his apartment building. Trump is with Hillary, And theyre about to fascist coup us up, is written in permanent marker across the back

Azzarello wrote a slew of his conspiracy theories on his vehicle, including his belief that cryptocurrency is a vast Ponzi scheme being perpetrated against the American people beneath the license

According to one neighbor the placard tucked under the back windshield bearing the words, This is a revolution, was a recent addition.

In the hours since the horrific incident friends and former school mates have come forward to paint a picture of a fiercely intelligent but increasingly troubled young man for whom, it seems, the death of his mother, Libby, two years ago may have proved the catalyst for his catastrophic unraveling.

Yesterday DailyMail.com revealed that Azzarello had only just completed 180 days of probation for a string of incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and rambling behavior.

Three criminal complaints obtained by this publication shows that all the incidents that took place in August last year.

In one Azzarello, who is listed on charging documents as unemployed, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of President Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida.

The complaint notes that the incident took place on the evening of August 19, 2023, and that Azzarello had just finished dinner at the hotels restaurant when he launched the glass at the image, breaking the glass on the framed photograph and damaging it with wine.

Just two days later, on August 21, Azzarello was back in the Case Monica Hotel where he was reported for, standing outside, stripping his clothes off and yelling at customers.

When police arrived, they noted that he was wearing nothing but his underwear, standing on the sidewalk holing [sic] a speaker blasting music and yelling.

The hotel manager told officers that several customers were scared for their safety and unable to enter or exit for fear of Azzarello.

Azzarello said he lit himself on fire as an act of protest against the US government, which he accused of orchestrating a 'fascist coup'

Azzarello with Bill Clinton in one of his Facebook photos

The protestor owned a criminal history including a string of incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and rambling behavior

On August 24, he was arrested once more for graffitiing property and rifling through a womans belongings in the flatbed of her truck.

According to the police report he had been seen yelling in someones yards after misinterpreting an exterminators sign warning people to keep their children and pets off a lawn that had just been treated and becoming convinced that the pest control company was there to exterminate children and dogs.

In a further insight into his troubled state of mind, Azzarello posted an update on his Facebook page earlier that same month in which he told followers he had just spent three days in a psych ward.

He claimed that four cops showed up at his apartment after he tipped a Starbucks barista $200 and wrote Go F*** Yourself on the receipt.

He wrote, I was handcuffed, shoved, and put into a psych ward. I was given no information about why I was there until after my discharge.
Potato prices are soaring as the cost of Britain's record rainfall hits the nation's shopping baskets.

Some farmers, whose land has been under water for months, face having no spring harvest of veg for the first time since the Second World War.

And many have been unable to plant other crops in waterlogged fields.

Most supermarkets have already shrunk potato pack sizes from 2.5kg to 2kg without any decrease in price.

The net effect is a secret cost hike to shoppers of around 25 per cent per kilo. At the same time, stores are expected to allow smaller, wonky veg on to shelves.

Potato prices are soaring as Britain's record rainfall hits the nation's shopping baskets

Stores will look to avoid a repeat of last year's restricted purchases of fresh produce after extreme weather hit European producers by importing more, which will push up prices

Last year, several retailers restricted purchases of fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, after extreme weather hit producers in Europe.

Stores will look to avoid a repeat for UK vegetables by importing more, which will push up prices.

Recent storms mean only a third of winter crops that have been established have reached the expected growth stages and quality.

There are estimates that the 2024 harvested wheat tonnage could be reduced by one third on a year-on-year average.

And some sheep farmers have raised concerns that bad weather is linked to a rise in the number of lambs that are dead at birth.

Henry Ward's 200-acre farm in Lincolnshire has been flooded since October. He said: 'We have been under water for nearly six months  at the peak it was nearly three metres deep.

'I am not going to have a harvest on that block of land. That has never happened before.

'At the peak of the floods, there were 2,000 acres in this area under water.'

He added: 'Some 25 per cent of Britain's fresh vegetables are produced on the fens of Lincolnshire, but we are under water. We are going to have food shortages.'

Mr Ward said the problem had been exacerbated by the fact that a government fund designed to help farmers cope has ruled that many are not eligible for grants of up to 25,000.

Henry Ward's 200-acre farm in Lincolnshire has been flooded since October and has not been able to use his land for crops as a result

National Farmers Union vice-president Rachel Hallos said: 'A crisis is building. While farmers are bearing the brunt of it now, consumers may well see the effects through the year.'

She confirmed the problems with the Government's Farming Recovery Fund.

'We are hearing from numerous members who have suffered catastrophic impacts who have been told they are not eligible for the fund because some of their affected areas are more than 150 metres from main rivers,' she said.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Sunday for victims of the Bondi Junction attack which has shocked the country.

Lone knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six people and stabbed 12 more during a murderous rampage through the popular Sydney shopping centre last Saturday.

Another six victims - two men, three women and a nine-month-old baby - are recovering in hospital in a stable condition.

The state government and Waverley Council have organised a candlelight vigil to be held at 5pm at Dolphin Court at Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon.

A candlelight vigil will be held in Sydney 's eastern suburbs on Sunday for victims of the Bondi Junction attack which has shocked the country

Another six victims - two men, three women and a nine-month-old baby - are recovering in hospital in a stable condition

The vigil will involve a one-minute silence and people are being asked to bring their own candles.

'I think if we can stand together during the difficult periods, we can send a message that there are far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and there is evil,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Saturday.

'Those that have lost loved ones have said unanimously that they can feel the community support behind them and that they know that they're not alone.'

Mr Minns said the vigil would be an opportunity to 'stand by those that have lost loved ones and remember those that have been killed.'

'I think if we can stand together during the difficult periods, we can send a message that there are far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and there is evil,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Saturday

Among those killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir

Among those killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir.

Mr Tahir, who had come to Australia after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, was killed attempting to protect shoppers from Cauchi.

'He is not just a hero for us but the whole nation,' Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association national president Adnan Qadir said.

'We are here in large numbers to carry on Faraz's legacy by reflecting on his bravery, courage, and giving strength to our youth that they too must always be ready to serve others and, most importantly, this beautiful country.'

Five of the six killed were women - Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27.

Counsellors and support services have been made available to emergency responders who have been on scene at multiple violent attacks in Sydney this week.
A police officer has been taken to hospital following a serious incident in Ilkeston.

Derbyshire Police was called to a property on Saturday evening due to concerns for the 'safety of a man'.

The officer sustained an injury which is not believed to be life-threatening.

A large police presence remains at the scene as a precaution for public safety.

Social media reports over an incident began to circulate shortly after 9pm, when a police helicopter was reportedly seen 'circling' the area.

Derbyshire Police was called to a property on Saturday evening. Pictured is the scene

A police officer has been taken to hospital following a serious incident in Ilkeston

The flightradar24.com website shows that an aircraft labelled UKP154 from the National Police Air Service is in the air over the Cotmanhay area.

One eyewitness told DerbyshireLive they saw 'six police cars' racing down a nearby road.

The police released a statement to confirm that no officers or other members of the public are currently being held hostage.

A statement read: 'There is currently a large police presence in Ilkeston this evening (Saturday 20 April) following an incident at a property on Hartington Place, due to concerns for the safety of a man.

'We will remain in the area as a precaution for the safety of the public.

'A police officer was taken to hospital earlier this evening for treatment for an injury which is not life threatening.

'We can confirm that no officers or other members of the public are currently being held hostage.

'We will provide further updates when we are able to.'

A large police presence remains at the scene as a precaution for public safety
A TikTok star with 1.1 million followers has said he is in favor of the U.S. banning the popular app after becoming alarmed at how the algorithm is now presenting him with increasingly disturbing content.

The House passed legislation on Saturday that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform's China-based owner doesn't sell its stake within a year.

Comedian Zach Sage Fox has said he can see the upside of a ban after becoming concern about the platform's impact, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict.

'I am terrified of what I am seeing on TIkTok,' Fox told the New York Post.

'In the last few months, in regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict, for all the biggest sources of misinformation, TikTok is just a gold mine,' he said.

Comedian Zach Sage Fox says he is in favor of a ban on TikTok due to the platform's role in spreading misinformation about sensitive topics like the Israel-Gaza conflict

'In the last few months, in regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict, for all the biggest sources of misinformation, TikTok is just a gold mine,' Fox said

The House passed a bill to ban TikTok amid concerns about hate speech and misinformation with even some TikTok content creators supportive

'It seems like there is something happening in the algorithm that is very much trying to soil the West.'

Fox's concerns are shared by those in political circles in the U.S. who have voiced alarm over the popularity of TikTok with young people, alleging that it allows Beijing to spy on users.

It has 170 million in the United States alone with 76 percent of Gen Z admitting to using the app.

Critics also say TikTok is subservient to Beijing and a conduit to spread propaganda. China and the company deny such claims.

'I think, glass half full, millions of young people are cut off from information that is funneled from China and will turn to sources that, while not perfect, will have at least some oversight on a factual level,' Fox said.

The bill that could lead to a total TikTok ban in the U.S. passed 360 to 58, with broad bipartisan support.

It could now trigger the rare step of barring a company from operating in the US market and now goes to the Senate for a vote next week.

The bill that could lead to a total TikTok ban in the U.S. passed 360 to 58, with broad bipartisan support. Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to members of the press after the House of Representatives passed bills

The TikTok measure was part of a wider set of foreign aid legislation that the House passed on Saturday afternoon, totaling $95 billion for U.S. partners abroad.

The package in total gives $26 billion to Israel, $60.8 billion to Ukraine and $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific through a combination of military and humanitarian aid.

President Joe Biden has stated he will sign the legislation. He reiterated his concerns about TikTok in a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month.

TikTok quickly complained after Saturday's vote, saying in a statement 'it is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.'

Under the bill, ByteDance would have to sell the app within a year or be excluded from Apple and Google's app stores in the United States.

The House of Representatives last month approved a similar bill cracking down on TikTok, but the measure got held up in the Senate.

'It seems like there is something happening in the algorithm that is very much trying to soil the West,' TikTok content creator Zach Fox said

TikTok content creator Zach Sage Fox is pictured with New York City Mayor Eric Adams

Steven Mnuchin, who served as US treasury secretary under former president Donald Trump, has said he is interested in acquiring TikTok and has assembled a group of investors.

TikTok has been in the crosshairs of US authorities for years, with authorities saying the platform allows Beijing to snoop on users in the United States.

But a law banning it could trigger lawsuits. This bill gives the US president the authority to designate other applications as a threat to national security if they are controlled by a country deemed hostile.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, formerly Twitter, came out Friday against banning TikTok, saying it went against freedom of expression.

'TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform,' Musk said in a post on the social network he acquired in 2022.

'Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression,' said Musk.
Two children have been tragically killed after a suspected drunk driver plowed through a building hosting a kids' birthday party.

The horror unfolded Saturday around 3pm in Berlin Township, Michigan, at the Swan Boat Club, with footage showing the vehicle speeding erratically before hitting the outside of the building.

Officials said the car flew over 25 feet into the building, injuring or killing a total of 15 victims.

Nine of the victims - three children and six adults - were rushed to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries. The two children who were killed were an eight-year-old girl and five-year-old boy, who were siblings.

Horrific footage showed the suspected drunk driver swerving erratically before crashing into a children's birthday party, killing two children and injuring at least 13 others

The horror unfolded Saturday around 3pm in Berlin Township, Michigan , at the Swan Boat Club, which was hosting a children's birthday party

Officials said the vehicle flew 25 feet into the building, destroying the side of the boat club and leaving a trail of destruction inside

The driver of the vehicle was described as a 66-year-old woman. Their identity has not been confirmed.

The suspect was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said in a press conference, where he appeared emotional as he broke the news.

The sheriff said additional charges are expected to be brought against the woman as the investigation proceeds.

Multiple ambulances and helicopters raced to the scene, where police set up a reunification point for families involved, reports ClickonDetroit.

The sheriff said first responders on the scene described the incident as 'extremely chaotic' with 'high level of emotions.'

Goodnough added that it was believed the female driver had been at a nearby tavern before the crash, and said deputies closed the bar down and planned to execute a search warrant as part of their investigation.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough grew visibly emotional at a press conference as he confirmed that the victims, an eight-year-old girl and five-year-old boy, were siblings

A total of 15 adults and children were killed or injured in the horror scenes

Helicopters were used to transport victims to nearby hospitals, with nine of the 13 surviving victims left in life-threatening condition

A number of ambulances and police vehicles raced to the boat club, where officials said they encountered 'extremely chaotic' scenes

The Swan Boat club shared a brief statement on Facebook, saying: 'There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion.

'Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.'

The boat club said it would be closed as officials carry out their investigation.
A millionaire who deliberately made himself broke and homeless in a bizarre social experiment designed to rack up YouTube hits has suddenly quit his challenge after concerns over his health.

Mike Black had planned to essentially start over from nothing, while proving to himself that he would be able to make $1 million in the space of just 12 months.

Black had been an entrepreneur his entire life, but in July 2020 decided to walk away from everything giving up his car, house and all of his money.

'I knew a lot of people who lost everything during the pandemic and they got really depressed. I even had a friend that lost a $10 million business overnight', Black explained in a YouTube video.

Black wanted to help his friends rebuild their lives and prove that luck or money was not necessary to become a millionaire - just hard work.

Millionaire Mike Black embarked on a daring social experiment, intentionally becoming homeless to prove he could make $1 million in a year

Black found the hardest part of the journey being homeless not knowing where he'd sleep

Black struggled while begging on the streets - even finding it hard to get water

Black's idea was the 'Million Dollar Comeback Challenge' that would see him start from nothing, only to build a new business, growing it to be worth one million dollars in the space of a year

But Black ended his challenge after it took a toll on his health.

'I have officially decided to end the project early. Now as much as it hurts me to do this, especially with just two months left, I feel like it's the right thing to do,' he announced on YouTube.

'I've been dealing with a lot of things personally, and recently something's happened that has really pushed me over the edge.

'My personal health has declined to the point where I really need to start taking care of it. Throughout the entire project, we haven't shared it with you, but I've been in and out of the doctor's office.'

Black explained how he also suffered from two autoimmune diseases which caused 'chronic fatigue' and another that attacked his joints.

'A lot of what's come to light for me is what truly matters, health and gratitude,' he said.

Black was offered the chance to stay in an RV. he was allowed to stay for several weeks

Black first began making money by selling furniture online and acting as a middle man

Black was allowed to stay in this RV for several weeks thanks to the generosity of strangers

Things were looking up when Black managed to secure his own place to rent

Black's idea was the 'Million Dollar Comeback Challenge' that would see him start from nothing, only to build a new business, growing it to be worth one million dollars in the space of a year.

But the challenge was far harder than Black could ever have anticipated.

From the very first day as a homeless man he experienced how rough life was out on the streets and contemplated sleeping on a bench.

People refused to give him water and he was unable to find a place to stay the night.

Eventually, a man with an RV allowed him to stay for several nights in his van.

Black started off small and managed to make his first $300 by selling furniture online.

'One of the best things to sell are tables,' Black explained. 'I started taking ads on Craigslist in the free section, putting it on Facebook Marketplace and selling it for a profit.

'I acted as the middleman, handling all the logistics between the buyer and the seller.'

By the fifth day of the challenge he had made enough money to buy himself a computer.

Almost two weeks in, he was able to secure his own office space and after just over one month, Black finally had his own place to rent.

Three months into the challenge, Black's entrepreneurial spirit appeared to shine through having set himself up as a social media manager

Concerns about his own health led him to end the challenge early after facing the harsh realities of homelessness and his own health issues

Three months into the challenge, Black's entrepreneurial spirit appeared to shine through having set himself up as a social media manager, managing to land clients - while even coming up with his own brand of coffee.

'Look at where we're at right now. We're not making millions of dollars but look at this gonna be living potentially in a mansion rent free. I'm getting on calls with big tech companies pitching them on running their social media. I'm starting a coffee brand I have a coffee dude in Austin now,' Black said.

'I mean everything's going in the right direction. Three months ago I was homeless!'

Four months into the challenge, on day 138, Black learned that his father was officially diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and had just started chemo which led Black to question the entire project - but he continued.

'Health and Family were much more important than the challenge so I decided to stop the whole project.'

Black ended the challenge having completed 10 months, with just 60 days left to run. He had managed to make a grand total of $64,000

Black ended the challenge having completed 10 months, with just 60 days left to run. He had managed to make a grand total of $64,000.

Despite failing to make the million dollars he had aimed for, Black says it was still a successful experiment after demonstrating how it was possible to rebuild his life through the power of determination.

'We should always remember to help those in need because it could be the opportunity that they need,' Black said.
A Sydney home that prospective buyers weren't able to physically inspect because it was missing almost all its roof has sold for close to $3m.

The three bedroom home at 89 Fitzroy St in Sydney's inner west suburb of Burwood sold for $2,750,000 earlier this month.

That's despite its roof being almost completely caved in, having boarded up windows and an overgrown yard.

Interested buyers were informed they were unable to set foot inside the dwelling.

A Sydney home that prospective buyers weren't able to physically inspect because it was missing almost all its roof has sold for close to $3m

'Please note: Internal inspections will not be permitted as the property does not meet health & safety requirements,' the listing read.

Instead, the property was advertised as a 'land value opportunity in a prime location'.

'Available for the first time in more than 60 years, now offering a rare opportunity to purchase at land value in one of Burwood's most highly desirable streets,' the listing read.

Those with deep pockets, and able to overlook the crumbling property, were told to consider the house's proximity to schools.

'(The property is) located within easy access to some of the area's leading schools and only 750 metres from Burwood train station, major shopping, cafes & restaurants,' it said.

The median house price for a three bedroom property in Burwood is around $2.1m, according to realestate.com.au
Queensland is set to be drenched by up to 100mm of rain with the massive downpour set to last for several days.

The Sunshine State will cop the brunt of a low pressure system that has formed in the Coral Sea, which will cause heavily rainfall across south-east Queensland for the rest of the weekend.

Rainfall totals of between 40 to 80mm are expected across the region until Tuesday with isolated rain between 80 to 100mm predicted.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued several flood warnings across Queensland and strong winds, are expected to lash some parts of the region.

Queensland is set to be drenched by up to 100mm of rain (pictured) with the massive downpour set to last for several days

Up to 80mm of rain fell in the central Queensland towns of Rockhampton and Bundaberg, from Saturday evening through to early Sunday morning.

Miriam Bradbury, meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology said the wet weather will continue for the rest of Sunday across south-east Queensland.

'We'll only see a change later on Sunday as the wet weather starts to contract offshore leaving a few coastal showers going into early next week,' she said.

The wet weather will also soak parts of northern NSW with scattered showers to persist on Monday and Tuesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued several flood warnings across Queensland due to the wet weather (pictured wet weather)

Parts of northern NSW will also be soaked by the downpour before the wet conditions (pictured) moves offshore

Several towns in northeast NSW including Ballina, Lismore, and Tweed Heads are set to brace for 60 to 80mm rainfall totals from Anzac day until May, 1.

The weather bureau have urged people in K'gari and on the Sunshine Coast, to stay away from the surf due to strong marine conditions.

Rock fishers have also been urged to heed the wet weather warnings.

Melbourne is set for a pleasant start to the new week with tops of 23C expected on Tuesday.

The city is likely to experience scattered showers on Wednesday and the wet weather is set to linger until Saturday.

Adelaide is set for a mostly dry week with a possible shower on Thursday while it will be a mostly cloudy week in Hobart.

The weather bureau however has issued an inland flood warning for South Australia and a strong wind warning, has been issued for parts of southeast and central west Tasmania.

Darwin will be very warm over the next five days with temperatures reaching tops of 35C on Thursday, while Perth will be mostly dry with tops of 28C expected on Saturday.

Darwin is expected to be very warm while some capital cities in the southern states will be mostly dry next week (pictured beachgoers)
A brave Pennsylvania girl has spoken out furiously against teachers and administrators at her school after a transgender student savagely beat her friend using a Stanley cup.

The incident took place at Pennbrook Middle School Wednesday, when the 13-year-old blindsided her 12-year-old female victim in the school cafeteria using the cup, hitting her on the head and creating an open wound.

The unidentified student had to be hospitalized and get staples to close the cuts in her head before undertaking concussion protocol, according to police.

School Superintendent Todd Bauer said that the attack - which was caught on security camera - was 'deeply disturbing' in a statement at the start of Thursday's board meeting.

However, as one unidentified student bravely said, not only did she warn teachers the bullying student had 'a hit list' but she added that she was the next one to get assaulted had she not been stopped.

The brave Pennsylvania girl spoke out furiously against teachers and administrators at her school after a transgender student beat up her friend using a Stanley cup

'You could've stopped it,' the brave young girl said. 'It was five hours from when I told you it was going to happen. I don't get how you couldn't have stopped that.'

She added there was a girl the bully was 'targeting every day at lunch. And they would go to the counselor every day and tell them this is going to happen.'

The assailant was blunt enough to scream 'I'm gonna murder you!' repeatedly at the students.

The girl spoke about how she and two fellow students filled out paperwork explaining what they knew was going to happen if nothing was done and said that she was warned 'watch your back' at lunch.

A teacher responded to her: 'Don't worry about it, it's not gonna' happen.'

She added that once the attack began, it lasted 28 minutes, despite the school board claiming it was just eight minutes.

'We had to watch [the victim] taken out with blood dripping down her face and I will never forget that! Laying in bed last night I just kept repeating it in my head.'

Parents shared their own outrage with the school's inability to protect the student and how this has been a shocking trend at the school and with parents hearing from their kids and not the adults in charge.

The incident took place at Pennbrook Middle School Wednesday, when the 13-year-old blindsided her 12-year-old female victim in the school cafeteria using the cup, hitting her on the head and creating an open wound

School Superintendent Todd Bauer said that the attack - which was caught on security camera - was 'deeply disturbing' in a statement at the start of Thursday's board meeting

Stephanie Pallica shockingly revealed that the principal of the school referred to what happened as 'a fight' in an email to parents.

'As a parent, your worst fear comes to life, when you get that call from your kid, crying, in school, 'Mom, help me, I'm scared, there's blood everywhere.' You can't get to them fast enough. And they hang up on you, because teachers and staff are yelling at them to hang up their phones,' she said.

'When we get an email that states 'student safety is always of the utmost importance to the district,' it really has become rhetoric that we don't believe or trust,' added Susan Dziedzic, according to The Reporter Online.

'I could spend hours giving you examples of the violence that is happening readily, in any school, on any given day, K to 12,' she added.

Alyssa Santiago's daughter was also on the alleged hit list and called twice to warn the school.

'I was assured that my daughter was safe, and I was assured that it was handled, and taken care of.'

Another parent, Ariel Baker Edwards, said she'd started warning about the attacker as early as September.

Chris Pekula, who said he had a friend who lost a child in the Sandy Hook massacre, was outraged that the children were kept on lockdown, unable to communicate with family.

'You could've stopped it,' the brave young girl said. 'It was five hours from when I told you it was going to happen. I don't get how you couldn't have stopped that'

The attacker has been charged by police with aggravated assault and has a hearing scheduled for Monday

He asked: 'Why were kids left in the room, that this incident took place, while they were cleaning the blood off the floor? My daughter calls me, crying, hysterical, that they were cleaning blood off the floor.'

Pekula's daughters were two of the students who visited counselors twice the morning of the attack and warned them it was coming, he said.

'What happened from the time you and your district got the warning, that this attack was coming, to when the attack happened? Because it happened exactly the way she told you it was going to happen.'

Multiple guardians even professed to have seen videos on social media of the attacker engaged in violent behavior, adding that their children knew about the reputation of the student and went to school in fear.

'There was a violent track record of this child, and I want to call on one of the board members to evaluate the 'Safe2Say' program, call a special committee, just like you did for the renovations at the high school, to evaluate everything that happened and report back to the community,' said Shannon Main.

One parent, Sarah Batory, hammered home the trauma that these kids have been put through, saying that her son told her 'when I close my eyes, all I see is [the victim's] blood.'

The meeting ended with the anger of the parents yelling further questions at the board.

'There is no comment that we are able to make at this time, because of everyone's due process rights, and because of the law. I do wish that I could answer those questions. My heart is broken as well,' board Vice President Christian Fusco said.

'As an educator, as your superintendent, and as a father, I am appalled by what happened,' Superintendent Todd Bauer said

Multiple parents professed to have seen videos on social media of the attacker engaged in violent behavior, adding that their children knew about the reputation of the student and went to school in fear

Superintendent Todd Bauer could only give a similarly unsatisfactory statement.

'As an educator, as your superintendent, and as a father, I am appalled by what happened,' he said.

'We are currently pursuing the details leading up to this incident, and why it occurred. We are also collaborating with our local law enforcement, and their investigation, as we work to ensure that something like this cannot happen again in our schools.'

'Such behavior has no place in our schools. You expect better, we expect better, and certainly I do as well,' he added.

The attacker has been charged by police with aggravated assault and has a hearing scheduled for Monday.

The 12-year-old girl she attacked is still recovering in the hospital.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has welcomed Brittany Higgins' expression that she was 'sorry' for hurt caused to Senator Linda Reynolds and has called for further examination of the government's handling of the former political staffer's $2.4m compensation payout.

In a landmark judgment in the Federal Court last week, Justice Michael Lee found that Ms Higgins was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann.

As he dismissed Lehrmann's defamation suit against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson, Justice Lee found, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann had sexually assaulted Ms Higgins inside the office of their then-boss Senator Reynolds in Parliament House in March 2019.

Ms Higgins, in speaking for the first time about the judgment, released a statement via social media on Saturday night.

She thanked Justice Lee for taking into a 'trauma-informed approach' in his judgment and said she hoped to move on with her life.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has welcomed Brittany Higgins ' expression that she was 'sorry' for hurt caused to Senator Linda Reynolds and has called for further examination of the government's handling of the former political staffer's $2.4m compensation payout

As he dismissed Lehrmann's defamation suit against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson , Justice Lee found, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann had sexually assaulted Ms Higgins inside the office of their then-boss Senator Reynolds in Parliament House in March 2019

She also offered an olive branch to Senator Reynolds, who is currently pursuing defamation action against Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz.

Justice Lee, in his judgment, rubbished claims of a political cover-up made during The Project broadcast, finding that Senator Reynolds had wanted the police called.

He described the allegations as being 'without reasonable foundation' which caused 'much collateral damage'.

He also found that Fiona Brown, the chief of staff in Senator Reynolds' office at the time, had gone 'out of her way to reassure Ms Higgins and supported and assisted her in contacting the police'.

In her statement, Ms Higgins said that she did not agree with 'all of Justice Lee's findings', but she did 'respect his observations about the many people scarred and damaged in the aftermath of my rape.'

'Senator Reynolds and Fiona Brown have also been hurt and for that I am also sorry,' Ms Higgins said in her statement.

'My perceptions and feelings about what happened in the days and weeks after my rape are different from theirs.

'I deeply regret that we have not yet found common ground.

'I hope we can resolve our differences with a better understanding of each other's experience.'

She also offered an olive branch to Senator Reynolds, who is currently pursuing defamation action against Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz

On Sunday, Mr Dutton told ABC's Insiders that Ms Higgins' statement was 'gracious'

On Sunday, Mr Dutton told ABC's Insiders that Ms Higgins' statement was 'gracious'.

'I don't believe any workplace should be unsafe for women, or for men for that matter, and there are a lot of changes that have taken place at Parliament House which is a good thing,' Mr Dutton said.

He added that he thought Senator Reynolds should be offered a full apology, though he noted: 'That's a party for the court and for the parties'.

Mr Dutton has previously said he supported calls for the details of Ms Higgins' $2.4m compensation payout from the Commonwealth being referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Documents released by the Federal Court during Lehrmann's defamation trial revealed that Ms Higgins received $2,445,000 from the government after settling her personal injury claim with the Commonwealth following mediation.

The deed of settlement and release revealed that Ms Higgins received $400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation, $1.48m for lost earnings, $220,000 for medical expenses, $100,000 for 'past and future domestic assistance' and $245,000 for her legal costs.

In her claim, Ms Higgins said she was the victim of sexual assault and associated physical injuries, psychiatric injuries, was subject to bullying and harassment and that the Commonwealth had failed to provide adequate support.

Senator Reynolds has previously raised concerns about the speed of the process, as well as claiming she was denied the chance to take part in mediation.

Mr Dutton said the issue was not with Ms Higgins' and her lawyers' actions during the payout.

Brittany Higgins offered an olive branch to Senator Linda Reynolds and Fiona Brown in her statement

'I don't think the problem in relation to the payout is on Brittany's side,' Mr Dutton said.

'I think it's on the government side and others have pointed that out.

'If there is inappropriate that Katy Gallagher and others tried to eke out of an alleged sexual assault, firstly that reflects poorly on Katy Gallagher, but others as well.'

Ms Gallagher was not involved in Ms Higgins' pay out. But she has been targeted by the opposition with questions about her knowledge of the her allegations before they were aired publicly.

Lehrmann faced trial in the ACT Supreme Court in late 2022 after pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

His trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the Director of Public Prosecutions abandoned the trial due to concerns for Ms Higgins' welfare, leading to the charge being dropped.
He sparked backlash after his messages to Torres were revealed, where Hadid branded him 'worse than the rats of the New York sewage system'

Gigi and Bella Hadid's Palestinian-American father has apologized for a slew of hateful messages he sent to New York Congressman Ritchie Torres.

Mohamed Hadid, 75, offered a tepid walk back of his attack on Torres, where he began: 'I need to apologize. Not for the anger I feel but for the words I used to express that anger.'

'I intended to express how Mr. Torres is a shill being used by Israel,' the real estate developer added, echoing much of the sentiment in the rest of his apology.

His remarks followed a report by the New York Post detailing how Hadid has spent the past few months targeting Torres online for the congressman's support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Mohamed Hadid, father of models Bella and Gigi (pictured together in 2016), offered an apology for insulting messages sent to Congressman Ritchie Torres, saying: 'I need to apologize. Not for the anger I feel but for the words I used to express that anger'

New York Congressman Ritchie Torres said after receiving the barrage of abuse that 'Mr. Hadid felt so at ease demonizing and dehumanizing a black Member of Congress reveals a tragic truth about our politics'

Hadid offered a tepid walk back of his messages to Torres, where he followed up his apology by branding the representative a 'shill being used by Israel'

In texts to Torres, Hadid branded him 'worse than the rats of the New York sewage system'.

Torres, who is gay, was also told by the model's father that he 'might get a job as a bouncer in a gay bar', and that he should 'dress as KKK to hide that ugly gray colored face of yours.'

In the face of backlash to the messages being published, Hadid issued an apology for his language, but took the opportunity to throw a few more insults Torres' way.

He said that Torres is a 'shill' for Israel, 'a state that not only 'mistreats black and brown people but pinkwashes their atrocities using their projected gay rights as a shield for their human rights violations.'

'My feeling after 76 years of being a refugee from the country where I and my ancestors were born and watching a genocide unfold are at an all time high,' he continued.

'I am watching United States politicians work as AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] messengers of genocide.

'I used the wrong words to express this anger but the anger is warranted. To send black and brown and other marginalized communities to do the dirty work of two countries who have never respected them is wrong.

'I apologize to my community for directing the conversation to this. And even for a minute away from Palestine. All eyes on Palestine. Free Palestine.'

Hadid held similar criticisms of Torres in his barrage of messages to the representative, which also included: 'You are just unusual Black and colorful mouth for Israeli and AIPAC and looking for payday of over 500K.'

Torres has ben outspoken in his support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks. He is pictured touring a destroyed home at Kibbutz Nir Oz on April 01, 2024 in Nir Oz, Israel

Nova festival survivor Ofir Amir (L) speaks with US Rep. Ritchie Torres (R) during a visit to the Nova festival memorial on April 01, 2024 in Re'im, Israel

Congressman Ritchie Torres speaks at the IAC National Summit at The Diplomat Beach Resort on December 11, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida

Mohamed has previously called president Joe Biden a 'Zionist war criminal' who will be 'hunted down like the Nazis'

Torres, who made history when in 2021 he was the first openly gay African American and openly gay Hispanic member of Congress, said he felt 'dehumanized' by the messages from Hadid.

Speaking to the Post, Torres said: 'Whether it is dehumanizing me as worse than the rats of the NYC sewage system or telling me to dress like the KKK to hide that gray colored face of yours, Mr. Hadid has hurled just about every racist insult at me shorting of calling me the N-word.

'That Mr. Hadid felt so at ease demonizing and dehumanizing a black Member of Congress reveals a tragic truth about our politics: if you are a person of color and pro-Israel, you are fair game for racist invective.'

Hadid previously came under attack after posting an image on Instagram showing the flag of Israel split with the flag of the Nazi Party, comparing the two.

The post read that the Nazi Party had been 'founded on Aryan supremacy' while Israel was 'founded on Jewish supremacy.'

It also compared the Nazi's 'signature method' of the 'gas chambers' to Israel's 'signature method' of 'carpet bombing'.

Mohamed, who was born into a Palestinian family in Nazareth, captioned the post: 'And both added and labeled the victims as terrorists, regardless of other activities.

'Some Palestinians and some Jews even changed their names.'

Last month he called President Joe Biden a 'Zionist war criminal' who will be 'hunted down like the Nazis'.

The image also compared the method of the Nazi gas chambers to the bombing of Gaza, and Auschwitz to the Gaza Strip

L-R Bella Hadid, Yolanda Foster, Gigi Hadid and Mohamed Hadid attend the Victoria's Secret After Party at the Grand Palais on November 30, 2016 in Paris, France

Bella was pictured attending a pro-Palestine rally in New York City in May of 2021

In yet another scathing post against Israel and the US, he wrote: 'This is Biden's war on the Palestinian people.

'He will be in the court with the rest of the Zionist Criminals. We will hunt them down like they did the Nazis.'

Hadid has previously stepped in to defend his model daughters, who are outspoken about their support for Palestine.

'My kids always have followed their intuition when it comes to human torture and human nature - what happens to humans on earth. From the disaster in Turkey to the famine in Africa and homelessness in Southeast Asia, they have been involved in these things, building schools for UNICEF and so on.

'It's always been a humanitarian issue in their blood, nothing to do with being Palestinian,' he said.

Gigi sparked outrage with her Instagram story labeling Manasra a 'child prisoner of war.' In 2013, Manasra - then 12 - went on a stabbing rampage in Jerusalem.

She was also slammed for sharing a Reel in about Israelis harvesting Palestinian organs that had been posted online by a TikTok make-up artist from Cardiff, Wales.

The video highlighted a documentary in which Israeli health officials talked about doctors harvesting organs from in the 1990s.

In her apology note, Hadid wrote: 'It is important to me to share real stories about the hardships that Palestinians have endured and continue to endure, but this weekend I shared something that I did not fact check or think deeply about prior to reposting.

'Unfortunately, I used the wrong example to make that point, and I regret that.' Bella Hadid has also been outspoken in her support of Palestine since the conflict broke out.
A trendy Chinese restaurant has been fined after council inspectors made 'revolting' discoveries of mould and rodent faeces in the kitchen.

An officer from Brisbane City Council was sent to King Tea Chinese restaurant in Paddington on September 6, 2022, after Queensland Health received a complaint of rats in the restaurant.

The officer found rodent droppings, rodenticide, mould and a number of other food safety breaches which led to 10 charges of failing to take all responsible steps to ensure compliance to the Food Act.

The restaurant's parent company Livin La Vida Latroba Pty Ltd and general manager, Dane Huitfeldt, plead guilty to all charges in Brisbane Magistrates Court last week.

The company was fined $23,000 while Huitfeldt was fined $2,500 for the breaches which presiding Magistrate, Julian Noud, described as 'simply revolting'.

The general manager and parent company of a King Tea Chinese (pictured), in Brisbane, have pleaded guilty to 10 breaches of the Food Act

Council prosecutor, Amye Fairbairn, told the court that while there was an 'active risk' of mould contamination, the presence of rodent dropping was the 'most serious risk'.

'(Faeces were) found in multiple places around the premises, including both in food preparation areas, storage areas and in the dining areas,' Ms Fairbarn said, the Courier Mail reports.

Defence solicitor, Adam Dwyer, said his clients were 'embarrassed and remorseful' over the state of the kitchen.

The court heard that Huitfeldt runs four other restaurants and had an 'exemplary' record having never drawn the attention of council prior to the September inspection.

Mr Dwyer said his client had been left 'in a bad situation because of the negligence and the inability to do the job that he paid someone very well to do'.

Despite weekly meeting being held between himself and various managers, the state of the business was 'never conveyed' to Huitfeldt.

'Huitfeldt accepts the fact that ultimately its his responsibility to ensure compliance and then ultimately, all of this falls within his area of responsibility.

'But clearly the person that he employed to manage this business had let things go.'

Rodent droppings and rodenticide (pictured) were found at the restaurant by an officer for the Brisbane City Council after Queensland Health received a complaint of rats

The officer also found a number of other food safety breaches, including mould and other unidentified matter on store room shelves (pictured)

Magistrate Noud said all citizens deserve to enjoy eating at a restaurant while being 'protected from getting unwell'.

He noted they have a 'very good prospects of rehabilitation' and had taken the incident to change how the business is operated.

'The defendant understands the serious consequences of his offending and has importantly taken steps to ensure that at least for him, it doesnt happen again in the future,' Magistrate Noud said.

No convictions were recorded for either defendant.
Lara Trump managed to handle an awkward moment during an episode of her podcast when she held a question and answer session with one viewer asking if she was 'as stupid as she appears to be.'

Without missing a beat, Trump, who is the wife of Eric Trump, continued calmly and turned her likely rehearsed answer into a direct attack on the Democratic Party.

'Oh! This is a nice one, "Is Lara Trump as stupid as she appears to be?" What is it thatthat's stupid? Let me ask you that, sir or ma'am. I amagain, I say this all the time, I'm just giving you information and the facts,' Trump responded.

Lara Trump is currently co-chair of the Republican National Committee and she suggested those who vote for the Democrats do so because they are influenced by emotion rather than facts.

Lara Trump smoothly handled a tough question about her intelligence, redirecting it to criticize the Democratic Party

'Is Lara Trump as stupid as she appears to be?' read one of the questions from viewers

Those responding on social media to Lara Trump's question on her own podcast

'What is stupid is voting for a party that hates you and hates this country. What's stupid is voting for a party that ultimately wants the destruction of America and I assume you are one of those people.

'Nothing stupid over here. I've actually done my research, I actually have the real information, I am actually not influenced by emotion but cold, hard facts,' she continued.

'You may want to get on that bandwagon because I'll tell you what, it's all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows now, but if something happens, you're going to look back and you're going to say, "Man, I bet Lara Trump was right. I should've listened to her."

Those responding online had some more comical takes on what her answer could have been.

'The answer to your question caller, is yes. Yes, she is,' wrote Mike Morton.

'She could have just said yes,' added Cooper.

'Im prepared to wager that nobody will ever look back and say man, Lara Trump was right,' tweeted one.

'I can answer this. Yes, yes she is. If you don't believe me, just look at who she willingly married,' added another X user.

Trump emphasized how she placed factual information over emotional influences

Lara Trump said earlier in the week morning that her father-in-law's reelection campaign raised $1.5 million on the first day of the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump on Monday

Last month, her father-in-law, Donald Trump completed his takeover of the Republican Party as Lara was elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

She took over one of the top roles alongside another Trump loyalist, after Ronna McDaniel stood aside.

Democrats immediately dismissed her elevation, saying her 'nepo title' would ensure another disastrous set of elections for her party.

And although Trump's team has promised not to use RNC funds to pay his personal legal bills, his key lieutenants will now face little challenge.

Lara Trump is the wife of Donald Trump's son Eric Trump

She had been actively campaigning for Trump's reelection bid even before she was elected Republican National Committee co-chair in March. She is pictured here in January 2024

Lara Trump appears on stage as former President Donald Trump speaks during an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds on February 24, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina

Lara Trump has even said she believed voters would be OK with the party footing the bill.

'As co-chair, I will be laser-focused on protecting our elections, ensuring that the RNC's money is spent with maximum impact, and building out key capabilities to ensure that we win close races on the margins,' said Lara.

'Everything I do at this committee will have one focus: re-electing Donald Trump, flipping the Senate, and expanding the House this November.'

She is expected to focus on TV appearances and fundraising.
A campaigner who was threatened with arrest for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestine protest has warned London is becoming a 'police-enforced Jew-free zone'.

Gideon Falter has called for Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to resign over his handling of six months of protests which has 'dented the confidence of Jewish Londoners'.

Mr Falter, who is the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said he was 'treated like a criminal' by police as he walked past the march in Aldwych on Saturday, April 13.

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable'.

However, it then issued a second apology after being accused of 'victim blaming' when it claimed in its previous statement that campaigners filming themselves being abused are being 'provocative'.

Gideon Falter demanded action after he was stopped by police after trying to cross the road near a pro-Palestine march

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable' but was later accused of 'victim blaming' after saying the campaigners filming themselves was 'provocative'

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Falter questioned why police officers allowed protesters to call him and his friends, 'scum', disgusting' and 'Nazis' as well as shouting 'lock them up'.

'I didn't have a flag or a placard or anything that would in any way mark me out from any other normal Londoner except for the fact that I was wearing a skullcap,' he said.

READ MORE 'Openly Jewish' man threatened with arrest in London tells Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley he should quit Advertisement

'How dare he pick me out because I'm Jewish  and tell me where I'm allowed to walk?,' he added.

'By the actions of the Metropolitan Police, it's not just that central London is a 'no-go zone' for Jews, as has been said previously, but a police-enforced Jew-free zone.'

Mr Fatler went on to call for Sir Mark Rowley to resign claiming he had 'lost control of the streets' and needs to 'either resign or be removed' for 'change' to occur.

It comes as former home secretary Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

Ms Braverman used an op-ed in The Sunday Telegraph to demand Sir Mark's resignation, saying people who were 'flagrantly antisemitic' were being 'waved on by the police'.

She said: 'Either this is gross incompetence, or it's a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way.'

Mr Falter, as well as former home secretary Suella Braverman, has called on Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to step down

Mr Falter, who is the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said he was 'treated like a criminal' by police as he walked past the march in Aldwych on Saturday, April 13

Mr Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: 'The time has come for Sir Mark Rowley to go'

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go.

Mr Dowden told The Sunday Telegraph that the force had been 'disrespecting' Jews while Lord Walney, the Government's adviser on political violence, accused the Met of displaying 'institutional antisemitism'.

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Asked on Sky News whether Sir Mark Rowley should stand down, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho did not answer either way, saying: 'I think what happened was completely wrong.

'It's not right that one group of people in society should be told they can't go around their daily lives because it might be a provocation to someone else. That's not how equality works in this country.

'So I do think they've got it wrong. I think it's right that they've apologised, and ultimately, what happens next is a matter for the Labour London Mayor who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.'

The Mayor of London does have the power to effectively sack the Commissioner, but can only do so with the permission of the Home Secretary, who can also require the Mayor to dismiss the head of the Met.

Labour's shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said Sir Mark should not resign over the force's handling of the pro-Palestinian protests.

'I can understand the strength of feeling and as I say that footage was very concerning, and I can understand where Mr Falter is coming from,' she told Sky.

'But I don't think that the resignation of the Met's Commissioner is the way forward. I think the police should take all steps to maintain community confidence from all communities in the way that they go about their business on the streets of London and elsewhere.

'They have got to make sure they police the protests in line with the laws of our land, and enforce the laws of our land.'

Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: 'Everybody must feel safe going about in London wherever they please.

'The way the original incident was dealt with by the Met was concerning and the original response put out by them was insensitive and wrong.

'The Met have an extremely difficult job - particularly so when it comes to operational decisions taken while policing marches - but in the end the Met must have the confidence of the communities they serve and it is right that they have apologised for the way the incident was handled and their original public response.'

Policing minister Chris Philp said on Saturday he was 'deeply concerned' and would meet Sir Mark the following week to discuss the incident.

He said: 'No-one should be told their religion is provocative, nor an innocent person threatened with arrest solely because of someone else's anticipated unreasonable reaction.'

Home Secretary James Cleverly has also written to the Met and London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the incident.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We welcome the Met Police's apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish - or of any other race or religion - should never be seen as provocative.

'Anyone of any religion should be free to go about their lives and feel safe doing so.'

Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist (above) accused counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches of being 'provocative' in an earlier statement

The Met Police has apologised (above) for an earlier statement in which it suggested counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches were being deliberately 'provocative'

The CAA labelled the earlier statement 'atrocious' and claimed the Met was not outlining how it would protect Jewish people in London

On Friday night the London fore had to apologise and retracted its initial statement on the incident after it was slammed as 'appalling victim blaming'.

The Met's initial statement accused counter-protesters at the regular rallies of being 'provocative' by filming themselves as they turned up on the routes to express their views. Mr Falter maintains he was 'going for a walk' after attending synagogue.

It sparked a furious response from the Campaign Against Antisemitism - which is run by Mr Falter - was accused the force of 'abject victim blaming'.

The CAA labelled the earlier statement 'atrocious' and claimed the Met was not outlining how it would protect Jewish people in London.

Sharing the new statement, the Met said: 'Earlier we posted a statement about a video released on Thursday evening by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

'That statement has now been removed. We apologise for the offence it caused.'

The statement read: 'The use of the term 'openly Jewish' by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology.

'We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence.

People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London on Saturday, including Palestine and Israel national flags

Pro-Israel protesters hold signs stating 'Hamas are terrorists' and 'release the hostages'

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel

'This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

'Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.

'Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. It's important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.'

Sir Mark added : 'Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city in which everyone feels safe. We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.

'Some of our actions have increased this concern. I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week. Today, as with every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.'

The campaign group is now calling on Jewish Londoners to go for a walk being 'quite openly Jewish' on Saturday April 27, the date of the next pro-Palestine march.

It insists the #WalkTogether event - which will have at least one predetermined meeting point - is not an organised protest.

Mr Falter said in an email to the Met Police shared on CAA's account on X, formerly Twitter: 'I am not planning a protest on 27th April. I am going for a walk as a private individual.

'I have not yet decided where I will walk, however it is likely that whilst walking I will be quite openly Jewish.

'Others might decide to join me. They might not. That is a matter for them. They might also be quite openly Jewish. They might not. That is also a matter for them.'

The row broke out after the campaign group published video footage of the officer describing Mr Falter as 'openly Jewish' during a protest in central London on April 13.

In the clip, another officer told Mr Falter he would be arrested if he did not leave the area because he was 'causing a breach of peace with all these other people' as his presence was 'antagonising'.

In a statement, the CAA's chief executive, Mr Falter, said: 'Racists, extremists and terrorist sympathisers have watched the excuses and inertia of the Met under his command and been emboldened by his inaction at precisely the moment when he should be signalling a renewed determination to crack down on this criminality.

'What the Met under Sir Mark has done to the Jewish community over the course of six months is utterly unforgivable and it is time for him to go. Enough is enough.'
The family of a father who has not been seen for two days have issued a desperate plea for help to find the missing camper.

Steven Clough, 58, was last seen leaving a campsite at Skipworth Reserve in Kevington, around three hours north-east of Melbourne, around 2pm on Friday.

The 58-year-old told his partner Tammy he would be going for a ride on his motorbike near the dirt bike tracks close to Mount Terrible.

His family have not heard back from Mr Clough who usually informs loved ones about his whereabouts.

Police are searching for Steven Clough (pictured), who was last seen leaving a campsite in Skipworth Reserve in Kevington, around three hours north-east of Melbourne on Friday

Sonia Clough (pictured right) urged locals and anyone who may have been in the area to look for her father

Concerned about his welfare, they contacted police who have since begun a large scale search for the experienced camper and dirt bike rider.

Officers including detectives from specialist units launched an extensive ground search on Friday.

The airwing was also deployed by police to assist with the search and rescue effort.

On Sunday, Mr Clough's daughter Sonia, thanked those including members of the public, who have joined the search to look for her missing father.

'He's a smart man, he knows the bush well, he's done it his whole life and he doesn't make stupid mistakes,' she told Nine News.

'Help look out for him, find him, bring him home - especially for my mum.'

Sonia said she her mother have been left shocked and stressed not knowing where Mr Clough is.

'Just hoping that he's not hurt out there and we'll see him again,' she said.

She took to Facebook on Saturday to urge anyone who may have seen him on the motorbike trail or near the campsite to contact her.

Inspector Rachel Goss said police vehicles had encountered rough and rugged terrain during the ground search.

Police and emergency vehicles (pictured) have so far encountered rough and rugged terrain, during the search and rescue effort

Inspector Goss said that although Mr Clough would be well equipped with resources in case he got into any difficulty, she still held concerns for his welfare due to the cold weather over the past two nights.

Officers who resumed their search on Saturday were bogged down by unfavourable weather conditions however, the search and rescue effort resumed on Sunday.

Mr Clough is described as Caucasian, with a medium build and short hair.

He was last seen wearing light coloured motorcycle clothing and a black helmet with green stripes.

His motorbike is a black, white, and orange KTM 350 dirt bike.

Anyone with information or has seen Mr Clough has been urged to contact Benalla Police station on 03 5760 0200.
More than 180 politicians have called for victims of the contaminated blood scandal to be paid damages immediately.

The calls come after thousands of people contracted HIV and hepatitis C in what has been described as the worst treatment catastrophe in NHS history.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and London mayor Sadiq Khan are now among those calling for families to be compensated as soon as a long-awaiting public inquiry report is published within weeks.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin have also backed the campaign which follows years of agony for bereaved relatives.

Up to 30,000 patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were given tainted medical products in the 1970s and 1980s, with thousands infected with HIV and hepatitis C as a result.

Mike Dorricott was among the victims, dying aged 47 in 2015 after being infected in 1982

Colin Smith, pictured on holiday in Devon, was infected in 1983 as a baby and died in 1990 aged seven

Nicky Calder was given an infected blood product to treat haemophilia before being diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and dying in 1999 aged 25

At least 2,900 NHS patients - including young children - died from being infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

Infected donations came from US prisoners, sex workers and drug addicts, who were paid to give their blood to the manufacturers of the product called Factor VIII.

Most victims had haemophilia  a rare blood-clotting disorder  and relied on regular injections of the products to survive.

All surviving victims and their bereaved partners are entitled to an interim 100,000 pay-out.

But the existing scheme leaves out parents who lost their children and kids orphaned when their parents died.

Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry into the scandal, has previously called for a full compensation programme to be set-up immediately - and he also demanded it be widened to include other victims who remain 'unrecognised'.

The Government wanted to wait for the conclusion of the inquiry ordered in 2017 by then-Prime Minister Theresa May before setting up a full scheme.

But MPs called for swifter action given that someone dies due to infected blood 'every four days'.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, a former Health Secretary, told the inquiry last July the Government accepted its 'moral duty' to compensate those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.

The father of Colin Smith (pictured) has told the infected blood inquiry: 'We should be living our lives now, but we will never really be able to until we are given the full truth'

Demonstrators outside the Infected Blood inquiry in London last July held placards urging the Government to recognise all victims of the NHS scandal

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak came face to face with protesters and campaigners when he gave evidence to the inquiry on July 26 last year

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, a former Health Secretary, told the inquiry the Government accepted its 'moral duty' to compensate those affected

But he warned that further work was needed before payments could be made.

That same month Rishi Sunak was heckled as he told victims of the infected blood scandal their decades-long wait for compensation would have to continue.

One woman walked out in tears as the Prime Minister said he could only speak about 'the Government I'm responsible for'.

His government was defeated in the Commons last December when dozens of Conservative MPs rebelled to support a Labour policy to speed up access to payment.

Tory rebels included former ministers Sir Robert Buckland, Damian Green, Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Chloe Smith.

It marked Mr Sunak's first Commons defeat as PM and the first defeat on a whipped vote since the last general election in 2019.

Proposed legislation is set to come back before the Lords later this month when the Government will come under fresh pressure to introduce a timeframe for damages, with the Sunday Times today saying more than 180 politicians are in support.

Mr Johnson told the newspaper: 'I am pleased that the government has already accepted the case for compensation, and this matter should be resolved swiftly.

Protesters were seen outside the inquiry in central London calling for justice last July

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is among more than 180 politicians calling for victims to be given immediate compensation pay-outs

The calls have also been backed by Greater Manchester's Labour mayor Andy Burnham

READ MORE: ITV orders a drama depicting the contaminated blood scandal after Mr Bates Vs The Post Office sparked nationwide uproar Advertisement

'The process of delivering justice for the victims of this tragedy and their families has been too long, and justice delayed is justice denied.

'Despite the government accepting the "moral case" for compensation and having had Sir Brians final recommendations on compensation since April 2023, backed up by a Commons vote last December, victims are still waiting for ministers to act.'

Charities such as the Haemophilia Society and the Terrence Higgins Trust are also supporting the calls for immediate payments.

Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson has tabled a Commons amendment urging ministers to establish a compensation body inside three months of the Victims and Prisoners Bill coming into force.

Among the many victims were Colin Smith, who was infected in 1983 as a baby and died in 1990 aged seven after contracting HIV.

Others included Mike Dorricott, infected in 1982 before dying in 2015 aged 47, and Nicky Calder who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and died in 1999 aged 25.

Colin's father, also named Colin, told the inquiry: 'We should be living our lives now, but we will never really be able to until we are given the full truth.

'I am not willing to have gone through all of this and be told that they did nothing wrong.'

Colin Smith, seen on his last holiday in Devon in 1988, died in 1990 after contracting HIV

Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson has tabled a Commons amendment urging ministers to establish a compensation body inside three months of a new bill coming into force

Nicky's mother Rosemary Calder, who chairs the Tainted Blood Bereaved Parent Support Group, has said that young haemophiliacs such as her son - treated at the age of three with infected blood - were used as 'guinea pigs'.

She said: 'No consent was sought from parents, and we were kept totally in the dark about any risks involved with the treatment, and the research taking place.'

Mr Dorricott, a mild haemophiliac, had been given Factor VIII when given surgery to have four wisdom teeth removed in December 1982 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

He was later diagnosed with hepatitis C and died in 2015 from liver cancer linked to the disease, leaving behind wife Ann and two daughters Sarah and Eleanor.

A Government spokesman said of the infected blood scandal: 'This was an appalling tragedy, and our thoughts remain with all those impacted.

'We are clear that justice needs to be delivered for the victims and have already accepted the moral case for compensation.

This covers a set of extremely complex issues, and it is right we fully consider the needs of the community and the far-reaching impact that this scandal has had on their lives.

'The Government will provide an update to parliament on next steps through an oral statement within 25 sitting days of the inquirys final report being published.'

Rosemary Calder, chair of the Tainted Blood Bereaved Parent Support Group, lost her son Nicky Calder who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985 and died in 1999 aged 25

Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood transfusions in the 1970s and 1980s (stock image)

Mr Sunak previously told the inquiry last July that the scandal was 'a tragedy which should not have happened and we must right the wrong'.

He said in his witness statement: 'The Government is committed in responding to this inquiry's final report when it is published and I understand that work is underway across government to ensure that a substantial response on a full compensation scheme can be included.

'I am aware of the complexities of preparing an adequate compensation scheme, including the likely need for primary legislation.

'As is the usual process for managing policy decisions, this work is being led by other ministers and I will be sighted in relation to the scope of the scheme and intended response at the appropriate stage when they have a formal set of recommendations to make based on their expertise.'
Several top Tory MPs have urged the UK's foreign secretary Lord David Cameron not to restore funding to the 'Hamas-linked' UN aid agency for Palestinians.

The group of Tories, which includes former Cabinet minister Therese Villiers, said it would be a disgrace to restore funds to the UN's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and that doing do would be 'morally bankrupt.'

The UK was one of 18 nations to suspend funding for the Palestine-focused relief agency after Israel alleged that a dozen of its workers directly took part in the October 7 attack that sparked the bloodiest conflict in the Middle East for decades.

The Israeli dossier of information was heavily by several media outlets, including Sky News, Channel 4 and the FT, all of whom reported that no direct evidence was shown to back the claims up.

The UN has launched its own still-ongoing inquiry into the allegations, due to be submitted today, and the UK's Foreign Office is waiting for a review into UNRWA's neutrality, which is due to be published this week, before it makes a decision.

Villiers, who wrote to Cameron to urge him not to restore funding, told the Telegraph that the agency was 'completely discredited.'

Lord Cameron (pictured) was urged not to restore funding for UNRWA

Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 left 1,200 people, mostly civilians, dead

Palestinian men walk amidst the rubble of a UNRWA school in Gaza City, which was destroyed overnight in an Israeli airstrike on October 8, 2023

'Funding should not be restored. We need a new organisation to take over provision of aid to Palestinians which is not tainted by the failings of UNRWA.'

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, said: 'UNRWA has been categorically discredited and it would be a disgrace for taxpayers' money to be diverted towards its activities.

'Hamas uses UNRWA for military activities and UNRWA has totally failed to deal with it. It would be wholly inappropriate for the UK Government to fund UNRWA.'

Greg Smith, MP for Buckingham, said that there were better organisations to allocate funding for, and that restoring UNRWA's funding would be 'morally bankrupt.'

'Other aid organisations operating in Gaza need to be the ones to deliver the aid. UNRWA cannot be trusted, they are in the hands of Hamas.'

Since October 2022, the UK's Foreign Office has given UNRWA 27million in aid.

There were plans to hand over a further 11million by October this year.

UNRWA initially lost more than 600m in pledged donations after the 18 donor states pulled funding for the aid organisation in light of the allegations.

But already several, including Australia, Canada, Sweden and the European Commission, have reversed their funding freezes.

On top of this, many Gulf states stepped up their support for the agency.

The UAE donated an additional 4million in February, while Qatar and Iraq each pledged around 20million each a month later.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, pledged an additional 32million to UNRWA through its own humanitarian agency, leaving the impact on UNRWA's overall budget up in the air.

MailOnline has contacted UNRWA for comment.
Britain's spy agencies have launched a recruitment drive for Farsi speakers to combat Iran's growing threat to the world after Tehran-run hit squads are linked to 15 plots on UK soil.

The UK's spy agencies MI5, MI6 and GCHQ have foiled at least 15 plots linked to Iran and the spooks are hoping that British Farsi speakers will step up to the plate to fill the specialist roles.

Starting at 40,000 recruits could be involved in live operational work such as listening, intercepting and translating conversations to help handlers target new assets.

The MI6 building in London is the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service

The job advert says: 'Whether you're based at MI5, MI6 or GCHQ, you'll play a role in helping operational teams gather intelligence from foreign language materials.

The new roles come as Iran-run hit squads are targeting those who speak out against the regime and its enforcer, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Journalist Pouria Zeraati, 36, who works for Iran International, a London-based Persian speaking news channel was ambushed outside his home in Wimbledon last month

Investigators believe the three culprits were proxy agents hired by Tehran and they fled the UK just hours after the attack.

Mr Zeraati had previously reported on Iran's human rights violations.

He said a man approached him, asking for 3 before another man appeared and stabbed him in the leg.

Iranian's march past a mural of their late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini (right), Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and Basij paramilitary forces

The two fled in a car being driven by a third man as the journalist lay bleeding in the street.

Mr Zeraaati believes it was a 'warning shot' from the regime.

Hi wife, Oldouz Rezvani has also been approached by threatening men who warned her that they knew where her family lived.

The journalist is recovering from his injuries but living under 24-hour police protection.

Mr Zeraati has called on the government to categorise the IRGC a terrorist group.

He said: 'It will also send a clear message to the regime in Iran that enough is enough.

'The whole of Western civilization is in danger because of the threat the IRGC poses.'

Mr Zeraati has received no explanation as to why he was targeted and Iran's charge d'afaires in the UK has denied that the country was involved in the incident but Iran has previously called for the killing of those in the UK who pose a threat.

In 2022, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC Major Gen Hossein Salami warned: 'You've tried us before. Watch out because we're coming for you.'
A nine-month-old baby stabbed during the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction attack has been discharged from hospital.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park made the announcement on Sunday revealing the baby, Harriet, would continue to receive treatment.

'In a positive development, I can confirm the child who has been receiving care at Sydney Children's Hospital following last weekend's tragic events at Bondi Junction has been discharged home,' Mr Park said in a statement.

'She continues to receive care from the expert clinicians at Sydney Children's Hospital.'

A nine-month-old baby stabbed during the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction attack has been discharged from hospital

A candlelight vigil will be held in Sydney 's eastern suburbs on Sunday for victims of the Bondi Junction attack which has shocked the country

The babys mother, osteopath Ashlee Good, 38, was one of six people killed during the horrific attack in Sydney's eastern suburbs last Saturday.

Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, were the other five victims killed.

Lone knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, stabbed 12 more innocent shoppers during the terrifying rampage.

Ms Good and her baby were the first to be attacked with the desperate mother forced to hand her child to strangers to save her life.

The NSW government and Waverley Council have organised a candlelight vigil to be held at 5pm at Dolphin Court at Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon.

The vigil will involve a one-minute silence and people are being asked to bring their own candles.

'I think if we can stand together during the difficult periods, we can send a message that there are far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and there is evil,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Saturday.

'Those that have lost loved ones have said unanimously that they can feel the community support behind them and that they know that they're not alone.'

Mr Minns said the vigil would be an opportunity to 'stand by those that have lost loved ones and remember those that have been killed.'

Mr Tahir, who had come to Australia after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, was killed attempting to protect shoppers from Cauchi.

'He is not just a hero for us but the whole nation,' Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association national president Adnan Qadir said.

Lone knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, stabbed 12 more innocent shoppers during the terrifying rampage

Lone knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, stabbed 12 more innocent shoppers during the terrifying rampage

Police officer Ashley Wildey is mourning the loss of his fiancee Dawn Singleton

'We are here in large numbers to carry on Faraz's legacy by reflecting on his bravery, courage, and giving strength to our youth that they too must always be ready to serve others and, most importantly, this beautiful country.'

Counsellors and support services have been made available to emergency responders who have been on scene at multiple violent attacks in Sydney this week.

Ms Singleton, 25, the daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton, was due to marry her high school sweetheart Ashley Wildey when she was stabbed.

Friends and police colleagues rallied around a shattered Mr Wildey and have barely left his side in the last week.

While it's still early days, friends said that he's a 'tough kid' and hope that he will eventually return to the force.

'His police mates have been very, very good  the boys brought around hamburgers, chips and Coke and have stayed with him, talking and making sure he knows he is supported,' a close family friend told The Daily Telegraph.

'They don't want to lose him. He is very good at his job.

'He has always wanted to help people. He is young, and I know he has helped crack some cases already.'

The friend added that Mr Wildey visited Ms Singletons mum Julie on Wednesday to pay his respects.
Ofsted's one-word rulings could be scrapped in the wake of Ruth Perry's suicide after a coroner concluded that the damning inspection contributed to her death.

The headmaster, 53, took her own life in January last year - a month after Caversham Primary School in Reading was downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'.

The mother-of-two described the Ofsted ruling as the worst day of her life.

This week the government is expected to announce plans to replace the controversial system, which parents use as a guide when deciding where to send their children to school.

The move by the government is expected to be confirmed on Thursday after they publish an inquiry into the school inspectorate by MPs on the education committee, The Sunday Times reports.

Headmaster Ruth Perry, 53 , (pictured) took her own life in January last year

The Osted downgrade of Caversham Primary School (pictured) 'likely contributed' to Ruth Perry's death, a coroner concluded

Ruth's sister Professor Julia Waters (pictured) has been leading a campaign to change the controversial Ofsted system

The inquiry, which was undertaken by MPs last year, had urged the Education Department to develop a different system to the single word judgements 'as a priority'.

Ms Perry had been a pupil at the Berkshire primary school before she taught at the school for 12 years.

A coroner concluded that the November 2022 Ofsted inspection 'likely contributed' to her death.

In January, Ruth's sister Professor Julia Waters - who has been leading a campaign to change the rating system - told Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver that it was not enough 'to tell inspectors to be nicer' after an Oftsed inspection contributed to the headteacher sister's suicide.

She told Good Morning Britain: 'Something that I made very clear to Sir Martin yesterday in our meeting is that it's not good enough to train Ofsted inspectors to be decent human beings and to identify stress.

'The inspectors in Ruth's inspection wrote in their evidence that she was clearly very distressed but they carried on regardless.

'It's not enough to come in and have these sticking plaster things to sort out the symptoms.

'It's the system that creates that stress that needs to be addressed.

'My sister had no mental health problems prior to the inspection.

'It was the inspection that caused her mental health deterioration and eventually, tragically, led to her death.

'It's the system that needs to change rather than simply coming and in and trying to tell inspectors to be nicer people.'

An inquest had ruled that Mrs Perry took her own life after the watchdog downgraded her primary school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'.

The headteacher was left 'completely devastated' in the weeks following the watchdog's 'intimidating' inspection into Caversham Primary School in Reading last year, following safeguarding concerns, the coroner heard.

Speaking on behalf of Mrs Perry's family after the verdict, her sister said: 'Ruth was more than a victim of an inhumane schools inspection system. She was more than a headteacher. Ruth was a wonderful human being.

'Ruth's death has left a deep void in our lives. We all miss her deeply. We miss her every day.'

She continued: 'The Coroner's conclusions validate what our family has known for a long time  that Ruth took her own life as the direct result of the process, outcome and consequences of an Ofsted inspection of the school she led and loved, Caversham Primary School.

A video message of Ruth urging her pupils to 'talk to the people you love' during the Covid-19 pandemic emerged earlier this month

'The inquest into Ruth's death has shown the brutal inhumanity of the system of Ofsted inspections. Ofsted likes to judge people with single-word labels. We could judge the current Ofsted system with our own labels: callous, perverse and inhumane.

'Ruth's death, and this inquest, have laid bare the imbalance of power that exists in our education system.'

Previously, a heartbreaking video of the headmaster giving an inspirational Covid-19 lockdown message to her students before she took her own life after the damning Ofsted inspection.

Her family released the video earlier this month urging her pupils to 'talk to the people you love, be kind to each other, be hopeful' and to 'take care of yourselves and each other' during the pandemic.
Linda Reynolds has responded to Brittany Higgins' 'olive branch' apology with a blunt message vowing to continue with defamation proceedings against the former staffer and her partner David Sharaz.

Just hours later Ms Higgins posted a cryptic message to Instagram saying: 'Ah. Wonderful. Keep showing people the truth of who you really are.'

The post has since been deleted.

Ms Higgins had apologised to her former boss following a landmark Federal Court ruling that found her former Liberal Party colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, likely raped her in 2019.

The verdict was delivered in Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.

But Justice Michael Lee rejected Ms Higgins' claims Ms Reynolds was involved in a political cover-up of her sexual assault inside Parliament House.

Brittany Higgins (pictured) had apologised to her former boss following a landmark Federal Court ruling that found her former Liberal Party colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, likely raped her in 2019.

Linda Reynolds (centre) thanked Ms Higgins for her apology but said: 'If Ms Higgins does not accept Justice Lee's findings on the claims of coverup and mistreatment then, regrettably, it will have to be proved again in our trial set for July this year'

Ms Higgins shared a cryptic post to her Instagram (pictured) following Ms Reynolds' statement

In a statement on Saturday, Ms Higgins wrote: 'Senator Reynolds and Fiona Brown have also been hurt and for that I am also sorry.

'My perceptions and feelings about what happened in the days and weeks after my rape are different from theirs.

'I deeply regret we have not yet found common ground.'

Ms Reynolds shared her own statement on Sunday in which she said she 'appreciated' Ms Higgins' apology and hoped the court ruling would 'give her peace'.

However, she noted her own legal action against Ms Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, was 'never about the allegation of rape'.

Instead, Ms Reynolds' action is focused on allegations she 'failed to support Ms Higgins' which came at 'enormous emotional and financial cost'.

'I have fought for three years to expose the truth in relation to my conduct,' she wrote.

'What still lies between us are not different perceptions. It is a fact that Ms Higgins received our support and that there was no cover up.

'The common ground we now find must be based on the truth.'

Ms Reynolds added Monday's ruling would not affect her own action, writing: 'As a matter of law, neither of us, nor Mr Sharaz, are bound by Justice Lee's decision.

'If Ms Higgins does not accept Justice Lee's findings on the claims of coverup and mistreatment then, regrettably, it will have to be proved again in our trial set for July this year.'

The Federal Court earlier this week found Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) raped Ms Higgins in the office of their former boss inside Parliament House during March 2019

In a statement (pictured), Ms Reynolds noted her legal action against Ms Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, was 'never about the allegation of rape'

Opposition leader Peter Dutton on Sunday described Ms Higgins' apology as 'gracious' during an interview with ABC's Insiders.

'I don't believe any workplace should be unsafe for women, or for men for that matter, and there are a lot of changes that have taken place at Parliament House which is a good thing,' he said.

Mr Dutton has previously supported calls for details of Ms Higgins' $2.4million compensation payout from the Commonwealth to be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Documents released by the Federal Court during Lehrmann's defamation trial revealed that Ms Higgins received $2,445,000 from the government after settling her personal injury claim with the Commonwealth following mediation.

The deed of settlement and release revealed that Ms Higgins received $400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation, $1.48million for lost earnings, $220,000 for medical expenses, $100,000 for 'past and future domestic assistance' and $245,000 for her legal costs.

In her claim, Ms Higgins said she was the victim of sexual assault and associated physical injuries, psychiatric injuries, was subject to bullying and harassment and that the Commonwealth had failed to provide adequate support.

Senator Reynolds has previously raised concerns about the speed of the process, as well as claiming she was denied the chance to take part in mediation

Mr Dutton said the issue was not with Ms Higgins' and her lawyers' actions during the payout.

'I don't think the problem in relation to the payout is on Brittany's side,' Mr Dutton said.

'I think it's on the government side and others have pointed that out.

'If there is inappropriate that Katy Gallagher and others tried to eke out of an alleged sexual assault, firstly that reflects poorly on Katy Gallagher, but others as well.'

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins leaves the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices with her partner David Sharaz after meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sydney on April 30, 2021

Ms Gallagher was not involved in Ms Higgins' payout. But she has been targeted by the opposition with questions about her knowledge of the her allegations before they were aired publicly.

Lehrmann faced trial in the ACT Supreme Court in late 2022 after pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

His trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the Director of Public Prosecutions abandoned the trial due to concerns for Ms Higgins' welfare, leading to the charge being dropped.

It comes as the countdown continues for Lehrmann to recover his tarnished reputation.

The Federal Court earlier this week found Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins in the office of their former boss inside Parliament House during March 2019 and dismissed his defamation case against Network Ten and television host Lisa Wilkinson.

Appeals against a Federal Court ruling must be filed within 28 days - meaning Lehrmann has just 23 days left to file against Justice Michael Lee's verdict.

Civil court proceedings only require the balance of probability to make a ruling unlike criminal courts which require proof beyond any reasonable.

Lehrmann has consistently denied allegations he raped Ms Higgins.
A teenage boy has been rushed to hospital with leg injuries after he was attacked by a shark.

Nathan Ness, 16, was bitten off West Beach near Adelaide in South Australia at 1.40pm on Sunday.

He reeled a six foot shark into his boat on a fishing trip with his dad, Michael Ness, and two younger siblings.

But things went horribly wrong when the teen tried to pose for a photo with the shark he caught about four kilometres offshore at Glenelg Tire Reef.

Nathan Ness, 16, was bitten at West Beach near Adelaide in South Australia at 1.40pm on Sunday

Mr Ness, 46, said his son grabbed the tail and reeled it into the boat.

'He then went to pick it up for a photo and as he picked it up it swung around and grabbed hold of his leg,' he told Adelaide Now.

'I saw the shark latched onto him and I saw bits of fat squish out of his leg... it was horrible.'

The teen shouted 'get it off, get it off' before his dad reached down and pulled its mouth open and it let go.

'I started the boat and drove it back in while Nathan was on the phone to the ambulance.'

He then wrapped 'some old school pants' around the two large gashes on his leg.

He reeled a six foot shark into his boat on a fishing trip with his dad and two younger siblings

SA Ambulance paramedics treated the 16-year-old boy at the scene.

It is understood the boy has been taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a stable condition.

This comes after a spate of shark sightings this month.

More to come.
A depraved jihadi terrorist who plotted to kidnap a British Muslim soldier and film himself beheading him 'like a pig' could be freed from jail within weeks as he prepares for a Parole Board hearing later this month.

Parviz Khan, 53, was handed a life sentence - with a minimum of 14 years - at Leicester Crown Court in February 2008 after his sinister plan was intercepted.

The trial heard that during the time he was plotting his attack in 2007 Khan was raking in more than 20,000 a year in benefits while claiming to be a full-time carer for his elderly mother.

He also admitted intending to supply equipment to fellow terrorists on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Parviz Khan, 53, was handed a life sentence, with a minimum of 14 years, in 2008 for plotting to kidnap a British Muslim soldier and film himself beheading him 'like a pig'

Khan, from Birmingham, has already burned through over 1 million in legal aid in an attempt to win back his freedom with a previous hearing in front of the Parole Board in January 2022.

At the time, the board said it was 'not satisfied' Khan was suitable for release and a document detailing their decision said the risk factors at the time of his offending included his 'acceptance of extremist ideology'.

The document said that he had 'problems with his self-identity and had needed the excitement and status which involvement in terrorist conspiracies had provided. This raised concerns about his ways of thinking and the decisions he made'.

Khan also received a conviction for violence in prison which 'suggested possible anger management problems and difficulties in dealing with extremes of emotion'.

Khan, then aged 37, seen on CCTV walking through the scanner at a UK airport after checking in on a flight to Pakistan

It added that at the time Khan himself recognised he was not ready for release on parole licence.

It was his first time in front of the Parole Board after becoming eligible for parole in February 2021 and after denying his release they said his case would be considered again in two years.

Now, two years later, Khan will return for his second hearing at the end of this month and asked to be released again.

Former counter-terror chief Chris Phillips has warned: 'Freeing this man would present a huge risk to public safety.

'You have to ask whether he will ever be suitable to live in the community.'

A Parole Board spokesperson said: 'An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Parviz Khan and is scheduled to take place in April 2024.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

'The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'
The lone policewoman who ended a mass knife attack by shooting down a deranged killer has appeared at a vigil for the massacre's victims.

Inspector Amy Scott fatally shot Joel Cauchi, 40, during his rampage at Sydney's Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, that killed six and injured a dozen more.

On Sunday, she gathered with tearful mourners at a moving candlelight vigil to remember those who lost their lives.

Groups of young people were seen crying and clutching knitted teddy bears at Bondi Beach's Dolphin Court as the event began at 5pm.

The state government and Waverley Council organised the candlelight vigil to mourn the attack that shocked the nation.

Inspector Amy Scott (left) gathered with tearful mourners at a sombre candlelight vigil to remember those killed at Westfield Bondi Junction last Saturday

Thousands gathered at at Dolphin Court at Bondi Beach for a sunset vigil on Sunday in honour of those killed in the Westfield massacre

Mourners took a minute of silence to remember the six innocent lives lost in the Westfield massacre

The sunset vigil (pictured) heard from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Thousands gathered at the sunset vigil and held a one-minute silence to honour those lost.

Hero cop, Inspector Amy Scott, was met with hugs from her colleagues as she arrived at the event.

She chased down the knifeman and shot him dead before he could injure anyone else.

Crowds of young people were seen embracing and wiping away tears as the vigil got underway.

The crowd heard from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he expressed his sympathy for the victims' loved ones.

'We are with you as a community, as a country today, tomorrow and always,' he said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also spoke at the event, noting Cauchi seemingly targeted women during the horrific stabbing.

'We will not be a state where a woman is forced to changed their behaviour,' he said.

On Saturday the premier shared a similar message, saying: 'I think if we can stand together during the difficult periods, we can send a message that there are far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and there is evil.'

Inspector Scott (pictured hugging a vigil attendee) shot knifeman Joel Cauchi during his attack last Saturday

Hero cop, Inspector Amy Scott (pictured centre), was met with hugs from her colleagues as she arrived at the vigil for the victims of the attack

Sunday's vigil, organised by the state government and Waverley Council, was attended by thousands of mourners

There were emotion scenes at the vigil where attendees held candles to hour the victims

'Those that have lost loved ones have said unanimously that they can feel the community support behind them and that they know that they're not alone.'

Mr Minns said the vigil would be an opportunity to 'stand by those that have lost loved ones and remember those that have been killed'.

Among those killed in the attack was security guard Faraz Tahir.

Mr Tahir, who had come to Australia after fleeing persecution in Pakistan, was killed attempting to protect shoppers from Cauchi.

'He is not just a hero for us but the whole nation,' Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association national president Adnan Qadir said.

'We are here in large numbers to carry on Faraz's legacy by reflecting on his bravery, courage, and giving strength to our youth that they too must always be ready to serve others and, most importantly, this beautiful country.'

Five of the six people killed were women - Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27.

The six victims who were killed (from top left): Yixuan Cheng, Ashlee Good, Pikria Darchia, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton and Faraz Tahir

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) expressed his sympathy for the victims' loved ones

NSW Premier Chris Minns (left) lights a candle to honour the victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy at Bondi Beach

Attendees of Sunday's vigil (pictured) were asked to bring their own candles to the event at Bondi Beach

Counsellors and support services have been made available to emergency responders who have been on scene.

The vigil follows an anxiously-awaited updated on the recovery of Ms Good's nine-month-old baby girl injured in the attack and rushed to emergency surgery.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park announced baby Harriet had been discharged from hospital on Sunday revealing she would continue to receive treatment.

'In a positive development, I can confirm the child who has been receiving care at Sydney Children's Hospital following last weekend's tragic events at Bondi Junction has been discharged home,' Mr Park said in a statement.

'She continues to receive care from the expert clinicians at Sydney Children's Hospital.'

Ms Good and her baby were the first to be attacked with the desperate mother forced to hand her child to strangers to save her life.

Counsellors and support services have been made available to emergency responders who were at the horror scene.

Crowds of young people were seen embracing and wiping away tears as the vigil got underway (pictured, NSW Police officers at the vigil)

Hero cop, Inspector Amy Scott (pictured second left) chased down the lone attacker and shot him before he could injure anyone else

The vigil (pictured) followed a positive update on the health of nine-month-old baby Harriet who was stabbed during the attack

The Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing, which saw six innocent lives lost, shocked the whole of Australia (pictured, people leaving flowers at the memorial site)

Crowds of young people were seen embracing and wiping away tears as the vigil got underway (pictured, a woman crying at the event)
A 'dishonest' charity manager has avoided jail after stealing more than 18,000 to fund playing bingo.

Natasha Mason skimmed money from car washing events she'd organised for The Fire Fighters Charity after she had 'inexplicably' turned to gambling to escape a toxic and abusive marriage, a court was told.

The 46-year-old was caught red handed after 'discrepancies' between the cash raised and the amount that was 'banked'.

She came clean about stealing at 23 events s between April 2018 and March 2020 - totalling 18,677.

After admitting theft by an employee at Salisbury Magistrates' Court, Wiltshire, earlier this year, Mason wept in the city's crown court as she was spared jail by Judge Timothy Mousley KC.

Natasha Mason (pictured outside Salisbury Magistrates' Court) skimmed money from car washing events she'd organised for The Fire Fighters Charity after she had 'inexplicably' turned to gambling

Prosecutor Joshua Bowker told the court she had worked for the charity since June 2010 and was a regional fundraising team manager in Wiltshire.

'The charity provides support for for those in the fire service from the time they join until beyond retirement,' he said.

'She would attend events at various fire stations.

'In November 2020, the charity became aware of a discrepancy in what was being raised at events and what was being banked.

'They wrote to the defendant about where just under 3,700 was.'

Mr Bowker told the court she admitted stealing the money and said how 'disgusted' she was with herself for the theft and repaid it immediately.

'The charity remained concerned,' he continued, 'and invited her to disclose any other incidents.'

However, the court heard she said she had actually over-paid her repayment and the charity gave her back about 700.

But after further investigation in 2021, she was interviewed by police about 64 different charity events, which were mainly car washes.

'At 23 of the events she had stolen money totalling 18,677.82 and admitted further events but couldn't quantify [the amount],' he added.

After admitting theft by an employee at Salisbury Magistrates' Court, Wiltshire, earlier this year, Mason wept in the city's crown court as she was spared jail by Judge Timothy Mousley KC

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the charity said it had led to its workers being 'tarred with the same brush', concerns about whistleblowing and volunteers feeling their honesty was being 'questioned'.

The court heard it had also affected the reputation of the charity and could lead to people not wanting to make donations.

On its website The Fire Fighters Charity says it offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to live happier and healthier lives.

Representing Mason, Kane Sharpe said The Fire Fighters Charity raises 'in excess' of 8m a year to offer 'context' to the figure of her theft. He said she was 'ashamed' of her 'terrible mistake'.

Mr Sharpe added that she had been in a 'toxic and abusive' 25 year marriage and was at 'rock bottom' mentally and financially at the time of the offending.

Bingo was 'escapism' that offered her a 'haven' from her marriage, the court was told.

'She is sorry to the charity and sorry for what she has done,' he said.

'To say this was out of character doesn't do it justice - this was a complete aberration. She turned to bingo as a haven, as escapism.'

He said Mason, of Seend, Wiltshire, has begun paying back the figure via 100 a month payments.

Addressing 'dishonest' Mason, Judge Timothy Mousley KC said: 'Stealing from your employer is always regarded by the courts as being a serious crime, particularly as it was not momentary.

Prosecutor Joshua Bowker told Salisbury Magistrates' Court (pictured) that Mason had worked for the charity since June 2010 and was a regional fundraising team manager in Wiltshire

'The serious feature of this case is you stole from a charity. You were in a position of trust, this was a breach of trust. Your intention was always that the money would be paid back.

'The money that you stole was used to pay off debts and household bills. For some reason you inexplicably turned to gambling, albeit at a low level.'

Deeming the chance of her reoffending as being 'not a realistic one', he continued: 'I'm satisfied you are someone who can be rehabilitated in the community and you don't have to go to prison for that.'

Mason was handed a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

She must also carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and mental health treatment.

A compensation order stating she pay back 5,000 was also made, although the court heard she aims to pay back the full amount.
A tram accident at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles injured 15 people on Saturday night, authorities and the company said.

Los Angeles County Fire Department units were dispatched to the theme park on Lankershim Boulevard shortly after 9pm, the department said in a social media post.

The victims taken to area hospitals had minor injuries, the department said.

A Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson confirmed there were 'multiple minor injuries' from an accident involving a tram at the theme park.

They said: 'There was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries, confirmed by the LA County Fire Dept.

'We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident.'

FILE - The Universal Studios Hollywood officially reopens to the public at 25% capacity with COVID-19 protocols in place in Los Angeles, on April 16, 2021

It is understood the tram was part of the Studio Tour ride, and crashed into a railing as a result of brake issues. It is not currently known if other vehicles were involved in the crash.

The California Highway Patrol will lead the investigation, the fire department said.

It is not currently know if operations in the rest of the park have been affected by the crash.

The Studio Tour is one of the most popular attractions at Universal Studios, as holidaymakers get to spend up to an hour being driven through the park and various film sets for movies including Jaws and Fast & Furious.

The crash took place just a week before Universal Studios celebrated the 60th anniversary of the ride, which at the time of its debut in 1964 was called the 'World-Famous Studio Tour.'
WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT

Every day for the last 36 years, David Balding's life has been consumed by the horror of his 20-year-old sister's death.

He was just 10 years old when his father told him: 'Your sister has been murdered.'

Janine Balding was abducted from Southerland railway station carpark in Sydney's south by a by a pack of homeless youths while she was on her way home from work in 1988.

Since then, Mr Balding has found comfort in knowing her killers are behind bars, but now that could all change.

Earlier this month, lawyer and former politician Peter Breen pushed for an inquiry into Stephen 'Shorty' Jamieson, who was convicted in 1990 for raping and killing Ms Balding.

Mr Balding has found comfort in knowing her killers are behind bars, but now that could all change

The sentencing judge declared that he, along with the others directly involved, should 'never be released' but Jamieson sought a suite of orders in proceedings against the state Attorney-General at a recent hearing in Sydney's Supreme Court.

His longtime supporter Mr Breen told the court that another man nicknamed 'Shorty' was known in the area at the time and wore a bandana similar to the one found at the crime scene.

It is understood that Mr Breen is arguing DNA testing from this bandana might cast doubt over his client's convictions.

The Attorney-General's written submissions are due May 8 in response to Jamieson's application for an inquiry.

The matter will return to court on May 13.

Mr Balding is angry and upset that these claims are being brought up again after all these years.

'This is hard to deal with again and again, but someone has to be a voice for Janine and that person is me,' he told news.com.au.

'The sentencing Judge said life recommended, never to be released, and that is exactly how it should be.'

Mr Balding believes the bandana claim is irrelevant, saying multiple witnesses agreed that Jamieson was the right person.

Wayne Wilmot, 51, who was present on the night but did not physically participate in the crime, was given a lighter sentence.

The 'serial sex offender' is currently housed at Long Bay Correctional Complex in maximum security, serving sentences for sexual assault and kidnap, unrelated to Ms Balding's case.

'Why don't we get a Sheila and rape her?' are the chilling nine words which were uttered the night Ms Balding (pictured) was murdered

He has spent three decades behind bars, with the exception of 20 months in the late 1990's during which he committed multiple violent assaults and sexual offences against women.

Wilmot has since remained in custody under continuing detention orders but will be released in a matter of weeks under an interim supervision order handed down by NSW Supreme Court Justice Helen Wilson.

He was deemed to have 'psychopathic personality traits, with no concern or empathy for others and continued to deny or minimise his disturbing history of sexual offences', in an assessment report conducted by a psychologist in November 2023

The exact date of his release and the location of his accommodation cannot be released due to a court order.

Mr Balding went on to explain how hard it has been seeing these 'so-called boys' try and get out of jail, saying that is where they should die.

'Why don't we get a Sheila and rape her?' are the chilling words which were uttered the night Ms Balding was murdered.

On the morning of September 8, 1988, Ms Balding parked her car at Sydney's Sutherland train station, before heading into the city for work.

She was walking back to her car that evening when a group of me - Stephen 'Shorty' Jamieson, 22, Matthew Elliot, 16, Wayne Wilmot, 15, Bronson Blessington, 14 and Carol Arrow, 15 - approached her.

They distracted Ms Balding by asking her for the time and whether she had any money or cigarettes, one of the youths pulled out a knife and threatened to 'cut her face' if she did not do exactly as he asked.

After snatching the car keys from her hands, she was forced into the back of her own car where she was beaten and raped at knifepoint.

Any hope the young woman had of being set free was crushed after one of the youths said: 'I think it's a nice night for a murder...'

Stephen 'Shorty' Jamieson is pictured

The group pulled over on the M4.

They dragged the terrified woman out of the car, the pack gagged Janine with a scarf and hogtied her, before pulling her along the ground and throwing her over a fence.

Elliot, Blessington, and Jamieson carried her to a nearby dam, where they drowned her and stole her jewellery and bank cards.

The pack left Ms Balding's body there and got back into her car, which broke down shortly after.

After making their way to Mount Druitt by foot, they sold the jewellery and withdrew some cash using her bank cards, before hopping on a train back to the city.

The next day, Blessington and Elliot took a train to East Gosford where they threw her bank cards into the bushes before stealing another car and driving to a youth centre.

They then confessed to police about the car theft and hinted at knowing where Ms Balding's body was.

Ms Balding's parents, Beverley and Kerry, reported her missing.

All five of the group members were charged and faced court over the murder of Janine Balding.

Elliott, Blessington and Jamieson were each given life sentences plus 25 years.

Blessington, who was just 14 at the time, became the youngest person to have ever receive a life sentence in Australia.

The judge in the case called their crimes 'barbaric' and said they should 'never be released'.

Lighter sentences were given to Wilmot and Arrow, after it was found they did not physically participate in the murder.

Looking back, Mr Balding said his sister was kind, loving, fun, and always had time for him even though she lived in Sydney

Looking back, Mr Balding said his sister was kind, loving, fun, and always had time for him.

He said he knew 'something wasn't right' the day she was killed, even though he didn't fully understand what was going on at the time.

He recalled seeing his mum 'crying and crying' and just knowing that 'Janine was gone'.

Mr Balding recalled seeing her killers in the courtroom after his sister was murdered.

He said he still remembers how they 'didn't really give a stuff' about what they had done and how he helped his mother with the seemingly endless appeals as he got older.

'It was important that Janine was and is always represented and still has a voice in this to let people know that she is not forgotten and that her killers will never be forgiven,' he said.

In October 2013, Beverley passed away after a short stay in hospital.

In March 2022, Kerry also died in hospital.

The pair are buried next to their daughter in Wagga Wagga Lawn Cemetery.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
The body of a father who went missing on a camping trip has been found after a two-day search.

Police confirmed Steven Clough's body had been located on Big River Road, Enochs Point in Victoria's high country at 1.40pm on Sunday.

It is believed the 58-year-old crashed his KTM 350 dirt bike and died at the scene.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Police confirmed Steven Clough's body had been located on Big River Road, Enochs Point in Victoria's high country at 1.40pm on Sunday

Mr Clough was last seen leaving a campsite at Skipworth Reserve in Kevington, about three hours north-east of Melbourne, at 2pm on Friday.

He told his partner Tammy he would be going for a ride on his motorbike near the dirt bike tracks close to Mount Terrible.

About 70 police officers and support staff spent the weekend searching for Mr Clough.

The airwing was also deployed by police to assist with the search and rescue effort.

About 70 police officers and support staff spent the weekend searching for Mr Clough

Mr Clough's daughter Sonia, thanked those including members of the public, who have joined the search to look for her missing father

Mr Clough's daughter Sonia, thanked those including members of the public, who have joined the search to look for her missing father.

She said she her mother had been left shocked and stressed not knowing where Mr Clough was.

Police said they would like to thank the volunteers involved in the significant search.
Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls to stay away from the SNP's general election campaign after her husband was charged by police.

The party's former leader is being urged to 'sit this one out' as senior SNP figures fear catastrophe when Scottish voters go to the polls.

The SNP's popularity has plummeted since the 2019 general election when Ms Sturgeon led her party to victory in 48 out of 59 seats in Scotland.

A recent YouGov mega-poll suggested the SNP would only win 19 seats at the next general election, with Labour winning 28 Scottish constituencies.

Ms Sturgeon quit as Scottish first minister and SNP leader in March last year.

It came weeks before both she and her husband, Peter Murrell, were arrested as part of Police Scotland's Operation Branchform probe into the SNP's finances.

Mr Murrell, the SNP's former chief executive, was re-arrested on Thursday before being charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds.

Ms Sturgeon - who has not been charged - is now under pressure to avoid SNP campaign events in the run-up to the general election.

Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls to stay away from the SNP 's general election campaign after her husband was charged by police

The party's former leader is being urged to 'sit this one out' as senior SNP figures fear catastrophe when Scottish voters go to the polls

Peter Murrell, the SNP's former chief executive, was re-arrested on Thursday before being charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds

Alex Neil, a former MSP who previously served as a top member of Ms Sturgeon's Scottish government, told the Sunday Times: 'We have got to face the facts, the party is facing an uphill struggle at the general election.

'The last thing we need is for people to be reminded of the shame and legacy associated with Nicola Sturgeon. She should sit this one out at home.'

The newspaper also quoted a figure previously close to Ms Sturgeon as calling for her to be suspended from the SNP following the latest development in Operation Branchform.

'I would suspend her now,' they said.

A Westminster SNP source added: 'Our lowest assessment of what would happen on a really, really bad night [at the general election] was we won 15 seats.

'Now people are saying if the election was held tomorrow we wouldn't get more than that. That's the impact Murrell's arrest has had.'

Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon's successor as SNP leader and First Minister, referred to Mr Murrell's arrest as he addressed a pro-independence rally in Glasgow on Saturday

The Believe in Scotland march went from Kelvin Way to George Square in Glasgow, accompanied by drummers and bagpipers

Around 2,000 people joined the rally, which was also attended by Line Of Duty star Martin Compston (pictured next to Mr Yousaf)

On Friday, Ms Sturgeon described matters as 'incredibly difficult' after her husband was charged by police.

She appealed for privacy as she spoke briefly to journalists outside the home in Glasgow that she shares with Mr Murrell.

Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon's successor as SNP leader and First Minister, referred to Mr Murrell's arrest as he addressed a pro-independence rally in Glasgow on Saturday.

'The last 48 hours have been tough,' he said. 'They have been a shock for those of us in the independence movement and the SNP.

'Let me say this: You can't always control what happens in life but what you can choose is how you react.

'When it comes to obstacles that come our way, just because obstacles are thrown in our way, are we going to pack up and go home?

'We are going to fight for what we believe in. In the last few days they have said the independence movement is finished.

'You don't look finished to me, my friends.'

The Believe in Scotland march went from Kelvin Way to George Square in Glasgow, accompanied by drummers and bagpipers.

Around 2,000 people joined the rally which was also attended by Line Of Duty star Martin Compston.
A teenage boy has died after he was thrown from a stolen car that rolled in a horrific single vehicle crash.

The 15-year-old crashed a white Toyota Camry on Adelaide Avenue, near Parliament house in Canberra, on Wednesday morning.

ACT Emergency Services arrived at the scene about 5am where paramedics treated the boy before he was rushed to hospital.

Police said the car 'left the roadway, collided with a concrete barrier, and was subsequently located on its roof in the middle of the road'.

The 15-year-old was found about 50 to 100 metres from the vehicle.

A teen has died after he was thrown from a stolen car which rolled in single vehicle crash

The 15-year-old crashed a white Toyota Camry on Adelaide Avenue, near Parliament house in Canberra, on Wednesday morning

ACT Emergency Services arrived at the scene about 5am

Sergeant Mark Richardson said 'he was very badly injured and unresponsive'.

He was transported to Canberra Hospital in a critical condition, where he 'tragically succumbed to his injuries'.

It is understood that the vehicle was reported stolen several days prior and was involved in several 'fail to stop for police' incidents.

Mr Richardson said the teen was on bail and in breach of those conditions, which relate to similar offending.

'The vehicle was absolutely destroyed,' he said.

Police said the car 'left the roadway, collided with a concrete barrier, and was subsequently located on its roof in the middle of the road'

The 15-year-old was found about 50 to 100 metres from the vehicle

He was transported to hospital in a critical condition, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries

'Police are unsure of any other involvement of any other vehicles or any other persons, and that obviously forms part of the inquiries that out major collision unit are undertaking.'

The entrance of Capital Circle from Adelaide Avenue northbound was closed for several hours while police examined the scene.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information, including dash-cam footage, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
This is the shocking moment a masked gang threaten an elderly shopkeeper with a gun and attempt to rip out the till in a terrifying robbery.

CCTV footage shows the three masked robbers charge into a Deepak Foodstore in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, and leave with thousands of pounds worth of goods from the cigarette counter.

The trio, all armed and wearing balaclavas, can be seen making a beeline for the counter whilst aiming a BB gun at the 76-year-old shop owner and threatening him with a knife.

One of them then restrains the victim, who feared for his life not knowing that the gun was fake, while the other two unsuccessfully attempt to rip out the till.

Frustrated, the gang then trash the corner shop before ransacking its cigarette counter and fleeing in a getaway car.

Following the attack, the shop owner now anxiously watches his CCTV every time someone enters his shop, Nottingham Crown Court was told on Thursday, April 19, as the robbers were put before a judge to answer for their crime.

The three thugs - Callum Groves, Joshua Woods and Jack Weston - were jailed for a combined 12-and-a-half years.

CCTV footage shows the three masked robbers charge into a Deepak Foodstore in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, and leave with thousands of pounds worth of goods from the cigarette counter

The three thugs - Callum Groves, Joshua Woods and Jack Weston - were jailed for a combined 12-and-a-half years

A police investigation launched in the aftermath of the robbery tracked the gang across the county border into Leicestershire, where the three men lived.

Woods was the first of the trio to be tracked down, with officers raiding his home and seizing a BB gun that had been sprayed black to look like a real firearm. In the following weeks, detectives also found Groves and Weston.

READ MORE: Terrifying moment machete wielding gang raid Co-op

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Woods, 29, of Chilcombe Walk, Leicester, a father of two daughters, aged nine and five, was jailed for four years and three months.

Matt Hayes, his barrister said: 'There is evidence in this case that drugs are a feature in Mr Woods' life. He was facing financial pressure and money was needed and he involved himself in this enterprise and now he must face the consequences. He has the support of his family and employer.'

Groves, a 25-year-old father-of-two, of Hartshorn Close, Thurmaston, Leicester, was sent to prison for four years, his sentence being slightly less as he pleaded guilty at an earlier opportunity.

Laura Pitman, mitigating, said: 'Everyone who knows him and loves him has been shocked to the core, particularly Mr Groves' mother.

'She works in a very important job in the NHS and when she came to discover her son had been arrested and what for, it changed her life forever. They understand he has got to be punished as does he. Against a background of financial pressures he carried out this disgusting offence out of desperation..'

Weston, 23, of Cuffling Drive, Leicester, was also handed a four-year and three-month prison term.

The trio, all armed and wearing balaclavas, can be seen making a beeline for the counter whilst aiming a BB gun at the 76-year-old shop owner and threatening him with a knife

One of them then restrains the victim, who feared for his life not knowing that the gun was fake, while the other two unsuccessfully attempt to rip out the till

Frustrated, the gang then trash the corner shop before ransacking its cigarette counter and fleeing in a getaway car

Lucky Thandi, his barrister, said: 'He is realistic and knows he is looking at a custodial sentence of some length. He has never been arrested by the police before. It's plain this was not a plan of his making.'

Detective Sergeant Nathan Bingham, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Groves', Weston's and Woods' actions that evening were cowardly and appalling in equal measure.

The victim only sustained minor injuries after being restrained by one of the group and feared he could be shot and killed - not knowing the gun was a fake.
A prison governor has apologised to double rapist Isla Bryson after the trans sex offender complained after being called 'son'.

The trans sex offender, named Adam Graham until 2020, was convicted of raping two women prior to transitioning.

Bryson was initially put in female-only prison Cornton Vale but was later placed within the male prison HMP Edinburgh, in what was an embarrassing U-turn for former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Now, writing from a cell, Bryson has written a grumbling letter to the Sunday Mail claiming to be a victim of 'transphobia' within the prison.

The rapist also moaned of being a hate crime victim after prison guards banned the offender from wearing makeup. The 32-year-old from Clydebank, who bragged about having a female voice and breasts.

Double rapist Isla Bryson has claimed to be a victim of a hate crime after prison guards banned her from wearing makeup.

The trans sex offender, named Adam Graham until 2020, was convicted of raping two women prior to transitioning

Bryson said in the handwritten letter: 'I'm just dealing with transphobia from staff.

'I was told from a staff member in Edinburgh that the MSP has been telling governors to treat trans women that come into the SPS like men. It's disgusting and a hate crime.'

First Minister Humza Yousaf introduced a new hate crime law earlier this month that could see individuals convicted for misgendering a person online.

Bryson added: 'They refuse to put any female toiletries or makeup out. I am on blockers just now. I have boobs. I don't sound like a man anymore.'

Natalie Beal, governor of HMP Glenochil, reportedly wrote a letter to Bryson apologising that one of her staff had called the sexual predator 'son' by mistake, adding that the officer might not have realised Bryson was trans.

It is not the first time that Bryson has hit out at the prison for being 'transphobic.

In July the offender said in another letter: 'I'm not doing too good because of abuse from the staff members, all because I am transgender, and other prisoners too.

'This jail is full of transphobic people. The police are involved because of the abuse to do with my gender. People won't stop being transphobic.'

Bryson was sentenced to eight years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh, with a further three years on licence in February 2023. Pictured: Bryson after being sentenced to jail

In another note, Bryson complained about having to wear men's clothes in prison and told of how her fellow convicts called her Mrs Doubtfire.

Bryson was convicted for the rape of a woman in Clydebank, East Dunbartonshire, in 2016 and a rape against a second woman in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019.

Bryson met the victims online and prosecutors said the criminal 'preyed' on vulnerable women.

Bryson was sentenced to eight years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh, with a further three years on licence in February 2023.

The rapist claimed to have begun transitioning at the age of 29 but Bryson's estranged wife Shonna Graham, 31, previouly told MailOnline her former partner's transition was a 'sham for attention'.

She said he was 'bull******** the authorities' to avoid a male prison. Critics said the rapist was a threat to female inmates.
Overnight visitors to popular Kent beaches, such as Margate, could face a European-style tourist tax as the local council tries to recoup the soaring costs racked up by visitors from out of town.

Thanet District Council in Kent is looking at new taxes for holidaymakers coming to its many seaside resorts - including Margate and traditional beaches at Broadstairs and Minnis Bay.

Ideas being looked at include charging additional council tax on second homes and levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays.

In a meeting of the council's Oversight and Scrutiny Panel on April 16, the committee recommended levying a tax on overnight stays in the county - as well as upping the council tax on holiday lets.

A beach in Margate, Kent, busy with holidaymakers during a heat wave in September 2023

Visitors at a beach in Margate crowd the sand with tents, umbrellas and towels last summer

READ MORE: How many empty second homes are in YOUR town? Interactive map reveals spread of unoccupied holiday houses and lets as councils crackdown on empty homes Advertisement

Cities like Venice and Lisbon have already implemented a tax on tourists to put towards the additional costs of visitors coming to the popular cities.

A report from the meeting said the council needs to 'actively investigate opportunities to maximise income to the Council from the visitor economy to help balance its costs to the Council.'

It added: 'We want a booming visitor economy but we are acutely aware of the additional costs visitors bring, so we need to make every effort to secure income for the Council to set against those costs.

'For example, levying additional council tax on second homes, levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays, ensuring holiday lets contribute to funding the costs they impose and taking a robust approach with Southern Water over beach pollution and exploring opportunities to provide paid-for facilities like beach huts with facilities for overnight stays.'

Thanet recorded 330,200 overnight stays in the county last year according to Visit Kent

The coastal town of Broadstairs in Kent is a summer hotspot for tourists looking to visit the seaside

Thanet recorded 330,200 overnight stays in the county last year according to Visit Kent - and 680 businesses rely on tourist income to stay afloat according to Kent County Council.

Conservative leader Cllr Reece Pugh said: 'I think it's really encouraging. It is a step in the direction. Anything that ensures that people can come to Thanet is great.

'Businesses that rely on tourism have to be seriously consulted.

'There's are a lot of jobs around here that need it so we've got to make sure any gains we get from a tax don't wipe out the benefits we get from tourism in the first place.

'This sort of thing will help us make sure that we can keep the beaches in Thanet nice so that even more people can visit.'

Conservative councillor John Davis also welcomed the idea to increase levies on second homes and Airbnbs.

Traditional beaches like Broadstairs (pictured) and Minnis Bay may also implement a tourist tax

Ideas being looked at include charging additional council tax on second homes and levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays

Cllr Davis told KentOnline: 'It's an important initiative.

'I would like to welcome costs on Airbnbs and the like, because in Ramsgate we have 866 homes for short term let and 21 flats. This is absolutely obscene.

'It's why we have people being sent a hundred miles away for temporary accommodation and why we can't cope with the number of people on the housing list.

'It's a really serious issue.'

It comes after the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's announcement in March that he would abolish the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) regime, which gives tax relief for costs incurred kitting out more than 70,000 holiday lets.

Some warned abolishing the scheme - which can save them more than 10,000 per year - could have a devastating effect on their towns which are dependent on tourist spending.

While others in Whitstable, Kent, welcomed the idea with locals voicing their support for a crackdown on holiday lets.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has praised a $61billion military aid package that was finally passed by the US' House of Representatives after months of delays.

The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved long-delayed military aid to Ukraine in a rare show of bipartisan unity, while also bolstering Israel and Taiwan defenses and threatening to ban Chinese-owned TikTok.

The four bills in the $95 billion package, which included the $61bn aid package for Ukraine, were overwhelmingly approved in quick succession, though they leave the future of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in some doubt as he seeks to fend off angry far-right detractors.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement the legislation would 'deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and other locations... and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.'

He praised lawmakers who came together across party lines 'to answer history's call.'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured, left) has praised a $61billion military aid package that was finally passed by the US' House of Representatives after months of delays

Rescuers and workers clean debris in a turbine hall full of scorched equipments at a power plant of energy provider DTEK, destroyed after an attack, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on April 19, 2024

Workers clean debris in a turbine hall full of scorched equipments at a power plant of energy provider DTE

Zelensky welcomed the $61 billion earmarked for his country, saying the military and economic assistance would 'save thousands and thousands of lives.'

Not surprisingly, Russia took the opposite view.

'It will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime,' said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, state news agency TASS reported.

The US Senate will take the bill up on Tuesday. Senate approval would then send the measure to Biden for his signature.

The bills are the product of months of acrimonious negotiations, pressure from US allies and repeated pleas for assistance from Zelensky.

The United States has been the chief military backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Congress has not approved large-scale funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half, mainly because of cross-aisle bickering.

Biden and Democratic lawmakers in Congress have been pushing for a major new weapons package for Ukraine for months.

But Republicans, influenced by the party's presidential candidate Donald Trump, have been reluctant to provide funding to Kyiv for the drawn-out conflict.

Ukrainian servicemen with the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade fire a mortar at Russian forces on the front line near the city of Bakhmut

A Ukrainian officer with the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade fires rockets from a pickup truck at Russian positions on the front line near Bakhmut

Ukrainian servicemen of 93rd brigade fire a 2S1 Gvozdika self propelled howitzer towards Russian troops

Ukrainian soldiers carry shells to fire at Russian positions on the front line

The financing of the war has become a point of contention ahead of a presidential election in November that is expected to pit Biden against Trump once again.

Johnson, after months of hesitation, finally threw his support behind the aid package for Ukraine.

'To put it bluntly, I'd rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys,' Johnson said.

The handful of far-right Republicans who had threatened to engineer Johnson's ouster if he pressed the Ukraine vote appeared to back away Saturday, at least temporarily.

'I'm actually going to let my colleagues go home and hear from their constituents' about their anger over the vote, congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on CNN.

The Ukraine bill also allows Biden to confiscate and sell Russian assets and provide the money to Ukraine to finance reconstruction, a move that has been embraced by other G7 nations.

More than $6bn of frozen assets are sat in US banks, and under the newly passed REPO Act, Biden will be allowed to confiscate these and transfer them to a special fund for Ukraine.

The $6bn comes in the form of foreign currency reserves of the Russian government, invested over several years to keep the ruble stable.

Overall, Russia invested $300bn in foreign currency, and almost all of this has been frozen by Western governments. Much of it sits in Germany, France and Belgium.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Sir Keir Starmer is 'absolutely right' to take Angela Rayner at her word over her housing row, a senior Labour MP insisted today.

Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, defended the Labour leader but dodged questions about why Sir Keir had still not seen his deputy's legal advice.

Ms Rayner has faced weeks of scrutiny over the sale of her former council house in Stockport with claims she may not have paid the right amount of tax.

It is also alleged she may have made a false declaration about where she was living on the electoral register, amid confusion about what was her principal residence.

Sir Keir has staunchly defended Ms Rayner during the weeks-long row and accused critics of 'smearing a working-class woman'.

But Ms Mahmood was repeatedly grilled this morning over why the Labour leader had still not seen Ms Rayner's legal and tax advice on her past living arrangements.

Tory chairman Richard Holden claimed her struggle to give an answer showed Labour were 'still trying to cover up Starmer's role in the Rayner scandal'.

Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, defended Sir Keir Starmer but dodged questions about why he had still not seen Angela Rayner's legal advice

Ms Rayner has faced weeks of scrutiny over the sale of her former council house in Stockport with claims she may not have paid the right amount of tax

Sir Keir has staunchly defended Ms Rayner during the weeks-long row and accused critics of 'smearing a working-class woman'

Ms Rayner has said she will 'do the right thing and step down' if she is found to have committed a crime in relation to her living situation a decade ago.

It came after Greater Manchester Police this month launched an investigation into the sale of her council house in March 2015.

The Labour deputy leader pointed to 'expert tax and legal advice' she has received as she stressed she was 'completely confident I've followed the rules at all times'.

But there has been growing pressure on Sir Keir to explain why he has not seen that same advice.

Asked why Sir Keir had not read the advice, Ms Mahmood told Sky News this morning: 'The legal advice that Angela Rayner has got is between her, her legal advisers and now the appropriate authority that is investigating this matter.

'So the police are investigating. There will be a full police investigation.

'She will cooperate with that investigation and answer any questions that the police and indeed any other authority like HMRC or others have.

'So she's cooperating fully, but I don't think it's appropriate for other people to look at the advice that she's received.'

Pressed on why Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, hadn't looked at Ms Rayner's legal advice, the shadow justice secretary replied: 'Well, none of us who are former lawyers in the shadow cabinet are there as in-house legal advisers for other members of the shadow cabinet. She's obtained her own advice.'

She added: 'He knows Angela Rayner and he knows that if there was a problem, she will be taking steps to fix it.

'She has told him he is absolutely right to take her word. I have every confidence in Angela, as does as does Keir Starmer.

'Well, she has complied with the rules. Her advice tells her she has.'

Ms Mahmood also insisted Ms Rayner had 'nothing to hide' as she claimed the Tories viewed Labour's deputy leader as 'a bit of an easy target' due to her background.

Responding to her Sky News interview, Mr Holden said: 'Labour are still trying to cover up Keir Starmer's role in the Rayner scandal.

'Labour's shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood today was unable to explain six times why Keir Starmer has not looked at the legal advice given to Angela Rayner.

'The fact that Labour thinks it's one rule for them and one rule for everyone else shows it's the same old Labour.

'Keir Starmer should show some leadership, grasp the details of the scandal or people will rightly wonder who is running the Labour Party if not him.'

Ms Rayner used Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme to purchase her former council home in Vicarage Road, Stockport, in January 2007, before becoming an MP

Ms Rayner married Mark Rayner in September 2010 and when the couple re-registered the births of their two sons that year, they provided Mark's address in nearby Lowndes Lane

The Mail On Sunday revealed how the emergence of a key document signed by Ms Rayner's former neighbour has dealt a fresh blow to her attempts to ride out the housing row.

Sylvia Hampson confirmed she was a legal witness to the sale of Ms Rayner's home.

Ms Rayner is said to have asked Mrs Hampson to sign the document for what she claimed was her 'principal property'  even though her neighbour lived a mile away, next door to the Labour deputy's then husband, where she says she wasn't living.

Ms Rayner's decision to ask the 83-year-old to sign the document will likely raise questions about why she didn't call on a neighbour near the house where she says she did live.

A Labour spokesman said: 'Angela has been clear that she will cooperate with any investigation. We do not plan to give a running commentary.

'We remain completely confident that Angela has complied with the rules at all times and it's now appropriate to let the police do their work.'
Yet another Russian warship was reportedly ablaze today after a suspected Ukrainian missile strike.

Video showed a fire purportedly on a vessel in Sevastopol's Sukharnaya Bay after explosions were heard in the annexed Crimean naval port.

One report from Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind suggested the world's oldest active naval vessel had been hit, the 109-year-old Kommuna, built in the reign of the last Tsar, Nicholas II.

A 315ft long salvage ship, it was used during the current war when the Russian navy investigated the sinking of the fleet's flagship, the Moskva, in 2022, according to accounts.

There was no official confirmation that the distinctive and historic Kommuna, commissioned in 1915, was hit, triggering flames and smoke.

The Putin-appointed Sevastopol governor admitted to a 'small fire' after an incoming missile had been repelled by the port's defences, but did not name the ship

Video showed a fire purportedly on a vessel in Sevastopol's Sukharnaya Bay after explosions were heard in the annexed Crimean naval port

One report from Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind suggested the world's oldest active naval vessel had been hit, the 109-year-old Kommuna

Yet a pro-war Russian report on PolitNavigator channel appeared to back the version of fire on the Kommuna.

Another report suggested a landing ship and another vessel had been targeted.

The Putin-appointed Sevastopol governor admitted to a 'small fire' after an incoming missile had been repelled by the port's defences, but did not name the ship.

The 'falling fragments' caused the blaze, which was 'quickly extinguished', claimed the official, Mikhail Razvozhaev.

Russian officials frequently blame falling fragments or debris for direct hits.

Some reports say two people were wounded.

'Divers are now also examining the water area to exclude the presence of explosive elements near the pier,' said one Telegram channel.

Putin has seen around one-third of his Black Sea Fleet wiped out in the war, hit by missiles of kamikaze marine drones, including several large landing ships.

The Kommuna - originally the Volkhov - has served in the Russian Imperial, Soviet and post-communist Russian Federation navies

As a result, his navy has lost its ability to hold sway in western parts of the Black Sea.

The Kommuna - originally the Volkhov - has served in the Russian Imperial, Soviet and post-communist Russian Federation navies.

The warship saw active service in two world wars, the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the country's following civil war, as well as the current conflict against Ukraine.

Some 96 years ago, in 1928, the Kommuna raised from a depth of 203ft the British submarine HMS L55, which had been sunk in the Gulf of Finland by Bolshevik vessels in 1919.

The Soviets used the designs as a prototype for their own Leninets class submarines.
A defiant father has defended a steel box extension to his 1million Victorian home which neighbours have branded 'absolutely hideous' - insisting he 'loves' it.

Company boss David Gattward has admitted receiving 'lots of negative comments' about the development in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and that it was proving to be a 'Marmite build' fiercely dividing opinion.

But he said he was also receiving support especially from younger people, as he pushes on with renovating his family home - inspired by bold German architecture.

Critics have said the extension looks like 'awful shipping container', while Mr Gattward told how others have said it resembles a 'giant microwave'.

Tony Norman, the builder putting up the grey cube upper structure attached to a redbrick terrace, previously blasted neighbours opposed to it as 'thick'.

A row has broken out over a steel box extension to a home in Loughborough, Leicestershire, which is seen here capturing the attention of a passer-by

Father-of-three David Gattward (pictured), who owns the family home with the new extension, has admitted it divides opinion but insisted to MailOnline he 'loves it'

Neighbours have criticised the addition (pictured), calling it 'absolutely hideous'

Now similar sentiments have been offered by Mr Gattward, who said: 'Older people don't like it, younger people do - it is a bit of a Marmite build.'

The father-of-three, currently living in nearby Woodhouse Eaves, told how inspiration for the controversial project came from his travels to Germany.

He said: 'The towns there are a lot more progressive than the UK - you might find Tudor-like buildings that have a glass extension at 45 degrees.

'Here, I am keeping Victorian features with a contemporary element for every day family living.'

The front houses a bedroom and bathroom while there is a matching huge steel 'factory'-style kitchen extension at the rear.

Businessman Mr Gattward, who hired a team of architects from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, declared: 'I love the design - it is super contemporary.'

His family has never lived in the house which he bought three years ago with plans to extensively renovate and extend it as a 'dream' family home.

There have been concerns raised that the large steel box-like structure at the front overlooks a school playground and netball courts.

In response, Mr Gattward said: 'A lot of the houses in the street, with windows at the front, overlook the playground and were built before the school was there.'

The home's owner has described it as a 'Marmite build' for the contrasting verdicts it provokes

Opponents say the extension is 'awful' and have compared it to a 'shipping container'

The businessman, director of laser cutting, drilling and welding firm Microkerf, pointed to an existing '1970s garage next door which will have blocked some light'.

He said his children were pupils of the Loughborough Schools Foundation, and one was a former pupil of Amherst School, which is directly opposite his property in leafy Burton Street.

And he highlighted similarities with Loughborough Carillon, the town's striking tower and war memorial, adding: 'That is the best feature in Loughborough with metal cladding on top. My new house has metal and I love it.'

Opponents have included one woman who told MailOnline: 'It looks out of place.'

Local resident Janet Coley said: 'I have no idea if the school objected to it but it should never have been granted planning permission.

'I am staggered the owner got away with it and it is not fair on the neighbours, the schoolchildren and staff.'

Marjorie Hughes, who lives to the rear and overlooks the kitchen extension, said: 'Everybody who lives here is disgusted by it, front and back. It is horrible and I cannot understand why it was allowed.'

Her nearby neighbour Denise Shapcott added: 'It is an absolute monstrosity and I feel sorry for all the residents living in the flats next door as their homes have been turned into blackness.'

The front houses a bedroom and bathroom while there is a matching huge steel 'factory' style kitchen extension at the rear which offends locals living in a quiet cul-de-sac behind (pictured)

The back of the grey steel box extension juts out at the back to the fury of some local residents

Sue Charman, who lives in a ground floor flat next door, moaned: 'It makes our home so dark and totally blocks out the light in our front bedroom and lounge.

'I don't like it, it is horrible but we're stuck with it.'

The grandmother, 82, who has lived in her rented Metropolitan Housing at Hodson Court for five years with husband Albert, 86, added: 'When we moved in it was just a garage but now it has a large box-like building over it in metal.

'Everyone walking past just stares up at it. It interferes with us and other residents in the block. It is a such a shame. It also overlooks the school playground.'

Another resident Julia Parkins told of previously viewing the property as her dream lottery house', saying: 'I'd often walk down the street and when it was up for sale I'd think, "If we won the lotto we'd buy that".

'But the owner has ruined it - it looks so out of character. They've been working on it incredibly slowly.'

But builder Mr Norman hit back, saying: 'Old people and thick people don't like it but most young people do.'

He also described how the owner welcomed courting controversy, adding: 'He did say that it would divide people and would be a talking point with some saying, "Have you seen that house in Loughborough?"'

An aerial view shows the extension looks out across the road and over a school playground

Julie Parkins (pictured) has accused the owner of 'ruining' the house with the new extension

Carol Alexander, who lives in the street behind, said: 'It's certainly distinctive and stands out like a sore thumb but I like it.

'While it sticks out and is not in keeping with the neighbourhood it is something different - people should be free to do what they want and express themselves in doing up their homes.'

Loughborough Amherst School, which has a large sign at the front stating "Welcoming boys and girls 4-18 years", faces the 'talking point' extension from the side.

A female member of staff, who did not want to be drawn into the planning row and declined to be named, said: 'All I will say is that when it went up I didn't feel it was in keeping.'
King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral.

The 75-year-old monarch's appearance comes after it emerged that he plans to attend the Royal Ascot this summer, despite his ongoing battle with cancer.

The five-day race, which is held in June, is said to be of much importance to the King as he wants to honour his late mother the Queen, who only missed one Ascot during her 70-year reign.

In recent weeks, the King, who revealed he had an unnamed form of cancer in February, has been making more and more public appearances, to the relief of the British public.

Charles largely stepped back from his public facing duties after revealing his shocking diagnosis, yet has continued to read his daily red boxes and have his weekly audience with the Prime Minister.

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk

The King, who has been undergoing cancer treatment, is understood to be keen to be back in action  and aides are so pleased at his progress they are planning for him to attend the event. Pictured: The King and Queen Camilla on day three of Ascot last year

Earlier this week, the monarch waved cheerfully to fans and tourists who were stood outside Clarence House when he pulled out in his maroons state Bentley limousine.

Excited royal watchers took photos of Charles as he passed, with many appearing shocked that they had been so lucky to get a glimpse of the King in real life.

It is understood that over the coming weeks Charles plans to 'ramp up his schedule' which is good news for royal fans, who are still reeling from Princess of Wales cancer diagnosis that sent shockwaves around the globe.

One insider previously told the Mail: 'The idea of a monarch cloistered away just wouldn't wash nowadays and will only create damaging speculation about His Majesty's health.'

A source added last month: 'While it is too early to confirm things  and, of course, it is relatively early in His Majesty's treatment cycle  the patient is positive, the doctors are optimistic and the treatments are incredibly sophisticated.'

Last night, the Mail on Sunday revealed, that the King is keen to be back in action, with aides planning his attendance at Ascot.

He was previously expected to miss out on the occasion - because of his treatment - however he is determined to watch his horses, many of which were bred by his late mother.

The King has told courtiers that he wants to honour the memory of his late mother by attending this summer's Royal Ascot. Pictured with Queen Camilla on day five of Ascot last year

Kate, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte looking up at the sky during last year's Trooping the Colour event

A racing source said: 'Racing is an important part of the legacy that he inherited from his mother, and one that he treasures. That's why he will be so keen to go.'

Charles is expected to spend 'at least' one day at the event alongside his friends and family.

It has also been touted that the King will attend Trooping the Colour, which takes place three days before Ascot begins.

Last month, chaos was caused when the Army's official website announced that Kate Middleton would be attending the event, that takes place every June, marking her return to public life after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

The error, which was made before the Princess publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis, caused a frenzy with royal fans rushing to get tickets.

But Kensington Palace had not confirmed Kate's attendance and MailOnline understood Palace officials were not consulted on the update by the Ministry of Defence.
A doctor is spending 30 minutes every day signing people off sick with a mental health illness, but the GP says being back at work could actually be better for them.

Dr John Havard revealed there had been a 'significant rise' in the number of people being signed off work, which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

But he says it may not be a 'wise plan' for those feeling anxious or depressed to be staying at home as they 'need the support of home, family, friends, and also those at work'.

It comes as the number of people of working age in Britain that are economically inactive hit 9.4million, meaning they are neither employed nor looking for work.

Meanwhile, at the end of last year, 4,000 applications for sickness benefits were being made every single day.

Dr John Havard, whose Saxmundham Health Centre surgery is based in Suffolk, says he spends 30 minutes every day writing sick notes for people

The graph above shows the areas which have had the largest increase in long-term sickness claims in 2022-23

Dr Havard, whose Saxmundham Health Centre surgery is based in Suffolk, estimated GPs across the country probably spend at least 'half an hour each day' issuing 'repeat fit notes' to those who have been off work for a while.

He said: 'There certainly has been a significant rise in the number of patients being off work due to mental health problems.

'This seems to have been exacerbated since Covid.'

His surgery often contacts patients to find out how they are recovering in an effort to get them back to work.

This is because the doctors believe being it can be better for their recovery.

Dr Havard added: 'When patients are anxious or depressed, there are a number of ways we can help. But being off work is not necessarily a wise plan.

'Interaction and support from colleagues can be helpful, which means that signing some people off work may not be in their best interests.'

He was speaking after Rishi Sunak announced plans to strip GPs of their power to sign people off work, as part of a crackdown on what he calls the UK's 'sick note culture'.

The Prime Minister claims benefits have become 'a lifestyle choice' for some people, causing 'spirally' welfare costs.

He announced on Friday that the government will trial getting 'work and health professionals' to issue 'fit notes' rather than GPs.

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Mr Sunak hopes that this will free up overworked GPs and enable specialists to make a more detailed assessment of a person's ability to work.

He is implementing the plans amid concerns about the increase in long-term sickness since the pandemic, which has primarily been driven by mental health problems.

The Tory leader added that he would 'never dismiss or downplay the illnesses people have' but also argued that there is a need to be 'more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life'.

Disability campaigners have reacted with anger to the plans, with charity Scope branding them a 'full-on assault on disabled people'.

Dr Havard said: 'If the Government has a plan for the issue of repeat certificates, then I would welcome the idea.

'Currently though, I have no knowledge of how it would work.'

He added: 'As a general rule, I feel patients with anxiety and depression need the support of home, family, friends, and also those at work.

'We should never underestimate the strength of the wider community to provide support.'

The overall welfare bill for the British taxpayer currently stands at 297 billion and it is projected to climb to 360 billion over the next five years  the equivalent of 11 per cent of Britain's entire economic output.

Over the same period, spending on sickness benefits is expected to rise from 66billion to more than 90billion.

Nearly 3million people of working age are currently on long-term sick leave - the highest figure ever, it was revealed on April 17.

One recent survey by this paper showed that in the 16 to 24 age group, 280,000 people are in receipt of unemployment benefits  twice as many as a decade ago, and 50,000 more than before Covid struck.

And it appears that the younger generation are more likely to be afflicted by negativity about their mental health.

Research by the Resolution Foundation revealed that the number of 18 to 24-year-olds who are economically inactive due to mental health has more than doubled in the past decade from 93,000 to 190,000.
An asylum seeker who crossed the channel in a small boat has been jailed for carrying a drunken student into an alleyway and trying to sexually assault her.

Merwais Nasiri, 25, was living in a hotel after being moved to Exeter by the Home Office when he went out late at night and ended up prowling the street outside a nightclub.

Exeter Crown Court heard that the asylum seeker had a tragic background, having been a shepherd in Afghanistan until his father was killed by the Taliban and he and his mother became refugees.

They moved to France where his mother died in 2022, which lead him to move to Britain to seek asylum.

The victim is said to have struggled to complete her university studies and moved back into her parent's home because of the incident.

Nasiri spotted the 20-year-old woman, who was so drunk that she was sat on a step opposite the club, in a semi-conscious state with her head in her arms.

Merwais Nasiri, 25, was living in a hotel after being moved to Exeter by the Home Office

Nasiri spotted the 20-year-old woman, who was so drunk that she was sat on a step opposite the club, in a semi-conscious state

He stayed with her for an hour and a quarter and posed as a Good Samaritan who was helping her when a street pastor came to check on her welfare.

He then waited until he thought the coast was clear before carrying her into an alley and moving a large commercial bin to block the entrance.

The victim was rescued by two bouncers who were alerted by a worker at a nearby take away who had spotted Nasiri abducting her. They moved the bin and found Nasiri on top of the helpless woman.

CCTV footage showed him with his arm around her, holding her up, and trying to move her twice before he succeeded in manhandling her into the alley.

Earlier footage showed him prowling the city centre looking for potentially vulnerable women.

The doorman made a citizen's arrest before he had a chance to carry out a sexual assault but the kidnap has had a massive effect on the victim, who has struggled to complete her university studies and now feels so insecure that she has moved back home and abandoned her original plans for her career.

She had no memory of what had happened to her but was traumatised when she found out and had to undergo medical checks at a sexual assault clinic which she found 'absolutely horrible intrusive and unpleasant.'

She wrote an impact statement which said: 'When I saw the CCTV I was really shocked at the way he rested his head on my shoulder.

'I felt dirty and disgusted when I saw the alley. When I saw the way he tried to conceal me in the alley I was mortified.

'It has left me feeling violated and abused. There is no excuse for what he did to me. The effect will stay with me for a long time.'

Nasiri of Topsham Road, Exeter, denied kidnap and intending to commit a sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court at a trial in January.

He was jailed for five and a half years with a four year extended licence by Judge Stephen Climie, who put him on the sex offenders' register for life and classified him as a dangerous offender.

He praised the courage of the victim and told Nasiri: 'This case is not about you. It is about a young woman of 20 who gave evidence before this court which demonstrated not just intelligence and composure but extraordinary dignity.

'She had been drinking and required assistance but that was the last thing on your mind. Having watched the CCTV, the one thing on your mind during that hour and a quarter was sexual activity,'

Exeter Crown Court (pictured) heard that the asylum seeker had a tragic background, having been a shepherd in Afghanistan until his father was killed by the Taliban

Mr Joss Ticehurst, prosecuting, said the victim had become detached from a group of friends she had been with in the early hours of July 1 last year and ended up sitting with her head between her legs on a step in Mary Arches Street.

Nasiri sat next to her for 75 minutes and told a street pastor that she did not need help and later carried her into the alley and blocked the entrance with the bin.

Mr Daniel Pawson-Pounds, defending, said Nasiri had a tragic background, having been a shepherd in Afghanistan until his father was killed by the Taliban and he and his mother became refugees.

They moved to France where his mother died in 2022, leading him to move to Britain to seek asylum. He was moved to Exeter and put up in a hotel by the Home Office.

He said there is nothing to suggest Nasiri planned to rape the woman and neither had their clothing undone when the door staff intervened. He had not made any threats at any stage.
A caregiver has been caught viciously beating a 93-year-old dementia patient with a soiled diaper before trying to choke her out in horrific footage released by police.

Dontia Shawnra Arrington, 26, has been charged for allegedly assaulting the vulnerable patient at Landings of Genesee Valley in Flint, Michigan on April 4.

The attack was caught on nanny cam, which was placed in the victim's room after her daughter noticed 'handprint bruises' on her mother as far back as December.

'I'm watching and all I kept saying was, 'My mom,' you know? 'Why are you doing this to my mom?' She's 93, 5-foot tall, a little 130-pound lady,' she told a press conference where the video was shown. 'Horrified. Just horrified.'

Footage shows Arrington repeatedly smashing a full diaper over the victim's head while she sits helplessly in her wheelchair and raises her arms in defense.

The attack was caught on nanny cam which was placed in the victim's room after her daughter noticed 'handprint bruises' on her mother as far back as December

Dontia Shawnra Arrington, 26, has been charged for allegedly assaulting the vulnerable patient at Landings of Genesee Valley in Flint, Michigan on April 4

The victim's daughter grew emotional as the video was shown at a press conference also attended by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Prosecutor David Leyton

She then attempts to choke the woman in the bathroom. The footage later cuts to the bedroom, where Arrington slaps the lady in the mouth while still wearing her hygiene gloves.

Arrington raises her fists and appears to threaten the patient as she towers above her wheelchair. The elderly woman is clearly distressed.

The victim's daughter grew emotional as the video was shown at a press conference also attended by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Prosecutor David Leyton.

She said that her family planted the nanny cam to get to the bottom of why her mother had been suffering bruises, and it took a few attempts to catch the abuse.

The cameras also caught staff stealing from her mother, who has been a patient at the facility for around five years.

She added that her mother has since been moved to a different assisted living facility and is getting better but still feels traumatized by the incident.

Sheriff Swanson told the press conference the patient had been diagnosed with 'severe dementia'.

'[The victim] has no idea what's going on,' he said. 'She can't process what we process on a regular basis.'

'You see the vulnerability of the victim and the fact that she's getting hit with a two-to-three-pound soiled diaper,' he added as the horrific footage was shown.

A caregiver has been caught viciously beating a 93-year-old dementia patient with a soiled diaper before trying to choke her out in horrific footage released by police

Footage shows Arrington repeatedly smashing a full diaper over the victim's head while she sits helplessly in her wheelchair and raises her arms in defense

The victim had been a patient at Landings of Genesee Valley in Flint, Michigan for around five years. She has since been moved to another facility after being traumatized by the incident

'But if that isn't enough, when she brought her hand across her throat in a chokehold, that can kill people, especially a 93-year-old.'

Prosecutor Leyton said he was 'appalled, disgusted and very angry' after seeing what had unfolded in the care home where elders should have been protected.

'I said to Chief Assistant Phillips, 'We're going to have to charge this woman as harshly as we can,' he told the press conference.

Leyton said Arrington has been charged with torture with intent to cause cruel or extreme physical or mental pain and suffering, which carries a sentence of serving up to life in prison.

She is also accused of vulnerable adult abuse, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation, with carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Swanson said Arrington does not have a violent history and her only previous brush with the law was for alleged minor shoplifting offences.
Gina Rinehart said Australia is falling behind Chinar

Australia's richest person says the nation is being outdone by communist-run China when it comes to policies on energy, the economy, defence, education and emissions.

Gina Rinehart, 70, admitted, in a keynote speech at an Institute of Public Affairs conference on the Gold Coast on Saturday night, that her verdict would likely 'shock' the audience.

But the mining magnate insisted China is 'doing a better job than our government'.

She took aim at Australia's ban on nuclear energy at a time when China has built 37 nuclear power plants in the past 10 years with a further 22 under construction, The Weekend Australian reported.

'Which countrys government understands the importance of reliable electricity production and is building many coal-fired power stations and nuclear ones?' Mrs Rinehart rhetorically asked the conference'.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart (pictured) believes Australia is falling behind China in energy, economic, defence and education policies

'The conclusion certainly shocks,' the businesswoman added, saying that her evaluations on China were 'not referring to the rights or responsibilities of the individual'.

The Australian government is currently pursuing its net-zero policy, which aims to cut CO2 emissions entirely by 2050.

Ms Rinehart claims the strategy could destroy Australia agricultural sector as it would cost the average agricultural station between $10.4million and $11.5million - plus another $650,000 to convert diesel generators to solar powered batteries.

'Sadly, very sadly, should the government pursue its policies, Australians will be without their outstanding agricultural industry,' she said.

In a similar comparison, she asked the invite-only audience: 'Which country's government is running down its military, lessening its defence spending, causing a decrease in military personnel lowering morale, while the other country's government is doing the very opposite?'

Her blunt criticism of Australia's military leaderships comes just days after the Albanese Government announced a $50billion plan to boost defences over the next decade.

The billionaire's blows continued as she accused successive Australian governments of 'lowering education standards, adding woke agendas, making students anxious with climate-induced global extinction propaganda, [and] teaching its students not to be proud of their country'.

Ms Rinehart contrasted Australia's education system to China's, which she said counteracts the dangers of 'maliciously distorting, denigrating and negating a country's history'.

The mining magnate claimed the Chinese communist government is 'doing a better job than our government' (pictured, Chinese President Xi Jinping)

Ms Rinehart compared Australia's education system to China's, which she said counteracts the dangers of 'maliciously distorting, denigrating and negating' a country's history'

Ms Rinehart drew her final comparison between Australia and China's economic policies.

'Which country's government has introduced special economic zones, lowering government burdens, successfully introduced in thousands of other places around the world, to improve investment, development and raise living standards?,' she asked the audience, which included fellow speakers Tony Abbott, senator Jacinta Price and Judith Sloan.

The 'special economic zones' refer to former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's decision in 1980 to provide concessional tax arrangements in five cities to rapidly grow the country's economy.

Scott Hargreaves, executive director of the IPA, said Ms Rinehart's controversial speech would be 'an inspiration to all Australians wanting our leaders to put us back on a road to prosperity and urgently address the immediate challenges to national security'.

Gina Rinehart is pictured at Roy Hill's berths in Port Hedland
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has today reacted for the first time to his nation's attack on Israel earlier this month, claiming his military 'displayed power' despite failing to hit any significant targets.

Khamenei tried downplaying the failure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to hit significant targets with its 300-strong salvo of drones and missiles sent to Israel in April 13.

He said: 'How many missiles were launched and how many of them hit their target is not the primary question, what really matters is that Iran demonstrated its will-power during that operation.'

The leader, who celebrated his 85th birthday on Friday, the same day Israel retaliated with a strike in the strategically important Isfahan province, seemingly called for an escalation in tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.

He called on the IRCG to 'ceaselessly pursue military innovation and learn the enemy's tactics.'

Iran fired the salvo of drones and missiles to Israel in response to an Israeli missile attack against an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, at the beginning of the month

A view shows drones or missiles vying for targets at undisclosed locations in northern Israel

He today spoke with 'a number of commanders of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran', his official account on X said.

His account added in a later post: 'I sincerely appreciate the armed forces efforts and achievements in Operation 'True Promise' that was carried out against the Zionist regime.

'In Operation True Promise, the armed forces showed a good image of their capabilities and power and an admirable image of the Iranian nation. They also proved the emergence of the power of the Iranian nation's determination at the international level.

'The armed forces recent achievements have created a sense of splendor and magnificence about Islamic Iran in the eyes of the world and among international observers.'

Iran fired the salvo of drones and missiles to Israel in response to an Israeli missile attack against an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, at the beginning of the month that killed seven people, including two top generals of the IRGC.

The salvo took several hours to reach Israel, but only one person was injured, a seven-year-old girl who was critically injured by falling shrapnel.

In response, Israel launched a missile that struck the Isfahan province, home to many of Iran's military and nuclear sites.

Khamenei (pictured) tried downplaying the failure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to hit significant targets with its 300-strong salvo of drones and missiles

He today spoke with 'a number of commanders of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran'

Iran has officially said it has no plans to retaliate, and has downplayed the damage suffered by the attack.

But Iran appears to be trying to mend relations with its neighbours, with president Ebrahim Raisi revealing he will be travelling to Pakistan on Monday to meet with his counterpart, president Asif Ali Zardari.

Pakistan's foreign ministry said today that Raisi will be accompanied by 'a high-level delegation comprising the foreign minister... as well as a large business delegation.'

It comes just three months after Iran and Pakistan engaged in a tit-for-tat series of missile strikes that stoked regional tensions.

Tehran carried out the strikes against an anti-Iran group in Pakistan the same week it targeted Iraq and Syria.

Pakistan responded with a raid on 'militant targets' in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan province, one of the few mainly Sunni Muslim regions in Shiite-dominated Iran.

Both countries have in the past accused each other of sheltering militants.

A visit to Islamabad by Tehran's foreign minister led to the two sides pledging to improve dialogue and install liaison officers in both countries.

Sistan-Balochistan province has for years faced unrest involving cross-border drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baloch ethnic minority, and Muslim extremists.

Raisi will also visit Lahore and Karachi to meet provincial leaders, according to the statement.

The countries will further strengthen ties and enhance cooperation in 'trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts', it added.

Pakistan is counting on a joint gas project with Iran to solve a long-running power crisis that has sapped its economic growth.

A $7.5-billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline intended to feed Pakistani power plants was inaugurated with great fanfare in March 2013.

But the project immediately stagnated following international sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has built its own section of the 1,100-mile pipeline, which should eventually link its South Pars gas fields to the Pakistani city of Nawabshah, near Karachi.

In February, Pakistan's outgoing caretaker government approved the construction of an 80-kilometer section of the pipeline, primarily to avoid the payment of billions of dollars in penalties to Iran due to years of delays.

Washington has warned that Pakistan could face US sanctions, saying it does not support the pipeline going forward.
Police are searching for a man who threatened and abused Muslim women as they walked down the street in an 'unacceptable' racist tirade.

Mobile phone footage shows the thug following the women, who are wearing Islamic headscarves, down South Street in Romford, labelling them as 'f***ing c***s'' in a string of vile racist and Islamophobic slurs.

The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the incident and is now 'urgently' investigating to identify the man.

Officers also plan to speak to the victims later today, after they were called 'Muslim c****' and told to 'f*** off out of England' by the perpetrator.

He can also be heard saying: 'You Muslim f***ing c****. You're c****. Muslim c****. You f****** Muslim s***. Go away you f***ing idiots.'

Mobile phone footage shows the thug (pictured above) labelling a group of women wearing Islamic headscarves as 'f***ing c***s'' in a string of vile racist and Islamophobic slurs

The man can be seen following the women down South Street in Romford, as he calls them 'Muslim c****' and tells them to 'f*** off out of England'

One of the group asks the man to stop and tells him that he is 'being racist', but this does not stop him from continuing his barrage of abuse.

He says: 'Harassing? We don't like you. F*** off back to Muslim c******.

'We are a Christian country and we don't f***ing like you. F*** off out of England. You are a cancer on our country. F***off. You are a cancer. We are a Christian country and we don't like you. we are not a Muslim country.'

Redbridge Community Action Group, a London-based charity, posted the footage onto social media to help try and identify the culprit.

Writing on X, formally known as twitter, they said: 'Help @metpolice identify this sick racist earlier today in Romford!

'WATCH as this coward physically threatens and subjects a group of women with his vile, horrific, racist and Islamophobic slurs. We stand with them in solidarity! Internet, please do your thing!'

In a later statement, the charity also said the video was 'yet another horrific incident of Islamophobia which many Muslims have to face'.

In response to the video, the Metropolitan Police commented: 'We are aware and urgently investigating this clearly unacceptable incident. We will be speaking to the victim later.'

The video has garnered a lot of online attention, with many people commenting in support of the women subjected to the abuse.

One of the group asks the man to stop and tells him that he is 'being racist', but this does not stop him from continuing his barrage of abuse

One wrote: 'Absolutely dreadful. I am so sorry those women were subjected to that, and well done the brave woman who kept him at bay. Just sorry no members of the public came to help.'

Another wrote: 'That's absolutely disgusting and completely unacceptable, this racist scum needs to be identified and prosecuted and sent to prison. The police should be able to identify and charge him from the pictures.'

A third wrote: 'Shameful and horribly intimidating for those poor women. Deeply worrying that for some, 'Christian values' entail dehumanising, othering, and harassing our neighbours.'

MailOnline have approached the Metropolitan Police for a comment.
Were you in the restaurant that night? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk

An Italian restaurant has accused a family of doing a 'dine-and dash' after racking up a 329 bill.

Staff at the Bella Ciao Italian restaurant in Port Talbot, just west of Swansea, say the family-of-eight left the establishment without paying for their costly meal on Friday evening.

The diners ordered expensive steaks, double desserts and 15 bottles of pop, but started to send back a number of half empty plates, which raised eyebrows among staff members.

Having been given the bill, CCTV footage shows the mother of the group attempting to pay with a savings account card which got declined twice.

She allegedly told staff her son would wait inside while she went to get her 'other card', but she did not return and moments later the boy had also vanished from the premises.

The family-of-eight racked up an unpaid 329 bill when they sat at the Bella Ciao Italian restaurant in Port Talbot, just west of Swansea, on Friday evening

Having been given the bill, CCTV footage shows the mother of the group attempting to pay with a savings account card which got declined twice

The mother allegedly told staff her son (left) would wait inside while she went to get her 'other card', but she did not return and moments later the boy had also vanished from the premises

Manager Tyrone Reese told The Mirror: 'Once he [the boy] gets to the door, he runs. My son was about to go after him but I told him not to.'

READ MORE: Embarrassed party of four pensioners accused of being dine and dashers settle the bill after telling owner they thought each other had already paid Advertisement

To add insult to injury, the family-owned restaurant learned there was no way to contact the family as the number they used to take the booking was 'fake'. Mr Reese has now reported the incident to the police.

The dine and dash video was posted by Bella Ciao onto social media and went viral over the weekend, with more than 12 million people viewing the post.

After publishing the clip, Mr Reese says he was bombarded with calls from other restaurants in the area, claiming they also had similar incidents with a family that had refused to pay.

However, the restaurant owner said he was disappointed by the lack of urgency shown by the force to catch the perpetrators, adding: 'I'm paying my tax for police but I seem to be powerless. It annoys me to know this is happening and that they are getting away with it.'

But the video has actually helped Mr Reese's business as the following night he had tripled the number of bookings, something he described as a 'sign of solidarity' from the local community.

Leaving a restaurant without paying is a crime and carries a prison sentence of up to two years.

MailOnline have approached South Wales Police for a comment.

Were you in the restaurant that night? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk
Rishi Sunak 'is appalled' after a Met Police officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a kippah for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestinian rally.

The Prime Minister has not openly backed Sir Mark Rowley who is facing calls to resign after campaigns issued a grave warning that London is becoming a 'police-enforced Jew-free zone'.

Mr Sunak, however, has no plans to get personally involved over the row over the Met Police commissioner's position and will instead reportedly leave the matter to his Home Secretary James Cleverly.

The Board of Deputies for British Jews called to meet Sir Mark this morning and has now confirmed the meeting will take place later this week.

The outcry from the Jewish community comes after the Campaign Against Antisemitism shared a heated exchange between its chief Gideon Falter and a Met officer near Aldwych on Saturday April 7.

In the footage, which was shared online, Mr Falter was told he faced arrest if he did not leave the area because he was 'causing a breach of peace with all these other people' claiming his presence was 'antagonising'.

Mr Falter maintained he was 'going for a walk' after attending synagogue. .

Gideon Falter demanded action after he was stopped by police after trying to cross the road near a pro-Palestine march

Sir Mark Rowley is due to meet with an advocacy group for British Jews after campaigners warned London is becoming a 'police-enforced Jew-free zone'

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable' but was later accused of 'victim blaming' after saying the campaigners filming themselves was 'provocative'

Rishi Sunak 'is appalled' after a Met Police officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a kippah for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestinian rally

As the row over Sir Mark's tenure deepens, a source for No 10 told the Telegraph: 'The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter "openly Jewish".

'He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe.'

It marks a stark difference to Boris Johnson's leadership where he announced 'full confidence' in Sir Mark's predecessor, Dame Credisda Dick, when she was faced with similar calls to leave her role.

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable'.

However, it then issued a second apology after being accused of 'victim blaming' when it claimed in its previous statement that campaigners filming themselves being abused are being 'provocative'.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Falter questioned why police officers allowed protesters to call him and his friends, 'scum', disgusting' and 'Nazis' as well as shouting 'lock them up'.

'I didn't have a flag or a placard or anything that would in any way mark me out from any other normal Londoner except for the fact that I was wearing a skullcap,' he said.

'How dare he pick me out because I'm Jewish  and tell me where I'm allowed to walk?,' he added.

'By the actions of the Metropolitan Police, it's not just that central London is a 'no-go zone' for Jews, as has been said previously, but a police-enforced Jew-free zone.'

Mr Fatler went on to call for Sir Mark Rowley to resign claiming he had 'lost control of the streets' and needs to 'either resign or be removed' for 'change' to occur.

Responding to the situation, the Board of Deputies called on Sir Mark to meet them to begin to 'repair this grievous loss of confidence'.

The Met Police has apologised (above) for an earlier statement in which it suggested counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches were being deliberately 'provocative'

Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist (above) accused counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches of being 'provocative' in an earlier statement

A spokesperson said: 'Since the horrific terror attacks of October 7th, almost every weekend we have seen tens of thousands of people march through the centre of London on 'anti-Israel' protests.

'While many marchers may have genuine concerns regarding the terrible situation in Gaza, others have taken the opportunity to amplify hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories, while a number clearly wish for the complete destruction of the world's only Jewish State.

'The Metropolitan Police has made a series of high-profile errors in their responses to these demonstrations.

'The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UK's Jewish community in the police. We have written to the Commissioner to ask for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and to begin to repair this grievous loss of confidence.'

The group later confirmed a meeting had been arranged, which it will attend alongside the Jewish Leadership Council and CST - a charity that runs a hotline to help those dealing with antisemitism.

It comes as former home secretary Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

Ms Braverman used an op-ed in The Sunday Telegraph to demand Sir Mark's resignation, saying people who were 'flagrantly antisemitic' were being 'waved on by the police'.

Mr Falter, who is the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said he was 'treated like a criminal' by police as he walked past the march in Aldwych on Saturday, April 13

Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

She said: 'Either this is gross incompetence, or it's a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way.'

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go.

Mr Dowden told The Sunday Telegraph that the force had been 'disrespecting' Jews while Lord Walney, the Government's adviser on political violence, accused the Met of displaying 'institutional antisemitism'.

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Asked on Sky News whether Sir Mark Rowley should stand down, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho did not answer either way, saying: 'I think what happened was completely wrong.

'It's not right that one group of people in society should be told they can't go around their daily lives because it might be a provocation to someone else. That's not how equality works in this country.

'So I do think they've got it wrong. I think it's right that they've apologised, and ultimately, what happens next is a matter for the Labour London Mayor who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.'

The Mayor of London does have the power to effectively sack the Commissioner, but can only do so with the permission of the Home Secretary, who can also require the Mayor to dismiss the head of the Met.

Labour's shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said Sir Mark should not resign over the force's handling of the pro-Palestinian protests.

'I can understand the strength of feeling and as I say that footage was very concerning, and I can understand where Mr Falter is coming from,' she told Sky.

'But I don't think that the resignation of the Met's Commissioner is the way forward. I think the police should take all steps to maintain community confidence from all communities in the way that they go about their business on the streets of London and elsewhere.

'They have got to make sure they police the protests in line with the laws of our land, and enforce the laws of our land.'
Sadiq Khan has boldly declared that he will make the Thames 'swimmable' in 10 years amid public fury at the five-fold increase in sewage being dumped in the river.

The Mayor of London described the capital's river as a 'national embarrassment' as he announced his 'moonshot plan' to transform London's waterways.

It comes as Khan's French counterpart, Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, claimed she would reopen the Seine to swimmers in time for the Olympics, which are due to take place later this year.

However, Khan's claim will prove challenging as his own analysis, which was published earlier this year, showed an almost five-fold increase in the duration of sewage spills in London last year.

He said: 'We won't do this overnight. It will take us a few years to do - but the great thing is there's an appetite from Londoners and campaigners.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has boldly claimed he will make the Thames 'swimmable' in ten years

City Hall analysis shows that the duration of sewage spills increased by almost five-fold last year for the same period in 2022

Mr Khan is campaigning for a record third consecutive term as Mayor of London

'The levels of sewage that water companies are pouring into our rivers is a scandal. I will not stand by and allow this to continue.

'As well as demanding clear action from Thames Water, I will launch an ambitious plan to make rivers in London swimmable within ten years.

'This will include working with partners to reverse the damage to our rivers and waterways.'

He added: 'Weve made huge progress in cleaning up Londons air  exceeding expectations. Now its time to clean up our waterways too.'

City Hall analysis shows the instances of sewage flowing into London's river in 2023 were almost five times the amount for the same period in 2022.

The stats show that between April and December 2023, Thames Water released sewage into London's waterways for 6,590 hours, 11 minutes and 54 seconds.

And, in the six days between December 25 and December 31, sewage was dumped across the Thames Water network for 128 hours and 12 minutes - equivalent to 18 hours every day.

The discharges includes treated sewage and overflows of untreated sewage and storm water into rivers during high rainfall.

The Mayor of London, who is campaigning for a record third term, previously wrote to Thames Water's new CEO Chris Weston urging him to get a grip on the situation.

Residents in the village of Bilbury - dubbed the most beautiful in England - took this photo of dead fish in the River Coln last year

Thames Water CEO Chris Weston (pictured) was appointed in January earlier this year

In one incident, sewage was discharged in the River Colne, a tributary of the Thames, for 55 hours straight

Khan also called on ministers to 'stop turning a blind eye' to the pollution in our rivers and demanded they in introduce tough penalties for water companies that pollute rivers.

Mr Khan, said: 'Londons rivers are the arteries of our city. Frankly the current state of some of our rivers is appalling and only getting worse.

'Thames Water urgently need to up their up their game, and get a grip of the situation. At the same time, ministers are standing by and letting more and more dirty sewage flow into our rivers.

'We need tougher legislation that forces water companies to act as a matter of urgency.

'While were making huge progress cleaning up Londons air and much of the capitals environment, its a scandal that levels of sewage in our rivers are increasing at the same time.'
Third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues drawing more attention in the 2024 election, according to a new NBC poll, as voters dread another matchup between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Kennedy receives enough support among the electorate to play a spoiler in the 2024 election. Thirteen percent chose Kennedy, significantly higher than other third party candidates like Jill Stein who got three percent support and Cornel West who got two percent.

But the poll of registered voters suggests that Kennedy's new-found popularity hurts Trump more than Biden.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign event in California

The NBC poll shows that Trump supporters are more willing to support Kennedy

In a head-to-head matchup, Trump is two points ahead of Biden, 46 percent to 44 percent. But when Kennedy Jr. on the ballot, Biden shifts ahead of Trump by two points, Biden with 39 percent and Trump with 37 percent.

Only 64 percent of voters say they are very interested in the 2024 election, essentially a rematch of the 2020 election.

Pollsters showed that Trump voters were more likely to choose Kennedy, when given the chance to choose from potential third-party candidates.

NBC reported that 15 percent of respondents who chose Trump in a head to head match up with Biden picked Kennedy when given the chance. Only seven percent of Biden voters shifted to Kennedy.

Kennedy also has a much better chance at wooing Republican voters, as 40 percent view Kennedy favorably while only 16 percent of Democrats view him favorably.

Biden has not even publicly acknowledged Kennedy's entry into the race, although he rallied on Thursday with members of the Kennedy family who enthusiastically endorsed Biden and warned about Trump.

'I can only imagine how Donald Trumps outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father, said RFK Jr's sister Kerry Kennedy.

Kerry Kennedy, joined by members of the Kennedy family, speaks before President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden listens to Kerry Kennedy (R) as she and members of the Kennedy family endorse his presidential campaign,

Biden is enjoying a small bump in approval in the new poll. His approval ratings are up five percent since January, as 42 percent now favor his job performance, up from 37 percent in January. His disapproval ratings are down from 60 percent to 56 percent.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged members of his family supporting Biden, but thanked them for being politically active.

'We are divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other,' he wrote on social media.

The Kennedy campaign celebrated an NBC News poll in February showing that 34 percent of voters could see themselves supporting Kennedy.

In March, he embraced his role as a 'spoiler' in the 2024 campaign.

'Their principal technique is to call me a spoiler and instill fear in Americans that voting for me will get some other terrifying candidate elected,' he said. 'Our campaign is a spoiler. I agree with that. It's a spoiler for president Biden and for President Trump.'

The poll was conducted April 12-16 and surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationally. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
A female iguana was found stuck inside of a water slide jet at a Florida resort after she laid more than two dozen eggs that ended up at the bottom of a swimming pool.

On Friday, Michael Ronquillo, the owner of Humane Iguana Control, arrived at an unnamed resort in Miami after he was contacted about the mother and her babies.

'Upon our arrival, the iguana escaped, leaving behind 30 eggs in the swimming pool. We've received calls about iguanas nesting in unusual places like pools, under artificial turf, and cars,' Ronquillo told Fox News.

Ronquillo said that his team have 'no idea' how the iguana and her eggs got trapped in the slide and pool.

Humane Iguana Control told DailyMail.com that the mother escaped from the jet while the eggs had to be 'dispatched due to iguanas being an invasive species.'

A female iguana is seen trapped inside of a pool water slide jet at a local resort in Miami, Florida. Her legs and claws are seen through the holes

Michael Roquillo, the owner of Human Iguana Control, said that his team have 'no idea' how the iguana and her eggs got trapped in the slide and pool

Commenters flocked to social media and reacted to the odd discovery, as one said: 'Needed a place to lay her eggs. We have lots of iguanas in Florida, but this would freak me out.'

Another jokingly said: 'Even iguanas have to go on vacation...'

Pictures showed the eggs sprawled across the pool floor, close to the drain, as another shot showed the large female iguana trapped inside the water slide jet.

Her legs hung out of the holes in the jet, as Ronquillo said that his team believes that the mother was 'trying to lay eggs in there.'

'Female iguanas are very active during the breeding season and you will find them in random places,' he said in a post about the bizarre find on Instagram.

Another clip showed the experts looking inside the pool pipe with an endoscopy camera to 'make sure' the iguana was not trapped in there.

Toward the end of the video, Ronquillo showed the collection of eggs that his crew rescued from the bottom of the pool.

'We're not really sure how the iguana laid them on the slide, or that area, and how they ended up in the pool,' Ronquillo said.

Mating season for the reptiles typically runs from February to March, and Ronquillo said that females are known to lay 'up to 70 eggs annually.'

Iguanas are some of the largest lizards found in the US as their tails make up about half of their length, according to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Roquillo discovered 30 iguana eggs at the bottom of the pool, near where the female lizard was found

Another clip showed the experts looking inside the pool pipe with an endoscopy camera as they wanted to 'make sure' the iguana was not trapped in there

The reptiles are native to Central America and some eastern Caribbean islands, and they first arrived in Florida in the 1960s.

Since then, their population has been steadily rising. Iguanas are known to get into sewer systems and are strong swimmers.

In recent years, the invasive reptiles have made their way to the Sunshine State and have been blamed for causing damage to buildings and power outages.

It is also extremely dangerous to approach iguanas in the wild.

'Directly addressing iguanas can pose bodily harm and health risks due to their sharp nails, teeth, and tail whips reaching speeds of 30 mph,' Ronquillo said.

Ronquillo also stressed that if an iguana or iguana eggs are seen in a body of water, like a swimming pool, experts should be contacted as pools can cause 'health risks' for the babies.

He added that iguanas are known to carry serious diseases and critters like salmonella, ticks and mites.

Wildlife experts have warned that iguanas can transmit salmonella to pets and cause erosion near lakes and canals, and when temperatures fall, the National Weather Service in Miami has been known to issue falling iguana advisories.

In recent years, the invasive reptiles have made their way to the Sunshine State and have been blamed for causing damage to buildings and power outages. (pictured: A green iguana in dangling from the air in cold weather)

In May 2023, a Florida man, John Ride, 58, got the surprise of his life when he noticed his toilet was occupied by a furious iguana

When it gets cold, below 40 degrees, the critters go into a sort of suspended animation mode and fall to the ground. They usually wake up in the sun's warmth.

In May 2023, a Florida man, John Ride, 58, got the surprise of his life when he noticed his toilet was occupied by a furious iguana.

The scaled intruder seemed as stunned as Riddle as it began to hiss angrily at him, turning its head towards his camera for a menacing photo.

'I walked in my bathroom and found Godzilla in my toilet,' Riddle said.

'He didnt seem at all pleased and started splashing and hissing at me.'

Before Riddle could finally use the bathroom, he grabbed a net he uses to clean out his pool and removed the unwelcome visitor.

'I guess I wont be leaving the door open for the dogs anymore,' he added.
Israel will increase 'military pressure' on Hamas in a bid to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed.

Netanyahu threatened action 'in the coming days' and promised Israeli forces would 'deliver additional and painful blows' without specifying further.

Despite an international outcry, Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the army will launch a ground assault on Rafah, a southern Gaza city so far spared an Israeli invasion where more than 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge.

Israeli strikes on Rafah overnight killed 22 people, including 18 children, health officials said Sunday.

The premier's latest remarks came a day after US lawmakers approved $13 billion in new military aid to close ally Israel, even as global criticism mounts over the dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hamas, whose October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war, said the US aid was a 'green light' for Israel to 'continue the brutal aggression against our people'.

Israel will increase 'military pressure' on Hamas in a bid to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured last month) vowed on Sunday

Netanyahu threatened action 'in the coming days' and promised Israeli forces would 'deliver additional and painful blows' without specifying further. Pictured is a plume of smoke towering during Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on April 18, 2024

Netanyahu has faced pressure within Israel, with an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday (pictured) demanding action to secure the release of hostages

Netanyahu, in a video statement on Sunday, the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, said Israel 'will deliver additional and painful blows' to Hamas.

'In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages,' he said.

'We will land more and painful blows on Hamas - soon.'

Israel estimates 129 captives remain in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack, including 34 who the military says are dead.

The army has said at least some of the hostages are held in Rafah, which has so far been spared an Israeli invasion and is where most of Gaza's 2.4 million people have sought shelter.

Earlier this week, the G7 group of developed economies said that it opposed a 'full-scale military operation' there, fearing 'catastrophic consequences' for civilians.

Israeli forces had already been carrying out regular strikes on the city.

Netanyahu has faced pressure within Israel, with an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding action to secure the release of hostages.

Ofir Angrest, whose brother Matan was kidnapped on October 7, called for Jewish Israelis to leave an empty chair at their Seder meals, marking the beginning of Passover on Monday, to remember the captives.

Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

People attend a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and to call for the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7

Demonstrators gather in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Netanyahu's government, early elections and demand the return of hostages to their homes

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

The first Israeli strike in Rafah killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. The woman was pregnant and the doctors saved the baby, the hospital said. The second strike killed 17 children and two women from an extended family.

'These children were sleeping. What did they do? What was their fault?' asked one relative, Umm Kareem. Another relative, Umm Mohammad, said the oldest killed, an 80-year-old aunt, was taken out 'in pieces.' Small children were zipped into body bags.

Mohammed al-Beheiri said his daughter, Rasha, and her six children, the youngest 18 months old, were among those killed. A woman and three children were still under the rubble.

The Israel-Hamas war has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, at least two-thirds of them children and women.

It has devastated Gaza's two largest cities and left a swath of destruction. Around 80 per cent of the territory's population have fled to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.

The $26 billion aid package approved by the US House of Representatives on Saturday includes around $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine. The Senate could pass the package as soon as Tuesday, and President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

A view of buildings rendered unusable near the Netzarim Corridor area of the Gaza-Israel border in Gaza City, Gaza on April 21, 2024

Some Palestinians return their home after Israeli forces withdrawal from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on April 21, 2024

A woman holds her young child as people rebury the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel's offensive and buried earlier at Nasser hospital, after bodies were moved to a cemetery

The conflict, now in its seventh month, has sparked regional unrest pitting Israel and the US against Iran and allied militant groups across the Middle East. Israel and Iran traded fire directly this month, raising fears of all-out war between the longtime foes.

Tensions have also spiked in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli troops killed two Palestinians who the military says attacked a checkpoint with a knife and a gun near the southern West Bank town of Hebron early Sunday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the two killed were 18 and 19, from the same family. No Israeli forces were wounded, the army said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service said it had recovered 14 bodies from an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp in the West Bank that began late Thursday. Those killed include three militants from the Islamic Jihad group and a 15-year-old boy.

The military said it killed 14 militants in the camp and arrested eight suspects. Ten Israeli soldiers and one border police officer were wounded.

In a separate incident in the West Bank, an Israeli man was wounded in an explosion Sunday, the Magen David Adom rescue service said.

A video circulating online shows a man approaching a Palestinian flag planted in a field. When he kicks it, it appears to trigger an explosive device.

At least 469 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most have been killed during Israeli military raids, which often trigger gunbattles, or in violent protests.

An Israeli military jeep manoeuvres near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Israel, April 21, 2024

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip April 21, 2024

Some Palestinians return their home after Israeli forces withdrawal from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on April 21, 2024

The war in Gaza was sparked by an unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which Hamas and other militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to call for new elections to replace Netanyahu and a deal with Hamas to release the hostages. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and all the hostages are returned.

The war has killed at least 34,097 Palestinians and wounded another 76,980, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. It says the real toll is likely higher as many bodies are stuck beneath the rubble or in areas that medics cannot reach.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militants fight in dense, residential neighborhoods. The military rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children. The military says it has killed over 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence.
A boy has confessed to shooting a 32-year-old stranger while he was sleeping in a Texas trailer park two years ago when he was just seven years old.

The unnamed child, who is now 10, was caught this month after his school principal reported him to the police for allegedly threatening to 'assault and kill another student on a bus'.

He was then interviewed and admitted to shooting and killing Brandon O'Quinn Rasberry, 32, who was found dead at the Lazy J RV Park on January 18 2022, in Nixon.

The boy will not face murder charges due to his age, but was taken to a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment.

Rasberry's father Kenneth told KSAT: 'He's forgiven. And he can still be saved. He's so young. He's definitely tormented by something'.

Brandon O'Quinn Rasberry, 32, was found dead at the Lazy J RV Park on January 18 2022, in Nixon.

He was found dead in his RV with a single bullet wound to his head with the cause of death listed as homicide

Rasberry was found dead in his RV with a single bullet wound to his head with the cause of death listed as homicide.

For over two years, police struggled to find a suspect and his family were forced to launch their own investigation, writing: 'We will leave no stone unturned in our search for the truth about what happened to you, Brandon Rasberry.'

He had moved into the park just days before his death and was working at the Holmes Food in Nixon - his body was found after he didn't appear at work for two days.

As police struggled to find a suspect, his family were left 'incredibly heartbroken' by his death, labeling him a 'special soul, kind, giving, and loving.'

Then this month, a principal at the Nixon Smiley Independent School District called Gonzales County Sheriff's Office to report a child for allegedly threatening 'to assault and kill another student on a bus'.

When police interviewed the principal they told them the 'child made a statement that he shot and killed a man two years ago.'

The boy was then taken to a child advocacy center where he was interviewed by deputies and revealed firsthand knowledge of Rasberry's murder.

He told officers that he was staying at the RV park with his grandfather when he took a 9mm pistol from the glove compartment of his grandfather's truck, entered Rasberry's RV and shot him in the head while he was asleep.

He then shot the sofa in his RV and returned the gun to the glove compartment.

He said that he didn't know Rasberry, but had seen him walking through the park earlier that day, and said he had no reason to dislike him.

For over two years, police struggled to find a suspect and his family were forced to launch their own investigation

The child was caught this month after his school principal reported him to the police for threatening to 'assault and kill another student on a bus'

He has not been charged with murder as he was only seven at the time and Texas law doesnt allow for criminal culpability before the age of 10

The Sheriff's office said: 'When asked, the child stated he had never met Brandon, and did not know who he was although he had observed him walking around the RV earlier in the day.

'The child was also asked if he was mad at Brandon for some reason or if Brandon had ever done anything to him to make him mad, the child stated no.'

Investigators then found the gun in a pawn shop in Seguin, Texas, and the bullet casings from the scene matched the weapon.

The child was taken to a psychiatric hospital in San Antonio for evaluation and treatment and then to the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office and booked in on a terroristic threat charge for the school bus incident.

He has not been charged with murder as he was only seven at the time and Texas law doesnt allow for criminal culpability before the age of 10.

Rasberry's family were surprised to learn that their son's murderer was a child.

The victim's father, Kenneth, told KSAT: 'This isnt anywhere the suspect we thought it was. This is a little boy, for reasons that Im sure these counselors and case managers and all of that, thats going to pick that poor little boys brain apart.

'He needs to be prayed on. He needs to be comforted Hes forgiven. And he can still be saved. Hes so young. Hes definitely tormented by something.'
Rep. Tony Gonzales decried some of his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives as 'scumbags' with 'white hoods' as he directly targeted Rep. Matt Gaetz in an interview with CNN on Sunday.

'It's an absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags,' Gonzales (R-TX) said on CNN's Face the Nation on Sunday. 'Look, Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties.'

CNN host Dana Bash was taken aback by the accusation, reminding viewers that Gaetz had not been prosecuted by the allegations.

'Wow. Okay,' she replied. 'I should say that the federal government did look into Matt Gaetz and those allegations and they decided not to prosecute.'

Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) called some of his GOP colleagues 'scumbags'

United States Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL)

Republican Rep. slams hardliners in his own party: 'The way you take care of a bully is you bloody their nose.'@RepTonyGonzales, @JamalSimmons, @KBeds and @ScottJenningsKY join @DanaBashCNN to discuss the threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. pic.twitter.com/IDbCimn03K  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 21, 2024

Bash was referring to reports in February 2023 that the Department of Justice had decided not to charge Gaetz in a probe after he was accused of being part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz angered many Republicans after he led the charge to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from office in October, which led to a party-wide meltdown as they struggled to appoint a successor.

Gonzales said that Speaker Mike Johnson would survive any threat to remove him as three Republicans threatened to remove him after moving forward on a vote to send over $60 billion of aid to Ukraine.

'Look the House is a rough and rowdy place, but Mike Johnson is gonna be just fine,' he said.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate the chair in March, but has not moved forward on her plan to oust Johnson as speaker. Fellow Republican Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have signaled their support for the effort.

Gonzales also took umbrage at his colleague Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) for endorsing his primary opponent Brandon Herrera.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) faces a primary fight in May

Gun rights advocate Brandon Herrera is challenging Gonzales in the Republican primary

'Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi,' he said. 'These people used to walk around with white hoods at night, now they are walking around with white hoods in the daytime.'

Gonzales was referring to a 2022 YouTube video of Herrera and a colleague featuring them marching around to a German song during a review of a historic MP-40 submachine gun.

Harrerra responded to Gonzales' accusations on social media.

'This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen,' he wrote, highlighting the moment on CNN. 'He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans wont listen anymore.'
British holidaymakers could soon be slapped with a daily 'tourist tax' when visiting the Canary Islands, local authorities have warned.

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo suggested the government is considering suggestions of a 3 (approximately 2.60) per night charge for visitors, The Sun reported.

He said last Friday that while 'ecotax is not included in the government program' currently, it is 'true' that the government is 'willing to discuss it'.

Travellers aged 16 and over already pay a daily charge of up to 4 (3.45) when visiting equally popular Balearic islands, such as Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza.

Clavijo's remark comes as locals are demanding that authorities axe several major tourism projects in Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands.

Thousands of residents protested on the island yesterday, calling for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals to stem a boom in short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction that is driving up housing costs for locals.

British holidaymakers could soon be slapped with a daily 'tourist tax' when visiting the Canary Islands, local authorities have warned - as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Tenerife on Saturday (pictured)

The demonstrators called for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals to stem a boom in short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction that is driving up housing costs for locals

Demonstrators said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands archipelago

Holding placards reading 'People live here' and 'We don't want to see our island die', more than 50,000 people took to the streets of Tenerife on Saturday in protest against tourism on the island.

Demonstrators said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands archipelago.

'It's not a message against the tourist, but against a tourism model that doesn't benefit this land and needs to be changed,' one of the protesters said during the march in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Smaller marches were held elsewhere in the island group and other Spanish cities, all of them organised by about two dozen environmental organisations ahead of the peak summer holiday season.

The organisations say local authorities should temporarily limit visitor numbers to alleviate pressure on the islands' environment, infrastructure and housing stock, and put curbs on property purchases by foreigners.

'The authorities must immediately stop this corrupt and destructive model that depletes the resources and makes the economy more precarious. The Canary Islands have limits and people's patience too,' Antonio Bullon, one of the protest leaders, said.

The campaigners claim that the huge influx of tourists to the island is causing major environmental damage, driving down wages and squeezing locals out of cheap affordable housing, forcing dozens to live in tents and cars instead.

One female protestor at the march held up a sign which read: 'Fourteen million tourists a year but 36 per cent of Canarians at risk of poverty.'

This comes as fears are growing over the health of the Tenerife hunger strikers, who are part of a wider protest campaign, as they enter their tenth day without food.

Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island

A woman raises her fist as she pounds the streets in protest against the levels of tourism in the holiday-isles

Canary Islanders took to the streets of the Atlantic archipelago today to protest against the problems caused by mass tourism

Canary Island natives protesting as they call for a rethink of the island cluster's tourism policies today

Locals say the island's heavy reliance on tourism is making it hard for them to rent or buy homes

Tourists are continuing to travel to the islands despite growing resistance to their presence (pictured: tourists in Arona, Tenerife on Friday)

Tourists on rental tricycles give the thumbs up as they ride through Arona on Friday - as dissent grows about the Canaries' reliance on tourism

Canary Islanders say the growth of holiday lets is driving locals out of the housing market (tourists in Arona pictured Friday)

The islands are threatened by sea pollution, traffic gridlock and lack of cheap affordable housing linked to the pushing-up of property prices because of Airbnb-style holiday lets

Protesters waved Canary Islands' flags and blew vuvuzelas to make a deafening noise

The activists are pushing the local authorities to stop two tourist projects before they will end their fast; to stop the construction of a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last virgin beaches called La Tejita and to change the tourist model to protect the island and prioritise the locals.

However, there were reports on Saturday that six activists, who have been on the hunger strike since last Thursday, now have vital signs that are outside normal limits meaning they are at risk of seriously compromising their health.

A nurse at the scene said: 'The data is very alarming, continuing the strike could lead to irreparable neurological damage and even death.'

The names of those taking part in the hunger strike have so far been kept secret.

Female protestors revealed Saturday that they are harrassed and threatened by tourists and no longer 'feel safe' in their homeland.

'I wouldn't go to the south of the island alone, it is not safe for young women,' one protestor told the Express.

Another activist Celia Quintero, 15, claimed they are pressured in school to accomodate British tourists.

Speaking to the Daily Express, she said that you had to learn English at school with lessons like Maths even being taught in the language because 'you have to know English because we rely on tourism and to stay safe'.

But the tourism is not making her feel safe, she revealed that she was recently harrassed by a group of German tourists so much that she was forced to hide in a bar just to get away from them.

Estimates of 50,000 Canary Islanders took to the streets of the Atlantic archipelago today to protest against the problems caused by mass tourism and demand their politicians take action.

Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island, just before midday Saturday with banners including one that said: 'You enjoy we suffer' in English.

Others said: 'Where is the money from tourism?' and 'Tourist moratorium now.'

They waved Canary Islands' flags and blew vuvuzelas to make a deafening noise.

Protests also got underway at the same time in the other islands in the archipelago, including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, with support demos scheduled for the Spanish mainland in cities like Malaga and Madrid as well as London and Berlin.

The Canary Islands protests were organised under the slogan 'Canarias Tiene Un Limite' which in English translates as 'The Canary Islands have a limit.'

The backdrop to the demos is an ongoing hunger strike six men and women began on April 11 outside a church in the northern Tenerife town of La Laguna

Official sources put the number of demonstrators in Tenerife at midday at around 10,000 people

One proposed project involves the construction of a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last virgin beaches

Campaigners have been quick to distance themselves from anti-tourist graffiti which appeared on walls and benches in and around Palm Mar in southern Tenerife at the start of the month

Flyers like this slamming holidaymakers are being stuck to buildings all over Tenerife

At the beginning of this week a picture was published in local press showing the words 'Go Home' on a hire car in Tenerife

A protestor speaks to the crowds as a sign in front reads: 'In the Canary Islands, tourists use up to six times more water than any resident'

Graffiti in Tenerife tells tourists to go home amid a spate of anti-Brit graffiti in the holiday isles

The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign tourists in 2023, up 13 per cent from the previous year, according to official data.

Authorities in the islands are concerned about the impact on locals. A draft law expected to pass this year toughening the rules on short lets follows complaints from residents priced out of the housing market.

President Clavijo said on Friday he felt 'proud' that the region was a leading Spanish tourist destination, but acknowledged that more controls were needed as the sector continues to grow.

'We can't keep looking away. Otherwise, hotels will continue to open without any control,' he told a press conference.
The is the historic moment the first memorial statue to the late Queen is unveiled on what would have been her 98th birthday, featuring her beloved corgis at her heels.

The unveiling was done to the cheers of crowds - and the approving barks of nearly 50 corgis as a delegation of dogs from The Welsh Corgi League were in attendance.

The eye-catching seven-foot bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late Queen's birthday with a group of corgis stealing the show.

The stunning memorial depicts a youthful Queen Elizabeth - who stood at just 5ft 4in - in flowing regal robes with three loyal corgi companions at her feet, and one can be seen peeking out from the creases.

It serves as a permanent reminder to her remarkable 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley believes the memorial will become a hit not only with royal fans but will attract social media users wanting a selfie beside the late HM and her trio of corgis.

Over her decades on the throne, the late Queen owned an estimated 30 corgis and dorgis (dachshund and corgi mixes) and perhaps became the most famous Pembroke Welsh Corgi owner in history.

Throughout her reign, she was photographed with the animals wherever she went.

The statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II is unveiled today in Oakham, Rutland, today

A confused-looking corgi looks at a statue of the breed at the feet of the late Queen

The eye-catching seven-foot bronze statue went on display on what would have been the late Queen's 98th birthday with a group of corgis stealing the show

The statue serves as a permanent reminder to her remarkable 70-year reign and her enduring affection for the Pembroke Welsh breed

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service

Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheery this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral to mark the date.

The late monarch's lifelong commitment to her beloved pets helped her show a more candid side to the world, even writing 'wickedly funny' letters from her corgis to Jack Russells belonging to her former equerry Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson.

The Queen's love of corgis stretches back to her childhood, when her father King George VI bought Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi when she was seven.

READ MORE - How the Queen's lifelong love of corgis stemmed from being given her first pet at just seven years old - and she owned more than 30 during her reign

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In 1944, on the Queen's 18th birthday, a corgi named Susan arrived and they quickly became inseparable.

Queen Elizabeth loved Susan so much that she joined the Monarch and Prince Philip on their honeymoon in 1947.

When the late Queen gave birth to Prince Charles, newspaper columns were full of advice on how she could prevent Susan from becoming jealous of the infant prince.

Susan soon began her own corgi dynasty, with Sugar, who was Prince Charles' and Honey, who went to the Queen Mother.

The late Queen loved her so much that following the dog's death in 1959, she personally designed a headstone for her grave at Sandringham House.

The faithful pets would come with her on her royal tours, with royal aides attending to their every need and carrying them in and out of aeroplanes.

Her love of corgis was so well-known even the Royal Collection began to sell corgi-shaped Christmas ornaments, acknowledging her fondness for the breed.

And today, the permanent memorial featuring the dogs was hailed as 'absolutely amazing' and 'fantastic' by spectators.

The Welsh Corgi League were also in attendance today. Pictured is a corgi on the statue

Some of the corgis were dressed up for the occasion - with one wearing a bow tie

Queen Elizabeth II pictured stroking Candy, her corgi dog, in January of 2022. The late Queen owned around thirty corgis, and the breed is often associated with the monarch

Queen Elizabeth II being greeted by local corgi enthusiasts in Edmonton as she departed the Legislature Building during a tour of Canada in 2005

The Queen with two of her dorgis, which are a cross between a dachshund and a corgi, in 1977

Throughout her reign, the Queen was photographed with her beloved corgis and dorgis on numerous occasions and it is believed she has owned as many as 30 of them throughout her life (pictured with her pets at the Windsor Horse Trials)

The new statue takes pride of place outside the library in the market town of Oakham in Rutland, Britain's smallest county.

One resident, Hilda Townsend, said: 'It is just wonderful. We are the tiniest county but the first to honour the late majesty in such a big way. It is a very fitting tribute.'

Her husband John added: 'It is absolutely amazingly and, as Rutlanders, makes us extremely proud.'

Speaking before the unveiling in front of an excited 400-strong crowd and with a host of local dignitaries attending, he said: 'The plinth is designed to be sat on and I can see the statue becoming popular with the Instagram generation, and why not?

'It will make perfect backdrop for pictures and people will be able to reach up and pat a dog or if small enough even sit in it's back!'

Proud Mr Pratley, 51, who is half Welsh and lives in Chelmsford, Essex, told how he chose the addition of the corgis for a 'bit of fun' and to 'tap into the late Queen's humanity and address her friendliness.'

Real-life corgis were in attendance for the unveiling. The dogs are seen posing by the statue

Queen Elizabeth II looking at two of her corgis on the grounds of Windsor Castle

The unveiling was done to the cheers of crowds - and the approving barks of nearly 50 corgis

The stunning statue depicts a youthful Queen Elizabeth - who stood at just 5ft 4in - in seven feet glory in flowing regal robes with three loyal corgi companions at her feet

The late Queen's love of corgis stretches back to her childhood, when her father King George VI bought Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi when she was seven. Pictured aged ten with two corgis

He explained he made the statue larger than life - 1.4 times bigger - because a 'life size Queen Elizabeth is too small. She deserves more.'

She is depicted in her 'younger to middle age' reign.

Mr Pratley said he was 'thrilled' by his 'most prominent work' and first statue to be commissioned in the country, adding: 'It is a very big day for me and Oakham.

'Onwards and upwards!'

The 125,000 statue was commissioned by Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, following the Queen's death in September 2022.

Addressing the crowds in the spring sunshine, she said: 'We are witnessing a piece of history today with the first statue of Queen Elizabeth to be commissioned since her death and who gave us 70 years of exemplary service.

'Rutland may be a small county but the response to this had been huge with contributions from local businesses and individuals of varying sizes.

As she spoke barks from 46 dogs from the Welsh Corgi League rang out loud and clear, and she said, smiling: 'You can hear them!'

She added: 'The statue is for everyone.'

Before the highly anticipated main statue was unmasked two young children, who had won a local schools' art competition, had the privilege of each unveiling two of the three bronze corgis.

First up was 10-year-old Freddie Newsham, followed by Molly Banham, aged five, to a huge round of applause.

Before unmasking the statue of the late Queen, Dr Furness , said it was 'very fitting that three women were involved in unveiling her statue' and revealing it in 'all its glory.'

She said: 'It is a remarkable statue which Rutland will treasure into the future.'

She added that the 'barking in the background is a lovely noise!'

Sculptor Hywel Pratley, who had worked closely with the Le Blanc factory in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, said that a 'network of people across Britain and across the world had helped bring it to fruition.'

A child in attendance today is seen hugging one of the statue's corgis at the base

Three loyal corgi companions are seen at her feet, one peeking out from the creases

The late Queen is pictured with one of her corgis in Balmoral in 1952

Well-wishers have always brought their pet corgis to greet the Queen during her walkabouts. Pictured during a visit to Sherborne Abbey on May 1, 2012

The Queen loved her corgis so much, they have become a symbol of British royalty. Pictured in 1960 in Windsor with a corgi and two dorgis

He told spectators: 'I am proud to play my very small part in helping to celebrate he'd reign,' pointing to the statue and saying: 'She belongs to all of you.'

Following the unveiling, a lone bagpiper played a lament to the late Queen and one verse of the National Anthem was played with crowds joining in.

Dozens of corgis - some wearing red, white and blue - then posed beside the new monument with their owners and officials before parading along the packed streets to Oakham Castle for a meet and greet session with the admiring public.

Youngsters Freddie and Molly, who had been thrust into the spotlight by unveiling two of the corgis, eagerly joined in a photo shoot.

The pair had won an art competition, which had 'many entries and was of a high standard,' the Lord-Lieutenant had stated.

The pair had won an art competition, which had 'many entries and was of a high standard,' the Lord-Lieutenant had stated.READ

Freddie, 10, a pupil at Oakham Church of England School, admitted: 'I was nervous unveiling the corgi in front of everyone.'

He added: 'I love drawing but was surprised to win the competition.'

His father Chris Newsham, who runs the local Wisteria Hotel with his wife Kristy Carey, said: It is a fantastic statue and it is great publicity for Oakham, and I am proud of my son for his role unveiling.'

Fellow winner little Molly Banham, five, a pupil at English Martyrs School said she 'enjoyed' the occasion.

The statue was commissioned by the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness

Sculptor Hywel Pratley, (pictured) said that a 'network of people across Britain and across the world had helped bring it to fruition'

Sarah Ferguson today paid tribute to her 'dear friend' the late Queen on what would have been her birthday - but royal fans were quick to spot a blunder in her message

It comes after the duchess thanked a fan for their 'cherished' support in a heartwarming hand-written note following her cancer diagnosis

Deputy Lieutenant of Rutland warmly praised the occasion, saying: 'It is typical of Rutland. We are a very close knit community and everyone has expressed solidarity.

'There has been an amazing response and turnout, the streets are packed.'

Among the Corgi owners was Katrina Emptage from Lincoln with her two-year-old pet Mable.

She said: 'The statue is absolutely amazing and I'm delighted to be here to see it and be part of the corgi parade. It is very special.'

The corgis were invited in celebration of the late Queen's life-long, deep affection for the breed after she fell in love with the dogs as a child.

She owned more than 30 over the years, many of which were direct descendants of the first, Susan, which was given to her as an 18th birthday present by her parents in 1944.

Sculptor Mr Pratley had begun preparing maquettes of a standing figure of the late Queen in January last year, before a miniature version was unveiled at Oakham Castle two months later.

Donations quickly flooded in, the vast majority from individuals, which organisers said demonstrated the strong community support for the project, and the required 125,000 was quickly raised.

During the consultation period Rutland County Council received 41 objections and 33 letters of support but planners said concerns about the statue's size and location were not enough to turn the idea down.

Speaking of his inspiration, Mr Pratley said: 'I very quickly thought that I would like to have a corgi nestling in her robes by her feet because what a great symbol it is, artistically, of her being mother of a nation. The dogs and us able to shelter under Her Majesty'.

Mounted on local Ancaster limestone, the bronze statue was cast at the Le Blanc foundry in Melton Mowbray and installed with the help of a local construction company, Smithers Purslow.

Sarah Ferguson today paid tribute to her 'dear friend' the late Queen on what would have been her birthday - but royal fans were quick to spot a blunder in her message.

The Duchess of York, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II's son Prince Andrew between 1986 and 1996, was a good friend of the late monarch, who died in September 2022.

Fergie shared a smiling picture of the late Queen in an Instagram post, but fans were quick to point out a simple mistake that she made in her accompanying tribute.

The duchess, 64, wrote: 'Today we are remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 97th birthday.

'Thank you for all that you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are sorely missed.'

Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21 1926, which means today would have been her 98th birthday, rather than her 97th - as Fergie had written.
A crime scene has reappeared at a nature reserve just weeks after a human torso was discovered there.

On April 4, a passer-by at Kersal Dale Wetlands in Salford, Greater Manchester, found the bottom part of a back, buttocks and thigh in clear plastic.

The victim is believed to have been a white man aged over 40, who had only been dead for a matter of days.

Hundreds of specialist officers and scientists were deployed and the force closed the scene on April 17, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester, April 5

Greater Manchester Police has urged the public to come forward with 'any information' about the gruesome find. Pictured are forensics searching the woods

But yesterday, scenes were reopened at Great Clowes Street and the wetlands after officers received 'further reports' during 'inquiries in the area'.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, from GMP's Serious Crime Division, said: 'I understand there has been large public interest in the case, so it is only right that we inform you of our most recent update.

'Whilst our extensive search of the area was completed last week, we have some further inquiries that we are looking to exhaust during the course of the day.

'I would like to reassure you that this is precautionary.

'Every piece of intelligence we receive is investigated thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned to give us the best chance of finding out who our victim is and what happened to him.

'If you have any information that you would like to share with us, or any concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to my officers at the scene.

'At this stage, we are expecting to be at the scene for several hours, but there should be no disruption to the wider community.

The headless torso wrapped in plastic was found in a nature reserve in Salford, Manchester

Officers searching for other body parts. In the distance are police officers by a forensic tent at Kersal Dale

'I would like to thank residents once again for their patience and co-operation in assisting us in our investigation.

'We will keep people informed as soon as we have more updates to share.'

Children were playing in the area of the nature reserve where the headless torso was discovered days later.

More than 100 officers along with search dogs, crime scene investigators and scientists combed the wetlands and surrounding areas.

A man, 20, was arrested on April 6 on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. He has since been released on bail.

Police temporarily suspended bin collections during their search for other body parts, amid concerns the killer used one to hide remains.

Detective chief inspector Andy Naismith, of GMP's major incident team, said: 'Through initial forensic work, we have confirmed the man is likely to be aged older than 40, and appears to be white. However given we don't know his identity yet, we can't confirm his nationality at this stage.

'There are also no distinguishing marks on his body, for example tattoos or noticeable scars.

'My team have checked the victim's DNA against the UK police database and although this does not bring up a match, there is extensive work ongoing, including trawls of various other databases, missing person records and medical records.

'It's a big piece of work which will take time.

'As well as wanting to speak to those who may have been in the area where the body part was found, we are also appealing to anyone who has a dad, brother, or son who they have not seen in over 12 days to come forward and speak to us.

'Our victim could be a family member, friend, co-worker or acquaintance, and someone somewhere will have an idea of what has happened to him.'
The warning came amid a days-long protest that saw more than 100 arrested

Rabbi Elie Buechler cautioned the students against returning to campus

A rabbi at Columbia University has cautioned Jewish students against returning to campus due to 'extreme antisemitism' amid a days-long protest in support of Palestine.

Rabbi Elie Buechler of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel issued a warning to students on Sunday morning in a statement provided to DailyMail.com.

'What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic,' Buechler wrote.

'The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia Universitys Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy.'

Dozens of New York Police Department officers entered the 'Gaza solidarity camp' organized by student demonstrators on Wednesday.

A rabbi at Columbia University has warned Jewish students about 'extreme antisemitism' on campus amid a days-long protest in support of Palestine

Rabbi Elie Buechler of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel issued the grim warning to students on Sunday morning

More than 100 protestors have been arrested, and 10 have been charged, mostly with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration

Video from last week shows pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators clashing outside of the school as one woman screams, 'We are Hamas!'

More than 100 protestors were arrested, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com.

Ten have been charged so far, mostly with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

A large group of demonstrators met outside the university gates on Saturday while student protestors returned to the main lawn, waving flags and chanting.

Buechler's statement came days after video surfaced showing a woman screaming 'We are Hamas!' while a man wearing a yarmulke and a Israeli flag on his back walked past.

As another man filmed the protestor and shoved his phone in her face, she repeated, 'Yes, we are all Hamas, b****!'

'It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved,' Buechler wrote.

'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school.'

The rabbi encouraged the students to reach out to him for help and ended the message: 'May we see better days on campus soon.'

The protests are expected to last through the weekend, with a group of demonstrators returning to the university's main lawn on Saturday

Buechler encouraged students to consider staying home, writing, 'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus'

Protests have only intensified amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has seen over 30,000 Palestinian civilians killed

'No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school,' Buechler wrote in his message to students

Jewish students at the school have alleged violence and harassment amid the politically charged climate

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, issued his own statement on behalf of Buechler and Columbia's Jewish students.

'The anarchy inside and outside Columbias campus is disturbing, disorienting, and frightening for all of us to witness, but it has been downright dangerous for the Jewish students experiencing it,' read the statement provided to DailyMail.com

'The fact that Jewish students must seek refuge from their university campus is shameful evidence of the failure of the university and every level of government to effectively address the growing horror of domestic antisemitism.'

Protests have exploded across the university's campus over the past few months as war continues to brew in the Middle East.

However, they have only intensified amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has seen over 30,000 Palestinian civilians killed.

In a testimony before Congress, Columbia University President Nemat Shafik defended the students' actions and insisted she had been working to combat antisemitism.

Shafik asserted that the 'vast majority' of protests on campus have been 'peaceful' and said the college is focused on upholding free speech, but 'cannot and shouldn't tolerate abuses this pledge to harass and discriminate.'

She noted holding daily meetings with the campus security team and working closely with the NYPD and FBI in instances where hate crimes are reported.

However, she was accused of breeding a 'hotbed of support for terrorism from radicalized faculty and students' by House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) played a clip of students shouting 'Intifada!' and 'We will honor all the martyrs!' in reference to Hamas militants.

'While antisemitism has been festering on numerous college campuses, Columbia University stands out as one of the worst offenders,' Foxx said.

In a testimony before Congress , Columbia University President Nemat Shafik insisted her administration was working to combat antisemitism

Shafik asserted that the 'vast majority' of protests on campus have been 'peaceful,' adding that the school has been working with the NYPD and FBI

House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) called on Shafik to resign in a statement posted to social media on Sunday

Stefanik accused the university's leadership of 'putting Jewish students safety at risk' over the past few months

Demonstrators gathered at The New School in New York City on Sunday, clapping and chanting. The students set up tents bearing messages like 'Liberated zone' and 'Free Palestine'

Current students have spoken out against the politically charged climate at the school, alleging harassment and even violence.

One student appeared at a news conference ahead of last week's hearing, accusing administrators of '(sitting) idly by as a tsunami of antisemitism in the forms of harassment, bullying, exclusion, intimidation, and physical violence flooded every aspect of campus life.'

On Sunday, Stefanik called on Shafik to step down.

'Over the past few months and especially the last 24 hours, Columbias leadership has clearly lost control of its campus putting Jewish students safety at risk,' she wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter.

'President Shafik must immediately resign. And the Columbia Board must appoint a President who will protect Jewish students and enforce school policies.'

Also on Sunday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement.

'While every American has the right to peaceful protect, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous  they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,' he said.

'And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms.'

Demonstrators gathered at The New School, a private university in New York City, on Sunday to stand in solidarity with other students.

Video posted to social media shows a small group sitting cross-legged inside a campus building, clapping and chanting, 'No tuition for genocide!'

The protestors have assembled tents bearing messages including 'Liberated zone' and 'Free Palestine.'

Similar demonstrations have erupted at Harvard University and Boston University in Massachusetts.

The fallout from Harvard's response to the Israel-Hamas conflict saw the expulsion of former president Claudine Gay in January, marking the shortest tenure of any president in the school's history.

Gay agreed to resign, effective immediately, after the controversy led to numerous accusations of plagiarism.
A trial date has finally been set for a TikTok star accused of shooting his estranged wife and her lover to death after he spied on them through their daughter's iPad.

Ali Abulaban, 29, who went by the handle JinnKid on social media, is accused of shooting his wife, Ana Abulaban, 28, and her friend Rayburn Cadenas Barron, 29 on October 21, 2021.

Prosecutors said Ali, who has a history of domestic violence, had surreptitiously installed a listening device on his five-year-old daughter's tablet device, and when he heard his wife and another man talking, he went to her apartment in San Diego and shot them to death.

On Monday, Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast told the court that Ali confessed to killing Ana and Rayburn to his mother and police, and at the time, he told his daughter that he 'hurt mommy.'

He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, allegations of using a handgun, and a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders.

A trial date has been set for Ali Abulaban, 29, whose been accused of shooting his wife, Ana Abulaban, 28, and her friend Rayburn Cadenas Barron, 29 on October 21, 2021

Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast told the court that Ali (right) confessed to killing Ana (left) and Rayburn to his mother and police, and at the time, he told his daughter that he 'hurt mommy'

Prosecutors said that the jealous Tiktoker believed that his wife was cheating on him with Rayburn (pictured), as Brast said that Ana and Ali had already been separated 'for quite some time' before that

Ali, who pleaded not guilty, remains in custody on bail and is expected in San Diego's downtown Superior Court for a readiness hearing on Wednesday at 9am.

It is unclear why it took so long to schedule the trial date.

Around 3.10pm on the day of the slayings, police discovered both victims dead on the 35th floor of the Spire San Diego luxury apartment complex.

Prosecutors said that the 'jealous' TikToker believed that his wife was cheating on him with Rayburn, as Brast said that Ana and Ali had already been separated 'for quite some time' before that.

According to Brast, Ana had asked her husband to move out on October 18 as he checked into a hotel.

Three days later, Brast said, Ali sneaked back into the apartment and trashed it while his wife was gone. While he was there, she said that he also installed the listening app on his daughter's iPad.

Prosecutors believe that Ali copied a key to Anna's apartment and used it to get in.

Ali then listened to the app hours later and heard his wife and a man talking and giggling, before he raced back to the high-rise, Brast said.

Security camera video showed him running out of the elevator on the 35th floor toward the apartment.

Brast said Ali shot Rayburn three times at close range - in the neck, cheek and back of the head - before he turned the gun on his wife, shooting her once in the forehead.

After the shooting, prosecutors said that Ali went to pick up his five-year-old daughter from school with a loaded gun in the car. He told his daughter that he 'hurt mommy' before being arrested by police

At the time of her death, Anna's heartbroken family created a GoFundMe page to help them with funeral expenses and the cost of bringing her body back to the Philippines

The suspect then called his mother and confessed, Brast said.

'The defendant then fled the building, went to pick up his daughter from school, still had the loaded gun in his car,' Brast said. '[He] told his daughter that he "hurt mommy" and then he was soon apprehended by the police.'

With his young daughter still in the car, Ali was stopped by police later that day and arrested, according to investigators.

A couple that lived across the street from Ali and Anna at the time testified that about a month before the tragic incident, Ana had knocked on their door and asked them to call the police because her husband hit her.

The neighbors said that Anna had asked to use their phone because Ali had taken hers away.

Sgt. Christopher Leahy with the San Diego Police Department later testified that officers were called to the couple's apartment on nine different occasions since July 2021.

Ali was never arrested in connection to those incidents.

He previously said that Anna and him grew apart after they settled in San Diego and that the move was 'part of the downfall.'

'My wife wanted me to move her out here with her friends to a life where there's taco Tuesday, women Wednesday, party Saturday, and bar Sunday,' Ali said.

While he claimed that his estranged wife loved to party, her childhood friend Cassie Conroy said that wasn't the case.

'He's a bad guy. There's nothing good about him. He's selfish. That's all I can say-- selfish,' Conroy told Fox 5.

According to testimony, another friend of Anna's told police that she had planned on getting a restraining order against Ali, but it was never filed.

According to testimony, another friend told police that Ana had planned on getting a restraining order against Ali, but it was never filed

Before the shootings, Ali had gained more than 940,000 followers on TikTok and had around 170,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. His account featured comedy skits and impersonations of the character Tony Montana from the 1983 film Scarface

Before the shootings, Ali had gained more than 940,000 followers on TikTok and had around 170,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.

His account featured comedy skits and impersonations of the character Tony Montana from the 1983 film Scarface.

Just days before the shootings, Ali posted an audio trailer for his movie Montana: Scarface Prequel Film which he said was his 'vision and desire to give the world a new Scarface story.'

At the time of her death, Anna's heartbroken family created a GoFundMe page to help them with funeral expenses.

'Losing a loved one is never easy. Losing a daughter, a sister, a mother in such a violent manner is unfathomable,' the page said.

In the most recent update, a family member said that Ana's body would be sent back to her home in the Philippines.

'I am heartbroken this happened to such a beautiful soul. Ana is always in my school memories with her kind spirit and contagious laugh,' a friend commented on the page that has raised more than $20,500.
Nearly 200 bodies have been found buried in a 'mass grave' at a Gaza hospital complex previously raided by Israel, officials have claimed.

Health workers so far have recovered 180 bodies of people killed and buried by Israeli forces in the courtyard at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, Al Jazeera reported Sunday. Israel's military said it was checking the reports.

Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, alleged that some of those killed and buried at the hospital had been tortured.

Hamas, in a separate statement, condemned what it said was a 'mass grave of those executed in cold blood and buried with military bulldozers in the hospital's courtyard'.

Earlier this week, a mass grave was reportedly discovered at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City following a two-week siege.

The latest mass grave discovery comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to ramp up military pressure on Hamas 'in the coming days'.

Dozens of bodies have been found buried in a 'mass grave' in the courtyard at the Nasser Medical Complex (pictured) in Khan Yunis, Gaza's civil defence has claimed

Health workers have uncovered at least 50 bodies of people killed and buried by Israeli forces, according to the civil defence authority

Civil Defence Authority teams on April 21, 2024 remove bodies of Palestinians who lost their lives after Israeli attacks from under the rubble in Khan Yunis, Gaza

'Inside the Nasser Medical complex there are mass graves dug by the Israeli occupation ... we were shocked by the presence of bodies of 50 martyrs in one of the pits yesterday,' Bassal told reporters Sunday.

'We are continuing the search operation today and are waiting for all graves to be exhumed in order to give a final number of martyrs.'

He added: 'There were no clothes on some bodies, which certainly indicates (the victims) faced torture and abuse.'

Intense fighting raged in mid-February in the area of the Nasser Medical Complex, and Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles surrounded it on March 26.

Israel pulled its ground forces from Khan Yunis on April 7 after carrying out what it called a 'precise and limited operation' at the hospital, one of Gaza's biggest.

Several of the bodies wrapped in white shrouds were later collected by relatives, a photographer on scene reported, noting that civil defence workers were seen exhuming bodies from the courtyard on Sunday.

Hospitals in Gaza have not been spared in the Israeli assault, with the military accusing Hamas of using the facilities as command centres and to hold hostages abducted in the October 7 attack.

The Palestinian Civil Defense Administration in the Gaza Strip said that the bodies of 50 Palestinians killed by the Israeli army were recovered from a mass grave in the southern Khan Younis province

Teams carry a body that was recovered from what officials in Gaza are calling a mass grave at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza

A mourning woman holds her young child as people rebury the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel's offensive and buried earlier at Nasser hospital, after bodies were moved to a cemetery

READ MORE: Israel fears International Criminal Court is preparing ARREST WARRANT for Benjamin Netanyahu for breaking international laws in Gaza Advertisement

The World Health Organization said on April 6 that the Palestinian territory's largest hospital, Al-Shifa in Gaza City, had been reduced to ashes by an Israeli siege last month, leaving an 'empty shell' containing many bodies.

WHO staff who gained access to the devastated facility described horrifying scenes of bodies only partly buried, their limbs sticking out, and the stench of decomposition.

Israel is engaged in a sweeping military assault against Hamas after they launched a attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7.

The unprecedented assault resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, Israelis and foreigners, according to a tally based on official Israeli figures.

Some 250 people were abducted to Gaza during the attack, of whom 129 remain captive, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has so far killed 34,097 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Palestinians cry after the body of a relative was found buried by Israeli forces in Nasser hospital compound in Khan Yunis on April 21, 2024

Mourners pay their respects after the Palestinian Civil Defense recovered 50 bodies from what they are calling a mass grave inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis

A woman becomes emotional as Gazan teams recover 50 bodies from what they are calling a mass grave inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis

Palestinian health workers dig for bodies buried in Nasser hospital compound in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on April 21, 2024

Netanyahu, who threatened action 'in the coming days' but did not specify, has repeatedly said the Israeli army will launch a ground assault on Rafah despite international concern for civilians who have taken refuge in the southern city.

Netanyahu, in a video statement on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, said Israel 'will deliver additional and painful blows' to Hamas.

'In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages,' he vowed.

The premier's latest remarks came a day after US lawmakers approved $13 billion in new military aid to close ally Israel, even as global criticism mounts over the dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hama said the US aid was a 'green light' for Israel to 'continue the brutal aggression against our people'.

Netanyahu has faced pressure within Israel, with an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding action to secure the release of hostages.

Ofir Angrest, whose brother Matan was kidnapped on October 7, called for Jewish Israelis to leave an empty chair at their Seder meals, marking the beginning of Passover on Monday, to remember the captives.

Gazan teams, civil defense, crime scene investigation, and forensics continue to carry out investigation at the scene after Israeli siege and attacks that completely destroyed Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, leaving hundreds killed including displaced families, patients and doctors in Gaza City, Gaza on April 17, 2024

The teams commenced efforts to recover the bodies and identify the Palestinians who lost their lives during the attacks on the Al-Shifa Medical Complex. The facility was rendered completely unusable during the 14-day attack launched by Israeli forces, starting on March 18

The Gaza Government Media Office announced to have discovered a mass grave within the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. According to the announcement, the grave, found in the hospital's courtyard, is alleged to hold the bodies of Palestinians purportedly killed during an Israeli military operation at the facility

Netanyahu defies global outcry as he vows to increase 'military pressure' on Hamas: READ MORE Advertisement

Earlier this week, the G7 group of developed economies said that it opposed a 'full-scale military operation' there, fearing 'catastrophic consequences' for civilians.

Israeli forces had already been carrying out regular strikes on the city.

The civil defence agency said Israeli strikes hit two homes in Rafah overnight, killing at least 16 people, mostly children.

Resident Umm Hassan Kloub, 35, said her children screamed when they 'woke up to a nightmare of an explosion'.

'Every second we live in terror, even the sound of Israeli aircraft doesn't stop,' she said.

Violence has also flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where a two-year surge in clashes has further escalated since the Gaza war broke out.

Smoke rises following explosions in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, April 21, 2024

Some Palestinians return their home after Israeli forces withdrawal from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on April 21, 2024

An armoured personnel carrier (APC) manoeuvres in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, April 21, 2024

The Palestinian Red Crescent said Saturday that at least 14 people were killed during an 40-hour Israeli raid on Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank.

A resident who declined to give his name told reporters that the West Bank had become a 'second Gaza'.

Much of the new military assistance approved by the US House of Representatives on Saturday was expected to be used to reinforce Israel's air defences.

Israel welcomed the aid, and Hamas condemned it as 'a confirmation of the official American complicity and partnership in the war of extermination'.

The boost for Israel's defences comes after almost all of the more than 300 missiles and drones that Iran launched towards the country a week ago were intercepted, according to the Israeli military.

Israel vowed to respond to Iran's first-ever attack on its territory, which was itself retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on Iran's embassy consular annex in Damascus.

Israel's response appeared to come on Friday when explosions were reported in the central Iranian province of Isfahan.

A truck transports a tank near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Israel, April 21, 2024

A view of buildings rendered unusable near the Netzarim Corridor area of the Gaza-Israel border in Gaza City, Gaza on April 21, 2024

A view of destroyed Hassan al-Banna Mosque after Israeli forces withdrawal from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on April 21, 2024

However fears of wider war breaking out in the Middle East eased somewhat after Iran appeared to downplay the situation.

Israeli officials have made no public comment, while Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran would not respond unless there was a further Israeli attack.

On Sunday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the 'success in recent events' of his country's armed forces, in his first comments since the attack on Israel.

'The issue of the number of missiles fired or the missiles that hit the target' was 'secondary', he said.
The Met Police are scrambling to try and defuse the 'openly Jewish' protest scandal as the assistant commissioner has written to offer a private meeting to the man who was threatened with arrest.

Matt Twist has written to Gideon Falter to offer a private meeting to both apologise to him personally and discuss what more the force can do to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe.

A Met Police spokesperson added that tonight, senior representatives from London's Jewish communities have been invited to an 'operational planning exercise' tomorrow - in what is an unprecedented move for the force.

Members of the House of Lords and officials from the Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime will also be in attendance.

A range of protest scenarios will be played out and feedback will be invited to 'inform and challenge' the force's operational plans and communications.

It follows Rishi Sunak saying he is 'appalled' after a Met Police officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a kippah for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestinian rally.

Matt Twist (above) has written to Gideon Falter to offer a private meeting to both apologise to him personally and discuss what more the force can do to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe

Gideon Falter demanded action after he was stopped by police after trying to cross the road near a pro-Palestine march

Rishi Sunak 'is appalled' after a Met Police officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a kippah for being 'openly Jewish' near a pro-Palestinian rally

A planning exercise of this type would ordinarily be undertaken in private.

But the force said that in 'recognition of the need to engage better and provide reassurance' it is inviting community leaders.

A statement released by the force read: 'We will do everything we can to constantly develop our approach in response to operational challenges to ensure the trust and confidence of all Londoners.

'This is complex, but we will continue to seek the support and insight of all voices who can help us deliver the service London deserves.'

The Prime Minister has not openly backed Sir Mark Rowley who is facing calls to resign after campaigns issued a grave warning that London is becoming a 'police-enforced Jew-free zone'.

Mr Sunak, however, has no plans to get personally involved over the row over the Met Police commissioner's position and will instead reportedly leave the matter to his Home Secretary James Cleverly.

The Board of Deputies for British Jews called to meet Sir Mark this morning and has now confirmed the meeting will take place later this week.

The outcry from the Jewish community comes after the Campaign Against Antisemitism shared a heated exchange between its chief Gideon Falter and a Met officer near Aldwych on Saturday April 7.

In the footage, which was shared online, Mr Falter was told he faced arrest if he did not leave the area because he was 'causing a breach of peace with all these other people' claiming his presence was 'antagonising'.

Mr Falter maintained he was 'going for a walk' after attending synagogue. .

Sir Mark Rowley is due to meet with an advocacy group for British Jews after campaigners warned London is becoming a 'police-enforced Jew-free zone'

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable' but was later accused of 'victim blaming' after saying the campaigners filming themselves was 'provocative'

As the row over Sir Mark's tenure deepens, a source for No 10 told the Telegraph: 'The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter "openly Jewish".

'He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe.'

It marks a stark difference to Boris Johnson's leadership where he announced 'full confidence' in Sir Mark's predecessor, Dame Credisda Dick, when she was faced with similar calls to leave her role.

The Met had issued an apology to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase 'openly Jewish' as 'hugely regrettable'.

However, it then issued a second apology after being accused of 'victim blaming' when it claimed in its previous statement that campaigners filming themselves being abused are being 'provocative'.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Falter questioned why police officers allowed protesters to call him and his friends, 'scum', disgusting' and 'Nazis' as well as shouting 'lock them up'.

'I didn't have a flag or a placard or anything that would in any way mark me out from any other normal Londoner except for the fact that I was wearing a skullcap,' he said.

'How dare he pick me out because I'm Jewish  and tell me where I'm allowed to walk?,' he added.

'By the actions of the Metropolitan Police, it's not just that central London is a 'no-go zone' for Jews, as has been said previously, but a police-enforced Jew-free zone.'

Mr Fatler went on to call for Sir Mark Rowley to resign claiming he had 'lost control of the streets' and needs to 'either resign or be removed' for 'change' to occur.

Responding to the situation, the Board of Deputies called on Sir Mark to meet them to begin to 'repair this grievous loss of confidence'.

The Met Police has apologised (above) for an earlier statement in which it suggested counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches were being deliberately 'provocative'

A spokesperson said: 'Since the horrific terror attacks of October 7th, almost every weekend we have seen tens of thousands of people march through the centre of London on 'anti-Israel' protests.

'While many marchers may have genuine concerns regarding the terrible situation in Gaza, others have taken the opportunity to amplify hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories, while a number clearly wish for the complete destruction of the world's only Jewish State.

'The Metropolitan Police has made a series of high-profile errors in their responses to these demonstrations.

'The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UK's Jewish community in the police. We have written to the Commissioner to ask for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and to begin to repair this grievous loss of confidence.'

The group later confirmed a meeting had been arranged, which it will attend alongside the Jewish Leadership Council and CST - a charity that runs a hotline to help those dealing with antisemitism.

It comes as former home secretary Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

Ms Braverman used an op-ed in The Sunday Telegraph to demand Sir Mark's resignation, saying people who were 'flagrantly antisemitic' were being 'waved on by the police'.

Mr Falter, who is the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said he was 'treated like a criminal' by police as he walked past the march in Aldwych on Saturday, April 13

Suella Braverman called for Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked, accusing him of having 'emboldened' antisemites.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

She said: 'Either this is gross incompetence, or it's a culture coming from the top, where thugs are free to intimidate and harass while the rest of us have to keep our mouths shut and stay out of the way.'

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has also been highly critical of the Met - but stopped short of saying Sir Mark should go.

Mr Dowden told The Sunday Telegraph that the force had been 'disrespecting' Jews while Lord Walney, the Government's adviser on political violence, accused the Met of displaying 'institutional antisemitism'.

This morning on Sky News, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho declined to call for the Met chief to resign - saying it was a matter for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Asked on Sky News whether Sir Mark Rowley should stand down, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho did not answer either way, saying: 'I think what happened was completely wrong.

'It's not right that one group of people in society should be told they can't go around their daily lives because it might be a provocation to someone else. That's not how equality works in this country.

'So I do think they've got it wrong. I think it's right that they've apologised, and ultimately, what happens next is a matter for the Labour London Mayor who has the responsibility to hold the Met to account.'

The Mayor of London does have the power to effectively sack the Commissioner, but can only do so with the permission of the Home Secretary, who can also require the Mayor to dismiss the head of the Met.

Labour's shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said Sir Mark should not resign over the force's handling of the pro-Palestinian protests.

'I can understand the strength of feeling and as I say that footage was very concerning, and I can understand where Mr Falter is coming from,' she told Sky.

'But I don't think that the resignation of the Met's Commissioner is the way forward. I think the police should take all steps to maintain community confidence from all communities in the way that they go about their business on the streets of London and elsewhere.

'They have got to make sure they police the protests in line with the laws of our land, and enforce the laws of our land.'