A boy was ‘heard’ cheering Pakistan and his family lost everything. Is this justice?

TIMESOFINDIA.COM Updated: Mar 9, 2025, 21:37 IST IST

What does it mean for our country that a boy is beaten up, his parents are arrested and his home and father's shop bulldozed just for praising another country's team, while on the other hand, a politician who utters hate speech against the minority community gets away scot-free?



The events from February 23 onwards at Malvan , Maharashtra, are shocking but not surprising. As the narrative goes, Sachin Varadkar , a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) member overheard a 15-year-old Muslim boy cheering Pakistan’s performance during the recent Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan.

Society & Culture News: What does it mean for our country that a boy is beaten up, his parents are arrested and his home and father's shop bulldozed just for praising another

A boy was ‘heard’ cheering Pakistan and his family lost everything. Is this justice?

Education Minister calls for removing barriers related to girls’ education

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for taking collective action to remove barriers related to girls’ education.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day global conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Society: Challenges and Opportunities” in Islamabad today.

Expressing concerns over the persistent opposition to girls’ education, the Minister called on the nation to unite in challenging these entrenched societal norms and attitudes.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stressed that girls’ education is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity, highlighting that educated girls are better equipped to care for their families and access better job opportunities.

Highlighting the measures taken by government to improve quality of education, the Minister said that government is pursuing the strategy of teacher's training, construction of new schools, and the provision of scholarships for female students.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui further said that efforts are underway to enhance school infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas, to ensure better educational opportunities for all students.

Education Minister calls for removing barriers related to girls’ education

New requirements for obtaining passports to serve as deterrent against beggary: Mohsin

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said new requirements for obtaining passports will serve as a deterrent against beggary and illegal immigration.

Chairing a meeting during his visit to the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports in Islamabad today, he directed to complete all legal formalities regarding the new requirements on priority basis.

He further said 100 percent implementation should be ensured on the directive to block the passports of deported persons. He also inspected the newly installed six Machine Readable Passport and two E-passport machines.

The Interior Minister also met with the German team visiting Pakistan for the installation of the machines. He said that the new machines will enhance the printing capacity of the passport office which will further expedite the issuance of passports for the public.

Director General Passport Mustafa Jamal Qazi gave a detailed briefed that a mobile app will soon be launched for the convenience of citizens.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry was also present on the occasion.

New requirements for obtaining passports to serve as deterrent against beggary: Mohsin

Pakistan's Parliamentary delegation secures membership in 3 IPU committees

Pakistan's Parliamentary delegation has secured membership in three significant committees during the 150th Annual Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union being held in Tashkent.

The delegation, led by Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, includes members from both houses of Pakistan's parliament.

Notably, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik was unanimously elected to the high-level advisory group on countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Aqeel Malik also held meetings with global representatives, sharing Pakistan's challenges, particularly those relating to terrorism and climate change.

Pakistan's Parliamentary delegation secures membership in 3 IPU committees

Pakistan hands over 2nd consignment of emergency relief aid to Myanmar

Pakistan has handed over the second consignment of emergency relief aid to Myanmar for its earthquake-affectees.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Myanmar Imran Haider officially gave the consignment to Chief Minister of Yangon Region at Yangon International Airport.

This shipment comprising 35 tons of goods, brings the total relief assistance dispatched to Myanmar after the recent earthquake to 70 tons.

As per the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, National Disaster Management Authority efficiently coordinated and expedited the dispatch of these consignments within a short timeframe.

Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake affected people of Myanmar.

Pakistan hands over 2nd consignment of emergency relief aid to Myanmar

Tourism sector is one of priority areas of SIFC

Tourism sector is one of the priority areas of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which aims to harness its potential for the country's development.

In this regard, Pakistan’s participation in "ITB Berlin 2025" offers a significant opportunity to highlight the tourism sector.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany inaugurated the "Pakistan Pavilion" in Berlin, with key stakeholders from Pakistan's tourism industry, including the Managing Director of Green Tourism Company, also in attendance.

Pakistani Pavilion featured an outstanding display of traditional cuisine, music, and handicrafts, reflecting the country’s breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and hospitality.

Tourism sector is one of priority areas of SIFC

Four terrorists arrested in Balochistan

Four terrorists were arrested during a successful operation by security forces near Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Toba Kakri area of Balochistan.

According to security sources, weapons, including Kalashnikovs, hand grenades and other firearms were recovered from the arrested terrorists.

The arrested terrorists confessed to planning a major terrorist attack.

In his confessional statement, one arrested terrorist said they entered Pakistan three days ago from Afghanistan.

The security sources said the local population played a significant role in the success of this operation against the terrorists.

Defence experts described it a positive development that the local population is fighting alongside security forces against the terrorists. They said the primary reason for the rise in terrorism in Pakistan are the terrorist organizations flourishing on Afghan soil.

They said Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorists and immediate international action is needed.

Four terrorists arrested in Balochistan

‘Govt committed to addressing concerns of textile industry’

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed government's strong commitment to providing all possible support to the textile sector.

He made this commitment at a meeting with the leadership of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association in Islamabad on Thursday.

The Minister also reiterated government's commitment to resolving critical issues related to taxation, energy, and financing to ensure long-term viability and future growth of Pakistan’s industrial sector.

Welcoming the APTMA office-bearers, he assured the delegation that the government recognizes the critical role of the textile industry in Pakistan’s economy and remains dedicated to addressing its concerns.

Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized that addressing the core challenges faced by the industry is key to creating a conducive environment for industrial development, fostering economic stability, and supporting the nation’s overall growth trajectory.

Earlier, the APTMA delegation, led by Chairman Kamran Arshad, provided a detailed presentation on several pressing issues facing the textile sector related to energy, taxation and financing. The presentation also touched on various recommendations and proposals for the long-term viability and growth of the sector.

The Finance Minister assured the APTMA leadership that the government would give a thorough and thoughtful analysis of their recommendations, incorporating viable suggestions into the federal budget. He reiterated the importance of the consultative process and emphasized that any anomalies in the current framework would be addressed.

The APTMA delegation expressed their appreciation for the expedited disbursement of tax refunds and requested further support for the clearance of outstanding dues.

The Finance Minister reaffirmed that the government values this consultative approach and would continue to engage with key sectors to ensure their concerns are addressed effectively in the upcoming budget.

‘Govt committed to addressing concerns of textile industry’

Kashmiris observing Right to Self-Determination Day

Kashmiris on both sides of Line of Control and the world over is being observed Right to Self-Determination Day today with the pledge to continue their struggle till achievement of their internationally-acknowledged inalienable right.

Call for observance of the day has been given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

It was on 5th January in 1949 when the UN Security Council passed a resolution supporting the Kashmiris’ right to decide their future by themselves under a UN-supervised plebiscite.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held today.

The members will draw the attention of the international community towards its obligations on Kashmir and gross human rights violations by Indian troops in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In Muzaffarabad, Pasban-e-Hurriyat and other Hurriyat organizations have arranged rallies at Shaheed Burhan Muzaffarwani Chowk to mark the day.

Kashmiris observing Right to Self-Determination Day

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asked all underground Naxals to surrender as soon as possible and join the mainstream, saying the government is determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism before March 31, 2026.

Shah also said that CoBRA commandos and Chhattisgarh Police have arrested 22 notorious Naxals with modern weapons and explosive materials in different operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.

He said that 11 Naxals have also surrendered in the Badesetti panchayat of Sukma due to which the area has become completely Naxal-free.

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“I appeal to the hiding Naxal to lay down their arms as soon as possible and join the mainstream by adopting the surrender policy of the Modi government. We are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism before March 31, 2026,” Shah wrote on X.

In another post, the Home Minister said 22 Naxals have surrendered in Sukma (Chhattisgarh), taking the total number of surrendered Maoists to 33.

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“I congratulate the security force personnel and Chhattisgarh Police for this success towards the Naxal-free India campaign,” he said.

Addressing the CRPF Raising Day function at Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, the Home Minister had said that Naxalism is now confined to just four districts in India.

“Naxalism has been confined to just four districts in India. The menace will end in the country by March 31, 2026, as stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CAPF and the CRPF, especially its CoBRA battalion, are playing a major role in eliminating Naxalism from the country,” Shah said.

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a specialised unit of the CRPF, known for its proficiency in guerrilla and jungle warfare, particularly in combating the Naxal menace.

Shah also said the CRPF has set up more than 400 forward operating bases in the Naxal-affected areas where violence has come down by more than 70 per cent.

“We are now close to ending it,” he said.

Says the CRPF has set up more than 400 forward operating bases in Naxal-affected areas where violence has come down by more than 70 per cent.

Amit Shah asks hiding Naxals to surrender, join mainstream

Pune police has filed an 893-page chargesheet in the MSRTC Swargate bus depot rape case, an official said on Friday.

A 26-year-old woman was raped inside a parked Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus at the sprawling depot in the early hours of February 25 allegedly by history-sheeter Dattatray Gade, as per police.

"In order to make our case watertight, we have included physical, biological, technical, circumstantial and scientific evidence in the chargesheet. We obtained these through the help of experts in the medical, cyber, sound and forensic fields," the official said.

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The 893-page chargesheet filed in the court of the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) contains the statements of 82 witnesses, the official added. As per police, the victim was waiting for a bus to go to Satara when Gade approached her posing as a conductor.

On the pretext of offering help, he took her to a waiting bus that was unlit, bolted the doors and raped her inside.

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Gade, who faces half a dozen criminal cases, was nabbed from an agriculture field near his native Gunat village under Shirur tehsil here with the help of drones and sniffer dogs.

In order to make the case watertight, physical, biological, technical, circumstantial and scientific evidence have been included in the chargesheet, an official said.

Pune bus depot rape case: Cops file 893-page chargesheet, include statements of 82 witnesses

The Allahabad High Court has hit headlines for the wrong reasons once again. After “mere grabbing of a girl’s breasts and pulling her 'pyjama' string did not amount to attempt to rape” and “complainant herself invited trouble" remarks, it has now said that couples who marry as per their own free will against the wishes of their parents can’t claim police protection as a matter of right, unless there’s a real threat to their life and liberty.

While deciding an application filed by a couple seeking protection earlier this week, Justice Saurabh Srivastava said, “There is no requirement of passing any order for providing police protection to them in the light of judgment rendered by the Supreme Court in the case of Lata Singh vs State of UP and another, wherein it has been held that the courts are not meant to provide protection to such youths who have simply fled to marry according to their own wishes."

Justice Srivastava said, "There is not even an iota of evidence to evince that private respondents (relatives of either of the petitioners) are likely to cause physical or mental assault to them."

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However, noting that the petitioners had already submitted a representation to the Superintendent of Police, Chitrakoot district, the HC said, "In case the police find a real threat perception, they will do the needful in accordance with law."

In March this year, the Allahabad High Court had invited widespread criticism for its ruling that grabbing breasts and snapping pyjama string wasn’t enough to charge an accused with attempt to rape.

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An outraged Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the order passed by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra of the Allahabad High Court. Terming it as “totally insensitive” and “inhuman”, a Bench led by Justice BR Gavai on March 26 stayed the Allahabad High Court’s controversial remarks.

“We are at pains to state that some of the observations made in the impugned order depict a total lack of sensitivity on part of the author of the judgment. The perusal of the judgment would reveal that it was not as if the judgment was dictated at the spur of the moment in the court. The matter was reserved on November 13, 2024, and after almost a period of more than four months, the judgment was pronounced. It’s thus clear that the judge has authored the judgment after application of mind,” the Bench had said.

“In normal circumstances we are slow in granting stay at this stage. But since observations are totally unknown to cannons of law and depict a totally insensitive and inhuman approach, we are inclined to stay the observations,” it said.

On April 15, the top court again took strong exception to the Allahabad High Court's “complainant herself invited trouble" remarks in a rape case and questioned the need for the high court to make such comments while deciding a bail application.

While granting bail to an accused in a rape case, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh of the high court recently commented that the complainant "herself invited trouble" by agreeing to go to the house of the accused after getting drunk.

This is the third time in recent past that such controversial remarks/orders have been made by the Allahabad High Court.

Couples marrying against parents' wishes can't claim police protection as right: Allahabad HC

CHANDIGARH: With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 49th day, Punjab Police on Friday arrested 124 drug smugglers and recovered 2.5 kg heroin, and ₹2.02 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 6573 in just 49 days.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav across the state. Police teams have also conducted special cordon and search operations (CASO) at identified drug hotspots in all the 28 districts from 3 pm to 6 pm simultaneously.

Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 92 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 464 locations across the state leading to the registration of 77 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 490 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced three persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police has also carried out search operation at different jails in six districts— Commissionerate Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar Rural and Tarn Taran— to check any illegal activities in the jail. “Our Police teams have thoroughly searched every nook and corner including barracks, kitchen and toilets in the jail complex, ” said Special DGP Arpit Shukla.

CHANDIGARH: With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 49th day, Punjab Police on Friday arrested 124 drug smugglers and recovered 2.5 kg heroin, and ₹2.02 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 6573 in just 49 days.

Yudh Nishanian Virudh: On day 49, Punjab police arrests 124 drug smugglers; 2.5 kg heroin, Rs. 2 lakh drug money recovered

'How painting helped me heal after 5,000ft fall'

30 minutes ago Share Save Vanessa Pearce BBC News, South East Share Save

Jonny Fox Jonny Fox said landscape painting had given him an extra sense of purpose following his accident

A paragliding instructor who fell 1,500m (5,000ft) has opened an exhibition of his paintings that he describes as a "love letter to being alive". Jonny Fox from Brighton had been competing in the British Paragliding Championships in September 2023 when he had his accident. The display at The Crypt Gallery in Seaford is entitled Back Story and showcases the 50-year-old's determination to stand for long enough to create landscape oil paintings, which he says aided his recovery. "After my accident my world shrank immeasurably," he said. "My thoughts were not more than five minutes into the future, and painting has just opened up everything again to me."

Jonny was paragliding in northern Spain when he ran into trouble, falling to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. He lay on the forest floor unable to move. "I don't know if it was the amount of adrenaline that had just been pumped into my body, but I knew that life, nature, the mountain and the forest had me, and that my friends and other pilots were going to be looking for me," he added.

Jonny Fox The paragliding instructor was airlifted to hospital by a Spanish mountain rescue team

The RAF civil servant recalls having a "really good start" in the race, gaining height alongside two vultures. "I was enjoying flying with the birds, then all of a sudden I experienced the most violent air I've ever been in," he said. "The paraglider just folded up like a bag of washing," sending him into an "accelerating spiral dive". He deployed his reserve parachute before experiencing another area of turbulent wind. "That was the first moment I was a bit scared," he said. Crashing through trees, which only broke his fall for a "microsecond" he fell the final 15m (49ft) to the ground, fracturing his lower spine. A fragment of bone was also pushed into his spinal canal.

Jonny Fox Mr Fox said he was able to communicate with other pilots from where he landed but didn't know if his exact location was known

Within a few hours he was airlifted out of the forest by Spain's Guardia Civil mountain rescue team, which was documented on Spanish television. During his time in hospital in Spain he said music helped him deal with the trauma of the accident, as well as the operation to attach rods and screws onto his spine. "I listened to the same two albums every morning in hospital," he said, including Elbow's Live at Jodrell Bank. "Every time Elbow played One Day Like This the tears would just start, and I would cry throughout the entire song. "It was better than any of the painkiller drugs they were giving me," he added.

RTVE The rescue by Spain's Guardia Civil mountain rescue team was documented on Spanish television network RTVE

On his return to the UK, and with a long wait for NHS physiotherapy, friends, colleagues and the "close knit" paragliding community got in touch to give advice, he explained. Good physiotherapists as well as craniosacral therapy and everything from yoga, acupuncture and hydrotherapy were all transformative, he added. The Charity for Civil Servants also helped fund a series of counselling sessions which helped with post-traumatic episodes, he said. "The RAF has also been incredibly supportive in giving me the time off for my rehab as well as supporting my return to work," he added.

But it was his love of landscape painting that had given him an "extra sense of purpose". He had been introduced to the practice by professional Brighton artist Tony Parsons, who Jonny said was "an amazing support and mentor". Eighteen months after his accident he said he can now stand for up to an hour in order to capture landscapes. "I love the excuse of being able to stare at a view without someone thinking you're just crazy," he added.

Jonny Fox Jonny Fox says friend and professional artist Tony Parsons encouraged him to start painting again after his accident

Despite his injuries there had been "so many silver linings" to his accident, said Jonny, "although I wouldn't want to put my friends and family through it again, of course." "I heard a saying that we've all got two lives, and our second life starts when we realise we've actually only got one," he said. "It has been a gift in so many ways and made me realise how precious life is. My Back Story can be seen at the Crypt Gallery, Seaford, until Sunday 20 April.

James Wakeling Jonny Fox's first solo art exhibition has opened at the Crypt Gallery in Seaford

Jonny Fox is displaying his paintings at an exhibition called Back Story in Seaford, East Sussex.

Music, painting and yoga: 'How I recovered from a 5,000ft fall'

India is a key resource talent hub for AI professionals: Jayant Chaudhary

Speaking at Africa’s largest tech and startup show, ‘GITEX Africa 2025’, the minister said that India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has driven transformative changes across areas, especially through developments of digital identity (Aadhaar), digital payments (UPI), e-commerce (ONDC), and healthcare

By IANS Published Date - 18 April 2025, 11:55 AM

New Delhi: India is a key resource talent hub for AI professionals, which is a clear indicator of the efforts of the government and the industry to nurture an environment for adoption of AI, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge), Jayant Chaudhary, has said.

Speaking at Africa’s largest tech and startup show, ‘GITEX Africa 2025’, the minister said that India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has driven transformative changes across areas, especially through developments of digital identity (Aadhaar), digital payments (UPI), e-commerce (ONDC), and healthcare.

“And we are increasingly integrating advanced technologies – AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital infrastructure – into our skilling ecosystem. Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a digital public infrastructure for the skilling ecosystem has onboarded more than one crore users in over one and a half years. These are areas, rich with potential, for collaboration with our African partners and we can collectively grow our economies through sustained partnerships,” the minister told the gathering at the event in Morocco’s capital, Marrakesh.

The three-day event provided platform for policy leaders, changemakers and visionaries to collectively discuss and deliberate on the opportunities to collaborate and further the imperative of inclusive and equitable growth of the global economy.

“India, where the pace of digitalisation is higher relative to some other developing economies, with established open-source Digital Public Infrastructure systems, has the potential to catalyse speed of digitalisation in other developing countries seeking to develop such systems through collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Chaudhary added.

On the sidelines of the summit, the minister held productive bilateral meetings. In his discussions, Chaudhary touched upon broadly on exploring synergies in AI, research and capacity; discussed insights on how DPI can be a catalyst for inclusion, innovation and equitable growth; and shared India’s experience in building scalable, inclusive technology for public good, according to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Speaking at Africa’s largest tech and startup show, ‘GITEX Africa 2025’, the minister said that India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has driven transformative changes across areas, especially through developments of digital identity (Aadhaar), digital payments (UPI), e-commerce (ONDC), and healthcare

India is a key resource talent hub for AI professionals: Jayant Chaudhary

Sir, – In his willingness to “take where we are today, anytime, over the situation 37 years ago” Brian Ahern (Letters, April 17th) contrasts the “scrubland, grimy warehouses and an outsize gasometer” depicted in a YouTube video of Dublin’s docklands from the millennium year of 1988 with today’s vista where “a vibrant metropolis would spread out before your eyes”.

Well, let’s look at Dublin in 2025. Una Mullally’s article (“Why are most new housing schemes in Dublin city so terrible?” Opinion & Analysis, April 14th) is depressingly reflective of the current Dublin; office blocks going up as opposed to more urgently needed apartments, housing schemes that are structurally defective and a health hazard for residents among her chief criticisms.

I would add a few indictments of my own; a city whose main street is unsafe the darker it gets, buildings on O’Connell Street that have been derelict for 30 years at least (the Carlton Cinema, an egregious example), and all across the centre of Dublin, and elsewhere, an acute housing crisis.

I’m afraid I’m not buying the “improved” view of Dublin Mr Ahern is trying to sell through the narrow prism of the revitalised Dublin Docklands, an area that only a select few can afford to live in. – Yours, etc.

READ MORE

ROBERT BYRNE,

Malahide Road,

Dublin 13.

I’m afraid I’m not buying the ‘improved’ view of Dublin

Grimy Dublin in the 1980s

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commenced a major onslaught against organized human trafficking criminal gang in the country as its operatives have arrested two Abuja-based high profile figures suspected to be the arrowhead of a trans-border human trafficking syndicate operating within the West African and Gulf of Guinea regions.

According to a statement signed by the agency press officer, Vincent Adekoye, yesterday, the suspects, Emmanuel Igwe, 32, and Ugochukwu Christian, 30, were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte d’ d’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as the VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the headquarters of NAPTIP in Abuja.

Adekoye said the suspects were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the tastefully furnished mansion equiped with various devices also serves as the Command Base and Residence for the gang.

He said during the operation led by the head of operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

Adekoye said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathon sexual orientation from the suspects as they were stalked naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms

Speaking with the operatives after the rescue, one of the victims (name withheld) disclosed that they were recruited from one of the eastern states and were promised a highly paid job in a flourishing mall in Ivory Coast.

The victim recalled: “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja. I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine.”

Adekoye said the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP Social Media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

It would be recalled that VDM had last Thursday visited the headquarters of NAPTIP to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’ d’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the Agency to rescue them and also create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cefas.

Speaking on the arrest, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, said the agency is poised to dismantle all human trafficking syndicates that are recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

She said: “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the country. They are members of the trans-border criminal gangs operating within the West African region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

“I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

“We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with Partners State and Non-State Actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’ d’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

“I sincerely thank all our partners and stakeholders with specific reference to VDM for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country. He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

“I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens.”

The director-general added that full investigation on the matter has commenced and the suspects and any other persons connected to the case shall be prosecuted if found culpable in the end.

NAPTIP Arrests Two Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims – THISDAYLIVE

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Army is reportedly planning to purchase 30 armed Black Hawk helicopters from the US and upgrade 30 of its existing UH-60M utility helicopters to carry weapons.

According to the defense procurement list announced by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on April 6, the Army aims to acquire 30 new armed variants of the Black Hawk while retrofitting 30 currently in-service general-purpose UH-60M Black Hawks, per Liberty Times. The upgraded helicopters may be equipped with night vision systems, integrated infrared electro-optical reconnaissance equipment, and multifunction weapon mounts capable of carrying up to six weapon systems, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets, and heavy machine guns.

Shu Hsiao-huang (舒孝煌), an associate research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told Liberty Times that although the Black Hawk was originally developed as a transport helicopter, arming it allows for preliminary fire suppression in special operations. In littoral combat scenarios, the upgraded Black Hawks can deploy precision-strike weapons like Hellfire missiles to target enemy fast attack boats and shoreline positions, providing crucial support for ground forces and amphibious operations.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a fellow at the same institute, told CNA that the attack-configured Black Hawks could perform anti-amphibious missions, provide rapid cross-theater support, and transport troops. He noted that these helicopters could be concealed in rear areas and then provide frontline support. The Hellfire missile’s 10-kilometer range allows strikes on enemy landing forces before they reach shore.

Taiwan’s Army previously procured 60 Black Hawks from the US: 30 for the Army, and 15 each for the Air Force and the National Airborne Service Corps. Following the loss of two helicopters in crashes, 58 are currently in service.

Su said the Army’s current fleet lacks armed variants, which limits its operational flexibility, especially for the Aviation and Special Forces Command. The proposed procurement could compensate for the units assigned to other services and significantly improve operational readiness.

Given Taiwan’s current tariff negotiations with the US and evolving defense needs, Su said the purchase of 30 additional Black Hawks is a move that warrants serious consideration.

Tamkang University Assistant Professor Lin Ying-yu (林穎佑) told CNA that Taiwan already operates two attack helicopter models, the Apache and Cobra. However, he said that in a real conflict, the Army would likely only be deployed after the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had achieved air and sea superiority, raising concerns about helicopter survivability in such scenarios.

Lin emphasized that drones are likely a more strategically important investment, though budget limitations must be taken into account. He also stressed the importance of properly planning training for new helicopter pilots as part of the broader procurement strategy.

Army also eyes upgrade to UH-60M Black Hawks with Hellfire missiles, rockets, and autocannons | Apr. 18, 2025 18:47

Taiwan looking to buy 30 armed Black Hawks

MONACO, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG ) ("Scorpio Tankers," or the "Company") announced today that on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Company plans to issue its first quarter 2025 earnings press release in the morning (Eastern Daylight Time) and host a conference call at 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 3:00 PM Central European Summer Time.

Conference Call Information

Title: Scorpio Tankers Inc. First Quarter 2025 Conference Call

Date: Thursday May 1, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 3:00 PM Central European Summer Time

The conference call will be available over the internet, through the Scorpio Tankers Inc. website www.scorpiotankers.com and the webcast link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/w9j5qh65

Participants for the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

The conference will also be available telephonically:

US/Canada Dial-In Number: 1-888-596-4144

International Dial-In Number: +1-646-968-2525

Please ask to join the Scorpio Tankers Inc. call.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns or lease finances 99 product tankers (38 LR2 tankers, 47 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 9.1 years. Additional information about the Company is available at the Company’s website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward‐looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward‐looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward‐looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "target," "project," "likely," "may," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions identify forward‐looking statements.

The forward‐looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Company’s control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company’s view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward‐looking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies in response to epidemics and other public health concerns including any effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Company’s operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company’s vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, including the impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the developments in the Middle East, including the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off‐hires, and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc. Announces that on May 1, 2025, the Company Plans to Issue Its First Quarter 2025 Results and Have a Conference Call

An image of Mahmoud Ajjour, 9, who was severely wounded in an Israeli strike, won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year award.

A Palestinian child who was severely wounded in an Israeli drone attack on Gaza last year, and who was pictured in an image that won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year award, says he has been struggling to adapt to life since losing both his arms in the explosion.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Doha, Qatar, where he has been receiving treatment, nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour recalled the moment the bomb exploded, targeting his home in March 2024.

At first, Ajjour, who hails from Gaza City’s old town, said he did not realise he was wounded.

“I thought I had simply fallen. But I found myself on the ground, exhausted, and wondering what had happened,” he told Al Jazeera.

In reality, one arm “flew off, and one flew and fell right beside me”, he added.

Still unaware that he had sustained serious wounds – wounds that mutilated his entire body – Ajjour said he looked around and saw his arms. Although they looked familiar, his brain still could not comprehend that they had been blown off.

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“My mother then told me that I lost my arms,” Ajjour recalled. “I started crying. I was very sad, and my mental state was very bad.”

His mental health deteriorated further when he, like many others in Gaza, had to undergo surgery without anaesthetics due to a severe lack of medical supplies. Throughout the war, Israeli forces have largely kept vital border crossings shut, preventing the entry of much-needed medical supplies, as well as food and other aid, including fuel.

“They performed surgery on me while I was awake,” Ajjour said, the shock still evident in his voice.

“I couldn’t bear the pain, I was screaming very loud. My voice filled the hallways.”

‘Everything is difficult’

Ajjour is one of thousands of children in Gaza who are suffering life-changing injuries due to relentless, indiscriminate Israeli bombardment.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than 10 children each day have lost one or both of their legs since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its ongoing genocide in Gaza.

That is more than 1,000 children.

“Gaza now has the highest number of children amputees per capita anywhere in the world – many losing limbs and undergoing surgeries without even anaesthesia,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in December.

Ajjour is now learning to write, play games on his phone, and dress himself using his feet – but still needs special assistance for most daily activities.

He now longs for the days when his arms were still intact.

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Before the attack, Ajjour said he used to go to the market and buy his mother vegetables and food she needed.

“Now, everything is difficult, including feeding myself, helping myself to the bathroom … but I try my best,” he said. “I manage my life like this. I make it work.”

Ajjour dreams of a future where he can return to Gaza and help rebuild the devastated enclave.

He hopes the world can “end the war on Gaza”.

“We want to live on our land. We don’t want the Israelis to take it,” he said.

“People are dying there [in Gaza]. And my home was bombed. How could I live like this?”

Israel’s ongoing assault on the besieged and bombarded territory has so far killed more than 51,000 Palestinians and wounded at least 116,505 others, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

It has also forcibly displaced most of its 2.3 million strong population, ravaged most of the land, damaged basic infrastructure and dismantled its already-struggling healthcare system.

An image of Mahmoud Ajjour, 9, who was severely wounded in an Israeli strike, won World Press Photo of the Year award.

‘How do I live like this?’ asks Gaza boy who lost arms in Israeli attack

Special Envoy of Pakistan to Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan meets with Afghanistan Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. PHOTO: NNI

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Pakistan expects a "major shift" in Afghan Taliban's approach towards the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups after the authorities in Kabul briefed a Pakistani delegation on Wednesday about the "practical steps" taken to address Islamabad's concerns.

A meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) was held in Kabul to discuss critical security issues, including the TTP problem. This was the first JCC meeting in 15 months and came against the backdrop of strained ties between the two countries over the issue of the TTP.

The Pakistani side was led by Special Envoy for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan and the Afghan side was headed by its deputy defence minister Mullah Qayum Zakir. Senior military and security officials were part of the talks.

Sources familiar with the closed-door talks in Kabul told The Express Tribune that the Pakistani side was briefed in detail about the number of steps the Afghan Taliban had taken to address the issue of terrorist sanctuaries.

The sources would not provide the details but members of the delegation for the first time felt that there was seriousness on the part of the Afghan Taliban government on the issue. "Everyone in the delegation noted a change in the Afghan Taliban stance towards the TTP," said an official while requesting anonymity.

The issue of cross-border terrorism has remained at the heart of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Interim Afghan government had previously refused to address Pakistan's concerns or steps they had taken were insufficient.

But the Pakistani delegation, visiting Kabul for a daylong trip, felt that the steps taken this time by Afghan Taliban were positives. "Let's see the outcome of those steps in the coming days. At least, they (Taliban) have shown seriousness," added the official.

Upon his return from Kabul, Pakistan's point person Ambassador Sadiq reported progress in a terse statement on X. "After a 15-month pause, the 7th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) convened in Kabul - a vital platform for addressing sensitive and strategic issues," he said.

"Regular and sustained engagement through such mechanisms is essential to ease tensions, dispel doubts, and strengthen mutual understanding in bilateral ties," Sadiq wrote.

Both sides, according to the sources, also agreed to lower rhetoric and avoid using public forums to blame each other.

When asked what did really prompt the Taliban government to bring shift in its policy, a source attributed it to the volatile economic situation, suspension of the US aid and Pakistani pressure.

The sources said that since the JCC meeting was held after a gap of many months, therefore, so many issues were on the table. Both sides decided to continue discussions.

While the Pakistani delegation was in Kabul, the Afghan delegation led by its Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit. Sources said that more bilateral visits were being planned as Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar might also visit Kabul.

According to a handout issued by the Commerce Ministry, the 16-member high-level delegation from Afghanistan arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit. It said that nine members of the delegation crossed into Pakistan via Torkham border, while seven members reached Islamabad by air.

The aim of the visit was to remove obstacles in the way of promoting Pak-Afghan bilateral trade, including the renewal of the Pak-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement, the commerce ministry stated in the handout.

It added that the Afghan delegation also included the deputy minister for refugees and resettlement, who would be holding talks with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad regarding the recent evacuation of Afghan refugees.

Taliban highlight 'practical steps' to address Islamabad's concerns

Pakistan expects 'major shift' in Kabul's TTP policy

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

According to Aakash K Hindocha, Deputy Vice President - WM Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group, IRCTC, Jubilant FoodWorks and Shree Cement are the top buy calls for today.

Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty and the top stock picks for April 17, 2025:

Index View: Nifty

Bank Nifty

IRCTC (BUY):

LCP: 760.60

SL: 734

Target: 825

JUBLFOOD (BUY):

LCP: 703.05

SL: 673

Target: 755

SHREECEM (BUY):

LCP: 30875

SL: 30100

Target: 33770

Disclaimer: The opinions, analyses and recommendations expressed herein are those of brokerage and do not reflect the views of The Times of India. Always consult with a qualified investment advisor or financial planner before making any investment decisions.

Top stock market recommendations Nifty has covered over 1700 points from its opening low printed on last Monday, in a matter of 5 sessions. The index is now on the verge of turning positive again for the month as it is still few points in the red on an MTD basis. This double bottom bounce back has been stronger than its last month’s recovery from sub 22000 levels as the market digests a rut cut by the RBI along with easing trade war tensions by US with other countries of the world. With reclamation of 22800-22900 zone on a closing basis the index has turned back to a buy on dip for the medium term and is eyeing to scale back above 24000. There is a gap between 23200 – 22900 on daily charts which can be used as the range to buy on dip for the forthcoming leg upside.Bank Nifty has been the star outperformer in this ongoing correction while the index has broadly held on to its wide range from the start of this calendar year.With tariff fears creating a strong set back on global markets, its impact on Indian indices also pulled leading indices back to its March 2025 lows. However, Bank Nifty stood out strongly, reversing after a 61.8% retracement. We had highlighted a buy on dip level between 49900 and 50400 for targets of 52500 on the upside. This has been complete as of today while the outperformance on Bank Nifty v/s Nifty looks overbought in the short term. With the index now at 4 month high, a consolidation here between 51800 – 53200 looks possible with Nifty now taking charge for upside.IRCTC has given a breakout from a falling trendline which has been in place for the past 10 months now. Adding to this, stock has also closed at a 2 month high on daily charts confirming the end of this 10 month long correction seen on the scrip. Though this breakout allows a based formation and higher targets for the medium term on this monopoly scrip, for now we are looking at a quick 8-10% upside.QSR stocks had been sliding since the start of this calendar year. Marking an end to the slide, Jubilant FoodWorks has given a breakout of a 3 month long correction while making a higher bottom formation all through the past 4 weeks. A quick 6-8% upside follows through this breakout on the stock.Stocks making highs in a market crash, are generally the ones witnessing significant flows and lesser outflows in comparison to the widely traded names. Current strength seen on Shree Cement is likely to extend for another 8-10% given the market reversal being formed on charts. A support seen at yesterday’s low is an ideal risk reward to be played for the upside. Stock is likely to breakout to new all time highs.

India-Business News: Top stock market recommendations: Nuvama Professional Clients Group's Aakash K Hindocha recommends buying IRCTC, Jubilant FoodWorks, and Shree Cement.

Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 17, 2025

Dodgers’ Alex Vesia’s wife Kayla reveals why she’s not making her pregnancy due date public (Image Source: Instagram)

Alex Vesia’s wife Kayla Vesia reveals why she’s keeping it private

“We’re not sharing our due date, this is one of the things we've chosen to keep private.”

“We don't know yet, we're doing a small gender reveal and we will be sharing that soonish!”

How did Alex Vesia and Kayla Vesia find out about the pregnancy?



“Alex and I found out together! Early in the morning, he knew I was taking a test for my tracking app and I walked into the closet while he was getting ready and showed him the 2 lines.”

“Yes we have a boy and a girl name we love, but who knows it could change down the road! (Another thing we won't be sharing)”

“My pups have always been super affectionate and attached to my hip so not much has changed yet!”

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Vesia is in the midst of a heated baseball season, and he has been performing well, scoring brilliantly, while his teammates have also performed well. Recently, Alex and his wife Kayla announced the couple was pregnant with a stunning photo shoot where they look ethereal. However, Kayla has decided to keep her due date private. Find out why.Recently, Kayla Vesia took to Instagram where she hosted an Ask Me Anything session, allowing her fans to ask her questions about several topics, where she decided to share that bit about her life with her fans, giving them a sneak peek into her life.In the first post, a fan asked her when the due date is, that is when Kayla said, she and Alex have decided to not reveal the due date, as they have decided to keep it private.She said:In the second post, a fan asked her if the couple wanted to know the gender, or they are going to wait until the baby is born?Kayla said, the couple has decided to have a gender reveal, and the details will be shared with fans soon.She said:In the third post, a fan asked Kayla Vesia, if she will be sharing how she told Alex Vesia about the pregnancy, and if at all the situation was the couple finding out together?Kayla shared her sweet response where she said the couple already knew. Kayla said:In the fourth post, a fan asked her if the couple is picking out baby names.Kayla said:A fan asked her later, if her dogs acted different since being pregnant? The fan said, “Usually they're more affectionate!”Kayla said her dogs love her the same. She said;Also Read: Dodgers’ Alex Vesia Pulls Out New Mom To Be Kayla’s Ultrasound Snaps As They Pose On Field After Pregnancy Announcement

MLB News: Dodgers' pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife Kayla are expecting! The couple shared the happy news with a stunning photoshoot, but Kayla recently revealed

"We’re not sharing"- Dodgers’ Alex Vesia’s wife Kayla reveals why she’s not making her pregnancy due date public

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

BAREILLY: In "one of the most horrific sexual crimes " in recent times, an 11-year-old deaf and mute Dalit girl from UP's Rampur who was raped by unidentified accused, was found on Wednesday with multiple injuries on her body, including cigarette burn marks on her private parts and bite marks.Later in the day, police arrested a suspect, allegedly from the same village, and initiated interrogation procedures against him.The girl, whose father is a marginal farmer from a village in the district, went missing on Tuesday evening after going to relieve herself in a field.On Wednesday, a man from the village found her lying unconscious in a field around 500m from her home, half-naked, with her face swollen, and promptly informed her family.Dr Anju Singh, who conducted the girl's medical examination, told TOI, "This is a clear case of rape by one or more persons as there were multiple injuries on her private parts. Her face had been struck with a blunt object, leaving it swollen.The girl's clothes were stained with blood. We completed the medico-legal examination and referred her to a higher centre. She was terrified and unable to explain anything. It is one of the most horrific sexual crimes I have seen."The girl's mother added, "My daughter is extremely terrified. She is getting fits after the incident."Additional SP Atul Kumar Srivastava said an FIR has been registered based on the girl's father's complaint and three teams have been deployed to apprehend the accused. "We immediately sent the survivor to the hospital for treatment after learning about the incident. We are using CCTV footage and mobile surveillance data to track down the culprit," he added.

In Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, an 11-year-old deaf and mute Dalit girl was found unconscious with severe injuries, including cigarette burns and bite marks

'One of the most horrific sexual crimes': Deaf-mute Dalit girl raped, private parts burned in UP's Rampur

The highlight in the European session will be the ECB rate decision, although it's unlikely that the central bank will surprise the markets in any way. In the American session, we have the US Jobless Claims which are now even more important given that they could give an earlier signal of deterioration in the labour market. It's unlikely to see much reaction though unless they make a new cycle high.

12:15 GMT/08:15 ET - ECB Policy Announcement

The ECB is expected to cut by 25 bps bringing the deposit rate to 2.25%. The market then expects at least two more rate cuts by year-end. Interest rates expectations have been shaped by the ongoing trade war and the recent 90-days pause for reciprocal tariffs helped to alleviate the aggressive pricing. It’s all about the trade negotiations now as the data remains old news.

European Central Bank

12:30 GMT/08:30 ET - US Jobless Claims

The US Jobless Claims continue to be one of the most important releases to follow every week as it’s a timelier indicator on the state of the labour market.

Initial Claims remain inside the 200K-260K range created since 2022, while Continuing Claims hover around cycle highs.

This week Initial Claims are expected at 225K vs. 223K prior, while Continuing Claims are seen at 1872K vs. 1850K prior.

US Jobless Claims

Central bank speakers:

The highlights include the ECB Policy Decision and the US Jobless Claims, but the focus remains on tariff negotiations

What are the main events for today?

US-China trade war escalates with huge stakes for the economies of both nations and the rest of the world.

The US and China are locked in a fast-moving trade war. It’s a game of brinkmanship.

Tariffs on both sides are now so high that commerce between them is effectively about to cease.

If it escalates into a full economic break, the consequences will hurt both economies and will send shockwaves worldwide.

But, if he wants to negotiate, Donald Trump might have to bargain alone.

China is seeking to win allies elsewhere, in Europe and Southeast Asia, where many nations also face punitive Trump tariffs.

And Trump’s tariffs on Chinese tech products.

Plus, a global deal to cut shipping emissions.

US-China trade war escalates with huge stakes for the economies of both nations and the rest of the world.

Who will win the US-China trade war?

Amid violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in West Bengal and other states, the Supreme Court on Wednesday proposed to stay some of its key provisions, including the power to de-notify properties declared as waqf by courts and inclusion of non-Muslims in central Waqf councils and boards.

“Ordinarily, courts do not interfere at the admission stage when a law is passed. But this case may warrant an exception. If a property declared as waqf-by-user is de-notified, it can have grave ramifications,” a three-judge Bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna said.

“The properties declared as waqfs by the courts should not be de-notified—whether they are by waqf-by-user or waqf by deed while the court is hearing the challenge to the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025,” the Bench proposed, saying it will “balance the equities”.

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It also proposed that the proviso of the Amendment Act, as per which a Waqf property will not be treated as a Waqf while the Collector is conducting inquiry—where the property is a Government land—will not be given effect to and that all members of the Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council must be Muslims, except the ex-officio members.

The Bench heard senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Rajeev Dhavan, CU Singh and others for dozens of Muslim bodies and individuals who have challenged the amendment and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Centre for two hours.

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On behalf of the petitioners, the senior advocates alleged that the amendment infringed upon the religious freedom of Muslims in managing their religious and charitable institutions – a right guaranteed under Article 26 of the Constitution.

As CJI Khanna proposed to pass the order, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta vehemently opposed it, saying no such interim order could be passed without hearing the Central Government.

The Bench – which also included Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Viswanathan – deferred the hearing to 2 pm on Thursday. It’s yet to issue a formal notice on petitions challenging the amendment.

CJI Khanna expressed serious concern over the violence in West Bengal during protests against the amendment. “One thing is very disturbing… the violence that is taking place. If the matter is pending here it should not happen… The issue is before the court and we will decide,” the CJI said before rising for the day.

One of the contentious issues was “waqf by user”—a practice where a property is recognised as a Muslim endowment (waqf) based on its long-term, uninterrupted use for such purposes, even if there isn’t a formal, written declaration of waqf by the owner. The second such issue was allowing non-Muslims in governance of waqf properties.

The Bench questioned allowing non-Muslims in waqf governance. “Are you suggesting that Muslims could now be part of Hindu endowment boards as well? Please state it openly,” the CJI told Mehta who clarified that not more than two non-Muslim members, apart from ex officio ones, would be included in the waqf council.

The Bench pointed out that under the new Act, only eight of the 22 members of the Central Waqf Council would be Muslims. “If eight are Muslims, two may be judges’ who might not be Muslims. That leaves a majority of non-Muslims. How is this consistent with the religious character of the institution?” it asked.

“When we sit here, we shed our personal identities. For us, all parties are equal before the law. That comparison is entirely misplaced… Why not allow non-Hindus in the advisory boards of Hindu temples, then?” it asked.

Passed by the Rajya Sabha during the wee hours of April 4 with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 received President Murmu’s assent on April 5. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on April 3 with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it. The Centre notified it on April 8.

Under the amended law only self-owned resources can be declared as Waqf after ensuring the inheritance rights of women and children and the DC will determine that land being donated by a Muslim is actually in his ownership. It also empowers state governments to nominate members, including representatives from backward classes and both Shia and Sunni communities to Waqf boards.

The petitioners, including AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Arshad Madani, RJD MP Manoj Jha, AAP MLA in Delhi Amanatullah Khan, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, CPI, DMK Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay and YSRCP, alleged that the amended law imposed “arbitrary restrictions” on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community and took away various protections accorded to Waqfs and discriminated against Muslims.

However, a petition filed by Hari Shankar Jain on Tuesday submitted that the impugned provisions conferred undue benefits on Muslims and discriminated against non-Muslims, the petitioners submitted.

Governments of six BJP-ruled states of Assam, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra on Monday moved the Supreme Court in support of the amendment.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan outlines two aspects.

Supreme Court begins hearing pleas against Waqf (Amendment) Act

Image via Instagram

Hailee Steinfeld on addresses rumours surrounding Avengers: Doomsday

A busy schedule with new projects and a high-profile relationship

Despite being one of the rising stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Hailee Steinfeld ’s name was noticeably absent from the recent cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday . Fans immediately questioned why the actress, who debuted as Kate Bishop in Hawkeye and appeared in the post-credits scene of The Marvels, wasn’t given one of the now-famous personalized “Doomsday” chairs alongside other confirmed Avengers.In a recent interview with Backstage to promote her upcoming horror film Sinners , Hailee Steinfeld finally addressed the speculation surrounding her MCU future.“I’m excited about the idea of continuing to grow with a character like Kate, especially in something as huge as the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Steinfeld said. “You get to go back to your family; you get to go back to that little home that then becomes part of this grander picture. I love that character, and I totally understand why she is so loved.”While Marvel fans were hoping for a full Young Avengers lineup reveal, both Steinfeld and her onscreen ally Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan) were missing from the official casting list, raising questions about whether Marvel is saving their returns as surprise moments—or if their roles have been pushed to future projects.Steinfeld is keeping her plate full outside of the MCU. She stars opposite Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo in Sinners, a vampire thriller directed by Black Panther filmmaker Ryan Coogler. The film is already gaining buzz thanks to Coogler’s involvement and Steinfeld’s unexpected role in the horror genre.She’s also set to return as the voice of Spider-Gwen in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, arriving June 4, 2027, and will appear in the animated series Marvel Zombies premiering on October 3, 2025, on Disney+.Hailee Steinfeld and her fiancé, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen , have cultivated a relationship that balances fame with authenticity. The couple, who began dating quietly, made headlines when engagement rumors surfaced in early 2025. Despite their busy schedules—her with blockbuster films and him on the NFL field—they prioritize time together.Also Read: Josh Allen's fiance Hailee Steinfeld opens up about discovering her multi-racial roots while preparing for emotional role in ‘Sinners’ Their relationship reflects mutual respect, shared ambition, and a refreshing sense of privacy amid the spotlight. Fans admire their chemistry and often praise the way they support one another’s careers, solidifying their status as one of today’s most admired celebrity-athlete power couples.

NFL News: Hailee Steinfeld addressed speculation about her absence from the Avengers: Doomsday cast, expressing excitement about continuing her role as Kate Bis

Why is Josh Allen's fiance Hailee Steinfeld missing from the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal? Here's what she had to say

Supreme Court of India

NEW DELHI: Noting that former IAS officer Anil Tuteja has been in custody for more than a year and charges have not been framed against him while more than 30 prosecution witnesses are yet to be examined, Supreme Court on Tuesday granted him bail in a money laundering case arising out of the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam .Though additional solicitor general S V Raju, appearing for ED, told the court that Tuteja is very influential and was running a parallel system in the state for sale of liquor, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said it was fit case for bail in keeping with SC's ruling in Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji's case.The factual position which emerges is – (a) As of today there is no order taking cognisance, (b) Appellant has undergone incarceration of about a year, (c) There are 20 accused who will have to be heard on charge. (d) More than 30 prosecution witnesses have been cited. The maximum sentence which can be imposed in this case is imprisonment of 7 years.Therefore, the principle laid down by this court in V Senthil Balaji judgment will apply,” the court said. It said bail should be granted subject to conditions fixed by lower court, and allowed ED to seek cancellation of his bail in case of violation. The bench asked Centre to exercise its powers to designate a sessions judge as presiding officer of special PMLA court in Raipur.

The Supreme Court granted bail to former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, citing his

'Over a year in jail': SC gives bail to ex-IAS officer

OSB GROUP PLC

ISIN: GB00BLDRH360

16 April 2025

LEI number: 213800ZBKL9BHSL2K459

OSB GROUP PLC (the “Company”)

Transaction in Own Shares

The Company announces that on 15 April 2025 it had purchased a total of 40,567 of its ordinary shares of £0.01 each (the "ordinary shares") on the London Stock Exchange, CBOE BXE and CBOE CXE, through the Company's broker Citigroup Global Markets Limited as detailed below. The repurchased ordinary shares will be cancelled.

London Stock Exchange CBOE BXE CBOE CXE Number of ordinary shares purchased 40,567 - - Highest price paid (per ordinary share) 431.20p - - Lowest price paid (per ordinary share) 420.00p - - Volume weighted average price paid (per ordinary share) 427.09p - -

The purchases form part of the Company’s share buyback programme announced on 13 March 2025.

Following settlement of the above purchases and cancellation of the purchased ordinary shares, the Company's total number of ordinary shares in issue shall be 367,488,716 ordinary shares.

No ordinary shares are held in treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 367,488,716.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as incorporated into and implemented under English law (including by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018), the detailed breakdown of individual trades made by Citigroup Global Markets Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the share buyback programme is set out below.

This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or any solicitation of an offer for securities in any jurisdiction.

Schedule of Purchases – Individual Transactions

Issuer Name OSB GROUP PLC LEI 213800ZBKL9BHSL2K459 ISIN GB00BLDRH360 Intermediary Name Citigroup Global Markets Limited Intermediary Code SBILGB2L Timezone GMT Currency GBP





Transaction in own shares

Heineken N.V. reports on 2025 first quarter trading

Amsterdam, 16 April 2025 – Heineken N.V. (EURONEXT: HEIA; OTCQX: HEINY) announces

First quarter performance as anticipated, full year outlook unchanged

Key Highlights

Revenue €7,784 million, decreasing 4.9%

Net revenue (beia) organic growth up 0.9%; per hectolitre increasing 3.3%

Beer volume organic decrease of 2.1%

Premium beer volume organic growth of 1.8%; Heineken ® volume growth of 4.6%

volume growth of 4.6% Outlook for the full year unchanged; operating profit (beia) expected to grow organically 4% to 8%

CEO Statement

Dolf van den Brink, Chairman of the Executive Board / CEO, commented:

"In the first quarter, we delivered a 0.9% organic increase in net revenue. As anticipated, primarily due to calendar-related factors, organic beer volume declined by 2.1%. Despite volatile consumer and geopolitical trends, we are performing within the range of expectations.

Our EverGreen strategy continues to shape the business. We maintained the delivery of high quality growth, with premium beer volume growing by 1.8% and Heineken® volume up by 4.6%, outpacing overall volume growth. Vietnam, India, and Ethiopia delivered promising volume growth, benefitting from the strategic actions taken. The strength of our brand portfolio keeps improving, as shown across markets like Brazil and China. We are increasing our marketing and selling investments to further unlock the biggest opportunities. Furthermore, we are firmly on track to achieve our €0.4 billion gross savings target for 2025.

As the year progresses, we will be navigating a macroeconomic environment increasingly in flux, requiring us to stay agile and proactively adapt to changing circumstances. Considering the current conditions, we confirm our full year outlook to organically grow operating profit (beia) by 4% to 8%. This reflects our adaptability, whilst standing by our commitment to invest in growth and future-proofing our business."

Enquiries





Media Investors Christiaan Prins Tristan van Strien Director of Global Communication Global Director of Investor Relations Marlie Paauw Lennart Scholtus / Chris Steyn Corporate Communications Lead Investor Relations Manager / Senior Analyst E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +31-612200009 Tel: +31-20-5239590





Conference Call Details

HEINEKEN will host an analyst and investor conference call with Harold van den Broek, Chief Financial Officer, in relation to its First Quarter 2025 Trading Update on 16 April at 14:00 CET/13:00 GMT. The call will be audio cast live via the company’s website: www.theheinekencompany.com . An audio replay service will also be made available after the conference call at the above web address. Analysts and investors can dial-in using the following telephone numbers:

United Kingdom: +44 203 936 2999

Netherlands: +31 85 888 7233

United States: +1 646 664 1960

All other locations: +44 203 936 2999

For the full list of dial in numbers, please refer to the following link: Global Dial-In Numbers

Participation password for all countries: 522422



Attachment



Heineken N.V. reports on 2025 first quarter trading

NEW YORK, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Childhood is filled with milestones—each one a memory in the making. Every occasion deserves to be celebrated in a way that feels truly special. That's the vision behind LalaMira , a children's formalwear brand dedicated to creating elegant dresses for the most treasured moments in a young girl's life.

A Dress for Every Beautiful Chapter

LalaMira specializes in designing dresses for meaningful childhood events, including:

Baby Girl Birthday Dresses – Adorable designs to mark her very first celebrations

Christening Gowns – Soft and sacred styles to honor spiritual beginnings

Flower Girl Dresses – Whimsical and elegant, perfect for weddings and special ceremonies

Toddler Pageant Dresses – Sparkly and sweet for little stars on stage

First Communion Dresses – Graceful designs for a sacred milestone

Girls Pageant Dresses – Statement-making styles for older girls with big dreams

Father Daughter Dance Dresses – Sweet and stylish choices for unforgettable dance floor moments

Each piece is crafted with care and imagination—blending comfort, elegance, and timeless charm to help girls feel confident, beautiful, and celebrated.

More Than a Dress—A Lasting Memory

What sets LalaMira apart is its dedication to storytelling through design. Each collection begins with a simple yet powerful idea: to capture the wonder of childhood and translate it into fabric, color, and craftsmanship. The dresses are not just garments—they are joyful memories waiting to happen.

Designed to make little girls smile, twirl, and shine, LalaMira's attention to detail ensures each dress is photo-ready and cherished for years to come.

Crafted with Care, Loved by Families

LalaMira works with experienced designers and trusted manufacturers to deliver high-quality dresses that balance luxury and affordability. With fast shipping, flexible returns, and inclusive sizing, the brand has won the hearts of mothers around the world.

Thousands of parents, photographers, and event planners continue to return to LalaMira, knowing that every dress they choose will honor their child's most meaningful moments.

Looking Ahead

As LalaMira continues to grow, the brand is expanding its offerings to include customized designs, seasonal releases, and matching accessories. Collaborations with influencers, photographers, and children's brands are also underway, fostering a joyful community built around celebrating girlhood.

For more information, visit www.lalamira.com.

LalaMira: Dresses for Every Cherished Moment of Her Childhood

16 April 2025

ICG Enterprise Trust announces realisation of Minimax

ICG Enterprise Trust (“ICGT”) is pleased to announce the realisation of Minimax, generating €53 million (£45m) in cash proceeds1 to ICGT. The sale was executed in line with the last reported NAV and proceeds have been received.

ICGT originally invested in Minimax in 2018 alongside funds managed by ICG2.

Minimax is a global supplier of fire protection systems and services, and was ICGT’s largest company exposure at 31 October 2024, accounting for 3.3% of the Portfolio value.

Oliver Gardey and Colm Walsh, Portfolio Managers for ICG Enterprise Trust, commented:

“As a result of the realisation of Minimax and the secondary sale reported earlier this month ICGT has announced over £100m of total proceeds in April, which will be deployed in line with our investment objectives and capital allocation policy.

These transactions underline the benefits of our active portfolio management and help validate the quality of the businesses we invest in. These characteristics underpin the long-term returns we seek to generate for our shareholders.

We believe our portfolio of mid-market companies, diversified across North America and Europe and with defensive growth characteristics, gives shareholders exposure to an attractive segment of the private equity landscape. We will continue to monitor the macro-economic environment closely and look forward to discussing our performance and outlook with shareholders in our full year results in early May.”

1Cash proceeds received of €53m, of which ICG Enterprise Trust is reinvesting €14m alongside Management and other investors including certain ICG funds; 2The original investment was through primary commitments to ICG Europe VI and ICG Europe VII as well as a direct co-investment into Minimax

Enquiries

Analyst / Investor enquiries: Martin Li, Shareholder Relations, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 1816 Nathan Brown, Deutsche Numis +44 (0) 20 7260 1426 David Harris, Cadarn Capital +44 (0) 20 7019 9042 Media: Clare Glynn, Corporate Communications, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 1395 Website: www.icg-enterprise.co.uk

About ICG Enterprise Trust

ICG Enterprise Trust is a leading listed private equity investor focused on creating long-term compounding growth by delivering consistently strong returns through selectively investing in profitable, cash-generative private companies, primarily in Europe and the US.

We invest in companies directly as well as through funds managed by ICG and other leading managers who focus on creating long-term value and building sustainable growth through active management and strategic change.

We have a long track record of delivering strong returns through a flexible mandate and highly selective approach that strikes the right balance between concentration and diversification, risk and reward.

Disclaimer

This report may contain forward looking statements. These written materials are not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. The issuer has not and does not intend to register any securities under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and does not intend to offer any securities to the public in the United States. No money, securities or other consideration from any person inside the United States is being solicited and, if sent in response to the information contained in these written materials, will not be accepted.

ICG Enterprise Trust announces realisation of Minimax

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William Levy, who parted ways with former partner Elizabeth Gutiérrez in April last year, was arrested on charges of disorderly intoxication in public as well as trespassing in South Florida's Weston city. This is believed to be the second legal incident involving the actor in less than a year.

Who is William Levy? Actor arrested in Florida on trespassing, public intoxication charges

Blue Origin's all-woman spaceflight, commanded by Lauren Sanchez, faced celebrity ridicule. Celebrities like Amy Schumer and Olivia Munn criticized the mission's cost and purpose. They questioned the value of space tourism versus addressing pressing global issues. Blue Origin defended the mission, highlighting its inspiration for young women. The event ignited discussions about space exploration priorities.

Blue Origin's all-women space flight completes mission; celebrities mock the idea, asking what the point was; was a billion dollars spent just to create memes

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New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday condemned the Narendra Modi-led government for seizing assets of the National Herald and announced nationwide protests against the "draconian" action. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal also said the National Herald, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, played a vital role in India's freedom struggle, serving as a powerful voice against British colonial rule.Describing the action as "draconian", he said the government had, in an "arbitrary and unjust" manner, seized the National Herald's assets.He also called the chargesheet against the senior party leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi , "politically motivated".Venugopal said in a statement, "It (National Herald) stood for justice, liberty and democratic ideals -- values that continue to guide the Indian National Congress to this day.""The so-called action is not a routine legal procedure. It is a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law -- an egregious misuse of state institutions aimed at silencing the democratic opposition," he added.Venugopal alleged that the ruling regime had crossed all limits in its pursuit of vendetta politics, weaponising investigative agencies to intimidate and harass the Congress leadership.He claimed there was widespread anger among the people of India over such a "blatant abuse of power" and the Congress would give voice to this public outrage through democratic means."The party will organise nationwide protests on Wednesday in front of Enforcement Directorate (ED) offices at state headquarters and central government offices at the district level," Venugopal said."All senior state leaders, MLAs, MPs, office-bearers of frontal organisations, and Congress workers will participate in these state-level protests being coordinated by the respective Pradesh Congress Committees. These demonstrations will be a powerful expression of our collective resolve to stand against the politics of fear and oppression," he said.The ED has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others on charges of money laundering in the case.Special judge Vishal Gogne examined the chargesheet, which was filed on April 9, on the point of cognisance and posted the matter for further proceedings on April 25.The chargesheet also names Suman Dubey and Congress leader Sam Pitroda as accused.It was filed under sections 3 (money laundering) and 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the ED's special public prosecutor NK Matta.Venugopal said, "This is a decisive moment to stand united -- to defend our democracy, uphold constitutional values, and confront tyranny with courage.""We reiterate that the Indian National Congress and its leadership will not be silenced by such unlawful actions. We have fought to uphold the soul of India before and we are prepared to do so again. Our commitment to truth, justice and constitutional democracy is unwavering. Satyameva Jayate is not merely a slogan -- it is our conviction," he added.

The Congress party has strongly condemned the Modi government's seizure of National Herald assets, denouncing it as a "draconian" action and a politically motivated attack. They announced nationwide protests to voice their opposition to what they perceive as an abuse of power and weaponization of investigative agencies.

Congress announces nationwide protests against 'draconian' action in National Herald case

Why is Elon Musk irritating Trump officials so much?

Live Events

Is Marco Rubio really that frustrated with Elon Musk?

What about those Elon Musk drug rumors?

Could Elon Musk lose his role in Washington?





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Elon Musk and the Trump Administration are clearly not on the same page these days. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who also owns X (formerly Twitter), is reportedly causing serious frustration inside the White House. According to a detailed Rolling Stone report, senior Trump officials have become so annoyed with Musk’s behavior that some are now calling him “Crazy Uncle Elon.”This nickname isn’t a joke among friends — it’s being used by people close to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials. The situation speaks volumes about how Musk’s growing role in government is rubbing some powerful people the wrong way.At the center of the tension is Musk’s involvement with his self-created “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE. The idea, on paper, is to help make the federal government run better. But inside the Trump Administration, DOGE is creating confusion, not clarity.One senior official told Rolling Stone, “Talking to the guy is sometimes like listening to really rusty nails on a chalkboard.” The same official added, “He’s just the most irritating person I’ve ever had to deal with, and that is saying something.”Officials say Musk often derails meetings with offbeat jokes and sarcastic comments that fall flat. He expects people to laugh, and when they don’t, he looks almost offended, according to people in the room. This awkward energy has become a regular issue during government discussions.Yes, according to sources who spoke with Rolling Stone, Marco Rubio is finding it hard to hide his frustration. As Secretary of State, Rubio has had several interactions with Musk, especially as Musk’s DOGE project crosses into foreign affairs.Officials close to Rubio say the nickname “Crazy Uncle Elon” came from within the State Department — a reflection of how his behavior is being talked about behind closed doors. These aren’t just policy disagreements. They’re personal, and they’re growing.One official summed it up like this: “Elon just thinks he’s smarter than everyone else in the room and acts like it, even when it’s clear he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”The conversation took a more serious turn when officials started privately questioning Musk’s mental state and whether drugs might be involved. They’ve even joked about requiring him to take regular drug tests — something Musk himself publicly supported for federal employees back in February.A lawyer for Musk told Rolling Stone that he’s “regularly and randomly drug-tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test.” But a separate Wall Street Journal investigation reported that several current and former executives at Tesla and SpaceX claim they’ve witnessed Musk use LSD, cocaine, Ecstasy, and mushrooms at private events.Even if these claims aren’t confirmed, the fact that officials are discussing them shows how strained this relationship has become.While there’s no official word on whether Elon Musk will be removed or sidelined, the pressure is clearly building. What started as a high-profile partnership between Musk and the Trump Administration is now turning into a political liability for both sides.Officials have walked out of meetings. They’re openly calling him irritating. And behind the scenes, some are even asking if Musk’s influence is more of a problem than a benefit.For now, Musk still holds his DOGE title and continues to weigh in on key government matters. But if the whispers coming out of Washington get louder, we may start to see changes — fast.

Elon Musk Trump Administration tension is heating up inside the White House. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is now being called “Crazy Uncle Elon” by Trump officials due to his behavior and growing influence. With his DOGE project, Musk is rubbing top figures like Marco Rubio the wrong way. Officials are walking out of meetings, questioning his jokes, and even whispering about drug tests. This behind-the-scenes clash is escalating fast, and its raising serious questions about Musks role in Washington.

Trump officials are so irritated with the Tesla CEO that they’ve nicknamed him 'Crazy Uncle Elon'; Marco Rubio is struggling to hide his disdain for Musk

Analysis

## Jesse Pollak's Tweet Analysis: Impact on Crypto Trading



On April 15, 2025, Jesse Pollak, a prominent figure in the Ethereum community, posted a tweet asking for feedback on a specific topic, which garnered significant attention in the cryptocurrency space (Source: X post by @jessepollak, April 15, 2025). This event is particularly noteworthy due to Pollak's influence and the potential impact on trading sentiment. Following the tweet, Ethereum's price experienced a notable uptick, rising from $3,500 to $3,600 within the first hour of the post at 10:00 AM EST (Source: CoinMarketCap, April 15, 2025). This 2.86% increase reflects the immediate market reaction to Pollak's engagement with the community.



### Trading Implications and Market Sentiment



The tweet by Jesse Pollak led to increased trading volumes across various exchanges, with a total volume of 1.2 million ETH traded within the first two hours after the post (Source: CryptoCompare, April 15, 2025). This surge in volume indicates heightened trader interest and potential market sentiment shifts. Moreover, the ETH/BTC trading pair saw an increase in trading activity, with the pair's volume rising by 15% to 300,000 BTC in the same timeframe (Source: Binance, April 15, 2025). The market's response suggests that Pollak's engagement with the community can directly influence trading behavior and market dynamics.



### Technical Indicators and Volume Analysis



Following the tweet, technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) for Ethereum moved from 60 to 70, signaling a shift towards overbought conditions (Source: TradingView, April 15, 2025). The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) also showed a bullish crossover, with the MACD line crossing above the signal line at 10:30 AM EST (Source: TradingView, April 15, 2025). On-chain metrics further supported this trend, with the number of active Ethereum addresses increasing by 5% to 500,000 within the first three hours post-tweet (Source: Glassnode, April 15, 2025). These indicators suggest a strong market response to Pollak's tweet, warranting close monitoring by traders.



### AI-Crypto Market Correlation



While the tweet itself was not directly related to AI, the broader crypto market's reaction can be analyzed in the context of AI-driven trading algorithms. Following the tweet, there was a noticeable increase in trading volumes for AI-related tokens such as SingularityNET (AGIX), which saw a 3% volume increase to 10 million AGIX traded by 11:00 AM EST (Source: CoinGecko, April 15, 2025). This suggests that AI-driven trading bots might have capitalized on the market sentiment shift triggered by Pollak's tweet. Additionally, the correlation between Ethereum and major AI tokens remained strong, with a 0.85 correlation coefficient observed over the past 24 hours (Source: CryptoQuant, April 15, 2025). Traders should consider these dynamics when assessing potential trading opportunities in the AI-crypto crossover.



### FAQs



**Q: How did Jesse Pollak's tweet affect Ethereum's price?**



A: Jesse Pollak's tweet on April 15, 2025, led to a 2.86% increase in Ethereum's price, from $3,500 to $3,600 within the first hour of the post (Source: CoinMarketCap, April 15, 2025).



**Q: What trading pairs were most affected by the tweet?**



A: The ETH/BTC trading pair saw a significant increase in trading volume, rising by 15% to 300,000 BTC within two hours of the tweet (Source: Binance, April 15, 2025).



**Q: How did AI-related tokens respond to the market sentiment shift?**



A: AI-related tokens like SingularityNET (AGIX) experienced a 3% increase in trading volume to 10 million AGIX traded by 11:00 AM EST on the same day (Source: CoinGecko, April 15, 2025).



For more insights on how market sentiment influences cryptocurrency prices, check out our article on [Market Sentiment and Crypto Trading](/market-sentiment-crypto-trading).

Social Media Reaction to Jesse Pollak's Crypto Announcement | Flash News Detail

MUMBAI: The Indian stock markets are likely to remain volatile in the near term but stabilise towards the end of Q4 of the calendar year 2025, as domestic consumption is on the cusp and normal monsoons can provide a big boost, a report said on Tuesday.

The impact of various government initiatives and normal monsoons will likely start reflecting in improved consumer demand in Q2 2026, according to the 'India Strategy Report' by PL Capital-Prabhudas Lilladher.

"The biggest concern of the market – the FPI flows - may turn positive on the back of higher capex, tax cuts and consumer demand revival. Lastly, the Nifty’s 12-month target is seen at 25, 689, " the report mentioned.

Food inflation has peaked (declined from 10.9 per cent in October 2024 to 6 per cent currently) and a 25 bps cut in repo rate by the RBI and open market operations (OMO) will ease liquidity in the next 3-6 months.

Other positive factors are a Rs 1 lakh crore income tax cut for the consuming class in India, an increase in religious tourism, and a 17 per cent higher government capex allocation (including PSU and allocation to states).

In its model portfolio, PL Capital is turning overweight on consumers due to an expected uptick in demand following tax cuts, a decline in food inflation, and a cut in repo rate, and has increased weight in banks and healthcare.

Although uncertainty with regard to global markets is sustained, PL Capital believes the growth outlook in India looks far better in FY26 than in FY25.

"As the impact of the budget starts getting reflected in higher capex on a low base and tax cuts and monsoons revive consumer demand, we should see FPI flows turning positive, " the report mentioned.

India is also unlikely to experience any meaningful negative effects from US policies, as soft crude oil prices, geopolitical stability (If the Russia-Ukraine war stops), and increased technology transfer to India will neutralise the costs of Trump’s tariffs.

"India’s ability to navigate tariff negotiations, leverage its geopolitical positioning, and realign supply chains ensures that this phase is a momentary recalibration, not a retreat, " according to the report.

MUMBAI: The Indian stock markets are likely to remain volatile in the near term but stabilise towards the end of Q4 of the calendar year 2025, as domestic consumption is on the cusp and normal monsoons can provide a big boost, a report said on Tuesday.

Indian markets to stabilise towards Q4 2025 end, FPI flows to turn positive: Report

Making a grand comeback after a long hiatus, Park Bo Gum returned with ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ as Yang Gwan-sik, reminding audiences why he remains one of K-drama’s most beloved stars. Bo-gum began his acting career in 2011 and became a household name following the massive success of the hit K-drama ‘Reply 1988’ in 2015. He continued to soar in popularity with hit dramas like ‘Encounter,’ ‘Record of Youth,’ and ‘Love in the Moonlight.’

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about this celebrated actor!

1. In 2016, at the age of 23, Park Bo-gum became the youngest artist ever to be named Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year.

2. In 2017, he became the first actor to top the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list while still in his early 20s, solidifying his status as a Hallyu star.

3. Park Bo Gum is a trained pianist and initially aspired to be a singer-songwriter. During high school, he sent video clips of himself singing to various talent agencies, including YG Entertainment. Later, Yang Hyunsuk revealed that he was most regretful about missing out on Park Bo-gum.

4. As Korea’s representative actor and Coca-Cola endorser, he participated as a torchbearer in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and was involved in various promotional activities for the event.

5. Park Bo-gum graduated from South Korea’s Myongji University’s Film and Musical Studies Department. In 2015, he represented his university in a cultural overseas exchange program in Europe. He also directed a one-act play based on the works of Anton Chekhov and served as music director for his graduating class’ production of ‘Hairspray.’ He later earned his master’s degree in New Media Music at the Graduate School of Sangmyung University.

6. In 2022, Park Bo Gum was officially appointed as a global ambassador for the French luxury brand Celine. Since then, he has been seen effortlessly donning Celine's designs and attending various brand events.

7. Beyond acting and music, Park Bo Gum is also skilled in sports, particularly swimming. He was a member of the swimming team at Seoul Mokdong Middle School.

8. Since 2013, Park Bo Gum has privately volunteered at Myeonggjin Flower Love Village’s orphanage. In 2019, he participated in the Miracle365 relay run, which raised funds for the construction of a hospital specializing in ALS long-term care.

9. Bo Gum has been given endearing nicknames like Nation’s Little Brother, Nation’s Son-in-Law, Nation’s Crown Prince, Nation’s Man of Good Influence, Nation’s Boyfriend, and Nation’s Husband by several South Korean media outlets.

10. Park Bo Gum began his mandatory military service in 2020, serving in the Navy military band as a cultural promotion soldier. He rose to the rank of sergeant in 2021 and even earned a hairdressing license during his service. He was officially discharged in early 2022.









As ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ wraps up on a high note, we can't help but admire Park Bo Gum for the incredible star he is. Fans are eager to witness his next transformation as he takes on the role of an Olympic gold medalist boxer in the upcoming drama ‘Good Boy.’

SEE ALSO: Park Bo Gum is reviewing to lead Kim Han Min’s new historical film 'The Sword: A Legend of The Red Wolf'

Making a grand comeback after a long hiatus, Park Bo Gum returned with ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ as Yang Gwan-sik, reminding audie…

Interesting Facts about ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Star Park Bo Gum

Actress Han Sun Hwa recently showed off her close friendship with Jung Jin Woon, former member of 2AM, by attending his art exhibition with fellow actors.

On April 4th, Han shared a series of photos on social media with the brief caption “Jin Woon” accompanied by a camera emoji. The photos featured a group of four — two women and two men — walking together, eventually revealing themselves as Han Sun Hwa, Han Groo, Jung Jin Woon, and Yeon Woo Jin posing in front of artwork at the venue.

The reunion of the four actors drew attention, as they originally starred together in the 2014 tvN drama Marriage, Not Dating. Nearly a decade later, they remain close — a testament to their long-lasting bond.

Han Sun Hwa first rose to fame as a member of girl group Secret in 2009 before transitioning into acting in 2013. She gained further recognition for her role in the popular 2021 tvN drama Work Later, Drink Now alongside Jung Eun Ji and Lee Sun Bin.

Her latest film project, 'The Student Teacher', recently wrapped filming. The comedy follows a trainee teacher who returns to her alma mater and uncovers the secrets of a high-achieving student club. The film is set for release in the second half of this year.





SEE ALSO: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former First Lady Kim Keon Hee must vacate the presidential residence immediately

Actress Han Sun Hwa recently showed off her close friendship with Jung Jin Woon, former member of 2AM, by attending his art exhibition with fellow ac…

Han Sun Hwa attends Jung Jin Woon’s art exhibit

Actor Lee Dong Wook is receiving a wave of politically charged backlash on social media, particularly from far-right commenters, following a message he shared with fans that many interpreted as a subtle nod to South Korea’s recent political developments.

On April 4th, shortly after the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, Lee posted a message on fan platform Bubble saying, “Ah, it finally feels like spring. The winter was so long.” While the comment appeared to be about the weather, many fans linked it to the political shift, interpreting “spring” as symbolic of a new beginning.

However, far-right internet users flooded Lee’s Instagram with negative comments, accusing him of political bias. Phrases like “Why are all celebrities leftist?”, “You must be a supporter of Lee Jae Myung”, and “This must be a ‘Dream’ spring for commies” were among the reactions left under his posts. Some users sarcastically accused the actor of disregarding public opinion and labeled his message as a political statement.

This isn’t the first time Lee has drawn political attention. Last year, he shared Girls’ Generation’s protest anthem “Into the New World” in support of fans participating in pro-impeachment rallies, saying he simply wanted to encourage them in the cold weather.

Lee is currently starring in the tvN drama 'Divorce Insurance' and has been maintaining strong communication with his fanbase despite the recent online attacks. Many supporters have rallied behind him, praising his subtle yet sincere expressions of solidarity.





SEE ALSO: Lee Dong Wook says 'the winter was long, spring is here', fans link it to Yoon’s impeachment

Actor Lee Dong Wook is receiving a wave of politically charged backlash on social media, particularly from far-right commenters, following a message …

Lee Dong Wook faces backlash from far-right netizens after subtle political message

ALBAWABA - Several social media platforms are facing widespread calls from pro-Palestine organizations advocating for a global strike for Gaza, in efforts to protest and combat the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip since Oct. 7, 2023.

Many social media users from several countries across the globe swarmed platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, with the hashtag "#StrikeForGaza."

A user on Musk's X wrote, "Share, support & solidarity for humanity and freedom. To stop the genocide in which the Palestinian people are subjected."

Another shared, "Stand for humanity, Stand for children! Gaza is being destroyed, you don’t have to be Muslim to stand with Palestine."

Global strike for Gaza to take action Tomorrow

A global strike for Gaza and Palestine...

Monday, April 7, 2025.

Share, support & solidarity for humanity and freedom.

To stop the genocide in which the Palestinian people are subjected.

✊🏼🇵🇸#StrikeForGaza pic.twitter.com/vwFp2mpRGu — Sabrin Mohammad (@Sabreen25913538) April 5, 2025

The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces in Gaza stressed the importance of such strikes and expressed how a stance like this could halt Israel's killing of innocent Palestinians in the Strip.

It also issued a statement that read, "On behalf of every slaughtered child, every grieving woman, and every oppressed elderly person, to the Arab and Islamic nation and all free people of the world, to mobilize globally in support of our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and to reject the American-backed massacres."

What is a global strike?

إضراب شامل حول العالم من أجل غزة



🗓️الموعد: الإثنين 07/04/2025



إضراب حول العالم ... انشر .. احشد .. شارك#StrikeForGaza #إضراب_لأجل_غزة pic.twitter.com/wwr4xuKDyT — Dr.Sam Youssef Ph.D.,M.Sc.,DPT. (@drhossamsamy65) April 5, 2025

Pro-Palestine activists and individuals are urging people across the globe to drop everything they are doing on Monday for Gaza.

According to Al Jazeera, a global strike requests people to halt "all aspects of public life," including school and work. Other than refraining from going out into public spaces like restaurants and parks, several individuals are also avoiding making online orders.

Since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the killing of at least 50,600 Palestinians and injuring more than 115,063 (including women and children), with the numbers rising due to recent bombardments.

Several social media platforms are facing widespread calls from pro-Palestine organizations advocating for a global strike for Gaza

Global strike for Gaza to take action Tomorrow

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announces task force led Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to address economic challenges posed by US's 10 per cent tariffs, focusing on trade resilience. (Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha - Wong; Isabel Kua - Gan)

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has unveiled plans to address the economic fallout from the universal 10 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Tump, underscoring a strategic effort to protect Singapore’s growth amid heightened global trade tensions.

This comes as the nation braces for potential disruptions to its trade-reliant sectors, especially manufacturing and finance.

In a statement to lawmakers, Wong criticised the tariffs as an affront to Singapore’s longstanding trade partnership with the United States, which has a free trade agreement with the city-state.

The new tariffs, which are set to impact all imports, were expected to slow global growth and may trigger retaliatory measures, further destabilising the international trade system.

“These are not actions one does to a friend,” Wong remarked.

To mitigate the adverse effects, the Singaporean government has formed a task force headed by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

The team will focus on bolstering the resilience of businesses and workers, enabling them to navigate the volatile economic environment.

Despite the uncertainty, the task force's collaborative approach aims to reinforce economic stability and competitiveness.

Although Singapore remains relatively insulated from the larger tariffs imposed on Southeast Asia, the global ripple effects are already felt.

With the US tariffs targeting 10 per cent across the board, Singapore's economic growth forecast for 2025 has been revised downward.

Analysts predict potential job losses and disruptions in trade relations could lead to slower wage growth and a contraction in the job market.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advocating for multilateral trade systems and forging stronger regional ties to cushion the blow of the US tariff imposition.

He called for greater ASEAN integration to boost the bloc’s collective competitiveness and reduce reliance on external trade partners.

PM Wong announces task force to address economic challenges posed by US tariffs as the River Valley Road fire, which injured Bollywood star Pawan Kalyan’s son and killed a child, has garnered global attention. Plus some of the biggest and fascinating news in Singapore and beyond.

PM Lawrence Wong announces task force in response to US tariffs; Global attention for River Valley fire involving Bollywood actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's young son: Singapore live news

According to an exclusive media outlet report on April 11 KST, the Red Velvet unit IRENE & SEULGI will be making a comeback in May.

This will mark the unit's first comeback in 5 years, since the release of their debut mini album 'Monster' in July of 2020.

The unit is known for its mysterious and captivating performance, accompanied by elegant, yet powerful melodies. Many fans are looking forward to what new performances IRENE & SEULGI will bring to the table this time around.



Meanwhile, just last month, Seulgi successfully wrapped up promotions for her 2nd solo mini album, 'Accidentally on Purpose', featuring the title track "Baby, Not Baby".

SEE ALSO: Choi Hyun Wook joins Suzy and Kim Seon Ho in new drama 'Hypnosis'

According to an exclusive media outlet report on April 11 KST, the Red Velvet unit IRENE & SEULGI will be making a comeback in May.Th…

Red Velvet unit IRENE & SEULGI to make their long-awaited comeback

HOUSTON, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation announced today its new partnership as the official wholesale food distributor for the MICHELIN Guide.

The collaboration links the world’s largest food distributor to one of the world’s most celebrated culinary events. The partnership will be celebrated at the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony in Orlando on April 17 and will bring Sysco’s high-quality, premium products and culinary expertise to one of the world’s most celebrated culinary events.

The MICHELIN Guide is renowned for its prestigious ratings and in-depth reviews of restaurants worldwide, representing the pinnacle of gastronomic achievement.

“We are delighted to join forces with the MICHELIN Guide to honor chefs who are committed to delivering extraordinary dining experiences. Florida’s restaurant scene is incredibly dynamic and diverse, and we are excited to see many of our Sysco customers recognized with MICHELIN Stars or other distinctions,” said Jane Grout, Sysco Region President – North Florida Region. “Sysco is honored to support these exceptional culinary professionals with top-quality ingredients and resources.”

In addition to distribution and its industry-leading product range, Sysco provides culinary consultations and innovative solutions to elevate menu concepts for chefs to stand out in the ever-evolving restaurant industry. Grout is presenting the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award at the ceremony on April 17, celebrating the vital role that emerging culinary talent plays in shaping the future of the industry.

“It is an honor to present the Young Chef Award, which highlights the incredible passion, skill, and determination of the next generation of culinary talent making their mark at Sysco, we are committed to nurturing these rising stars, helping them to create unforgettable culinary experiences and to inspiring innovation in their kitchens,” says Grout.

This is Sysco’s second partnership with Michelin, following the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas Ceremony in November 2024.

Learn more about the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony here.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food and related products to customers who prepare meals away from home. This includes restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, entertainment venues, and more. Sysco operates 340 distribution centers, in over 10 countries, with 76,000 colleagues serving approximately 730,000 customer locations. The company generated sales of more than $78 billion in fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024.

As the world’s largest food-away-from-home distributor, Sysco offers customized supply chain solutions, bespoke specialty product offerings, and culinary support to drive customers to innovate and optimize their operations. We act as a trusted business partner to our customers, helping them grow through our industry-leading portfolio that includes fresh produce, premium proteins, specialty products, sustainably focused items, equipment and supplies, and innovative culinary solutions.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com. For important news and key information for Sysco investors, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at investors.sysco.com.

Sysco partners with The MICHELIN Guide for the 2025 Florida MICHELIN Guide Ceremony

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CSX Corporation (NASDAQ: CSX) has recognized 62 customers with its 31st Annual Chemical Safety Excellence Award for their dedication to safely transporting hazardous materials across the company’s rail network in 2024.

For more than three decades, the award has honored chemical customers who prioritize safety in every shipment, reflecting their commitment to protecting CSX employees, the surrounding communities, and the environment. It also underscores rail as the safest mode of land transportation for hazardous chemicals.

To qualify, customers must ship at least 600 carloads of hazardous materials during the year with zero non-accidental releases of regulated substances. The 2024 award recipients collectively shipped 164,438 carloads safely, demonstrating the highest level of operational excellence.

This year’s accolades included special recognition for Citgo Petroleum and Westlake Corporation, which achieved a milestone of five consecutive years of accident-free shipments.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do at CSX,” said Kevin Boone, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “The customers honored with this award are true partners in our shared commitment to reducing risks and enhancing safety. Together, we’re building safer, stronger communities.”

CSX remains dedicated to fostering lasting partnerships that promote safety and innovation within the rail industry. The company congratulates all 62 honorees for their commitment to best practices in hazardous materials transportation.

For more information about CSX and its safety initiatives, visit www.csx.com.

2024 CSX Chemical Safety Excellence Award Winners:

ADVANSIX INC. GUNVOR USA LLC OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL ALPEK POLYESTER USA LLC HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC OLIN CORP ADM H.J. BAKER PBF HOLDING COMPANY LLC ARKEMA INC HUNTSMAN PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY BEFESA ZINC US INC INEOS STYROLUTION PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE LP BP PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA INC INV NYLON CHEMICALS AMERICAS LLC REAGENT CHEMICAL BRENNTAG GLOBAL MARKETING LLC IRVING OIL RENEWABLE PRODUCTS MARKETING GROUP CEDAR MOUNTAIN ENVIROMENTAL INC JONES-HAMILTON CO. SHELL CHEMICAL CELANESE CORPORATION KEMIRA SHINTECH CENOVUS ENERGY INC KOCH INDUSTRIES STEEL DUST RECYCLING LLC CHEVRON CORPORATION KOCH METHANOL LLC SUNCOR ENERGY CHS INC KOPPERS INC. TARGA RESOURCES INC CITGO PETROLEUM KRATON CHEMICAL LLC THE ANDERSONS INC COVESTRO LLC LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES THE CHEMOURS COMPANY LLC CRESTWOOD SERVICES LLC MPLX LLC TPC GROUP LLC EASTMAN CHEMICAL MESSER NORTH AMERICA INC TRAFIGURA TRADING LLC ENERGYSOLUTIONS INC METHANEX UNIVAR SOLUTIONS USA LLC EPIC MOSAIC COMPANY WESTLAKE CORPORATION

EQUINOR MARKETING & TRADING INC NAN YA PLASTICS CORPORATION EVONIK DEGUSSA CORPORATION NEXPERA LLC EXXONMOBIL NORFALCO SALES, GLENCORE CANADA CORP GIBSON ENERGY LTD NUCOR STEEL

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).



Contact:

Matthew Korn, CFA, Investor Relations

904-366-4515

Bryan Tucker, Corporate Communications

855-955-6397

CSX Honors 62 Customers with Annual Chemical Safety Excellence Award

CHICAGO, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cision Ltd. ("Cision"), a leading global provider of earned media software and services to public relations and marketing communications professionals, announced today that it has secured commitments for $250 million of new money financing that will provide additional flexibility for the business and facilitate growth, with overwhelming support from existing lenders and noteholders. Cision's affiliate Castle US Holding Corporation (the "Company") entered into a commitment letter and joinders thereto (collectively, the "Commitment Letter"), pursuant to which the Company and holders of over 90% of the Company's outstanding debt (the "Commitment Parties") agreed to undertake certain financing transactions, as described below (the "Transactions"). The Commitment Parties include approximately 99% of lenders under the Company's existing senior secured credit facility and approximately 95% of holders of the Company's existing unsecured notes (the "Existing Notes"). The Transactions provide material benefits to the Company, including (i) raising approximately $250 million of additional liquidity for the Company, (ii) reducing the principal amount outstanding under certain debt facilities, and (iii) extending debt maturities.

"These Transactions reiterate the support of the high-quality institutions that make up our debt investor base" said Guy Abramo, CEO of Cision. "Having secured additional liquidity and extended our debt maturities to 2030 and beyond, we are positioned to execute on our long-term growth strategy."

This press release contains important information for remaining holders of the Existing Notes regarding an invitation to participate in the Private Notes Exchange (as defined below). You are encouraged to read this press release in its entirety.

Pursuant to the terms of the Commitment Letter, the Commitment Parties have committed to the following Transactions and related actions: (a) to fund, through a combination of new money and exchange of existing debt of the Company, (i) a senior secured first lien first-out term loan in an aggregate principal amount equal to approximately $250 million of new money, plus transaction fees paid in kind (the "First Out Term Loans"), and (ii) a senior secured first lien second-out term loan in an aggregate principal amount equal to an amount sufficient to facilitate the purchase of term loans under the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below) at a price agreed between the Company and the Commitment Parties and other lenders participating in the Transactions (the "Second Out Term Loans"), (b) to exchange (the "Private Notes Exchange") all of their Existing Notes for new first lien third-out 10.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (the "Third Out Notes"), to be issued pursuant to a new indenture, and (c) to provide their consent to amend the existing credit agreement, dated as of January 31, 2020 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), and the existing indenture governing the unsecured notes, dated as of February 5, 2020 (the "Existing Notes Indenture"), to, among other things, eliminate substantially all restrictive covenants therein and make other modifications to facilitate the Transactions. The Commitment Letter also contemplates that the existing revolving lenders will exchange, on a cashless basis, into a senior secured first lien first-out revolving credit facility in an aggregate commitment amount equal to approximately $137 million (the "First Out Revolver" and, collectively with the First Out Term Loans, the Second Out Term Loans and the Third Out Notes, the "Super Priority Debt").

The First Out Term Loans and First Out Revolver will have a maturity of April 29, 2030, the Second Out Term Loans will have a maturity of May 31, 2030, and the Third Out Notes will have a maturity of June 30, 2031. The Super Priority Debt will be guaranteed on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by the guarantors of the Existing Credit Agreement, and will be secured on a first lien basis by substantially all assets of the Company and such guarantors.

The Company intends to use debt incurred in the Transactions and the related net proceeds to (i) repay permanently in full and terminate all outstanding commitments under that certain bridge credit agreement, dated as of January 30, 2025, (ii) repay and terminate, or cause the repayment and termination in full of, all outstanding commitments and obligations under certain intercompany credit agreements and promissory notes, (iii) facilitate the purchase of term loans under the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Transactions, (iv) fund the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Existing Notes that have been tendered for cancellation in the Private Notes Exchange and the term loans under the Existing Credit Agreement that are being repurchased in the Transactions and (v) pay related transaction fees and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

"Cision is a leading provider of strategic communications, proactively shaping the future of brands and businesses in real time. The critical liquidity provided by the Transactions positions us to continue to support our 75,000+ partners, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to understand, influence and amplify their stories" said Abramo.

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Milbank LLP served as legal counsel to Cision. Evercore served as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to the Commitment Parties.

The Private Notes Exchange

The Company expects to issue the Third Out Notes to the noteholders that are Commitment Parties ("Committed Noteholders") pursuant to the Private Notes Exchange on April 22, 2025 (the "Initial Issuance Date"). Holders of the Existing Notes that are not Committed Noteholders are invited to participate in the Private Notes Exchange on the same terms offered to the Committed Noteholders on or before May 12, 2025, 20 business days after the date hereof. Holders who would like to receive more information about the terms of the Private Notes Exchange should contact Cision at [email protected]. Subject in all respects to Cision's determination and discretion, and in respect of its right to purchase Existing Notes through open market or privately negotiated transactions:

Initial Notes . Holders who contact Cision on or prior to April 17, 2025 may be eligible to receive Third Out Notes on the Initial Issuance Date.

. Holders who contact Cision on or prior to may be eligible to receive Third Out Notes on the Initial Issuance Date. Additional Fungible Notes . Holders who contact Cision after April 17, 2025 but on or prior to April 29, 2025 may be eligible to receive Third Out Notes on May 2, 2025 (the " Additional Issuance Date "). The Company expects that Third Out Notes issued on the Additional Issuance Date will be fungible with the Third Out Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date.

. Holders who contact Cision after but on or prior to may be eligible to receive Third Out Notes on (the " "). The Company expects that Third Out Notes issued on the Additional Issuance Date will be fungible with the Third Out Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date. Additional Non-Fungible Notes. Holders who contact Cision after April 29, 2025 may be eligible to receive Third Out Notes thereafter. However, Third Out Notes issued after May 2, 2025 may not be fungible with Third Out Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date or the Additional Issuance Date.

The Committed Noteholders, who collectively own approximately 95% of the Existing Notes, have committed to exchange all of their Existing Notes for Third Out Notes. Due to the high levels of committed participation, holders of Existing Notes are cautioned that the Private Notes Exchange may have adverse effects on the liquidity and market price of Existing Notes that are not tendered and accepted pursuant to Private Notes Exchange.

In addition, Existing Notes that are not tendered and accepted pursuant to the Private Notes Exchange will remain outstanding and will be subject to the terms of the Existing Notes Indenture, as amended to, among other things, eliminate substantially all restrictive covenants therein (the "Proposed Amendments"). Holders are cautioned that, if the Proposed Amendments become operative, the elimination or modification of the covenants and other provisions in the Existing Notes Indenture contemplated by the Proposed Amendments will permit the Company and its subsidiaries to take certain actions previously prohibited by the Existing Notes Indenture that could increase the credit risks with respect to the Company, as well as adversely affect the liquidity, market price and price volatility of the Existing Notes or otherwise be adverse to the interests of holders.

The Third Out Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any other securities laws, and the Third Out Notes cannot be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws.

This press release is for informational purposes only. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state. Holders of the Existing Notes are encouraged to consult their own legal, financial and tax advisers regarding the Private Notes Exchange.

About Cision

Cision is a global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today's data-driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products – including CisionOne, Brandwatch, and PR Newswire – enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cision Public Relations

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but only predictions and generally may be characterized by terminology such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "outlook," "target," "endeavor," "seek," "predict," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "may," "could," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements that address activities, events or developments that the Cision or the Company intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which will be important in determining the actual future results of Cision, the Company and their subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if the Company later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved.

Cision Announces $250 Million New Money Financing, Refinancing, Extension of Debt Maturities

With expertise in designing and manufacturing the nervous systems of robotics solutions, SINBON focuses on solving implementation challenges with customization.

TAIPEI, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In spite of the potential for robotics technology to expand productivity, several implementation challenges continue to stand in the way of more widespread adoption. To help companies navigate these challenges, SINBON Electronics Co., Ltd. (TWSE#:3023), a leading electronic components maker and total solution provider, is highlighting the importance of customizing solutions to the unique characteristics of an industry, business, facility, and process.

To learn more about SINBON's in-depth robotics expertise, please visit www.sinbon.com or follow on LinkedIn.

Key challenges to implementing robotics

According to the leading robotics review platform QVIRO, project engineers are facing several challenges when implementing automation:

Integration with existing systems : Seamlessly incorporating robotic solutions into legacy infrastructures requires flexibility and oftentimes outside expertise.

: Seamlessly incorporating robotic solutions into legacy infrastructures requires flexibility and oftentimes outside expertise. Skilled workforce shortages : Beyond installation, specialized skills are required for maintaining automated equipment.

: Beyond installation, specialized skills are required for maintaining automated equipment. Cost vs. benefit analysis: It is crucial to evaluate the long-term impact of the initial investment instead of focusing on the near term.

It is crucial to evaluate the long-term impact of the initial investment instead of focusing on the near term. Safety and compliance: Regulatory standards for robotics usage require meticulous attention to ensure adherence and workplace safety.

Regulatory standards for robotics usage require meticulous attention to ensure adherence and workplace safety. Technical challenges and maintenance: Operational continuity must be balanced with upkeep of the technology.

Faced with these challenges, unleashing the long-term benefits of automation requires a careful understanding of each company's unique challenges and its facility's characteristics. With in-depth expertise in robotics, design for manufacturing, and system integration, SINBON embraces this tailored approach to guide companies in deploying robotics technology.

A decade of innovation in robotics

SINBON specializes in designing and manufacturing the nervous systems of robotics solutions, specifically the wire harnesses, control systems, and printed circuit boards. SINBON particularly excels in making wire harnesses for robotics equipment that are high-performance, lightweight, and ruggedized for various environments, ensuring stability and reliability across applications.

Since entering the robotics sector in 2014, SINBON has expanded its capabilities to encompass various robotics and automation technologies serving many sectors, including:

Industrial robots: Mainly for automotive, electronics, and metal processing applications

Mainly for automotive, electronics, and metal processing applications SCARA Robots (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm): For electronics assembly, packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing

For electronics assembly, packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing Humanoid robots: For customer service, education, and healthcare

For customer service, education, and healthcare Special-purpose robots: Designed for extreme environments such as military applications, disaster rescue, nuclear processing, and deep-sea exploration

Designed for extreme environments such as military applications, disaster rescue, nuclear processing, and deep-sea exploration Cartesian robots: For high-precision semiconductor packaging, precision instrument assembly, and laboratory automation

For high-precision semiconductor packaging, precision instrument assembly, and laboratory automation Service robots: Such as food delivery robots, companion robots, and medical care robots

Such as food delivery robots, companion robots, and medical care robots Cobots (collaborative robots): Designed to work alongside humans and enhance workflows

Designed to work alongside humans and enhance workflows Parallel robots (Delta robots): Widely used in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and automated inspection applications

Widely used in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and automated inspection applications Warehouse robots: Used in smart logistics and warehouse management, including AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots)

SINBON's competitive edge

As a sustainability-first manufacturer and trusted partner across Europe, America, and Asia, SINBON guides customers through their automation journey with tailored robotics solutions that drive efficiency and innovation. With a consultative approach and long-term customer support, the company ensures that automation empowers businesses to continuously grow.

About SINBON Electronics

Established in 1989 in Taiwan, SINBON Electronics is a leading provider of integrated design and production services for bespoke interconnect solutions. Driven by a commitment to customer centricity and the principles of ESG, the company offers a wide range of products and OEM/ODM services that ensure reliability and efficiency, combining extensive engineering expertise, industry knowledge, and leading innovations to customize solutions for long-term customer success. SINBON has a global footprint, with operations in Taiwan, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, and the United States.

For more information: https://www.sinbon.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinbon-electronics/

Navigating Robotics Deployment Challenges with SINBON

Ahsan terms political stability imperative for development

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says political stability and continuity of policies are imperative to achieve sustainable economic development.

Addressing a conference in Islamabad today (Tuesday), he said durable growth is only possible through adhering to continuous reforms.

He said Pakistan is committed to further enhance its exports and significant achievement has already been made in this regard due to prudent economic policies of the government.

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has achieved the milestone of macroeconomic stability and the country is heading towards becoming IT hub. He said embracing technology is vital for development.

He said URAAN Pakistan is a program of country's progress and prosperity. He said the program targets job creation and poverty elimination.

Ahsan terms political stability imperative for development

Photo: https://www.youtube.com/live/gANpwOH8sEo

The Supreme Court of Ukraine has begun a hearing on the lawsuit of leader of the European Solidarity party, fifth president Petro Poroshenko, against current president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the illegal application of sanctions, the European Solidarity party website reported on Thursday.

During the consideration of the lawsuit, the meeting was attended by MPs of Ukraine, as well as diplomats from the European Union mission, representatives of the embassies of Germany, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Lithuania, and Denmark.

"Neither President Zelenskyy nor others have been able to explain the reason for the imposition of sanctions to society for more than two months. What exactly did Poroshenko do. And only in response to the court decision did we read that, it turns out, the sanctions... are preventive in nature. We now have a norm, in the president's opinion, in the form of a ‘thought crime,’" Poroshenko noted in his speech during the court hearing.

Poroshenko's representatives emphasize that the sanctions were imposed illegally, as on a citizen of Ukraine who is in Ukraine, despite the fact that only Russia considers him a "terrorist." Therefore, there are no grounds for sanctions under the law.

In addition, the reasons for the application of sanctions are still unknown, since the announced data on the alleged "withdrawal of billions abroad" have never been made public. Moreover, the State Financial Monitoring Service, which was referred to when imposing sanctions, actually refused to confirm such facts, and the head of its legal department stated that this body had no right to provide anyone, including the government, with any financial information.

Poroshenko is convinced that the authorities want to block the political activities of the opposition through the mechanism of extrajudicial sanctions. "First: deprive me of the right to participate in the elections as the leader of the opposition, the leader of the largest opposition faction in parliament and a political force," Poroshenko noted.

According to the report, the National Bank is blocking the Poroshenko Foundation's ability to assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Petro Poroshenko himself, among other things, to pay taxes.

It is noted that on the eve of the introduction of sanctions, Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill on criminal liability for violation of sanctions. Thus, the European Solidarity believes that the government is making any transactions of the fifth president of Ukraine impossible. As reported, on February 13, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) dated February 12, 2025 on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions). According to the appendix to the document, sanctions were imposed against five individuals: businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, former owner of the bank Finance and Credit Kostiantyn Zhevaho, former co-owner of PrivatBank Hennadiy Boholiubov, 5th president of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, and former MP Viktor Medvedchuk.

The Supreme Court of Ukraine has begun a hearing on the lawsuit of leader of the European Solidarity party, fifth president Petro Poroshenko, against current president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the illegal application of sanctions, the European Solidarity party website reported on Thursday.

Poroshenko appeals imposed sanctions in Supreme Court

In a series of Instagram stories, Wood stated the skit was "mean and unfunny" and that there "must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way" to poke fun.

"I am not thin-skinned," she wrote. "I actually love being taken the piss out of when it's clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big teeth, not bad teeth. I don't mind the caricature — I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up, and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down."

However, the 31-year-old noted that she was not "hating on" Sarah Sherman but "hated the concept." She also reposted a comment from an unnamed user who wrote, "It was a sharp and funny skit until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970s misogyny," which she captioned, "This sums up my view."

On Sunday, Wood wrote in another Instagram story, "I’ve had apologies from SNL."

"It was a sharp and funny skit until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970s misogyny."

"SNL" Impersonations That Angered Celebs

NCT's Doyoung has officially announced his return as a solo artist with the release of his 2nd full album, coming up on June 9.

In addition to his comeback announcement on April 18 KST, Doyoung unveiled a teaser poster for his 2025 solo concert, 'Doors'. The concert will take place from June 14-15 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, making the NCT member's first solo concert in Korea in approximately 7 months, since the successful conclusion of his 2024 concert tour 'Dear Youth' with an encore in Seoul in November of last year.

Tickets for Doyoung's 2025 concert 'Doors' will open for official fan club members on April 24 at 8 PM KST, and on April 25 at 8 PM KST for the general public, via Melon Ticket.



SEE ALSO: Former 'I-Land 2' contestant Lingling set to become the first female K-Pop idol of Malaysian nationality soon with her debut

NCT's Doyoung has officially announced his return as a solo artist with the release of his 2nd full album, coming up on June 9. …

NCT's Doyoung announces his solo comeback + 2025 concert 'Doors'

Washington DC [US], April 14 (ANI): Dancing fluidly with someone requires social coordination. This skill requires coordinating movements with others while also processing dynamic sensory input, such as sounds and visuals.

Felix Bigand and Giacomo Novembre from the Italian Institute of Technology in Rome, together with others, report on how the brain drives social coordination during dance.

The researchers recruited pairs of inexperienced dancers and recorded their brain activity, whole-body movements, and muscle activity as they danced to the same or different songs. The researchers also manipulated whether dancers could or could not see each other. These methods unveiled distinct neural signals for music processing, self-generated movements, movements generated by following a partner, and social coordination.

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Neural signals for social coordination that enabled synchronized movements between people occurred only when dancers were moving to the same song and could see each other.

Bigand said, "What was perhaps most peculiar was we found that out of the 15 different movements we recorded, the brain was most sensitive to bouncing or flexing of the knees [during social coordination]. This was strange because bouncing had relatively weak amplitudes (or strength) compared to most of the other movements. For the brain to respond more to a weaker movement, like bounce, suggests it has a unique role in social coordination."

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According to the authors, this work advances our understanding of social interaction beyond dancing because it sheds light on how the brain supports socially engaging activities while integrating dynamic sensory information. Bigand also emphasizes that the methods used to unravel distinct neural signals for different kinds of sensory information processing may improve the applicability of future preclinical work to reality. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)

Dancing fluidly with someone requires social coordination. This skill requires coordinating movements with others while also processing dynamic sensory input, such as sounds and visuals.

Learning about social interaction by studying dancing

Shanghai introduced a set of 20 new measures on April 11 to facilitate the development of the small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in niche sectors, commanding high market share and boosting strong innovation capacity.

Shanghai unveils 20 new measures to facilitate development of SMEs

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Fasts

Aimed at identifying stolen vehicles, the system was launched by MEC Siboniso Duma at the Mandeni Toll Plaza yesterday.





During the launch, one motorist was arrested for being in possession of a stolen car.





Duma says they'll will be stepping up intelligence-driven roadblocks ahead of the busy Easter weekend.





READ: Police summit sought solutions to tackle high crime rate





He says over 300 road traffic officers will be deployed to monitor the roads with a focus on public transport vehicles.





"In ensuring that there's awareness, there's visibility on the road. People agree that there is an adherence on our road in the province of KwaZuluNatal. Even when you enter from Van Reenan, you are able to be conscientious that this is the province that has that visibility and awareness.





KZN Transport says its newly launched Automatic Number Recognition System will boost law enforcement intelligence.

KZN cracks down on crime with new vehicle tracking tech

Jay Soni admits to being typecast in television, says he’s working to reinvent himself

Soni revealed that while he’s grateful for the roles he’s played, he often finds himself boxed into similar characters. Determined to break free from that mold, he shared that he’s actively working on reinventing himself and exploring diverse roles to showcase his range as an actor.

By IANS Published Date - 13 April 2025, 12:22 PM

Mumbai: Television actor-host Jay Soni has opened up about the challenges of being typecast in the industry.

Soni revealed that while he’s grateful for the roles he’s played, he often finds himself boxed into similar characters. Determined to break free from that mold, he shared that he’s actively working on reinventing himself and exploring diverse roles to showcase his range as an actor.

Expressing the same, Jay told IANS, “Yes, sometimes I do feel typecast. That’s why I’m constantly trying to reinvent myself—take on different roles, try new formats, break out of that mold.”

The ‘Sasural Genda Phool’ actor also opened up about his smooth transition from television to web series and now into the world of digital radio. Having appeared in projects like Twisted 3, Soni emphasized that for him, acting is at the heart of everything—regardless of the medium.

“I consider myself an actor, first and foremost. Whether it’s TV, film, or web—it’s all acting. The medium doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the project and the people I work with. And now, being a Digital Jockey with Big FM, I’m just as excited. Especially since India is going digital—it feels like the right time to be part of something innovative.”

Meanwhile, Jay Soni also expressed his excitement about becoming Gujarat’s first digital jockey, calling it a meaningful addition to his journey. He stated, “It’s more like an addition to my journey. I’ve done acting, hosting, dancing—and now, I’m stepping into the world of digital jockeying. So, it’s not a shift, just another exciting chapter in my career. I’m thrilled to be associated with Big FM, especially starting in Gujarat. Being a Gujarati myself, I feel proud to share stories and insights about Gujarat that many people might not know.”

While exploring the vibrant state of Gujarat, actor Jay Soni has found himself reconnecting with his roots and rediscovering the hidden treasures the region has to offer. In a candid conversation, Soni spoke about the lesser-known places and rich culture that have captured his attention.

“There’s so much! From heritage properties to lesser-known cities. For example, Saputara, which is near the Gir forest—home to the highest number of lions. I used to visit Saputara as a kid, and I only knew back then that it was called Saputara because the roads there resemble snake-like curves. Now, I’m discovering so much more—about the food, the culture, and the local businesses. It’s all so fascinating, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone,” Jay shared.

Soni revealed that while he’s grateful for the roles he’s played, he often finds himself boxed into similar characters. Determined to break free from that mold, he shared that he’s actively working on reinventing himself and exploring diverse roles to showcase his range as an actor.

Jay Soni admits to being typecast in television, says he’s working to reinvent himself

Football

Man City vs Crystal Palace: Guardiola's Side Dismantle Eagles At Etihad

Kevin De Bruyne sparked Manchester City’s remarkable fightback from two goals down in a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday that re-ignited his team’s Champions League qualification hopes. The 33-year-old De Bruyne curled a free kick in off the post to begin the comeback in the 33rd minute and had a hand in goals by Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic in the first half. James McAtee added a fourth — off a pass from goalkeeper Ederson, who later came off injured — before fellow academy product Nico O’Reilly wrapped up the win. It was a display showing the enduring quality of De Bruyne, who announced last week he would be leaving City at the end of the season after 10 years at the club.

Kevin De Bruyne sparked Manchester City’s remarkable fightback from two goals down in a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday that re-ignited his team’s Champions League qualification hopes. The 33-year-old De Bruyne curled a free kick in off the post to begin the comeback in the 33rd minute and had a hand in goals by Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic in the first half. James McAtee added a fourth — off a pass from goalkeeper Ederson, who later came off injured — before fellow academy product Nico O’Reilly wrapped up the win. It was a display showing the enduring quality of De Bruyne, who announced last week he would be leaving City at the end of the season after 10 years at the club.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace, Premier League 2024-25: Kevin De Bruyne Stars As Reigning Champions Put On A Five Star Show

A leading mental health charity is warning the asylum system is increasing the risk of suicide among asylum seekers and refugees.

Content warning: this article contains references to suicide

The Mental Health Foundation says the way the asylum system is set up is "consistently undermining and damaging asylum seekers' mental health", leading to an increased risk of suicide.

The charity's chief executive, Mark Rowland, told Sky News the current system, which prevents people from working for 12 months, is creating an "emergency situation".

He says people who get supported by his charity report that the asylum system is so traumatic that it's "leading them to consider taking their own lives", adding their mental health problems have "never been worse".

In a fresh call, Mr Rowland is urging the government to start recording suicides among asylum seekers as part of official statistics.

He says charities in the sector are struggling to tackle the issue from a public health perspective because of the lack of data.

Image: Sami Gichki, who fled to the UK to escape persecution, suffered mental health issues waiting for his asylum claim decision

Sami Gichki, now 21, was 10 years old when his family fled political persecution in Pakistan and came to the UK.

He came from Balochistan in the southwest of the country and told Sky News that around a dozen of his relatives had been assassinated due to their political beliefs.

Image: Sami who arrived in the UK when he was 10, and his sister Ilsa, in happier times

Image: Sami's family have been waiting a decade for an asylum decision. Left to right: mum Alia, sister Unzailah, dad Afzal, Sami, sister Ilsa, sister Durrain

He spent a decade waiting for a Home Office decision on his refugee status and says he became suicidal due to his inability to work or continue studying without financial support when he finished sixth form. He says it left him without a "sense of purpose".

He said he ended up in A&E because of his suicidal thoughts, believing he "would be better off dead" than in the asylum system.

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Read more:

Plans for overseas 'migrant hubs'

What do asylum stats reveal?

Asylum deaths while waiting decisions

Reflecting on cases like Sami's, Mr Rowland says the situation is creating a "perfect storm", where people who have often undergone trauma are subjected to a highly stressful asylum system.

The remarks come after statistics published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research suggest allowing asylum seekers to work after just six months could save £4.4bn in government savings, deliver £1bn in growth and raise £880m in tax revenue.

Image: Mark Rowland from the Mental Health Foundation says mental health problems among asylum seekers have 'never been worse'

When questioned about whether this would create a greater "pull factor" for economic migration, Mr Rowland said, "this isn't why an asylum seeker chooses a place of safety".

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A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are determined to continue cracking down on anyone working illegally in the UK, and we certainly have no intention of creating a fast-track process so that people who come to the UK outside the established work visa rules are simply allowed to ignore them.

"We take the welfare of those in our care very seriously, but relaxing the rules on illegal working is not an acceptable solution."

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Sky News has been told by one man about the devastating impact of waiting for a decade for an asylum decision and that suicidal thoughts left him believing he "would be better off dead" than in the asylum system.

Asylum system leading people to 'consider taking their own lives', says charity

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and then Vietnamese president, who is on a state visit to China, have a small chat about tea in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- When To Lam made his first visit to China as Vietnam's top leader in August last year, he started the trip not in Beijing but in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou -- a special arrangement Chinese President Xi Jinping later hailed as "quite meaningful".

It was in Guangzhou, a century earlier, that Ho Chi Minh, the late Vietnamese leader, began his revolutionary activities in China, a period of history Xi described as "a shared red memory" between the two countries' ruling parties.

Xi will soon travel to Vietnam for a fourth state visit as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president. The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, two socialist neighbors that have forged an enduring bond as "comrades and brothers".

Behind the metaphors lies more than a diplomatic formality. Xi sees the enduring China-Vietnam friendship as a living cause to be carried forward. His upcoming visit offers a moment to draw inspiration from the storied past to chart the future course of bilateral relations.

"UNCLE HO"

During a state visit to Vietnam in 2017, Xi brought along a special national gift -- 19 issues of The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the CPC Central Committee.

Among the newspapers were 16 yellowed copies carrying news reports on Ho Chi Minh. "These newspapers date back to Chairman Ho's visit to China in 1955. It took us quite some effort to find them," Xi explained.

One notable edition, dated June 26, 1955, featured a full-column front-page photograph of Ho alongside Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other first-generation CPC leaders.

Ho, who founded the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Hong Kong and led Vietnam's liberation, forged close personal ties with CPC leaders during his 12 years of revolutionary activities in China. "He was like a brother for Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and other Chinese leaders," Xi wrote in a signed article published by the major Vietnamese newspaper Nhan Dan (People) ahead of the 2017 visit.

Xi Jinping (left, front) talks with then General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (right, front) at the former residence of late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 13, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi holds dear the indelible contributions these great forerunners made to fostering the China-Vietnam friendship. During his first state visit to Vietnam in 2015, in a speech to Vietnam's National Assembly, Xi quoted Ho's own words: "China and Vietnam enjoy comradely and brotherly friendship."

Xi once shared his personal regard for Chairman Ho while speaking with Vietnamese youth. "We call him 'Uncle Ho'," Xi said. He noted that in the hearts of the Chinese people of his generation, Chairman Ho is remembered as the best friend of the Chinese people.

Back in 2011, Xi, then Chinese vice president, visited Ho's former residence to learn more about his life. Before his departure, Xi left an inscription: "The great man's spirit shall be honored for millennia, and the China-Vietnam friendship shall endure through the ages."

Six years later, during the 2017 state visit, Xi once again toured Chairman Ho's former residence. At a pond near the Ban Sao Nak, the wooden house where Ho once lived and worked, Xi learned to clap his hands before feeding fish, the same practice Ho once used to draw fish closer.

While there, reflecting on bilateral ties, Xi said, "We should learn from Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and Chairman Ho, and carry forward and develop China-Vietnam friendship for the benefit of both our peoples."

TEA CHATS

During To Lam's 2024 China tour, Xi prepared a tea gathering for him at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. The Vietnamese leader chose China as his first overseas destination only two weeks after being confirmed as general secretary of the CPV Central Committee. An editorial from Nhan Dan (People) highlighted the value both countries place on their traditional friendship.

Peng Liyuan, Xi's wife, also invited To Lam's wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, to a tea gathering, where they enjoyed traditional Chinese performances, including Chinese Opera.

Peng Liyuan, wife of Xi Jinping, chats over tea with Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of To Lam, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the years, tea chats have evolved into a routine yet distinctive tradition during mutual visits between Chinese and Vietnamese leaders, given the two countries' similar tea cultures. "Unlike formal talks, tea talks offer a more intimate and personal form of communication for both leaders," said Pan Jin'e, director of the Department of International Communist Movement, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Gift-giving during tea chats has created lasting memories in bilateral interaction. During Xi's state visit to Vietnam in 2023, then Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong, in a tea gathering with Xi in Hanoi, presented him with a gift: a painting that depicts a previous tea chat they shared in Beijing. "It might not be particularly remarkable, but the true value lies in the cherished brotherly friendship," Trong told Xi.

Back in 2017, after a tea talk in Beijing, Xi presented Trong with a replica of Chairman Ho's handwritten poem in Chinese entitled "Walking". The poem is about Ho's arduous yet determined quest for his nation's liberation. Xi also quoted the poem in his speech to Vietnam's National Assembly in 2015 to encourage both sides to take a far-sighted view for bilateral ties.

China and Vietnam are both socialist countries led by communist parties with similar political systems and development paths. Xi once said: "China and Vietnam have achieved what we have today because we have insisted on reform, opening up and innovation, and because we have found a development path that meets our own national conditions."

In this era of transformation and challenges, the two neighbors have decided to set their sights higher. During Xi's state visit to Vietnam in 2023, they pledged to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Xi told Trong at the end of this trip, "we should walk along this path together."

YOUNG FRONTRUNNERS

Also during Xi's 2023 state visit, Trong arranged a special meeting in Hanoi for the Chinese leader. The event brought together young Chinese and Vietnamese representatives, as well as individuals who had contributed to building the friendship between the two countries.

Xi encouraged the attendees, particularly young people, to "take the lead" in promoting bilateral friendship as "frontrunners". It was during this occasion that Le Nguyet Quynh, a Vietnamese student, met Xi for the first time.

Quynh is now a 19-year-old freshman majoring in economics at Tsinghua University, Xi's alma mater. She described her impression of Xi: "He is kind, tall and dignified."

Representing Vietnamese youth, Quynh gave a speech in front of Xi at the event. A picture of that moment has now become the cover image of her profile on WeChat, China's most popular all-in-one messaging app.

"Every time a classmate added me on WeChat and saw that I had met Xi Dada, they were all curious about how it happened," Quynh said. The affectionate term Dada refers to uncle in Chinese dialects, and was given to Xi by Chinese netizens. "It was a marvelous experience, indeed," she said.

Quynh, whose hometown is Vietnam's Nghe An province, the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh, started learning Chinese in junior high. After stumbling upon a video report of Xi's visit to his alma mater, she set her sights on attending Tsinghua University, her dream school.

Like Quynh, many Vietnamese students have chosen to pursue higher education in China. Around 20,000 Vietnamese students studied in China during the 2023-2024 academic year. The number of Chinese students in Vietnam is also on the rise.

Xi's belief that amity between nations lies in the affinity between their peoples really strikes a chord with Quynh. "No matter where you go, if people from two countries can get along well, they'll naturally start sharing elements of their own cultures with each other," she said. "And that's how friendships grow and last."

"And when it comes to maintaining the friendship between our two nations," Quynh said, "it's indeed us the youth who should carry that responsibility forward."

When To Lam made his first visit to China as Vietnam's top leader in August last year, he started the trip not in Beijing but in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou -- a special arrangement Chinese President Xi Jinping later hailed as "quite meaningful."

Tradition, tea, and tomorrow: Xi Jinping's stories with Vietnam

Happy Baisakhi 2023: As we celebrate Baisakhi this year, it is time to send wishes and messages to your near and dear ones.

Happy Baisakhi 2023: Wishes, Messages, Quotes, Images, Facebook & Whatsapp status

Baisakhi is also known as ‘Vaisakh Sankranti’ or ‘Vaisakhi’ which is a spring harvest festival that is mainly celebrated in Punjab and some other parts of North India. Thus, to wish your brothers and sisters on this auspicious festival, we have curated a list for you.

Baisakhi is also known as ‘Vaisakh Sankranti’ or ‘Vaisakhi’ which is a spring harvest festival that is mainly celebrated in Punjab and some other part

Baisakhi Wishes & Messages: Happy Baisakhi 2024: Best Messages, Quotes, Wishes and Images to share on Baisakhi

Ulster Championship quarter-final: Tyrone 1-24 Cavan 0-20

New rules but a familiar result as Tyrone put Cavan to the sword with ease at Healy Park.

A crowd of just 6,791 turned out for this one, a 20 per cent reduction on the same fixture last year which was, at the time, considered a poor attendance. And those who did pay in didn’t get much bang for their buck as Tyrone controlled proceedings throughout barring a spell towards the end when Cavan’s ability to kick two-pointers saw them cut the gap to six.

While Tyrone were very efficient, registering just four wides, on the balance of play, the scoreline probably flattered Cavan who landed five two-pointers to none from Malachy O’Rourke’s men.

Cavan came into this one as heavy underdogs; the Blues had not beaten Tyrone in championship football since 1983 and started without key attackers Paddy Lynch, Cormac O’Reilly and Oisin Brady as well as midfielder James Smith.

READ MORE

Both sides were down several starting players, in fact, with Darragh Canavan and Mattie Donnelly replaced by Ruairi Canavan and Cathal McShane for Tyrone while, on the away side, Cian Madden and Killian Clarke came in for Cormac O’Reilly and James Smith.

Cavan’s cause was not helped when talisman Gearoid McKiernan also went off at half-time but by then, it was clear that the Breffnimen’s dismal record against the Red Hands would continue as the hosts led by 10, 0-14 to 0-4, with Cavan struggling badly to win primary possession on either kickout and Tyrone, with eight scorers in the opening half, looking on a different level.

Tyrone eased into a two-point lead with scores from Niall Devlin and a Darren McCurry free and although championship debutant Sean McEvoy opened the Blues’ account, Tyrone would tack on three in succession from Kieran McGeary, Ruairi Canavan (free) and a fisted Aodhán Donaghy effort.

Dara McVeety, Cavan’s best player on the day, pulled one back but already, things were looking ominous for Ray Galligan’s side.

A rainbow during the game. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

With Niall Morgan hogging the left flank on Cavan’s restarts, goalkeeper Gary O’Rourke’s options were limited and Tyrone dominated the breaking ball, ensuring a steady supply to the inside line.

McCurry and Oisin Kiernan traded scores but Tyrone put the game to bed with six white flags in succession from Cathal McShane (two), Morgan (45), Canavan (free) and McGeary.

After a slow build-up, Cavan registered again through Cian Madden but McCurry and McShane rounded off the first-half scoring.

Canavan (free) and Michael McKernan made it 0-16 to 0-4 on the resumption. Cian Madden landed a two-point free for Cavan but the favourites looked hungrier and devoured the breaking ball.

Canavan and Ciaran Daly made it 0-18 to 0-6 and when McGeary pounced on a misplaced McVeety pass and strolled through, it looked like it would get very ugly for Cavan.

Kiernan and McVeety sent over two-pointers but Tyrone kept the scoreboard ticking with singles, running hard lines from deep impressively.

A point from captain Brian Kennedy, who, worryingly for O’Rourke, went off injured, made it 0-23 to 0-12 with 16 minutes of normal time remaining. To their credit, Cavan dug in with a pair of two-pointers from McVeety and a one-pointer from sub Ryan O’Neill implausibly cutting the gap to six.

Tyrone had grown sloppy and looked a little vulnerable at this stage but wind-assisted Cavan did not have the legs to kick on, although they did have a shout for a penalty when Thomas Edward Donohoe was felled.

McCurry pointed on the loop to steady the ship and then came two important plays, Morgan spectacularly pulling down a Barry Donnelly shot which looked like it was sailing over for two and, at the other end, Conn Kilpatrick powering through and planting his finish in the bottom corner.

Cavan tacked on a couple of frees but, by then, many of their supporters were mirroring the team and heading for the exit.

Cavan: G O’Rourke, C Reilly, B O’Connell, J McLoughlin, P Faulkner, C Brady, N Carolan, K Clarke, G Smith, G McKiernan, O Kiernan (0-1-1), D McVeety (0-3-2, 2ptf), B Donnelly, C Madden (0-1-1, 2ptf), S McEvoy (0-0-4, 3f)

Subs: R Donohoe for B Donnelly (14, temp, reversed 18), Donohoe for G McKiernan (ht), R O’Neill (0-0-1) for B Donnelly (45), T E Donohoe for C Madden, K Brady for K Clarke (50), P Devine for P Faulkner (temp, 64)

Tyrone: N Morgan (0-0-1, 1 45), A Clarke, P Teague (0-0-1), N Devlin (0-0-1), M McKernan (0-0-1), R Brennan, K McGeary (0-0-3), B Kennedy (0-0-1), C Kilpatrick (1-0-0), A Donaghy (0-0-1), C McShane (0-0-3), C Daly (0-0-1), D McCurry (0-0-7, 1f), P Harte, R Canavan (0-0-4, 4f)

Subs: S O’Donnell for P Harte, J Oguz for A Donaghy (both 49), M Donnelly for C McShane (58), E McElholm for B Kennedy (64)

Underwhelming turn out watches on as the efficient Red Hand County progress to semi-finals

Tyrone put Cavan to the sword with ease at Healy Park

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John Neuffer, President and CEO of the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has highlighted the acceleration of supply chain diversification within the global semiconductor ecosystem , indicating a significant opportunity for India to expand its role in this critical industry.Neuffer was speaking at the flagship dialogue of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit . SIA represents leading global semiconductor design and manufacturing companies such as AMD, Nvidia, and TSMC.Neuffer emphasized India's potential, particularly in Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), an essential supply chain component in semiconductor manufacturing."It's inevitable that we're going to get more diversification of the supply chain. That started in earnest coming out of the pandemic and we saw that there were vulnerabilities and over concentrations in our supply chain. That creates opportunities for India to vacuum up more of our supply chain", Neuffer told in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Carnegie GTS.India and the United States have been actively collaborating to expand capabilities in AI and diversify supply chains for critical technologies.During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February this year, he and President Donald Trump announced the launch of the US-India TRUST ("Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology") initiative, which will catalyze government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas like defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space, while encouraging the use of verified technology vendors and ensuring sensitive technologies are protectedIndia has made significant strides in semiconductor manufacturing in recent years with leading Indian conglomerates such as Tata, Adani Group, and L&T, making inroads into this space.According to a report by global investment bank, Jefferies, India has the potential to develop into a leading semiconductor hub supported by favourable government policies, growing demand, low-cost production capabilities and strategic linkages with the Western nations. (AN

Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer highlights the accelerated diversification of the global semiconductor supply chain, presenting a significant opportunity for India. He emphasized India's potential in Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and noted the active collaboration between India and the United States to expand capabilities in AI and critical technologies. Indian conglomerates are also making strides in semiconductor manufacturing.

India's growing role in semiconductor manufacturing takes centrestage at Carnegie's Global Technology Summit

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Envoys from Iran and the United States began negotiations Saturday in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldn't be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear program if a deal isn't reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed a private jet from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday there.Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi provided Iran's "stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the U.S. side."IRNA's report suggested the meeting would be held later Saturday.Associated Press journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leaving the Omani Foreign Ministry and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the "indirect talks" had begun."These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister," Baghaei wrote.Araghchi earlier spoke to Iranian journalists."If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that," Araghchi said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. "What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people."Trump and Witkoff both have described the talks as being "direct.""I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today," Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. "That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries."He added: "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponization of your nuclear capability,"While the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Iran's beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, Tehran's stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses and it has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Judging from negotiations since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%.One thing it won't do is give up its program entirely. That makes the proposal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a so-called Libyan solution - "you go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American execution" - unworkable.Iranians including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have held up what ultimately happened to the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the country's 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States.

In Oman, envoys from Iran and the United States have initiated indirect negotiations concerning Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. With tensions high and the potential for military action looming, the talks aim to address Iran's enrichment activities and prevent weaponization.

Iran says 'indirect talks' begin with a US envoy over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program

The great glacier meltdown has begun — and it’s coming for our rivers

Bhavika Jain

TIMESOFINDIA.COM Apr 12, 2025, 17:53 IST IST

A new UN report warns that glaciers are melting at record speeds, threatening the water security of billions. From the Himalayas to the Andes, the collapse of Earth’s 'water towers' signals a deepening global climate and resource crisis

The water towers of the world are melting — and with them, our future.

Mountains, glaciers and alpine snowpacks, which collectively support the freshwater needs of over half the world’s population, are undergoing rapid, irreversible change. A newly released United Nations report, launched to mark the first-ever World Day for Glaciers on March 21, delivers a stark message: the cryosphere is collapsing faster than ever.

Environment News: A new UN report warns that glaciers are melting at record speeds, threatening the water security of billions. From the Himalayas to the Andes, the col

The great glacier meltdown has begun — and it’s coming for our rivers

Sports

NBA 2024-25: Nikola Jokic Joins Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson In Exclusive Club

Nikola Jokic is set to average a triple-double for the season, making him the third player in NBA history to achieve this milestone. This was confirmed when he recorded his 700th assist of the season during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, ensuring he will average at least 10.0 assists per game. The only other players to have averaged a triple-double for an entire season are Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. Westbrook achieved this feat four times, while Robertson did it in the 1961-62 season. Jokic secured his triple-double with an assist to Christian Braun, which was initially uncredited but later updated. He finished the game with his 34th triple-double of the season. Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP and a top candidate for the award again this year, has more triple-doubles than the next three players combined, with no other player exceeding 10 this season.

Nikola Jokic is set to average a triple-double for the season, making him the third player in NBA history to achieve this milestone. This was confirmed when he recorded his 700th assist of the season during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, ensuring he will average at least 10.0 assists per game. The only other players to have averaged a triple-double for an entire season are Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. Westbrook achieved this feat four times, while Robertson did it in the 1961-62 season. Jokic secured his triple-double with an assist to Christian Braun, which was initially uncredited but later updated. He finished the game with his 34th triple-double of the season. Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP and a top candidate for the award again this year, has more triple-doubles than the next three players combined, with no other player exceeding 10 this season.

NBA 2024-25: Nikola Jokic Joins Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson In Exclusive Club

DUBLIN, April 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AB Charity Foundation has officially launched its global operations and unveiled its newly upgraded website at www.ab.org, marking the beginning of a public-interest initiative built on institutional credibility and advanced blockchain technology. Headquartered in Ireland with recognized legal status under EU law, the Foundation is positioned as a global nonprofit entity committed to reshaping the future of public trust and sustainable development by bridging governments, civil society, and the tech community.

The Foundation's governance is led by a distinguished board of directors composed of former heads of state from Europe. The board is chaired by Bertie Ahern, former three-term Prime Minister of Ireland and a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement. Board members include Lawrence Gonzi (former Prime Minister of Malta), Péter Medgyessy (former Prime Minister of Hungary), Danilo Türk (former President of Slovenia), and Petar Stoyanov (former President of Bulgaria).

The Foundation is actively expanding its global advisory board, bringing together respected figures from all five continents—including former presidents, scientists, diplomats, and cultural leaders—to guide strategic planning and foster international collaboration in delivering impactful social initiatives.

At the heart of the Foundation's mission lies a commitment to public good: advancing global efforts in education, healthcare, environmental protection, and humanitarian aid. The Foundation aims to build a "verifiable model of cooperative goodwill," powered by transparent governance and next-generation technology. As its founders emphasize, "It is not a specific technology that changes the world—but the shared consensus around trustworthy institutions and global cooperation."

AB Charity Foundation is technically supported by AB DAO, which provides the blockchain infrastructure underpinning the Foundation's operations. Through smart contract automation, 15% to 30% of the gas fees from every transaction on the AB public chain are directed into a dedicated charity pool. This mechanism enables a new operational model for charitable funding—combining on-chain fundraising, automated distribution, full-chain auditability, and third-party compliance assurance.

In addition, 15% to 30% of the returns generated from investments by the AB Ecosystem Fund will also be directed into the Foundation's pool. The fund has already supported dozens of projects, with more initiatives in the pipeline—strengthening the financial sustainability of the Foundation's mission.

By leveraging blockchain's inherent transparency, the Foundation aspires to become a scalable model for next-generation philanthropic infrastructure—ensuring every donation is traceable, every distribution verifiable, and every intention honored.

To follow AB Charity Foundation and support its mission

Official Website: www.ab.org

Global Community Portal: www.ab.org/community

Stay updated with AB DAO

AB Charity Foundation Launches to Pioneer a New Global Model for Public Good Driven by Institutional Trust and Technology

(Photos: Getty Images & iStock)

(S)MILES: Clean energy could reshape car (Photos: Getty Images & iStock)

GUNS & SUNFLOWERS: The Ukraine war has a huge influence on energy

hotos: Getty Images & iStock)

STRIKE A POSE: Mobiles need mining to photograph nature (P

hotos: Getty Images & iStock)

Catherine Wolfram vividly illustrates the challenges — and satisfaction — of combining academia with policy. Describing her research, she says, ‘I bring new data to help us understand the world and particularly the energy industries. These are absolutely essential to economic growth and development — yet, we don’t have a great understanding of the characteristics of energy, its viability, price, etc., as being so important to development. Second, the way we produce energy now is closely linked to climate change and environmental damage, including particulate matter and its impacts. Third, the energy industries are heavily driven by policy decisions — and there are very real questions policy makers face around how to use and price energy, which types should be incentivised, etc. Fourth, energy is deeply intertwined with the geopolitical layout — countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia and increasingly, the United States, are huge energy exporters. Economies like India and Japan are big importers — these facts really influence how these countries figure in geopolitical discussions.’Many nations are attempting to transition to clean energy — how would the uncertainty over US tariffs impact that? Wolfram considers the question carefully before answering. ‘There are two parts to this. The first is, how will these impact the clean energy transition in the US? As an example, most nations import lithium ion batteries from China. If the US puts tariffs on those, their prices will rise — this makes the transition more expensive. The other risk is the permanence of the subsidies passed earlier — right now, those are potentially on the table as something the Republicans would use to pay for tax cuts they want to extend. So, there is great uncertainty facing clean energy developers in the US.’She then adds, ‘On the flipside, the rest of the world is forging ahead on climate developments — so far, that hasn’t been waylaid by President Trump . China just decided to expand its carbon pricing scheme to cover additional industries — many countries, including India, are discussing emissions trading schemes while Brazil passed legislation. So, hopefully, there will be strength in numbers around climate action. In the long run, that might even nudge the US to join.’Speaking of such strategies, TE asks Wolfram to explain the difference between the tariffs applied by the US and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) the European Union (EU) is applying on imports? The economist answers energetically, ‘For one, the CBAM is applying a carbon price to imports which the Europeans are applying domestically — this is like a VAT. If you’re a consumer in Europe, whether you buy something made domestically or an imported product, you pay the VAT. Similarly, with the CBAM, no matter what consumers buy, this must reflect the carbon emissions used to make it. Second, the EU will reflect a carbon price that’s already been paid domestically — so, countries like Turkey, for instance, where a lot of goods are exported to the EU, have put on their own carbon price. That means they get to keep the revenue domestically and the EU will recognise that.’ Wolfram adds with enthusiasm, ‘In the economic model, the optimum border adjustment is one you never have to apply because it encourages every country to adopt some form of carbon pricing.’(PYet, in this new economic landscape, full of uncertainties, is it realistic for countries to keep aligning environmental goals while pursuing growth? Wolfram replies pointedly now, ‘It is extremely important to recognise that not trying to mitigate climate change is harmful to growth — we are all seeing storms decimate towns, extremely high temperatures impacting people, crops, etc. The mistake is framing this as an either/or.’ Wolfram then offers an intriguing insight. ‘In fact, the actions Donald Trump is now taking make it easier for countries outside the US to band together and confront climate change — taking the US out might make it easier to develop coordination. Second, Trump would like to have individual negotiations with countries — that gives the US more power. However, if the others band together and say something like, ‘We are uniformly imposing a carbon price, with a concession for lower-income countries in our coalition, and if you want to export to us, you’ll have to pay this’, that could be very advantageous. There are ways by which combining forces increases the pay-offs to other nations.’Wolfram knows strategy, given how she was America’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate and Energy Economics and part of the White House team in 2021 which set a price cap on Russian oil after the Ukraine crisis began. TE asked her what the key objectives were then — and how those have worked out? Wolfram says, ‘One objective was to take revenue away from the Kremlin and make it harder for them to continue their war in Ukraine. The second was to keep global oil markets well-supplied — the conventional tool on a bad-actor oil producer would have been an outright embargo, like the US currently imposes on Iran. However, in 2022 — when the world was recovering from the pandemic and supply chain disruptions had begun, pushing up inflation — taking Russian oil right off the market would have been hugely detrimental. It might have sent the world into a global recession. So, we had to create a new tool. We also knew China and India were major buyers of Russian oil — so, we had to craft this in a way that made it in China and India’s best interests to participate. This is how the price cap emerged.’ Wolfram adds a somewhat economical assessment here, ‘It could have worked better if it had been enforced more stringently.’TE concludes by asking the economist about her research on air conditioning and its link to human development — as ACs proliferate worldwide, how will energy demand change? Wolfram laughs somewhat wryly and replies, ‘It’s true that while energy production is driving climate change, people are addressing high temperatures by using even more energy. Air conditioning access reflects income disparities and many worrying differences between the rich and poor. In terms of the climatic feedback cycle itself, if we can make electricity clean, we won’t have this. Then, we can rely more and more on electricity to navigate climate change — and use this power for multiple purposes, from cooling homes to making steel.’

India News: Catherine Wolfram vividly illustrates the challenges — and satisfaction — of combining academia with policy.

‘The rest of the world is forging ahead on climate action — so far, Donald Trump hasn’t waylaid that’

Bizman followed strict gym routine

NEW DELHI: A 52-year-old property dealer was gunned down inside his car, allegedly by unidentified assailants, in west Delhi’s Paschim Vihar on Friday morning. Police are yet to make a breakthrough, but suspect it may be linked to extortion or gang rivalry.The victim, Rajkumar Dalal , was a resident of State Bank Nagar. He is survived by his wife Sujata and their son, who is a doctor.Around 6.50am Friday, Dalal was heading to a gym in Punjabi Bagh in his Fortuner when he was ambushed by the suspects, who were lying in wait in a car in the service lane just outside. A local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident said Dalal had to slow down after exiting the colony’s Gate No. 1 due to a speed breaker and traffic on the main road near his house.“At least three-four men in a Swift Dzire emerged suddenly and fired about a dozen rounds at Dalal. He lost control of his SUV, which crashed into the divider under the flyover,” he added.Eight bullets hit Dalal, killing him on the spot. According to another eyewit ness, the assailants fled the scene, followed by suspected accomplices on two motorcycles. Police were alerted around 7.15am by a PCR call to Paschim Vihar (East) police station. “Dalal was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead,” a senior police officer said.A forensic team reached the spot and cops collected footage from CCTV cameras.Dalal ran the real estate business with his brother Vijay. The two families used to live in the same house, but Dalal had recently moved into a newly-constructed flat in the same lane. "The family relocated in 2016 from UP's Tikri, where their business is also based," said a relative.Recalling the incident, a neighbour said, "Sujata, who had received a call from the security guard at the gate about the firing, came running for help and asked for Vijay, who lives in our building. We later learnt Vijay hadn't answered the phone as he was feeling unwell. Sujata woke him up, and he rushed to take Dalal to the hospital."According to his family, Dalal followed a strict gym routine and left home early every morning. "He was very particular about his schedule. Like other days, on Friday morning too, he left the house early, then waited downstairs for a few minutes while his car was being washed. His gym is in Punjabi Bagh, so he got into his car and left," said his cousin.Another family member said, "It seemed like they had been observing his daily routine for some time. For them to know exactly when and where he would go, they must have been watching closely. Their car was parked just metres away from the gate."The area where the incident took place is a residential neighbourhood. At the time of the incident, three or four security guards were present. Six CCTV cameras, positioned at different angles, are installed at the gate where Dalal was shot.According to one of the security guards, "There was complete chaos when I started my shift around 8am and the night duty guard signed off. People were rushing to the spot, a huge crowd had gathered, and the car was being towed away."DCP (Outer) Sachin Sharma said a case had been registered and several teams were probing the incident.

In a shocking incident, 52-year-old property dealer Rajkumar Dalal was fatally shot in his car in Delhi's Paschim Vihar on Friday morning. The assaila

Delhi businessman shot dead in his Fortuner on way to gym

Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen (AP file photo)

Denmark started the process of approving a new defence agreement with the United States that will allow American troops to be stationed on its mainland. The Danish parliament held the first of three readings of the bill on Friday, with a final vote expected by the end of June, says news agency Reuters.According to The Local, the deal gives the US military access to three Danish airbases—Aalborg, Karup, and Skrydstrup—all located in the Jutland region. The significant shift in Denmark’s defence policy is due to the heightened tensions in Europe because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.Local media Jyllands-Posten, reports that the deal could see armed private security firms, working for the US military, stationed in Denmark. The potential presence of foreign armed personnel has raised eyebrows.The agreement is expected to pass, with several opposition parties backing the minority government. However, left-wing groups like the Alternative and Red-Green Alliance have voiced strong opposition. They argue that the deal compromises Danish sovereignty and opens the door to an American military footprint in the region.A Voxmeter poll found public opinion to be divided—41 percent support the agreement, 33 percent oppose it, and 27 percent remain undecided.Notably, Denmark has made it clear that Greenland, which has been the subject of interest to US President Donald Trump, is not part of this deal. The government has ruled out ceding the territory, even as it deepens its military ties with Washington.

Europe News: Denmark is on the verge of approving a defence agreement with the US, potentially allowing American troops to be stationed on Danish soil. Parliament

Denmark to host US troops amid Greenland standoff off

Daniel Goddard makes exciting comeback to soap opera with 'General Hospital'

The Young and the Restless star Daniel Goddard is making a long-awaited return to the world of soap operas—this time on General Hospital.

According to Soap Opera Digest, the 53-year-old actor is set to join the cast of the long-running ABC medical drama as Henry Dalton, an environmental physics professor under investigation.

After TV Insider reports that he’ll make his first appearance on Tuesday, April 15, the fans have been eagerly waiting to catch his GH debut.

Best known for his 12-year run as Cane Ashby on The Young and the Restless from 2007 to 2019, Goddard had been on a three-year hiatus from acting when he received a surprising call from his former talent manager, Michael Bruno.

At first, he auditioned for the role of Jack Brennan but didn’t land the part. However, things took a dramatic turn when the show’s creators developed a brand new character specially for Goddard.

"I was just gobsmacked by it," he expressed during a conversation with the Soap Opera Digest. "I felt like it was meant to be."

Moreover, Goddard is thrilled to join General Hospital as it reunites him with Genie Francis, who played his on-screen mother, Genevieve, on The Young and the Restless. Francis now stars as Laura Collins on GH.

The Young and the Restless star Daniel Goddard is making a long-awaited return to the world of soap operas—this time on General Hospital.According to Soap Opera Digest, the 53-year-old actor...

Daniel Goddard makes exciting comeback to soap opera with 'General Hospital'

1. Having a diet full of whole plant foods:

2. The 80% rule:

3. Consuming alcohol in moderation:

4. Exercise is built into daily life:

5. They get enough sleep:

What should Indians do to increase longevity?

Study finds, people with diabetes who consumed less processed food at night may live longer

Blue Zones are geographic areas with lower rates of chronic diseases and longer life expectancy. Diet, fasting, and exercise are factors associated with Blue Zones. Countries like Italy, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica, and the United States have Blue Zones. People in this zone are comparatively stronger and live a longer life. Here is the diet consumed by the blue zone people that increases their longevity :Those who live in the Blue Zones, they primarily eat a 95% plant-based diet . Although most groups are not strict vegetarians, they only tend to eat meat and fish around five times per month. The diets in the Blue Zones are typically rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. The presence of Omega 3 in these types of food can also contribute to longevity.According to Dr. Srabani Mukherjee, Consultant, Nutrition & Diet, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata, “People living in the Blue Zones believe that by eating slowly and only until you feel 80% full, you may eat fewer calories and feel full longer and they eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and then not eat for the rest of the day. With this plan, the people here have reduced calorie intake and fasting, which can prevent them from weight gain and chronic disease.”Moderate alcohol consumption , especially red wine, is common in some Blue Zones. Red wine's high antioxidant levels, particularly in Sardinian Cannonau wine, may help prevent aging and promote longevity.Aside from diet, exercise is another extremely important factor in aging. In the Blue Zones, people don’t exercise purposefully by going to the gym. Instead, it’s built into their daily lives through gardening, walking, cooking, and other daily chores.In addition to exercise, getting adequate rest seem to be very important for living a long and healthy life. People in Blue Zones get sufficient sleep and also often take daytime naps.Other than the above listed habits, in India, the grains and fibers can also help in longer life span. The carbohydrates and anti – oxidants present in the food can help in longevity. Consumption of whole grains, natural spices, herbs and seasonal produce can help in fighting the chronic diseases as they have large amounts of fibers and micro – nutrients.

Blue Zones, found in regions like Italy, Japan, and Costa Rica, are areas where people live longer and healthier lives. Their longevity is attributed

Blue Zones: Diet consumed by people in “Blue Zones” who live longer than the rest of the world

The Atlantic Music Expo (AME) in Praia, Cape Verde, is far more than just a music market—it’s a hub of talent and cultural exchange, bridging the musical worlds of Africa and the Americas.

Held annually in the capital, Praia, the event has quickly become a must-attend for music industry professionals while offering a rich array of public concerts that showcase Cape Verde's diverse musical heritage.

This year, as the country marks 50 years of independence from Portuguese colonial rule, the AME celebrates a new wave of artists who are shaping the future of Cape Verdean music.

Among the standout performers is Diego Gomes, also known as Dieg, from the island of São Vicente. Representing the cultural evolution of Cape Verde, Dieg speaks passionately about the power of music as the country’s greatest treasure.

"Our country is music. It’s how the world knows us. A perfect example is Cesária Évora, our greatest inspiration, whose music represents something truly unique. Music is our greatest wealth. We may not have oil or natural resources, but we have music—something special that lives in every Cape Verdean," said Diego Gomes "DIEG" a musician.

Zuleica Barros, a singer from Boa Vista, another rural island shaped by tradition, defines herself as an Afro-futurist. Her sound blends contemporary influences with deep cultural roots.

"‘Cada Kual’ is the reflection of my life. Like so many Cape Verdeans, I’ve had a tough journey. We live in resilience, fighting every day for education, food, and health. My song is a tribute to that struggle, infused with an Afro-futurist vision," said Zuleica Barros, a Singer.

Fattu Djakité, born in Guinea-Bissau and raised in Cape Verde from the age of five, blends the musical traditions of both nations. She views the connection between Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde as a transformative power in her work.

"The bond between Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde is a source of strength and transformation. I am the poetry of both countries, and I aim to continue representing them through my music," said Fattu Djakité, a singer.

The Atlantic Music Expo continues to inspire with its commitment to showcasing the dynamic and evolving sounds of Cape Verde. The event transitions seamlessly into the Kriol Jazz festival, much to the delight of Cape Verdeans, who are passionate about their music and proud of their cultural heritage.

Held annually in the capital, Praia, the event has quickly become a must-attend for music industry professionals while offering a rich array of public concerts that showcase Cape Verde's diverse musical heritage.

Discover Cape Verde’s vibrant music scene at the Atlantic Music Expo

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Convenience store chains could play a key role in helping civilians in Taiwan during a conflict with China, British newspaper The Guardian reported Saturday.

As China has been stepping up military drills in the skies and waters around Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te created a Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee involved in the launch of field exercises .

In the event of a Chinese blockade or attack, the convenience store chains could supply their 13,000 outlets with food rations and medical supplies for civilians, The Guardian reported. They managed their own logistical transport systems able to move goods around the country.

Another function would be to post government fax messages on the windows when communication networks were paralyzed. The stores’ emergency hotspots could be useful to send out messages, the report said.

Recent exercises revealed a number of weaknesses in the previous approach. There was a lack of consideration for the possibility that during a conflict, police might be unavailable to distribute emergency food supplies. The absence of internet and other modern communication systems was also highly likely, while a Chinese blockade would affect the import and production of energy necessary for everything from transportation to hospitals, according to The Guardian.

The report noted that the convenience stores already played an important part in the distribution of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience which might come in handy during other types of emergency.

Chains can distribute food, medical supplies, government messages | Apr. 12, 2025 19:58