Leaked military intelligence documents suggest that Ukraine's air defenses will be completely reduced by May 23, which could embolden Russia to deploy bomber jets it has been saving from facing Ukrainian defenses in the ongoing war. The documents reveal NATO and US plans in the Ukraine conflict, and hint at the strategies and capabilities of the opposing forces. While much of the detail is already known, this leak is the largest breach of American intelligence on the war in Ukraine since Russia invaded over a year ago. Reports suggest that the current situation and expected timeline could potentially change the course of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for increased military aid in the form of F-16 jets to prevent further loss of military firepower. So far, the veracity of the leaked documents is being investigated, and the matter has been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation.
A Texas federal judge suspended the FDA's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, leading to concerns about access to the drug for women across the country. Known for being the first drug used in the two-drug protocol for abortions, mifepristone is considered safe and effective by the FDA. The ruling has been met with criticism as it is considered atypical for a single judge to override a decades-old decision made by an expert agency. The plaintiffs in the case, a coalition of anti-abortion organizations and physicians, do not have the right to be in court asking for this remedy as they lack standing, which is a core requirement of any lawsuit in federal court. Despite the suspension being lifted for seven days, this could render mifepristone unavailable nationally in the future. While the federal government has already filed a notice of appeal in the Fifth Circuit and is seeking emergency relief, legal experts are calling for the Biden administration to act forcefully to highlight the lawlessness of the ruling to limit any potential damage. The ruling by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is considered a travesty for women's healthcare, principles of democracy, notions of judicial impartiality and the rule of law.
Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in a Manhattan Supreme Court last week in connection with "hush money" payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. However, former Attorney General Bill Barr called it "transparently an abuse of prosecutorial power," and that the indictment had "no merit." He criticised Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against Trump as a partisan hit job aimed at strengthening the Democrats' chances of winning the White House in 2024, along with making the Republican party's presidential primary process into a "circus." Moreover, James Trusty, a lawyer on Trump's defense team, said that if the case ever goes to trial, motions would be filed to have it dismissed to undo the "miscarriage of justice."
The Manhattan Supreme Court charged Trump with falsifying business documents on a 2016 "hush money" payment to Daniels-the first indictment of its kind against a US president. Barr also questioned the Manhattan jury's bias as its inhabitants voted 87% in favour of Joe Biden in the last election, which could also affect their judgment.
Former Tennessee Democratic lawmakers, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who were expelled from the Republican-dominated state House of Representatives over their participation in a gun-control protest, have expressed their desire to reclaim their seats. Following the mass shooting at a local school, the duo, along with hundreds of other protestors, joined the demonstration to demand stricter gun laws. Their expulsion from the House adds to the ongoing tension between Democrats and Republicans. However, Vice President Kamala Harris extended her support to the lawmakers, who are now hoping to be reappointed by their respective districts' to serve in their seats until they run in special elections. While the Metropolitan Council of Davidson County in Nashville and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners in Memphis can appoint interim representatives for the vacant seats, the path to reclaim their positions is uncertain. With funding threats looming over the commission from the state government, Pearson says that he hopes the commissioners cannot be bought. Pearson further announced his re-election campaign and explained how the entire process of special elections would cost taxpayers at home.
A shooting at the Christiana Mall in Delaware on Saturday evening resulted in three individuals being treated for gunshot wounds, with two in critical condition. An additional five people were injured and their injuries were unrelated to the gunfire. The police have not yet confirmed whether any suspects have been taken into custody, or how many were involved in the shooting. Investigators believe that the altercation between the victim and suspects may have been the root cause of the shooting, but they are still determining whether or not the people involved were known to each other. The mall was closed in the wake of the shooting while investigators collected evidence and spoke with witnesses, and it will remain closed Sunday. The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigative Unit is the lead on the investigation, with anyone having information being asked to contact Detective H. Carroll.
According to recent reports, George Soros and his son Alexander have had high-level access to the Biden White House, with Alexander visiting at least 14 times as his father's emissary. The Soros family has spent billions on worldwide causes in recent decades, with a focus on issues such as opening borders and taking extreme action to combat climate change. Their donations have also helped to elect left-leaning prosecutors across the nation. Many have voiced concerns about the influence that the billionaire philanthropist may have over the current administration. Meanwhile, critics of the Soros family argue that they are free to spend their money as they choose while detractors can point out what they are doing. However, the amount of access the family has to high-level officials raises questions about the influence of money in politics. This news comes as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas faced criticism for not disclosing his trips with Republican businessman Harlan Crow. The common factor between both stories is the influence of the ultra-rich in American political affairs.
Two police officers in Wisconsin were killed on Saturday during a traffic stop, as per the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). A Chetek police officer carried out a traffic stop in Cameron, Wisconsin, when gunfire was exchanged with the suspect, killing the officer along with a Cameron police official. The other person involved in the incident was transported to a hospital, where they later died due to their injuries. The DOJ declared that there is no threat to the public after the incident. The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, along with the other law enforcement agencies, is leading the investigation. It is still unclear why the suspect engaged in gunfire with the two officers, and there has been no information about the identities of the victims or the suspect so far. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers expressed his condolences and asked the public to join him in paying tribute to the two brave officers. The incident has left the communities of Chetek and Cameron in mourning.
Senator Lindsey Graham has warned of a crisis unfolding in Taiwan as China conducts military exercises near the democratic island. In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Graham advocated for increased American presence in the region to act as a deterrent against encroaching Chinese expansionist aims. The Senator, from South Carolina, also voiced concerns that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could occur in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election. Graham has since been open to the idea of sending US forces to defend Taiwan; his comments come after previous discussions of “strategic ambiguity” failed to quell Chinese aggression towards Taiwan. The excursion by President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-Wen to meet with key US officials has led to Chinese officials labelling it a “provocation” and resulted in hostile sanctions for hosting organizations. In response, Graham advocated for a series of deterrent measures to stop China from eventually taking over Taiwan, such as increasing training and access to faster planes, and getting the F-16s needed in Taiwan.
The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election resulted in a win for the liberal judge, marking a political shift in a crucial swing state. Additionally, a state Senate election in the Milwaukee area saw a 3-point overperformance for the Democratic nominee, who lost the district by 5 points in 2020, but outperformed in the 2023 special election by 2 points. These recent results match up with what has been seen in other special elections throughout the country this year, with Democrats performing better than in 2019, indicating a good sign for the party leading up to the 2024 elections. Surprisingly, the better performance is happening despite the low approval ratings of President Biden. The political environment is proving to be more favorable to Democrats than during the 2020 elections, contrasting with 2019 when special elections had almost similar margins as Hillary Clinton’s. Moreover, the recent rulings and decisions related to the abortion pill access, Donald Trump’s possible indictment, and racial politics highlight the unsettling state of American politics during these divisive times, intensifying the battle over the country's direction as the 2024 election approaches.
A five-year-old girl was shot and killed while riding in the family car on Interstate 880 in Fremont, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported. The child was identified as Eliyanah Crisostomo. No suspects have been identified yet, as investigators try to determine what led to the shooting. The incident occurred at around 6:40 p.m on Saturday when the child was hit. The family was promptly taken to hospital, but the young girl died due to the severity of her injuries. Investigators closed stretches of the freeway for several hours Saturday to comb the area for evidence.
A fundraiser was set up for the girl's parents, describing Eliyanah as a fun-loving little girl who loved life and had a giving heart. The family was headed to a birthday dinner at an Outback restaurant in Milpitas when the incident occurred. Eliyanah would have celebrated her sixth birthday in two weeks.
Authorities are also investigating another shooting incident in Fremont that happened around 6:30 p.m. on the same day. There, a preliminary investigation confirmed that the shooting was "gang-related," but there were no injuries. However, Santa Cruz Police Department identified and arrested three suspects in cases related to the shooting in Fremont. Officials are trying to determine if both shootings are linked.
The US Department of Justice opened an investigation into the leak of apparently classified US military documents. The Pentagon has also taken steps to tighten the flow of sensitive documents. The Joint Staff, the Defense Department's senior uniformed leadership advising the president, is looking at distribution lists to identify persons who have or may have had access to the reports. These classified documents had markings indicting that they had been produced by the Joint Staff's intelligence arm and are believed to be briefing documents. The documents were posted online last month on social media platform Discord. Diplomats expressed frustration over the issue, saying that it has harmed the US's reputation. The leak has prompted US allies to conduct damage assessments, checking to see whether any of their sources and methods have also been exposed. A Pentagon assessment from February shows that the Ukrainian air defenses could fracture, potentially allowing Russia to unleash its fighter jets, if Ukraine does not receive a significant influx of munitions, says a trove of new leaked documents online. The shortage of missiles that Ukraine uses to defend itself from Russian missiles and drones is a significant worry for the Pentagon.
Former United States President Donald Trump's legal woes are mounting after being indicted on 34 counts related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star during the 2016 election campaign. Although Former Attorney General William Barr called the case brought by District Attorney Alvin Bragg unjust, he also believes it is unwise for Trump to attack the judge and individuals involved in the case. With the 2024 election season fast approaching, the ongoing litigation is dividing the GOP, and Barr thinks that Trump is becoming a weaker candidate due to his legal and political challenges. Barr also mentioned the possibility of another case concerning classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, stating that Trump could be indicted in that case. Barr expressed concern that Trump's legal battle may drag on and become one of his biggest disadvantages in the 2024 general election. Trump's defense team will move to dismiss the case, which they insist is a "miscarriage of justice." At the same time, Trump's legal woes appear to be mounting as speculation grows that he could face further legal troubles in the coming months.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared that all options are being considered by the Biden administration in the wake of the Texas federal judge's ruling to suspend the FDA's approval of the medication abortion drug, mifepristone. Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Becerra refrained from stating whether the FDA should disregard the ruling and keep the drug on the market, but he made it apparent that the administration is contemplating all options. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk halted the approval of mifepristone last week, but paused the ruling for a week so it can be appealed, a process that is now underway. Despite the ruling's potential impact, Becerra emphasized that they want the courts to overturn this reckless decision, referring to last year's Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, saying that every option is on the table. The Department of Justice has already filed its appeal, but there is still uncertainty about what tangible measures the administration would take to secure access to abortion if the drug is no longer available.
On Sunday, Senator Lindsey Graham warned that China could be setting the stage for a blockade of Taiwan, possibly as part of its effort to expand its global influence. Graham urged the US to "up our game" in the region, suggesting measures such as increasing training and providing F-16 jets to Taiwanese forces. China has long claimed Taiwan as its province, but its proximity makes it a key geopolitical area that the US has been keen to protect, particularly given Taiwan's production of over 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors. However, tensions have risen in the region recently, with China conducting military drills close to the island and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen meeting with US House foreign policy figures. These moves were met with criticism by Chinese officials, who have now imposed sanctions on both organizations that hosted Tsai during her US trip.
On the 410th day of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russian forces struck a residential building in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday morning, killing a 50-year-old man and his 11-year-old daughter. Authorities say that 18 other communities in the region were also shelled, resulting in three deaths and five injuries on Saturday. Ukrainian-held territory allegedly fired a missile that was shot down over the Black Sea town of Feodosiya in Russian-controlled Crimea on Saturday as well. British military intelligence reports that Russian forces are threatening a vital supply route to Bakhmut, the focus of Ukraine's defense against Russian assault for months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the attack on Zaporizhzhia, saying that Russia "puts itself in even greater isolation from the world and from humanity" by hitting homes on the Orthodox Church's Palm Sunday. Zelenskyy also marked Christian Easter, saying Ukraine fights for freedom and values life, respect, and equality. Ukrainian Muslims also attended an iftar fast-breaking dinner with the president.
Authorities have captured the third and final suspect in the killing of three Florida teenagers. Tahj Brewton, 16, was apprehended by US marshals and could face additional charges in the deaths of Layla Silvernail, Camille Quarles, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy. Two other suspects, Christopher Atkins, 12, and Robert Robinson, 17, have already been charged with first-degree murder. Accused of being part of a burglary gang with the victims, the trio allegedly turned on the three teens and killed them. Brewton was arrested on a series of outstanding warrants, unrelated to the slayings, for carjacking with a firearm, aggravated assault, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and tampering with an electronic monitoring device. The Marion County Sheriff's Office stated that an ongoing homicide investigation may lead to additional charges. The three were arrested after a widespread manhunt and a $10,000 reward for information leading to their capture. Prosecutors are reviewing whether Atkins and Robinson will be tried as adults for the murders.
Professional golfer Jon Rahm and Kelley Cahill's love story began when they were attending Arizona State University, and their friendship turned into romance in 2016. Two years later, they got engaged, followed by their wedding in Spain in December 2019. Blessed with two sons, Kepa in April 2021 and Eneko in August 2022, the couple is enjoying life as parents of two. Rahm is among the favorites for the 2023 Masters and has a net worth of over $16 million. He has had a successful career since turning pro in 2015, with several tournament wins in Europe and America. The fans are rooting for him to win his first major championship this week at the Augusta National Golf Club, where he has finished inside the Top 10 in four occasions. Whether he wins or not, Rahm can count on the unconditional support of his "No. 1 girl" Cahill, who is his constant companion on and off the golf course.
On Sunday night, CBS is airing a tribute show to the iconic Beach Boys. “A GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys” was filmed on February 8 and will stream via Paramount+. The show was meant to honor 60 years since the release of the band's first gold album, “Surfin' U.S.A.”. The lineup is nothing short of impressive, with John Legend, Weezer, Beck, and more performing some of the Beach Boys' greatest hits. Local listings can be checked to confirm the channel number for the show. It will be well worth tuning in to reminisce about the good old days.
Aside from this event, there are other activities for the weekend that might interest music fans. Megson, a British husband-wife folk duo, will play a free show via Facebook Live. Jazz bassist Christian McBride's New Jawn will perform at Dizzy's Club in New York City, also streaming via Facebook Live. Another exciting event is the premiere of a documentary about Jason Isbell on HBO's Music Box series. The documentary, titled “Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed,” released on Friday, follows the alt-country musician as he recorded his 2020 album “Reunions".
Molly Shannon's recent return to Saturday Night Live as host left many fans wondering what went wrong. Despite being a former main cast member, her performance fell short, leaving audiences with a lackluster show. The sketch "Valets" was among the weakest, with poorly structured characters and predictable interactions. Another sketch that was expected to excel, "Drug Commercial," relied too heavily on body humor, leaving viewers wishing for more. In addition, the lack of chemistry between Shannon and the current cast members made some regulars feel unimportant.
One of the few highlights of the show was Bowen Yang's Weekend Update commentary, "Jafar on Ron DeSantis' Attacks on Disney," which brought together pop culture and contemporary politics for an irreverent take on DeSantis' recent policies. Fans remain hopeful that upcoming host Ana de Armas will bring new energy and success to the show on April 15th.
Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the 2023 Masters due to a re-aggravated plantar fasciitis injury. After completing seven holes of his third round on Saturday, play was called off due to inclement weather with Woods at 6-over in the third round and 9-over for the tournament. Woods announced the news on Twitter, thanking fans and wishing players luck at the Augusta National tournament. This comes two years after Woods returned to golf following an accident in which he suffered a compound fracture in his leg and other injuries. He told reporters at the beginning of the tournament that he was in "constant" pain, sinking two consecutive double bogeys and appearing to limp in video footage of the tournament on Saturday. Woods had made the cut for the 23rd consecutive time, tying the record for the most made cuts of all time with Fred Couples and Gary Player. Play resumed on Sunday morning, and officials noted that the fourth and final round was set to begin Sunday afternoon. This withdrawal from 2023 could mark Woods' last appearance at Augusta National.
Despite taking an early lead at the 2023 Masters with an outstanding six under par round of 66, Viktor Hovland's choice of attire was the subject of much discussion on social media. The Norwegian professional golfer wore a brightly colored shirt from J. Lindeberg that divided opinion among avid golf fans. Some praised the shirt's flamboyant design, while others criticized it for being an eyesore. Indeed, one Twitter user went so far as to suggest that Hovland's fellow competitor Tiger Woods should ask him to change his shirt before commencing play. Nevertheless, the clothing did not seem to affect Hovland's gameplay as he made eagle and three birdies in the first 11 holes, giving him a good chance of tying or beating the single-round record of 63.
Despite the teasing from some golf enthusiasts, Hovland seemed unfazed by the reaction to his clothing choice, and appeared to have a sense of humor, posting a photograph on Instagram where he switched his golf attire for a more casual outfit of shorts and t-shirt.
Leaders of three Rutgers faculty unions have unanimously declared a strike after failed negotiations with the university over a new contract for 9,000 professors, part-time lecturers, and graduate student workers representing the state's largest university. This marks a momentous move, being the first faculty strike since Rutgers' founding in 1766. The strike is expected to disrupt classes for over 67,000 students on all three Rutgers campuses. The faculty unions accuse the university of underpaying and understaffing its employees, and have been protesting for several months, including during a public forum event where the attendees' questions were being fielded by Chancellor-Provost Francine Conway and Executive Vice President--Chief Financial Officer and University Treasurer J. Michael Gower. The demonstration was shut down and the subsequent audience canceled. Rutgers officials have warned that the faculty strike would be illegal, and stated that student services such as dining, bus service, counseling, and other services would remain open. Governor Phil Murphy has declared a need for more meetings with his administration.
FC Juarez and Atlas faced off in a Liga MX regular season action at the Olimpico Benito Juarez Stadium on Sunday. It was FC Juarez's first match under new technical director Diego Mejia since Hernan Cristante and the club parted ways last week. Atlas scored the first goal of the match in the sixth minute courtesy of Julian Quinones but FC Juarez managed to equalize through Alan Medina's header that deflected off an Atlas defender. However, Los Bravos suffered a setback when they had Jesus Duenas and Gabriel Fernandez sent off in the first half of the match. Despite playing with only nine men, FC Juarez managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Atlas. The club has not won a Liga MX match since February 11 and was seeking to end the winless streak against the visiting Atlas. With the draw, both clubs sit on 14 points in 13 matches in the Clausura 2023 campaign.
Four stained glass windows, badly damaged in the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral, have been restored and are on their way back to the French capital after being restored at Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The windows, created by Jacques Le Chevallier in 1965, are due to arrive in Paris after Easter. The restoration, lasting around a year, was seen as a symbol of German-French cooperation. During the process, two major challenges needed to be faced, according to Barbara Schock-Werner, former Cologne Cathedral building master and coordinator for German aid in the reconstruction of Notre Dame. Firstly, the windows had been contaminated with lead, since the cathedral's roof was constructed with lead, which needed to be removed. Then, soot and dirt also had to be delicately removed without harming the depiction. The windows will reportedly undergo further restoration work in France before being returned to their original positions.
Patrick Cantlay's slow play during the final round of The Masters on Sunday has caused uproar among golf fans and players alike. Specifically, Cantlay's pace of play slowed the progress of Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, who were forced to wait on each tee box for Cantlay to hit his shots. Even Cantlay's playing partner Viktor Hovland stopped waiting for him, sending not-so-subtle messages about speeding things up. Golf fans expressed their frustration with Cantlay's slow play, calling it "atrocious" and a "national disgrace." Koepka himself is known to despise slow play, and his struggles on Sunday may well have been caused, at least in part, by Cantlay's snail-like pace. Reports suggest that even officials at Augusta National were pulling Cantlay off the course to ensure the tournament finished before sundown. While Cantlay had a strong third round, his slow play prompted many to question whether he may have ruined the Masters for Koepka, who collapsed during the final round.