According to a report from The New Voice of Ukraine, the situation in Bakhmut remains tense as the enemy continues to attack. Despite the Ukrainian army's control over different areas, the enemy is still attempting to cut communications off. Heavy artillery fire and frequent attacks from the Ivanivske direction are just two of the challenges the Ukrainian troops are facing. The report states that the enemy has fired more than 40 155-mm artillery shells at a small area of ground in less than 30 minutes. Ukrainian soldier Syrotyuk warns that the situation is tough, and the enemy is in a hurry to take Bakhmut at any cost. Furthermore, large numbers of Orlan reconnaissance drones are being used to direct artillery fire and detect any movements of the Ukrainian army. It seems that the situation is unstable, and the Ukrainian army remains vigilant in its defense.

At least eight of the 16 Republican "fake electors" who worked to overturn the 2020 Georgia presidential election have accepted immunity deals in an ongoing criminal investigation, according to a recent court filing. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis previously declared all the fake electors as targets of her investigation and is seeking to gather insights into their efforts to put forward alternate slates of electors to block the certification of the presidential vote. The newly granted cooperators could aid the investigation and offer more significant evidence potentially pointing to Donald Trump and his allies as perpetrators of election interference in the state.

The investigation is part of a broader examination of efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, and many more of the pro-Trump electors could still face legal exposure. The recent court filings are the latest in a series of legal maneuvers in the case. Fulton County prosecutors motioned to disqualify an attorney representing a group of the GOP fake electors. However, the attorney has denied the prosecutor’s claims. The investigation continues, and more details could emerge on the involvement of the former president and his allies.

The death of an unarmed, homeless man, Jordan Neely, has thrust mental health onto the political forefront of New York City. A 24-year-old former Marine held Neely in a chokehold on the F-line train, resulting in his death. The former Marine has claimed self-defense, as Neely had a history of violent and erratic behaviour due to untreated mental illness.

The incident, which was caught on video, has caused outrage with protesters calling for an arrest to be made. The Manhattan prosecutor and police are currently deciding whether to press charges, while a grand jury will determine whether there is enough evidence to bring Mr. Penny to trial.

However, this event serves as a reminder of the city's crisis in homelessness and untreated mental health. Many citizens and politicians in New York are discussing the lack of investment in mental health solutions. Neely's death represents a painful issue, which thousands of homeless and mentally ill New Yorkers face daily; the moral stain this crisis puts on everyone. Although the media and politicians have raised awareness of these issues, it is evident that serious government funding and action must be taken to address the city's crisis of mental illness and homelessness.

Will Jordan Neely's tragic death be the catalyst that spurs the city to invest more in solving the crisis of mental illness and homelessness?

Former Trump aide, Kellyanne Conway, has defended payments she made to Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The payments were made in response to calls from legal activist Leonard Leo, who instructed Conway to bill a nonprofit group he advised and use the money to pay Ginni Thomas. However, $25,000 was billed to the Judicial Education Project, which soon had an interest before the Supreme Court. The same year the payments were made, the Judicial Education Project filed a brief to the Supreme Court in a landmark voting rights case. The Post reported that between June 2011 and June 2012, Conway's firm, the Polling Company, paid Thomas's firm, Liberty Consulting, $80,000 and expected to pay another $20,000 by the end of 2012. It is unclear what work Thomas did for either the Judicial Education Project or the Polling Company. Conway emphasized that Thomas was one of her contractors and had a long history of involvement in the conservative movement. Of the effort to keep Thomas's name off paperwork, Leo said: "Knowing how disrespectful, malicious and gossipy people can be, I have always tried to protect the privacy of Justice Thomas and Ginni."

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a new law establishing the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, which will be able to remove prosecutors who do not follow state laws. The new initiative rivets the powers of elected prosecutors and risks threatening the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive branch. The law which seeks to create safer communities by discouraging prosecutors from going easy on criminals has sparked outrage and disapproval from Democrats who claimed the law is an unnecessary commission since prosecutors had already been held accountable under existing regulations. The issue of using prosecutorial discretion has been a contentious matter across the country, with several states such as Florida, Indiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania seeking to remove prosecutors they believe are not doing their job. Moreover, the new Georgia law mandates that prosecutors have to consider every case brought before them regardless of the gravity of the offense. However, legal experts claim that this could cause a flood of low-level cases, making it difficult for prosecutors to consider each case individually.

Kimberly Guillory was one of three stabbing victims attacked at a homeless encampment in Davis on Monday. After the stabbing, Guillory called her daughter Brandy to tell her what happened. Brandy was confused and unaware of the situation. While Kimberlee was on the phone explaining what had happened, medical responders in the background instructed her to hang up the phone so they could tend to her injuries. After her mom hung up, Brandy spent hours trying to locate which hospital her mom was taken to. She finally found her mother when she Googled 'Davis stabbings' and was able to connect with the Davis Police Department, who helped connect her with the hospital her mother was in. By the time Brandy arrived at the hospital, her mother was prepped for surgery because her kidney was punctured. It has been several days since the tragic event, and Guillory is still receiving support from her neighbors in Davis and at UC Davis. She was not alone the night of the stabbing and was with her neighbors because they thought it would make them safer and less of a target if their tents were set up closer to each other.

On Friday, a video of Donald Trump's deposition from October 2022 during E. Jean Carroll's rape and defamation suit against him was made public. In the footage, Trump can be seen mistaking a photograph of Carroll for a picture of his second wife, Marla Maples. After being corrected by the questioner, Trump repeated his denial of the alleged sexual assault and stated that Carroll was not his "type." Legal analysts agree that the footage could have an impact in deciding the highly publicized case. Former prosecutor Renato Mariotti commented that Trump's mistake could affect the jury's verdict. Last Thursday, both the defense and prosecution rested their cases in the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan gave Trump's lawyers until Sunday evening to file a motion to reopen the case in order to allow the former president to testify. Trump's attorneys claimed he had waived his right to testify in court in the civil case, but Trump later told the media he was considering returning from Ireland to participate in the trial. Carroll is suing Trump for battery and defamation over comments he made while denying her rape allegation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency that lasted for over three years, following a recommendation by its Emergency Committee. While this marks significant progress in the fight against the pandemic, the WHO says that COVID-19 still remains a serious global health threat. The emergency declaration allowed international attention to be focused on the pandemic and enabled collaboration on the development of vaccines and treatments. Ending the emergency could mean that international collaboration or funding efforts are also brought to an end or shifted in focus. In the US, the end of the declaration would affect access to free over-the-counter coronavirus tests and certain treatments for those with private insurance or Medicare. Meanwhile, Medicaid beneficiaries will continue to have access to free coronavirus tests until September 2024, while vaccines will remain free for everyone for the time being. While globally, COVID-19 cases and deaths are at their lowest in three years, experts warn that the disease is still here to stay and could continue to cause waves, calling for continued vigilance and tracking of the virus.

Peter Schwartz, who was convicted of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, has been sentenced to 14 years and two months in prison. The sentence is the longest to date for a Capitol rioter. Prosecutors stated that Schwartz had thrown furniture and used chemical munitions, including pepper spray, on officers while participating in the riot. He has 38 prior convictions. Schwartz regretted his involvement in the riot and apologized in court, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta did not believe his remorse was sincere. Mehta stated that Schwartz was “a soldier against democracy” and vehemently rejected defense arguments that Schwartz was misled by a false narrative about the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence Schwartz to 24 and a half years in prison, while the sentencing guidelines indicated a 262-month sentence. Schwartz will also be under 36 months of supervised release and must pay restitution.

According to one Proud Boys juror, the absence of specific messages in those reviewed by the jury contributed to the conviction of the group's leaders. André Mundell revealed in an interview with Vice News that although the messages extracted from the phones of the defendants included thousands of discussions, many of them were deleted, which he interprets as evidence that the group did not want everyone to know about its plan. Mundell added that he also found the lack of a single message urging Proud Boys members to withdraw from the Capitol riot or stay away from the violence suspicious. The absence of such a message seemed to indicate that the Proud Boys' leaders deliberately let the violence take place. The Proud Boys' leaders, including former national chair Enrique Tarrio, were found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their part in the violent effort to keep Donald Trump in power. The guilty verdicts signify that the Capitol siege was not spontaneous but rather a planned assault by force to overturn the 2020 US Election. The convictions could strengthen federal and local prosecutors' cases against former President Donald Trump, who is being considered for charges related to events prior to and on Jan. 6.

Residents of Old Bridge, New Jersey, were perplexed when piles of pasta appeared along Iresick Brook near Hilliard and Mimi roads. Photos of the illegal dumping were posted on Facebook by Nina Jochnowitz, and once the Department of Public Works was alerted, they removed the 500 pounds of uncooked noodles in 15 wheelbarrows' worth of pasta. Old Bridge police are now investigating the case, according to township officials. The dumped pasta was found in a quiet residential area, and town officials estimate that the pasta had been there only a short time before DPW arrived to clean it up. While the NJ Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson confirmed that the agency was not involved in the matter, NBC 4 New York claims that the case is resolved because the pasta came from a nearby home that was for sale. According to neighbors, the son of the homeowner is a military veteran and dumped the pasta that he discovered while cleaning out the home after the mother’s death.

President Biden is expected to nominate Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chief of the Air Force, as the next Joint Chiefs chair, according to two US officials. If approved, he will succeed Gen. Mark Milley, whose term comes to an end in September. Brown would become the first Black person to hold the position since Colin Powell served under President Bush and Clinton. The appointment would come with the possibility that both the top two positions in the Pentagon would be held by African American males for the first time in US history, with the current defense secretary Lloyd J. Austin III being African American as well. Brown has the right experience for the job with his command experience in both the Pacific and the Middle East, making him the preferred candidate for the current administration. However, President Biden has yet to make the official announcement, and it is unclear when he will. Brown's responsibility will be to keep the military focused on the US's top priority, including issues such as China's military expansionism.

New York City is in an uproar following the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man killed on a subway train by a passenger who held him in a chokehold for several minutes. While some politicians and New Yorkers are debating whether the passenger should face legal consequences, others are pointing out that the city needs to make significant investments in solutions for its growing mental illness and homelessness crisis. Jordan Neely was just one of thousands of New Yorkers who live on the streets, in shelters, and in subway stations, and the city as a whole needs to take responsibility for this crisis. The identity of the passenger who killed Neely has been revealed as Pete Penny, a former Marine with a history of military service and a passion for helping people. No charges have been filed against Penny as of yet and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, this incident has reignited the conversation about how to handle mental illness and homelessness in New York City.

By Jane Smithers

May 06, 2023

The town of Davis, California has been shaken by a series of violent crimes, including two fatal stabbings, in the past week. Many residents have been left reeling, struggling to come to terms with what has happened in their community.

The first stabbing, which took the life of local celebrity David Breaux, left the town mourning and on edge. A few days later, a UC Davis student was fatally stabbed while walking her dog. The town was suddenly transformed, with residents staying indoors and avoiding one another on the streets.

The incidents have prompted reflection among Davis residents, who have long seen their town as a safe, peaceful place. "We never thought it could happen here," said one resident. "It's hard to believe that something so terrible could happen in our town."

While the alleged perpetrator has been apprehended, the town is still struggling to come to grips with what has happened. As Chancellor Gary S. May wrote in a letter to the community, "Our task in the weeks ahead will be to process our pain and transform it into something positive that honors the memories of David and Karim."

Philadelphia sports fans were elated to see the return of Joel Embiid for the Sixers and Bryce Harper for the Phillies. Sadly, neither of their returns lived up to expectations as both had to play without scoring. Embiid struggled to put together a complete game, and his team suffered a significant setback. In contrast, Harper's return saw the Phillies take on a reality check by the Dodgers, leaving a bittersweet taste in the fans' mouths.

The Sixers had hoped for Embiid's return to dominant form as losing him could cause their complete downfall against the Celtics, but unfortunately, he looked fatigued. And even with the return of their heart and soul, they lost convincingly to the Celtics in their second match. The feeling of victory in Game 1 faded rapidly after Embiid's insufficient performance.

On the other hand, the Phillies welcomed Harper's return, but many questions remain whether his addition will move them up the ranks in the NL East. As the Phillies face the Dodgers in their next three matches, many people ponder over where Harper should hit. But for now, Philadelphia fans can only hope that their city's athletic stars will recover their forms, leading them to victories.

Philadelphia 76ers’ forward P.J. Tucker achieved a unique record in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Tucker played for nearly 37 minutes but, surprisingly, didn't score any points or shoot a free throw. This performance is, in fact, the most minutes played by a player in an NBA playoff match without shooting a field goal or free throw. The previous record was held by Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs back in 2006. The 76ers, however, won the game against the Boston Celtics with a score of 117-98. Despite not scoring, Tucker played an important supporting role in the game, with the 76ers being victorious with a comfortable margin. This is not, however, an unusual occurrence for Tucker, who has put up 0’s in over a quarter of all games the 76ers have played this season. Although he is a starting player, the 76ers are 17-6 in games where Tucker does not score. This remarkable feat in Game 1 of the playoffs, therefore, is not entirely unexpected.

Boston Celtics' star Jayson Tatum finished fourth in the NBA MVP race, but it doesn't mean he has lost hope in winning the title in the future. The 26-year-old guard has been in the league for six years and has already broken many records including becoming the first Celtics player ever to average 30-plus points a game. Tatum's scoring averages have gone up each year he has been in the NBA. Though Tatum commented that he had at least 15 years left in him, he shortly backtracked and said he had at least 10 years left for sure. Tatum, who made the All-NBA first team last year, might earn this honor again as he continues to produce stellar performances. Although Tatum no longer seems to be in the running for the MVP title this year, his focus is on the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

Furthermore, Tatum drew inspiration from his fatherhood journey alongside his son Deuce Tatum, who is now five years old. Despite Tatum's initial struggle to balance his responsibilities as a father and a rookie in the NBA, he now enjoys a unique chemistry with his son on and off the court.

The Boston Celtics are set to visit the Philadelphia 76ers in a crucial Game 3, with the series tied at 1-1 after both teams won their respective home games. The Celtics appear to be getting a boost with the availability of All-Star forward, Jaylen Brown, for the matchup. Brown has been instrumental in the post-season, averaging 26.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting an impressive 55.7% from the field in the first eight games. He also played a vital role in the massive 121-87 victory in Game 2 over the 76ers, scoring 25 points and contributing defensively to limit James Harden to just 12 points on 2 of 14 shooting. With Brown back in the lineup, the second seed in the East will rely on him to lead the charge against the 76ers. However, winning in Philly has been a big ask for the Celtics historically, with a meager 14-68 record in all games played in the City of Brotherly Love since 2000. Celtics coach Nick Nurse will be hoping that Brown's exceptional form will help them buck the trend and regain the advantage in the series. Will Jaylen Brown's return end the Boston Celtics' struggles in Philadelphia?

The Sixers returned to Philly with the series against the Celtics tied at 1-1, but it doesn't feel like all is well with the team. Despite the return of Joel Embiid in game 2, the team lost by 34 points to the Celtics, and the ramp-up time to get back into the groove for Embiid and his teammates wasn't sufficient. However, fans shouldn't abandon the Sixers just yet, since everyone knew this wasn't going to be an easy series. If the Sixers want to transition to a series lead in Game 3, they'll need to regain their earlier rhythm through a combination of factors, including a better shooting game, and improvement of Embiid's condition. The Sixers have the support of their fans, and they are sure to bring pressure on the Celtics during the third game of the series at home court. Fans are eagerly preparing for the Friday game to return to their rhythm and help their team win against the Celtics, but will the Sixers deliver the goods?

According to recent reports, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers did not have any issue with James Harden's trip to Las Vegas in the middle of the playoffs. Rivers even mentioned that he had told Harden to "do whatever they want" since they had three days off. The backlash that Harden received for his trip was due to the fact that it occurred during the team's first-round playoff series against the Nets. Despite the public's criticism, Harden maintained his calm and put up an impressive performance during Game 1 of the team's series against the Boston Celtics. He scored 45 points and helped lead the 76ers to a victory. Rivers, who previously said he would have "overreacted" to such an incident when he was a younger coach, seems to have a new attitude as he gets older and more experienced in coaching adults. With the 76ers tied 1-1 heading home for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, it remains to be seen if Harden's trip will have any further impact on his performance and the team's success in the playoffs.

Marcus Smart has been named the 2022-23 NBA Hustle Award winner, the second consecutive season he has done so and the third time in the last five years. The award is given to the player who makes impactful effort plays that may not appear in traditional statistics. Among the NBA's leaders in drawing charges, deflections, and recovered loose balls, Smart is the only player to win the award multiple times. He had a crucial role during the Celtics' impressive 57-25 regular season, their best since 2008-09, leading them with his physical commitment and intense defense. Despite struggling somewhat with defense this season, his toughness and hustle cannot be ignored, as he averaged 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 50% from the field.

Smart has taken his game to another level in the playoffs, helping the Celtics tie the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers at 1-1 with a 15-point, five-rebound, and one-block performance in a 121-87 Game 2 win. His relentless energy, hustle, and willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls have become a hallmark of his gameplay, causing a stir among Celtics fans and earning him yet another achievement in his decorated career.

As the NBA playoffs continue, two second-round matchups tip off tonight with critical Game 3s. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are tied 1-1, with Boston now heading to Philadelphia as 2.5-point road favorites. According to betting trends, Jaylen Brown, who has been playing incredibly well from outside the arc, is expected to make over 2.5 three-pointers tonight. The Celtics, who have the best offense in the playoffs so far, are also expected to score over 108.5 points tonight in Philadelphia. In the other matchup of the night, the Denver Nuggets are aiming for their third-straight win over the Phoenix Suns, but are still underdogs tonight. Nikola Jokic, who has been the key to the Nuggets' success so far, is considered a top cash game pick. Devin Booker, who will be the primary ball-handler for the Suns with Chris Paul out, is also expected to perform well tonight.

After the Celtics tied up their second-round series against the Sixers with a dominating 128-103 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night, head coach Joe Mazzulla made an apparently sarcastic comment during his press conference by asking the media if anyone wanted to ask about the adjustments they made from Game 1 to Game 2. This was an “idiotic” move and not a “mic drop moment” as Mazzulla suggested, according to a recent WEEI podcast. Analysts criticized him, saying that he’s adding to the emotional rollercoaster of the team and showing immaturity. On Thursday, Mazzulla made a comment on a hot mic that went viral, where he said he was the worst coach ever. However, he cleared up the comment before Game 3, saying he forgot to recognize Celtics guard Marcus Smart for winning the NBA Hustle Award during a press conference the day before. This award is based on a player's advanced hustle statistics, and Smart won it for the second consecutive year and the third time overall.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum joined an elite group of active players in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, tying Paul George for having 6 career postseason games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, according to NBA.com. George has endorsed Tatum for the MVP race with admiration for his game, and referring to Tatum as “incredible.” At only 25, Tatum has already become one of the best players in the NBA, and he still has room to grow. As the playoffs continue, Tatum is poised to climb even further up the impressive playoff list. In Game 1 against the 76ers, the Celtics collapsed over the final few minutes, losing to the Sixers 102-104, and Tatum found himself the victim of a non-basketball act by Philadelphia’s PJ Tucker. A wild swing by Tucker caught Tatum below the belt, but to the Celtics’ dismay, the officiating crew failed to call a foul. Nevertheless, the Celtics will look to bounce back and Tatum will continue to prove his worth as one of the most elite players in the association.

James Harden, NBA star and player for the Philadelphia 76ers, has invited shooting survivor John Hao to attend Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Hao was one of the victims of the mass shooting incident at Michigan State University in February of this year. Previously paralyzed from the waist down, Hao has made a remarkable recovery and can now attend the game to watch his favorite player in action. Harden had promised Hao that he would invite him to a game as soon as he was able to attend. The star player had previously sent Hao a pair of game-worn shoes, among other memorabilia, and offered words of encouragement via Facetime. With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 proves crucial for the 76ers who seek a win against the Celtics.