Immigration has become a contentious issue in the United States, with the expiration of Title 42, and the arrival of potentially tens of thousands of immigrants per day at the southern border. The disorderly situation at the border underscores the dysfunction of the US immigration politics, which is failing not just in policymaking but also in immigrant rights activists’ effort to establish a consensus around newcomers' positive place in America. The issue of immigration is being portrayed as a struggle between security and charity, triggered every time a “caravan” approaches. A March polling from Ipsos indicates that immigration is now polarized across the country and that attitudes toward immigration are now a litmus test for both parties. Opposition to immigration is the sine qua non of Trumpism, and while openness to immigration is a prerequisite for Democratic politics, the issue’s intractability and capacity to mobilize conservatives have caused many center-left leaders to avoid it altogether. Immigration has always been a sensitive subject in America, and coming to a resolution that is both humane and practical remains an ongoing challenge for policymakers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, asking for his support on Ukraine's peace plan and requesting help in getting deported children returned from Russia to Ukraine. The Vatican's statement after the meeting only mentioned the "humanitarian and political situation provoked by the ongoing war" and the pope's efforts towards peace. Meanwhile, Russia continues its war on Ukraine, with reports of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles supplied by the UK hitting unspecified civilian enterprises in Luhansk province and a missile strike on the regional capital that injured an elderly woman. In addition, two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and a fighter-bomber crashed in the Bryansk region, with growing concerns in the area about cross-border attacks from Ukraine. On the diplomatic front, Italy promised Ukraine full military and financial backing, while Germany announced its biggest military aid package yet of 2.7 billion euros and called for the EU to speed up the delivery of ammunition to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict in the Bakhmut area.

North Carolina's Republican legislative body recently passed a bill banning abortions after 12 weeks with a few exceptions for rape, incest or to preserve the life and health of the mother, but fortunately, the Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, vetoed the bill. His veto will set up a confrontation with the legislature, which will attempt to override his veto, giving them the power to implement their proposed ban. Pro-choice activists have condemned their actions and suggest that this type of bill will increase maternal deaths by limiting access to necessary medical care before emergency situations occur. The bill is also disruptive for doctors who would like to provide the best care possible. Patients may learn about severe genetic or health conditions in their fetus after the first trimester, making it necessary for them to have access to doctors in states where life-saving medical care is accessible. North Carolina is already a popular destination for women seeking abortions from the surrounding states due to its previous abortion laws. If enacted, this new law would make the state's proposed ban one of the most restrictive in the country.

Four Russian military aircraft including two fighter jets and two military helicopters have been shot down near the Ukrainian border, according to Russian news outlet Kommersant. The raiding party was reportedly on a missile and bomb delivery mission before being ambushed in the Bryansk region that borders northeast Ukraine. A video posted on the Russian Telegram channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel, with roughly 500,000 followers, showed a helicopter exploding in flames before hitting the ground. Other images posted by the channel showed the wreckage in an agricultural field. While Russia is yet to confirm the event, emergency service officials suggested an engine fire caused a helicopter to crash near Klintsy, which is 40km away from the border. The video posted to the channel Voyenniy Osvedomitel indicates that the missile was used to shot down one of the Mi-8 helicopters which was an electronic warfare craft capable of jamming enemy radio and targeting signals. All four crews have reportedly been killed.

Fighting has continued despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants in Gaza. The ceasefire was brokered by Egypt in response to five days of hostilities but was broken within minutes of coming into effect when exchanges of fire began. At least 33 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza alone, whilst Palestinian rocket fire into Israel has killed two people. A Palestinian source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations said Israel had agreed to stop "targeted assassinations," whilst Israel demanded a complete halt to rocket fire by PIJ at its civilians. Israeli officials confirmed PIJ rocket fire continued immediately after the ceasefire was due to take effect, prompting retaliation from the Israeli military. Egyptian officials have called on both sides to adhere to the agreement.

Damage to essential infrastructure has affected the entire Gaza strip, including hospitals, two primary health care clinics, and four UNRWA schools. Internally displaced persons due to damaged homes and fear for their safety now number 948 people. Up to 15:00 on 13 May, 177 families were identified as such, and out of the internally displaced persons, 43 were staying in an UNRWA school in Beit Lahiya. Availability of essential medical care in parts of the area has also been an issue, with both Israeli-controlled crossings, Erez (for people) and Kerem Shalom (for goods), closed for the duration of hostilities.

Turkish politicians have held their final rallies ahead of Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan facing a difficult challenge from joint opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Erdogan dismissed rumours that he would not cede power if defeated, calling the suggestion "very ridiculous". The opposition has criticised Erdogan's leadership, accusing him of cracking down on dissent in recent years. Kilicdaroglu has vowed to bring democracy to Turkey if he wins and calls Sunday's vote a chance to "change Turkey's destiny". Erdogan's strategy has focused on his government's achievements and infrastructure projects, claiming the opposition would roll these back. Erdogan accused opponents of working with US President Joe Biden to unseat him, claiming comments made by Biden in January 2020 were a directive to do so.

The possibility of invoking the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution to avert a debt default is causing legal uncertainty. President Biden said this week that he had discussed the use of the amendment with advisers, but warned that it would only apply for future attempts to solve the problem. If he chose to act unilaterally, the financial system would be at risk if this were tied up in the courts. Republicans could sue Biden, arguing that he ignored the debt limit and violated federal spending and taxation. Besides, the US Supreme Court has not ruled definitively on the clause stating that the sovereign debt of the US "shall not be questioned." Some scholars believe that this clause gives the President the power to instruct the Treasury to borrow money and ignore the debt limit but have warned of serious repercussions if this were to come to pass. If President Biden decides to use the 14th Amendment, Republicans could sue him, and the courts would have to determine whether his decision was constitutional.

Turkey is gearing up for a historic election on Sunday that may unseat President Tayyip Erdogan after 20 years in power. Erdogan and his government have come under sharp criticism for their increasingly authoritarian policies, including suppression of the media and arrests of political dissidents. However, the country's economic crisis and the sharp rise in its cost of living have also escalated concerns among Turkish citizens, who may take to the polls to voice their dissatisfaction with the current administration. Erdogan's main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who heads an opposition alliance of six parties, is slightly ahead in the polls, but a run-off election on May 28 is expected if neither candidate earns over 50% of the vote.

Turkey's economic recovery is crucial to the outcome of the election, as the nation is grappling with an inflation rate near 50% and a rise in poverty. While public debt remains relatively low, the quality of public services is rapidly declining, particularly in large metropolitan cities where real estate costs are high. Whatever the outcome of the election, Turkey's new leadership will have the opportunity to revive its economy and return the nation to its secular-democratic principles, or allow its slide towards increasing authoritarianism to continue.

Millions of Thais headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a general election. The opposition parties hope that frustration over the military's handling of the economy and its stranglehold on power will work to their advantage. This is the first election since last year's youth-led mass democracy protests and only the second since a coup in 2014 restored a conservative clique that has largely controlled the country's politics for decades. Some of the country’s 52 million eligible voters went to polling stations in Bangkok, despite the high heat, to cast their vote. The military-drafted constitution grants the upper house of representatives a significant say in who will eventually govern and form a government, leaving opposition parties with a tough battle ahead. However, young Thais seeking change have shown unprecedented momentum, willing to tackle taboo subjects and push for reform of the military's role and even the monarchy.

Egyptian diplomats in Gaza have announced that Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have come to a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire went into effect on Saturday at 10 p.m. local time. According to a CNN report, an Israeli official had earlier confirmed there were "good chances" for a ceasefire. Despite this announcement, prior to the deadline, the IDF launched more airstrikes on Gaza and Israel experienced at least seven siren warnings due to rockets being fired from Gaza. Reports say that some of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defenses. The mutual agreement followed a second death in Israel caused by rockets launched from Gaza since the hostilities began on Tuesday. Striking Islamic Jihad sites in Gaza became a defense mission for the IDF since the group is accused of planning attacks. Over 1,000 rockets have been launched at Israel so far during this "Shield and Arrow" campaign, which has killed at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas, the largest armed group in Gaza, was not involved in this activity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican on May 13, 2023. In their conversation, the pair reportedly discussed plans to end the war with Russia, as well as the need for humanitarian efforts to support the population. President Zelensky sought support from the head of the Catholic Church for his 10-point peace plan, which would establish a tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes and create a European-Atlantic security structure with guarantees for Ukraine, among other measures.

After the meeting, Zelensky thanked Francis on Twitter for his attention to the "tragedy of millions of Ukrainians." The Vatican has previously stated its willingness to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. The Pope has often emphasized the need for peace in the region, even stating in February 2023 that he has been praying for peace and working on a peace plan.

However, the relationship between Ukraine and the Vatican has had its bumps. The Pope's comments in 2014 suggesting that Moscow's invasion of Ukraine was "perhaps somehow provoked" drew criticism from some Ukrainians. Additionally, last August, Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican criticized the Pope after he referred to the daughter of a Russian ultra-nationalist figure who was killed in a car bomb as an "innocent" victim of war.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not make the most of his opportunity to charm Iowa conservatives at a picnic fundraiser in Sioux Center. According to the Associated Press, he "made little effort to connect with voters one-on-one" at the event, which is typically an early stop for presidential candidates trying to build a base among Iowan voters for the all-important primary. This comes amid reports that DeSantis is struggling to gain momentum in the 2024 Republican presidential race, with The New York Times recently citing his inability to capture the same support from donors and allies in politics as former President Donald Trump. DeSantis has yet to formally enter the race, but is expected to do so soon. In the meantime, he has been making moves in his home state, declaring Florida a "citadel of freedom" and promoting his administration's efforts to ban diversity programs and restrict preferred pronoun usage in schools. With Trump planning his own rally in Des Moines, Iowa later today, DeSantis may be in danger of falling further behind in the race for the Republican nomination.

Loreen, the famous Swedish singer, has released a new version of her 2023 Eurovision entry, "Tattoo." The electro-acoustic version was recorded at Paalsund Studio in Stockholm, and it presents a new sound and spin on Loreen's vocals, complete with deep synths. With bookies already favoring Tattoo to win the competition, it's gained over 48 million streams on Spotify alone. Loreen has already won the competition in 2012 with her song "Euphoria," and if she wins again this year, she'll be the first woman to do so and the second contestant in history. In an interview with the Gay Times, Loreen pointed out the importance of the LGBTQ community's acceptance of her in her first winning song "Euphoria," and expressed her feelings about creative freedom at the competition. "Don't live to dance, dance to live!"

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The Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken were expected to have a heated rivalry, given their close proximity and border-sharing status. However, the rivalry has not quite materialized as the Canucks need to get into the playoffs and build a rivalry based on repeated fierce competition. It turns out that many Canucks fans are instead lending support to the Kraken in the playoffs. An informal Twitter poll of Canucks fans shows that 44% are rooting for the Kraken in their playoff games, perhaps because there's a long-standing relationship between Vancouver and Seattle fans. Many Vancouver sports fans cheer for Seattle teams in sports where Vancouver has no teams. Additionally, many hockey fans in Seattle supported the Canucks before the debut of the Kraken. With Vancouver being out of playoff action, their fans have some extra time on their hands and are rooting for the underdog Kraken to see how far they can go in the playoffs.

On May 12, 2023, the Dallas Stars beat the Seattle Kraken in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Stars managed to pull out the win despite a lackluster performance in the game. The team's play-by-play and TV analyst, Brien Rea, joined Good Day to weigh in on the victory.

The win is a crucial one for the Stars, as it puts them one step closer to securing a spot in the playoffs. Although they didn't play their best game, the team managed to come together and pull off the win. The victory was a testament to the Stars' resilience and determination.

Fans of the Dallas Stars can breathe a sigh of relief now that the team has secured a crucial win over the Seattle Kraken. With the playoffs looming, the Stars will need to continue to play with the same level of intensity if they hope to make a deep run this year. The road ahead won't be easy, but with the right attitude and focus, the Stars can go far.

Looking for a perfect spot to celebrate Mother's Day with your family? Check out these spacious restaurants in McKinley Hill that offer more than just good food! Toni & Sergio, an Italian restaurant by the Grand Canal, serves classic Italian dishes that are perfect for a big group. Mama Lou's cozy and homey ambiance and well-prepared dishes will surely make every visit memorable. Meanwhile, Ponte Rialto is a great option for communal dining while enjoying the view of the Grand Canal and savoring Italian cuisine. Japanese food lovers will enjoy Botejyu's impeccable choices.

Celebrate at The Star Gold Coast with a full seafood spread, sparkling on arrival, and other gourmet options. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa offers a lush Mother's Day spread at Citrique Restaurant's award-winning seafood buffet and live music will keep the vibe high. In Chicago, Carlucci is offering a special Mother's Day brunch and dinner, featuring delicious dishes such as grilled lamb chops and gnocchi with sundried tomato sauce and fontina cheese, and every mom will receive a complimentary bottle of prosecco to take home. Take your pick and make Mother's Day a day to remember!

The NHL playoffs have shown a new side of Kraken's Philipp Grubauer, who has been playing a significant role in the team's recent success. Grubauer has been the only goaltender for Seattle with a strong .918 save percentage, making crucial saves during the postseason games. Coach Dave Hakstol was impressed with Grubauer's quick reaction during Game 3 against the Dallas Stars, swatting a potential goal out of the air with his goalie stick. The game ended with a massive 5-2 victory for the Kraken, giving them a 2-1 series lead.

On the other hand, Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, who had a sparkling .933 save percentage and two shutouts in 18 career playoff appearances, has been unexpectedly struggling in the second round. Despite his outstanding regular-season performance, he has given up three-plus goals in a matter of minutes in both Games 1 and 3 against Seattle. During Game 3, he was taken out before the third period after allowing five goals on eight shots. With Grubauer's strong performances, he is currently outdueling Oettinger, whose playoff statistics of 2.37 goals-against average and .919 save percentage were very commendable during the regular season.

Blanca Paloma will represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest with her flamenco-based ballad, Eaea, which she composed as a tribute to her grandmother. The 33-year-old singer won the Spanish selection process at Benidorm Fest 2023 and is hoping to end Spain's 54-year drought in the Eurovision Song Contest. The last time Spain picked a flamenco-based song for the competition, it was awarded 'nul' points in 1984. However, bookmakers and Eurovision experts are predicting a top-ten finish for Paloma, who has stunned the audience with her fierce vocals and commanding stage presence. She will perform Eaea backed by four dancers during the first half of the contest in Liverpool. Paloma is from El Altet, just outside Alicante-Elche airport, and moved to Madrid in 2013 to pursue a theatrical career. Folklore is universal and there is something in the essence of it that is understandable to everyone, Paloma said, and she hopes her ballad will resonate with audiences throughout Europe.

Are you looking for a new brunch spot on Long Island? Several new restaurants have recently opened their doors with brunch options. If you're in the mood for a fancy brunch, visit Stellina in Oyster Bay, where you can enjoy breakfast pizza, baked eggs, perfect pastas, and more. For a more casual, all-day option, check out Oceanside Brunch Club in Oceanside, which offers sandwiches, burritos, salads, and even buckets of fried chicken. And if you're traveling to the Bay Area, be sure to try out their unique brunch options, which include Eritrean stews, squidgy rice rolls, and beet hummus. With so many new brunch options to try, you'll have a hard time choosing just one!

Grandpa's grill is the heart of family dinner, and these are his favorite summer dishes to cook up. From Beer Can Chicken to Grilled Okra-and-Pepper Skewers, these dishes make for a memorable summer evening spent with loved ones. Grandpa's secret to keeping chicken moist is in the brine, and his homemade barbecue sauce can make any grilled chicken leg a crowd-pleaser. But it's not just meat that's good on the grill -- Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob and Grilled Onions are great seasonal vegetables that are absolutely perfect on the grill. And for those who are willing to skewer a few items, Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables elevate the humble kebab to a crowd-pleaser. So, while you may not have Grandpa's magic touch, his recipes are a great start to building the perfect summer grill menu.

Austrian duo Teya & Salena are set to perform their catchy tune 'Who The Hell Is Edgar?' at the Eurovision finals on Saturday. Both artists aim to win Eurovision after participating in Austria's selection processes in previous years. The song, although inspired by American gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe, actually has a deeper meaning behind the lyrics that draw attention to the experiences of women in the music industry and the lack of credit for their hard work and expertise. The duo met on a talent show, Starmania in Austria, in 2019. They participated in a songwriting camp where they wrote a Eurovision song for Salena as a solo artist. With an hour left, they wrote 'Who The Hell Is Edgar?' and it turned out to be the best song of the day. Teya & Salena's catchy tune is set to captivate the Eurovision audience this year.

The Seattle Sounders have a chance to make MLS history when they face Sporting Kansas City on Sunday. The team has yet to concede a goal at home this season, a string of five consecutive shutouts, and could tie the Columbus Crew’s record of six home matches without conceding a goal. However, with several key players missing, including defender Nouhou and winger Cristian Roldan, the Sounders' defense is more vulnerable than usual. Sporting Kansas City has yet to win a game this season, but the Sounders cannot afford to underestimate them. Midfielder Albert Rusnak warned against complacency: "It's dangerous...sometimes when you play freely, you can be very good. I'm expecting a very tough game." To cover the gaps, the Sounders are likely to call up Cody Baker or Reed Baker-Whiting to the defensive line, and midfielder Obed Vargas will partner with Rusnak. Despite the challenges, the Sounders will be determined to put on another strong defensive performance to secure a new record and further strengthen their position at the top of the Western Conference.

Club America had a comfortable victory against Atletico de San Luis in the first leg of the quarterfinals with a score of 3-1. History shows that once the Azulcremas have taken a 3-1 first leg lead, they have managed to advance to the next stage on seven out of eight occasions. However, things took a bad turn on the second leg of the quarterfinals when Atletico de San Luis defeated America by two goals, leading many to wonder whether the team will be able to keep up in the remaining games.

Following America's loss, coach Fernando Ortiz called out Miguel Layun for his poor performance. Although Layun renewed his contract for another season with Club America, it is doubtful whether he will continue to play for the team due to his vulnerable actions in recent games. America will now have to assess their options and look for a new player to fill this weak spot in their defensive line.

In the Liga MX quarterfinals, America will be facing Atletico de San Luis. Meanwhile, Tigres will play against Toluca, in the hope to make it to the semi-finals. With the most significant upsets that occurred during the wildcard weekend, it remains to be seen which teams will make it to the final.

Millions of Americans receiving Social Security payments could face financial hardship if the U.S. default occurs, warn Social Security advocates. The negotiations surrounding whether the U.S. government’s ability to borrow money should be expanded are stuck in a stalemate, placing millions of vulnerable Americans at risk. In the event of a default, the ongoing payments for Social Security benefits could be interrupted. 40% of Social Security recipients rely on the payment as their primary income source, leaving them with no financial cushion to soften the financial blow. Experts suggest that this group of Americans should consider putting off discretionary purchases to remain financially prepared. However, for many, this may not be an option. Though not all analysts agree that every beneficiary would be affected equally, most suggest that the worst-case scenario and the possibility of a staggered payment is an unpredictable risk. The impasse between the White House and House Republicans prolongs with no outcome set in stone. Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, has warned that if Congress fails to raise the debt limit of $31.381 trillion, the United States’ economic situation could worsen. Social Security recipients and others may not receive payments if the government defaults.

Egyptian diplomats in Gaza have announced that Israel and Islamic Jihad have reached a ceasefire agreement set to take effect at 10pm local time on May 13th. The agreement comes at the end of a fifth day of intense fighting, which has seen over 1,200 projectiles aimed at Israel and left at least 33 Palestinians dead in Gaza. The fighting has resulted in further casualties and damage to property across the region. In what appears to be a last-minute effort to make its point, Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into Israeli areas minutes before the ceasefire was due to come into effect, prompting Israeli airstrikes. The announcement follows confirmation that a Gazan laborer died of wounds sustained in a rocket attack on the Negev desert in southern Israel; another Palestinian laborer was seriously injured. It also follows days of unfounded rumors that a ceasefire had been arranged, which both Israel and Gaza-based terror groups have sought to deny.