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Democratic Congressman Launches First Impeachment Effort Against Trump in Second Term President Donald Trump is facing his first impeachment challenge of his second term as Michigan Representative Shri Thanedar introduced seven articles of impeachment on Monday. Despite the bold move, the effort is expected to struggle in a Congress firmly under Republican control. The articles accuse Trump of a wide range of misconduct, including obstruction of justice, abuse of executive authority, overstepping appropriations power, misuse of trade powers, acts of international aggression, violations of the First Amendment, the creation of an unauthorized government office, as well as allegations of bribery, corruption, and tyrannical overreach. The resolution highlights several specific actions by the president, such as the controversial rollout of tariffs, the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency, and sweeping mass deportations, as examples of conduct that allegedly breaches his constitutional obligations. In a statement, Thanedar emphasized the urgency of congressional action, declaring, "Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he is unfit to serve as President and represents a clear and present danger to our nation’s constitution and our democracy." He continued, "His unlawful actions have subverted the justice system, violated the separation of powers, and placed personal power and self-interest above public service. We cannot wait for more damage to be done. Congress must act." While Thanedar's articles set a historic marker as the first formal impeachment attempt of Trump’s second term, the political reality remains that, with Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, the resolution is highly unlikely to advance. Nevertheless, it signals a growing frustration among some Democratic lawmakers and activists who believe more aggressive steps are necessary to challenge the president's actions and policies. The impeachment resolution stands as a symbolic rebuke of Trump’s leadership style and governing decisions, even if it faces long odds of success within the current political landscape. Adpated by ASEAN Now from Daily Beast 2025-04-30

US Navy Loses $60 Million Fighter Jet After Incident Aboard Aircraft Carrier A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost at sea after falling overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, according to a Navy statement issued Monday. The incident occurred while the jet was being towed inside the hangar bay. A US official reported that the USS Truman had made a sudden and sharp turn in an attempt to evade incoming fire from Houthi forces, which contributed to the loss of the aircraft. On the same day, the Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for launching a drone and missile assault targeting the carrier. The USS Truman is currently operating in the Red Sea as part of a major US military campaign against Houthi threats. Despite the dramatic loss, the Navy confirmed that all personnel were safe, though one sailor did sustain a minor injury during the incident. "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," the Navy stated. They added, "Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway." Another US official revealed to CNN that the Super Hornet had sunk after falling into the sea. The financial impact is significant, with each F/A-18 fighter jet carrying a price tag exceeding $60 million, according to Navy figures. At the time of the incident, the Truman Carrier Strike Group was deployed in the Middle East and actively operating in the Red Sea. In its statement, the Navy reassured that despite the loss, "the strike group and its air wing remain fully mission capable." The USS Harry S. Truman has been a frequent target for the Iran-backed Houthis operating out of Yemen. The carrier previously made news in February after colliding with a merchant vessel near Egypt, although that incident fortunately resulted in no injuries. Additionally, in a separate mishap last December, another F/A-18 from the Truman was "mistakenly fired" upon and brought down by the USS Gettysburg while operating in the Red Sea. Both pilots involved in that December incident managed to eject safely. Adpated by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-04-30

Keir Starmer Braces for Local Election Setbacks as Reform Gains Ground Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Labour is heading into a “tough” series of local elections this Thursday, with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party posing a significant threat in Labour’s traditional northern strongholds. Polls suggest that Reform could overturn Labour’s 14,700 majority in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election, a contest triggered by the resignation of former MP Mike Amesbury following his conviction for assaulting a constituent. Labour is also battling to hold off potential defeats to Reform in two key mayoral elections: the newly established Hull & East Yorkshire mayoralty and in Doncaster, where Labour’s mayor secured a 10,000-vote majority just four years ago. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are bracing for heavy losses of the 940 council seats they won in 2021, at the peak of Boris Johnson’s popularity. The Liberal Democrats are optimistic about their chances in the south of England, aiming to seize dozens of seats from the Conservatives and possibly control more councils than Kemi Badenoch’s party by the end of the night. The Conservatives are additionally worried about losing the Lincolnshire mayoral race to Reform, a development that underscores the wider threat facing both major parties. A senior Conservative strategist highlighted the deep frustration among the electorate, stating that the prevailing mood among voters was now “anyone but the Tories and Labour,” a stark contrast to the general election, when Labour achieved a landslide victory at the Conservatives' expense. Acknowledging the difficult road ahead, Starmer said on Monday, “It’s going to be tough. Most governments after a general election face a tough set of local elections at the first opportunity afterwards, and of course we’ve had to take tough but right decisions.” He nevertheless insisted Labour had “a positive story to tell,” pointing to “record investment put into the NHS” and the increase in the minimum wage. Starmer also went on the attack against Reform, accusing them of wanting to charge patients to use the NHS, voting against workers’ rights, and having a “pro-Putin foreign policy.” He added, “We’ve got a positive case to tell. It’ll be tight, I know that, every vote will count and we are fighting for every vote.” Kemi Badenoch admitted the elections were also a major challenge for the Conservatives, especially amid criticisms over the party’s faltering campaign and lingering leadership speculation. There has been frustration within Conservative ranks, particularly as both Baroness Maclean of Redditch, the party’s head of strategy, and Lee Rowley, Badenoch’s chief of staff, were on holiday as polling day approached. Maclean returned from the Himalayas only this week. Justin Tomlinson, a former minister and MP for North Swindon, was appointed as campaign director for the local elections but faced criticism from activists for reportedly working only three days a week. Defending his role, Tomlinson said he had been brought in as an “experienced campaigner” to provide “support and training” and to “share best practice.” He insisted, “That is exactly what I do.” Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Badenoch urged voters to focus on local rather than national issues. “This is not a referendum on national issues, but local ones,” she said. “I’ve been travelling all around the country, and one of the councillors I was with, we were on a doorstep, and he showed a leaflet of Reform saying ‘we’re going to stop the boats’. That’s not what people are voting on on Thursday. We have said that we are going to tackle immigration, but this week’s elections are about who’s going to fix the roads, pick up the bins.” Professor Sir John Curtice, a leading polling expert, said the elections would become a five-way battle, noting that Reform had fielded 1,640 candidates — more than any other party. Speaking on BBC’s Today programme, he said, “Reform are now at 25 per cent in the national opinion polls as opposed to the 15 per cent they got at the last election. So if they can emulate that kind of performance then it may well be that not only do Reform pick up votes but in contrast to the general election start to pick up [significant numbers] of seats.” Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-04-30

Young Doctors Slam Supreme Court's Definition of Woman as "Biologically Nonsensical" The British Medical Association’s resident doctors have strongly criticised a recent Supreme Court ruling that defines a woman strictly by biological sex, labelling the decision “scientifically illiterate” and “biologically nonsensical.” During a conference held on Saturday, the union’s resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, voted to condemn the judgment, arguing that the binary view of sex and gender “has no basis in science or medicine while being actively harmful to transgender and gender-diverse people.” Representing around 50,000 young doctors, this branch of the British Medical Association (BMA) declared it “condemns scientifically illiterate rulings from the Supreme Court, made without consulting relevant experts and stakeholders, that will cause real-world harm to the trans, non-binary and intersex communities in this country.” The stance is expected to generate concern that some in the medical profession may resist implementing new NHS guidelines concerning transgender patients, which are being drafted following the Supreme Court decision. Last summer, the BMA similarly opposed the Cass Review into transgender healthcare for children and advocated lifting the ban on puberty blockers for minors. In response to the doctors' latest motion, the campaign group Sex Matters criticised the resident doctors, calling them an “embarrassment to their profession” and warning it is “terrifying” that individuals with years of medical training could claim there is “no basis” for biological sex. The motion, obtained by The Times, was passed during the BMA’s annual resident doctors' conference and reflects the position of the BMA’s junior division. However, it will not become official BMA-wide policy unless approved at the Annual Representative Meeting in June. Resident doctors recently rebranded from their previous title as junior doctors, and their committee is currently co-chaired by Dr Ross Nieuwoudt and Dr Melissa Ryan. The Supreme Court had ruled unanimously two weeks ago that the definition of “woman” under equalities law is based on biological sex. This means transgender women will no longer be housed in women-only NHS wards, nor will NHS staff born male be allowed to use women’s changing rooms or toilets. The decision clarified previous high-profile disputes, such as the Darlington nurses' case and the controversy surrounding Dr Beth Upton, involving transgender NHS staff accessing female-only spaces. Reacting to the decision, the BMA’s resident doctors stated: “This meeting condemns the Supreme Court ruling defining the term ‘woman’ with respect to the Equality Act as being based on ‘biological sex’, which they refer to as a person who was at birth of the female sex, as reductive, trans and intersex-exclusionary and biologically nonsensical. We recognise as doctors that sex and gender are complex and multifaceted aspects of the human condition and attempting to impose a rigid binary has no basis in science or medicine while being actively harmful to transgender and gender diverse people.” The motion also affirmed the BMA’s commitment to “affirming the rights of transgender and non-binary individuals to live their lives with dignity, having their identity respected.” The BMA has faced internal strife over transgender policies before. Last year’s decision to reject the Cass Review led to hundreds of doctors resigning, alleging the union had been taken over by an ideologically driven “vocal minority.” Helen Joyce, advocacy director at Sex Matters, said: “It’s terrifying that a group of young doctors, all of whom have been through several years of advanced education and training in biology, have been indoctrinated by trans activism to such an extent that they claim categorisation by sex — male and female — is ‘reductive’ and has ‘no basis in science or medicine’. These junior doctors are an embarrassment to their profession. What next: young geographers claiming that the Earth is flat, or junior vets who think it’s bigoted to suggest that cats can’t identify as dogs?” Joyce pointed to practical consequences, such as the case involving nurse Sandie Peggie and Dr Beth Upton, where a male colleague accessed female facilities, to highlight what she termed the dangers of such beliefs. She added, “These junior doctors wildly misunderstand the role of the Supreme Court, which interprets the law rather than creating it or reflecting public opinion. They also seem to have missed the fact that no trans rights group such as Stonewall applied to intervene.” On Monday, Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch addressed concerns over facilities for transgender individuals following the ruling. She suggested that transgender people could use disabled toilets, remarking: “Almost all businesses I see have disabled loos. They are unisex, different from gender neutral. Trans people can use those. But if you are providing a single-sex space, it has to be a single-sex space.” A BMA spokesperson said: “Attendees at the BMA’s resident doctor conference voted to show their opposition to the Supreme Court ruling on Saturday. However, BMA-wide policy is set at the Annual Representative Meeting (ARM), with the next meeting coming in June. The BMA respects trans patients’ dignity, autonomy, and human rights and continues to believe that trans doctors, NHS workers and patients deserve dignity, safety and equitable access to healthcare and healthcare facilities.” Related Topics: Starmer U-turns on Gender Identity Following Supreme Court Ruling UK Supreme Court Rules ‘Woman’ Means Biological Female, in Landmark Decision Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Protests Wave of Threats and Backlash Amid Gender Rights Debate Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-04-30

Democrats Demand Transparency Over White House Financial Transactions Amid Tariff Pause Concerns A growing number of Democrats are urging the White House to release information regarding financial transactions conducted by Trump administration officials ahead of President Trump's unexpected announcement of a 90-day suspension on reciprocal tariffs. In a pointed letter addressed to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Democratic leaders Sen. Adam Schiff of California and Rep. Mike Levin, also of California, expressed serious concerns about possible violations of federal ethics and insider trading laws. “Newly identified data raises concerns about potential violations of federal ethics and insider trading laws by those close to Trump with access to information not available to the public,” they wrote. “We are deeply concerned about reporting of call volume spikes minutes before the President’s public announcement of his change in tariff policies.” The lawmakers are demanding that the White House fully disclose the periodic transaction reports from all executive branch and White House employees dating back to the beginning of the administration. They argue that the lack of transparency could suggest that some officials might have exploited nonpublic information regarding the 90-day tariff freeze for financial gain. President Trump has rejected the notion that his administration might have leaked sensitive information to Wall Street figures, despite earlier reports suggesting that officials had provided an early warning about progress on a trade deal with India. According to federal ethics rules, senior government officials, including the president, must submit periodic transaction reports in addition to their annual financial disclosures to ensure the public is aware of their financial activities. Federal law mandates that these transaction reports must be filed within 30 days of officials receiving notification of a transaction, or no later than 45 days after the transaction takes place. Once completed, agencies are required to send the reports to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). In their letter, Democrats voiced concern over the absence of any such periodic transaction reports from White House officials on the OGE database since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. “There is reason to doubt that not a single senior White House official or employee has made any financial transactions triggering a periodic transaction report since the start of the Administration,” they wrote. Highlighting the enormous influence senior White House staff have over policy decisions capable of swaying financial markets, the Democrats emphasized the need for strict adherence to ethics standards regarding conflicts of interest and disclosure obligations. “Therefore, we ask that you and appropriate White House officials urgently certify any periodic transaction reports filed by White House employees and expeditiously transmit those to OGE,” the lawmakers demanded. The letter further requests that the White House submit a detailed plan by May 9 outlining how it intends to manage potential conflicts among its employees. The Democrats warned that failing to act would mean withholding crucial information from the public. “By failing to take these steps, the Administration would be withholding critical information from the American people regarding potential violations of federal ethics and insider trading laws,” they concluded. In addition to Schiff and Levin, the letter was endorsed by 23 other Democratic members of Congress. Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Hill 2025-04-30

Meghan Markle Faces Criticism for Continuing Use of HRH Title Despite Previous Agreement Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has come under scrutiny once again after it was revealed she is still using her HRH title, despite a previous agreement with the royal family not to do so following her and Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties. The breach became public during a podcast interview posted on YouTube, where Meghan was interviewed by her friend Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics. During the conversation, an image appeared showing a gift basket of ice cream and homemade strawberry sauce Meghan had sent to Kern Lima. Alongside the gift was a note, written on monogrammed paper, which read: “With the compliments of HRH the Duchess of Sussex.” This revelation reignited controversy, as Meghan and Harry had formally agreed not to use their HRH prefixes after stepping down as senior working royals in March 2020. Following their exit, widely referred to as “Megxit,” an agreement with the late Queen stipulated that the couple would no longer use their HRH titles, particularly for any commercial purposes. In line with this decision, the Duke of Sussex had his HRH designation removed from the official royal family website, Royal.uk, in late 2023. On their biography pages, they are now listed simply as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, unlike others who retain the His or Her Royal Highness styles. A Palace statement from 2020 had made the arrangement clear, stating that the couple “will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family.” Since then, some critics have gone further, calling for Harry and Meghan to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles altogether, a designation originally granted by Queen Elizabeth II upon their marriage in May 2018. As part of the broader terms of their departure, Harry and Meghan also relinquished various patronages and military appointments, including Harry’s role as captain general of the Royal Marines. In the same podcast interview, Meghan hinted at future literary ambitions. When asked about the possibility of writing another book, she said: “Yes maybe, for sure.” While she did not confirm plans for a memoir, she added: “People are often curious about whether I’d write a memoir but I’ve got a lot of life to live before I’m there.” The idea of Meghan penning a memoir is not far-fetched. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she had remarked, “I’ve never had to sign anything that restricts me from talking. I can talk about my whole experience and make a choice not to.” Her comments come in the wake of Prince Harry’s own memoir Spare, released in 2023, which stirred significant controversy, particularly over allegations that Prince William physically attacked him. During the podcast, Meghan also reflected emotionally on her life in California with Harry, describing it as a "honeymoon period" following their tumultuous years in England. “You have to imagine, at the beginning it’s all butterflies — but then we immediately went into the trenches together. Right out of the gate, like six months into dating. So now seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way,” she said. In an especially touching moment, Meghan broke down in tears while reading a heartfelt letter from her children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. The note said: “From Archie and Lili via Papa. We love your cooking. We love your pancakes and we love, love, love your hugs. You’re the best mummy and we love you.” Meghan commented on the British spelling of “mummy” rather than the American “mommy,” saying, “So sweet. I also love that it’s mummy, instead of mommy, which is very British.” Fighting back tears, she added, “I wasn’t expecting this, they’re just so great. This is why it’s so nice to have no make-up on, thank you.” Meghan also revealed a touching family tradition, sharing that she sends her children an email every day to create a “time capsule” for them to revisit when they grow older. Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-04-30

A hundred days into his second term, Donald Trump is moving at a breathtaking pace, delivering on promises with a velocity that has rattled critics and electrified supporters. While outlets like The New York Times clamor to paint a picture of disarray, the reality on the ground tells a far more complex story—one that echoes the visual trick of the Duck-Rabbit illusion. Depending on your vantage point, Trump’s America is either in chaos or on the cusp of a new era. “The turbulent early months of Mr. Trump’s administration are seen as ‘chaotic’ and ‘scary’ by majorities of voters,” reported The New York Times, citing their own poll conducted in partnership with Siena College. That survey pegged the president’s approval rating at 42 percent, down from around 50 percent at the start of the year. But other polls—like one conducted by the Daily Mail—have him at a robust 54 percent. As viewers of Yes, Prime Minister would know, polls are highly sensitive to the way questions are framed. They often reflect the desires of those commissioning them more than the sentiment of the public at large. The media’s dire tone is hardly new. During Trump’s first term, each controversy—be it Russia, Stormy Daniels, or January 6—was heralded as the scandal that would finally bring him down. But none ever did. The latest accusation, that Trump’s reforms are too swift or too disruptive, is more of the same. “What the Left calls ‘chaos’ the rest of us call ‘winning,’” the author notes. Trump’s agenda is unapologetically aggressive. He was re-elected on the strength of a three-pronged promise: to secure the border, deport illegal immigrants, and reorient the U.S. economy and foreign policy around American interests. In just over three months, he has made startling progress on all fronts. Border crossings have plummeted, deportations have surged, and countries once resistant to Trump’s America First stance are now seeking trade agreements on his terms. Even China is sending quiet signals of cooperation. Key to his momentum is the work of Elon Musk and the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency. Their audits have unearthed staggering levels of waste and corruption throughout federal agencies. Trump’s call to “Make America Great Again” is not mere branding—it’s an insistence on fiscal discipline not seen since before Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society initiatives flooded the system with unaccountable spending. “Trump’s deployment of Doge is a first step on the long journey of fiscal recovery, but it is a step in the right direction,” the piece argues. Signs of broader transformation are beginning to surface. The economy, briefly rattled by tariffs, is recovering. The crisis in Ukraine may soon see resolution. At home, Trump is taking on America’s elite academic institutions, pressing them to abandon discriminatory practices and purge deeply ingrained ideological biases. Ivy League schools appear to be folding, one by one, under that pressure. You won’t find this narrative in The New York Times. But to many Americans, what once looked like a duck now clearly resembles a charging bull. As the puzzle pieces of Trump’s second term click into place, his vision of a revitalized, disciplined, and proudly sovereign America is beginning to feel not just possible, but inevitable. For his supporters, a new golden age may indeed be dawning. Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph 2025-04-30

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@newbee2022 a post making inflammatory and false claims has been removed. Please remain on topic: BBC Contributor in Gaza Sparks Outrage ‘We’ll burn Jews like Hitler did’

Justice Department Strips Immunity from UNRWA, Backing Lawsuit by Oct. 7 Victims' Families In a significant reversal of previous U.S. policy, the Justice Department has declared that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not entitled to immunity from prosecution, opening the door for a $1 billion lawsuit brought by survivors and families of the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. Under President Biden’s administration, the Justice Department had argued that UNRWA and its personnel were protected by “absolute immunity” under the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945. However, the Trump administration has now taken a starkly different position. New Topic:

Tragic Missteps: New Report Reveals Critical Errors Behind Black Hawk and Jet Collision That Killed 67 A devastating new report has unveiled the fatal missteps that led to the collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, killing 67 people. The investigation found that Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca Lobach did not comply with critical directions to alter her course seconds before the fatal incident. On the night of January 29, Capt. Lobach was undergoing her annual flight evaluation, with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves serving as her instructor. According to details published by The New York Times, Lobach made several critical errors, including flying the Black Hawk too high and failing to heed advice from both air traffic control and her co-pilot moments before the crash. The crew was first alerted to the presence of an approaching aircraft during the evaluation flight. Despite acknowledging the proximity of the plane and spotting it visually, Lobach and Eaves requested to continue under "visual separation," a procedure that relies on pilots using their own observations to maintain a safe distance rather than strictly following air traffic control directions. Aviation experts noted, "The request to fly under those rules is granted routinely in airspace overseen by controllers. Most of the time, visual separation is executed without note. But when mishandled, it can also create a deadly risk — one that aviation experts have warned about for years." Fifteen seconds before the crash, air traffic control instructed the Black Hawk crew to turn left. Co-pilot Eaves reiterated the instruction directly to Lobach, telling her, according to the report, that "he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left, toward the east river bank." Nevertheless, Lobach did not make the turn, a decision that the report concluded "would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342" if she had complied. Instead, tragedy struck as the helicopter and the jet collided, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Lobach, an aviation officer from Durham, North Carolina, had accumulated around 500 hours of flight time and had previously served as a White House military social aide during the Biden administration. The investigation also revealed that a critical step was missed that night. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, pilots must be explicitly informed if two aircraft are on a collision course. Experts concluded that "immediate intervention was needed" but did not occur, noting, "Direct, immediate intervention was needed that night. Instead of seeing and avoiding Flight 5342, Captain Lobach continued flying straight at it." Why Lobach failed to act remains a mystery. Investigators theorize that she may have been "blindsided" by the American Airlines flight’s maneuvering, specifically its "circling" of Runway 33—a crucial detail the Black Hawk crew may not have heard. It is believed that both pilots might have been pressing the microphone key while this information was transmitted. "If the key is depressed, the pilot can speak but not hear incoming communications," the report explained. There is no indication that Lobach experienced a medical emergency during the crash, and no pre-existing health issues were identified, according to those close to her and the investigation. Further complicating the situation, earlier findings from February indicated that the Black Hawk's altitude readings might have been inaccurate moments before the crash. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy explained that the helicopter’s crew missed critical instructions because a radio transmission "was stepped on," preventing them from hearing the words "pass behind the" during a crucial communication exchange. "At 8:47:42 — or 17 seconds before impact — a radio transmission from the tower was audible on both CVRs directing the Black Hawk to pass behind the CRJ," Homendy stated. The Black Hawk was conducting a check flight that night, and the crew were using night vision goggles throughout the mission. Investigators believe the goggles remained on until the collision. It was also discovered that the helicopter’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) system was turned off for "no compelling reason," as Sen. Ted Cruz had previously told The New York Times. This system would have provided real-time location, altitude, and speed data, possibly preventing the collision. The American Airlines jet, piloted by 34-year-old Jonathan Campos, was preparing to land after flying from Wichita, Kansas. The jet had adjusted its approach to use a shorter runway at the request of air traffic control, a move confirmed by flight-tracking sites. Just two seconds before the collision, the passenger jet's altitude was recorded at 313 feet. The loss was immense, touching families across the country. Among the passengers were hunters, students and parents from northern Virginia schools, and members of the Skating Club of Boston, who were returning from a development camp following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. Related Topics: AA’s Diversity Policies Under Fire After Deadly Air Collision Midair Collision Near Reagan National Sends Plane into Potomac River Adpated by ASEAN Now from Daily Mail 2025-04-29

Labour Faces Ongoing Threat From Gaza-Backed Independents in Local Elections Muslim voters have long been a crucial part of Labour’s support base, but a deepening sense of disillusionment, exacerbated by the war in Gaza, is now fueling concerns within the party that this support may be slipping away permanently. Many Muslim voters turned to independent candidates in last year's general election, and with local elections approaching, Labour figures worry this shift is becoming a permanent feature of British politics. Much of the attention heading into the upcoming local elections has been on Reform UK, with Nigel Farage’s party tipped to gain hundreds of council seats from both the Tories and Labour. Yet in towns like Burnley, Lancashire, another narrative is quietly taking shape: the rise of Gaza-focused independent candidates threatening Labour’s traditional stronghold in Muslim communities. Although Labour leader Keir Starmer secured a resounding victory last July, the party suffered shocks in areas with large Muslim populations. Jonathan Ashworth, a former shadow cabinet minister, lost his Leicester South seat to independent candidate Shockat Adam, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting saw his majority in Ilford North slashed from over 9,000 to just over 500 votes. Senior Labour insiders believe this shift is not a one-off, with some convinced that independent candidates will continue to erode Labour’s Muslim vote. Burnley offers a clear example of where Labour could be vulnerable. Despite celebrations for Burnley Football Club’s promotion to the Premier League, the town struggles with severe deprivation, with government statistics revealing record numbers of young people living in poverty. Rob Ford, a politics professor at the University of Manchester, told PoliticsHome that "the general level of discontent in the Muslim communities is very high." He added that the war in Gaza has become a “lightning rod” issue, encouraging Muslim voters to turn away from Labour. One Labour MP warned, “People in the party are putting their focus on Reform, which I get, but also at the expense of this threat,” adding, “these are real extremists.” Independent candidates like 18-year-old Maheen Kamran are stepping into this space. Motivated by the situation in Gaza, Kamran aims to improve school standards, public cleanliness, and promote gender-segregated public spaces. "There’s a big aspect of free mixing,” she said. “Muslim women aren’t really comfortable with being involved with Muslim men. I'm sure we can have segregated areas, segregated gyms, where Muslim women don't have to sacrifice their health." Another independent, Usman Arif, is running in Burnley North East after leaving Labour over its stance on Gaza. He regularly posts about the war on his Facebook page and is campaigning on local issues like potholes and public safety. In Preston, too, Labour fears a dent in its support after pro-Gaza independent Michael Lavalette came second in last year’s election. Lord Hayward, a Tory peer and pollster, predicted that this realignment of Muslim voters could have a “lasting effect.” He told PoliticsHome, “I don’t see Labour being able to resolve this issue with the Muslim community in places where there are large Muslim populations,” adding that the ongoing conflict in Gaza will make it even harder for Labour to win back disillusioned voters. A Labour source spoke of an “unravelling of the social fabric” in areas where support for independents is surging. "There are strong divisions in these seats on the fault lines of class and religion. But what unites those communities is a general disillusionment with politics and government, and disappointment at the decline of public services." Former Labour candidate Khalid Ahmed, who resigned from the party over its Gaza stance, is now working with Ayoub Khan, an independent MP, to expand their influence. However, a lack of formal coordination among independent candidates remains a hurdle. Ali Arshad, a Kirklees councillor elected on a pro-Gaza platform, even described the Reform UK manifesto as "brilliant," except for its stance on the European Convention on Human Rights, indicating the complexity of the new independent movement. Meanwhile, Khalid Mahmood, Labour’s former MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, warned that Labour must stand against "Islamist" interests, saying, “While some Islamist organisations continue to pressure the government under the guise of combating Islamophobia, their demands are rarely about genuine inclusion. They are political and often incompatible with liberal democratic values.” Labour’s strategy is to improve public services to win back voters across all communities. Yet, as the local elections loom, it seems clear that the challenge posed by independent, pro-Gaza candidates is one Labour cannot afford to ignore. Adpated by ASEAN Now from Politics Home 2025-04-29

Trump’s Decision on Ukraine Negotiations Expected This Week, Rubio Says Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that the Trump administration will decide within the coming week whether to continue pushing for a negotiated settlement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, or if it will shift its focus to other pressing matters. Speaking on NBC’s "Meet the Press," Rubio described the upcoming days as "very important," noting, "We have to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in or if it’s time to sort of focus on some other issues that are equally if not more important in some cases." It remains unclear whether Rubio’s remarks were intended to pressure Ukraine and Russia into initiating direct peace talks or whether President Trump and his advisers are seriously contemplating abandoning the negotiations altogether. Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, offered no strong indication that a breakthrough was imminent. Appearing on CBS News’s "Face the Nation," Lavrov stated, "We are ready to reach a deal," but acknowledged, "There are still some specific points — elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned." Tensions were heightened last Thursday when Russia unleashed a wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people. The strikes drew unusually strong condemnation from President Trump. Despite this, Lavrov revealed during his CBS interview, recorded the same day as the attacks, that Russia had yet to agree to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day full cease-fire, an idea the Ukrainians have already endorsed. Rubio’s comments came just a day after an unexpected meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican, where both leaders were attending Pope Francis’s funeral. Photos posted by aides showed Trump and Zelensky engaged in conversation inside St. Peter’s Basilica. It marked their first face-to-face meeting since a heated Oval Office encounter in February, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelensky for what they perceived as a lack of appreciation toward the United States. The negotiations have been complicated by several contentious points. Among them is the Trump administration’s demand that the United States recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and its apparent willingness to accept Russia’s ongoing occupation of significant areas of eastern Ukraine, seized since 2014. Trump has also signaled he would block Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during his tenure. After his meeting with Trump on Saturday, Zelensky expressed cautious optimism. In a social media post, he described their conversation as a "very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results." White House spokesman Steven Cheung echoed this sentiment, calling the discussion "very productive." Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times 2025-04-29

Justice Department Strips Immunity from UN Palestinian Relief Agency, Backing Lawsuit by Oct. 7 Victims' Families In a significant reversal of previous U.S. policy, the Justice Department has declared that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not entitled to immunity from prosecution, opening the door for a $1 billion lawsuit brought by survivors and families of the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. Under President Biden’s administration, the Justice Department had argued that UNRWA and its personnel were protected by “absolute immunity” under the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945. However, the Trump administration has now taken a starkly different position. "Previously, the Government expressed the view that certain immunities shielded UNRWA from having to answer those allegations in American courts," said a letter submitted Thursday to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York. "The Government has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants," wrote U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth in the letter. This letter was submitted in support of a lawsuit filed on June 24, representing over 100 victims and survivors. The lawsuit accuses UNRWA and seven of its current or former leaders of playing a key role over the last decade in helping Hamas build the “terror infrastructure and personnel that were necessary to carry out the October 7 Attack.” “As a result, UNRWA is not subject to the General Convention, and is not immune from suit under that treaty or current U.S. law,” the Justice Department’s letter asserted. Furthermore, the document argued that UNRWA cannot even be classified as a “subsidiary organ” of the United Nations because it was not designated as such under the International Organizations Immunities Act. "It is the present view of the United States that UNRWA is not" considered an official part of the United Nations, the letter said, but "instead, it is a mere 'affiliate or instrumentality' of the UN, analogous to the specialized agencies referenced in the UN Charter." This shift marks a dramatic legal and political moment for the families seeking justice for the victims of the Hamas assault, potentially exposing UNRWA to massive financial damages and intensifying scrutiny of its operations in the region. Related Topics: Victims of October 7 Attack Sue UNRWA for $1 Billion, Accusing It of Aiding Hamas Released Hostage Emily Damari Tells Keir Starmer she was held in UN Facilities Survivors sue UNRWA USA for funding Hamas terrorism Adpated by ASEAN Now from AP | TOI 2025-04-26

Donald Trump’s Mission to Reshape America: “Fighting for the World” Donald Trump is described as being “on a jihad” to reform the United States, according to Steve Bannon, a close ally and former chief strategist. Speaking to Time Magazine in an extensive interview marking the president’s first 100 days back in office, Bannon and other members of Trump’s inner circle portrayed a leader determined to upend traditional structures and reshape America to his vision. Discussing the Trump administration’s aggressive overhaul of federal institutions and its clashes with universities and the courts, Bannon stated, “He is on a jihad to reform them first by bringing them to heel.” Since resuming office, Trump has targeted U.S. institutions with sweeping changes, ignited a global trade war, threatened U.S. allies with military occupation, and embarked on what he describes as the “largest deportation” effort in American history, all part of his ambition to rebuild the global order in his image. “Our success depends on his ability to shock you,” one senior official confided to Time. Despite grand promises such as ending the Russia-Ukraine war on “day one,” Trump later clarified that such claims were “an exaggeration” made “in jest.” Nevertheless, he insisted that “Crimea will stay with Russia” under any peace deal and suggested Ukraine bore responsibility for the conflict, stating, “I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining Nato.” Trump’s first months in office have been marked by provocative ideas, including proposals to annex Greenland, reclaim control of the Panama Canal, and make Canada America’s “51st state.” While critics dismiss these notions as jokes, Trump asserted to Time, “I’m really not trolling. Canada is an interesting case.” He further added that he “wouldn’t mind” being remembered for expanding American territory. “I have solved more problems in the world without asking for or getting credit,” Trump said. Amid criticism of his trade policies, Trump remains steadfast in his belief that tariffs are crucial. “The bond market was getting the yips, but I wasn’t,” he explained to Time. Trump said he would consider it a “total victory” if the United States maintained 50 percent tariffs by next year. In a relentless drive to slash federal spending, Trump has acted swiftly to dismantle parts of the government, eliminating over 100,000 civil servant positions. “He has ceded absolutely nothing to the bureaucracy — zero,” said senior adviser Susie Wiles. “Everything he wants to do or thinks is important for the country, we have figured out a way.” Central to this effort is Elon Musk’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with rooting out “waste, fraud and abuse” within government agencies. Wiles noted that the Doge initiative has been Trump's most powerful tool, remarking, “Had we not done that, even with the discomfort it caused… then we would leave here in four years having cut the federal bureaucracy by 0.18 per cent.” Trump has also demonstrated little hesitation in making others uncomfortable to achieve his goals. He once delivered a 45-minute lecture to Congressional Republicans to push through his spending bill, emphasizing, “This is what I want.” In a tougher stance on immigration, the president has sent hundreds of migrants to El Salvador’s Cecot prison and arrested foreign students and academics for allegedly harboring anti-American sentiments. On the high-profile deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly sent to El Salvador, Trump admitted he was initially “not happy” about the mistake but changed his mind after hearing about Garcia’s alleged ties to the MS-13 gang, a claim Garcia denies. Trump likened this controversy to a "men in women’s sports issue" for his political opponent. Additionally, Trump expressed enthusiasm for the idea of sending U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes to foreign prisons, saying it was something his administration was “looking into” and that he would “love to” implement. Asked which criminals he had in mind, he responded, “people that hit old ladies over the head with a baseball bat” and “people that push people into subway trains.” Comparing his pace of reform to that of leaders in Venezuela, Turkey, and Hungary, Trump boasted, “I am moving much faster.” He added, “What worries me most has been how slow US society has responded.” Despite swirling rumors that Trump might seek a third term through legal loopholes, he dismissed the speculation, asserting, “I don’t believe in using loopholes.” For now, Trump’s attention is firmly set on leaving a historic legacy. Reflecting on his current term compared to his previous tenure, he concluded, “Last time I was fighting for survival. This time I’m fighting for the world.” Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph 2025-04-26