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Possible effects of poll activities on COVID-19 cases seen in two weeks — DOH
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US will abandon Ukraine peace efforts ‘within days’ if no progress made, Rubio warns
Posts using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate. -
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U.S. Destroys Houthi Fuel Terminal in Yemen 70 Killed according to Houthi officials
The United States military has confirmed it carried out an airstrike targeting a fuel terminal at the Red Sea port of Ras Isa in Yemen, a site controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The operation marks the latest in a series of escalating military actions aimed at curbing the group's capabilities and financial resources. According to the U.S. military, the strike was intended to disrupt the Houthis’ access to essential fuel supplies and diminish the funding pipeline that supports their operations. “The aim of the attack on the Red Sea port of Ras Isa was to restrict supplies and funds for the Iranian-backed movement,” the U.S. military stated. However, Houthi officials reported a heavy human toll, claiming that at least 70 people were killed in the strike, including several paramedics who were responding to the initial blast. Some 171 others were wounded, the health ministry said Friday. The group did not provide details on how the casualties were distributed or whether the site housed non-military personnel at the time. Despite these claims, U.S. officials have not publicly addressed the reported death toll. As noted by Reuters, “U.S. officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the death toll provided by the Houthi media.” The strike comes just weeks after the United States significantly ramped up its military campaign against Houthi positions in Yemen. The increase in attacks is a direct response to the Houthis’ continued targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These assaults, which began in October 2023 following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, have had a notable impact on global shipping. The Houthis, who say their attacks are a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have succeeded in sinking vessels and disrupting one of the world’s most vital trade corridors. The Red Sea, which connects to the Suez Canal, accounts for nearly 15% of all seaborne trade. As a result of the danger posed by Houthi attacks, many international shipping companies have rerouted their vessels to avoid the area, significantly increasing transportation costs and delivery times. In an unusual twist, one recent U.S. military operation in Yemen was inadvertently revealed through a Signal chat group after a journalist was mistakenly added to a private conversation among senior officials. This accidental disclosure added a layer of intrigue to what is already a complex and volatile situation. The U.S. has maintained that its actions are a measured response to threats against international shipping and regional stability. Still, the rising death toll and the potential for further escalation highlight the delicate balance between military intervention and humanitarian concerns in an already fragile region. Destruction of Houthi Controlled Ras Isa Fuel Port USCENTCOM The Houthis have continued to benefit economically and militarily from countries and companies that provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling the profits from the import. This fuel should be legitimately supplied to the people of Yemen. Despite the Foreign Terrorist Designation that went into effect on 05 April, ships have continued to supply fuel via the port of Ras Isa. Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts. Today, US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years. The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis, who continue to exploit and bring great pain upon their fellow countrymen. This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully. The Houthis, their Iranian masters, and those who knowingly aid and abet their terrorist actions should be put on notice that the world will not accept illicit smuggling of fuel and war material to a terrorist organization. Based on a report by BBC | CNN | X 2025-04-18 Related Topics: Trump Warns Israel Would Lead Strike if Iran Refuses to Abandon Nuclear Ambitions Iran Withdraws Support from Houthis Amid Intensified US Airstrikes US deploys “overwhelming lethal force” against Houthis in Yemen -
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Swastikas at NY GOP Headquarters Condemned as a “Vile Act of Political Hatred”
Swastikas at NY GOP Headquarters Condemned as a “Vile Act of Political Hatred” In an act that has sparked bipartisan condemnation, the New York Republican Party’s headquarters in Albany was targeted in what party leaders are calling a deliberate and hateful attack. Printed images of swastikas were found duct-taped to the windows and doors of the building early Thursday morning, prompting a police investigation and widespread outrage. Albany police confirmed that they are looking into the incident as a potential hate crime after discovering the symbols—emblems of the Nazi regime—displayed prominently across the GOP state headquarters. Photos revealed black swastikas, printed on white paper with red borders, taped to various parts of the building. Another printed sheet, also affixed to the wall, carried a chilling message: “If this is not what you stand for, prove it.” New York GOP Chair Ed Cox did not mince words in response to the vandalism. “A vandal duct taped swastikas to our doors and windows—symbols of genocidal evil, meant to intimidate and silence. This is not only an attack on our party, it is also an attack on the values of civil discourse, democracy and decency,” Cox said in a public statement. He further called on top Democratic leaders in the state, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, to speak out against the incident and condemn the use of hateful symbolism in political discourse. Governor Hochul responded via social media, expressing strong disapproval of the act. “This is unacceptable. No one should ever resort to violence or vandalism to make a political point,” she tweeted. Attorney General James echoed the sentiment, urging unity against all forms of hatred. “Defacing any institution, across any political party, house of worship, or anywhere else with antisemitic hate or hate of any kind is wrong. All New Yorkers should reject these hateful acts to the fullest extent,” she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Republican leaders also reacted strongly. House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik called for full legal accountability for those responsible. “We must ensure that this vicious criminal who perpetrated this heinous crime is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. While authorities continue their investigation, the incident has become a flashpoint in the broader debate about the limits of political expression and the importance of civility in a deeply divided climate. The use of Nazi imagery, a symbol synonymous with genocide and hate, has struck a particularly sensitive nerve across party lines and serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of political extremism. As leaders on both sides of the aisle condemn the attack, the hope remains that this disturbing act will galvanize a renewed commitment to respectful discourse and a firm rejection of hate in any form. Based on a report by NYP 2025-04-19 -
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Trump’s Battle Isn't Against Democracy—It’s Against the Power Brokers Who Claimed It
Trump’s Battle Isn't Against Democracy—It’s Against the Power Brokers Who Claimed It Donald Trump’s aggressive pushback against the Washington establishment is being framed by critics as an attack on democracy itself, but a closer look reveals a very different picture. What’s happening isn’t the destruction of democratic institutions—it’s the dismantling of a decades-old oligarchy that seized control of them. The backlash from the Beltway’s entrenched class shows just how threatened they feel. These so-called defenders of democracy are suffering what can only be described as political shell shock. In the modern era, no incoming administration has taken such a decisive and relentless stand against the political uniparty—those elites who have entrenched themselves in the machinery of American governance. For years, their authority went unchallenged. Now, Trump’s refusal to play by their rules has prompted a furious reaction. Rather than face the real issue—the exposure of their own overreach—they accuse him of authoritarianism and claim he poses a threat to democratic norms. The irony, as many have noted, is almost too much to bear. CNN recently published a lengthy and ominously titled article, “Trump is using the power of government to punish opponents.” The report suggests Trump is stretching presidential powers in an “unprecedented” manner to target political enemies and undermine independent institutions. “His actions,” the article warns, “are paralyzing institutions that stand as pillars of America’s independent civic society.” But let’s examine those claims. Is Trump weaponizing lawfare to jail his opponents? Is he censoring the press, curbing academic freedom, or compromising judicial independence? The answer to all of those questions is no. In reality, Trump is doing the opposite. He is taking aim at a political elite that has monopolized power within these institutions for decades. The measures he’s enacted are aimed at loosening their grip—not tightening his own. Among the most cited offenses: Trump has revoked federal contracts and security clearances from law firms that engaged in politically motivated harassment suits against him. These same groups tried to block him from the ballot in the last election. They even pursued legal maneuvers aimed at incarcerating him before voters had a chance to cast their ballots. Now, those who sought to deny voters a choice are outraged that Trump is pushing back. Several firms have reached multi-million dollar settlements and offered pro-bono services to the Trump administration, hoping to avoid further scrutiny. Another so-called authoritarian overreach was Trump’s pressure on Columbia University and similar institutions over their failure to address anti-Israel protests and harassment of Jewish students. Trump threatened to pull $400 million in federal funding unless universities enacted stricter rules on protests, banned masks, held student groups accountable, empowered law enforcement, and reviewed Middle East studies programs. Columbia ultimately agreed to the demands. Former university president Lee Bollinger called it “the most serious intrusion into academic freedom and autonomy” he could remember. But to many Americans, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this wasn’t an intrusion but a necessary correction. “America grants visas to foreign students to come and study and get a degree,” said Rubio, “not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses.” Trump’s reevaluation of media access is also portrayed as a danger to democratic norms. In truth, he simply shifted influence away from legacy media outlets—whose credibility has plummeted—and opened the door for alternative platforms that now command public trust. This isn't an assault on press freedom; it's a rebalancing of access and accountability. Finally, Trump’s attempts to root out waste and inefficiency in the executive branch, including his campaign promise to appoint Elon Musk to lead a Department of Government Efficiency, are now being challenged in court. Bureaucrats claim this effort is an attempt to “bend U.S. institutions to his will.” But the reality is straightforward: Trump is asking government employees to follow the directives of the executive branch—the very branch they work for. What we’re witnessing isn’t a breakdown of democracy. It’s the first real effort in generations to return democratic institutions to the people by stripping power from a cloistered elite. The deep state got comfortable calling the shots. Now, their hysterical resistance to change is revealing just how absurd their claims really are. Based on a report by The Hill 2025-04-19 -
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UK: Gaza groups tell Muslims who to vote for ‘Allah sees everything’
A controversial campaign video circulating in the lead-up to next month’s local elections in Wycombe has drawn sharp criticism from senior political figures and raised concerns over potential breaches of UK electoral law. The video, aimed at Muslim voters, promotes certain candidates based on their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and uses overt religious messaging, including the phrase “Allah sees everything,” to influence voter behaviour. The video highlights 81 Buckinghamshire county council candidates, distinguishing between those who support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and those who do not. Eighteen candidates who pledged to “support and promote divestment from companies involved in human rights violations” are marked with green ticks. In contrast, 63 others who either opposed the boycott or did not respond to inquiries are labelled with red crosses. Text at the start of the video reads: “Think before you vote! It’s clear who is supporting genocide and subservient to their masters. There are those that are against it, have morals and are not scared to support the oppressed. Don’t just vote because they are Muslim.” It ends with a stark warning: “Think before you vote. Separate the clout seekers from humans who will make a difference. Don’t sell your soul as Allah sees everything.” The video bears the logos of the High Wycombe branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and the national pressure group Palestine on the Ballot. However, the PSC has publicly denied any involvement in producing the clip. A spokesperson from the High Wycombe branch stated, “This video was not produced by our branch, and we have no knowledge of who created it. It does contain some screenshots of legitimate questions that our High Wycombe branch has asked of all candidates standing in the upcoming local elections, along with their responses.” The video’s use of religious language and its attempt to influence voters on spiritual grounds has sparked concern that it may fall foul of the Elections Act 2022, which prohibits “undue spiritual influence” — a criminal offence carrying a maximum prison sentence of two years. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, strongly condemned the video, calling it “evil Islamist sectarianism.” Speaking to The Telegraph, she said, “Conservatives will never succumb or kowtow to this evil Islamist sectarianism, which destroys lives all around the world. It is evil, make no mistake, and it stands against everything we believe in. Every day millions of people flee countries where this sort of politics is practised. It does not belong in Britain and threatens our democracy and our way of life.” Steve Baker, former Conservative MP for Wycombe and a former minister of state for Northern Ireland, echoed these concerns, drawing parallels between the video and the dangers of religiously divided politics. “As a former minister of state for Northern Ireland, I’ve seen the legacy of sectarian religious politics – it is not a healthy place to go,” he said. “If you’re amongst those who are promoting it, stop it please. You’re not even serving the people of Gaza.” Baker added a direct message to local Muslim voters: “If you’re a local British Muslim, please know that voting on religious lines is not helping that cause, and far from it, it’s harming your own position in the United Kingdom.” Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also weighed in, claiming the video confirms his warnings about religiously influenced voting blocs. “This is sectarian politics, as I predicted. Do they realise these are local elections?” he asked. According to the 2021 census, around 7 percent of Buckinghamshire's population identifies as Muslim — slightly above the national average. Of the 18 candidates endorsed in the video, eight are Liberal Democrats, eight are independents, and two are Conservatives. Labour, which suffered losses in past elections due to pro-Palestinian independent challengers, has faced declining Muslim support following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza. Adding to the atmosphere, a group called The Muslim Vote, which advocates for pro-Gaza positions in British elections, stated in a recent social media clip: “We will organise on every front. We will play the game but from now on we play to win,” indicating plans to target “100 seats” in the next general election. Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party were contacted for comment regarding the video but had not responded at the time of publication. Based on a report by The Telegraph 2025-04-19 -
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Trump Confirms September Return Visit to UK at King Charles’s Invitation
Trump Confirms Return Visit to UK at King Charles’s Invitation U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will travel to the United Kingdom in September, following a personal invitation from King Charles III. Calling the monarch his "friend," Trump described the upcoming trip as an "honour" and expressed admiration for the royal family and the country. “I was invited by the King and the great country … It is beautiful,” Trump stated during a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday. “It is the second time it has happened to one person. The reason is we have two separate terms and it’s an honour to be a friend of King Charles and the family, William.” The King suggested that the first visit could be more informal, perhaps at Balmoral Castle or Dumfries House in Scotland. He proposed that this meeting might take place during one of Trump’s visits to his Turnberry golf course, located along Scotland’s western coast. This potential meeting would be used to discuss the specifics of a larger, more ceremonial occasion. Trump is reportedly interested in returning to Windsor Castle, where he once had a formal audience with the late Queen Elizabeth II. According to The Telegraph, UK officials have been informed that Trump would prefer a more grandiose setting than the secluded Scottish residences. During his presidency, Trump made a state visit to the UK in June 2019 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. That trip included a military-focused ceremony with Queen Elizabeth and a formal dinner hosted by then-Prince Charles at Winfield House, the official residence of the U.S. ambassador to the UK. In his recent letter, King Charles expressed warm memories of Trump’s prior visits. He wrote that he remembered those moments “with great fondness,” and touched on a shared commitment to “the breadth of challenges across the world” and “the values which matter so much to us all.” If confirmed, the upcoming visit would mark a historic return for Trump, making him one of the few figures to receive multiple state visit invitations — a move that underscores the unique and evolving relationship between him and the British monarchy. Based on a report by The Times 2025-04-19
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